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It’s all over for another year, sob…my tiny mind has been well and truly blown by all there was to see. The runways, the FRows, the parties, the street style…fashion heaven por moi! I’ve seen a few S/S ’15 trends that I’m very excited about (and already planning furiously in my head) between NYFW and London. Take a peek…

1- Pink and Print

Giles Deacon

More pink, it’s official! I’m such a girly girl inside….the great thing is that it has been shown in so many different shades between the so it’s going to be really easy for everybody to find a shade they like to embrace this trend. Giles’ invite to the runway show was a actually in the shape of a law print as is shown on the printed tunic, and I adore it! I’m interested to see how the high street choose to interpret it – I’m predicting no shimmer, more jersey (or possibly a light sweat). Look out for some darker, more moody prints over lighter colours too as with the long gown.

2- Tulle and Chiffon

Burberry

These trends were also hinted at in other shows such as Temperley and Top Shop Unique. The Tulle is a bit similar to some of the Betsey Johnson looks in NYC but with a more sophisticated edge that make them a bit more wearable in real life. Personally I’m taking this as a sign that we can all channel our inner Carrie Bradshaw and wear tutus in public! Hehe. Chiffon is always a winner as it covers without hiding – a hint of sexy and style whilst staying a bit more demure. I’ve always been a fan and have a few pieces in my wardrobe that I’m looking forward to playing with.

3- Quirk and Cartoon Heroes

Ashley Williams, Issa and Sophia Webster

Cartoon prints – embracing your inner child on the outside, as a grown up. Yes! This can be as subtle or as in your face as you like – something like the black/white shift would be both out there yet subtle due to the colour palette, but I’m sure the high street will also be offering t shirts and bags for a simpler nod toward this look for the less brave. Other prints shown were widely varied – everything from this wavy line pattern by Issa to horse prints to florals and abstract designs, so there’s going to be something for everyone. These shoes though…they’re literally screaming “pass me a cocktail, show me a great time” aren’t they? These shoes are not for hiding under a table and demand an outfit’s full attention I think – diva shoe! And rightly so.

4 – Checks

Temperley and Ashish

Checks have been my bag for years, yeah baby! Gingham, tartan, monochrome, colour…pick your poison. I have some great checked pieces in my wardrobe from last season that I fully intend to keep hold of for this trend. The whole Cher Horowitz/Clueless thing has always been a firm favourite of mine so I may sneak in a little crop top to layer over a gingham skirt with white shirt and work that angle.

As always the non- runway looks were an equal sight to behold, too many to show and certainly to ramble on about! These were just a few my faves

That’s all on fashion week. Keep your eyes open for more new posts soon!

Stay Stylish

J 🙂 xx

Freshers week is here (I hope everybody enjoys themselves!) and the new school/college terms are well underway. I’m in an interesting position in my life right now between these two worlds – I’m a uni student, but as I’m a little older I also have a lot of friends who are mums. It occurred to me that these very different groups of people face some of the same challenges when it comes to dressing for the everyday (albeit for very different reasons!) – lack of time and money, the need for pieces that are comfortable to wear whilst still feeling stylish. After doing a bit of research amongst my mummy friends and student buddies (thank you to all who helped) I discovered I’ve hit the nail on the head with this theory! So I’m doing a series of posts that amalgamate the two…hopefully you’ll enjoy and find them helpful! (I feel compelled to point out that on this occasion the sunnies are not a fashion statement – sadly they were an essential as I had a splitting headache and the light hurt my eyes. Boo!)

Photos taken on St Andrews Quay, Hull (City of Culture 2017)

A Decent Shirt

This is such a helpful piece – it can be worn on its own or open over a vest as another layer. The dark colours/print will hide a lot of marks (beer/coffee/food) and the fabric is soft so is comfy and moves/washes well. This one is an oversized style so I’m wearing it baggy as intended, but it could just as easily be tucked in or tied up if you wanted to create a slimmer silhouette and not feel like you’re getting lost in it. Another interesting feature is that it has popper fastenings so can be undone easily if you have a baby and are breast feeding (an excellent point that my friend Kerrie made this morning) If you have a curvier figure (as I do) and prefer to highlight this a little more you could go for a more fitted style in a similar print and still hit the same style mark. I have a couple that are more fitted as well (see below) that I also wear with skirts and trousers – the denim one in particular is very versatile and can be dressed up and down.

The best places I’ve found for quality and choice have to be New Look (http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/shirts-blouses/_/N-9wfZcfi#results) and River Island (http://www.riverisland.com/women/tops?f_parent_category_names=098a3a28-ef78-42e7-ab7e-108818f2a717) which is where my red and blue check one is from. RI versions are a little more expensive than NL, this was £28, but if you wear it a lot then it’s probably worth it. NL also offer student discount (which will probably go up to 20/25% if you can hang on until the start of Oct, aka first drop of your loan) so you can bag a bigger bargain and maybe buy an extra item!

Skinny Jeans

Don’t let the name scare you! This is possibly the pair that flatters the most people believe it or not. As you’ve read in previous posts, jeans are not usually my friend, so these babies are actually my Eden jeggings by Dorothy Perkins (http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/category/clothing-203535/jeans-203564?cat1=208600&cat2=208655?intnav=clothing-supercat_52_d04_expand_style_Jeans#pageSize=20&catalogId=33053&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&langId=-1&beginIndex=1&storeId=12552&parent_categoryId=208600&categoryId=208655&refinements=category~%5B720994|208655]&noOfRefinements=1). YOU ALL NEED AT LEAST 1 PAIR OF THESE IN YOUR LIFE. Seriously! They’re ridiculously comfy, keep their shape after washing, don’t really need much of an iron, flatter your waist AND hips, don’t have that thick denim waistband that digs in and gives you dodgy marks on your stomach, come in lots of colours, are available in leg length S/R/L aaaaaaannnnnndddddd……they’re a bargain!! DP do student discount (which also usually goes up soon) and often have really great offers throughout the year of up to 30% off so you can get them even cheaper (I usually pay less than £20 for mine with just 10% off). If you only get one colour, get black. They’ll go with everything and can be worn for pretty much anything. Wearing a skinny bottom also means that you can wear a baggier/oversized top half if you wanted and not look bigger as I’ve done, this is always something I think about being a curvy girl. I currently have 3 pairs of these in my A/W wardrobe (see below). I’m 5ft 3.5ins and go for the S length and they stop nicely at my ankle. The blue pair are R length which are a teeny bit long, but I roll those up at the bottom which gives them a different look (1 that DP are also championing in their Style Essentials campaign)

A Decent Pair of Boots

I’ve developed a bit of a boot obsession in recent times! I think you can just pick a really decent pair that’ll go with everything and they will see you through A/W so would usually say buy the best pair you can afford. However this year that’s gone to pot! This pair are sensible to me because they have a block heel and the cleated texture is both on trend and will give a bit of grip on uneven surfaces (the park perhaps?). Black will go with practically everything and the ankle style means I can wear them with dresses too. This pair are from Primark and were a bargain £15! If you look through previous posts you’ll see the rest of my boot collection – black wide ankle boots with a white heel (New Look), mid calf quilted biker style (Matalan), cut out ankle boots (New Look), cream canvas cleated ankle boots (Matalan) and my shoe boots (Primark). I used to spend a lot of boots but found I was forever getting them repaired as went for a smaller heel, I think a wider heel is more sensible and cost effective overall now. I don’t own any boots higher than mid calf – this is because like a lot of ladies, despite the fact that my calves are very slender, I cannot get boots to go round them! So, as with jeans, these are currently off the table.

So these are the first 3 items of your essential wardrobe – they can be mixed and matched, purchased in whatever style you like, for whatever budget suits you, worn however you please. You can literally just pick these pieces up, throw them on and look effortlessly stylish yet casual. The holy grail!

So what do you think, would you wear something similar? And what colours/prints would you opt for? Get in touch and let me know, I enjoy hearing about other people’s style! It feeds my addiction so kind of keeps me alive….hehe

Stay Stylish

J xx

With NYFW still in swing and LFW kicking off this week there are a lot of looks to crush on! I’ve narrowed it down and a dedicated LFW post will be on the way this week I’m sure….

Simples

These looks are so cute for daytime (and a more casual Saturday night out) yet ridiculously simple to put together. That’s a winner for everyone I’d say! We’re seeing a rise of celebs stepping out in more casual and basic pieces – think Cara D in jeans and a tee, or Denise in a little patterned skirt and tucked in top – the ‘normcore’ look. Think off duty supermodel (and since it’s Cara’s go-to look that’s exactly what it is!) and you’ve nailed it. RiRi’s jumper dress is fabulous for A/W, bit of a surprise to see her wearing it but I guess nothing should shock me about her anymore! I found a cute version in Filthy Gorgeous Hull this week (the pic won’t upload though, boo!) it’s incredibly cosy and a bargain at under £30! Join their Facebook page to find out how to order.

Supermodel Chic

I know what I just said, they look fab dressed down, but sometimes the models glam themselves up when they’re not working! Cara’s look is still simple yet effective and most people could recreate this (and tweak it to suit them if they don’t have a supermodel figure) I would definitely lose the gold body chain to make it super clean and pared back which is more the style we know her for. Jourdan’s look is very Chanel with the quilting which I adore (but it’s not Chanel) which gives it a classic look while the length of the skirt and shape of the jacket keep it edgy. The colour is sooooo gorgeous! Because of the texture and gold detailing I think it would’ve been nice if she opted for a simpler shoe to blend in with the rather than try and add something else to it.
I’ve already confessed that Poppy is my fave! She’s had a really eclectic style week and has rocked some looks that I think she stole from Cara’s suitcase, but these two are my fave. I kind of feel like I shouldn’t like the first one as it’s got a lot going in with the patterned jumpsuit AND jacket, but I think because both are the same it makes it ok. And it’s Poppy! She’s kept her hair uber chic with the sleek high ballet bun (a fave hair look of mine) to let the clothes do the talking. The second outfit is perfect for her date night with hubby but again I’m not sure about the shoes (again, change the reckon eh Jen!) I like that they match the dress pattern, but not the extra orange colour in them so much.

Red Carpet Rocks

It’s like I’ve picked the angel and the devil isn’t it, you couldn’t get much more different than this…Literally black and white! I think both looks embody the two sides of most women – Keira is the flirty, quirky girly whilst La Lopez is the naughty lil minx that makes the guys (and girls, let’s be honest) jaws hit the flaw and think “damn gurl!”. I think it’s kinda funny that Jen’s the one in her 40s and is the one getting it all out, but she looks like a 30yr old and I know I for one would be disappointed if she didn’t! She knows what her body works in and turns it out every time, Keira is more about the fashion and experimenting with different shapes. Insanely jealous of both….sigh.

So this week It’s official that simple looks are the way forward, great news for my A/W daytime wardrobe! You’ll see some of this in action when I start posting my back to uni looks soon.

Stay Stylish

J xx