There is still more than a little chill in the air, but already my mind is straying to spring fashion. In the mornings I long to pull on something light and floaty, as opposed to layering in the extreme… and not in the fashion sense of the word.
If you wade past the last of the 70 per cent off rejects, you will find the stores have already introduced spring and summer fashion – a welcome treat after months of jumpers and party dressing. Currently I’m looking out for a few spring trends which can be worn in a transitional way with items from my winter wardrobe, and then in their full glory come the first glimpse of spring.
I quite fancy some gingham, a huge trend for spring/summer ‘17. I used to consider it a little too girly for my tastes, but this striking print in a modern cut makes a really fresh statement. This black and white gingham shirt from my trusty favourite Zara (£25.99) combines two major trends, gingham and statement sleeves. While the temperature is still hovering around single digits, it will look great with slim black trousers (to balance the volume in the sleeves) and boots. Once your skin has lost the corned beef effect, team it with a 70’s style denim button-up mini and box fresh white Supergas.
Sticking with tops, shirting is also massive for the new season, specifically deconstructed. Now don’t run for the hills at this ‘fashion’ term, there are wearable versions. I personally love the Sandy Liang Enzo Top (£259.49) from fwrd.com – it’s like a mullet, all business in the front… and party in the back! However, the more affordable version from ASOS at £28, allows you to sample the trend without significant investment. Styled with nonchalant jeans, killer heels and a messy up do… to die for!
Next up, slogan tees. Wow, I’m all about tops this issue it would seem. My love affair with Être Cécile began two years ago when I spotted a sweater with a large leopard print ‘C’ in a magazine. It had me written all over it. For this season I love their ‘Good Life’ T-shirt (£75). It’s so cheerful and the multitude of primary colours will allow you to style it in so many ways. For example, take black skinny jeans and pick out any colour from the T-shirt to accent with statement shoes and you’re good to go. For the record, I’d pick yellow courts from Boden (£98 to £110), but this top would look equally good with more relaxed jeans and trainers for a fresh and casual look.
Moving on from tops, the start of a new season is a great time to make an investment purchase, such as a bag. I’m sorry, I have a real aversion to faux leather, plastic, ‘fashion’ bags. I’d much rather buy one quality bag in an entire year, than lots of cheap, fast fashion styles. I genuinely believe it’s more cost effective in the long-term to make a more considered purchase, which doesn’t necessarily equate to being super expensive. For example, a black leather tote bag I purchased from Hobbs over 10 years ago is still in use. It cost £175 – so roughly £17 per year – a bargain! I also rate H&M Premium Collection bags, they are great quality and inexpensive.
For this season I’ve picked out the stunning Caitlin Structured Tote from Russell & Bromley (£295). I love the tan colour with the contrasting orange detail, it’s roomy (for all the junk I insist on carrying about) and will look stylish for years to come.
Focus On… Lingerie
I’m sure very few of us wear sexy matching underwear everyday. If you do, I salute you! Lingerie is often an area we don’t consider enough, but given the dramatic results the right underwear can have, we really should. Let’s not talk too much about our boring everyday underwear, a quick visit to M&S should cover that, let’s instead discuss the ‘pretty’ pieces.
Odyssey Boutique in Edinburgh’s West End have the most beautiful lingerie collections, my top pick would be a set from Mimi Holliday. Dita Von Teese also has a great retro glamour range available from Figleaves. Now I know this last highlight is fanciful in the extreme. Through following Dita on Instagram, I stumbled across Catherine D’Lish. Her robes are divine (and eye-wateringly expensive unfortunately) but I still dream of owning one… one day!
Cathy Owen is a freelance creative with 15 years’ experience in PR, fashion show production, as a photoshoot producer, art director, model agency manager and casting agent. Her greatest achievement to date is managing to style a shoot with kids, animals and a hot air balloon!
Cathy has one son, Dylan, who is seven going on 21. Find Cathy’s blog at cathyowencreative.wordpress.com
or follow on l @cathyocreative
You can also send any style dilemmas or questions for Cathy to cover in a future issue to editor@scotland4kids.com