avoid phone chin...buy a polo neck

Great for hiding double chins (a serious hazard whilst reading phones and walking), very cosy, hair tucking at back is optional. The polo neck/turtle neck. So glad they are back in. I saw some great styles as Asos and Zara here, here, here and here, oh and here. Look out for the Uniqlo collaboration with Ines de La Fressange, the cashmere big turtle neck sweater is perfect and available in November. If you want to splurge, this one from Acne Studios is gorgeous (and 15% off at My-Wardrobe at the mo)...

*images via pinterest

embrace yellow

Inspired by the yellow at the Emmys I purchased this bright cashmere jumper at Uniqlo this week (they have a sale on cashmere until Sunday), love it with grey skinnys and spiky jewels. 

Yellow cashmere jumper at Uniqlo / Anton Heunis necklace and earrings at My Wardrobe / Skinny Jeans by Rag & Bone (image via Shopbop)

leather jackets autumn winter 2012

You must wear leather this autumn/winter. Its the law. If you don't do leather trousers, skirts or shorts then at least have a rocking jacket...from left: Michael Kors at My-Wardrobe, Muubaa and Whistles 

I want...

...never gets. It was (and still is really) one of my Mother's favourite sayings. Anyway, I really want these earrings, for a silly sale price of 19.26 USD at My-Wardrobe, why not? Have a great weekend x

sophie hulme

I knew she'd catch on, in a world full of crazy designer bags this British designer makes beautiful , stylish handbags for the not cheap, but not totally ridiculous, 500 GBP mark. Check out the Sophie Hulme collection at My-Wardrobe.

lucky winner...

So Sal chose the lucky winner for the Lola & Syd necklace...Gemma Rake! Enjoy your stylish trip to Zulu Land! Wouldn't it look amazing with these outfits? As styled by My-Wardrobe with James Perse tees and Equipment silk shirts.

january detox

I spent Christmas in the UK and fell in love with Cos (unfort they only ship around Europe so you need some nice UK buddies to ship to you in HK/NYC)...their collections are well cut, on-trend and reasonably priced. I've gone pale and interesting for the January wish list....all pure... virginal and alcohol free (shoot me now)...

Beaded dress (to save up for with pennies not spent on booze) - Day Birger Et Mikkelsen

Sequin silk blazer (which Ginge bought and I wanted to steal) - Cos

Bird silk shirt...from can you believe it...- Joules

Ridiculously comfortable and pretty lace bra - Cos

Cuff - Cos

Nude chunky heeled boots - guess? Cos

Blush bag...perfect start to all the Spring/Summer pastels - DKNY at My-Wardrobe

Simple, stylish shirt dress - Never Fully Dressed

to sale or not to sale

I generally can't cope with the Christmas sales. Thankfully some of the best bargains are online. My-Wardrobe (UK-based but deliver everywhere) is one of the best, especially for items from those superbly stylish Scandinavians. Yes, my choices may look mildly morbid but trust me a leather jacket is always a good investment buy, a blazer you will wear forever and the  flapper dress is bang on with the 1920s theme which will be all the rage (I sound like my mother) in 2012....

Black blazer you'll keep forever - By Malene Birger at My-Wardrobe - GBP 171 (from 245)

Daphne Guinness tastic silver dress - Cos - Euro 125 (from 250)

Silk jacket in the prettiest print which won't date - Baum Und Pferdgarten (yep) - Euro 155 (from 259) Wild Swans boutique in Chiswick London stock lots more from this brand

1920s style black dress for all those Great Gatsby themed parties - Day Birger Et Mikkelsen  at House of Fraser - GBP 147.50 (from 295)

Adore these Ash boots - Ash at My-Wardrobe -  GBP 157 (from 225)

Bangles - Day Birger Et Mikkelsen at My-Wardrobe - GBP 41 (from 59)

Black leather jacket - Day Birger Et Mikkelsen at My-Wardrobe - GBP 287 (from 410)

Blush suede jacket which you will get compliments on for years - Day Birger Et Mikkelsen at My-Wardrobe - GBP 187 (from 375)

secretstylist christmas gift guide...part two...patsy

Everyone loves Patsy (by the way, I cannot wait for the Christmas special). Completely nutty and definitely naughty, she's not shy and loves anything that sparkles and often causes a stir with her wardrobe. It is soooooo easy to buy for her this season, try...

a Jimmy Choo coffee cup holder, of course (Net-A-Porter)
a little bit of Liz...a serious 1950s vintage sparkler (Atelier Meyer)
make-up designed by Daphne Guinness herself (Mac - launches 26 Dec)
a rock n' roll ring (Melissa Lo)
Army gold (DAY Birger et Mikkelsen at The Outnet)
a very subtle, sparkly jumper (Discopony at Chictopia)
an equally subtle bracelet (C Wonder)

a bling cape (Love Moschino at My-Wardrobe)

making her chat more with this mystic pendant (Marijoli)

racy lacy trousers (Zara)

dalmatian print loafers to run between parties in (Topshop)

happy halloween

My vast fancy dress wardrobe (thanks to six plus years in Hong Kong) is being put to the test this weekend. New York go all out for Halloween it seems. The problem is its snowing. So is it Lady Gaga...Marge...leopard...black swan...or Penelope Pit-stop? I quite fancy dressing up as the eccentric Iris Apfel...the glasses, a touch of silver hair spray, acres of colourful jewels and flamboyant colours...(oh and in case you haven't heard you can shop her collection here)

Essential for the look. Linda Farrow Luxe at Net-A-Porter

Iris would rock this DVF coat

Gorgeous necklace (which Iris would layer with 45 others) from Stella & Dot (who have just landed in the UK, and fyi also ship internationally)

A new find, Max & Chloe, great cuffs

Why not chuck in a bit more turquoise? Kenneth Jay Lane at My-Wardrobe

Love this at Astley Clarke

*image from here

little black boots

Sorry to bang on about shoes again but I had a sudden urge to buy some new short boots. I love wearing them at this time of year, they add a little autumn to your look, and yet you can wear them with bare legs, shorts, skirts (perfect with this season's pencil skirt) and dresses. I have a great camel pair and some grey Zara ones which I wear constantly, so its about time to search for a pair of little black boots...

1 - foxy cut-outs by Joseph at Net-A-Porter (GBP 495)

2 - chelsea boots by Topshop (GBP 55)

3 - studded wonders by Sam Edelman at My-Wardrobe (GBP 215)

4 - sleek and snakey by Christian Louboutin at Net-A-Porter (GBP 1095 ... OUCH) 

5 - look way more expensive than they are by Zara (GBP 69.99) 

6 - suede and simple by Aldo (GBP 70)

summer sales strategy

We all know that browsing the net for bargains is a much more civilised technique than braving in-store jumble sales. Net-A-Porter start their summer sale today and a few others (My-Wardrobe, Selfridges and Matches) have been going for a week now, but is there much left? I spotted some designer goodies which are still there and won't date in seasons to come...

From top left: Tibi Silk Shirt now GBP 157 (was 225) at Matches

Mulberry Tilly now GBP 1473 (was 2107) at My-Wardrobe

Zimmerman Playsuit now GBP 217 (was 311) at My-Wardrobe

Chloe wedges now GBP 289 (was 480) at Selfridges

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Leather Jacket now GBP 169 (was 339) at My-Wardrobe

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Beaded Jacket now GBP 237 (was 339) at My-Wardrobe

Belle by Sigerson Morrison shoes now GBP 175 (was 250) at My-Wardrobe

hong kong style dilemma: how to wear pleats

I've recently been emailed and quizzed a lot by my styling clients about pleated skirts....and yep, they are tricky to wear, but pleats are a key trend for Spring/Summer so why not try them? Skirts in general are making a come back this year, and after our obsession with the dress and skinny trousers, isn't it nice to see a touch of ladylike dressing? So here are some options and ideas on how to wear your pleats...

Q: Can I wear them? A: Yes, try to mix them up with some of the bright colours which are out at the moment, or toughen the look up with a leather jacket or rocking heels

Q: Will I look like a granny? A: Nope, just make sure you don't wear court shoes, try platforms or on-trend heels (see below the blush pink pleats styled by My-Wardrobe), ballet pumps, which were seen on the catwalk, are only for the brave

Q: What do I wear them with? A: Nothing bulky or floaty on top, team with a white or grey t-shirt / slim blouse / colourful skinny belt / lightweight knits...keep it simple

Carrie Pleat Skirt from Whistles in a delicious pink, I guarantee this will be sold out soon!

Tick two trends with one item, a camel number from Zara

Ballet inspired blush pink pleats from D&G at My-Wardrobe

Simple black, easy for work and evenings out, from Topshop

...and if you fall in love with pleats then go for the whole look, I love this dress by Halston Heritage at My-Wardrobe