style

Lolly Dawson 1

Covetables: Clarks Lolly Dawson boots

Too many times recently I’ve found myself in one of two quandaries:  either I want to put smart footwear on and the weather forecast puts me off, or I want something comfortable to wear but I know I look scruffy in most of my trainers. Seemed to me like a pair of smart ankle boots would be the answer, but they needed to be leather to withstand the rain, and as I work in a very casual office, they also needed to be versatile.

And I’m an old woman so they needed to be comfortable too. ASOS is often a go-to for me for reasonably priced leather boots but I wasn’t taken with anything, and they all felt a bit pricey. And then I stumbled across these Lolly Dawson leather boots from Clarks! And I bought them! And man, I am in love.

I just think these look ACE
I just think these look ACE

Firstly the leather is great, so they look classy straightaway. And they’re lovely and low on the ankle, which keeps them looking dainty and makes them way more likely to suit being put with skirts and dresses, as well as jeans. But I think the thing I’m most excited about is the sole: it looks like a fine, classic boot sole, but those clever sods at Clarks have made it rubber and padded, so pounding the pavements without having to resort to sneakers or DMs is easy.

These boots instantly smarten up my jeans so that adding a shirt, silk tee, or blazer makes me look ‘finished’, but equally they could go with a casual tee-shirt or sweatshirt, plenty of which I plan to wear this autumn and winter. I realise that a chelsea boot is not exactly a ground-breaking choice, but for under sixty quid these are a great, quality basic to go into cooler weather with. And the taupe suede is pretty sexy too…

Clarks Lolly Dawson boots, £56.99

Category: Style
Bloggers about fashion, beauty and life
Laura

I believe I am destined for great things, despite all evidence to the contrary!

Fotor0906160258

New coat joy

Woo hoo! There’s a chill in the air (occasionally) and the September issues have been bought and consumed. I am ready to move forward and experience new coat joy. And what joy is in store!

Chillin'
Chillin’

Not only is the coat pink trend from last year carrying through into this season – confirmed by none other than Elle’s Lorraine Candy - but I managed to snap one up for a mere £14 from Matalan. OK, I bought it in July and it was a complete punt, but still, a coat for £14? I think that’s an epic win in anyone’s book.

filtered photo 2

This is most definitely a fun coat for me, as in all likelihood I won’t be able to wear it in a few months (or even next week, judging by the current pregnancy appetite) but also because it is so trendy, being pink n’all. Having said that, it does some rather snappy detailing.

filtered photo 3

The collarless shape and zip fastening help to streamline the coat so it doesn’t appear too fussy. Adding a blunt shoe, like the Birkenstocks I’m sporting or another ugly-style sandal, will help to de-girlify the coat if sugary isn’t your bag.

Fotor0906160258

Clearly, I’m in casual mode here but I’m looking forward to the first real nip in the weather so I can sling this on with some tailored black trousers and a brogue. A statement handbag, such as a fabulous structured handbag, would complete the look rather nicely thank you very much.

Get ready, autumn: I’m coming to get you.

Category: Style
Bloggers about fashion, beauty and life
Kathryn

My passions are for fashion, style, books, music, and family.

H Samuel - ring 2

Covetables: H Samuel, you’re really spoiling us!

First I heard about the gorgeous little love rings at H Samuel via The Frugality, then I was lucky enough to receive one for my birthday! And now even Grazia are reporting on H Samuel’s range.

H Samuel have love rings in two styles; an adjustable style, with crystals and available in rose-gold plate or sterling silver, and a full love, sized version in sterling silver with cubic zirconium.  The sized version is the one I have and I absolutely love it.  The CZs often catch the light in a really lovely way, and I think that the ring being a full band means that it should have a little longevity over the other option.

They’re reminiscent of more expensive brands but £29.99 is a bit of a bargain.  I have worn my ring pretty much every day since I was given it (by Kathryn!) but it was only when I spotted the bracelets in Grazia that I realised that H Samuel is becoming A Thing.

H Samuel - Grazia page
layer up!

Yes, you will have to wade through some pretty terrible jewellery to find some cute things.  And yes, the H Samuel website isn’t great…  But!  I have long been a believer that I’d rather spend a couple of quid more on reasonably-priced ‘proper’ jewellery (semi-precious stones and metals, things that won’t turn your finger green) than buy jewellery from high street accessories shops.  It’s why I have so many pieces from QVC, such as their Diamonique range: they last well and look brilliant.

I mean, how cute is H Samuel’s crystal pendant?  £12.50 at the moment!  I’d layer it with pieces of contrasting lengths.

Picture taken from hsamuel.co.uk
Picture taken from hsamuel.co.uk

So there you have it; for cute, everyday pieces, you could do a lot worse than H Samuel…  Who knew?

UPDATE: that little pendant is from a brand called Martine Wester at H Samuel, and a fair few of the bits are really sweet and very CHEAP!  These art deco studs are my pick, at £4.50.

Category: Style
Bloggers about fashion, beauty and life
Laura

I believe I am destined for great things, despite all evidence to the contrary!

Top photo

How do you solve a problem like Next?

Flick through the A/W 14 Next Directory and you’ll find awesome, editorial-esque images providing plenty of new season inspiration.

Who doesn’t want a hi-low trainer with smart coat ensemble?

I love you Joan Smalls
I love you Joan Smalls

A tousled pony tail with a wear-with-everything shirt?

Next 4 good LC
This jumper is £15!

To be able to look like Anja Rubik in a slouchy knit, pencil skirt and metallic flats? No one!

WANT.
WANT.

But flick a page or two and Next majorly loses the plot.

Had the stylist had an embolism at the point at which the outfit with the grey skirt had to be constructed?

Er, no.
Er, no.

And would you believe that culottes are actually bang on trend for next season after the frankly ridonc blouse and high heel combo?

Old.
Old.

This is the problem with a store like Next: it tries to appease so many women that it routinely lets down all of them. I have many stylish things from there, not least a pair of leopard print slip-on trainers and some slim-leg cuff trousers. I couldn’t live without either but when I go into their stores I’m left cold.

So much comes down to the edit of stock in individual stores, which is why I’m willing to forgive the various branches near me. But the directory? C’mon Next, you have some awesome stock and you ruin it constantly with weird, never-been-fashionable-and-never-will pairings. And you have Joan Smalls, Anja Rubik and Jessica Hart modelling for you. Jeez.

P.S. Have you seen the array of awesome flats they have ready for next season? Yummy. I think the oxblood patent brogue is calling out to me.

Sorry, took a photo of the page cos I was so excited!
Sorry, took a photo of the page cos I was so excited!

All photos (excluding the last): www.next.co.uk

Category: Style
Bloggers about fashion, beauty and life
Kathryn

My passions are for fashion, style, books, music, and family.

2014-04-26 14.57.47

JPG, ooh la la!

Back in April Loz took me out for my, ahem, 22nd birthday. We lunched at The Ivy (posh!) and then decided to hit an exhibition. We ended up at the marvellous Barbican taking in ‘The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Catwalk to Sidewalk’. If you haven’t seen it then you must immediately, especially as it’s ending on 25 August.

Many of you of a certain age will have had their first exposure to JPG from watching Euro Trash late on a Friday night on Channel 4. Even though I had an inkling of his impression on the fashion world, I was truly blown away by the exhibition. No, you’re not going to buy a frock from him and wear it to a fancy meeting or on a Friday night out, but his real influence has been from the incredible versatility of his designs from the pure avant garde couture aesthetic to fabulous stage costuming.

2014-04-26 15.12.21

JPG can’t compete in modern ready to wear but I’m fairly sure he doesn’t want to. The upshot of this is that if you are a Celine bod through and through then you may not love JPG’s style. But for a glimpse through the couture looking glass, this exhibition can’t be beaten.

A quick word on the staging too: it’s brilliant. Faces are projected onto the heads of the mannequins and while this may be slightly creepy, it totally brings the clothes to life. The set-up is effective as you get to stroll through different stages of his work, including a look through his seemingly endless line of muses.

2014-04-26 14.49.05

It’s best to take a little bit of patience with you as you will encounter people hogging the best bits, or just moving DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU to see something you’re already looking at. Deep breaths are definitely required. But it is also a lovely way to while away a couple of hours, even if you can’t tell your JPG from your SJP.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Catwalk to Sidewalk, showing at the Barbican until 25 August 2014. Full info and tickets available at the Barbican website.

Category: Style
Bloggers about fashion, beauty and life
Kathryn

My passions are for fashion, style, books, music, and family.