I recently returned from a ten day trip visiting family in the Netherlands and the UK. I didn’t go shopping in the Netherlands, but I did go shopping in London with my fabulous shopping buddy and sister-in-law, Keri. We always shop extremely well together and come home with treasures. Our recent whirlwind shopping trip was no different, and I came home with four items that are represented in the collection below.

I kept an open mind when I shopped, but was also careful not to purchase items that are already well represented in my wardrobe. I bypassed all sorts of jeans, trousers, jackets, blouses, scarves, skirts and booties. On the other hand, I’m usually open to adding more knitwear because our Autumns and Winters are long, and I run cold. New pullovers really need to earn their place in my wardrobe, which means that variety is key. That’s why COS’s swingy tunic and Hobbs’s striped “Janie” pullover followed me home. Both Mod silhouettes are new to my knitwear capsule. 

For years I’ve had a very sleek pair of knee-high boots with a low heel on my shopping list. It’s been hard to find a comfortable pair that fits my narrow calves and isn’t black. As is so often the case, when you stop looking for something, you find it. I found these ink blue suede knee-high Peter Kaiser boots while shopping for booties for Keri. They fit like a dream, felt heavenly on the feet, were sufficiently dressy, very well made, and blue. They had to be mine

I wanted to add a toffee, oatmeal or pastel wool coat to my outerwear capsule this year. I had not planned on adding a chartreuse topper, but when I tried on Karen Millen’s tie-neck coat, my heart started to race. I was absolutely smitten by the colour, non-crease boiled wool fabric, and Modern Retro silhouette. I do already have other sour yellow coats in my coat capsule, but the colour is signature to my style so why not. 

The boots and coat have proven to be workhorses in the short time I’ve had them. The tall boots have opened up a whole slew of Autumn and Winter dress wearing opportunities which has been very fun, and a big change to my usual cold weather dressing style. The chartreuse coat looks great with the new ink blue boots, and over dresses in particular. I couldn’t be happier with my new London items.