Velvet? Oh yes you heard correctly. I did say velvet.

And it’s had a sexy makeover. Blowing away the cobwebs from its previous fustier image, we now find stylish pieces that are delicate and feminine.  The “it” fabric of the season and sassy in a precious stone palette, it’s the perfect slinky fix for the party season!

This decadent top from Boden is an evening treasure with a subtlety and richness minus the scary price tag. 

Team with an elegant pair of trousers and a healthy sprinkling of gems for a luscious night time look.

The fabric and loose, unstructured fit will add volume to a slender frame or interest up top for those who want to draw attention away from their lower halves. But best of all this top has great wearability – contrast its shine with matt separates like jeans and simple knits for instant daytime glamour. 

Day or night you will feel its allure…

Relaxed Velvet Top

£49.00

Sizes 6-22

Available in navy, evergreen, sulphur and teal

Boden

Writing deadlines have held me prisoner recently but now free to blog I want to share an this photo.

I am surrounded by beautiful women modeling at a fund raising event last week – nothing out of the ordinary there, but I have never enjoyed myself so much as when sharing the stage with adorable dogs who are trained to do everything for their disabled owners.

The models were diverse in age, size and ability, with Shannon Murray (see picture below) making a huge impression on me.

We chatted backstage and she had inspirational things to say about accepting who you are.
In a culture where we are increasingly encouraged to think that all imperfections should be fixed, her question to the  impressionable young women she visits in schools to talk about diverse beauty is..”but what if you made the decision to accept yourself?”

That way lies peace don’t you think?

Thanks Shannon for being the Debenhams poster girl and spreading a more balanced view of beauty.

Just like a certain boy-turned-manband, the blouse has made a stratospheric style comeback and has flown to the top of the fashion charts. Sexy and slinky, the blouse is Winter’s showpiece. This season’s oh-so fashionable shape errs on the side of a shirt but the distinction is in the soft fabrication and cut, giving a message of discreet femininity.

This purple number from M&S is really on the money. It’s the simplest of additions to your wardrobe with its easy wearability.  It can help to add volume up top and balance out a curvier bottom half.  Nothing looks more chic than this season’s feminine elegance combination of a buttoned-up blouse nonchantly tucked into some trousers with a cropped jacket shrugged on top (to add volume and draw eyes upwards).  Worn out and unbuttoned it will help to elongate a shorter body and deftly cover any lumps and bumps.

Styling wise, think slinky rather than stuffy.  It doesn’t have to be worn smart though – team with jeans or rock style trousers for an edgier look or add some womanly flourish to this season’s military basics.

However you wear it, get your fashion smarts about you and get in quick – you’ll be anything but a big girl’s blouse. It really will make your season…

Portfolio Open Neck Textured Dobby Blouse

£29.50

Sizes 8-24

Available in blackcurrant, teal and ultraviolet

Marks & Spencer

I’ve refused the chance to chat about Kate Middleton’s style on national TV more than once yesterday and today?

I have an agenda of course. I prefer not to sit in judgment on a woman’s fashionablity like it is a measure of her worth. But there’s more.

As I dislike the media assessment of bodies, size, beauty or age which inevitably follows  most celebrity women. I don’t want to be part of a culture that condones this mindless commentary.

She may be about to set all kinds of fashion trends just because  she will now be very much in the public eye and no doubt she will wear British design especially for the wedding… my money is on Amanda Wakeley my marvelous Fashion Targets Breast Cancer co-chair.

But can we remind ourselves that a woman indeed any woman is so much more than her hairstyle or fashion nous. Lets’ leave it at that and leave her alone.

Dark evenings don’t have to translate into dreary dressing. And as a fashion favourite leopard print equals an instant sartorial lift.

Nothing offers more of a lift than the optimism and opulence of the 60s.  This flirty number transforms leopard from pub landlady to a bright colour popping print in a 60’s style mash up (who says a leopard can’t change its spots?!) The result is perfectly on trend: a vibrant and multi-coloured print combined with modern and minimalist lines.

Keeping it simple is the hottest way to work this look.  Team with wash-and-go hair, natural make-up and thick neutral tights with matching shoes (a stacked heel court or platform sandal will work best) to retain a modern edge.

You may be surprised to learn that this dress is from Windsmoor. Their website is bursting with elegant yet unique pieces that will really go the distance and luxe basics that speak for themselves. Best of all they go up to a size 24 so provide the perfect fashion offering as fuller figures and longer hemlines of the early 60s swing back onto the fashion scene. The soft curved lines this dress will deftly show off a curvier silhouette, the all-over print will disguise any lumps and bumps and the v-neck will help to soften a larger bust.

A sexy and super classy antidote to the cold and dank.  Slip it on and you are ready to phw-roar!