Trend: Boardroom Bondage

If there was ever a trend to get me a little hot under the collar, it was bound to be bondage (if you'll pardon the pun). I need little persuading when it comes to pencil skirts, precarious stilettos, leather and a conservative smattering of hardware, all distilled down into something office-appropriate, I should add! Watching the Louis Vuitton A/W 2011 show earlier this year, I couldn't wait to see this trend making its way to the high street, although I'm not sure I could ever make thigh high boots and a sheer skirt work in the boardroom!

One of my all-time favourite fashion shows was Gucci S/S 2001, when fashion's King of fetish, Mr Tom Ford sent Kate Moss down the runway in some of the most perfect dresses I can imagine. Warehouse produced some similarly tailored dresses that year, one of which was happily snapped up for my 19th birthday. Yep, I caught the bondage bug early...



















So, how to take bondage from runway to real life and stay stylish rather than street-walker? If you're taking this trend to the office, the key is not to show too much skin and to go for quality fabrics and good tailoring. If, like me, you're happy living in black, go for layers and a range of textures to give the look some depth and stay warm. Zips and studs are great details, but anything too heavy is best saved for a night out. My very conservative colleagues think my black leather Tory Burch bracelet with gold studs marks me out as a pervert, whereas I think it's pretty simple!





























Here are my pick of the best pieces for a chic take on the fetish trend: the first one blows the budget, and the second are the more purse-friendly high street pieces. I probably wouldn't wear these entire looks to the office, but switch the leather jacket out for a simple black blazer and take away the gloves and you'd probably persuade me. I know what you're thinking...!

Luxe



Clockwise from top left: Chloe Marcie bag - £1025; Helmut Lang leather dress - £810; Rick Owens leather and mohair jacket - £1005; Dominic Jones black gold ring - £265; Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses - £400; Christian Louboutin Pigalle studded pumps - £695; Burberry waist belt - £295; Valentino studded leather gloves - £255 (All available at net-a-porter.com)

High street



Clockwise from top left: Miss Selfridge stud earrings - £8; Miss Selfridge leather and suede dress - £90; Topshop quilted leather jacket - £180; Miss Selfridge Sicily platforms - £50; ASOS feather clutch bag - £25; Dents leather and wool gloves (available from ASOS) - £38; Mango Barbados sunglasses (available from ASOS) - £23

Which look do you prefer? High end or high street?

Style: Winter Boots

I returned from sunny Mallorca yesterday: 30 degree heat meant that I've spent the past seven days in a bikini. Waking up this morning, I put on my favourite red pencil dress, a pair of black courts, rounded off with a camel mac and my Raybans. No tights, no gloves, no scarf. Big mistake! This evening, therefore, was dedicated to restocking my winter wardrobe, which started with these, ahem, practical boots.

I know, I know, the suede won't work with the rain/snow, and neither will the heels, but they're just so darn cute. Tomorrow's outfit with be a nod to 60s style icon and star of The Avengers, the gorgeous Emma Peel. Black roll neck sweater, black mini skirt, black tights and the boots. And before bed, I must, must, must dig out the leather gauntlets and chunky scarf. Winter is officially here!

Inspiration: Lindsey Wixson

I can't believe it was July when I last posted. Bad!

I'm looking out of the window at a beautiful, crisp autumn day, and my thoughts are very much fixed on crunching through golden leaves in the park and making the most of what's left of the weekend. I go on holiday on Wednesday, and despite my love of cool, bright autumn days, I must confess that the lure of 80 degree heat is not lost on me.

I'll be jetting off with the obligatory stack of fashion magazines, as the heat wave we experienced last week has pushed my winter wardrobe shopping back as late as it's ever been. I'm certainly not the type who can ever be motivated to haul on a heavy coat when the weather outside is sunglasses and sandals-worthy. And that's where Ms Wixson comes in. There is no way in hell I'll manage to look as cute as this throughout the rainy, cold British winter, but it's certainly what I'm aspiring to. Her makeup is utterly stunning, the clothes chic yet with an adorable quirky twist. Love, love, love.

Image courtesy of hanneli.com