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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Where to shop right now

When working with clients on a weekly basis, I always get asked where to shop. Alot of women have perhaps lost their way with the same stores they shop in and want to be introduced to new online or high street stores. They are always surprised when I mention Topshop..."I haven't shopped in there for years!", "I'm too old for crop tops and hotpants!", is normally the response I receive until I go onto explain about Topshop Boutique.

What is the difference between Boutique and their main lines? Firstly the price. Yes it's more expensive, but only marginally.

Secondly, it has a more grown up feel to it. With cleaner lines, sophisticated shapes, stylish colours and prints and more of a Scandinavian feel to it.

Thirdly, alot of it is made in Britain.

Me in my Topshop Boutique printed top which is now sold out

The brand has a cult following and sizes often sell out really quickly, so you have to be committed to buying because if you go back the next day it could be gone!

Here is what I would buy from their range at the moment. Take a look and see for yourself, it might be worth a trip to Topshop after all.

Topshop Boutique Top 5 picks

1.  Wide Leg black culotte's £85.00

2. Ruffle peplum cami £40.00

3. Off the shoulder black dress £69.00

4. Triangle neckline tee £28.00

5. Off the shoulder white cotton dress £68.00

Spotlight on &Other Stories

Last week I attended the opening of &other stories brand new store in London at 72, Kings Road. Their other store on Regent's street has been open for a couple of years now and is a regular shopping destination of mine. Whenever I mention the name &other stories to clients or friends, not many have heard of it, so shhh! I'm sharing a big shopping secret here!

It is owned by H&M and is widely known for it's diversified fashion collections with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price. The brand has personality, a personality that I love and understand the more I shop there. It has become one of my go-to places online and instore throughout the last few seasons. They offer women a wide range of shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear to create their own personal style. What impresses me most is that the pieces they design are lasting wardrobe treasures within a affordable price range.

At the opening of 72, Kings Road the store was packed full of models, bloggers, actresses and fashion writers all walking around the store with their fashionable mini bottle of Pommery Champayne. The store is over three floors and has been designed to provide endless styling choices, where beauty and accessories are just as important as clothing.

After milling around the store collecting enough garments to fill a rail, I headed to the fitting rooms to try them on. All around me were feathered necklaces, floppy fedora hats and gorgeous forest green scarves, enticing me to buy them!

After trying on an array of fabulous treasures, including the fluffy white fur coat, a floral midi dress, a forest green polo neck and a burgundy stripe jersey dress, I opted for the grey crew neck dipped hem jumper, at £55 it was a steal!

As for the future of this brand, it's looking bright, strong and at the forefront of current society. They recently did a capsule collection, filled with covetable, easy-to-wear pieces that also had a passionate underlying message. The brand invited five creatives to shoot, style and model the images - all of them transgender. The resulting campaign images broaden and explore the representation of both gender and identity within fashion.

Next for them is a collaboration with fashion design house Rodarte to create a capsule collection, further raising the bar on high-street and high-fashion collaborations. The collection that is due to land online and in store next Spring, will comprise ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes.

I can't wait to get back to the new store in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime you will find me on their website browsing their inspiring fashion stories, just itching to buy more!

say hello to Atterley.com

Bored of the same old high street stores or websites? If you haven't already heard of Atterley then stand up and pay attention as you will want to know about my current favourite online store - Atterley.com

If you are a client of mine then you will already be aware of Atterley's website as I have been banging on about their collection of shopable brands for the past couple of years since it's launch in 2012 . But recently it's had a brand and website make-over and it's new collection is all about their own brand label. It offers an online store that is brimming with contemporary designed looks, stylish staples and affordable prices, what's not to love?!

The new Autumn Winter collection is a clean scandi-inspired look. Offering statement pieces that stand up in their own right and at the same time have the ability to sit cohesively within everyone's wardrobe. Easy shapes that can be worn for everyday style, such as the khaki utility shirt. For workwear woes the sleeveless shirt dress hits the style spot. For evenings, the collection of jumpsuits will have you ordering more than one! (I am currently coverting the bright green sleeveless one as below). There is something for every occasion.

What I also like is the attention to detail of each piece in the range. The larger than normal pockets so that you can actually fit something in them. White trousers that have fabric thick enough for you to be able to wear underwear and not be seen! Real practical things designed for real women like you and me, without compromising on style.

So head over to the new look website and pick up some expert tips on how to wear your new Atterley pieces in their stylist notes. Or pick up something timeless to wear again and again next season.

If you need some direction, here is my Top 5 pieces from the Autumn Winter collection that will give your wardrobe a seasonal face-lift and won't blow the budget!

1. Green sleeveless jumpsuit £75.00

2. Burgundy shirt dress £55.00

3. Grey 3/4 sleeve blouse £55.00

4. Khaki canvas blazer £75.00

5. Gold spot drape blouse £58.00