How to wear velvet... and NOT look like Fearne Cotton

Each season, it’s vital to choose which are your key items to splurge some cash on, and which pieces to save with. Here is our guide to where you should blow your budget — and when you can get away with hitting the High Street.
A classic leather bag with a designer twist is a real investment buy, and at Mulberry you will definitely find a great piece. A clutch bag will glam up any party dress; just team with a simple colour block dress for impact.
A well-fitted trench coat is another wardrobe staple, and Burberry or Aquascutum are the perfect places to go. Wear it with a simple Breton top and jeans and you have the perfect on-trend, relaxed yet chic style.

LEFT: SAVE ON A DOUBLE BREASTED JACKET, SPLURGE ON WELL-CUT JEANS: Jacket £80, warehouse.com. Marrakech jeans £154, mih-jeans.com. Top £19.99, hm.com. Bag £125, Massimo Dutti, 020 7851 1280. Shoes £25.99, newlook.co.uk
RIGHT: SAVE ON A STATEMENT MAXI DRESS, SPLURGE ON A FOREVER CLUTCH: Dress £75, coast-stores.com. Clutch £218, DVF at mywardrobe.com. Shoes £60, aldoshoes.com

LEFT: SAVE ON A SIMPLE BRETON TOP, SPLURGE ON AN ESSENTIAL TRENCH: Top £45, lkbennett.com. Trench coat £875, burberry.com. Paris jeans £143, mihjeans.com. Shoes £69.90, Massimo Dutti, 020 7851 1280
RIGHT: SAVE ON A COTTON SHIRT, SPLURGE ON A SASSY SKIRT: Shirt £14.99, hm.com. Skirt £120, Elie Tahari at Harvey Nichols, 020 7235 5000. Shoes £89.90, Massimo Dutti, 020 7851 1280

LEFT: SAVE ON HIGH STREET CHINOS, SPLURGE ON A SHARP BLAZER: Blazer £465, joseph.co.uk. Top £22.95, gap.eu. Chinos £40, warehouse.com. Bag £171, reissonline.com. Shoes £70, aldoshoes.com
RIGHT: SAVE ON TAILORED SHORTS, SPLURGE ON AN INVESTMENT BAG: Stripe top £45, frenchconnection.co.uk. Shorts £26, reissonline.com. Boots £59.99, zara.com. Bag £1,277, mulberry.com

STYLING: ELIZA SCARBOROUGH. HAIR & MAKE-UP: LISA VALENCIA. FASHION ASSISTANT: BARBARA McMILLAN. MODEL: LAURA AT LENI

» How to wear velvet... and NOT look like Fearne Cotton
» How to wear velvet... and NOT look like Fearne Cotton
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