A Spring In My Step With Boden

Fiiiinally… The blossom is starting to bloom, our arctic attire is beginning to shed its faux fur skin, and all our moods are joyously lifting as we all make way for SPRING. There’s no denying it, there are few better places to be in the world than England in the Spring, and I cannot wait to start wearing dresses sans tights and finally emancipating my (albeit, extremely white) ankles from their imprisoned UGG-state.

My style is known to be quite eclectic; one day I might look like a fourteen-year-old boy in baggy jeans and trainers, and then next be in a bright, sparkly gown with killer heels (“I’m a lady, don’t you know!”) The most important thing present in all my outfits, is that I feel comfortable, and also colour is key to me.  There is certainly no time like the Springy present to inject some colour into your wardrobe if you’ve been hibernating in black for the last five months. 

Boden has some great Spring pieces this season and I decided to style up some looks whilst hanging around my local Portobello ‘hood.  Let me know what you think...

For me, loose white jeans are synonymous with sunshine.  Liz Hurley likes’em skin tight, and this may scare off many without her bod (so all of us basically), but the more boyfriend-look, cropped jean works for most, and goes with practically everything (except coffee, red wine or black cats… all my favourite white-perils!)  Whilst buying some gooooorgeous flowers from Harper and Toms, I teamed the jeans with some basic white trainers (you really can’t go wrong) and a sunshine-friendly linen shirt which I only tucked in at the front giving a more relaxed vibe. Alongside the classic olive/tortoiseshell Sadie sunnies (such little winners, and a match for so many of their designer contemporaries) I wore a khaki jacket which has obvious appeals to my safari-loving self, but is also super versatile and will be a staple inter-seasonal cover up for me.

So light and easy to casually wear with jeans or tucked into a skirt for smarter uses, the unpredictable red and pink clash of this jumper was too good not to share with you (or immediately purchase myself!) Rainbow clashes were seen on many of the major SS’16 runways (Christopher Kane, Gucci, Balmain and Dries Van Noten to name a few) and this top is an easy way to emulate that trend.  I teamed the jumper with the previous same jeans and trainers, but added some dark pink Sadie sunglasses to compliment the look. 

You can take the girl outta Africa… It wasn’t going to take long was it? Growing up on the equator, my wardrobe is filled with olives, khakis and a pride of leopard prints, so this outfit has an obvious lure for me. This jumpsuit is not only flattering and chic, but can so easily be styled up or down, situation (and shoe height) dependent. I wore the jumpsuit to Pizza East Portobello with some bold African jewellery, tortoiseshell Sadie sunglasses and the most perfect, classic leopard-print flats which will work for city and beach alike this Spring/Summer. A bright clutch would be a welcome and contrasting addition.

This dress (also available in white) will be a huge hit for Boden this season. The style is totally classic but its heavier texture is far more luxe and warmer, than you would imagine which makes it perfect for smarter Spring events. Likewise, the tassled heels are also perfect for smarter occasions and come in a variety of colourways.  See you in the sunshine peeps! 

Photography: Eva K. Salvi

In Collaboration with BODEN

Hello There: My Insiders

At the start of London Fashion Week a band of merry women, myself included, attended the London launch dinner of myinsiders.com, a new members-only website and app which promises to be the ultimate tool to curate our busy lifestyles.  Whichever city you may find yourself at a loss in, the 'Insiders' will provide you with a library of trusted lifestyle recommendations to help you discover the ideal place to shop, eat and dance! 

 

Membership is through nomination… Become a member by knowing an insider…!

Above:  At Skye Gyngell's 'Spring' restaurant at Somerset House with some fellow 'Insiders!' 

Below:  Teaming a pair of tan Felder Felder leather shorts with this Sister Jane (my new obsession) 'Pearls of Wisdom' blouse (RRP. £52.00) a man's Rebel at Heart Watch (RRP. £250.00) and two Glam and Soul Eternity Rings (RRP. £159.00) all by Thomas Sabo.

Trend: Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers

Having taken the leap and finally taken off her much adored Isabel Marant Dicker Boots, Kate Bosworth was seen in Beverley Hills last week sporting the designer's coveted wedge trainers. In this laidback and relaxed Spring ensemble, Kate contrasts this season’s love of all things sporty (sweatshirt/trainers) with all things ladylike (pleated, flowy skirt.)

Isabel Marant’s coveted wedge trainers (the shoe that launched a thousand high street copies) is a look, much like our beloved UGG boots, that will no doubt be more popular with the girls wearing them than the boys looking at us in them.  Functional and comfy usually don’t scream sexy, but hey, when he doesn’t have to give you a piggy back home, stiletto’s in hand, he’ll soon be won over...

RRP. £430.00

If you, like me and Beyonce, are happy to embrace the wedge, the velcro and your inner Marty McFly, here are some of my more affordable recommendations:

Above (clockwise):  Ash Bowie Wedge Trainers in clay - £149.00Ash Coolbis Wedge Trainers in black - £175.00, Topshop Acrobat Trainers - £78.00Aldo Netz Wedge Trainers -£80.00Asos Deny Wedge High Top Trainers with Suede detail £45.00