Girl About Town, Part Deux

This weekend I was a-wandering in town, on the hunt for the perfect boy-shoes*, weaving in and out all of the shoppers as the weather threatened to turn nasty (but luckily never did).

In Debenhams, I was wishing for sunglasses as I walked through their newly remodelled and relocated beauty hall, which was startlingly white and shiny in all its neo-sci fi glory. It's a huge step up from their old beauty department, which was hidden at the gloomier back end of the shop. While taking in all the products and perfumes I noticed a huge display for Marc Jacobs' BANG! fragrance (love the packaging for this one).

In no time I was spotting key pieces for A/W such as capes, military greens and winter coats from Debenhams, Warehouse and Topshop respectively...




Topman's impressive lines for the new season should keep any fashion-forward male keen, with an ever-expanding range of trouser cuts, which now include the carrot and arc cuts.

At this point it was surely time for a rest & refuel - luckily I was close enough to swing round to Oko Express on Queen Street in a mere moment for some sushi action...


Yum!

On to Frasers next, parts of which are still under reconstruction. With new sparkly concessions being unveiled all the time (hello, Hermes, Biba and - hopefully not too much longer now - MAC), the store is a heavingly successful 'work in progress'. Wandering around and taking at all in (so much to see) I couldn't help but notice this baby winking at me:


She was all the way up on the top shelf at the Mulberry concession. I'm a sucker for pink and leopard print so this temptress ticks all the boxes.

Working my way (slowly) up Buchanan Street I visited the good folk at Vivienne Westwood, H&M and after a sweep of Buchanan Galleries (noted: some nice pieces at Mango - tweedy wools and elbow patches), I was exhausted. Empty handed (well, not empty handed but I definitely did not buy shoes and that was sort of the point) and in need of a rest I headed to the cinema. Oreo milkshake in hand, I watched Twilight star Kristen Stewart do her best Joan Jett in The Runaways. Not bad. Made me want to pull on my Chucks and start a girl band.

That was my weekend, how was yours?

(*- as in, a pair of shoes for a boy, not a pair of boy-style shoes for me)

Into the Wilderness...

With the last few sunny summer days being squeezed out in the last few weeks, it's pretty safe to assume that Autumn has arrived. In preparation for the new season, most stores have started to carry their Autumn/ Winter lines since August.

I love this time of year. Let's layer up and go on an adventure.


A recurring theme for this Autumn/ Winter has been that of the Great Outdoors - layering outerwear with rich heritage fabrics. Knitwear, thick tweeds, chunky socks and - yes - hiking books. Male and female explorers seeking outdoor excitement can brave the woods, moors or even the local high streets mixing earthy tones with a flash of brighter checks. Take for example, this green parka, courtesy of Topshop:


This item mixed with a muddy brown sweater and layered over a lumberjack-style checked shirt would prepare you for any adventure, rural or urban. At D&G, their cosy Nordic knits will guarantee that you are protected from the elements

Boys - a pair of boots, whether hiking boots, army boots or wellingtons will ensure that you are well-equipped for stomping though the crisp brown leaves, puddles and (eventually) snow, and will see you through the season. The same goes for us girls:


In particular for les femmes, stack-heeled hiking boots are sure to be a key staple this season. Good thing there is a range available to suit all budgets, from ASOS' suede pair (£55) to Chloe's wedge-heeled beauties (£575). Don't forget to pair with long, thick socks, a la Rag & Bone and Michael Kors' recent Autumn/ Winter shows.

While roaming in the wilderness, carrying one's essentials is well, essential. A satchel bag (below, left) or shearling backpack is practical and bang on trend.


A chunky scarf or snood will keep the cold wind at bay and a tweed baker boy hat (as seen at DKNY) will help you to embrace the countryside in style.

Now that the outfits are sorted, all that's left to do is get out there and explore. I leave you with a few snaps from one of my last outdoor adventures...