After the expense of Christmas shopping might not be top of your agenda right now. But not to worry, you have nearly made it to the end of January when you can go on a little splurge to treat yourself for making it through! Let me help you choose that little treat...
I always get asked by clients, friends, people in the street... "what should I be buying now to update my wardrobe?"
At this time of year the whole of the high street is immersed in sale with Spring making a breakthrough in small sections on the shop floor. Most new Spring stories without fail in fashion contain a stripe (or two!). The nautical story always rears it's ugly head in January as the Breton stripe is a cool classic that everyone can understand. But what I am seeing emerge as the newest trend in stripes for now and for all of 2016 is the new updated stripe.
Nothing is more simple, more basic and more hardworking that a Breton stripe tee. And while it's something that exists in most people's wardrobe, it truly does go with everything. But I think it's time to mix it up abit and it seems the high street is right there behind me.
My first inspiration for this trend was seeing a tiny article in Style magazine last summer and tearing (still the buyer in me!) the piece to put in my edits-styling trend books. "Double stripes" was the headline and the stripes were bold, two colour and clashing when worn together.
If both Sienna Miller and Olivia Palermo are wearing stripes, then it's a definite fashion winner. I am sure every high street buyer in the country also ripped that small piece out of style magazine for inspiration to update their January transitional range.
Then it came down the AW15/16 catwalks in New York, using stripes in all different ways.
And only last week one of the biggest models of the moment, Kendall Jenner was seen wearing a fab stripe jacket and trousers combo at LA airport.
It's not just about double stripes though. I want to draw your attention to all manner of stripes on tops, dresses and trousers, matching and none matching.
Earn your stripes now! Take my advice, I think this trend is going to roll on through the whole of 2016, so whatever you buy now will still look great in the Summer and the Autumn. I know what I will be out shopping for this week!
Top 5 new stripe updates
1. Zara stripe top and trousers £25.99 &29.99
2. Whistles Darwin stripe top £110.00
3. Topshop Stripe wrap dress £55.00
4. Mango pocket stripe shirt £29.99
5. Ted Baker tribal stripe fold tunic dress £159.00
And...one to hold onto for Summer, as stripe jumpsuits will be big!
6. Mango cotton stripe jumpsuit £39.99
Check out my pinterest board for more inspiration on how to wear stripes the 2016 way