Recycled Fashion

I'm all for recycled fashion, a lover of vintage and second hand clothes that I am, but I didn't imagine this was possible. A dress from crisp bags!

"It's not black, it has colours on it...look at the flowers"

What does the sister of the bride wear to a (late) summer wedding when the desire to look as stylish as Audrey Hepburn having tea at the Ritz with Elizabeth Taylor before they head off to Cannes is unstoppable* - but etiquette dicates that this is not actually your day.

Why this little baby of course:

*That said, when do we ever not feel like that.

Peter Pan Collars - absolutely timeless

There is something about the Peter Pan collar I've always loved and so I'm over the moon that they are the in thing at the moment. In my opinion, there is virtually no-one who cannot wear them and who is not made that little bit more cheeky and elfin for doing so.

Dresses for the day work really well with a subtle Peter Pan collar as they are "proper" enough for the office or lunch out but you still look like you have made an effort. This one from ASOS is spot on.

I also have a bit of a thing for retro or vintage looks too and so if I'm wearing my Peter Pan collars on a top but accompanying it with jeans - no matter! Out comes the red lipstick, on goes the eyeliner and cute kiss curls are a must. Don't know why but it just seem to work.

I will definitely be getting some in for my eBay shop soon and so will keep you posted.

Changing seasons - what to take with you!

Can anything bring on huge waves of indecision quite like deciding what to wear can? Hands up who feels this tenfold when were heading into a new season. It's not just a weather thing either - although umming and ahhing over jackets typically steals a good 10 minutes of my day - it's more that I find suddenly changing my wardrobe and adopting a new look so jarring.

I wrote these tips on how to make the transition (relatively stress free!) for my eBay shop. Hope you find them useful. Feel free to add some of your own.

Summer to Autumn

1) My favourite - when it comes to your beloved summer dresses, swap sandals for knee-length boots. It instantly transforms the whole feel of your outfit and makes you look like you were totally prepared for the change of season in the first place!

2) Wear long sleeved t-shirts or shirts under short sleeved tops.

3) Swap light and colourful accessories for darker ones; white bags for black or brown, gold jewellery for silver, switch to darker coloured scarves.

Autumn to Winter

1) Top tip has to be jumpers! In the autumn you can get away with lighter cardis and jumpers but when the cold weather comes it is time to wrap up in the heavy, thick knits. Your stylish autumn clothes will be underneath - shirts etc. still on show - but you will avoid a red, dripping nose (which is never a good look).

2) Gloves and scarves. If you have never tried this, give it a go. It’s amazing how much warmth you trap in and you can even get away without a coat on the slightly milder days.

3) Coloured, thick tights. Perfect for remaining stylish and warm and means you don’t have to resort to jeans every day.

Winter to Spring

1) One of the first things I ditch when the season changes to spring is the massive all purpose bag that’s needed to carry all manner of cardigans, gloves, umbrellas, lip salves and emergency chocolate (don’t know why I need this more in the winter but there you go). Out come the smaller cute bags, and although I still need my warm clothes, a bag in green or gold brings on a bit of spring fever!

2) Jackets and waistcoats are perfect swaps for winter coats.

3) You’ll be hanging on to your winter jumpers and cardis for some time yet (round about August probably!) so get yourself some accessories to bring them back to life in the spirit of spring. Flower brooches are perfect for this.

Spring to Summer

1) Not quite confident the weather is going to be hot? Layers is what you want - keep hold of your spring jacket but sneak a summer camisole or t-shirt underneath it. You’ll be ready for those first rays!

2) Keep hold of all the lighter colours. Sift out the spring clothes that are the right shades and tones for summer even if they are principally for cooler weather. They will blend with newer summer clothes all the more easily.

3) Shades! You can never fail to look at home in the sun with a pair of sunglasses on and definitely makes you look like you carefully planned your summer wardrobe all along ;)

*I am genuinely proud that I managed to write a blog post about fashion and the weather and avoided a corny joke about getting hot under the collar. I cannot promise showing such restraint in the future*