STYLE CLASSICS TO BUY IN THE JANUARY SALES

The sales are either a good place to buy two types of purchase - crazy trends for dirt cheap, or style classics that won't be reduced greatly but can be worn again and again.  With limited wardrobe space, the latter is definitely my priority, so I have put together an edit of some of my favourite staples to buy in the January sales. Leather, striped t-shirts, navy coats, blue shirts, jumper dresses, you can't go wrong when investing in wear-forever pieces: 

LEATHER & SUEDE:

FINE JEWELLERY: 

BRETON TOP:

NAVY COAT:

BLUE SHIRT:

DESIGNER BAG:

JUMPER DRESS:

LBD's:

WHY DYING MY HAIR RED WAS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I’VE DONE FOR MY CONFIDENCE

Four years ago, I made my most drastic image change to date, dying my hair a vivid hue of auburn red with the help of Headmasters (you can read the original post here to see the transformation in full). It was something I had wanted to do in forever, but hairdressers had always advised against, on the basis that reaching for the bleach could seriously damage my hair. 

Then, (to cut a long story short) my long-term boyfriend ended things, out of the blue - and like so many post-break up, I felt the need for a drastic image overhaul. It’s at this point that experts would probably advise against cultivating a new look, arguing it’s not possible to make balanced judgements when your life is in free fall.

My only regret? Not taking the plunge sooner.

HOW TO WEAR VANS OLD SKOOL TRAINERS

New to the fashion crowd, but a staple amongst skater boys, Vans Old Skool Shoes were the trainers at the feet of every fashion body at the SS17 shows. And I can see why. Having tried on a pair recently,  as a self-proclaimed sneaker freak, I can confirm they are truly a thing of beauty. The sole height is perfect - there's a slight platform (higher than a Converse pump,  but not lower than  a Superga platform), they're affordable, they're cool and there's a myriad of colours to choose from. The way to wear your Vans is with some unexpected pairings - think pretty silk dresses and you're on the right lines. Here's how I'd style my Vans Old Skool sneaks for work, weekend and play: 

WORK from top to bottom: Navy drop waist dress, Ganni. Chelsea crossbody bag, Loxley England. Petit Ella stud earrings, RUIFIER. Prada frames, Glasses123. White Old Skool Vans, Zalando. WEEKEND from top to bottom: Loxley star jumper, Baukjen. Highwaisted denim skirt, Topshop. 'Pristine' red leather bag, Manu Atelier. Lips in Don't Cry For Me, Topshop. Black Old Skool Vans, Zalando. PLAY from top to bottom: Gemma printed dress, Rixo London. Black & navy glitter Milner crossbody bag, Sophie Hulme. Star hoop earrings, Tada and Toy. Nails in Rage, Topshop. Rose gold Old Skool Vans, ASOS. 

MORE TO LOVE:

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).   

5 WAYS TO WEAR A SHIRT THIS WINTER

Having developed a shirt-buying addiction in 2016, I now have a wardrobe stocked with all variations; crisp white cotton, soft blue chambray, the perfect ode to an 1980s oxford via Uniqlo...the list goes on. Now that winter is here, and the temperatures I'm dropping (I'm sipping a toffee nut latte from a Starbucks red cup as type) my shirts have been hanging forlornly in my wardrobe for a few weeks. So I decided to do gather some styling research to uncover a few styling tips and tricks to bring my shirts and blouses into the new season. Here's 5 shirt style stories to try this winter > 

LFF OUTFITS: ROADTESTING MATALAN'S KNITWEAR COLLECTION

Sorry to be a buzzkill y'all - it's time to accept summer is finally over. Looking back over June, July and August, summer '16 was, for me one big adventure. After an off-kilter start to the year, a summer of non-stop fun and carefree abandon was exactly what I needed & I feel so ready for what closing months of 2016 have in store. One thing the season certainly guarantees is falling temperatures, which, if you're a winter dresser at heart like myself - is perversely thrilling. Hence today's post is focussed on knitwear - specifically Matalan's Knitwear collection. 

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'S LONDON RESTAURANT REVIEW - VILLAGE EAST, LONDON BRIDGE

Remember when I used to blog about London + my favourite places to frequent in the city underneath the umbrella of LFF's London? It has been some time (apparently I haven't compiled such a blog post since 2014!) and for no good reason given I barely spend 10 minutes in the house these days thanks to my ever-proliferating sense of FOMO. So the news is; LFF's London is back and I'm kick-starting the resurrection with my new favourite place to do brunch, dinner AND cocktails [just not in one sitting] in London Bridge: Village East. 

GREAT PLAINS IN PECKHAM

I need to begin this outfit post with a disclaimer - in these photos you will observe my BRF (bitchy resting face) in its full disgruntled glory. Now that I've decided to be a bit more personal in my blog posts, it makes it easier to disclose why. Natasha and I shot these photos in Peckham Rye, South East London. Prior to this I had had some dating app related drama in said location inside Frank's Cafe (South London's best bar IMO, situated on the top of multi-story car park with breath-taking panoramic views of the city). 

Come shoot day, I thought I had calmed down enough to return to the scene of the crime - however, my face tells a very different story. As Natasha commented upon returning the shoot edit to me 'You do look pretty angry in most of the pictures'. So I can only apologise - don't be scared. I'm a nice person really. And I have a fierce bag and an amazing new tailored jacket to share with you to counteract all that BRF: 

5 THINGS I LEARNT ABOUT DATING IN 2016

You might have noticed I don’t share details about my personal life on this blog. That’s not to say I haven’t considered it – I’ve written many a cathartic, confessional post in the past only to assign it to my Macbook’s Trash at the point of publishing. It’s laying yourself bare to an unknown audience and that’s pretty scary. 

I’ve been thinking about this lately because - as clichéd as it sounds - 2016 has been a voyage of self-discovery and I believe writing will aid the assimilation of a few thoughts. I’m also hugely aware how important it is to let the reader in from time to time; so in amongst my outfits shoots and musings upon shoes you can expect to see the odd personal post from now on. 

I’ll keep the context short and sweet; smack-bang in the middle of dry January I found myself single following a long-term relationship (it’s actually one of my proudest achievements that I got through that break-up month without a single sip of liquor – we’re all familiar with the healing powers of a G&T when the going gets tough). 

Hence 2016 has been about re-acquainting myself with the world of dating - which, let’s face it, mainly revolves around apps these days - and having only toyed with Tinder briefly there’s lots to learn. So to kick things off, I thought I’d share 5 observations I’ve made since becoming a singleton in 2016: 

PACKING FOR A CRUISE TRIP

Today I am daydreaming about sunnier climes with Bolsover Cruise Club. A Mediterranean cruise around Europe's sun-soaked beaches taking in Italy and Croatia's coastlines with a  Venice pit stop in one trip? I'm sold. I have visited all these destinations previously, but there's something about combining them all in one trip that feel intoxicatingly glamorous. Inevitably being a fashion nut, this then leads to me dreaming about the wardrobe I'd pack for a glamorous jaunt around the Med. A palette of navy and white feels suitably Cruise-like, with a red lip and flashes of gold to up the ante (if you've ever been to Venice you will know you can certainly afford to up the glamour in the city of romance.) Here's the capsule wardrobe I have in mind:

Left column from top to bottom: Striped maxi dress, Iris and Ink. Orlebar Brown tunic, Net-a-porter.com. Middle column from top to bottom: Sophie Hulme blue bucket bag, The Outnet. Le Specs white-framed sunglasses, Net-a-porter.  Finery Clayton navy jumpsuit, John Lewis. Right column from top to bottom: Hibiscus navy leather sandals, Ted & Muffy. Navy textured bikini, Next. Straw fedora hat, & Other Stories. Lips in macaroon, Topshop. 

*post in collaboration with Bolsover Cruise Club*

CHOOSING MY FIRST PAIR OF GLASSES WITH SPECSAVERS

Hypochondria should be my middle name - heck, it’s been remarked that Monica Gellar appears placid in comparison to me. Imagine then, the apprehensions I allowed to enter my consciousness when my eyesight began to blur around 10pm each evening. Cue some misguided self-diagnosis via Doctor Google and I convinced myself that this 100% had to be cataracts. Ridiculous as this sounds, I hadn't taken an eye test in a good eighteen years & I’m was optically ill-educated as they come. 

COMPETITION: WIN YOURSELF A JONES BOOTMAKER VOUCHER!

Jones Bootmaker isn't a shop I've bought shoes at before, however having visited their website recently, I'm already planning my first purchase. Amongst the practical styles are cool shoes, that are crucially – built to last. Forget flimsy ghillie flats with paper thin soles that bring nothing but pain when you’re pounding the pavements; Jones’ ghillies incorporate sturdy soles without compromising on style.

I am a bearer of good news; if your wardrobe needs an update, Jones are offering one LFF reader £30 towards their next purchase. To win the voucher, all you need to do is follow the LFF Twitter using the entry form after the jump & the winner will be announced next week on my Twitter. And if you still need convincing (WHY?!), here’s an edit of my favourite styles from the S/S collection:

NINE SUMMER WEDDING GUEST DRESSES YOU'LL WEAR AGAIN

Whilst I’m not frugal (or remotely good with money for that matter…) I definitely shop with CPW in mind. CPW - to the uninitiated - is w*nky fashion editor speak for ‘cost per wear’ aka. the cost of a garment vs how many times it sees the light of day. I live in a bedsit (in case you are labouring under the misapprehension that my life is glamourous…), with zero space for surplus clothing - hence why my local charity shop, friends, housemates and sister receive regular sartorial handouts. So the concept of buying a dress designated for the races or a wedding, only to be resigned to the back of my closet post-event is alien to me. That’s not to say I don’t have a handful of smartish dresses – I just choose styles that offer mileage past the main event. With this mantra in mind, here’s nine lovely dresses that will look equally at home (with the addition of a smart jacket and closed toe shoe) in the office as they do in the church pews. CPW FTW!

Top row from L - R: Maisie blush pink dress, Whistles. Daniella tie front dress, Iris and Ink. Margot two tone mini dress, Iris and Ink. Middle row from L-R: Terri  blue crepe dress, Iris and Ink. Colour block Toola dress, Coast. Cross back fit and flare dress, Whistles. Bottom row L-R: Marina cross back jumpsuit, Whistles. The Connaught column dress, The Fold. Bolina jacquard jumpsuit, Coast. 

MY FATHER'S DAY PLAYLIST WITH HMV

It might come as a surprise to learn that one of the most avid readers of this blog is my dad. I’m incredibly lucky to have supportive parents who have helped me realise some of my ambitions, encouraging me to study Fashion PR and lending a hand with my street style photos when I started out as a blogger (boyfriend-less blogger problems…). My Dad is so sweetly proud of my achievements, he has even half-jokingly christened himself ‘FOLFF’; explaining this stands for father of La Fashion Folie (!)

When HMV recently got in contact to ask me to put together a post for father’s day, I thought it would be a lovely opportunity to talk about FOLFF on here. We share a similar taste in music – so in collaboration with my favourite record store, continue reading after the jump for father’s day playlist:

SNEAKS OF THE WEEK - THE SS16 TRAINER EDIT

Lazy dressers (aka me!) rejoice – the athlesiure trend (that’s fashion editor speak for sportswear) isn’t going anywhere. If you’re a sneaker novice, you can’t go wrong with Converse or a box-fresh pair of Stan Smith’s –  true wardrobe staples. If you’re seeking something fashion-forward, I’ve rounded up four key trainer trends for the season; flatform soles, white pumps with-a-twist, sneaks with a sporty aesthetic and super-luxurious embellished styles (Miu Miu’s crystal embellished pair will set you back a cool £1,025). There’s a trainer for every occasion - just don’t wear them to gym (!) 

Flatforms from L-R: DKNY Trainers, Daniel Footwear. Ash Snakeskin Trainers, Grazia Shop. Gold glitter flatforms, Office. 

White pumps from L-R: Copenhagen star trainers, Topshop.  Cork-trimmed Stan Smiths, Net-a-porter.com. Metallic leather trainers, Next. 

Sporty from L-R: Nike woven, Net-a-porter.com. Stella Sport, Zalando. DKNY trainers, Daniel Footwear. 

Embellished: Carvela Lullaby flats, House of Fraser. Miu Miu crystal embellished, Net-a-porter.com. Carvela embellished slip-ons, House of Fraser.

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! 

EVERYTHING UNDER £50: YOUR BUDGET SUMMER WARDROBE SORTED

With a jolly booked to Barcelona next week, my summer wardrobe is in need of an update. Unfortunately EasyJet has pretty much cleaned out my bank account (I don't want to talk about it, I'm useless at booking flights and left it far too late...), so I'm on a serious shoestring. As I'm sure I'm not the only moron with a ineptitude for budgeting, I thought I'd put together a thrifty holiday wardrobe edit. Even if you do have cash to flash, I wouldn't recommend blowing the budget on your s/s looks. Why? Well it goes without saying that the British weather presents little opportunity to wear anything vaguely suited the tropics (hello stratospheric cost per wear!) Summer's key fabrics - cotton, linen, chambray are also cheap to produce and easily found on the high street. The moral of this story; your summer clothes really don't have to break the bank, even if your EasyJet flights do .... 

PS. I've embraced technology - everything in the post below is 'clickable'. Just click on the plus sign to be linked directly to the page to purchase, simple!  

ALSO UNDER £50: 

BORN TO BE WIDE?

I don’t wear wide leg trousers - in fact, they scare me. There’s something about all that surplus fabric swishing around the ankles that feels like a death trap (they’re just asking to be chewed up by the tube escalator, surely?) However, after years of the wide-leg fear, something funny has happened. I’ve seen the light and my eye has been turned by a slouchier silhouette.

I blame ME & EM – if you’re unfamiliar with the brand, ME & EM are a cool womenswear label with a focus on modern, simple dressing. Their catalogue is beautifully styled – think wide leg pants paired with box-fresh Stan Smiths for a look that’s as effortless and cool as they come. 

In what can only be described as fashion fate, a few weeks ago, following a press sample clear-out at work (perks of the job) I found myself in possession of a lonely pair of white wide-leg trousers (yup, as impractical as they come) in need of a home. So it only seemed right to style then up on here and see how the whole look worked out…

MY SPRING WISHLIST

You have probably realised by now that I don't really 'do' fast fashion. Of course sometimes I'm tempted - this season I've been hankering after a Miu-Miu-esque ruffled blouse (M&S did an excellent interpretation) - but I am doing everything in my power not to buy one, as it definitely feels like a passing trend. Then there's the Topshop block-heeled court shoes that just about every blogger owns right now - resistance is [almost] futile. That's not to say I'm not buying more clothes than ever of course - I'm just carefully considering each purchase and trying to buy styles with longevity. For spring, I'm updating my wardrobe with classic staples (see the Esprit blue shirt, Boden breton top and A.P.C wear-forever trench below) and dressing them up with fun and playful accessories (ticking this box - Tessa Packard's mother of pearl Thundercloud earrings, J.Crew's leopard cross body and Stella Sport's glitter encrusted trainers). It's a formula I'm trying to apply to my everyday outfits with varying degrees of success (I definitely need more crazy shoes in my life) Here's the pieces on my wishlist right now: 

Left column from top to bottom: Navy check Brummell jacket, The Fold. A.P.C Barbara trench coat, Net-a-porter.com. Bionda Castana x L K Bennett Alexa courts, L K Bennett. Middle column from top to bottom: Cotton stretch blouse, Esprit. Yellow turtleneck, Esprit. Marlo leopard crossbody, J.Crew. Thundercloud earrings, Tessa Packard.  Right column from top to bottom: Stella Sport navy Yori trainers, Next. Glitter spot Breton, Boden. Raey flood-flare jeans, Matchesfashion. 

THE EASY WAY TO SHOP THE SALES

With sales happening all-year round in the modern world of retail, I find myself missing out on great bargains all the time. I don’t have a great deal of time to shop – so any website that curates the good stuff is a real winner for me. I have just discovered one such website, where I found this Reiss jumper for £30, reduced from over £100. Warning: it's going to be responsible for damage to your bank balance! 

Shop the look: 

HOW TO STYLE LEATHER TROUSERS

So I've just bought my first pair of real leather trousers from H&M, with the help of a serious discount code may I add. After years of wearing PU leather leggings, I thought it was time for an upgrade. Whether they prove to be a sartorial faux-pas remains to be seen - in my head I'm going to look like Emmanuelle Alt - the reality could be something closer to Kat Slater [I'll report back]. I plan to wear them ALL THE TIME to dramatically decrease the cost per wear and the lessen the guilt-factor; so to inspire you and me, here's 3 styling ideas: 

Leather trousers throughout: H&M. 

Weekend from top to bottom: Cashmere knit, Issa at The Outnet. Metal mirrored sunglasses, Le Specs. Ayda white leather trainers, Jigsaw. Work from top to bottom: Baby camel wool Brummell jacket, The Fold. Cynnie red leather bucket bag, Elizabeth and James at Net-a-porter.com. Play from top to bottom: Black lace up shirt, Topshop. Lipstick in Falling Fast, Topshop. Pebble block heel leopard print boots, Dune. 

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Here's a trend I've been been pinning and loving for a while: the colours of the rainbow. Because why pick one colour, when you can wear them all simultaneously? Starting life on  the catwalks of brands including Marco de Vincenzo, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, the hero piece of this fashion story is Gucci's striped jumper which sold out  everywhere, despite the eye-watering £600 price tag. British designer Anya Hindmarch was also at the forefront of this trend; spring/summer 16 sees her iconic accessories decorated with kitsch  rainbow motifs. The good news for those of us on shoestring budget is that the high street has finally cottoned on to this trend - and Boden are owning it - just look at this fabulous pencil skirt (drawn to my attention by the queen of colour herself - Shiny Thoughts!). Here's three ways I'd wear the rainbow for weekend, work and play:

WEEKEND: Rainbow cashmere jumper, Wyse London. Lucas slim boyfriend jeans, Topshop. Major multi strap gold points, Office. Sophie Hulme blue leather shoulder bag, The Outnet. WORK: Cashmere v-neck, Next. Felicity skirt, Boden. Marc by Marc Jacobs leather shopper, mytheresa.com. Lips in hazard, Topshop. PLAY: Striped terry Sonia Rykiel dress, Net-a-porter. Dark denim jacket, Mango. Sophia Webster Daria pumps, The Outnet. 

LFF OUTFITS: THE RIGHT STRIPES

My first post of the year and my pledge as a blogger - in 2016 I promise to publish content that's useful. 

You're busy, I'm busy, modern life is busy, so I want to cut the crap and share something useful in as a fewer words as possible. To begin as I mean to go on - I've got two discoveries to share with you today: that perfect stripe t-shirt and an upcoming British accessories brand.