MyStyle of Spring Jacket

With Spring hopefully not on the too distant horizon I wanted to pick a new Spring jacket and have been checking out the charity shops, the high street and online for some inspiring picks. My first choice is a biker jacket-I have plenty of  other different styles already in my wardrobe and I wanted to choose something that was not too lightweight and would be ideal for the temperamental weather we constantly experience. Here are the jackets that inspired my choice, these are from Net-A-Porter:

ACNE Merci jacket, £1100

Karl Jovanna, £269

ACNE Rita, £850

Phillip Lim, £1705

 Rebecca Taylor, £360

So after checking alternatives in my price range I plumped for this cream Melton wool mix biker jacket by River Island.  I was in luck as it was the last one on the website and in my size too. It also helped that it was half price from £70 and when it came I noticed that the wool content is actually over 50% , very impressive for £35 and being a mix of black and cream means I can wear it with virtually anything:

It's  a great weight, warm enough to be a Spring or Autumn jacket as I have a lot of jackets already that are more suitable for Summer. It is also really well made so I think this one is a keeper. I'm really loving River Island at the moment and they have a fabulous range of Spring biker jackets online now, some in the sale and some full price- certainly there are enough of a variety of different colours, prints and materials to choose from. I also can't recommend their delivery service highly enough, they email you and text you with an hourly timeslot of when to expect your delivery and so far it's been spot on, very good indeed.

One jacket that is going back is this off white pleather jacket also from River Island-although it fits, it feels rather boxy and starchy and I'm in two minds over it. It doesn't really feel right on despite the £30 price tag and really if I'm looking to wear a Chanel style jacket this Spring then I should start wearing my lime green and yellow Chanel jacket.

The jeans however I will be keeping, a review of which I've done over at Live To Love Denim, my dedicated denim style blog-check it out if you've not visited yet!!

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter, keep warm and cosy and enjoy whatever you are up to!!

MyStyle of Spring Footwear-Awaiting to be worn!!

Today's post is dedicated to footwear of now and my chosen favourites of when Spring finally decides to show an appearance. I am currently rotating between the brown suede and faux fur Pavers boots that are below, black Hotter leather desert style boots and my newish M&S black leather biker style ankle boots-ALL with thermal socks. If I wasn't so blasted cold I would get all my socks and set light to them, how fed up I am of having to wear them as an essential part of everyday dressing, yawn.

These brown Pavers boots have been worth their weight in gold, although they keep me warm I am sick of wearing them and yearn for change!!

Here is the first of my new unworn shoes-this pair are from Primark and I got these in January, a real bargain as they were reduced to only £3:

These new and as yet unworn shoes which are a vibrant pink gold spiked pair were bought in Autumn last year from a neighbouring towns shoe boutique for just under £20,  I can't wait to wear these with jeans and a blazer and a brightly coloured scarf:

These Russell & Bromley brogues are a real favourite of mine, they are a browny burgundy colour and I love the leather detailing on them. I thrifted these at a boot sale about three years ago for £8. Having a leather sole means there not quite ideal for wearing just yet:

Another pair of Russell & Bromleys, these leopardprint shoes are another favourite of mine and were a bargainous £1.50 from the boot sale about two or three years ago. Every gal needs a bit of leopardprint on her feet!

So what shoes are you itching to wear when Spring and Summer finally come? Do you have old favourites in the wardrobe or have you got certain pairs on a wishlist?

MyStyle of wearing China Blue.......My Primark bargain scarf

I have always loved China Blue-the most memorable style example of this for me is the Roberto Cavalli dress that Victoria Beckham wore and here it is on the catwalk:

The Ming Vase dress really is a stunning work of art and design-the pattern, cut and styling are just perfection and is just gorgeous in simple blue and white hues.

So on to what is available at the moment- over at Atterley Road  this shirt by MiH is a traditional print with up to the minute styling-so perfect with blue or white jeans in the height of summer:

MiH Jeans Tails shirt bandana print, £240

Then going in to double digits we have this lovely shirt from Marks & Spencer-I have actually seen this in store and it looks so much better than the pictures give it justice-the print features florals, fruit and birds-I really love this and may yet decide to indulge, check it out on the link below to see it better:

Marks & Spencer pure cotton knot front shirt, £25

But definitely my bargain of the week was this lovely floaty oversized square scarf for dipping into this trend- just a bargainous £4 from Primark and it's a lovely vivid blue too:

The print is of trees, horses and cottages and is really cute and quirky, definitely one I can't wait to wear this coming season. The material of this is a sheer polyester crepe and Primark also have another different china blue design in a more denser viscose material and it is a long line scarf, also £4.

The print of the scarf in more detail-sorry for the creases!!

What colours are you looking forward to wearing this summer, will you try the China Blue trend?

Street Style Fashion-Trucker and Baseball Caps

Hi everyone!  The canny stylista knows that it's all in the accessories to make or break an outfit and one particular trend that I've been watching with fascination is fashionable baseball caps for women.

Like it or not it's certainly a style that makes a change from the beanie, fedora and baker boy hats that have dominated the winter for so long. I thought I would share with you my favourite looks that provide suitable street style inspiration if you are looking to work this trend for the coming season:

This is a really chic way of adopting this look by wearing monochrome and an effective statement necklace to project a street style outfit that is totally inspiring

Circa Keyline fitted cap, DefShop 24.99 euros

Trucker caps for women look effortlessly stylish with a Chanel handbag and a studded belt as the other main accessories, keeping the outfit minimal in a black tee and skinny jeans

This baseball cap is the perfect finishing touch for this stylista- she looks totally amazing in a gorgeous white dress and with tan sandals and handbag, she really pulls the whole look off

New Era trucker cap, DefShop 19.99 euros

An all black look is this young lady's outfit of choice, perfectly chosen accessories yet again pull this whole look together, proving this type of hat makes her look totally fashion forward and a stand out from the fashion crowd

I really love this outfit, the cap, sweatshirt and bag are the star pieces here and give her outfit cutting edge street style through a humble grey sweater and black shorts

An embellished baseball cap is the perfect foil for a Disney tee and red leather pencil skirt for instant style kudos and elevates this outfit to the next level in street style chic. How inspired are you by baseball and trucker caps in an outfit, is it a look that inspires you or are you happy to admire from afar?

Street style images:google.com

Summer Dreaming.....MyStyle of dressing for the sunshine

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I've well and truly had enough of winter and it seems like it is set to last until Easter, oh my!! So to cheer myself up and remind me of what summer in the UK is,  here are some pics of me from previous summers-the first one was in Canterbury a couple of summers ago which was a lovely family midsummer mini holiday as we visited Whitstable and Herne Bay too:

I'm wearing a thrifted Gap gold lurex cardigan, Marks & Spencer grey skinny jeans, white broderie anglaise cami top and metallic summer sandals. Oh to feel the breeze between your toes I really can't wait to leave my thermal socks and boots behind.

This next picture is at my local park and typical of my summer uniform- sunglasses (note to self: must invest in some Ray Bans this summer!), 7 For All Mankind denim cut off shorts, thrifted Topshop satin floral kimono blouse which was only 50p from a local boot sale and my favourite accessory of all-barefeet!! 

This was taken in Brighton a couple of summers ago when we visited for lunch and then took a country drive back and stopped off at Denbies wine estate in Guildford. My other typical summer uniform is summer dresses and this one is a silk floral 20s style one by Traffic People which I got for my 40th birthday. My tan sandals were thrifted.

Well roll on Summer is all I can say-I can't wait to adopt my summer uniforms again and feel the breeze and summer sun on my shoulders-bliss!!

MyStyle:A Sunday at Primrose Hill Vintage Fair

Yesterday was spent at our regular vintage fashion fair at Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill, Camden.  I run the stall just as a hobby now as it gives us a day out to meet old and new friends, spy potential vintage purchases and generally have some quality together with hubby.

 

My outfit was dominated by the weather yet again-Gap always skinny blue jeans, Marks & Spencer black leather ankle boots, Marks & Spencer black faux fur bolero-which was worn originally over my black leather biker jacket and Marks & Spencer olive snakeskin print shirt.

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of part of my stall, I sell a selection of vintage clothes, bags, hats and scarves. It was fairly quiet yesterday as there were two or three other vintage fairs in London as well, plus it didn't stop raining on and off. We still had a nice day though and one of my vintage faux fur coats will be living in Arizona now-I sold it to a lady who was on vacation with her daughter and has recently bought a vintage camper van to go touring once her daughter goes to college.

Another lovely American lady bought an 80s black dress which she loved and a 60s navy handbag was one of the first sales of the day too.

 

 

I do so enjoy chatting with customers, it's great to hear of the lives they lead and where they come from, whether its an international student, someone who lives locally or friends having a day out. For them to choose something that they really love is an added bonus too, knowing that an item I've looked after will now get a new lease of life in a new home!

 

Please let me know if you want a complimentary ticket for the fair-the monthly dates are printed on them for the rest of 2013, so you can use it for any of the future dates. For more information on the fair visit the website here to either visit or hold a stall yourself:

 

 

 

I generally try and wear vintage when I go to the fair but with winterly weather I am a real lazy layering dresser-when Summer hits then I'll be more adventurous!

 

I am linking this post to the lovely Patti at NotDeadYetStyle for her Visible Monday post. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and a great week to come. Here's hoping Spring will come as soon as possible!

 

Spice up your look with accessories

If you want to update your look but can’t afford a complete wardrobe revamp, get creative with accessories. Changing your accessories can help you change your whole look. Think how different a basic jeans and T-shirt ensemble would look teamed with a pastel pashmina and heels, or with a pair of rock-chick DM boots and a checked cotton scarf. Accessories really do make an outfit, whether you want one new look or several! Get experimenting with these key accessories.

Tights
Step away from the black opaques and slip into something more interesting. Tights come in pretty much any colour or pattern you could imagine these days, and unusual hosiery can make a great focal point when you’re giving old wardrobe favourites a new lease of life. Try out bright block colours for a fun, young look; or lacy patterns for added sex appeal.

Scarves
Don’t restrict yourself to winter woollies: there are plenty of gorgeous scarves around that can be worn day or night and at any time of year. Think floaty floral chiffon for a boho look, or use a patterned scarf to add a splash of colour to a neutral outfit.

Shoes
You really can build a whole outfit around your footwear. Try on some of your favourite outfits with different pairs of shoes – you’ll be surprised by what works! A pair of chunky boots can help dress down a pretty frock, while classic stilettos will add sophistication to casual outfits.

Bags
An on-trend bag is a great way to add some style points to your outfit, as well as giving you somewhere to keep your stuff on a day or night out. Think beyond plain black leather: take a look at some of the gorgeous statement bags out there. How about an elegant patent clutch bag to glam things up, or an oversized tote for a touch of celebrity style? Bags don’t have to cost as much as you might think – Very.co.uk’s range of bags, for example, includes plenty of affordable choices.

Belts
Belts are a clever way of creating new shapes and silhouettes. Worn over floaty tops and dresses, a belt will help emphasise your waist, making for a more groomed, pulled-together look. Experiment with both subtle skinny styles and big statement belts that will grab people’s attention!

I hope this guest post inspires you to style up your own outfits with these key pieces!

WHATS ON THE HIGH STREET.....

Kimonos are a really colourful and stylish option to a summer jacket-they tend to be so light and floaty that are great for all sizes and give you that extra bit of coverage. They are also a perfect day to night piece which look great with denim and also tailored items such as a tapered cropped pair of trousers. Here is what's currently availbale on the High Street:

 Topshop dotty floral kimono, £55

   

Topshop embroidered kimono, £45



Zara Japanese kimono, £29.99

 

Zara printed kimono, £69.99 

This kimono was bought (but still not worn!) when I was on holiday last August:

I really love the vivid orange, bold pink and cobalt blue against the greys and zebra print and the orchids are so pretty too: 

What style of  summer jacket will you be opting for this coming season?



MYSTYLE FOR MOTHERS DAY

Hi everyone!! I hope you all had a lovely Mothers Day, I had a great day which started with a lie in and my usual cup of tea brought up, then an early start to a couple of boot sales which unfortunately didn't yield much at all-I bought 'The Sixth Wife' book for 50p but the walk round them was bracing and built up an appetite for the brunch hubby made when we got home. I also received a new cosy red Duffer sweatshirt from my boys and a lovely card.

Then an afternoon of R&R and a family gathering to watch Manchester United v Chelsea, so nice to be at home with all my family around!!

I had to wrap warm for the boot sales and I wore a couple of new and new to me items. one of which I could wear often and would give a pop of colour-well it had to be a scarf!!

The scarf is absolutely massive-very long and wide so it double looped around my neck twice and although it is a fine material it was ideal for a cold windy day as there is so much of it!! 

I am also wearing a newly thrifted khaki coloured parka by Per Una from Marks and Spencer which I bought last week from the Salvation Army charity shop for £6.99. It is lightweight but warm, so ideal for unsettled weather and an  ideal length too:

It worked out well that the scarf and parka were a perfect match colourwise and I'm also wearing a hand knitted Aran jumper which I thrifted from my local Sue Ryder charity shop last year for £4.99:

It looks like the weather is still going to be cold for a while yet-I'm sure like a lot of you that layering up is proving to be just so boring but necessary- I really cannot wait for Spring to properly arrive!

I am linking this to the lovely Patti at NotDeadyetStyle for her Visible Monday post, wishing you a good week ahead xx

MYSTYLE ESSENTIALS: BLACK TAILORED JACKET

Call it predictable or bordering 'boring', but for me a constant style essential is a tailored black jacket. As Michael Kors recently remarked on twitter, 'I truly believe 70% of a woman's wardrobe should be classic, basic pieces'.  I've never been a fan of capsule wardrobes but I do appreciate the significance of having certain style basics in my wardrobe and if I'm a repeat offender of any particular item then it's a tailored black jacket. 

Looking back on previous pictures over the years, this is one style essential that is still in my wardrobe, winning over items that continually get turfed out for being out of trend or favour to a new home either via the charity shop, ebay or vintage fairs.

All of my black tailored jackets have been thrifted from boot sales and charity shops and over half of them are vintage or designer too- Stella McCartney, Thierry Mugler, Valentino and Janice Wainwright. The others are either made in France or Italy from wool and crepe, ensuring quality and style. None of them cost more £12 and I wouldn't be without any of them:

Thierry Mugler early 90s black tailored jacket

Made in France black tailored dress coat

Artigiano Italian wool tailored jacket-this was only £1 from the boot sale a few years back!

So hands up- I am guilty of repeat offending on the black tailored jacket front-but quality wins over trends for me any day. What is your main style essential for the coming season?

Outfit post-Mixing browns and black, faux fur, leather and denim

Hi everyone! I thrifted this brown faux fur gilet in January, it is by Dorothy Perkins and I got it from the PDSA charity shop for £4.99. It's a perfect layering piece to wear over a top or a jacket which is how I wore it over the weekend, indoors and out. I have really liked wearing faux fur gilets over leather jackets this winter season as key layering pieces, not only does this work the leather sleeve trend but it's an ideal way to keep cosier too.

I am wearing a thrifted vintage Marks & Spencer gold chain and tassel print top, my Gap Always Skinny jeans and Marks & Spencer biker style black leather ankle boots that I also bought in January:

I am really pleased that true blue jeans are back in style, as much as I love coloured denim I do enjoy wearing different washes of blue jeans as for me they are so much more versatile and feel like I'm finally seeing the back of winter after wearing black jeans virtually most of this season!

I am also wearing my best ever Primark item which is my black leather biker jacket-I thrifted this three years ago for only £8.95 from my local Sue Ryder charity shop and for cost per wear it's been worth it's weight in gold, I enjoy wearing it every season either by itself or as I've just said, layered under a faux fur gilet.

I am linking this post to the lovely Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.

Wishing you all a very good week ahead and how good it feels to know Spring is only round the corner!

The LBB- My 'Go To' Black Bag Style Essential

Hi everyone! This post is about the everyday, go to, no fuss LBB-little black bag. Like many of  you, I do have a selection of different bags ranging from shoulder bags to totes to clutches in an array of colours and from vintage to high street to designer.

Generally though when I am out and about on an everyday basis and I'm not going anywhere in particular without the need to impress or dress up then an everyday little black bag is my perfect partner.

I was fortunate to find this lovely little black bag by Kipling in the British Heart Foundation charity shop a couple of Autumns ago for only £5.99.

What drew me to it was the shiny gold hardware and detailing and the easy clean nylon material which even to now has not faded and still looks great and feels like an up to date version of the classic nylon Prada bags of the 90s. It slings easily over my shoulder and fits snugly under my arm and I can get so much into it considering it looks a small bag-no holding my umbrella! Plus it has a good variety of outer and inner compartments too:

Kipling black hobo style bag, £5.99 British Heart Foundation charity shop

No fur monkey here, his portrait is now emblazoned on the gold hardware!!

I still love the bright and shiny gold detailing on this cute bag!

Do you have a particular 'go to' bag that you just can't help using, despite the many you already own?

Here's wishing you all a really lovely weekend, lets hope now it's the start of March that Spring will now be in the air to stay!