What I'm Wearing: September

Transition seasons are the best, aren't they? When it comes to the weather in London, I'm like Goldilocks - I like it not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Don't get me wrong, I love baking in the heat of high summer or dashing around in the snow but when you've got places to be the extremes of the seasons make dressing that little bit harder. So September's a good month for me - chill enough for my wardrobe staples of jumpers and boots to be acceptable. 

I wore this combination on a date to the zoo. I know, I know, it looks a little bit basic, right? But it's all in the touches - lacy bra (unseen, obviously), lacy cami, lots of gold rings and necklaces and a slick of Lady Danger or Relentlessly Red. Sunglasses and a desire to stroke (almost) every animal totally optional.

Blackstreet

No surprises here. It may be summer but I'm still sticking to my one true love of black, whatever the weather. We're planning a night on the opposite side of town this weekend which calls for some serious style. I can't get enough of this black duster at the moment (although it does make me feel a little like Neo from The Matrix when standing on the tube platform) but coupled with a playsuit, some chunky heeled sandals and a slick of Prepare For Pleasure, I think I'll be just fine.

Summer dressing #2

Okay, so stripes aren't exactly groundbreaking for summer (just as florals aren't anything new for spring) but I can't help but be drawn to classic Breton to take me through those bare leg days and those 'oh god I still need tights' days. 

With a sweep of orangey-red Mac's Lady Danger, and some chunky heeled sandals (mine are a little bigger than these), go-to tortoiseshell sunglasses (these Persols are to die for) and pinned up and back hair (think Brigitte or Jean) this is one of those chic little basic outfits that I can just throw on and yet it works just about everywhere.

Summer dressing #1

It's the age-old problem: how does someone whose entire wardrobe is devoid of colour dress for summer? Rather than jump into pastels or brights (I just haven't found a shade I like yet...crazy, right?!) I've been pulling on 'colour' in the form of grey. Open-toed flatforms lift the outfit a little away from wintry boots (although mine aren't Whistles, but a girl can dream) and a girl can never have too much gold on her fingers.

I've been buying into the orange lips trend for months but have recently replaced my Lady Danger love for dark purple in the form of Mac's Currant and Rebel. Not particularly summery, I'll agree, but with bright skin and freckles and lashings of mascara the look is surprisingly sophisticated without delving too far down the gothic path. White nails finish everything off (I haven't worn anything else for a year now, I'm far too attached) and I'm able to just about get away with making monochrome my summer thing too.

Five for...fashion

The third week of my reinvented 'Five for...' series brings me on to fashion. The world is awash with fashion bloggers and sometimes I feel it's a bit of a dirty word. As someone who hates being in front of the camera, I won't be uploading proper outfits of the day anytime soon (although I admire those who do), I find that I'm really choosy with the fashion blogs I follow. I'm not a huge fan of these huge editorial style outfit posts skipping across cityscapes, and I can't help but be distracted if someone's bedroom shots catch their floordrobe.

But what makes me follow a fashion blogger, of course, is their style. I'm constantly looking for inspiration and have bits and pieces pinned all over the place that I sift through each morning before getting dressed. I know what I like to wear (black, a lot of the time) and the styles and trends that suit me so I'm always drawn towards girls who are rocking a similar vibe. No baby pink or sports luxe here.

1 The Little Magpie

Amy's a girl after my own heart. A fairly standard colour palette, heeled boots, leather jackets and fedoras all have The Little Magpie on my go-to list. Amy manages to put together some killer outfits that are achingly cool and right up my street. And her hair? Is it possible to have a crush on hair?! She's also branching out into YouTube and while I'm not a big fan of videos, this lady is one funny girl who makes a damn good watch.

2 Charlotte Martin

I think of Charlotte as my fashion twin. She's all about the monochrome, boots and leather jacket (can you see there's a pattern emerging?) and mixing them up with textures, layers, lace and some seriously awesome hair. She keeps it simple but fresh and I find myself pinning practically every outfit of hers because I know I can pull together a similar ensemble from my own wardrobe. 

3 Fashion Slave

Sophie's blog, Fashion Slave, combines great backdrops with some seriously awesome outfits. Mixing up two pieces with jumpsuits, pastels with brights, her photos ooze sass. I'm always finding at least one item to covet in everything she posts and it challenges me to push my own style that little bit further. And if there's anyone who can pull off a silver bomber jacket, it's Sophie.

4 London's Closet

As if one super stylish blogger wasn't enough, London's Closet features two. Twin sisters Shope and Shore have a devilish sense of style and an eye for killer combinations, whether its mesh joggers or quilted skirts. Obviously they each have their own go-tos when it comes to dressing and I can never decide who I want to emulate more. 

5 LLYMLRS

Lily's one of the best known bloggers in the UK right now and somehow manages to run two blogs full-time alongside working with a multitude of fashion and beauty brands. Lily's style is effortless, mixing lots of black (my kinda girl) with textures and pops of colour, that I find I can easily work into my own wardrobe. Having recently also chopped my hair off to a similar length, I'm constantly turning to Lily to see how to work the sheared bob and still look just as sassy. Kudos to this girl, she's got it going on.

What I'm Wearing: Valentine's edition

Valentine's Day - you either love it or you hate it. All the schmaltz and frippery, people queueing up for their last-minute buying of cards and flowers at the station (yes really) and the constant one-upness of gift buying. Or you're totally into it - why not spoil your loved one with that bottle of champagne and those fancy chocolates?

Me, I'm single so I'm leaning slightly towards the first camp this year. I'm in no way a Scrooge about it - I love seeing everyone's happy faces as they're marching around armed with bouquets and cheeky little bags BUT I'm definitely the kind of girl who believes that love's for life, not just for February.

My ex and I did the kind of things some people save for Valentine's Day on a regular basis. We'd frequently consume too much champagne, go out for steak (or stay in and cook it) and cocktails and we didn't have the 'so close to the next couple you're practically a part of their relationship' vibes.

Today I'm at work (unlike half of London, judging by the empty tubes this morning) and this is the outfit I'm wearing. My wardrobe is strictly monochrome on the best of days and I'm not likely to start prancing around in a pale dress like the Lady of Shallot any time soon. So instead I've vamped it up with leather, lashes and lipstick and working the loveless vibe.

What I'm Wearing Today

I'm heading back home to Sussex later today with the lightest of bags. Unsurprisingly, all the clothes that are packed are black. In fact, I rarely wear colour (much to the chagrin of my housemates) but instead add the occasional pop of colour.

Today is all about a satin shirt dress, toughened up with a leather jacket and legs for days from these boots, Mac Pink Nouveau and a flash of ever-popular tartan. Here's to the weekend.

All black, all white

Jumpsuits may not be necessarily be convenient or weather-appropriate but they make for great layering. I finally picked up the jumpsuit I've been coveting for months (although seemingly it's now out of stock everywhere), and like to layer a textured tee over the top, slip into some boots and shrug on whatever jacket or coat is nearest.

As a girl whose wardrobe is almost strictly monochrome, this is my go-to outfit of the moment and takes me from work to evening in a quick slick of lipstick. After many years of wanting it, I think I'm going to give in and get my hands on Lime Crime's Velvetine for the perfect matte pout.

This Charming Man

For my 22nd birthday, my mum bought me a bracelet and about a week later, in the midst of moving out of my last university house, managed to break it. I was heartbroken. And over 2 years later, being the slight sap that I am, I managed to find something slightly similar (similar charm, similar colour) and snapped it up.

Whilst I often covet the jewellery stands in store and online, I still find I'm pretty particular and come away empty handed more often than not. My favourite website to browse (and get seriously close to whipping my card out for) is Black Tied. The perfect mix of chunky chains, the right shade of turquoise and a bit of iconography thrown in for good measure.

But, for now, my little elephant has joined my two never-take-them-off Tiffany bracelets (both presents, the chain from my parents for my 21st, and the band from my ex) and I'm pleased as punch. It's supposed to be a wish bracelet (when the string breaks, the wish will come true) but it's far too sweet to hope for that to happen so my wish is for it stay on as long as possible. They're a mere snip on eBay and you can choose charm and colour to your heart's content.

What I'm Wearing This Weekend (WIWTW)

Having lived in London for almost six years now (jeez, how time flies) and shuttling down on the train to visit my friends and family fairly regularly, I'm slowly perfecting the art of packing. During uni, I used to heave massive suitcases around - having to practically throw them up and down the stairs at tube stations - and then I somehow managed to fit everything I needed for a weekend at home in a tote bag. Yes, really. This year, I've been doing just fine with a weekender from Zara Man (that looks a little like this, but was under a third of the price) that fits all my essentials (straighteners, shoes, coats, laptops and even bottles of wine, etc) around a capsule wardrobe.

This weekend, I'm heading home to see my parents, catch up with friends and meet a new baby. As always, I'm heading home straight from work today and heading straight back into work on Monday morning, and so I adapt my work-wear for weekend-wear to make things work for different occasions (work, cocktails, baby holding - you name it).

What I'm wearing today

I'm not a big trouser wearer - I bought my first pair of jeans in six years last year - but this week, on somewhat of a whim, I ended up buying four pairs of trousers, including these fab 'seven-eighths length' polka dot ones above (chilly ankles!). Today, I've teamed them with a black chiffon tshirt (from Zara, rather than the Topshop one shown above), my trusty boots (I don't wear flats anymore) and a camel blazer. My go-to Zara bag and many rings make their stalwart appearance, and I've been loving bright peach/coral lips this week. With my trademark smokey eyes and messy hair, I've been channelling Brigitte Bardot. (Outfit completed with Illamasqua's Fragile (my review here).)

What I'm wearing this weekend

I fell in love with another polka dot dress but wasn't so sure on the price tag. I picked up the one above this week and whilst it looks a little mumsy, the length definitely isn't, and as a fit it's a dupe for the smock. I plan to wear this tomorrow for previously-mentioned babyholding duties and then seeing my mum. Whilst weekends are definitely meant for relaxing, it doesn't mean my wardrobe has to - you won't be seeing any joggers here, I'm afraid!