As a girl working in men's fashion, I like to keep my eye on the women's wear market, by that I mean researching trends and shopping for clothes. I don't like to buy into trends often as they have a limited life cycle, however I am a big fan of colour and like buying simpler items in a trend-led colour that will then have a longer life. I make sure of this by wearing them with other pieces to create a completely different look compared to the trend they originally came from. The autumn trends are slowly filtering into high street stores ready for the cooler weather and I am getting excited to start layering up and snuggle into winter jumpers, scarves and coats.

Excitingly, I've noticed that a clear focus on the women's wear market is a tonal shift. A colour focus. Rather than neon brights of the summer, designers have softened their palettes to ice cream shades of blush, mint and pistachio. After reading every September issue magazine I can lay my hands on, it's has become clear that pink is a clear front runner for women's wear. Topshop pushed the colour in their AW13 collection for Topshop Unique, and the high street are close behind them.

Zara windows are full of varying layers of neutrals, creams and greys. Pink has been used here to highlight or be a statement piece of the look, for example a wool coats. Soft textured garments are also used highlight a ladylike, delicate feminine trend for autumn for which pink is basically the backbone. 

The September issue of Vogue has got behind this trend by featuring a pink and ladylike editorial using the model of the moment Cara Delevingne. Glamour magazine have also included a Pretty In Pink editorial in their September issue...and I'm sure there will be much more focus to come. Images above and below are my two favourite shots from the Vogue editorial Pink Lady, followed by my two favourites from Glamour's Pretty in Pink.

I have montaged some of my favourite editorial shots, products and images for this colour trend at the top and bottom of this post, with all credits and links below if you like the look of something!   

Column One, top to bottom:

Masion Martin Margiela Skort - netaporter.com, Court Shoes - zara.com, Outfit Idea - tumblr image, Colour Inspiration - tumblr image, Pink Suit - zara.com

Column Two, top to bottom:

Peonys - tumblr image, Retro inspired hair - tumblr image, Zoe Karssen T-Shirt - selfridges.com

Column Three, top to bottom:

Wool Coat - zara.com, Alexander McQueen Sequin Skull flats - selfridges.com , Bright Mornings - tumblr image, J Crew cotton jersey top - netaporter.com

Column Four, top to bottom:

Edge Paint Satchel - topshop.com, Ladylike - tumblr image, Charlotte Free for Numero Tokyo, Bow-Fronted Shorts - topshop.com, Pink Wedges Image - Michaela Tegg, Fashion Habitué, Pink Telephone - tumblr image

Are you already starting to think about your autumn or winter wardrobe? What have you been liking in stores so far this season?

A hot summer in the UK has been shocked many British people, and the wildlife has largely reacted to it too. Maybe it's because I've been outside more but I have been noticing lots more butterflies and bees. Bees are said to be on the decline in the UK due to disease, mites, poor beekeeping and a poor environment. Unfortunately this decline is very detrimental to us humans, as we rely on bees and other insects to ensure that plants, including fruit and vegetable vegetation are pollinated.




"One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination at a time when a crisis is threatening the world's honey bees." - British Beekeepers Association

Obviously the story is much deeper than my brief description and is actually quite serious so I'd like to pass you on to these lovely people at Friends of the Earth, who know much more about it than I do and will probably explain things a bit more clearly. I've signed their petition to David Cameron put in place an action plan to grow awareness and ultimately help to save the bees. If you'd like to read more about that and then sign up please click here. There is also a lot more information available on the internet, but hopefully that's a good place to start.

The fashion industry has recently been embracing bees as a motif for clothing, jewellery and accessories. My personal favourites being the Alexander McQueen Spring 13 collection and Alex Monroe's Bee necklace.

The McQueen collection is mostly sold out now, but here's the show regardless and keep an eye on ebay for any of the collection!


British jewellery designer, Alex Monroe has gained popularity through his flora and fauna themed
jewellery. Most notably the Bumblebee necklace shown left. I am also lusting after this beautiful Hummingbird Necklace.

Image by Liberty London

His popularity has mean that lots of 'dupes' have been springing up across the high street including these below. I've bee(n) a sucker for Bumblebees as on jewellery for a while and purchased a very cute necklace from Forever 21 a few years ago...unfortunately they no longer stock him but here he is along with some other bee options!

My Forever21 Bee

Dogeared at Asos - now £36

Caroline Brook at notonthehighstreet.com - £49

 
...see what I did there? 

When I started having a steady income, I could spend a bit of money on little luxuries. For me this comes in the form of shoes, clothes and nail polish. I fully indulge in being a girl when it comes to shopping for nothing in particular, especially when finances allow that month!
 

One of my first splurges was at Nails Inc; I was left with a big hole in my wallet and a big box of nail polish. Needless to say there have been a few additions to it ever since. I like to match my nail varnish to my mood and what I wear, which usually follows the rule of a monochromatic or nude base with highlights of neon. If I decide to wear more colourful clothing then I neutralise my nails for balance. I'd love to lie and say that I always stick to this rule, but sometimes I just keep whatever nail colour I have on and rock whatever I fancy wearing that day regardless!

My preferred brands for nail products are Nails Inc, Topshop, POP and occasionally O.P.I. If I opt for gel nails, I have Gellish applied my independent nail technician who knows me and my nails, and who never uses an electric file. Avoid any salon which uses these for gel nails as they are simply ruining your nails so that you feel like you constantly need to have gel or acrylic nails reapplied, due to the quality of your own nails. Gel application does not require an electric file or removal of the nails surface other than gentle buffing.

If I am not going for gel, my preferred style of polish is a gel-like high shine finish to the nail usually with a juxtaposed ring finger. By this I mean I paint the forth finger either a different colour, with a different textured polish e.g. matte or glitter or have nail art applied.


I plan on having regular posts about colours I love, starting with this collection from Nails Inc. The A Lister Collection is described as 'catwalk inspired neutral shades', and includes 4 colours. My favourite is Covent Garden Ballet, a grey with blue undertones and a copper shimmer running through it.


Its is subtle yet so beautiful; the name reflects the colour as it evoke images of shimmering tutus, which I think is charming. I have been wearing this with Ledbury Road on my forth finger, which is a deeper minky taupe with a silver shimmer through it giving a metallic finish.


Unfortunately you can't get these two polish outside of the collection on the Nails Inc website, however for £25 it's worth getting the set as the other two shades - Mayfair (pearly white) and Lower Sloane Street (taupe with pink undertone), are neutral staples which would be perfect for Autumn.

When I grow up I'd like to be successful and rich enough to peruse Net-A-Porter, fill a wishlist and in a moment of indulgence buy it all. I mean, I'd obviously use my money for good causes too...but imagine doing good in Saint Laurent...

For those of you who don't know Net-A-Porter is an online premium fashion retailer, stocking every notable brand in Fashion's Little Black Book. If you're anything like me it can get seriously naughty, especially with their beautiful packaging and personalise service. You even get a members gift when you make your first order!

Unfortunately for the majority of us, we'll be putting pennies in the piggie bank for a while before being able to afford most items on the site. However, sign up to their newsletter for bites of fashion straight to your phone and  get inspired by their magazine The Edit. Not just for 'grown-ups'!

My advice, if you cant resist investing in your wardrobe make sure you set up a wish list on your account and add absolutely everything you aspire to own. For a start, its fun to have a list of things your lusting after, and it actually helps you spot great dupes across the more affordable brands. Ignore the price of everything, you never know what you might one day be able to afford. Plus, you can often be surprised by the quality of the lower priced product they have on N-A-P!

By having a wish list, N-A-P will automatically send you updates of when things on that lust list go into sale so you can snap up something divine when it falls into your price range. Their most recent sale just ended, however I managed to make my first order before closing time. A pair of Charles Philip Shanghai white leopard print satin loafers. They were £38 (including basic shipping) reduced from £110.

The quality of the loafers is lovely and the packaging is also beautiful. N-A-P also sent me a welcome gift of a measuring tape to assist in making sure I purchase the correct sizes when I have that day of indulgence!

The Net-A-Porter Group also own The Outnet and Mr. Porter; The Ounet is a more purse friendly version of N-A-P with slightly older product and Mr.Porter is designed for men with style. The Journal on Mr.Porter is one of the best online style guides for men, in my opinion and working in menswear, the content is something many brands aspire to have. More on that later, for now here's the new additions to my wardrobe and how I plan on wearing them.

 

How to Wear Loafers
Clockwise from top: Grey Knitted Jumper - Zara, Prisma Glow In The Dark Clutch - Alexander Wang, 

Loafers - Charles Philip Shanghai , Trio of Knuckle Rings - Asos (Masion Martin Margiela Dupe!), 

Covent Garden Ballet Nail Polish - Nails Inc, Yellow Slim Chinos - Zara

Net-A-Porter Welcome Gift

Measuring tape & size guide in cotton bag.

- L -