The Fashion Week circus is fast approaching and many bloggers will be attending, possibly for their first time. It now seems like a right of passage to go and see the shows in person. This time last year I was preparing for my first ever visit to London Fashion Week!

Now, I do not profess to be any sort of an expert on Fashion Week, or how to get tickets, or anything like that. But I can share with you my experiences of being a first-timer at LFW and what I learned. 

• Don’t expect to get to everything. Some venues are not close together and some shows do clash. And almost all shows start and run late. Don’t kill yourself trying to get across London. I would suggest making sure you know what you have been invited to in advance and where the venues are and making a decision on what is important to make it to. 

• Just because you don’t have a ticket, doesn’t mean you can’t necessarily go. If you have BFC accreditation you might be able to get into the back of some shows at the BFC space, if there is room. It really is at the discretion of those on the door – and whether or not there is any space. But it is always worth hanging around and asking! 

• Pack flats! It seems silly to say it but you will be on your feet for most of the day and if you’re like me you’ll be wanting to show off your favourite shoes which will likely be new and heeled and therefore the most uncomfortable shoes you could choose for days on end on your feet. So make sure you pack some comfortable flats for at least the journey between home and Somerset House! 

• Pack snacks and water. Yes, there is Vitamin Water on tap around the venue but if you’re running late for shows etc, you’ll be hard pressed to get your hands on a bottle but will be dehydrated. So keep fed and watered. 

• Have business cards to hand. You’ll meet so many people at Fashion Week and everyone will be exchanging business cards. Make sure you have some ready so that you can hand them out too – this is your chance to get your blog out there. 

• Speak to people. Most people are at Fashion Week to network and many come alone so will be happy to have someone speak to them – so go on, say hi. 

• Take your charger for your phone. You’ll likely spend most of your day tweeting and taking photos on your phone, so it’ll quickly run down. Make sure you’re not caught without battery charge and carry your charger with you – there are electric points all over the venue. 

• Don’t stress about missing a show or a shot. There’ll be plenty of opportunity for blog content from Fashion Week, so just make sure you enjoy it and absorb it too.

• Carry a notebook and pen with you at all times. The computers are nearly always all in use straight after the shows, so make sure to make a few notes by hand on what you thought etc – before you forget!

• Unless you’re being paid to be at all of the shows (in which case, lucky you!) don’t feel you have to completely exhaust yourself and get to everything. I have to admit that I have enjoyed my less busy days at LFW much more than those where I have been running around like a headless chicken. In September I spent an hour sitting in the late summer sun on the steps in the courtyard of Somerset House and just soaking up the atmosphere – it was utter bliss!

If you have any questions about Fashion Week in London or anywhere else, please just ask – I can’t promise I’ll be able to answer them, but I will try!