Floods Vs footwear

If you've seen your BBC news updates, or even page 5 of yesterday's Telegraph, you will see the state  of Devon and the flood-ridden towns in which I live. Not only have the last 48 hours been full of evacuations and blue flashing lights, but the ducks seem to be having an unusually good time at Torcross too.

This presents an unforeseen conundrum- when one can not wear suede, nor spend seven days of the week in wellies, what should be worn on your feet? Fashion is not usually functional, but I intend to find a solution to this problem.

I have tried to persevere and continue to wear my favourite cognac suede wedge ankle boots, but have managed to destroy them- all thanks to trudging through the rain-soaked streets. So, too, have things taken a turn for the worst when the water line rose above the brim of my wellies. It seems I am fast running out of luck.

If you are looking for wet weather gear to see you through the far from exotic climate, you will need military precision planning- and an army of rubber.

To brave the rain-streaked streets, try these short wellies by Hunter X Rag & Bone (available here)...

...Or these rubber boots by Melissa (check out the neon flash of yellow, a key colour for the pre-spring collections), available from Shopstyle.

And, if you are looking for style and substance, look no further than my very favourite rainwear brand from the genius people behind Ilse Jacobsen. These boots (available here) come in varying heights and more colours than you can shake a soggy stick at. I have a pair in cream with black laces and I cannot begin to tell you how much I adore them. Pretty soon, you'll be praying for the wet stuff. Looks like it's not just good weather for ducks after all.

Photo credits: Hunter, Shopstyle, Polyvore

On a serious note, my thoughts are with everyone affected by the flooding. With my brother working tirelessly for HM Coastguard this past week, I have seen the damage and the knock-on effects this run of bad weather has done. 

Suited and booted

I am a very fussy person when it comes to boots. I inspect each angle thoroughly and expect nothing less than a beautifully crafted piece of footwear. It must hug and mold itself to every inch of my leg as, much like a shirt or man's suit jacket, you can spot an ill fit from a mile away.

Ankle, tall, heeled, OTK (over the knee), wedge, fur-lined, suede, leather or patchwork, it doesn't matter- eventually, I will reach the point of desperation where it is coming up to November, the weather is deteriorating rapidly, and I am still bootless. I will make my summer ballerina pumps stretch to their full weather-bearing capacity until, finally, moaning and groaning, they are relieved from duty and put away to hibernate until next Spring.

This year, my focus has been directed towards the hunt for the perfect ankle boot, and it has taken me two months of solid soul-searching to reach this point: contentment and relief.

To save you lovely ladies from the same gloomy fate, I have compiled my favourite three ankle boots which will serve you from the office to dancefloor to Sunday stroll in style. These styles have all been tried, tested, and given the Goody Two-Choos seal of approval, and you should all know by now that there truly is no higher mark of quality. Consider this the Michelin Star rating of Boots.

1. L.K. Bennett Dionne Leather Ankle Boot, available here
2. ASH Illico Suede Wedge Ankle Boots, available here
3. HOSS Intropia Metallic Leather Ankle Boot, available here

30 shoes has September

To mark the 30 days of September, here is my pick of autumn's wishlist-worthy shoes: one pair for every day and every possible eventuality. Whether you are a heel hero or a friend of the flat, read on before you get left behind.

Isabel Marant/ASOS/Pretty Ballerinas/Nicholas Kirkwood/Hoss Intropia/River Island/French Sole/Saint Laurent/Bruno Premi/Hudson/Topshop/Bloch/ASOS/Dries Van Noten/Ted Baker/Jimmy Choo/Russell and Bromley/Kenzo/Christian Louboutin/Zara/ASH/Grenson/Nicholas Kirkwood + Erdem/Oscar De La Renta/Ilse Jacobsen/Tabitha Simmons/Dune/Alexandre Birman/Gina/Camilla Skovgaard

Clear thinking

I can see clearly now the rain has gone...

Well the rain may still be lingering in the true British summer fashion, but my penchant for perspex and see-through accessories is sticking. 

Take, for instance, the crystal-heeled Chanel boots from AW12/13, or the Marc by Marc Jacobs PVC cross-body bag. At first glance, you see nothing untoward or particularly striking. But then, after a double take or two, you can see just how clever the craftsmanship has led the eye to see how the finer details have been finished perfectly- whether it's the stitching, hardware or the sculpting of a heel.

Although a perspex heel has never been seen as particularly chic or possessing any kind of positive connotations (think Red Light District), Chanel managed to prove them wrong and  re-imagine the potential of see-through materials. Totally modern, totally cool. 

Charlotte Olympia's perspex clutch sold out in mere minutes at one store in Dallas, and the Hermes Birkin has been toted by the elite few in the fashion world. If that doesn't whet your taste buds, I don't know what will. 

All that can be said is that now, as designers and fashion houses are beginning to experiment with innovative and sustainable materials, it's time to rethink the possibilities of your sartorial recipe. It's not that cashmere doesn't still hold true as a staple piece... you just have to pair it with some faux leather, rubber, and maybe even some PVC.

So let's forget how quickly the rain came along and banished the heat wave, and try to see clearly now even though it's pouring. 

Photo credits: Michele Silvestro; La mode oui c'est moi

Bargain hunters

I am often known for sniffing out the best bargains whenever I step into a store. It began many years ago when I would head straight to the 'sale rail', and take great pleasure going through the rack to find a special piece- I saw it as 'the hunt', very hunter-gatherer-esque. Things have now changed, and I hate sale rails with a passion and I avoid any store which looks like a jumble sale like it was the plague (take note, H&M). If I can't see what the store has to offer without having to rummage, I feel claustrophobic and march straight out of the door. As a result, certain stores get blacklisted, never to be revisited again.

This is reflected in my closet which is organised with a military precision so fierce that it would put MI6 to shame. For me, it's important that I know where everything is, what I would need it for, and what I would put together (or what I wouldn't!) so I have very little to think about in the mornings when I stand infront of the wardrobe scratching my head. But while my shopping likes and dislikes may have changed, one thing remains: I love a good bargain.

My biggest 'steal' is by far my white RM Roland Mouret "Castor" jacket, purchased at the 1st anniversary sale of TheOutnet.com and, with a price tag of just- I kid you not- £1, it was a total saving of £1,135!

I know that many people who tried to access the sale were unlucky and experienced a blocked site. The website simply couldn't keep up with the amount of traffic generated by the sale, leaving many customers disappointed. This makes this jacket even more special to me and a reminder of the result of perseverance and pure luck.

Further deals in my shopping repertoire include a Michael Kors "Hamilton" bag, worth £370, that I managed to find for £160, a pair of Paul by Paul Smith tan boots, reduced from £500 to just £100, and a Tibi "Mila" silk dress with a price tag of £250, bought at the very impressive cost of just £49.99. Who said student life has to be tough on your style?

I believe that most things in life are accessible, it's just a question of throwing yourself head- and heart- first into the (often infuriating) waiting game. I also think that when hunting for a bargain, look to the classic staples that will work hard for you, get better with age, and generate comments from others regardless of where you are, how long you've had it or your age. I can happily see myself wearing my Castor jacket in my 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.

So, with that in mind, ready on your marks...get set...

Photo credit: TheOutnet.com