Morrocan Marant

So now and then I will expand on the drama of the past few months but one of the absolute highlights has been my week of bliss with the Boy in Marrakesh. We've been there many times as some dear friends have a beautiful villa about ten minutes outside of the centre.  I'm also having a "hot hen" party out there in September which I am getting ridiculously excited about. Our trip deserves a post of it's own but it was obviously still in my mind when I perused the Liberty cardholders sale preview at the weekend. 

Liberty has to be one of my most favourite shops in London and although I loathe sale shopping (largely because of other crazy people elbowing me in the face) I found the store surprisingly quiet. I had actually completely forgotten about the sale and had popped there to buy a wedding present, a very large Diptyque Figuier candle. Of course, once you're in, you can't help having a look around and my eye was caught by the beautiful Isabel Marant Beverly dress. Actually, I'm fibbing - I've liked this dress for a while, it was just complete fate that I saw it in the flesh. Fate and the Fashion Gods helped again when the lovely Sales Assistant Alex told me there was 40% off. WoopppEEE! Then DISASTER. They only had a Large left. Tried it on of course but even though I like over sized clothes on myself, especially when they're a boxy cut, but this was slightly too tent like. There this story would have ended, I trotted home with my candle and went to wedding at the weekend but I couldn't stop thinking about the dress so this morning, I cracked and rang Liberty. Maybe, just maybe, one would have come back in a smaller size. After several attempts trying to get through, I made it and they only went and had a Medium!! It might still be massive but it's winging it's way to me right now and I will report back. Keep your fingers crossed for me! x

Once more into breach..

The season is upon us for high class sporting events that we Brits excel at (sort of)! Time for Ascot, Henley, the blooming football, Polo at the Hurlingham, elephant hunting and the one that we limber up for twice a year..SALES!! Now this is the kind of shopping that, in my experience sends boys running for the hills but I revel in it.  If one is canny and doesn't succumb to Primark blindness ("everything's so cheap, I must buy lots of crap I don't need!") then there are bargains to be had.

Preparations must be made, are you going to do a marathon (Selfridges) or a sprint (lunchtime dash to All Saints)? From the comfort of your laptop (less sweaty but you can't try stuff on) or sharpen your elbows and don your flat shoes to bravely strike a path through the racks?  Both approaches have their merits. Net-a-porter and ASOS are wonderful but by golly you have to be quick off the mark to get the good shizzle. Zara can turn out some absolute winners and don't fall for that, "everything we have is out" chat..they have stockrooms and guess what they keep in there..yup, STOCK! Obviously this is the high street I'm talking about but high end sales are even more cut-throat.  In my opinion these are often best avoided and sample sales (often by invite only) are the right way to go here.

The key mantra to remember is FORGET trends.  Sales are a perfect time for buying basics, even expensive basics that you'll wear forever or a decent blazer or jacket in a classic shade.  As tempting as it is to pick up those gold sequin harem pants for £15 in Topshop, take a deep breath and buy the chocolate brown leather blazer from Zara that's £90.  That'll see you through Autumn/ Winter and the British Spring for seasons to come as oppose to accessorizing your tan for about seven days at the tail-end of August when you're out of the country.

Here's a little taster of what your money can get you at the moment, good luck comrades!

Chloe blouse from Net-a-Porter

A catwalk piece from Paul and Joe in timeless taupe.

 

Ladylike, black tweed from Giambattista Valli, get your pearls out! 

Fab, high-waisted indigo skinny jeans from Topshop..can't get the picture for some reason

Great flats from ASOS that'll see you through until Spring next year and the tail end of this Summer

Black high waisted body-con skirt from Whistles.