Friday shirt and jeans

It looks like my wardrobe planning for the week was a good idea after all. I wasn't feeling overly well this morning, so the last thing I needed was the extra effort of having to think of something to wear. And jeans and a stretchy but smart shirt was a nice, easy outfit and just what the doctor ordered (with the addition of a polka dot ribbon for interest/personality). Tousled hair and jeans stop the shirt from looking too stiff and formal. I'm pleased with my accidental foresight into what I would feel like wearing today.

Only once this week did I start thinking 'Ooh, that's a nice idea, I might wear that tomorrow...' - but then I remembered this week's rule and decided sticking to it was much better for the experiment. Also, it means I have a cute outfit idea up my sleeve for next week, which can't be bad. I'm also thinking about  trying out one of those style apps, where you can upload pics of your wardrobe and mix and match outfits that way. Genius. But for now, my old-school method of planning my week ahead on a Sunday evening has proved a success. Hurrah for sartorial organisation.

Shirt, Ralph Lauren; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; boots, Peacocks

Thursday black trouser revisit

Day four of this week's wardrobe planning and I'm wearing the black trousers again (the ones I wore on Monday in a relaxed vibe with a stripy top and flat loafers). Today, I've added wedge heels and a silky top, as I'm meeting a friend for lunch and wanted to up the ante a little. Silky tops like these are great, because they work just as well with wide-leg trousers, too, as well as skirts and jeans. The top's navy, from Zara, and I think they also have them in camel. Apologies for the quality of the shot, I've tried to lighten it to show the difference in colour between the top and trousers.

I like this look. I feel smart and feminine and could probably turn up the trouser hems and add some glitzier heels and maybe a statement necklace if I were off for cocktails later or something. Mind you, I'm having a questionable hair day, so maybe the cocktails will have to wait until I'm more acceptable for the viewing public.

Top (navy), Zara; trousers (black), Gap; multi-buckle wedges (black), Primark

Wednesday tunic

It's my last burlesque class tonight, so I need something I can move, shimmy and shake in, but that can also be worn to work, as I'm not going home to change. Once again, I've brought my red patent heels with me to change into later, and will be replacing my long-sleeved top, worn underneath the tunic dress, with a vest (it's physical stuff, all this bum-wiggling!). For today, though, I'm wearing the dress over a black, long-sleeved Tshirt, leather-look leggings and brown heeled boots. Smart and sassy for work, sexy and swishy for dancing. Day three and wardrobe prep is still going strong...

Tunic, Matalan; top, UniQlo; leggings, King's Road; boots, Office

Tuesday trousers

So far, so good with the wardrobe planning. I was ready for work much earlier than normal this morning, thanks to already having my outfit planned. And with it being a drizzly, grey start to the day, my tweed trousers and warm navy knit were just what the fashion doctor ordered (sweater tucked in to add shape). I love these trousers. They always give me that Annie Hall/70s preppy vibe. Going for a swim at lunchtime, and it should be a pretty quick outfit to get in and out of, too, due to the lack of tights and accessories (excluding my standard hoop earrings and oversized ring). All in all, successful plannage indeed. But it is only Tuesday. 

Sweater, Zara; trousers, H&M; belt, Primark; boots, Peacocks

Wardrobe for the week

In a moment of joyous organisation yesterday, I worked out every day's outfit for this week, to shave valuable minutes off the morning faff. This could now go one of two ways: I will either have a stress-free start to every day thanks to not having to worry about what to wear, or I will suddenly decide one morning that I don't want to wear my allocated outfit for the day, and will then wonder whether I ought to stick to the plan, or deviate.


I suppose the merits of weekly wardrobe planning can differentiate depending on your style personality. Will I be happier having everything laid out for me, ridding me of my regular 10-minutes' brainache between Snooze button hits where I frantically wonder what to wear that day? Or do I prefer a more relaxed, spontaneous approach to dressing, where I choose what I'm wearing depending on how I feel that day, what mood I'm in, what the weather's like? Hmm, well, we shall see, as I've decided to stick to this week's outfit list and will not allow myself to change my mind. Hopefully, this will, as intended, make life less stressful and more efficient. Either that or I'll be totally frustrated when I have to wear something I'm suddenly not in the mood for. 


What if all my outfits were chosen while I was in a Sunday state of mind and just aren't appropriate once I'm officially back into Work frame of mind? And what if I suddenly feel constrained by my choices – am I exposing myself to sartorial oppression by being forced into an 'outfit box' for the day?! Am I signing the death warrant on fashionable creativity or merely Making Life Easier? I'll let you know on Friday.


So, first up, here's the week's outfits:

Stripy top; black trousers; navy centre-frill top; navy V-neck sweater; tweed trousers; leopard print tunic; black leggings; white and blue striped shirt; boot flare jeans

And here's Monday's offering. Left-bank chic - simple, smart, comfortable, stylish. Four of my favourite words.

Top, market in St Tropez; trousers (turned up), Gap; tights, Falke; brown loafers, Primark

Copy cat

I was going through some celeb style blogs yesterday, catching up with who wore what, and spotted someone wearing quite a cute outfit, which inspired my own today. Worn by jewellery designer and socialite Eugenie Niarchos, the outfit consisted of silky cocktail shorts, a fine-knit sweater, opaques, heels and a bold scarf. As I don't own a pair of silky cocktail shorts (yet - they're so going on my list), I went for my faux leather ones, and similarly teamed them with a tucked-in fine-knit sweater, opaques, heels and a scarf. Only my scarf is tied in a way that means I can still move my head, and I chose my wedges instead of stilettos, as I was just going to be in the office all day. If I was heading out, I'd switch wedges for heeled courts maybe, exchange the brown belt for a gold one and perhaps change my knit for a chiffon blouse or silky top. Hmm, might add these ideas to my list of going-out outfits (one can never have too many lists).

Eugenie Niarchos

Sweater, Zara; shorts, Next; scarf, Oliver Bonas; tights, Falke;
wedges, Primark

Trend saturation

As much as I’m loving the majority of this season’s fashion trends, it gets a bit much when I’m on my way to work and walk past three women in fluffy gilets, a handful of shearling-trim ankle boots and a swathe of aviator jackets, and every other person seems to be sporting a camel something or other. It’s enough to make you sick of the sight of AW10 already, and it’s only just begun!

Not that I’m saying I don’t like these trends – this season’s fashion forecast works so well with the chilly weather, that anything fluffy or shearling-lined seems not just damn well appropriate, but practically obligatory.

Nor am I saying that I don’t advocate following fashion (hello? I just bought a camel cape for heaven's sake), it’s just that I sometimes get a bit bored when I see so many clones all about me. I’ve often walked away from something I really love in a clothes shop, purely because I know loads of other people will love it too, and then we’ll all be walking around looking like identikit versions of each other. Sometimes I’ll ‘give a nod’ to a trend rather than going the whole hog – for instance carrying a shearling-trim bag rather than going for the aviator jacket (seriously, when you work on women’s fashion magazines, you have to really think about what you’re wearing so as not to enter the office wearing exactly the same as every other woman in there).

What I'm saying is, if people are going to dip their toe into a major, popular trend of the season, I think they need to be careful how they wear it so as not to totally lose all sense of individuality. That’s the thing about fashion, really – you don’t have to be stylish to be a follower of fashion. Style is about taking something – fashion-forward or not – and putting your own stamp on it, wearing it your way. Yes, buy one of the latest directional pieces, but give it a spin, wear it differently to how it’s worn in all the magazines, or customise it somehow. For instance, belt your faux-fur gilet with a bright print silk scarf rather than the skinny belt it came with; team your camel coat with hot pink gloves or a slick of red lippy; try belting your aviator jacket for a different silhouette. And then, as the X Factor judges are fond of repeating proudly to their wannabes, ‘You’ve made it your own’. 

 The designers who kicked it all off…

Burberry Prorsum's shearling-lined aviator

D&G's faux fur

Camel at Michael Kors

Photos: Vogue.com

Style salute

Could it be any colder today? It's brass monkeys out there! And talking of brass (spurious link coming up...), I was feeling a military look this morning, so teamed my khaki Houlihan-esque skinny combats (Primark – total style steal! Don't they look like J Brands??) with my navy woollen V-neck sweater from Zara with button trim up from the wrists. Actually, the sweater has a bit of a school-uniform feel to it too, so it would also work a treat in a preppy outfit. If I was going for the full look, I could pop a military-style hat on, such as the one below. But I'm not one for overkill. And anyway, I'd just washed my hair. Hat hair is sooo not a good look.

Sweater, Zara; skinny combats, Primark; boots, Peacocks

Hat, New Look

Small person style steal

It occurred to me after yesterday's post that I need not be envious of the small people and their wardrobe options, as there are plenty of fun, lighthearted choices out there in big person land. And, should I ever come over all nostalgic for those easy days as a 10-year-old, or simply desperate for an item of clothing to bring me joy just for the sake of its sillyness, I could go out and buy one of the following, then wear with pride while chewing away on a Drumstick lolly. And humming the theme tune to Thundercats.

£35, Cath Kidston

£80, Tatty Devine

£69, Vivien of Holloway

£38, Cath Kidston

£16, Topshop

£12, Topshop

Small person style envy

We live round the corner from a play centre and creche, and they have kids' parties virtually every day of the week, which means I constantly see gleeful small people trotting past, victoriously grasping shiny balloons and gussied up in all their partywear finery. Not only is this quite a cute display, but I've found myself remembering how fab it was when I was five and got to wear glitter, sequins, feathers and bows – and sometimes just to the supermarket. Remember back in the day when you refused to wear anything but your favourite wellies, even in high summer? Or when you insisted upon taking your fairy wand to school, or how weekends weren't complete unless you were wearing a Mickey Mouse tracksuit while watching Disney Club?

The main thing that got me flashbacking to the good old days was seeing a curly-haired four year old this weekend wearing the most AMAZING pink sequinned hi-top trainers I've ever seen. I was so jealous, and I started yearning for all my favourite items of yesteryear - my polka dot Swatch watch, my red patent Clark's Magic Step shoes, my Kylie Tshirt, my lurid green foil-panelled party skirt and matching tights with diamante detail at the ankle.

Ah, if only, just for one day, we could forget looking stylish, on trend and coordinated and go out head to toe in whatever brought a great big, stupid grin to our faces. Even if that did involve wearing a red coat by its hood, and running around Tesco like a superhero in our glittery wellies...

 

 

 

Top to bottom: Brandon trainers; Swatch watch; Wings from Fairynanaland.com; Tutu from H&M Kids; Wand from Party Store

Subconscious hoarding

Now, I'm well aware that I'm a shoe hoarder. I have never been able to limit myself to a capsule footwear collection, preferring instead to just cram every available space in the spare room with wedges, boots, courts, kitten heels, platforms, peep-toes... I seriously have a shoe for every outfit eventuality, and yet this does not stop me from wanting more. There's something about footwear that sets my heart all of a flutter, and there's no comparable feeling to buying a new pair. No top, dress or bag has the same effect on me.

The worst thing about this is that, in my continual need to buy another pair, I have grown an unhealthy obsession with cheap shoes, delighting in a trip to Primarni or New Look or M&S, where you can pick up a Billy bargain of a shoe in your lunch hour (or, in my case, come home complete with FIVE shiny new pairs, as I did one particularly heady, shameful moment that became known among my friends as The Day Of Five Pairs). I'm sure there'll be people out there shrieking in horror at the moral/ecological/false-economical crimes I'm committing here, but there it is. I am a Shoe-a-holic.

And so it came as a bit of a surprise to discover recently that I am also, it appears, a bit of a coat hoarder. I am vaguely aware that perhaps I own one or two more coats than is strictly necessary (this has been brought to my attention on numerous occasions by my husband, bemoaning how impossible it is to enter our spare room for all the jackets hanging on the back of the door preventing it from opening fully). But coats are surely more of a health & safety thing, in that they are necessary to keep you warm, so as far as I'm concerned, they don't really count. But I wasn't aware just how many of these functional items I am actually in possession of, not, that is, until I found myself buying another one last week. Now how did that happen? I'll tell you how it happened. Purchase Justification, that's how. 

There I was in Topshop, window shopping, ahem... When, lo, I was all at once standing in front of the most gorgeous camel cape in the entire world. Funnel neck, military buttons, big pockets... My pulse quickened and I had one of those moments where you have to force yourself to saunter casually over towards an item you Must. Have. Now - so as not to appear to be too fussed with it, because that wouldn't be cool. Also, horror of horrors, by rushing over to your feted item, your excitement could potentially prompt an otherwise indifferent bystander to suddenly take an interest in it themselves! So when I finally had the cape in my greedy little mitts, my head was inundated with Purchase Justification:

1. Camel is SUCH a big colour this season (on trend)

2. Classic shape will be in fashion for years (investment)

3. Capes offer room to grow should I get pregnant in future (practical)

4. Funnel neck means no scarf needed (multitasking)

5. Smart enough for evening as well as daytime (versatile)

6. Thick enough to keep me warm but thin enough to wear in spring, too (transseasonal)

7. Easy to wear open when stepping from train to tube to escalator (London-appropriate)

I mean, it's a wonder I haven't bought one before now, because it's quite clear that this camel cape is an essential item in my wardrobe! In fact it makes me feel slightly nauseous that I might have gone through the whole season without owning one. So anyway, where was I? Oh yes, subconscious hoarding. Erm...  Did I tell you about my new cape?

Cape, Topshop

Shorts day to night: part two

Woohoo, just back from my fantabulous burlesque class and had a fabulous evening as usual, wiggling, grinding, shimmying and posturing like a good'un. And now the moment you've all been waiting for: the transformation of my shorts from day into night. So with a twist of my shirt tails, a slip of black opaques, a risky red dancing shoe and a slick of scarlet lippy, I was ready for action. I do love a good ta-da moment.

Strike a burlesque pose? Oh, go on then

With the divine Polly Rae (come on, we couldn't not pout!)

 Celebritease burlesque dance class, Pineapple Studios, London, www.pineapple.uk.com

Catch Polly Rae and her Hurly Burly Girlies at the next show, www.hurlyburlyuk.comwww.hurlyburlyuk.com

Shorts day to night: part one

Tonight, I'm hotfooting it into Covent Garden for a burlesque lesson with the fabulous Polly Rae at the famous Pineapple Studios. I need a quick turnaround after work, and therefore decided it would be easier to work with a daytime look that I can turn quickly into a nighttime look. So I'm starting out with my faux leather shorts, made work-friendly with thick grey woollen tights and a white shirt worn smartly, and a long chunky knit brown cardi over the top.

Later I shall transform, Superman-style, into Burlesque Girl! Or at the very least into someone dressed in an outfit that's suitable for shaking my thing in and also has a sassy edge (as is only fit when you're going to be shimmying away with one of burlesque's finest). In order to do this, I will be changing tights, ditching the cardi, slipping into fabulous patent heels and wearing my shirt differently. I may even add a sultry red lip, depending on how foxy I'm feeling...

Nipple tassels optional.

Cardi, New Look; shirt, M&S; shorts, Next; tights and wedges, Primark

Genre mixing

I'm a bit transseasonal again today, I don't know whether that's due to another sunny day in London or just inspiration from yesterday's post. But as it is, I felt the need to dig out my satin floral skater skirt today. Eagle-eyed It's A Look readers might remember me wearing this with a vest and gladiators back in the summer, and it's equally wearable right now with tights and boots and a warmer top. Today I'm teaming it with my slouchy grey V-neck sweater, because I love love love mixing genres.

When I say mixing genres, I mean I always get the urge to combine more formal/dressy items with casual/slouchy/sporty pieces. By formal/dressy, this could either relate to the style or texture of something (think tailoring, eveningwear or satin, silk, sequins, velvet, lace). So I like wearing a tailored shirt with relaxed harems, jeans and a basic cardi with a sequinned vest peeping out underneath, or a silk dress with a big, chunky woollen cardi over it. Like a pairing of opposites, if you will. 

Call me contrary, call me confused. Just don't call me during Downton Abbey (no one interrupts down time).

Sweater, Gap; skirt, H&M; boots, Dune

Transseasonal dressing

I loved my maxis so much over the summer that I can't bear to pack them away for AW. So I won't. I will instead be utilising the clever process of layering, in order that I can drift seamlessly into the new season in one of my summer must-haves. Today I made my maxi AW-ready by adding a checked shirt over the top and knotting it in the middle, then wearing it with thin socks and ankle boots. Incidentally, it's my husband's Superdry shirt. Must get my hands on one of those babies myself, as I'm always nabbing his, poor soul. 

I also like the idea of layering with a thin V-neck sweater over the top, and with a long-sleeved Breton top either underneath (with a belt to avoid bulkiness) or over the dress. Or simply slipping a longline cardi on, leaving it open and belting it around the waist, to add shape (see 1 maxi, 6 ways). Ankle boots, long boots and loafers all work well with maxis when the weather gets cooler. 

Transseasonal dressing - it's just a case of clever layering.

Shirt, Superdry; maxi, Topshop Boutique; ankle boots, Peacocks

1 white shirt, 6 ways

Here it is! Apologies for some of the blurry images, but I did it in a bit of a rush before work this morning, as I didn't want to let you down, seeing as I'd promised this post for this week. One white shirt, six ways of styling it, starting with Monday's outfit:

Simple, Chloe-style  Shirt throughout, M&S; jeans and patent jazz shoes, Primark; ribbon, sewing box

The classic  Blazer, Principles; jeans, Karen Millen; kitten heels, M&S

Casual working girl, Stella-style  Denim skirt, Miss Sixty; belt and grey woollen tights, Primark; grey patent courts, M&S

Urban slouchy  Harems and tweed trilby, New Look; scarf, Avon; gold pumps, Primark

Preppy with edge  Waistcoat, Topman; faux leather shorts, Next; grey woollen tights and multi-buckle wedges, Primark

Grown-up boho with a dash of preppy  Silk maxi dress, Topshop Boutique; loafers, Primark

 What's your favourite?

Raindrops are falling on my head...

... and if they are, I want to make damn sure I'm shielding myself with something beautiful and stylish, and something that cheers me up on such a grey, miserable day (as this morning turned out to be). My run-of-the-mill standard black number just isn't doing it for me anymore, so I took a quick squizz on the fabulous Umbrellaheaven.com for a little bit of brolly inspiration. Can't decide which I love more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From top: £18.95; £17.35; £64.95; £19.45; £124.95, all Umbrellaheaven.com

White shirt Monday

I was inspired to wear my white shirt to work today, after finding an old pic of Jennifer Aniston rocking hers with a pair of fit-like-a-second-skin bootlegs and a classic black blazer. It's such an easy item to dress either up or down, and I've promised you a '1 white shirt, 6 ways' post very soon, which I will indeed write up this week. But for today's minimal-chic look – with a hint of Chloe in the ribbon tied at the neck – I've teamed my shirt with jeans, but skinnies instead of bootleg, patent jazz shoes instead of heeled boots, and gone sans blazer. Simples.

Shirt with black trim, M&S; jeans and shoes, Primark; ribbon, sewing box

Celebs who love the white shirt look:

 

 

From top: Alexa Chung, and again; Claudia Schiffer; Jessica Alba; Kate Hudson; Nicole Richie; Kylie

Celeb pics: Rex