This week I bought...

This great biker-style gilet from Topshop looks amazing thrown over a chunky knit or denim jacket. The picture doesn't quite do it justice; it sits just below the hip so looks slightly oversized, a length that feels - at the risk of sounding pretentious and "fashwan" - very now.

Unzipped, the shaggy lapel looks more balanced than it does in the image, and the faux shearling outer also looks pretty good. All for a fairly reasonable £65. The versatility justifies the cost.

That's what I tell myself anyway.

Topshop Faux Shearling Gilet £65

 

Designer vs. High Street: Kenzo Check Jumper

This oversized windowpane check jumper from Kenzo would look amazing over skinnies, a pencil skirt or a 7/8th trouser. It would also cost you £425. Not sold? Try this great lookalike from Warehouse instead - a snip at £38. Opt for a size or two larger than usual to get that oversized look.

Designer

£425 by Kenzo 

High Street

£38 by Warehouse

   

Designer vs. High Street: Kenzo Tiger Sweatshirt

If, like me, you think this Kenzo sweatshirt is weirdly cool, but forking out £165 for the privilege is not the smartest idea you've ever had (providing you can actually find it in the first place - it's currently sold out EVERYWHERE), you can get your tiger fix for a bargainous £19.99 from Zara. 

Done and done. 

Designer

£165 by Kenzo

High Street

£19.99 by Zara

The AW12 Wishlist

It's only now feeling like summer, but the shops are full of the last dregs of sale and lots of shiny new pretty things! Sadly, the lovely new things are pretty autumnal-looking, and it may be a while (here's hoping!) before you can actually wear anything. So there's only one thing for it. It's time to start compiling an AW12 wishlist!

Here's a round up of must-haves from Whistles, Miss Sixty and Primarni...

Whistles: Coming Soon

Whistles: Dress £165

Whistles: Coming Soon

Miss Sixty: Coming Soon

Miss Sixty: Coming Soon

Primark: Coming Soon

Primark: Coming Soon

Primark: Coming Soon

Primark: Coming Soon

Now all I need to do is start saving...!

Happy Shopping! 
  

Unrequited Love...

I love these gorgeous 3.1 Phillip Lim sandals, but they love me not. If they DID love me, they would magically appear on my doorstep with no ensuing criminal proceedings. *Sigh*

3.1 Phillip Lim - £310 at Net-a-Porter

Animal Attraction

There's something about leopard print that gets my sartorial juices flowing. But sadly, I've learnt there's a fine line between Dolce-chic and Bet Lynch eek. The right kind of print, placement of said print, and tack-factor all need to be taken into account. And I think I've just come across animal print jeans that tick all the right boxes. Check out these leopard lovelies from Miss Sixty's AW12 collection. 

 

Miss Sixty 'Irene' Jeans - £124

Now I just need to wait until September, when they're available to buy... *Sigh*

This week, I bought...

This gorgeous retina-burning neon pink bag from Zatchels. They make them to order, so I had to wait two weeks, but it was totally worth it!

Zatchels also offer the bag in highlighter yellow, green and orange, but pink took the biscuit. From £55 at www.zatchels.com.

SS12 Neon: Sunglasses Optional

It's that time of the year again. The stores are filled to the brim with new season clothes, shoes and accessories, but you're still wearing your winter coat and chunky scarf.

Head-to-toe prints don't have quite the same impact if you need a chuck a cardi over it, and pastels look optimistic-to-the-point-of-delusional against black separates and a grey sky. Also, I'm not just not ready to part with those trusty black opaques!

So how do you work an S/S 12 trend right now? Neon is your friend ladies. Flashes of uber-bright neon nods to the new season and works with your existing wardrobe. Look to Christopher Kane and Roksanda Illnicic's collections for colour inspiration...

Christopher Kane Resort SS12

Christopher Kane Resort SS12

Roksanda Illnicic SS12

The high street has a great selection of neon pieces dropping online and in store now...

American Apparel £19 (Americanapparel.co.uk)

Topshop Jeans £38 (Topshop.com)

Miss Sixty Top £73 (Misssixty.com)

Marc By Marc Jacobs iPad Case £45 (Net-a-porter.com)

Topshop Knit Jumper £15 (Topshop.com)

Asos Belt £6 (Asos.com)

Zatchels Leather Bag £55 (Zatchels.com)
Aldo does a great non-leather version of this for £35, which is also available in highlighter yellow (Aldoshoes.com/uk)

If money is no object, firstly, know that I hate you, secondly, these beauties will have women drooling from miles around (don't be fooled by the pictures, the bags are so bright they will literally act as homing beacons).

Celine Mini Luggage - Approx £1,100

Proenza Shouler PS1 Tote - £1,340 (Net-a-Porter.com)

Under the Sea!

No, I'm not talking 'The Little Mermaid' - though that was a bloody good film! - more a curious Spring/Summer '12 fashion trend that has emerged from the depths (that was terrible, last bad pun I promise!).

The SS12 Chanel, Versace and Alexander McQueen shows were inspired by the sea - with varying degrees of literal interpretation (dressing like a barnacle anyone?). Simple shift dresses were printed with starfish, coral, mermaids and all manners of oceanic fodder at Versace, while Chanel showed wearable separates in gorgeous mint greens, turquoise blue hues and iridescent fabrics, accessorised with pearls and novelty shell-shaped clutches.

Chanel SS12

Chanel SS12

Chanel SS12

Versace SS12

Versace SS12

Alexander McQueen SS12

Rest assured, there are subtler ways of ticking the trend! This gorgeous watch from Storm completely encapsulates the trend, while this shimmery clutch from Viva La Diva offers an easy update.

Germonite by Storm £99.99

Viva La Diva.com £39.95