Wedding Chic

Okay so if you are in your twenties like me, you must be experiencing the onslaught of friends galloping up the aisle. Apart from the self-reflection...where's my life going etc. the next big question is what to wear.

My first of three weddings is taking place in November, which in itself is a quandary. It's autumn, do you need to wear a coat, a cardigan or go long sleeved. The second difficulty is that the actual ceremony is only being attended by family, so all of the attendees are just going to a big party afterwards.

I think it is so hard to get that mix of formal and contemporary, while keeping the hemline in check - is above the knee to short, and any longer to frumpy? I have been looking for the last 4 months and these are my top three choices - I am not sure which one to go for:

£78 from Topshop

£60 Cheap Monday

£149.99 from Monsoon

They all serve a purpose, but which one to choose...decisions, decisions, decisions and let's not even get started on the accessories.

How many scarfs?

Not really sure how it happened but some where along the way I became a scarf lady. I would love to say I am a theatre style luvvie, flinging my scarf gracefully behind my shoulder, but in reality I am more  tramp chic. Without a scarf my outfit is not complete, it adds to the unco-ordinated look that I present on a daily basis.

My collection began harmlessly enough a few years ago, around the time when Alexander McQueen first brought out the skull scarfs, with a few pashminas which I wore constantly. Once people saw me wearing them, I started getting them for birthdays and Christmases.

Here are some of the may fav's from my comprehensive collection...

From Left to Right - Pink/Cream leopard print scarf - Monsoon, Tie dye scarf - Zara, Hummingbird scarf - present from Monsoon, Green/cream scarf - present from Crew Clothing, Orange jersey snood - Topshop, Purple/multicolour scarf - present from Fat Face.

Sporty Whites

I haven't worked on my blog in a while, due to busy busy-ness, as a result I completely forgot that I had already done an article on white shoes. They are truly my obsession right now, which is why I have put together another post on the subject. Luckily the shoes I am featuring are different.

My Cos love, began a couple of years ago and is a constant, with it's oversized, slouchy, minimalistic aesthetic. I have only recently converted to their footwear, much like the clothing it is minimalistic with clean lines. The brogues will be the perfect accompaniment to dresses, shorts and playsuits.

Vagabond, is a contemporary brand, that has been slowly gaining popularity via stockist Urban Outfitter. It's not a brand where you will love all of the products, but you definitely pick out a couple of key pieces. For me it was all about these trainer, come sandal, come flatform shoe. They are so completely sports chic, need I say more.

A blast from the past, Ju Ju sandals...I am not sure I actually owned a pair of Juju sandals when I was younger, but I did rock many a pair of jellies, pre-teen. As Rachel Zoe would say "I die", I will definitely be donning these later on this year.

Another style that I did in the 00s are the Topshop heeled sneakers. I love that they are both sporty and street. With these I wearing body con dresses, baggy t-shirts and flippy skirts.

Here is a little montague/wish list for my sporty looks with white footwear.

I have bored you with white footwear long enough...the next post will be on something new!!! Promise...

It's White Right Now!

When I think of white footwear, I think of  the stiletto, donned in the 80s by many as the must have of the decade. I have never been keen to dabble with the neutral footwear but this all changed as I have slowly embraced the recurring sports wear trend for summer. Take any outfit and add white shoes and suddenly you have sports chic.

There has been a sea of pale shoes in the high street, and I have ummed and ahhed at the options choosing the following three styles as my favs. I really want to buy these bad boys, in order 1) White sandals £35, Topshop 2) White studded platforms £50, Topshop and 3) White loafers £35, Office.

Accessories for the new season

Over the last couple of years I have developed a really bad accessory obsession. I've become a bit of a snob when it comes to bags especially; only leather will do. Designer labels are also a big draw for me with their superior quality and butter soft uppers. Or perhaps it's just the advertising that has sucked me in. Either way I can't help but dream about the luxury leather goods.

Unfortunately my pay packet doesn't generally stretch to the good stuff, so I also dip into the highstreet and vintage for quality pieces like this small leather bag, which I got from Topshop. The make is Etui Bags, and they introduce themselves as "Vintage Inspired Handmade leather Bags". There is a concession at the flagship store with products ranging from around £18 through to £150; my bag was £29. The colour is very unusal and inky green colour which I love because it works well with everything. The cross over bag is my evening accessory of choice for SS13.

 

My second accessory purchase, is a Anya Hindmarch black leather loose pouch. I had one previously in black hi-shine leather with escalloped edges but it got really scrappy so I wanted to update it. The new pouch has a ribbed outer leather upper which makes it quite hardwearing, although I have scratched it already. The inside is also lined in a gorgueous mint leather and the embossed gold Brand logo. It's all in the detail as far as I am concerned. The purse was a little bit more expensive than I expected, but I have been working hard so I wanted to treat myself. A classic for many years to come.





 

And on my F**K it list...the Alexander Wang black leather Rocco bag. Pure Genius!!!

 

 

Nail Art

I think that nails have had a real renaissance; partly due to the economic situation and party tue to social networking where people can share their designs. I have a massive tin full of nail varnishes, from nails inc, through to Barry M and love trialing new designs on a regular basis. It costs a lot less than a new outfit and can update any look.

My nails don't tend to last more than a day or two so I can't recommend a best brand but my friends swear by OPI and Essie. I do think that a good topcoat can prolong your nails though, I recommend Seche which can be brought from Liberty in London. My general process is 1) a base coat (Sally Hansen does a good on), 2) one thin coat 3) a second thicker coat 4) any design work would be next 5) Top coat.

Here are some of my best design work:

This design was achieved with two coats of Barry M Mint nail varnish, and one coat of 314 colour nail effect by Barry M!

Two coats of Potion by No. 17 nail varnish and one coat of 311 colour nail effect by Barry M!

Two coats of Peach Melba by Barry M and the design was created by using one coat of Red Nail by H&M nail varnish as an outline.

I can not remember the name of this nail varnish but it is by OPI, two coats.

Two coats of hopscotch nail varnish by Top Shop, check design was created using black and white nail art pens from Primark!

Colour for my Sole

I am still partly in a turkey induced coma, having eaten and drunk too much yesterday. Tis the season anyway! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am now looking forward to next year and what I am going to be wearing. I am going to do a mini review of last year in terms of fashion! What I loved  hated etc. For now I want to focus on a trend which has been emerging and I see it getting bigger...

Coloured soles, yes you heard right and now I have said it you will be seeing them everywhere. Although the most popular colour seems to be white and pink. I think Stella McCartney began the trend with some black pointy heeled boots with white soles. Here are some of my favourite shoes:

Black Canvas boots from Topshop

Black leather cut out boots from Topshop

Navy leather brouges by Esquivel

 

Black leather lace ups by Daniel Pallilo X Triple Major

Black patent mary jane shoes by Prada

 

The original Stella McCartney AW12 boot with white soles



My Top Three

On a recent trip to New York for work, I went on a mission to find a new Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. I already have two, and I guess I am one of those people who when they find something that works I stick with it. The price point of the bag is a substantial amount, but not enough to bankcrupt and the quality is equal to that of a Mulberry or Fendi. I quickly feel in love with the Maverick Blizzard bag, which is perfect for everyday wear and has a slight edge to it! The matt silver hardware was a major tick as well. The bag is now being readied to go under the Xmas tree!!!

Now to my wish list, this grafitti style War and Peace elephant t-shirt is amazing. I love the casual nature of the long sleeved t-shirt come dress. It would be perfect with a pair of tights or leggings and some gigantic wedge heels. I shall start saving my pennies now...

Finally these leopard print horse hair hi tops from Topshop are 'E-P-I-C', complete with a metallic foot strap and studded toe these shoes border on trashy but definitely a necessary purchase. Five days until pay day... 



More AW 2012

As promised here are some of my favourite pieces from Warehouse and Topshop. I am particulary loving the pyjama and the rock vibe as well as the eighties undertone. I will let the images do the talking...

I love this Ashish t-shirt, it is very on trend. I would wear this with a long pencil skirt

Varsity Jacket, again its Ashish for Topshop

You can't go wrong with a pair of maryjanes (from Topshop)

I love this pyjama style shirt dress, perfect for that day to night look (Topshop)

Brocade trousers aren't for everyone, but for me I say they are a must this season (Topshop)

I love jewelled knitwear, and it seems to be everywhere at the moment, H&M have some great pieces, this one is from Warehouse. Also love the leopard print pencil skirt - its a classic.

This sleek rock chic look could be dress down with a pair of white Converse

I am going crazy for this eighties matching knitted jumper and skirt look. Its a relaxed version of a suit. This one is Warehouse, but H&M and Topshop are rocking some amazing pieces two.

Digital prints now and forever.

What am I saying...

I have not written a post in ages which is very bad of me, life sort of got in the way. Anyway I have been struck down with food poisoning this weekend which has made me stay inside and has given me the opportunity to get my fash on and get blogging.

I apologise in advance for the word vomit (which makes a change from the other kind I have been doing this weekend) but I have alot to discuss. Including sportwear hyped by the 2012 Olympics, Army shirt jackets and Autumn/Winter '12 clothing.

As far as the Olympics is concerned I have not been an avid watcher but I have watched a spectrum of sports ranging from table tennis, to diving. I was blown away by Usain Bolt and his crazy fast legs and also by the lengths that the British high street went to get their piece of the big Olympic pie. If you have walked down Oxford Street recently you would have seen that 80% + of shops had sports inspired VM in their front windows. Sportwear has been a huge theme for spring/summer 2012 in general and the retailers have really tried to push this. Like any good marketing campaign I have been drawn in despite a lack of inclination to actually participate in any sport. For me its about the body con dresses with sports details and hi-top trainers. Both comfy and stylish hi tops add a relaxed feel to every outfit. I brought myself a pair of dark red/purple hidden heel ones from River Island see below.

I also love these ones and definitely want to get the Adidas Originals with Wings

These are Ash, I love the shape and the high tongue.

Super comfortable Nike x Liberty trainers

Adidas x Jeremy Scott Originals with wings. I have seen Solange Knowles, rocking these bad boys. If they are good enough for her...

Adidas x Jeremy Scott Originals. I saw a girl try these shoes on in Topshop, they look super cute on. These will definitely make an outfit. As well as the hi tops I also love the sports inspired range that Ashish did for Topshop. Here are two of my favourite pieces...

Moving on to the army jacket trend; I am not sure were the love of a camo jackets have come from but every highstreet has a version. It must have been one of those trickle up effect trends. From the streets to the high-streets!!!

I brought my very own version from Spitalfield Market, which has a massive print of the Chanel logo on the back. I hope Mr. Lagerfield doesn't mind. The fit is slouchy and the perfect transitional piece between summer and autumn.

This is a long post, so I am going to post separately on the autumn winter trends that are now flowing through the high street with vigour.

Nice to be back...

Sports clothing

Sports clothing by fashionlind featuring racer back tops

Stella McCartney sporty dress
€3.795 - colette.fr

Warehouse block top
$57 - warehouse.co.uk

Acne elastic waist shorts
$192 - boutique1.com

Miss selfridge
$68 - missselfridge.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs leather shoes
$320 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Topshop leather shoes
$156 - topshop.com

Leather shoes
$56 - topshop.com

Diane von Furstenberg genuine leather handbag
$895 - shopbop.com

Sport Couture - Digital Hot Pink
$95 - juicycouture.com