But two days later the temperature had dropped to fourteen degrees, so I felt that it was time for a wardrobe swap around.  I had a little think about how I wanted to organise it for the autumn and I decided to devote the middle section of my wardrobe to things that I really like and that I want to wear the most. 

Until fairly recently I had a separate rail with those things on but it made the room look untidy so I took it down and made a rule that whatever I owned had to fit inside the wardrobe. Also, over the summer holidays dressing was simpler but now that the children are back at school and I am back at work, I need a wardrobe that is more organised and which pulls its weight a little bit more.



I had a lot of my accessories stored away in soft cloth bags but for me it's actually better to have things that I want to wear on display, or close to hand. Whilst this looks a bit of a pickle, it all makes sense to me and I think that's the point really, whatever works for each person is good as it enables you get the most out of your clothes.  It also helps you to see what you have and what you need to add.

In the drawer I have belts, clutch bags, gloves and wrist warmers...



...whilst on the shelf I have my bangles and bracelets stored in a red leather box with statement necklaces and other cuffs laid out.

In theory if I go to that one section of my wardrobe, I should be able to pull together the basis of a smart/casual outfit really easily - the type of outfit that I need to wear during the week when I have the least amount of time to plan things.  Time will tell....

The Chanel 2.55 handbag is probably the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of quilted pieces, closely followed by your Grandma's dressing gown. A few winters back, quilted coats started to appear and they quickly became the standard coat of pretty much every teenage girl in the country - to the point that one of our local schools has banned them.  In the spring, slightly boho Isabel Marant style quilted jackets took centre stage and it seems that most brands now have quilted clothing of one sort or another. I've seen quilted shoes, bags, jackets, skirts, tops and dresses but I have a special affinity for quilted sweatshirts.

Why you may ask? OK so you may not but if you do, here's why. Two big things in their favour are that they are warm and comfortable. Always a winner in my book. With jeans and boots they make a great casual outfit and with a smarter skirt and heels, they are a trendy look. They can be worn with a statement necklace or with a shirt layered underneath and they offer a way of us non-20 year olds being able to keep up to date without looking ridiculous.

These are some of my favourites so far:

Reiss £69 has this lovely silver grey one, with a quilted pattern that is quite different to most of the traditional diamond shaped patterns.



Reiss £69 also has this pinky coral coloured one - which makes a nice change to the grey, navy or black ones which are available in abundance.


Whistles £65 has a navy one, which also comes in white too. This quilting pattern is triangles all at different angles - which reminds me I still need to buy some set squares for our son. There will be  a trip to WH Smith tomorrow I think. Oooh, they stock toblerone too - it's all about the triangles tonight.



New Look £19.99 has a quilted grey sweatshirt for a good price - sorry about the tiny pic....



...together with this sweatshirt with quilted sleeves, also from New Look £12.99. It's a great colour and the nod to the quilting in the sleeves is good for those who don't necessarily want the added bulk over the chest that quilting can sometimes add.


I think that I ought to own up to this grey quilted sweatshirt from Dorothy Perkins £22 making its way into my bag today (that sounds like I didn't pay for it - but I did). Our Dotty P is dire but then I remembered that BHS has a section and that was an altogether much better experience. As you can imagine, I liked the sparkly bits at the neckline.

 Warehouse £36 has a black sweatshirt with a traditional diamond pattern on it. This sweatshirt would make a great backdrop for a bright statement necklace.

For anyone who prefers quilting on a real quilt, as opposed to clothing, you may like to take a look at this lovely blog, which is written by a lady I met on our recent trip to Guernsey - Little Island Quilting - they're beautiful, what a talent!

The colour of this suede biker jacket (£399) is fabulous. It's a really beautiful colour on lots of skin tones and adds a real punch of colour to a darker winter wardrobe. Some may think that they would tire of it quickly. I take the view that if you love it at first sight, you will probably love it forever (just like one's husband really!)


The boucle biker jacket (£250) offers a traditional fabric in a modern style. This would be a really versatile piece - going from the office, to the evening and the weekend with ease. There's a skirt to match this particular jacket so for anyone looking for a modern twist to a skirt suit, this could be a good option. There are going to be lots of those around this season though, so it's worth just bearing that in mind.


The leather trim pea coat £375 is a classic style which won't date over the years, even with the addition of the leather trim. I love pea coats which look great done up, with roll neck jumpers, skinny jeans and loafers for a preppy look or open, with a big printed scarf, leather trousers and heels for a more modern look.


For anyone on the look out for some fancy pants trousers, perhaps to wear to a winter wedding or to wear at Christmas when something just a little more luxurious than jeans may be required, the animal jacquard trouser £165 could be perfect. They could be taken down the silk shirt/blazer/heels route for a smarter look, or down the sweatshirt and chunky heeled ankle boots route for more of a daytime look, or down the subtle sparkles and fierce heels route for the evening


This yellow cable knit sweater £160 would go brilliantly with jeans, navy, black or grey trousers, with a flippy skirt or one of the wider skirts that are around this season - either worn a size larger for a slouchy look or nipped in at the waist with a belt for a more fitted silhouette. It's sunny, smiley and fantastic for a bleak winter's day.


Jaeger has not only this leather skater skirt £250 but also a selection of leather pencil skirts too. I have a friend with two teenage daughters and her husband hates skater skirts with a passion. I'm not really sure why. Something to do with their length/arguments about their length I suspect!   Anyway, that aside, a skater skirt can be more flattering on some shapes than a pencil skirt and arguably, easier and more versatile to wear as their shape is less formal.


I'm really quite excited about this Italian wool metallic skirt £160 which is on my list of things to investigate tomorrow after the first drop-off of the new term. It has a pretty metallic thread running through it which adds interest to it and with its flattering shape and good length, it could be a wardrobe winner. I would wear it with fitted jumpers and earthy colours to pick up the rose gold of the zip.


The Sally jersey dress £80 has been around for a few weeks now but it's a cheeky little number. The colour is really vibrant and it could be worn with bare legs for now and then with thicker tights and boots as it gets colder. Biker boots would be good, as would a heeled shoe boot.


For a more formal event, I love the elegance of this crossover front dress £225 which comes in several bright colours. The black band at the waist is really flattering and for those who prefer some element of coverage on the arms it would be a god-send. Given where the sleeves end, it would lend itself perfectly to a jewelled cuff or bracelet.  


For a smart/casual top, and with sweatshirt styles still featuring this season, the Jamie Lace Sweater £60 is a nice option. With it being a slightly more relaxed fit, it lends itself to a more fitted bottom half - either a pencil skirt, skinny jeans, or anything without too much volume in it - unless you happen to have the build of Alexa Chung, in which case anything goes.


Taking a quick look at accessories, the Jennifer bag £99 has more depth to it than this picture would suggest, which is good for those of us whose purses are full of receipts and who carry around various (non) essential items "just in case". It was so popular last year that it has been re-issued in several different colours this season. This emerald green looks great against those dark coats that we all have hanging in our wardrobes.


I like the Tortoiseshell cuff £50 as an alternative to leopard print. It still does a great job of pulling brown and black pieces together in an outfit but it doesn't have some of the negative connotations that go with leopard print - which I don't hold but which I understand. The gold studs are a nice touch too.


Finally this Leather cuff £65 comes in four different colours. I love a good leather cuff to add some edge to a simple outfit and the metalwork on this one is good and chunky!


I like a discount and I think that a 25% discount has the ability to make (some)things that wouldn't otherwise be affordable, fall into that almost affordable category. I hope that there are one or two things here to help you kick-start your winter wardrobe.

Pink coats have been dancing on the fashion periphery for a while now.  It started last winter with Jil Sander's oversized pink coat (see below) but it has taken until this winter for them to filter down on to the High Street - and for A/W '13, the pink coat is where it's at!


I don't suppose that anyone will be surprised to learn that over the years I have had several pink coats. It started with a pink Oasis trench about 9 years ago and was soon followed by a pink Boden coat and after that a Benetton one. I tell you this only because, sadly, I clearly don't have a reason to buy a pink coat this winter, which I consider to be a shame.

The deal on pink coats is this: they should be the softest palest of pink, worn oversized with rounded shoulders and clean lines, or perhaps military style, but they should be devoid of frills, peplums, or anything that makes them look too girly. So, I've done a quick whizz around to see what's on offer at the moment. Not all of them fit the "deal" above but that's good, because not everyone will want to walk around in a pale pink, oversized, coat this winter.

French Connection (£175) has this lovely pink coat. Being double breasted and with a collar, it is probably more suited to women who don't have lots of curves. I like the swing shape of this coat, which gives it a bit of a 60's feel.


The Hobbs Lacey coat in orchid pink (£239) is a favourite of mine. I like this particular shade of pink as it has a depth about it which suits paler skins in the winter (that would be me then). The oversized shape lends itself well to the whole androgynous look which is so big for A/W '13 and it will work well with trousers and brogues, or boots, as well as dresses. Grazia quite often has a Hobbs discount voucher at the start of each season so if you're tempted, it may be an idea to keep your eyes open for that.


J Crew has this pretty, very ladylike, coat which also comes in petite and tall and costs £312.15 - or slightly more if you need the tall one, which seems grossly unfair to me. It also comes in a colour similar to the Hobbs one above, but is only available in a petite and in a size 0 - so it's probably not one for the masses but someone may do really well out of it as it's in the sale for around £185. (Kylie, if you're reading this, you know where to go for your winter coat).


This is the only picture of the coat that I am dying to see, which is from Topshop and as yet not available (unless someone tells me otherwise).  Again, it's a pretty pale pink with clean lines so it's definitely one to watch.




This pretty pink Marks and Spencer (£99) military style coat is from their plus range and comes in sizes 20 to 28. I like the shaping on this coat - simple and flattering with a revere collar, angled pockets at the waist and it is also single breasted.


Zara (£179) has this masculine style overcoat. It's not dis-similar to the above style but it has less movement in the skirt part of it. There's something about black buttons on a pink coat which always stand out. Personally I prefer buttons the same colour as the coat - but not enough to change the ones on my own coat. Cheery looking soul isn't she?!


For those who prefer something less than a full length coat, Zara has this woollen overcoat for £79.99. It's great for those who perhaps travel a lot sitting down and don't want their coat to get creased, or for those who have fantastic pins. I'm a big fan of playing to your strengths so if great legs are your strength, show them off at every opportunity, cold or not!


Boden (£149) has this Mia coat which is very chic, in a classic Audrey Hepburn type of way. This bubblegum pink is a great colour and I can see it working really well at the weekend with jeans, Chelsea boots and a chunky roll neck jumper.


For a paler than pale pink coat, Reiss (£225) has this blush jacket with a waist tie.  It's a lovely design with clever detailing in the panels. Whilst a waist tie isn't for everyone, it's definitely worth a try.


Being cream, this Jigsaw (£265) coat doesn't really belong in this post but I fell in love with the colour, texture and shape of it, together with the fur collar. As I have mentioned before, all things fluffy, soft and furry are going to be huge this winter (a post on this particular trend will follow) and for me this coat embraces the trend in a very classic 1940's way but with a modern twist, as opposed to a less sophisticated (OK, chavtastic) kind of way. This coat would look amazing at a winter wedding - I just need one to go to now.

I think that this is probably the last time that shorts will be featuring on Style Guile this summer, which is sad if only for the fact that it means that the summer may be coming to an end. However, life moves on, as does fashion, and with the new season approaching, there are plenty of exciting finds for me to bring your way.

If I'm going to have to think about next season, I'm happy to think about this Topshop fluffy boyfriend coat (£89). The bright colour is cheery and the fluffy texture is a huge trend for the season. There will be lots of fur gilets, fur coats, fluffy jumpers and warm, textured pieces, which is great for when it gets colder (ssshhhh).


I found this hot pink sequinned cardigan in Karen Millen at Bicester a couple of weeks ago. I loved it but couldn't justify its existence in my wardrobe, so it may still be there. Not only would this go with brighter coloured pieces for now but it would also work well with black and grey in the winter, or with it being so fitted, with one of the fuller circle style skirts that are starting to appear in the shops.


These lovely bright yellow shoes were in L.K. Bennett at Bicester. The staff there are really great at sending things out if anyone likes them enough to think about buying them. They don't give a refund though - just a credit note. These would look lovely with a smart, slim leg black trouser suit for work, or with ankle length jeans and an oversized grey jumper or sweatshirt, perhaps with the Topshop necklace above, for a more casual look.  These aren't the Sledge shoes, which are the highest the LK Bennett do but either the Shiloh, Sabira, Sybila or Sabrina (how confusing?) and which are lower and easier to walk around in.


For a brighter trouser, Boden has these skinny cropped jeans for £49. I think that it's nice to keep a bit of tanned ankle on show for as long as possible. We're not quite ready for the full length jeans/socks/boots look just yet. They come in a range of colours....


...to include these pink ones too. Personally I would wear them with white, black, navy or grey on top to keep it simple but I have been known to mix two brighter colours together if in the right mood!


If the idea of bright trousers or a bright coat are too much to contemplate, a bright bag is a nice option. These were £75 from Marni at Bicester and come in this great range of colours. If Bicester is a bit too far away, I really like the Canonbury clutch from Boden as an alternative which cost £59.