Shaken not Stirred

Well its not just Doris that’s been causing a stir this week, there’s been a fresh drop of oh so sumptuous Scotch & Soda in HQ. In contrast to the cruel mistress that had our hair plastered to our lippy, this seasonal shift is most definitely welcome…

A trip to WSd HQ is the perfect substitute to a holiday to the Bahamas thanks to this bomber jacket, which offers a touch of tropical paradise. The combination of leopard print sleeves and a botanical print body will transport you to the depths of an enchanted rainforest with every wear. Style a la Sarah and team with the Scotch & Soda white silky tee, Vero Moda biker seven pants (£44) and the Veja V10 Pekin Authentico kicks.

The magic garden vibe continues with this sheer floral shirt which will be the answer to your ‘jeans and a nice top’ dilemma. Don’t be put off by the slight opacity, just reduce the risqué factor and team with a Love Stories intimate bralette for a playfully printed piece that provides full coverage.

Scotch & Soda know how to do casual and the latest collection is a dream for laid-back weekend dressing. Take the French Tank Top that stands by its literal translation and goes with “absolutely” everything. The cotton racer back features the words ‘Tout a Tait” and offers the irresistibly classic combination of black and white stripes and a tantalising dash of red. A fabulous flat lay from our Maz proves how to take this versatile tank to the next level- simply team with the Love Stories Nash bra, your fave skinnies and the Moda in Pelle Chiara heels.

The pleated skirt is no longer a ‘trend’ but a firmly established sartorial savior. If you’ve been unsure about how to approach this brave new world of skirts then look no further than the gorgeous copper pleated midi from Scotch & Soda. Counteract the swish and shine of the metallic pleats with a cool sweat like the mini-artwork or basic sweater for a simple way to do ‘dressed up’ without being too much.

With such unpredictable weather, layering options are as crucial as ever. This printed dress is a worthy investment as it’s sure to take you through every season.  Team this silky number with a fine roll neck, opaques and Chelsea boots now for a spring look with guaranteed warmth. When the summer rolls around, all this needs is a pair of sandals and leisurely St Tropez lunches.

Every girl needs a reliable blazer and this printed drapey design will be your saviour for those days where there's a nip in the air but you want to dress for spring. 

Are you suitably swooning? The WSd angels are coveting all of these looks-with such an incredible palette of colors, graphics and prints, there’s a piece for every style. Pop into store to see the full collection!

Rachel x

Peace-out 2016

Welcome to the last What Sarah did... blog of 2016! What a year it’s been, from Brexit to Bake-off, to Bowie, there’s certainly been some highs and lows. To end the year with some positive vibes, we’re sharing our top picks of the EPIC WSd sale so you can start 2017 with a style savvy bang....

The Striped Shirt

Iconic and timeless, the Breton stripe is something that should feature in every woman’s wardrobe. The Scotch & Soda Breton top (now £48) will become your off-duty staple for seasons to come as well as a go-to top for every occasion, day or night! Go bold and team this humble hero with a clashing print or keep it simple with your favourite skinnies and a pair of leopard print flats.

The Little Black Dress

The oh so wonderful Audrey Hepburn made the LBD famous in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s and it’s become one of fashion’s most evolving trends ever since. Variations of the timeless classic have been showcased in WSd over the years but the MINKPINK Valley of the Vine dress (was £70, now £56) is a contemporary update on the usually fitted dress. The split bell sleeves add a touch of glam to your winter look while come the summer they’ll take on an ethereal vibe. Wear now with cosy tights and heels or rock this beauty in the warmer months with bare legs and your favourite summer wedge or sandal.

The Boot

‘Winter boots’ is a bit of a blanket term and as soon as it’s mentioned at the turn of the season it sparks panic across the high street with everyone trying to find the perfect pair! Well we have the perfect pick of trans-seasonal boots that will ensure your strut has an added touch of smugness and sass all year round! The Hudson Mirla suede tan boot (was £150, Now £90) will be your saviour month after month. When the frost starts to thaw, tan brings a fresh look and these beauties will look great with ditzy summer dresses, white jeans and lighter denim. While there’s still a chill in the air, team with the MINKPINK teddy bear coat for neutral luxe.

The Trainer

Comfy kicks were the unwavering trend of 2016 and they’re not going anyway in the year ahead. We’ve fallen back in love with the shoe that previously only made an appearance on the treadmill, so much so that we’re channelling them with smart looks and even work wear.- who’d have thought it?!  Veja is our coveted trainer brand in store and what’s even better than the brand’s dreamy designs is their ethical credentials. Whether you love the metallic look, classic white kicks or a bit of colour, there’s a trio of dreamy trainers in store that all have a rather seductive sale ticket attached!

Pencil Power

A pencil skirt is a must-have in every woman’s sartorial stake hold and whether it’s for work or play it’s a wardrobe classic that you’ll wear forever. Denim is an ideal solution to the dilemma of mid-season and the MINKPINK long line denim skirt is a timeless classic.  Hitting the mid-calf, this beauty creates an oh so sexy silhouette that can be re-worked in a variety of ways. Balance proportions and team with loose-fitting sweat like the Scotch and Soda embroidered sweater for a casual day time look or pair with the MINKPINK military shirt for a dressier vibe.

There is so much fabness in the mighty WSd sale so head to HQ to take a closer look!

Whether you choose slippers or heels tonight, have a truly wonderful New Year’s Eve!

Happy New Year beauties!

Rachel x

Empire State of Mind

So I didn’t really mention it beforehand but for anyone that didn’t know I’ve just touched down from five fabulously festive days in the big apple. Ha ok… so from the moment I found out I was heading to the city that LITERALLY never sleeps, I may as well have dangled a pretzel in the face of anyone who would listen (namely poor Saz and Maz)!

Before I knew it I was sitting on a plane in my treasured and dreamily comfortable Kooples joggers and the MINKPINK ‘Some Place’ tee (£28) all set for a magical city that I had only ever imagined with the help of Home Alone 2. Well with the Sex & The City movie playing on my little TV and a glass of fizz in hand I was ready to take notes from Miss Bradshaw on the concrete jungle that awaited me…

Of course I had already done my research on this wonderful city and among the ‘Must see NYC’ and ’20 ultimate things to do in NYC’ guides, there’s countless articles entitled ‘How to dress like a New Yorker’… I find it hard to believe the latter is a guide many refer to, as refreshingly this melting pot of a city doesn’t seem to have any set style rules, but in between bagels and Broadway I noticed a few sartorial standouts…

It’s bloody cold but oh my does New York know how to embrace the chill. This city truly comes into its own in the winter with ice-skating, twinkly lights and the scent of roasted chestnuts filling the air. At the top of my packing list was a warm coat, boring it may be but after merrily bumbling along through our mild British winter in my Rains jacket, I hadn’t quite anticipated how grateful I would be for a down filled number. Of course at every turn you could spot a Moncler or a Canada Goose but without a shadow of doubt, a Vero Moda beauty would have looked just as worthy on 5^th Avenue. The Betsie Parka (£84) is filled with a combination of down and sleeping bag technology so it’s not heavy like a full down coat (perfect for packing) yet still traps the air for extra warmth.   The multiple pockets are a must for storing your phone in between snaps, while the faux fur adds a hint of luxe to this functional style.

Pretty much all of the major sights of NY are outdoors and with the thrill of these iconic wonders come photos, but if you’ve only brought one coat then that holiday blues Facebook album will look like you did the city in a day. My top tip is to mix things up with different scarfs to vary your look. I brought last year’s Vero Moda blanket scarf, which not only doubled up as a cosy wrap on the plane but also created a snuggly cocoon when temperatures plummeted. Check out this year’s beautiful pink and grey versions (£26). It can also be a real faff piling winter gear on and off in between the sensations of the city but a lighter number like the Becksöndergaard Sivel (£65) is a welcoming bundle of warmth thanks to a wool and cashmere blend yet without the heaviness of a big scarf.

I noticed that true New Yorkers didn’t seem to be channelling the same Michelin man style layering a la tourists, yet they also weren’t exhibiting any teeth chattering movements either- I mean how does that correlate? Well I assumed prime position at the top of the Empire State to soak up the architecture suss out the street style of these apparently untouchable locals. My findings were blinking obvious really-it is all about clever dressing. First stop is gloves and whether you’re enjoying a fleeting taste of the American dream or you’re living it, you’ll constantly be clutching your phone, albeit for photos or the latest news. Fingerless gloves are a must and these Becksöndergaard dreamboats (£22) are super functional but will gain you major street cred from the multi-tasking moguls of the city.

 From uptown to downtown, leather jackets were never out of place and one thing New Yorkers know how to do when it’s freezing outside is layer!! For an authentic Manhattan look, team your leather jacket with the Scotch & Soda wool poncho, which drapes elegantly across the body. Use the metal star pin to secure this super warm graphic print beauty and to reinstate your super fabulous shape, which can often be lost through layering.  I teamed my MINKPINK Sunday Jacket (£58) with a black roll neck for a morning in Bloomingdales but for optimum layering complete the look with your leather jacket to introduce different lengths to your look. 

 Whether you’re clocking up the miles in Central Park or you’re perusing The Met, you’ll need comfortable footwear. From my NY observations, beauty is not pain and despite what Gossip Girl may lead you to believe the heels aren’t as high as the skyscrapers. Trainers were the most popular choice from block to block and the Veja copper Esplar leather kicks (£82) are a luxe trophy trainer that will gain you the approval of the ultimate Brooklyn babe. 

One thing you’ll never catch a New York woman without is her handbag. The Amette bag (£109) from Becksöndergaard is made from super soft goat leather and also abides by New York’s cardinal style decree that ‘black is the new black’.

I also used the Becksöndergaard Louella Toullier tote weekender (£32) for travelling, which proved to be perfect for holding all the essentials for an eight-hour flight.

The biggest lesson I learnt from this wonderfully vibrant city is that confidence is the secret to style. The pavement is a New Yorker’s catwalk and from the Bronx to Brooklyn, it’s clear that Sarah’s motto of ‘it’s not what you wear, its how you wear it’ is going transatlantic.

Rachel x