Outfit: Uniqlo and Lemaire Tee
Top: Uniqlo and Lemaire
Culottes: Warehouse (similar)
Shoes: Topshop
The one day of sun we had over the bank holiday had me reaching for my trusty white culottes - the ones I've had for about two years but never seem to fail me. This time, I paired them with this knitted tee I got from the Uniqlo and Lemaire collection (if you haven't checked it out yet, do so now before I buy everything...) and the Topshop glove shoes (aka granny shoes) that haven't left my feet since I bought them.
The Holiday Wishlist
At the end of May I'm heading to Montenegro for a week-long, much-needed break in the sun. It's in less than two months, so while I'm not at some hideous gym class, silently weeping as I put back that fresh loaf of Sourdough in Tesco - or you know, at the office - I'm busy dreaming up of what I'll be wearing when we're there. I know it's a while off but after months of living in coats and all the layers I could muster, the thought of wearing something a lot lighter is all too appealing.
From top left: Topshop jersey playsuit, New Look slingbacks, & Other Stories dress, Missguided swimsuit Warehouse linen midi dress, ASOS sunglasses, Birkenstock sandals*
Holiday style for me is all about being effortless; those pieces you can just throw on and will instantly be chic. It's also about having pieces that are versatile - the playsuit that works as a beach cover-up and is suitable for after-beach drinks at the bar, for example, or the dress you can wear all day and will be elegant enough for evening too.
Outfit: Layered Blazer and Duster Coat
Coat: Missguided (similar)
Blazer: c/o PrettyLittleThing
Top: COS
Jeans: ASOS
Shoes: Zara
It's finally getting to that time when I can ditch the winter coats and start working with my lighter jackets - while still layering them up to beat that lingering chill. This is a look I wore to the office last week, mixing up classic monochrome with a layer of khaki in this Missguided duster coat. As for the footwear, these slipper shoes from Zara are the best thing to have happened to my feet this season, offsetting them with a tailored blazer to make the look work-appropriate.
Outfit: Bell Sleeve Dress and Jeans
Jeans: ASOS
Shoes: Zara (similar)
Wearing dresses over jeans and trousers is one of my favourite looks, especially during this transitional period. Gone are the winter jumpers, tights and boots - but we're not quite ready for full-on bare legs and sandals just yet. This dress from The Fifth is just the right kind of oversized (I got XS if you're wondering about sizes), while these bell sleeves are the icing on the cake. I can't wait to wear it with sliders in summer but for now I'm pairing it with raw hemmed jeans or culottes.
Outfit: Green Trousers, White Tee
Top: T by Alexander Wang at Coggles
Trousers: COS
Shoes: Topshop
The sun came out in Manchester for the first time this week, causing me to leave the black behind for a day and opt for some lighter pieces. These COS trousers have already made a couple of appearances on the blog but for spring, I'm pairing them with this simple off-white long sleeved top from T by Alexander Wang - a go-to look for the office and after-work drinks.
Outfit: The Backless Midi Dress
Dress: Zara
Shoes: ASOS
Following on from my post about the virtues of the classic black dress, this Zara dress has recently made its way into my wardrobe. You may not be able to tell from these pictures (damn Manchester weather forcing me to stay inside) but it's rib knit, making it perfect for this time of year. Plus, can we just take a minute to appreciate that incredible backless feature? Pair with slip-on flats and it makes an easy, elegant outfit for the day - or for casual dinner and drinks.
Styling the Plunge Neck Dress
Top: New Look
Dress: & Other Stories
Jeans: ASOS
Shoes: Topshop
I'd like to dedicate this post to & Other Stories, the store that is so unassuming but with clothing, shoes and accessories that are to die for. Whenever I'm in London I'll always make a special trip to its Regent Street store and marvel in its beauty, but online will do while I'm still in Manchester. The clothes are incredibly stylish in that effortless, non-flashy kind of way that I love, creating cuts and styles unlike anything else you'll see on the high street. Plus, its sales are incredible (this dress is currently £20 - go, go, go), making must-have fashion affordable.
P.S. This isn't a sponsored post, I just love & Other Stories.
Outfit: Bell Sleeves and Raw Hems
Top: Weekday
Jeans: ASOS
Shoes: & Other Stories (similar)
Classic pieces with a twist will always lure me in - those ones that are simple and timeless but have a detail that makes them contemporary, and pushes them from basic to stylish. Take these jeans for example; your classic, slim-fit blue jeans that are a staple in everyone's wardrobe - but look closer and that's a raw hem. Or this black high neck shirt - again simple - but this one's silky and comes with bell sleeves. And let's not forget these incredible two-toned shoes I picked up from & Other Stories: parfait.
Outfit: Khaki Coat and Slipper Shoes
Coat: New Look (similar)
Jumper: Zara
Jeans: ASOS
Watch: c/o Daisy Dixon
Shoes: Zara
This is a usual Sunday outfit for me; comfy easy, and often consisting of a lot of black. Despite the cold (Manchester's been under a lot of snow recently), I love Sundays in winter purely for the fact that there's nothing you can do but stay indoors - whether it's at the pub with a roast or at home with endless cups of tea and, most likely, a Disney film on Channel 5. For that, shoes that are essentially slippers (seriously, these ones are even fur-lined), a good solid jumper and boxy oversized jacket are my go-tos.
Outfit: The Classic Toast Black Dress
Dress: Toast
Shoes: Zara
As any style-conscious person knows (and, well, any person), fashion is constantly changing, with new shapes, cuts and styles evolving our wardrobe each season. For the most part it's exciting, innovative and having new trends to work into your personal style each season is really refreshing.
But there's something to be said for the classics - the crisp white shirt, the tailored blazer or the well-cut jeans - and the place they'll have in your wardrobe for years, no matter what's trending. The black dress is one of said pieces. The safe choice, maybe, but it's timeless for a reason; throw it on and it's an easy, chic look in an instant - one that's elegant and totally effortless.
When it comes to such a simple piece, the quality of the fabrics, the cut and the shape become of the utmost importance. This one from Toast is wool, making it the perfect piece for this time of year, while its ability to skim the body is flattering and comfortable. Plus - just look at that beautifully pleated back.