A high street alternative

So one of the great things about writing this blog, over the last five years, I have discovered some amazing indepedent brands.  Don't get me wrong - I adore our High Street.  I truly believe it is the best in the world for low to mid ranges smaller shops (I do love some of our higher end brands but the French do pip us to the post when it comes to spending the big bucks - in my opinion of course) and our department stores are always troves of treasures. 

But it's great to be able to mix it up with smaller brands - I love being able to support independent brands as well as having something that little bit more individual.  I'm a big fan of the boutique and one company who I love working with is Wolf & Badger.  Yes, they support lots of British Brands but also offer the opportunity to find some great smaller companies from all over the market.  Vive the international market!

I've done a couple of blogs with them in the past - putting together an edit of my favourite pieces and these are my Summer picks. 

If you're not aware of them, Wolf & Badger are an online market place for a huge number of smaller brands.  They have boutiques in Notting Hill (which is my favourite and the one I make a beeline for - you can always always find something fabulous), Mayfair and now SoHo New York.

Starting with one of my favourites (which I happen to be wearing yesterday...) - the lovely Orwell + Austen.  I've long been a fan of their cashmere jumpers but this season they've bought out tees.

Bowie T-shirt from Orwell + Austen £55

And this which I have on order...(which obviously is a jumper and not a tee.. in case you hadn't noticed..)

Bowie Sweater in Red from Orwell + Austen £185



But I also LOVE it in the Light Grey. (didn't see this one when I ordered - DARN it!). 

Bowie Sweater in Light Grey £185




Because I'm loving all things red at the minute and am on the look out for a party party dress, this caught my eye.

Scarlet Dress Poppy Red by Konsansky £290



Speaking of red silk - I tried on the most amazing red and print silk blouse.  Divine.  With a tie that could be worn in many different ways to give a different look.  And little puffed shoulders. 

Annie Geometric Print Shirt from Siobhan Malloy £320





Matching shorts to turn it into an outfit.  I love an ensemble.  So much more versatile than just buying one shirt.  As random as that sounds, I honestly think by investing more you get a lot more than simply double the wear out of an item.

Lottie Geometric Print Shorts £245



Another red top which I didn't see (I clearly had my blooming blinkers on). 

Kiki Top from Vjera Vilicnik £110



And there's the matching skirt.. so this is SO not going to be everyone's cup of tea but I have to say I am rather loving it (with the red shoes from yesterday?!).  It looks amazing worn as a "dress".

Kiki Skirt £135



Speaking of slightly bonkers, I also didn't see this and am gutted that I missed it.  It's like a muppet you can wear.. what's not to love?!

Nicki Jacket in Green Vjera Vilicnik £300





Staying with the more unconventional... a blouse and a skirt that makes a dress.  Love this sort of dressing. 

Gracie Cut Out Geometric Blouse from Siobhan Malloy £260





Gracie Geometric Print Midi Skirt £430






And then the dresses.   This is divine.  Holiday, party - you will get years of wear out of this.

Ivy Dress by Ukelele £160





Or the Rose Dress by Rixo £315




If the dress is a tad too much (although how there can ever be too much leopard, I don't know..), then how about a skirt?  Perfect with a tee and sandals for the Summer and into the Autumn, team with a jumper and boots.

Georgia Skirt in Leopard £205 from Rixo


Finishing the clothes with the most perfect jumpsuit for work, play or out out.  This is only available online. 

Large Hands Print Jumpsuit from Tomcsanyi £115   It has pockets.  POCKETS!  This is handmade in Budapest.



And then the jewellery.  Oh my lord, I could look at the jewellery for hours.  So I'm going to start though with my favourite necklaces.  Whilst I do favour a chunkier looking necklace, I am hankering after a layering set of more delicate numbers for those days when I want a bit less. 

A simply initial would be perfect (these are surely the most perfect gift too?).

Art Deco Initial Necklace in Gold from Rachel Jackson £45

Another shorter necklace option instead of an initial could be this one (adore this - especially the sentiment).  This one is 17inches.

Fly Me to The Moon Necklace £185 by Talia Naomi


Or something slightly more unusual.  Ok so I absolutely need one of these. 

Black Spinnel Brilliant Cut Necklace £89



Add a plain gold disc.. 

Amati Gold Disc Necklace £105 from Anuka

Personally this would be my choice.. I would have the initial on a 16inch chain and then this on an 18inch.  

Halo Necklace in Gold from Lee Renee £49


Or this one which is the perfect mix of silver and gold to tie all your jewellery together.  This would sit beautifully below an initial (or another pendant like below - a shell, star, pineapple).

Freddie Silver & Gold Circle Necklace from Alison Fern £62



Longer again and a double twig ring from Chupi (an Irish brand).

Just the Two of Us Hawthorn Twig Necklace in gold £153


However I'm also drawn to coins.  Money.  Wearing it.  Seems appropriate seeing as I've either eaten or am wearing my money!

Worth Your Weight in Gold Farthing Coin Necklace £134 from Chupi (from Ireland)



Or a small shell from Ottoman Hands £29


Finishing though with a quick peak at the new earrings which are top of my wishlist.  Slightly random but I am ridiculously drawn to them. 

Large Coin Earrings from CJM £58



And me in the Orwell + Austen tee yesterday.



Bowie tee - Orwell + Austen
Scarf silk blazer - Zara
Jeanne Jeans - MiH
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Orange bag - Anya Hindmarch

So that's my pick of the smaller brands.  Tomorrow, I am going to be on a sales roll.  They've started.  Let the silly season commence.  Plus the sun is out and it looks like it's set to stay (which is obviously then why I ordered the boots from Topshop yesterday).  We definitely need another sandal blog don't we?  And dare I ask how the swimwear shopping is coming along?  EEK.

Disclaimer - I am a member of an affiliate programme and as such, if you click on an affiliate link, I may make a very, very small commission from you having clicked on the link or purchased something through it.  Not all the links on my blog are affiliates as I use a wide spectrum of retailers - because I shop where I love the clothes, not because they offer an affiliate link.