Maxi Midi Mini

I know the magazines and high street are awash with print and more specifically Mary Katrantzou's prints but hey you know what we still love a bit of stripe action regardless. If there has been one season when stripes didn't really feature on the catwalk then this is it, right now. However there is nothing easier to wear, throw on and remains a timeless staple of your wardrobe than a stripy Breton top in its many manifestations. Who knew that Coco Chanel would still be one of the best fashion references nearly 100 years later. Just one simple moment of risk and creativity, continually loved by many...but not all. There are those who fail to embrace stripes for many reasons but lets not be doubters here.

The stripy top is perfect for the spring months layered or on its own. I'm not going to be a purist here and only count true Breton styles, lets embrace all stripy tops under the Breton category umbrella.

Splendid Striped cotton-jersey top £99 Net-A-Porter

Striped Breton £38 Kew 159

Striped top £12.99 H&M

The long & short of it

Skirts are having a moment. The cut and length of skirts are at a key point in fashion where all lengths and all shapes are an option (if anything the thigh high short skirt is looking a tad dated). Take the pleated skirts wars as personified by Whistles.

The short

Whistles Carrie Pleat Skirt £95

The long

Whistles Erica Pleated Midi Skirt £110

Which one would you choose and what length of skirt do you prefer?

Maxi, Midi, Mini - Boots that walk

Some of us are able to walk in high heels and some of us are stompers who can't. I fall in to the latter category. I can do taxi to table in high heels. I can do a party where no walking is required and I can dance like a mad thing in heels and then I drop. And I have to walk, walk to get train, tube, bus or just plain walk. Of course the trouble with flats is they prevent one from longer length garments and in London I do find floor grazing clothes an issue. It makes me feel ill if they are making contact with the pavement.

Boots for walking the streets of London town need to have enough of a heel to allow for a lean line of trouser, skirt or dress and be conducive to the stomp.

Acne brushed leather ankle boots £360 Net A Porter



Swedish Hasbeens Combat boot £299Aruba Natural Suede Boots £70 now £50 Topshop

Maxi, Midi, Mini - chinos

For every one person in the midst of hyperventilating over the New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks for A/W11 there are a 100 out there only focused on what to buy and wear for this spring and summer. Despite the fact the current weather cycle says cold and gloomy, the reality is that nature will turn a switch and suddenly warmer, lighter, brighter weather will be here.

The return of the chino started a couple of years ago with last year being the real re-establishment of its presence in the wardrobe. It is a now a wardrobe piece that morphs with the fads of the season so don't feel foolish if your current chinos look a tad dated.

This season you need to inject colour to your chino. Now that doesn't thankfully mean brights, that is reserved for the capri pant. It does mean think pink..but more a dusky pink or an ecru with a slight pink hue. It also means think tobacco not khaki and even a burnt orange or apricot. If you've got an olive or khaki pair and want to save rather than spend, then wear these with brights particularly white or a wide Prada-esque bright stripe and you'll get away with it.

Vince cotton-blend chinos £160 Net-A-Porter

SuperTrash pleat front chinos £85 ASOS

Apricot high waisted belted chinos £38 Topshop

Maxi Midi Mini - jumpsuits

You'll get a lot of these in the fashion mags over the next few months. Thankfully I have a few pairs to see me through. On my UK style tour last summer I appeared in many a city telling all and sundry of the power of the jumpsuit, mainly to me by blank faces. I feel that this year they will have shifted and be embracing the love of the jumpsuit.

I wouldn't say no to the Max Mara orange jumpsuit all over the press at the moment. It's rrp is £445.


The forthcoming retailers to look out for the mid priced range are Isabella Oliver 365 - I know they have a lovely jumpsuit coming! But if you fancy being a Studio 54 junkie all day everyday then go for this satin number from French Connection for £125 - it will release your inner Bianca Jagger.


Finally in the mini section ASOS will deliver lots of variety at bargain prices as the season continues. Currently the best of the bunch is this pretty halter neck one from Lipsy at £62

Maxi, Midi, Mini - sequinned dresses

The perfect party number for the festive season is the sequin dress. It adds sparkle and glow with minimal effort, just remember the sparkle on the dress is all you need! Keep everything matt even the red lips.

As usual go for broke with a designer number!

Tibi Layla Sequinned maxi dress £460.00 my-wardrobe.com

Hit the high street for blow out but definitely a keeper not just for this season only.

Karen Millen Strapless sequin dress £250

As usual cheap as chips from my987wardrobe if all you want to do is look nice for one day and save your pennies for presents.

my987wardrobe Sequin mini dress £9.87

Maxi, Midi, Mini - bags

I know the fashion editors will try and tell you it is all about Celine's boxy lady like number and yes it is when it comes to being up there with the current 'pillars' of fashion. But, one needs a bag for every occasion/situation.

Now in MDS world there is no scrimping on a handbag. A proper handbag is a must. Much as I'm keeping it lean currently, nothing beats a big 'un. Mindful of the economic strain even the maxi choice is way under the average handbag price (which is £923 and rising just so you know).

Michael, Michael Kors Uptown Astor Large leather tote £360 Net-A-Porter

In the Midi section is this number from Jigsaw who produce their bags in the same factory as Prada so I'm led to believe.

Leather Curtis Hobo Bag £189 Jigsaw

Just punching in below a ton is this one from Topshop. Which ever you choose you'll get all your bits and pieces in, no need to edit.

Leather Chain Handle Shopper £95 Topshop

Maxi, Midi, Mini - red legs

Red is my favourite colour. After losing eight months of my life reading, writing and filming about the red dress I took a break from red for a few months only to buy some red jeans from Topshop.

Then Isabel Marant made red trouser the thing of the year. Of course it isn't any old red trouser, the devil is in the detail and it must be cropped.

For the real deal and maxing the budget out the Soan cropped leather biker pant at Net-A-Porter for £1,490!



To go super smart then these Givenchy Virgin Wool cropped trousers at Matches are £485.




Thank goodness for Zara with their Studio straight leg trousers £59.99

Maxi, Midi, Mini - growing pains

I dunno about you but some days I wake up larger. It could be the time of the month or an excess of goodness knows what. Therefore on such days I turn to shapewear. Usually a M&S big knicker number but for dresses you need a good all over number to deal with ones growing pains.

The crème de la crème has to be Agent Provocateur's Zelma satin contour dress £425 from Net-A-Porter. So good you'd probably take a punt on wearing it out on its own!



For one that does the job with no fancy pants details, then the Wolford Individual Nature Forming Dress £75 from Net-A-Porter is the perfect cover all.



Good old ASOS sells the Flexees Firm Control Full Slip £36 which performs the job of slimming down stomach, thighs, muffin tops and wait for it...back fat.

Maxi, Midi, Mini - the cocktail hour

My favourite hour is cocktail hour. I'm strictly a martini girl, and nothing goes better with my fantasy movie scene of sitting at the bar and sipping a dirty martini than a cocktail ring. Oh yes and I like mine yellow, goes well with a slinky black number and a green olive.

We're talking top ten choice with the Tiffany&Co Tiffany sparklers, truly the maxi of indulgence and fantasy movie scenes.

Tiffany Citrine cocktail ring £1, 150

For a comfortable midi range there is the Kenneth Jay Lane clear crystal whopper that will catch the sparkle of the lights to add to your glow.

Clear Crystal Cocktail Silver ring £86.00 my-wardrobe

If you want to save your money for you tipple then it is off to Accessorize for you and a nifty number for £14.00. No getting drunk at the bar now!

Accessorize Filigree Claw Set Cocktail Ring £14

Maxi, Midi, Mini - a fur collar of faux

When Fashionistable and I were on a recent street style shoot, we go shouted at by a random person for putting fur on a person. The fur in question was faux fur as I don't do fur. I just laughed at the abuse because the person seemed slightly off his cake and there was nothing I could do.

So, if your not afraid to show off even with faux fur then the addition a faux collar is the ticket to taking a plain jumper or dress into the more glam style stakes.

No expense spared and a nice bit of polka dot action to boot from Mr Jacobs.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Cheeky faux fur collar £260 Net-A-Porter

Not strictly faux but lets say with 7 million sheep in Wales compared to 2.5million people no one got hurt in this because a lot worst could happen to a sheep than making a good roast and a stole.

Whistles Sheepskin Stole £75

As ever Topshop saves the day with the budget option. Sew on some ribbon to tie or add a brooch and wear with style.

Topshop Faux Fur Stole £25

If you are new to Make Do Style every Monday the Maxi, Midi and Mini post gives you three budgets choices on one garment.

Maxi,Midi,Mini - all that glitters is gold

If you want the prefect party shoe then step away from the crowd and go for gold. Whilst all around my be losing their heads to leopard skin, gold is where it is at. Don't forget the new shoes this season are feet friendly so no need to restrict yourself to taxi to table numbers.

Hit the high note with Marc Jacobs exclusive Isolde glitter courts at from Selfridges online £355. Just make sure you leave before midnight in case of pumpkin issues.

Flat feet forward for a bar hopping evening with these beautiful bow fronted gold flats from Kurt Geiger £140


For the Marlene Dietrich in you just add a tux with these New Look leather lace up brogues £34.99

Maxi,Midi,Mini - pendant purchases

Invariably the necklaces I really like are completely out of budget. Which is always a real shame as a good bit of jewellery can often enhance a look without much effort. Pendants always add a bit of nonchalance to a look. They suggest creativity even if you haven't got a creative bone in your body. Of course the rich pickings on Net-A-Porter suggest more creative bucks than your Topshop purchase. But at least with Topshop you can wear your pendant with attitude and your bank balance intact.

Robert Cavalli Amethyst pendant £405 Net-A-Porter




House of Harlow 1960 Peacock Feather locket £105 my-wardrobe




Engraved Skull Pendant £12.50 Topshop

Maxi,Midi,Mini - let there be lace

You've got the a-line/leather skirt (tick). You've got the right length, this season Celine-esque trousers (tick) and you're reusing your white shirt. But maybe you fancy another top to keep the Celine love in going strong. Oh well then it is a lace top.

For the max effect go grab yourself some Celine in Harvey Nicks, Harrods, Selfridges, Dover Street Market or in the House of Fraser at Westfield. It will set you back some £729 (gulp).

Then in the mid range and very reasonable it is too, this lacey delight from Reiss at £65.

Finally if your budget is stretched then for £39.50 the M&S Limited Collection is giving you this neat number.
Although even though they were using the same model for all their photos it wouldn't have hurt to have put her hair back in a sleek side or back to nape bun...and have lost the pointless necklace for this one shot. Just saying so you know.

Maxi, Midi, Mini - the return of the cool lbd

It would be fair to say in the midst of the minimalist hullabaloo, I like to think there is smouldering return of the musio - that music loving chick who hung out at the bar at gigs, never said much, looked uber cool and made you feel like a tongue tied nerd. I suppose Amy Winehouse could have had this accolade had she not got 'Blakeified'. I think Kate Moss aims for this attainment but the truth is this girl is a mystery, a dignified muse. The only time it was probably captured and embodied on film was Fellini's La Dolce Vita and the inclusion briefly of Nico.

Maybe this girl hung out at Bowie gigs, who knows but she sure did wear a simple little black dress to offset her nonchalant air and cigarette. It was all about the legs pre grunge and false boob era. No self respecting cool musio chick got drunk and fell over. They sipped, smirked and slunk off into the night...

Go for broke and the max with this Moschino number from Net-A-Porter embellished silk and jersey dress £1,155.

In the midi budget section is this Acne number from my-wardrobe at £270

And in the mini budget section it is Warehouse who turn up trumps with this little black dress for a mere 55 of your English pounds.

Ethereal Ruffle Dress £55 Warehouse

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