Sunday 22 February 2015

OOTD: MILITARY PRECISION


This outfit is insanely overdue, I've literally had the pictures for like 3 weeks now, but as usual I've been wonderfully inconsistent with my outfit posts. I'm sorry to the 3 of you who actually read my blog, but it's been a very busy start to 2015. I can't get enough of the khaki trend, because let's face it, it's not really a trend, it's probably one of the most timeless shades for autumn/winter but it just so happens that this season everyone from highstreet, to designers, to bloggers and their pugs have decided to embrace it. 

I love the very masculine/ military edge a khaki piece can add to an outfit, so I pulled inspiration from the designer spectrum, because that's where most creative ideas originate  for lovers of street style and fashion. I think that along with the khaki, naturally comes this very utilitarian vibe, because of the connotations with the colour. It almost seems wrong to have some flowing dress in a khaki colour.  This wonderful shade of dusty forest green deserves the right to adopt it's own very structured and stern aesthetic, which it does perfectly through a nice button-down shirt or collared jacket. I'm not a huge fan of very girly pieces or trends, I'm far fonder of the more masculine silhouette for garments this season, plus I just think the muted shade works well with my olive complexion. 

A few ensembles from the Sacai S/S 15 collection at Paris Fashion Week. 


I feel like designers perhaps have the ability to do khaki the justice it deserves, because of the artistic freedom of the catwalk, as is very difficult to re-create this kind of flair within the realms of the highstreet, with such boyish cuts and shapes perhaps not suited to such a wide audience. But of course the Great British High-street rarely lets me down, and of course, inspired and influenced by the Khaki trend for example, are able to transpose it and make it more wearable, affordable and of course readily available to a far broader clientele. 

So without further a due  here is my nod to this very timeless trend. 













I thought I'd say a little bit about the pieces too because the khaki shirt that I built the outfit around is just perfect. I always say this but I'm very fussy with fabrics and it's buttery soft, the perfect shade of khaki and the perfect fit for me. I've also mentioned that New Look are really working their way up on the high-street  and are fighting their way against other brands like Topshop and Miss Selfridge, and in my opinion- doing incredibly well at that. 

So on that same wavelength, I decided I would test out their version of the Topshop Joni Jean (my go-to/ can't live without/ must have) just to compare. When I find a pair of jeans that I like, I agree that you should buy them in every colour and no, I'm not sponsored by Topshop but their jeans are just the ones for me right now. The New Look pair have a lovely fit, (mine are a size 8 and fit perfectly, just slightly long) and a lovely shape but simply based on the grounds of me being fussy with softness of fabric, they're not quite the Joni in my opinion. The added bonus of the Joni Jean is that for tiny girls like myself, they come in petite- which is ideal.  I will gladly continue to wear the New Look pair as they have the added bonus of bet loop holes which I adore.

I will also add that this faux fur stole (listed below) is just an absolute steal for £3, it looks incredibly expensive and will add that element of luxe to any outfit. Click on the link. Add it to your basket. Buy it. Then thank me. Sticking to the theme of accessories as well, I have had great use of these 'bulldog' clips lately, as I have really been enjoying styling my hair in this really simple, parted then twisted elegant do. I feel it sits fittingly well with this theme of military precision that I am currently loving. 

Leather Biker Jacket- Zara (Similar Here)
Blood Red Heeled Boot- Zara (Similar Here)
Black Pleather Backpack- Zara (Similar Here)
Bulldog Hair Clips- New Look 

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Saturday 7 February 2015

MY FEBRUARY LOVE LIST



This time last year I created my first ever love list, and I think it's one of my favourite posts to create because like most women into fashion/lifestyle there are so many things that I lust after and even though I know it is perhaps unrealistic to think that I will eventually purchase everything on my love list, I look at it more as a mood or inspiration board for the month. 

I was tempted to completely ignore the fact that it is Valentines day soon because in reality, to me it doesn't mean much, I guess I just like all the little novelties, but that's about as far as it goes for me. When I was younger my mum would always give my brother and I a small novelty gift like a fluffy bear clutching a rose, and I guess the aspect of appreciating the love of ones friends and family is a nice idea... I think the majority of us often loose sight of the important things that surround us. I once read a post saying "You don't have a valentine on valentines day? Some of us don't have a mother on mothers day." I get that for many people it is important to have that special person in their life but I think we need to remember that if we don't, it's definitely not the be all and end all. 

... and who's to say that we can't treat ourselves to a beautiful bag, you should always love yourself first, right? 

Wednesday 4 February 2015

OOTD: RETRO BLUSH











I've worn versions of this outfit a few times just because I love the textural contrast as well as the mix of colour, pattern and print. This fluffy blush coloured  top is probably one of the most exciting pieces in my entire wardrobe. I snapped it up at the start of the autumnal season where I saw it delicately hung on a fixture by the door in H&M, I just had to have it. It would have been so rude of me not to purchase it, it was everything I love; fluffy, pink softness with a T-shirt style boxy shape and a gold zip up the back as well as the most wonderful silk-like lining on the inside. My heart broke a little when I returned to H&M a few weeks ago and saw a two looking sad on the sale rail, yes, they were reduced to £15, no, I don't know why I didn't pick up the teddy bear shade too. I guess the point I'm trying to make is, if you see it, buy it because it's such a different piece to have for this chilly season, but at the same time can be so adaptable and styled so diversely. I can't get enough of it, I should probably wear it more often, but it's something I imagine myself wearing next autumn/winter and the following etc.- I believe the word is timeless...

With regards to the rest of the outfit I subconsciously embarked upon a very retro route, keeping this monochrome palette at the forefront and the touch of blush as an ode to my love of powdery, pastel shades. I guess my 'big thing' for this outfit are my new, very retro, monochrome creepers. To say that I had wanted these for the longest time is an understatement, but I finally decided that I deserved a pair of £80 creepers due to my love of all thing retro inspired and my hard work these past few months. I think they add a very tailored, put-together tone to an outfit, they're well made, worth the money and very much an investment piece. I'm finding myself wanting them in all colours. Oh dear. I will throw it out there though- Tukshoes have a huge sale on at the moment, just saying...

My very 80's inspired bomber has proven to be one of the most timeless pieces also, as it's light enough for spring but heavy enough that I wore it this time of year (layered obviously). I think I purchased it some 3 years ago and it cost about £40 at the time, but I feel money spent in Zara can always be justified with the quality and longevity of their product. If you're looking for a bomber style baseball jacket then definitely check out retro stores like Beyond Retro or We Are Cow, who both carry wonderful varieties and selections of authentically vintage pieces. 

Wingtip Brogue Creeper- Tukshoes

Fluffy Blush Pink Top- H&M

White Cropped Shirt- Missguided
Monochrome Patterned Trouser- New Look (Similar)
Black Velvet Ruby Gem Turban - New Look
Retro Style Leather Bomber Jacket - Zara (Similar Here)
Black Backpack - Zara (Similar Here)
Round Lens Sunglasses-Vintage Fair (Similar Here)

Look forward to a lot more posts because I have a fair few in the pipeline, but as we all know life can get a little cray cray and I haven't been posting as often as I'd like, so bear with me as I have exciting things to come!

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