Recent Posts

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM I’m a big advocate for the capsule wardrobe—an armoire filled with cherry-picked items that, to borrow from Marie Kondo, give me only joy when wearing them. Conscious shopping is something I’ve adopted too in the past eight and a half years since moving to Paris, and it’s also incidentally something I write about in my new book, Practising Parisienne: Lifestyle Secrets From the City of Lights, which is out now. I’ve found that Parisians have a knack for picking forever pieces, are less likely to buy into fast fashion and have a penchant for vintage and pre-loved clothing that they mix in with more up-to-date styles. They have certainly inspired my own style that’s a lot less try-hard than it used to be, and I now invest in pieces that last: elevated basics that I can wear again and again,…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM If there’s one thing I’m asked most frequently as a shopping editor, it’s what designer bags are worth the investment. It’s a pretty big question to answer, as so many things come into play. After all, one person’s idea of what is affordable and expensive depends on their budget. There’s also the practicality consideration—some of us would happily forgo a roomy interior for an attractive design, whereas others require their handbags to fit everything except the kitchen sink.I’m probably somewhere in the middle. I find it hard to get on board with the micro-bag trend, and I require my bags to be versatile. However, I am the sort of person you’ll see lugging around a canvas tote bag with a water bottle, laptop and tissues while my handbag remains unsullied by such weighty responsibilities. I find that midsize bags, such as my Wandler…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM I think it is often underestimated just how difficult shopping for perfume is. For starters, the stuff is expensive. While parting with a few quid on a foundation that isn’t quite right doesn’t feel like a huge financial loss (with a bit of mixing, you can usually find a way to make it work), dropping three figures on a perfume that isn’t all you hoped is more difficult to swallow.We’ve all been there. You spritz something on counter and fall in love at first sniff or smell something divine on someone and add it straight to your basket, only to get the goods home, douse yourself in the stuff and realise it gives you a nauseating headache.And to make perfume shopping even harder, we’re now faced with what feels like hundreds of snaps of painfully pretty bottles every time we log…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM The knitted-dress trend has come back in a seriously big way in 2021. You might not have realised this, because in many ways, it’s the kind of frock that never really goes out of fashion. However, there’s one key component of this year’s style that French women have been wearing forever. When it comes to knitted dresses in France, les Françaises are more likely to opt for a fitted version. No saggy, loose-fitting sacks for our friends across the channel, thank you very much. Instead, it’s about considered knitwear that is more body-con and has some kind of structure. Case in point: Khaite’s chic black version, which I spotted on Camille Charrière some time ago. The sweetheart neckline is what really makes this dress sing, but I love the demure nature of the long sleeves, too. This season, the brand has brought…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM Pretty much everyone wants hydrated, dewy, plump skin, right? Well, having healthy skin is definitely important to me. After writing about skincare for a while and also just going through life, I think I have a handle on what it takes to keep my skin on track. Some things include eating well, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, keeping up with my skincare routine, and using the right products with ingredients that work for my specific skin type.One ingredient that I’ve learned can be a huge help in keeping your skin moisturised and healthy? Collagen. “Collagen is the main structural protein found in the extracellular matrix of most of our body’s connective tissues,” explains board-certified dermatologist Naissan Wesley, MD. “It is found throughout the body in different types, in most of our tissues including bone, ligaments, tendons, teeth,…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM How does Jennifer Lopez dress for a date night in Los Angeles? Well, for dinner with Ben Affleck at celebrity-favourite restaurant Craig’s, she kept it sleek and simple in a slim-fit tank top, high-waisted, wide-leg trousers, and some designer jewellery. (Oh, and don’t forget her best accessory of all: her ripped arms.)Wide-leg trousers are a fun trend to experiment with if you’ve been wearing your go-to skinny jeans to shreds lately. The pants are super comfortable and easy to wear yet look a lot more polished than denim, making them perfect for date night. Scroll down to see Jennifer Lopez’s new outfit, and shop similar pieces for yourself.  On Jennifer Lopez: Foundrae necklace; Loro Piana Sesia Bag (£2885)This price tag is incredibly tempting. This tank from Kim Kardashian’s brand, Skims, has rave reviews. Another well-priced basic that you’ll get a ton of use out of. These…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM We routinely turn to Janet Gunn, the 58-year-old influencer behind The Grateful Gardenia, for sartorial guidance. And while age should have nothing to do with your style choices, we’re always interested in her fashion viewpoint specifically given her experience over the years building a well-rounded wardrobe. Today, we wanted to gain further insight into some of the go-to shoe silhouettes she swears by. And while she wears a variety, there’s one key style she wears on repeat and will never retire. Yes, flat shoes, given their comfortable and versatile nature.Below, you’ll uncover the six flat shoe styles Gunn will never give up, complete with styling notes from her. And if you’re inspired in adding one of her must-have silhouettes into your arsenal as well, we also rounded up chic styles to consider if you’re shopping at the moment.“These are timeless shoe styles…

January 01, 2022 at 08:00AM I won’t be the first or the last person to ever panic about what to wear to a wedding. The truth is that it's difficult because we’ve all been hardwired into buying something new for the occasion. I imagine this is something to do with the psychology behind getting dressed. A new dress will make us feel and look better, so we’re always striving for the next dress to give us that confidence boost. I get it because I’ve been there, but there are two major problems with this thinking: One, it’s not ethical to continue buying a new dress every time there’s a fancy event on only to never wear it again. Two, it’s not a financial option for most of us. But what if I were to tell you that you can wear a new dress to every nuptial you’ve…

January 01, 2022 at 07:00AM I’ve been a fashion editor for many years now and one of my favourite items of clothing that I always turn to when I want to look put-together is wide-leg trousers. The only problem is, I’m 5'2 (just) and it’s often a difficult balancing act between looking chic and looking swamped. Find the right pair though, and this pants style works wonders for leg lengthening, making you appear taller and, I always think, smarter. It took me a long time to discover the joys of this trend though. Being on the shorter side meant I avoided them like the plague, ogling from afar at tall girls wearing them in the office or at fashion week. It was only when I was forced into a pair for an event and was showered with compliments that I became determined to make the trend work…

January 01, 2022 at 06:03AM Over the last couple of years it’s safe to say my style has been built solely on comfort. Like so many, working from home more often has meant leaving the house less, even after the lockdowns were lifted. Living in Scotland and being the sort of person who feels the chill in even the slightest of summer breezes, means that, when I do venture out, I often have to wrap up and make practicality a priority. Aside from the odd dress or skirt-and-jumper combination, I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit in joggers—and not fancy ones at that. Comfortable they may be, but wearing them day in and day out made me feel as if I’d lost my sense of style.While I’ve grown fond of them, and will probably still turn to them on particularly chilly days, I’ve decided that in 2022 I’m vowing to be…