When I was growing up, I wanted to have a capsule wardrobe. I was always reading magazine articles about how you could take just a few items and create many different looks from them – these staples were usually in the colours of black, camel, cream and navy. I liked the idea of creating many out of few. I also liked the minimalist aspect of it all – the space saving qualities and the sheer discipline of making do with less.
Whilst I appreciate all these things, I have to confess that isn’t me! I will never have a capsule wardrobe – I love colour, texture and design too much. I’m like a magpie – I love shiny, bright things! I adore artistry and handiwork, I recognise and value the effort that has gone into the creation of something designed to adorn your body and communicate to the world who you are. I love bling as much as I love practicality and I also do love a classic, especially when it has a fun or unusual twist.
These boots from Hotter are one of my go to classics. I have this style in two colours – tan and burgundy. The burgundy ones have been my school run saviour all last year – both warm, stylish and comfortable – essential when I have to get out of the house quickly. The tan ones are new – perfect for this transitional time of year as we start to move from summer to early autumn, and even though they will work all winter long, I wanted to share looks that will take me from summer to autumn with this style.
During the school summer holidays, I took my kids and their friends to a local beautiful stately home for a quick fashion shoot with a promise of a KFC on the way home to sweeten the deal! Needs must when you are juggling childcare and work during the holidays, but we all had a fun day out! My daughter was the ever capable photographer as I showed off my styles.
I created five different looks with the Mystery boots as the staple, and each look will work well this autumn.
Autumn maxi skirt:
This floaty style combines autumnal colours with the breeziness of summer using the floral maxi skirt. Worn with the boots it gives the look a funky edge and can be layered up with a cardigan over a vest. I chose to accessorise it with a tan leather handbag and an orange midi swing jacket.
Skinny jeans:
Blue skinny jeans, a chunky neutral knit, the Hotter boots and my tan leather bag – a classic look that will work from now through to winter. This will be an easy school run outfit to throw on in a hurry and always looks great!
I’ve shown the next three looks as a flat lay…
Festival look:
Take a denim skirt, bright vest, fringed kimono and the Hotter boots and you have festival fashion. Even if you are not going to see live music, this outfit will work for a pub lunch or a day out with the girls.
Cowgirl look:
An olive checked shirt teamed with a suede fringed mini skirt and the tan Mystery boots – I love this cowgirl themed style that would look hot at any outdoor event, from a garden party to a family outing to the farm!
Classic denim:
Then a denim bonus – two looks for the price of one! Here I took a plain denim dress and teamed it with turquoise accessories for a Navajo indian style and chunky wooden accessories for an earthy look. With classic pieces like a denim base, you can easily create multiple looks cheaply and easily by just changing the accessories. I often find my accessories in charity shops, cut price in retail outlets and shopping villages and also in the sales. With accessories there is no point in paying full price – they stay in fashion forever and are easy to store being so small!
So which look is your favourite? Have you ever worn Hotter shoes before? Let me know in the comments.
Tan Mystery boots c/o Hotter