Shola

Trans-Seasonal dressing is all about bridging the gap between seasons. It's a sort of fashion cross-pollination; mixing Summer staples with upcoming Autumn/Winter trends. Simply put, it is 'warming up' Summer dresses with cardigans and jackets, throwing a soft knit jumper over a favourite t-shirt, wearing tights with dresses or shorts... you get the idea.

My first Trans-Seasonal purchase of the year is the gorgeous 'Shola' jumper from my favourite High Street store Reiss. A bold print jumper with an all over contrast print in cream/grey, Shola has a crew neck, long sleeves and a relaxed, comfy fit. The mohair-rich weave is incredibly soft to the touch, making it an absolute joy to wear.

I styled it here with my good ol' Zara denim shorts (I will continue wearing shorts until the weather changes quite dramatically and my legs literally look like two lumps of corned beef!), a great pair of ankle boots from Hudson Shoes and my beloved black satchel from the Cambridge Satchel Company.

This is a great Trans-Seasonal look and the perfect relaxed outfit for a chilled out Sunday afternoon walk.

Get The Look:

Jumper: Reiss 'Shola' Jumper in cream/grey

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Shoes: H by Hudson 'Mirar' Ankle Boots in beige (similar)

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Co 11” Classic Satchel in black

Rainy Day, Dream Away

“Rainy day, rain all day

Ain't no use in gettin' uptight

Just let it groove its own way

Let it drain your worries away yeah

Lay back and groove on a rainy day hey

Lay back and dream on a rainy day”

~ Jimi Hendrix

A lovely friend told me about a cool new online store called Magic Jac. You'll love it she said. Gorgeous clothes she said. And so affordable she said. I was clicking my way onto the site before you could say 'shopaholic'.

Magic Jac, recently founded by Gee Kullar, features a host of products from up and coming Designers such as Lili London and Missi. Full of pretty dresses, cool tees, leggings and shoes, it is a cornucopia of cool, vintage inspired pieces.

My friend wasn't kidding when she said the prices were affordable; the first piece to catch my eye, a cute little top by Lili London, costs a bargainlicious £10!! The white heart top has a black collar that buttons to the back, a comfy elasticated waist with peplum detail, girly puff sleeves and an all over quirky heart design. It would look equally good paired with a black pencil skirt for the office, black tailored pants, one of this seasons very cool midi skirts or, if the weather picks up again, a great pair of denim shorts.

The first time I wore my pretty top, I paired it with my favourite skinny jeans. I had planned to wear cute red ballerina pumps (hence the red lips) but the heavens opened just as we were leaving the house and I ended up wearing my Jimmy Choo Hunter wellies instead. These wellies are the coolest wellies on the planet and can make even the rainiest of days seems so very magickal!

The only accessories I needed for a fun, wet, muddy walk by the river were my trusty satchel and a big ol' battered brolly.

Get The Look:

Top: Lili London 'White Heart' Top

Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Hunter Wellies (similar)

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Co. 11" Classic Satchel in black

Self Portrait

The gorgeous 'Self Portrait' dress by super cool Australian brand Sass and Bide is my favourite piece from their Pre-Fall14 Kicky Saints collection.

Made from 100% silk, the loose fitting, wrap style dress simply slips on. It features long sleeves with elastic cuffs, an elasticated waistband, pocket detailing on the bust and a hi-lo hemline that hangs long at the back & short and sexy to the front. The geometric, Aztec design in a black, green and white colour-way gives it a very 70s feel & you all know how much I love the boho vibe of the 1970s.

I paired the dress with my Ash 'Jealouse' boots. These are my second pair of Ash boots. They remind me of my dream booties, the lush Isabel Marant 'Dicker' boots but come at a fraction of the price; I adore them. They are the perfect bootie and they look great with everything. I especially love that there is a little bit of a Country & Western vibe to them that immediately compliments the 70s look of the dress. I'll be wearing this outfit a lot. An awful lot!

Get The Look:

Dress: Sass and Bide 'Self Portrait' Dress

Shoes: Ash 'Jalouse' Boots in taupe

A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'n' Roll

“I’m a little bit Country

And I'm a little bit Rock 'n’ Roll

I'm a little bit of Memphis and Nashville

With a little bit of Motown in my soul”

~ M. Osmond

Another day, another piece of Manley magick; there's no two ways about it, I am hopelessly addicted to Emma Manley's lush designs.

The 'Elsie' shirt is my latest acquisition. I've worn it a lot already and every single time someone has commented on it's Country & Western vibe. It's true, it does have that Cowgirl chic look, the metallic old silver leather collar and bodice adding a cool rock 'n' roll edge and the silver buttons shining against the billowing navy silk adding a very luxurious feel to the classic shape.

I styled the shirt with my beloved old Zara denim shorts; these shorts are like a fine wine, getting more & more fabulous with age. They have seen me through four or five Summers now & I suspect they will be around for a long time to come. Best buy ever!

The Ash boots really play up the Country & Western vibe of the shirt. I love these boots so much I will buy myself another pair before they sell out. The shirts are selling like wild fire too so I shall also treat myself to another of them; there is an especially cool one with a navy leather collar that has my name written all over it. Coming to a blog near you soon, just you wait and see!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Emma Manley ‘Elsie’ Silk & Leather Shirt

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Shoes: Ash 'Jalouse' Ankle Boots in taupe

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography