11 things filling my ASOS basket lately

Broderie collar shirt (currently in the sale here) // Wine broderie dress (also in sale here) // Pink knit (also in sale here)
White dobby dress here // Khaki tie waist linen shorts here // White dobby shirt here

White broderie collar shirt

I've been toying with this shirt for the longest time but is it too extra? Turns out it's not. The balloon sleeves help balance out the wide shoulders brought on by the collar. My only slight criticism is that the body of the shirt is just way too big. Tucking the shirt in seems to help with this but I have re-ordered in a smaller size to see if a smaller size is the play here.

Another broderie collar shirt

From one broderie collar shirt to another (not pictured but you can find here) however this one is a little more low key with short sleeves and more of a normal fit. I can imagine it looking lovely peeking out from under a chunky knit.

Broderie dress

Most broderie dresses are white, long and free flowing, so I really liked this shorter version in this gorgeous wine colour with a square neckline. The dress is every bit as lovely in person and looked great on, however this enthusiasm quickly waned once I noticed a questionable crispy white stain on the front of the dress (there are no words).

White dobby shirt

I have an obsession with anything dobby and while white can be a bit of a soul less colour - particularly in interiors - this raised texture gives it an added dimension and interest. The good news? Dobby textures are starting to appear everywhere. Light boho inspired curtains and table cloths. Bedding (I have been longing over this bedding plus this). And of course clothing. I already have two white dobby shirts so why the need for a third? Because they are timeless and by far one of the most used things in my wardrobe. Perfect for a day at the office, worn casually with shorts, or as a beach cover up.

White dobby dress

Another dobby inspired find (can you tell that I'm obsessed?). It felt a little too restrictive (and conservative) when buttoned to the top. I actually preferred the dress worn back to front with the buttons behind me - is that weird?

Pink bobble knit jumper

A very similar concept in terms of that lovely raised detail to run your hands over, whilst at the same time adhering to my new found love of the colour pink as touched upon here. This sweater just looked so slouchy and comfortable and I imagined it looking amazing with one of the above broderie collar shirts worn underneath. In person it is slouchy and comfortable as well as being softer than I ever imagined. Definitely a keeper.

Tie waist shorts

I'm a big fan of khaki and high waisted trousers / skirts / shorts so these ticked many boxes. I love how ASOS have paired them with a white shirt which is exactly how I would style them and has me thinking back to that white dobby shirt (damnit).

Tie ankle espadrilles (currently in the sale here) // Leaf print shirt here
Leaf print shorts here // Vero Moda cut out sandals here

Tie ankle espadrilles

Ankle tie espadrilles are taking the world by storm. It can be tricky to find the perfect heel - not too high, not too low - but these fit the bill perfectly. And let me tell you now, these shoes go with everything and I will treasure for years to come. A huge thank you to Josie who first brought these to my attention through her amazing #ootd posts!

Grey cut out flats

I'm getting old and I just can't deal with heels any more. They ruin your feet and I just don't have the patience for them any more. I love a bit of grey and I thought the cut out detailing of these sandals was a bit more interesting than say a traditional sandal. What I've been impressed with is how incredibly comfortable they are due to the padding underfoot.

Patterned shirt and shorts

First things first. This isn't leaf print like they claim. It's more like jungle print or tree print, but trees do have leaves so I'll allow it. Introducing the weirdest fit ever. The shorts are very close fitting (I prefer shorts to have a little more give in them) whereas the shirt is stupid big. I actually had to return the UK size 8 and reorder in a UK size 6. And even that was huge. So if you order for yourself I'd recommend sizing up on the shorts and sizing down for the top. It's quite a jazzy coord set for something that is designed for everyday use (something that I can't get my head around). I ordered primarily to use as pyjamas as I love pyjama shirt / shorts combos and you can't usually find them in such interesting prints, however I will be returning due to the weird sizing. Had the shirt been a normal fit, it would have been a completely different story.

Which items are your favourites?

You may also like: 6 Miss Selfridge items in my basket lately

PIN FOR LATER:

What I bought // ASOS

Needing more work appropriate attire, I was on the look-out for simple, classic, versatile pieces that would equally be acceptable for post-work drinks. I could have easily spent hours trailing the high street, but I knew of one website which always has exactly what I need. A website where "just a browse" turns into a guaranteed order every time. The website I am talking about is of course ASOS - an online shopping mecca. Discovering a 20% off discount code, this was something that couldn't have come at a better time!

ASOS pea coat   //   Mango shirt   //   ASOS mid heel sandals

ASOS organza top  //  ASOS Sugar Rush heels   //  ASOS Snap heels  //  River Island necklace  // Warehouse top

• As much as I love heels, our London office is too vast for me to survive 9-5 in them. These low and mid heels are a lot more practical, but at the same time I don't have to compromise on style!

• I have a new found love for blouses and shirts. I love how versatile they are as you can dress them up or down. I especially loved these lace organza type blouses as they'd look lovely layered with a simple dress. 

• I have been on the hunt for the perfect camel coloured coat for over a year now and I think I've finally found it! Camel coloured AND a pea coat... it ticks all the right boxes.

• Not traditionally a colour I would go for, but I couldn't resist this light pink / nude River Island necklace. It will really perk up a simple tee. Or add interest to a shirt collar.

If you wish to jump on the 20% off bandwagon, use the ASOS discount code ASOSGLAMOUR when you get to checkout. Hurry though, because this code expires on 9th September! If you do make any purchases, please tell all in the comments below - I'd love to know!

What's inside my suitcase? // Canary Islands

If everything has gone to plan, I am currently stretched out on a sun lounger in the Canary Islands. Technology will take a back seat until I get back, so this post has been sneakily scheduled in advance ;) Here are a few of the things that will be packed neatly rammed into my suitcase:

- Topshop white wedges - perfect for dressing up outfits in the evening
- Boohoo stripe crop - looks great worn on top of a bikini on the way to the beach / pool
- ASOS white skater skirt - high waisted and goes with EVERYTHING
- ASOS blue skater skirt - the most beautiful baby blue colour
 - Urban Outfitters kimono - quite literally the comfiest thing I've ever worn. Great for the evenings when it cools down or by the pool
- Tresemme Keratin Smooth range - to (hopefully) protect my tresses from the humidity
- Urban Decay Naked 2 palette - I don't own any other eye shadows and I don't need to - this set has everything you need
- New Look peach dress - I'm turning into such a girly girl.WHAT IS HAPPENING
- New Look sliders - I've seen these in so many magazines lately and finally tracked them down. The ideal pool side shoes
- Urban Outfitters kimono - another poolside / evening option. Now sold out
- H&M black tube top & blue dress - basics are always useful and can be dressed up with accessories
- Benefit Laugh with me Lee Lee fragrance - summer in a bottle.
- New Look diamante flip flops - satisfies the magpie in me

Because I'm boring, I've gone back to the same place as last year. It's such a chilled resort and I rate it very highly for food. Long time readers will know how important food is to me ;)

Everything is just peachy

Peach. Whether it's fashion or fruit, either way it's delicious. Satisfyingly sweet and juicy, or if we're talking clothing, muted, whimsical and soft - just like that lovely fuzzy skin. The ultimate spring / summer shade, there is an abundance of it on the High Street at the moment. Perfect for summer weddings, spring flings, and festivals when paired with braided hair and flowers. What's not to love?

ASOS  //   New Look (now sold out!)  //  H&M  //   Boohoo

I have a wedding next week and on Day One (yep, it's one of those weddings) the dress code for women is "peach". Being a colour I used to shy away from, I now absolutely love it. Are you so pale you're almost see through? Peach works well if you have a ghostly complexion like I do. And it never fails to make me feel uber feminine. You will feel like royalty

Do you like the colour peach?   

What's under my little black dress...

To celebrate LBD season, Ann Summers are currently hosting a competition [competition now closed] with some amazing prizes on offer just in time for Christmas.

The prizes:

• One overall winner will win £900 of LoveToShop vouchers and Ann Summers vouchers to the value of £100
• Two runners up will win a £50 Ann Summers voucher each
• Everyone that enters is eligible for a discount code that will give you 15% off your next purchase from Ann Summers

All you need to do is create a collage of what you would wear under your LBD this festive season,

Here is my entry:

Topshop earrings  //   Ann Summers corset  //  ASOS heels  //  ASOS dress // ASOS faux pony clutch

I chose an Ann Summers corset as it's Christmas and time for something a little dressier and extra special, don't you think? Plus a covered up middle when it's freezing outside? WIN. I'd pair my corset with simple black lace French knickers and some silky stockings - both from Ann Summers, of course. Ann Summers has a stunning range of lingerie - I could quite easily buy it all - but on this occasion I was drawn to their corsets as I've never owned a corset before.

What are your current Ann Summers favourites? 

#AnnSummersLBD

Party on with ASOS

Awards night with work is just two weeks away and I literally have nothing to wear. With ASOS currently offering 30% off all party wear, it was meant to be:

TFNC maxi dress -  £45  £36   //    TFNC prom dress - £35  £26   //   AX Paris prom dress - £40  £20   //  Same as before

I love the elegance of the maxi dress - although the shorter length dresses are more playful and very me - and how gorgeous are those embellished dresses? It was too difficult to decide so being the crazy person that I am, I ordered them all. Shop now, decide later. Fingers crossed, one of these will be The Dress!

Christmas wish list - in association with The Watch Hut

ASOS cable knitted knee highs  //  L'Occitane hand cream  //  Whittard's white hot chocolate  //   River Island fur collar

Yankee candles  //   M&S slippers //   Urban Outfitters "L" mug //  Michael Kors watch via Watch Hut  // ASOS party dress 

The Watch Hut have joined forces with e-tail PR and are inviting bloggers to create a Christmas wish list for a chance to win £100-300 worth of vouchers from ASOS [competition now closed]. All you need to do is pick out a watch from their website and feature it in your wish list. I have been longing for a Michael Kors watch for ages now so knew I wanted to center my wish list around this. I used to wear a Baby-G watch when I was younger but it broke and I haven't owned a new watch since :'( I love rose gold jewellery so I was instantly drawn to the rose gold watches Michael Kors has to offer. And what better way to count down the hours until Christmas day than with a Michael Kors watch from The Watch Hut? ;) The rest of my wish list is based around the things I love most about Christmas. Festive scented candles, chunky knits, hot chocolate, moisturising beauty products, the perfect Christmas party dress, and cosy faux fur collars to instantly update last season's coat.

What's on your wish list this year?

Alice in Wonderland inspired dress

Long time readers of this blog will know about my obsession love of all things Alice in Wonderland. A casual browse of the ASOS website the other day and I came across this beauty which I can only describe as the perfect "Alice" dress:

ASOS Skater dress / £25

Perfection in dress form. This is the sort of dress you can wear ANYWHERE. Work. On holiday. Drinks after work. A date. You name it. Also perfect for DIY Alice in Wonderland fancy dress if paired with an apron, stockings and heels.

Curiouser and curiouser...

M&S Summer Dress Styling

Whilst I won't be going on holiday to anywhere tropical any time soon, I am hoping to head to Rome or Paris one weekend before summer ends. No matter which city I choose, my style for both would be quite similar - European chic.

The perfect M&S dress for a European city break? This lace skater dress in navy blue. 

M&S lace skater dress - currently reduced to £47.20

M&S analogue watch - currently reduced to £18.00

Per Una cut out tote - currently reduced to £31.60

M&S belted trench coat - currently reduced to £63.20

M&S scallop pumps - currently reduced to £20.00

M&S umbrella - currently reduced to £12.00

The lace detailing of the dress is too beautiful to be ignored - so I would keep the look fairly simple with minimal accessories. The watch would be perfect for timekeeping purposes and the tan strap matches the handbag - which has the most incredible perforated detail. As Europe is always unpredictable weather wise, a weather proof trench + umbrella would be essential. Finally when you're on your feet sightseeing all day, flats are a must! I loved the scallop detailing to these pumps but was also very impressed that they're suede AND water repellent - a rarity with suede shoes.

My own dress styled:

The dress that I will be styling for the purposes of this competition is my trusty ASOS black maxi. Whilst on holiday, I like to be comfortable so a light and floaty outfit with flat shoes is a must! Ever since I bought my Call It Spring sandals, they've hardly been off my feet and go everywhere with me. I never like to over accessorize so would just wear a statement necklace to take my dress from day to night. Either my much loved Topshop dip dye spikes or my Call It Spring statement necklace.

And my look in action... (apologies for the quality...)

A bit of a dressier look - but it wouldn't look out of place in either Paris or Rome

Are either looks something that you would wear?

M&S have lots of lovely new A/W dresses being launched online at the moment - just in time for London Fashion Week! You can view the full range of M&S dresses here

ASOS SALE HAUL

You know what? Up until recently, I'd hadn't bought any clothes in ages. I'm not sure why. I guess I just haven't been feeling it. Suddenly there are sales left, right and centre and I find myself heading over to so-and-such website telling myself it's purely to browse. LIES. Items magically start to appear in my basket. And once in my basket, there's a 95.8% chance they're there to stay.

A "browse" on ASOS soon turned into an order...

Coatigan (noun) A confused item of clothing that doesn't know whether it's a cardigan or an outside jacket. This aside, it looks nice & light for this time of year.

Tartan playsuit: Possibly a little on the short size.... but we shall see! Definitely something for weekends and nights out rather than 9-5 in the office!

Pepe Jeans playsuit: Although reduced in the sale, this lovely little playsuit still costs a pretty penny. I thought I'd give it a go because if I didn't and it sold out, I'd be kicking myself! Check out that gorgeous neckline:

Not a huge fan of the waist... but nothing that a thick waist belt can't solve!

Cut out blouse: Any bra recommendations for a top like this?! I imagine a plunge bra would do the trick. Alternatively I could brave going braless I guess...

Tie dye sweatshirt: I wasn't 100% sure on this one - do I really need another over-sized jumper? - however I do love the mint accents of the tie dye print.

Galactic sweatshirt: I only discovered Polish label Mr Gugu & Miss Go through ASOS and their printed sweatshirts are bold and eye-catching to say the least! Their popcorn sweater is quite out there but cute!



Any other sales on at the moment that you'd recommend? 

WORLDWIDE WARDROBE

Approaching the end of the financial year is always a busy time for our office. Early starts and late finishes mean that when I leave work, I rarely switch off. My mind is always buzzing and thinking ahead to tomorrow's tasks. Gawd, I need a vacation. Once July swings around, I'm free to travel. I dream of:

• escaping my desk
• sight-seeing
• actually having the time to sit and read a book from cover-to-cover
• having the chance to take my new DSLR out

But where to go?

Clutch (£15 - now out of stock) // Dress // Earrings // Ring // Shoes // Nail polish / YSL lipstick 

When going out for cocktails, I don't think you can ever go wrong with a LBD. I loved this lace high neck version from Lipsy as this is very "me" and the sort of style I usually go for. With that incredible lace detail, I wanted the high neck to remain the focus of the outfit - so would pull my hair back and instead of a necklace, would accessorise with statement earrings, a red lip, and nails of a similar shade. And obviously when going out for cocktails, a cocktail ring is a necessity! :) I fell in love with these heels as the embellishment reminds me a little of that beautiful Zara necklace that the whole world snapped up before I had the chance to! To inject some colour into the outfit, I chose out a neon lime clutch to compliment the gems in the shoes.

Trench coat // Lace dress // Ballet pumps // Rose gold watch // Bag

The French get the city look so right - effortlessly chic, yet comfortable for spending the whole day on your feet. Paris in particular brings out a romantic side to me where I am attracted to neutral colours. This lace dress from Next fits the bill perfectly. I would wear this Zara trench coat on top as weather wise, I find Paris to be a lot like London - there's sure to be a spot of rain here and there. For a day on your feet, flats are essential. I loved the lady-like quality of this bag and it's a good size for carrying everything around with you all day. Rose gold is a big love of mine and this Michael Kors look-alike from Next would ensure that I get to the Eurostar terminal on time! I would use some of my spare change for a very French accessory - a baguette - which I would sit with in my favourite park, Buttes Chaumont, watching the world go by.

Playsuit // Ring // Clutch // Jacket // Boots // Nail polish // Bag

Although I live in London, I feel so out of touch with the city. There's so many touristy things I'd love to do - like see the Tower of London - and I rarely get the chance to go shopping (I think I've only been to Westfield once!) I love a print, so this paisley playsuit from AX Paris really caught my eye. Also, playsuits are so easy to get out of in the changing rooms! ...pretty much naked in one swoop! ;) My look is usually quite monochrome so I paired the black and white print with... quelle surprise... a black and white jacket. I loved this one from Missguided as it's different to a standard leather jacket. I live in ankle boots because they're just so comfortable for all occasions - whether it be shopping, going to gigs, etc. Urban Outfitters do lots of cute wallets at the moment which double up as phone holders - very handy for clubbing as well as shopping. I chose this design in particular as I love a bit of Aztec print! I always wear rings and the more unusual, the better! I was stunned at how amazingly priced this one from Boohoo was. Lastly, so that this outfit wasn't too monochrome, I added this bag and a glittery nail polish for a splash of colour.

Body harness // Playsuit // Sunglasses // Headband // Wedges // Rose gold cuff // Clutch // Nail Wraps

I wanted to keep this look quite simple, so went for white as the main theme with gold accents from the accessories (gold looks amazing with a tan!). The clutch is perfect for going out but wouldn't look out of place during the day either. I loved the neckline of the playsuit so didn't want a necklace to distract attention away from this. During the day, I would wear this playsuit as it comes, with the sunglasses (how cool are these?!). Later when heading to a club, I would mix up the playsuit a little by adding this body harness - it isn't too "out there" so you can still see the cut out aspects of the playsuit through it. When clubbing, I also like to be wearing some sort of statement accessory which is why I chose out the Grecian style head band. I guess you could even wear the sunglasses in the club too! I chose wedges rather than heels because it's far more feasible partying until the early hours in wedges. Rather than appearing too monochrome, I added a splash of colour with the nail wraps. With £60.82 left over, that's useful extra funds for club entry and drinks!

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The above is my entry for Travel Supermarket's latest competition where a holiday for each of the above cities is up for grabs as well as £200 to purchase your winning outfit! To enter, you need to create a look for as many of the categories as you like, with a budget of £200 per outfit. To find out more, you can read all about the competition on their website: www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/worldwide-wardrobe/ 

Which of my looks is your favourite? 

#1 Currently Coveting: ASOS

Oh ASOS, you had me at “sale”. 

But up to 50% off? Oh you do spoil us.

Here’s what I’m currently coveting:

Toile de Jouy print dress - £28 – non sale

Oasis Cutwork shoulder bag - £40 – non sale

Motel Lucille dress - £40 - £20

River Island cat print skirt – £22 – non sale

Statement necklace - £40 - £32

Seriously tempting. Particularly as I can get an extra 10% off and cashback because of work.

The Motel dress looks better in motion in the weird video thing that ASOS do. It’s my birthday in less than a month’s time and I’m thinking birthday outfit right there. The Toile de Jouy print dress is so versatile. Perfect for the winter-spring transition but also great for festivals, gigs, and balmy summer nights spent in beer gardens. And screw designer handbags, this Oasis bag is THE BAG to have. Decisions, decisions...

Have you picked up any bargains in the sales lately?

ASOS bunny flats

Usually I’m more of a cat person, but when I spotted these bunny flats on ASOS.com I couldn’t resist. I already own a pair of Charlotte Olympia kitty flats dupes - can someone "lend" me £465 for the real deal, please? -  with similar embroidery, but I was powerless to resist adding rabbits to my collection.

They came in the most gorgeous powder blue dust bag. I’ve only ever had a dust bag for my Louis Vuitton before so this was a nice touch, making the shoes feel a lot more expensive than they really were.

Fit wise, they are a little big on me but I have noticed ASOS flat shoes to be a little off with their sizing. I figure these will be fine with tights though. Besides, look at those cheery little faces looking up at you…

… couldn’t possibly send them back. They've arrived just in time for Easter too. So I can be a walking talking cliché wearing these and gorging myself silly on MaltEaster bunnies (the dream)

Happy Easter! 

Last chance for 10% off at ASOS!

When I found out that ASOS were offering a discount code for a limited time only in collaboration with Valentine's Day, it was happy days. ASOS discount codes are increasingly rare these days so whenever I see one, I'm on it! Armed with some very generous ASOS vouchers I received for Christmas, the discount code was put to good use:

Swing dress in Baroque print - £28 - £25.20

I saw this amazing print and I was SOLD. Anything with Baroque print is fine by me. I'll be wearing this with my black blazer or layering to transform it into a mini skirt or to create a contrast sleeves look. It's just such a versatile piece - the possibilities are endless. I don't usually go for swing / smock dresses so fingers crossed this isn't a tent!

Skinny jeans with Baroque flocking - £15 (sale) - £13.50

Jeans wise, I usually go for normal blue denim or black. One of my best friends says I have colour issues. Apparently I need to step away from black and invest in some actual colour. I thought these jeans were a good start to introducing colour into my wardrobe. The flocked pattern is really interesting and reminds me of the trousers Zara sells - but at a fraction of the price. These beauts were already on sale but with an extra 10% off, I didn't think twice.

Thigh highs - £5 - £4.50

I live in thigh highs so thought it was worth investing in a couple more pairs!

 Photographic Galaxy print joggers - £30 - £27

Right now you're thinking: Lucy, why on earth did you order joggers?! I'm still a little baffled as to why. But I think it was the print that sold me. I'm not too keen on the waist band / draw string area so I'll cover these with an over-sized tee. Really want to get some Nike Liberty X hi-tops to tuck these bad boys into. It's sports luxe, dah-ling. 

Boyfriend cardigan - £40 - £36

Remember that time where everyone had or wanted a thick arran knit cream cardigan? I think stores like New Look did them in other colours too. I liked them, but couldn't jump on that bandwagon as I'm pale and cream / white washes me out. I love grey. I love salt and pepper speckle knits. So this ASOS cardigan was love in knitted form. 

New Look ankle strap court shoes - £24.99 - £22.50

I saw these heels featured in More magazine and I loved the elegance of the ankle strap paired with the edginess of the stud detailing. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear these with bare legs!

To get in on the action use the discount code: VALENTINE10 for 10% off at ASOS. 

Ends at 11:59pm tonight so get your skates on! :)

Come find me on Twitter / Bloglovin'

Autumn/Winter #PassionForFashion

Autumn / Winter is my favourite time of the year for fashion, so when I was contacted by Money Supermarket inviting me to take part in their Passion For Fashion campaign, it was a no brainer! I was asked to create five different Autumn / Winter looks – party, casual, office, outdoor and first date – with a budget of £200 per look using UK online fashion retailers. The aim being to locate good value products and make savings where possible. 

My outfits took me absolutely ages to create but it was really fun!
Please read on to see my take on all five looks....

Playsuit - Urban Outfitters - £38

Jacket - Republic - £30

Necklace - H&M - £34.99

Wedges - Republic - £20

Bag - Zara - £19.99

Lashes - Matalan - £3

Lipstick - Topshop - £8

Nail polish - Topshop - £6

Lace socks - River Island - £4.50

TOTAL: £164.48

I felt like this playsuit was excellent value for money because of its potential versatility in the autumn / winter months. Not only can it be dressed up, but it could also be used as shorts for a more casual look when teamed with an oversized knit. I have chosen to keep the colour palette fairly simple for this look with a black and white theme. Rather than just wearing the wedges as they are, I would pair them with these lace socks. I really like the socks and heels trend at the moment and feel these lace ones completely change up the look – simple wedges suddenly look like lacy shoe boots. All for a mere £24.50 in total for both the wedges and socks (I found this to be cheaper than most pairs of shoes when scouring the web). The wedges were a bargain sale find from Republic where I also found this lovely jacket for a mere £30. I was really shocked by this price as I feel that it looks a lot more expensive. Every party outfit needs a statement piece of jewellery. I saw this H&M necklace – which is a little pricier than I’d usually pay for H&M jewellery – but it is well worth the investment as it would be perfect for December party season and New Years (it would really transform a simple little black dress). The Zara bag was just £19.99 and is another versatile product for this season – I would have plenty of use for it day time too and it wouldn’t look out of place in the office either. And being a party look, fake lashes, lippy and a splash of nail polish add to the look subtly without outshining the main talking points of the outfit: the playsuit and necklace. 

Dress - H&M - £34.99

Bag - Accessorize - £35

Jacket - Boohoo - £35

Heels - H&M - £29.99

Nail polish - Topshop - £6

Underwear set - Topshop - £26

Necklace - ASOS - now reduced to £16!

Stockings - Tesco - £9

TOTAL: £191.98

For a first date, you want to make an effort (after all, it would be nice to score a second date) but not go too overboard. I feel that this outfit encompasses the smart casual look well. The dress could be worn everywhere – meaning that you will get your money’s worth in no time at all – and it is a great transitional piece as not only does it look wintery, but it also wouldn’t look out of place in the spring / summer months. I feel a bit naked without jewellery and loved the simplicity of this ASOS necklace which has been reduced down in the sale since the first time that I saw it. In this country we can’t really survive autumn / winter with bare legs, so I chose out these lacy stockings to give my make-believe date a nice surprise. I always feel so much more confident when wearing a nice underwear set – plus it’s fun knowing what’s underneath when he doesn’t! ;) For a splash of colour, I added a floral handbag, H&M heels and some nail polish in a closely matching shade. I love the berry red kind of colour – especially around Christmas time. So that the outfit didn’t appear too girly – or too formal for a first date – I toughed up the look with a leather jacket. I couldn’t believe that this jacket was only £30 from Boohoo! It looks so much more expensive and would get so much wear across all months – not just the autumn / winter ones.

Blouse - Zara - £29.99

Mary Janes - Tesco - £15

Skirt - Urban Outfitters - £30

Satchel - Bershka - £25.99

Blazer - Yayer - £50

Tights - Topshop - £4

TOTAL: £154.98

Office wear is a difficult one. You want to dress smartly for work but at the same time, buying suits can only get you so far. A good suit will set you back quite a bit of money plus it’s kind of restricted to work and interviews. When adding to my work wardrobe, I always keep my eye out for pieces that I can wear outside of work too (this way the items get a lot more wear out of them). I chose out this skirt as it’s such a versatile piece. I feel like it can be worn across the year and dressed up or down accordingly. In this instance I would wear with simple black tights and these Mary Jane shoes that are a mere £15 from Tesco (I kid you not!). Normally my outfit of choice involves either a) a very long necklace or b) a shorter but very sparkly necklace. However when I found this Zara blouse with the amazing high neck detail, I knew that jewellery had no place here. To keep the Victorian neckline the focus of outfit, I would tuck the loose tunic fit of the top into the skirt. For those chilly autumn / winter months, bare arms are a big no no. I fell in love with this Yayer jacket which has a military aspect to it with the buttons, as well as a preppy “school” kind of feel. Keeping with the school theme, I added this satchel which is so much cheaper than other satchels out there (Cambridge Satchel Company, I’m looking at you!) and is a lot more unique with the floral detail. 

 Cardigan - Boohoo - £25

Boots - Boohoo - £40

Dress - Republic - £30

Fleece - Boohoo - £25

Backpack - Republic - £20

Umbrella - Matalan - £5

Mittens - Tesco - £5

Socks - Urban Outfitters - £8

TOTAL: £158

The outdoors is quite a tricky one in Britain because our weather is so varied. One minute it’ll be bitterly cold and pouring with rain, the other it will be quite mild. My outdoor look makes use of layering so you are prepared for all possible types of weather! Seeing as we can’t guarantee dry, warm weather I chose out these insanely cute cat mittens and lacy umbrella. At just £5 each, these items don’t break the bank and can be stowed away in the Aztec backpack when not needed. To keep my feet warm, I would wear these toasty looking socks with these long boots which are a mere £40 from Boohoo. I choose out this dress in particular as although it is used in a casual context here, it can also be easily dressed up with some of the items from my other looks. For the layering part of my look, I would wear this very soft and warm looking fleece on top of the dress and then on top of that, use this Aztec cardigan as a coat. Together, the fleece and cardigan come to £50 and are probably much warmer than a standard coat (which will most certainly be more expensive). 

Cape - Asda - £10

Top - Lipsy - £40

Shorts - Miss Selfridge - £39

Knee highs - River Island - £8

Nail wraps - Missguided - £6.65

Slippers - Republic - £10

TOTAL: £113.65

I took “casual” to mean the sort of autumn / winter look I’d wear when chilling indoors watching movies with friends. Normally around the house I’ll wear denim cut offs with long socks and a cape - so I tried to stay true to that within this look. When being casual at home, I always like to experiment with my nails – whether it be trying new colours or nail art. In this instance I’ve chosen out these very cute nail wraps from Missguided. The Asda cape is an absolute bargain for £10 as since it’s reversable, it’s like having two different capes! To play on the cape’s monochrome look, I would wear with black knee highs (perfect for layering under trousers in the colder months) and this loose fitting, comfy looking white Lipsy top. Normally I would wear a necklace with the top and a belt with the shorts, but I feel like the embellishment on both items already give the desired effect. And if you and your mates decide to go out after all, the glitzy top and shorts will see you through as they are a little more dressy. To go the whole hog with the casual look, I would probably wear some ballet pump style slippers. I was sold when I found these owl slippers online. Lots of slippers online at the moment seem to be wintery themed - what with reindeer print and snowflake print - which does limit you a little bit. These cuties won’t break the bank at only £10 and the best thing? They aren’t autumn / winter specific so can be used all year round. RESULT!

So there you have it. Those are my five looks.

Would you wear any of these? 

Which is your favourite look?