5 Spring Styles That you can wear now and later

We all know that as as soon as those turn of year sales are over the shops instantaneously become inundated with the latest Spring offerings. But if I'm being completely honest if it's not got some sort of thermal lining or cosy fleece knit then i can't even contemplate wearing it at this point. Coldness makes for a very grumpy me. The sheer site of some skimpy pastel pieces makes me want to physically shudder at the thought of donning such little fabric (Shudder at the thought of a. baring that much flesh to the cold, and b. baring that much flesh in general.. Summer ready my body is most definitely not.)
But there is also the fact that I'm so done with Winter that i want to be able to wear fun things again. I'm looking forward to not freezing my appendages off every time i step outside and I really want to wear some new pretty things god damn it!

With that in mind I started looking in to Spring Trends, but with the added bonus of wear now whilst still freezing.. (Hello Storm Ewan rocking your frigid temps and wetter than wet weather across the Uk this week) and also later when the mild weather finally decides to show.
I want transitional styles that work hard for me (this should really be my blog ethos shouldn't it, i say it so often!), and new styles that will be fun to wear.
Winter styles I am done with you. I am all about the new Spring Styles.

So what will work i hear you say?
Well Lets take a look at some trends that will be top of the fashion blocks in 2017

BRIGHT STRIPES

Colourful Stripes by Esprit
Perfect for the Spring trend

Left: Seasalt Cornwall

Right: Warehouse

Starting with a classic but with a twist.
Nautical stripe is one of the trends that you know will return year after year, and of course the classic breton is well loved all year round, but this spring Stripes have have a new lease of life. Not only are there stripey flared sleeves galore (see below) but they are also coming with a big injection of colour. Colourful stripes are where its at, and make for an instant wardrobe update.
These are the perfect way to ease yourself in to Spring Style as they are easy to introduce in to your daily style. Wear now layered with a big coat, cardigan or biker jacket, and then later with a denim skirt or cropped wide leg trousers. Basically, you know you can never go wrong with a good stripey top.

EXAGGERATED SLEEVES

Topshop Fluted and pink

Left:M&S

Right: Esprit Trumpet Sleeve

This season is ALL about the sleeve detail, whether that be flared, fluted, frilled or with bows, its go big or go home on the sleeve front.
These are perfect for transitional dressing, firstly because exaggerated sleeves are usually long in form, meaning those arms that have been in hibernation all winter, are still well and truly covered up (I don't know about you, but my bingo wings are breathing a sigh of relief). Secondly they work well with jeans of all varieties, and again then with skirts come spring. The hot pink dress above is also bang on trend this season both in colour and style. Wear now with black tights, boots and a biker, then come the sun ditch the jacket and tights and wear with wedges and statement earrings. It also is that wonderful pink I was talking about on Friday. Instant 'pep' in a dress!

GINGHAM

Laura Ashley brings it perfectly with this Gingham Trench

Left: Innocence Gingham Trousers

Right:Topshop

A great versatile trend is Gingham, i do love a bit of gingham. Those tiny little black and white squares work tremendously well with so many colours and even some pattern mixing.
The Laura Ashley jacket above is the perfect way to wear the trend now, just add underneath a bright pink jumper and some blue jeans and black boots.
The gingham skirt for me is pretty special too. I personally think gingham will be around right through summer so invest in a piece that will see you right through to autumn.

EMBROIDERED 

 Shirt: Esprit

Left: M&S

Right: Warehouse

Embroidered anything and everything. Floral appliques on jeans are still huge this season and add a bit of interest to the norm, they also look great dressed up with heels or equally great with sneakers. Style tip: Personally I would stick to just wearing just one embroidered item at a time to avoid looking like an old school country and western singer.
The above white and embroidered Esprit shirt would work so well with jeans but i'm also thinking layered underneath dungarees for total style kudos.

THE LONG FLORAL DRESS

 Esprit Floral Maxi Dress

 Left: HeartBreak Hotel Dress

Right: Sidney Floral

I know right.. Floral's for spring is not groundbreaking, but they are so affordable, remixable and wearable. Plus nothing screams SPRING more than some lovely floral's.
By keeping the length midi to maxi you can still wear these pretties with tights and boots and then throw then abandon them when its legs out weather.
I also love the idea or layering a black fine knit turtle neck underneath and a biker jacket over the top for extra warmth. Perfect now and perfect later.

What trends will you be trying this Spring? Is there anything you would recommend i look at?

Looks I Love this Winter

Do you ever have a mental image of an outfit that you would love to wear?
I do.
In fact i do it a lot. My mental images could be pintrest actually, but the image is stored in my mind, so we'll go with that.
Sometimes things just really stick. It could be a particular style, outfit or colour.
This winter i have a few items in mind that i just have to get my clothes loving paws on.
Now, the things in mine are quite specific.
The hunt has been long and arduous and pretty much to no avail. Seriously, anyone would think i was searching for the actual Holy Grail.
Until...
I looked at Esprit this week and hit the jackpot.

Its fair to say they are well and truly ticking all the right boxes with the collection they have this season.

On to more specifics.
Here's what i've been looking for in particular:

• A camel fine knit sweater
• A berry coat with but with a masculine cut rather than a fitted feminine style
• A drapey Black cardigan- the type that goes with everything

Here are the looks i'd mentally stored in my head for this season:

Esprit by rachel-the-hat featuring a bucket bag

It's a lot of monochromatic looks, ie, the same colour but in different shades.

Camel on camel, berry on berry and a bit of grey and black for good measure.

I love these looks, they are all buzzing around in my head, and what's even better, now i've seen them laid out on paper (uh.. computer screen), they would all intermingle and remix so well with each other.

Inadvertently i've just made a pretty nice winter capsule.

Lets look closer at the key pieces

Firstly a Camel fine knit roll neck sweater. On my shopping travels i had found multiple v-necks, a couple of thick knits but none of the aforementioned. It was like the holy grail of knitwear. I just could not track one down for love nor money.
Yet here it is, the perfect thickness, high neck and shade.
This works perfectly for the camel on camel look i was after.
I added in some indigo flares and a little leopard print too.
But this would also work well with the faux leather trousers, the boyfriend jeans and also under the berry coat (berry and camel is just the most delectable colour combo.)

Knitwear

The Boyfriend fit Berry coat was next on my hit list.
The large lapel, the heavy hang of the fabric, this is just a beautiful cut. Bordeaux is the colour (berry, bordeaux, wine.. all the same thing relatively speaking). I've added in some  boyfriend jeans and a crew neck sweater in berry for a lovely rich tonal outfit.
Again, this coat will work with the above jumper, the faux leather trousers and would also look great with a breton top. Love.

Coats

The Black cardigan.. Something every woman should own. Come winter i always have a cardigan hanging on the back of my chair (like a little old lady, i do hate getting a chill). I wanted something that could go over a dress, skirt and jeans. This drapey option is gorgeous, I just love the leather toggle to the side of this one to fasten it, so can be worn open and flowing or done up.. i like that a lot.

This is perfect with a stripe breton top, or the pretty star top above. Add in some faux leather trousers and some grey boots and this may be the cardigan for the winter. 

Again though, this is a piece that will work hard for you all season. A simple winter essential i'd say.

Knitwear

Well done Esprit you really have done well this season.. of to go spend my hard earned £££ 

Do you have any winter essentials for the coming season?