A Leather Sleeve Jacket To Wear With Everything

I have a special little something to introduce to you - one of my staples since late summer. Meet the contrast sleeve mini-parka by New Look.

I had been looking for it for months but all I found were designer knock-offs and an earlier high street favourite on eBay. None of those had my name on them.

You can imagine the joy when I discovered it online at New Look. It's simple, cool, with a great cut and detailing, black star and wing studs, and an adjustable waist. Finally, a parka with snug enough sleeves that prevent any look from feeling bulky.

I know you have classic parkas and military jackets but this is next level, I can't seem to take it off. The best choice to complement a rock chick outfit or to toughen up pleats or a floral prom dress.

Even though the piece has been around for a couple of seasons now, it's still not too late to get your hands on something similar - I'm definitely keeping mine.

contrast sleeve parka and patent loafers: New Look, fitted shirt: Pull&Bear,
pleated jersey skirt: C&A, wing necklace: Mango

contrast sleeve parka and patent loafers: New Look, fitted shirt: Pull&Bear,
pleated skirt: Motel, wing necklace: Mango

contrast sleeve parka, limited edition studded ankle boots, double cross necklace: New Look, 

metallic knitted jumper: C&A 

floral stripe prom dress, contrast sleeve parka: New Look, 

kitten heel courts: Dorothy Perkins

floral stripe prom dress, contrast sleeve parka: New Look, 

kitten heel courts: Dorothy Perkins, retro sunglasses: C&A

See The Sun Or Be The Sun

Spring can be cool in more than one way. When it gets unpredictable, uncomfortable, even gloomy, many of us try and lose the blues by stubbornly sticking to weather-inappropriate clothing.

Some will even take that to the next level, pretending it's high summer.

However, there are those who cannot stand the discomfort of bare skin anywhere south of 27 degrees - must they risk dressing like it's winter all over again?

Here's my compromise: cover up good, and trust your mood to colour. Even those around you may thank you for it.

OK, fine, the neoprene parka is optional, reserved for the very worst of what spring has to offer.

Leather trim dress, premium parka and platform heels: Asos

A bit of fun comes in all shapes and sizes. Cameo brooch: a gift

Wilderness Of Mirrors

It was only little over a year ago that Mary Katrantzou showed the collection that - after a few seasons of great promise but relative obscurity - catapulted her to the creme de la creme of London designers. Can you believe that?

Since then, her florals and striking print-on-print visions have blossomed all over the fashion world, from designers to the high street. There can be no doubt it was her direct influence that everyone was suddenly after floral tights, smart trousers and jeans, and more print clashes than had ever been deemed possible, even in the most exuberant baroque paintings.

I wasn't fast enough to get my hands on the Mary Katrantzou for Topshop (click here for a quick peek) dresses and the blouse in my size but, to be honest, I was relieved I didn't really have to make the decision. The floral legging, however, was a simple enough piece for experiments.

But wild floral bottoms are just the beginning. I, for one, can't get enough of mirror prints, scarf prints, and all that colour and print blocking. Enter two exquisite, smart tees by Oasis - it's time to get lost in the wilderness.

Leggings: Mary Katrantzou for Topshop, patent loafers: New Look,
patent colourblock t-bars: Asos, mirror print tee: Oasis,
pom pom hairband (worn as bracelet): a gift

Leggings: Mary Katrantzou for Topshop, mirror print tee and baroque print tee: Oasis,
patent colourblock t-bar shoes: Asos

Glam Rock

This weekend, we headed out to catch the latest creepy thing of a movie in the beautiful spring sunshine. I decided to pull together a light, relaxed outfit based on a pair of striped glam coloured jeans by River Island, one that would look sufficiently springy but feel warm enough in the cool breeze while I'm outside.

One look at me, and my friends asked whether we were going to a rock concert - which made me rather proud of the non-fashion darlings. It's no bad thing to provoke some reaction, especially the right reaction... it's all in the education. 

But those who react to one's outfit also inspire the stylist. So, in addition to the relaxed look for the trip to the movies, I tested a few more options I would have if I were actually going to a gig or a spring festival. 

Jeans: River Island, leather brogues: New Look, sparkly cat motif tee:
Zara (TRF), stripe snood: River Island, leather blazer: Mango, brogues: New Look

Jeans: River Island, top: Kate Moss for Topshop, Trilby: H&M, leather brogues: New Look 

Plain silk vest: Hennes collection, printed silk top: Gap, cropped velvet military
jacket: New Look, necklace: Pull & Bear, scarf (worn on wrist): vintage

Celebrate Spring

For the 23th outfit post published on 23rd March, I felt I had no choice but to don a pair of bold floral print jeans and leap fearlessly into spring. Right. That decided, I realised that falling hopelessly for these wild things didn't mean I had the faintest idea of how I was going to make them work.

True, when in doubt, you can always go for that plain white tee or the steel blue racer back basic vest that goes so well with your eyes... or, you could skip the whole problem by covering up with a cropped trench coat, a pastel leather jacket, or a bleached denim biker.

But honestly, where's the fun in that? Where's the now in that? If you're going to buy into current big and bold trends, do it for love. And then, embrace those trends in full, in all their now-ness. There really is no way around it.

When a print you love is just loud, the looks you put together should not pretend otherwise. You can't mute it with anything plain anyway. To make your outfits right for now, you'll need more print. A bit like the way Mexicans (never too shy about their prints either) like to 'neutralise'  the hotness of spices in their meal with extra salt.

And the best part? You only need to dig in your closet for old tops (and shoes) of different styles and colours, preferably with some print on all of them. As a result, even if you take inspiration from others, your final looks will be individual. Here's my edit of what I found lying around - love how the feel changes with each print combo. 

I've dubbed the looks 'graphic', 'sweet', 'festival' and, considering the full bodycon-meets-matchy-meets-overly-clean effect, 'footballer's wife'. Too late now, but I think my lavender Mulberry Blenheim bag should have completed this last fashion victim look. Anyways, now it's your turn to pack a punch.

Graphic. Jeans: River Island (worn throughout), leather chelsea boots: New Look, navy stripe top and
owl necklace: Dorothy Perkins. Sunnies (above): Retro.
Sweet. Top: vintage, belt: Pull & Bear, leather ballerinas from Greece 

Cotton top and parka: H&M, leather boots: Sebastiano 

Knitted top: Women'secret, belt: charity shop, leather pouch: vintage, tweed and suede dogtooth stilettos: Alberto Zago, suede peacoat: C&A, belt on coat: Pull & Bear, suede and leather platform sandals: Zara

Stuff I Get Away With: Denim Shorts

I've had these black metallic weave denim shorts by Zara for quite a while, but I can't remember being out and about in them at all. So, one of the still half-chilly mornings I thought, what better way to wake that rebel spirit than a bit of smartness injected right into its opposite, as usual.

This season, jumpers are key, whether smart like this fine-knit thing by H&M, or the kind of sweat top with some huge cartoon character or animal motif, try and work them - or, as in my case, re-work them - into your wardrobe.

This shorts-and-jumper combo looks its best with a printed shirt and tights. For some reason, plain pieces just don't seem to mould into the right outfit these days...

Finally, the more legs you show, the more self-conscious you tend to be wearing heels, so I suggest flats or your lowest block heels for an easy, natural look. Here I'm wearing velvet Anglomania-style flat ankle boots to increase the fun factor, but simple knee-high pull-ons, lace-ups, calf-length boots or something very plain combined with knee (or over-the-knee) socks should work just as well with shorts.

p.s. I got away fine with this outfit but won't be pushing my luck...

Jumper and shirt: H&M, shorts: Zara (TRF), tights: New Look, boots: Shellys

In The Navy

In love with navy dresses, much? Definitely. Navy blue is supposed to suit blondes, and it's also the (not so) new black. Sure enough, every colour of the moment is labelled as the new black, but navy is more than just that. Maybe I should have said 'the other black' - a permanent, richer, deeper, more radiant alternative.

I got so hooked this last season that I filled my wardrobe with these dresses - the little lace number in the last post, then these three, plus a couple more.

The three I'm showing you today, to share the love, are perfect for transitional daywear.

Neat and easy, all that needs to go on top is your favourite peacoat, trench style coat, suede or leather biker or bomber. And simple black leather footwear.

First up is Miss Selfridge's petite military shirt dress, then an Alexa-style bodycon dress by River Island with lace collar and cuffs, and last, but not least, the uber-sleek and structured 1960s one with leather pockets from Asos.

Dress: Miss Selfridge, boots: Mango, belt: from a Dorothy Perkins summer dress,
shearling biker: Topshop 

Dress: River Island, shoes: Topshop, leather bomber: Mango
faux shearling collar: Asos 

Dress and platforms: Asos