Exclusive! Trans-seasonal dressing guide at Glasgow Fort

ONE minute the sun’s splitting through the sky, the next I’m being forced to ‘do battle’ with an umbrella.
Welcome folks, to Scotland. It seems no matter how hard we predict, plan and prepare — there’s just no way of nailing a suitable outfit.
Trans-seasonal dressing is one of the tricky types that I always struggle to get just right. It’s still warm, but it’s raining. It’s dull outside, but it’s humid. How on earth are we meant to plan our perfect outfit?
And if we’re planning on going straight out from work in the evening? Forget about it. A girl simply does not have that sort of time in the morning.
However, despite the never-ending conundrum, the high street has some great pieces on offer for ladies stuck in a rut over what to wear.

I recently took a trip to the Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre with communications director, Suzi Mackie, to pick out a few key pieces for the summer to autumn transition.
And I certainly wasn’t struggling when it came to the likes of Oasis, Warehouse and Miss Selfridge, who have so many looks for in-between seasonal dressing.
Some of the key pieces I’ll be investing in this season include a tan leather skirt from Warehouse, a chic purple dress and a cosy fur gilet from Miss Selfridge.
Here are some ideas on how to style your look for summer and  beyond. Items all available from stores at Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre.

PURPLE REIGN

Dress, £70, nude wedges, £55, both available at Oasis at Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre.

THIS eye-popping dress is simply gorgeous.
It instantly caught my attention because of its bright hue and classy silhouette.
This dress from Oasis is the perfect in-between seasons number and will take you from day to evening in a flash.
For summertime, I’d wear this with bare legs, nude sandals and a floaty kimono jacket. You can also add silver heels and a sparkly clutch bag for a swift post-work change to take you through to the evening.
For autumn, a pair of tights, ankle boots and a leather biker jacket will ensure you do no wrong.

MAD FOR MONOCHROME

Jacquard dress, £65, Oasis at Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre.

AS much as I love summer shopping, getting dressed for work during a heatwave can often be a drag.
And despite the heat welcomed with open arms, in typical Scottish fashion,  it’s an entirely different story once it actually arrives.
Summer does have its plus points but, let’s be honest, there are also some rather irritating parts as well.
For me, some of these include being terrorised by water-pistol wielding children, my hair’s natural ability to emulate Diana Ross’ doo, and the panic of getting dressed for work without having tights as a companion.
So I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly glad that it’s starting to cool down a bit.
All is not lost, however, is still possible to dress office-appropriate without being tempted to pack your bags and start a new life as an eskimo.
Perhaps one of the easiest options when it comes to dressing for work during the scorching season is a mid-length dress.
This dogtooth number from Oasis is a great option for switching between seasons as it can be worn with both bare legs and opaques during the winter.
I’d wear this with smart heeled sandals and a cropped blazer while it’s warm, and a cocooon coat and boots when winter rolls round.
The sophisticated shape and hemline makes it both office-appropriate and glam at the same time. Team with colour-popping heels to add a whole new twist to this tailored item.

FOLK  GLAMOUR

Fur gilet, £40, Dress, £35, Hat, £25, all Miss Selfridge.

FROM sixties rock to folk-inspired romance, the latest a/w trends are right up my street.
So that’s why I’m loving these key pieces from Miss Selfridge, which are perfect for bridging the gap between seasons.
This outfit has a festival-feel to it but can work for both summer and autumn by decreasing and adding layers.
The floral skater dress is breezy enough for a summer’s day but can be updated with tights and a fur gilet, like this glamorous shaggy number, for winter too.
Team this cotton dress with wedges or flats during the summer or add a leather jacket and fur gilet when it starts to get awfully cold.
Gilets were spotted all over the catwalks this season and can be worn with anything from trousers and a sweater to dresses, or simply over the top of your favourite parka.

 LEATHER LUXE

Top, £30, Skirt, £60, necklace, £24, all Warehouse

LEATHER has been around for quite some time now, but is updated with a 60s feel for autumn 2014.
This A-line number from Warehouse fits in perfectly with the psychedelic looks of the season when paired with a swirly top and floppy hat.
While it’s still warm, this skirt can be worn with bare legs and a crop top like this floral number, which combines navy and orange, two of the hottest shades of the season.
Another bonus is that this skirt can be worn all throughout autumn and winter. Team with a sweater jumper and tights when it’s cold outside, or even a tee and fur gilet to keep you toasty later in the evening. Think less Shirley from Eastenders and more Carla Devigne leaving a rock gig. This skirt is bound to last you a few seasons and more.

Check out these links below to some of the items featured in our exclusive Styletto shoot. Follow @Glasgowfort to find out more.