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SS17

what is it with shoes?

April 6, 2017

I can find any excuse to buy a new pair of shoes and the change of weather is just the one I need right now! What is it with shoes and the power they have over you, just willing you to buy them? Fundamentally we all need to shoes to walk in daily so they are a great investment (excuse number 2 natch!), but we don't ALWAYS need them! But by putting your best foot forward sometimes what you have dressed your feet in can end up making your outfit and cementing your daily style.

For the past few seasons the most popular catwalk Spring shoe trends have centred around a few major styles; block heeled mules, backless sliders and fashion sneakers. These styles are so strong that they have now made it to the high street and you can have your pick of the most fashionable shoes out there if you know where to look. There is also one shoe trend to ignore, whilst the fashion world is championing the return of the crocs, please do not think that your feet will look anything but awful in these plastic shoes!

So whether you are looking for a new pair of flats now that the socks are off, or transitional styles that will see you through the Summer. Make sure you check out my top styles to wear now to be sure your feet are the best dressed around. Just don't forget the plasters in your bag!

Best shoe styles for Spring / Summer 2017

1. The Mule

Mules should be your footwear of choice this spring. No longer seen as a boring shoe, the new mule is versatile – it's a statement as your go-to heel, yet as comfy as your trusty trainer. Any height, open- or closed-toe, but always backless, the mule will rule your wardrobe this season. I will be wearing my Topshop pair that I brought last year with a bow on the front, make sure yours make a statement.

2. The sling back block Heel

Sling backs were hot on the catwalks and when Dior added a bow to the back of their's it became an over night sensation. I love the femininity of the addition of the bow and these can easily be worn in the daytime through to evening.

Office Magic bow back grey shoe - £68.00 (as pictured above) — Office Magic bow back grey shoe - £68.00 (as pictured above)

3. The Backless Flat

When Gucci did the backless loafers last spring becoming the most Instagramed pair of shoes of the year, slip on's suddenly felt like a good idea. Popular again this year, I like them for the fact that they cover your toes and you just have to pop your feet in and go! Easy dressing!

&other stories metallic flame slip on's - £65.00

Kurt Geiger Otter navy flat slippers - £130.00

4. The Trainer update

The humble sneaker still adorns my feet most days and I can't get enough of the comfy feel of them but making a style statement too. This season they have had an upgrade with the addition of embroidery and beading work giving them a more feminine edge. Jump into Spring with the new styles.

Dune Evanna Embroidered trainers - £95.00

5. V-cut toes shoe

Forget round, square and almond – the V-toe is the new shoe shape to know about. Cut low on your foot, they give a flattering, elongated effect which works especially well with all those wide leg trousers around at the moment. Just be wary of dodgy tan lines.

Marks and Spencer leather sling backs - £49.50

Topshop Jury mid heel v-cut court shoe - £49.00

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edits guide on how to wear trousers that are not jeans

March 28, 2017

Edits Style inspiration

Wearing denim everyday is a hard habit to break and one that alot of clients ask me about. We default to dark blue denim most days and why not, it's comfortable and you know how to wear them right? What if there was an alternative trouser that you can wear outside the comfort of your home and doesn't involve any fitness activity!

Because there is another way. Instead of going through your day in a pair of uncomfortable skinny jeans, with the waistband squeezing against your stomach left, right and centre, you can now look to many different and comfy trousers instead. From paper-bag waists, to pyjama style, peg trousers and everything in-between, momentum is really gathering for the non-jeans trend. So now is a great time to try it.

Follow my pinterest board here - 2017 trouser trends

My trouser styles to try this Summer

1. The side stripe trouser - If you were a fan of last year’s comfortable 'athleisure' trend then rejoice, because the side stripe trouser is still big business for SS17. This year, the style set is channelling 'athluxury', teaming casual, sporty pieces with more luxe offerings for an elevated look, meaning the striped track pant is now the easiest way to fool the world into thinking you’re all dressed up.

2. Paper bag waist - A high-waisted cut with gathered detailing at the waist, there’s a bit of added drama to this style, with a choice of wide-leg or tapered designs depending on your go-to look. The key is to team with a tight tee or body – no baggy tops or knits – for a leg-accentuating, day-to-day outfit. This trouser silhouette looks effortless and is flattering, especially when paired with platform heels and a simple knit, making it a perfect workwear option.

3. Khaki chinos - Khaki trousers might have frumpy connotations, but they have been given a makeover for S/S17, and according to the likes of Vogue, they are about to replace your skinny jeans as your everyday staple. A bold claim, yes, but given they were featured in many of the major S/S17 runway shows they have a new femininity about them - think drapey fabrics, layered pockets and the wide hem's. Pair them with crisp clean shirts, jumpers tucked in and heel's and it gives them a fresh new look.

Gap paper bag waist high rise chinos £34.99

Face your non denim fear because sometimes you gotta branch out. Because if you don’t, you might never discover a new favourite pair of trousers that will become your wardrobe staple this Summer.

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reasons to be cheerful

February 28, 2017

Often at the start of a new season you see some theme's emerging that will end up becoming a big part of our lives culturally, socially and stylishly for the next few months or years whether we realise it or not. Recently in these turbulent times, there hasn't always been alot to be cheerful for, but designers are giving us something to smile about and it is filtering down to the high street and social media. With fashion month in full swing, now more than ever designers are getting the opportunity to say how they feel using what they know best - clothes and style.

Take the Channel 4 show 'Inside Dior' for example, it wasn't just about how new designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, prepares her first collection and shows it at Paris Fashion Week. All anyone could talk about afterwards was the feminist slogan t-shirt she sent down the runway with "We should all be feminists" on it. Feminist is a word that always gets people talking, but the slogan tee paired with a blue tulle skirt was the most instagrammed moment of the entire show.

Designers are responding to the political upheavals of the past year by injecting some much needed humour into women's wardrobes. Clothes are becoming more playful, less about rules and more about having a potent pick-me-up kind of power, one that consumers are responding to. Bold colours being mixed and matched, cartoon creatures and stickers adorning bags and upbeat slogan t-shirts are ironic and lighter than perhaps more serious trends of previous seasons.

We are all feeling like we don't want to conform to the norm of the highstreet and as customers we are getting increasingly confident with our own style. Street style bloggers have such an important part to play in the current fashion trends. Their looks are playful, original and inspirational but not out of reach for everybody to take cues from.

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

In these uncertain economic times, consumers are buying less clothes but doesn't mean they are spending less. More and more I am finding clients wanting to slim down their wardrobes, take the stress out of getting ready in the morning and investing more in pieces that will last. Wanting to buy something colourful and fun can easily lift your mood and increase your confidence in your style. I always suggest buying something because you love it, not because you need it, but because it makes you happy and excites you! Wearing your clothes with joy and having fun with your style is a formula for dressing your way to happiness.

Here are my top 5 pieces to give you something to smile about:

1. Mini Banana crossbody bag - Zara £17.99

2. Ruffle crepe midi skirt - Topshop £42.00

3. Shoplifter Tuft call t-shirt dress - &other stories £39.00

4. BDG More self love hoodie - Urban outfitters £49.00

5. Leather glitter sneaker - &other stories £69.00

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gingham revisited 2017 style

February 21, 2017

This time last year (March 2016) I wrote a blog post entitled "how to wear gingham - Spring's most wearable print trend". I am pleased to say that this print trend seems to be even bigger for 2017, so you can pull out any gingham printed items of clothing you brought last year and re-wear them again! Glad to be of service...!

But gingham for 2017 has been updated. It's more about the styles and styling rather than the print. You can see the print with embroidery on top of it, ruffles and taping on printed pieces, mixing the different sized gingham and even layering gingham on top of gingham for a truly one off style!

When Sienna Miller wore a Sonia Rykiel gingham dress during a photocall for her new movie, a Vogue article commented that the gingham check can also be worn in a bohemian style rather than a polished look of before - this is what sums up the difference between this year and last year's style.