Jump To It

"I can't talk to you now, I got love to give

When my baby calls I gotta jump to it

I'm in a hurry, there's love to get

When my baby calls I jump, jump, jump to it"

~ Aretha Franklin

The fashion hero piece of 2015 has, without question, been the good ol' jumpsuit, and I'm delighted to see that the trend isn't going away any time soon. The jumpsuit is the most versatile, easy to wear (although not necessarily to the toilet!) piece of clothing there has ever been.

To be fair, as a short gal, I have struggled for years to find a full length jumpsuit to fit me but this year has been a bit like waiting for a bus; none come for ages, and then two come along at once! Two beautiful jumpsuits that fit perfectly; a very elegant black one from Karen Millen (blogged here), and this terrific Top Gun-esque one in a delicious khaki green colour-way from Topshop.

A utility style jumpsuit, it is tailored for a relaxed fit (I bought a smaller size for a more fitted look), has a button front, a drawstring waist and multiple pockets (I'm a sucker for a pocket). It's a terrific piece and comes with a very affordable price tag (I'm also a sucker for a great bargain).

Styled with a pair of flat brogues or pristine white Vans for a cool daytime look, or with a sexy pair of heels for a sophisticated evening look, the jumpsuit is a functional, feminine and fabulous addition to any girls wardrobe.

Get The Look:

Jumpsuit: Topshop Utility Jumpsuit in khaki green

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' Shoes in nude (similar)
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Heart & Dagger

“Cut deeply by the sharpness of your words

There is a dagger in my heart;

You put it there.

But you still have me.

Your cold, dark eyes watching

Tears of pain stream down my face.

In this moment no kindness, no compassion, no love.

But you still have me.

Lost in your words that bleed me, I forget how to speak;

We are alone and we are together

Our new song waiting to be written.

And you still have me.”

~ Fiona Ufton ©

'Make Believe', Natalie B Coleman's AW15 collection is absolutely breathtaking. Inspired by the characters and worlds in Enid Blyton's 'The Enchanted Woods' books, Natalie has produced a whimsical, romantic collection. Each piece is evocative of treasured childhood memories, but at the same time, remains feminine, and very grown up.

This gorgeous shirt was the first piece to grab my attention; it is a bold, statement piece, quite simply a magnificent work of art! Covered all over in glistening white sequins, it has long sleeves, concealed zips at the cuffs, hook closing to the front, and a dramatic heart & dagger sequined logo to the front.

I styled it here with a pair of skinny jeans, and my favourite Isabel Marant boots. It's a cool, edgy look but believe me, the shirt looks equally fabulous tucked into a classic black pencil skirt for a more dressed up look or paired with a sexy mini for a cute, playful look. My wonderful sequin shirt is a classic, investment piece that will never ever go out of style.

Get The Look:

Shirt: Natalie B Coleman Heart & Dagger Sequin Shirt in white

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

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black 
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©

Fancy Pants

"Hey there fancypants

Play the songs that make us dance

Play the tunes that make the ladies swoon

A song for all the lonely hearts, shattered dreams and broken parts

Feels like sunny days are coming soon"

~ WEEN

I have blogged about so many jumpsuits, rompers and playsuits on here; I am obsessed with them and they have long been a wardrobe staple for me. One thing my rompers have always had in common though is that they have always been shorts. Being a little on the short side (ok ok, I'm very short!), I have literally found it impossible to find a full length one to fit me. Until now!

This black, silky beauty is from High Street favourite Karen Millen and it has proved to be one of their most popular pieces ever. A cool take on the LBD, this softly tailored jumpsuit can be dressed up with heels and a clutch for a special night out or dressed down with flats and a leather jacket for a low-key daytime look. It is chic and effortless, a real throw-on-and-go piece.

I styled my cool jumpsuit with a great pair of Jimmy Choo court shoes. They were the first pair of Designer shoes I ever owned; they are easily 15 years old, and are still going strong! A timeless classic shoe design that is reimagined season after season, they will never go out of style.

Get The Look:

Jumpsuit: Karen Millen Jumpsuit in black (similar)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo 'Anouk' Shoes in black
Photos: Mike Lawrence ©

Nothing Gold Can Stay

"Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf,

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay."

~ Robert Frost

I have this lush shirt in a few different colours, and I wear them all the time. They are the coolest, most versatile, easy to wear shirts in the history of shirts. So if you're thinking of buying a shirt, spare yourself the hassle of searching and just treat yourself to this one. You won't regret it, I promise.

From Emma Manley's wonderful AW15 collection, the 'Maya' shirt is available this season in black (so chic), navy (it's the new black) and gorgeous gold (so opulent). I chose the gold one this time as it's very different for me, and it's the perfect colour for Autumn. It's such a decadent shade, and it immediately makes me feel very glamorous.

I styled my shirt very simply with a great pair of skinny jeans, my favourite Autumnal coat (blogged here, without the detachable faux fur collar), and the hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots by Isabel Marant. I love dressing for Autumn, it's my favourite season by some considerable way!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Manley 'Maya' Shirt in gold

Coat: Antipodium 'Intersection' Leopard Print Coat (similar)
Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©

Stripe It Lucky

"Prancing 'round the street, wind blowing on face.

Oh me golly gee, everything's dandy,

fancy that Venus.

Stripe me up, give me the twist,

I've got a taste of the 70's"

~ Tahirih Boodhoo

I recently dipped into the wonderful world of vintage for the very first time (see here), and it's fair to say that I absolutely loved it. And from the lovely feedback I've had from you guys (thank you!), you seemed to love it too! I've been sent so many lovely photographs of your vintage purchases, and you have inspired me to seek out more great retro clothes and accessories.

I found this lush, stripy 1970s dress online; Beyond Retro is a glorious cornucopia of the most amazing vintage treasures. It is now my go-to website for cool retro pieces. I can't wait to visit their store next time I'm in London!

In a very chic navy and white colour-way, my cute 1970s dress features diagonal stripes, contrasting panels, patchwork appliqué and a back zipper with hook and eye closure. As with all vintage, this dress has a story; it has obviously been much loved and very well looked after by God knows how many lucky girls over the past 30 or 40 years. This is a new chapter for it, and I am honoured to become part of its story.

Styled with very modern, high-shine, metallic flat shoes from ASOS, this is a cool way to bring a vintage dress bang up to date.

Get The Look:

Dress: Beyond Retro 1970s Vintage Day Dress in navy/white (similar)

Shoes: ASOS MAMBO Flat Shoes in silver/black
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Yellow

"What is yellow?

The sun is yellow,

Caressing the morning with its soft glowing light.

Daffodils, the fever, a flickering candle flame

Glowing in the dark on a cold, listless night.

Sour lemons, melting butter, the stripy back of a bumble bee,

the hive full of sweet golden honey delight.

Sunflowers nodding their giant heads,

Bewildering the fields of tiny buttercups.

The dancing girl with the flaxen yellow hair,

O what a glorious sight!

Yellow."

~ Fiona Ufton ©

This outfit makes me happy; that's what yellow does, it is a bright, happy, uplifting colour. It reminds us of carefree, sunny Summer days which is quite perfect for this outfit as the Emma Manley collection it is from was inspired by "the freedom of summer as a sweet sixteen. The feelings, the memories, the smells and the spontaneity of it all".

The bright yellow 'Piper' skirt is midi length and made from cleverly placed panels of sheer silk chiffon and a less sheer viscose mix. The most sheer of the panels can show a sexy silhouette of leg. The matching 'Sian' top features the same clever panelling, with the soft, sheer chiffon draping over the chest and cap sleeves, and a heavier silk material falling from above the bust area to the the waist.

I styled my beautiful, sunshiny two-piece with a very cool pair of Christian Louboutin shoes; the Tiger print toughens up my otherwise ladylike look a lot. For a final touch, I added a scarlet clutch bag to match the colour of my bright red lipstick.

Get The Look:

Top: Emma Manley 'Sian' Top in yellow

Skirt: Emma Manley 'Piper' Skirt in yellow

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'No Prive 942' Sling-back Peep-toe Shoes in tiger (similar)

Bag: Lulu Guinness 'Lips' Clutch Bag in red

Photos: Mike Lawrence ©