Sizzling Summer Sale: The Hot Top 5

Whether you're a die-hard fan or not, there's no denying that the football World Cup has taken up most of people's conversations and time over the past two weeks. You may have been watching the wall-to-wall coverage or, more likely, have been trying to escape the incessant chatter about formations by basking in the glorious sunshine.

But now it's all over for another four years (thank heavens!) and the beautiful summer weather is still going strong. Which means that we can all concentrate on something much more important...summer sale time!

As awkward as it seems, starting sales in June, it's actually perfect for most people; perhaps jetting off to exotic climes or just taking a few days off to see friends and family and, most importantly, relax. So to help you ladies out, like the lovely people we are, we're taking the stress out of sales-foraging and giving you the top picks of the season, to make your shoe shopping a sizzling success.

1. Basketweave lace-up: This unique shoe has created a a huge stir, with all ages vying to by every colour possible and teaming them with everything from skinny jeans and tiny summer shorts to floral seperates and maxi dresses. The weave of the leather (above, first picture) moulds itself round the foot to create a shape so comfortable, you wont want to take them off.
2. Jewelled pump: The ballerina pump isn't just for daywear; these beautiful structured pump (above, second picture) look stunning with any LBD, as well as tailored trousers and pretty tops. Perfect to go from day-to-evening.
3. Peep-toe platform mule: The clog trend looks set to keep rolling and continue right into the winter season; but not everyone's a fan. For a feminine and more classic twist on the style, platform mules (above, third picture) keep the edge whilst looking fresh and elegant. Try them with pencil skirts and classic bootlegs.
4. Flat buckle toe-post sandals: Whilst flip-flops are a summer staple, sometimes something only a bit more structured and sleek will do the job; whether it be walking around tourist spots or indulging in a girls' lunch. These gorgeous C.Doux designer sandals (above, fourth picture) have been proven to inspire envy the world over!
5. Pin stud gladiator: The best-selling style of all our sandals, and you can probably see why! Elegant and understated in a truly Italian vein, these gladiator inspired beauties (above, last picture) have a striking effect on any outfit they're teamed with; creating a striking summer look.

But you should be warned: Styles are selling out as the clear blue skies and striking styles have already been tempting even the most reluctant summer shopper...or maybe they're cheering themselves up after the footy!


Basketweave lace-up was £139.95 now £99.95
Jewelled Pump was £139.95 now £99.95
Peep-toe mule was £99.95 now £79.95
Buckle Sandal was £199.95 now £149.95
Pin stud gladiator was £139.95 now £99.95

All at keithscarrott.co.uk.

Buy Now, Wear Forever

Well now it's officially summer and the sun is shining; or it's trying to at least! Which means one thing, the Summer Shopping Frenzy. This is a tricky period where the average lady shopper will get swept away in rails and shelves full of pretty items and with the encouragement of friends who she's 'just met for a coffee'.

The temptation to go wild and buy shoes completely out of character, just because they are beautiful and the sun is shining, has happened to all of us. Sometimes it's a triumph of breaking out of your usual style, but I think we can safely assume that at least half of us have experienced what is quaintly known as 'buyers' remorse' at some time or another.

Thinking about it, the only time a woman will have a risk-free shopping experience is when she either knows exactly what she wants (this is an unlikely event when we all 'know it when we see it') or she purchases a true wear-with-all classic.

There has been a lot of talk about classic shapes and styles in the fashion press and even on this blog, but I'm not talking just about beautiful occasion courts and sandals. Everyday styles have their classics too. So for a successful summer shopping experience ladies, keep an eye out for these 'buy now, wear forever styles':

1. The loafer: Traditionally reserved for die-hard Sloanes or ladies of a certain age, loafers have made a fighting comeback on the feet of fashionistas such as Fearne Cotton and Alexa Chung (above left). With people tiring of the ballet pump and loafers available in beautiful colours, this style has usurped the position as the go-to for everyday style (above right, top picture).
   
2. The mule: A shoe that is about as effortless as you can get. The easy slip-on style of the mule is usually associated with higher heels, but in a colourful and fun flat they can become a summer wardrobe staple (above right, middle picture).
3. The court: There will never be a woman who finds herself without a need for a classic court style. In summer the court can be lightened with a peep-toe and medium-sized heel, perfect to pull out of the wardrobe for all occasions (above right, bottom picture).

Suede loafer: was £119.95 now £95.95
Flat foldover mule: was £99.95 now £79.95
Medium heel court: was £129.95 now £103.95

All at keithscarrott.co.uk

Summer Hot Handbags

Ever walked out of the house, a store or even across the car park whilst trying to get your keys/phone/purse in or out of your handbag...and it just falls apart? Thought so, it's happened to everyone. There's that moment when you can feel your bag start to slip from it's rightful place on your arm and you just know that in a second your possessions will be prettily decorating the floor.

Women are hardwired to love handbags almost as much as they do shoes (some women even more) in the same way that men are attracted to techno gadgets. I think I can safely assert that handbags are the more useful of the two.

A lady's handbag tends to carry her life in miniature form; a career woman will sometimes squeeze her netbook and BlackBerry in, a mother will invariably have WetWipes, tissues and plasters, a mature lady will be the saviour of the whole family by having the wisdom to pack an umbrella and the less practically-minded teen or twenty-something will have half a make-up bag, 3 months worth of cinema tickets, an mp3 player and an iPhone.

Fashion has evolved with womens' needs. The overriding trend for the past few years (neatly tying in with the fashionable rock-glam trend) has been for large, slouchy, dark bags. A bottomless pit of leather into which you can throw anything. It's attempting to find items in it later, or making it sit neatly on the floor when you sit down, that's the problem.

Hence the ushering in of a new style for summer; the structured handbag. If thought carefully about, the more structured bag is a style classic and can also possess a Mary Poppins-like quality for appearing small whilst holding all you necessities.

The Hermes Kelly and Birkin bags (top pictures, above) from £4,200 for a basic style are still gracing the elegant arms of women the world over. Newer designer models such as Chloe's Marcie bag for £919 (third picture, above) are also cropping up in beautiful summer brights.

Continuing the brights trend, Keith Scarrott have their own collection of small but perfectly formed summer handbags in dazzling shades from just £169.95 (second and fourth pictures, above). So if you revamp your shoes this summer, don't forget your other accessories, it could just make life easier!


Small yellow scrunch bag £169.95
Medium pink stud bag £269.95
Both at keithscarrott.co.uk

First Past the Fashion Post

The summer sporting season is practically on top of us and so this is the time to pull out the all the style stops. Because, lets face it, if we ladies were honest, it's less about winning the bets and more about winning in the fashion stakes.

Whilst men may shake their heads in horror at the thought of weeks worth of planning going into a singular outfit, the truth of the matter is that looking good can make or break a Big Day Out. And what bigger day out than Royal Ascot?

From the 15th to the 19th June, Berkshire will be awash with both haute couture and high street fashions; beautiful fabrics and fabulous hats will be de rigeur, but choosing the correct style of shoes can be problematic.

The nature of racing itself dictates that there will be acres of grass...and therefore mud. The likelihood is also that, you will standing watching your winners or (if you're lucky) enjoying the bar in the enclosures for hours on end.

So the question is, how to remain comfortable and pristine, whilst being the epitome of the elegant Ascot lady; a glamorous stereotype started by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.

The thing to remember is that classic styles are classic for a reason. Some shoes are a recipe for balance disaster and can chafe as the day wears on and your feet swell. A peep toe court shoe will support the foot whilst providing just the right amount of height and summer style.

Sergio Rossi have hit the summer colour trend with their bright blue suede open toe courts (third picture above). The medium heel and elegant style will carry any outfit through the rigours of racegoing for £339.00. Suede, however, can be a problem should it drizzle.

Keith Scarrott have a solution with their stack-heeled, leather courts (second picture above) and slingbacks (last picture above) in a variety of colours. Made of calf-skin leather, they offer an unbeaten wearability for outdoor occasions. For £139.95, that's a bottle of champagne leftover to celebrate your winners!!


Open toe court and slingback £139.95 at keithscarrott.co.uk

Gladrags and Gladiators

If, like me, you have the urge to window shop whilst waiting at traffic lights and a love of celebrity magazines (not for the break-ups and make-ups but for the fashion) you may have been experiencing a fashion flashback.

Maxi dresses, bangles and beads seem familiar? Oh yes, boho-chic is back. The last time we saw this trend it was 2005 and Sienna Miller was the trailblazer, with her willowy blonde hippy-style splashed all over every publication in the UK and further.

Five years later and everyone from New Look and Oasis to Versace and Zac Posen are embracing the new wave. However, this time round it's got the edge of grown-up glamour. Far from the student look of then, it's now this season's summer style for all elegant women, with sequins, studs and detailing for a put-together look.

The shoe of choice is, of course, the gladiator sandal. This versatile style never lost it's popularity, in fact it's still growing. Easy to put with jeans, flirty miniskirts and maxis, the comfortable structured style and ability to transform an outfit, means it's a classic in the making.

Jimmy Choo are just one of the designers to have jumped on the new boho-glamour bandwagon with their studded, suede sandals for a tear-inducing £495 (middle picture). Keith Scarrott found the best of calf leather Spanish gladiators to sell in-store and online in both summer tans and classic black for a bargain £79.95 (top and bottom pictures).

But with a heatwave summer promising to hit as predicted, they're selling fast!

Stud gladiators £79.95 at keithscarrott.co.uk