dress French Connection
If there’s one thing we love as much as weddings, it’s shopping – well we are females, after all! So in a nod to our other passion, we’re today introducing a brand new post to the blog, titled ‘high street haul’ that will become a regular feature on our pretty pages.
Within these posts we will bring you our recent purchases of the season, along with what’s still on our wish list of ‘wants’. So as the chill of December is nearly here, we’re kicking things off with our winter high street haul.
Be warned, this post may lead to an impulsive splurge of online shopping, for which we can only apologise!
rachel’s haul
Clockwise from top left: Skirt Topshop| coat Warehouse| boots River Island| bag Marks & Spencer| shirt Warehouse| dressing gown Marks & Spencer| gilet French Connection| bag Topshop| skirt River Island| shoes River Island
I may be in the minority but I love it when the clocks go back signalling the beginning of the colder season, as for me its outfit options are much more creative and cool.
From oversized knits and cosy scarves to suede boots and leather handbags, I love it all! In particular, a weakness for coats and jackets makes winter one very dangerous season indeed for my (ever-dwindling) bank balance.
This year though I’m still on the hunt for the perfect winter coat, mainly as there are too many styles to choose from, which will inevitably result in multiple outerwear purchases (*bank balance winces a little more*). I’m particularly loving the belted wrap coats in super soft fabrics but have found that if they’re a little too thick they can come to look more like a dressing gown (a purchase that I’ve already sorted, thanks to Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s gorgeous nightwear collection for M&S), rather than chic winter attire.
So the coat hunt continues, as does the search for a faux fur gilet, which I think are Chelsea chic to a tee, when worn with skinny jeans, a sheer shirt and high ankle boots.
A purchase I have managed to make though is my winter bag. One thing I look forward to most in a change of season is some new arm candy, and this time I found it in Topshop. It’s a gorgeous leather and suede holdall in tan that reminds me of a Balenciaga design – and it was an absolute steal, as I managed to get it half price in the sale. Result!
Other items I’ve secured for the colder months ahead include a couple of long sleeved shirts, including a gorgeous botanical print design from Warehouse (another savvy sale purchase), and a couple of different length leather skirts, as their super versatile and can easily be taken from day to night. I’m also particularly attracted to dark green garments and accessories which last season led to a new mac and this season has led to a new pair of khaki heels from River Island.
While I confess my winter wish list is ever-growing, ankle boots and seasonal party wear and accessories have to be prioritised as my next must-haves. Thankfully both my birthday and Christmas are coming up, which should help boost my fashion funds a little!
julia’s haul
Clockwise from top left: yoga pants Victoria’s Secret | top Nine by Savannah Miller at Debenhams |shoes Boden |mini skirt River Island |dress The White Company | handbag Michael Kors | top Zara | top Zara |trainers Superga at ASOS |shoes Charlotte Olympia
Ah, winter… season of mists and new boots!
As a busy working Mum, I’m always looking for seasonal buys that will take me straight from playdate to client meeting – and that usually means functional basics, but always with a stylish twist. I hate to be a cliché, but for me, yummy mummy fave Boden is the place to go for cool flats that turn heads: I love their Audrey bow flats in silver glitter. I’ll also be popping a pair of Superga’s gold sneaks into my online shopping bag at ASOS, perfect for dashing round historic wedding venues, at the playground and on magazine photoshoots!
I’m over the moon that it’s now acceptable to wear your gym kit all day long, as luxe sportswear has always had a place in my wardrobe. On “in the office” days, you’ll find me catching up on emails in a pair of Pink by Victoria’s Secret super comfy yoga pants. I also love the lifestyle ranges by Sweaty Betty and Stella McCartney for Adidas both on and off the treadmill or the slopes.
When I need to smarten things up a little, I still like to keep things on the casual side, and mix things up with a special heel or clutch. This season’s perfect LBD for me is the Kimono Sleeve Jersey Dress by The White Company, super flattering in a classic colour and an unusual shape, and I’m also coveting their entire knitwear range for this season.
For easy pieces to add some winter sparkle or an on-trend edge, my high street favourite has to be River Island. Style some of their pieces the right way and they could be straight off the catwalk. I love their recent range of co-ords. I’m always throwing some of their costume jewellery into the shopping basket too – they have some amazing statement pieces that can really dress up an otherwise plain look.
I’ve never knowingly left Zara empty handed (their ‘basics’ are never just, well, basics are they?), French Connection’s party sparkle is to die for, and I have to give special note to Savanah Miller’s new line “Nine” for Debenhams… boho just got super wearable, definitely worth a look.
To finish it all off, a blown budget would see a pair of Charlotte Olympia skyscrapers (ok, ok, not officially high street I know, but I’m hoping ‘Santa’ might be reading this!) and a Michael Kors bucket bag on the credit card bill, but maybe I’ll save those for the Christmas list instead.
I’ve been an absolute angel all year, of course…
