Outfit: Gridlock.

Photo credit: Denivev

Dress: C/O Oh Polly* (buy here) | Coat: Lavish Alice C/O BANK Fashion* (buy here) | Boots: Primark | Bag: Mango C/O House of Fraser* (old) | Hat: Primark | Sunglasses: Primark | Scarf: Zara (old) | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger C/O Shadestation (buy here)*

 

Those of my regular visitors with a keen eye may recognize this grid print beauty from my wishlist a couple of weeks ago. Well fate called and it turns out it was meant to be, the coat of my dreams made its way in to my life thanks to the lovely ladies over at BANK Fashion. Duster coats are my top choice of outerwear for this season; they are tailored enough to make you look like you mean business but oversized and boyish enough to give you an effortlessly cool vibe. Not to mention that when teamed with an on-trend grid pattern and contrasting sleeves, they can be quite a statement piece! Put together with my beloved Zara scarf and my rekindled love for white lace via Oh Polly, I think we have a go-to monochrome outfit; my favourite colour palette for fall!

 

Are you a fan of duster jackets?

 

Frances x

 

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Wishlist: Tailored.

Duster Coat: Lavish Alice, £60
Tres Chic Clutch Bag: Miss Selfridge, £16
Black Collarless Cape Blazer: Lavish Alice, £54
Pink Satin Longline Culottes: ASOS, £45
Mustard Roll Neck Cropped Sweater: Lavish Alice, £28
Black Crossover Wrap Culottes: Lavish Alice, £48
Dogtooth Suit Blazer & Cigarette Trousers: Topshop, £116

I'm sorry about posting two wishlists so close together my lovelies, but I'm just trying to keep the ball rolling on my blog whilst I am struggling to get hold of somebody to take my outfit photos for me (single lady problems). Lately, I have found my style evolving again. Whilst beanie hats, oversized flannel shirts and chunky heeled boots are what dominated my Autumn/Winter wardrobe and defined my sense of style last year (don't get me wrong, all three of these will still be making appearances all Winter long), AW14 seems to have found the more "mature" side of me.

 

Monochrome palettes with a subtle hint of colour, clean lines, just a little less skin than usual (I am partial to a good suit/midi skirt and crop top combo) and a bit of androdgyny if you will; I love the simplicity, versatality and timelessness of smart, tailored pieces. Lavish Alice gets my pick of the moment, as they are currently killing it with sophistication and a touch of edginess this season (that cape blazer, though). I'm not sure if my new-found love for matching suit co-ords, culottes, cigarette pants and midi skirts this year is a sign that I'm getting old or whether it's just a little heads up that the laid-back, oversized-sweatshirt-loving Frances can indeed scrub up well ;) (doesn't mean I won't pair a smart blazer with a pair of boyfriend jeans every now and again- see my last post here).

 

Are you in to the more tailored look this season?

 

Frances x

Outfit: City Chic (Featuring my friend, Kayla!)

 Suit Jacket and Bottoms: Lavish Alice | Vest Top: Primark | Boots: Glamorous | Sunglasses: C/O Firmoo* | Neckace: Topman | Bracelet: Rock 'N' Rose | Watch: Michael Kors.

I must say, I am enjoying this new "on-location" approach that I have been taking for my outfit photos. I am loving how the pictures have been turning out when I take to the streets, despite having to endure a good twenty minutes of being stared at by passers-by who probably think I am just some vain wannabe model. But hey- It's all part of the fun! What do you think?

Anyway, this is what I wore for an event that I attended at The Metquarter in Liverpool yesterday (I'll be writing a post on that tomorrow) and my- what a hit this suit was! I had three people stop me to ask me where I got it from. I actually scooped it up at a sample sale that Lavish Alice were at a few weeks ago. Originally, both pieces should have come to around £90 in total, but I got the set for just £27.00- Bargain! I believe you can still scoop it up in their sale for £46 (links above). I absolutely love the monochrome paisley print and teamed with my heeled boots and sunglasses I think it makes for a very city chic outfit!

I brought one of my non-blogger friends, Kayla, along to the event and managed to persuade her to feature on my blog, so here's what she wore! Who thinks that she would make a fabulous fashion blogger, too?! ;)

Blazer: Primark | Top: H&M | Jeans: Topshop | Shoes: River Island | Bag: River Island | Watch: River Island

I hope you like our outfits! :)

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Black and Grey

Jumper: C/O AX Paris* | Shorts: C/O Lavish Alice* | Boots: C/O Tribeca Shoes* | Headband: H&M | Bracelet: Fiorelli

Just as I think that I am finally getting back in to the swing of blogging, my laptop decides to give up on me! That explains my absence for the last couple of days, but my laptop is now running on life support until I can get it taken to be looked at, so hopefully it will hold out for a few more days!

I have also been patiently waiting this week for a day with no rain but since there has been no such luck, I braved the storm (slight exaggeration) to take these photos today, so I am sorry for the gloomy, wet setting :( 

I absolutely love these two items of clothing- I have practically lived in this jumper since I got it- It is really soft and I love the paisley-esque print on it that livens up a black and grey outfit. These fringed pleather shorts are amazing too, they are really different from any pair of shorts I have had before and I can't wait to rock them more next summer! For now I think they look fab with a jumper tucked in and they add a little bit of edge!

I hope you like my outfit! :)

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Red Velvet.

Dress: C/O Lavish Alice* | Jacket: Miss Selfridge | Boots: C/O Tribeca Shoes* | Necklace: Topman

I have wanted a velvet dress for so long and now I finally have one, thanks to Lavish Alice! I couldn't have found a more perfect one either, I absolutely adore the colour (it also comes in navy), the heart cutout detail on the back, and the sweetheart neckline. This dress is definitely going to become a staple item in my wardrobe over winter, it is one of those pieces that can be layered up with a leather jacket or a jumper on top for the day time, but it can also be dressed up with a pair of chunky heels for a night out!

Are you loving the velvet trend this season?

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Back to School.

Blouse: C/O Glamorous* | Skirt: C/O Lavish Alice* | Shoes: C/O Missikon* | Blazer: Miss Selfridge via Charity Shop | Hat: H&M | Rings: Miss Selfridge 

I felt like I was dressed for school today as I stepped out in a blazer with my blouse tucked in to my skirt! I adore this outfit though, I have wanted a leather-look skirt for ages (since the hype around the Primark ones), and I think this Lavish Alice number is the perfect companion for my cut-out polka dot blouse which I have had for a while. I love the little antique-gold stars around the bottom, I think they make it stand out a little from other leather skirts :)

I hope you like my outfit!

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Autumn is Here.

Jumper: C/O  Lavish Alice* | Shorts: C/O Nelly* | Boots: C/O Tribeca Shoes* | Jacket: Primark | Hat: H&M | Rings: L-R Dorothy Perkins, Primark

It's starting to get a lot chillier in the mornings now; Autumn is definitely on it's way. No doubt I'll be complaining about the cold weather soon, but at the moment I am excited to be layering up in jumpers and knitwear. This jumper from Lavish Alice is a new addition to my wardrobe and I know I am going to get a lot of use of it over the upcoming months. It is fleecy on the inside and so cosy, and the stud embellished shoulders feed my rather unhealthy stud obsession. I also went and bought this jacket from Primark the other day (one of the bad things about studying in Liverpool is I can't resist mooching around town after my lectures!). At £25 it is definitely the cheapest alternative to the infamous Topshop and River Island jackets but I think it looks and feels just as good- It isn't the warmest jacket but it is great for layering and for milder days.

I hope you like my outfit! Are you excited for Autumn/Winter?

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.