[unpaid/affiliate] I’m pretty sure what did for Topshop was Zara and H&M. Before Zara, Topshop was one of the only places that had the pace to keep up with and ahead of trends. I can’t count the number of times I went down the escalators at the Oxford Circus branch filled with anticipation and came out with something I could actually afford and that I loved. I never got in on the Top Shop jeans vibe – somehow they weren’t for me – but while I worked in central London, it was rare for a week to go by without a visit to the store. Top Shop is back on-line with a promise of bricks and mortar stores opening soon(ish) and a current concession at Liberty. It’s owned now part by venture capital (Heartland) and part by ASOS – with a Cara Delevingne line to feature next year. I love a bit of Zara and I love a bit of H&M for quick high street finds that don’t feel hard on the budget, but it’s time for something new – although I swear there is an invisible force that pulls me into every Zara I pass, it doesn’t feel quite as strong as before. I can resist – somewhat.
First up, the drawstring satin trousers. I have a pair of satin trousers that I have worn on repeat through the summer but that I also wear in winter (long socks underneath, that’s the key) with big jumpers. They’ve been one of my most useful purchases ever because you can fancy them up with strappy tops and so on or dress them down with sweatshirts, hoodies or sweaters. Topshop has a very cool burgundy shade that is extremely now (legimate fashion term) and if you can force yourself out of black, that’s the shade to go for as and when it is re-stocked. I’m not brave enough for the cream pair (I have a dog) but they’re so sophisticated! They’ll almost certainly be too long but they’re supposed to be drapey to a point. Satin is easy to take up so if you have to adjust the sizing, don’t go too short. They’re £44 HERE.
Are we ready for this glorious floral faux fur jacket? I think so – I think it’s just the thing for keeping the autumn gloom at bay and again – so clever – dress it up or down. It’s going to be as happy with a full length satin dress as it is with a pair of jeans in the forest. You could easily put it with the satin trousers and with the upcoming item I’m about to show you. Everyone from Boden to Autograph is showing fake fur coats as a strong trend again and of course, there is a big Shrimps vibe coming from this jacket. It’s £75 HERE.
Sorry but, there is nothing sexier than a button down t-shirt – it’s all Levi 1980 references and just super cool to wear alone or under anything you like but a v-neck cardi is one option as is an open shirt. Please don’t leave the buttons all done up – you’re supposed to look a bit undone with this t-shirt. It’s £22 HERE. With all three items so far, you have a full outfit where any item can be worn with other things very easily.
This dress really stands out to me – it’s an every age, every shape dress that’s going to drape in all the right places to either embrace your shape or enhance your shape. It’s just a very flattering cut and I’d wear this on a hot holiday or to a winter party. I’m not much of a frill person but the neckline to waist frill is gorgeous without being fluffy or too fancy and if you have a hoard of necklaces that never get worn, now is the time to get them out – anything and everything for this sexy neckline. Raw seams give this dress a bit of edginess. Wear with boots, trainers or your strappiest high heels. It’s £85 HERE.
There’s an art to the new jumper-that-looks-like-you’ve-always-had-it. I don’t like anything that has a ‘new’ feel to it – I prefer things to look like I took them out of my own wardrobe rather than off a shop hanger and am cool enough to just ‘happen’ to have had it there. I know, I’m not fooling anyone, least of all myself, but effortless dressing requires – boringly – effort. This jumper has the right now personality with the green and grey/brown in a blur pattern but equally it could be something I found at the back of my shelves by happy accident. This only has 8% wool so it’s unlikely to shrink and the moths won’t like it much either. It’s £50 HERE . Sizes for everything are UK6-UK16 and that’s where Top Shop could do better – a more diverse sizing selection would be better.