Juniper

Juniper Rose printed dress*, Everlane trench coat, Isabel Marant heels, Lulu Guinness Chloe box clutch*

If there’s one thing that I tend to shy away from, it’s a wardrobe filled with colourful brights and a mish mash of prints; a quick glimpse of my wardrobe is evidence enough of that. But, after three years of ridding my closet of almost all whimsy, I’ve been looking to experiment a little and throw in the odd splash of colour – starting with this vibrant printed dress from Juniper Rose.

I love the profound effect something so colourful can have on your mood, and this is definitely one of those pieces that I’ll be reaching for when I need a bit of a lift. I’m looking forward to pairing this with a sleek black blazer for the office, or with a slouchy cardigan and ankle boots for those lazy weekends at home – once the weather cools down of course!

Perhaps the other thing that makes me a little giddy – and not in the same way that a burst of colour will – is this sweet glossy box clutch from Lulu Guinness. I’ve had my eye on her lips clutch for what feels like forever – the gorgeous dusky blush is currently the frontrunner in my hunt for a clutch for our wedding in October next year, and this really bridges the gap for now… It’s such a sleek and sophisticated option for those evenings out, and the lipstick detail on the clasp adds a perfect dollop of quirkiness.

It’s fair to say that both new additions are perhaps borne from one of my more recent guilty pleasures; browsing the offerings on Grazia Shop (!!), which not only stocks some of my favourite brands (think Isabel Marant, Lover, IRO et. al), but also a great range of UK-based designers which are a little difficult to get your hands on in our little corner of the world.

I’ve been reigning in the new additions lately (saving for a wedding, a honeymoon, and a trip to Europe don’t exactly leave much room for frivolous spending), and I think I’ve finally found that sweet spot of having that additional bit of colour in my wardrobe, without sacrificing on quality or fit – two really important considerations when purchasing anything new. And while I’m all for the subtleties of a mixture of carefully selected basics, sometimes true beauty lies in letting a piece speak for itself.