Kate Middleton tackles Maternity Dressing with Summer Coats

May 25th, 2013

It might just be me, but I think that Kate Middleton has been looking to fashion icons of the past as she moves further into her pregnancy. Her recent passion for shorter length, pastel coloured coats have me thinking back to the early days of Camelot and Jackie Kennedy, a lady who also favoured pastel shades and collarless boxy coats and jackets.

Kate couldn’t have chosen a better icon to channel. I think her recent looks, the Tara Jarmon peach coat and dress, and the Emilia Wickstead primrose yellow coat worn the the Buckingham Palace garden party just this week, have been fresh, young and pretty, following on from the success of the Burberry mint coat that I also really rated as a fashion hit. Kate is, somewhat surprisingly, still rejecting actual maternity wear, even though she is in her seventh month of pregnancy, and is instead opting for styles that accommodate a baby bump without signposting it.

The gorgeous coats that Kate has chosen so well are also practical – we are not exactly having a warm and sunny spring. And with Summer forecast to be disappointing, I think we could see Kate style coats – an outfit in themselves rather than something worn to cover your outfit – being a smart choice for weddings, days out at the Races, and many other smart Summer occasions. Luckily, stores like Debenhams and Coast have some really beautiful examples available.

Beautiful Summer Coats

Tara Jarmon Cotton twill coat £380.00 click to visit Harvey Nichols

Planet Textured Dress Coat £71.20 click to visit Debenhams

Red Herring Cream crochet jacket £48 click to visit Debenhams

Ivory textured colour block coat £52 click to visit Debenhams

KATELIN COAT £220.00 click to visit Coast

LEONORA CUTWORK COAT £220.00 click to visit Coast

NYX CUTWORK COAT £250.00 click to visit Coast

NANETTE COAT £220.00 click to visit Coast

ASYMMETRIC ZIP COAT WARM BLUSH £275 NOW £137 click to visit Reiss

Dominique Ottoman Coat £119.20 Was £195.00 click to visit Phase Eight

 

 

Friday Shopping Special – Wallis

May 24th, 2013

The Friday shopping special this week is all about Wallis. One of my fave High Street brands who create a lot of the clothes I wear in my own life, Wallis always embraces a range of style, colour and design classics in its ranges. This season there is a great emphasis on bright and tropical splashes of summer, so needed when the weather doesn’t seem to have received the memo, but there are also great pieces of classic tailoring, jackets that would serve you from season to season, and an amazing array of accessories that can lift and update your wardrobe in a second.

Today Wallis is offering up to 30% off EVERYTHING online, and you can also get free delivery if you spend more than £30, giving you two more good reasons for giving your wardrobe a little bit of a treat.

What would you choose?

Butterfly Print Dress Was £45.00 Now £36.00 click to visit Wallis

Blue Petite Maxi Dress Was £55.00 Now £44.00 click to visit Wallis

Black And Ivory Dress Was £40.00 Now £32.00 click to visit Wallis

Blue Stripe Kaftan Dress Was £75.00 Now £52.50 click to visit Wallis

Mint Green Jacket Was £40.00 Now £36.00 click to visit Wallis

Black Polka Dot Jacket Was £33.00 Now £29.70 click to visit Wallis

Navy Peep Toe Wedge Shoe Was £35.00 Now £24.50 click to visit Wallis

Yellow Wedge Sandal Was £28.00 Now £25.20 click to visit Wallis

Brown Tote Bag Was £60.00 Now £48.00 click to visit Wallis

Aqua Jewel Necklace Was £18.50 Now £12.95 click to visit Wallis

To view all Wallis offers, click here to visit Wallis.

New Look Press Day

May 24th, 2013

New Look are one of the most popular and consistent of all high street retailers, producing collection after collection of great clothes, and accessories ranges that now, in my opinion, rival anything that the High Street (and some designer collections) have to offer.

The recent New Look press day was an eclectic mixture of glorious jewellery, accessories that belied their High Street roots, and a clothing collection that was more dressed down than dressed up, and showed influences that ranged from Debbie Harry and punk, to Vivienne Westwood and pearlie kings and queens. There was much to admire and enjoy.

Jewellery

The statement necklace has is something that New Look is becoming renowned for, and fans of bold and beautiful pieces will not be disappointed by what New Look has on offer. Ornate collar styles, and Art Deco inspired looks all have pride of place in the Autumn/Winter range, all you need to add is your little black dress, and Christmas party dressing is well and truly sorted.

Accessories

River Island used to be my favourite port of call for High Street accessories, but I really believe that in recent years, New Look has outstripped its rival. This season I love the juxtaposition of boyish brogues and loafers (in the cutest Dalmatian prints) being teamed with some seriously ladylike handbags and clutch bags. Also catching the eye were the use of brocade and chains, and some gorgeous block heels which seemed to be an homage to 1970s finest Biba.

And the clothes…

Reviewed – Gudrun Sjoden Caramel Skirt

May 23rd, 2013

One of the great things about press days hosted by PR companies is that you get to discover new brands that you then fall in love with. This happened to me when I attended a Varg press day and was introduced to Scandinavian brand Gudrun Sjoden. I had never heard of the label, but instantly felt an affinity with the cool and casual designs that seemed to be perfect for working moms to have in both their on and off duty wardrobe.

I reviewed some pieces from the Autumn/Winter collection in November (you can read that review here), and was very pleased when Rachel from Varg asked if I would be interested in reviewing something from the latest collection. I decided to choose a skirt, which would make a great change from the dresses I normally wear, and chose the Caramel skirt in size medium, a piece I chose for its transitional qualities.

“Caramel” skirt in eco-cotton & lyocell £60 click to visit Gudrun Sjoden

This is a great skirt. The waist is elasticated, which makes this comfortable, even after the largest lunch or on those bloated days, whilst the length is just over the knee (length 70cms). By having an elasticated waistband, you can actually hitch the skirt up higher if you choose, making it versatile for different looks. The skirt is gently flared, which gives it the advantage that it has a slightly 1970s feel, and although a Spring/Summer skirt, I think it would also look great with knee-high boots for that Laura Mars feel that I love so much. It is always, as you expect from Gudrun Sjoden, made with eco cotton, and so is a real ethical option.

I styled my skirt on a really warm Spring day. The pretty dotted print makes this a lovely option for spring/summer, with the slightly thicker cotton meaning that the skirt isn’t see thru in the way some cotton skirts can be. The multi-coloured spots allow you to team this with so many different colours, but I decided to go with coral. I chose to wear the skirt with a coral Kate Moss Topshop top that I have never worn, despite it being in my wardrobe for about four years (it was from the very first collection – can you credit it?). The big beads were a charity shop find and have been handpainted, whilst I added a coral and blue sandal with an unusual heel from Irregular choice.

I felt really comfortable in this outfit, loving the feminine feel of the skirt. The extra material, and the fact that the waist was elasticated made this a perfect skirt for every day, but one which could easily handle a blazer for a smarter work look. I also think it would look cute with footless tights and ballerina pumps underneath.

The skirt also comes in a fabulous red shade which you can view here.

Debenhams A/W Press Day 2013/4 – so much variety

May 22nd, 2013

It was in a new venue, but the Debenhams press day was as glamorous as ever, showcasing a range of beautiful evening wear, gorgeous winter coats, and a great range of accessories. All the designer ranges were there in force, with Jonathan Saunders, Jenny Packham and Julian MacDonald, amongst others showing that Debenhams persists as a destination you must visit when you are looking for serious occasion dressing.

This being the Autumn/Winter collection, there was a real emphasis on that perfect dress for party season. 1930s bias style dresses were juxtaposed with 1950s floral prom styles. Meshing and net details were in abundance, whilst interesting prints featuring larger than life diamonds and gems were also a feature. Interestingly, no one colour dominated, this was a full palette of shades that ranged from monochrome to the pinks that would have made Schiaparelli smile.

Dresses

 

Coats and Seperates

Accessories