9 OF THE BEST: FESTIVE JUMPERS

There’s a subtle difference between a festive knit and a Christmas jumper IMOH. I define the festive knit as something with a sense of seasonality (bear with…) – a fair isle knit, a twinkling lurex threaded jumper or a charming slogan number all bring good tidings without appearing tacky.  Then there’s the Christmas jumper, a naff novelty number that tends to be a hard-sartorial sell – if Colin Firth can’t pull a look off, no-one can.  

What also separates a festive knit from a Christmas jumper is shelf-life. Festive knits deliver cost per wear because whilst they look great in December, they won’t be resigned to the back of your wardrobe come January. From a sustainability point of view – the festive knit wins hand down.  Having said that – I do own a t-shirt bearing Wham’s! iconic Last Christmas artwork but between you and I, in private I wear that all year round. If Wham! Isn’t your thing, here’s a edit of the best knits for xmas & beyond: 

AND A FEW MORE...

THE PERFECT BLACK BLAZER FROM BAUKJEN

Hey hey, here's a long overdue outfit post featuring the perfect black blazer.

Blazers are such an important part of my wardrobe, I have a unofficial work wear wardrobe and it's basically blazers worn with t-shirts, jeans, trainers and the occasional pair of court shoes when I'm feeling less lazy (it can't be overstated how lazy I am when getting dressed). What I love about a blazer is that it makes me feel instantaneously work-ready and pulled together, even when my brain might not be on the same page (it usually gets going sometime around midday on a Tuesday). 

Outfit credits: Blazer: Baukjen (gifted) | Denim skirt: vintage (similar) | Earrings: Next (not online but I got mine recently in store for £6!) | Bag: Gucci | T-shirt : Gap | Mules: Next 

WHY I'M NOT FREAKING OUT ABOUT TURNING 30

Type ‘turning 30’ into google and the first page of results have a common theme.

Result number one, a Psychology Now article ‘If you’re turning 30 and freaking out’, is followed by a succession of depressing opinion pieces from Cosmo, Huffpost and the Metro, of a similar nature. The hysteria peaks at result number 9, a Mumsnet thread titled ‘to be utterly depressed about turning 30...???’ (LOL, oh Mumsnet…)

Then there’s throwaway comments; ‘You’re not turning 30… are you? Oh god you are!’, ‘How do you feel, scared?’…‘Don’t worry, at least you don’t look 30’. 

I wanted to write this blog to present an alternative opinion; a viewpoint from someone turning 30 imminently, freak-out free, genuinely full of excitement for the unwritten decade ahead.

SHOP THE LOOK:

THE BEST BUYS IN THE JANUARY SALES

If you've not got round to checking them out yet, there's still some bargains to be had in the January sales. Long time readers of this blog will know I endeavour not to follow trends where possible, so I've done my best to edit the sale buys that I think will have plenty of mileage in 2018.  

One of the most exciting sales for me is the Alexachung sale, on Net-a-porter. Having tried (emphasis on the word tried) to emulate Alexa's look many a time, I was super excited about the launch of her eponymous collection. However the prices were definitely out my budget, so the sale offers the opportunity to buy into a little piece of the Alexa magic. 

Elsewhere the Baukjen sale is definitely worth checking out for cut price investment pieces - look for leather jackets and winter coats. The Me + Em sale is another highlight; I am obsessed with the below side stripe jeans that have the perfect wash and cut combined with interesting side stripe detail. 1. Madewell striped cotton t-shirt, Net-a-porter.com, £60 now £30. 2. Leopard print remi coat, Baukjen, £899 now £719. 3. Side stripe jeans, Me & Em £139  £69. 4. Textured double breasted coat, Whistles, £99. 5. Alexachung red pumps, Net-a-porter.com, £300 £150. 6. Kearia black ankle boots, Aldo, £120 £83.98. 7. Iva leather jacket, Baukjen, £399 £259. 8. Alexa Chung zip up jersey track jacket, Net-a-porter.com, £250 £175.  9. Lipstick, Topshop, £8 £3. 10. Manu Atelier burgundy shoulder bag, Net-a-porter.com, £475 now £285. 11. Lydia panelled top, Kitri studio, £75 £52. 

Happy shopping! x

1. Madewell striped cotton t-shirt, Net-a-porter.com, £60 now £30. 2. Leopard print remi coat, Baukjen, £899 now £719. 3. Side stripe jeans, Me & Em £139  £69. 4. Textured double breasted coat, Whistles, £99. 5. Alexachung red pumps, Net-a-porter.com, £300 £150. 6. Kearia black ankle boots, Aldo, £120 £83.98. 7. Iva leather jacket, Baukjen, £399 £259. 8. Alexa Chung zip up jersey track jacket, Net-a-porter.com, £250 £175.  9. Lipstick, Topshop, £8 £3. 10. Manu Atelier burgundy shoulder bag, Net-a-porter.com, £475 now £285. 11. Lydia panelled top, Kitri studio, £75 £52. 

WHAT TO BUY IN THE BAUKJEN SALE....

Once in a while you discover a brand that’s 100 percent ‘you’ – and that’s how I feel about Baukjen. 

I find it such an effort to follow fashion, letting most trends pass me by. Interested in clothes and style above fashion, put simply, I find the process of changing my wardrobe from season to season a real pain the ass (not to mention super-wasteful). Which is why the Baukjen aesthetic speaks volumes to me.

Beautiful, timeless investment pieces are Baukjen's speciality - a classic trench coat, real leather leggings, a good quality stripe t-shirt,  a good cotton shirt (add in some blue denim and that's basically my entire wardrobe.) 

On a side note, I also love the models Baukjen cast – woman that showcase an aspirational yet attainable type of beauty, not too young, not too thin, not too groomed (but super-gorgeous, all the same). 

Of course when you're buying quality clothing, price points are slightly higher than the high street. Which is why now is a great time to shop Baukjen as the end of season sale is currently underway - some of the final reductions are real bargains! This is a great time to buy the investment pieces you can wear for seasons to come. For some inspiration, I've put together a little edit below of my favourite buys: 

SHOP:

THE LONDON LIMBO: WHY LIVING IN THE CAPITAL ISN'T ALL IT'S CUT OUT TO BE

Are the streets of London really paved with gold? When I moved to the big smoke seven years ago I was full of expectation, with dreams to rival Dick Whittington’s.

The reality? Perhaps the streets of the City are where fortunes are found, but the rest of capital is more likely to bleed you dry than bolster your bank account (and on a Friday night you’ll find the streets of the City are paved with vomit, not cash money). 

SEXY? NO, NO, NO…?

I have been meaning to write a blog post about ‘dressing sexy’. Yes – you read that right. 

Sexy isn’t a word I attach to myself, or the way I dress easily. It's also an adjective that makes me balk when used to describe any of the following – food, cars, interiors, PR strategies, Paul Hollywood…you get the idea. Having said that, something happened when I entered my mid twenties...

I'm wearing the Rosemere dress from Baukjen here. LFF readers can enjoy 20% off Baukjen using the code FASHIONFOLIE20 (valid until 29.11.15).   

WHERE TO BUY A REAL LEATHER JACKET ON THE HIGH STREET

Where to buy an affordable real leather biker jacket on the high street? It’s a question I have been posed by my sister and a few of my girlfriends recently, so I thought it would make for a useful blog post. And boy have I done my research, there options aplenty below the jump. 

It’s the perfect time to invest in a biker, I promise you’ll get tons of wear out of one in the coming months. Whilst the climate is balmy, a biker accompanies me when I go ‘out out’. When the leaves begin to fall, I layer up my biker over roll-neck knits, before wearing this most prized of possessions under coats & furry gilets when it’s f*cking freezing. My mantra? Whatever the weather - leather!  

Baukjen Everyday Biker Jacket.

LFF OUTFITS: ROADTESTING BAUKJEN'S HIGH SUMMER COLLECTION

Behind the smoke and mirrors of blogging; when photographer Natasha and I shot this post the weather was overcast and less than summer-like and we were in a hurry to catch the last glimpses of day light after a long Tuesday in the office.  It all goes to show what a great camera lens and a touch of post- editing can do, it's refreshing to be honest sometimes and share the truth behind the mechanics of blogging! 

HOW I WEAR MY BAUKJEN LEATHER MINI SKIRT

The December sales are in full swing and with just about every retailer getting involved, it's hard to know where to begin.  My tip? Look for wear-forever buys that you will wear now and well into 2016. I'm avoiding anything remotely 70s inspired, sequinned or bohemian in favour of simple, classic pieces. A perfect example of this is this amazing leather skirt, that's just gone into sale.