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

This week, I bought...

Fashion at this time of the year is my absolute favourite by far. The party season is nearly upon us and the high street is awash with gorgeous faux fur, metallics, leopard prints and sequins - basically, my very own sartorial heaven! 

This week, I picked up this amazing faux fur jacket from Miss Sixty for £150. A bit of an investment but I absolutely love the shaggy fur and versatile colour. Winter is never a glamorous season (not during the day anyway!), so I love a good fur to throw over jeans and flat boots - perfect for upping the style stakes when it's freezing and you're wearing 20 layers...!

Miss Sixty - £150

This will be the last buy of the month, but naturally, this does stop me coveting more!! I'm also loving this great little parka from Killah. It'll have to wait until next month, me thinks...

Killah - £168