MIXING HIGH END WITH HIGH STREET

*Cape: here. Top: similar here. *Shoes: here. Trousers: here.  - - -  If you're new around these parts, you might not know that my standard fashion formula is a mixture of high end/designer pieces and high street gems - this outfit is the perfect demonstration of that.
Whenever I wear this cape, I'm inundated with compliments and every time, the person has been aghast when I tell them it's from one of my old high street favourites, Coast. Admittedly, Coast is on the slightly more pricey end of the 'high street' category, but I'd say their pieces are still attainable to a lot of people - so it still counts. This cape (which is also a fave of style queen Olivia Palermo!!1!) has knocked all of my other coats off the top spot. This cape is my no.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. I'm besotted. I want one of these capes to wear and another one to frame like teenage boys do with signed football shirts. There's something so flattering about the cut and the way the wing-like sleeves fall and swoosh. To me, it's cool but elegant. 
In fact, this love affair began when I saw Josie wearing it at an event (you must check out her marvellous blog!) and we went through the exact same hooha that I've been going through with strangers, which went something like this; 'OMG where's that from? Is it designer? It's Coast? WHAT?' *eyes fill with tears of joy*
I really do think that there are such wonderful, high quality pieces to be found on the high street and this cape is the epitome of that.  P.S. shameless self promo: there'll be an OOTD of this look and a birthday vlog up on my YouTube channel tomorrow if you'd like to subscribe in preparation! 

London Fashion Week Day 3 Outfit - Black Satin Skirt, (Faux) Mink Stole & Pointed Bow Heels

Click to item or similar; Mink Faux Fur Stole: c/o Dorothy Perkins. Top: River Island. Skirt: Coast. Sunglasses: Prada. Shoes: Russell & Bromley. Earrings & Bag: Chanel. 

Hello all!

Arabella is wearing a midi skirt. Stop the press. Alert the media. 

With this outfit, I wanted to mix various textures; jersey, satin, patent leather and faux fur. I set myself a little challenge to mix what I consider to be a very informal, casual piece; the bardot style striped jersey top, with something undeniably dressy; the voluminous satin skirt. I'm hoping I succeeded in my personal challenge. In fact, when several people photographed me and then asked 'it's all Chanel, right?' in regards to what I was wearing, when I then corrected them that it was all high street besides the bag and earrings, they were all agog! (Sigh, a girl can dream.)

The fur stole (faux, of course) - the ultimate transitional piece for autumn/winter. Whether it's a breezy but sunny September day, or a frosty December morning - a fur stole (or 10) is always an absolute necessity in my wardrobe around this time of year and in the months to come. They're perfectly versatile in the fact that they can be added and removed to a huge selection of outfits, and taken on and off throughout the day depending on the temperature. A fur stole is the cherry-on-the-cake on a new winter coat. I personally have a mildly shameful number of fur stoles, this mink style one being a new favourite. The neutral colour means that it'll compliment and work with almost any outfit; casual or formal. Of course, I have to mention the most boring element of style, practicality. It's undeniable that a fur stole, or in fact any kind of scarf can make all the difference come the colder months due to the fact that our necks seem to feel the cold more than anywhere else! 

Here's what I'm wearing (or similar!)

London Fashion Week Day 1 Outfit - Monochrome Florals

Top: c/o Missguided - similar here. Skirt: Coast. Bag: c/o Dorothy Perkins Shoes: c/o Dorothy Perkins - similar here (in the sale!). Necklace: Zara.

Hello all, and happy fashion week!

It's that time again. The time to expect an extreme influx of instagram posts and excessive use of the hashtag #lfw. I've been in London since Thursday, clip-clopping around the cobbles and pretending to be cool and aloof when photographers asked to take my photo; 'yeah sure whatever' when actually inside I'm like 'tehehehehe'. I was there days 1, 2, 3 and 4 and a Premier Inn right around the corner very generously put Becca and myself up for the week, so I didn't have to hobble back and forth every day.

On to the outfit. I really see fashion week as an opportunity to be a bit more flamboyant and extravagant than usual - it's a place where I actually don't feel overdressed, which is is a rare occurrence. I feel completely comfortable wearing things that I might not necessarily deem 'day appropriate' on a normal basis, such as my favourite style of skirt, Coast's 'Rita' which I'm wearing here in yet another colour variation. With it, I teamed a black and gold portfolio clutch and pointy heels with rose gold detailing, both from Dorothy Perkins. Looking at the photos now, I think the accessories complimented my outfit beautifully. In fact - I kept being asked if the bag was designer, much to my delight! 

How have you been enjoying the coverage so far? 

Popping to Paris - Duck Egg Midi Skirt by The Eiffel Tower

Click to item; Skirt: c/o Coast. Top: Topshop. Shoes: Kurt Geiger. Bag: Zara. Sunglasses: c/o Sunglasses Shop. Earrings: Chanel.

Hello all!
Quite the change of scenery - no classic London street or back garden for me this evening.  Last week I hopped on the Eurostar and headed off to Paris for a few days of devouring lots (and lots) of pastries, crepes & carbs, making the stereotypical visit to Laduree and a bit a lot of prancing about, speaking french badly. 
Before I left for Paris, the ever-lovely ladies at Coast had this skirt sped over to me by special delivery in time for my trip (thank you again, Chloe!) and honestly, what can I say? What do I need to say? Just look at it. Gaze upon it. Just, BEHOLD. You'll be able to see that this was a very wet day - the photos were a struggle but I couldn't not take the opportunity!
You may already be aware of the attachment I have to Coast's 'Rita' skirts, after I wore the black and gold version to the last London Fashion Week (click here to see that post if you'd like) - they've released it in a few different colours and I'll tell you now with a slight tinge of shame, that I now own them all. YES. Shun me. Sometimes I wonder if I own too many midi skirts, but then I laugh and realise that's impossible. I think of them as my version of jeans, in the sense that I wear them frequently and they just go with everything. (Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against jeans, they just look horrendous on me.)
Back to the skirt - I appreciate that this is an undeniably more 'formal' piece, but if you're like me and simply don't care about the odd look (how does that man staring quizzically know I'm not going to a ball.. hmmm?) I'd be totally happy, and quite honestly feel like a princess wearing this in the daytime. Life is short, so wear whatever makes you happy (or what the young ragamuffins these days say, 'YOLO'). Although that said, I've already planned how I'm going to style this for the evening; with a little ruffled black bralet to make it a little bit more.. flesh exposing? There's probably a nicer way to say that. Sexy? Evening-appropriate? You get my drift. & here's what I'm wearing! (or similar...)