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

Topshop X Marques' Almeida

We seem to have once again hit the season of a collaboration hysteria, with the promise of Alexander Wang for H&M and the already successful Marques' Almeida for Topshop range that was released this month.

I managed to grab a slice of the action, and was surprised with how good the quality actually is. That sounds scathing, but when I have already worked with Marques' collection in Matches, the bar is set remarkably high. I therefore didn't go crazy with the buying, and just went for low-key pieces guaranteed to delight me through to spring.

Two weeks later, I am scanning the remaining stock online, and am surprised by how much is left. It could have been more successful, perhaps, if Topshop had pushed the PR as much as an H&M collab. Maybe it comes down to Marques' being still too under the radar for mainstream shoppers... either way, it remains that I will be having a second hit very shortly.

The '90s are back, baby.

GT-C.

Photo credit: Cropped Magazine; Elle

The rise of the flat

Yes, I love heels. Like, REALLY love heels.

It wasn't actually that long ago that I would spend all day, every day wearing them. At work or at play, there they would be.

Lately, however, I find myself returning to the days before the 100mm became a permanent feature of my feet, as the selection of flat shoes on the market have become wilder, more attractive, less frumpy and somewhat less orthopaedic.

via thecoveteur.com

At this very moment, I have a very attractive pair of ponyskin pointy points on from the Spaniards at Bimba Y Lola, uplifting my spirits- and my otherwise rather mundane outfit. I'm starting to feel less Marilyn Monroe, and more Audrey Hepburn.

While at work, I am very firmly of the flats bandwagon. My uniform repertoire is now completed with a very attractive pair of Christopher Kane slippers in velvet (see my Instagram feed, people), and an admiring-comment-provoking pair of patent oxfords from Russell and Bromley. The men I have found are particularly jealous of this 'party in the back' spin on officewear.

Russell and Bromley, via Getty

They say life is too short to be taking such limited strides as you do in heels (i presume someone, somewhere does). Though it is an utter joy to be so liberated, I still lust after that explosion of joy to be found in being four inches taller. The solution? The lunacy of heels are kept for when you are ready to let loose and go out for a great time. After all, that is what the weekend is made for.

GT-C.

Autumn leaves

Why is it that the minute the leaves start turning I begin to look at the colour red and think 'hey, yes, I like the look of you' ?

Let's get one thing clear: I do not suit red. I have tried all shades, from blue-based to golden hues, and have failed to find anything more than a mere smattering of rust that does not bring out my red-toned skin into the realm of hyper-saturated-on-the-verge-of-lobster. Let me reiterate, I do not suit red.

And yet, here I am, flicking through the ad campaigns on the pages of Wallpaper Magazine, Vogue and Tatler, hovering and gawping at the Prada shearling coat and the editorial shots of Dior. I convince myself that yes! This will be the year! This time, I'LL DO IT- I can wear THIS type of red. Alas, I fear this is just a mere pipe dream that has been wrongly fed to my impressionable self by the advertising team at Vogue HQ.

If, however, you are able to wear this very seasonably appropriate hue, I beg you to indulge in one of the most regal colours this month.

GT-C.



via Prada

I have to be successful because I love expensive shit

My favourite season is Autumn, by far. Not only do the leaves start to change and the wind gets a chill, and all that poetic business, but the clothes are far better, too.

For once, you can wrap up and pile on the layers instead of panicking about toning up as the layers come off and clothes get sheer and wispy.

The only problem, so far as I can see, is that I simply don't have the funds to indulge in all that AW14 has to offer. So, if there are any kind takers out there who wish to support my indulgences, just holler...

Outfit: Isabel Marant at Matchesfashion.com

Outfit: Tibi at Matchesfashion.com

Outfit: Preen Line at Matchesfashion.com
 

...yeah, I thought it was a long shot.

GT-C.

Parisian perfection

I have often admired the French woman's prerogative of laid back, easy elegance. For a maximalist, materialist Brit like me, peeling back the layers and ridding my wardrobe of the non-classic pieces doesn't come easy, and so makes their style (and mind-set) even more desirable.

Whilst I'm not ready to trade in the make-up and hair products for a bare face and blow-dry, I am ready to learn a few sartorial tricks from the oft-quoted Parisians. So, farewell paillettes and bon voyage towering heels, and hello to sweet ballet pumps, classic trench coats and Le Smoking de Saint Laurent...

Photo credits; all via vogueandcoffee on Pinterest

The joy and whim of hats

What is it about wearing a hat that boosts your ego, makes you feel great, and makes you stand taller? Is it the fact that it makes you stand out, or the connotations of real elegance and the need to show off the oldest, and most delightful, erogenous zone- the neck?

It seems the bigger the hat, the better we feel. The wider the brim, the more mysterious and alluring we appear.

Perhaps the joy we gain from wearing a hat comes from it's year-round appeal: come rain or shine, an accessory that is placed atop your head will prepare you for the day ahead.

Yesterday I met the man who first supplied the milliner Philip Treacy with his luscious materials, and has continued to do so ever since. In our conversation, he told me that their business relationship grew out of Mr Treacy's search to find the perfect white tissue paper to add to his creations. It seems that what we place on our heads, whether for decorative purposes or practical, there will always be someone at the root of production who gives a damn about the difference between pure white and off-white. It surely goes to show, then, that hats are, always have been, and always will be important.

Only recently have I, myself, started wearing hats. Never before did I consider myself a 'hat person', that infamous fashionista that wouldn't dream of leaving the house without finishing the polished look with a hat of some sort. Yet, here I stand, the conforming creature that only ever reserved hat appearances for weddings, now breaking free into a new territory of the chapeau type. Now, as far as I'm concerned, every day is Ascot.

Here are some looks to get us all in the headspace of the haute hat-wearer.

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Goody Two-Choos, Purple, Rex, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, Brigitte Bardot, Harper's Bazaar

Gilt set - go!

I love anything that glitters, glimmers and shimmers. It's true, and I am willing to bet that somewhere in there I am part magpie.

Here's why...

Lanvin

My favourite flats are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best way to inject some gold into the everyday menial tasks. They are well worn- and well loved.

I love black, and wear dark colours all year round. So, to brighten me up and to add a dash of gold dust to the sea of black, navy and grey, I will throw on something like this jacket here (a new addition to my wardrobe). The boyfriend shape stops it being to 'showbiz' and brings it into the sphere of insouciantly cool. There are a pair of matching gold shorts that I purchased also, and you will be seeing them shortly in my summer edits!

Carvela

 Yes, more shoes, but then this is written from a shoe addict's point of view... #PerfectPartyShoesEverInventedForThePartMagpiePartLiberaceShoeGirl

So you weren't a huge fan of glitter? Well, you are now. Case closed.

Photo credits: Goody Two-Choos

Cashmiracle

When you are lost in transition, as Winter makes way for Spring, we turn to the old faithful: Cashmere.

Many top editors and bloggers turn to this marvellous piece of engineering to keep both warm or cool, depending on the time of year and weight of the ply. Take, for example, this fashion week go-er (Ada Kokosar) who looks ready for, well, just about anything the day has to throw at her. The outfit has a play on texture, with the softness of the sweater and her Hache clutch against the sheen and high-tech finish of the heels - layered with socks - and skirt (both Jo No Fui).

Cashmere is an investment and so my preference is for easy-breezy pieces that will work hard to earn their keep. My advice is to stick with easy-to-wear hues, in classic shapes. If you are one for a hit of bright colour, I love a bright sock to draw the eye down to your (fabulous) shoes. However, Chinti and Parker have a great selection if you have a penchant for prints, stripes, brights and amazing shapes. Here are my top picks of cashmere delights to make you both spring and fashion ready.

Johnstons of Elgin, £159

Denis Colomb, £436

Burberry Prorsum, £2,195

Brora, £39

Chinti and Parker, £350

Photo credit: Madeleine Thompson blog, Johnstons, Farfetch, Matches, Brora, Chinti and Parker

Trends you should hate (but actually LOVE)

1. Retro denim
When denim is so bad, it's so good... Double denim, denim dresses, frayed hem denim skirts, patchwork. I. Want. It. All.

P.S. Flares are back.

2. White shoes
Stigma of trailer parks and colouring in scuffs with Tipp-ex - but when paired with boyfriend trousers, good things happen. The more I see it, the more I like it.

3. Metallic leather
So outdated, but so cool!

4. Mirror lens
The trend better suited to scenes in Top Gun, this look has travelled into the blogosphere of certified stylistas.

5. Sliders
Tres Unchic. However, I'm willing to let this slide (ahem) as it looks SO comfortable for the summer heat.

Photo credit: WhoWhatWear; Stylelist; Fabsugar; the xtyle; Vogue; Pinterest; Pinterest; Le 21eme; modern legacy

Bombers away!

My new hero piece for this week is a dashing piece of kit from Baum Und Pfedergarten, a Danish label known for their fearless approach to current trends, and currently celebrating a marked climb to popularity over the last few seasons. But the winner for me is, clearly, their bomber jacket.

Although a piece from their winter collection, I have enjoyed wearing this jacket in both rain and shine, as the stunning emerald colour truly stands out when the sun is high in the sky. Within two consecutive days of throwing the jacket on, I had two people stop and ask me where they could get their hands on it, and I couldn't help but let out a subtle smile and dared to reveal my secrets.

So, seeing as I have already spilled to two others, I thought I should share with you all, too. A great piece for all ages, it may even be the perfect Mother's Day present for all the yummy mummies out there. I wear it with a fabulous hat, and push the sleeves up to the elbow.

Jacket (Baum und Pfedergarten), Fur collar (Twinset), wide brim hat (Miss Selfridge)

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

Blue Monday

Today has been proven scientifically to be the worst day of the year, for reasons including returning to work, bad weather, Christmas holiday blues, high debt levels and Divorce Monday.

To pull you out of this sorry-looking slump, I have found the best way to make the most of Blue Monday. The silver lining is that it will soon be over, and back to yellow sunny skies tomorrow.

All from Filippa K

Don't just wear blue: own it. Wear it head-to-toe with pride and command attention when you walk down the street or through the office. This wonderful set from Scandinavian brand Filippa K shows you how to take on a bold colour by the horns. Keep it tailored and ultra-cool with a subtle nod to stylised chic, but an overwhelming sense of innate coolness.

Sunglasses from Illesteva

Bloggers love them, I love them, we all want them. Get your blue-tinted mirrored sunglasses now, and wear forever. The best time to buy yours is now, to remind us that summer (and the sun) is but a few months away. Wherever there is a winter, there will be a spring: and a new day to bask in the glory of your super-sweet shades.



Onitsuka trainers from ASOS

Yes, we all do it, we all convince ourselves that it will be a new year of fresh faces and fresh starts. So, why not actually carry out your resolution and hit the gym when you say you will? If you need motivation, all you have to do is pull on these beauties and you will be racing the other gym bunnies to the treadmill.

Photo credits: Filippa K, Illesteva, Onitsuka