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Wardrobe Essentials

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Style rule breakers: how to wear navy and black together

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Recently I have been asked a lot by clients and friends for inspiration on how to style navy. What other colours can it be worn with and the ultimate style question is can you wear navy and black together? The answer is YES! It has long been considered a winning colour formula, dark navy and black and both from the same colour category (Winter), so sit tonal well together. But if you are still hesitant at this coupling of colours, then read on and take note.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring in the mirror asking, “Can I wear this navy blazer with these black trousers?” or “What colour shoes and tights go with this navy dress?” You’re not alone.

However, the old sartorial rule that cautioned against wearing black and navy together, has no real merit. The truth is, most neutrals look great together, like white and beige, black and white, white and navy … You get the idea. These colours usually make up the foundation of our wardrobe, so it’s only natural that we’d wear them together.

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Whether in a single garment or combined in a head-to-toe look, black and navy blue look ultra-sophisticated together. It’s dark without being gothic, and sleek without being too stuffy. Adding the dark blue shade can soften the look of a harsh all-black edit, whilst still nailing a cool winter style. Consider it as low maintenance styling at it's best as you most probably own both colours in your wardrobe, all you need is some styling inspiration. Follow my pinterest board for more style ideas - Navy & Black


Shop for black and navy

1. Blouse with neck tie, Zara £39.99

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The big coat edit

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The clocks have gone back, the nights are darker and it's finally getting chillier! It's not all bad news though as you can now wear your winter coat, scarf and hat and style out the Winter months confidently. The other good news is that there is loads of sales on at the moment so it is the perfect time to buy a new Winter coat for the season.

Coats are a weakness of mine and a good coat can update your style very easily. In the northern hemisphere it also, sadly, happens to be the piece you will end up wearing most from October to March. So with that in mind, it is really important you spend time thinking about what you really need and want out of your coat. Practically speaking, there are two main issues that need to be considered when buying a new coat: one, as this is a big wardrobe purchase (possibly the biggest of the entire year), it has got to be spot on. I’m talking goes with everything, fits like a dream, is warm but not bulky and, importantly, looks a knockout. The second is getting all of that without spending the sort of money that would buy you a small car. Style speaking, think about colour, shape, trend and remember one size does not fit all - you're leopard print fur coat might be someone else's poison!

So to help you here is my AW17 winter coat edit with 5 new season's styles to pick from, including discounts where I could get them! Buy now and you will love wearing it everytime you put it on.

Follow my pinterest board for more coats inspiration - 2017 Coats Style


1. CHECKED COAT

If there is one coat that sums up the season, it’s the double-breasted, checked, tailored style. A smash hit among fashion editors at Paris Fashion Week, this is all about 2017 power dressing. Try Whistles or Zara for crombie check coats or French Connection for smaller checks. This large check coat from Marks and Spencer currently has 20% off if you have a Sparks card.


 

2. RED COAT

Red is the fashionable colour of choice this Autumn and I would suggest that a fabulous coat is one of the easiest ways to wear it. Check out M&S and Jigsaw (its signature wool “Grace” coat is pricey, but something you’d have for ever).  Fantastic for chucking over jeans or a grey jumper, as famous fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt, wear red.” This Mango masculine coat is currently in the mid season sale for £39.99 - what a bargin!


 

3. STATEMENT COAT

The beauty of a statement coat is that you can be wearing any old tat underneath it and no one would know. If your coat smiles, the rest of the world smiles along with you. And for this reason, this season’s panache for bold, jazzy coats is great news. If you’re not into the aforementioned red, then have a go at pink (this pink one form Boden has 25% off with code - DW33X4L4), green or colbalt blue. Or there’s my personal favourite, leopard print, always a great statement.


4. TEDDY COAT OR FUR COAT

My vote for comfort coat of the season goes to the bouclé slouch coat, aka “The Teddy”. Knobbly, bobbly and oh so cosy, this has a whiff of the 1960s, but has a very new-season nod to texture. Fur has also made a triumphant season return with this season seeing it being bolder than ever. Fun, colourful and not traditionally classic, faux fur is a great eveningwear alternative that will add a little wow factor to the plainest of looks. Check out Topshop and Zara for their Teddy coat's and Mango for some fun colourful furs. This tabacco number from Warehouse looks very appealing and has currently 30% off it online.

 

5. THE POSH PUFFER

The coat that defined 2016. Although puffer coats might not be quite as significant as this time last year, they are sticking around and for good reason – they are incredibly toasty. If you’re worried about looking like the Michelin Man, then check out Whistles forest green velvet puffer, which is easy on the puff-factor, but still fabulously warm. Currently is on discount on House of Fraser, from £159.00 to £127.20. Or REALLY stand out of a crowd with this metallic gold puffer jacket from &other stories.

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STATEMENT KNITWEAR

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Knitwear is making a strong statement for AW17. With alluring embroideries, powerful patterns and bold colours creating a stylish impact in cold weather wardrobes. From easy Autumn days to those chillier winter months, wearing statement knits has never been easier - just throw that sweater on!

Now the days are starting to feel chillier, it's time to think about the knits that you currently have in your wardrobe and what you want to buy to update it. See my pick of the high street and styling tips on how to wear your statement knits.


Statement knits

1. The embroidered knit - Embroidery is showing no signs of slowing down for the new season, with intricate needlework patterns elevating the knits of now. Bring the trend into your AW17 wardrobe with this soft, grey marl jumper with exaggerated sleeves, detailed with trailing floral embroiders in a vibrant red hue. Style it with a pleated green midi skirt, completing the look with a fedora hat and black ankle boots. Monsoon, £69.

 

2. The bold knit - Colour blocking is the easiest way to make a stand-alone statement this season, with striking separates adding a burst of brightness to your AW17 wardrobe. Prove the theory with this red cable-knit jumper, tuck the front into the waistband of dark blue skinny jeans, wear with black biker boots for a stylish and upto date look,  Topshop, £39.

 

3. The "What are you saying?" knit - What's not to love about this jumper?! The Love jumper will perfectly complement everything from jeans to skirts. Layer it over a shirt for ultimate autumnal chic with jeans, or dress up with a pair of eye popping red heels for an evening out. Hush, £85.

4. The frilly knit - Frills have been a main stay of style over the past couple of seasons, so you can't go wrong with adding this style detail to your wardrobe. Frills ensure you have a feminine feel to your look but you can add a heavy weight belt, biker boots and a bomber to harden it up. Frill knitwear is also great for smartening up your workwear style with a pencil skirt or pair of fitted trousers, can be easily dressed up for the evening - this could be the most versatile piece in your wardrobe this Autumn.  &other stories, £69.

5. The sparkle knit - Sparkle and knitwear always seem to come out every Winter, but they make a great partnership for your wardrobe. Style your sequin and sparkle knitwear in the daytime with jeans and trainers for that laid back look, or in the evening add a pleated skirt and a leather biker jacket and you are good to go!  Mango, £35.99.

 

6. The cover-up knit - Long have we loved cardigans, but quite often it can be default dressing that isn't flattering, is normally frumpy and doesn't add any personality to your style. This season the cardigan is breaking out the box, but you have to be brave to wear one! Take the plunge and add tassles, cable knit, printed patterns and belts to over sized or pretty cardigans this Winter.  Zara, £79.99.

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how to make your wardrobe work harder for you

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What to wear now : Some outfit inspiration

The building blocks of a great wardrobe lie in those key pieces you can dress up or down with a few simple styling tips. From classic breton stripe tee's to a leather biker, everyday skinnies to a smart pencil skirt, up your cost-per-wear with these fail safe tips and breathe new life into your wardrobe.

Here I want to show you how to add in this seasons newest trend items into your wardrobe seamlessly. By using existing things you have in your wardrobe the new item will breathe new life into those pieces, update them and make you feel confident about buying the new piece for your wardrobe. Showing you how to style items up is an important part of my styling consultation, as you grow with confidence with your wardrobe then styling your wardrobe will become easier for you.


The floral dress

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The leather mini skirt

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The check blazer

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The colour red

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