it's leather chaps!

Sometimes I just get obsessed by an item of clothing until I purchase it. I have been obsessing over a pair of skinny leather trousers since the beginning of the Autumn season. Many of you might remember a pair being featured on my top 5 list of items to by for Autumn, but I didn't buy them, choosing to buy some knitwear instead. (Oh the regrets!)

Leather is back in a big way, real and faux. It has crossed over from something you would only wear in the evening to being acceptable to wear leather in the daytime too. It is surprisingly flattering on every figure as it holds everything in place and is also very practical with young kids (wipe down clothes, what more could you want?!). Leather pieces hold longevity and can also look expensive whilst upping your style anty for 2017.

It might take some getting used to though and the trick is knowing how to style it to get maximum use out of the pieces you want to invest in.  Follow my pinterest board for further inspiration - It's leather chaps!

1. Skinny leather trousers aka leather leggings

I am not a fan of leggings, many of my clients will know this, but being made of leather they flatter your figure instead of making you look frumpy. They are leg-lengthening, tummy flattering, bottom lifting and are really comfortable. So I am a convert! These can be worn casually with a piece of knitwear, a stripey tee or denim shirt over the top or with a tie neck shirt and blazer for an evening out. Here are my 3 best leather leggings buys -

Marks and Spencer leather and ponte leggings - £129.00

Hush Leather leggings - £330

Reiss Carrie black leather leggings - £550

2. Leather skirt

Midi or mini, both lengths are great purchases depending on your body shape on which length will suit you the best. Worn best with a fitted polo neck or a printed blouse tucked in. Thick black tights means that you don't have to be restricted in your shoe choices either, flat boots, trainers, heel's, knee high boots will all work with a leather skirt. Finally throw on an over sized coat finish off your look or a blazer if you want to wear it to the office or in the evening. Here are my 3 best leather skirt buys -

Jigsaw Leather high waisted pencil skirt - £198

French Connection Goldenberg A-Line leather skirt - £150

Whistles Leather A-line skirt - £170

3. Leather dress

Nothing says statement dress than a leather dress. A classic but with some added edge. You will be surprised how versatile one is and can easily be taken from day to night. Thick black tights are a must with the leather dress and either boots or heel's depending on how you feel. Once you buy one you will wonder why you hadn't got one sooner!!

Reiss Etty Black Leather dress - £245

BCBG MaxAzria leather dress at ASOS - £238

Selected Femme Flora dress at John Lewis - £160

Hello, World!

it's not you it's me!

Tips on how to let go of unnecessary wardrobe clutter

I have been detoxing wardrobes for a number of years now and in this time I have come across some pretty crazy reasons as to why people hoard clothes. But there are three main ones that I come across time and time again that people use to justify their tendency to hoard. If you want to clear out your wardrobe, but feel over whelmed but the thought of starting the process then contact me now for my help.

If you can relate with these comments, then read on for my tips on how to tackle these reasons:

" I MIGHT WANT TO WEAR IT AGAIN SOMEDAY"

As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn an item in the past year it’s unlikely you’ll suddenly want to start wearing it again any time soon. But if you really can’t bear to part with a few of your pieces just yet, try this little trick: store them in a box under your bed (or anywhere but your wardrobe) for a trial separation. You can always retrieve an item if you want to, but it’s much more likely that you’ll forget about most of the stuff in that box after a few months, and you can then get rid of it during your next wardrobe detox. 

"THAT TOP/BAG/PAIR OF SHOES REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING"

Pieces that remind you of a happy time in your life but that you no longer wear aren’t really clothes anymore. They are keepsakes so treat them as such. Store them in a designated place somewhere in your home, but not in your wardrobe. And remember, your memories aren’t attached to objects. 

"I SPENT ALOT OF MONEY ON THAT!"

Many people consider the act of not wearing or using something expensive, whether it’s a pair of shoes or a bottle of fancy shampoo, to be wasteful. But really the money is already spent, so there’s nothing left to waste, except for your energy and wardrobe space. The only way to recoup at least a portion of the money you originally invested in your clothes is to sell them. Selling un-wanted clothes is good for your wallet and the environment too. Not only are you keeping your old clothes from becoming landfill, you are also helping someone else buy used instead of new, which reduces the carbon footprint left yearly by the fast fashion industry. Every little helps!

If you want to clear out your wardrobe, but feel over whelmed but the thought of starting the process then contact me now for my help. Would you rather have a jam-packed wardrobe that you have to dig through each morning to find something to wear, or a smaller but perfectly curated wardrobe full of pieces you truly love? For me that’s an easy choice! By detoxing your wardrobe you will get rid of clutter, redefine your style and make a little money to spend on a few new key pieces for the season. 

How to dress in your 30s & 40s

New Year new you right?! Where fashion is concerned it is the run up to the new Spring season's styles and launches in the stores. So over Winter clothes? But yet it's still here. So over your wardrobe? But yet it's still there. So what can you do this January without spending a fortune on clothes that you don't have but you really want to, need to, update your style? I work with a number of clients who feel this way not just every January but when you hit your thirties and struggle trying to find what is their style.

Hitting your thirties and moving into your forties are certainly milestones in your life that can shift your style perspective. Within these decades we might get married, have children, change jobs, change roles within your life, go through bereavements or enjoy the fruits of our labours. Never the less, our requirements have changed, emotionally maturing, juggling busy lifestyles, finding your sartorial comfort zone - these are all things that can shape, change and challenge our wardrobe and style. 

By now you have probably experimented with fashion trends and perhaps no longer care, understand or can keep up with what is 'on trend' let alone think about it factoring into your life. So now is a good time to strip it all back and look at what items suit your body shape, your lifestyle and what makes you feel like a million dollars when wearing it!

When I start working with new clients I find that the key to creating your 'Style Uniform' is to have core pieces that work well together. Ready-made go-to looks that make getting out of the house in a morning stress-free but yet stylish. By sticking to your colour palette once you have had your colours done, this will automatically eliminate the need for countless pieces that don't go together and look random in your wardrobe. Once you understand what you want your style to be, then your 'Style Uniform' will organically build over time, ensuring that what you have in your wardrobe has longevity as well as keeping you looking stylishly young!

Here are some 'Style Uniform' ideas and key pieces to invest in,  but check your wardrobe first as you might already have them hidden in there, you just need to learn how to re-style them into your life!

1. Jackets

Jackets are an essential part of your wardrobe. It can change a look instantly, dress it up, dress it down or be your look! Anything from formal blazers, denim jackets, leather jackets, sequin jackets to leopard print fur jackets. They all go with your daily uniform of denim jeans, or can be worn on a night out with heel's and even to the office with smart culotte's or over dresses. They will last you your wardrobe lifetime as they never go out of style and it's always about the way you wear it rather than what you are wearing. Invest in jackets and you can never go wrong.

2. Shoes

"You know you are a certified shoe addict if you think there is always room for one more pair!"

Shoes speak louder than words! Shoes are the only thing I ever buy in the sale, if I have had my eye on a pair then I will happily search for them, wait for them and love them as soon as they arrive. In your wardrobe you can everything from converse trainers, to over the knee boots, ankle boots, metallic court shoes and lace up brogues. Shoes can change an outfit in an instant. So never feel bad about buying a new pair of shoes again, as long as you love them they will always love you!

3. Denim

So many people struggle with denim, me included, but we wear it most days of our lives besides corporate dressing. 2017 is the year to break away from the skinny jeans and start exploring new trends that you could look fabulous on you. Frayed hems, boyfriends, carrot shapes and even skirts are great investment pieces for the wear per £'s that you spend on them. If you are looking for longevity then you can't go wrong with Levi's, All Saints and GAP for great mid level priced jeans.

4. Shirts

I have banged on about shirts for a number of seasons now. In fashion they are still top of the list with pyjama shirts still being best sellers and khaki military shirts set make a come back and not forgetting the newest trend of shirt dresses over trousers. But forget about fashion they are so versatile in your wardrobe because of the way they are constructed, you just have to style them up. Button them up, tuck them in, belt them, leave them open, wear underneath a jumper - the list is endless and it will always be your go to piece in your wardrobe.

which party shoes suit your style?

Any excuse to buy a new pair of shoes right? And the party season is just that! This year the party shoes offering has gone over-the-top sparkly, furry and embellished that it seems the statement shoe is well and truly back in style!

But which pair to choose from I hear you cry!

I have put together a rough guide to which party shoes suit your style so that at least you will have one detail sorted once the season is in full swing. Read on for my styling tips if you are a...

Glam it up girl!

You will be loving all the glitz and sparkle on shoes so it's safe to say investing in a pair of glitter heel's will set your style to shine. Look for a pointy toe in a block heel for evening or a flat shoe for daytime.

Sequin slipper loafers, £69, &other stories

Glitter healed shoes, £29.99, Zara

Laid-back luxe lady

Bling is not something that comes naturally to you, but that doesn't mean a little bit of shimmer can't be introduced to your party wardrobe. Velvet covered platforms for the evening or embroidered and brocade flats are good options for daytime.

Starry Suede boots, £125, &other stories

Floral print loafers, £29.99, Zara

Serious showstoppers!

Always looking for something new that is bang on trend or ahead of the curve, showstoppers are your game. The bigger the better and statement shoes are part and parcel of your evening uniform.

Simone Black high heel, £230, Kurt Geiger

Evie blue high heel court, £230, Kurt Geiger

Chic chick

Pointy flats with a sparkly touch or two could transform your office to evening looks in a quick step. Also look for leopard print, fur, satin or velvet fabrics this season. The shoes can make the statement so that the rest of your look can be pared back for maximum impact.

Sparkle slipper shoes, £62.65, Boden

Leather Pom Pom ballerinas, £29.99, Zara