A Love Affair with Fashion, Shopping and a Sicilian: December 2009

Winter Wardrobe Addendum

So...we near Christmas time slowly but surely and the sales are even closer on our heels. If you haven’t completed your winter wardrobe just yet, then the sales are the best time to make your wardrobe addendums.

Don’t waste time buying anonymous garments unless you really need them. Polo necks, black t-shirts and vests can always be bought for less than £10 in shops like Zara, Hennes and Primark. There’s no point wasting sale shopping money on garments that remain relatively cheap throughout the season and aren’t making much of a statement.
Look out for garments that might be considered a ‘Trend Piece’ that could possibly disappear this time next year.

Gucci RTW- a/w 09/10

Sequined embellished garb, Blazers, Leggings and Evening tops - I always refrain from having too much going on on the upper part of my body – particularly in shiny, light reflecting materials, which can risk making you look like a sparkling elephant. I would look out for sequins in muted colours for this part of the body or choose sequined jackets and boleros as opposed to tops.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Shoulder padded jumpers and dresses - I have an inkling that like the over the knee boot, skinny jeans and leggings - the shoulder pad trend might stick with us for a moment. I wouldn’t worry too much if you have fallen in love with the embellished shoulder and are buying only padded upper garments. On the other hand you could always head to John Lewis and get yourself a pair of shoulder pads that you can slot into all the tops you own. John Lewis has barely been able to hold onto their shoulder pads this year.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Louis Vuitton RTW a/w 09/10

Boots are always a good find this time of the year – of course if anyone manages to get hold of a decent pair of ‘V Boots’ in the sale then that is the ultimate find! The best pair i’ve spotted are in Topshop, they’ve already sold out once this season and are now on their second run, with only two sizes left! These boots are on and off the shelves so quickly i doubt that Topshop will need to put them in the sale. Aldo have a couple of ‘V Boots’ in the sale, be warned most of these aren’t real leather.
Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Coats and Jackets are always on the top of my list in the sales, you can get loads more for your money and of course if you purchase right you can have yourself a ‘Forever Killer Coat’. I always recommend Zara for Catwalk style coats. This season Marc Jacobs is the man dominating the inspiration for my wardrobe with his winter 2009/10 collection. I’ll be looking out for capes (with full length sleeves only)*, coats and jackets with embellished or enhanced shoulders.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

For those that are avid wearers of black, bright bold coloured coats are a must have in this collection - don't be afraid to be bright and definitely be prepared to turn heads - especially in this dream of a coat.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Another trendy must have is Velvet. We saw velvet trousers on the catwalk three years ago, however this trend disappeared fairly quickly. The cyclical nature of fashion would have it that trends are making their comebacks much quicker than they used to, trends can disappear and reappear in a matter of years now. Velvet has to be of good quality, especially to create the shiny looks that are all over this season’s catwalk. When buying velvet think SHINY SHINY!

Louis Vuitton RTW a/w 09/10

Accessories are so important this winter, so make sure you accessorise this season, Fashionistas! Many don't consider this element of dress to be essential, but when it's cold and bleak outside and fashionistas want to be warm and sparkly there is no better way to do this than adorn yourself in some shimmery winter armour.

Louis Vuitton RTW a/w 09/10

The catwalk would have it that jewellery has been played down this winter, the look is definitely more focussed on a sharper, classier look leaning towards power dressing rather than overtly glamorous and blingy. Keep your ensembles clean and tidy by wearing a few pieces of huge statement making pieces, rather than too much jewellery which can counteract the sharpness of your outfit and ultimately take the attention away from you.

Key jewellery pieces this season are jewelled bibs, which can be bought for less than £5 in Primark, hefty neckwear and of course ridiculously oversized rings. Topshop and Miss Selfridges are my favourite for some serious metal hardware.

Burberry Porsum RTW a/w 09/10

Winter Warmers are now officially as important as your coat. As i grow older the coat just doesn’t seem to insulate me as sufficiently as i need. It’s all about ear muffs, snoods, armlets, fingerless gloves and gloves that make their way all the way up to your elbows.
If you don’t have a snood already then snood yourself now – these are the best things on the planet right now! Hennes have a good selection of snoods that will no doubt be in the sale at some point this week as the sale products expand.

ASOS a/w 09/10

*Armlets are perfect if you’re the owner of cropped or three quarter length sleeve coats and capes. The armlet is great because you can pull them over your fingers when not needing your hands, but don’t have to freeze your forearms when needing to change the song on your mp3 player or searching in your handbag for keys – see how efficient and considerate fashion is becoming?

Gloves this season are big – really? What i mean is, magic gloves for a pound just aren’t cutting it anymore. Leather gloves are as sophisticated and timeless as a Burberry Mac.

Louis Vuitton a/w 09/10

Primark have a whole range of leather gloves, suede, coloured, short, long, embellished, you name it. I do like the idea of matching the colour of your coat to your gloves, it just adds that extra little detail and shows you have taken the time to pay that bit more attention. If you only wear black coats, then how about trying a pair of hot pink or scarlet red leather gloves. Marc Jacobs has once again incorporated gloves into his catwalk this season.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Balenciaga RTW a/w 09/10
Hoisery - I’m searching for a look alike pair of Marc Jacobs paisley print pink and green tights – hideous?? I love them. This season is all about adorning your legs, so tights have either got to be 100 denier or printed, sparkling, laced or coloured.

Marc Jacobs RTW a/w 09/10

Primark have an amazing selection of fashion tights, their quality is as good as a pair of Pretty Pollys. If you are really loving the whole tights phenomenon then Henry Holland has an amazing variety of quirky tights. Balenciaga featured a pair of sheer spotted tights in their show this season, these tights are perfect for adding that extra sexy edge to an ensemble without having to freeze your pins off completely as you would in a pair of lace tights. Checkout Accessorize and ASOS for Balenciaga look alikes.

Balenciaga RTW a/w 09/10