Lover of Splendid

Wanted: I definitely have the tendency to bulk buy in the sales. 

This year, I’ve exercised an iota of restraint, removed the Breton from my basket (because I already have 17...) and gone for three things that I’ve been meaning to buy for ages. They are:

* A new pair of everyday black boots. My current pair have the heel hanging off, so it’s about time I upgraded. I’ve gone for this sturdy little pair from Selected Femme.

* ASOS Camo Pleated Skirt. I wanted it before Christmas and since my promise to myself is to actually wear the things I want to (instead of being scared to), I’ve added this to my skirt collection.

Wanted: These H&M beauts are the most deliciously indulgent shade of blue, inky with a smoke of petrol. 

Black is always back and navy never wrong, but by god I’d give those both up in a heartbeat for this swirly sexy shade.

They’re wide legged and wonderful, and I’ll be wearing mine with a lace cami or what a surprise, a good old jersey tee. Trews, have I got a crush on you.

I first fell in love with the Ganni Fenn Wrap coat when I saw Insta-fave Katherine Ormerod wearing it. It took a while to pin it down as it had sold out everywhere, but finally found it on Revolve. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. Here’s why:

Quality: The weight of the coat alone showed me the quality and the teddy bear texture was a lot more fuzzy than I expected. Not boucle, definite teddy bear. 

Look: The colour is definitely tobacco, and actually a little darker IRL than it looks in the pic. 

Sizing: This is where I or the coat, I’m not sure which, fell down. I ordered a small, and being a size 10 I thought it’d give the same look as the pic. Let’s just say it didn’t. It was far, far too big - not just oversized, but I looked shrunken. Belting it actually made it look worse, as it gathered the overspill material into a big ole’ pile of plie. The length was longer than expected too; I’m 5ft 3 (5ft 4 if I stand up straight, which is rare) and it came down to about mid-calf. My boyfriend likened it to my dressing gown, which now I think about it, is a similar colour and texture...

Wanted: Meet the triple threat top: Paisley, flouncy and in the most autumnal hue possible, rust. It’s got a lot going for it.

This &OtherStories blouse is going into my party repertoire because it’s SO DAMN PRETTY. K? 

Daily dose: Call it the Clinton effect. 

Searches for women's pantsuits have risen by 460% on shopping platform Lyst since January, and there’s only one lady to thank for that - one Hillary Clinton.

Daily dose: Parisian cool on top, pirate on the bottom - well 16-year-old Chanel model Lily Rose Depp is the beautiful creation of Johnny Depp (part-time pirate) and Vanessa Paradis (full-time French) after all.

Daily dose: Practically perfect in every way, Olivia Palermo has the cutest little treat for anyone wanting to wear leopard print but isn’t actually brave enough to. Well, not head to toe anyway.

Leopard is big news for AW16 (hurrah cos I love the stuff) but it can be a divider; that’s why this Zara poplin shirt, which comes in at a cool £25.99, is spot on for the naysayers. 

Daily dose: Taking layers to a whole new level is the micro trend that’ll be big for A/W 16 - a corset/bralette over a top.

Making me love it more is Kim Kardashian, who wore a ribbed Disney Princess style corset over an oversized white T-shirt (who doesn’t have one from a bf or ex? Maybe Kim kept this from Kris Humphries...it IS a pretty big tee) with Yeezy heels. She’s into the oversized look at the moment and I am too and this is a great way of giving something outsized a little definition too.

Kim’s outfit got me thinking how on earth you could get away with this look for everyday, and luckily I found looks from Look De Pernille and What Vero Wears to show me how. 

From the archives: Happy birthday to the original First Lady and America’s Queen, Jackie O. 

Daily dose: It’s nothing new is it? The ole’ wearing your sports shiz outside the gym. Call it sports luxe if you will but I can’t say I’ve bought into it - unless you count popping to Starbucks on the way home from a Barre class as a fashion moment. 

Daily dose: I’ve always *always* wanted to dress his n hers - and I’m not talking Britney and Justin denim, but coolly co-ordinating. (Because let’s face it, that wasn’t cool).

I’m taking this picture of now exes Harry Hamlin and Nicolette Sheridan in the 90s as my matching meta.

They’re wearing the same jeans and blazer (so gender fluid, so now) but with different tops (albeit in the same off-white shade) and heck, it looks damn good.

Celeb twinsies: Emily Weiss is my perma #WCW (plea to Glossier: come to the UK!) and I was obsessed with her glittery gold great sleeved top last year. It’s taken 6 months but the high street has finally realised that metallic + flared sleeves = a great top. Thanks ASOS, you got it right enough for me.

Wanted: I love a fringe. Not the hair type, on me anyway, but the detail type, and nothing says dancing queen like a pair of heels festooned with fringe.

If you love a slim heel, these Gianvito Rossi sandals will pretty up any foot; if you want something a bit more solid and stable, look for a block heel like Dorothy Perkins’ ‘Suzie’.

Wanted: I never really went in for the whole Sienna Miller inspired boho look, it was too sloppy for me and wasn’t the kindest look for a girl with big boobs and child-bearing hips.

I don’t want to use the term boho for this year’s slew of peasant dresses as they’re so much more; they’re far easier to wear, prettier, more sophisticated and grown-up girly. Ever since Vita Kin’s collection stole my heart, I’ve been on the search for a version that costs less than my monthly rent payments.

Lo and behold, in walks these three beauts, all folky and fab. 

The striped Ace + Jig is best suited for someone who wants to accentuate their waist and stand out; the colourway is simply spot on. 

If you’re a neat freak who never spills a thing, Maje’s simple and sweet dress is for you. The honeycomb finish brings a fresher approach to cotton. (This is not for calamity Carla...)

Or if you’re not entirely sure this look is for you, take baby steps with & Other Stories’ lightweight cotton dress in light denim. It’s breezy and won’t scare your credit card, so it’s a great option for easing yourself into this look.

Also, lookout for an H&M version which is hitting stores soon. It’s baby blue with a bright bib and fast fashion at it’s finest.