The Chic List Am I ready to hit the shops You bet - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Fashion The Chic List Am I ready to hit the shops You bet By You Magazine - April 4, 2021 It can only have been a man who came up with the ridiculous phrase ‘nonessential retail’. There’s been a massive gaping hole in my life since shops shut their doors. And it’s not all about buying things either. Wide-leg trousers like this Mango pair are super flattering and look spring-ready with my boyfriend by With Nothing Underneath Before lockdown, I’d always try to flee the house for a few hours at some point over the weekend, simply to wander round my favourite stores all by myself. Oh, the unbridled joy of this peaceful time alone with my thoughts. Adios, work projects. Farewell, demanding children. Kiss my bottom, household chores – I’ve made some of my best decisions about life and relationships wandering around shops. Stores are so much more than just bricks and mortar. To me, they are temples of escapism and inspiration, magical vehicles of transportation to different cities and other more glamorous lives. There’s nothing better than spotting that perfect dress on a rail – touching it, feeling it, trying it on for size and imagining all the adventures you might have in it. Or finding that hidden gem buried away in an antiques shop crammed with unique treasures. So what’s on my wishlist of chic things to coo over when the stores reopen on 12 April? The first is a new-season chunky sandal, which I will be wearing with maxiskirts and spring dresses. I’m normally a skinny sandal (Ancient Greek Sandals are a big favourite) or a mule girl (check out brands By Far or Aeydē for these) when feet are allowed to escape the confines of boots and trainers, but this year I’m adding the chunky sole to my wardrobe for a flash of edgy contrast. And no more skinny trousers – I’ve ditched them for chic high-waisted, wide-leg or flared trousers and jeans, which I find are way more flattering on the leg. Did you know that one of the queens of chic, Jane Birkin, hunts down her wide-leg trousers in secondhand men’s shops? They are a perfect easy pairing, too, with a blazer or print blouse for April’s unpredictable weather. My other spring favourite is to wear a chunky gold ring with satin dresses and skirts. The right piece of jewellery really can add huge personality to an outfit and become a key part of your signature look. And I’m really looking forward to finding magic pieces in fresh life-enhancing blue, leafy greens and vibrant yellows to add some colour to my wardrobe. The trill of the tills is just eight days away – and I’m counting down the hours. Just don’t try to tell me any of it is nonessential! Bag, £325, Dragon Diffusion, libertylondon.com Team with white jeans and a blazer now, and with breezy summer dresses later. Ring, £285, Chloé, net-a-porter.com Create your chic signature look with statement jewellery. Sandals, £165, matchesfashion.com Add some sole to your wardrobe. Trousers, £35.99, shop.mango.com These trousers are a terrific basic to lighten things up for spring. Top, £19, cosstores.com Pair this with a pair of white high-waisted trousers and a gold chain to create a clean, modern look. Follow me on Instagram @thestylistandthewardrobe RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Rochelle Humes has launched a gorgeous new edit with Next Shop the YOU Magazine Instagram YOU picks the best new-in buys from M& S Popular in Fashion It s SHOWTIME December 12, 2016 Tap into Showgirl Sparkle November 16, 2017 ASOS are winning praise for showing their clothing on models of March 23, 2018 Lorraine Kelly’ s £29 99 Zara skirt will see you through summer and May 16, 2018 Meghan Markle’ s £30 fascinator is proof high-street hats can be chic June 18, 2018 Michelle Keegan’ s black ruffle blouse will set you back just £38 July 20, 2018 Kate Garraway’ s stripe Oasis dress is on sale August 23, 2018 Oasis has unveiled a curve range that goes up to a September 19, 2018 Holly Willoughby’ s gorgeous floral dress is just £30 October 17, 2018 Meghan Markle just wore a £49 M& S dress and it s still November 16, 2018 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved