Hot on the Highstreet Week 66

Moschino’s take on fashion is fun and bold, with wacky patterns, striking prints and a healthy dose of colour. With the addition of the ‘cheap and chic’ range, this desirable designer brand became affordable to younger buyers, and even more on trend.

This seasons Autumn/Winter collection features the fashion capital cities landmarks; New York’s Statue of Liberty, Paris’ Eiffel Tower and for London, a red telephone box. Each are printed as 60’s style shift dresses. Though priced at £440 these fabulous iconic dresses are still way out of my price range, however there is a little something from Moschino this season that is both affordable and desirable - the interchangeable silk and leather strap watches.

This is the most intriguing watch I’ve ever seen, with the option for either a silk scarf strap, or a more classic leather band. Both straps are included, a brilliant two for the price of one offer. There is a range of designs, different colours, materials, patterns, some of the watch faces are even decorated with crystal gemstones. I love several of the designs, and only wish I could mix and match and choose each component separately, but unfortunately each set is already chosen.

With the leather strap this watch is smart and chic, but with the scarf it is transformed into a pretty boho accessory. The scarf can also be worn separately, round your neck, in your hair or tied on a bag - it is multi-purpose. Ranging in price from £92 to £125 these watches are stylish and versatile and certainly a very good designer investment.

Buy online on the Moschino website here. Or on ASOS website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 57

This Monday, with the sales well under way I thought I'd indulge in showing you all a few of my favourite designer buys, all of which have mercifully slashed prices. Working very close to Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Selfridges, the sales are an inevitably tempting time for me. Lunchtimes are spent pining after reduced garments, debating and trying to justify how and if I should buy those (usually unattainable) items.

Of my many favourites, here are my top five:

Marlene Birger leather waistcoast: Danish designer Marlene Birger takes inspiration from the classic styles of the 50’s and 60’s for her timeless, elegant and easy-to-wear designs. The waistcoat, pictured above, is now selling in certain retailers for a snip of the full price. This gorgeous, sleeveless, studded jacket is an absolute steal and will last you forever - only improving with wear. I bought the last one in Harvey Nichols, with a few studs missing - they sold it with a staggering 70% off. Buy online on the M.B website here for £389, originally £635.

T by Alexander Wang collection: if you haven't checked out the Outnet website yet I would urge you to. Their selection of designer clothes and accessories are permanently discounted - mostly half price but often you can find a very reasonable 70 % off bargain! T by Alexander Wang is the fabulous diffusion line devoted to the ‘model off duty’ look, with relaxed tees and slouchy urban style jackets and trousers. It is cheaper and more comfortable than Wang’s main collection. I love the zip-up hoodies and thin racer back tops - they dress down an outfit and are very snug.

Tibi silk outfits: another point to the outnet for their variety of Tibi clothes. Tibi is a New York based designer that focusses on bright colours and vibrant prints. I particularly love the lemon yellow carnival silk shorts, loose and soft for the summer, but with a vital injection of colour, they are now reduced to £82.50 from £165, but here.

Paul Smith ties: thanks to Liberty’s colourful flowery prints, it is now cool for guys to wear feminine patterns... and where better to adopt this look than Paul Smith, the eccentric menswear icon. Last season’s beauties can be found at many department stores as well as the P.S outlets, with some ties selling at half the original £75 pricetag. The perfect gift to give your man a little bit of flower power. Buy in store at Harvey Nichols.

Missoni for Havaianas flip-flops: always fancied yourself a striped piece of Missoni but never had the cash? Your luck might be about to change...Missoni have teamed up with the popular flip flop company Havaianas to create a few pairs of must have summer sandals in wacky techicoloured prints... I am desperate for a pair. There are not in the sale, but at £45-60 I doubt you’ll find Missoni anywhere else cheaper. Buy on Net-a-porter here.

Resist the temptation of designer all season so that you can reward yourself in the sales. I think these items and designers are worth investing in.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 21

You may be too young to remember the days when sweets were quaintly packaged in stripey pink paper bags. I can just about recall placing my carefully chosen portion of pick’n’mix in one. When I was at primary school, my siblings and I had ‘sweetie day’ on Friday. Our granny would pick us up from our respective schools, and we’d rush excitedly to the corner shop on Southfield Road in Chiswick. The weekly trials and tribulations for my poor granny are quite hilarious in retrospect.

Now you can relive your childhood sweetie experiences in style through Natthakur’s inventive leather accessories, with designs that mimic sweetshop bags, grocery bags and brown paper bags. This collection is called ‘The Reusable Range’ and considers the notion of disposability. Designer Natalie Thakur’s hopes to ‘recreate designs in leather to not only bring longevity to the designs by turning something cheap into something with perceived value, but also to expose the simplicity of the pieces as art objects.’

The sweetie-style make-up bag is made from the finest leather, like all Natthakur’s accessories. It comes in pink (definitely grooviest) and black. It costs £28 and can be bought online here. As well as oozing retro style it is sure to stand out in a messy handbag. Also worth a quick mention are the lovely little coin purses costing £30 (see image above).

Dare I say it... one of Natthakur’s products would make a great stocking filler!

Hot on the Highstreet Week 9

I find it really difficult to buy nice, suitable boots. It’s unfortunate that at most shoe shops you get bombarded with the exasperatingly ugly UGG boots, which you have to fight your way through to discover some decent shoes. Avoid UGGs - they are expensive and unflattering and worst of all, make you look like EVERYONE else!

Hudson is a London based company that strives to create ‘innovative, directional’ footwear. In 2004 they launched ‘H by Hudson’, their rebellious younger range. Hudson has a reputation for its fashion forward vision, offering shoes that are high quality and long lasting.

So I present to you H by Hudson’s Starley Multi Strap ankle boot. These sturdy little booties are ruggedly hip, they will look good with skinny jeans or floral dresses. Although casual in style Hudson’s boots are made from good quality suede and leather which allows them to be smart if they need to be. The Starley Multi Straps have just hit the shop floors and are selling out fast. Available in two colours – tan and brown, I prefer the lighter tan option (see above).

At £130 they are something to save up for, but will wear beautifully with age and should last you a while. They are available in shoe shops everywhere, but a little tip – if you are a student go to Office and you will receive 10% off (that’s a whole £13!)

Visit the Hudson website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 4

Hello summer sales! There is so much to choose from this week ... I have decided on French Connection's Moroccan Suede bag. Reduced from £160 to £80, this bag is a real bargain.

I am a sucker for designer handbags, but this French Connection beauty caught my eye. It is made from good quality soft suede and has nice stud details that make it look much more high end designer than highstreet. It comes in black, pink and blue. My favourite is the pink, a bright and yet sophisticated colour that would perfectly complete an evening summer outfit.

This bag also comes in a leather option, also nice and even cheaper at £57. If you can't quite afford a Mulberry or Balenciaga I would say French Connection's Moroccan Suede bag is the next best thing.

Buy here.