Spring clean

It's time to detox that life and soul of yours, new year, new start and all. If you're anything like me, it's a big task, so where better to start than your wardrobe?

Clean up your habits and get those drawers neatly folded, and the hanging goods all neatened up. If that means unleashing the inner OCD and having everything in colour order, by length of hem, by category, or by all of the above at once, then so be it. Knock yourself out.

Be realistic about what to keep, what to throw, and what to sell. Is it a classic or on trend this season? Have you worn it in the last two years? Has it ever been worn? If the answer is no to any of the above, get it out of your closet, and out of your life. Don't kid yourself, you won't be losing any extra weight just to fit into those trousers. Even if you do, chances are you'll be so happy with your new bod, you'll just go out and buy another two pairs of trousers just to reward yourself, anyway.

I was never a seller. Too much hassle, too many friends vying over the cast-offs, might aswell donate to a charity shop that won't realise what's landed on their doorstep and price up your pieces scarily low, but nevermind it's all for a good cause, right? I'm out of breath already. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? SELL IT. I can't even begin to describe the high you get from watching people get excited about the prospect of buying that dress you never really liked but bought for the hell of it. Do it. Just once. It's like opening up a tube of Pringles crisps, I promise.

You know the saying: out with the old...

ph: HBO

Shoe know-how

There are certain things you must always consider when trying out a shoe.

Do they actually fit you?

We always press down on the front to find our toes, but why do we actually do this? The positioning of my big toe has not been beneficial to me since my feet stopped growing past the age of 11 years old. What I mean by 'fit' includes everything we never consider checking: instep, width, narrowness of the heel, the placement of our ankles... the list goes on. When you are telling yourself the shoe will stretch to accommodate those lovely bunions caused by years of high heel-induced abuse, you are lying to yourself- and the shoes. Don't buy a pair of shoes thinking all you need is a heel grip or an insole. It's all lies, I tell you. Get the fit right, and your feet will love you back. What's more, your shoes will last longer as you will be walking in them correctly (think of this like a well inflated tyre on your car... get it right, and your fuel consumption will take you the extra mile).

Are they too high?

Do you need a platform beyond 90mm? Whatever height you can walk on COMFORTABLY, stick to it. If you need to go higher than your natural 'set' heel height, wear it in a wedge or platform capacity. Nobody enjoys watching a girl strutting like a duck in a shoe she can't move in. Don't waste your money on shoes that make you break out into a sweat with every step.

Are they appropriate?

Do they scream streetwalker? If so, in a good, or a bad way? Are they good for office, bar, or pavement pounding? Or all of the above? None of the above?
Take stock of your lifestyle. If you've recently moved from the city to a more refined country living, cease buying those stilettos, and start considering the ankle boot. Nothing depresses you more than being unable to wear your favourite shoes. Instead, take the money you would have spent on them, and buy yourself a weekend away with the girls/your other half/the one you've been dating/your family. Make memories.

Don't be a fool, buy the right tool.



ph: Hogger & Co

Desk to dusk

Some of the best socialising there is to be had usually occurs straight from work, where you have neither the time nor the will to put thought into changing into a completely new evening attire, including blow-dry, nails, jewels, and so on.

This is a weekly challenge for me, where I find my diary booked out with dinners and drinks from 7pm, and I have to negotiate my way from Richmond through trains, tubes and the cobbled streets of Soho before I even step through the threshold of the destination bar or restaurant.

The requirements of a desk to dusk outfit must therefore read like a who's who of practical yet stylish underrated glamour.

Try these hero pieces to recover your stress-ridden body from raised cortisol levels and missing your grand entrance due to lateness.

1. Leather

Trousers and skirts cut in leather, real or faux, is a really easy way to update your look from office to bar. just change up the knit for a silk blouse, and half the battle is already won.

Trousers by Sportmax, knit by Carven, boots by Jil Sander, bag by Givenchy
Trousers as before, silk blouse by Veronica beard, bag by Alexander McQueen
-all via matchesfashion.com

2. The printed dress

A simply cut, printed sleeveless dress can be transformed with the help of a crisp shirt and knit. By day, swaddle yourself in a knit over the top of your dress, so it looks like you have separates on. By 6pm, whip off the knit, or take off the shirt you had on underneath the dress, add some heels et voila.

Dress by Antonio Berardi, knit by T by alexander wang, lace-up shoes by Lanvin, heels by Chelsea Paris, bag Valentino
-all by theoutnet.com

3. Lipstick

A high-gloss, deep berry lipstick will make even your tailored suit look a little less conservative when worn with a killer heel and embellished clutch. Wear the below look with Mac's 'Living Legend'.

Suit by Maison Martin Margiela, heels by Balenciaga, bag by DVF
-all at matcesfashion.com


Photo credit: Net-a-Porter, Matches Fashion, The Outnet

How to: Master the sales

As January draws to a close so, too, does the sale season. This is a great time to go as you will find that the majority of stock has now been cleared, leaving you a pared-back, less-daunting rail that has been edited to a few pieces at a further reduced price. So, if you haven't been able to brave the sales yet due to fear of confusion, cost and co-shoppers, now is the time to go. To save you from near-misses and a serious-faced bank manager calling you on Monday, here is my How-To guide for facing the infamous January Sales.

1. Get ahead for Spring

Winter is over. It may still be cold, but it is now time to look ahead and buy pieces that will take you through to the warmer (yet still wet) season. Don't spend your hard-earned buck on a feather-down coat you will be able to wear for all of four weeks, only to be put into storage and forgotten until next winter (when you will, of course, convince yourself all your coats are simply inadequate and you must buy a new one to see you through the cold, wet and windy weather).

Look for pieces you can enjoy up until the heat wave hits (I laugh at this cruel joke enjoyed by many who reside in the UK) and the light, white cotton comes out to play. My favourites for this is French label American Vintage and the entire collection from Splendid, both of which can be found in the sales right now at boutiques such as Liberty and Matches. Great pieces to look out for also are 2-Ply cashmere and silks which will regulate your body temperature up until you switch on the air-con.

2. On the clock

You're short of time, and your patience is running thin. Don't waste your efforts aimlessly searching for something when you're not even sure you know what 'it' is. Stores have set opening hours and, unless you enjoy being dragged out by security at 6pm, keep an eye on the time. Whether you allocate one hour, 30 minutes, 15... it's up to you. Just avoid that sinking feeling when you look at the time and realise you have wasted two hours at the jewellery counter, drawn there because it's sparkly and completely out of your budget.

3. Do your research

Before you head off to the shops, have a clear idea what you want to achieve, and where the best places for this may be. If you are looking for a reduced Sat Nav, you're wasting time looking in Reiss. Target the places you want to go first then, once you have picked up the bargain you intentionally set out for, that is when you can enjoy perusing the shelves of random stores.

The internet is a great resource for comparing prices, but don't ignore the most important factor of physically going out to the stores. You are able to try before you buy, meaning you can feel the weight and texture of fabrics, buy the right size and avoid any hassle in returns.

4. Be ruthless

It's not working for you, but you buy it anyway, just because it's a great price. How many times will you end up wishing you had walked away and put the money towards something else?

By all means, pick it up, look at it and try it on. But it's not a bargain unless you need it, and if you don't feel an instant connection, move on. Chances are, it will still be there after a coffee and time to think- particularly for those bigger purchases.

And last, but not least...

5. Get a good pair of shoes to see you through all that pavement-pounding
By 5PM you will have lost a few pennies, and gained a few blisters. Don't wear heels, do wear 'sensible' shoes that are easily taken on and off for all that fitting-room action you'll be seeing!


Photo Credits: Telegraph, American Vintage, Bizreport, AnimeMay

Get the look: Beyoncé

With her new album selling more than 1 million copies on iTunes, chances are you've seen those music videos. It seems Queen Bey is back, and with a whole new wardrobe. Here's how to work her iconic style and make it your own. First up, is the fancy fur of Blow:

In her video, Mrs Carter rocks vintage DKNY leggings (similar here) and a Versace mink coat (available here) Warning: It comes with a hefty price tag. There is a real trend at the moment for bright outerwear and, in particular, fur all shades of the rainbow. Charlotte Simone offers faux and real accessories depending on your preferences, and Shrimps has been getting good press from all those in the know.

Next, in Heaven, Bey wears (who else?) Dolce and Gabbana (available here) to set the emotional scene.



Black lace works for both winter as well as spring, but you can create a lacy ladylike look with any palette. Just do as above and top it off with a wide brim hat and pared back hair and make up. You can steal the look from pretty much every high street store, but my favourite copy cat dress is here on etsy.com

Finally, in Pretty Hurts, Beyoncé is the champion of a healthy body image whilst flaunting those famous curves in a Norma Kamali swimsuit (available here).

Always one to tell the world how it is, I love her style and ethos. While I can't give you a link to being a better person, I can give you a great substitute for her figure-flattering swimwear. Find my solution at Seafolly.

Photo credits: Columbia