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

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