Winter Break Wishlist

Get me out of the cold and into the southern hemisphere. 

And pack me these things for the journey while you're at it...

Bag Gucci, Sneakers Isabel Marant, Top Etoile Isabel Marant, Books Assouline, Shorts Rokit Vintage.

Winter Greys

I'm a summer girl by nature and only a month or so into winter I'm already starting to loath the monotony of cold weather dressing. The dull pallet of greys and blacks littering my wardrobe makes for a series of outfits that resembles a nun in a smog storm, as shown in a series of bathroom-mirror-selfies entitled ‘BLAH’.

So I’ve spent hours scouring the internet for inspiration on how to do winter in high definition colour, in the hope that it may transform my consistently gloomy outfit posts into captivatingly colourful combinations.

I understand that blues, burgundies and camels may feel like only a small step into colour for some of you, but trust me, this is a giant leap for bland-kind.

Holiday Wishlist

Hint Hint...

Waistcoat Topshop, Leopard Shoes Gianvito Rossi, Bag Anya Hindmarch, Faux Fur Shoes Topshop, Dress Phillip Lim, Watch Larsson & Jennings. 

Holiday Wardrobe

Although I'm back in the cold of London I thought I'd put up a couple more posts of what I wore on holiday last week when my days were filled with sunshine and my biggest stresses were choosing toppings on frozen yoghurt. 

Knit from Gap, Skirt Isabel Marant Etoile, Bag Grace Atelier De Luxe, Shoes ASOS, Sunglasses Bottega Veneta.

Grace Atelier De Luxe is a bag brand I was introduced to recently stocking the most beautiful bohemian summer bags, each hand crafted from the softest leathers. There is nothing like a perfect slouchy bucket bag to fill up with summer essentials. This one comes in a fringed version too which is at the top of my wish list along with their ikat clutch bags.

The asos sandals I'm wearing are the best thing I bought all summer, I've worn them to death. They're similar to the ancient greek sandals I really wanted but cost £20 instead of £150 and are so comfortable I've just thrown them on with everything. 

StylistShops x Clarks

When Clarks approached me this summer and asked me to road test a pair of their AW14 collection I was happy to oblige. Years of working at magazines had exposed me to lots of viewings of Clarks' seasonal collections and I was always suitable impressed. Once you bypass the shoes that my Grandma Margaret loves so dear, theres a trove of total gems which would fit perfectly into any of our wardrobes.

I chose the Busby Jazz monk shoes for a day goofing about at my parents house in the countryside. As you've probably noticed by now I'm all about the flat shoe and these were the perfect alternative to the sneakers I tend to live in. Plus, they were probably the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, other brands take note - Clarks have some sort of layer of heaven under your foot which softens every step, I could have run a marathon in these. If I ever took up running. Which I doubt I will any time soon. But I COULD have, and that's what counts.

Read the full story and watch the video below or on Clarks website here - it's pretty much worth it just to check out Clive, the-best-dog-in-the-history-of-dogs, making his screen debut. 

Shop the Busby Jazz here and check out my other key picks from Clarks AW14 collection below.

From Top: Triple Buckle Biker Boot, Slip On Trainer, Leopard Kitten Heel, Green Suede Fringed Brogue, Double Strap Monk Shoe, Quilted Biker Boot. All from Clarks. 

Goodbye Neon Sandals - Holiday Style

Final days of holiday mean the last chance to wear sandals until spring so I've thrown on my favourite Jimmy Choo neon ones with a pair of Paige boyfriend jeans and ASOS off the shoulder blouse for a causal dinner with friends in Tel Aviv. These jeans have been such a staple to me since the totally beautiful, larger than life Paige herself gave them to me earlier this summer. Named after her best friend Jimmy they are a slimmer boyfriend fit so they still look flattering, and the rips are the kind you always think you can make yourself with a pair of kitchen scissors only to find out you most definitely can't. 

Bag Accessorize, Sunglasses RayBan, Jewellery Dana Levy

What you should be buying NOW...

...Like right now, go on, go get your credit card and I'm gonna sort you out before it's too late.

You see it's suddenly winter and although we may not want to admit it, those Asos duster kimono coats just ain't going to cut it against the November chill. We need layers and we need them pronto. So lemme break it down for you, here are the 5 key pieces you need in your wardrobe today...

1. The Coat

The catwalks were littered with calf length coats this winter and the high street has followed suit accordingly. For the taller amongst us I'd suggest something oversized and flowing - pure drama, and for those with a smaller frame go belted for definition, shape and less swampy-ness.

From Left: Brown River Island, Grey John Lewis, Grey Asos, Tan Asos, Blue Zara, Grey Asos, Tan Mango.

2. The Knit

Quite frankly it's gonna have to have a rollneck if you want to be taken seriously this season. Personally I'd invest in a couple of more luxy knits if budget allows because I find the high street ones tend to bobble and lose their shape so quickly and you're going to want to wear this over and again all winter long. TheOutnet is an amazing haven for luxurious staples without the depressing price tags. Having said all of that, the below one from Asos is also fantastic quality and you can't go wrong with some Uniqlo cashmere...

From the top: Stripe Marni, Blue River Island, Camel H&M, Navy Velvet by Graham&Spencer, Light Blue Stella McCartney at TheOutnet,  White and Black Toga Pulla, Grey Uniqlo, Blue Vanessa Bruno Athe, White Acne, Model shot ASOS.

3. The Shirt

Yeah I know, it ain't rocket science, the shirt has been a seasonal staple since the cavemen were getting theirs tailored at Thomas Pink, but for some reason this season the shirt feels cooler than ever. Wear yours open with sleeves rolled up, wear it as a dress, get one that crosses over at the front or ties round the waist or leave it untucked and wear it with culottes or tailored trousers. The DKNY blue shirt dress is my personal favourite - I've been wearing mine with Adidas Superstars all summer long.

From top left: Blue Dress DKNY, Black Denim Mango, Blue Mango, White Leather Marques Almeida at Topshop, Stripe Elizabeth and James, Embellished Check By Malene Birger, Black and White Check H&M, Blue Dress Atterley Road, Blue Iris and Ink TheOutnet, White Atlantique Ascoli.

4. The Skirt

If you hadn't guessed by now, Summer's midi length skirts are here to stay for winter. Picture those floaty calf grazers in heavier fabrics and bulkier shapes, paired with a chunky knit (as above) and a knee high boot (as below). This may seem like a tricky trend but as someone who has loved a shorter hemline for far too long to be deemed respectable, I recently tried the midi trend and now anything above the knee just doesn't feel quite as current.

From Left: Fringed H&M, White Mango, Nude Topshop, Black H&M, Yellow Topshop Unique, Burgundy Warehouse, Silver ASOS, Stripe Joseph.

5. The Shoe 

Or boot to be precise. Now don't worry, the ankle boot isn't going anywhere, you can still wear your bikers and western boots with much pride this winter. However, if there's one shoe you should be investing in, it has got to be the KHB (knee high boot). Think 70s, chunky heel, in tan, brown or black suede or leather, worn under your midi length dresses and skirts. The KHB's big brother, the OTKB (over-the-knee boot) serves a similar purpose and can look just as fabulous, perhaps more of an evening alternative to the KHB. Just tread carefully with hemlines when working this trend or you risk looking like a BOAS (bit of a slut).

From Left: Black Mango, Brown Croc H&M, Black Suede Office, Brown H&M, Dark Brown Aldo, Navy Leather Gianvito Rossi, Brown Suede Topshop, Black Suede Zara.

Additional images: lacooletchic

New Season Shopping : Dana Levy

Many years ago I worked at Red Magazine assisting their Fashion Editor on fashion pages and photoshoots. My job was to source all the clothes for the shoots she would style, and we would then fill suitcases and jet off round the globe shooting them on models, making beautiful pictures. 

One time this editor asked me to get some colourful, beaded bracelets in for a summer florals story and I contacted a jewellery designer I had seen stocked in Liberty - Dana Levy. Dana's jewellery was a resounding hit on the shoot, such a hit in fact that not only did we shoot it in pretty much every issue of Red for the next few years, I have since shot it for every magazine I have ever worked for after that! Dana's jewellery is not only in the pages of Glamour Magazine monthly, but adorns every fashion and beauty editor at the magazine too - she really is an insider's secret weapon.

So, the dilemma was, to share or not to share?! Part of me wants everyone to know about her cool, fashiony-without-trying styles and wear-all-summer-long pieces, but part of me wants to keep her to myself!

Ultimately though her jewellery is too good not to rave about, so here is a little look at some of the current summer collection, all available at www.danalevy.co.uk.

Click the images to shop the pieces or visit www.DanaLevy.co.uk for more styles.