This month marks The Stylish Stuff’s first birthday, yes, a year old already. How time flies. In honour of this big event, today’s post is a veritable ‘pass the parcel’ of goodies. Designer-inspired looks for next season that you can slip into relatively cheaply and right now. Beauty products that boast some seriously wholesome goodness and there’s also a chance to win some rather special little treats.
Yay us. Cue a slew of birthday balloon emojis.
First up, the looks I loved from the Spring Summer collections that won’t be out of place in your wardrobe right now. Zadig et Voltaire’s rock’n’roll bohemian collection obviously appealed to me. Key pointers – cold shoulder detailing is still on trend. For winter, layer your chiffon dress over a skinny, jersey roll neck and add a chunky vintage style belt. The gold trouser, yes seriously, it’s like jewellery for legs, as too the skinny ‘Rockins’ style scarves, perfect under an autumnal military style cape…just like the one below.
And if you fancy a warmer version of these looks right now…
V neck satin blouse £116, Vince at Matches Fashion; Gold trousers £35.99, Mango ; chevron sequin, skinny scarf £15,Accessorize; double eyelet belt £18, Topshop; Ankle boots £95, Dune London; black cape £85,Oasis.
Floral printed dress £49.99, Zara worn over a black rib roll neck £18, Miss Selfridge; tan ankle boots £75, French Connection; tan wraparound skinny belt £12, Topshop; black cap with silver chain £69, Claudie Pierlot.
Ok, so this will maybe only appeal to the serious fashionista’s amongst you, but this look from French designer Isabel Marant marries two of my favourite trends for next spring: sports luxe metallics and vintage wallpaper-style floral prints. It also hilights the play with shoulder proportions that many designers showed.
The date-worthy ‘buy now’ version. Silver crossover top £17.99, Zara; wide leg print trouser £120, Warehouse; rose gold block heel sandals £48, River Island; ethnic hoop and drop earring pack £10, Accessorise.
Quietly Cool Accessories to update your wardrobe:
The Ankle Boot – SO many to choose from of course but if you are in the market for a pair of well-priced, on-trend, velvet ankle boots, check out Dune London.These claret-hued, corset-backed boots are £120, and will look great with everything from denim to a sleek, black, cropped-at-ankle trouser. If you still fancy a little peek of skin with your ankle boot, check out these sexy khaki numbers, £68 from Next. Finally for a lower heel and a chic low-cut, this pair £70, from Aldo will tick all the boxes.
The statement earring – long, shoulder sweeping earrings are still in vogue. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune. From left: £10, River Island; £29.99, H&M; £12.50, Autograph M&S. Perfect for giving your casual look a va va voomover.
Bags of Style – just a subtle bit of detailing goes a long way. From left: hoopla handled leather tote £99, Kin by John Lewis; multi-tassel faux leather bag £65, French Connection; knot cross body bag £29.99, Mango. Work or play worthy.
I get a serious buzz when quality British brands up the ante. It’s a tough market out there and we all want great quality, good prices and of course stylish, on trend pieces. Last week saw the relaunch of Jones Bootmaker under a new creative team. The offering is one of understated luxe with gorgeous product to lure new customers back in store. The price points? Really good. The quality? Exceptional. The outlook? Really exciting. Watch this space for more. Meanwhile I bring you the rose pink velvet sandal, which will be my main footwear squeeze of the season. I’ll be wearing these with tights, with socks, with floor sweeping skirts, with jeans and even with my sporty, side-striped trousers. Justine rose pink velvet shoe £120, (out November) Jones Bootmaker.
THE BEAUTY STUFF
Natural Heroes – The Stylish Stuff is committed to seeking out the very best natural beauty products. Cruelty Free is an absolute must and good ingredients are a no-brainer. For this birthday post I bring you five brilliant products that you can win. Yes win. One lucky person will get to test drive all five by just emailing shelly.vella@thestylishstuff.com a snappy little sentence or two on why their bathroom cabinet can offer these the perfect home. The wittier the better. Simple/s.
PAI – Loved by Natalie Portman and fêted by many a beauty editor, this is skincare that genuinely looks out for stressed skin. It smells good but is jammed packed with only the purest ingredients and in the perfect proportions not to irritate but to soothe. I’ve test driven it and carry the moisturiser with me at all times. For an added moisturising boost just add a couple of drops of the Rosehip facial oil. Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream £34, Pai Skincare. #thestylishstuffLOVES
KORRES – is there really any better way to combat fatigue than to slather your skin at night with a balmy cream and wake up looking like a ‘new you’? This cream really works and for the modest price point is well worth a test drive. My skin felt softer and looked more glowy after just two nights of sleep. Wild Rose Sleeping Facial Cream £26, Korres at M&S #thestylishstuffLOVES
PURE is M&S’s very own natural skincare collection. Free from artificial colours, parabens and synthetic fragrances the products are responsibly sourced and contain only British Ingredients. Guess what? It’s fuss free and really good. My favourite? The Instant Radiance Micellar Cleansing Oil. Just £9.50, M&S. #thestylishstuffLOVES
SUKIN – The Australians seem to be getting it spot on when it comes to the natural skincare market. Sukin is just one of the success stories to make it to the UK. Free from all the stuff we really should be swerving and simply really effective skincare that makes a difference to sensitive and stressed skin. My favourite is the Hydrating Mist Toner £8.12, Holland & Barrett. I spritz this morning, noon and night and find it combats the drying effects of the elements and (now the weather has turned) good old central heating. #thestylishstuffLOVES
UMA – recommended to me by Cosmo’s Beauty Director Inge van Lotringen, this hair oil delivers moisture and nutrition deep into the hair shaft using a heady cocktail of deliciously scented ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic oils. A few drops go a long way but if you press a little into the ends of your hair at night, you’ll awake to soft, scented and rejuvenated locks. Uma Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil £54, Cult Beauty. Made in India this is pure luxury for your hair.
By Shelly Vella
Post opening / holding shot courtesy of Pinterest