Back to School Special

I refuse to believe that I can be the only person who, come monday morning, rejoiced in the fact that half term was FINALLY OVER! Last week I made the foolish mistake of attempting to drag my boyfriend around Oxford Street only to be trampled by hoards of over-excited pre-teen shoppers descending on the mid-season sales. Needless to say, the ill-advised shopping trip left me empty handed and my long-suffering boyfriend thoroughly traumatised. I may sound like a miserable old biddy saying this but thank God the schools have gone back and we can now roam Regents Street, safe in the knowlege that the queues in Topshop will not (quite) spill out onto the street.

But one good thing definitely did come out of the mayhem unleashed by the school holidays. Grumbling at the tubes and every Starbucks in the City being overrun with school-age 'youths' led me to remember my FAVOURITE trend of the season... Back To School Style.

Tommy Hilfiger A/W 2010 Campaign

From Tommy Hilfiger to DKNY, this season it seems that designers everywhere have drawn inspiration from their school days to bring us a delicious selection of preppy-tastic looks. We may all have loathed school uniform back when it was mandatory, but you have to admit that those prim pleats and cable-knit sweaters look a whole lot hotter the second time round.

Tommy Hilfiger A/W 2010 Campaign

You only have to take a stroll through the streets of London, or flick through the pages of a glossy magazine to be bombarded with checks, knits, tweeds and plaids galore. Between the resurrection of the classic loafer and Brit style icon Alexa Chung flying the flag for geek chic throughout the fashion world, it has never been more hip to be square. A well-cut blazer and a pair of knee-high socks are all you need to rock this seasons most versatile trend... and obviously having a well-groomed boy-toy on your arm doesn't hurt either.

APC A/W 2010 Campaign

With the glorious return of Gossip Girl to our screens there has never been a better time to unleash your inner Blair Waldorf (think Season 1) and embrace all things preppy. Retro womanliness has been SUCH a big trend this autumn, but for those of us who find it's below-the-knee hemlines a little too grown-up then back to school style is the way to go. It is to retro womanliness what Gossip Girl is to Mad Men: far better suited to a younger demographic.

APC A/W 2010 Campaign

If you too yearn to wear lace-ups and trot around town with a satchel over your shoulder, then there is no better place to do your back to school shopping than APC. This uber chic French label is the ultimate go-to brand for classic preppy style. Whether it's a simple stripy sweater that your after or a Rupert Bear style duffel coat, you can rest assured that APC has a beautifully cut little number ready and waiting to become your new season style staple.

DKNY A/W 2010 Campaign

As with all trends, channeling the back to school vibe doesn't mean actually donning your old uniform. It's more about the general aesthetic of the look. Think tailoring, blouses and and adorable accessories. Back to School cool is all about youthful elegance and Park Avenue Princess chic, a look that DKNY really nailed in it's divine autumn/winter campaign.

DKNY A/W 2010 Campaign

Inspired by these delectable collections and a morning well-spent in APC's fabulous Dover Street store, I came up with a few Back To School looks of my own. There are few things more enjoyable than a good old dressing up session, although these ensembles will most certainly NOT be reserved for fancy dress...

Look 1

-Dress: Dahlia

-Shirt: BDG

-Shoes: Tods

Look 2

-Skirt: Vintage

-Jumper: Mango

-Bag: Urban Outfitters

-Shoes: Bertie

Look 3

-Dress: Urban Outfitters

-Jumper: Uniglo

-Shoes: Bertie

And on another exciting note, all hail... The return of the sensible shoe!

No matter how many times Miuccia Prada sends them down the runway or how hot Christina Hendricks may look in hers, I will never, EVER acknowlege Kitten Heels as a fashionable, or even acceptable, form of footwear. But, these little beauties (above) are another story! High-heeled loafers have made a serious comeback this season, and what better way to work the Back to School look without ridding your wardrobe of all possible glamour? I have always wanted to be one of those women who wears heels during the day without a) ending up completely crippled or b) looking like I am doing a 'walk of shame' home from the nigh before. With their chunky heels and sensible soles, high-heeled loafers have answered my prayers and for all of you who have endured years of stiletto-induced agony, I recommend you invest in a pair yourselves. 

Love Ella. X