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My sartorial segueway into Autumn
Raising a glass to savvy investment buys and September style
I like nice things as much as the next gal’. More specifically, I‘ve been told have expensive taste (eeeek)! This is fine when the price-tag is attainable, but most often it’s a sartorial case of my eyes are bigger than my tummy. Said another way, I often can’t afford the stuff I ‘want’ and therefore ‘need’. Ladies – can you relate?
So, as a means of survival I’ve become adept at hunting for the perfect investment piece while avoiding the horror of rifling through Sale rails. Some women thrive on the buzz of the Sale rail; while others – including myself – would rather go without than see beautiful product tossed around like the reduced shelf at Waitrose. When it comes to savvy shopping, I get my dopamine hit from knowing that I’ve just found a unique, beautiful addition to my wardrobe and a timeless investment item. It’s a case of searching off-piste and knowing what quality and eternal style look like amid the abundance of trend-led tat’ (sometimes no other word will suffice!). To be able to decipher between a bargain purchase – in terms of original RRP and selling price – and a bargain investment in the long-term sense is a finely honed skill. A savvy style steal is only a ‘bargain’if the purchase promises longevity and staying power. In other words, if it’s not a whimsical, short-lived sugar-rush fix followed by a ‘why did I buy this?’ mental crash. We’re talking low-GI, sustainable shopping here. I remember one stunning black stretch bodycon dress I bought from Karen Millen a few years ago, just as Spring was springing and the LBD season was effectively over. It’s classic, classy, flattering and effortlessly chic and – at less than 50% it’s RRP – I knew I’d scored a shopping success which felt like a smug secret.
The location of my latest coup was Not on the High Street (NOTHS) – a retail mecca for expertly curated, premium product with personality, provenance and panache – and involved a high value purchase in terms of its problem-solving capability, practicality and effortless class.
Looking for something transitional to update my look in the dying days of Summer and the advent of Autumn – as the prospect of revisiting my autumn wardrobe gives me that annual frisson – I knew I’d scored when I found the Pimlico clutch from London designer Nadia Minkoff . In black and beige, 100% genuine leather, large enough to carry my essential clutter and featuring an intelligent interior design plus the signature tassel, it’s also sufficiently simple to deliver a clean, classy transition to September. Bearing in mind my wardrobe, it was a no-brainer to get my hands on this beauty, which was also reduced to £79 from £108 on the brand’s own site!
For Gin ‘O’ Clock at the Papermakers Arms – a swanky gastro pub in Sevenoaks, I decided to team it with my ever reliable failsafe Whistles smock dress from SS16, together with some black wedge sandals from Cara London . Planning a bank holiday weekend away, versatility would be key to choosing what to bring, so being able to also pair the clutch with an Aztec print stretch Lycra dress from Oui was very helpful for she who does not travel light.
I love nothing better than sharing a shopping secret when I find one and, as such, my style muse mother is also now the proud owner of the Pimlico Clutch in cognac and beige which, is currently being acquainted with the South East coast and yachting life in West Mersea, Essex.
As shopping victories go, the Pimlico clutch on NOTHS scores big time. This cheeky purchase is a great example of spotting quality when you see it and compromising on absolutely nothing.
With thanks to Melissa Wheeler
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