You have no idea how long I've been waiting to whip out my leather jacket again...We are finally transitioning from Winter to Spring (albeit intermittently due to Doris...) and I couldn't be happier. Temperatures are 'soaring' up to 15 degrees, and that means it's time to update the wardrobe staples and replace the wool coats and cashmere jumpers with thinner jackets and cotton pullovers. And for me, nothing is more staple than my leather jacket. Here are a few examples of how I've been styling my leather jacket during this transitional period.

Leather Jacket - All Saints (Wyatt) (similar here) / Black Roll-Neck Body - Wolford / Trousers - Topshop (similar here) / Boots - Doc Martens 1460 / Bag - Coccinelle (similar colour here)

Going for a grungier look that was great for a more blustery day out. I've been really into wearing roll neck bodies with a leather jacket (as you will see in the next outfit, as well) as they keep you warm but not excessively so. They've been great for this time of year. And what's better than a pair of doc martens to keep you steady during a drizzly, windy day.

Leather Jacket - All Saints (Wyatt) (similar here)/ Roll-Neck Body - Wolford (other colours here) / Jeans - Vintage Levi's 501's (similar here) / Ballet Pumps - Mint Velvet / Bag - Furla / Sunglasses - Rayban (Round) / Ring - Vintage

A more relaxed outfit, featuring these gorgeous metallic pumps from Mint Velvet, which was perfect for this much sunnier day.

Leather Jacket - All Saints (Wyatt) (similar here)/ Jumper - Denner Cashmere / Trousers - Topshop (similar here) / Ankle Boots - Russell & Bromley (similar here) / Bag - Furla

And finally, a nod back to the sixties with this printed trousers and roll neck jumper combo. These trousers paired with heeled ankle boots are great for leg lengthening.

As much as fashion is what I love writing about the most, I also really enjoy writing about travel and lifestyle in general, so I thought it might be fun to write a few new segments for the blog; one of them relating back to travel, and one of them focusing on some of my favourite lifestyle tips. So, here we go with my first ever 'QuickTips' post, and to start it off, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss my favourite skin products for Winter. Temperatures are continuously intermittent, so now is the time to ensure that your skin isn't lacking in any vital areas.

I hate moisturisers that are super thick and sticky on the skin - it just makes my skin feel extra clogged. Enter the Bioderma Sensibio light moisturiser - which feels the complete opposite on the skin. It's super nourishing, so you hardly need to apply any, and it just feels really light and fresh. I use it all year round but it's still great for Winter as it keeps my skin looking youthful and less dried out. Bioderma are a great brand for sensitive skin in general, so check them out at a local pharmacy near you. 
Pick it up at any local pharmacy or Boots for £14.50.

If you want a makeup remover product that's going to leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised, then this is the one for you. It's super gentle on the skin, and doesn't activate any 'burning eye syndrome' as I like to call it. It's like using a makeup remover and moisturiser all-in-one, and what better for Winter when the cold winds are drying out your skin?
You can find this product at any Boots pharmacy for only £12 a bottle. 

I used to be a trained dancer, so my feet are still, unfortunately, that of a dancer - hard, cracked, and veiny. Not a good look. This is my favourite product for combating the dry, cracked heels and softening the skin on your feet.  It's made with rich cupuacu, cocoa butters, and marshmallow root, and enriched with essential oils, including lavender which is extremely soothing for worn out skin. This gentle, natural product is really worth it, especially when a 100ml bottle only costs £7.95.  

I honestly don't know what I'd do without Hand Chemistry in the Winter, it really is a miracle product in my eyes. A twice-a-day-for-ten-days treatment to repair and rejuvinate tired, cracked, and dry hands, this product starts softening and renewing your skin from the first application, and the bottle lasts for ages, so I always carry it with me. I use it whenever my skin needs a boost, and trust me when I say that it's worth the £19.99 price point!
You can find Hand Chemistry products in any local Boots store.

Okay, so I know I'm kind of cheating by including two (hehem, three in the picture...) products here, but they're from the same range so I'd like to believe it's alright that I include both! Bioderma's Atoderm Intensive is one of the only body moisturisers I have been able to find that can really tackle my dry, sensitive skin, and it's brilliant for combating itchiness, which is something I suffer with. The Atoderm Lip Balm is also a miracle worker for when lips become dry and cracked - a few applications of this for a couple of days, and your lips will be left soft and hydrated. It's a great base for lipstick, too!
You can find the Atoderm Intensive for £13 and the Lip Balm for £5 at any Boots or local pharmacy.

Dungarees are an article of clothing that I have never really found easy to style. I don't know what it is - maybe it's due to the slightly daunting task of finding other items to go with them that will prevent you from looking like an oversized toddler? Never the less, they are increasingly popular, and I can't help but lust after them. I have a denim full length pair that I love, but I struggle with, because they don't seem to be too flattering on me, so I haven't yet managed to fully grasp how to style them. However, I recently purchased a pair of navy-blue cord dungarees in the Whistles sale, and I have fallen deeply in love. They seem to work better with my frame (petite and curvy) as they have a more flatteringly structured pinafore, and a cropped slightly flared leg to them, so I have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with different ways of styling them. Seeing as I know many people who struggle with finding different ways of styling dungarees, I thought it might be nice to curate a few different outfits and put them together in a little post to aid those of you that are still struggling with finding new ideas. I hope it's useful, and let me know if you would like to see more posts like this in the future!

Coat - Topshop (similar colour here) / Scarf - Accessorize (similar here) / Roll-neck body - Wolford (this colour no longer available)/ Shoes - Underground (double sole creepers) / Dungarees - Whistles (sale)

The first look is something simple and really easy to wear with dungarees - a body. Bodies are great with dungarees because they help maintain your figure and prevent you from looking oversized. I love pairing navy blue with camel shades, and this muted camel body went great with the dungarees. I then went for some clashing tartan prints that still matched relatively well with the colour groups of the two core parts of the outfit.

Long sleeve t-shirt - Topshop / Dungarees - Same as above / Trainers - Adidas Superstars

For a more relaxed (and let's face it, a little bit more childish) look, try pairing your dungarees with a Breton stripe and some trainers. Really simple, comfortable, and if done right, still super stylish. I love this multi-stripe long sleeve t-shirt from Topshop - it's nice having a few different patterns and colours to play with rather than just wearing a classic Breton shirt as it elevates the look as a whole. And let's face it, you can't really go wrong with a pair of Adidas superstars...

Jumper - Tommy Hilfiger (similar here) / Dungarees - Same as above / Neckerchief - Rokit (vintage Givenchy) / Shoes - Zara (sale, still available in store but can't find online)

You can't beat a classic crew neck jumper, so for a relaxed yet still playful look, try pairing a letterman jumper with your dungarees - great if you wanna try the one-side-down look and show off the appliqué. For a few fun details, a pair of gunmetal shoes (these loafers were only 12.99 in the Zara sale and are made of goat's leather) and a neck scarf are great details, and make the overall outfit a little bit smarter, too.

Shirt - Whistles Limited Edition  (resort collection SS16)/ Dungarees - Same as above / Coat - Marela / Ankle boots - Russell & Bromley (still available on sale in some stores, similar here)

What could be more seventies inspired than pairing corduroy dungarees with a kooky printed shirt? A structured silk shirt is great with dungarees as it adds a touch of lux smart tailoring to a more casual piece. Add a pair of high ankle boots and you have yourself a smart-casual outfit with a pair of dungarees - who knew?

Anna - my partner in crime, and possibly one of the cleverest people I know when it comes to artfully shopping online. She knows the best sites, and how to look out for the most worth-while pieces for a fraction of the high street price. She knows what she likes, and has a great eye for patterns. What's more, she always seems to do everything effortlessly, and that is a quality I really admire in her.

Kat: Hey, Anna - what are your top three online stores and why?
Anna: I love asos as they stock a lot of good quality pieces - I'd say about half of my wardrobe is from them! Plus they offer free delivery on orders over £20, and it's super easy if you want to return anything. Boohoo is also one of my favourites as it's so cheap, you can never really go wrong with their staples and basic items. I also love Rad.co - they're my go to website for fun, tongue-in-cheek slogans that you can either style up or wear as loungewear.

Kat: For you, what are the most important factors to look out for when shopping online?
Anna: For me, it's all about using a dependable website that you can trust. You need to be sure that the delivery time is going to be reasonable and that you have the opportunity to return anything hassle-free, so that's something that I always check for, especially if I'm ordering from somewhere new. With online shopping, so much of it can be trial-and-error in terms of finding what clothing sizes work for you. As an example, I now hardly ever return any Asos orders because I've ordered and returned so many items from them before that I now know which sizes and ranges to go for when I'm shopping from them.

Kat: What are currently your favourite pieces in your wardrobe - online and offline?
Anna: I have a pair of culottes from Boohoo that I always get complimented on - they're a faux suede, so they look so much more expensive than they actually were, plus I don't think I've ever owned a more comfortable pair of trousers! I also recently discovered Brandy Melville, and their pieces just seem to really work for me. I've never had a specific shop that does that for me before, and I'm so excited that I've finally found them! I bought a cropped turtle neck jumper from them that has become one of my absolute favourite pieces of the moment.

Thanks Hodge - I'm definitely going to be checking out Rad.co as soon as possible...!
The next, and final Style Chat will be up within the next two to three weeks - stay tuned.
#galsRgoals