The comfort of an oversize jumper

Mango sunglasses, Acne jumper, Isabel Marant Etoile scarf, Joseph leggings, LK Bennett shoes, YSL bag

Very quick one today as I get ready for a beyond busy week this week. As of tomorrow I'm taking you with me to Paris fr 48hours and towards the end of the week we shall be packing for warmer climates together. This jumper is keeping me warm on this sunny but cold day in London and what a brilliant buy it was from last season - totally addicted to Acne jumpers since + resuscitating and old handbag favourite, do you remember the YSL Muse!? It was my first ever designer bag I bought with my first paid job as an assistant.   Happy Monday to everyone!

What to wear when you go back to work

Topshop jumpsuit, Kurt Geiger shoes, Bally bag

I love September! Times for new beginnings and new outfits to go with the new beginnings! For most of us it's time to get back to work and I have to be honest, after one month of bikini's and shorts, I'm quite happy to get back to smarter clothes. So after the success of my Topshop pink jumpsuit on the cover of my 'Perfect Wardrobe' feature on The ICONS Update, I wanted to let you know that there is a new (more wearable) version in a super chic navy. It's even made of a much smarter, thick fabric with a slught texture. I PROMISE you it's the best! Must try to believe. I'm sure it will sell as fast of it's predecessor if not faster so get it quick! Perfect 'go back to work' outfit with a bit of an oopmh.

Topshop Cropped Jumpsuit by Boutique £110

Ps. Talking of new beginnings, I have a little news...

Is it just me or does September feel more like a new beginning than New Year? It must be all those school years, but every September I like take some time to think, reassess and make some adjustments and changes in my life to make things even better. This September they have a little to do with the way I will manage WIT in the future. No, I'm not stopping any time soon (I love it too much!) but I am slowing down the pace a little bit so that I can dedicate more time to being a mum and to Wardrobe ICONS and editing The ICONS Update, which as a Fashion Editor is what I love doing the most. So from next week, you can still expect your weekly fix but on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays only with my WIT mama Fridays installments still going strong. Nothing else will change.. still the good old "Fashion inspiration from inside a Fashion Ed's wardrobe". Oh, and don't worry you will still get your daily outfit fix on Instagram by following me on @WITblog. 

Love 

Laura x

How to wear shorts in the city

www.wearingittoday.co.uk

Rule number one: keep them smart. Perhaps if you live on Bondi beach you can get away with ripped denim like our superstar girl crush Elle Ferguson from Theyallhateus.com (we raided her wardrobe for last week's issue of The ICONS Update - do check it out), but for me they have to have a tailored feel to work in the city. I would also always pair with something a bit on the smarter side, like a buttoned down shirt or pretty blouse. Today I'm wearing my old J.Crew satin green shorts with a Gap denim shirt (buttoned up all the way) and tan accessories. Make sure your bag is a little smart too to add a sharp finishing touch (by the way my CHLOE Drew bag is back i stock!).

Five of the best shirt dresses

After years not wearing shirts, (I'm quite busty and I didn't they think they suited me), I not only discovered the virtues of sports bras that help minimize your chest, but also that shirts can work even if you are not super boyish. The trick is buttoning them up all the way if they are a little fitted, and sizing-up + leaving them opened if you opt for a boyfriend style. This has opened up a whole new chapter of shopping purchases which also included shirt dresses (I avoided all together anything with buttons). I bought this J.W. Anderson dress a while ago but it's still available and to me it's the modern version of a work dress. I have lots of meeting today and when I want to look the part, this is what I reach out for. I pair it with black accessories and a trench over my shoulders for a laid back effect -  it would be a great buy for any working woman.

1. Liza Marie Fernandez £390

2. Iris and Ink £165

 3. J.W. Anderson sleveless shirtdress £465

4. Topshop dress £36

5. Carven £250

What to wear when you don't know what to wear

MiH shirt, Mother Denim jeans, Marni trench coat, Isabel Marant shoes, J.Crew bag

 

There are mornings like today where I have to juggle so many things I literally have about three seconds to think about what I'm going to wear. I imagine lots of you have that same problem so got me thinking about what's my default "emergency" outfit, one that seemingly makes me feel polished and put together whilst comfortable on the go. In the summer for me it's definitely an oversize shirt, my favourite skinnies and one of my statement flats. A shirt always looks smart, no matter in what context you wear it so it kind of gives my jeans a bit if a 'lift", and my statement flats (today my Isabel Marant's) add the final touch. I always slather on a coat of my brightest lipstick (today it's NARS Lana) and I'm good to go!

Dresses with sleeves

S Max Mara denim dress £255

As it often happens (a bit too often actually), I was shooting for this week's issue of The ICONS Update and ended up being the one to shop from my own shoot. Thing is, I LOVE this dress. It's easy, it's comfortable, it's a bit different and it's super practical all at once. 

In my dressing room with some fabulous dresses to try on

I can see myslef wearing it a million different ways and I've already started yesterday at my friend's birthday BBQ in the garden. I wore it with a leather jacket and trainers, and today I'm wearing it with my Valentino flats and a trench coat. Plus Greta thinks it's the best thing ever because she can hide underneath it and play hide and seek ;-)

Not the only one loving my new dress!

 Over on The ICONS Update in the mean time we concentarted on more day dresses to take you through the season in the city, all with sleeves, because they are that little bit chicer and also not everyone likes to get their upper arms out.

Enjoy!

www.wardrobeicons.com/the-icons-update

WIT mama Friday: stuck in a fashion rut? We can help!

On April the 9th we celebrated the official launch of Wardrobe ICONS's Personal Shopping service in collaboration with MATCHESFASHION.COM - it was a brilliant night dedicated to the corporate woman, we got to invite a few of our friends with the intention of showcasing a beautiful selection of stylish, work-appropriate clothes and give everyone a taster of the service we provide with our Personal Shopping service. 

But corporate women are not the only ones in need of style advice, what about all mums like Petro and I? We've been thinking about all mums: the ones that have just come back from maternity and are stuck in a fashion rut, those that have just have had a baby and are maybe struggling with dressing for a new body shape, or perhaps those mums that are wanting help to find a stylish everyday uniform that is both slick and practical at the same time. Whatever your wardrobe malfunction we can help and so love meeting with you, discussing your problems and coming up with a solution to help you out. Our service is completely bespoke and since Petro, Deborah and I are all really friendly people it's a super fun day too!

Here are some photos form our first event; we are hoping to organise a "Mum event" soon, but in the mean timeif you are interested in getting a quote, simply email me at laura@wardrobeicons.com and we will be happy to get back to you.

More information on our Personal Shopping service can be found here

http://wardrobeicons.com/personal-shopping/

The little white dress

Étoile Isabel Marant Cassy crochet-paneled cotton-blend voile mini dress £340

There are a few things things that I take immense pleasure from unpacking from my summer boxes, and little white dresses are certainly one of them. I buy them on repeat and have quite a collection, from Marni structured styles to billowy boho ones and delicate lace ones. I have High Street, designer and anything in between and I wear them to work, for going out, in the city and on holiday.

 

It's harder to wear a white dresses in the winter, so come summer I would wear them every day. For casual days I pair them with a denim jacket and flat shoes, but for smarter work days they need a smart cover-up like a trench or even a blazer. Today I am wearing my Isabel Marant Etoile floaty number with my trench coat and tan Chloe bag and will switch to high heels for a dinner party later. Oh.. and here's another LWD from I bought recently for our first Personal Shopping event at the beginning of the month (J.W. Andreson sleeveless shirt dress)

Styling tips on how to wear the trench coat

Topshop denim culottes, J.Crew shirt, Chloe bag, Banana Republic trench, Aquazurra shoes

 I'm so thrilled to have my wardrobe back and getting dressed in the morning is finally once again the best time of the day. Spring has definitely arrived in London but, especially in the morning, it's still quite chilly so I've taken out my trench coat for the occasion. A trench coat is a wardrobe staple every woman should own, Burberry Kensington would be the obvious choice, but if like me you are still saving for it, there are some great alternatives on the High Street. Mine today is from Banana Republic, it's few years old so I'm not sure they have the exact one in store but worth having a look. I know for sure J.Crew does a great quality one called Icon, and I've also tried on the Joseph one which is very chic. A few styling tips for trench coats:

• Tighten the sleeves straps and push up your sleeves for a more relaxed wear
• If you leave opened, tighten the belt in a  knot at the back to avoid the "sac" look
• Think about your height when buying your perfect style: to-the-knee lengths are better for petites, whilst midi lengths look great on tall
• The colour is really important, especially if buying on the high street. Avoid yellow tones, and opt for a grey shades that look more expensive
• Always buy a lined one - the beauty of a trench is the structured fit. Flimsy styles look cheap.
• Slip it over your shoulders for a very "fashion editor" look ;-)

To bare leg or not to bare leg?

 Whistles skirt, J.Crew shirt, Isabel Marant shoes, Smythson bag

Hey, someone has to do it first! 

I'm super busy today with finishing things off in the office, then press days and in the afternoon (rather excitingly) Petro and I are hosting our first Wardrobe ICONS event in London. I bought a new dress for the occasion... you saw it on Instagram a while ago and I couldn't stop thinking about it. My shirt obsession continues! Come on Instagram later to see which one it is...

WIT andJ J.Crew in Paris part one: Jardin Tuleries

The first spot on Jenna's Paris map was the Jardin Tuleries - a perfect location during Paris Fashion week as many of the show happen in a marquee right by the Place de la Concorde garden entrance. It gets super busy in the day with lots of street style photographers surrounding fashion editors as they approach the shows, so Eva and I got up at the crack of dawn and cought a glimpse of the gardens when there was nobody around, it was so beautiful. On the way there we stopped by a historic cafe and fashion favourite hot spot, Angelina - they serve a memorable hot chocolate and divine macaroons that are almost too pretty to eat. We had to take a few snaps there too as it was so quintessentially Paris.
 

For my first outfit of this series, I chose to pair a simple white shirt (Pique bib shirt £88) with a statement skirt (Collection looped-sequin sweater-skirt £358) and a classic trench thrown over the shoulders (Collection bonded cotton trench coat £298).



Whenever I'm putting outfits together for Fashion Week I still like to feel like me - I don't like to dress up for the sake of it and unless I would wear that outfit in my "real" life, it does work for me. I felt completely comfortable in this ensemble and can see myself wearing each one of these four items with countless other things in my wardrobe, time and time again.

The white shirt is so versatile I ended up buying it - it's made of a really stiff, crisp cotton and has a bit of a tux feel to it with a bib front and long reversible cuffs. The skirt was just incredible - sadly it's currently sold out but I am in contact with J.Crew to see if we can get some back for WIT readers. It was just so gorgeous and sparkly it made me feel like a mermaid!
 

I love pointed pumps and recently my obsession with ankle ties is growing strong, so I had to pick this style with tassel detail (also surprisingly comfortable - Roxie ankle-tie pumps £285). The trench was a great final touch to the look - I often find that a trench gives your look a really smart and grown up edge to it, it sort of "grounds it": it's the kind of wear-with-everything, always-chic piece you'll still have in your closet 20 (or 30, or 50) years from now.

 

I wore my own Chloe Drew bag, minimal make up and just a bright red nail, and headed to the Chanel show moments later. Here are a few more shots from my (freezing) walk around the beautiful gardens. I hope you enjoyed it!

That's it from Paris this month, see you on the 28th of April for my second post from one of my favourite spots in Paris: St. Germain wearing a totally French outfit ;-)

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