THE BEST BUYS FROM THE CHRISTMAS SALES

I always do my best post-christmas sale shopping online, from home, preferably  whilst luxuriating in my pjs. Over the past few days I have done plenty of 'research' and there's some great bargains to be had. If you like cashmere (like me!), you're in luck. Warehouse and Topshop have some great buys including the wear-forever jumper dress below with 50% off. The Whistles sale is also impressive; there are some bargain leather goods including the classic Rivington cross body bag which is down to a cheap-as-chips £22.50. There's also some fab party wear in the Atterley sale - Christmas may be over, but there's always room for a glam LBD in my wardrobe!

Left column top - bottom: Black lily jacquard dress, Atterley. Leopard faux fur coat, Mango. Middle column top - bottom: Heart printed shirt, Chinti and Parker. Cashmere bedsocks, Warehouse. Stacking rings, Astley Clarke. Right column top - bottom: Cashmere dress, Topshop. Nike sneakers, Net-a-porter. Rivington cross body, Whistles. 

& here's the best of the rest:

BODEN:

TOPSHOP:

WHISTLES:

J.CREW:

NET-A-PORTER:

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. 

A FESTIVE WISHLIST WITH LONG TALL SALLY #ONEFORYOUONEFORME

If you have Christmas shopping to finish, and you're waking up with a post-office party hangover, the internet is here to help. Most sites will deliver your presents before Christmas, permitting you order online by Monday 21st December. One such site is Long Tall Sally, with whom I've put together this festive wish list. For the mums / best friends / sisters in your life - you can't go wrong with some cosy new pjs for Christmas - I love LTS's traditional checked pjs. Another lovely gift is a stylish pair of leather gloves that will be oh-so necessary when the January frost arrives. Of course I couldn't put together a wish list without adding a few pieces for yours truly. With size 43 feet, I am a big fan of Long Tall Sally's footwear, and have my eye on several pairs of booties on site. I'm also looking forward to a January health kick (too much indulgence already!) and would love this stylish yoga jacket. Christmas shopping never looked so easy! 

Left column top - bottom: Winter check pyjama pant, £25. Stripe ponte tunic, £45. Middle column top - bottom: Performance yoga jacket, £45. Roll neck jersey top, £20. Dazzle glitter boots, £55. Right column top - bottom: Milan leather ankle boots, £100. Leather gloves with ruching, £45. Winter check nightshirt, £30. 

THE BEST LUXURY PYJAMAS

I’m not sure why or when exactly it happened, [although I’m sure a trend forecaster would have a capable explanation] but luxury pyjamas have definitely become a ‘thing’. The past couple of years alone have seen a collective of boutique bed wear brands launch in the market, with pure silks and 100% cotton being the fabrications of choice for our precious shut-eye sessions. More than just loungewear, these ‘jamas can be worn in the daytime too – a tactile silky shirt will dress up denim beautifully. The sartorially brave might even attempt to pull off a top-to-toe pj ensemble in the cold light of day, ala Kate Moss who wore an Olivia Von Halle striped set whilst on holiday in Turkey earlier this year. As far as I'm concerned, pyjamas don't get more covetable than Eight Hour Studio's collection. This new British brand produces dreamy (excuse the pun) fair trade sleep wear, beautiful enough to be considered beachwear or daywear. Surely the perfect Christmas present? (Is my boyfriend reading this...) Which set is on your Christmas wish list? 

Far left column top to bottom: Pineapple print tunic, Desmond and Dempsey, £85. Silk nightie, Hush, £60. Middle column top to bottom: Blazer nightshirt, Eight Hour Studio, £105. Pineapple print cotton short pjs, Desmond and Dempsey, £95. Safe Harbour pyjama set, Yawn London, £89. Right column top to bottom: Classic silk pjs, Charlotte and Co, £175. Ruby and Ed velvet bow ballerinas, Figleaves, £39. Olivia Von Halle Coco light blue silk pjs, Harvey Nichols, £350. 

SECRET SANTA GIFTS UNDER £10

At the risk of sounding like the 21st century incarnation of Dicken’s most popular character [that's Scrooge according to Penguin Books] - I can’t stand Secret Santa. I’m not sure if it’s the budget, the element of surprise or the opportunity to be comedic that throws people, but it’s this gifting formula that has thrown up some of my most bizarre festive gifts. Comedy gifts are my greatest bugbears; £10 for a momentary laugh followed by a swift trip down the charity shop seems like a big expenditure IMHO. So here's an edit of great gifts under £10 that I think would be genuinely lovely to receive. For the boozers in your life offer something more imaginative that a bottle and opt for an alcoholic pastille from Smith & Sinclair (I have sampled them and they really are strong!). For the budding chef, Leon's 'Little' cookbook collection is both aesthetically pleasing and full of useful recipes. Monogrammed gifts are the easiest way to offer something personal and Alphabet bags add an initial to just about anything. For the caffeine fiend, Keepcup's awesome website offers the opportunity to create bespoke reusable coffee cups in the recipients favourite pantone pallet (make mine mint green). So here's the under £10 edit [apart from Selfridges £15 Astro Pouch that I slipped in because it's so pretty!] 

Top row L - R: Little Leon Book: Brownies, Bars & Muffins, Oliver Bonas, £6.99. Smith and Sinclair Gin Pastilles, Harvey Nichols, £9.50. Orelia Star Hoops, Topshop, £10. Weekly Meal Planner, Kikki K, £9. Second row L - R: Jolly Ginger Biscuits, Biscuiteers, £6. Assorted Napolitan Chocolates, Fortnum & Mason, £9.50. Christmas Lip Bullet Duo, Topshop, £10.  Bespoke Keepcup, Keepcup.com, £10. Third row L - R: S Mini Tote, Alphabet Bags, £8. Astro Fragrance Pouch, Selfridges, £15. Alphabet Candle, Marks and Spencer, £3. Bottom row L - R : This Works Dream Team Set, Harvey Nichols, £10.  Marble Monogram Notebook, Studio Sarah, £6.95. Glitter Lights Socks, Topshop, £3.50. Korres Mini Showergel Collection, Birchbox, £10. 

COMPETITION: WIN TWO TICKETS TO THE CLOTHES SHOW LIVE

If you've ever been to The Clothes Show before, you'll know it's a fun day out from which you'll come home loaded with fashion and beauty treats.  I have great memories of the girly days out mum and I shared there when I was a teen [a decade ago - yikes!] and seeing my first ever catwalk show. This year the show will boast a new and improved layout with fresh, innovative features to enhance and enrich the shopping, catwalk and seminar experiences for us style-savvy visitors. I have two tickets to give away (worth £29 each) for the Saturday December 5th show, with a line-up that includes fashion experts Mark Heyes, Hilary Alexander and Caryn Franklin plus eye-candy in the form of Andy Jordan (hello secret crush alert!). Entering is really easy through the competition form below and I'll be announcing the winner via email and on social media next week. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LFF EDITS: BODEN CHRISTMAS 2015 COLLECTION

With my festive social calendar looking busier than newly single Spencer Matthews at Bodo’s Schloss on a Friday night, I’m looking for a few party pieces to add some sparkle to my seasonal wardrobe. The brief; fancy pieces that I can wear for a day in the office and tweak for a night on the tiles. My go-to source of inspiration? You might be suprised - the Boden festive catalogue - which landed on my doormat a couple of weeks ago and is filled with super-gorgeous glitter-dusted outfit inspiration. Take the brocade lace ‘Party Trousers' for example. Layer them up with a soft navy knit for day, and add a pointed court shoe and striped tee come party time. The glitter dusted Mary Janes are also super fabulous and v. Miu Miu! I’d pair them with some frayed hem jeans for that cool luxe - casual contrast. Here's an edit of my favourite styles: 

Left column top to bottom: Party Trousers, £74.25. Bow heel, £139. Pippa faux-fur coat, £199. Middle column top to bottom: Luxe lace top, £74.25. Merino off-duty jumper, £89. Sequin joggers, £66.75. Right column top to bottom: Hampton coat, £179. Glitter Mary-Janes, £99. Statement sequin skirt, £96.75. 

LFF X UGG AUSTRALIA

One of the best things about living in London is the germinating multitude of green spaces. The city's parks play a big part in my life - I run round Clapham Common, picnic in Battersea Park and play tourist in Hyde Park. When UGG Australia invited me to road-test a pair of their classic UGG boots in the park, I happily obliged. Which is how I found myself in Hyde Park last Saturday enjoying the last few rays of autumn sunshine.

LFF OUTFITS: ROAD TESTING AW15'S SUEDE TREND

The thrill of discovering a cool, new brand on the high street never fades. Especially when their range includes these amazing blue real suede culottes. Uncover this upcoming label >

WHEN TO BUY DESIGNER CLOTHES (AND WHEN TO SAVE YOUR MONEY!)

I am not going to lie, if money was no object I wear designer errrrything. Unfortunately working in the fashion industry, my budget doesn't stretch far past T K Maxx's reduced Gold Label rail, so I have to be creative and splurge wisely. But where to spend and where to save? I like to draw inspiration from the fashion editors and invest where it really shows - spending in outfit transforming statement styles -  and saving on the basics. For everyday denim - Topshop, for knitwear and cashmere - Uniqlo and simple tees and shirting - Gap.  Then your  blow-out budget is free to splurge on fabulous shoes, handbags, womens jackets, chic dresses and sunglasses, that elevate your high street classics to stylish new heights. 

Left column top - bottom: Embroidered cat dress, Victoria Beckham, £740. Newlyn brogues, Paul Smith, £285. Middle column top - bottom:  Cat keyring, Vivienne Westwood, £40. Lori polka dot court shoes, Paul Smith, £290. Motif cardigan, Comme des Garcons Play, £241. Right column top - bottom: Pro leather low tops, Comme des Garcons Play, £95. Striped leather purse with chain strap, Paul Smith, £140. Fluoro wallet, Comme des Garcons, £164. 

*This is a collaborative post with the Garment Quarter.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WINTER JUMPER

Butternut squash soup and the return of Strictly Come Dancing aside, nothing makes me happier in Autumn than wrapping up in a beautiful knit. Shop the best the high street has to offer with my guide to finding the perfect jumper:  

LFF EDITS: AW15 GREEN FASHION

Ah, the masterful hand of Jasper Conran. A week on from sitting catwalk-side at Conran's SS16 show, I'm dreaming about updating my wardrobe with the myriad of green hues showcased in the collection (see the full run-down on Vogue.com here - it's exquisite!). Finally my namesake (yup, I'm a Sophie Green) is in fashion and big news come spring/summer 16, too. If your school uniform was bottle green, you wouldn't be blamed for approaching this trend with caution. The secret to taking this hue from grammar school to Grazia is to introduce flashes of embellishment, metallics and iridescents. Fabrics are key here - think soft suedes, glossy leathers and slick snakeskins to add interest to top-to-toe green looks. Here's my edit of the best buys available now:

First column: Iris and Ink green jacquard shell top, The Outnet, £110. Middle column top to bottom: Selected Femme green suede biker, Atterley, £190. Miami large back to bag purse, Stevan Saville, £485. Java mid buckle shoes, Topshop, £46. Third column top to bottom: Green leather culottes, & Other Stories, £195. New Balance 620 green suede trainers, ASOS, £65. Green polo neck, H&M Studio, £14.99. 

WHAT I WORE TO LONDON FASHION WEEK

I told myself I wasn't going to attend London Fashion Week this season. As a part-time blogger I have no real reason or entitlement to be there, I just happen to love the whole experience. But having given it some thought I realised I would be really sad to miss out on the whole event - I have attended 10 consecutive seasons now and am yet to feel jaded by fashion. So on Saturday I put on my finery and headed to the new venue - Brewer Street Car Park (more on the venue later…) - for the Jasper Conran show. Here's what I wore:

STYLING TIPS FOR FINE HAIR

We all have hair struggles - in fact I have several - early onset greys and Monica Gellar humidity-hair are my major complaints. I don't have fine hair, but my girlfriends that do tell me styling is a right pain in the Kim-Kardash's-defining-feature (aka. arse). When I learnt that my go-to salon - Headmasters - had collaborated with Nioxin (the No.1 brand for thinning hair) to create the perfect blow-dry for baby-fine hair, I was invited to the salon to try out the experience. Although I am not the target client for this treatment, I picked up some excellent tips for styling both fine and thick hair that need to be shared on LFF. I also had my hair lobbed off into Rosie Huntington-Whiteley 'WOB' (that's a wavy bob in hair-speak) on the same visit, which has been a pretty life changing decision, (a total dream to style) and also happens to be the perfect cut for fine hair!  

THE AUTUMN EDIT: HIGH STREET BUYS FOR FALL 15

One of the consolation prizes of summer coming to an abrupt end here in the UK is the prospect of a shiny, new autumn wardrobe. There are some bonkers and brilliant trends flying around next season - I'm sure I'll get on board with some seventies folk and tactile shearling, but as a fairly classic dresser I'm drawn towards perennial autumnal classics - a great coat, smart flats, leopard prints, flashes of burgundy. After a summer of fun, my budget is less prada and more primark, so this edit is all from the high street, too (yippee!). 

Left column top - bottom: Star hoops, Tada and Toy, £53. High vamp loafers, Next, £32. Belleville tailored burgundy trousers, Next, £165.

Middle column top - bottom: Pinstripe coat, And Other Stories, £165. Burgundy messenger bag, Charles & Keith, £49. Leopard print courts, Boden, £110. 

Right column top - bottom: Bien motif t-shirt, Whistles, £45. White lace hem blouse, Atterley, £50. Agnes burgundy leather jacket, Whistles, £330. 

LFF OUTFITS: EAST MEETS WEST

If you like Isabel Marant look, less the Printemps price point, here's the UK high street brand you need to check out (trust me, you'll be surprised!) 

LFF EDITS: FEMININE LINGERIE SETS

With 90% of my underwear draw comprising of multi-buy packs of M&S plain black briefs, I need to stage an intervention and stop buying 'practical' pants. In my fantasy world, I want to wear french lace and silk scanties in shades of blush, duck-egg blue and fresh white, ala Catherine Deneuvue in Belle De Jour. With so many amazing and affordable lingerie options on  the high street at present, there really is no excuse. At the pricier end of the scale, I am in love Stella McCartney's lingerie, which combines the label's sporty aesthetic with feminine hues and lashings of lace for a cool and modern take on delicates. If you have a fuller bust, support is key - Panache and Freya offer expert upholstery in affordable yet feminine designs. Panache's Cleo collection is full of kaleidoscopic neon styles that are anything but frumpy.  Being small-busted, I can't believe it has taken me up until now to discover the joys of a t-shirt bra. At the age of 27, I'm well past my days of chicken fillets, and whilst t-shirt bras don't create va-va-voom, they are unbelievably comfy [C-cup and below only need apply]. When it's time for some shut-eye, I am a fan of chemises and camisoles and if it's 100% silk, it's on wish list (a girl can dream!). Here's my edit of the prettiest styles online now: 

1. Eberjey Paloma mint lace and jersey camisole, Harvey Nichols, £66. 2. Minx leopard plunge bra and briefs, Freya, £35 & £16. 3. Stella McCartney Millie bodysuit, Net-a-porter.com, £65. 4. Rosie for Autograph Teddy,  M&S. 5. Marcie lingerie set, Panache Lingerie. 6. Triangle soft bra and briefs, And Other Stories, £19 & £10. 7. Stella McCartney whispering oyster silk chemise, Harvey Nichols, £160. 8. Louisa balcony bra and briefs, John Lewis, £30 & £15. 9. Satin bra and briefs, and Other Stories, £25 & £12. 

LFF X LA REDOUTE

The La Redoute brand is a bit of an institution in my household; Mama Green introduced me to the catalogue as a little girl and I believe that's where my love affair with French style began. It's that effortless sexy-cool, rock and roll, dishevelled-yet-put-together look the Vogue FR editors channel that the fashion world wants a little piece of. To celebrate French style and the statement items that every woman should own, La Redoute surveyed 300 french women to find out the five essential investment pieces that make up their capsule wardrobe. Some of the results surprised me (no Breton tee quelle horreur!), continue reading after the jump to discover the 5 pieces and see how I styled them for a week in my wardrobe:

FYODOR GOLAN LOVES MY LITTLE PONY SELFRIDGES POP-UP

With fashion collaborations now as commonplace as paparazzi pictures of Louis Tomlinson falling out of a club, hot-babe-in-tow, it takes a special meeting of creative minds to capture the sartorial world's attention. But here's a collaboration I am currently digging: London Fashion Week designers Fyodor Golan have taken their playful aesthetic and joined forces with every little girl's favourite toy - My Little Pony - for the Fyodor Golan loves My Little Pony fashion collection. To celebrate the collaboration, Selfridges has set up a pop-up shop, on the contemporary floor, which houses an exclusive and giant My Little Pony designed by Fyodor and Golan (which appears to be regurgitating a giant rainbow which is quite simply, fantastic) and a giant rainbow. With several of the pieces from Fyodor's Golan's SS15 catwalk show on display, prices start from £100 for limited edition motif sweater. The pop-up is only running until 1st August, so there's just one week left to discover and shop this bonkers and brilliant partnership. 

Image: Gareth Davies at Selfridges

See the full collection online at Selfridges website & plan your visit.

SHOPPING FOR: PALM PRINTS

A perennial summer favourite, palm prints are maturing into the trend of spring/summer 15 (expect horticural pun overkill in this post - sorry!). The cooler alternative to chintzy country garden florals, the high street is overgrown with evergreen ferns and tropical palm motifs this season. To do this look on a budget, head to H&M - I picked up a printed shirt and culottes from the latest H&M conscious collection for just over £30 for the set. At the top end of the high street, East London print purveyor House of Hackney is your go to - the 'palmeral' print is signature to the brand and a design classic. Here's my edit of the best palm prints available now:

Left column top - bottom: Palmeral 'Ameil' t-shirt dress, House of Hackney. Hillier palm tree 14kt yellow gold single earring, Mytheresa. Mara Hoffman harvest cut-out swimsuit, Net-a-porter. 

Middle column top - bottom: Elizabeth and James palm print stretch scuba jersey top, Net-a-porter. Puma tennis shoes, House of Hackney x Puma. Patterned culottes, H&M. Soft fold clutch, Charles & Keith. 

Right column top-bottom: East palm print linen dress, John Lewis. Mgsm palm tree sandals, Farfetch.com. Hillier palm tree necklace, Mytheresa.com. 

Shirt, H&M Conscious Collection [not online - shop the playsuit and culottes.]

BEST BUYS - THE SPRING SUMMER 15 SALES

What to buy and what to avoid like a Spencer Matthews chat-up line in the spring/summer sales? I recently read an interesting article on ethical fashion in which sustainability campaigner Livia Firth offered up her advice on our shopping habits; each time you make a purchase ask yourself if you are going to wear the garment 30 times, and if the answers no, put it back. Sound advice to help us all shop with a conscience. So here’s my sales edit with sustainability in mind – timeless investments that you will wear forever. The Breton stripe is a great starting point and J.Crew have several interpretations in sale. Clarks sandals are my summer go-tos, they’re so comfortable you will wear and wear them and these sporty white sandals are on trend, too. Elsewhere investigate The Finery sale which is full of smart tran-seasonal buys like the Danbury lace shift dress that will look great layered over a polo neck once the temperature drops. A great white tee or a transformative piece of costume jewellery is a great buy, too. 

1st column top - bottom: Jennifer leather tote, Jaeger,  £99 £75. Topshop Unique cropped knitted sweater, £60 £30. Metallic sandals, Cos, £135 £94. Raey cotton jersey t-shirt, Matchesfashion.com, £65 £45. 

2nd column top - bottom: Lace-up sailor tee, J.Crew, £68 £47. Netrix Rose white leather sandals, Clarks, £50 £25. Stacking rings, Astley Clarke, from £30. Danbury lace shift dress, Finery, £75 £49. 

3rd column top - bottom: Sheer lips in Play with Fire, Topshop, £8 £3. Bamboo print silk trousers, Whistles, £170 £85. J.Crew tassel earrings, Net-a-porter.com, £60 £30. 

LFF OUTFITS: MADE IN MANHATTAN

One of the most enjoyable aspects of working for a fashion label is seeing the creative process from start to finish. Having watched our designer and product team at The Fold create this outfit, it was the marketing team's task to name the pieces (such a fun part of my job!). This jacquard pixel print fabric felt cosmopolitan and almost futuristic, so when the name Manhattan was put forward it was one of those lightbulb moments when we knew we had christened the design! 

9 OF THE BEST COOL SWEATERS

Something I love almost as much as a breton tee, is a slogan-number. Sure,  I have plenty of cool t-shirts in my wardrobe [Wildfox and Zoe Karssen make the best], but they spend a lot of time hidden under a jacket. The solution? A statement sweater. The kind of piece I can just throw-on-and-go on a Saturday morning or pair with a midi skirt for dress down Fridays. For the holy grail of cool sweaters, check out Bella Freud, Markus Lupfer and Etre Cecile. Short of cash? No problem - Topshop, M + Co and independent designer Hannah Beth Fincham have you covered. Here's my edit of the best:

1. Orwell and Austin, Wolf and Badger. 2. Markus Lupfer, Net-a-porter.com. 3. Mermaid sweater, Hannah Beth Fincham. 4. EDIT Alphabet sweater, Liberty London. 5. Love sweater, M&Co. 6. Bella Freud, Net-a-porter.com. 7. See by Chloe, Net-a-porter.com. 8. Foil-flower motif, Topshop. 9. Future sweater, Etre Cecile. 

WHAT TO WEAR TO A SUMMER WEDDING

Heading to a summer wedding? Here's the style dos and don'ts to keep you on the sartorial straight: 

OPI RAPIDRY TOP COAT REVIEW

The secret to perfect at-home manis every time? I think I have found it. 

Last year I ditched my gel manicures in favour of at-home DIY polish jobs. It's an expensive habit, and my fortnightly visits to the nail bar were bankrupting me. However, I really couldn't stand painting my nails at home - I am an impatient Aries and waiting for varnish to dry is pet hate! To cut the chase - my colleague at the time (hi Alexia!) had amazing nails. She'd turn up at work with fresh manicure every other day and most impressively she shared that she painted her nails in the morning before heading to the office. Her secret? A quick drying top coat. I've tried a few  so-so quick dry products in the past, but Alexia's recommendation - OPI Rapidry Top Coat really works. I'm talking 10 min drying time max. The only downside is that manicures don't last more than 3 days before they start to chip. But if you're in a hurry, this product is the dream! 

Opi Rapidry Quick Drying Top Coat, Feelunique.com, £14.50. 

LFF OUTFITS: SOMETHING BLUE

With a wardrobe dominated by a palette of black, white, navy, grey and of course – stripes, colour is out of my comfort zone. So here’s something adventurous by my standards – a dose of cornflower blue.

9 GREAT BRETON TEES WITH A TWIST

Yep, another blog about Breton t-shirts. If my blog title wasn't a dead giveaway, I'm a sartorial francophile, and the humble stripe t-shirt is my all-time favourite wardrobe staple. If you're after a classic tee, my go-to is Saint James. If your wardrobe is already stocked with classic striped styles, here are 9 great Bretons with a twist on my wish list right now [although I already have number 4!]: 

1. Tie-front, Topshop. 2. Printed, Chinti and Parker. 3. Multi Breton, Boden. 4. Multi Breton, Boden. 5. Sleeve detail, J.Crew. 6. Heart motif, Chinti and Parker. 7. Rose-print, Band of Outsiders. 8. Yellow, Iris and Ink. 9. Appliqué, Zara. 

5 HAIR COLOURING TECHNIQUES TO TRY THIS SUMMER

Highlights, dip-dying and all over bleach; you might think that the world of dye jobs ends there, but there's actually a wealth of options in the world of couture colour. Used expertly, hair colour can be used to contour your face like a good bronzer, highlight your best features and even make a fine head of hair appear to be a thick, lustrous mane. I'm speaking from experience, having had some really cool techniques applied to my locks by the Headmasters team. Here are some of the latest looks to ask your stylist for at your next appointment:

LFF OUTFITS: ACTIN' SHADY

Sturdy, on-trend shades with the high end look on a high street budget? Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? But I reckon I've found them:

THE BIG LFF SS15 SANDAL EDIT!

I don't mean to hurry you, but now really is the time to snap up for S/S15 sandals, before the best styles sell out. But what are the trends to look out for this  year? The 1970s trend is unavoidable this summer, and lace up sandals are the perfect accessory for floaty, bohemian smocks. A perennial trend, jewelled sandals come back into fashion every summer. Look out for chunky embellishments to get the Marni signature look at a fraction of the price. Sporty styles are still key - even trekking sandals get a look in.  Chunky soles are key to nailing this look; on the high street, Clarks is my go-to for this trend. Colour-block sandals were seen with frothy tulle skirts and denim jackets on the Burberry SS15 catwalk. If you can't afford the cool £395 for a pair of Prorsum originals, check out Boden's footwear offering which is joyfully kaleidoscopic this season. Which trends will you be trialling? 

Top row L-R: £££ Gianvito Rossi lace up suede sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £565. ££ Black leather lace front sandal,Office, £38. Heaven tan gladiator sandals, Topshop, £26. 

Second row L-R: Marni embellished calf hair sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £270. Navy flat jewelled sandals, Zara, £39.99. Black satin jewelled sandals, Next, £38. 

Third row L-R: Sophia Webster Yayoi slides, Net-a-porter.com, £195. Netrix Rose snakeskin sandals, Clarks, £50. Dusty Soul white leather sandals, Clarks, £55. 

Bottom row L-R: Burberry colour-block sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £395. Tan colourblock sandals, Boden, £59. Teva mosaic orange sandals, Office, £34.99. 

LFF OUTFITS: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

You'll never guess where this amazing peasant top is from… Isabel Marant? Chloe? Nope and nope, it's a high street special and even better - it's under £50! 

OUTFIT POST: MY 9-5 UNIFORM

Unofficial statistics suggest the average woman wears just 20% of their wardrobe. In honest truth, despite working in the fashion, I probably don't fare much better than that. I'm a '5-outfits-at-any-given-time-gal'; I wear and wear my favourite looks until they look shabby and move on.  So what I am wearing right now? This outfit - possibly the easiest and most effortless I own.

BEAUTY REVIEW - KADRIA SKINCARE'S BALANCING FACE OIL

There’s a common myth I want to dispel about beauty oils – ‘oils cause breakouts’ – well, put simply, they don’t. You’d be forgiven for holding this view, however - the magazines I read as a teen preached about the spot-breeding evils of oil – hey, even my non-metrosexual boyfriend questioned why I would risk using a facial oil when I told him I was trialling a new product [he kindly indulges me in beauty-related conversations from time to time]. Yet I can confidently say that subbing my bedtime moisturiser for oil has been one of the best decision I’ve made for my skin since I took the plunge a year ago. I’ve tried several oils in the interim, including Kadria’s Balancing Face Oil which I was recently sent to try. 

SOPHIA WEBSTER'S AW15 LFW PRESENTATION

The ultimate mermaid shoes, surely? But then, if there's any designer that can deliver the ultimate in her field, it's Sophia Webster.

As a footwear designer, Webster's talent lies in seducing the shopper with nostalgia, inviting her customer to reconnect with their inner tweenagers.  I thought my days of coveting mermaid sequins, rainbow colour and butterfly motifs were decades behind me - turns out - when combined with grown-up razor sharp heel, I'm fully game.  You only needed to look down at Webster's presentation to discover the most sartorially sombre of fashion editors modelling the label's frivolously fun, hyper-real designs at their feet. 

WHAT TO WEAR FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

What to wear for a job interview? It's one of the most googled style questions for a good reason, I think we have all had a sartorial crisis pre-interview at some stage in our careers. Having been Marketing Manager for The Fold London - a British fashion brand that empowers modern professional women - for nearly 5 months, I've learnt so much about the trials women face each day getting dressed for work, pitching for promotions and interviewing for new roles. So, when City Calling got in contact and asked me to write a blog post on this very topic, I thought I'd share some of my recently acquired wisdom. Here are the tips & tricks to follow:

Research the company: Do your research online and investigate the internal dress code (the company website and social media channels often offer clues). Tailor your style to the company's image so as not to alienate those interviewing. 

Stay in your comfort zone: Now is not the time to try the latest trends or to make a bold fashion statement. Wear something comfortable yet smart that makes you feel good. 

Wear comfortable shoes: I made the mistake of wearing new loafers that I hadn't broken in to an interview last year. Just walking into the interview was uncomfortable and I felt self conscious rather than confident thanks to my unavoidable my-heels-are-in-agony limp (unsurprisingly I wasn't hired). A mid-height heel is good solution, walkable meets confidence-boosting is a winning formula. 

Watch your hemline: A raised hemline will raise eyebrows. Keep things knee length or below, you'll be thankful when you sit down in front of HR and your hemline rises! 

Wear something memorable: This slightly contradicts my other tips, however, I strongly believe that an eye-catching accessory can set you apart in a sea of candidates. One former boss told me she hired me because she liked my mint green nail polish (!) - this tip applies even if you don't work in a creative environment - a colourful tote or an eye-catching drop earring can help to differentiate from the crowd.

Here's some job interview outfits to consider:

Corporate: Le Marais navy tuxedo jacket, The Fold London, £245. Le Marais navy tapered trousers, The Fold London, £155. Navy heeled courts, Dorothy Perkins, £25. Structured work tote, Charles & Keith, £59.

Creative: Silk stripe blouse, Uniqlo, £39.90. J.W.Anderson navy pleather skirt, Avenue 32, £148. Sophie Hulme textured shoulder bag, The Outnet, £294.25. Navy honeycup ankle boots, Rupert Sanderson, £555.

Career move: Iris & Ink silk shirt dress, The Outnet, £160. Skinny bud drop earrings, Monica Vinader, £110. Maribel red courts, Liam Fahy, £390. Mini Devonshire tote, Loxley England, £425. 

EDELINE LEE - SS15 LFW PRESENTATION

The Edeline Lee girl for AW14 was a sneaker-sporting, cobalt-clad, urban girl. In contrast, SS15 saw a romantic, feminine turn for the London-based Korean Canadian designer, who presented a collection inspired by the renovation of her Victorian home in East London.  

A sense of theatre defines Lee's LFW presentations, and this season's set up - a custom built marquee on the Somerset House terrace - was particularly impressive. Inside the space, models were posed inside individual 'rooms', each themed by a colour card from the Little Greene collection and decorated with colour co-ordinated curios from fine china teapots to ceramic pineapples and romantic canopies of powder-pink roses.  

IN THE NAVY

There are so many SS15 trends I just can’t get my head round. Seventies fringing? Military green? Top-to-toe suede? I don’t see these looks fitting into my life or wardrobe. Maybe I am getting older but fast fashion no longer interests me. So what does a girl with this mindset invest in for SS15? How about some chic wear-forever navy blue? Navy’s been having a sartorial moment of late, but in truth it never dates. How to wear it? Colour block navy blue head-to-toe or mix in some black (yes, you can pair navy and black), but avoid bright colour to keep the aesthetic fresh. Navy looks best against neutral shades. Here’s my edit of SS15’s best navy buys:

Top Row L-R: Iris & Ink navy silk shirtdress, The Outnet, £160. Le Marais boxy top in navy, The Fold, £125. Bella slingbacks in navy, Boden, £99.

Middle Row: Radley Victoria Park leather cross body bag, John Lewis, £159. 

Bottom Row L-R: Extra fine cotton stripe shirt, Uniqlo, £19.90. Cashmere-mix ribbed tunic, Whistles, £195. Lola crop top and Maddy skirt, Whistles, £95 & £45.