Zara's Trendy Winter Coats 2013

Get the Designer Look for Less
With Winter Coats by Zara

All those luxurious designer coats we coveted from the F/W13 catwalks aren't as far away from reality as we think. Luckily, we can always rely on Zara to create an accessible and more affordable equivalent of every overpriced out-of-reach chic coat we've seen in window displays of those swanky upmarket boutiques. Below are the seasons trendiest coats - the original deluxe designer pieces and their very worthy replicas by Zara.

Which of these Zara coats are on your winter wishlist?
Do you think any of them are worth buying the original?

Pastel Winter Coats 2013

Arguably one of the biggest winter trends this year is the pastel pink coat. But if you haven't quite taken to the syrupy sweet charms of this colour, there are other pastel shaded coats that are bound to brighten up dull cold days. I find these romantic macaron hues a refreshing exit from the all blacks, beiges and browns we're used to seeing for Fall. I recently came across a beautiful candy coloured editorial by the New York Times T Magazine, which inspired me to find a well-priced coat to match each of it's designer equivalents.


Blush Rose 

The Inspiration: Double layered rose pink Dior coats and white neck scarf, styled with Nina Ricci gloves, a Giorgio Armani bag and Bottega Veneta shoes.
The Investment Piece: A bonbon pink belted collarless coat by Jil Sander at Stylebop. $1609
On A Budget: A pale pink masculine studio overcoat by Zara. $299


Cool Mint

The Inspiration: An Emilio Pucci spearmint woolen coat, tied around the waist by LaCrasia gloves, with a leather Proenza Schouler bag in the background. 
The Investment Piece: A menthe green wool-silk Emilio Pucci cocoon coat at Stylebop. $3189
On A Budget: A mint green lapel double pocket wool coat at SheInside. $49


Baby Blue

The Inspiration: A baby blue jacket and skirt by Opening Ceremony, with a matching Mugler hood, complimented by Sermoneta gloves, a Reed Krakoff bag and Proenza Schouler shoes.
The Investment Piece: A classic duck egg blue wool coat by Chloé at Far Fetch. $1381
On A Budget: A powder blue 'Premium' boyfriend overcoat at Topshop. $250


Faded Lilac

The Inspiration: A lilac leather Proenza Schouler coat and matching skirt, with a Salvatore Ferragamo bag in the background and gloves by LaCrasia.
The Investment Piece: A lavender Burberry knitted merino wool coat. Burberry online. $2415
On A Budget: Lilac 'Camille' trench coat with double breasted black buttons at Nasty Gal. $88


Butter Cream

The Inspiration: An ivory Bottega Veneta coat with high standing collar and exaggerated hip pleating. It is accessorized with Mikimoto necklaces, LaCrasia gloves and a Cartier watch.
The Investment Piece: A Rodarte 'vault sculp' barrel coat in cream with asymmetrical collar and scallop-edged belt at Far Fetch. $3190
On A Budget: Four Seasons 'City Mac' champagne coat with high-pleated collar & belted waist. John Lewis. £90


Which pastel coloured coat will you be wearing this season?

Blazing Up

I have to admit that I am slightly, somewhat...okay I am seriously addicted to blazers. Just when you think you have enough of them, you find another and another and with so many beautiful prints and trendy shades in stores, it's impossible to pick just one ten. They are incredibly versatile and perfect for in-between seasons and cooler summer evenings. Worn over jeans, dresses, skirts and tights, they can glam-up or simmer down any outfit. 

These are 25 more blazers that I would love to add to my wardrobe.

Floral Prints

1. You Sent Me Blazer, Finders Keepers, £195. 2. Floral draped blazer, LOFT, $90. 3. Tropical print blazer, Jane Norman.co.uk, £7. 4. Chelsea print blazer, MinkPink, $65. 5. Garden Rose blazer, Forever 21, $32.80. 6. Flower print blazer, Forever 21, $30.

Striped

7. Black Ponte striped blazer, Oasis-stores.com, £45. 8. Black and white striped blazer, Zara, $129. 9. Red and white striped blazer, Veryeickhof.com, €160.

Animal Inspired

10. Leopard print blazer, Jolie Moi.co.uk, £45. 11. Botanical Bird printed blazer, Fashion Union.com £30. 12. Digital Houndstooth print blazer, Mango, £29.99. 13. Yumi black and white bird print blazer, New Look.com, £55.

Brights

 14. Cobalt blue blazer, Awear.com, £45. 15. Red peplum blazer, Amazon.com, $46. 16. Lime green lace blazer, Therapy at House of Fraser, £45. 17. Tangerine blazer, Mango, £35. 18. Sunshine yellow Charlie blazer, Forever New.co.au, $89.95. 

19. Cerise pink blazer, H&M, $34.95.

Pastels

20. Pale pink waterfall blazer, New Look.com, £25. 21. Lilac Spring Fling Blazer, NastyGal.com, $34. 22. Cream tailored blazer, River Island, $90. 23. Peach Costa Blanca oversized blazer, Asos.com, $76. 24. Mint green blazer, H&M, £30. 

25. Powder Blue blazer, NastyGal.com, $68.

I have to dash off to my Blazer Addicts Anonymous meeting. 
Which one of these go on your Spring wishlist?

Winter Coats - The 2012 Trend Edition

The one fashion item we can always rely on in winter is a chic and trendy coat. Not only do they keep us warmly wrapped up, but they also add instant glamour when tossed over any cozily layered outfit (some of which we would rather not have anyone see). This season, designers have spelt out a number of great coat trends...from puffy quilted coats to prim military jackets, oversized cocoon shaped coats to boxy blazers. 

As most of us would heed serious caution before swiping our credit cards for a $2000 Jil Sander coat, we have the high street retail brands to thank for their splendid renditions of these designer duds. These are Winter 2012's biggest coat trends, where we all can achieve the 'Luxury Look For Less'.

Which winter coat trend are you most willing to try out?


*All items found via Polyvore.com. Some prices have been converted to USD on todays exchange rate.

Tailored Blazers by Mlle Epaulette

My current wardrobe 'Must Have' has to be the trendy tailored blazer; and while we've stocked up on the classic neutrals, floral prints, pastels and brights, fashion label Mlle Epaulette has taken a more glamourous and polished approach to the trend. The creative concept of Lebanese designer Remi Sabbah, Mlle Epaulette sets itself apart from the usual run-of-the-mill brands by placing exclusivity on constructing chic and tailored blazers.

For Winter 2012, Sabbah employs the luxury and opulence of sequins, Swarovski crystals, animal prints, velvet and satin in her exquisite collection. Sharp cuts, eye-catching colours and cropped at just the right length, these swanky tuxedo coats are flattering to every figure. A dazzling addition to that little black party dress or why not upstyle a simple t-shirt and pair of jeans with one of these irresistibly elegant pieces.

 Choose from blue or pink sequins for a New Years Eve affair

Indulge in the splendid sheen of metallic crocodile print paillettes or navy velvet 

Glam up in a pink animal print velvet and satin jacket or sparkle in black sequins 

Take a walk on the wild side in a sequined snake print blazer or add a sophisticated touch to office wear with a creme satin coat.

 Be bold and experiment with beautiful hues of fuchsia and purple satin

Get studded with Swarovski crystals in a vivid orange satin or velvet zebra print blazer.

You can view the full Mlle Epaulette collection on their website, where you will also find a Store locator. Prices range from $297 to around $457. 
I have my eye on the pink satin and black sequined blazer, how about you? 


*All images are copyrighted to Mlle Epaulette

Jessica Alba's Biker Street Style

Always one to initiate a trend, Jessica Alba's closet staple this fall is a chic black leather biker jacket. The stunning actress takes her sophisticated styling to the streets of New York this October, being photographed in her Ralph Lauren Leather Davidson jacket on numerous occasions. Her luxurious leather coat costs a staggering €3990, and she's demonstrated many different ways of styling it with other high end designer separates. Jessica favors her Proenza Schouler sling bag, vibrant prints in trousers and skirts with tank tops and minimal accessories. Fortunately we can achieve the same look for a lot less. These are some affordable ensembles inspired by the leather biker street style of Ms Alba.

Studded leather jacket, £65/$105 at Topshop.com Electric blue bow belted trousers, £35/$56 by Mango. White French Connection tank top, £25/$40 at johnlewis.com Quilted and studded messenger bag with tassel detail, £35/$56 at riverisland.com Flat studded toe-cap ballet pumps, £28/$45 at Asos.com

Leather biker with gold hardware, £45/$72 at Mango.com Pastel bird print chiffon skirt, £15/$24 at Topshop. Fitted black tank top with sheer mesh yoke, £7.99/$13 at H&M Chain-handle crossbody bag with gold metal motif, £16/$26 at Awear.com Two-tone metallic glitter sandals, $49.95 by Lulu Townsend via dsw.com

Tailored leather look biker coat, $138 via Romwe. Floral ombre print cotton trousers, $37 from she inside.com Black sleeveless ribbon spike peplum top, £22/$35 from bankfashion.co.uk Strappy two-tone leather and double buckle heels by Guess, $85 via heels.com Gold stud mini messenger bag, $80 by Zara.

Collarless cropped leather biker jacket, £55/$88 at Topshop. Multi-tonal floral print pants with slight sheen, $34.95 from H&M Anomalous long-sleeved black top with asymmetrical hem, $44.99 via Romwe.com Classic 'Primrose Hill Little Kaelin' sling bag, $318 by Katespade.com Mossimo Kessa wedge heel ankle boot with decorative leather straps, $35 from Target.com

Are you inspired to try out any of Jessica's outfits? 
How would you style your leather biker look?

Who Wore The Mint Green Blazer Better?

Who Wore It Better?

A.L.C Mint Green Blazer

You know that pastel blazers are the next big thing for Spring, when it's been spotted on not one, but three stylish celebutantes all in the span of two weeks. The mint green 'Zoe' blazer from A.L.C is a collarless wool blended piece, with black lapels and front flap pockets. It was the jacket of choice for these three ladies this month...

Ashanti was out promoting her new single at the Power 99 iHeart Radio theatre. The R&B singer brought the quirky side out of her A.L.C blazer, wearing it with a pair of Rag & Bone colour-blocked skinny jeans. The white wash jeans are painted with 'glass panels' of different colours - orange, mint and pink. A light pink collared shirt and sky high nude Giuseppe Zanotti platform heels finish off her look.

Kaley Cuoco attended the Academy of Television's Annual Hall of Fame Gala wearing the same minty fresh blazer. 'The Big Bang Theory' actress teamed the tailored blazer with an all-black ensemble; including a black tank top, leather leggings, black clutch and ankle boots.

Kim Kardashian, unlike the other two (who picked it out for public appearances), wore her blazer while out at the gas station filling up her Ferrari. Kim looked sleek in a black tee, Siwy black skinny jeans and gorgeous lace-up & cut-out Christian Louboutin suede 'Lagassi' pumps. 

The A.L.C 'Zoe' blazer sells for $695 at Barneys.com

As for who wore it best, maybe it's those heels...but I'm giving it to Kim. She brought a simple sophistication to this look. Isn't it strange how Kim's casual wear is everyone else's 'event' wear? What are your thoughts?

Who Wore The Fay Trench Coat Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Fay Metropolitan Folie Trench

It's Pippa Middleton vs Kylie Minogue on this version of 'Who Wore It Better?'. The Brit it-chick and the Aussie songstress were spotted in the same trench coat on the streets of London this week. Their black belted trench coat with cream piping is by clothing brand Fay. 

Left: Pippa wore her trench over a black and white dress, with a cream handbag, large sunnies and cream pumps.

Right: Kylie looked chic wearing her Fay Folie trench with black skinny trousers, a black handbag and high black heels.

I can't decide on who wore it better because I think both ladies are spot on with their choice of styling. Do you agree?

Who Wore the Isabel Marant Jacket Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Isabel Marant Reilly Jacket

When a $3495 jacket is sold out everywhere, you know that it must be truly special. In ZAR terms, that's R24 124. The Isabel Marant Reilly Jacket has made frequent rounds of Hollywood and beyond during the past few months.

The multicolored cropped jacket has an upholstered look to it, which reminds me of the finely embroidered Rajasthani coats I saw while visiting Jaipur. The front-closure, sleeves and neckline are edged with either blue or red and white beads. The fabric is transposed from light to dark, with v-shaped panels on the sides. It has a tailored fit with slightly exaggerated shoulders. With the kaleidoscope of muted colours incorporated into this jacket, it can be worn with so many different things.

Country singer Julianne Hough wore it with an army green tee, dark wash jeans and wedges.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley paired her jacket with a black t-shirt and skinny jeans. She added a floppy brown hat and suede boots to her look.
Hilary Duff was spotted wearing the jacket this week. She wore it with black skinnies and a black t-shirt. She walked in sky-high black stilettos. 
Brit model & WAG, Alex Curran Gerrad wore her Reilly Jacket with lightwash flare denims, a loose white t-shirt and large cream tote.
Austrian stylist Caroline Sieber looks ultra cool with dark skinny jeans, white fitted tee, platform sandals and a striped bag.

As for who wore it best, my pick is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She styled it perfectly. 
Who's your favourite?