The Trench Coat

I know we are getting out of the season for coats and the jackets are coming out. But I have had my eyes on this beautiful pale pink, lightweight belted truster (trench coat/duster coat) from Topshop for quite some time now. 

I first purchased this coat in a size 6 from the normal range. I am not a size 6 (I wish) but this coat is meant to be oversized and after reading some reviews on the website I decided that opting for a size down would be the best option. When it arrived it was like love at first sight, but there was one flaw, the length. Why do I have to have short legs, sometimes it is such an issue. It looked beautiful but it just swamped me, and I knew it didn't look as perfect as it could. 

All I could think was 'Topshop why do you not do it in the petite range'. However Topshop must've heard me, as about 3 weeks later, there it was in the petite range. I could not contain my excited, I knew I needed the coat in my life so I went for it. This time, I opted for a size 4 from the petite range hoping that it wouldn't swamp my body.
My gosh it was wonderful, it fit in all the right places, the colour is beautiful and I felt so girly and ready for spring to arrive. I have to mention that if I'm wearing an outfit with tights and I button up the coat, I always worry that people are thinking I have my lingerie on underneath, very cliche, I know, but honest I am wearing clothes. If i'm not worrying about that, i'm thinking do I look like 'inspector gadget'. Honestly though this truster is a stable in my wardrobe and people can believe what they want. 

Most trench coats are usually the standard beige colour, and go with nearly every outfit. The challenge with a powder pink trench coat is of course, it does not go with every single outfit, but for those colourless outfits that are a stable in my style it adds that bit colour one needs. 

1.  The price. At £85 it is expensive, but coats are expensive. Personally I think it is £85 well and truly spent, and if they did this coat in other colours I would most certainly purchase them.

2.  Thickness. The truster, as Topshop call it, is the perfect thickness in my opinion. I'm someone who always feels the cold, but this coat manages to keep me at a good temperature. It isn't too thick for the English weather this time of year, and it isn't too thin. So personally it is the perfect coat for the English weather, and I will probably still be wearing it throughout the summer on those colder days. 

The Midi Skirt

Now over the last few years i've been a sucker for anything that hides my little pot belly. I tend to opt for pleated skirts, baggy dresses and all things that are comfy. 
However, back in December I discovered the wonders of the midi skirt. The first midi skirt I purchased was a misguided side split midi skirt for NYE, I was skeptical at first but it hugged in all the right places and I felt like a strong powerful women, I didn't feel frumpy at all.

Don't get my wrong it took me several attempts to find the midi skirt to suit my body. I'm only 5'4 so midi skirts always come up longer on me anyway, so I ordered a bunch from misguided and began to try them on. I found the best fitted ones for myself were the skirts that come to the models knees but on me fell just below the knee. I also found that the side split skirts did wonders for me, the seams were in all the right places and hugged my figure perfectly, and they gave that little bit of sexiness to any outfit. 

I have never been very confident with my body, I am a typical women. Even if people say i've got a great figure I never felt it, until I purchased my first midi skirt and it made me feel good. I would never in a million years of thought I would be wearing a body-con midi skirt, but I did and it made me feel good about myself again. I know, sad that a midi skirt can make me change my perceptions of my body, but it did. 

Here are some foolproof tips to help you master the midi skirt:

1.    Consider your height. If you are not all that tall like myself then stick to a midi skirt that hits just above or below your knee, any longer and you'll make yourself look shorter. If you are lucky enough to be tall, any length will do as long as it doesn't hit your ankles, that is a maxi skirt not a midi skirt. 

2.    Find your style. If you are not that confident try out different styles like I did. The fit and flare midi skirts are perfect especially if you're that little taller than myself. I personally find the fit and flare midi a bit too out of my comfort zone regarding my everyday style, so although I am in love with the style I know I would never have the opportunity to wear one. The body con midi skirts are perfect for those girl’s nights out they add a bit of class to an outfit (in my opinion anyway), but they can also be perfect for everyday if you find that perfect midi.

3.  Pairings. If you opt for a bold coloured midi, then temper it with a neutral top; beige, white, black those sorts of tones. If you opt for the pleated or fuller options of midi skirts, keep the top simple. You want the focus of the outfit to be on the midi skirt, so bear that in mind. Shirts look great with the A-line midi skirts; they add an extra bit of texture to the outfit. Tight fitting tops are definitely the best option when it comes to the pleated or fuller options of midi skirts, but it all depends on your style and your comfort zone. 

The Daytime Look