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: 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.