Best of the Sales: French Connection

At this time of year it's hard to not be savvy when it comes to those post-Christmas sales.  This year, most stores are offering at least 50% off items and I suspect it will get even better after the New Year, if one can hold on!

With that in mind, I have been developing another website that looks at what's around - in less detail but more quantity.  It's still going to highlight great value and great quality items but with a wider range.

My first attempt is the French Connection sale.  I've found six items that I really love, that are bargaintastic or are investment pieces.  I think my favourite, for sheer uniqueness and value for money is this Disco Leopard flared skirt.  Originally £95, it's just £28.50 right now!

So please have a look at my new site and let me know what you think!

Wardrobe Staple: White Cotton Blouse

A classic, cotton, white shirt is timeless and versatile.  It can be worn with jeans or shorts in the day, to the office with a suit or pencil skirt or paired with a colourful skirt and jewellery for an elegant evening look.  Essentially, the right one can be mixed and matched with almost anything in one's wardrobe and it will never go out of style!  The main decisions that need to be made are: sleeve length, shape, fit and embellishments.  For this post, I've found three different sleeve lengths but stuck with fairly simple, classic fits and shapes and few embellishments.

The first top that I love is from French Connection, which I've found nearly always has a great selection of good quality, white blouses.  This 'Summer Parade' sleeveless shirt was originally £52, but is just £25 in the sale.  It's perfect for summer, matched with cropped trousers and pumps - and then layer up when it starts to get cooler with a blazer, jeans and patterned scarf.

This cotton, short sleeved Hobbs 'Flagler' shirt is pretty perfect also.  Originally £69, it's now £25 at House of Fraser in sizes 8 and 18 (it's sold out on the Hobbs site itself).  The pleats down the front add an element of interest, without being showy or over the top - ensuring the style remains classic for years to come.  Team with chino shorts and flat sandals for a great, daytime summer look.

Finally, a classic, simple, long sleeved cotton Oxford shirt by Land's End - available from Debenhams.  This shirt will never go out of fashion and can be paired with almost anything - jeans, skirts, shorts.  What about knotting it round the middle and wearing with a floral maxi skirt?  This particular shirt is available in sizes 14 to 20 and currently has 30% off, meaning it's just £20.30.

So take your pick and grab yourself a classic bargain that will last forever!

Over the Top: Joshua Leather Zip Jacket from French Connection

Amazingly enough, there are still loads of items still available in the French Connection sale, so it's well worth a look on the site for a bargain.

I've been looking for a great leather jacket that will work for the coming months to wear casually with jeans, but one that can also be teamed with a pretty dress to give an edgy, party look.  I think this black Joshua leather jacket does just the trick.  It's a fairly simple but classic cut, with its grandad-style collar, and so should go with most outfits.  It's still available in sizes 6 and 10 to 16 and is half-price at £162.50.

The Look for Less: Simple yet Elegant Tailoring

For this look, I've started with a wardrobe staple of an oversized, classic, versatile white shirt.  This can be worn with anything - shorts, jeans, trousers - but I have chosen to give it a little sparkle with a metallic cocktail skirt for some simple yet elegant tailoring which gives laid-back style.

As usual, everything is currently on offer as follows:

• MiH Jeans oversized white shirt from Atterley Road.  It's £146 but there is currently 20% off with the code SUMMER20.
• Julelle metallic cocktail mini skirt, £75 also from Atterley Road.
• Van Peterson 925 sterling silver amethyst earrings (£24) and necklace (£36) from Debenhams.  The Blue Cross sale runs till Sunday for these prices, and the code HK73 runs till Monday 29th April and will give an extra 10% off.
• DKNY silver metallic cork wedges from my-wardrobe.com.  They are £145 but if you can get your shopping basket up to £200, there's £50 off with the code SS13SPRING01 until the 30th April.
• Ali suede shoulder bag, on sale for £56 from French Connection.

Wardrobe Staple: Sun Dry Cotton Blazer from French Connection

A decent, good-quality, well-fitted blazer is an essential.  It can be thrown over anything and looks especially good over jeans and a simple top or with a maxi dress.  I've also seen them looking fab with shorts and, of course, they can be worn with more formal skirts, dresses and trousers for the office.

There's loads of blazers out there, and I've already posted about this one from Wallis.  However, I think it's worth thinking about investing in one that is going to last and for that reason, I often to go for those that contain quality materials such as wool, linen or cotton.  A bit of stretch is often helpful also.  Colour-wise, anything works - plain or patterned - and it's all down to personal taste.  The current style seems to be the boyfriend blazer which is single-breasted and longer, skimming the hips.  It compliments most women's shapes, especially the V-neckline which lengthens and flatters the upper body.  I'd also go for a single or, at the most two, for a more casual look -  a greater number of buttons tends to look more formal and office-y.

I've chosen this red cotton and elastane red blazer from French Connection, which is currently in the sale.  I think it would look amazing over indigo skinny jeans and a white top and I have some amazing red shoes from Schuh (bought ages ago - sorry!) that would complement it perfectly!  It comes in sizes 6 - 16 and has been reduced from £120 to £90.

The Look for Less: Savvy Office Chic

I've just discovered a site called Polyvore where I can find clothes, shoes and accessories online and put them together in a collage, to see how they work together.  Here is my first attempt:

As you would expect, it is a combination of sale and discounted items, so you can get the whole look for less.  In this collage I have included:

• French Connection Natsue jacket and shift dress - reduced in the House of Fraser two-day brand event where there's up to 25% off branded items (ends Friday).
• Episode Gratitude ankle strap wedge sandals - also in the House of Fraser event.
• J by Jasper Conran navy mini tote from Debenhams - currently with 20% off in the Blue Cross sale, plus there's an extra 10% off with the discount code HK73 (ends Sunday).
• Spike and flower necklace from Dorothy Perkins which has 30% off everything till Sunday.

I'm thinking that for the future, I can focus on specific gorgeous pieces as I have been, but every now and again do some outfits this way to give an idea to update one's wardrobe!  So I suppose my question is, is this the sort of thing that you would like to see?  Would it give you inspiration and ideas - as I hope!

Find me on Polyvore by clicking here!