Sep 28, 2011

Wearing the AW Trends #3 – Androgyny

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I’ll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Androgyny

Aaaah, the androgyny trend. It rolls around every year and strikes fear into the heart of anyone over a size 12 and a B cup. The art of dressing like a boy while still looking like a girl is one I’ve always found impossible to pull off. My natural style is quite girly, so wearing mannish brogues, minimalist jewels and buttoned-up shirts is way out of my comfort zone. But, androgyny is a big trend for AW11 and no one ever said this blogging thing was easy…

Trousers with braces c/a Republic, Primark blouse, Zara bag, Topshop pumps, Miss Selfridge ring

Okay, so maybe I cheated a little. I don’t think peachy pink sheer blouses with horseshoes on really fit into the androgynous trend. Forgive me. The trousers are surprisingly flattering, and wearing them with more feminine pieces like the blouse and pumps softens the look. I added a tough bag and a simple statement ring to fit with the minimalist look.

What do you think of today’s trend – will it be appearing in your wardrobe? Or do you prefer trend #1 – Animalism or #2 – Swinging Sixties?

Wearing the AW Trends #2 – Swinging Sixties

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I’ll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Swinging Sixties

There was a definite 60s vibe in the AW11 collections. Models trotted down the catwalk in short skirts Twiggy would be proud of, wearing floppy hats and cable knits with tapered trousers and pussybow blouses.

The 60s is all about feminine prints and flattering shapes – the look is cute and kooky without being twee, so swap your brogues for ballerina flats!

Oasis dress, Next trench coat, flats c/o Sarenza, H&M belt, ring and tights, Cambridge satchel, name necklace, vintage silk scarf

I bought this knitted Missoni-style dress in the Oasis sale for £10. It’s a clingy, stretchy style that’s very unforgiving after a big Pret lunch (as I discovered today), but some artful belting soon sorts that. I wore it with a classic cream trench, thick autumnal tights and cute ballet flats with bow details. I originally wanted the silk scarf in my hair, but the risk of looking like an extra from Mad Men was too much so I threaded it through the belt loops on my coat, instead.

What do you think – will you be joining me in the Swinging Sixties? Or did you prefer yesterday’s animalistic look?

Wearing the AW Trends #1 – Animalism

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I’ll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Animalism
It’s a trend that comes up every season – animal print has been a firm fashion favourite for years and 2011 is no different… although maybe a little more exotic!

Classic leopard print is still key to AW style, but there’s a new king of the jungle this year. Step (or rather, slither) forward python prints – a cooler, rockier alternative to those cuddly cats.

H&M dress, Michael Kors jacket via TK Maxx, TK Maxx hat, brogues c/o Bertie, Topshop necklace, Mango ring

I love leopard print but I’m ready to spread my wings and try on another member of the animal kingdom. I picked up this python print dress for £19.99 in H&M – it’s a short, tunic style so requires a good pair of 120 deniers. I teamed it with a leather jacket and gold accessories for a luxe look, adding the 60s style hat and brogues for a touch of girliness.

What do you think – would you wear this trend?

Thrift Find of the Month – October (ish)

Posted in Fashion, Second Hand Shopping.

Yesterday, my usual city centre car parking facility had been transformed into a pop up vintage fair. Thinking it’d be rude not to look as I was passing through, I stopped for a moment. As I browsed the rails – filled with chunky knit jumpers for £25, leather skirts for £30, faux fur jackets for £70 – I found myself tutting and frowning. When did second hand shopping get so expensive?

Maybe I’ve been ruined by car boot sales. Once you’ve scored a leather suitcase for £2, paying £35 for one seems sacrilegious. I’m not adverse to paying a little bit more for something really special, but £25 for a floral dress from 1997 doesn’t sit well with my vintage moral compass.

The overpriced ‘vintage’ inspired me to hit the charity shops in search of a real bargain. One leopard print dress and a fluffy beret later, I scored…

Faux fur and leather coat

I am bowled over by this beauty. As soon as I spied the faux fur pelt, peeking out from a rack of polyester and fleece, my step quickened. I was over there like a shot, throwing it on my shoulders and waltzing around the North Leeds branch of Mind like Marilyn Monroe (kind of). The leather panels break up the faux fur, making it much more wearable, while the longer length gives it that old Hollywood glamour. I love the gold chain belt loops and the exaggerated collar – it’s little details like these that make this coat so special.

The tag read £45 but after a little bit of negotiating with the shop manager, I walked away £35 lighter with the coat tucked under my arm. Certainly not my cheapest second hand buy (in fact, it’s one of my most expensive), but still a complete bargain. And I can’t wait to wear it!

Did you bag any bargains this weekend?

Project Take 10 Challenge 15 – QVC

Posted in Fashion.

I’ve been quite open and honest about my borderline obsession with rings. I think they finish off an outfit perfectly, and I’m rarely seen without a bit of bling on my finger (although it’s more likely to be a stag’s head than a diamond). So when QVC asked us Take 10 girls to style up a Butler and Wilson ring for our next challenge, I was all for it. Hooray for pretty, sparkly things!

Thing is, a ring is usually the last thing I add, not the first. And when it came to styling an entire outfit around one, I was a bit stumped. So I did what any girl would do when faced with a sartorial head-scratcher – I went for leather and leopard print.