Time for our second Take10 style challenge, this month featuring pink brogues from Schuh:

I wore mine with a pale beigey-pink silk blouse, shorts and the much-loved fake fur gilet (apologies to regular readers who’re at this point thinking ‘Oh God, not again – do you sleep in that thing? Do you shower in it? Do you EVER take it off’!).

It’s the first time I’ve tried brogues and I really like them – a good alternative to ballet pumps as an everyday flat shoe.

To view the other girls’ outfits in more detail visit Jen at A Little Bird Told Me, MJ at Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres, Sherin at HiFashion , Leia at Leia’s Delights, Vicki at Magpie Girl, Adele at Molto Curiosa, Saskia at Not Just Medical, Shini at Park & Cube and Sabine at Psynopsis

Big thanks to Schuh for sponsoring the challenge.

xx

My friend Joan (partner in crime on some of the boozy nights out that have been featured on this blog!) is organising a swishing event in aid of the Scottish Huntington’s Association.

It’ll be an evening of swapping and shopping, involving a massive clothes swap, craft market, live auction of celebrity outfits, style advice, pampering treatments and live music – with all proceeds going to Huntington’s disease.

Tickets are £10 in advance (or £12 on the door) and include fizz and cupcakes – and The Hub bar will be open throughout the evening.

It should be a great night. If you’re in the Glasgow area, it would be great to see you there.

The Swish

Thursday 30 September 6.30pm – 10pm

The Hub, 2 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA

More info and tickets are available here.

xx

Saturday was a shopping day out  in Edinburgh with my friend Vicky and her little girl Skye, my gorgeous god-daughter (I’m not much cop at instruction in the ways of our Lord, but hopefully I’ll be able to help her with fashion choices over the coming years!).

I wore black jeans, a silk blouse and a crushed velvet jacket (indulging my inner Stevie Nicks):

The weather was really mild and Edinburgh looked beautiful: 

We had lots of fun playing dress up in the Topshop shoe department, with all three of us trying out these clog boots!

Unfortunately none of us could walk in them, so we all saved our pennies for another day!

xx

Velvet jacket: Next / Silk blouse: Topshop / Jeans: Cheap Monday / Boots: River Island

Until Next got in touch recentlyI hadn’t been in one of their stores for years. I felt the clothes weren’t fashion-led and eveything had become a bit stale.

Happily though, the new AW10 range looks really good.  Here are my favourite oufits from the lookbook:

Next kindly offered to send a few items so I can try them at home – I’ve chosen the jumper from outfit 1, the gold brogues from outfit 3 and the cream blouse from outfit 4. I’ll let you know what I think of them when they arrive.

In other Next news, I found a fab leopard print jacket in there last week. It has a round neckline and a neat shape – a lot of fake fur coats can feel bulky but this one’s really light but still cosy:

Let me know what you think of the clothes.

xx

When they open on Thursday, Selfridges Shoe Galleries will become the single biggest shoe destination in the world, showcasing 150 designers with 55,000 pairs of shoes in stock at any one time!

To celebrate the upcoming launch of the Shoe Galleries, Selfridges are running a competition with a pair of shoes to be won every week and a grand prize of a year’s supply of shoes for one lucky winner.

To enter visit the Selfridges site and share the story behind your favourite shoes.

Good luck!

xx

Tonight was the relaunch party for iconic label Biba at House of Fraser.

The champagne was flowing and it was a good evening but I left empty-handed because the item I’d had my eye on wasn’t in stock – this silk dress, as modelled by Daisy Lowe:

The rest of the range was lovely, but with an average price tag of £150 it needed to be a standout item to make me part with my cash and nothing quite hit the mark.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you in the picture above - that’s me in my winter coat already! (Sort of on-trend camel, but a bit darker.) It’s cold, wet and windy in Glasgow – welcome to winter!

Have a great weekend – whatever the weather.

xx

Wool coat: Topshop

This week’s Style Counsel is guest posted by the fabulous That’s Not My Age.

Reader query:

I need to find an outfit for a wedding next month. I’m 46, haven’t been to an all-day wedding in years and am not sure what’s appropriate. The wedding’s in the north of Scotland so the weather could be quite cold. It’s a church service and then a reception in a hotel.

That’s Not My Age advises:

Personally, I believe that on special occasions it’s best to look like yourself, but on a good day – so don’t go overboard with frills or fancy clothes that’ll get shoved to the back of the wardrobe and never seen again, buy something that’s really you.

Choose versatile styles that can be worn on other occasions – get your money’s worth! So, for weddings, head straight for LK Bennett and Hobbs, for good quality, elegant clothes that are made to last and won’t end up in the local charity shop six months down the line.

And, I’m not a meteorologist but I’d guess it’s going to be chilly in northern Scotland in October. So, a wool jacket or coat is essential. And as the fashion world has gone Mad Men mad, opt for something with a fifties-inspired feel. Colour always looks fabulous, warms a pale/blue with cold complexion and stands out in the photos.

Though having said that, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with black. Just don’t go head-to-toe or the other guests will think you’re at the wrong ceremony.

Of course you’ll need a gorgeous frock – either a shift dress or a full-skirted retro style, both key buys this season  – that can be unleashed when it’s time to party. A pair of platform courts or kitten heels should take you from day to evening without too much bother, but it’s wise to take a pair of ballet flats just in case.

Oh and a final word on hats. Personally, I don’t believe that you have to wear one to a wedding these days, they can look a bit mother-of-the-bride so unless there’s a specific dress code, I’d give the headgear a miss. Why not go for a totally fifties look and spend the cash on a classy up-do instead? 

Outfit 1
Team a gorgeous floral print shift with a green wool jacket and neutral suede courts. If it’s chilly, slip an elegant camel coat over the top.

Silk dress and suede platforms: LK Bennett / Manor jacket: Hobbs / Camel wrap coat: Hobbs

Outfit 2
Go fabulously fifties with a neat jacket and full-skirted frock. Kitten heels and a ladylike handbag are the perfect accessories – and if you need an extra layer, try this lovely purple coat on for size.

Prom dress: Marks & Spencer (available October) / Silk bolero jacket, kitten heel shoe and black leather handbag: LK Bennett / Coat: Monsoon

Outfit 3
For a more minimal look, this striking black and camel coat is guaranteed to keep you so warm you’ll want to wear it all winter long. Pair it with a classic camel shift then just add some eye-catching accessories to complete the look.

Ben de Lisi at Principles coat: Debenhams / Camel wool shift and animal print court: both Hobbs / Bead and leather necklace: Wallis 

And don’t forget…

Silk corsage pumps: Boden

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A huge thank you to That’s Not My Age for providing such great advice – and finding those gorgeous leopard platforms! Outfit 3 is definitely my favourite.

Let me know which outfit you like best.

xx

PS If you have a fashion query for Style Counsel, or are interested in being a guest contributor, please drop me a note.