#WantItWednesday (28/05/14)

I do love a good pouch. Anything that means I can hold my flats, lipstick, make-up and the myriad of other bits of crap I keep about my person at all times, while completing my outfit is certainly a winner with me. 

This rose gold/Bronze piece of art from Jil Sander however is on another level. 

I'm already a huge fan of a rose-hued metallic and this is no exception. 

This is so versatile and large, you can wear it comfortably with almost anything. I prefer a single colour, from head to foot to maximise the impact of this absolute gem of an accessory. Have a look at my suggestions below:

Details of all looks can be found here

Rose gold is the future, if you don't want to feel like a member of the herd with rose gold earrings and/or mid-sized rings, this is a wonderful, chic alternative that will keep you ahead of the curve! 

Get this beauty here

#WantItWednesday (21/05/14)

I have been surrounded by family this week. 

That can only mean one thing. I have  had a big family event. That can only mean one thing. I needed a big family party dress. 

It was particularly difficult because a) most of my family are incredibly conservative. So my rocking up in my preferred Mary Katranzou crop and wool mini and b) most of my family think I'm weird enough as it is. 

So I had to find something that I felt comfortable and fashion forward in and also would not get my Great-Uncle giving me the most disapproving of looks as I sashayed across the dance floor of my grandmother's 90th birthday. 

So what could I wear that would fit? I found the answer in this Beautiful silk shirt dress. This was the answer to all of my prayers! 

This is fun, chic as hell and is safe enough to wear in front of the fussiest relatives. The best part this looks extra amazing with a pair if jeans or a pair of kick-ass sandals. Topshop have found the answer to all of my prayers! It's a shame they don't come in a myriad of colours, I would have bought them all. 

I get to have my cake and eat it too! WIN! 

Get this piece of actual confection here. 

Details of all looks can be found here

Dressing For Work #1

White Shirt, Derek Lam

Cardigan, Warehouse

Skirt, Martin Grant

Pump, Giuseppe Zanotti

Jewellery, Caterina Zangrando

Sharks Tooth Necklace, Givenchy

Chain Necklace, Stephanie Kantis

#WantItWednesday (14/05/14)

I love shoes. I don’t talk about it often enough, but I am obsessed with shoes; crazy obsessed with shoes.

I often talk about (moan about) not having the coveted shoe wall (an idea my mother has run with - it puts my old collection in the shade) that I had in my old flat, and have to make do with secreting new pairs into my house and stuffing them under the bed, not in pride of place as I used to 

(or had become accustomed to). 

I am starting to reclaim the space and as a result, I am of course, buying more shoes. 

I have mentioned my obsession with Jeffrey Campbell on many occasions; known for (amongst other things) the Lita (I still wear mine ALL the time) and the Ex-Factor. The new Boehme is a step away from the heavy, grungy look the label has become known for. 

This style of shoe, in its many variations is EVERYWHERE at the moment however, this studded style is by far my favourite. 

It adds an edge that such a delicate shoe needs (As you’ve probably guessed, I am not a fan of delicate things) and as every shoe lover knows, it holds a special power non-shoe lovers just don’t understand. It is crazy versatile!  

You can (if you are so inclined) make this the crown (for your feet) of a rather ethereal, delicate look or you can feminise a powerful androgynous ‘nomcore’-ish look.  

When you think of Jeffrey Campbell, you often think flannel and leather shorts. It's definitely time to rethink. There is certainly more to this label than. 

I am all for finding more excuses to buy!  

Get the details on all looks here

Casual Chic #9

Shirt, DKNY

Jacket, Alice & Olivia

Jeans, J Brand

Crossover Heels,Christian Louboutin

Casual Chic #8

Shirt Dress, M&S

Floral Jeans, Tory Burch

Lace-up Platform Boots, Jeffrey Campbell

#WantItWednesday (07/05/14)

I love the power of a good necklace. 

It can transform an otherwise safe t shirt and jeans combo into something unusual  and edgy. Rather than going to the shops for milk, you're going somewhere cool for drinks or for a casual date. 

E K Throngprasert does this best. The mix of silicon and jewels is a winning combination. 

The bright colours and intricate designs are worn best with a paired down silhouette, Single colours work best, allowing the pieces to shine. I think all grey works fabulously with the entirety of the collection. 

My favourite of the latest collection is this intricate wonderfully lustrous confection in purple. 

This is worn best with Navy and White. I want it all!! 

Details of all looks can be found here

Met Gala 2014

This one did take me by surprise (it crept up on me, like much of this year to be honest) but the Met Gala

has been & gone, like most people it has been the talk of my office. 

Apart from the ‘floral couch gate’, the choices last year were a little more daring; mainly due to its ‘punk’ theme. This year, I felt was the safest yet.  

There was an overarching need for ‘Vintage Glamour’ & the usual suspects; Dita Von Teese, Blake Lively & Charlize Theron pulled this off easily with very little visible effort. Others such as Sarah Jessica Parker & Kate Upton looked like they had tried (and failed) to look effortlessly glamorous, aiming for the quality of a Veronica Lake; ending up looking more like a poorly imitated Jessica Rabbit.

Crop tops featured heavily on a lot of the younger muses, Cara, Rihanna & Emma Stone. (To name a few) There was a move towards a sleeker trousered silhouette rather than fluffy ball gowns this event has come to be known for, but this was few and far between.

Normally I’ve an opinion on everything (I wouldn’t write this blog if I didn’t) & I cannot begin to name my favourite look as they all seemed a little safe. Last year was easy, I knew they second I caught a glimpse of the picture. This year I am just not. So. Sure.

For ingenuity it has to be Janelle Monae, mainly because of the detailing on the cape. The look sticks with me. The detailing in the cape is exquisite & evokes vintage glamour in a novel & progressive ‘Basque– esque’ way, not seen on the red carpet in a while.

The ‘McCartney Clique’ I felt captured the entire mood of the season, monochrome and brights working together harmoniously. Individually, I couldn’t pick a favourite, as a collective I am sold.

Dita Von Teese, while the silhouette was utter perfection; the detailing in the sweetheart neckline, need not have been there. This would have easily been my pick of the bunch; I did not however, care for the additional red at the bust. The fishtail hem was more than enough. 

I was not a fan of Kirsten Stewart’s Chanel Look. There was far too much going on; I am a fan of embellishment, but not at the cost of overall look. Pick one and stick with it. 

Overall, this was definitely the safest set of dresses seen at the Met Gala in recent history. I was not overwhelmed by a particular outfit and with the exception of one or two (which could have been so much worse) was not grossly offended by any particular look. Given the aesthetic and body of work of the exhibition is meant to be celebrating, I would have thought the gowns worn would want to try their best to emulate it. 

Vogue, as always has the best collection of images from the gala, have a look here

Bank Holiday Fun #1

Dress/Tunic, Topshop

Jeans, Paige

Plimsolls, Keds

Leather Backpack, The Corner

"Two Wrongs Can Make a Riot": 2014 Wedding Season Picks

It's cold and rainy outside. That however is not stopping the on coming juggernaut that is 'The Wedding Season'. 

The ever pressing spring/Summer battle of what to wear on those long, often drunken weekends of celebrating the joyous nuptials of dear friends and family. I panic EVERY time. 

So I thought I would trawl through the best styles and outfits; fit for any possible occasion. To help you wade through 'The Wedding Season' without breaking a sweat. 

The first look is an easy & stylish fix if you are really in a sartorial bind. Lifted from the Man Repeller but on a slightly more affordable budget. I suggest accessorising with big, chunky jewellery to make this look more formal than a birthday lunch or dinner.

A maxi skirt and a plain shirt can work wonders. I am a particular fan of this look as you can kick off your heels towards the end of the night and still look as elegant as ever. Contrasting heels work well with this as you would occasionally flash your interesting shoes as you kick back at the reception table while shamelessly flirting with the male guests.

This works best with both a sleeveless shirt or an over sized button up, both are formal, yet relaxed (unbuttoned) enough to make you not look like you have just hopped out of bed and into the church.

The next look is an established, all round and well received wedding choice. The shift dress. It is always goes down well with the older guests who will always judge the Bride & Groom's choice of friends. This look allays their fears that their pride and joy is not fraternising with someone (relatively) unwholesome, without making you feel frumpy or dressed like your grandmother.

Go all out with this, Beehive, Cat's eye eye-liner, pale & slightly glossed lips. You will look great in the photos (if you are in any) and will make you look like a timeless beauty when you kick back and start doing 'The Twist' (You can't have a wedding WITHOUT that song!)

The final look is a little more Avant Garde for a traditional wedding but will work just as well if you are going to a rather modern urban wedding. It is sometimes said wearing white to a wedding is a bit of a no-no (out of politeness, I would consult with the bride) however I think this look is far too amazing to leave for yet another cocktail party.

If you want to look as sexy as hell to pull the attention of that grooms-man you've your eye on this will certainly do the trick & you'll feel as chic as aforementioned hell.

The humour of this wonderful (and well received) clutch from Anya Hindmarch will tone down the vampish-ness without you having to do without the red matte lipstick that this is begging for.

This look is not for the feint at heart and you will be noticed, for good and for bad (there are just too many rules for weddings - they should just be fun!) but if you are confident to go for it; this is the outfit that will outshine all others.

Pair beauty regime down for this look; the dress does enough of the talking for you. But a red lip is an absolute must. 

So there you have it. I hope you enjoy this 'Wedding Season' and hope you've the best time celebrating it. I know I will!

Just as an aside, I have found the best pieces of modern confetti 

(because, CONFETTI!)

Enjoy!

      Horse-Shoe News Print Confetti       Diamond Cut Confetti                Vintage Map Confetti

                                      Pipii                               Modern Confetti                                             Etsy

     
     

All Looks can be found here.

Kate Moss For Topshop

I, just like you have now seen all the pictures from the hotly anticipated launch, witnessed the queues and the flashbulbs as I trundled home from work. I am a fan of Kate Moss, but not of her latest collection. 

I had hoped that this new, higher end range sold at Topshop & Net-a-Porter would make me giddy with excitement and would make me want to spend the entirety of my rent and then some purchasing its delectable offerings but alas, it has left me a little cold. 

The collection, the first since 2010 is very Kate Moss, but not the Ms Moss I wanted to see. There is a lot of fringing and extra embellishments that Joe Bloggs (however fashion literate they claim to be) just cannot pull off. I have taken particular offence to the Diamante Velvet Top; It is clunky and boring; it all feels a little dated.  

I understand and can comprehend that Kate’s style and therefore collection is meant to be timeless however, her aesthetic has evolved from the ‘Glastonbury Glamour’ that this collection heavily relies on. It feels as if we have not left 2010 and I am still drifting through the sartorial sludge of my early twenties. 

The Pyjama collection is the most recent trend found in the range but even that feels a little contrived and out of place. (That being said, this is my favourite piece and I will purchase this as soon as I have finished typing) Some fabric choices are very trend led, however I suspect this has just been an effort to tie this in with the (in my opinion) far superior boutique collection and the patterned fabrics seen there rather than to create a cohesive capsule collection of it's own. 

It all seems very out of place within the current climes of SS14. 

Maybe I had hoped for too much, I had placed too much faith in the original magic of the collection & wanted it the replicate that excitement. Maybe I have just outgrown it, either way, my rent money is completely safe this month. That makes me want to cry. 

See the whole collection here.