How-To: Look Hot in Culottes

1. M&S... Is that you? This fine knit cropped sweater from the SS14 collection at M&S is undoubtedly one of their standout fashion-forward staples of the season. At £35, this tres chic transitional gem hits stores in December. Shop their knockout knits here.

2. Five Gold Rings? Just one shall suffice! This antique-look ring from ASOS certainly belies it's £15 price-tag. Dotted with clear glass stones, this delicately elegant ring is a worthwhile midweek treat. (And while ASOS have 20% for students it would be rude not to buy everything.)

3. Join the J-Crew! This month saw American label J Crew's arrival in London, and what better excuse to pop this very versatile crystal necklace on your Christmas list. What better to luxe up your obligatory Christmas knit? At £98 it is the ideal sumptuous stocking-filler. 

4. Cool Kid Culottes. We all know that culottes are a huge trend for SS14, but it goes without saying that you ought to approach this skirt/short hybrid with caution. If you get the right pair, however, contemporary culottes can actually look pretty, well, hot. In floaty crepe, this M&S interpretation is sure to fly off the shelves when it hits stores next year (£45). Style as you would a midi-skirt and make sure you are never without a slick cigarette heel.  

5. Belle of Belgravia. The Kurt Geiger London B Series has been a real hit with the editorial elite, but my personal pick have to be the slick, simple Belgravia sandals. This season they are available in glossy nude, burgundy and black, and for SS14 they have been pimped up by punchy prints. And B-fore I forget (sorry) the B Series is still going strong for Spring, with Kurt Geiger London debuting the B Handbags, each one decorated with the signature golden tubes. The timeless nude style is £240 and worth every penny.

Introducing the Bike-sea Boot

There are countless reasons why I am so fond of fashion. Within the top fifty, though, is the fashion folks' penchant for inventing bonkers new words to be used in a sartorial context. I say inventing, but usually these words are simple hybrids- the been-and-gone Jegging is a prime example, as is the ultra cosy Coatigan. 

"I love your top Shona!"

"Oh, you mean my blirt?"

As of yet, nobody has penned the Chic-tionary- to be frank, ain't nobody got time for that. But if you keep your finger on the pulse in reading your dailies, weeklies and monthlies, you should be well on your way to fluency in fashion.

This season I have decided to coin my own term so as to describe my chosen boot style. Behold, readers, the mighty Bike-sea.

At the AW13 press days I fell massively for all the biker boots on display- universally chunky and subtly punky.

However, when I began browsing the stores in pursuit of an everyday style, I felt a touch intimidated by these badass bikers. I like to think my style is quite feminine and elegant. Biker boots are not. If I were a boot I'd be the safe and simple Chelsea boot, not a Doc Marten. 

Also, lest we forget, biker boots are far from flattering. They are all well and good if you are Freja Beha Erichsen, but if you have even a slight curve to your leg, you must be wary. 

The Bike-sea boot is a reassuring alternative. Cut to the ankle, the Bike-sea features a chunky, practical sole alongside classic biker detailing. It is stompy and contemporary, but still forgiving, falling just on the right side of edgy. 

My pick is the Kurt Geiger Saturn, which is currently topping my new-season shopping list. Short enough to work with dresses but substantial enough to see me through Scottish snow, these are ticking all the boxes. 

Here are the best of the rest. 

1. Carvela by Kurt Geiger SATURN Boots - £160 here

2. Jimmy Choo YOUTH Boots at Net-A-Porter - £595 here

3. River Island Gold Detail Biker Boots - £45 here

4. Zara Cut-Out Bikers - £89.99 here

SHOP SIMILAR: 

It's Shoe Time: Kurt Geiger AW13

Last week I popped along to the Kurt Geiger press day to feast my eyes on their delicious shoe collections for next season and I must say that I was not disappointed.

I was so enthralled with all the shoes that I did not indulge in a Breakfast Club Bloody Mary until after browsing the collections, stroking each and every shoe and compiling a mental list of all the shoes that will make my life that little bit better.

You can sort of see for yourself how gorgeous these shoes are, particularly those by Kurt Geiger London which have a distinctly high end aesthetic that is often nowhere to be seen on the high street. 

With everything from glossy patent stilettos with an elegant cigarette heel through to chunky mock-croc biker boots offering a feminine twist on the iconic Doc Marten style, there is something for everyone and every style. 

As per most of the AW13 collections, the Kurt Geiger pieces have an overarching punky aesethetic following this Summers' big exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC- PUNK : Couture to Chaos. 

With lashings of red, black, acidic lime and fluoro tiger print: this is a collection for good girls gone bad. 

No offence to any die hard Doc Marten fans, but I have never been particularly fond of these iconic boots. Granted, they can look awesome on some people, but they always look rather daft on me so I tend to be suitably wary.

When I spotted this glossy mock-croc Kurt Geiger version, though, I totally surprised myself by kind of falling for them. They are chunky, yes, but they have a slightly more feminine look than the original docs and the cool croc effect adds a slightly luxurious fashion-forward edge. 

I'd pair with a little cream camisole slip dress for a 90s look that is pretty with a generous hit of grunge.

A feminine style with a little crescent cut-out above the toe, these snaky courts are great for adding a touch of rebellion to a work look. 

Wedge boots are always a hit with me, especially given that I now wear heels on a daily basis so need something comfortable. These ponyskin black skater boots from KG by Kurt Geiger are set to make an appearance on my Christmas list! They are glossy, sexy and very chic. 

How glorious are these neon yellow snakeskin Bond courts? Viciously pointy, these stilettos are an iconic style from Kurt Geiger and this colourway is bang on for the Winter months. 

Kitten heels are not to everyone's tastes, but these Buckingham ones are right up my street! In luscious leopard print, these ponyskin pointed heels are just lovely with super skinny jeans and a simple black sweater.

You can't really tell from the image but the heels are bright red for a naughty scarlet suggestion as you walk. 

Ponyskin is set to be everywhere next season and these luxurious Britton courts are a great way to tap into the trend. 

The perennially popular Britton court style was renamed this season to re-establish the Brit ties of the Kurt Geiger brand, whose HQ stands proud on Britton street in East London. 

I have been obsessing over androgynous shoes since I shot with In Style's Natalie Hartley for Atelier-To-Go. Natalie Hartley is one of those enviably cool girls who could literally style anything to look contemporary and fresh. Adding her Balenciaga chunky boots to every look from florals through to crisp mint Carven, Natalie really brought the look to life.

These mannish brogues and boots are a great way to add a little edge to your wardrobe. 

Shop the current Kurt Geiger collection here. Follow them on Twitter here for more updates on the collections!

Easy Breezy Spring Dressing

Okay so this dress is so not one i'd usually go for, but the minute I saw it, I kind of fell for it and thought i'd share it with ya... Along with some killer accessories, of course.

1. Dogeared necklaces, bracelets and trinkets are some of the cutest around and really do make wonderful gifts. This little Key to Happiness pendant, available from ASOS for £56, is a gold-dipped delight that is sure to put a smile on your face, whatever the weather.

2. Aah Mulberry, you simply MUST stop. I've been fawning over this new Willow tote style for months now, and this crisp white edition is just what my summer wardrobe needs. In leather with ostrich detailing and golden hardware, this bag just exudes luxurious Spring elegance. A spacious tote with a zip-off clutch bag, what more could you ask for? It almost makes the £2000 price tag feel like a steal (!!). Shop the white Willow and other equally divine shades here. 

3. A simple shirt dress always requires a pair of cool, chunky heels and these Kurt Geiger London sandals are just the ticket to add an edge to this Chambray shift. They are £140 here. 

4. Stacked rings are an easy way to add a little individuality to a look, and these Monica Vinader rings are a little bit bohemian providing this dress with a hefty dose of West-Coast everyday glamour. This on trend pastel green shade is just delightful. It is £65 here.

5. Keeping things lovely and tonal, this Monica Vinader stack ring (also £65 here) comes in this delightful shade of deep denim blue- the perfect partner to a Chambray shift. 

6. This light Chambray shift by Joie is my latest obsession. It is so delightfully simple, yet so stylish and is perfect to dress up for the office or down for lounging by the poolside. With an optional belt (which i'd need to nip in at the waist!), this dress is an easy-breezy Springtime hit. You can buy it for £149.81 on Shopbop here.

LFW Dream Wardrobe #2

Another day closer to LFW, another day spent trawling the online stores dreaming of clothing and accessories that I can't actually afford. That is my life it seems, and as the LFW invites start to come in, I have been left with a maddening panic of OMIGOD-WHAT-AM-I-GOING-TO-WEAR-ALL-MY-CLOTHES-ARE-UGLY.

Today I let my gaze fall on this divine blue skirt from Whistles. It's just beautiful for Fashion Week flirtation, particularly with these killer Kurt Geiger ankle boots.

1. A silk t-shirt really is a bit of a contemporary classic, and those lovely folk at REISS have done this classic silk front tee in a number of summery shades for those of us who like to spend that little bit extra on timeless classics. This clean blue shade is bang on for SS13, but will also work just as well now with some skinny black leathers.

2. This accordion pleat 'Carrie' skirt from Whistles has become something of an icon ever since the fashion crowd went Carrie Crazy back when the first candy pink offering hit the stores. I love the muted, unusual petrol blue shade of this skirt which softly whispers summertime sweetness, while still maintaining just enough edge to work in the chillier months.

3. With such an understated and demure ensemble, the accessories really have to bring a little something extra to the picture, and this chain detail collar from Zara shall do just that. I love Zara's purse-friendly collections of bold, statement jewellery and this one is a slightly cleaner take on a collar necklace.

4. Excuse me while I compose myself. Following a big discussion with a friend at ATELIER-TO-GO HQ this morning about the demise of the Céline handbag (could this be another case of death by WAG?!) and the surge of other luxury brands in the handbag market, I felt it high time to reacquaint myself with Proenza Schouler. Then I found this navy offering and fell in love. The rest, they say, is history... Or bankruptcy, perhaps, for this little treasure costs a cool £1365.

5. Marry in the gloss of the necklace with this pack of three chunky ASOS chain bracelets in gold, brass and pewter. I am really into clashing metals at the moment (I know- fashion faux pas!) and this little set is a great way to ease in. Who wants to be boring and matchy-matchy all the time anyway?

6. Ankle boots are my favourite shoes, and this cream pair by Kurt Geiger London are my new season favourites. They would look incredible with the muted marine shades of this look, and I don't doubt for one second that these sweetly titled SODA boots are the perfect summer style.

A Spring Fling

1. Everybody say HEY to the bag of my dreams. This Prada tote in clay grey leather has overtaken the navy Céline in the dreamy bag stakes... It is just such a beautiful neutral, a lovely alternative to black or tan, and is just divine. I want it so much but I can't seem to find that spare £1290, did anyone see where I left it?

2. This lemon yellow cropped sweater from Topshop is a SS13 must have. While the colour may not be for everyone, it was a huge hit at the Balenciaga SS13 show (see my new season references here) and looks gorgeous with a geometric black and white print. Wear this chunky sweater (£30) now with a long skirt and boots, and channel with a flirty mini come spring... If it ever arrives, of course.

3. This Accessorize necklace is such a lovely way to instantly update your look. The turquoise shade will lift neutral pieces to new heights, but it is also a great colour to make other brights sing- especially this zesty yellow. Shades of marine are going to be a huge hit for spring, so this is a great way to get ahead without feeling like you've splurged. It also has an alluring Elizabeth Taylor vibe which certainly belies it's £15 price-tag.

4. Any excuse for a new accessory, eh? Ever since my friend Nicole pointed me in the direction of the Kate Spade store in Westfield, I have been smitten with this bow-detail iPhone case. It is around £30 but is such a lovely way to treat yourself on pay day, not to mention a great way to lift your spirits in this horrible, horrible snow.

5. I am in love with these new season Kurt Geiger ELLA shoes. While white shoes may have horrible connotations of fake tan, Malibu and bleached hair (and no that is NOT a description of my Friday night look), in recent years they have been given a sartorial update and have become a beacon of modern elegance. Just ask Sarah Harris, the incredible fashion features writer at British Vogue, who wrote a great piece a few issues back about why white stilettos were her new season must have. If the Vogue girls are doing it, why shant we? White shoes are actually rather chic and lend a contemporary and fresh edge to everything from simple skinnies to little black dresses. These block heel shoes from Kurt Geiger (at £195) are just the ticket and I really rather fancy a pair.

6. My latest purchase is this flirty little miniskirt from Topshop, which I initially bought as a piece for work, but have unfortunately been very short of opportunities in which to brave the opaques. I am dotty for this miniskirt (£22) which looks fun worn with a little white crop top (channelling Balenciaga the very best I can) or with a crisp white shirt tucked in. It also looks playful and modern when paired with bold brights like this sherbet sweet sweater.

7. This is a classic nude polish from Nails Inc which has a soft caramel tone to it. Basil Street (£11) is a warm and elegant shade which goes with everything yet looks particularly delicious when paired with zingy aqua.

8. In time for last summer, I featured these fabulous nude and neon nails by Nails Inc, and I felt that they would look particularly fab with this look, as a way of marrying in the cyan blue. Simply paint the base of your in the afore mentioned Basil Street (two coats), then leave to dry before applying a french manicure sticker to the nail and painting the tip in this refreshing Pool Party shade from Topshop. Simple and quirky nail art that is sure to put a smile on your face.

River Island: Three LBDs, Three Trends

1. Topshop £18.50
2. River Island Dress £55
3. NARS Lipstick in Scarlet Empress £17.50
4. Topshop Clutch £38
5. Zara Boots £89.99

1. ASOS Earrings £15
2. Topshop Heels £65
3. River Island Dress £60
4. Topshop Lipstick in Rio Rio £8
5. Accessorize Clutch £45

1. ASOS Clutch £18

2. River Island Ring £4

3. River Island Dress £120

4. Topshop Earrings £150

5. Kurt Geiger £170

Sssshoe Time

Thank god for my iPad! I downloaded a few magazines to read, one of which was the new issue of Harpers (starring Victoria Beckham looking phenomenal- see here) and I noticed a pair of gorgeous Kurt Geiger heels (£220) that I fell in love with. I also had a little bit of deja vu.

These shoes are just cropping up everywhere! From the versatile but fashionable snakeskin to the metal spike heels and ladylike pointed toe, these have all the markings of an 'it' shoe, and they are affordable! Well, more so than Louis Vuitton!

Buy yours here- I love them!

Mid Week Mossy

Excuse my recent lack of posts- I have been on holiday where wi-fi is beyond temperamental. My salvation has been the fact that the local newsagent stocks Grazia- THANK GOD.

However, I have put together a few little image-based pieces for you to enjoy! Hope you like!

First up is Kate in these GORGEOUS peachy trousers. Pairing with simple black pieces, Kate shows that pastel colours do not have to be saccharine sweet. These Zara slouchy trousers are just like Kate's but are so comfortable- perfect for summer sunshine!

Acid Yellow? Easy Peasy!

This 'Three Floor' dress is a gorgeous, fashion forward piece to invest in (£68 here). The cut looks very Victoria by Victoria Beckham-esque and the neoprene fabric is very flattering, the best part, however, is the gorgeous zingy colour- perfect for this unseasonably warm weather! 

It isn't the easiest colour to work, but I have shown four ways that you could style it, and hopefully one will suit you!

First up, we have the elegant take on the dress. Worn with a beautifully cut creamy blazer by Reiss, statement pewter jewellery by Mawi and Zoe & Morgan, slick luxurious heels by Kurt Geiger and a bargain clutch from Zara, the dress is pared down and sophisticated. Perfect for summer drinks or even work (if you work somewhere glamourous that is...)

Next we have the more youthful approach. Worn with converse, kooky sunglasses, amazing kitsch nail wraps and a nipped in denim jacket, the look is a fun take on the pretty dress. The AMAZING earrings (available online here) just finish it off perfectly. 

If you want to look seriously on trend, but not OTT, then pairing the neon dress with gorgeous snakeskin and enviable Zara heels is the way to go! Again, we have a beautiful piece of jewellery by Bauble Bar (buy here- I love it all!) to add a little bit of interest to the simple neckline, and neutral snake accessories and neutral nails to pare it down without looking boring.

Finally, you could go all out and channel ADR with a mixture of vivid neon shades! This little Moto biker is amazing and flattering and looks great with these accessories. The Kurt Geiger bracelets are beautiful and not at all garish, and look really cute with the novelty gummy bear ring (buy it here- so sweet!) and these layered pendants (find them online here- I love!). The Missguided boots that i'm in love with just finish the look off perfectly- prepare to be street style snapped!

Hope you like! 

Chirpy Cheep Chic

Easter is just around the corner, so crack open the mini-eggs and prepare to gain ten pounds of easter egg weight (think i'm exaggerating? Check the back page of UK Vogue this month... then we can talk.)

Or, you could muster up the will power to stay away from the monstrous chocolate-y delights in the shops at the moment, and instead opt for this super flirty skirt by Zara. The blushing nude shade is bang on trend, while the feather detail is a great way to get your wardrobe up to date, as well as being a great investment for AW12, as Sarah Burton's McQueen show was an extravagant affair full of feathers and furs. 

Pair with a sharp blouse- this Equipment one at My-Wardrobe is the ultimate and I think I am in love, a sugary suede clutch, classic courts and some fun accessories. Or dress it down with a striped tee and flats for a cool summer in the city look.

I. Love. 

Instant Update: Fluoro and Flesh

Springtime Sweetie

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Those pesky Siberian winds appear to have fled for the time being, and with London Fashion week about to kick off, there could not have been a better time for the sun to start shining.

Yesterday's temperatures were the highest I have experienced for weeks, and the bright sunny day, complete with blue skies, infinitely cheered me up. So here is a cheery pastel based post to get you all excited for Spring. 

I know, I know... I should probably get over the pastel obsession but, as my friend Harriet of 'Falling in London', would agree, they are so mood-lifting and pretty! Frankly, they are good enough to eat!

This maxi dress is just lovely to pep up a dull day, especially with the adorable Mulberry jewellery which I have fallen for BIG time. Add other ice-cream shades to lift the look and total up some serious SS12 potential. 

Kurt Geiger SS12: Sun, Sea and Shoes

Kurt Geiger SS12

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

I think I am in love with Kurt Geiger shoes, and having just spent ALL my Christmas and Birthday money in the KG sale, I have now got to start saving my (non-existent) pennies to try and afford some of these delectable, sugar-sweet treats on offer for Summertime.

Fresh as a 99 on a hot summers day (they do exist, I think...)this latest collection is a blend of butter soft suede in zingy brights, glossy pastel patent and sporty plastic detailing. Shades of mouth-watering mint dance beside soft corals in a mood lifting array of footwear that is really hitting the spot, even as I layer on the socks in preparation for a horrendous cold snap.

God help me and my toes if it does snow, but I shall distract myself by drawing up a lust list of these beautiful shoes.