Designer Investment Piece: Gucci Leather Gloves at Flannels for £96 and netaporter.com for £190

Never one to miss out on an investment piece bargain I browsed the Flannels Website to see if there was anything very luxe and very gorgeous to take advantage of the extra 20% off clearance pieces online.

I spotted this pair of Gucci Nappa Leather Gloves reduced from £160 to £120 - now £96 with the 20% off. They are cashmere lined and have a longer cuff which is both stylish and practical.

The thing that really excited me about these is that they are almost identical to a pair of Gucci Nappa Leather Gloves priced at £190 in the current Gucci AW2011 Collection on sale at netaporter.com.

There is a big different in the longevity of a pair of designer leather gloves opposed to a high street bought pair. I recently blogged about a pair of H&M Tan Leather Gloves £14.99, there are great and they look good, but they feel completely different on my hands.

I had a designer pair of plum leather gloves from the DVF.com AW2008 collection, with almost daily wear throughout four winters they still looked brand new (and felt brand new) in 2011, sadly I left them on a train in February this year. Maybe I'll invest in these Gucci ones to take their place.

Super Offer: 20% off Clearance Pieces at Flannels

Flannels have extended their 20% off clearance pieces online offer, simply use the promo code SALE20 at the checkout.

I am a fan of Flannels, their ranges each season are so different from other stores and their own promotional photography and choice of models is spot on. They have some great discounts too on individual items, check back to the web site regularly (they now have a new very fast web site) and use the search facility (bottom right) to look at designers you love.

I have jotted notes in the past about Flannels great investment pieces and offers:

Prada Sable Dress reduced from £625 to £120.

Hugo Boss Animal Print Silk Scarf reduced from £115 to £60

ASH Tan Ankle Cuff Sandals reduced from £165 to £80

The extra 20% off makes the pieces even better value.

Super Offer: Extra 20% Off Clearance Pieces at Flannels

Flannels Manchester has always been a big hit with me, I like their buying. Each season their collections are really high quality in both fabrics and style. Their sales are really good too as they only stock good quality brands. Flannels are offering and extra 20% off their clearance pieces online. Friday 26th - Monday 29th August. Enter Code SALE20 at the checkout.



I like these stylish sandals by ASH £80 (£64 with the 20% discount). Reduced from £165. The thick ankle cuff is in line with the resort 2012 collections, so great for this year through to next.

Designer Investment Piece: Hugo Boss Animal Print Scarf in the Flannels Sale

It's the last few days of the sale in most stores, there are still a few good buys with further reductions. I spotted this wool and silk blend Hugo Boss animal print scarf at Flannels Manchester. Available to buy online in either brown or blue hues, it is reduced from £115 to £60 (with the 10% discount £54). A perfect investment piece and perfect for day to evening wear.

A real multi functional piece like this is essential if you travel regularly, it's the perfect accessory for chic evening wear as well as strong career looks, both smart and relaxed. And of course subtle animal prints especially python are an instant style update for Fall/Autumn Winter 2011.

Flannels are currently offering 10% off your purchase from the sale and clearance sale (enter EXTRA10 at the checkout) and a reduced rate for postage of just £5.50. Online only.

flannelsfashion.com

Luxe High Street Find : Zara Silk Top

If I buy something from the high street it has to follow a firm set of rules:

1. The fabric must be good quality, silk or wool are favoured and other fabrics that hang well and feel good to touch can win me over. Polyester, cotton sateen, nylon and velveteen are definitely out.

2. The item has to be £50 or less, if I am going to invest any more than this I'd rather jump up five levels in price and buy a designer item that will last for years in both quality and style.

3. The item must compliment other clothes that I have and it must be worn regularly, it must not be left in my wardrobe waiting to be worn.

4. The piece must have good seams and some detail that makes it stand out style-wise from what you expect to see on the hight street rails.

Zara is a quality high street store. They have a really good sale on right now and are continually adding more items and reducing items further every few days. Check back to the site regularly.

I have browsed on the Zara.com website for a few days looking at the sale items, I couldn't resist this 100% silk top newly added to the sale today, it was reduced from £39.99 to £15.99. I really love the detail on this top, the flattering cap sleeves and it is grey (not black). I ordered it online and will pick up in store as soon as I get an email telling me it has arrived, this will give me a chance to have a quick look around the store too. I have a tweed Prada Irise pencil skirt purchased from Flannels Manchester crying our for this soft contrast to compliment it.

I also spotted a pair of leather boots reduced to £19.99. The indulgent Bordeaux colour and luxe leather look remind me of the Gucci Pre Fall & Chloe Pre-Fall collections where the 70's luxe style embraces leathers and wools for Autumn. Also a great dark orange 100% silk scarf reduced to £12.99, such a perfect shade again for an Autumn awash with rusty hughes.