Mademoiselle

I left you on Monday feeling hysterically tired due to having a total fashion meltdown at the weekend which resulted in no sleep on Sunday evening – not a wink. Not only did I have not a stitch to wear in this weird winter into summer transitional weather, but I’ve also realised that I have had ideas above my financial station for a few years now. Actually since I was born.

I have decided to face this credit crunch nonsense head on and so have been trudging around the high street stores (in the rain) to find the hottest credit crunch fashion available in store today. I’ve surprised even myself at the bounty I have uncovered. What I love about the items, apart from the price, is that they are not direct copies of pieces found on the catwalk – I really don’t do “Get The Look” fashion, I’d rather just “HAVE” the real look and not go out for the rest of the year. Actually I can’t even do that anymore due to being maxed out to the max.

I need a totally new working wardrobe, it needs to be functional yet fashion forward. First stop Uniqlo, pick up some super, super skinny high waisted jeans in black denim (1) (they come purple, green and blue wash denim too) and they are only £19.99, I will be wearing these with the very Todd Lynn-esque cropped, boxy white cotton jacket from NEXT (2) – totally gorgeous and only £35! I’m loving these heels from Red Herring at Debenhams (3) (£28) – a bit Marni but a better colour which will go with denim and black and smart enough for work. These shoe boots from Top Shop (4), (£40) in pale grey are the perfect colour for transitional fashion – you can still wear them with tights or you could go bare legged and wear them with these peg leg trousers from GAP.

I so wanna be the GAP girl this season, she’s effortlessly cool with a real ‘look’ going on.

This is a ‘workie’ shirt (5) even the ‘workie’ could afford, (£35), and I’m smitten with this shirtdress (£45) (6), both are from Monsoon and are a teeny bit Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Secretary. Check out their cute silver pumps (7) (£25) – there’s a hint of Lanvin going on there. Ooooh la la. I plan to wear this monochromatic dress (8) from H&M (29.99), with a longer line cardi or an oversized mannish tailored jacket in either grey or black – try Top Shop or Warehouse for one, I got mine from Stella a few seasons ago and I wear it all the time.

Speaking of Stella - I love this little Spring coat (9) from Ted Baker (£140) and this casual rain mac (10) from Warehouse (£45) too.

Back to NEXT, what a dark horse you are! Look at this slouchy silk dress (11), I will be wearing it with a long sleeved black top from GAP underneath it and a vintage biker jacket and heels and this bag (12) will be perfect for work, looks designer but is only £30. I am jumping up and down in the manner of Veronica Salt right now!!!!

Anyway, back to the designers, I have discovered a new website which offers discounted designer shopping on-line check out www.brandalley.co.uk, just in case I still need a designer fix over the weekend – 20% off Chloe? Oh go on then…I hear it’s raining on Sunday and Monday so I have an excuse for some prolonged online shopping. Thank crunchie it’s Friday – this is so exhausting dot com.