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!
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’.
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.
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
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.
From the statement heel to the shoeboot, killer heels will be big this autumn / winter and thankfully Tabio comes to our rescue to make the life a little easier on our toes with their range of footsies and sockettes!
I have a nice sprinkling of their quirky designs and these are my firm favourites – their innovative Lace Toe-Covers, which offer the ball of the foot a comfy cushion to sit on and are held in place with a band of lace.
With lace having such a huge presence next season and Gok getting us all creative, these could update some vintage black strappy heels or just provide some much needed comfort.
This design costs £8.50 a pair and they have many more cute and girly offerings featuring lace, sparkles and frills - check them out for yourself.
Want something snugly to wrap up in during these dismal rainy days?
As the weather gets colder and you begin to reach for last years jumpers from the back of the wardrobe or under the bed or for the lucky ones among you, from your dedicated winter closet, make sure you add a folk knit wrap to your collection this year.
This one from French Connection is gorgeous – and will look great slung over pretty much anything. Some celebs have been spotted rocking the look just wrapping theirs over stonewash jeans and a vintage tee.
For me I think it is perfect weekend ‘nestingwear’ (think rainy day, hot chocolate and a good book, or a good throw-over when ducking out to buy the Sunday papers) and made with angora it’s super snugly and cosy.
If you want to make more of it then combine with a simple plain scoop neck vest and super skinny jeans and killer heels.
Another month, another £50 challenge! As well as the challenge of creating an outfit for under 50 quid I also pushed the brief further to challenge myself to recreate one of my favourite A/W 08 catwalk looks. The look I picked is this wonderful punk inspired outfit by Thakoon. Their spin on ladylike structure combined with punk-esque prints are bang on trend and gorgeous.
To recreate this look for under £50 I hit Primarni (also known as Primark to some) and found this gorgeous wrap print dress for just £14. With both a serious ladylike shape and featuring the all important tartan check - this is a winner. I couldn’t resist their £3 studded waist cincher or £12 patent lace up platforms either – top marks to Primark as always!
Then onto Tabio who stock great everyday knee socks as well as many innovative and whacky designs, but I love these cotton silky feeling over knees for just £13.
Finally, statement jewellery and gems will be big next season (the bigger the better) and this black gem ring will be great to top off this outfit and great, too, for many other looks such as gothic chick, grunge lux and the LBD craze to name a few. At £8 it keeps me in budget and will keep you on trend.
Dorothy Perkins is often very hit and miss, but I managed to pick up one of the nicest items I’ve seen in a while in the store yesterday.
It’s described as a Frill Sleeve Top, but being only five foot two, I find that it’s just long enough to wear as a dress, and would look great with some thick black tights. If you’re blessed with the gift of height, it would look great with leggings or this season’s skinny leather trousers. The ruffled sleeves are a great detail, making it stand out in a sea of plain tunic tops.
Although it’s 100% viscose, it looks, moves and feels like silk, but unlike silk you won’t need to fork out for dry cleaning bills as it’s machine washable.
It comes in a lovely deep purple colour, silver, or cobalt, as shown in the picture. These deep, striking colours are great for winter and perfect for a party or formal occasion.
Get it online or instore, and wear it how you want!
They pair together so well, including the colour and cut. The pleated full skirt is cream, silk, falls to the knee and has a tiered frill hem. While the tank is available in red or green, is made of a soft modal wool mix with a deep scoop neck and has popper buttons that are concealed. Ultra chic and super stylish this outfit is great for your party nights worn with tights and heels and for the shopping days with some ballet pumps.
The Twenty8Twelve skirt is £160 and the Twenty8Twelve tank is £55 and they are both available at ASOS online.
Fashion News
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. 
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! 
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. 
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!). 
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.
From the statement heel to the shoeboot, killer heels will be big this autumn / winter and thankfully Tabio comes to our rescue to make the life a little easier on our toes with their range of footsies and sockettes!
Want something snugly to wrap up in during these dismal rainy days? 
Another month, another £50 challenge! As well as the challenge of creating an outfit for under 50 quid I also pushed the brief further to challenge myself to recreate one of my favourite A/W 08 catwalk looks. The look I picked is this wonderful punk inspired outfit by 
Dorothy Perkins is often very hit and miss, but I managed to pick up one of the nicest items I’ve seen in a while in the store yesterday.
I am really feeling the skirt and vest combo right now and here is one of my favourites… By