Autumn Wishlist

Ok! Ok! I surrender! I can't resist any longer. Smelling Autumn round the corner I can't help but tempt myself with next seasons snugly knits, cuddly sheepskin and decadent leather. I tried to hold off as long as possible, because I simply don't want to wish the summer away, but it's pretty hard not to when the weather already feels like October.

I have already made one small purchase in the form of a khaki, Merino wool Banana Republic jumper (or sweater if you're reading this from over the pond). The colour makes it versatile yet the subtle sequin inserts in the shoulder prevent it from being "just another jumper".

Here are a few more things on my (mental) shopping list:

Platform tassel loafer - £255 Stuart Weitzman for Russell and Bromley (gorgeous with wooley tights and a mini dress)

Scarf - £295 Gucci (Although I'll probably just get a job lot of different coloured ones from the market)

Leopard print brogues - £32 Topshop (a staple with jeans or adds detail to all black)

J Brand Martini Mid Rise Skinny Flare Jean in Mayflower - £189 ASOS (I love this season's variety of denim shapes and this is my favourite. Another for the collection)

Brown leather boots - £500 Alexander Wang (Incredible quality and classic style)

Berry shift dress - £49.99 Zara (Transitions all the way from Autumn to next Spring, adding and removing layers as you go)

Patent black wedges - £39.99 Zara (smarten up any casual outfit without getting foot ache from a stilleto)

Tan leather clutch - £35 ASOS (neutral colour, soft leather - a great basic to have for your weekend wardrobe)

Tweed jacket - £79.99 Zara (another basic which will see you from season to season. Perfect with jeans and a T)

Parachute Silk

The inspiration for this post actually came from the daily net-a-porter.com email I subscribe to but I thought I would take the idea and show you exactly how you can wear it.

PARACHUTE SILK
From Mathew Williamson to Chloé, billowing silk has been shown all over the catwalks for Spring/Summer. An elegant, feminine trend which always looks beautiful but is not always practical (or cheap!). I've created 3 looks - day, evening and occasion - to show you that you can wear it from day-to-day.

DAY

Rolled-sleeve t-shirt - Splendid @ fashionbeans.com, pleated silk maxi skirt - Tibi @ net-a-porter.com, black leather clutch - Alexander Wang, suede sandals - Prada, black and gold watch - Michael Kors

EVENING

Silk organza dress - Valentino, patent wedges - Lanvin, black leather clutch - YSL, knotted bracelet - Lanvin

OCCASION
Iris-print silk-chiffon gown - net-a-porter.com, skull diamonte embellished clutch - Alexander McQueen, Palais pump - YSL, gold and blue agate cuff - maxandchloe.com

Ok, I know, they're all stunning pieces but not exactly accessible for the recessionista. But I'm now going to show you with just a few tricks, you can create these looks on a budget.

DAY
Take that canary yellow maxi skirt. I know for sure that with a little bit of rummaging, you can find one similar in a charity shop. It may not be the exact colour but if you spend a few pounds on the skirt and another few on some dye, it's hardly breaking the bank, is it?

And the Prada suede, black platforms. They look fairly similar to these Topshop heels.

EVENING
Now I would agree that the Valentino dress is a little harder (if not impossible) to emulate but a dress similar to these will still create the mood you want.

Left: J.Crew @ net-a-porter.com (£120). Centre: French Connection (£150). Right: French Connection at John Lewis (£135).

And if you layer a black lace body underneath, it adds a little more uniqueness.

Lace body - Topshop (£30)

And as for the Lanvin shoes, a simple pair of black stacked wedges will do the same job. Adding some cheap satin ribbon and tying it in a bow around your ankles will make them look extra sweet.

Wedges - ASOS (£40), scissors - totally my own creation. I would take off that boring ankle strap and instead thread a length of ribbon through.

OCCASION
This look is just that little bit more special/eye-poppingly expensive so it takes some creativity.

The McQueen clutch could be emmulated by starting off with this cheap box clutch and decorating with glue-on diamontes from a haberdashery. Now it would take patience and time but ultimately look glittering at the end of it.

Clutch - Kurt Geiger (£19)

ASOS is a great place to shop for occasion/evening dresses and I found this one for £60. Not too dissimilar, I don't think.



So that's it. My attempt at trying to show you that you can wear what you see on the catwalk and in designer shops, you just need to be a bit smart about it.

Images - Polyvore.com