New in at River Island

All River Island

So another highstreet store, another  New in post. I don't actually shop very often at River Island, but I noticed that recently they've got a lot of nice stuff in. They seem to be going with this 'Chelsea girl' look for Autumn, so I've picked out a few of my favourites from that range, and some other things from the 'just arrived' section.

1) Pussy bow blouse - Brown and chiffon together sounds so wrong, but this diamond-patterned pussy bow number just works for some reason. The print makes it look quite 70's-inspired I think, but with a pair of high-waisted shorts and the right accessories, it would look perfectly up to date. I think it would also look great with skinny jeans and heels for a relaxed night-time oufit.

2) Envelope clutch bag - Snake skin is rumored to be making a come-back this season. But if (like me) you're not a big fan, this classy clutch bag is the perfect way to subtly incorporate it into your wardrobe. But my favourite thing about this bag is the envelope style front. If I had anywhere to go (lol) I'd definitely get myself an envelope clutch for nights out/formal events.      

3) Polka dot contrast collar dress - Whenever I see a dress with a collar like this, my first thought is always 'I want now!!' usually followed by 'I can't afford it' which is then followed by 'not fair :'(' So you can see I have the mental age ten year old when it comes to clothes. Anyway, back to the dress. It's pretty and stylish, great for daytime or a night out. Wear it with brogues and a red satchel bag for the ultimate dose of preppiness!

4) Varsity-style sweater - I called this varsity-style, but I'm not sure it officailly qualifies.. oh well it'll have to do. I've always wanted a sweater like this, white or light grey. I've seen people wearing them with skinny jeans, looking effortlessly cool. Unfortunately, I can't seem to pull off the effortless look, a certain amount of effort is required to make me look half-decent! Nevertheless, I'm sure it would look lovely on most people, especially with acid-wash denim.

5) Red quilted coat - Now I may be jumping the gun a bit with this thoroughly wintery quilted coat, but you've got to think ahead in fashion right? I've seen a lot of quilted jackets on the highstreet, I think they're shaping up to be next seasons 'it' coats. And there's something therapeutic about a pop of colour (excuse the cliché) in your winter wardrobe, especially when it's red! I'll probably search around for a cheaper version of this though, £55 is a bit pricey for me.

6) Black Chelsea boots - I actually recently bought these boots, and they're my absolute pride and joy! They're just so versatile and they'll be infinitely useful for A/W. The chunky heel is just right for me, small enough to make them easy to walk in but tall enough to give me some (much needed) height. I really recommend these, even though they're not cheap, because they literally go with anything and they're just darn lovely!  

New in at H&M

All H&M

H&M have just brought in their new autumn collection, so I thought I'd pick out a few of my favourites to talk about. I noticed there was a lot of warm, earthy tones, so tried to represent that in the collage. Also, leather and lace are going to be big this A/W so I chucked those in the mix too..

1) Boyfriend blazer - A classic piece for any season, but especially useful for your transitional wardrobe. If you live in the UK like me, you'll know what I mean when I say the weather can unpredictable, so it's good to have a simple jacket you can just throw on whenever you need it. The pink lining and cuffs add a touch of character to this otherwise neutral blazer. You can wear it with almost anything as long as it's not beige!

2) Leather shorts - They're not everyone's cup of tea, but like it or not, leather is going to be big this autumn. Personally I love the idea of clashing shiny black leather (or rather pleather in this case) with chunky knits, I find there's something appealing about the mixture of textures. H&M do a lovely leather skirt too which is worth a look.   

3) Gold collar necklace - It's sort of a sophisticated take on tribal jewellery. It has the potential to be worn at most occassions - you can use it to dress up a baggy jumper or pair it with a jumpsuit for a dressy night time look. It really is versatile. It is one of H&M's more expensive jewellery pieces, but compared to some stores it's a steal!

4) Heeled Loafers - Loafers are really dominating the world of footwear this autumn, especially the heeled kind. Just slip these on with a dress, jeans, anything and your outfit has instantly gone up a notch. I think these particular ones would look lovely with a pair of beige knee-high socks, or even some lace ankle socks for a cutesy look. Did you ever think loafers and socks could look good? Nope, me neither ;)  

5) Chunky knitted cardigan - I think chunky knits are the thing I miss most about A/W fashion. I love the colour of this ribbed H&M cardigan. It comes in navy blue and beige too. The knitted cardigan is one of those elusive garments which is both practical and stylish. They're perfect for bringing your summer wardrobe smoothly into autumn. Just add a chunky cardigan and black tights to any summer outfit and it is effortlessly transformed into an autumn-appropriate look.

6) Lace shift dress - Keep things simple and chic with this 60's inspired cream lace dress. I like how H&M have steered away from the traditional floral lace for this dress, and opted for a brocade sort of pattern instead. Just add black tights to this and a structured satchel bag and you're good to go. If you're not into the monochrome look, swap the black tights for coloured ones, that would look great too. Any of these from Topshop would do the trick.     

      

New in at Topshop

All Topshop 

So this is kind of a round up of what's new at Topshop atm. I picked out a few of my favourite pieces, which I think will be great for the end of summer. Does anyone else get impatient waiting for autumn to come around? I think autumn is the best season for fashion. I love colours like burgundy, grey and navy - they look nice on anyone in my opinion.  

1)  The classic slubby tee is an essential in anyone's wardrobe. I particularly like the speckled effect of this one, makes it look like an old favourite that's been washed too many times haha. It will literally go with almost anything, or you can just throw it on with a pair of skinny jeans if you're feeling lazy.  

2)  This is florals and stripes combined in one garment. The vertical stripes are a bit of a twist on your average floral dress. It actually reminds me of my grandma's old curtains, but I kind of like that! Just slip this on with some sandals or ankle boots and you're pretty much good to go, just add a slouchy cardigan if it gets chilly.

3)  These tan ankles boots are so versatile, you could actually wear them all year round, but I think they are especially good for late summer/early autumn. The buckle and the slighly worn effect add just the right amount of detail for me. Wear them with tights, leggings, jeans, shorts, skirts.. you name it!

4) This burgundy satchel bag speaks for itself really. The mixture of shiny leather, soft suede and beguiling flashes of gold make for some seriously tempting arm-candy. At £85, the price is less tempting, but it's still a great piece for autumn. Pair it with a white shirt and a boyfriend blazer for a polished androgynous look.

5)  White and crochet are a match made in heaven, and this top has them both. It's cute and girly, but simple enough to avoid things getting too fussy. It's often the simplest outfits that have the most impact. You could wear it with high-waisted denim for a girl-next-door look, or pair it with some taylored trousers for something more sophisticated.

6) Last but not least, the black maxi skirt. Although black and summer don't usually go together (and your mum would probably hate it), I find there's something pleasing about going against the 'rules'. The lightness of the fabric makes up for the dark colour anyway. It'll look great with a skinny belt and plain vest tucked in or layer a chunky jumper over it when the weather gets a bit cooler.