Jumper Dressing

It’s a Saturday morning and it’s time to run those errands. You didn’t get the lie in you wished for but grabbing that soft cosy grey sweater from the closet suddenly makes everything feel better. Invest in a soft cashmere sweater in light grey or nude. Perhaps even baby blue while its still Fall and that winter chill isn’t quite in the air yet. Go a size up and you’re right as rain.

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Below illustrates how opting  for the long sweater version poses as a dress and there are a hundred ways in which to make this work. Three-quarter length pants with converse shoes work just fine. Come Halloween, cover up those ankles, dust off your full length denims and finish with a wedge ankle boot or heeled boots.

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Now what is it about turtle necks? They scream “curl up by the fire, pull out that hardback classic and get comfortable! ”

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So go ahead; roll it up and there’s not an ounce of cold frosty air getting in there!

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                    Above: Liston Oversize Turtleneck by Acne Studios $430.

Feeling deserving and want to splash out on some fancy sweaters? Then why not try something like Uma Wang’s OTT bulky knit. Keep it continuous and sport your footwear in the same color.

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Milano Part 2.

Weave in and out of the passageways lined with scarlet, red, camel coats. Brush past the faux fur capes and mannequins enveloped in the latest handmade suits. Be lured by the scent of rich leather. In a cocoon of its own are the displays of college moccasins and ankle-high boots. The tobacco brown boots ( pictured below) are pieced together with leather inserts embossed with ostrich and crocodile prints. The shiny double buckles on the side of the ankle reinforce both the model and the admirer to be one thing- awed!

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I had a mere two days in which I had to get around and see as much as I possibly could in this eloquent city (including a visit to Europe’s oldest library, the top terrace of the spectacular duomo and indulging in Milanese restaurants to name but a few!) The adventure kicked off at MaxMara. As seen as it had four floors worth of fashion, I felt it worth my while featuring it in my blog.

Below illustrates the brashness yet quaint look of the ever-reliable  college moccasins. ‘Tivoli’ on the left has abraded leather with tassles to tickle the dorsum of the foot. On the right is ‘Argento’ the grey leather and pony skin shoe. Well, need I say any more?

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Above: Drippings of accessories on display at MaxMara’s Vittorio Emanuele store.

I am purposely blogging about accessories, shoes, bags jewellery and the likes to educate the reader (and fashionista) how they can be included in your outfit in preparation for your day. The bag you carry and the shoes you wear are equally as important as the clothes on your back!

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              Above: MaxMara’s spanking new ‘Whitney’ bag.

Now treck uptown with me to the trendy district of Brera, wherein lies a mish-mosh of treasures to appease the über-cool, trend spotters and fashionistas alike. Make your way down the back of the hanging outdoor gardens and enter a haven of riches. Last call for those of you with any bag fetish.

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              Above: Spanish designer Loewe dainty bag collection.

10, Corso Como houses every creation from crafty, newborn, Japanese designers to the most recent Céline and Chloe collections.

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        Above: 10, Corso Como’s nooks & crannies housing all sorts.

What to take from all of this is relatively simple. Don’t leave the house without something which makes you smile. Rotate your wardrobe and accessories to compliment your clothes. Try moccasins with burgundy woolen stockins and skirts. How about your ankle boots over faded denim? Roll up your sleeves and hook a smart top handle bag upon. Guaranteed it will be worth all of the two minute effort.

Milano Adventure.

A Sunday morning stroll down Corso Vittorio Emanuele II proved more than a distraction when I veered off track and wandered straight in to the largest MaxMara I had ever seen. A kid in a candy store would have been an understatement.
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Above: MaxMara’s Jersey Houndstooth Pencil Skirt.

Browns, beiges, coffees and creams were the undertones of MaxMara’s Autumn Winter ’15 campaign. Soft knits, floor length coats and teal ponchos dripped from the display</strong like melted caramel. Indulging in soft, grey, handmade trouser suits is always easy when its topped with a reversible dark grey cashmere coat.

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Cosying up to a selection of wool, cashmere and alpaca is my idea of kick starting winter. How eye-catching the ‘Teddy Bear’ coat was will never be explained in words!
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Above: MaxMara’s Faux Fur Armenia Teddy Bear Coat.

The key to pairing outfits this winter is color coding. Take the time to organise your closet space according to hues. Keep it in the family. Browns with beige, greys with black, coffees with cream. Being daring but chic is entirely possible. Play around with tones and you’ll find you have a larger color palate than you think. Trust me, it will be enough to stop any traffic!
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My next blog will feature a continuation of more treasures from MaxMara- my newfound religion.

Ponchos, Shades and Blue, Oh My!

Blue Satchel. Even though I hate the fabric inside, I had to have it. I cannot seem to master the art of walking past a bag instore without purchasing it. I guess we all have our weaknesses (!) The perfect ‘I’m running late’ bag. Dump in your keys, wallet, phone, makeup, diary, whatever you need and in snug it all fits.

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Miu Miu prescriptive tinted lens. I like the idea of sprouting the ever-so-large sunnies to be top heavy. Why the heck not. I have to laugh though as every time I pull them out to slap on my visage, I hear a friends endless slagging play out time and time again. The day I bought them his reply to my sporting them was; “John Lennon called….” You know who you are.

Poncho. I wasn’t so sure if this was a good idea or not but I was recently down at a music festival in Co. Kerry and it rained that heavy drizzle the entire time. Needless to say I arrived with not a rain mac in sight. My new poncho did just the trick. My colleagues would cringe from my working days in The North Face; yes I know It’s not remotely waterproof but hell, its warm and it sure kept the wind out! You simply must invest in this human tent.