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- Fashion Friendly M&S
Marks and Spencer have a bit of a reputation for being a shop for the ‘more mature’ woman. However, in recent years they’ve created a new range called ‘Limited Collection’ which is turning all the right heads in the fashion world. Their AW08 collection has just been featured in Vogue, and is fronted by one of the most recognisable faces in the fashion industry, model Lily Cole.
The clothes are heavily influenced by catwalk trends and aim to appeal to the younger, discerning high street shopper with competitive prices and fashion forward designs. Whilst it’s not a particularly large collection, this seems to make it more exclusive, and there’s definitely enough pieces to create work, day and evening looks with great accessories.
One of my favourite pieces from the AW08 collection is this Tiered Ruffle Top. Inspired by top designer Philip Lim’s recent ruffle-tastic dresses, this top has a tiered ruffle design on the front and back, a cowl neck and batwing sleeves. It definitely needs to be paired with something simple, like skinny black jeans or trousers. At only £39.50 it’s a great price, and a top that will see you all the way through winter.
It’s available now from Marks and Spencer online, or larger Marks and Spencer stores. Be warned though, Limited Collection often sells out quickly!
- New Label Love
I’ve just discovered a top favourite accessories label in the form of Jessica Kagan Cushman who, among other things, creates slogan bangles made from Fossilized Mammoth Ivory!
The Ivory comes from Mammoths which would have died of natural caused more than 10,000 years ago and are now extinct. (The ivory is free of the import/export regulations which apply to elephant ivory).
So you can now have a piece of ancient history sitting right there on your arm.
Jessica names tattoos, movie quotes and graffiti as her inspiration, and as a result has created these rather witty little slogan bracelets.
This slogan reads ’Truly fabulous people never get dressed before lunchtime,’ other slogan’s include ‘Does this bangle make me look fat?’ & ‘New shoes cure the blues’.
Get yours from Browns for £80.
- Designer v Highstreet: The Tea Dress
One of my favourite designers of the moment is Luella – I loved the selection of wood, stud and tartan clogs which they showcased on their A/W 08 catwalk and I particularly like this royal blue tea dress of theirs too. Tea dresses in the colder months are hard to pull off, however with the long sleeves a bit of layering this is a dress that can be worn all year. 
Warehouse has gone onto to create a very similar looking tea dress too and at a fraction of the price at just £65. Combine, as Luella have done, with contrasting colour tights and platform shoe boots for a fresh autumnal look or for a more edgy look throw over a long length skinny sleeve cardigan and skinny belt over the top with knee high and platforms.
Luella’s A/W 08 collection is not yet live on their website, however you can check out their catwalk show on STYLE.COM.
- 6 Super Sultry Shoes
With the gothic chic trend about to dominate our wardrobes next season, it’s a good idea to bag yourself a pair of show-stopping sultry shoes as soon as they hit the shops (i.e. now!).
The high street are offering an abundance of styles and you can bag yourself a pair for as little as £16! The key aspects to look for are patent leather, lace up bows, gladiator repetitive lines, ruching, peep-toes, height and a hint of naughtiness – to name a few!
Here are my top 6 sexy shoes for the gothic chic trend; I had to start with Firetrap’s gorgeous ruche lace shoe boot [1] – the ruched front will give the impression of elongating the leg and you can team with anything from skinnies to skirts. Office’s All night Croc’s [2] are to die for and perfect for the trend - their traditional T bar style gives the impression of good behaviour but their peep-toes and serious killer heels ruins the illusion – these are a pair of bad boys.
Boohoo’s black patent ribbon tie gladiator heels [3] have it all going on, and why not? They will look great tied over the top of super skinnie jeans or showing off over opaques teamed with a micro tulip skirt. At just £25 these are my top favourite. New Look’s patent ankle boots [4] with their multi strap buckles are right on trend as are Topshop’s patent shoe boot [5]. Matalan storm in at the end with their cheap-as-chips Glam Rock Shoe Boots [6] for just £16! Don’t miss out!
The run down:
1. Office Firetrap Alison Tie Shoe Boot, £90
2. Office Party All Night Croc, £85
3. Boohoo Black Patent Ribbon Tie Gladiator Heel £25
4. New Look Patent Ankle Boots, £25
5. Topshop Albion Patent Shoe Boot, £65
6. Matalan Glam Rock Patent Shoe Boot, £16
- Statement Skirt
I absolutely love this tweed bell skirt by Oscar de la Renta. Bang on trend it features so many key elements for nest season – the tulip shape, sludgy colour palette and the vintage fabric; tweed, which stormed the catwalk at Burberry’s A/W 08 collection.
For the office - team this piece with a starched crisp white pussy-bow blouse, opaques and patent black sky scraper heels. Throw on some oversized accessories for maximum impact; stack chunky bracelets on one arm, a belt or chunky black and gold ring for added drama.
For daytime - team with a plain scoop-neck white vest and throw over a skinny black cardy; pushing up the sleeves to keep the upper half structured and minimal feel to make way for the statement piece on the lower half on the body. A oversized long pendant style necklace will give the look a polished feel without feeling too dressy.
Get your tweed bell skirt from Net-a-porter for £720.
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