CHECKS ON TREND

People have been going crazy for this blazer since @lornaluxe was seen wearing it on Instagram. I'm afraid I do love it just as much as everyone else and set off to find it online. Mission successful, and I'll be completing my purchase once payday arrives, see below for direct links to it. After all the attention this one has got I thought I'd have a little look online to see what else is available on the high street and went on the hunt for some more style inspo for checks this Autumn. 

Structured Blazer Stradivarius  £29.99

I haven't ordered from this website before so to tell the truth I'm a little unsure of what size to order. I want it to have a slightly oversized fit so I think I will go with a Medium to start with. The price on this one is so good, especially considering it has extra details it could have easily gone without; the buttons on the sleeves, trim on the pockets. 

The fabric pattern is a Glen Plaid, otherwise known as 'Prince of Wales Check'. It is traditionally a very masculine, monochrome print but every Autumn/Winter we see it make its mark in women's fashion. By adding in some colour and styling it with laid back denims and band tees it easily becomes a chic street style look. 

Check Blazer  ASOS  £50.00  

  Check Culottes  ASOS  £38.00

Large Check Belted Jacket  River Island @ ASOS  £28.00 (was £70.00)

Check Suit Blazer  Mango  £69.99  

  Check Suit Trousers  Mango  £49.99

As winter is creeping up on us you might be more tempted to go for a thicker more sturdy coat style that will see you through the whole season. These could still be styled up with laid back denim and long sleeve tees and will most definitely come back in to fashion year after year. 

Check Coat  Zara  £89.99 

Check Slouch Coat  Topshop  £110.00 

Grey Check Midi Coat  New Look  £34.99

Check Coat  Oasis @ ASOS  £60.00 (was £120.00)

Prince of Wales Coat  Mango  £119.99

If you want to mix things up a little and not just stick to outerwear then check these out (pardon the pun). I've been wearing my trousers with this seasons must have boot the chunky bovver boot and styling my top with a leather mini and smart blazer, see below...

Prince of Wales Shirt  Mango  £35.99  /  Prince of Wales Trousers  Mango  £35.99

Check Top  Zara  £25.99

Grey Check Trousers  New Look  £19.99

Blazer  Dorothy Perkins  (old)  Similar linked here 

Top  Topshop  (old)  (See similar linked above) 

Skirt  Zara  (old)  Similar linked here 

Leather Jacket  H&M  (old)  Similar linked here 

Tee  Gap  (old)  Similar linked here 

Trousers  Bershka  (old)  (See similar linked above)

Boots  Chockers  (old)  Similar linked here

For perfect transitional dressing don't miss out on checks this season. Mix up your look with smart white shirts, go casual with sports luxe tracksuit bottoms. And if you really want to go all out go for the co-ords and mix and match them with other pieces in your wardrobe. 

(photos pinterest)

xx

PATENTED LEATHERS

There's a new trend about this autumn and its all about how shiny you can get your leathers!? More specifically your leather skirt. They've been spotted everywhere at London Fashion Week and I managed to pick myself up a piece of the action last week. So I thought I'd share my pick of the high street plus some style inspo on how to wear the trend. 

As I searched the internet for all the best on offer I quickly discovered that every store seems to call this trend something different; Patent/Coated/Shiny/Vinyl but all really meaning the same thing. The result is a faux leather with a high shine finish to it. The key to this trend is to keep the rest of your outfit simple and casual. See here how mega blogger babes @chiaraferragni and @carodaur are styling their skirts effortlessly for an easy yet fabulous daytime look. 

(photos via pinterest)

Jacket  H&M  £39.99

Skirt  H&M  £19.99

Top  H&M (Kids)  £5.99

Loafers  Topshop  £62.00

I've linked here the skirt that I picked up in H&M last week. I was instantly drawn to it in store then spent the next 10 minutes wondering if it was too shiny. I decided to go for it and I'm glad I did. I've tried it on with a few different tops and I love it withe simple basics. Plain white tees, knitwear, stripes and (above) stars. The top here I picked up in the kids section as I waited for the lift. Stars are everything right now and I love the simplicity of this cotton tee. 

Skirt  Topshop  £45.00

Skirt  &Other Stories  £145.00

Skirt  Mango  £35.99

Skirt  Mango  £35.99

Check out below how the Isabel Marant skirt that comes in at a whooping £925.00 compares to the Mango version that you can pick up for just £35.99. Yes the quality and fabric will undoubtedly be better the more you pay but when you can get yourself a runway double for a fraction of the price, why wouldn't you!

Isabel Marant  £925.00    Lanvin  £1,975.28    Courreges  £510.00

If the midi length here caught your eye but you don't quite have the budget for the Lanvin version, how about these on offer from Zara. The A-line cut will flatter all body shapes and could be dressed up or down for Autumn/Winter. 

Skirt - Black  Zara  £22.99

Skirt  - Maroon  Zara  £22.99

Hopefully I've talked you into stepping out of the ordinary this season. I promise you this trend is going to be everywhere so get it while you can. 

(photos via pinterest)

xx

GOTHIC GLAM AW16

As I write this I am sitting in glorious sunshine and dare I say it a little too hot! But we all know we are lucky to have this and it won't last for long so on with Autumn Winter prep we go. I have a thing about lace, especially black lace. As a mum I find a touch of black lace can vamp up an otherwise plain outfit without making it unwearable on a day to day basis.'Goth Glam' doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds. It is simply about adding in textures, layers and ruffles with lace, tulle and sheer fabrics. 

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2016   Valentino Fall 2016   Alexander McQueen Fall 2016

            Marc Jacobs Fall 2016   Rodarte Fall 2016   Alexander McQueen Fall 2016

Whether it's evening wear or a daytime look you're after this trend will see you through day to night. The catwalks were all about full length skirts, high necks and feminine lines and the high street does not disappoint. 

Lace Blouse  Zara  £29.99

Frill Shoes  Zara  £29.99

Midi Dress  Mango £59.99

This Zara blouse is a perfect example of how to wear the trend on the school run. Simply pair with denim, chunky black boots and a leather biker jacket for an easy to wear 'goth glam' vibe. And for an evening look add a black layered skirt (see below) and some black courts for a more gothic princess look. 

Jacket  Missguided @ ASOS  £35.00

Skirt  Zara  £19.99

Boots  Zara  £69.99

If you want to give the trend a go but don't like to go too girly then these pieces paired together with a simple tee would be perfect. Add a leather back pack and you're ready to go in the city. 

Top Tip - These boots will see you through the entire season as chunky black 'bovver' boots were seen all over the catwalks. Louis Vuitton especially loved the look and even had high-heeled versions on offer. 

Dress  Zara  £55.99

Top  H&M  £29.99

Shoes  H&M  £19.99

Dress  Zara  £29.99

I have this dress already from Zara and wore it to a hen do earlier on in the year. As the seasons change I'm looking forward to using it as a transitional piece. I can wear it with black shoes and denim while the weather is still warm and as the year goes on I will add tights, chunky boots and layer with a shirt for a daytime look. I love the high neck detailing on it and the subtle ruffled shoulders. I went up a size as it came up quite tight on the chest for me. 

Dress  ASOS  £220.00

Shirt  H&M  £19.99

Blouse  Mango  £29.99

Boots  Mango  £89.99

If you don't fancy going all black then a simple white high neck blouse with a black ribbon will also give a nod to the trend. 

Dress  Zara  £49.99

Jacket  Monsoon  £89.00

Blouse  H&M  £19.99

Choker  Zara  £17.99

Jumpsuit  French Connection  £110.00

Skirt  Zara  £25.99

Trousers  Zara  £39.99

Bag  ASOS  £15.00

Zara are on point again with this trend and their selection of bottoms is by far the best on the high street. I particularly love these trousers with the flared detail on the bottom and would like to see them paired with the black lace top and velvet shoes (see above) from H&M. For extra glamour add the chokers also from Zara and dark red lips. 

(Images  - pinterest)

xx 

ON THE WILD SIDE....

The new season is upon us, we're ready to say goodbye to our short but sweet summer and dive in to the new trends of Autumn Winter. One of these trends that I for one am loving is Leopard/Animal print. We won't all look like Kate Moss, no but lets all leave serious at the door and have a little bit of fun. Here's my pick of the high street and some style inspiration to get you over to the wild side.

Loafers  ASOS  £28.00

Dress   H&M  £14.99

Bag  River Island  £45.00

Shirt  Zara  £25.99

I bagged myself this H&M dress in town this week, I did find though because it is such a fab price the quality is not perfect. You may need to try a couple on in various sizes to get the right fit and some had longer sleeves than others. Although I do really I love the flare on the bottom of the sleeves.  I'm thinking of styling it with lace up flats or loafers and a leather jacket to keep it edgy. As temperatures cool it could definitely be worn with tights and boots so a steal that will see you through to winter.  

  Midi Skirt  Topshop  £24.00

             Pleated Skirt  ASOS  £42.00       

          Pleated Skirt  Zara  £29.99 

Tee  Zara  £7.99

Loafers  Topshop  £62.00

As soon as I saw the Zara Pleated midi skirt I had to have it. Of course so did everyone else so it went out of stock and had me searching all local stores for my size. Lets just say I was very happy when I found one in my new local town. I left with a tee to complete my outfit for a casual daytime look and can't wait for an opportunity to dress it up a little bit too.

Coat  ASOS  £85.00

Coat  Topshop  £85.00

Coat  ASOS  £48.00 (was £123.00)

Trainers  Marks & Spencers  £49.50

These trainers are on my wishlist and having tried them on today I can confirm they are super comfortable and come up true to size. I was worried they may be too wide as I find this with a lot of trainers, but these ones were nicely shaped around the toe and low on the ankle. They will be perfect for introducing a bit of new season print into everyday outfits. Another key piece to do this with is a leopard print coat. Be it a fur coat for full on winter vibes or a thinner jacket for now, there's nothing it wont go with and will make every outfit that little bit more edgy. 

Dress  Topshop  £46.00

Jacket  Zara  £59.99

Shoes  Zara  £49.99

Bag  Mango  £39.99

Skirt  Zara  £49.99

Shirt  ASOS  £28.00

If you don't fancy going all out with the trend then how about this fab skirt from Zara. I love the eyelet detailing on it and worn with them open you will flash just a little bit of leopard as you walk. If it's a bag you're after then this one from Mango is an amazing dupe of the JW Anderson bags everyone is lusting after right now. For under £40 and a flash of leopard this one is bang on trend for Autumn Winter. 

(images via pinterest)

To me leopard print is about grunge and keeping everything casual. I love to mix things up by adding denim, maybe a flash of red if you're feeling fierce. Don't live in a box created by others, mix your prints and try new things. 

xx