Penelope Cross Stitch Jacket from Monsoon

As the weather improves, one needs a coat less and less, but it's still not warm enough to go out without some sort of cover up.  A lovely cardigan or jumper works wonders, but sometimes one needs something a little more structured.

The sale's just started at Monsoon and there are lots of great items with up to 50% off.  They have a selection of cropped, patterned jackets that will work really well for Spring.  I like this cotton-blend blue and burgundy version with floral details and a hippy/folk element.  It would be perfect with jeans and pumps but could equally be thrown over a dress to keep the chill at bay in the evening.  Originally £69, it's half price in the sale and is still available in sizes 8 to 16, 20 and 22.

Diana Coat from Boden

Amazingly, there are still plenty of items left in the Boden sale and, with up to 70% off, one can't really go wrong!  I'm quite amazed as usually, products in the sale get snapped up really quickly, so there is definitely still time to take advantage.

It is the perfect time to invest in a great quality winter coat and I'm coveting this wool blend 'Diana' coat in a rich ink blue colour. The shape is classic and flattering and will last season after season, without going out of style.  I also love the gorgeous grosgrain trim on the collar and cuffs, to give a pretty, unique embellishment to the coat.  It's been reduced from £179.00 to £152.15 which is 15% off.  Other colours are also available: black, forest green and sandstone, as well as a range of different sizes.

Over the Top: Carven Contrast Collar Tweed Coat from my-wardobe.com

The masculine, military coat is a key piece for AW13 and there are some simply superb ones on the market. I was after one that is unique, great quality, warm and stylish and I've found this brown and turquoise blue tweed one by Carven, available at my-wardobe.com.  It's a fantastic take on the masculine, military trend whilst still managing to maintain an element of femininity with the colours, bold collar and cinched, flattering, belted waist.  The fabric composition is the height of luxury - alpaca wool, angora, wool - and most importantly, will be snugly warm for the coming months.  A classic piece that will never go out of style - perfect!

It's a true investment piece at £657 but customers can get £50 off a £200 or more spend at my-wardobe.com with the code AWGUIDE50 until the end of the month, so a perfect time to indulge!

Over the Top: Maycroft Trench Coat from Joules

Indeed, one can tell it's a Bank Holiday weekend - it's chucking it down here!  We even had thunder and lightning earlier.... such fun!  So I guess it's time to dig out the waterproofs and see what's new online.

There's some great autumn and wet weather wear new in at Joules.  I love this dark chino trench coat which is perfect for when it's not so cold, but super wet like today.  It's a classic, stylish shape that will never go out of fashion and the colour is just right.  All macs like this need a belt, so that's that box ticked too.  I also like the traditional element of it, with the rain shield on the back, gun patch detail and lapels.  And, as it's Joules, it's got the gorgeous printed lining.  It also comes in green and is available in sizes 8 to 18.

This coat is £129 but, until tomorrow, customers can use code AFT15 which will give £15 off £90+ spends.

While I'm at it, it may be time to invest in some new wellies.  Joules always has a superb selection, but my favourite at the moment are these brown boots with a hare pattern - which, incidentally, will go very well with the trench coat!  The length is great; I prefer longer wellington boots to the short or mid wellies as I feel safer jumping in puddles!  The hare pattern is cute without being too sappy and they are practical.  The price isn't too bad either, being £39.95.  They are available in sizes 3 to 8.

Over the Top: Marcy Military Jacket from Phase Eight

The summer sales may be a great opportunity to stock up on items that will last the rest of the season, as well as next spring and summer, but it seems that one is still able to find some great items that will work as the weather gets colder.  I was pursuing the Phase Eight sale and came across this fabulous wool blend, navy peacoat.  The peacoat is a classic wardrobe staple and will work for most any occasion.  I like the textured fabric of this one which makes it interesting and it looks really warm!

It's half price at £49.50 and is still available in a large size.

Over the Top: Animal Jacquard Biker Jacket from Mint Velvet

A classic biker jacket is a great wardrobe staple. It can be teamed with almost anything - with jeans and heeled boots for a casual look or with a tea dress for a pretty but edgy look.  It also works well for those times - and there are many - when the weather doesn't seem to know what it's doing!  In addition, they featured quite heavily in various AW13 collections, so it's worth looking to see if any are available in the sales now.

Mint Velvet are currently having their sale and I've found this jacquard version of the biker jacket, reduced from £119 to £79.  It's available in two neutral colours, nude (shown) and chalk (white) in sizes 8 to 18.  I think the pale colours mean that they will work well with brighter outfits as well as neutral shades.  A fabulous outfit would be a bright, bodycon dress (maybe a royal blue?), belt and high court heels - the epitome of foxy glamour, I think!

Over the Top: Moredale Quilted Jacket from Joules

The end of season sales are certainly upon us and it's the perfect time to grab all sorts of bargains.  I've noticed that there is a great selection of products on offer at most of the stores having sales, rather than just the usual 'bargain bin' items that one often sees; presumably it's all to do with the economic climate and that shoppers are savvier (hurrah!).

The Joules sale started this week and there is a lot of clothing and accessories still available - again, unusual, as their sale items have always sold out super-quickly in the past.  But it does mean that shoppers don't have to panic buy!  I've chosen to highlight this Moredale quilted jacket in my post today as it's a high-quality, classic coat that will last season after season; it's also a coat I already own, I love it and I've had loads of compliments about it.  It's brilliant for the British weather as it's lightweight and slightly quilted, so will keep one warm, but it's not too thick to be heavy or hot - so great for those in-between seasons or the annoying, changeable weather that we seem to be having at the moment.  It's also water resistant so is okay for when it showers.  The cut of the coat is great too, coming in slightly at the waist to give a nice body shape when wearing it.  And the pockets are practical, big and usable - I absent-mindedly put my phone in the pocket and it was perfectly safe with no chance of it falling out.  A final touch which I think is lovely is the contrasting inside lining, which adds an element of cheeriness and fun!

The Moredale was £89.95 but has been reduced to £59.95 in the sale.  There are many colours and sizes still available so have a look to see what suits!

Let me know if you like this jacket and are planning to buy it!  What colour will you go for?  

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.

Over the Top: Coral Blazer from Wallis

I've been searching for a decent coral blazer for ages, just a simple, boyfriend style one with a single button that can be thrown over a t-shirt and my jeans.  And of course, one with a discount!  However, for some reason, it's been proving rather difficult until I found this one from Wallis, where there's currently up to 30% off everything.  I love the cut of this blazer as it's slightly longer and skims the hips and yet still has some slight definition around the waistline.  It's also got a bit of stretch, which is always a bonus.  Normally £40, with the discount it's £32.

Initially, they didn't have the right size for me (this one comes in sizes 10 - 16) but when I checked again, they did, so I wonder if stock is coming back in?  Therefore, if you are looking to take advantage of the current discount, it's certainly worth checking every now and again if your size isn't currently available.

There's a similar one on the site for the same price, but with less definition in the waist - but that one goes up to a size 18 if needed.  Again, sizes in stock have been changing throughout the day so worth checking every now and again.

Wardrobe Staple: Hobbs Imperial Trench Coat from House of Fraser

I'm having a bit of a red day today I think!

A well-cut Macintosh coat is a classic wardrobe staple that can be relied on year after year, bringing timeless chic to any outfit!  Generally, it might be sensible to go with a traditional beige or black, but I have found this amazing Hobbs sorbet red coat from House of Fraser.  I think the cut and length is perfect and the fact it's belted means that it will be really flattering.  I also like that it can be be worn buttoned all the way up to the collar if preferred - and the fact the buttons are hidden - giving a really elegant style and shape reminiscent of a similar version from Burberry Prorsum.  It's reduced from £149 to £104 and available in sizes 8 - 16.

Wardrobe Staple: Violetta Navy Fitted Peacoat from Reiss

The peacoat is a classic, iconic wardrobe staple and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.  It is also versatile for the British weather, working well from Autumn to Spring for those chilly and/or windy days.  This mainly wool navy peacoat from Reiss is fantastic, keeping to the traditional coat's vintage, elegant style but, as it's fitted around the waist and is slightly longer than average, it is more flattering than many other similar versions.  It is still available in sizes medium and large and has been reduced from £225 to £157.