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

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

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 

Fifties Biker Chic

Not long ago, I fell in love with this sheer colour block shirt, so much that I had to have it right away, along with a couple of things I thought would do it justice, namely the skinny wetlook biker jeans and the simplest kitten heel courts to create my (totally false) 50s biker chick look with a slight twist.

While I am fully aware that this will not add an inch to my styling creds, I feel so easy and chic'd out wearing this sleeveless beauty and the zipped little monsters  - both by Miss Selfridge - that I could not resist sharing this outfit with you.

The only thing I added was a fine sleeveless black top underneath to avoid feeling naked, but I admit I love the extra colour block detail as it peeps out along the shoulders.

To finish off the look, all you need is a classic fitted leather biker jacket and a Chloé Paddington style toughie of an arm candy. 

A classic helmet and a biker boyfriend with an extra special quiff would make perfect props, too.

colour block shirt and skinny zip biker jeans: Miss Selfridge,
low courts: Dorothy Perkins, leather biker jacket: Topshop 

Sweet Surrender

As mentioned in this catwalk report, I was inspired to switch back to blogging mode by a single still image from the Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti show packed with pastel candy colours (click here for flash report and pics) to throw on a few pieces shiny and new, trashy and plain, retro and vintage - you will easily tell which is which.



One thing is for certain,  I dare not call this experiment a re-creation of looks from Alberta's collection. This is merely an homage to all things 1960s sweet and cute, lying untouched for years and years in our wardrobes, still impossible to part with. At first, I was only going to show you the blue dress for fun, but ended up snapping a few more to home test the basic Philosophy concept for autumn/winter and style a couple of outfits in pastels. Very nearly all a big no-no in real life for this tomboy.

The verdict: the simplest things with a great cut and a near-perfect fit just work, no matter what. The rest - too big, too creased, too forced, wrong length, will not. A no-brainer, then, for today. OK, here's one: don't fear sweetness. The devil is not in pastels and too-cute cuts, but in ill-fitting pieces, and in your head.

P.S. I do appear to like sporting two bags at a time.

dress and tie/belt, worn as headband: vintage, top: Promod, mocha tights: Dorothy Perkins,
shoes: New Look, sunglasses: C&A, lady bags: vintage

textured fabric, 1960s

structured dress: River Island, shoes: Mango, coat: C&A

skirt: Terranova, lemon knitted top: 1970s, knitted dress: charity shop, nude platforms: Mango,
gold jive t-bars: Topshop, stone tights: Dorothy Perkins

Make Like A Tourist At Home

I think we can agree that Monday bank holidays are heaven sent, but they seem even more so when on a Sunday night, you realise you've been too tired all week-end to step out.

And so, warm and sunny summer Monday in the city, here I come!

Today, we took a nice walk in a recently rehabilitated central area, enjoyed the newly installed green patches and fountains, joined a festival that showcased famous Czech beers, and grabbed a bite before heading for the nearest lounge bar to chill out over a macchiato.

Quite determined to sport the colour of the season (coral), I picked a top with a bow and stripes, added a neutral suede dress (worn as a skirt) and completed the look with some white.

Which reminds me - even recently, you may have come across very specific style advice, warning you against wearing white shoes unless it's your wedding. Now, that's just another fashion rule down the loo. With stores teaming with white footwear, it's any self-confessed style  guru's duty to find a way around such old restrictions, and work her craft 'til something clicks.

The best thing about my wedges are the stacked heels, adding the colour and feel of wood to the white uppers. Still, I wouldn't shy away from wearing pearly white ballet pumps with the same outfit. Today's advice: leave the rules behind, and make like a tourist at home. You'll be surprised how much it's going to feel like a proper holiday.

coral knitted top: New Look, suede dress: vintage, shoes: Asos, bag: New Look,
pink sunglasses and floral holder: Dorothy Perkins