Investment pieces for Autumn 2013.

I can't be the first to whisper it can I? Thank God summer is coming to an end. I think, being as pale as I am, I'm one of those people who just isn't built for the sweltering sticky heat that comes with London life, or the hours spent lying out in the baking heat in various parks. It just isn't my idea of fun. A thirty four degree day? No thanks. A cold, windy, perhaps even rainy weekday morning? Perfect.
Something that I think really fuels my hatred for summer is my inability to get along with typically 'summer' clothes. I love nothing more than a good coat - a thick mac or a long duster jacket, a pea coat or a fluffy aviator. Being so tall? It's not that much of a blessing. If I want to dress for the weather, no tights short skirt, no sleeves, everything is ten time shorter, making me look like... well... a little bit of a hussy. In the summer I crave the days that I can slap on tights and an ankle boot, jeans and a good knit, or wrap up warm in the coat I bought halfway through summer in anticipation for the turning of the leaves. 
So that brings me to my investment pieces. The pieces that I bought recently, when it's still hot, ready for winter. I've been looking specifically for grunge pieces, 80s tomboy jeans and 60s dresses. They are three trends that I'm going to be seeing a lot of, and wearing a lot of in the next few months. Keep lookout for outfit posts with all of these combined!

White ankle strap sandals, £65, Topshop

These 'Reuben' shoes are the dream! White peep toed sandals with a buckled ankle strap. Off, they look very hooker-chic, but when I tried them on I had to get them. They go well with a tailored black suit, or with baggy boyfriend jeans and a loose fitting t-shirt. They're the perfect way to spruce up an outfit and go from shabby to chic in seconds.

Usually I steer far away from heeled shoes with a stiletto heel. For years now I've preferred the block heel; in sandals, boots and courts. I think the block heel, to me, looks much classier, but, this is the first pair of shoes in a long time that actually rock the stiletto heel and that I can actually walk in. Expect to see these babies featured in plenty of outfit posts this summer, and for a steal of £65 at TOPSHOP, why not check out the other colours these beauts come in too!

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 Unitards are huge right now, bold in print, embellishment and colour, these statement pieces have not yet made it clear whether they are to be a trend or just a fad. Either way, I jumped on it, having had my eye on an amazing embellished one from ASOS since last year. This pink, and, dare I say it, rather garish strappy leopard print piece from TOPSHOP was a daring move, but I love it. Skin-tight, it's the chic form of a leotard and, surprisingly, much comfier. I've been wearing this baby with velvet brogues and an over sized denim jacket with cord collar. Perfect for those hangover days where one single piece makes that huge statement. WARNING: Not to be overdone on the accessory front. Unitards are notoriously difficult to pull off (I don't even know if I managed it yet) - so to distract from the piece itself would be a mistake. Particularly with this print, keep jewellery and beltage to a minimum, if none at all.

'Ghost' floral playsuit, £50, here

This is my favourite playsuit that I've ever bought, without a doubt. Topshop's 'Dark Florals' range this season has been showcasing all over the brand's website, featuring this playsuit heavily. At first, I thought it was a dress, but even though it isn't, as soon as it came up on the website's new in section, I snapped it up straight away. The 60s style high neckline and billowing sleeves give this piece a bit of an edge that I love; vintage tailoring is one of my all time favourite styles. I'll be wearing this with an oversized coat, bare legs and chunky loafers, or switching from day to night with those darling white ankle cuff sandals from earlier, and this lovely pair of perspex sunnies I got for £15, below. NOTE: Sunglasses are changing shape and style this season - reflective lenses are in, boring old tortoiseshell is firmly out.


This jumper, I bought a few months ago from TOPSHOP's 'Boutique' range. I love the line so much - a lot of simple cuts and block silks for the ultimate chic tailoring. Sometimes it can be a little pricey, but this jumper with a ribbing detail wasn't to bad at all, at £45. The fit, when on, is a little baggy, the excess coming from the sleeves and not much anywhere else, but the ribbed detail (shown closer right) is why I really bought it. Plus I've never seen a navy blue jumper that I don't love. I'll be wearing with boyfriend jeans, over A-Line skirts and dresses, and as a cosy winter cover up. NOTE: Textured knitwear is going to be huuuuuge this season - think shiny snake print and harlequin embellishment.

P.S. From now on I'm going to be posting a little soundtrack and viewing list - what I've been listening to and watching recently, particularly as I was writing my blog.

Love, Jessie x