Fashion: Oxblood is the new burgundy

I love coming into the autumn season, for the love of all colours bold and rich. One of my favourites is a more subtle take on red...burgundy or 'oxblood' if you will. 

Its less bold than a bright red, but makes a nice change from black. There is something about oxblood leather too which just screams luxury.

You don't have to be head to toe in it either. Why not try the cami below with your favourite leather trousers or skinny jeans, or just add a pop of colour with these stilettos. Alternatively, if you're not quite sold on wearing this season's must have colour, why not vamp up your lips for a seductive night on the town with the Hourglass lipstick from net-a-porter? 

From top left: cardi - missguided.com, City bag - Zara, shoes - Gianvito Rossi @Harvey Nichols, cami - Miss Selfridge, lipstick - Net a Porter, jeans - Burberry

Fashion: brand to watch - Waven

Whenever I get word of a new Scandinavian brand launching I sit up and listen. The reason, Scandinavians do parred down, off duty basics better than anyone else. They are however, often quite pricey.

So when I hear that a brand who 'take their inspiration' from parred down Scandinavian design is launching, but at an affordable price, I take notice. That brand is Waven and it's launching this month. Hot hot hot on the fashion radar, it produces quality denim and high street prices with a range that includes jeans (of course!), plus clean-line chambray shirts and jackets. I, for one, will absolutely be updating my wardrobe with some of their key pieces...

www.waven.co.uk

Fashion: Embrace the flat

I love wearing heels, they make me feel empowered, sexy and improve my posture no end - I have no choice but to hold my shoulders back and tummy in when I walk!

However, these days for me, heels are reserved for the office or evening and I am learning to embrace the flat. I just can't get through a whole day in heels anymore, so have learnt over the years to dress from my feet up. I find a cool pair of flats, be they brogues, ballet pumps, gladiator sandals or ankle boots and then I work out what I can wear with them. 

That said, as heels add instant glamour to any outfit, it can be hard to feel elegant and sophisticated in a flat. Imagine my delight when I came across this seasons new trend of pointed flats. The pointed toe elongates the leg and can be worn with almost anything - skinnies, skirts or shorts (yes, the weather is supposed to pick up this week!).

Here at the stylekt11 office we love these offerings from Zara at £29.99 and £19.99 respectively:

Fashion: Tartan - traditional worn modern

I am a huge fan of this season's tartan! Already in my wardrobe and worn twice. I love patterns and summer threw them back at us with a vengeance giving us the confidence to mix and match.
 

River Island

Blogger style

With this season's look I think it fits perfectly. The traditional cloth has been given a modern makeover. My choice is dark green trousers from River Island - I have worn them twice already and experimented with day and night looks.

In the day I teamed them with a white v neck tee and snake court shoes, adding a denim jacket. It was a casual semi smart look. For the evening I matched them with my laser cut faux leather tee from topshop and I wore leopard courts and carried an orange leather clutch. Both looks worked well.

I am now considering a relaxed blazer which I know I will get good use out of because I love jeans and it adds a new twist for day.

Add tartan to your wardrobe for the season and watch a traditional pattern make you look chic and stylish. 

Another River Island fav relaxed blazer

Fashion: to culotte or not?

So this trend has taken a while to win me over. Last time I wore culottes was at school in an effort to stamp my own style on an otherwise boring school uniform. I got away with them for a whole 2 months before a beady eyed teacher caught me and my Mum had to make them into a skirt! Oh well, I tried.

They've come along way from then though. This year sees a multitude on offer from just about every high st chain worth it weight. Topshop have a great red pair that would make any outfit pop. My personal choice would be a denim cotton pair which I would team with a cropped top.

They're not just for the size 8 amongst you either, I've seen culottes look fabulous on those of us with a curvier figure. Team them with flats, block heeled sandals or stilettos and a shirt or loose vest tucked in and you're ready to go!

Check out our pick of the high street and designer offerings and let us know what you think.

See By Chloe printed crepe culottes £270, net-a-porter.com

Topshop croc textured culottes, £50

Whistles Mio leather culottes, £395, whistles.com

Fashion: Back to school cool

Upon getting my fashion mojo back after two kids, I take more pride in my appearance on all levels. Its not a vanity thing, its more of a feeling good thing. If I look good I feel good all day long, whether I am feeling shattered or not. 

With the summer almost over and back to school looming, I am knee deep in name tagging and sorting two kids back to school. However, I have managed to put together a good summer wardrobe which translates well into the new season. 

Dressing up for the school run is not about trying to be a catwalk queen on a daily basis, its about starting the day by making a little time and effort for you. Even if you don't have time in the morning, plan it a little the night before - it's something that only takes minutes not hours.  

So here are my top ideas for looking good on the school run: 


1. Comfortable and stylish footwear is a must my choice this season is going to be : boots from marks and spencer for colder days, Superga for dry autumn days and birkenstock for the mini heatwave.

2. Trousers - gorgeous relaxed jeans available from Zara, stylish joggers from Gap, patterned look trousers from Topshop

3. Button up shirts are always good, BUT wear them in the right way and add jewellery to give them a more feminine touch. We also love sweat tops and we think they look nicer with a collar. Denim (the one below from Current Elliot is a keeper) shirts are also back in for the season with oversize working well. We particularly love the new tartan look clashed with a leopard scarf.

4. Get a good school coat, duffle coats are everywhere, starting with Marks and Spencer and Topshop.  

Topshop duffle - looks nice on Cara and will make you look school cool!

5. A blazer smartens everything and can quickly transform a casual outfit especially if your heading out after you have dropped the kids. This one is a relaxed checked one from River Island - fab with black or blue jeans.

6. A white soft shirt is always a winner and one like this works well. Don't try and let the shirt work for itself - keep the look effortless but add simple jewellery and a belt to give it a chic finish. This one below is Theory and currently reduced on the Outnet.

Enjoy the start of the new term looking and feeling good.