show some skin...

Nobody quite knows the fashion industry like Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, the man is a genius and under his gloved hand the legendary house of fashion has evolved past Jackie O inspired tweeds into the designer coveted by Keira Knightley, Vanessa Paradis and Alexa Chung to name but a few. The A/W ' 10 fashion show was an extravaganza to say the least. Even as one of Mr. Lagerfeld's visions it was pretty Awe-inspiring with a giant glacier in the center of the catwalk. I think the man must have envisaged the winter we are having as the models were channelling yeti chic, decked out in (faux) fur pretty much everything. Considering the weather and what’s hot or should I say cool right now, I’ve deceided to put together some beautiful faux fur and skin pieces to keep us warm and fashion forward for the remainder of our arctic winter.

 Outer-wear has been key this season with just about every type of coat in vogue, from camel at Chloe, capes by McQueen and YSL and the Burberry's Aviator jacket. While these designer creations are master pieces, the high street have done their fair share of desirable replicas to keep the majority of the population satisfied with a more affordable price tag. Likewise, for the fur trend Whistles and Asos (below) are just two of the places I found stocking the faux fur coat/dress as seen at Burberry and Chanel. The look is 1960s mod and is best teamed with killer heels or suede thigh boats, tights and a mini-dress/ skirt top combo underneath. A belt cinches the waist to create an hourglass frame.

To add some texture to an ensemble, I like this Topshop goatskin skirt, its black, so easy to wear and can be paired with pretty much anything. For the day, I'd wear a slouchy cashmere jumper, thick cable tights and some utility boats and a layered gold necklace. To dress it up for a night out, an American Apparel body and a sequined cropped jacket could work, with nude suede pumps and gold earrings; I love these Alexis Bittar ones.

 If you are new to the trend and a little unsure, skins and furs work best as accessories. You can still indulge a little without feeling over powered. Asos do a fantastic pair of ponyskin shoe boots that can be worn with just about anything.

 Considering the weather, hats, scarves and gloves are a must. Again, Asos and Topshop reign supreme for faux fur accessories. Here are just a few I spotted.

Brown Mittens- Asos Premium.

This Topshop Stole looks like the geniune article and is great for adding glamour to a coat. It will also keep your neck toastie!

Asos' Cossack hat come in both a warm brown and black. Its very Russian chic, personally I prefer the brown as it compliments the models blonde hair and looks more authentic.

A friend of mine pondered whether or not to invest in a pair of Dr. Martens for a while. Having a new appreciation for the 90's grunge classic I pointed her in the direction of these fur lined ones. Perfect for keeping your toes warm  but still very on trend. A sturdier alternative to the UGG boot given the conditions outside.



Suede is a great alternative to fur/skin especially for dresses and jumpers which can be a bit bulky in heavier materials.  The material is also having a moment in the fashion limelight and I think it's a softer alternative to the heavy duty leather we have seen for the past few seasons. Suede leggings are a great place to start with the trend, Les Chiffoniers are master craftsmen when it comes to fit and sizing albeit their price tag. These beauts are definately on my list come the January sales.

I love this L'Agence Taupe mini skirt. It's the perfect piece to overcome the in-between period of the year from February to April when the weather is acting temperamental. The neutral light colour is summery but when paired with darker tones will also work with winter wear. It's a versatile piece and a great way to work the 1970s trend.

I bought this Topshop boutique sweater a few weeks ago and have barely taken it off. The silk lining feels amazing and the loose fit goes great with denim super-skinnys or black cords. Wear it with a fat antique brooch and delicate gold chains and bracelets. Although they also have it in Black the camel colour is very this season.

Finally, This Asos White navy dress. I have never been one for asymmetric neck lines but I thought I'd give this dress a try. Although I have yet to wear it, I love it. I'm thinking NYE with some nude platform pumps (courtesy of the sales) and a bright pink clutch.

Anyways, I don't know how I got from Chanel fur to navy suede, the Christmas feasting must have upset my thought process. But there you have it, a few pieces to consider when snooping around the sales in the next few days. Until next time ... x