With winter drawing closer and closer, the cute winter accessories, coats, boots and sophisticated eveningwear is hitting the high street in full force – and I want you to take full advantage of it! Whether you’re on a shopping spree for Christmas gifts (or you need to cure the Christmas blues with a few treats for yourself), there’s always room for a little red lipstick here, a clutch bag there…
From top left and counter clockwise, here’s our top 9 must-haves this season:
1. Faux-Fur:
Faux fur coats are big this season – they are comfortable, warm and stylish…There’s not much more you need to be convinced, but what about the price tag on this gorgeous South Fur Jacket, only £77.00 from Littlewoods.
2. Bold and Chunky Jewellery:
From the bib necklaces to bangles-galore, this season has big statement jewellery written all over it. Why not give this gorgeous flower and bead ring a try. It’s £13 well spent on yourself or a loved one.
3. Stud Ankle Boots:
Studs and leather are everywhere, as we saw on yesterday’s blog post about over the knee boots and the leather bomber jacket is in just about all the shop fronts. Grab a pair of leather ankle boots to pair with the fur coat for only £46.00.
4. Over The Knee Boots:
We’ve been through why these are great – If you love this pair, make them yours for only £49.00. Go for black or try brown – Flat boots always look great in brown!
5. Check-Print Coats:
This gorgeous Ted Baker double breasted coat is comfortable, UK-centric, extremely stylish and most importantly, it’s timeless. That’s why I wouldn’t feel so bad about the hefty price tag of £225.00.
6. Sequined Dresses:
A sequined dress is the must have of the season. Instead of opting for the all over sequin why not try one with trim detailing – just as pretty but less 80s disco – £210 from Unique Boutique.
7. Quirky Clutch:
I have featured this Dune Clutch Bag before, but god it’s amazing – quirky patterns, shapes and colours are big for clutches this season so definitely keep it on your wish list. This one comes with a £65.00 price tag (but I don’t even care!)
8. Bow Accessories:
Along with bunny and mouse ears on headbands, this 5-year-old-gone-20 trend is sweet and fun. Grab these Free Spirit Girls headbands at only £8.00 for a pack of 2.
9. Red, Red and more Red:
From lipstick to dresses, red is definitely the colour of the season. Pick any of the items above in red, accessorise with red jewellery and hair accessories or create the perfect pout with red lips.
Make a statement with a pair of thigh high boots, a playful trend that can be worn with just about anything. See how some of our favourite celebs are pulling them off and draw inspiration for your signature look of the season –
Ashlee Simpson creates a sophisticated monotone look with a gorgeous navy Azzedine Alaia dress and suede navy thigh highs. Get her look keeping it all black, all brown or (if you dare) choose a bright colour like plum and wear a black boyfriend blazer over top to tone down the intensity.
This Moda in Pelle suede number would look great in a similar statement to Ashlee’s:
Jennifer Lopez pulls off the yummy mummy in a clubby (too much?) look with class and a ‘uniquely-hers’ style. Pair them with a short dress but make sure it’s top half isn’t too revealing so the overall effect screams ‘just right ’instead of ‘too much’.
Armed with a 4 inch heels and a similar ruffled ankle to Jo Lo’s these Love Label stretch platform boots have it all – they’re glamorous, comfortable and come with a much friendlier price tag than J Lo’s Louboutins:
Natasha Bedingfield masters rock chic with this sequined mini dress, tights and leather thigh highs. Rock Chic is definitely the look of A/W 09 with celebrities everywhere showing off studs, chains, sequins and all things glitter.
Finally, check out these stunning Love Label over the knew studded boots – they perfect the look and look great worn with a mini dress like NB’s, or roll down the cuff for perfect day-time glam:
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote on my blog about the best ways to tone up your legs for all the beautiful new shoes that are coming out this season. These included lunges and squats, and I’m sure you‘ve all been dutifully doing these exercises, but I may have found another way to tone your legs that might not be as strenuous.
You might have heard about or seen the ads for Skechers ‘Shape-Up’ shoes. These shoes are designed to tone your leg muscles while you walk. Everyday, we typically walk on hard ground, which places stress on places like the lower back and our knee joints. These shoes are designed so it feels like you’re walking barefoot on soft ground, which means that you use muscles that you probably wouldn’t normally exercise.
There are loads of benefits for these shoes; Skechers claim that they tone your muscles, improve posture and reduce cellulite. All in all, these miracle shoes are likely to improve your stamina and your metabolism. They may take a bit of getting used to at first, but the more you can walk in them the more dramatic the results will be.
You can get them in loads of different styles and colours and at £115; they’re a lot cheaper than a year long gym membership. And let’s be honest, you’ll probably be more likely to put these shoes on and go for a walk than go to the gym. You can just slot them into your normal walking regime, but see great benefits. So why don’t you walk yourself to a better body.
They are beautiful and they are ridiculous and I want them. These four inch high Givenchy crocodile print beauties are on sale for £865 (sigh). I must remind myself while I stare longingly at them that realistically, if I ever had the unbelievable fortune to wear these magnificent shoes I would a) probably take half an hour to put them on due to all the straps and b) probably severely injure myself due to their constrictive nature and my lack of balance. I think I would be able to suffer through the pain though.
On first look you may think that this is just a very elaborate boxers robe, (is it called a robe or a dressing gown?) but it has nothing to do with boxing. It is Alexander McQueen’s £7360 Hooded Sequin Dress, and it is amazing. Unfortunately I don’t have any award ceremonies or world premieres lined up in the near future, or £7000, but I have never wanted to resemble a spangly over-dressed boxer so much in my life.
This will be the winter of the Snood, well the first winter of the Snood since the 1980s ended anyway. This Cashmere rib- knit Michael Kors number will make you stand out on any wintery street. Sadly it’s £740. I know what you’re thinking, but please do not sacrifice you gas and electricity allowance this winter and buy this Snood instead. It will keep your neck/head area warm but it will not heat your whole house, unfortunately.
I love this Bottega Veneta silver ball pendant and I think it’s because it reminds me of a disco ball. It would perk up any outfit and make anything look edgy and elegant. Look how beautiful the chain is too. And it can be yours for £740. If you buy it though, will you let me borrow it please?
The danger with this Valentino ponyskin hobo bag is that the second I saw it I started thinking of the outfits I own that it would go with… which I decided was all the outfits I own. I think I could even pull this bag off in my pyjamas. The Italian fashion royalty are using it in their current advertising campaign; no surprise there as it’s so eye catching and gorgeous. Guess how much it is… £1500. I honestly don’t know why I even look at these things, it’s just torture.
I have been wondering whether I could pull off a pair of high waisted floral shorts. I’ve got very strong memories of my mother in them as a child and I am therefore not too sure about whether they’d be classed as fashionable, or just make me look like a gran that happens to look quite young… thoughts? opinions? Vote in the poll below and tell me if I should consider getting a pair!
As it’s supposed to reach up to 30 degrees in London today, summer is still in full swing. So make sure you’ve stapled these must have items of summer 2009 into your wardrobe, before it’s too late:
