Hunter Wellies – The New It Shoe

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion, Writing.

I’m really interested in branding. The way customers perceive brands fascinates me – why do we think Nike sportswear is better than, say, Reebok? Is it price? Design? Do we run faster in Nike trainers? Or is it really just brand perception? It’s a great topic to explore.

It’s rare that a brand can change the way they’re perceived by the public. We’re like elephants (in that we never forget, not that we’re huge, grey and wrinkly) – when we think we’ve got a brand all worked out, we’re reluctant to accept any new direction that brand might try take. Burberry is a great example – their classic check was adopted by less-than-desirable types and the brand’s image instantly took a nosedive. And even though things have improved and chavs have moved on, I still can’t see Burberry check (real or faux) without thinking of baseball caps and hoodies.

Some brands manage it, however. Hunter started out making wellington boots for soldiers at war – they made over 1 million boots during World War I and were called up for service again during World War II. The brand supply wellies to the Royal Family and were granted a Royal Warrant from the Queen in 1986. Impressive, yes. But not particularly cool.

But, the Hunter brand story is a lesson in the power of celebrity. Kate Moss wore a pair of Hunter wellies at Glastonbury in 2007 and since then, they’ve been a must-have for stylish field-dwellers everywhere. The brand is now synonymous with countryside couture and the original wellies are in huge demand. The brand have cleverly capitalised on this, recruiting figures from popular culture (including Liberty London Girl) to further boost their image as a cutting edge brand with a traditional product.

Of course, I’ve been desperate for a pair for months. I’ve been thwarted on many an occasion – the pair I found at a car boot sale were a size too small, and despite hitting the Brand Alley sale (which is on ’til next week, so be quick!) early I missed out on an original pair in my size. So when Lucy and Chloe tweeted about Hunter stock in TK Maxx I raced down to my local store to see if it’d be third time lucky. And it was!

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Hunter wellies via TK Maxx, Primark sequinned jacket and sheer top, Topshop jeans, H&M rings

I chose a pair of Originals in black and paid £39.99 for them, which is a great saving on the £69.99 RRP. I’ll be selling my car boot pair (which were a fiver… if ONLY I could cut my toes off) to make back some of the cost. I realise £40 is rather a lot for a pair of wellies, but hey. I’m a sucker for a good brand story.

What do you think of Hunter wellies – are they a legitimate addition to the stylish woman’s wardrobe or really just rubber boots for wading through mud? Do you pay much (any) attention to brands when it comes to shopping?

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Ethical Fashion – Does it Work for You?

Posted in Fashion, Writing.

Yesterday I read a fantastic post by Pearl from Fashion Pearls of Wisdom on ethical fashion. Ethical fashion is quite a contentious issue for me. As a regular high street shopper I’m aware that the clothing choices I make are not always the most ethically-sound, so I try offset this by shopping secondhand wherever I can.

What I found most interesting about Pearl’s post was the idea that for many people, there really is no alternative. Pearl linked to this post on Jezebel – it’s a story about the American fashion chain Forever 21, highlighting the unethical practices the company are involved in. There’s a definite air of ‘you shouldn’t be shopping here because it’s unethical’, and the commentators have picked up on that. The frustration in the comments is palpable – if we can’t shop at Forever 21 because it’s unethical, where CAN we shop?

In every industry, there are brands that are pushed forward as the ‘spokesmodel’. McDonald’s gets all the flack for obesity because it’s the ‘spokesmodel’ for the fast food industry. Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut – they’re all just as bad for our waistlines, but they feature far less in the media because McDonald’s is McDonald’s. Similarly, in the UK fast fashion industry it’s Primark who have been pushed forward as unethical, when similar policies could very well exist in every high street shop from Topshop to Gap. Price doesn’t give any indication of ethical practice – Topshop’s prices are double Primark’s, but their garments could have been made in the same factory.

So if all our high street stores are guilty of being unethical, where can we shop? There are ethical labels like People Tree, but they can be prohibitively expensive. And there’s secondhand shopping, but not everyone has the time or inclination to rummage through a charity shop bin. One of the commenters on Jezebel mentioned they’d just got a new job and had $50 to buy a work wardrobe. A very specific need, a small timeframe and a low budget – of course they’ll visit a high street store. Forever 21, in fact.

Here are some of my key pieces for summer – one bought in Primark, one in a charity shop and one in a vintage store:

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Sequin jacket, £27, Primark

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Floral tea dress, £6, charity shop

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Midi skirt, €5, vintage store

I am guilty of impulse shopping but I wouldn’t say I’m a thoughtless consumer – I work out what I need (and want) for each season and then search for these things on the high street, in charity shops, car boot sales, vintage shops and on eBay. I clear my wardrobe out every three months and never, ever throw things away – they’re donated, recycled or sold on.

Trying to find information on ethical ways to shop is difficult. There are countless ‘green’ guides, fair trade brands and eco fashion ranges, but for those on tight budgets who just want everyday clothing without the hassle, it’s hard to see an alternative to the high street. It’s a very personal choice and one that needs to fit with your lifestyle for it to be sustainable – one answer doesn’t suit all, and that’s something the fashion industry and the media need to take into account.

What do you think? Do you buy from specific ethical brands? Are you a second hand shopper? Or do you feel a bit confused by the whole issue?

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The Secret Shame of a Daily Outfit Blogger

Posted in Blogging, Daily Outfits.

I was a speaker at Blog Camp Manchester last Friday, which was a fantastic experience. It was amazing to see so many passionate, dedicated bloggers in one room, and despite my immediate technical inadequacies (I had a piece of paper, the other speakers had iPads and MacBooks), I think I did alright. I remembered my topics, kept my head up and only stumbled slightly when I mistook a gurgling baby for someone asking a question.

One thing that came up during my talk was the process of taking photos. I think taking your own photos (or roping in a long-suffering partner/friend/family member) is essential in making your blog your own – anyone can swipe an image from We Heart It, but using your own shots shows you’ve put that little bit more thought and effort into your post.

Unfortunately most of the general population are unfamiliar with blogging, and the sight of a lone female lugging a tripod down the street to pose in front of a brick wall can cause excessive pointing, continued staring and, sometimes, riotous laughter.

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Vintage skirt, Gap tee, Primark belt, Eden wedges via Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Jigsaw sunnies

It took me half an hour to find a suitably secluded place to take these shots, and even then an elderly lady stopped in her tracks to gawp as I trotted back and forth to set the self-timer. This is the part of blogging I find most excruciatingly embarrassing (even more so than walking through the office and catching a (male) colleague reading the blog), but I persevere because I think the images are just as important as the words. One Blog Camp attendee asked if my neighbours found it odd – no one has ever said anything, but I am certain they think I’m just a little bit odd.

How do you take photos for your blog? Do you have someone to help or do you enlist the services of a trusty tripod? Where do you go to get the perfect picture?

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Project Take 10 Challenge 11 – Max C

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

The Take 10 Girls are back with a new challenge! This month we’re working with Max C to style this beautiful Pleated Swan Pearls Dress.

It was love at first sight between me and this dress – the soft pleats, dusky pink colour, pearls arranged in the shape of swans – it’s so fabulously girly I can hardly bear it. So how did I style it?

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Max C Pleated Swan Pearls Dress, Schuh brogues, Primark ring

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Sweet and simple was my strategy – I let the candy colours speak for themselves by teaming the dress with pretty brogues and an oversized ring. The dress was a little short on me (I’m 5’7) and think it could look slightly obscene with heels, so I’ll be sticking to flats when I wear it again for a wedding later this summer.

See what my Take 10 sisters did with the dress – these girls are stylin’!

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Ellie, me, Sabine, Vicki, MJ, Sherin, Sarah, Harriet, Paula, Susie

What do you think of challenge 10? Are you loving the sugar-sweet perfection of this dress?

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Business Casual – Making It Work

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

(Sorry about the puntastic title.)

Business Casual – two words guaranteed to strike fear into the heart of any self-respecting fashionista. Not only does Business Casual conjure up images of stretch Lycra black bootcuts and sensibly-heeled courts, but the two words together simply make no sense. The phrase ‘Business Casual’ is a complete oxymoron, and it’s this confliction that leads to the pairing of stonewashed jeans with a shirt and blazer. Sometimes even a tie. Oh, the inexplicable horror!

Trying to dress for Business Casual often ends in couture carnage. Can I offset sandals by wearing a pencil skirt? Are city shorts okay if I’m sitting at my desk all day? Is denim ever acceptable in a boardroom? These endless worries about what’s appropriate for a Business Casual dress code inevitably lead to a wardrobe full of black and varying shades of grey, just to make things easier. And before you know it, you’ve got those sensibly-heeled courts on and you’re complaining to colleagues about the colour of the work experience girl’s nails.

If you don’t fancy morphing into Lorraine from Accounts, however, there are a few things you can do to spice up your office attire…

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New Look skirt and blazer, Primark top and bangles, ASOS belt, Accessorize clutch, Eden wedges via Sarenza, H&M ring

  • Introduce pops of colour with bright accessories
  • Mix office staples like the classic blazer with loose-fitting tops
  • Look for formal shapes in casual fabrics, like this denim pencil skirt 
  • Keep your look groomed – stick to neat hair and minimal make-up 

Now, before you starting shouting “my boss would kill me if I walked in looking like that!”at me, I realise this might be too casual for some workplaces. If baring a bit of leg would have you hauled in for a meeting about decent personal conduct, it’s probably best you don’t push your luck. But you can build on the basics to create a more appropriate look – swap the skirt for tailored trousers and choose flat leather pumps for a sleeker, more professional look.

What do you wear to work? Would you wear this to the office or make it more formal?

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