The FiFi Report 339

Here are my picks for this week as I roam and rummage the shops on the hunt for the best buys of the week.
Economy Class:

Trenery:

• Love the short, double breasted wool melton peacoat in camel…yes, get ready you are about to see camel explode in all the stores. . I love camel with bright colours actually like red shoes or red jeans (So Isabelle Marant non?) but if you can’t do that look try a camel peacoat with denim. And let’s face it: a peacoat is perfect for the office with black pants. You can toss it back with a short leather skirt and voila! $299. Also you got to love the model Kirsty Hume in the latest Trenery catalogue. She is so understated and looks divine in everything.

French Connection : Lots of stripe here are usual ….but wait there’s more!

• I know it’s way too hot to even think about wearing it but you should check out the tan cotton, canvas aviator jacket. It’s the hot buy in every respect. It has a faux fur lining. $199. Not bad price. You could buy an aviator jacket in leather but the cotton is cool. It’s very throw-it-on-casual-oh-la-la. When you do come to actually wear it to keep warm think about trying it with a skinny jeans or something narrow. Just so you don’t look voluminous. Like a magnum.
• The long sleeve dress is also a key trend for this winter. They were a big trend on the runways about 2 years so it’s interesting how it takes about 2 years to filter down to the real world. I see a black (as well as print yellow/grey) drape dress in a cotton jersey. You could almost wear it now with bare legs and then into winter later with boots and hosiery. $199.

Esprit:

• I think the dark denim blazer here is a winner. You can push up the sleeves and throw it on over everything. It has cute brass zip pockets but don’t worry: not too over the top and glitzy. We can’t be doing glitzy and denim. EWwww.This is a perfect number for yummy mummies to wear with slouchy black harem pants or with skinny cargoes. Could work with shorts. Handy little number to have in the wardrobe to just toss on. $149. I have looked high and low for a photo on the internet but sorry there ain’t one photo.

Sussan:

• I am loving cotton wrinkled and faded khaki green utility pencil jean skirt. If you know what I mean by that description. It’s a great piece to wear now $69. I saw a skirt like this on Jenna Lyons from J Crew : I think it’s the original Dries Van Noten and you can see here how it really works with the cute Dries Van Noten animal print scarf and pointy heels. Also here are khaki rolled up chinos style parachute pants. Not sure of the fit but they come with their very own brown belt for $79. Please wear these pants with heels. Please.

Sportsgirl:

• Obviously there is a lot of stuff here - and it is stuff- that is way too young for groovy older types such as my good self. But it’s worth peeking in here, I always say, for cheap but chic little fashion numbers. I like the V neck cape cardigan in grey or camel. Sort of like a poncho with sleeves in a fine knit. It has a zip front. It’s a loose look. Great to wear very soon when it gets chillier but not full on winter. $89. Also buy the tres groovy light khaki ( yes, there is more khaki!) sleeveless poncho/cape/ jacket. Ha! It’s a mad fashion mix of all these trends - it even has a drawstring hem and a hood - and it works. $69. Wear with a chic classic skirt or pant to tone this little baby down. There is a cool khaki parka on sale now $69. ( TIP: This week the parka was on all the runways at NYC fashion week: Meaning? this look is not going away)

Business class:
Marcs:

• I spy a cute double breasted navy fitted peacoat with military brass buttons. It’s shorter, neater fit which is so right with high waist pants or skirt. This will give you a great shape even if you don’t have one. It seems to have a peplum and cute little puff shoulders. Funny; Marc Jaocbs first did those shoulders which puff out about 10 years ago and they still look right. $279. Also check out the fabulous felted short military jacket, very aviator style. Tres chic. I saw it on the website but not yet instore. $329

Sass and Bide:

• There is a cute V neck, rib Tee in a khaki knit with a patch pocket that is tres chic $50. Love the black with white splattered spot Tee shirt $110. Spots were a huge part of the Marc Jacobs show tow days ago at New York Fashion week so you know they are going to be hot.

Gorman:

• I see some cute cork wedges here : Very inspired by Marni or Celine I think with a covered front , a sling back and a peep toe. I like the white stitching up the front. They have a nearly horizontal platform and the cork is so light which makes skipping and running around shopping like a maniac a real breeze. Go for the chic taupe or black $229. Also here are the fabulous ISSON cat’s eye sunglasses.  Cool.

Country Road;

• Love the short black waiter’s jacket with a half  lapel. You will live in this. How do I know? Because I bought the summer version in silk last season and loved it. I pushed up the sleeves , of course, and tossed it over a simple tank back with green khaki chinos. A chic friend of mine was wearing this with an embellished Tee and grey topshop skinny jeans with cute red ballets flats. Cool. The blazer continues to be pivotal in the wardrobe. I like the tailored sharp shape at the back $249.
• Buy the cotton military patch pocket shirts with epaulettes in every colour. Black , taupe and khaki green. You will look like Emmanuelle Alt editor of French Vogue. See below. Ha! Especially if you wear stripe Balmain pants. Ripping the shoulders is optional. Otherwise just toss on with skinny jeans. If you don’t rock that skinny jean/pant look then tuck this shirt into your fav full skirt or wide leg pants and belt it. $89.

Bassike:

• Love this store. Not a lot of new winter pieces yet instore but you don’t go here for over the top fashion. You go here for great basics and things you want to wear to build a wardrobe. I love the menswear. I see a fab green khaki military shirt. Just buy one of these military shirts and thrash it for the season please. Also I see cool low slung cotton khaki chinos: Love with sexy point heels. The relaxed fit is perfect for you. $220. You want, of course, the lovely T shirts. Did you know it’s about tucking half your tee shirt in? mmm, I thought you had no idea. Bless. The girls at Bassike have solved this fashion styling maneuver by designing an asymmetrical Tee. One side of the tee can sit over your jeans. $80. Cool. Also check out the long sleeve Tee with a one pocket in every colour. $100 Easy chic.

First class;
Acne:
There is a sale rack and there it was ! Yelling out to me: a fabulous leather aviator jacket in dark grey donkey. Now on sale for about $800. You should also look at the fab black silk, sleeveless utility blouse. It has serious pockets on the front and a drawstring waist. Love this to wear right now. It has a bit of military look about it but it’s not full on. Oh yes, and it’s black. Always good. Now on sale for about $250.

New in for next season is some lovely soft pastel pieces that might work for some people but I walked straight past to the black sleeveless drape silk dresses.  Yes please! About $299. Great prices. Also check out the soft light denim blazer and the amazing necklace with all sorts of jingle jangles things like feathers and knick knacks.

Easton Pearson:
Funny heading in here after all the black in Acne. It’s an amazing sea of colour and print. Love it. But it can be tricky to wear. There are some stand out pieces of course. There is a major sale happening instore with incredible multi print patchwork silk dresses with sequin trim now about $800. You want the black feather skirt now $600 and the lovely simple white muslin dresses now about $200. In the new winter collection, of course I went straight to the grey which is immoral in Easton Pearson. Oh, but you’ve got to love a grey cashmere V neck cardigan with black trim and divine silk lining and pockets at the front. So Tina Chow.