Welcome to the October Edition of Amanda Zips It Up

Welcome to October’s Amanda Zips It Up

Autumn is my favourite season of the year – mostly for the fashion on offer. And for many of us, ZARA is THE go-to high street store (whatever the season). Plus, I just love their high-end collaborations. And a new collab this month is something even more special.

Right now, the high street is undergoing something of a luxification. Couture-level designers are increasingly taking up positions at the brands that dress the masses. The latest, and arguably most intriguing, is John Galliano – who has become somewhat of an unpopular figure in recent times due to his political opinions. But he’s back – whether you like his designs or not – joining forces with high street giants Zara.

The former creative director of Givenchy and Christian Dior was announced in March as a new collaborator. Now, the first instalment of his vision has arrived stores (mostly online) under the name Re{form}.

This is a far cry from the runway-inspired imitations that high-street brands such as Zara churn out with impressive regularity. Galliano has created a genderless wardrobe drawn entirely from the Zara archive, with every piece tracing its origins back to something found within it.

This is not a collection focusing on perfect T-shirts and sensible basics. Instead, it feeds fashion’s growing appetite for individualistic, maximalist clothes with something to say.

These are my favorite pieces – but let me be honest here…. NOTHING in this collection is cheap. All ranging from £100 – £600 on average. It’s all about theatrical Halloween vibes. And I’m loving the faux leather turquoise pencil skirt and Mary Jane platforms the most.

Re{form} Vol. 1 available from 1 October on zara.com

The Top 10 Halloween Costumes for 2026

Top Halloween costumes in the UK for 2026 are heavily driven by recent film releases, pop-culture phenomena, and viral internet trends. Whether it’s you, your partner or the kids dressing up this spooky season, here’s some ideas on what’s trending.

  • K-Pop Demon Hunters: Pastel-haired pop stars and demon slayers from the animated hit continue to dominate trick-or-treating and party charts. 
  • Pennywise / Creepy Clowns: Fueled by horror prequel series and internet buzz, classic and bloody clown looks remain top sellers. 
  • Nikki Freeman (Obsession): The viral character from 2026’s top-grossing psychological thriller is a massive hit with her red-and-black zebra-striped top and shorts. 
  • Dolly Parton: Tributes to the country music icon remain widely popular across parties and events. 
  • Beetlejuice Characters: Bold monochrome stripes and Burton-esque tailoring are all over UK fashion and fancy dress shops following recent franchise momentum.
  • Spider-Man: High-tech suits and mask variations hold steady as a top choice for children and adults.
  • Toy Story Favorites (Woody, Buzz, Jessie): Classic and group options see a resurgence with family group dressings. 
  • Greek/Mythological Warriors: Ancient armor, togas, and draped robes inspired by recent historical and epic cinema are trending – think The ODYSSEY.
  • Hazmat Suits / The Backrooms: Internet-phenomenon survival and industrial suits offer an eerie, low-effort look. Think Virus’, Covid, Nuclear Disaster nightmares.
  • Classic Witches, Skeletons, and Grim Reapers: Traditional spooky staples from retailers like AMAZON and local UK fancy dress stores remain perennial bestsellers. 

The Beret Returns as Menswear’s Most Unexpected Accessory of 2026

Most guys default to the same old thing when it comes to headwear. A baseball cap. And occasionally a beanie, if the situation allows. That’s about it. The beret sits well outside of that mix, which is exactly why it feels cool again right now. Who saw Ian Wright rocking his as a football pundit on TV the other night (with Roy Keene looking on in horror)?

The ever stylish Ian Wright

A lot of this stems back to John F. Kennedy Jr., whose ’90s style keeps resurfacing in small, specific ways. He’d throw on a beret, often pushed back or slightly off his head. His headwear trick was that it wasn’t styled to perfection. It just worked with everything else he had on.

JFK Jnr rocking the beret

Thankfully, men are getting more comfortable stepping outside of the default options. And the beret is a perfect accessory to switch things up. Like JFK Jr., forget the perfectly centred, neatly shaped version. Push it back a bit, let it sit off-balance, or allow your hair to break it up. It should feel closer to how you’d throw on a cap without checking a mirror too long.

But first, a brief history.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, berets were adopted by the poorest classes in society – farmers and artists – because of the cheap availability of felt at the time. However, they weren’t called berets (they were imaginatively named “felt hats”). But the distinctly soft, circular silhouette remained the same. The associations of berets with artists and struggling creatives stretched well into the 19th century; iconic painters such as Picasso would often don a beret – or depict his subjects wearing them in his paintings.

The military beret, as worn by soldiers all over the world – including the famous cuban style of Che Guevara – shows how the beret has been recontextualized as masculine, defiant and powerful. In the United States, the Black Panther Party of the late 1960s adopted black berets, along with leather jackets, as part of their uniform to combat social injustice and systemic racism.

This year we’ve seen John Travolta in Cannes trying out the trend (but not pulling it off in my opinion – and rapper SKEPTA wearing this years’ leather version on the from covers of various magazines. I have just purchased my own brown leather beret from ZARA, which my other half isn’t too sure about – but I’ll be wearing it all winter with matching leather gloves.

SKEPTA
RHIANNA’S Black leather beret with cool sunnies

Kilts Are This Season’s Most Wearable Trend

Even if you have absolutely no Scottish ancestry, you’re likely aware that kilts have been around for centuries. A kilt skirt, however, is a relatively newer innovation, and one that’s currently cropping up all over the internet. While traditional kilts date back as early as the 16th century, kilt skirts, on the other hand, are a term coined by contemporary fashion to refer to a more modern incarnation.

And kilt skirts have been sighted everywhere at the moment. Claudia Winkleman has been leading the charge with her lineup. Winkleman, who currently has Britain’s most coveted TV gig as she hosts season four of The Traitors, has, with the help of long-time stylist Sinead McKeefry, perfected her outfit formula and can often be found pairing Saint Laurent with COS and Zara with Bottega Veneta.

Winkleman’s kilt skirts in The Traitors also act as a reminder that a skirt doesn’t necessarily need loud tartans or novelty prints to work. Take the Prada Pleated Flannel Skirt she wore while filming The Celebrity Traitors as an example of how the modern kilt skirt can be minimalist, grown-up and deeply chic.

Prada, Pleated Flannel Skirt

Price: £1,750

www.farfetch.com

Boden, Pleated Midi Kilt

Price: £189

www.boden.com

M&S, Pleated Wrap Kilt Skirt

Price: £48

www.marksandspencer.com

Nobody’s Child, Navy Tartan Pleaed Midi Skirt

Price: £110

www.nobodyschild.com

Next, Grey/Blue Check Premium Kilt Midi Skirt

Price: £55

www.next.co.uk

How Chinese Grandmothers Became The Longevity Wellness Influencers To Follow In 2026

The Chinese grandma workout is a viral, low-impact daily movement routine inspired by Qigong, Tai Chi, and traditional Chinese morning park exercises. I’ve been all over this easy, almost lazy workout – which you can do on your bed.

Wang is 111

This is how it started. A 111-year-old grandmother in eastern China called Wang captured the attention of social media by attributing her remarkable longevity to simple habits, such as viewing housework as a form of daily exercise.

Wang lives in a five-generation household, with her grandson aged 60.

Even in her early 100s, she actively worked in the fields, harvesting peanuts and watermelons. Although age has slowed her pace, she remains spirited and sharp-minded, often insisting she is not old, as she can still move with ease.

When her family encourages her to take a break, Wang explains that housework keeps her limbs active and her blood flowing, adding that staying in motion is key to ageing gracefully.

Wang maintains a simple yet balanced diet, with her family varying her meals and alternating staples like dumplings and steamed buns.

Her favourite food is fish, which she finds tender and easy to digest. She believes in the importance of variety over indulgence and consciously avoids overeating.

Wang also attributes her longevity to kindness, adhering to a personal rule of performing one small good deed each day, whether complimenting a family member or sending a brief greeting to an old friend. Plus, doing the following exercises.

From the comfort of your bed, you can repeat these leg movements 100 times each.

Legs kicks, Hip lifts, Side to side rolls and Thigh clapping. Also, whilst standing:

  • Forward and Lateral Arm Swings: Gentle, rhythmic swinging of the arms to open the chest, mobilize the shoulders, and wake up circulation.
  • Trunk Twists and Hip Swivels: Loose, flowing torso rotations where the arms sway naturally to release tension in the spine and hips.
  • Soft Bounces / Qi Shaking: Light, rhythmic heel drops or knee bends to help stimulate the lymphatic system and calm the nervous system. 

Core Benefits

  • Nervous System Reset: Designed to shift the body out of chronic stress and “fight-or-flight” mode.
  • Time-Efficient: Most sequences take anywhere from 1 to 8 minutes to complete.
  • Joint & Mobility Friendly: Low-impact movements that build consistency without high stress on the joints, echoing traditional practices like Tai Chi.
  • Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, these Body Balance Magnets easily help you reap the benefits of acupressure. Made with mini yet mighty magnets that adhere to the skin, they are designed to be placed on specific acupressure points of the body to bring balance to your energy flow. They aim to relieve stress, reduce pain, improve sleep, and alleviate headaches, migraines, anxiety, and nausea. Additionally, they are said to support hormone balance, gut health, and motion sickness relief, too.

Syrup Nails Are the Sweet, Sheer, Glossy Mani Trend to Try Right Now

Turns out, syrup is just as good on your nails as it is on your pancakes.

You already know jelly nails, now, get ready to meet their equally sugary and sweet sister – syrup nails. Syrup nails are a super shiny, very juicy manicure style that’s pretty similar to jellies, but the colour is just a little more muted. You can also think of them as “a continuation of the ‘milk nails’ trend, except glassier and more transparent.

Usually, we opt for dark, short, berry colored nails for Autumn. But not in 2026.

So what sets syrup nails apart from the rest? Think of them this way: If you dripped syrup onto your nails, that reflective, glossy color is what you’re trying to emulate. Simply put, they’re fresh, low-maintenance, and perfect for anyone who loves a subtle pop of color. Wanna try syrup nails for yourself? Check out some of my best tips for getting the look below, and then keep scrolling for tons of syrup nails inspo pics.

How to create syrup nails

Syrup nails, like a lot of the other sheer nails out there, are super versatile. This means getting the look couldn’t be easier for you. First up: nail shape and length. I personally love a shorter nail, but it’s also fab on longer extensions or longer natural nails. I think one of the reasons syrup nails have been trending so much is because they look good on any shape or length.

Next up: nail prep. I’d recommend gently pushing back cuticles from the nail plate, shaping the free edge to the desired shape, and cleansing it to remove any debris.

Once you’re all set with prep, it’s time for the star of the show, THE nail polish. A word to the wise: Never skip a base coat to prevent staining and always seal with a top coat for longer wear. Get to Boots, Sephora or Amazon for the best nude shades.

In a pinch? If you don’t have a syrupy nail shade and you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own by mixing an opaque color to your top coat.

I’d do a 1:3 ratio and mix as you go so you can discover the level of graduated tint. BUT – the best advise? But a set of FAKE NAILS – it’s so much easier!

You could even go green this autumn

Welcome To Amanda Zips It Up September Edition

T-Shirt by House Of Hot Threads

Welcome to this hybrid last month of summer and beginning of Autumn – if you’re in the UK – whereas Summer continues in force “con fuerza” in the Balearics.

Let’s get going, with one of the most unusual new trends for the cooler temperatures… GRANNY FASHION .

Yes, if the latest Gen Z fashion hits are anything to go by, dressing your age is officially out. This autumn, the coolest wardrobes look suspiciously like they’ve been borrowed from someone several decades older.

There was a time when fashion’s ultimate insult was telling someone they dressed like their grandmother. In 2026, it might just be the highest compliment available. Look around and the evidence is everywhere. Twenty-somethings are tying SILK HEAD SCARVES over their chins, wearing ORTHOPEDIC SANDALS and MID-CALF skirt lengths, which could feasibly have been discovered at the back of a glamorous great-aunt’s wardrobe.

My opinion? I’d sooner dress like a twenty-something personally… and get away with it (tenuously) for as long as I can.

On to this month’s issue which you’ll catch LIVE on WAVE RADIO MALLORCA on Tuesday 22nd September at 11am.

How To Dress For An El Niño Autumn

God bless Mother Nature. After a scorching summer, it’s expected that she will provide us with an El Niño autumn – a super downpour of limitless rain over the coming months (I think she’s gifting our green grass back to us). So, what do we wear to still look fashionable whilst protecting ourselves from the predicted wet weather?

Answer? GANNI and Hunter have joined forces for the first time, bringing Copenhagen cool to one of Britain’s most recognizable wet-weather brands.

The two fashion powerhouses have joined forces to create a twelve-piece line-up of waterproof coats, boots and accessories.

If you’re not familiar with high-end designer – Copenhagen’s GANNI, you’ll definitely be aware of Hunter wellies, made famous by Kate Moss at Glastonbury.

Rooted in Hunter’s performance-led pieces “reimagined with a Ganni twist”, the collection “merges technical weatherproof materials with playful proportions, bold colour and signature leopard print.”

It includes three waterproof ponchos, coordinating rain hats, a protective poncho cover for the Ganni Bou bag, tall and Chelsea-style Wellington boots, and an umbrella featuring Ganni’s signature leopard print.

The collection is available on both brands’ websites, in Ganni stores and selected Hunter retail channels worldwide.

It almost makes one WANT it to rain.

M&S – Latest Underwear Drop ADDING Inches To Your Body

I recall being led through the racks of lingerie in M&S by my Mum back in the day, to get measured for my first bra.

Over the years, I stayed with M&S right throughout, including the sexy Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s vintage-inspired floral lingerie – then revolutionary for celebrating a range of body shapes and sizes, with cup sizes up to a G and pants to a size 20. And I followed-on with their flesh coloured shapewear to make me look THINNER as my body changed with age.

For many of us, M&S has remained that reliable favourite.

And now, M&S has launched its Body Sculpt Hip Boost All-In-One bodysuit, costing £28, adding inches in all the right places – if you don’t have them already. I’m feeling some KARDASHIAN vibes here. It’s now time to start wearing padded underwear to fill out your curves and basically look bigger and more shapely.

Just as you might stick chicken fillets under your boobs, this bodysuit features pockets on the sides of the hips, where you can place pads, designed to give the illusion of an hourglass figure.

It all but confirms that the most desirable body-type of this age is the signature Kardashian look, with large hips, a tiny waist, and a big bum.

M&S offers far cheaper Skims-inspired shapewear, after Kim’s £2.93 billion brand began selling hip-padded lingerie last year for £100 more.

M&S already offers padded bottom shorts for £15, accentuating the same in-vogue body type, and even launched stick-on nipples for £7 in the wake of Kim’s £72 Nipple Bra. I must admit – I did buy the KK version because I thought I needed help filling out that area. Although I must point out, I went for the normal nipple bra and NOT the pierced nipple bra.

Normal Skims Nipple Bra
Pierced Skims Nipple Bra

How To Get In Shape, Feed Your Gut and Beautify Your Face All At The Same Time

Red light and lymphatic drainage plus the Vibration Plate.

Red light-infused workouts and vibration plate classes are becoming the new go-to, for getting toned while boosting skin and recovery at the same time. People are leaning into the idea of combining beauty and wellness treatments, and being able to do it at simultaneously seems like a no-brainer.

The Red Light Mask has been around for a while. Although they are expensive, you can get some cheaper options. The Vibration Plate is the perfect way for lazy girls to wobble off some inches while watching Corrie – provided you can maintain balance on it for the half hour duration. The rule is to do both at the same time – wear the mask whilst vibrating on the plate. But don’t let anyone film you looking this ridiculous!

How Drinking Okra Water Every Day Can Boost Health

Key Takeaways

  • Okra water is made by soaking okra in water overnight. It turns into a gel-like liquid.
  • It may support blood sugar, digestion, and skin health, though more research is needed.
  • It’s likely safe for most healthy adults, but check with a provider, especially if you have underlying conditions, kidney stones, or take medications.

I’ve never heard of this drink either – but apparently it clears you out as it’s full of fibre – plenty of stool movements leading to a cleaner system and healthier gut. This also leads to clearer skin as it contains Vitamins A and C plus high in antioxidants. So, drink it through your face mask, step onto the vibration plate every day, and in a month or so, you should start looking a million dollars. What’s not to love.