A Change Of Seasons

Over the last few days, there has been a distinct drop in temperature signalling a move from the end of summer to winter. I have been holding off wearing my warmer clothes because it has been quite warm but I think the time has come to roll out the woollies. 

I am actually quite pleased at having the chance to wear my new (or should I say second hand) cable knit cape from Oxfam which is especially useful as I still haven't managed to make a decision on a winter coat. It was one of the capes that I featured in my Friday Finds and at only £8 from Oxfam online I couldn't help but buy it before anyone else snapped it up.

Its funny how a change of weather can trigger so many different outfit ideas when I had been starting to lack inspiration for those in between season sort of outfits. Apart from the cape I have not bought anything for the autumn or winter yet but have loads of ideas for outfits. I did consider wearing my new cape a different way for each day of the week but decided I might get so bored with it that I never wear it again, also it is supposed to warm up again towards the end of the week, perhaps the perfect opportunity to wear some of my jackets.

Cape - Oxfam
Top - Linea at House of Fraser
Skirt - Urban Outfitters
Leggings - New Look
Socks - Peacocks
Boots (El Naturalista) and bag (Esprit) - Spartoo

What will you be wearing to keep cosy and warm this autumn?

Have a lovely week.

Ceri X

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup - Forward To Fall

Fast Forward to Fall

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie.

The trends for the coming months were dictated back on the catwalks in February, but now as September draws closer it's time to get our teeth into them and have a good hard think about those all important autumn buys. Particularly seeing as while I type this the weather is strongly urging me towards a winter wardrobe.

This week's links both look to winter and bask in the remaining sun. We look at a fashion interpretation of the current oil spill disaster (intelligent or tasteless?), are inspired by gorgeous fashion illustrations and a chain bag DIY, debate the history of the 'prep' look and think about how all our choices determine our body shape.

Links à la Mode: August 16th

• a la modest: High-waisted jeans (a.k.a. mom jeans) are back in vogue!
• Beautifully Invisible: Steven Meisel's Water & Oil: Social Commentary or Tasteless Fashion?
• Beyond Fabric: On men bags
• Dramatis Personae: Gilda Su announce Revasseur & Pre-Fall 2011 Lookbook.
• Embracing Style: How to make your own chain bag!
• Fete a Fete: Review of Guerlain's new 68 Champs-Elysees fall 2010 makeup collection:
• For Those About To Shop: Katharine Hamnett is the mother of eco-fashion and believes consumers have the power to change the world
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Can you Kickstart a New Career With Crowdfunding?
• Intrinsically Florrie: Dream dress and dream shoes- the fairytale look
• Kyoto Maiko: You Can't Buy "Prep," But You Can Own It...
• Miss Jones & Me: Roll into the Wild Woolly West: A focus on Fall transition pieces because the temperature can't drop soon enough!
• My Closet in Sketches: A hand drawn interpretation of the magic of white jeans (from the Gap men's department, to boot!).
• Vogue Gone Rogue: tuscan vineyards and teal rompers. A lighthearted outfit post inspired by Tuscan countryside and wine.
• Rags to Reverie: Sarah Mower's Fashion Illustrations for Vogue China and Vogue Nippon
• Retro Chick: A very modern vintage manicure
• Shoe Daydreams: Where do you draw the line with knocks-offs... what about when a blogger favorite retailer is doing it?
• Shoeper Woman: Why does no one dress up any more?
• Style Eyes: How to jump right out of a style rut - some ideas on how to look and feel great
• Sweet Fancy Treat: Kristen McMenamy. Collages & trivia about a timeless fashion icon!
• The Demoiselles: What would you sacrifice for a more "fashion-friendly" body?
• The Simply Luxorious Life: A dream of a shopping list for the fall fashions - staples that will enhance any woman's wardrobe.

The Circle Skirt - Ten Reasons To Love It

Paul Smith

Louis Vuitton

Mark Jacobs

Prada

Mulberry

Bottega Veneta

It is official next season (Autumn and Winter), the circle skirt will be the latest must have item. Whilst I try not to follow women's fashion trends too much, instead opting for clothes which suit my figure (short and pear shaped), and I never knowingly allow fashion (or magazines) to dictate to me what I 'must have', I do take a certain amount if inspiration from current trends. Lets face it, come September most of the shops will probably be jam packed with circle skirts making it pretty difficult to ignore them. But actually, the circle skirt is a trend that I don't think I want to ignore and perhaps one that I am still likely to be wearing long after it goes out of fashion.

Whilst many fashionistas, will be rushing out to the shops to grab themselves a piece of the action in the form of a circle skirt with a nipped in waist, many vintage lovers have been working this look, which was popular in the fifties, for ages with stunning results and already have wardrobes full of beautiful vintage circle skirts. Looking back through fashion history, I always think there is a very good reason (or lots of them!) why some styles have with stood the test of time and made it to being such popular items of vintage clothing today.

Here is why I am loving the circle skirt for next season and beyond:

1. The full circle skirt helps to create a really feminine shape by defining the waist.
2. The full circle skirt is the perfect shape for pear shaped ladies like myself as it cover the hips and thighs and draws attention to the waist.
3. The full circle skirt has no gathers so is full but without creating bulk around the hip area.
4. The vast area of fabric in a circle skirt is perfect for embellishment and decoration.
5. The circle skirt is easy peasy to make your self. It is just a circle and a waist band. You can even make one without a pattern. If you want to give it a go, there are plenty of tutorials online, just Google it.
6. There are plenty of vintage versions of the circle skirt around making it an easy trend to follow in an eco friendly and individual way. It is definitely on trend and sustainable clothing.
7. The circle skirt looks very different depending on it's length and fabric so everyone should be able to find something to suit. For shorter people like myself a softer, draping fabric will be easy to wear and less over powering. For those wanting a more dramatic look a mid calf length skirt in a heavy fabric will create much more volume.
8. The wide hem on a circle skirt is ideal for making legs look thinner (I can do with all the help I can get)
9. If a full circle skirt (as raved about in Vogue) is too much for you, there is always the option of a slightly less full skirt - perhaps a semi circle.
10. I love the way a circle skirt swishes as you walk.

On second thoughts, I am not entirely sure that a circle skirt can be classified as a trend, I would think of it more as a classic piece of clothing. But then, lately 'trends' and 'fashions' do seem to be made up of more classic items- think blazers and camel coats. The great thing about this is that if you do choose to invest in a quality circle skirt, it is likely to be a great investment that will last for years to come.
What do you think? Will you be buying a circle skirt for the autumn or winter? or perhaps having a go at making one?
pictures from style.com