Thursday's Stendhalian glamour

Although I'm usually quite keen to try anything when it comes to mixing colours and styles, there is always one colour combo that I seem to shy away from: red and black. For some reason, it always seems a bit too strong for my liking. So I give you one of my very rare Le Rouge et Le Noir inspired outfits... let's see what you all think...

This can also be categorised as a pure sales outfit, as, with the exception of the polo neck and handbag, all of the items are from the recent sales... It all started with the boots. See if there was one thing I could change in my body, it would be my legs, and in particular my calves: they make it almost impossible for me to find boots that fit, for they are simply too chubby.

Not athletic as some kind and diplomatic sales assistants say, chubby. Nothing I can do about it, no amount of exercise seems to help so whenever I find a pair of boots that combines style with fitting my calves I jump in them and refuse to be taken out until I've bought them and taken them home. These ones are perfect: the heel is solid but not stocky, the leather is soft and smooth, and they have an almond toe, my favourite for boots.

Next, I'd been thinking about a new black coat for a while, and I wanted something feminine and interesting to replace the elegant but rather plain wrap coat I'd bought years ago at Joseph. I like this year's trend for leather and fur paneling and this little baby caught my eye in a French private sales website. I love that it will look good with black jeans for brunch, a boho skirt at work or a formal dress for a client dinner out. It's made of warm wool, and the panels are mink, lambskin and textured leather. Pure luxury...

And finally, the last piece I bought in the sales, my very first red silk skirt, ever. It was love at first click with this one... I was hooked as soon as I saw the princess shape, and then I caught my first glimpse of the Russian style seaming, the 3D texture, and I couldn't look away. Definitely this colour is out of my comfort zone, but I can see how it will work for Spring with a fresh white shirt and some slingbacks (as the blizzard sweeps through London as I write I can't wait for Spring!).

Want some details about this outfit? Here goes:
- Black coat with mink and lambskin panels, Tara Jarmon (all sold out unfortunately), if you like the fur panel look try this one by Warehouse at ASOS
- Red wine princess pleated skirt, Vilshenko (one of the new names I'm obsessed about!)
- Merino ribbed turtleneck top, Uniqlo
- Black leather boots, Coccinelle
- Black suede and leather Amazona handbag, Loewe

Enjoy the snowy week-end!