First of the classics

Following on from my Instagram post (huge apologies for those who don't follow me on there - if you don't - it's quite a good crack as a platform), this season I'm focusing on us all finding our style.  Yes, as up my own backside fashiony that sounds, there is method in my ridiculous phrasing.

It's not just about owning a style - it's about having a wardrobe of clothes that you love.  A selection from which you can choose to mix and match outfits that will work for every occasion.  It's about having clothes that you will actually WEAR, about making less purchasing mistakes and once you know what will and won't work for you - it makes shopping so much easier. 

Believe me, you will actually buy less. But your purchases will be considered and thought through and ones that will actually work hard for you and that you will keep for years and years. 

I (like to think...) have two styles.  One is much more eclectic, throwing caution to the wind with more is more, clashing prints and textures and styles - summed up neatly by "clothes my husband hates".  And then there is the polar opposite - the pared back, mostly black, my ode to wanting to be Parisienne.  And the black clothes are the ones that I have mostly had for years.  The ones that stand the test of time.  The ones I bring out again and again (they also align perfectly with my more slightly crazed 80s tv presenter meets Laura Ingalls Wilder persona) and these are the ones that I'm asked where they're from.  

So I thought I'd go through my favourites that are years old and look at some options that are available now - to suit all budgets - that you'll wear for years.

First up - leather and faux leather trousers.  Dare I say I actually prefer the latter and tend to wear them more.  Mine are from ASOS and M&S, I also have some culottes from Topshop which gets loads of wear too.

They're the most amazing alternative to jeans, they're perfect for dress down and work as well dressed up and dressed down.  Coming into the festive season - these will be your best friend.  You can go to town with a sequin top or for the more casual occasion, a knit is perfect.  Or the ideal silk blouse... (which I need to look into for sure - you can never have too many of these and they are randomly much harder to find than you would think).

But first up - the perfect leather trousers (or faux...) and don't laugh but the joggers option.

ASOS DESIGN tapered leather trousers £30


Which they also do in a petite... again £30



And a tall - £30




A New Look version at ASOS £22.99



Culottes now from Boohoo.  I wear mine with a longline blazer and monochrome striped polo with white trainers.

Boohoo leather look culottes £28


Moving onto the skinnier versions.  These are amazing in the Winter with an oversized knit and chunky boots.  Or for a smarter look - a longline shirt, blazer and any shoe or boot that floats your boat - for me, it would be a pair of heels and a silk shirt.  Party outfit DONE. 

Vero Moda Faux Leather Trousers from ASOS £36


Now these are from M&S and they are absolutely superb BUT they're out of stock in a lot of sizes.  There will be more stock coming on (I will let you know as soon as they're in).

Pintuck 7/8ths faux leather trousers from M&S £39.50




These though look like a great alternative from La Redoute AND there is 30% off with the code AUTUMN.

Faux leather straight leg trousers from La Redoute £42



And I know this is all about the black trousers but they do have them in a delicious chocolate brown colour. 

Faux leather straight leg trousers £42 also with 30% off using the code AUTUMN.



Also love the shape of these ones.  I had ones like this from Zara years ago which were too big but still living the baguette and rose life from the Summer it seems so I'm sure they'll actually fit me now. 

Seam detail faux leather trousers from Mango £35.99



And the leather versions.  THIS look - oh how I LOVE this look.  For me, it sums up how versatile these can be.  Do remember though that the same look can be achieved with the faux leather versions.

Levete Room Leather Trousers £230




Selected Femme high waisted trousers £250



From M&S - these are the same ones I had last year and I can confirm that they are superb.  They also come up small so size up if you're between sizes. 

Leather Cropped Straight Trousers from Autograph £199



So there are lots of options for everyone - a couple of outfit ideas from the last week or so.


Jumper - Essentiel Antwerp (gift AW19)
Faux leather joggers - ASOS (4yrs ago)
Trainers - Golden Goose from FarFetch (sale aw18)
Bag - Loewe (2yrs ago)
Sunglasses - Alexis Amor X Rae Feather (gift ss19)


Black top - Sandro from Bicester Village (5yrs ago)
Trousers - M&S (current from a paid partnership)
Jacket - M&S (current from a paid partnership)
Trainers - Veja from The White Company (I do work with TWC but I bought these)
Bag - YSL (aw18)
Sunglasses - Walter + Herbert (2yrs ago)

Would love to know if there are any other wardrobe staples that you wear year in year out, that seem to work for every occasion,  Coming up, I definitely have jumpsuits, faux leather and leather skirts and silk shirts and my biggest challenge,.. the perfect black jumper.  Like hen's teeth, I tell you.....