Making the Transition

Hello September!

And to help with dressing for this slightly tricky time of year, this blog is all about the various types of layering pieces that you need in your wardrobe as the temperatures drop and we need to re-think our outfits. You can never under estimate how important it is to have different outerwear pieces as these are (along with footwear and accessories) the easiest way to change your look. If you haven’t already seen my reel on this, then do have a look at this shows lots of ways to wear these pieces which will help give you some inspiration.

Here are the layers that help take me through before we reach coats and boots season:

 

The Utility Jacket

While a denim jacket may have been your summer staple over dresses and skirts, a utility jacket is the ideal casual option now that denim and other trousers are on the agenda.

Utility Camo Jacket £139 Mint Velvet

This is very similar to my old Topshop jacket that I wear on repeat. It also works well with skirts/plainer dresses provided it isn’t too oversized.

 

They do also have this in a plain khaki if camo isn’t your thing.

 

Hush still has sizes from 12 upwards in its Utility Jacket £75

 

Blazers

A complete staple, the ideal piece to dress up your denim; it’s perfect for work, dinner and over dresses and skirts as well as trousers. You have to have one in your life!! There are so many options around and Mango and Zara are great on the high street if you are on a budget. Here are a few of my favourites:

Double Breasted Blazer £59.99 Mango

A great fit plus ticks the trends box with its double breasted style and gold buttons. Size down for a sharper look.

 

 

There are lots of checks/houndstooth blazers around and again Mango has some good options. This blazer £59.99 comes in several colourways.

 

 

 

Mint Velvet is also another good brand to look at for good quality with a nice nod to trends.

Black Fitted Blazer £159

 

 

There is a lot of boucle around so if you are after this then head to Zara and Mango where you can find well priced blazer styles in everything from black to red/green/blue/cream and this season’s it colour – pink.

But Mint Velvet also has a lovely style which is shorter than the majority out there which tend to be longer line: Black Boucle Blazer £159

 

Knitted Jacket

Again Mango and Zara are always good at this type of product at a great price.

Pocket Tweed Jacket £59.99 Mango

This also comes in red. Wear with wide leg trousers, with straight and wide leg denim. It can also work with skirts/dresses.

 

 

Monochrome Tweed knit Jacket £225 ME +EM

The mix of black and white makes this a great option to wear year round and perfect for work.

 

 

Cropped Boucle Knit Jacket £195 ME + EM

Unlined and more of a jacket/knit hybrid this is a more casual option than a lined jacket.

 

 

Gaspard Knitted Cardigan £260 Ba&sh

 

 

Leather Jackets

All Saints is an excellent starting point for a leather jacket and they have so many different styles. I like the simplicity of the Dalby £299 but there are plenty of other options.

 

The Cargo is another good one.

 

 

Sophie Leather Biker £140

If you find a leather is just a bit too bulky then look at this one from YAS which has jersey panels and so is more streamlined. Lots of clients I have worked with over the years have this style precisely because of this.

 

 

If you are after a colour other than black, try Sosandar whose Leather Biker £272 comes in colours like this taupe or a charcoal grey, both of which are lovely, soft alternatives to a black which won’t work for everyone.

 

 

The Trench Coat

I did a blog on this earlier in the year which you can refer back to for other retailers but here are a couple of good options which are currently in stores. As I said my last blog, Hobbs and M&S are also great if you are after a shorter style.

Cotton Classic Trench Coat £79.99 Mango

 

 

Trench Coat with Belt £189 Massimo Dutti

The coats at Massimo Dutti are beautiful quality but I would say you need to size down as they are often large or oversized.

 

 

They also have a similar style in camel £199

 

 

And don’t forget the amazing Ultra Light Down Uniqlo Jacket which you can pop on underneath your trench and utility jackets!

 

Quite often it’s a lack of the right outerwear pieces that means you aren’t able to create successful outfits so make sure you have your bases covered… Next stop winter coats!