Leather trousers

Off to breakfast with one of my favourite pr's from one of my favourite designers, Anya Hindmarch. Today it's another trouser day and I'm wearing my faux leather panelled leggings from HM with my new Maje chunky jumper. I like to wear mine with flats but today I'm pairing with mid mid heel Jimmy Choo's. Leather trousers are a wardrobe staple that every WIT reader should have, no matter what your shape they always look good, I promise. If you are curvy try a stretch legging with a chic oversize shirt and some pointy flats. If you have a more boyish shape, mix sweat-pants style with a cool sweater and a fur gilet. Even if you are pregnant Top Shop maternity does a great pair of high waist leggings, it's all I wore with a bump. My ultimate wish is to have the Joseph Stretch-leather leggings, I tried them on once and they fit like a glove. There is something for every shape, age and pocket - here is the round up of my favourite styles.

1) J.Crew Collection leather Pixie pant item £577.17 
2) ANJA Kurt Geiger London £195.00  
3) Whistles Carrot Leg Leather Trouser £350.00
4) Top Shop Maternity Shiny Wetlook Leggings £18.00
5) Joseph Stretch-leather leggings £675
6) Top Shop Leather Look Skinny Treggings £32.00
7) Mango aux leather appliqué leggings £24.99
Isabel Marant FW13 look 

Bright courts (outfit saviours)

Your little daily fix of wearable fashion inspiration is back! had been planning to wear lots of skirts and bare legs but the weather in London is not exactly summery. Luckily I can still wear shoes without socks and I'm having the time if my life being in my heels again. Today it's my Mango orange courts time paired with  statement trouser from Gap, and my favourite monogrammed J.Crew navy cashmere sweater. A bright court is a simple effective way to update your outfit,  try it tomorrow. 

Top Shop pink pointy courts £58

Whistles orange suede courts £135

J.Crew red suede pumps £198.30

Back to work

With a couple of weeks delay due to childcare disaster  (you may have noticed I'm not back to daily posts yet), this morning I'm going back to work after a year on maternity leave. For those of you who only recently started reading WIT, my day job is Fashion and Shopping Editor at RED magazine. I edit the front of book section and compile all those shoppingy pages you read at the front of book section of most magazines. So yes, my job is to scout trends and bring you the edit of the best things to buy right now. Here's how I got ready to my return to working life and a few of my latest buys..

1. A new hair cut

George Northwood at Josh Wood in Liberty London has been cutting my hair for the past year. Post Greta I still think it's the best style-investment I've made so far. This time I went a little shorter,  George suggested going for a choppy, messy bob and as always, I love it.

2. Statement sweaters

If there's one thing to invest in this season it's a statement jumper: throw it on with a pair of jeans, dress it up with a statement necklace or clash it with a print skirt, I've bought a few (below) and it's the easiest style update you can make this season (also this week's Star Buys theme).

3. Umph denim

I don't buy a lot of jeans, but once in a while I like to try something a little bit different. I picked up this patchwork pair from HM (in store now) and have been wearing them with everything.

HM skinny jeans £24.99

4. Winter shade

Especially now that I have a bay (and half as much time to get ready) I'm all for a quick fix and instant updates, a coat of lipstick does just that. I got a bit bored of the corally hues I've been wearing for the past couple of years, so when a make up artist suggested something new I was all for it. I've adopted this Nars Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Cruella from from SpaceNK as my "winter shade".

5. Greta Collection additions

I've added charms and bracelets to The Greta Collection range! I love my new yellow G pendant an my rose gold L bracelet. Take a look at "The Greta Collection" section for prices and info on how to order.

 

Now head down and back at work but come and see me on Twitter and Instagram to see what I'm up to!

The WIT Bag edit

Where I absolutely love, buy and wear high street clothes regularly, you will rarely see me carrying a bag that's not designer. Maybe for the exception of a fun clutch or a beach bag, I would rather save up and invest in something of a) good quality b) I am proud to wear and c) will treasure forever.  I really think that a bag is for life and my small collection has yet to prove me wrong as I cyclically wear them all: my black YSL Muse and Muse 2, my navy Chanel 2.55 and my cherry Red Smythson Emily being some of my favourites. 

YSL Muse 2, Chanel 2.55, YSL Muse, Smythson Emily

Whilst I wait for my 40th birthday to receive the Hermes Constance bag (8 more years to go.. ugh!), I'm on the market for a new bag and have had a fab time coming up with this hit list. This years bags are all about clean lines, minimal logos and chic colour palettes so they make the perfect investment buy.  Don't be afraid to try a colour too, especially if you already own a few black bags (I love the YSL Cabas bag in a bright red). A gorgeous hand bag that I've had my eye on for a while is the Philip Lim Pashly, I would love it in a soft grey.

However this season, after much research, I decided to invest in a classic day clutch, which ironically I didn't already own. I chose the super discreet Jil Sander envelope clutch (above). It's made it's way in this weeks "Investmen classics" themed Star Buys in the black version and, in navy, at number seven in my hit list below.

1) Saint Laurent The Shopping leather tote £1,100
2) Saint Laurent Lulu leather cross body bag £1,075
3)Saint Laurent Cabas Classique Y medium leather tote £1,540
4) Sophie Hulme Mini envelope clutch £295
5) 3.1 Phillip Lim The Pashli large shark-embossed leather trapeze bag £805
 6)Whistles Stevie Double Croc Clutch  £150.00
7) Jil Sander Envelope zip pouch £310
8) ALEXANDER WANG 'Lia' satchel £662.6
9) Marc by Marc Jacobs Blizznezz small leather shoulder bag £175

Cool checks

Whistles jacket, J.Crew necklace, Zara shirt, trousers, shoes and bag

If there's one print I'll be playing around with this winter it'll be plaid. I love the way it's been done on the catwalks, with little touches of it rather than the literal grunge girl look. To keep it cool and modern, mix it in with your existing wardrobe the way Celine, and Stella McCartney showed it. 

Don't be afraid of clashing it with other prints such as camouflage, stripes or leopard print. My advice is to mix it in with prints of the same tonal value, and if you feel brave enough, try pairing a flannel shirt with a sequin skirt or a bit of sparkle in the evening.

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs Sweater £260.00
2. Ganni cocoon coat £325
3. Jil Sander A/W13
4. Sea NY Belted Dress £398.00
5. Roksanda Ilincic Silk Maxi Skirt £965 (style tip: wear with a simple T-shirt)
6. See by Chloe boots £350
7. J.Crew necklace £98
8. IRO Halton Leather Trim Shirt £220.00

On the high street, Mango styled plaid shirts beautifully with ripped denim and black leather (Mango plaid cotton shirt £34.99 ), but you could try giving it a more polished feel by pairing it with a flare leg jean (my favourite is The MARRAKESH Jean from MiH) and a boyish coat like this Paul Smith Black Cashmere Coat £465.00 my-wardrobe.com

Mango A/W13

Here's how I'm going to wear my old check shirts this winter...