Why Marks & Spencer should be your shopping destination this season...

Marks & Spencer stripe embroidered long sleeve blouse - £29.90

In the trend-driven industry that we occupy, there are a handful of stores on the high street who dominate the market. Zara, H&M, Topshop… These brands are the first to mind when in search of the season’s must-have pieces. And for good reason. These fast fashion stores have saved us a pretty penny throughout the years, offering both trend-led designer-inspired pieces as well as wardrobe basics we couldn’t be without. But maybe it's time an 'old' favourite comes back into the fashion front row...

Enter Marks & Spencer.

While it excels in the food department, its clothing range has previously failed to hit the mark among the masses, even after collaborating with fashionista Alexa Chung, her ranges have failed to help it's declining sales. But this year Marks & Spencer has revamped its under-performing clothing section, starting with a Spring/Summer collection which is led by the current bout of trends and style. Featuring statement sleeves, asymmetric skirts, ruffled shirts, an abundance of florals and high-waisted trousers, the SS17 collection is more trend-driven than ever before but at great affordable prices. 

When shopping instore and online recently I am surprised by the amount of items that I want to buy. The it piece of the summer, peasant blouse with embroidery (as I am wearing), was £29.90 and currently sold out (see white version here). Other items I saw and liked were great summer dresses with sleeve and embroidery detailing, a bold stripe skirt, bright coloured blouses great for work and evening, and also some fabulous shoes. I have tended to focus on the M&S Collection range, as this seems to be the one that has upped its style steaks, so no buying from Per Una! By focusing on classic shapes and incorporating modern aspects, you’ve got something for everyone in one shop again. 

I think you will be surprised at the stylish new pieces on offer at Marks and Spencer currently, here are my picks of the current range online, let me know if you have brought anything from there recently;

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1. Looks as good as a designer pair of trainers 

Floral embroidered trainers - £29.50

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2. Bargain Summer dress

Floral embroidered dress - £23.00

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3. Spotty evening blouse

Spotted round neck top - £25.00

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4. Grab a summer cover up bomber

Colour block bomber jacket - £21.50

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5. Embellished big bag

Embellished slouch bag - £39.50

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how to update your summer wardrobe

Another season, another wardrobe?

In reality not likely to happen, but also there is no need. Despite the common feeling that in order to stay on trend we must replace our entire wardrobe at the start of each new season, that is just not the case. Investing in a few select pieces has the power to refresh your current wardrobe, transforming it from “so last season” to “so on trend“. So, although the British weather is predictably 100% unpredictable, the one thing we can count on is adapting our wardrobe to ensure we stay stylish no matter what the summer may bring.

I am not saying to ditch your last season buys completely, I'm still reaching for some of my favourites from last year. More if you are looking to give your wardrobe a fresh update for Summer 2017, then these are the pieces to note. Now the sales are in full swing it is a great time to purchase these items and look upto date for the rest of the summer.

Here is my top 5 biggest trend items from last year and the key pieces that are set to topple them off the top spot for this summer of style.

1. Tea dress

The reverent slip dress is stepping into the shade this summer, in light of our reignited love of the tea dress. A printed dress like this will not only see you through the current summer season but also for years to come. Think Kate Moss for Topshop circa 2007.  Barbel Ruched Dress- Finery London, £59.00

2. Kimono

The beloved bomber jacket isn't going away anytime soon but for a seasonal update, I want to fill my wardrobe with elegantly de-constructed kimonos that ooze the feeling of summertime. Layer yours over a pair of jeans and a tee for the perfect day-to-night look. Long printed kimono, Zara £59.99

3. Denim mini skirt

Transport yourself to sunnier climes with the skirt of the moment, the denim mini. While the midi version was hot last year, we cannot get enough of the shorter style for the summer months. Why not cut your midi one down to mini and reap the benefits of up-cycling! Denim mini skirt, Warehouse £25.00

4. Straw bag

Revel in the charm of a basket tote this season. Ideal for those last-minute “Quick, the sun is out” trips to the seaside and picnics in the park, a straw tote is 2017’s upgrade on last year’s bag about town, the bucket. Invest in one this season and you’ll find yourself breaking it out every summer to come. Pom Pom straw bag, ASOS, £21.99

5. One shoulder top

The collarbone is still fashion’s favourite erogenous zone but this season, be coy about showing it all off. Swap your Bardot blouses for cool, clavicle-baring tops which can be dressed up or down, and aren’t refined to just the summer months. Cotton bright green one shoulder top, Warehouse £12.00

Edits guide to shopping the sales

I dislike sales. Every year the worst goes into the sales and even if they markdown the things you like you never feel like you are getting a real bargin. If you are getting a bargin then more often than not it won't last or you will go off it quickly. It's not always about investment pieces but making better choices when shopping the sales. This year I have brought a couple of items in the sales and I am sure with other retailers yet to go on sale there will be a few more. But I always make a list of things I want or need and try hard to stick with it, that way I have a purpose when browsing page after page of sale items (dull or what?!).

Last week a friend of mine said she went into Zara on the first day of sales, couldn't face the queues, stood in the store and ordered it all online there and then - genius! Some sales tips do work and I have blogged about them in the past. Things like; Don't buy anything you think you will slim into, don't buy it just because it is cheap and don't buy things because it looked good on someone else, chances are it might not look good on you! The only tip that never fails me is the list...I think about the things I wear regularly and make investment updates and also make last minute summer purchases that will see me through the next couple of months. The list focuses you and ensures you don't go off piste!

To inspire you to buy better in the sales, I have put a list of 5 things together that could be things that I would buy or have already brought in the sales-

1. The investment piece

My favourite sales purchase - the investment handbag. There is no better time to buy an expensive handbag with a cut price tag that you have been crushing on all season. This for me ticks all the boxes and I wear my Marc Jacobs black cross over bag all the time.

Marc Jacobs Interlock shoulder bag, £224.00 (was £560.00), Very Exclusive

2. The Summer wardrobe update

Mid-range high street stores such as Whistles, Reiss, Hobbs, Karen Millen sometimes have as much as 50% off their higher than Zara price points. So now it the best time to get your last minute summer buys in better quality fabrics and cuts for half the price! You can't go wrong with a jumpsuit, it can be worn daytime or evening and looks fab on holiday.

Resort silk stripe jumpsuit, £135.00 (was £230.00), Whistles

3. The classic update

I have been searching for a breton stripe update all Summer in preparation for Autumn, but the perfect one is hard to come buy! I believe you shouldn't buy items lie breton stripes full price because they are no brainers and easy to pick up in the sale. The good thing about this classic in the sale is that you can go for an upgraded fabric that will last you longer than one from GAP or Zara.

Hello Sailor stripe t-shirt, £38.00 (was £55.00), JCrew

4. Forward thinking item

It might seem bonkers buying a coat in Summer, but when you get to Autumn you will feel so smug you have a new coat and you got it for half the price than what will be out there instore! I have managed to buy coats in the sales a couple of times now and it pays off in the long run to forward think.

Light pink April coat, £252.00 (was £42.00), All Saints

5. The 'it's so cheap, you can't say no' piece

Sometimes the best part about the sales is the fun pieces you can buy that are so cheap you just can't say no to them! Beware not to buy more than one thing, but don't hold back...if you love it then buy it! Here's mine...

Mesh wrap yellow dress, £18.00 (was £55.00), Warehouse

what to buy in the sales

I have to admit that I really don't like the sales. Never have and suspect I never will. It gives me chills seeing all those lovingly produced garments, designed by someone, made by someone, fitted by someone, approved by someone to be sold in the store, to then be squashed and racked together looking old, knackered and past it's sell by date! I hate to break it to you, but it probably is past it's sell-by date and that's why I don't buy in the sales.

But if I do buy, I have some good reason's and some rules.

Here are my reason's for buying in the sales-

1. If I have had my eye on an outfit for an occasion such as a wedding or a party and cost per wear is higher then I will buy it knowing that I got it for a bargin and I will wear it to said occasion that's coming up.

2. The piece is a wardrobe icon - the investment piece. For example a leather biker jacket, a pair of black boots, a blazer jacket, that bag you love - something that you will wear time and time again and goes with everything in your wardrobe.

3. A summer holiday trend purchase that I know I will wear on the beach, with the kids in the holidays and if it's ruined after the season ends I know I have got my money out of it.

When it comes to sale shopping I am on it like a rocket when there is something that I want and I've had my eye on. I will not break. I have my sales rules and I stick to them.

Here are my rules when sales buying-

1. Would you buy it if it was full price? Be true to yourself!

2. Buy it if you can see yourself wearing it now, not next season but now.

3. Buy less! I only ever buy 2-3 things in the sale as the rest is just not worth the money.

So it is as simple as that. Change your mindset, sales are not about bargins, it's still about spending your money wisely whilst investing in your wardrobe.

With that in mind, having brought my outfit for the wedding I have coming up, I am now focusing on the 1 or 2 pieces I would like to add in for the summer holidays.

So here are my top pick's from the sales that you should be buying to wear now for the summer season -

1. Zara embroidered dress - was £39.99 now £25.99

2. &other stories off the shoulder top - was £65 now £33

3. Whistles stripe logo tee - was £45.00 now £30.00

4. Mango printed jumpsuit - was £59.99 now £29.99

5. Sophie Hulme pink Barnsbury cross-body bag - was £350.00 now £245.00

What did you buy in the sales? Share with me here or on social media.