Cry Me a River

Call me old fashioned, call me a snob but I really hold no sway with the high street showing collections on the catwalk as part of London Fashion Week.

Especially cheap high street.

But I suppose it was inevitable that Rihanna's hotly anticipated (?) collection for River Island would want to get the most attention possible.

So what of the result?

Personally I am really not a fan. It is cheap looking, unflattering on even the thinnest models and horribly 90s.

What do you think of it? More forgiving?

(Images via Daily Telegraph)

Out on a Limb

It is a bit tricky right now isn't it? Knowing what outerwear to pick, I mean. I keep getting it wrong. Jacket? Too cold. Parka? Too hot. Cape? Not waterproof enough. (Today's mistake.)

So what's the solution?

Might it be the coatigan? No, not waterproof, but warmer than a jacket, not as warm as a proper coat... we might have a winner.

Plus these from River Island are all quite delightful.

(Images via River Island)

Night Owl

I am looking for a top to go out in, one that I can wear with my heavenly new cropped black cigarette pants and a sexy pair of black heels, a la Kristen Stewart. One that it is a little saucy while avoiding the streetwalker vibe.

What do you think about this? Quite sweet? Or a bit cheap looking? Satin, you know? It is a tricky beast. Might hot foot it now and try it on...

(Images via River Island)

Welcome to Miami

OK, I take it all back. Classy minimalism is all very well but can it compete with a Versace-esque mirrored gold leopard vest?

I think not which is why the top above was my latest purchase. Isn't it siiiiiick?

And while I was in River Island I realised how much I love all of their gaudy Miami prints. I could really hit some of these pieces up. Hard.

(Images via River Island)

We Are Knot Amused

Please can someone reassure me that macramé isn't going to become fashionable again? I don't think I could take it.

Oh, so ugly.

(Images via Asos, River Island)

Heads Up

It is just over a week until I will be jetting off to South Africa. Yay!

And it is going to be hot there.

And English Rose that I am I am likely to burn to a crisp within about two minutes.

So what I need is a jaunty chapeau to keep the glare from my porcelain skin.

As seems to be so often the case the main option is the trilby. I was about to go for this lovely one below from NW3 but I thought I would pop into Jigsaw on the off chance. And luck was on my side, because my fashion guardian angel whipped a few of last season's treats and a very reduced straw trilby was mine.

It is quite plain though, so I think I will find some pretty ribbon or a silk scarf to spruce it up a little.

(Images via Asos, Hobbs, River Island)

Totes!

I am currently swooning over extremely plain tote bags. I just love the idea of something so unassuming and elegant in the face of all the bells and whistles and hardware evident on so many  bags.

These are bags that are just too assured in their own good looks that they don't have to yell it from the rooftops. Well, ok, maybe this red one is getting a little raucus but the others are awfully reserved and refined.

A pair of peg trousers, a plimsoll, a blazer and a slouchy t... with one of these slung over my shoulder.... Ahhh! Perfection.

(Images via Hobbs, River Island, Toast, Whistles)

Cry Me a River

 Oooh, exciting! River Island have some real treats coming in. Not least of which are the shoes.

 These colours are delicious.

 And I'm always looking for good flat shoes for the summer.

I'm wondering whether these spiky courts might work for the weddings I've got this summer. I was thinking grey but this colour is pretty neutral and I love how mean they are.

I would prefer these if they weren't espadrilles, but the banding is nice, I even like the jewels which is unlike me. And I'm in the mood for some shopping so one of these pairs might just do the trick. Obviously I would then freeze if I were to try and wear any of them right now but that is merely a detail.

(Images via River Island)