Classic: The Little Black Dress

I’m off to Vogue Festival this weekend.  I’m now starting to have kittens because like always, I’ve gone and left getting my outfit ready until the last minute.

Vogue Festival is a two day extravaganza that sees the world’s biggest fashion talents come together for interviews and discussions. This year will be the third year running where a whole list of industry experts will be part of this a sought after event.

Like London Fashion Week I tend to make bit of an effort with my outfit seeing that fashion is all about clothes and style.

What do I wear to the Vogue festival? This is the big question, I’ve thought about channelling a few different looks. I wanted to go for a sports luxe style aesthetic where I was thinking I could wear a directional mesh piece teamed with a skirt, leather cap finished off with a pair of black pointed pumps? Then I was thinking that it’s still quite nippy out there and that I may just opt for a really cool layered look.

So indecisive I know but then I remembered a quote from one of my favourite fashion Icons Audrey Hepburn which she once said ‘When a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.’ This in a nutshell has inspired me to keep it simple and classic with a little black dress. A black dress will always look understated chic and I don’t  want to overdo my look because  I need to bear  in mind that I am working and I’m not there for peacocking purposes.

This season like every season has so many black dress styles on offer, which makes the task a lot harder in making sure you pick the right one. I’ve picked out my top 10 designer and high street styles which I need to make a decision on quickly.

One: T by Alexander Wang- £150- www.theoutnet.com

Two: Phillip Lim- £521- www.matchesfashion.com

Three: Marchesa- £1,500- www.stylebop.com

Four: Versace- £893-http://uk.versace.com

Five: Alice + Olivia-£180- www.mytheresa.com

Six: Love- £34- www.topshop.com

Seven: Lydia- £6.00-www.boohoo.com

Eight: Lace Maxi-£18.95-www.forever21.com

Nine: Silk Panel-£69- www.cosstores.com

Ten: Minna- £70- www.whistles.co.uk

All of these styles have the perfect balance of comfort and style. Which one do you think I should wear for this weekend and do you fancy any?

Image Source: www.pinterest.com

Kimye's Vogue Cover

If you’ve yet to have the HI-LA-RIOUS experience of reading what has, so far, been released of the Kimye Vogue interview then I insist that you get your read on before we go any further… Funny stuff right?! Have you ever seen such fuss kicked up over the front cover of a magazine?

The thing is… it’s not just any magazine, its fashion’s Bible, its Vogue! Last week it was revealed that Vogue’s prestigious front cover slot was to be taken by none other than the queen of reality TV (and sex tapes) Kim Kardashian. The decision was met with uproar from Vogue readers, journalists and celebrities alike.

Buffy star Sarah Michelle Geller tweeted ‘Well….. I guess I’m cancelling my Vogue subscription. Who is with me???’ And it seems that plenty are; people took to Vogue’s website and Facebook page to express their opinions on the controversial choice.

One follower wrote ‘This Vogue cover signifies the month that Vogue became a Tabloid!! They have turned into US weekly!!’ Another follower Don Servillas commented; ‘Vogue readers deserve more respect than subjecting them to a cover of this most VILE and Vulgar couple who got famous for a SEX TAPE and personality disorder. It’s time for Anna Wintour to step down from Vogue.’ 

But it takes more than one miss-step to sink a ship as big as Vogue; over a century old and one of the most prestigious fashion brands of our time. Anna Wintour is hardly likely to have succumbed to naiveté about the cover’s reception, especially after 25 years at the helm of the magazine. Wintour is an incredibly shrewd businesswoman, at the end of the day and the decision to put Kimye on the cover suggests a shift in target audience towards a younger and more socially astute readership.

Because the fact of the matter is Vogue is surviving (just about) in a dying industry, print media is practically archaic whereas Kim and Kanye are part of the new world. They have a combined Twitter following of 30 million opposed to Vogues comparatively modest 3.6 million.

The article itself reads like some sort of sycophantic love letter written by Kris Kardashian herself with absurd lines like; “Anybody need anything?” asks the agelessly glamorous, apricot-skinned Kris, fluttering eyelashes as thick, long, and lustrous as a hummingbird’s wings.’ VOM!

E! Online compared the piece to a badly written creative writing project, adding that it read as if the reporter ‘wrote everything out, then went back and used right-click Microsoft Word Thesaurus to make it sound fancy’.

We’re interested to find out whether the Kimye cover will help Vogue shift a few more copies than usual; it’s certainly got people talking about Vogue. And at the end of the day if the copies don’t sell we’re sure the Kardashian-West clan will buy them all themselves!

What do you think of the new cover? Will you be cancelling your subscription?

Bloggers Love... Fashion Week

Last night we were invited to an event hosted by Bloggers Love, a group that organises fashion and beauty brand showcases for bloggers in London. This week they’ve arranged their own Bloggers Love Fashion Week, with different events happening on each night, from fashion shows to clothes swaps and makeovers.
When we arrived on Wednesday evening we were shown up to the seventh floor at One Leicester Square, which is usually the plush Penthouse nightclub, with sweeping views of the London skyline. Two levels of the club were filled with presentations from beauty brands like Umberto Giannini and NKD SKN tanning. So as well as finding out more about their newest products, we were able to get some one-to-one tips and advice.

We were especially excited to try out Umberto Giannini’s Backcomb in a Bottle – so we can experiment with volume without damaging our hair. And the HD Brows team were on hand to show us their tricks for fuller eyebrows that frame your face shape.

Downstairs, there was the chance to catch up with other bloggers and even get 9 of your Instagram photos printed onto marshmallows, courtesy of Boomf, or grab a bloggertini at the bar while checking out the latest headphones. 

But the main event was the fashion show, by new designer Gerda Truubon. She showed her collection of simple but eye-catching sheaths, and was followed up by a presentation from Girl Meets Dress – the rental service that lets you borrow designer dresses you might not usually be able to afford.
Find out more about Bloggers Love here – if you have your own blog it’s definitely worth registering for their future events, to keep you in the loop about new products and help you connect with fellow bloggers. We’ll definitely be attending the next one.

Fashion Flashback

2013 was a year of sartorial highs when it came to celebrities. From Beyoncé at the Superbowl to Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars, has there been anything to match them so far this year? And on the flip side, there were some truly shocking moments too: think Madonna in her Cub Scout uniform and Lady Gaga's wheelchair. We've put together this infographic to celebrate 12 months of truly memorable celebrity style...

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Summer Style: Leather Jackets

According to the Independent this year is going to be the hottest summer we of have had in years.  I find this quite ironic considering we have just come out of a rainy season, but I guess everything balances out in the end, its about time we had a long stint of good weather!

All this good news of sunshine coming our way has just got me thinking once again about my next buys for my spring summer wardrobe. I just cannot wait, I’m honestly looking forward not having to wrap up with a snood around my neck every morning. I’m done with all my ankle boots, oversized cocoon and belted coats. Roll on SUMMER you can't come quick enough!

I want a light weight coat that’s going to be versatile enough to go with the majority of my everyday looks. I’m looking for a style of jacket that will also transition well in-between seasons where I can easily add layers for when the weather turns brutally cold again. I really want this piece to fit snug too, I’ve been going to the gym for weeks on end now and I want a tighter fitting style of jacket to show off my silhouette.

So I’m thinking it’s about time that I invest in a stylish leather jacket. It’s that hero piece wardrobe staple that’s in almost everybody’s wardrobe. I love a leather jacket because it’s a piece which you see in lots of different styles where you can really pin point a style pick to compliment and emphasise personal style.

Granted leather jackets are not the most ideal type of jacket to go to go for on a scorching hot summer’s day but in the UK how many of those days do you think we will really have?

Whilst searching for leather jacket styles I found it interesting to know that leather jackets were once made for functionality where aviators of the first world war wore them.  The leather jackets then were made very bulky with shearling lining to protect the wearer against all the flying elements.

Since then the leather jacket trend began to emerge where American's rebels of the 1950’s were trend setters of the leather jacket, they wore the statement jacket to symbolise their without law like attitude. By the 1960 the leather jacket had reached a commercial altitude YSL was the first designer to send the leather jacket down the runway.

In an ideal world it’s probably wise to invest in a real leather jacket because faux ones tend to lose their authenticity of a leather look quite quickly. This investment however does very much depend on your bank balance and if you go for a designer leather piece just expect to see a price tag that reads extortionate.

I’ve searched all the top designer and high-street e-commerce collections to bring you my top 10 leather jacket edit of the season…

One: Net-a-porter-£1,500

Two: Givenchy-£5,400

Three: Acne-£1,150

Four: Fausto Puglisi-£10,500

Five: Iro-£930

Six: Nelly-£164

Seven: Whistles-£350

Eight: Joseph-£1,900

Nine: Asos-£240

Ten: Warehouse-£111

Hawaiian Prints

Proving that everything comes back into fashion eventually, long-forgotten Hawaiian prints are having a bit of a moment this summer. But forget tourist t-shirts and lurid colour combinations: this time they’re all about immaculate details, clean lines and throwing fresh, unexpected shades together. Even if you’re usually shy of colour or print, a palm silhouette can add a California feel to even the most understated accessory. So if you’re already planning your new season wardrobe, make space for some island florals.

1. Bikini, Stella Jean

The easiest time to adopt this trend is when you’re chilling out on the beach, and this Stella Jean bikini masters the Hawaiian attitude without becoming cheesy or predictable. The red and yellow cars are a new twist on subtle green palm prints, and the high-waisted shorts lend it a vintage feel. 

2. Playsuit, Beginning Boutique

With a feminine flounce at the hem and skinny straps at the shoulder, this playsuit from Beginning Boutique stays true to the store’s Australian roots. It’s a much more subtle nod to Hawaii than some of the other pieces on this list – it’s only the pale orange which really recalls island life. 

3. Shirt, Emma Cook

The classic Hawaiian shirt - a long-time fashion failure – has been reimagined with clean lines and pyjama style collars this season. The tailored details bring sharpness to an otherwise relaxed silhouette, with a piped trim and vintage print.

4. Shorts, Scotch & Soda

If you’d rather stick to a more sombre colour palette, Scotch & Soda have scattered tiny palms over their rust-coloured shorts. Ideal for slipping on over a bikini for lazy summer days, they’ll also refresh classic white tees with a hit of new-season novelty.

5. Skirt, Fausto Puglisi

One for the wishlist, this folded Fausto Puglisi skirt has a deep, fitted waistband and a dramatic palm print. We’d wear it with a short sleeved shirt and minimalist leather pool sliders, in glacial white, keeping all other accessories to a minimum – it doesn’t really need anything else.

6. Camisole, Topshop

A floaty top is the perfect way to buy into the newest print trend: you can wear it with torn-up skinny jeans now and shorts when the weather gets warmer. All you need is a pair of statement sunnies and a minimalist clutch – look for sporty details to stop your look from getting too girly. 

7. Skort, Topshop

Skorts are still going strong, and this palm tree version from Topshop is a brilliant buy for the new season. If you find yourself wearing a lot of black or grey, this is an easy way to bring colour into your wardrobe for the warmer months. And the white background will enhance tanned legs perfectly.

8. Shorts, MSGM

MSGM has taken the Hawaiian print to a new level with these knee-skimming shorts. If you’re already a fan of summery colour and print, consider these as a new season investment.

9. Shoes, Kenzo

Kenzo has thrown up a huge selection of palm print pieces for Spring/Summer 2014, but these platform trainers are our favourite. And the monochrome colour palette means you can wear them with anything.

10. Pouch, Samudra Samudra x Brooklyn

Channel a California vibe with this laidback pouch, perfect for carrying your beach essentials or doubling up as a relaxed clutch in the evening.

Spring Wishlist

It’s about this time of year when the first signs of spring start to rear its head and our winter layers and thick knits become redundant wardrobe items. It’s getting warm enough to consider getting your legs waxed for the first time of the year but not quite warm enough for summer dresses.

This time of year can be a little bit of a sartorial conundrum, the trick to effective spring dressing is all about layers that you can put on or take off as the weather changes. We can’t get enough of the sports luxe look that has been around for what seems like ages but has transformed into something luxe and sophisticated.

So we’ve put together some of our favorite items that we’ve been lusting after for a while and would make perfect additions to any spring wardrobe.

1. ASOS backpack in Croc – ASOS.com - £38 – Perfect for storing all your emergency layers and pair of sandals for if the weather really does heat up.

2. Adrianne Bermuda Short – Whistles.co.uk - £125 – This season shorts are slightly less… short. It’s all about the mid-length Bermuda short.

3. Isabel Marant Holden Leather Slides – Net-a-porter.com - £280 – Slides are the shoes of the season without doubt but these Isabel Marant Holden pair are far and away our favorite.

4. Nike Crew Running Socks – Nike.com – For the ultimate sports luxe touch a pair of Nike running socks, wear with sandals and break the fashion rules.

5. Boohoo Rose White Base Leopard print Running Shorts – Boohoo.com - £16 – Show off those pins with a printed pair of running shorts, these pair from Boohoo is a perfect warm weather option.

6. 3.1 Phillip Lim Souvenir embellished twill bomber jacket - £1,160 – Net-a-porter.com – This bomber might be a little out of our price range but we’re absolutely in love. The jacket of the season; either opt for a classic black style or add a little print into your life.

7. Cos lace bra and Pants – Cosstores.com - £39 – The new season is the perfect time to update your undies, this gorgeous set from Cos would look amazing under a semi sheer t-shirt.

8. MAC Cosmetics lipstick in morange - Handbag.com - £15 – The colour on everyone’s lips on the catwalks was orange, update your crimson lippie with a perfect coral hue as we get closer to Spring.

9. Black New Balance 410 Trainers – Schuh.co.uk - £55 – Whether you’re into Normcore or not New Balance trainers are a perfect off-duty staple.

10. Monki Katti Sweat – Monki.com - £25 – Work a minimalist aesthetic into your work ensemble with this cool checked Monki top.

11. Christopher Kane Lace Flower Embroidered Cotton Blend Sweatshirt - £330 – Harveynichols.com – Christopher Kane can’t put a foot wrong as far as we’re concerned, this fun embroidered sweater just proves why.

12. ACNE Pascal Apricot – acnestudios.com - £225 – Our favorite thing about this time of year is that the sun showing it’s face gives us an excuse to start shopping for our new season shades. This cool pair from Acne are perfect team with almost everything! We want!

Summer Hats

The sun has had its hat on for the last couple of days now and we're set to have half decent weather this weekend too.

All of this sunshine has got me thinking about getting my summer wardrobe in order. The last thing I want is a repeat of last year, I ended up buying for the sake of it and all of the good stuff had gone because I left my summer shop until the last minute. 

I love dressing and shopping for this time of year, it far cheaper than getting in style picks for the winter season.  Shopping for new season wardrobe pieces will mean that you will have to inevitably invest key accessories too which is equally if not more exciting.

One accessory that every girl should own this summer is a good old summer hat. Hats are great because they have a practical function as well as lending to a look to make a fierce fashion statement. 

Here are my top 10 most stylish summer hat picks of the season…

One: Asos-£24

This black turban is the perfect summer headwear piece. The design sees a rose floral print which will add great depth and texture to any look you team it with. Turbans have been an emerging trend for a couple of seasons now where this style aesthetic will leave your style feel fresh and on trend this summer.

Two: Nastygal-£35

This black Brixton Messer hat is uber cool vintage inspired piece. This hat is a style that you can team with lots of different outfits for an effortless fashion forward east Londoner look. This hat will look awesome teamed with your floral summer dress or a basic vest and skinnies for a relaxed summer’s look.

Three: Yesstyle-£19

 This leather and leopard print baseball cap is a treat that you won’t want to put down this summer. This hat is a versatile little number that would look super-hot when trying to channel a sports luxe trend.  Animal prints are a prominent trend for the season.  The easiest way to tap into bold animal prints is through accessories.

Four: Choies-£9

This navy blue hat is the way to go if you want to make a big fashion statement. The design is simple blue beanie that has ‘Vogue’ adorned the front of the hat.  Rock this with any of your casual off duty looks or give your sartorial look an edgy twist.

Five: Oasap-£23

This woollen wave brim black hat is all you will need to see you through the summer long.  In all black this hat can be teamed with a huge variety of looks. Investing in this little number will add a splash of sophistication to any look you team it with.

Six: Quiz Clothing-£13

This rose bowler hat with black trimming is a piece that you can wear season after season. This hat will compliment any summers day or winter look.

Seven: Miss Selfridge-£30

 This nude floppy hat in a sugar pink is the easiest way to wear the pastel trend this season. The hat is of a medium size with intricate detailing of bead-work embellishment around the top of the hat. This hat is incredibly stylish and will add feminine attitude to your style.

Eight: Rich Girls Closet-£108

This snap back that will give your style a cool urban street style look. The Yen Dollar Pound hat has monetary symbols featured at the front of the hat which vividly reads YSL. Rocking this number will give your street style a ghetto fabulous kick.

Ten: Urban Outfitters-£30

This Vintage leather baseball cap is a stylish number that you can rock with all your favorite weekday looks.

There you have it, which style would you like to be peacocking in this season?

What is Normcore?

It’s time to take your fashion cues from some unlikely sources…

Whether you’re a die-hard label lover or you prefer to represent personal style over meticulously following trends, everyone cares about what they put on in the morning to some extent or another. But regardless of your stance on fashion, there is no denying that is has a tendency to be a little absurd. Just look to the likes of Jeremy Scott, Anna dello Russo and style blogger Susie Bubble if you don’t believe me.

I love to waste hours of my time on Pinterest checking out street style photos of magazine editors and stylists milling about outside Somerset House in full catwalk looks, but it’s hardly a look that the mere mortal can pull off.

Alice Goddard

The thing is; the absurd ensembles that make the wearer look as though they’ve been on an acid fuelled jaunt through Toys R Us are getting a little old. Minimalist looks have begun infiltrating the runways more and more whilst the look on the street has become a beast unto itself.

In an article written for the New York Times magazine, journalist Fiona Duncan explains the growing fashion phenomenon described as ‘Normcore’. The idea behind normcore is that rather than standing out in the latest Kenzo tiger head jumper or Christopher Kane print sweater it’s about blending in with the crowd.

Duncan argues that Normcore is all about rejecting the showiness of fashion and instead going under the style radar, think unbranded jeans, plain trainers and logo-free T-shirts and you’re on the right lines. Anything that your dad might have worn circa 1990 is good to go.

Leeann Duggan of Refinery29 describes the trend as ‘the aggressively generic clothes worn by Time Square tourists – and increasingly by the 20 something intelligentsia in New York and other style capitals.’ Basically what hipsters have been repping on the streets of Hoxton but swap 80s spirit animal tees with unmarked basics.

But the New York based trend forecasting agency, K Hole, who coined the phrase claims that Normcore isn’t a fashion trend, despite what the hundreds of newly posted articles might state. K Hole tweeted an explanation of the non-trend; ‘#Normcore finds liberation in being nothing special, and realizes that adaptability leads to belonging.’

The LA based journalist Christopher Glazek further explained; ‘Normcore means you pursue every activity like you’re a fanatic of the form. It doesn’t really make sense to identify normcore as a fashion trend – the point of normcore is that you could dress like a NASCAR mascot for a big race and then switch to raver ware for a long druggy night at the club. It’s about infinitely flexible, sunny appropriation.’

What do you think of the idea of Normcore? We definitely like the idea of not having to fork out over the odds for on-trend designer items and instead hitting up Sports Direct for some Nike sliders and a curved baseball cap.

Spring Summer Metallic Dresses

My birthday passed just over a week ago. I would of gone out and celebrated last weekend but unfortunately I had to work all day on the Saturday. Nether the less I’m out to celebrate and party the night away tomorrow night.

I never seem to have time for anything these days, I just don't know where the time goes. I'm really starting to panic a bit because I have had such a busy schedule over this last week I haven't even had enough time to go and get my ultimate bday dress sorted.

Thank goodness for the internet and online shopping. I know it’s a little late for next day delivery but I can have a look to see what treats are on offer. My plan is to get a little edit selected and go and home in on stores around oxford circus tomorrow morning.

There are multitudes of styles of dresses out there. It all can become a bit overwhelming almost hindering one from making a wise wardrobe choice. As much as I love statement on trend pieces, I like to buy dresses that I can get a good cost per wear out of. For me personally there is nothing worse than buying a dress for one night only it is such a waste.

I'm just glad that I know what I kinda of want which is a metallic dress. It’s a huge trend for the season and a style that I can rework for seasons to come. A metal style aesthetic is great because there are so many tones of metallic that you can go for from cool silvers to rich gold’s or even a coppery bronze, with so many choices its hard to know where to start?

Metallic pieces in general effortlessly adds glam and sparkle to any look. This season we have seen the metallic trend develop to an even more interesting style aesthetic in luxe fabrics and futuristic styles with intricate detailing that even sees holographic textures.

I’ve narrowed down my top 10 new season designer and high street styles…

One: Paco Rabanne- £1, 615- www.stylebop.com

Two: Lavin-£2,120- www.luisaviaroma.com

Three: TFNC-£27- www.usc.co.uk

Four: Herve Leger-£1,225 www.mytheresa.com

Five: Mink Pink- £38.50- www.asos.com

Six: Fiona-£15- www.boohoo.com

Seven: Plunge-£68-www.asos.com

Eight: River Island-£30- www.riverisland.com

Nine: Goat-£180- www.matchesfashion.com

Ten: Abellia-£49 -www.reiss.com

These are all hero piece styles that I would love to shimmer in on my birthday and all spring summer long for that matter. Which style pick do you think I should go for and has any style taken your fancy?

Image Source: www.pinterest.com