There are hundreds of thousands of influencers in the social ether, but only a handful who we religiously stalk in order to virtually steal the clothes off their backs. Our primary target is Monikh—the London-based styling and shopping guru who seeks out the very coolest buys from every corner of the retail world. From her inspiring tips on re-wearing her well-chosen investment items to hunting down the coolest high-street pieces, her Instagram feed @monikh and website are a veritable hotbed of things you’re going to want to purchase immediately (and will never regret). Each week, Monikh will share her new picks exclusively for you…
I am writing to you in the middle of a heatwave, and so I have selected my three shopping picks with the weather in mind. I always lean towards light, breezy fabrics in summer, sticking to throw-on dresses and white linens, and this week I’ve found some amazing pieces from Mara Hoffman, the Frankie Shop and Marysia. Keep scrolling for my three hot weather buys this week.
No holiday is needed when it’s 35 at home. Wear this in the comfort of your own living room while the heatwave continues.
Mara Hoffman is one of my favourite designers and her latest collection is full of bold designs ready to steal the lime light.
I took these away with me and coordinated them to my outfits. Being safe but chic.
Chic yet fun, wear this dress on holiday with a pair flip flops, and back home with an oversized white shirt and trainers.
Faithfull The Brand is the ultimate holiday destination wardrobe. They’re full of colourful linens to mix and match with previous seasons. I wish I’d seen this set before I went to Positano!
Warning, this dress is seriously sexy! Rat and Boa creates slinky, curve hugging, sassy look-at-me dresses. The ultimate wow dress.
Dressed up or down, this beauty will carry you through the summer year after year.
I love this brand. Pushing a slow fashion movement, their designs are ageless. I’m also a huge fan how how they lift mothers in particular, with lots of their journal stories featuring real families.
Launched this week and ready for pre-order. This is one of my favourite shapes, but now in these dreamy Autumn tones, Réalisation keep the fabric ultra light, making them perfect for hot summer days. Ill be wearing mine with flip-flops and a woven bag.
I love the double-pocket design on this By FAR bag. It’s the perfect bag to not lose your phone in.
Super simple but effective. Team with a white tee and ’90s sandals.
My newest brand crush, Envelope1976 has just launched this vegan-dyed dream dress from leftover material it had. It can be worn two ways and is also biodegradable. Now, that’s a clever dress.
I’m not really one for showing off my legs (not for any particular reason, just my personal choice), but this skirt just might change that for me. Team it with a basic vest and minimal mules for Carrie in season three of Sex and the City vibes.
This Black-owned brand is going from strength to strength within the industry, having just cemented another collection for Net-a-Porter. This dress is set to sell out.
Full of timeless beauties suitable for any age, Marle has your entire staple wardrobe covered.
The Frankie Shop is back open! Quickly grab the ultimate oversize suit whilst it’s still available. Wear during the summer with a skinny vest top and sandals, plus with jumpers and coats layered with boots for the winter. Chic all year round.
Worn with a simple white vest top, these are basically what we needed during last week’s heatwave. Fingers crossed for another soon!
I am obsessed with the simplicity of this brand! Grab this dress, and wear it a hundred different ways through the seasons.
When searching for summer attire, Faithfull the Brand is a must! Its linens and easy day dresses are pieces you’ll wear year after year.
There’s nothing as effortless as basic flip-flops, and Havaianas are the ultimate staple. The brand has also just launched a platform version that is very S/S 20.
Posse is another summer go-to, and with this week’s heatwave in full swing, dresses like this are a godsend.
I found this brand on Instagram a few years ago, and I have been hooked on its incredibly simple yet exaggerated designs ever since. It keeps the colours very muted and uses über-dreamy materials. But the thing that sets its pieces apart is the volume of the shapes. Very clever, very beautiful. Note they also sell out and rarely get restocked—still kicking myself over a dress I missed from over three years ago.
For anyone like me living in a flat and always in need of more space, you’ll be happy to see this.
It’s wedge season, and these are the best of the best.
Fe Noel is one of my favourite Black-owned fashion brands. So chic, so timeless, and so handy. This shirt/belt/purse trio is enough to keep my keys and bank card safe while staying effortlessly cool.
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In need of a comfy dress to lounge in while working from home? Cue this H&M cosy knitted dress.
Another Black-owned business I’m championing this week, Cold Laundry is full of unisex staples to wear every season.
I love a two-piece—it’s my absolute weakness. I just can’t say no! This knitted duo is soft enough to lounge in all day while making you feel up and ready for work (if you’re currently working from home like I am).
I’d wear this casually tucked into a pair of old straight-cut jeans.
They come in different patterns every summer and always sell out in record time. Buy them now and wear them day to night from now until September.
These ethically made woven bags are not only gorgeous, but they also hold a beautiful story of supporting households of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. Each basket is made out of old jumpers and each is unique.
I may be going back to my old ways of minimalism, but I will always have a soft spot for that ’70s vibe, and this dress is the one to bring it back.
I’ll be ready to meet for drinks as soon as they say it is safe to do so in classic jeans and a dressy top.
How perfectly chic is this shirt? I’m already styling it 1000 different ways in my head, firstly tied with these Bermuda shorts.
The shorts of 2020, which I’ll wear with chunky flat sandals.
During my uni days, I wore a blazer with everything. It was my look, which I then detested as soon as I graduated. Fast-forward 10 years and I’m back in love. I will wear this on top of everything this summer.
With the bank holiday just ’round the corner, I’m getting ready for a long weekend of food and wine. Making this weekend different than any other by going all out with the table décor.
I’m obsessed with this brand. The mother-daughter duo only opens its online shops on Wednesday evening, and everything is made to order. You can even send them your measurements so it fits you exactly. That’s a sustainable shopping model I love.
Venroy is one of my favourite fashion secrets. Pioneered by Farfetch, which is helping to support small boutique stores all around the world, the brand is full of simple linen separates to throw on throughout the summer months. These pieces fall into that buy-now, wear-forever group.
I’m a sucker for a good dress, so when I saw this one, I just couldn’t let it go! Wrap the hoodie (below) around your waist and throw on a pair of New Balance trainers to give it that 2020 edge.
There’s nothing like giving your legs the freedom of a big, spacious skirt. This one from Arket is the perfect anywhere, anytime item that you could dress a thousand ways. For now, team with that yellow hoodie and a chunky flat.
A brand I am obsessed with: It’s the same brand as that orange jumper I’ve been wearing nonstop. Hoodies have done a full 180 and are now chic. Wear casually with joggers, skirts, dresses—it works with them all! This cashmere beauty will last you a lifetime.
In the must-have S/S 20 shape, the tone of this Mango dress makes it stand out from the rest.
I’ve always got water, tea or wine in my hand, depending on the time. Staying hydrated is key, so you might as well make it as pretty as possible. These vintage handblown glasses are the absolute dream. I need one in every colour!
Whether they’re thrown on the sofa or the bed, trust me—laying on these while binging on 12 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy will feel great.
Still wanting to dress up a little? Have a video date coming up? Try this set from H&M—both also work as separates!
If you don’t have to wear a bra, should you? The answer is obviously no, but in case you do want a little support, why not go for the knitted bra under a slightly opened shirt? Very chic.
It feels like summer, and I’m one of those who likes to embrace it as soon as possible. While working from home, throw on these shorts and a light knit or open shirt for safari vibes.
I’ve posted a few shirts on here, but that’s because they always look so chic. When I’m trying to stay focused when sitting next to the fridge (and the wine), I throw on a shirt and pull my hair back for ultimate “casual business babe” vibes. This black linen beauty also screams The Row.
Buying flowers for a loved one on a special day or sending your sympathies is a tradition that has been around forever. It’s just such so lovely to receive flowers and, at times like this, it’s the small things that count. So while buying yourself a bunch might not change what is happening in the world, it might brighten up your home, or someone else’s, and therefore bring a little positivity that we all need right now. Bloom & Wild is a genius florist, posting bunches through your letterbox—no contact needed! Also, it’s just launched a few tulip bouquets, which are my favourite at the moment.
While working from your kitchen, make sure you change out of your slippers and straight into these. I promise your feet won’t even feel the difference.
Have you seen a chicer laid outfit than this? A linen two-piece suitable for your new office while comfortable enough to lounge on the sofa during your lunch break.
I love homeware. I probably do get the same joy from buying a new dress as I do from buying a new vase. Currently, my home obsession has gone up a few notches since I’m now home 100% of the time. And I’ve decided to make it a little softer in areas with a few more blankets and paintings etc. Blankets and cushions are the easiest way to make a sofa/chair a little homelier!
I’ve probably got 3/4 days left of these shellac nails before I absolutely have to remove them and attempt to trim and shape them myself. I’ve got all the gear, I’m ready, maybe not mentally prepared, but I’m excited to finally try this muted green I’ve been swaying toward for the last few months.
Although the weather is still not cooperating, this week, I’m thinking about the essentials that will act as layering pieces now and wardrobe heroes once spring begins. My big three this week include the perfect spring trench and a practical but still chic anorak. Keep scrolling to see and shop my favourite new-in pieces this week.
Oliver People’s sunglasses. One of my favourite sunglasses brands Oliver Peoples is so simple and chic. This style is truly timeless and will go with anything.
These are already packed in my suitcase for my next trip. I’m totally obsessed with everything by The Row, and I have had my eye on these for months. Thirty-one feels ever better with these now by my side.
Rick Owens makes the prettiest dresses, and this beauty I will wear again and again over wedding season.
I think I’ve finally found the dad trainers for me. I can mix them with my other neutrals for a casual, easy look.
“My favourite outfit of the entire week was the white Cecilie Bahnsen dress I wore. Her pieces just make me feel incredible! Layered with a roll-neck underneath and chunky boots, it was instantly transformed from a summer outfit to a winter-appropriate look.
“One that I love purely for practicality, quilted coats! Think actual duvet style jackets, warm and cosy but outside.”
“I met some absolutely incredible people last week in Copenhagen, one being the founder of Currated. A young, friendly and inspiring young Dutch women who kindly invited me into her group of friends. Her designs are simple and chic—real staples that you need for your forever wardrobe. This one shoulder is calling my name, and I’d wear it with leather trousers.”
There’s nothing like a sea of new-in from Zara, and recently it’s even started to upload items that are to be in stock soon. Meaning you can enter your email to be notified as soon as it’s available to ensure you have it before everyone else in the office.
Statement jewellery has helped to dress up my pared-back style since I can remember. I wear the same thing day to night most days, but with a little bling, I’m suddenly transformed into a going-out look. This jade stunner is from the Net-A-Porter Net Sustain collection, where designers have created collections which consist of vegan-friendly, locally made, animal-friendly and considered materials pieces. Fashion for the future.
Continuing the theme of pre-sales, Moda Operandi is one of my absolute faves! It sells straight from the runway, meaning what you see each fashion week is no longer a distant memory after the show. Simply buy from its trunkshow, which is uploaded a few days after a show, but note they are only up for limited periods. You pay part of the payment on order and part closer to the time of delivery. Yes, you might have to wait months for the order to be made, but by the time that season is upon us, you’ll already have that sold-out wardrobe knocking at your door. And this jumper is one that will sell out: the Rosie Assoulin Thousand-In-One-Ways dream vest/jumper/shoulder wrap. It’s everything! I’ve looked at it online 20 times already today.
I need to speak to you guys about Emma Willis, the brains behind the simple blue shirt. Her designs are chic and easy and something worth investing in. A good shirt is made with fabric that will last a lifetime. Also, this has been dubbed the one brand to watch by Net-a-Porter.
Wonder woman Laura Jackson has been busy designing a collection of cosy knits for LabelMix. Where she finds the time I’ll never know, but, of course, they are all incredible and are forecasted to sell out like hotcakes. This monochromatic beauty is my favourite thanks to the balloon sleeves.
Okay, so I’m counting this Zara set as one item. I mean, did you see the Jacquemus show?! I need a full-beige wardrobe ASAP, so I’m starting with this outfit.
If you’re like me and are eager to wear this dress now, try pairing it with a thin roll-neck underneath with chunky boots and a thick pair of tights.
Polo shirts are the shape of S/S20. A collared jumper is what I’m using to update my wardrobe this season.
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