Choose a Coat for Lucy Worsley

Britain, Dr Lucy Worsley needs you! The TV historian du jour has put a call out on her blog inviting the public to style her for her new series. The theme is 'Tudor magnificence' and she needs two dresses and a coat - which should be reasonably priced and available on the high street.

Now Tudor fashion calls up images of lace ruffs, velvet cloaks and an abundance of pearls - but I should say brocade and a touch of faux fur would fulfil the brief without going too far down the literal dressing path - she's not asked for a fancy dress costume!

My pick would be the Rhiannon coat from Hobbs, £269. No, not particularly Tudor per se, but the sage green shade and scarf detail would look great on screen. 

Duchess in Dalmatian

So there we have it! The Duchess of Cambridge has completed her last official solo engagement before she goes on maternity leave. In Southampton for the naming of a new cruise ship Kate made the surprise sartorial choice of dalmatian print.

Copy Kates will be eager to hear the coat is from Hobbs. Coming in at £169 that's helluva lot cheaper than the £1250 bottle of Moet smashed against the ship's hull as part of the naming ceremony!

A spokesperson for the British brand said: 'It is an honour when ever the Duchess of Cambridge chooses to wear the UK high street.' Of course, this is not the first time we've seen Kate wearing Hobbs, but this is a particularly striking choice as we don't often see royals in animal prints (that is aside from ermine trimmed cloaks). That said dalmatian is the print of the season - as seen at Stella McCartney and Phillip Lim.

If you need any more proof that dalmatian print isn't just for Cruella DeVil, here are some of my top picks... and yes, I've definitely got my eye on that Phillip Lim handbag.

Belts

Burns Night Tartan

It's the 25th January - and that means it's time to celebrate the birth of Scotland's finest poet. I'm not Scottish, nor do I have any Scottish blood in me, but I'm not one to miss out on a literary celebration - and I do love a bit of tartan.

If haggis, neeps and tatties aren't your thing then why not celebrate with a style statement? The mere prospect of a Vivienne Westwood tartan dress is enough to get me reeling around the room.

Day Dresses
Purses