The Little Chic

I like styling things up classy, and I pledge my page to pretty things.

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Winter is not going to give me fashion apathy-I refuse. I have work-wear inspiration anew, after happening upon some second hand Prada and Chloe. The cardi and formal trousers respectively have warmed up my collection of office separates and put a spring in my step. Because let's face it, the weather isn't going to for a while.

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Ahh, what a find. This is getting me through Friday! The Paparazzi cover is my favourite.

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Don't be one of the sheep: try a different seasonal statement.

Quirky statement jumpers are always in demand since the vintage resurgence of recent years, and their seasonal variations seem to be more sought after then ever this winter. However, I have not been able to bring myself to part with any money for a jumper covered in Santa's face, simply because I would feel cheated only wearing it for a maximum of two weeks at the end of December. My sheep sensation however, is wintry but not too seasonally specific. If you invest in one like this you can wear it all winter long and be the envy of your Reindeer or Elf covered friends.

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A shirt that camouflages its own bow..

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As I write this, the autumn is now giving way to winter and it's colder every day, which means cardigans have been my soulmates about two months now. There were so many cardis to choose from in the new season offerings I could have wildly overindulged in Marks and Spencer, Topshop, and Hobbs. I have always loved October to December in the fashion calendar because it's good to have a decisive change in the high street after summer's collections dry up a bit; I thrill to the sight of a new colour palette, some substantial textures and the potential to invigorate my jumper collection. However, it did mean making some tough decisions about which to choose. For my staple, I opted for this loose knit oatmeal cardi from the A/W Indigo collection at Marks and Spencer and its neutral shade means it works with everything from a little dress to shirts and trouser combos. 

The shirt is a Joules one my mum passed on as she didn't feel comfortable in it (she looked beautiful, but I was happy to get some wear out of it!). I love how well it goes with my wine coloured cord skirt, which was from Jack Wills end-of-winter season sale last year. You know what to do in January.

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I've been shooting dresses a lot, and I promise there's some variety on its way (otherwise known as autumn layers), although I do still have one green gem to complete my trio of brilliant-green-dresses. Before all that though, I feel like an elegant interlude is necessary. Some dresses just change the game, and I don't think I'll ever need another Little Black Dress after finding this one. It's silk lined, with a delicate lace over slip, and I love the unusual way the lace overshoots the lining at the neck and hem; sweet as well as a little bit sexy. There was no real need to buy it, no occasion demanding something black and lacy. It just stood out to me, and I wondered what its story was. Sometimes you can guess what's behind a garment, but this one is mysterious, and has a quiet elegance in which it holds all of its secrets. I shot the dress at the beginning of summer, hence the dreamy summertime colours ( as you'll see in my new posts, my blogging garden is now all covered with leaves and the roses have died back). It also fits like a dream; women everywhere will understand that some garments fit as if they had been sewn right onto you.

The dress is a Bennison and Smith original, from Velvet Moth @ Bird's Yard Sheffield.

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Tiny Tennis rackets!

For a while now I've favoured unusual prints and patterns, particularly on my dresses.  I came across this amazing dress in a charity shop (originally from Topshop boutique) and photgraphed it on one of the last days of warm weather in early October.  Apart from the fact that strapless underwear is required (hate) this is one of my favourite items and as the autumn sets in, I will be wearing it with opaque tights, a chunky cardi and some flat brogues.

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Give Green a Chance.

I never liked green. I was always led to believe redheads "should" wear green, as if no other colour was allowed for my bold hair and pale skin. As if grassy tones were supposed to be my poor substitute for glamour. But it is now my favourite colour.  I think this is because it's confident. It seems to say "I may not be the prettiest of the colours but watch me just...not care". At first it seems harmless and neutral, but it also stands shamelessly in front, and almost makes pink look like a wimp by comparison. Green doesn't try to please.

I currently have three dresses which give green a good name.

Here is the first, from a vintage fair where I tried it on and felt a little like Christina Hendricks' character in Mad Men.

It's by St Michael, which is basically old Marks and Spencer. This would likely have been 1980's paying tribute to 1950's. See, vintage was vintage when it was becoming vintage. Work THAT one out.