Pencil Skirts.....

The pencil skirt is a key shape for summer plus its staying throughout winter too so its worth the investment!  Plus this week you can WIN the shoes that I am wearing with each look.  Just tell me how you would wear them and leave a comment below or tweet me @nataliehartley for your chance to win deadline is next saturday 23rd march...good luck! 

TIP... contrasting prints work well when the colours stay the same so why not try monochrome with clashing print?  Peplums can be a very flattering detail on pencil skirts great to create more shape around the waist line and look for longer lengths to add height.  I have styled this look with colourful shoes and worn black socks to contrast against the colour

shirt by clements ribeiro
skirt by asos
socks by m&s
shoes by ted baker
sunglasses by jil sander

TIP... this is a great way to add a softer print but the panels at the front and back mean the blank sides create a slimming effect to the body.   I have added an oversized sweatshirt that compliments the shoe colour but a sweatshirt is the new t-shirt and can be worn with most things

jumper by cheap mondays
skirt by club monaco
shoes as before

TIP... don't think that a pencil skirt has to be worn in such a feminine way it can be made more casual by adding a hoodie and denim jacket like I am wearing where I have gone with the neutral shades in the skirt and played with those tones throughout the outfit.  A length of skirt below the knee is very flattering too
jumper by alexander wang
denim jacket by topshop
skirt by river island
shoes as before

Rings.....

TIP... Balenciaga rings are my most coveted item for spring, it's the way you wear them pile them on and cover all fingers top to bottom

White.....

TIP...want to wear white? here are some ideas I wore for InStyle break it up with print, wear head to toe or try a more masculine version its a versatile look!

Paris Fashion Week, Day 1

 

 

 

 

TIP... There is a lot of skirt action going on at the shows this season and the key style is a full circle a line shape, I have balanced the outfit by adding a crop jumper to show off the waist and knee high boots with a bare leg to show some skin. The oversized shape of the jumper gives this look a slight edge and stops this skirt shape from being to fifties and girly but my tip is to buy a dress like mine and layer tops over it so that you can get more out of one piece and wear like this or as a dress

Coat by preen, dress vintage, jumper by balenciaga, boots by chloe

 

Milan Fashion Week, Day 5

 

 

TIP... Today am sticking to navy (it seems to be the fashion packs new black this season too!) but for those like me today who is dressing head to toe in a single colour add a colourful accessory and for me a pair of neon sunglasses is the perfect choice to lift the look these clear lenses are perfect for winter sun

Sunglasses by fendi, navy polo neck m&s

 

MIlan Fashion Week, Day 4 cont...

Photographs by Ava Maria Arias

 

Milan Fashion Week, Day 4

 

 

 

TIP... The trouser suit is back this year and have gone for a men's double breasted one and rolled up the hems as obviously too long but this adds a laid back feeling to the look that go gat with my flat balenciaga boots. Add a roll neck to bring this look up to date

Trouser suit by tommy hilfiger, roll neck by m&s

 

Milan Fashion Week, Day 3

 

 

 

TIP... The full circle skirt seems to be a big shape for summer but definitely judging by the shows will be huge for winter so why not find a great coloured option like this! I have dressed it down with a hoodie and added my neoprene coat to contrast the textures and my knee high boots with a round toe give this a cute 60's touch and the colour blocking bag adds more colour and graphics to the look

Coat by theyskens theory, jumper by american apparel, skirt by baum and pfeffergarten at urban outfitters, boots by chloe, bag by fendi

 

Milan Fashion Week, Day 2

 

 

TIP... It's a furry day today and have mixed textures like mohair and neoprene and patent knee high boots the colours have been kept tonal and have stuck with strong silhouettes and played with shape and proportion and added a polo neck underneath to lengthen the neck

Jacket by theyskens theory, furry mohair top by alexis barrell, polo neck by john smedley, shorts by iro, boots by chloe, bag by fendi,

 

Milan Fashion Week, Day 1

 

 

My new pony skin colour block jacket is new season aw13 alexis barrell and have styled it with my men's baggy jeans and a navy roll neck which is a great layering piece or oversized jackets the high neck is perfect with a collarless jacket or coat. I have added the ultimate colour book bag and the metal chain strap is a great texture to contrast against the pony skin

jacket by alexis barrell, roll neck by john smedley, jeans by levi's, boots by chloe, bag by fendi

 

London Fashion Week, Day 4

 

TIP... Try one colour head to tie and if it is red match your accessories and the lip colour of rate most current way to wear this trend also as I have mentioned before choose a big oversized boxy coat shape very next season too!

Coat by acne, jumper by iro, sunglasses by prism

 

CK Jeans

Come see the newly remodelled CK store on regents street London where the look I have styled in this shot is available to buy in store, see it displayed on a mannequin there too all week

 

London Fashion Week, Day 2

 

 

 

 

TIP...this look is all about mixing print and colour and the boxy blazer should become your new wardrobe staple add it over a sweatshirt and jeans for a cool laid back look ( go big so wear your boyfriends like i have or buy a bigger size) and style with a coloured shoe and bag which I have done picking out colours from the jumper and then add red lip and no make up my favourite is the topshop make up range rio rio red

Jacket by rokit, jumper by preen, jeans by levis, shoes by michel perry, bag by givenchy, sunglasses by prism

 

London Fashion Week, Day 1

 

 

 

TIP... Today I have gone for colour blocking and this pony skin jacket is the perfect way to do this as have thrown it over leather shorts and jumper the minimal feel of this jacket updates the simplest of outfits and I have added a white leather heat for a modern sporty edge

jacket by alexis barrell, jumper by j crew, shorts by iro, boots by balenciaga, hat by marc jacobs, bag by pleats please

 

New York Fashion Week, Day 6

 

TIP... My style tip today is about men's Levi's 501's which I find fit better in a men's size and shape and fold up the hem for a cool teddy boy masculine feel but worn with colour and print gives this a feminine edge still. the red boxy coat is a key shape for next winter too so be ahead of the game and find one for you now as this should take you through the year and camouflage your bag and match it to the colour of your coat

Jumper and boots balenciaga, jeans by levis, coat by acne, bag by jil sander, sunglasses by the row at linda farrow