In the market for a hump day spend? Totally unselfishly of course, I’ve been shopping to save you a little time. Here follows a petite snack of a post, light on wordage – heavy on images of delicious finds. Despite their affordability there are no throwaway spends here, these are things that can live out a long and happy life in your wardrobe, whether dressing up your jeans or adding a softer edge to tailoring. Warning: there will be prints and Bohemianism. Unapologetic.
SO, H&M Studio hits stores this Thursday and oh how I love this collection. Dripping in wanderlust and well travelled textures, prints and fabrications it’s not an offering of conventional pieces but clothes that will set you apart. This jacket with your favourite jeans and a simple white t-shirt is enough of a statement to be pulled out year after year and will always be remarked on. Always. I will be hitting BUY first thing Thursday, payday or no payday. Jacket £99.99, http://www.hm.com
In a bid to find the perfect footnote to the H&M Studio jacket, above, I stumbled upon these beauties from Somerset by Alice Temperley. Part Victoriana buckle-boot, part peep-toe wonder, these, in rusty aged leather will look great with your Gap 1969 Girlfriend jeans, promise. Boots £130 http://www.johnlewis.com/somerset-by-alice-temperley-otterford-open-toe-ankle-boot-brown-leather/p2463212 . Jeans (not shown) £54.95 http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=000718608000
I’m not adverse to matching tones – in fact I secretly fly in the face of Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour’s famous “matchy matchy” comment. This tan leather whipstitched saddle bag from Jigsaw will get better and better with age. The leather will darken, develop variants in tone and become one of those wardrobe favourites that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. For the office bound, this is your weekender. Rowan bag £189, http://www.jigsaw-online.com/product/rowan-whipstitch-saddle-bag/J30067_CR020
Statement shy? Don’t be. The benefits of a bigger necklace are plentifold. First up they are a great way to instantly update simple tops that you love but have become bored of – secondly they are a desk to date essential. This from Zara adds texture and detail to a plain shell top. Necklace £22.99, http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/accessories/view-all/special-edition-wooden-necklace-c719013p3185912.html
Let me count the ways I love this stylish little number. It’s modern minimalistic appearance belies a clever coat that will literally update your look in seconds. The thin, leather tie-belt DOESN’T make you look or feel like a sack of potatoes because of the way it’s been cut, it works over the wider length trousers currently favoured by the fashion set and equally well for evening over an lbd or a floor sweeping hemline. Great with crisp black or navy and gorgeous with soft greys and pastels; oh yes and it’s great with jeans (always a selling point) and actually warm, yes, warm. Sleekly lined and with that naturally turned up collar it keeps the chill off your neck. I could go on… belted cocoon coat £249, Jigsaw. http://www.jigsaw-online.com/product/belted-cocoon-coat/J29234_CR018
If the sheer trend leaves you a little baffled and indignant, this is the way to embrace it. Pretty tunics and kaftans in softly embroidered fabrications are sheer enough to keep you cool on summer beaches (one of those bikini to bar winners) but worn with a pretty little camisole underneath it’s great for daywear, again with jeans (as shown) and banishes the see throughness problems that many retailers seem to forget when filling the shelves with such product. (Check out Rosie for Autograph camisoles for a silky-something-underneath treat). Embroidered top £39.99, Zara. http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/tops/view-all/embroidered-tunic-blouse-c719021p3184973.html
If you’re not ready for full on flora, this peachy blouse is a great way to test drive the trend. The sketchy print is pretty, flattering and not overwhelming for the print-shy, I tried it worn over a long sleeved, camel roll neck jumper and with wide-legged pale grey trousers and it looked modern and perhaps more importantly, gave me the option of wearing it through the colder temperatures we are currently enduring. Blouse £35,River Island. http://www.riverisland.com/women/tops/blouses/pink-floral-print-blouse-683074
Last season one designer produced a collection of dresses that had a massive impact on many retailers. Featuring a new kind of laser cut lace layered over a coloured underlay, these dresses have many inspirations all over the high street right now. This from Miss Selfridge will be your special occasion best friend all summer long. Dress £99, http://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/dress-shop-299048/view-all-299126/geo-lace-midi-dress-5105456?bi=40&ps=40
This jacket caught my attention when it was shown on the Topshop Unique catwalk last September. I remember thinking to myself, “could I pull that off?” Well, I’ve actually bought it, a credit card crime during my run around town in the search for today’s Stylish Stuff. It’s so unusual that, like my vintage kimonos I can see this being something I wear a lot, sometimes to brighten duller wardrobe pieces, others simply because it’s such a gloriously British statement of eccentric style. Elystan Jacket by Unique £225, http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/unique-4455342/elystan-jacket-by-unique-5286182?bi=20&ps=20
With it’s longer line and lush embroidery, this is the bomber to change your mind about bomber jackets in general. Less sporty and more luxurious, let me introduce you to your new weekend bff. Quilted Oriental bomber jacket £65, M&S. http://www.marksandspencer.com/quilted-oriental-bomber-jacket/p/p60079923?prevPage=plp
Ok, I sneaked this in simply because I’m a sucker for embellished khakis. As a wardrobe staple it’s flattering for most but too oft’ labelled as purely utility wear. Add some embellishment, be it in the form of a gorgeously embroidered bird (sparrow??) or sequins and boom! Suddenly it’s not so utilitarian anymore. Jacket £39.99, Zara. http://www.zara.com/uk/en/new-in/woman/flora-and-fauna/embroidered-jacket-c813573p3186628.html
And while we’re talking about khaki, these very sexy, heeled, fringed boots from River Island might just make the perfect partnership with the above embellished jacket. What you wear inbetween is, of course, up to you, but I’d strongly recommend denim. Heels £58, http://www.riverisland.com/women/shoes–boots/heeled-sandals/khaki-suede-fringed-stiletto-heels-677883
There’s nothing I love more than taking a gorgeous skirt like this and wearing it with a soft denim shirt or a simple white tee and black ankle boots. It means that something that shrieks evening wear can be worn by day and cherished in daylight. Flower appliqué skirt £130 Bruce by Bruce Oldfield, http://www.johnlewis.com/bruce-by-bruce-oldfield-flower-applique-full-skirt-black/p2483072
Your workbag just got a Navajo-over. Beige tassel trim tote bag £45, River Island. http://www.riverisland.com/women/bags–purses/shopper–tote-bags/beige-tassel-trim-tote-bag-678300
Never thought of pairing forest green with crisp white? Think again. If your office attire doesn’t need to be strictly monochrome this is a fresh idea to update your day to day. Stan Smith style trainers optional. Autograph green satin blouse £35, http://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-blouse/p/p22436907?prevPage=plp , pleated A line white skirt £55, http://www.marksandspencer.com/belted-a-line-skirt/p/p22436853?prevPage=plp
This top needs to be given the touchy, feely treatment, although for me it was love at first sight. It has the Boho credentials my wardrobe requires….embroidery (tick), voluminous sleeves (tick), a figure friendly silhouette whether beach or city (tick) and thanks to Monsoon’s ethical production merits – it positively makes a difference when you buy it. Job done. Ida embroidered top £69, http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.3/9516844651
Oh and PS… the brighten up your day splurge comes courtesy of The Shop at Bluebird in Duke Street and these bright, knitted bags. £198 by Sophie Anderson. The good part – this is what it says on each label. “Each individual bag is woven by the skilled hands of the indigenous communities in the desert region of Colombia. We hope you enjoy it. By purchasing this product you are helping to provide work to these remote communities and enabling the weaving tradition to continue.”
NEW IN STORE
As mentioned above, tomorrow sees the launch of the hotly anticipated H&M Studio collection. Get on line early to avoid disappointment and think ahead, these are perfect for the bohemian-spirited jetsetter. http://www.hm.com
With launch after launch making M&S one of the most competitive and collaborative retailers, and hot on the heels of the Livia Firth collaboration last week, comes ‘Best of British’ hitting stores today. Get ready for a grown up collection of UK-made, stylish must haves. Favourites include the blush pink linen, long-line coat, the pastel brogues and the floral prints. Shop fast. These will fly. http://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-longline-coat/p/p22439923?prevPage=srp
IF you’re one of the lucky ones about to hit far flung shores at this freezing time of year, check out the beautiful White Isle collection from Monsoon. Featuring artisan hand block prints and a very cohesive wardrobe offering of loose trousers, kaftans, bikinis and beach wear, this is well worth a view. The Stylish Stuff LOVES. http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/uk/women/white-isles#pageSize=12&sort=newIn&category=mon_1.78&filtersClosed=false
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella
Photography by Shelly Vella using the iPhone 6s