Spring must-buy: the denim dress

The things I can still fit into to my surprise! I would have never thought I could squeeze myself (literally, my boobs are almost about to pop out of the fabric!) into this dress that I bought last year and have worn so much throughout last spring and summer. With the weather getting a bit warmer, I couldn't wait to slip into something other than my pregnancy jean and oversize jumpers, so I actually wore this ensemble at the weekend.

Unfortunately it is an old season dress from S Max Mara (a slightly cheaper diffusion line they do) so you can't get the same one, but it's given us an idea to try and find similar ones in next week's issue of The ICONS Update. So I'm working on it today -  stay tuned and check out Wardrobe ICONS next Tuesday so our edit of the best ones available now.

What I wore at London Fashion Week day 1

Stella McCartney cape, J.Crew T-shirt, Topshop jeans, Chanel bag and shoes, Jimmy Choo sunglasses

Day one at LFW and I decided to go a bit casual with jeans, a preppy stripe top, my trusted Stella cape and some fabulous accessories. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow the shoes and bags from Chanel and I have to say the shoes are probably the most comfortable heels I've ever walked in - and this is an almost 7 month pregnant woman talking!

They are Coco Chanel's original two-tone slingback designed to create the optical illusion of a longer and leaner silhouette. They are sold out everywhere so trying to get a pair is almost impossible, but well worth being on the waiting list for.

My bag was more or a 'Transformer' than a classic (Chanel does that brilliantly too) and a boy bag with lots of fun applique on it. If you liked my look and wanted to shop for similar items take a look at my shopping list below. 

 

Cashmere cape £625 Joseph 

Maternity jeans £40 Topshop  

Suede pumps £290 A.P.C

Scallopped leather pump £320 Chloe 

Striped boatneck T-shirt £39 J.Crew 

Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square £20 NARS

Chanel bag from a selection at Vestiaire Collective 

WIT mama Friday: the only maternity jeans you need

First time around, I was pregnant in the summer so I got away with lots of pretty dresses and sandals. This time around I've started to show in the depths of winter I've been forced to rethink my wardrobe quite drastically. I find it impossible to look particularly good in layers covering a bump, so early on I made the executive decision that this pregnancy was just going to be a "practical" one on the clothes front. On my list were jeans, good bras, long sleeve T-shirts and then I could just wear my oversize jumpers with the lot, also I was determined not to spend a fortune. I went to Topshop and tried on all the different maternity jeans they had and bought two pairs of jeans to take me through the winter. For every day I bought the 'Over The Bump Leigh Jeans': they are essentially a pair of leggings, super comfortable and with an over-the-bump band. 

For my "cooler" days I got the 'Jamie Ripped Jean' - with cut off knees and to which I've cut the bottoms to make them perfect to be worn with flats. They have a low slung, elasticated band and are better to be worn with T-shirts and blouses because you don't get the over-the-bump effect. 

They are both really comfy and come at a reasonable price, I probably prefer the over the bump style a little more because it doesn't rise down but the ripped pair is a little cooler and looks great with a pair of heels. I suggest upping a size, so if you are usually an 8 go for a 10. This is what you will mostly see me wearing in the next couple of months - I promise I will go crazy once bump is out!

WIT mama Friday: the mum-on-the-run friendly boot

Topshop jeans, Joseph gilet, Bally bag, Isabel Marant Etoile boots

I know I've been going on about sheepskin boots for a while now, (including in last week's issue of The ICONS Update), but the thing is every time I buy something that I get lots of wear out pf I feel like I really really need to let you know.

The thing is I've been looking for an acceptable form of Ugg boot for years now, but nothing ever meets the warm and comfort that that shoe can give me. Despite this, I would never want to be seen wearing them, they are sort of clunky and and make my fee look huge, plus let's face it they are not very chic.

The solution to all my winter boots problems have been these Isabel Marant Etoile boots that I got in Florence from Luisa Via Roma before Christmas - they have become my WIT mama Friday official shoes, and in this freezing climate my weekend shoe too.

They come in black suede with a little wrap-around leather detail, rubber soles and sheepskin lining and the great thing is, they are on sale too (40% off!)  - I would suggest getting a size up from your regular size as they lining makes them a might tight. Finally a shoe that keeps me warm in the winter, is park-proof and looks stylish all at the same time.

Isabel Marant Etoile shearling boots £225 from Luisa Via Roma

A classic look that never dates: stripes denim and Chanel

I'm determined not to bore you with months of maternity buys and looks, but we'll have to accept that there are limitations on what I can wear these days so for next few days I wanted to showcase some of my wardrobe staples that work for maternity and beyond.

I'm talking about those key staples than can relatively easily adapt to pregnancy, and then get worn again after you've had your baby. 

For today's look I've chosen a classic mix of denim, stripes a touch of Chanel and the coat that most easily adapts to a growing bump, the cape. 

Aside from my maternity jeans (which are great Topshop ones available here), everything else I've had in my wardrobe for years and obviously worn time and time again, but I've tried to find similar items available to buy now.

CAPE

Line Ramsay wool cape £456.75  

T-SHIRT

Long sleeve breton £26.50 Boden 

ANKLE BOOTS

Acne Studios Jensen leather ankle boots £370
BAG
 Chanel Jumbo bag from a selection at Vestiaire Collective

Five of the best cable knit sweaters

It's starting to get cold and all I want to wear are cosy jumpers at the moment. I've had this cream Banana Republic sweater since last year and I've been surprised as to just how much I've worn it and just how flattering it is on. I love the slight turtle neck, trapeze shape and extra long sleeve - it's like wearing a hug! I've had a look on line and sadly they don't do this specific style any longer, but I've done a little search for ones I would buy and suggest today. So here's the lowdown:

Étoile Isabel Marant Nilsen cable-knit wool sweater £175

Topshop Unique Keswick cable-knit wool turtleneck sweater £175

Banana Republic chunky textured cable knit sweater £55 

Mango chunky cable knit sweater £49.99

Tory Burch Textured-knit cotton-blend sweater £255

How to wear your silly shoes every day

Banana Republic trench, J.Crew sweater, Mango jeans, Miu Miu shoes

I look at my wardrobe and I think I have a pretty classic collection of staples, but then I look at my shoe cupboard and I think I've got some rather crazy stuff in there! What is it that prevents me from buying crazy tops and bottoms but not totally insane shoes? I think it's the fact that my crazy shoes can pretty much be worn any day of the year, when paired with my simple classics. So this week I dare you to wear some of your wildest shoes, just pair with your favorite jeans, a chic grey sweater and your classic trench over the shoulders. And talking shoes here are some of the ones I own and similar pairs to mine.

J.Crew Tippi sweater £79  and 
Mango patchwork jeans £39.99 with ...

1. Topshop fringed courts £68

2. Miu Miu Glittered patent-leather pumps £515 

3. Chloé  Daniela fringed suede kidskin sandals  £495

4. Gianvito Rossi Leather and PVC pumps £495

5. Aquazzura  Christy cheetah-print calf-hair flats  £600

7. Aquazzura Amazon suede and leather pumps £500

8. Valentino midi heel Rockstuds £620

WIT and J.Crew in Paris final post: the Parisian rooftops

Back in February the J.Crew team in New York asked me to head to Paris to check out the new (and first) French store in the Marais. My task was to explore Jenna's favourite Parisian spots and photograph one outfit I loved in each location. For the past five months I've been posting one outfit from each one of these locations, from the Tour Eiffel, to St. Germain and the iconic Jardin Tuleries and it was the most incredible journey. 

We've come to the last of these posts, and this was actually one of my favourite spots: the Parisian rooftops. I was staying in a gorgeous hotel close to the Jardin Tulerie, and I was so lucky to catch a glimpse of January sun as we shot these photos in some of my favourite summer pieces like a peasant top (Collection embellished crepe de chine blouse £112), denim shorts (Broken in denim shorts in Crowley wash £42 ), statement earrings (Mardi Gras earrings £98), cool sunglasses (Illesteva™ Leonard II tortoiseshell sunglasses £290) and of course, a little something monogrammed (Uptown Tote £178)... 

I had so much fun playing dressing up in Paris and produce these posts, I hope you found some valuable shopping tips from them and if you missed my previous Paris post, check them out here:

The J.Crew store     

Part one: Jardin Tuleries  

Part Two: Saint Germain de Pres

Part Three: Pont des Arts 

 Part Four: Ture Eiffel

Find the J.Crew Marais store at:

12 Rue Malher, Paris‎ - +33 1 44 54 57 50

Shop the collection online on 

www.jcrew.com

Photos Eva K. Salvi  

Denim Monday

Madewell top, MiH jeans, Chloe bag, Marni shoes

The weather in London today is more October than July, but humid and muggy... so I've had to resort to long trousers and closed toe shoes. Luckily I have my MiH Marrakesh jeans that are always a pleasure to wear, paired with my Madewell top (on sale now 40% off!) and old Marni tan leather wedges (I find that a wedge is the only shoe that looks good with flares). Everything finished off with my Chloe Drew and I'm ready for a casual Monday at my desk. Simple but effective.

The season update: the denim midi skirt

J.Crew top, Zara skirt, Gianvito Rossi sandals, Chloe bag

I even went as far as buying (and returning) the Chloe one (to my surprise, it actually looked quite cheap considering the astronomic price, but it does look amazing on my style crush Tash Seftone Chloe skirt £713), and then settled for this Zara version that I bought whislt out in Spain for my birthday.

Chloe SS15

I like to wear it with all my boho tops, but pair it with sexy heels or else I feel like I'm taking the trend a bit too literally. I just saw that Topshop does a great style and very similar to mine for only £30 Topshop £30. It's a great easy piece to wear in the day, you probably won;t love it forever but I reckon you will be pulling it out from the back of your cupboard cyclically in the years to come.

Topshop £30

Back in stock alert! The denim maxi dress

Yesterday I was doing what I do for Wardrobe ICONS every day (a lot of virtual shopping for you), and I noticed that my S Max Mara Canale denim maxi dress is back in stock on Matches. So as well as wearing it today with lots of other things that are still in store, I thought I would let you know!

S Max Mara dress £255

Isabel Marant earrings £195

Isabel Marant sandals £450

Accessorize suede bag £55

WIT andJ J.Crew in Paris part three: Pont des Arts

When the J.Crew team in New York asked me to head to Paris to check out the new (and first) French store in the Marais, it was really a no brainer. My task: head to Jenna's favourite Parisian spots and photograph one outfit I loved in each location.  From the Tour Eiffel, to St. Germain and the iconic Jardin Tuleries you can follow me through the streets of Paris every last Tuesday of the month  as I play dress up in my favourite J.Crew items.  

This month I'm wearing another favourite combinations of all time: a classic stripe T-shirt with a tailored blazer. This is an outfit combination I fall back on time and time again, especially when traveling because it's simple, stylish and so comfortable. When my Personal Shopping clients ask me what it a simple and obtainable 'travel look', this is a look I always stir them towards. The Saint James® for J.Crew slouchy tee is an absolute classic, Saint James has been spinning some of the world's finest knits out of their Normandy, France-based factory since 1889, but they're most famous for their sailor stripes (favored by style icons from Andy Warhol and Picasso to the iconic Coco Chanel).

 

In my opinion a quality blazer  is amongst the top 5 ultimate must-buys every woman should own,  when I interviewed Jenna Lyons for The ICONS Update she told me "this is where your money should go towards". Despite this, the Ludlow jacket is quite affordable compared to designer ones, yet hangs on your body like a dream. You must try it to believe it, I remember being a little skeptical before trying it on, but when I did I realised why Jenna has it fitted to a woman's body but constructed in men's factories in Italy, where tailoring and contruction are perfected down to every detail. This jacket hugs you around all the right places with a snug and skinny fit.

Because you know I love my sparkle, I added a pair or brightly coloured tassle earrings and sequin clad flat pointy shoes (annoyingly sold out last week but hopefully you've seen me wearing them before this post and bought them in time), and topped it all up with bright red lipstick and nails (I love a touch of red with stripes!). I also chose a classic tan leather bucket bag  that fit all of my essentials and gives the whole outfit a preppy feel. The Pont des Arts is one of my favourite spots in Paris, I have wonderful memories here of a super romantic week end with my husband and it's so quintessentially Parisian

J.Crew has been working with Point Sur Denim for many seasons now - they're made in LA, the capital of denim, in perfect washes with a worn-in feel that usually takes years to earn.I loved this skinny, ankle skimming style eprfect to be worn with flats and great for the summer with all my flat shoes. Point Sur epic skinny Japanese selvedge jean in Dailey wash

If you missed my previous Paris post check it out on March the 30th and April the 28th by clicking on the links.

See you on Tuesday the 30th of June of part four!

x

Find the J.Crew Marais store at:

12 Rue Malher, Paris‎ - +33 1 44 54 57 50

Shop the collection online on 

www.jcrew.com

Photos Eva K. Salvi