Uptown Girl

With the warmth of the sun back to air our summer clothes, it really is time to think about your winter wardrobe. I say this every year to deaf ears but the window for coats is a small one. If you haven't got it by the first week of September, you will be officially on sloppy seconds.

All around the high street is suffering with a lack of consumer confidence and therefore a lack of spending. The clever retailers will be looking at keeping their costs down to ride this all out so don't make the mistake of thinking stock levels will be what they were before. It won't mean bargain's galore - just less availability.

This season there will be lots of collarless coats a la Prada's influential chic European Sixties homage. Lots of masculine jackets and coats with a minimalist vibe plus longer ones. Miu Miu and Gucci to name but two kept the nostalgia for 40s and 70s alive respectively.

Gucci has got it covered on the coat front. I'm afraid it is an uber chic, almost dare I say Liza Minnelli-esque, look for coats, jackets and accessories. It's a step away from the formality of the lady like look that has dominated of late when it comes to winter coats and despite the shaggy collars, coats and snakeskin leather jackets, this is no boho rock chic look - we are talking an uptown girl! I suspect this look will be a slow burner but a strong finisher for the adoption of trends. Mainly as it allows you to emulate the look with some handy wardrobe items, the fedora, the skinny belt, the faux fur collar, knee high boots, your pussy bow shirt. You might like to get dying the faux fur collar (a cold Dylon dye should work a treat in a teal or violet) and getting use to dark lipstick again with sleek hair rather than bed head. But if you fancy injecting colour, then use the Gucci colour palette as your base with its gorgeous use of teal, violet, ochre, orange, fuchsia and burgundy, with navy, grey and black as neutral options. Of course look to Zara to provide the affordable high street options!

images: Style.com (click here for full link to the collection)

Maxi, Midi, Mini - take 3 duffle coats

Ah yes the summer fun is nearly over and so it seems is my extended break. Well what with the petit garcon off to school, my MA over proper, it is time to roll up my sleeves and get stuck back into the world of fashion styling with vigour.

That means less indulgence on the blog and more focus. Yes, anonymous from Borth, I've taken on all your feedback! There will be three featured blog posts each week specifically related to curent trends and retail. Saturday's High St Pick of the Week, remains with the addition of Maxi, Midi, Mini - one item, three options, from the highs of designers to the budget bargain of the high street. The final post in the trio will be Something I Threw On. Imagine my horror when I was told that someone who shall remain nameless actually opened the Next directory catalogue, looked at the images and bought a complete outfit head to toe based on a look. I'm coming to the rescue! My mission is to inject confidence about creating a look, whatever size or shape. It will not require 'making' or 'brow beating'. I'll keep it simple and hope to inject some style where once there was merely bafflement. And yes it will be 'normal' fashion...

...We start this week with a bubbling under trend for outerwear - the duffle coat. Look it is windy and wet on this Isle and you need to withstand these vagrancies of weather. Be prepared with a duffle coat.

Miu Miu Wool and angora- blend twill duffle coat £1,190 at Net-A-Porter (no spluttering on your coffee in Borth!)

Long navy duffle from DufflecoatsUK reduced from £245 to £135

Bound Seam Duffle Coat £80 Topshop

Conspicious consumption post

After weighing up all your wonderful views, I nearly went for ordering both and then making my decision. A few remarks helped me to make my mind up and go for it - even though I feel huge remorse/guilt at the initial outlay, but I did the math and if I went for 4 reasonably high st priced coats at £80 to £120 for the next four years then I would be spending the same - girlynomics don't ya know!

Teawithonesugarplease helpfully pointed out that wool was warmer, which helped me to remember I loathe the smell of wet wool and also certain wools really irritate me. This was a minus for the Fahri one. One comment from bemebe said the See by Chloe one was love at first sight, ditto this was my reaction, one point for this one. Faux Fuschia said would it be wrong to get both - yes it would, so no scores here! From one naughty Australian to another, Penny Dreadful Vintage gave a full analysis of the issue and provided me with the sensible conclusion on price, so one point to Fahri.

At one all, I turned to Mrs Fab, the utterings were as follows 'I'd choose the first one, but then I always go for the bargain option so would end up with the NF one, then spend the next six months wishing I had bought the Chloe. I am a very complicated person you know.' You know what she was right. Let's face it I loved the See by Chloe one, I particularly like the chain detail. Love the collar and cut and the colour. I also discovered it was £30 less than I thought (hardly a saving, but every bit helps) but the Fahri still held up on price. So...


When the DHL delivery man arrived first thing this morning I ripped the box open and put the purchase on. You will note I haven't got dressed or showered. Therefore this is a slovenly in my nightie look but at least the bed was made.

It fits!

Oh joy, now excuse me whilst I go and roll around on the bed in it before going to the salon of petit garcon, where a John Terry (Chelsea Football club captain) hairstyle makeover awaits me.

In case you thought I was punching above budget

As I'm so strict on spending within budget and I tend to buy mainly high street with a bit of second hand and designer thrown in; I thought I ought to point out I did look at high street pea coat options.

No navy, just black and grey and not great quality in case you were wondering.

Topshop Ultimate Pea Coat £60

Pea coat dilemma

It will come down to price but it is nice to debate the choice. I really want a pea coat jacket as my winter's coat. I've longed for one for years but never found the right one or never had the funds. I'm torn between a Nicole Fahri or a See by Chloe one. I did also see a wonderful Valentino Red on in Selfridges but it was £550! It has to be navy, so both tick that box. It needs to make me think of Ali McGraw in Love Story that is another tick for both as well. What I'm faced with is budget wars which means the Nicole Fahri is bound to be the winner. If price wasn't an issue which would you choose?

See by Chloe Cotton Waffle Knit Pea Coat £465 Net-A-Porter

Fahri by Nicole Fahri My Pea Coat £220 My-Wardrobe

Fashion hiatus fortnight

Fashion is off the top spot for Mrs MDS. It is all football and decorating this week, followed by tennis and swimming the next. The petit garcon is at Chelsea FC football academy this week.

He is wearing the latest football strip and shin pads and feels extremely grown up. He starts school soon and so I'm spending the next two weeks with him 'doing fun things'. He gets to do sporting activities and I get to do some much needed decorating. Although I'm attempting not to think about clothes, I'm fighting an urge to buy a winter's coat now. August truly is the month to buy your winter's coat but I haven't saved up enough to buy a really decent one. I've made do for 4 years now with my leopard print one I bought in Mango. It all depends how much I spend on paint and at Ikea...

Get Your Coat on....

The point of having a coat could be argued is to keep you warm in cold weather. We all know that at its basic level this is true, but since when has one coat fulfilled all style needs. I've listed 10 coat and jacket items that will fulfil your basic wardrobe needs. You have probably got most of these already but when money is tight this checklist will help you to make a decision on what to get.

A proper coat - the one to spend the money on! A good looking coat that makes you feel glamorous and stylish when you put it on. Worth spending your money on this item. Look at coats from Acne, Maje or on the Outnet to make that investment. You can even try TK Maxx, I once saw a great Valentino coat in there down from an extortionate price to £299. Of course I didn't have the readies when I needed them but I'm saving for a decent winter's coat as I last bought one over 4 years ago and it is looking very tired.


Alexander McQueen cashmere blend coat discounted from £1,215.87 down to £425.55
It's a keeper!

The trench coat - do I really need to give any explanation on this one. I must confess I haven't got one but I must. I kick myself over the +J one in black last September in Uniqlo and recently Zara have had some great ones too. I know for most the holy grail in a trench is Burberry but I think get one that fits you well and it will be a winner.

A leather jacket - it adds an edge to many looks and the biker style leather jacket has a tighter cut and less bulk of the style of old - wear with skinny jeans, skinny flares, over a dress, with a skirt or trousers and it doesn't have to be black. I've selected this one from New Look although I bought mine from Select last year on the recommendation from Mrs Fab and it has been money well spent.

Pea coat or jacket coat - the pea coat is a jacket coat based on the navy jacket of old. Much favoured by Jackie Onassis it retains a certain Waspish connotation. However it is a jolly useful throw on for all manner of waspish activities. Think country walks, weekend grocery shopping, a football or rugby match with a date/bf/husband. Just add sunglasses. Or work it like Jane Birkin with Serge.
Dress or duster coat - my personal weakness and guess what I found the one that would bring my much joy on the bl**dy Outnet. I can look...I've got my £50 sale one bought from Wallis many moons ago. I had it altered to fit better and there is nothing nicer than a dressy coat for evenings.
Vera Wang Brocade evening coat now only (cough) £561.75 on the Outnet

Ignore my flights of fancy you get the idea. I would look something that fits this bill at car boot sales, charity shops and discount outlets such as Bicester.

Tuxedo jacket - ditto ref trench coat. This one needs no explanation. I bought one in H&M over 5 years ago and it is still going strong. Works well over short tunic or body con dresses, with jeans and all many of trousers.

Parka - festivals, bank holidays at Brighton if you go to them then you need a parka. Asos and Topshop have a great selection and without breaking the bank. The winter warmer ones are a life saver too. Speak to Mrs Fab...

Blazer - more of a season transition piece and a personal choice. They've made a big come back with recent 80s retrospectives and Celine's latest offering the more female almost tuxedo number has inspired a few high street retailers. Be careful this is a fashion nightmare. One moment it is current the next... keep it on the budget side if you really really want/need one and wear it a lot. If a blazer is not you thing then have a glam Jacket to wear in the same way as a tux but for day/evening/ weekend. I have fallen in love with a cream double breasted jacket in Zara but it is a seasonal item so am being v.good.

A cape - charming, a nice to have. Not the most popular style wise so keep an eye out for them in sales, and vintage shops if you fancy a punt. They add a different element to a look. Think Jane Birkin again or Anna Dello Russo - it is all about the drama!

Image:Fashionising.com

The indulgence coat - once in a while all the thought of being good, staying within budget gets thrown out of the window when you see that coat that says 'film star', 'rock chic', 'fashion editor'. It might be leopard or fur or colourful- you don't need it but you can't ever sleep again without it. Sleep on it if it is a store item, buy now if car boot or second hand shop find.

What I haven't selected a denim jacket! Well just drop the cape or blazer and insert denim jacket. Adapt the list for your own taste.

Spend wisely

Did you know that Dame Vivienne Westwood was a spokesperson for my Slow Fashion campaign? Well her recent appearance on Jonathan Ross was straight from the pages of Make Do Style until she went into her global warming point - which was well made and heart felt. And she is of course the 'wear your tablecloth' campaigner for Sister Wolf.

The reason I keep banging on about our Dame of late is due to her wonderful Anglomania range. I like the fact the diffusion range she has created loses none of her creativity. I always expect and accept a difference in the construction of the garment but with Anglomania it has a point of its own and is creeping up in my affections and overtaking my Marc by Marc Jacobs fixation.

In short Dame Viv made the point that rather than spend money on updating your wardrobe with the latest fashion, buy one good quality piece if you have to but basically be creative with what you have. If I'm going to follow her advice and mine to the letter then this coat is the one item I should buy.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Grey Propaganda coat £527 from the My-Wardrobe.com new A/W 09 range

The coat has it all, name, colour, detail and cut. This is a coat I can wear. Normally a coat wears me (apart from my leopard print one, but that has to go onto the back burner this season as I've worn it to death, although I'm opening to loaning it out!) It does everything I need it to, just sit on my body and perform. I have to say the way it is styled on my-wardrobe is quite bland but it does show that it can be dressed down and still look good. My savings are on target for an end of August shop to spruce up my wardrobe for the A/W and somehow I'm going to have to compromise on what I need to get this!