Rachel Wears

I was lucky enough to do a bit of styling for the British brand called Rachel Wears last week (click here for the website). Ethical, sustainable and made here in the UK the brand is fresh out of the fashion box launching only 6 weeks ago. What's that sound? Ah yes - me banging the drum for versatility in clothing - so I stayed with my well trodden path of taking 1 item (in this case the Longline Silk Shirt) and styling it 10 ways: for summer, work, a night out and even the beach.

Here are the pics! I hope you can take some inspiration from these and create some new outfits out of what you already own...

With boyfriend jeans (old), Kurt Geiger boots, H&M Trend jacket and gold necklace (old)

With boyfriend jeans (old), H&M Trend Jacket, Whistles Clutch, Vintage pearls, shoes from eBay

    


So here is the shirt styled two different ways in two colour palettes. The one on the left is "for work" - a cashmere jumper, silver jewellery and suede courts. The outfit on the right is "for a wedding" with a lace skirt, gold accessories - I went for a whole load of gold: bag, shoes, ring - and D&G sandals.

One dark, one light  - see the possibilities.

I love a tie - not the best if you have a short neck and large boobs - but these outfits show you can rock the shirt for work with a pencil skirt, and then with jeans. Last winter I wore this cardigan a lot instead of a coat and bloomin loved it.

Lolling pool side?Still need to stylish. Double wrap belt from COS.

High-ho, high -ho, it's off to the beach we go. Silk may be a bugger to iron and not the greatest thing to pack in your suitcase but if you are headed to a fancy resort then a silk shirt will not only keep you cool in the heat, it will also help you feel a little bit luxurious. 

Tucking the shirt into High waisted shorts will accentuate your pins. 

Til next time...x

Jumper jumper on the wall - show me ways to wear you more

So I was at a client's house the other night and got a tad obsessed with a jumper she owned. With the great British weather being so changeable of late a jumper is still the cherry I am popping on the top of my daily outfit cake. So back to the client's jumper. She was wearing it with jeans, I showed her a few more options:

This is THE JUMPER teamed with ....a maxi dress. No? Really? Why yes. The maxi certainly ain't a beach/holiday maxi - there wasn't a beaded tassel or frill in sight. The dress in question was from Whistles and when you buy from Whistles you want to get your wear out of it.

Here's why it works: the monochrome maxi lends itself well to the bold lime-yellow of the jumper and teamed with a bold satchel bag and pointy boots the dress becomes a skirt. There is a simplicity to the outfit in the colour combinations but a striking textual difference (think chunky knit vs. soft cotton vs. leather) which means the eye will rest longer to drink it all in.

Here's the jumper with a sheer shirt underneath it (unworn - you can see the tag still attached just waiting...hoping...wondering in the wardrobe "will I be used?" Why yes, it's time to cut the tags off), a leather pencil skirt and the same accessories. The low scoop of the jumper neckline reveals the sexy sheer shirt but by popping the jumper over the shirt the sheer shirt becomes suitable for the weather (no freezing in the name of fashion here). No coat needed: the jumper does the hard work #bonus.

The leather panelled skirt sings with the bold satchel bag and pointed boots smartening up the jumper and making it suitable work wear.

THE JUMPER gets teamed with 7/8 trousers, ballet flats (note the studs though - more on them later) and a printed shirt.  It's the British equivalent of Parisian chic. Perfect weekend wear/hot second date/city break fodder, this outfit is smart but on-trend and stylish.

Again using the monochrome back drop of the outfit to make the jumper POP, the jumper stands out but the pattern on the shirt keeps the outfit from being dull. Which is the perfect segue into the studs on the shoes I asked you to keep an eye on. The studs and the metal casing on the satchel keep the outfit away from classic/feminine and steer the outfit into cooler territory.

Til next time....x