5 Autumn Heroes

Paid partnership with Nordgreen (15% off with code FIFI)

Something about this time of year really feels like, excuse the pun, the turn of a new leaf. The air is crisper, the nights are darker and I personally could not be more delighted to see Seventies styling making yet another comeback. With schools and nurseries back and slightly more time on my hands I feel imbued with a new found fancy for dressing up and indulgences like bags and watches are back on my radar. So I rounded up my autumn top five below and with any luck you might just have some of them lurking in your wardrobe already…

THE WATCH

Is there anything more classic than a great watch? Just imagine wondering what time it is and NOT reaching for your mobile phone. There is something so very refined about a good timepiece. Let me introduce you to Nordgreen – a wonderful sustainable brand from Copenhagen. The watches are minimal and timeless in design and I love that they come in a selection of sizes (I went for the 32mm face and it is so ladylike).

The more I got to know about Nordgreen the more I grew to love them – the sustainable packaging is made of FSC-certified cartons & up-cycled plastic bottles, the manufacturing is responsible and every purchase is part of the Giving Back Programme meaning when you purchase one watch they provide 1 month of clean water to a family in Africa or 2 months of free education to children in India or support the fund for preserving 200 sq ft of rain forest in Latin America.

I am delighted to have partnered with Nordgreen and to be able to offer a 15% discount on any purchase with the code FIFI – I am wearing the Native 32mm in black leather but the gold mesh and brown leather styles are also favourites.

SHOP THE NORDGREEN COLLECTION HERE

15% off any purchase with code FIFI

THE BAG

I must confess that months went by where I did not pick up a bag. I simply had no need. But, more recently, the odd venture out has seen me reaching for this – the most perfect crossbody bag I ever did see. Strathberry is a brilliant Scottish brand, hailing from Edinburgh, and the quality of their bags is second to none. A tan leather bag is, to me, the ultimate classic – the colour spans the seasons and is universally flattering whilst the adjustable strap of this style, the Lana Nano Bucket bag, means it should cover all your needs.

This little baby is something of an investment but if you want something similar for less then take a look at this guy from Jigsaw or this option from Mango which are both genuine leather also.

THE MAXI DRESS

Urgh this dress… one fateful day I received that email, you know the type… the one that screams ‘The Bella dress is back in stock’ or something similar that has you adding to basket and checking out before you have even checked your bank balance. But I have hankered after this Sézane dress for months. Maxi dresses are my jam. Maxi SHIRT dresses are even better. The ways to wear them and layer them are endless and the slightly flared shape of this beauty is perfect. Naturally she sold out within hours (only cementing my notion that I had indeed ‘done the right thing’) but there are some floating around on ebay and this Free People number or this Boden option offer a similar feel. Or perhaps, like me (cough, cough, did NOT need another one), you already have one lurking in your wardrobe? Well… Dig. Her. Out.

THE LEATHER BLAZER

Ah this blazer. She has been with me for over a decade. Since 2003 in fact. I inherited her from a friend many moons ago and I shall likely never part with her (or the friend for that matter – friends who share leather blazers are keepers yes?). It is no secret than I am a big supporter of leather jackets but the blazer style is just that little bit different. I scoured the internet and this one from Mint Velvet is a very close match but, honestly, one of the best ways to shop leather jackets is second hand. Leather does not really age or degrade the way other fabrics might and is often very expensive brand new. Ebay and Vestiaire are good starting points (this Tory Burch one is gorgeous and only £80).

THE KNEE HIGHS

I could not be happier to be able to wear these boots again. No sooner had they come into my my life last winter than I had sustained a toddler tantrum related injury which resulted in an ankle the size of a thigh and zero chance of these boots going on – I tried – zero chance. What with my serious aversion to tights, knee highs provide that extra layer of warmth when the temperatures begin to drop and they fit perfectly with the whole Seventies vibe going on right now. This Ted Baker pair are on sale now and have very few sizes remaining but I found these from & Other Stories which are almost identical in shape or this option from Office at what appears to be a wonderful price for genuine leather boots.