[HOW TO] Choose The Right Winter Coat

With winter well and truly here, it’s time to hunt out a new coat for your wardrobe. We’ve done the leg work for you and picked out the four coats every wardrobe needs to see you from season to season:

1. The camel coat has had something of a fashion revival in recent years. It is the ultimate in chic and elegance. For special occasions when you really want to dress up. Alternatively works as a juxtaposition against a more relaxed casual look. Try wearing it with leggings and trainers at the weekend for a sports look.
2. The parka is the perfect winter coat for adding warmth. The faux fur hood on this parka makes it über cosy. I’ll be wearing my parka for weekend walks in the country.
3. The pea coat is a classic. Choose navy for a go-with-everything option. The style and fit will suit everyone. It’s smart enough to be worn to work, as well as being a more casual option for the weekend too.
4. The leather jacket is a must-have. I’ve been lusting after a leather jacket for years and years. I have made it my mission this season to invest and add one to my wardrobe. This one by Mango is currently on offer at a silly-to-miss-it price!

Which is your go-to style of winter coat? Do you have more than one option in your wardrobe or do you just have the one each season?

[AW14] Autumn Ankle Boots Wishlist

It’s definitely autumn and that means it’s time for ankle boots. I am officially obsessed with ankle boots at this time of year – they are so easy to wear with virtually everything. I’ve picked out my current five fav pairs from the high street:

1. Clarks Marta Griffin ankle boots in midnight suede: I love the colour of these boots! They turn a regular pair of Chelsea boots into the ultimate statement!
2. Topshop Advent Box Chelsea boots: these are classic and timeless. The slightly shorter version will make them even more versatile.
3. Boden cosy desert boots: how warm do these look? I am totally lusting after these for cold winter’s days now.
4. Hush low suede back boots: the colour of these make them really wearable and I like the buckle detail too. These are heading straight for my Christmas wishlist!
5. Next shorty Western boots: these are totally on trend and will see you right through the season.

What is your go-to footwear for autumn/winter?

[INSPIRATION] 5 Pairs Of Shoes You Need For Autumn 2013

Autumn is well and truly here. The leaves have turned and are gracefully falling to the ground. Little eddies of dry red and orange leaves scurry across the road.

Footwear is my obsession whatever the season. But in autumn is it more evident that thought needs to be taken when choosing what to wear on your feet. From rain showers torrential downpours to icy wind and slippery paths, there’s a lot to think about.

The sandals and ballet flats of the summer are certainly no longer suitable.

In my effort to downsize my wardrobe since we moved, I’ve taken to picking five pairs of shoes each season. For autumn, I’ll be wearing:

• A pair of ankle boots with a slight heel: for me, it’ll be the bloggers’ favourite: Ash’s Jalouse ankle boots.
• A sturdy pair of masculine brogues: I’ve got a really old pair that have seen me through many an autumn but Clarks have got a great collection this season – including a rather dapper black and white pair!
• Trainers: for me, my trusted Supergas but any will do, Converse are a perennial favourite – and I recently added Keds to my trainer collection.
• A sensible pair of wellington boots: for me, I’ll be wearing my Fat Face wellies on particularly wet and horrid days.
• Slippers: the warmer, the better! What else are you going to wear on a cold evening in front of the TV?!

What shoes will you be wearing this autumn?

[HOW TO] Style Your Kitten Heels For Autumn/Winter 2013

Ever since Isabel Marant’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection, I have lusted after her kitten heels adorned with cute bows. Of course, first of all I couldn’t afford the real thing and now, they’re well out of date. But I’ve found a similar pair for about a quarter of the price by Clarks:

Styling easy to walk in kitten heeled court shoes can be awkward due to the heel height. Whilst they might be comfortable and (that dreaded word!) sensible, they are also far less flattering – particularly on those of us not blessed with height – than higher heels. So I’ve put together my top three tips for how to wear your kitten heels for Autumn/Winter 2013:

• Make sure to keep your bottom half slim. Either skinny jeans/trousers or tights.
• If you’re wearing skinny trousers, keep your top half looser, like the Isabel Marant look above, for something more casual.
• If you’re wearing a dress, keep the hem length as short as is possible for the situation to ensure you don’t look dumpy.

Will you be wearing kitten heels this season? How will you be styling them?

Image via Style.com

[HOW TO] Layer For Autumn

The art of layering is something that takes practice and every autumn, we get to practice! For those well rehearsed, it is like a work of art but for those of us who are novices, we need a little help. And so I’ve put together the five tips below to help you get started:

• Pick your base layer*. Unlike in winter, your base layer should be something you’d be happy to wear alone, so the temperature in autumn can still rise pretty high and you may be inclined to strip down to your bottom layer.
• Now add something thin with a fastening – a cardigan or zip hoodie works well here.
• Next a slightly thicker jacket – a leather jacket or fabric biker style jacket will look good.
• Finally, add a sleeveless gilet style top for additional warmth.

And to finish, wrap a scarf around your neck.

*The base layer might be a dress, or a top, depending on your preference. If it is a top, obviously you will need to add a bottom layer too. For really chilly weather, I like to wear knee high socks under trousers but in the autumn, I stick to ankle socks and a pair of ankle boots, or on warmer days, I might wear ballet flats and dare to go bare foot!

How do you layer up for autumn?

Image via Pinterest

[AW13] THE FABULOUS FOUR

Here at Sugar & Spice we’re all about filling your wardrobe with affordable pieces that work hard. So we’ve picked 4 pieces no winter wardrobe should be without:

1. THE EASY-PEASY STATEMENT KNIT

Graphic jumpers, statement sweatshirts cable knit – your knitwear options just got a whole lot bigger because this season it’s all about statement sweaters. Make sure to wear yours with a pencil skirt and high heels for the office and skinny jeans and biker boots for relaxed weekend wear. Try this mono print knit via Warehouse.

2. THE MASCULINE MILITARY COAT

Okay, so this one rarely leaves the winter trend lists but there’s a good reason– these coats were made to be uber flattering. Cinched waist? Check. Bold collar? Check. Warm AND stylish for winter? Check, check, check. Try this cool Warehouse coat and wear over EVERYTHING.

3. THE PERFECT PRINT DRESS

Every girl needs some vibrant winter florals in her wardrobe and they’re guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Perfect for a winter wedding or for a more casual occasion too. Try pretty dress via Reiss.

4. A WHITER SHADE

Maybe not exactly a key piece but a key colour for this season: cool winter white. Frankly this makes me very nervous – keeping the colour pristine and relishing in the crispness it can afford on a dreary autumn day means a lot of hard work! But with this faux fur white coat via Unreal Fur at my-wardrobe you can rock the trend and keep warm!

Will you be adding any of these pieces to your winter wardrobe this season?

[INSPIRATION] How To Style Your Scarf For Autumn/Winter

Autumn is definitely in the air right now, here in the UK. As I sit writing this, it’s suddenly dark and ominous outside and I find myself pulling my cardigan around me a little closer to keep the cold out.

Last weekend I unpacked my winter wardrobe from the boxes in the attic, including all of the scarves that I’ve put away for the summer, in anticipation of cooler temperatures that are already here.

There’s something rather lovely about pulling a huge knit snood on around your neck and the feeling of being all cosy and warmly wrapped up.

Likewise, a lighter silk scarf might not add too much warmth but it certainly adds a little chic to an outfit.

Scarves are also the perfect layering pieces – taking a simple jersey dress and cardigan to something a little bit special in one easy step. Even adding a scarf to my favourite weekend look of jeans and a t-shirt can lift it from couch casual to coffee shop style!

From tartan wool scarves to handmade snoods, I’ve got something for every occasion in my wardrobe. But finding new and stylish ways to wear your scarves is often a challenge.

Accessorize via Monsoon has created a video to give you some inspiration on how to style your scarf this autumn/winter:

fashion5-video-380×214-tJmFYo7d.html
http://spreaditfast.com/iframes/fashion5-video-380×214-tJmFYo7d.html

How will you be wearing your scarf this season?

This post is sponsored by Spreaditfast

[INSPIRATION] Autumn Days

Images via Pinterest

[INSPIRATION] Autumn

There is a definite chill in the air that hasn’t been there for a few months. Evenings in particular are when I notice the most. I need an extra layer or two when the sun goes. So this autumn, I want to be curling up in warm knits.

How will you be dressing this autumn?

Image via

[LOVELY LINKS]

So far this weekend has been something of a washout. Weather wise, that is. On a more personal level, I love a weekend where I am forced to stay home and watch the rain batter the windowpane. What better excuse to do very little, than a bit a lot of rain?

This past week, besides being wet has also been cold*. So all I can think about is busting out the winter woollies and wrapping up. Staying stylish in the cold seems a tall order but this week’s lovely links have more than enough inspiration:

• The Online Stylist shows us how to wear whites this winter;
• Wit & Whimsy has some really gorgeous winter dressing inspiration, I particularly love the camel coat and am seriously tempted to invest in this one by Next;
• I have also spent this week lusting after Baukjen’s square poncho scarf;
• I enjoyed reading about Weronika’s trip to Warsaw in anticipation of my trip next month, particularly about the beautiful roof garden;
• I’ve said it before, breakfast at the weekend is my favourite meal time and it seems that Paula, at Pink Bow, is of the same mind.

What have you been reading this week?

*I realise how very British it is to talk about the weather, a lot!!