Journal

It's that time of year again, the Stanwells sale is in full swing with all AW17 stock reduced by up to 50% and all past seasons stock reduced by 70%. It's time for you to bag yourself a bargain and we've curated a small selection of our top 5 sale picks that shouldn't be missed! There is only one thing better than designer clothing and that's designer clothing at discounted prices. You can pick up the same luxurious goodies you've been longing for all season long for a fraction of the price, both in store and online in the Stanwells Winter sale. From super soft cashmere sweaters by Chinti & Parker to stunning suede over the knee boots by Ash, we've got something for everyone in our Winter sale and we're sure that you won't want to miss our top 5 sale picks. Alessandra Chamonix Georgette Racoon Coat in Military/Multi Was £1585.00 Now £1109.50 If you're looking for that special something to treat yourself to this Christmas, the Alessandra Chamonix Georgette coat was made for you. This glamorous jacket is a reinvention of the classic military parka, with shimmering beaded embellishment adorning the front and the cuffs and a luxurious fur lining and hood trim that's guaranteed to keep you toasty and stylish all winter long. From the city to the slopes, this versatile coat can be worn around town with your favourite jeans and sneakers or pair it with some Montelliana Boots for an Alpine chic look. With a £475 discount, what's not to love? Find your size here. Perseverance London Paisley Lace Ruffle Dress in Black Was £332.00 Now £166.00 Looking for something sophisticated yet modern this party season? Look no further than this intricate lace ruffle dress by Perseverance London which has 50% off in the Winter Sale. It's impossible not to fall in love with the vintage feel of this dress, with its high lace neckline, tiered ruffle skirt and long sheer sleeves giving a modern day take on classic Victorian style. Wear it with some barely there strappy heels and a sleek black clutch bag for a chic formal look this party season. Grab yours here. Brockenbow Charlotte Jeans in Cascade Was £240.00 Now £120.00 Make a style statement in these fabulous jeans by cool Parisian brand Brockenbow. Hand-finished in Paris, they are embellished with shimmering cascading beads that add a je ne sais quoi that you won't find anywhere else. These jeans are cut in the signature Brockenbow slim boyfriend 'Charlotte' style which adds a touch of unvarnished elegance, wear with a relaxed white t-shirt and an IRO biker jacket for a cool off-duty look. Treat yourself to these glittering jeans whilst they're 50% off in the Winter sale as we're sure they won't be available for long. Chinti & Parker Abstract Scalloped Cashmere Sweater Was £375.00 Now £262.50 Dress like a true fashionista in this playful scalloped sweater by cashmere queens Chinti & Parker. Crafted from the softest, most luxurious cashmere, this sweater strikes the perfect balance between style and comfort. Get yours while there's 30% off in our Winter sale and you can use your amazing saving of over £100 to put towards some chic Citizens of Humanity jeans to wear with it. Take a look at it here. Ash Elisa-Baby Silk Over the Knee Boots Was £199.00 Now £139.30 Last but certainly not least we have the show stopping Ash over the knee boots, the prefect finishing touch to any outfit this Winter. Crafted from silky soft black suede, these boots work wonders at elongating your legs thanks to the mid-block heel and thigh skimming length. Style them like a true fashion guru by wearing them with the Sportmax Ali Black & White Wavy Skirt and a chic cream sweater for a look that will take you from day to evening with ease. With 30% off, they're undeniably hard to resist! If you've been inspired to shop till you drop by our top 5 sale picks, you can browse the rest of our sale items which are on show across the whole site right now. If you want to scroll through all our bargains in one easy place, head over to our sale room to get up to 70% off AW17 and past seasons collections.

The moment we laid eyes on the latest collection from Perseverance London we began a lace love affair that we know will last forever. Kicking off its debut collection in SS16, this budding boutique brand is already making a name for itself in the industry, turning heads left, right and centre. Its creator, Eudald Luis, envisioned a clothing line with a tough, modern attitude, and ultimately created a brand that reimagines what it means to be feminine. One look at any collection of clothing by Perseverance London will tell you that it’s all about the lace. Absolutely every single piece from our new collection of women’s Perseverance London dresses, blouses and skirts combines exquisite, intricate lacework with luxury fabrics and victorian-inspired styling, creating a unique aesthetic already adored by women across the world. As you can tell, we’ve fallen head over heels for this entire collection, but we’ve somehow managed to narrow it down to four favourite pieces to show you today. Perfect for updating your weekend wardrobe in time for New Year, this irresistible lace body in burgundy is a total gem. With that delicate paisley lace bodice, ruffled cuffs and soft neckline it’s impossible not to fall in love with this unique piece. The design is brought together with luxurious velvet neck ties, lifting the burgundy colour still further and adding an extra level of detailing. Match it up with a pair of black wide leg pants for an effortless smart casual look, perfect for evenings out and sophisticated parties. Tempted? If you’re a sucker for a good print (like we are) then this skirt was made for you. The Perseverance London mix print paisley skirt has not one, but two beautiful prints, layered in alternating bands to create this elegant, ruffled design. Combined with the brand’s signature, intricate lacework, this layered skirt creates a floaty yet dramatic look; perfect for an evening outfit. Pair it with long boots and the Perseverance London lace body in black to complete the look. Find it in your size here. It’s rare to find a piece of clothing that you can take from the office right through to a classy evening out without breaking stride. Yet here it is; say hello to the Perseverance London lace blouse, with its contrasting black pussy bow. This blouse is pure elegance incarnate, with that crisp, white lace ruffle detailing around the shoulders, body and cuffs giving movement and flow to the design. Wear it tucked into black wide leg pants for a powerful office look, or with a long, black skirt for incredible evening elegance. We love every single one of the women’s Perseverance London dresses in our collection, but we just had to show you this one in particular. The floral applique pleated dress is a real thing of beauty, with those elegant pleated kimono sleeves and wonderful pleated skirt, which flatters the figure and creates graceful movement. But the real star of the show here is that stunning floral applique design across the body. The intricate design blends into the beautiful petrol blue colour, but stands out just enough to create a unique, shimmering effect. Match up with your favourite high heels for an instant party-ready look that’s guaranteed to turn heads. It’s waiting for you here. If, like us, you’re utterly sold on this stunning brand, you can view our entire Perseverance London collection and pick your own lacy favourites for the season.

We love a brand with a story and this one is truly fascinating. It began with a chance meeting between Parajumpers’ creator, Massimo Rossetti, and a serving member of the 210th Rescue Squadron in an Alaskan bar. Aside from sounding like the opening scene of a great movie, this is also where Rossetti found his inspiration for the Parajumpers clothing line. The brave souls serving in the 210th Rescue Squadron are trained and highly experienced in the most dangerous, extreme rescues and recoveries in the world’s wildest environments. Known as the Parajumpers, or the PJs for short, they scale cliffs, traverse rough oceans and battle extreme weather to reach and rescue people in danger, saving hundreds of lives every year. It follows then, that they need clothing that can both protect them from the elements and withstand the rigorous tests these wild environments pose. Enter Parajumpers, Massimo Rossetti’s inspired clothing line. Though they are primarily created for us everyday folk, every item of outerwear made by Parajumpers is crafted with the 210th Rescue Squadron’s activities in mind. Famous for its highly fashionable and functional parkas, Parajumpers clothing is crafted with precision and many technical components, making them extremely hardwearing and perfect for withstanding extreme low temperatures and bad weather. Here are just a handful of our absolute favourite Parajumpers parkas and coats that have recently landed in our winter collection:   Juliet Quilted Jacket If you’re not into the traditional long design of the parka, this jacket is the perfect solution. The Juliet quilted jacket is one of Parajumpers’ most popular designs, and we can see why. We love the fitted style and lightweight feel, which makes this jacket perfect for autumn, spring and even the milder winter days. The hood and elasticated cuffs provide extra protection from the cold, wind and rain, and the padded, quilted design is bang on trend this season, so this is a top choice if you’re in the market for a new coat. It’s waiting for you right here. Kodiak Parka Be bold this winter with this incredible deep red Kodiak parka, the bestselling Parajumpers parka design. If it’s cosy warmth you’re after then this is the coat for you, as the Kodiak comes with a super cosy detachable real fur lining and hood. And when you add the water and wind resistant nylon Oxford coating into the mix, you end up with the ultimate winter coat, perfect for exploring the wilderness in all weathers. And who wouldn’t love that stunning colour? Angie Down Coat If you love Parajumpers parkas but you’re looking for something a little more understated, this sleek grey Angie coat has your name all over it. It’s slim fitting so it will certainly tick the figure-flattering style box, while that gorgeous detachable fur-lined hood adds lots of glamour as well as practical protection from the cold. Like the Kodiak, the Angie coat is also waterproof, and is lined with insulating down for wonderful warmth in even the coldest temperatures. The muted deep grey shade makes this coat easy to wear with practically any outfit, and the classic parka design will keep you looking bang on trend all season long. We feel sure that you now share our crush on this amazing brand, not only for its fascinating back story but for its ‘I need that now’ designs. You can view our full range of women’s parajumpers coats and parkas here.

Capture the magic of the festive season with stunning, luxurious hand-picked gifts in the Stanwells Christmas Gift Guide. From warm woolly bobble hats to chic winter boots, our selection of gifts will allow you to celebrate in style this Christmas. Take your pick from the most chic & luxurious gift ideas curated by Stanwells especially for you this Christmas. With a stunning selection of gifts to suit every taste, you're sure to find something that she will love in either of our stores or online. Let's take a look at a few of our favourites including relaxing bath and body goodies and sumptuous silk lingerie... Chic Merino Wool Hats by BKLYN   It's starting to get chilly outside now and what better way to combat the cold than with a warm woolly hat by BKLYN? The best part about these hats is that you can mix and match any hat with any fur bobble to create endless combinations to match with any outfit. Why not combine a Merino Hat in Mid Grey with the Royal Blue Bobble for a subtly playful fusion, alternatively go tonal with a Merino Hat in Rose and a fur Bobble in Grey & Pink. Crafted from super soft merino wool, these BKLYN bobble hats are sure to keep you toasty, whilst the chic vivid bobbles add a touch of fun to every outfit. These delightful hats make the ideal gift for any age and are sure to put a smile on her face this Christmas. Soothing Bath & Body Goodies by Rik Rak Immerse yourself in a world of gorgeous fragrances with the Rik Rak by Kit Kemp collection. With stunning scents reminiscent of an English Garden in bloom, the signature Gardenia Greenleaf collection is bursting with fabulous gift combinations such as the nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner or the cleansing Hand Lotion and Hand Wash. The Lavender Eucalyptus Travel Set makes a great Christmas gift as an introduction to the Rik Rak brand or as a travel sized top up for Rik Rak lovers. Created as the signature in-room bath and fragrance collection for the world renowned Firmdale Hotels, the Rik Rak by Kit Kemp collection exudes playful luxury due to the trademark zig zag print packaging. Brighten up your loved ones Christmas with a fabulous Rik Rak gift set or a combination of the best-selling bath and body washes and lotions. Fantastical Scarves by Emma Shipley Add a touch of artistry to your wardrobe with these hand illustrated scarves by Emma Shipley. Crafted in the finest silk and wool these bold, whimsical scarves and shawls make the perfect Christmas gift for fashion-forward ladies. Spruce up your favourite jacket or cashmere sweater with the Amazon Fine Wool Shawl in Red, designed with both warmth and style in mind. Wrap around your shoulders on chilly evenings or wear with your winter coat for extra cosiness. Sumptuous Silk Lingerie by Gold Hawk This opulent silk and lace lingerie makes a lovely Christmas gift, particularly the Floral Lace Cami's which are perfect for wearing under low cut tops and dresses in this cold weather. Follow this season's hottest trend for pyjama style occasion wear and pair the black & white Charmeuse Robe with some cool Parker Smith skinny jeans for a chic evening look. Crafted from super soft silk and intricate lace these camisoles, robes and rompers ooze sophistication and luxury. Buy as a set or mix and match different colours to build up your Gold Hawk collection. Funky Footwear by Ash Shine like a star in these magical boots and trainers from Ash, styled in fabulous velvet, suede and the classic mesh knit. A true Stanwells favourite, the Ash Footwear collection is the epitome of cool. With a mixture of ankle boots, trainers and knee high boots there is something to suit everyone's style. For a touch of Christmas sparkle invest in the Elixir Nadine Blue Velvet Boots which look fabulous worn with a mini dress and tights or some classic AG Stilt Cigarette Leg jeans and a silky blouse. For a relaxed daytime look style the Lucky Star Trainers with some cool cropped jeans and a Bold Jumper 1234 cashmere sweater. Head over to our Christmas Gift Guide on the site for some more gifting inspiration or take a look at our previous blog post for some help planning your local Christmas itinerary.

The season for parties, good food, cosy crackling fires and gorgeous fashion has finally arrived, and we’re super excited to plan our itinerary of winter fun. Here at Stanwells we’re so lucky to have two boutique fashion stores in two very beautiful coastal locations; Stanwells Westbourne and Stanwells Lymington. Working in these gorgeous places every day has given the Stanwells team a great deal of local knowledge, so we know all the best places to visit at this exciting time of year. What’s more, we’re experts on dressing for the occasion, no matter what that occasion may be. So let us take you on a mini tour of the wonderful places surrounding our stores, our favourite haunts and our recommended outfits and give you some inspiration for your next day or evening out. Things to do in and around Westbourne Located just a stone’s throw from Bournemouth and the stunning southwest coastline, our Stanwells Westbourne store is surrounded by amazing things to do and see. Here are some of our recommendations: Dinner at Rick Stein in Sandbanks A post shared by Rick Stein & Jill Stein (@ricksteinrestaurants) on Oct 10, 2017 at 12:08pm PDT If you love stunning views and delicious seafood, then Rick Stein’s Sandbanks restaurant is the perfect place for a Christmas or New Year treat. Just 20 minutes down the A35 from the Stanwells Westbourne store, this is one of our favourite venues. Tuck into a varied menu of succulent, locally sourced fish dishes while lapping up those delightful sea views, or have a giggle with the girls with the restaurant’s unique range of cocktails, courtesy of award-winning bartender, Mr Lyan. What to wear For a classy place like this, it’s just got to be the equally classy dress, jacket and boots combo. We love this sleeveless tunic dress by M Missoni, with it’s glam 70s-inspired A-line fit and shimmering metallic knit pattern. The knitted style makes this dress perfect for the winter season, and becomes even more so when paired with this luxurious Dumont black leather jacket by IRO. The buttery soft leather and gorgeous ruffled detailing on the back make this jacket an absolute must for dressing to impress this winter season, and it sets this outfit off perfectly. And don’t forget the boots! Complete your winter party look with these head-turning Elisa-Baby Silk over the knee boots from Ash. This style is bang on trend this season, and the stretch suede will keep your legs nice and warm in the winter coastal breeze. Beach walk and coffee at Le Petit Prince There’s nothing quite like a walk on the beach to blow out the cobwebs and catch some of that invigorating sea air over the winter months. With the beach just a six minute drive or a 20 minute walk away from the centre of Westbourne, you can be out enjoying the stunning coastline in no time at all, with miles of beautiful beach to explore. Then, to warm yourselves back up, we would recommend a mug of steaming hot coffee at a beautiful little Westbourne coffee shop and patisserie called Le Petit Prince. Just round the corner from Stanwells Westbourne, Le Petit Prince is a coffee shop with bags of character, friendly, welcoming staff and a wonderful variety of hot drinks, cakes and savoury treats to enjoy. What more could you want after a brisk walk along the beach? What to wear You will, of course, need to wrap up warm for this day out, so the first port of call needs to be a good coat. We recommend this beautiful Gobi Bomber Jacket in Red from Parajumpers. You can’t beat a fur lined hood for keeping you snug and warm on a winter’s day and this water and wind proof coat is sure to keep you cosy this winter. And underneath? It has to be this adorable Card Sleeve Sweater from Jumper 1234, with its subtle and feminine ivory colour and cute playing card motifs on each sleeve. And, once paired up with these sleek black Bombshell Skinny Jeans from Parker Smith, you’ve got one perfect winter outfit that ticks every AW17 trend box while remaining perfectly practical. Finish the look off with some sturdy footwear, like these Lucky Star Trainers from Ash. With their cool mesh knit and chunky, flexible rubber sole, these trainers are super comfortable and hardwearing as well as stylish; perfect for a winter stroll without having to compromise on style. That’s winter in Westbourne all wrapped up, so let’s move on to the lovely Lymington. Things to do in and around Lymington We love our Stanwells Lymington store, set in the heart of this beautiful port town and just a 40 minute drive from the bustling city of Southampton. Here are a couple of our top recommended days out in our second neck of the woods: Forest walk followed by lunch at the East End Arms, Lymington Surrounding our lovely town is the gigantic New Forest National Park, which is perfect for exploring on long winter woodland walks. With over 25 walking routes to choose from, you can wander for hours in this beautiful landscape and work up a very healthy appetite in the process. Afterwards, you simply cannot leave the New Forest without a bite to eat at the East End Arms. This traditional country pub has oodles of charm, a roaring open fire and a mouthwatering menu of rustic food to warm you up after all that walking. It doesn’t get much better than this on a chilly winter’s day. What to wear First thing’s first, let’s get warm. The Alessandra Chamonix Georgette Racoon Coat, with it’s big fur-trimmed hood, detachable fur lining and stunning beadwork, makes the perfect winter walking coat for keeping you toasty warm in the coldest of temperatures. Once you've warmed up a little, why not unzip your coat and show off this chic Starburst Cashmere Sweater by Jumper 1234. The striking neon yellow zig zag motif and super soft cashmere work together to make a gorgeous winter jumper that’ll turn heads wherever you go. Match it up with these blue Runaround Sue Jeans by Parker Smith, with their sleek straight leg and figure-shaping stretch denim. Roll your jeans up and pair with some fabulous Montelliana boots for a super stylish forest look.   Cozy up next to the East End Arms roaring fire before enjoying a delicious lunch at this great pub that is a favourite with the locals. The best food for miles, this pub has a reputation for hospitality and you can even stay the night in one of their stylish rooms...we promise you will want to re-visit soon! Dinner at The Jetty in Southampton Our final recommendation for a wonderful day or evening out is the newly opened waterside restaurant The Jetty, sitting pretty in Southampton’s Ocean Village Marina. Just a 40 minute drive round the coast from our Stanwells Lymington store, The Jetty offers stunning views and an even more stunning menu of locally sourced, sustainable seafood. Perfect for a special occasion celebration during the winter party season, this beautiful place is well worth dressing up for. What to wear Let’s start your outfit off with the most elegant of dresses to match this equally elegant restaurant. This stunning feather trimmed dress by Boutique Moschino is sure to catch everyone's eye, with its cinched in waist, deep v-neckline and elegant neck tie. Make a statement with the marabou feather trimmed hem that exudes style and sophistication whilst adding a fun and playful element to your evening look. That concludes our little tour of our two Stanwells locales. If you love our outfits, you’ll find them in our online boutique or in either of our two stores, so drop by and find your favourites. Have a fabulous time exploring and eating your way around the south coast!

If you had to choose just four items of clothing to see you through the autumn, what would you pick? We asked ourselves this question and began putting together our top autumn fashion checklist to help you refresh your wardrobe. We knew our choices had to be warm, sturdy and – most importantly – stylish, so we looked through our latest collections of women’s designer jumpers, coats and footwear to find the essentials for this gorgeous golden season. Paul & Joe: April Coat Despite its springtime name, this coat is the epitome of laid back autumn style. Paul & Joe has taken the classic trench coat and added an eye catching monochrome checked pattern to create the perfect balance between casual and smart. You can cinch in the waist and create a sophisticated silhouette with the matching waist tie belt, and the thick wool-mix fabric will keep you toasty warm on those brisk autumn and winter mornings. This look is so on trend this season, and is one of the best autumn and winter coats we’ve ever seen. We especially love the deep front pockets and turn-up detail cuffs, adding that little something extra in the design department. Try layering it over your favourite black sweater and wide leg pants for the ultimate monochrome ensemble that’ll keep you sheltered from the elements as the weather gets colder this season. Find it in your size here. Chinti & Parker: Cat Outline Sweater After the all-important coat, your next autumn fashion point of call absolutely has to be knitwear, and jumpers in particular. We’ve got a new collection full of women’s designer jumpers, but this one in particular is just too adorable not to make it onto our autumn fashion checklist. So simple, yet so clever. This striking sweater is Chinti & Parker’s unique take on the ‘Owl and the Pussycat’ poem, and features a gorgeous and simplistic cream outline of the cat, contrasted brightly on its deep navy background. And, as if the cute-as-anything design wasn’t enough to make you fall for this jumper, just wait until you get your hands on the fabric. This jumper is made from 100% cashmere, making it luxuriously soft and warm, perfect for snuggling up during these chilly autumn days. Wear it over a pair of casual jeans and match it up with some designer sneakers to create a super luxe daytime outfit. Grab yours here. Vivetta: Valencia Embroidered Jeans Next stop: Denim. No autumn fashion checklist is complete without a pair of hardy designer jeans to keep you warm and looking bang on trend this season. We’ve had loads of new designer jeans in, just in time for the start of the autumn season, but we picked these gorgeous Vivetta embroidered jeans as our checklist essential for some very obvious reasons. Firstly, who couldn’t fall head over heels for that embroidery? Perfect for adding a bit of colour and intrigue to your autumn wardrobe, these delicate little motifs will lift any casual outfit into something truly special. Secondly, these relaxed boyfriend-style jeans provide a refreshing break from the high number of skinny styles that still dominate the denim market. Sitting high on the waist for a flattering silhouette, these Vivetta jeans come in an easy-to-wear mid wash blue shade so you can pair them with practically anything. Hudson London: Liberty Print Boot Of course, no autumn fashion ensemble would be complete without a new pair of sturdy designer boots to help you brave the colder weather. But have you ever seen a pair of ankle boots with such a beautiful and perfectly autumnal print? These gorgeous Liberty Print boots are the product of a Hudson London and Liberty London collaboration, and they certainly set our print-loving antennas a-twitching. It’s little wonder, then, that they shot straight into our autumn fashion checklist. With those incredible earthy colours and the elegant leafy secret garden pattern, these boots go much further than being suitable for the season; they celebrate it. You could wear these with anything you like, whether it be casual jeans, skirts or dresses. The heel is high enough to add elegance and height, while staying low enough to make these boots perfect for all day and all night wearing. Tempted? Of course you are. Get yours here.   With these autumn essentials ticked off on your checklist, you’ll be ready to head out into the season, dressed head to toe in boutique style. You’re so very welcome.