Dear A/W15 Trends.

Do one. 

Well - that is if we are to believe the pages and pages of A/W trends that are filling the September editions of the magazines.  Who are these actually aimed at?  Because most people who swan around head to foot in full on trends are usually only those who actually work for magazines. 

Which led me to reread them all and think - how strange that none of the magazines (admittedly the three that I read) say anything at all about incorporating the trends into a *normal* wardrobe. 

Dare I say - a dumbing down for the lay person?  Well not exactly that, but everything's very aspirational.  Which is great if you can picture which bits you can pick that would go with what you already have, your lifestyle and your budget - but I know that most people find that very difficult. 

Couple with that, the fact that everything is full on Winter winter....which is great for planning ahead.  But for now, well like I said yesterday, about as much use as a chocolate teapot.  It may seem ridiculously chilly for this time of year but if I remember rightly (and considering I can't remember where I put the clean school uniform I smugly washed the day they finished school, the chances of me remembering anything from last year...) it's been warmish right up to Christmas for the past couple of years. 

We need Autumn outfits.  Not head to toe chunky knitwear.  

So can I get inspiration for this from In Style's interpretation of the A/W 15 trends?  Do any of them float my boat and are any of them actually wearable for your average into fashion but living a "normal" life lass.  Who's over 25.

Hold on to your hats. 

First up - 1980s drama. "choose a batwing sleeve and a spiky heel and pixie boot"  Worn apaprently with wide, high waisted black leather trousers with a go faster white stripe down the side.  Or "a printed sweater for an Alexa Colby touch".  Yes they said Alexa Colby.  This is what happens when you let people who weren't even born in the 80s edit fashion.  IT'S ALEXIS.  And if you remember watching the programme, I can guarantee you would not want to look like her.  Ever.  Bar for fancy dress.  Is there anything I can take from this?... Ok I do like a pointed ankle boot.  Other than that?  Not on your nelly.

Next - Blair Waldorf.  

Who?

So after a google, I discover she is the main character in Gossip Girl.  Again, pass.  "she loves girlie, sugar shades, fluffy jumpers and Mary Janes.  Nothing masculine in sight".  Again, pass.

On to - Granny Chic. "still something sexy about this geeky trend, librarian with a hot secret & a passion for knitting".  Clear as mud then.  On looking at the pics, 70s inspired, chunky heels, loafers, paisley shirts, cable knits, woolly hats and mongolian fur edged suede coats.  But all worn together.  I'm not going to say I'm not partial to a block heel or a loafer but worn all together, I would look ever so slightly I'd raided Oxfam.  Then got on a Ryan Air flight with too much luggage and had to resort to wearing half the contents of my suitcase.  Not for me thank you. 

Gothic Victoriana  Now...this is going to be more popular.  But in titchy doses.  Put it all together and oh hello Helena Bonham Carter.  I can buy into the black, I can't buy into black lace, with buckles, with velvet and leather.  All at the same time again.  It's not my sort of black.

Winter Florals if you fancy it?  "supersized, 3D & have to be worn all at once".  No they don't.  Although there is a top from Whistles I quite like the look of. (which is obviously not remotely available from anywhere)  But apart from that, I get a migraine just thinking about it. 

Colour Clash  Speaking of migraines.  "pick two colours at the opposite end of the spectrum.  So much easier than you think."  If you're drunk.   They've done khaki and fuchsia, wedgewood blue and fuchsia, brown and fuschia.  Baby blue and lime.  No. No no no.  I could "maybe" think about this in the Spring or the Summer, but I need dark, sludgy, murky winter colours.  Not to say I'm right as they do sound pretty grim and rather depressing described like that, but they totally float my boat. 

70s tailoring = soggy flare hems.  There is nothing good about this in this country.  They're taxi trousers. "when your flares completely cover your feet you know you've got it right".   Wide collars too.  I could maybe get to grips with this but not sure I can be bothered to.  However I will give them the knee high boot.  Watch this space.  

Restraint  Now I thought this sounded quite positive "the new power dressing is all about angles and structure. An architectural masterpiece".  Hmmmmm.  They feature some rather dull looking work pinafore style dresses and some ugly shoes.  But a wrap coat and a wrap jacket.  Ok so I can get with the programme on that. (she says having already got one from last year *fist bump*)

And the one that I thought had the most promise - Graphic Monochrome.  Ok so half promise.  As in the monochrome bit.  As in black and a bit of white.  As in mostly black. 

Black is the key.  The trend that never goes out of fashion.

And there in lies the message.  Buy what never goes out of fashion.  And if you love something - who cares if it's not "in" fashion.  There's more to fashion when you get to a certain age (and know who Alexis Colby is and can't really wear full on Granny chic unless you want to be asked if you need a Senior ticket at the cinema) - there's personal style. 

Which is why - when packing this afternoon, I also took the opportunity to dejunk my wardrobe.  I'll come back to this but packing was a revelation. 

I have gone over to the dark side.  Black, grey and white.  Tonal colour of khaki.  I do not even have a pair of blue jeans with me.  And I am in love with all of it.  Ok so we'll see how this transcends into wearable outfits when I get there (it's Suffolk again so shorts are ambitious, let along a cossie - and whilst we're here, am I the only one?  Pack a gorgeous suitcase only to unpack and think WHAT was I thinking?) 

This time round though, I have high hopes.  This is a caspule Autumnal Wardrobe and I am completely giddy about it.  All bits of it will be revealed during the week and up for discussion but in the meantime, are there are any "on trend" pieces that I shall be adding that I think may last the test of time?

This is my Black Wishlist.  Some of it automatically falls into the Winter category - you simply can't help it when there are such gorgeous things out there.

Restraint (this would be me not buying everything from the Me+Em website) but as a nod to the theme, these have been on my radar for ages. 

Wide Leg Crop Trousers in Black £98 For me, these are crying out for a pair of sneakers. Or ankle boots.... But with shoes for work, how wearable.

And as it's really too early (yes I have snuck a coat in further down) for a wrap coat, how about a wrap cardigan which they say comes under "restraint"... in black obviously. 

Belted Cardigan from Topshop £45



Pointed boots as my nod to the 80s - I had these exact ones last year from M&S.  They are absolutely amazing.  I honestly can't recommend them highly enough. 

Stain Away Suede Elastic Shoe Boost with Insolia £59  The perfect heel height, they go with all shape trousers, skirts and dresses.  I simply cannot rave about them more.  Did I mention they are ridiculously comfortable?  Well pardon me - main thing - they are like walking on air.


The one thing I could probably do for Gothic Victoriana would be a pair of lace up heels.  I saw Gabby Logan in a pair on the Athletics the other day and have become OBSESSED. 

Like my Zara leopard print lace up heels but a shoe version.  I'm sure Gabby's aren't from M&S (well I know they're not as they were a ton higher and much lacier...) but these as a day to day wearable version have to be worth a look. 

Pointed Toe Lace up courts in black from M&S £35


Sticking with some Gothic Victoriana and some black leather can apparently come under this heading.  I can't believe I didn't include this when I did my hush round up but this is fantastic.  Would be so so useful for everyday with flats and in the evening with the above shoe boots to start with.  Dare I even begin to mention over the knee boots?! 

hush Leather Wrap Skirt £160 (this is where the discount comes in very useful - AWXX15 for 10% off till the end of the month)



Clashing colour.... er I just can't.  But colour blocking (I'm sure that's what they really meant.... ) Yup - this gorgeous coat from Whistles will do it for me. 

Manning Colour Block Coat from Whistles £295



Covering off Granny Chic and both 70s for me with their block wooden heel and.. obviously in black.. are these divine boots from Whistles.

Ohi High Ankle Zip Back Boots £185

Much cheaper option at Topshop - no they're not leather for this price but they are really fun and will certainly serve you well this season.  

Bless Snake Ankle boots £45 - love the heel on this, love the texture, not too high and perfectly wearable for during the day.  The sort of boots that look great with boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans and dresses. 

So a brief round up of what In Style says we should be wearing and my thoughts on it.  Out of interest, I haven't contrasted this with what the other mags say - that would be an interesting one.  Would love to know your thoughts on the subject.

A great day today with all three children.  School shoes for the 10yr old and school uniform that I'd forgotten - all done by 9am.  Polish that halo.  More revision books picked up (lord save us all) and we then had a lovely break and well earned treat at the cinema.  Pixels.  Apparently it gets the most terrible reviews.  We all LOVED it.  Oh seriously, it's fantastic.  It's so bad, it's good.  And then McDonald's.  Pure bliss for them!


Grey Too Much Love Will Kill You tee - Zoe Karssen
Black blazer - hush
White boyfriend jeans - All Saints
Black oversized buckle sandals - Zara
Black Mario fringed bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

So we're off tomorrow for another week's holiday.  Armed with text books and iPads on which we MUST do some work.... Seeing as the weather is going to be so glorious.... Thank goodness for wine.