Wowwing at Wimbledon

It's over a year since I started my blog, and I cast my memory back to when I wrote a post early in July, when I still had a thriving imagination for creating witty blog-post titles, about Wimbledon and encouraging my many (four!) readers to embrace the classic colours of purple and green. 'The Ball's in Your Court' was one of my earliest posts, and re-reading it brings such a sense of nostalgia as well as clearly demonstrating how far my fashion has come since then. So much has changed in just 12 months!

Seeing as Britain's most iconic sporting event, Wimbledon, officially started today, with our boy Andy Murray sailing through the first round on centre court, I thought it only right that I comment on what attired I consider to be most appropriate to wear when supporting your favourite player, whether you're sitting at home and screaming at the set-top box, or lucky enough to go and see a game live court side.

For the ladies, the combination of comfort and style is key. Wherever you'll be watching the game, it's going to be for the long haul and - fingers crossed! - the sun will be shining so it's important to choose wisely so you keep your cool and can stay calm to cope with the stresses of near misses and challenged linesmen calls. Florals are a summer staple, as are floaty silhouettes and maxi skirts.

   

[Dress: Seafolly Rio Maxi dress, £141.00, Available from selfridges.com]

This dress by SEAFOLLY would be absolutely ideal, allowing you to look chic and camera ready if you're in the centre court crowd, as well as the maxi, floaty skirt keeping you cool and comfortable for the hours of play. It can double-up as a World Cup outfit if necessary due to it's Rio inspired design, however for all my English readers that would simply be more salt rubbed into the wound, so let's focus on Wimbledon where we have a far greater chance at success!

For the men supporters, I would suggest going for a polo shirt. They effortlessly ooze style and sophistication so you can look smart whilst avoiding over heating in the summer sun. Personally, I love the classic and simply Ralph Lauren polo such as this one. It's chic and understated, paired with chinos and quality leather loafers it's a winning Wimbledon look.

[Polo shirt: Ralph Lauren, £75.00
Loafers: Harrys of London, £325.00, Both available from selfridges.com ]

So prepare yourself, both mentally and fashionably, to put the hours in and watch the nail biting games that are inevitably to come over the next fortnight. Wimbledon, here we come!

Show-stopper Sunnies

Accessories can make, or break, an outfit. I love the flexibility that accessories give to your wardrobe, allowing you to create hundreds of looks out of a small number of pieces, elevated with the addition of a statement necklace, chunky cuff or stellar sunglasses. 

Seeing as the summer season is upon us, and I can verify I have officially seen the sun, it's time to maximise the opportunity to don your finest pair of sunnies. Even just within the sunglasses genre, there is huge variety in styles, shapes and colours all impacting greatly on the effect they have on the overall look.

I always gravitate towards the stand-out, perhaps arguably garish at times, but always fabulous sunglasses. I like my UV defenders to make an impression and say something about me and my sense of style. I don't expect everyone to see them and approve of my style choice, but as long as they notice them, that's my job done! My style is most certainly individual and "interesting" as labelled by my beloved grandmother, but fashion is fun and isn't constrained by limits or laws, so I all for pushing the boundaries.

Despite recently graduating from university and with the student debt still weighing heavily on my bank account, I couldn't resist investing in a new amazing pair of sunnies when our lenses met a couple of weeks ago. It was a partnership made in heaven, and any fashion follower would understand when it was a case of needs-must, despite any financial limitations!

They're by designer Orla Kiely, and I'm officially in love. Their 50s inspired shape and patterned rim are really unusual, classic and show-stoppingly glam. The incredible Kiely designs everything and anything, many embossed with her signature flower and petal design, all embodying of air of vintage and classic style, even as far as her candles which are super chic!

Embrace the sun this summer, and bring an outfit to life with a statement pair of sunnies that will turn heads and get you noticed!   

Pretty Pastels

The weather is most definitely improving - finally! - so my thoughts are already turning to my spring/summer wardrobe. It's never too early and does nothing but good for the soul to think of sunny thoughts to help get us through the tough rainy days.

Whenever the sun is out, however rare it may be, I love to wear a super feminine outfit full of floral patterns, pastel colours and light, floaty material. There's nothing better than wearing a flowing chiffon skirt and soaking up the sun, life doesn't get much better!

 

This spring/summer looks set to be another great one thanks to the design team at Peter Pilotto. Their 2014 collection is breathtaking  and so wearable that any girl would fall head over heels to wear one of their pieces. The colouring is stunning first off, but the detail and intricacy of the designs are simply outstanding. They deserve to be in a glass box and admired, but I'm more than happy to wear them instead!

                                                     

The silhouette on the dress above is absolutely beautiful and really compliments the female figure. The team at Pilotto really seem to understand what women want, and how to dress to suit their shape. I'm certainly wowed and would love to spend a summer's afternoon with a picnic in the park, feeling the epitome of style and sophistication wearing one of their incredible creations. Well, a girl can dream!

What A Day For A Daydream

Finally the sun has arrived! A bit of vitamin D in the system and I'm more than excited to throw on a floral dress and get outside with a glass of cool vino. Best wait until after 11am, that's what I'll admit here publically anyway.

Everybody knows that when the weather looks up, so does the nation’s attitude. People are more inclined to smile at one another and politely hold the door open for a stranger rather than leaving it to slam in their face – and why not, we’re in no rush when it’s glorious sunshine.

It’s certainly the British way that once we spot the first golden ray of sunshine, the legs are out and those chest of drawers can’t contain our shorts even if they tried.

I have to admit that I find any opportunity to wear my pineapple print blazer, come rain or shine, but today couldn’t be more appropriate. Paired with a block orange top, it does all the talking as I blissfully enjoy the brief but splendid summer.

Florals are also great, especially if they’re chiffon. For anyone who enjoys a good skip in the sun, you’ll appreciate the beauty of such material and the air of ethereal happy-go-lucky-ness it evokes. You can be nothing but care-free wearing such a thing.

Happy summer everyone…finally!

The Weather Outside May Be Frightful, So Let's Dress Up and Feel Delightful

It may be gloomy weather outside, but that's no reason to shy away from colour this summer. I love to rebel against the dark clouds looming overhead with a splash of bright colour teamed with a muted shirt. Not a classic summer outfit but that's fashion. 

Mollie from the Saturdays perfectly captures chic and summer ready style in her floral suit, ideal for a day at Wimbledon. Looking like the perfect English summer rose in a cute short and shirt suit combo, ready to cheer on the tennis stars! 
(photo: courtesy of http://i3.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article1990377.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Andy-Murray-1990377.jpg)

Who knew my younger sister could so easily throw this bold, casual outfit together? Olivia Swift working statement purple jeans paired with a simple oversized jumper. Perfect daywear for the summer we're now accustomed to!