Copy Kate's Nautical but Nice Look

It's not just Cara Delevingne who loves Me+Em's laid back luxury - it looks like the Duchess of Cambridge is a fan too. A master of literal dressing, what else would we expect Kate wear to a yacht race than one of the brand's nautical striped tops? The classic cobalt blue and white cotton top comes in at £48, but any copy Kates who want to get their hands on this one had better move fast - the £79.99 Zara blazer she has also been spotted wearing during the royal tour of New Zealand has already sold out - no surprises there then. If Breton stripes aren't your bag there will be plenty more outfits to see yet with Australia still to visit. Have you got a favourite Kate look from the tour so far?

Battle of the Biker Jackets: Baby Pink v Powder Blue

Spring has sprung and the winter coats can finally be packed away - but which of the new season's must-have jackets will be winging its way into your wardrobe for you to wear instead? For me, the front runner has to be a pastel coloured biker jacket. My black leather biker is a perennial favourite, but I might just be tempted to trade it for pretty pastel version this spring. The question is whether to go for baby pink or powder blue? Here are 4 of the best styles I've found out on the high street - but which wins out for you?

Matalan Pink PU Biker Jacket, £30
River Island Light Blue Leather Jacket, £120
Zara Pastel Faux Leather Zip Jacket, £69.99
Primark PU Pink Biker Jacket, £25

A Taste for Tartan

Happy Burn's Night! Whilst I know many people will be celebrating the birth of Scotland's greatest poet by dancing a reel, eating piping hot haggis or sipping a tot of single malt, tartan's more to my taste when it comes to Scottish exports.

On a cold January night what could be better than curling up in front of a log fire wrapped up in something warm and tartan - especially given that plaid has been one of this season's sartorial success stories. I'll concede that a bright red tartan suit suit may be a step too far (I'm looking at you, Matthew McConaughey), a subtle navy and green plaid jacket is just the ticket.

Bikers, you can keep your leather - I've found this woollen Zara jacket in a wearable yet chic a navy and green plaid.

Reduced from £69.99 - £22.99, it's a great buy for all you tartan lovers!

Theresa's Tartan Army

Vivienne Westwood always makes sure there's plenty of plaid in her collections, but this season we're taking up the tartan more than ever. It doesn't matter whether you're the model of the moment or the Home Secretary, everyone loves a Vivienne Westwood suit...

Looking at these pictures one has to wonder whether Theresa May has been taking style tips from Cara Delevingne after they were both spotted wearing the very same £1190 suit, but remember Theresa's been spotted wearing Vivienne Westwood pieces numerous times before - so much for being anti-establishment!

On the high street Primark, Topshop and Zara have all produced their own tartan suits. The Zara version (pictured above) comes in at £79.98 - that's £49.99 for the jacket and £29.99 for the trousers. With budgeting like that George Osborne had better watch out. Then again I'd much rather have a Mulberry bag on my arm than that battered red briefcase.

More Bang for your Buck at Zara...

No question Zara have some gorgeous winter coats in stock this season, but for a high street store they don't fall within every girl's budget - especially when there's an expensive festive season to plan for. With an average price tag of £120-£170, I had to double check it really did say £29.99 on these double breasted wool coats (pictured below) - surely they'd accidentally forgot to print the number 1 in front and I'd be left red-faced at the checkout! Thankfully they hadn't made a mistake and I bagged myself a real bargain.

Part of Zara's new rage of items with 'Special Prices', you'll find v-neck jumpers for £7.99 and trousers for £12.99 alongside this coat, which is available in grey, green, black and navy. And before you ask, no they haven't scrimped on quality - the coat is fully lined and even has the added detail of an inside pocket. Wonder how many people have been tempted to buy it in all four colours?

Berry Nice!

This winter I'll be making a nod to the berry tone trend with this Zara handbag (£29.99). It may be known as the Mini City Bag but it's still big enough to carry all the essentials - and that's including a brolly and my Kindle. I know, I know, not another handbag - but it's practical, on trend and good value, so what's a girl to do?

Step Out in Silver Shoes

It seems all I do is wax lyrical about Zara these days, but I figured one more post won't tip the balance too much... well not when we're talking about shiny new shoes!

I can honestly say I haven't worn a pair of silver shoes since way back in the 90s, when I had a pair of square toed sling backs that even my best friend told me were hideous - but I think the time may have come for me to tentatively dip my toes back into the glistening silver waters.

These super shiny pointed moccasins from Zara (£25.99) have definitely brought out my inner magpie. What can I say? I guess shiny things just have the power to cast a spell over some people.

A pair of sparkling slippers certainly never did Cinderella any harm - or Dorothy for that matter...

Autumn's In The Air

The return home from a glorious week down in Devon filled with sun, sea, cider and scones was made all the harder to take with the decidedly winter chill in the air. There's no mistaking autumn is here, so it's time to shake the sand from my sandals and stow away the swimwear ready for next summer.

The black opaques are coming back out along with my new winter coat - which I can't deny I've been eager to give an airing for weeks.

I got my hands on the bloggers' favourite aztec biker jacket in the Zara summer sale when it was marked down from £99 - £39.99.

Spotted on a hot summer's day I could barely bring myself to try it on, but it has turned out to be a wise purchase now I'm ready for winter and starting to see the shops fill up with various similar styles.

Posh Clutch Bags

When Victoria Beckham was (quite rightly) named as Glamour's 'Woman of the Decade' back in June you couldn't fail to notice her impeccable outfit. Wearing a Maison Martin Margiela jumpsuit to collect her award, Victoria wasn't short of arm candy either - even without hubby David by her side. Instead the former Spice Girl had eldest son Brooklyn on her arm for the evening and struck gold with a chic metal clutch bag.

The clutch in question is of course from Victoria's own line and is still available for £1850 from MyTheresa. Pricey, I know - but if you are looking for a high street version Zara have come along with their Midas touch and a mirrored minaudiere for just £29.99. You can even practise your Posh pout in it!

Floral Fancy

OK, so it'll very soon be July - but whatever happened to so called 'flaming' June?! By now I thought I'd be shopping for pretty floral dresses in the summer sales - like this one from Dorothy Perkins (pictured left, WAS £25 NOW £20) - but I've actually just bought yet another woolly jumper.

This lovely - although very autumnal looking - cross stitch effect floral jumper from Zara (pictured below, WAS £35 NOW £19.99) will most likely turn out to be a better investment. What with Glastonbury taking place this weekend rain is pretty much guaranteed!

Wimbledon Whites

Wimbledon fortnight is here - so why not take inspiration from the All England Club and add some tennis whites to your wardrobe?

The blogosphere is going crazy over Zara's skort at the moment (£25.99, pictured left). For anyone that doesn't know, a skort is effectively a pair of shorts with a flap at the front to make them look like a skirt. Particularly favoured by female tennis players, a skort could well be the perfect Wimbledon inspired fashion item - but there are plenty of white tennis dresses, shorts and playsuits around to choose from.


Just don't spill your strawberries and cream if you want to keep these whites bright!

Spot the Difference: Zara v Stella

Where a Stella McCartney Fallabella bag will set you back around £600, Zara have a strikingly similar chain-edged bag for just £22.99. The long strap even detaches so you can use it as a crossbody bag or transform it into a clutch.

The Future's Bright...

The future's orange - well for the coming summer months at least, so prepare to be tangoed. If the prospect of head to toe orange fills you with the fear of looking more like an Oompa Loompa than as if you've just stepped off the Carolina Herrera S/S13 catwalk, why not just brighten-up your accessories?

As if their orange perspex clutch isn't enough, Zara have also produced a great orange shopper for £22.99 - and as soon as it's back in stock this baby is being added to my handbag collection.

Seeing Double: Perspex Clutch Bags

The hottest handbag of the season? Well, if you ask me it has to be a perspex box clutch - but you can forget about having your phone, money, keys and any other unmentionables on display for the world to see, as they do tend to come with a fabric insert so the mysteries of a lady's bag remain just that - a mystery. And isn't that kind of like getting two bags for the price of one?

Well, you may have to tell yourself that over and over again if you opt for a Charlotte Olympia Pandora perspex clutch with spider clasp (£625). But here's a handy tip... although I love the orange version you can get the clear for £595 - and this one comes with 3 different inserts (leopard, linen and gold lame). Of course the other option is to hot foot it over to Zara where their neon perspex box clutch bags come in at £19.99.

January Sales: Zara

When it comes to shopping on the high street Zara is more often than not my first stop - especially when there's a sale on. Before Christmas I'd had my eye on a few items, namely a leopard print jumper, a pair of green sunglasses and an eagle necklace. Like a good girl I held off - and my patience has been rewarded (well, two out of three ain't bad).

The leopard print jumper had been reduced from £35 - £12.99, so I thought it would be rude not to buy the matching cardigan too.

Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog, will know I'm a complete handbag addict, so at risk of severe leopard print overdose I bagged this one, reduced from £49.99 - £29.99.

Now, I know it's not the time of year to be buying sunglasses, but I've just booked a holiday to Abu Dhabi, so the pair I'd had my eye on will be perfect - and they're reduced from £17.99 - £5.99.

Sadly there was no sign of the necklace. Although the website lists it as reduced from £22.99 - £7.99 it's out of stock. On that front the hunt continues, but statement necklaces are going to be big news for 2013 so watch this space.

P.S. Have you got an amazing sale outfit you want to show off? Tweet your #StyleSnaps to @SalesGossip and you could win £250 to spend on designer clothes at Andrea Morando! Click here to find out more.

Kate's Queen of the High Street

From Westminster Abbey to Waitrose, the Duchess of Cambridge turns heads wherever she goes.

Last night it was a Gary Barlow concert at the Royal Albert Hall, in aid of Royal charities, the Prince's Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Kate wowed onlookers in a short lace print dress from Zara, worn with a smart Ralph Lauren jacket and black opaque tights.

The dress in question costs just £69.99 and would make a perfect little party dress, although I'm predicting it's going to have sold out by the time I've clicked 'publish'.

Wild Abandon

I love leopard print, but anxious to avoid the Bet Lynch look, I always try to limit what I buy. Having said that, I couldn't resist this leopard print knit from Zara.






















Styled with a ladylike pencil skirt, it looks far more classy than brassy! Whether worn as smart workwear (a cardigan is also available to make a twin-set) or paired with jeans for a relaxed weekend look, I know it's going to become my go-to knit this A/W. Purrr-fect!