Shopping for an Autumn wardrobe

It's that exciting time of year again. Unable to keep away from the shops any longer I ventured into Cheltenham to see what they had to offer for the coming season.

Much has been promised in the fashion magazines; shearling aviator jackets, leather skirts and the 'Mad Men' vibe.  Annoyingly the things I went out to source seemed to escape me.  Maybe they just aren't what the good people of Cheltenham are wanting to buy.

I find it amazing how much the shops vary season to season.  Very often my favourite shop one season certainly isn't my favourite the next.  The shop that seemed to have the most wearable clothes for everyday autumnal life to my surprise was Next.

The shop that was most exciting to look around was House of Fraser, due to the addition of some new concessions, bringing wonderful surprises around many corners.  Dickins and Jones was a welcome newcomer with some great colourful knits - making up for some other very morbid colour schemes. 

The one that really rocked my boat though was Biba.  Who else gets wonderful flash backs at the mere sight of that now famous logo?  It took me straight back to the streets of Liverpool with my first wage packet burning a hole in my pocket.  It may be my memory playing tricks on me, but the prices certainly seem to have shot up, but then most certainly the quality has too.  In my opinion it was the most inspirational department in the store, well worth saving up for.  If you are looking for that directional coat to be seen in this year, Biba is the place to go.

By the end of my trip my Autumn wardrobe was replenished, maybe not with the dreams I went out to find, but with sensible items that will be worn day after day in many different ways adding a sense of fun and variety to my look.

Happy Autumnal shopping!

A new student's capsule wardrobe

As an image consultant my most recent dilemma should have surely proved easy:  What to pack for the first term at uni? 

All of a sudden different things seem to be important.  "How will it wash and will the colours run?"  "There is no way that he is going to separate the whites from the reds!"  "What will it look like after never seeing an iron again and constantly living on the floor?"  "...Can't buy anything that needs to be hand washed so 100% wool was out too".  "Will it be 'cool' enough for him not to be labelled a nerd?"  "And is he bothered by any of this?"  Probably not!

We hit the shops for a years worth of clothes!  Anything white or extremely light was out for a start.  It was all going to end up the colour of the darkest item anyway.
Next ,where to shop.  Probably going to work out more expensive to shop at the likes of Primark as it won't survive the battering it's no doubt going to get.  But too pricey is crazy too.  We settled for the likes of H & M.

Probably easier for a guy than a girl.  Only need trousers for the bottoms.  No skirts or dresses to worry about.  How many to last the week?  I am hoping to encourage him to do some washing once a week!
We ended up with six pairs of jeans in varying styles and some trackies.  Six tee shirts, some new and some old favourites.  Three polo shirts, just in case something smarter is required!  Probably ended up with too much knitwear: five jumpers and three cardigans, he's very much a cardigan man!  Five jackets of varying looks, a trench, Harrington, reefer and a couple of hoodies.

All that needs to be added are a pair of shoes, boots and trainers and of course the all important dressing gown.  The only thing to worry about now, is will it all fit in the wardrobe!!