Day Twenty Eight

 We are moving onto jeans. Gayle suggests a baggy, a slim and a smart pair. This is my baggy one. OK so it's not strictly baggy but it's relaxed. Years old Seven For All Mankind vintage wash jeans. They were a boot cut but I had them tapered to update them.
Shown here three ways!
Details:
Vintage wash jeans http://www.selfridges.com/
Plaster ruched shoulder cotton top http://www.cosstores.com/
Cloudy grey blazer http://www.gap.eu/
Necklace - handmade using trims from VV Rouleaux
Silver metallic shoes Proenza Schouler as before
Rust wool longline cardigan http://www.asos.com/

Day Twenty Seven

This dress for number ten is just a hero piece. A simple cotton jersey, spaghetti strap, black dress - not terribly exciting, but oh so outfit friendly. It pretty much works with anything you care to throw on. I like to wear a wide top over it to counter- balance the skin tight skirt. It's good with an oversized shirt, a tee, some vests....
I've shown the shape of the knit below,as you can't really get a feel for it otherwise.
Details:
Black cotton jersey slim maxi dress http://www.topshop.com/
Fine, half batwing, boxy knit in deep navy http://www.sessun.com/
Black satin jewelled sandals http://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/
In RH picture below Burnout faded charcoal cowl neck vest http://www.allsaints.com/

Day Twenty Six

Dress number 9. Phew, it's weird just wearing dresses. Guess I had more than I thought though?!
Wheeled out the trusty denim again - told you it was versatile. Get a fitted one and you won't be sorry. They last ages too and the more worn in the better, in my book. It's verging on the cow girl this but I am channelling 'True Grit' you see. This dress looks totally different unbelted and I got it in those desperate times immediately after having my second child and was frantic for something new to cheer me up. I would advise caution during this hormone fest as I don't wear this often. I still like it, but I fiddle with it too much and often change at the last minute. It requires proper summer weather to really come into it's own.
Details;
Denim jacket Habitual as before
White pin tucked cotton voile dress http://www.shop.bymalenebirger.com/
Caramel leather shoe boots by Ash http://www.liberty.co.uk/

Day Twenty Five

So for a bit of dressing up this is dress number 8. Looks like silk, even feels a little bit like it, but it's good old polyester. Cheap but cheerful and actually a bit of a favourite for colour. I used to detest orange but now I adore it. Strange.
Paired with the same little black blazer as yesterday. I like the colour contrast. The shoes don't see the light very often as they are very high for me. Having children seems to have impaired my ability to walk in high heels....
Details
Orange ruffle dress http://www.hm.com/
Black wool blazer as before
Silver metallic shoes with stacked heels http://www.proenzaschouler.com/

Day Twenty Four

This is a genius dress by Anglomania. A saviour for a boyish figure as the draping and asymetrical detail gives the illusion of curves or shape where there is none. You can layer over or under. If you want to layer under then you would need something very fine - I use a charcoal fine cotton by American Vintage www.matchesfashion.com/American _Vintage
Or if you want to go over then a little cardigan or a shorter smart jacket like mine.
Details:
Aubergine burgundy dress www.net-a-porter.com/anglomania
Black wool jacket http://www.margarethowell.com/
Black leather strappy wedges http://www.camper.com/

Day Twenty Three

Now, this little shirt dress is great for me as I have no real shape. This gives me a bit of a waist and the full skirt is great in place of actual hips. This is not so easy to layer over so I would suggest layering under if needed - you could go for a tee with a deep v so you wouldn't see it or a fine L/S top that you could push up at the sleeve. A pop of colour might be nice for this season or keep it sombre with black or charcoal. This can also look good with tights and knee boots to keep it really seventies.

Details;

Black safari shirt dress vintage

Aged khaki wide leather belt http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

Black strappy sandals http://www.camper.com/

Day Twenty Two

OMG I love this dress. The length, the fact that it's grey marl, the length....I'm fairly tall (5ft 8") so I can just about do this in flats. This battered old denim jacket I've had for years, but it's so damned useful for taking the edge off. The first of my 4 summer jackets.
Details
Denim jacket Habitual http://www.habitual.com/
Grey marl maxi tee shirt dress http://www.zara.com/
Sparkly dusty pink thongs http://www.topshop.com/
and without jacket
Bead necklace from Brazil
Mustard yellow leather belt http://www.margarethowell.com/

Day Twenty One

OK so it's a little bit last year but print's always in for summer. This is dress number 4 and it's high summer! Strapless and sheer it's perfect for balmy days and evenings. It also rolls up small for packing for holidays so it's easy too. Dresses are so versatile as you can completely change the way they look by layering on top or underneath. I wouldn't layer under this one as the strapless wouldn't really work and you'd get all bunched up. Cardi's, tees or knits are great thrown over though.
I find a short sleeved cardi supremely useful and you can swap for a long sleeve in the evening. Wear with flats or vamp it up with some strappy heels...Your choice.
Details:
Turquoise short sleeved cardigan http://www.topshop.com/
Silver necklace from India
Multi coloured printed strapless dress by Topshop
Black matt satin strappy sandals http://www.margarethowell.com/ 

Or you can wear it as a maxi and make it more SS'11?!
Worn with navy ribbed vest http://www.whistles.co.uk/

Day Twenty

Another London Fashion Week rolls round again. Sorry for the late post but I have been at a show this morning. Oh I do miss going to all the shows, well, except for all the waiting around and the ensuing angst over outfit choices. Stood next to Alexa Chung this morning - she is inexplicably gorgeous, she makes you want to sidle away quietly to stand in a corner. Follow her on twitter to see what she's up to. twitter.com/alexa_chung The weather this morning was not conducive to this sort of outfit so tights would have been appropriate, plus a coat, a hat and some gloves. Tsk. When will spring arrive?
Looking at AW11/12 at fashion week it all feels like the longest, never-ending winter. I am certainly discontented. I want to wheel out the spring clothes and I can't wait to jet off to the Canaries in a few weeks.
Without further ado. Here is dress number three.
Chambray s/s cotton shirt dress MHL
Peat brown leather scout belt MHL
Navy and grey suede necklaces http://www.cosstores.com/
Caramel cork platform wedges http://www.katekuba.com/

Day Nineteen

A simple tee shirt dress, add some jewellery a pair of platform wedges and off you go. Preferably with some fake tan too!??
Details;
Bright indigo cotton tee shirt dress MHL
Silver necklace from India
Dark purple patent platform wedge sandals http://www.marni.com/

Day Eighteen

Today we are starting with 27 pieces. This is what Gayle Rinkoff fashion and celebrity stylist suggested http://www.gaylerinkoff.com/
She thinks you need 5 long sleeved tops, 4 jackets, 10 dresses, 5 cardigans of different weights and 3 pairs of jeans - a baggy, a slim and a smart pair. Phew.
So here is my first offering - I am not sure if I have 10 summer dresses but we'll see! I may have to improvise as Gayle doesn't do trousers and skirts. I am a lover of all clothing categories hence the overstuffed wardrobe......Anyway let's just try it out. I apologise now about the pale pins!

Details;
Navy silk cotton shirt dress http://www.margarethowell.com/
Orange crocodile slim belt http://www.prada.com/
Nude leather and cork platform wedges http://www.katekuba.co.uk/

Day Seventeen

  

 So we are at the end of the 'eighteen' pieces. You can make multiple outfits by simply switching around the tops and jackets and the mac goes with everything. The ruff will go over the pink lighweight knit, the stripe knit, the silk tee, the sweat dress and the black cashmere knit. The leather goes over all of these outfits except the knakis - it's a bit too army. The short sleeve jacket looks best over a fitted top so the navy ruffle shirt, the white linen tee, the mauve linen knit and the white shirt with peter pan collar. All that's missing are evening choices - the navy ruffle and silk cotton trousers works or dress up the ruff and white linen tee and add a real party shoe. For more information see my article in the March issue of Red.

Day Sixteen

Et Voila! A classic raincoat. Made in Scotland by the esteemed Mackintosh brand. It's waterproof and it looks elegant yet modern at the same time.  Wear it relaxed or belted depending on your mood.
Details:
Warm stone double breasted mac http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/
Tight by Falke as before
Boots by Russell and Bromley as before

Day Fifteen

The fashion press is awash with looks for  colour blocking right now. This isn't colour blocking, but I am excited about the prospect of some colour, in whatever form. The final shirt from our three. This is a favourite type of outfit for me. So simple and yet effective. I don't usually go in for matchy matchy, but I think the jade green pumps with the softer forest green of the shirt looks right.
You can always add more colour through accessories like cinching in with a belt. See my attempt below. The problem is I am shaped like a boy so I have no waist. I prefer the illusion that I might own a waist underneath the oversized shirting. Anyway you decide.

Outfit credentials:
Green shirt MHL
Orange crocodile skin belt by Prada http://www.prada.com/
Jeans by Topshop http://www.topshop.com/
Jade pumps by French Sole http://www.frenchsole.com/

Day Fourteen

Yes I know the lighting's awful but the sweat dress is cute!
This is my chosen dress for the eighteen piece collection. It's really a no-brainer garment. The fit is loose so no worrying about lumps and bumps beneath, it's cotton so it's cool, but can be layered with something warmer under, you can wear it easy-fit or belted, over jeans, jeggings or tights (only slim things though, otherwise you will rapidly veer into bad territory)
So here's the lowdown.
Grey marl sweatshirt dress http://www.cosstores.com/
Black ribbed school tights by Falke http://www.selfridges.com/
Taan leather shoe boots http://www.russellandbromley.com/

Day Thirteen

Sorry, I appear to have been dragged through a hedge! No matter. A linen knit is one of summer's most comfortable pieces, they keep you cool in the heat, they're breatheable and they feel light, casual, and wonderfully 'weekend'.

Details:

Mauve linen grandad knit http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

Navy, stone and grey suede necklaces http://www.cosstores.com/

Navy high waisted silk cotton trousers Margaret Howell

Deep purple wedge sandals http://www.marni.com/

Day Twelve

A bit winter, a bit summer, but nonetheless a chic little short-sleeve jacket. OK, it's made of wool but still pretty perfect for this schizophrenic weather.

Details:

John Smedley stripe jumper http://www.johnsmedley.com/

Oatmeal wool s/s jacket Raoul www.matchesfashion.com/Raoul

Navy high waisted wool gaberdine trousers http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

Silver peep toe shoes http://www.topshop.com/

Day Eleven

So we are allowed two jackets and this is the first. Everyone should own a leather jacket in whatever shape suits. They work for all seasons, but rarely keep you warm, so actually they are a perfect transitional piece. Invest the most you can afford as it should last you a lifetime. My own biker style isn't buttery soft but it's very malleable and holds its structure beautifully.
All of these items are classics and immune to the ebb and flow of fashion trends. Yes, the wide leg is back but I wear these regularly as they are flattering and a bit special. The silk cotton has a matt sheen and they can do evening do's or work. I try to avoid the boys sticky mitts in these.

Details:
Olive leather jacket by Laundry Industry http://www.laundryindustry.com/
Navy silk voile ruffle collar shirt Margaret Howell
Navy high waist silk cotton trousers Margaret Howell
Grey platform wedge boots Bertie

I am away this weekend so will post Saturday and Sunday on Sunday afternoon.

Day Ten

Today we are doing a little ruff. Can't beat a bit of statement frill I say. The colour is probably not the best on me but I am a sucker for these soft, french hues. So chic, so subtle and yet they just add a little something special to a white tee.  I got the ruff from the Marni outlet store at the truly fabulous Bicester Village.http://www.bicestervillage.com/. I tell you there are some amazing deals to be had and a day is never enough to do it justice. Go with a girlfriend on a weekday - just take the whole day off work - it's unbearable at the weekends and you can never park. Trust me, I know. The linen tee is a versatile alternative to a cotton tee. The texture is appealing and it looks kinda battered up now after wash and wear.

Details:

Pale grey ruff by Marni http://www.marni.com/

White linen tee by Margaret Howell http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

Dark navy high waisted pleat front trousers by Margaret Howell

Nude patent courts by LK Bennet http://www.lkbennet.com/

Day Nine

Bit of colour to cheer us up in the perpetual 'white cloud' . It was glorious to see the sun yesterday. We had lunch outside and I sat with my boys, our faces turned towards the sun, eyes closed, like a family of little sunflowers. Bliss. If the white cloud insists on being a permanent fixture we will all get rickets.
Anyway, I rifled around for some colour - 'Tis the season to do colour so here you are. Clearly, I need to get alot more in (means buying more clothes) but this fuscia number will do nicely for starters.
Teamed with a neutral trouser and some colour pop (!) shoes all I need now is some colour in my skin. Am so pale I am virtually blue.


Details:
Fuscia pink silk tee by Topshop Boutique http://www.topshop.com/
Orange crocodile belt by Prada http://www.prada.com/
Mouse coloured Chino's by J Brand  http://www.selfridges.com/
Bright yellow sandals by Prada

Day Eight

I got totally carried away here. I love this knit. It's super fine, feathery light, gauzy and in the sofest whisper of a pink. It's mohair and polyamide which makes for a beautiful soft hand (sorry, that's fashion buying speak for the feel of a cloth or knit) I have to load on the make-up, so it doesn't make me grey, but it's worth it. The cinching works better on this - I guess because of the fluidity of the knit. The shoes - which I have trashed essentially, but cannot bear to be parted from, are the most perfect mauve patent leather and they have a darling little strap which goes across the bridge of your foot with a little oval buckle. Great girly shoes.

Details:
Pale pink knit by Day Birger et Mikkelsen http://www.shop.day.dk/
Nude pink vest by Whistles http://www.whistles.co.uk/
Charcoal grey suede belt by Cos http://www.cosstores.com/
Jeans by Topshop http://www.topshop.com/
Mauve shoes by Miu Miu http://www.miumiu.com/

Have you seen the new Bond Street store. It's enough to make one have a fit of the vapours.

Day Seven

I had a comment from fellow 'IFB' member Anouk that she would like clearer images of the outfits. So I am testing other areas of my home to shoot my blog. I apologise for the shockingingly poor quality of my photographs. They are done on a borrowed camera, which I don't really understand, but which luckily has an idiot button aka 'auto focus'. I set it up on a tripod and then spend ages trying to get good enough light not to need flash. Needless to say I rarely succeed - hence the shadows behind me...... I notice that alot of the blogging community are incredible photographers and their images are simply stunning. Sadly that is never gonna happen here. I may start importing images so you don't have to put up with my paltry efforts all of the time. My image on the profile section of the blog is by a super talented friend of mine Mr Edward Tyler http://www.edwardtyler.com/.

We are now moving onto the 18 pieces as suggested by the wonderful Margaret Howell in my Red article. We will be allowed to use one pair of jeans, four trousers, one dress, four knits, three shirts, two tops, one raincoat and two jackets.

I felt like channelling a bit of Alexa with this one. She that loves a peter pan collar; I worried that I might feel a bit prim and schoolgirlish, in reality I felt very smart and a bit cheeky. Who would have thought it?
I thought it appropriate to be head to toe in Margaret Howell for the first look.
Black button back cashmere jumper,
White boy's shirt,
MHL knaki cotton trousers,
Black twisted satin stacked heel sandal.

Let me know what you think. Meanwhile, I will be skulking round the house trying to find new picture locations where the builders next door can't see me.......

Day Six

So, strictly speaking, I shouldn't be counting this as a separate days outfit - but this coat can go over all the outfits so it really deserves it's own spot. It's cosy, very warm and the light grey keeps it from being too 'down'
Grey herringbone harris tweed coat, with a gorgeous blanket check lining. Harris tweed is handwoven in the outer hebrides using pure virgin wool, which is also dyed and spun there. See http://www.harristweed.org/
Coat by Margaret Howell http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/
Belt by MHL by Margaret Howell
Shoes as before
Great Sunday in the park with the boys. A proper blustery day so we flew kites. Surprisingly good fun and a small bicep workout too! My four year old had to say 'Erm Mummy can I have it back now?'

Day five

I'm not from Newcastle so I can't have bare arms in an elbow sleeved dress in the winter, so I added some leg warmers (as arm warmers) and felt instantly toastier.
I love this shape as I can eat pie and mash and still have a stodgy Nigella inspired pudding and no-one can see me expanding.
A -line cotton 1/2 sleeve dress MHL by Margaret Howell
http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/
Leg/arm warmers by Topshop http://www.topshop.com/
Tights by Falke http://www.mytights.com/
Shoes by Rupert Sanderson http://www.rupertsanderson.com/
Necklace from a market in India. One of my favourite things from a buying trip to Delhi. Just to annoy you it cost about 30 pence.

 without warmers brrrrrrrr

Day Four

I love pink against khaki they are just so right together. In fact a whole raft of colours sit well with khaki; try greys, purples, whites,creams, black or navy. A khaki bottom is a pretty versatile piece to have whether it's in a trouser or a skirt.

So today it's a knit and skirt. Having such a restricted choice doesn't half make it quick to get up in the morning. I just wish my boys would realise that getting up before 6 am is really not acceptable.
All items as seen before

Day Three

I know, I know stripes were everywhere LAST season but if they are good enough for Prada in   SS '11 then that's alright with me. I love this big, fat, bee-like, statement stripe. The sun is shining and the days are getting just a little bit longer. It'll be time to go bare legged before we know it. Better dust off the epilator.
Pink and black knit Topshop http://www.topshop.com/
Satin necktie Margaret Howell http://www.margarethowell.co.uk/
Jeans as before
Boots as before