OOTD: CAFÉ AU LAIT

So this outfit is actually from a few days ago (my 19th birthday), but Iv'e been busy with arranging University Open Days, trying to find a job in retail and general life things. As per usual the weather outside was absolutely revolting; strong winds and torrential rain, and I had no choice but to take my outfit photos inside so apologies for the ugly plug sockets and the boring background, but I thought I should post the outfit anyway to feature some of my new bits in a more autumnal outfit. 

I went for a very neutral palette which is unlike me because I like my bold colors but as the seasons are changing, I feel my style is evolving. I guess I should start with the snakeskin bomber, which I ordered from this awesome vintage/ retro clothing company We Are Cow. Their website showcases a huge selection of both men and women's clothing, most of which I need in my wardrobe. I feel like they are reasonably priced for a glorified second hand store, in comparison to vintage stores and other sites- where else would one find a 100% silk snakeskin bomber jacket for £18?...I thought that was quite decent...I knew I had to wear it soon before the weather became worse, but I had been saving it until the matching shoes arrived too.

Similarly with the jacket, the shoes are also made of a delicate/ not appropriate for winter fabric, so I just ceased the opportunity to wear them both. I have been eyeing up the Jeffrey Campbell 'Nirvana' boot for what feels like a year now, and as beautiful as they are I simply can't justify the price at the moment- perhaps when I find a new job I will feel differently. Every now and again, I scroll through the odd Asian website, because we all know that there are bargains to be found, and these chunky, yet understated in color-which I love, boots came up. I was hesitant because of the sizing etc, but I figured for around £22, it would be daft not to.  They're obviously not the most amazingly fabricated shoe, and no Jeffrey Campbell by any means, but I guess to temporarily satisfy my craving, they'll do. 

I kept the rest of the outfit very simple, but dded a fur stole because autumn is all about experimenting with texture and tone, and that's pretty much it! 

Snakeskin Print Silk Bomber (Similar) - Wearecow.com

Platform Taupe Shoe- Romwe

Faux Fur Stole (Similar Here)- can be found almost everywhere

Black Long-sleeve top- Primark

Leatherlook Leggings- H&M

Gold Beadeed Plaited Necklace- H&M

Long Bronze Pendant- Handmade 

Gold/Black Shimmer Headband- Forever21

Elephant Earrings- Accessorize

Liquid Eyeliner Pen- Chanel

Lips- Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain shade oo5 

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MOSCHINO S/S '15 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I've always been a fan of the ever-iconic Moschino, and like every fashion enthusiast I prey upon the  illustrious gowns, tailored suits and swish coats paraded down the catwalks of Milan fashion week, but this season among the flowing fabric and flamboyant fastenings, I uncovered a somewhat disappointing surprise...

I was simply quite distraught when I saw Moschino's attempt at re-incarnating the classic Barbie doll, not so controversially through the clothes, but more so through the pretentious platinum hair and stick thin 'attributes' of the models. Like most girls of western culture, I had my collection of Barbie dolls, Bratz dolls and all those other unrealistic yet painfully influential figures at age 5, but growing up I've realized how damaging these perfectly preppy pink puppets are.

For me it's such a shame because I am such a fan of Moschino and I feel like this was a very risky creative route to undergo, however if I really have to draw out the positives of the collection, which don't get me wrong, there were some, then I will observe at surface level. To be fair, only Moschino could bring back this shade of 'Barbie pink' so shamelessly and convince me than an all pink co-ord set covered in pearls could actually be quite chic for next spring. I like the effortless vibe that the collection creates in terms of tailoring and accessorizing, but unfortunately for me it doesn't go further than that.

Just when I thought the world of fashion was opening it's eyes to plus-size models and collections tailored for the more realistic woman, the Moschino S/S '15 runway pops up on my newsfeed, and to be honest, my heart sank. It seems that Moschino is not only condoning this very un-realistic and fake plastic puppet, but using it as a selling point whilst re-affirming that Barbie is in fact attractive as well as a good role model- I thought I'd escaped Barbies infantile influence at the age of about 8, but apparently not. I can definitely say that as a young woman, I have been hugely influenced and affected in a bad way by the media, the anorexic models featured on almost every runway, the over use of photoshop in magazines etc., but what sub-consciously started it all, preparing me for a lifetime of disappointment (because I wasn't stick thin with long legs, luscious platinum hair and the perfect nose), was in fact the Barbie doll. 

Some might suggest that the production of a fuller, more voluptuous sized Barbie is the way forward, but whilst I agree that would be a tremendous breakthrough, I can't help but think, that we would then be promoting an over-sized and overweight figure. I hate the fact that there are such extremes, why can't we find a happy and healthy medium? I would love nothing more than to walk down the toys isle and see a doll who doesn't have chiseled cheekbones, isn't 9 ft tall, who has an unusual hair cut, a curvy size 12 figure and maybe the odd piercing! Am I asking for too much? 

The problem with Barbie goes far beyond the aesthetic appeal however, as it has been proven that if Barbie were to be human, her tiny elongated frame would not even fit her internal organs and she would have to crawl to support un-balanced figure which is actually a ridiculous fact to fathom. Not only this but her facial features are so exaggerated that they would look more 'extra-terrestrial' than anything else, and all this time we continue to buy these dolls and huge brands, Moschino included, continue to condone this 'ideal', despite the shocking facts.  

It has taken me personally a good few years (with the help of Beyonce of course) to convince myself that I'm not supposed to look like Barbie, the models on the catwalks or the cover-girls in the magazines, and whilst I enjoy being different with my big hair, curvy figure and piercings we are constantly being forced to believe that we should look anything but our beautiful selves, and there's nothing more morally incorrect and harmful to me as a young woman and to the generations upon generations who have grown up under the influence of the one and only 'plastic fantastic'. 

Let me know what you think of this controversial collection, and in the meantime, celebrate the fact that you don't look like Barbie!

All About That Bass- Meghan Trainor

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OOTD: SEA SALT & MINERALS

I believe this has been the first OOTD in quite a while, but to be really honest the British weather has been ridiculously temperamental- in the morning it will be freezing but by the afternoon it will be 25 degrees c- its madness, considering we're already into October. I'd been dying to wear this lavish, almost retro style dress since before I went away, but I couldn't find the right pieces to style it with. I ended up wearing it as a kimono because I think it looks much more regal rather than belted as a dress, but it's great to have the option of both. I wanted to get a bit of use out of it because I obviously won't be able to wear it in a few weeks when there are icicles hanging from the windows and frost on every pavement, so I did my best to style it with this awkward weather.

I've said this before, and I'll say t again, I'm really not a fan of tights with shorts as I don't think it suits me, but I really struggled styling this outfit, so I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. I adore this sea-green shade and it just so happened that I had a matching satchel identical to the color of the palm leaves and so that worked great for my need to match things! To add a bit more matchy matchy I used the waist tie for the dress as a headscarf- which I think is a really simple but effective touch. 

I guess the piece de resistence in this outfit would be my mirrored RayBan Clubmasters, because lets face it, they're an investment for life, and I'm actually looking forward to starting a little collection. I guess you are slightly limited with these because of the very unmistakable iridescent green, but they're great in the summer months because almost all my clothes are brightly colored, but to really get your moneys worth they can be that pop of color in a monotone outfit for that peek of crisp winter sun that we tend to get in autumn. Personally, I love experimenting with sunglasses because they can completely transform an outfit, in terms of shape and color and these are great because they have quite a gentle frame, in the sense that they suit most face shapes, unlike the cat-eye which can be quite fierce. 

  

Mirrored Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses- Rayban.com

Palm Print Dress- Choies.com

Ribbed Crop Vest- Topshop
Moto Black Shorts- (Similar Here)- Topshop

Pearl Choker- Miss Selfridge

Iridescent Chain Necklace- Stradivarius.com (Similar Here)
Green Scallop Trim Satchel- Similar Here

Black Serena Boots- DrMartens

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