It’s the time of year when denim jackets take centre stage in many of our wardrobes. This is no coincidence, it’s a piece of outerwear that’s incredibly versatile, as well as being lightweight. Plus, you can layer it under a coat on chillier days. The denim jacket is without question one of my spring wardrobe essentials. I particularly love this workman style one from Parka London, for me it has a bit more edge than a classic western cut and looks a bit smarter. I’ve had it since last Autumn and have been wearing it layered, up until now. It’s not been designed for maternity but unless it’s cold outside I’ve found it doesn’t really matter.
Good classic shirts have become even more essential to me since the start of my pregnancy. With so much stretch jersey on offer to pregnant women it can all start to feel a bit too casual. Don’t get me wrong, stretch jersey has been a life saver when it comes to comfort but finding ways to still feel like I’ve made an effort is important to me and maintaining my sanity. I’ve had this ME+EM soft blue chambray shirt since the beginning, and due to its masculine cut and loose comfortable fit it has been a staple over the last few months. It’s a UK size 12 (my standard size pre-pregnancy for tops) and is probably only just reaching its limit now, at 7 months pregnant.
Parka London Grace Denim Jacket* | ME+EM Soft Cotton Chambray Shirt in Light Blue* | ME+EM Crop Palazzo Pants in Black Jersey* | PB 0110 AB 1 Tote in Natural Leather* | Air & Grace Cherub Sneakers in White Leather* | Ace & Tate Suzy Sunglasses in Bio Black* | Otiumberg Gold Graduated Hoops
ME+EM have been making these jersey cropped wide-leg trousers since I first discovered the brand several seasons ago, so I’m sure they’re one of their best-sellers. I can tell you that you won’t find a more comfortable pair, pregnant or not. And again, these are not designed specifically for pregnancy, they just happen to work really well when you are. They keep their shape well and after several washes are still nice and black.
It’s funny how just one thing can make such a difference to your look. Adding a pop of colour can really give an outfit that extra oomph. I’ve never been that confident about wearing a red lip (although I’d love to). I always feel rather self-conscious about it smudging, wearing off, becoming uneven, bleeding; it’s all such a quandary for me. However, I’ve found other ways of adding a bit of colour, like this gorgeous little PB 0110 shoulder bag, I love the raspberry red, the first image shows the true colour, in the others the light makes it look a bit paler than it actually is. It’s quite a rich red that I think is rather timeless, along with the minimal design. As with all PB 0110 bags, the craftsmanship is just so beautiful. Size-wise this style (the AB 10) fits my mobile, keys, hand cream, lip balm and sunglasses all quite easily.
Subtly, I’ve co-ordinated my bag and blazer, there’s not just the fine red lines running through the check of the fabric but a red grosgrain ribbon side stripe that runs down each side, under the arm. I love this detail, it’s become quite a signature for ME+EM to include a stripe and it really works for me.
ME+EM Grosgrain Trim Checked Blazer* | ME+EM Raw Edge Silk Oversized Tee in Soft White* | ME+EM Crop Palazzo Pant in Black* | PB 0110 AB 10 Shoulder Bag* | Air & Grace Cherub Trainers in White* | Otiumberg Graduated Hoops in Gold | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold* | Cate & Nelson No. 165 Watch*
Spring isn’t always that warm in England, it gets brighter and the days get longer but warm sunny days don’t always equal warm evenings. When the cooler temperatures descend upon us I usually throw on a jumper, as I can feel the cold quite easily. When it comes to knitwear, there’s nothing quite like a cashmere jumper, super soft and effective at keeping out a chill, and if looked after correctly will last you many years. I’ve been wearing this 100% cashmere jumper from ME+EM whenever it’s chilly. It’s fairly lightweight (so ideal for this time of year) and the pale cream colour feels nice and fresh for spring. I’ve been investing in cream items quite a lot recently, as it’s such an easy colour to work with.
ME+EM Longline Cocoon Cashmere Jumper in Cream* | ME+EM Crop Palazzo Pant in Black* | PB 0110 AB 52 Tote in Black* | Ace & TateSuzy Sunglasses in Bio Black* | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold* | Cate & Nelson No. 165 Watch* | Littionary 14k Tiny Gold Dot Stud | Dinny Hall Bijou Star Stud in Gold* | Otiumberg Small Gold Graduated Hoops
I’ve been living in these soft jersey cropped palazzo pants since I got pregnant. They’re not a maternity style but as they have a roll top waistband, similar to some maternity pieces I’ve tried on, they’ve been a valuable addition to my current wardrobe. They fitted me comfortably before I had a big bump, they’re still really comfortable now I do, and I know they’ll work for me after my bump has gone. They’re a regular size 10 which makes me feel good as not many of my clothes are at the moment and although size doesn’t matter it does help, mentally, when you feel like you’re just getting bigger and bigger.
Davina Mulford Fedora in Wine with Burgundy Band (Closed now) | ME+EM Icon Cable Knit Sweater in Cream* | Weekday Voyage Jeans in Wow Blue | Adidas Court Vantage in White | Davina Mulford Fringed Cross Body Bag in Black* (Closed now) | Cate & Nelson No. 165 Watch* | CFconcept Tusk Necklace
Last month, just before I headed off to Seville, Davina Mulford asked me if I would style and model some looks for her AW17 campaign. I’m a genuine fan of her namesake brand; I practically lived in one of her Panama hats over the summer and her cross body bag has seen me through many sartorial situations. Davina is lovely, talented and passionate; she’s also been very supportive of Style&Minimalism, always encouraging and there for a chat.
Her new collection features four colour variations of her traditional fedora (eight if you include her new monogram service which allows you to have your initials embroidered on the ribbon). She’s chosen a classic palette of navy, burgundy, pale grey and camel – so there’s something to suit everyone. They’re well-structured fedoras (no flimsy, floppy brims) that sit comfortably on the head. They come with a few sticky felt strips that you can place under the inner rim if you need to adjust the fit slightly.
For the campaign I styled four looks, each to compliment one of the four colour variations. I chose to style my looks with pieces from brands I regularly wear; including ME+EM, Baukjen and AllSaints. If you’d like to see some of the other looks, please visit the Davina Mulford blog where Davina has kindly shared an interview she did with me at the time. In it I share some styling tips and advice. If you have a read please do come back and leave a comment below to let me know what you think.
On a side note, I just wanted to mention how amazing this jumper is from ME+EM. It’s a merino-cashmere-mix and comes with a detachable collar that converts it into a polo-neck, a clever design that will see me through the winter.
Sadly since this post went live Davina decided to close-up shop. The struggle for small businesses to survive in this industry in the early years is such a huge challenge, even when you have an incredible product.
ME+EM Polka Dot Swing Blouse in Navy/White* | Topshop Denim Mini Skirt | Converse Chuck Taylor Plimsolls in White | Jones Bootmakers Lacerta Leather Tote Bag in Black* | Ace & Tate Heather Sunglasses in Latte* | Sally Lane Boomerang Earrings in Gold* | 88&Cloudless Gold Star Necklace*
Early in September I headed out to Milan for a few days. I had mixed expectations about this particular Italian city but came back home with plans to return before long; I really loved it. The weather in September was warm and pleasant, perfect for ambling around the city, taking-in the chilled atmosphere and looking at some pretty impressive architecture. Many had told me it was quite an industrial city with ugly buildings but I guess it’s just a question of what you do and don’t appreciate. The Italian laid-back attitude is apparent here, people don’t rush around like headless chickens they take their time to enjoy the small things, like a simple coffee. Everywhere I went the service was exceptional, people were friendly and helpful.
I expected the Milanese style to be quite flamboyant (and not very me) with lots of clashing prints and gold details but the reality wasn’t so obvious. The women I met were well-dressed in elegant prints, usually with heels and little to no make-up, just a healthy glow. The men I spotted were mostly in tailored suits, white shirts and leather shoes. Only the younger women seem to wear denim, often very short shorts showing off their slim legs. I can’t say I felt like I fit in but I was comfortable, mixing print with denim, smart with casual. My tote bag from Jones Bootmaker was the perfect travel bag, fitting in lots for the flight (including my laptop and Kindle) and concealing my camera as I explored the city.
Mango Committed Collection Linen-Blend Midi Dress | ME+EM 2-in-1 City Bag in Khaki* | COS Leather Strap Heels in Black (old) | Ace & Tate Suzy Sunglasses in Bio Black* | Mango Mixed Pieces Earrings | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | Littionary 14k Tiny Yellow Gold Dot Stud Earrings | Hopscotch Small Gold Hoops
I very rarely feature fast fashion brands these days, as I know there’s a better way to do things. When I discovered Mango’s Committed Collection I wanted to show my support. Fast fashion brands are not going to be able to change their ways overnight but testing the waters with sustainable collections is a good start. And, if we support them by buying from these collections we encourage them to take bigger steps forward and change the industry for the better.
The Mango Committed Collection is manufactured in factories in Portugal, Turkey and Morocco. It’s been made with environmentally-friendly organic and recycled cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel. They’ve used environmentally-friendly inks to dye the fabrics.
“The sustainable fabrics used for this collection such as organic cotton and recycled polyester have international certificates, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OCS (Organic Cotton Standard) or GRS (Global Recycled Standard) among others. Our Corporate Social Responsibility department has been working closely with the design team to ensure that the results meet the level of quality and sustainability planned for this collection.” Guillermo Corominas, Communications Director
This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM.
ME+EM Forever Summer Breton in Soft White/Cobalt* | ME+EM Girl Meets Boy Jeans in Ecru* | ME+EM Tailored Box Blazer in Navy* | ME+EM 2-in-1 City Bag in Khaki* | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Plimsolls in White* | 88&Cloudless Gold Star Necklace* | Lucy Williams x Missoma Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | Ace & Tate Suzy Sunglasses in Bio Black*
As you’ve probably gathered by now, I love a stripe and the Breton t-shirt (or marinière, as it’s known in France) is a favourite of mine. According to the NY Times, this year marks 100 years of the Breton, as a fashion item. It was in 1917 that Coco Chanel supposedly first took the classic fisherman’s top and turned it into an icon. Today it’s worn by men, women and children, alike, most probably unaware of its origins.
ME+EM (who are fellow stripe fans) decided that it would be appropriate to celebrate this momentous year with a tea party. I spent the afternoon with some of loveliest bloggers in London. We ate cake, drank Prosecco, had our nails painted and each styled our Breton t-shirts in our own unique way. We were lucky that it was one of the warmest days we’ve had in ages and got to sit outside and enjoy the rays.
In addition, ME+EM are going to be supporting sailing legend, Sir Ben Ainslie in the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup. The female support team will be wearing their Iconic Breton throughout the competition. ME+EM will be donating a percentage of the proceeds from sales of their Iconic Breton to the 1851 Trust, the official charity of Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing. The charity’s royal patron is HRH Duchess of Cambridge. It was set-up to give young people from all walks of life the opportunity to experience sailing, to understand more about the opportunities available to them in science, technology, engineering and maths, and to educate them on sustainability and consideration for the environment.
Dresses over trousers can be a bit of a Marmite look, you either do or you don’t, there’s no in-between. As you can tell from the above, I’m in. I was looking for the chance to wear this lovely Marina London silk dress again but with it being scorching some days and chilly others, it’s been hard to work out when but then these gorgeous wide-leg jeans arrived from ME+EM I saw it as an opportunity to give this particular layered look a go.
This beautiful dress has sadly been hanging waiting for attention for a few months, as some mysterious grease marks had appeared on one side and I thought it was a gonna. I was ready to give up on it (as gutted as I was) but then had one last go at getting rid of the marks. I’d tried corn flour, greaseproof paper and an iron but to no avail; my last resort was washing-up liquid. I found an article via Google that suggested leaving the area soaked in washing-up liquid for 3 hours. Now, I’m not suggesting everyone tries this (and I’m sure Marina won’t be too impressed) but I was willing to try anything to revive it. I admit the silk doesn’t have the same beautiful finish it had the day I got it but it is wearable once more.
If you haven’t come across Marina London before, you’re in for a treat! Marina’s beautiful aesthetic always inspires me. She works just with silk producing stunning wardrobe essentials you’ll become obsessed with. I have four of her designs in my wardrobe and I love every piece.
The clocks have just gone back so I guess it’s time to start getting my legs out, pale as they may be right now; I’m getting out the St Tropez tout suite. There’s always space in my wardrobe for a stripe. The French and Danish are two of my favourite nations for culture, style, food and design; and they each do stripes like no one else. I’m heavily influenced in my style choices by these two countries. This time around it’s the stripes of Danish brand Samsøe & Samsøe that I’m championing. Although I’ve thrown a little French into the mix with my beloved A.P.C. bag. Have you also noticed that the French tend to mix leopard print and stripes? It feels like a very Parisienne thing to do, I hope I’m channeling that vibe today.
I’m not averse to a cheeky frill, they bring a hint of femininity to my often tomboyish looks. Frills were a major trend last season and continue to be this season. I’ve noticed that there’s been a lot more continuity from one season to the next over the last year or more. This is possibly a reaction to fast fashion or part of the fallout from the recession but people are definitely looking to invest in items that are more versatile and long-lasting. Frills are definitely a good antidote to these more serious notions.
This gorgeous Second Female stripe blouse has a subtle frill, it’s a great one for the office as it has personality without being too loud. I’m still wearing trousers (as I’ve only just started back at the gym after a rather long hiatus and it’s still pretty chilly out) but I think it would look really great with a denim skirt or leather pencil skirt.
Another trend that’s not showing any let up is the bomber jacket. I bought this one some time ago from Topshop but I spotted a similar one in UNIQLO recently. I have to admit that my bomber jacket collection has grown to ridiculous proportions, I now have at least six.
Checks seem to be one of the major trends this season and I’m pretty happy about it. For someone that doesn’t wear a lot of print, checks are something I can really get into, like an entry-level print for the unaccustomed. There are some great window pane checks around and so much gingham, which I can’t get enough of and will definitely be wearing more of in the summer. Prince of Wales check is also a firm favourite, I’ve spotted some great blazers on the high street but I’m looking for one that takes it to the next level. Any sightings please let me know! I know Sézane had some nice ones last season but I was a bit slow out of the blocks.
To keep this look nice and clean I’ve stuck with navy blue head-to-toe. I have a lot of navy in my wardrobe, I find it very easy to wear, more so than black, sometimes. The top and trousers I’m wearing are both from ME+EM. I’ve mentioned the trousers before and they’ve been on my Instagram a lot but they really are the best fitting trousers I’ve come across in a long time. I’ve noticed that quite a few of you have been clicking through to them; if you’ve bought a pair, let me know how they fit?
Jaeger Wool Bomber in Black* | WoolOvers Cashmere Roll-Neck in Dove Grey* | ME+EM Day To Evening Tux Trousers in Black* | Air & Grace Copeland Trainers in Leopard Print* | A.P.C. Demi-Lune Shoulder Bag in Black | Timex Weekender Fairfield Watch in Khaki*
In my childhood the only reference to leopard print I can remember is of the characters on Eastenders. It was seen as tacky, a bit slutty, and not the sort of thing nice girls wore. Fast forward a few years and my associations are quite different, I think of cool Parisiens like Jeanne Damas and Emmanuelle Alt, wearing chic little ankle boots and faux fur coats with style.
“I think of cool Parisiens like Jeanne Damas and Emmanuelle Alt”
It is with great joy that I’ve finally joined the leopard print club, thanks to my new trainers from a lovely British brand called Air & Grace. My friend Julia from Stylonylon kindly introduced me to Claire Burrows (their founder) back in October. Claire’s lovely and she’s passionate about making beautiful shoes that are comfortable, comfortable enough to run around in all day. Given this is a common occurrence for me I’ve been putting them to the test, these little leopard print toes have been all over London in the last few weeks, and I’m still very happy to slip my feet into them.
Never one to go overboard, I kept the rest of my outfit minimal. The wool bomber is from Jaeger and such a great find. I’ve searched for a well cut black wool bomber for so long and I’ve only ever found very expensive ones that are out of my league. This one fits so well and is made with 100% soft wool.
A lot of people (myself included, at times) feel like London Fashion Week is an opportunity to get dressed up and snapped by one of the big street style photographers, hoping you’ll find yourself on WWD, Who What Wear or Net-a-Porter the next day. It’s exciting to see yourself on one of these sites but at what cost does it come? It’s never brought me any extra interest as my name has never been published and all I’ve walked away with is sore feet, freezing cold and, more importantly, snapped in something that isn’t my true style. I still made the mistake last season of wearing heels for a day and my feet were ruined for weeks.
Feeling comfortable and confident are essential for me during London Fashion Week. There’s nothing worse than worrying about where to find a plaster whilst running between shows. I live in flats most of the time, as I’m often running all over town when I’m out, and heels aren’t practical – I save them for special events and dinners out with the hubby. During London Fashion Week I (now) stick to flats, usually a pair of Common Projects as they don’t rub my feet. With trainers I like to wear a pair of tailored trousers, I like the mix of smart and casual. This pair, with their paper-bag waist, are the most flattering trousers I own. I have them in black, too. They are ever-so slimming. And, it probably comes as no surprise to see me in stripes. It’s a look I feel comfortable in and leaves me to focus on taking in the new collections, the reason I’m there in the first place.
This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM.
ME+EM Forever Tux Jacket | ME+EM Day to Evening Tux Trouser | ME+EM Wrap Silk Blouse in Soft White | ME+EM AM to PM Chain Necklace | Whistles Cornel Suede Point Pumps in Black
I’ve always found dressing for the Christmas party season a bit challenging. There’s an expectation that you should wear something red or sparkly but my go-to is a tux. If it’s a smart do I’ll pair it with a silk blouse or cami and some standout heels. If it’s a more casual affair then I’ll wear it with a vintage t-shirt and a pair of white trainers. I know that’s a bit bah-humbug but I’d much rather feel comfortable and myself than trying to fit into a preconceived idea. If I’m feeling a bit more festive I’ll wear a pair of metallic heels and clutch, or a red lip.
“that’s a bit bah-humbug but I’d much rather feel comfortable”
This ME+EM tux fits me like a dream, so I feel particularly good in it. We managed to shoot it in that perfect hour when the sun was low in the sky, the same day that we shot this post. The trousers are true to size and are so flattering (I feel a size smaller in them). For the blazer I actually went down a size, it’s neat on the shoulders and a longer length which covers by bum and hips, great for when you’ve eaten all the mince pies. What I love most about owning a good black suit is that you have so many options, it’s such a versatile wardrobe essential. I know I’m going to be wearing the blazer with my Levi’s a lot and love wearing black trousers with a white t-shirt and trainers.
It was so lovely to shoot with my best bud, Christina from Chrissabella, she’s wearing the red version of the silk shirt I wore in Zurich.
This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM.
ME+EM Very Useful Cardi Coat in Grey Marl* | ME+EM Long Layering Tee in Soft White* | ME+EM High Rise Full Leather Legging in Black* | ME+EM 2-in-1 Cross Body Clutch in Claret | ME+EM AM To PM Chain Necklace | Seven Boot Lane Honey Ankle Boots in Black* | Ace & TatexIt’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Myia Bonner Mini Diamond Circle Stud Earrings in Gold
This year has been an important one for my blog. It’s been just over a year since I decided to start including personal style posts. It was a big step, I’m quite cerebral and think things through for a long time before acting on an idea. I didn’t feel ready to put myself in front of the camera but felt I was missing out on incredible opportunities because I wasn’t willing to. It all changed when I was photographed at Paris Fashion Week by Christian from The Styleograph and then by Daniel from Stockholm Streetstyle, two major street style photographers. I realised then that a photograph is as much about the photographer as the person in it.
A few months in and I started to find that there were some incredible brands that wanted to work with me. Lots of people have told me over the last year that it’s not all about your Instagram following, that interaction on your blog and social-media are more important, but it’s not until these opportunities came along that I believed them and started to realise that something else I’ve been told over and over again is also true, it’s about quality not quantity.
One of the brands you’ll have seen featured quite a lot over the last few months is ME+EM. It’s a brand that fits my style and ethos very well; they make timeless, versatile, low-luxe clothing in fabrics that feel great on. They took a risk on me (a small, fairly unknown blogger) when they first approached me but I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and have put everything into styling and creating content with them that I’m proud to put my name to.
Last weekend ME+EM asked me if I’d like join them at their Elizabeth Street pop-up store to style a couple of looks from their current collection. We took a stroll through the Elizabeth Street Christmas Market, a beautiful festive street market, and took a few photographs of the looks I had styled. I got to work with Dina Tsesarsky, a photographer that always manages to capture a side of me that I like. My lovely friend Christina was there, styling and shooting a couple of outfits for them, too. It was a wonderful day and a reminder of just how things have changed this year. I love what I do and don’t mind all the hours that I put into it when I get to do exactly what only a year ago I had merely dreamed of.
The trend for tailored track pants is one that’s been hard to miss. Whilst brands like ME+EM spotted the trend a while ago it’s taken Chloe (who nailed the look in their SS17 collection) to bring it to the glossies and the legs of every other editor during fashion month. As always, with these things, it’s not a new trend but one that’s really been brought to the forefront this season with the wide-leg version, a chicer 70s inspired take on an otherwise quite sporty look.
Last year ME+EM released a beautiful red pair with white stripes down the side of the leg which I wish I’d bought or they’d brought back this season. Just as I felt ready to embrace the red this season they decided to go with a sharp black pair which is definitely more in keeping with my personal style. I’ve been wearing mine mostly with a crisp white shirt or simple sweater now it’s a little chillier out.
I guess it must be Autumn, with Hallowe’en on Monday and Guy Fawkes’ Night just around the corner but it’s still so warm. Where has this year gone?
I’ve been stocking up on a few transitional essentials that will work just as well come winter, with some tactical layering. A stripe t-shirt is always close to my heart, this one is by Scotch & Soda. I have lots of classic stripe t-shirts in black and navy but the red stripes really bring this one to life, perfect when the dark mornings are encroaching and you need to feel awake when your eyes are barely open.
Leather is another of my cold weather essentials, warm and breathable, it will get you through those constantly changing temperatures you experience going from the hot tube to the cold street (the same does not apply to faux leather). When I saw this ME+EM wrap leather skirt I was smitten, not only is it a gorgeous design but it feels incredible, it’s made with super soft leather and the kind of suede you find yourself casually running your hand over throughout the day.
ME+EM Silk Box Blouse in Blush/Soft White | Topshop MOTO High-Waist Short Skirt in Washed Black Denim | Zara Ankle Boots | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Missoma Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold | Straw Bag (Bought In France)
Every tourist has heard of Notting Hill, maybe in-part due to the film but has anyone heard of Connaught Village? I’m guessing, not. It’s a pretty little area of Westminster, just west of Marylebone. There’s a small high street with a mix of shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants. ME+EM have a beautiful store there. If you fancy something substantial Korobuta have a restaurant just off Connaught Street on Kendal Street. And, if you’re looking for something nice for your home there’s handmade porcelain at Mud Australia.
At one end of Connaught Street is Connaught Square with its huge Georgian houses, one of which is the home of former-Prime Minister, Tony Blair. And off Connaught Street you’ll find lots of gorgeous mews, like the one where we shot this outfit.
I was away quite a bit this summer, and loved every minute. I’m so lucky to live in London but to travel is a dream. And, I appreciate London all the more for having left it. Early in the summer we spent a weekend in Lucca, Italy and shot this classic look whilst there. I’m always mixing blue shirts with blue denim, it’s so simple and so comfortable. The temperature was high but this loose cotton blue shirt kept me cool in the midday sun. The raffia shoes were equally appropriate for the hot weather.
We followed the Serchio river north out of Lucca to an area that’s quite mountainous with small villages dotted either side of the river. We stayed in a resort with beautiful old olive trees and lavender bushes that lined the paths. Our room had a stunning view over the valley and in the distance you could to the tower of the nearest village, Castelvecchio Pascoli. At night we sat below the cooling jasmine on the terrace and ate classic Italian foods and drank delicious wine.
Even though the days have been a little chilly lately, I’m sticking with skirts for as long as I can, I’m really not ready to wear jeans everyday which is usually what happens when it gets colder. I find it helps to wear silk and leather; most people assume that silk is best for the summer but it’s actually a good insulator and perfect for staying warm in the cooler months.
The silk top I’m wearing is by Charli, a British brand I’ve only just discovered thanks to the multi-brand website, Jules B. Charli make luxury separates like cashmere jumpers and crisp cotton shirts, all of which I love.
The black patent skirt I’m wearing is from Mango which, I’ve noticed, has already sold out in their London stores (I bought mine online). Patent is going to be showing up everywhere this season but this is my first foray. The big round silver buckle made this particular patent skirt stand out; Hoops are another big trend I’m keen on this season.
ME+EM Breton Top in White/Black* | ME+EM Pleated Skirt in Black*
ME+EMCashmere Travel Throw & Eyemask in Soft Grey/Soft White
The Marktgasse Hotel is situated on Zurich’s Marktgasse (market street), funnily enough, once the main road of the city in Roman times. Its old cobbled street undulates up and down and round, giving it an old-world charm that immediately strikes you as you drive up to the hotel. Being an old street, the buildings are pretty close together and at one point our rather large taxi had to squeeze through a tiny gap left by a parked car.
You know you’re staying in the right area of town when you arrive at your hotel and find that it is opposite the most successful COS in Europe. This combination of old town and contemporary design sums up the hotel and its decor too, it fits perfectly into its surroundings.
Ascending the stairs to the first floor you walk into a light-filled reception area furnished with some lovely pieces of furniture, all contemporary in design, and then you look up to find a beautiful ornate restored ceiling. Once an old inn, it was renovated at the end of 2015. The two buildings that form the hotel date back to 1291 and century-old columns, stucco work and wall panelling have all been preserved. Furniture and lighting from brands like &tradition, Flos and Vitra help create the perfect balance between old and new, offering a luxury hotel that is both comfortable and modern. The 39 rooms were designed with Scandinavian and Japanese influences. With its minimalist pared-down luxury style the Marktgasse stands apart from Zurich’s other hotels.
The ground floor is mostly given up to the hotel’s restaurant, bar and café, each of which have their own look and feel, all beautifully designed with quite a minimalist style but each with a very different mood. The café, Delish serves yummy healthy food throughout the day, including rather impressive poached eggs and avocado on toast at breakfast, and their Portuguese custard tarts which come straight from the oven are divine. The hotel’s restaurant, Baltho is a smart brasserie with an art installation by Zurich-based artist Stefan Burger. The menu covers most tastes, from the more exotic like tuna tataki with banana to classic dishes like moules marinière and burgers. Everything I ate was very good, making it hard to venture elsewhere. And dare I mention the cocktails? The bartenders in the Baltho Bar take their cocktails very seriously, using the best ingredients. Aside from making me an amazing cocktail they also allowed me to taste and sniff some of the more unusual ingredients. Which leads me nicely onto the fact that the staff at the hotel are some of the friendliest I’ve come across during my travels, professional but very approachable. Nothing was a problem.
I had an amazing room on the fourth floor of the hotel, it was decorated mostly in monochrome with highlights of orangey-red dotted about. A good hotel room should make you feel like it’s your home-from-home, only better, and the Marktgasse certainly did that. It was heavenly to return to in the evenings and jump into my squidgy bed, to be absorbed by the memory foam mattress and snuggle up under the thick cosy duvet. My room was a rather special one, a spiral staircase outside my cool black and white bathroom, led up to the roof. My suite was the only one with a roof terrace, with great views over Zurich. I spent quite a lot of time up there, taking in the view both in the morning and early evening. The bells tolled all around me as I stood up there on the Sunday morning.
ME+EM Cashmere Travel Throw & Eye Mask in Soft Grey/Soft White
Just before London Fashion Week I flew out to Zurich, a breathtakingly beautiful city that’s just an hour and a half away from London by plane. It’s not a big city so it’s a great destination for a long weekend as it’s easy to walk around and there’s a great tram system if you want to explore further afield. We mostly walked everywhere getting the odd tram here and there to make the most of our time but it wasn’t essential.
As summer returned to London it also returned to Zurich, we were so lucky with the weather, it was the second weekend of September but it could have been mid-summer for all we knew. After dropping off our bags at the hotel we headed to the Polybahn Funicular, which we took up to the university, to get a good look at the city from above, the view from there is pretty incredible. A little hot, we headed to Grande Café for the most wonderful iced latte, it’s a café and bar with a lot of personality and some very friendly staff. We then spent the afternoon wandering around town, getting our bearings.
On Saturday we explored the Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, it has three domes of exotic plants (one tropical, one dry and one somewhere in-between), as well as more traditional gardens around the domes. We also headed to The China Garden, after a coffee break. Both are in a really nice residential part of Zurich and a great area for vintage car spotting, of which there are quite a few. The city is quite well-known for its many resident bankers and Switzerland isn’t short of a penny or two but there weren’t as many flash cars as I had expected. The Swiss seem to be a little more understated, opting for some rather special vintage cars instead.
The lake is quite a central feature in the lives of Zurich’s inhabitants. On Sunday there were so many people walking around it, relaxing on in the parks, as well as using the swimming baths (sections of the lake where you can swim, use a sauna, sunbathe, and even get a massage) which were all very busy. I had not expected this and so had not come prepared. Boats cruised around, mooring up for lunch stops or late afternoon drinks. We wandered around the lake and grabbed a bite to eat at Quai 61 (now Samigo), where we sat watching the boats coming and going before heading back to the hotel to get a cab to the airport.
36 Hours In Zurich – What To Do
Places & Spaces
Viadukt A busy street with lots of boutiques, cafés and a huge indoor food market.
The China Garden A short walk from the Botanical Gardens is a serene Chinese garden with a pond full on koi carp, a very calming place to take a break.
Pavillon Le Corbusier In the same park as The China Garden is Le Corbusier’s last building which is now an art gallery.
Polybahn Funicular A short ride up the hill on the funicular takes you to the university and an amazing view of the city.
Seebad Enge If you fancy a dip in the lake this is a great spot to head to but be aware that it’s not open all year round.
Thermalbad & Spa Zurich Once an old brewery it’s been converted into a top spa. There aren’t many spas with a view like this one.
Food & Drink
Sprüngli If you like chocolates this is a must, their salted caramel truffles are divine.
Milchbar A great little coffee shop just around the corner from Sprüngli (thanks Tales of Jude for this one).
Samigo A great spot to try a Swiss sausage, they serve three types with a large crusty roll and mustard; perfect enjoyed with a glass of local beer.
Delish Attached to the Marktgasse Hotel is a little café serving delicious fresh food, try their Portuguese custard tarts (maybe not a local delicacy but worth trying anyway).
Grande Café A cute bar/café that serves a great iced latte and is very close to the lower station of the Polybahn Funicular.
August A beautiful restaurant and butcher that specialise in meat dishes, with great decor.
Fondue Tram Eat Switzerland’s most famous dish whilst riding the tram.
Maison Manesse You get simple styling and great food in this modern restaurant.
Accommodation
Marktgasse Hotel The perfect hotel for minimalist lovers like myself, it’s beautifully decorated and the service is top notch, ask for the room with the roof terrace for a really special stay.
Shopping
Eclectic A luxury multi-brand concept store for women.
enSoie A womenswear brand that specialises in contemporary silk garments but they don’t just sell silk.
VMC Classic, good quality clothes for men and women.
ME+EM Leather Bomber Jacket in Soft Mink* | UNIQLO Breton Stripe Long-Sleeved Dress | AYR Sleeveless Shirt in White)* | Baia Leather Bucket Bag in Duck Egg Blue* | Diemme Garda Slip-ons* | Ace & Tate Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | Nixon The Time Teller Watch* | Brandts Jewellery Daisy Ring in Rose Gold | Gemporia Arezzo D’oro Diamond Gold Ring* | Sophie Wallgren Marta Bracelet in Gold*
Transitioning from spring to summer can be difficult, you leave the house when the sun’s out and it’s a rather pleasant 18°C and then the next thing you know it’s down to 12°C before you’ve even reached lunchtime. Choosing the right layers and fabrics is important for getting your trans-seasonal wardrobe right. A leather jacket over a summer dress is one easy way. Leather can be light but warm and the beautiful taupe colour of this leather bomber by ME+EM is perfect for a summer wardrobe.
Cotton is great for layering, it’s breathable so if it does heat up you’ll still feel fresh. I avoid synthetic fabrics 90% of the time, I never feel very comfortable in them and this I find is especially important in warmer weather when they can make you feel clammy. So you won’t be surprised to find that both the shirt and dress I’m wearing here are cotton.
I love catching the late afternoon light, it’s my favourite time to shoot, when you’re bathed in a warm glow. It makes both your skin and hair glow.
With the weather improving by the day, I’m slowly peeling off the layers. There are no jumpers in this post, just a beautiful cream silk blouse from ME+EM, under my new oversize grey coat. I’ve been looking for a great pale grey marl coat for a while and I’m so pleased with this one, it’s soft and warm, and just the right length. I love being able to wear less layers come this time of year although six months from now you can guarantee I’ll be getting excited about how to layer things again.
These skinny jeans are a regular in my wardrobe, rain or shine. I’ve had them for ages and though they’re not the velvety black they once were, they’re still by favourite skinny black jeans.
