Say Hello to my little friend...

Trousers: Zara

Jumper: Uniqlo

Boots: Kurt Geiger

Bag: Celine

Cardigan: Zara

Well, well, well, it has been a while!

So sorry for the delay in posting, after fashion month madness along with moving house, it all got a bit crazy so I have been M.I.A on a two week holiday with the beau. 

Feeling suitably rested and recuperated it was straight back into work with a bang (much in the same way the weather slapped me in the face when I stepped off the plane... there is something surreal about being in a bikini one day and winter coat the next.)

It was an out and out 'last season' situation in my outfit choice's this week.

Last season Bordeaux coloured  Zara trousers (to quote Whitney, 'I will always love you' ) Last seasons KG boots- platforms are my best friend when trying to evade puddles- and last seasons Chunky 70's inspired cardigan.

Check out my belated birthday present from the boyfriend: an immaculately preserved vintage Celine bag.

I cannot express how much this little number has melted my heart, she really is the most beautiful bag I have ever seen: classic, the perfect size and multi-wearable... just goes to show, some things only get better with age!

ELLE at London fashion week...

image via Vogue.it

Bag: Phillip Lim

Skirt: Alexander Wang

Bootis: Calvin Klein

Socks: H&M

Jumper: Uniqlo

Sunglasses: H&M

London Fashion week has been so crazy this year, the shows have been amazing (Preen have completely upped their game. I was breathless!) 

The street style has gotten even more eccentric- I actually saw a shoe worn as a hat... a. shoe. worn .as. a. hat.

Gaga has a lot to answer for! 

I wore heels for the first day and have been subjected to flats ever since (I have a blister the size of China on my heel!)

And I finally got to take my new Wang skirt out for a spin, wins all round!

Autumnal tones have been my pallet of choice (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!) with yummy maroons, Olives and a pop of yellow thrown in for good measure! 

It was all going well until I decided to wear a Polo neck on day two and it turned out to be 22 degrees (I had to pretend that sweating unceremoniously was part of my "look")

One more day and then I'm away for two weeks *smug 'booked my holiday after everyone else' face*

ELLEuk are doing amazing coverage of all the shows, partys and streetstyle along with our very own "ELLE assistants blog" check it all out here.

You can also follow me on instagram @madeleienbowden22 and Twitter @madeleinebowden to see my instant updates from the shows and street!

See you on the other side!

Details...

Denim smock dress: Topshop

Denim shirt:vintage

Necklace: accessorize

Shoes: ASOS

Bag: Valentino

There comes a time in every girls life when she is looking for a smock.

I know this is a sweeping statement to make, but I urge any lady, of the sartorially inclined, to defy that she has once, or currently is, on the market for a good old fashioned smock dress.

They're so perfect in their form; versatile, chic and just so darn cute.

I have been on obsessed with the perfect denim smock ever since my twelve-year-old self took a permenant marker to my favourite dungadress that bared an uncanny resemblance to that Stella McCartney denim romper.  

For me, what makes the smock so chic is the details that accompany it...

 Too little and you become a sort of uncomfortable, adult looking child.

Too much, and you're verging on try hard/ overkill territory.

I found double denim (a firm favourite) neck jewels and a discrafully perfect Valentino bag to be my perfect balance.

The hem line needs taking up an inch, but we will ignore that for now and just focus on the details.

Dont let the sun go down on me...

Sunglasses: H&M

Top: French Connection

Skirt: Zara

Bag: Milan

The last of the summer sun is upon us so I felt it quite appropriate to bring out he sunshine skirt.

This skirt has taken me through many a season for more reasons that I can explain but if I have to; it is A line, slight neoprene/ cotton highbred and a pop of colour always takes an outfit to new levels of chic in my eyes.

Probably it's final tryst on the cobbles before she gets tucked away for another year... Next up expect cobalt blue, olive green and neon rasberry hues.

Winter, I'm ready for yah! 

Ear knockers...

Earrings: H&M

Shirt: Boyfriends

Ear bling is having such a moment right now.

 No matter where you go; designer or high street, you cannot get away from them- and why would you want to?!

Me and my Butchers (Pat Butchers) are firm friends, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

They take an outfit from everyday to verging on inappropriately evening (my favourite) with the mere pop of a butterfly back. 

 Just make sure you give your lobes a few days for recovery...

 These babies are not for faint hearted!

That extra half inch...

 

Jumper: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Shoes:Valentino

Bag: Tila March

Every season there is a 'shoe' - I am very aware that this sounds both completely obvious and ambiguous at the same time, but stick with me here.

A champion shoe, like a cult tote, is that one garment you just cannot get away from. 

Every fashion ed or fashion girl worth her salt will own said garment and the whole of the fashion world will be awash with these heavenly pieces leaving the rest of the world floundering in a pool of their own lust/ drool.

These be such shoes.

Currently the protagonist of my sartorial love story, (along with Celine, well, everything!) 

They're all a girl could ask for from her winter formal...

1. Midi heel (apparently that sounds better than 'kitten') 

2. Shiny enough to check your makeup in-  always have to have a back up! 

3. Perfect day to night shoe with just the right amount of business at the front, party at the back

4. Investment piece... When is Valentino ever NOT an investment

I do feel, however, (after I have conviced myself that theyre worth a months rent?!) That I may get the slip on version as there is something about 'slipping on' a pair of beautiful shoes that touches you in a special place... Laces kind of take the magic out of it,  don't you think? 

Peplum unite...

 Top: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Jacket: Topshop unique

Shoes: H&M

Brolly: Unknown

Ahh yes, the peplum. Friend or foe? 

I personally find it one of the most flattering way's to draw attention to the waist (I'm slightly averse to belts that hold no 'real' function... call it an aversion or intrepid hatred, either way, contrived clothing is a massive bugbear of mine.)
With the female form being so heavily celebrated this season- and so it should be *goddesses* the peplum is back in a major way for AW. 

After a wee nod last season, the big boys came out with all guns a blazing in the way of some suurious waist accessorising- enter my double peplum/ superhero union.

Black and blue is another one of those, should I, shouldn't I situations.

I say should- they are, after all, close friends of the palette and if you choose the right shades they can merge seamlessly into one.

The brolly was an accident that turned out to be pretty well matched to the shoes, accidental accessories- my favourite!