Trends to watch

I advise all my clients that being stylish doesn't mean being a slave to fashion. However every season there are some trends which I think are worth trying out and can be a fabulous addition to your wardrobe. So here are my top picks of the latest collections which I think are going to be key pieces now, carrying through until autumn.

Flatforms

A cross between a wedge and a flat, these give you the extra inches and elegance of a heel, but the foot-saving comfort of a pump. Featuring on the Spring/Summer catwalks of Prada and Alexander Wang, these easy to wear beauties are ultra trendy and I love Zara's very wearable high street take on the look. Wear with maxis or shorts for the summer and substitute in skinny jeans for a rocking autumn outfit.

 Click the name to view each product!!

Topshop Flatforms £70 

Zara Flatforms £39.99

Midi skirts

This hem line is really feminine and flattering. Channel your inner 50's siren in a pleated or a-line midi - not only are these flattering for the shapely calves you all work so hard to achieve but they are a more sensible length for autumn. But beware, unless you are super fashion forward, a midi and flats can look a little frumpy so wear with killer heels to avoid the school nurse look!!

Click the name to view each product!!

Topshop Midi Skirt  £38.00

Marks and Spencer Midi Skirt £29.99

Reptile prints

Reptile is the new leopard don't you know. Animal prints accessories or shoes are a perennial favourite for spicing up an outfit and now there is a new show in town. Reptile! Scarves, shoes and dresses in a snake skin print are going to be big this Autumn/Winter, so why not get on board early and give it a spin this summer. But remember, like their furry predecessors, top to toe reptile is not a good look. When it comes to animal print of any sort less is always more!!

Click the name to view each product!!

Net-a-Porter Dress £94 

Asos Dress £49.99

White blazers

This summer we have seen A-listers glam up their looks by adding a white blazer or jacket. In either a fitted, cropped or boyfriend cut, these light cover-ups are sure to give a bit of tailored class to any outfit. I wear mine all the time, thrown over everything from skinny jeans to silk dresses. And it’s a look that is appearing in some transitional collections on the high street, suggesting it will be hanging around until early autumn. This tuxedo style from Mango is next on my shopping list!

Click the name to view each product!!

Mango Blazer £79.90

Happy shopping!! Xx

 

Dressed down chic

Dressed down chic by StyleEyes featuring metal shades

Dressing to beat the heat.

With stuffy tube trains, ice cold offices and searing sunshine to consider- summer heat can cause some real style dramas so here are my tips for effortless summer glamour.

As temperatures soar it’s tempting to take the less is more approach and dress in your skimpiest attire. But be warned, this will do as little for your style cred as it will for your Goosebumps when you hit the office air con.

Instead opt for key summer pieces which flatter your figure and work with your existing wardrobe. 

Dress clever

Dresses are perfect for summer. Totally fuss free and self-contained you can throw it on and go. Maxi dresses are big news again this year and a loose style will keep you cool while acting as a good cover-up in chillier environments.

Colour me cool

Black absorbs heat, making you sweat faster. So it’s handy that this season colour is all in. Colour block in neon brights or keep things cool in lights and whites to give your look some summer zing and keep your temperature in check.

Cover your bases

Keep a cover-up handy to avoid shivering in air conditioning. A perfect pashmina in a staple neutral or a relaxed jacket in light-weight material will work with most outfits

What are you made of?

 In hot weather a good fabric choice can mean the difference between sweat marks and looking fresh. Avoid anything synthetic. Natural cottons and linens will keep your clothes from sticking to you or riding up in the heat, and will keep you looking groomed for longer.

Keep your feet sweet

Feet swell in the heat which means pinching courts are a no- no. Indulge your tootsies this summer in gorgeous flat sandals, from sling backs to gladiators there is no excuse for sore tootsies. If you need a bit of height then wedges are the way to go, sassy and super comfortable, the wedge is the only heel to be seen in this side of August bank holidays! The even weight distribution makes them much easier to sustain on hot days.

Summer style sorted, now go and enjoy the sun!

Office wear that works.

7am Monday morning, time for the first task of the day, getting dressed!

It shouldn’t be that hard given that your wardrobe is fit to burst and you spent Saturday melting plastic at the sales. So why do we find work day outfits so hard to put together?

Here is my guide to office wear that works.

Keep it sleek.

Straight leg trousers are a great staple. Cigarette pants are not as casual as skinny jeans but not as frumpy as black bootleg trousers. Slimming and ultra flattering opt for a high-waisted pair to be on trend or a cropped length for a summery twist.

 Top it off

The addition of a jacket will smarten up any outfit and the high street is FULL of great options for summer which will take you regular office trousers or jeans to new levels.  Feeling brave? Go for one in a statement colour which will make your work-day look pop!

Get shorty

Summer is a great time to experiment with tailored shorts. Professional and trendy - shorts are a great look if you don’t mind baring some leg (and your office dress code allows) this suit from quirky French fashion brand, The Kooples is the perfect way to pull of shorts at work and a great day-to-evening outfit.

Think in colour

Wearing colour to work isn’t a crime, even in the most sober office environment, and stepping away from blacks and greys will make you stand out from the crowd.  Try out navy or nude tones for your basics and add splashes of coral, cobalt and brights for your accent items.

Easy dressing

Dresses are the perfect throw on and go item for work days. No need to think about matching items, these all in one pieces are super easy, especially in summer. Dresses in jersey material are versatile and comfortable for all day in the office, opt for hems that sit on the knee to keep a professional but feminine look.

Shoes matter

Block heels are a no-no and tottering on too-high heels never makes for a professional impression. Opt for pretty as a picture flats which compliment your outfit, or if you need a bit of height aim for a 3 inch heel or a built in platform which will lend you a bit of stability. Nude shoes are a bit hit this season and will be a perfect addition to your summer work wardrobe.

Now off to work you go!

Dress Mango £49.90 reduced to £24.95 http://www.mango.com/
Cigarette Pants Reiss £89 http://www.reissonline.com/
Cropped Blazer Zara £69.99 http://www.zara.com/
Short Suit The Kooples
Jacket £ 220.5
Shorts £ 81 http://www.thekooples.co.uk/
Shoes Jones the Boot maker £69.00http://www.jonesbootmaker.com/

Dressing for girls….

It's a fact that women dress for other women. While we might be hoping to catch the eye of Mr Hot Guy in our Saturday night get up, and I know I get a secret kick when my Better Half notices my shoes. But if I am totally honest I know that he doesn’t really understand all of my fashion choices.

After a pretty gruelling Saturday morning, completing in a Triathlon, I had to put together an outfit for an ultra chic hen party at a swanky London restaurant.

Struggling with exhausted legs and severe sun burn (silly me forgot my SPF) it seemed like a mammoth task to dress myself in anything other than slippers and a slanket (we all have our off moments).  An hour later and my wardrobe had yielded some tailored shorts, a silk blouse, a white blazer and some heals. None of it new, or well planned out.

Admiring glances from my lovely boy gave me the boost I needed to get out the door, but in truth it was a passing comment from a girl on the Number 22 which really made my night. Clearly a stylish lady in her own right, and confident enough in herself to be gracious, this fab gal jumped back on the bus momentarily to tell me she loved what I was wearing! I blushed… but this moment of recognition from a fellow style lover gave me a great feeling and really got me thinking.

We should keep dressing for the approval of other women, it's not bitchy or competitive - it's a little bit of mutual appreciation of a world which our boyfriends and husbands rarely understand. (If you've got one who does - keep him!)

And ladies… if you do see someone who's style you admire, tell them! It will make you and them feel fab- trust me!!

Go forth and compliment.

What would the French do?

Anyone who knows me knows that for me style is nothing to do with fashion. The idea of being stylish and chic is something which ignites almost religious fervour in me and I often find myself dropping little hints and tips to women I meet in an attempt to spread my 'style over trend' message.

I recently found what I consider to be my spiritual and stylish home in the South of France.. And ladies I hate to say it, while we know how to nail a hot trend…. The French women have us beaten hands down when it comes to timeless and effortless style.

I always garner style ideas from my travels. It was in NYC in 2003 when I first decided that tucking my jeans INSIDE my boots was a great idea, I fell in love with Vera Bradley in the south in 2008 and reignited my love of all things fur (faux of course) in the ultra glamorous streets and cafes of Moscow earlier this year. But my recent trip to Provence has really inspired me to follow the French lead when it comes to day to day style choices.
French women, in the main, seem to have a stylish way of dressing for almost every eventuality. From city living to popping to the market, they have it down to a tee! Graceful, elegant and feminine. These girls know how to work their feminine charms without looking in anyway trashy or weak. And this chic signature is not only the preserve of the young and thin. Women of all shapes and ages know how to make the most of themselves en François..

My discovery is of course nothing new- Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and French beauties have been hailed as style icons for many years.

So what's the key to their stylish success. What gives the Audrey Tautous and Juliette Binoches of the world the upper hand?

If you ask me it is keeping it simple and sticking to what they know best. The French might be Avant-garde, but they are never followers of faddy trends and that is what makes them look so well put together.

I studied lots of French women's outfits and shops when I was there and it is true to say that few of the pieces are utterly remarkable when taken in isolation. The capsule wardrobe consists of straight leg trousers, in black, navy or beige, a-line skirts hitting just above the knee, fine knits and classic crisp shirts and, of course, the little black dress.

All items teamed with well thought out accessories and beautiful shoes. Add in seasonal pieces for colour and accent and you have the prefect recipe for timeless French elegance. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But it does work.

So do we UK ladies have a hope of pulling off this look? Yes, and its not even that hard to do. Less is most definitely more. Practice pairing down your look to a few key essentials. This looks isn't all about minimalism, its about making sure you wear a few perfect pieces. Think clean lines, luxe fabrics and ultimate glamour.

Think of the finishing touches of your outfit as the focus - show of statement shoes by keeping everything else super simple, add some colour to a simple trench with a scarf, and opt for pretty-as-a-picture pumps instead of block heeled courts!

In the words of Coco Chanel "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."

My stylist's selection here is a good place to start or check out Comptoir des Cotonniers for more accessible inspiration on this look.  http://www.comptoirdescotonniers.com/

Time to channel your inner Mademoiselle!


What would the French do? by StyleEyes featuring

Loose dress
1.195 DKK - stylepaste.com

Oska knit top
85 GBP - julesb.co.uk

Viyella straight leg pants
80 GBP - johnlewis.com

French sole shoes
$96 - bluefly.com

Zara leather shoes
$100 - zara.com

Hermes calfskin handbag
$4,300 - usa.hermes.com

Givenchy duffel bag
$2,410 - cultstatus.com.au

Vintage chanel jewelry
$850 - amrag.com

Tsumori Chisato polka dot scarve
$245 - openingceremony.us

Dressed down chic: How to nail the off-duty supermodel look.

Women often ask me about when it's ok to take a day off from being the super stylish creatures we all aspire to be. My answer is always the same. You can take a day off any time you like, but never give up on yourself and your own sense of style.

Even as a stylist, I struggle to wear heels on a daily basis, and would be lost without the option of dressed up jeans, but how do you pull off dressed down chic without looking scruffy? Here are my top tips on how to nail the off-duty supermodel look.

Invest in good basics

On lazy days or when you just don't have time to outfit plan, sharp tailored pieces or super crisp separates can seem like too much hassle. Instead, make sure you have an arsenal of easy to wear items in the cupboard. Leggings might seem like the ideal option here but, comfortable as they are, they are not going to win any awards for style and unless you have a model body they are never going to be the most flattering item. Coupled with recent research which shows leggings make your muscles lazy and can lead to weight gain and you'll see there are plenty of reasons to find a better alternative for slouching. Enter the Maxi. These versatile faves are everywhere this season and really are the lazy girl's friend. This maxi skirt in heather grey jersey is ultra wearable and is a great staple for any 'day off wardrobe'. Not only are maxis bang on trend but they hide a multitude of sins. If you're not quite beach ready yet, or still prepping for your next waxing appointment, no one need ever know what lies beneath.

Keep brights bright and whites white

Introducing some colour into your day off look is a great way to look fresh and vibrant without a lot of makeup or accessories. But remember, taking a day off from glamour is acceptable, but personal grooming never slacks so keep your 'play clothes' in mint condition to keep that effortless look. This striped vest is perfect, giving a nod to the perennial Breton look, while introducing this summer's brights trend. I like to think this is dressing down French-style.

You can look fab in flats

Ditch the heels for a day and you'll be surprised how much easier it is to do things. From board meetings to the school run, things hurt less in flats. But beware, shoes are the number one thing which can ruin another wise great outfit, so give your feet a rest without taking a style sabbatical.  If you want to keep a bit of glamour on your tootsies then say no to flip flops and opt instead for a classic leather sandal. Thongs can hurt, while slides can be tricky to keep on so go for something with an ankle strap or sling back. I love these McQueen numbers, stylish and classic with on-trend embellishment. These will do you proud peeping out from under your maxi!!!

Travel light

Want a day off from carrying your life around in your giant bag? Not quite ready to downsize to a clutch? Then the satchel is for you. These mid sized sacks are big enough to lug play day essentials but the long strap makes them easy to carry. The slouchy look means they go with almost anything. Perfect to pick up and go, fuss free!!

Learn from the best

No one is gorgeous and groomed all the time and not even supermodels have the time or energy for full make up everyday. But if you ask any model what she won't be seen out without, it's her sunglasses. If all else fails keep the shades on for those relaxed days. Not only will they cover panda eyes but they give you an air of mystery and style. Now who couldn't do with a bit more of THAT when popping out for milk.

And…relax!! x

Dressed down chic by StyleEyes featuring a denim jacket

Polo Jeans Ralph Lauren racerback tank
$71 - coggles.com

Ruby Rocks denim jacket
42 GBP - fashion-conscience.com

James Perse maxi skirt
215 EUR - stylebop.com

Alexander McQueen high heels
420 EUR - montaignemarket.com

Miu Miu studded satchel
$1,450 - net-a-porter.com

Sunglass
opticsplanet.net