We’re taking it back to the old school this Autumn; dust off your minis, pull out your polo necks and step back into the suede – the 60s/ 70s vibe is back and if like me you’ve been gathering your garments in the garage for years gone by waiting for the day that flared dungarees will be acceptable to wear by anyone other than the models in the levis shoot, well it has arrived, the time is here to take to the town like Twiggy and this is how.
It’s all about working key pieces, you’ll need 5 of them: A pretty polo neck, miniscule miniskirt, crochet cuts, simple suedes and tailored togs with tassels.
Polo necks
The brighter the better, burnt orange, maroon and ox blood are a good start. The key with the polo neck is to pair with anything high waisted. Remember the turtle neck does what it says on the tin and we don’t want any coiling back into our shells by wearing it the wrong way! Maybe try tucking it into a sleek A line skirt, high waisted denim flares or even a cutesy pinny.
Flash of red. Topshop £24 http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&productId=20541875&categoryId=1093317&parent_category_rn=208525
Add some sparkle. River Island £26 http://www.riverisland.com/women/knitwear/jumpers/dark-orange-sparkly-turtle-neck-jumper-673316
Go sleeveless for those inbetween days! Topshop £35 (my mum had a wardrobe of sleeveless polos that she very kindly donated to me!) http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/knitwear-444/sleeveless-cable-tabard-4605858?bi=0&ps=200
Paired with…
Elegant and elongated. Next £45
http://www.next.co.uk/x6d2152s7#902522×56
Minis
Denim, cord, suede, it’s all relevant when shopping for the shorter styles. What’s nice about the mini skirts are that you can really dress them up for a night out with the girls or slouch around at home in a short cut denim pinny. The key again is to be high waisted, the A line shape is a winner also whether you have a teeny tiny waist and larger hips or a rounder stomach, the A line flatters all!
Hello Moto! Topshop £28 – gotta love a denim number!
http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/denim-897/moto-indigo-button-front-skirt-4618871?bi=0&ps=20
70s chic. Sister Jane £45 http://sisterjane.com/products/sandstorm-skirt (I actually have this skirt, I bought it last week, the colour is soooo nice and the gold buttons on the front make for a very sophisticated finish.)
Buckle up with this bright mini. Topshop £42
http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/skirts-449/mini-skirts-3111158/tall-buckle-a-line-mini-skirt-4647873?bi=0&ps=20
Suede
Not as difficult to wear as you might think! If you don’t fancy the texture in clothing you can always accessorise an outfit with a bag, pair of shoes or even those gorgeous thigh high boots that yes ladies, they’re back in this year!! Suede isn’t particularly forgiving so avoid very tight fits, stick with a sleek waistcoat or long A line skirt – trousers are generally a no no but a cute cropped top would look great, especially with tassels! Avoid the dirt though as suede can be a mission to clean so always protect with a waterproofing spray.
Stylish suede. Kurt Geiger £180 – I tried these on the other day, great fit on the thigh! Plus the tassels are extra trendy!
http://www.kurtgeiger.com/sammy-black-suedette-36-carvela-kurt-geiger-shoe.html
Save up for this sassy suede satchel! Chloe £1100 (my friend Emma actually has this bag and it is gorge!!!!)
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/chloe-faye-suede-satchel_221-3001525-3S1126H20/?previewAttribute=Caramel&cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google-_-Womens-_-CHLOE&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=57524566&$$&gclid=CjwKEAjwjMauBRDH-bOCo56b13wSJABA2-HvrRBApTukhlxmYVYTVtjgi_id_AUqNbVmU8NC5QdeuxoCvAfw_wcB
Short, sweet, suede. H&M £49.99
http://www.hm.com/gb/product/81543?article=81543-A&cm_mmc=pla-_-gb-_-ladies_dresses_jumpsuits_short-_-81543&cm_mmc=adwords-_-uk-_-brand-_-&gclid=CjwKEAjwjMauBRDH-bOCo56b13wSJABA2-Hv0R5wAwgTjBcTJaDodTmwmBUygpPSNZQleSx429-zGRoCFQ_w_wcB
Simply suede. Zara £129
http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/coats/suede-studio-waistcoat-c269183p2775620.html
Crochet
Bear all in a crochet number, hold on to the summer sun by draping yourself in a casual crochet cover up, channel your inner Kim K in a sexy curve hugging number or go all out with a crochet bikini for those autumnal getaways. Crochet done right is sexy, crochet done wrong can be an eyeful so avoid any mis haps by ensuring you have the right undergarments on or even an old fashioned slip could work as we’re going retro!
Bright, bold and beautiful! Kiini £225 – love Love LOVE this!!!
http://www.avenue32.com/yellow-crochet-ro-bikini-38104/
Sexy with curves! Stevie May £120 – I actually just bought a similar dress to this from Oasis but in black and cut out the inner lining so it was see through and wore it with high waisted black bikini bottoms and a black strapless wonderbra! Sexy and sophisticated!
http://www.asos.com/stevie-may/stevie-may-crochet-midi-dress-in-white/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5527356&clr=White&SearchQuery=crochet&pgesize=36&pge=1&totalstyles=657&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=3
Cropped and crochet! River Island £25
http://www.riverisland.com/women/tops/crop-tops–bralets–bandeau-tops/cream-crochet-zip-back-bralet-670294
Tassels
A great way to add interest to an outfit or hide those lumpy bits that appear after the summer bodies have been put away for the winter! Get into the mod look with a tasseled biker jacket, although remember tassels are an attention stealer and look great as statement pieces so don’t go mad, go mod!
Tasseled biker from Superdry £199.99
http://www.superdry.com/womens/leather-jackets/details/42423/tassel-leather-biker-jacket
LBD with a twist from the Lindsay Lohan collection for Lavish Alice £58 – this is definitely on my sopping list this month!
http://www.lavishalice.com/new-in-c20/lindsay-lohan-x-lavish-alice-black-faux-suede-fringe-mini-dress-p1727
Great for the weekends or a dinner date. H&M £19.99
http://www.hm.com/gb/product/84615?article=84615-B&cm_mmc=pla-_-gb-_-ladies_accessories_bags_handbags-_-84615&cm_mmc=adwords-_-uk-_-brand-_-&gclid=CjwKEAjwjMauBRDH-bOCo56b13wSJABA2-HvgWz0zcl1IwDGei7fMUvu2KQm-b8t5x3vn_GcLlijyxoC267w_wcB#article=84615-C
Tasseled talons. Kurt Geiger £120
http://www.kurtgeiger.com/iggie-black-suede-36-kg-kurt-geiger-shoe.html
So get blasting from the past with these autumn key pieces for the wardrobe, what’s more is that many of the above can kill two birds with one stone – a tasseled suede bag, a suede mini skirt, a crochet dress with tassels and so on, so it’s not even like you have to buy all 5 you can mix and match as you please, fashionable and affordable!
For more of my fashion pieces, catch my monthly fashion pages in West London magazine by Aston Rowe Estate Agents ‘Outward’
http://www.digitalmag.co.uk/mag/astonrowemagazine_archive.php
Happy Shopping!
Lexie
xxx