Channeling Gucci with the help of the high street

Obviously I want to buy the real thing but that's just not going to happen right now. Luckily there is a LOT of Gucci-esque action going on on the high street right now. Here's some of the best.

The ever-brilliant Uterque delivers yet again with these incredible logo mules. Frankly I'm amazed they're not already sold out - they've still got them in every size. Even mine.

Logo mule loafers - Uterque - £115

And then there's the H&M glittery sweatshirt. I tried it on yesterday in a medium and in a moment of madness I put it back. Of course it was the only one in the size and by the time I recovered my senses it was sold. I've ordered it in a large today (that's literally all that's left and I think I got the last one but there are some in stores still). It's £19.99...really. 

Glittery sweatshirt - H&M - £19.99

Boden is firing on all Gucci-esque cylinders right now. Check out the grosgrain stripe on their Modern Shirt. And it's only £55. These are not Gucci prices. 

The Modern Shirt - Boden - £55

And because summer can't be over just yet, it's well worth checking out these Louisa sandals - they're in the sale too...

Louisa sandals in snapdragon and navy - Boden - £56.00

And finally, for a more all-year-round vibe, it would be irresponsible not to include these - conveniently there's a pair left in my size and my sister has some vouchers....

White Hebe leather trainers - Boden - £52.50

The cat's pyjamas

Full disclosure. I'm blogging this because I've just bought two new pairs of trousers that I'm trying to find a way to justify. So today it's all about wide leg trousers.

I accidentally discovered that these suit me when I stumbled upon a pair a Chloe denim culottes in a charity shop earlier in the summer. I've practically lived in them since and it's made me realise there's a gap in my wardrobe (or there would be if I could stuff anything else in).

Let's start with cropped. I've bought these today - they are quite literally the cat's pyjamas. I don't even like cats but I love these. I'm well aware that I'll probably see a LOT of people wearing them because they're amazing and a total bargain but I don't care. There's a top too and I'm seriously thinking about going back for it but I'll see how the trousers work first.

Zara cat print trousers - £29.99

I'm feeling a nautical vibe (or maybe that should be maritime looking at the weather) at the moment, so I love these from La Redoute - they're a complete steal at £18 and they've still got most sizes left

La Redoute cropped trousers - Mademoiselle R - £18

Navy is a bit of a theme in my wardrobe and I've been eyeing these from Me and Em for a while now. I love a bit of satin and these look like they'd hang amazingly. The fact they're £44 (down from £149!) is even more reason to snap them up. 

Me and Em Wide Leg Forever Pant - £44

Obviously cropped trousers are perfect for this August monsoon season we're having, but there are some amazing full-length options around too. Starting with these from Winser London. They come in blue and navy and they look like the perfect length and shape. They're a bit more pricey but if they're anything like other Winser trousers they're worth it.

Winser London satin back wide leg crepe trousers - £99

I've just bought a pair of wide leg velvet trousers from ASOS but they're sold out now. These are a great alternative from Finery and would translate brilliantly into Autumn/Winter. They're an absolute bargain at 60% off too. 

Finery velvet wide leg trousers - £39

Finally, I've recently rediscovered Massimo Dutti - where has this brand been all my life? Seriously. Their Limited Edition collection is off the scale and I want to buy every.single.thing. While I wait to win the lottery to make this happen, there are these. They look incredible and far more expensive than the £99.95 price tag. The camel colour makes them an instant classic so they're not even hard to justify (well that's what I'm telling myself. It won't hurt to try them on at least...). 

Massimo Dutti Limited Edition wool/cashmere trousers with rolled up hem detail - £99.95

Investment buys - sale-style

I've been doing a lot of sale shopping of late. The end of the sales is my favourite bit - when the mark-downs are stellar and that amazing piece you missed first time around may just been returned if you look long and hard (and often) enough. And coming up to Autumn there are a lot of great things to be bought, if you've got the patience to sift through the dregs.

I'm trying hard to focus on buying fewer, better things at the moment. It's not going brilliantly, but if it was, here's what I'd buy with what I'd save from the fritter-less strategy.

I'm boot obsessed and I've wanted these for AGES. The problem is, they're never, ever marked down. But this year they are. And big sizes are the winners this time as they seem to be all that's left. I already own the Lowland version of these (bought on eBay as I couldn't bring myself to spend the £600+) and they're really, really good. Big feet and skinny legs does not make a great combination for boot buying if you're not into the welly look but these are absolutely perfect and fit like a glove. The fact they're go-with-anything-grey is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned.

Stuart Weitzman Highstreet boots

Velvet was everywhere last winter and it's going nowhere this coming season. So this coat from Shrimps at Matches Fashion is a brilliant, brilliant investment buy. I'm so in love with this it's as much as I can do not to throw caution to the wind and deploy the credit card right now.

Shrimps Marie velvet and faux fur coat

It pains me to think that this next investment purchase doesn't need to be stashed until Autumn, given the weather at the moment. Yes, it's a jumper. I'm never 100% sure about slogan tees and jumpers - they've got to be just right and luckily this Bella Freud beauty is perfect. It's also less than half price at Morgan Clare and the fact it's got a bit of sparkle in it will take you from the last days of summer through to New Year's in one chic swoop. 

Bella Freud Good Times sweater

I would by lying if I said this wasn't already saved in my basket. Once again something I've wanted for ages (says the person that lives nowhere near the country, doesn't own a dog and doesn't enjoy outdoor pursuits...) and rarely seen at a discount (even on eBay these seem to sell for silly money). It's Barbour so it's a safely classic bet. This particular jacket describes itself as a 'summer' jacket but I think you could wear it all year round. It's from Collen and Clare - a complete gem of a boutique which I discovered on an obsessive hunt for a Rixo Rose dress which I found at a bargain price and then returned (I'm still kicking myself...). It's on the site in grey as well as the navy and it's a fantastic buy at £69.50. Decisions...

Barbour cropped jacket at Collen and Clare

And because an investment wardrobe wouldn't be complete without some bottoms, here are some amazing MIH jeans - also from Collen and Clare and a steal at £90 from £229. I love the way these look on other people - still not convinced about how they look on me but I'm definitely working up to it... 

M.I.H Caron cropped wide leg jeans

Finally, if you're in the market for a great bag, look no further than this one from Penelope Chilvers. It's in the sale at £99, down from £299 and it's a classic investment buy. 

Penelope Chilvers Mandolin leather bag

Happy end-of-sale shopping! 

In search of summer

I'm in denial about the 'summer' weather so I'm mentally transporting myself elsewhere. Specifically to jungles, beaches and anywhere in between where the temperature is rising and the sun is shining.  

And what better way to channel the tropics than a bit of monkey magic (with some cheetahs - or maybe they're leopards - I'm not sure) thrown in for good measure. This range has been ALL over Instagram for weeks and it's joyful. The pictures on the website don't do it justice in the slightest. There's a dress, a skirt, a pyjama style shirt and a pair of trousers (sadly these are short if you're tall like me but if you're anything under 5 ft 7 I reckon you might just be in luck). Happily, in spite of the weather, all of it is super-adaptable and wearable with jackets, wraps, boots and anything else we don't think we'll ever need in July (nearly August). 

From the tropics to aquatics. & Other Stories has come up trumps again with this amazing dress. Perfect for when you're experiencing marineire fatigue and want a more edgy touch of the seaside. 

And continuing on a nautical theme, there are lobsters. Oh yes. You might think you've seen it all when it comes to crustacean couture. I thought so too, until I saw this Uterque belt. It's in the sale too and to say it's a bargain is something of an understatement. It's in and out of stock daily though so keep checking back on the site. 

It wouldn't be summer without the gentle buzz of insects and I'm obsessed with this shawl from Uterque. Utterly stunning and could easily transition into the Autumn wardrobe (which I'm already deploying now).

If it's not enough that summer is AWOL, the end of the sales means it's well and truly limbo season on the high street and the buying is - well - not easy. That is unless you're talking accessories, in which case take an immediate detour to Zara where the accessories are firing on all cylinders. Including these amazing earrings I picked up last week and have discovered go with pretty much everything I own. Trust me that this is quite something coming from someone who hasn't 'done' earrings since the early '90s... 

Earrings: Zara .Shirt: Whistles