Fashion and Franks Top Tips - a New Season

Now i am not entirely sure that this 100% qualifies for a top tips post but it is how i prepare for the new season ahead.  Come this time of year i am thinking of the upcoming autumn and soon to be winter.  The shops are full, I have perused the collections, the September issues are out and i am fully inspired.  It is at this point, head spinning, that i begin to rationalise.

And here is where i start - what do i have, what did i wear a lot last year, who do i want to be, what is my budget and how is it best spent.  What do i have - here i have a good sort out - if it works for this year pull it, remember it, do not re-buy it!!  What did i wear a lot - daywear.  Do i want to be wearing exactly the same again - no, but do I want to work it in and adapt it yes.  Now i come to the fun bit who do i want to be - well i am keen on borrowing from the boys, colour, burgundy, pattern, pops of brights, 70's.  I now have my plan - i will be concentrating on daywear - i walk - a lot - therefore i start with my new season shoe.  This is what i will base my entire winter day wardrobe around.

I am in love with the Lanvin loafer - this is my shoe - flattering, easy to walk in but a bit of height - this is my perfect shoe.  The silhouette shown in the show works on me, i have a lot of pieces that fit this silhouette.  When i decide on a silhouette i always make sure it is one that suits my body - if you do not look good in a shape - don't buy into it, it will always wear you and not the other way round.  No matter how good it looked on Kate, Naomi whomsoever you will be the one wearing it - make sure it suits or move on to something that does - there is always so much choice and you dont need to do something just because it is the current 'trend' set your own.

This shoe also works well for my borrowed from the boys theme - i fit Zara trousers well - that will be a saving, but if i see a top 3 piece trouser suit - it will be on my list.  I liked the Paul Smith silhouette - again the shoes work and i already have a lot of the pieces needed but i will be buying a mans tie and braces to complete this look.  One pair of shoes - a lot of looks - all working in with what i have and now i have a plan of what i want to buy.

I have a pair of burgundy  and a pair of black knee high Celine boots  - these are going to form the 2nd of my winter day looks.  I intend to wear them with knee length and midi skirts.  For me burgundy will work well with grey, white and black and it is with them i will also mix autumnal colour.  This is also were i am going to fill my 70's theme, think Cagney of Cagney and Lacey, think Chloe pre-fall, think Gucci.  As you can see it is all in the shoes for me.

I won't budget for eveningwear - i have a lot so i tend to buy it in the sales or on the Outnet, when i see it, if the price is right and it suits, i buy it - there is nothing worse than trying to find something for a do and traipsing town not finding it, also it tends not to date and it is pricey so better bought at discount.

By now i have a plan formulated, i make a list on my iphone, photograph pieces i need to match ie the boots, any inspo shots i feel pertinent and then i have it to hand when in the shop.  This stops me impulse buying, allows me to be more focussed and i can actually see the piece i am working in as memory is not always 100% accurate.  And if you dont have a smartphone a note book and pics is the old fashioned way and it works still - this is the fun part, the planning, the dreaming, enjoy it girls - it only happens twice a year!  xx


Images Style.com, TV-intros.com via Google.com