Is it time you stopped being a slave to fashion trends?

Is it better to be a Vivienne Westwood or a Ralph Lauren? A trendsetter or a trend follower? Is it actually possible to always be on trend – or should we all embrace the things we like to wear and give trends the sartorial middle finger?

These are the questions that have plagued my mind (and therefore bank account) this week. I’m now at that stage of economic peril where purchasing blow-outs send me on a major guilt trip as I try desperately to justify my buys to anyone who’ll listen (‘Please Officer, I’m just developing a perfect, good quality CAPSULE wardrobe to last forever’). But I think I might have found at least one cause of the problem.

Gemma Goldstone launches on Asos, Makes Romy & michelle proud

Lucky for me, this week I get the chance to discuss three of my favourite current things: Asos.com, the nineties and new emerging talent. Love it or loathe it (and it’s clearly the former over here at Style & Then Some HQ) the current craze for all things nineties has not been limited to fashion alone, but has influenced the emergence of new sub-cultures such as ‘Sea Punk’ and kicked off the technological trend for premillennial GIFs which are currently flooding the world-wide web for our entertainment (whoever gifted the internet with this gem needs knighting).

Having been over-exposed to the eighties influences for almost a decade, it looks like the nineties trend may too be here to stay.  Having said that, a number of designers, from Dries Van Noten to 3.1 Phillip Lim, are already influencing the catwalk trends, incorporating nineties grunge which is no doubt a strong avenue which we’ll be seeing next season.

But with such a rich melting pot of inspiration the decade contains, new emerging designers are starting to crack the tough fashion world, and one fantastic way to do this is through Asos Marketplace. While the competition to have your own boutique on the ever-expanding site is ridiculously tough, one new designer has launched this month with her fist, nineties-inspired collection, ‘Pic n’ Mix’.

Gemma Goldstone, an Essex based, Leeds trained designer has landed with a collection fit for a Shoreditch Princess. The brand is not only edgy and vibrant, but designed for a fearless type of lady who no doubt had her own dressing up box growing up.  Plus, what is Asos if not a grown-up’s version of a sweet shop? While fabric choices include metallic PVC (so Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion!) blue fur, fishnet and perforated sports poly, it’s the metal chokers, oversized zips and chains which really polish off the collection and cement Gemma Goldstone as the new nineties kid on the block.

So why not go check out ‘Pic n’ Mix’ and indulge your inner Nineties child?

You can also contact Gemma directly: gemma@gemmagoldstone.com and follow her on lovely twitter: @Gemma_Goldstone.

Great One Piece Swimsuits On The High Street

If like myself, you too weren’t lucky enough to escape to sunnier climes this Easter it does not mean we can’t get excited about all the great high street swimwear in the shops at the moment. After all, summer is just around the corner apparently.

Due to the distinct lack of any proper spring weather (you may have noticed), I have actually taken to frequently googling sunny luxury destinations such as Hawaii and the Seychelles and then looking at plane ticket and hotel prices pretending I can afford them. Sad isn’t it? However, I recently rediscovered a far more proactive and cost effective way to indulge in some brief escapism that is much closer to home.

After a five year hiatus I took the plunge, quite literally, and headed to my local swimming pool for a nice leisurely dip (none of this fast lane at the gym nonsense) and sauna session in a bid to kid myself I was on holiday for an hour or two. Once again, how sad, but effective as my spirits were instantly lifted. Not the most bikini friendly environment – what with several small children splashing about at the other end of the pool – it got me thinking about stylish yet comfortable and relatively discreet one piece alternatives available on the high street that also wouldn’t look out of place on holiday.

After an extensive internet search I realised there is a fantastic and flattering swimming costume selection out there to choose from for us ladies whose figure leans towards the more curvier end of the spectrum and who would like options other than black. Here are my top 5 finds:

 

Seafolly shimmer bandeau swimsuit £91

ASOS spot tie front swimsuit £25 (ties around the neck too)

Very.co.uk Resort halter £25 (comes in black too)

Debenhams Beach Collection, Blue figure flattering seagull print £22

Florence and Fred Tesco Moulded cup swimsuit £14

Top 5 wardrobe additions: Snakeskin

Snakeskin is big news for SS13 but, like any animal print, less is often more and a hint of pattern is sometimes more flattering and wearable than head-to-toe print. 

Keep it classy with these top 5 wardrobe additions, covering work to weekends:

Reiss Karita Dress:

    Zara Snakeskin Ballerina:

Warehouse ankle-tie pants:

ASOS Snakeskin belt:

Linda Farrow Sunglasses:

5 of the best: Vertical stripe skirts

Five stripey skirts to slip into for Spring.

Stripes were a major trend on the Spring/Summer 2013 catwalks, from de la Renta to Dior, and now that the spring collections are in shops it’s clear the high street has followed suit. Want to try the trend without looking like Beetlejuice, or a Newcastle United supporter? If so, a vertically striped skirt is a good way to go. I’ve got a high-waisted stretchy black and white striped skirt that I got from vintage store Beyond Retro a couple of years ago and I’ve worn it to death ever since. As long as you pick a style to suit your shape (i.e. go for a mini if you’re petite and knee-length if you’re long of leg) then a striped skirt can be really flattering - they’re certainly far more forgiving than horizontal stripes. Here are five vertical stripe skirts to buy online now.

1. Stripe Zip Back Mini Skirt, £9.99, Internacionale

2. Fallona Monochrome Striped Pencil Skirt, £15.99, Missguided

3. Jane Norman Striped Pencil Skirt, £ 28, House of Fraser

4. White Stripe Pencil Skirt, £32, Topshop

5. House of Holland Striped Tube Skirt, £88, Asos

Sport-Luxe Trend

The sport luxe trend has been prevalent for a few seasons (no doubt reignited by the Olympic flames) and was born to worn in Spring.  The easy, semi-fitted nature of sporty separates make them versatile and low-maintenance wardrobe pieces.  After a loooong winter of heavy knits, fur-lined boots and thermal headwear, the thought of effortless, nimbler clothing is something I’m poised ready to embrace when the biting temperatures cease.

Despite the casual, comfy  demeanour, don’t be fooled by the informal-looking fabrics and looser silhouettes, the ‘luxe’ portion means the trend is ideal for work and weekends alike.  As we’ve seen previously the slummy track pant yet again gets an upgrade (if only to premium economy) with heels and blazer companions.  The smarter tapered shapes won’t necessarily facilitate streamlined  jogging motions but then they’re not actually being worn to the gym. 

A lot of sport-luxe pieces are humble sweaters and vests masquerading under luxury cashmere and silk blends.  The idea is to elevate utilitarian, ‘everyday’ clothing into chicer, posher versions of themselves.  You don’t have to go out and overhaul your wardrobe to adopt this trend, try adding heels to jersey or slouchy dresses or  wear a light sweatshirt under an elegant blazer.  Languid, soft fabrics such as modal and fine-knit wool are inexpensive and create refined finishes without the dry-cleaning bill.

ASOS Collarless Blazer:

Whistles Margo Sporty Sweat Skirt:

Banjo & Matilda Sea Pant:

Uniqlo Men’s Sweatshirt:

NW3 Wax Parka:

Designers to check out:  The Row, Kain, Alexander Wang.

5 of the Best: Winter Blazers

If there’s one item of clothing I have come to love in the last year or so, it is the blazer. My winter workday uniform now consists of black skinny jeans, a Uniqlo Heattech top and a blazer. Shopping in the January sales, I plugged a gap in my blazer collection by picking up a navy wool (OK, faux wool) one-button blazer in H&M. It’s great because it’s that bit warmer than your standard jacket and it was a major bargain at €12.95. I got mine at home in Holland but unfortunately it’s not on the H&M UK website. Instead, here are five more winter blazers you might like. Even better, most of them are still on sale.

1. River Island Brown Check Contrast Collar Blazer, £20 (was £40)

2. Topshop Ponte Boyfriend Blazer, £40

3. Zara Velvet Blazer, £59.99 (was £89.99)

4. NW3 Tweed School Boy Blazer, £111 (was £159) from Asos

5. See By Chloe Wool-blend Tweed Blazer, £192.50 (was £385) from Net-a-Porter

When I grow up I want to wear…Sophie Hulme

Known for her love of trinkets and  charms, Sophie Hulme has incorporated these treasured embellishments into her collections, from dinosaurs to small leather swatches and military figurines.  This quirky edge contrasts a very classic, structured handwriting which sees her small collections designed and handcrafted for longevity without too much emphasis on hitting trends or creating ‘looks.’  Her inspiration comes from practical menswear pieces and armoury which explains her preoccupation with metal detailing.

Having just graduated in 2007 from Kingston university, the British designer has achieved a lot in just 5 years and has her collection stocked at luxury outlets such as Net-A-Porter, Selfridges and Liberty.

Hulme has collaborated with ASOS and is rumoured to be following up with a third collection next season. I bought a belt from the last collection but was left feeling a bit empty when browsing some of the kitschier items.  I loved the cute military inspired prints but the £100 trolley print scarf.  Eh?

Other collaborations include Nike, Casio, Absolut and Globe-Trotter, bringing her signature brass hardware to vodka bottles and bespoke briefcases alike.

I love the simple, wearable aesthetic of Hulme’s style and the sturdy, quality materials which give the garments a ‘forever’ authority.  My wish list includes the boxy cape winter coats and the minimal leather handbags with notable gold hardware trimming.

Her age and attitude are refreshing:  Mathew Dixon, director of recruitment firm Hudson Walker, says: “Sophie is a composed individual and focused on the goals of her business. She is very professional in her business dealings and deliveries….. she possesses that very rare mix of creative passion combined with a sharp business brain.”  

Amidst a sea clogged with celebrity ‘designers’ (see Chloe Green, Paris Hilton, Petra Ecclestone blah blah blah….) who no doubt rely on others to do the excel spreadsheet bits,  Sophie Hulme is  British designer to be reckoned with.

Follow me: @joanna_knowles

Leather: the new wardrobe staple

Leather has become a wardrobe staple, lending itself to a multitude of seasonal outfits.  No longer just an accessory or associated with the dominatrix-look of previous seasons; leather has become the main event.

Endlessly versatile, leather befits work wardrobes and cocktail-hour alike.  Concurrent with the equestrian and military trend, the look is sharp and tough yet wearable and sleek.

Although a massive trend, leather garments can be quite expensive.  Burberry, The Row and Joseph all have stunning autumnal pieces, but some price-tags require uploading a kidney onto eBay to raise sufficient funds.  Others may have ethical reasons for not wanting to wear leather or perhaps oppose auctioning off internal organs.  Below, I’ve found some high-street substitutes which avoid plasticky finishes or any Ann Summers ‘pleather’ connotations.

Keep it classy with these leather alternatives:

Warehouse Coated Jeggings £42 – a nod to the leather trend, these have a matte, waxy finish which keeps the silhouette streamlined but not shimmery or shiny:

H&M Imitation Leather Mini Skirt £19.99 – this skirt has a grainy appearance and rich colour which looks amazing with pastel knits and ankle boots.  To an untrained eye, it may even pass for the real thing:

Burberry Brit Coated Denim Pencil Skirt £195 – a classic wardrobe staple with a fashion-forward twist.  Great for work and weekends:

Zara Wax Coated Denim Pants £35.99 – these petrol jeans are a worthy alternative to the standard black-skinny and have a flattering textured, slight-cropped finish:

French Connection Faux Leather Biker Jacket, £97:

Below are a handful of brands who support ethical fashion and use recycled leather or leather alternatives:

 Follow me @joanna_knowles

Fashion or future fiction? Running in high (top) heels

There comes a time every season where a few choice products fly down the catwalks and become deemed by the fashion elite as ‘absolutely necessary darling’.   And said products, usually a type of bag, a style of sunglasses or fit of denim become De Rigour for about 6 months.  Then, due to over saturation through high street copies, the elite want to distance themselves from these ‘necessary’ items sharpish.  No longer are they deemed exclusive and high-end, but through no fault of their own other than their sheer popularity, the minority dictate when they shall die their fashion death.  Remember the Chloe Paddington bag?  Enough said.

And this vicious cycle has left me wondering if this season’s choice of ‘it’ footwear really has the clout to carry on and creep through in to our Winter wardrobes.  The heeled high top, the wedged trainer, the stacked sneaker or whatever you refer to it as, has filtered down from Isabel Marant’s SS12 show right through to the bowels of New look in the past six months.  And finally, when I feel I can probably afford a respectable looking non-designer pair, this nagging feeling that they might be a complete waste of money rears its ugly head.  Are the upper echelons of fashion already hanging up theirs while us mere mortals ponder the influx of non-practical sneakers on ASOS and debate what colour our mates HAVEN’T yet got?  Why, oh why isn’t there some kind of fashion Oracle to warn my credit card of the life span of my new ‘totally necessary but completely not needed shoes’?

Having lived most of my adult life by the words of Beyonce, seeing her prancing about in a pair just fuels my desire, as does these gorgeous wedges by Ash landing in my inbox (below).  But, come on, for a potentially faddy item of fashion, is £149 a tad too steep?  Is the high street alternative, coming in at a lovely £24.99 from New look more sensible (if high-heeled trainers could ever be called such a thing) despite looking a bit more naff?

Well, only time will tell.  So roll on Fashion Week because all eyes will be on the floor.

Street Style | Floral and pastels at Graduate Fashion Week 2012

Not only did Graduate Fashion Week deliver a whole heap of talent on the catwalks (check out our round up of the best graduate collections) but there was plenty of style savvy on display in between the shows too. While perusing the pathways of the Earl’s Court exhibition centre we found many an attendee nodding to the two of the biggest spring 2012 trends – pastels and florals. Was it deliberate? We stopped a handful of very well dressed visitors to find out.

Who: Marissa Owen, who won last year’s graduate womenswear designer of the year award. Marissa is now a designer at Marks and Spencer.

What are you wearing? Cos dress, PPQ shoes, Topshop socks and bag.

Do the seasonal trends influence what you wear? Not consciously, but because I’m always researching trends for my work I think there is a certain influence.

What have you seen at GFW so far? I saw the UCLan show, that’s the uni I went to, it was brilliant. I loved the collection with the jack-in-a-box theme [it was by Xiaoping Fiona Hwang].

Who: Lucy Nicholls, recent fashion promotion graduate of Middlesex University and blogger on Shiny Thoughts.

What are you wearing? Topshop shirt, trousers and brogues, Lazy Oaf backpack, Me and Zina jewellery.

Are you influenced by seasonal trends? Not really. I like florals and pastels anyway so I’m glad they’re in the shops right now.

What are you looking forward to seeing at GFW? I want to look at other graduate fashion promotion potfolios and see what they’ve done.

Who? Mehbuda Uddin, studying fashion at Bournemouth.

What are you wearing? Warehouse blouse, New Look skirt, Dorothy Perkins bag and accessories.

Are you influenced by seasonal trends? I picked this outfit many because I like the petrol blue colour of the skirt and because it has a retro feel. I flip through magazines so I’m aware of trends but for me it’s more about what suits me.

Who? Charis Younger, Northumbria graduate now designing menswear at All Saints.

What are you wearing? Asos dress, Primark bag, All Saints jewellery.

Are you influenced by seasonal trends? I’m definitely aware of the trends but I usually wear a lot of black and grey, like the All Saints clothes. There’s just so much pastel in the shops at the moment, but I try to wear it with my own twist.

Who should we look out for from Northumbria at GFW? Look out for Charlotte Sowerby and Emily Edge, they’re both great.

Who: Elis, from Bulgaria, studying business and management at Exeter university, currently on a sandwich placement doing marketing at IBM.

What are you wearing? All by  Zara apart from shoes which were bought from a shop called Renkel in Berlin, Germany.

What have you seen that you’ve liked at GFW? I really liked the University of Edinburgh show as they did interesting things with the business suit – it’s something I wear everyday.

Are you influenced by seasonal trends? I’m limited with my work clothes but I likes to wear flowers and colours outside of work.

ASOS AW2012 preview | Shake it up baby, twist and clash

Fed up of waiting for the ‘New:In’ sections of ASOS to update, we sent Craig White and Katy Spry charging at the new AW2012 collections, beady fashion eyes and cameras at the ready.

The emergence of ASOS as a major player in high street fashion without a single store is proof that online sales in the UK matter, not only in cash terms but in directing trends. The bold ASOS creative team continue to take risks and push high street style into occasionally perplexing directions (check out the woolen houndstooth onesie!) and their mix’n'clash styling suggests new twists and turns while allowing you to cherry pick what’s right for you.

The influence of British designers like Christopher Kane, Osman and House of Holland on this collection are occasionally blatant, but who doesn’t enjoy foxing friends with a well executed knock-off?! Here’s a round up in pictures of the key ASOS looks for AW2012.

Drapers Record Next Generation Academy 2012

Last week I was lucky enough to score a ticket to the annual Drapers Record Next Generation Academy Event.  Now in its third year, the idea behind Next Generation is to host a day of networking for young professionals working in the fashion industry in either their first, second or third job.  The day was also structured with inspirational talks and peppered with Q&A sessions with some of the industry’s heavy weights, from the CEO of ASOS, to the managing director of Topman, via Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council all being grilled as to how they got where they are today.

Whilst being highly inspirational and informative, I have to say, the whole day also opened up my eyes to how other sectors of the fashion industry works.  I mean, coming from a design background I have never truly understood the  extent of the role that, lets say, the head buyer for Oasis has to fulfill.  Or even how you would go about getting there.  Overall, however, I found the interview with Nick Robertson, founder of ASOS, the more interesting part of the day.  Being a fan of ASOS from the beginning, it was intriguing to here Nick speak about how the company went from being a site built on reproducing ‘celebrity style’ (As Seen On Screen, get it?) to becoming one of the most ground breaking and profitable companies in the UK, and to hear about ASOS’s future plans at global domination (oh yeah, ASOS Australia is now a reality!).  As well as this, David Shepherd, managing director at Topman, gave the event’s key note speech, and I was shocked to hear that only 10 years ago or so, Topman  was in the throes of shutting up.  Who would have thought that now?   And that at present, Topshop cannot open a store in Norway as someone else holds the rights to the name?  The main underlying theme of the day, however, and which resonated from everyone involved, was that without hard graft and determination, it is impossible to get to the top of the pile.  And who is to argue with Harold Tillman and co?!  I will most definitely be vying for a ticket again next year!

Virtual Changing rooms: The future of online shopping?

No, don’t panic dear readers, Carol Smilie is not returning in some new BBC 3D decorating experience.  The ‘Virtual Changing Rooms’ I am referring to is something that seems to be popping up all over online shopping websites.  Now, I know that to most people this isn’t ‘ground breaking’ news, or worthy of Sir Trevor McDonald’s airtime, but it is somewhat of a technology trend worth monitoring. 

If you haven’t noticed already, any new high-street chain store you walk in to will be equipped with access to computers linked up to it’s slick on-line store.  That is because they know that the majority of people now scout out what they want to buy before they try, online.  Been the Westfield lately?  Notice the ipad bench in Topshop?  I read a fascinating article recently on consumer trends in Draper’s Record (The retail Bible, if you will) predicting that by approx. 2014 for young professionals more online shopping will be done on our SMARTPHONES than on computers or in-store.  Their findings are only backed up by the Government’s attempts at High Street regeneration and hiring Queen of Shops Mary Portas to spearhead their campaign.  And boy, she is going to have her work cut out for her.

Now, I am not saying that people don’t love to shop anymore, but more and more people are doing it online, and any technology which makes this an easier experience is now at the for-front of development for many major online retailers.  For internet based companies such as asos.com, boohoo.com and the like, who clearly need no bricks and mortar to see their profits soar (Boohoo’s parent company saw their turnover shoot up by 85% in 2011 to £24.5m) the only logical next step would be developing virtual changing rooms, and cutting edge tools to make your online experience better, and as realistic as physical shopping.  They may be biding their time, and only in the development stages, but it would be silly to imagine the future of online retail without virtual changing rooms. Check out Love Rococo and have a play around with their version, known as the Webcam Social Shopper, a great little tool to get to grips with Virtual changing rooms.

 The only way is up for this type of technology,  and if done well, and done right, it has the potential to revolutionise online shopping further.  So how do you feel about this?  Do you think it has the potential to seriously catch on, or is it just another gimmick?  Would you use it?  Let me know your thoughts y’all! 

My Christmas Wish List | Katie

As if you didn’t need another reminder that you haven’t got all your Christmas shopping done yet (well I know I haven’t), in the run up to Christmas us five members of team Style & Then Some will each be telling you what gifts we hope to find Father Christmas (or Mum, Littlewoods would have you believe) has deposited in our stockings. Obviously we’ve all been VERY good girls this year and the big, fat, bearded guy will definitely have our names will down on the Nice list.

Kicking off, here are 10 treats that would make me a happy girl on Christmas morning. As you will see they, for the most part, can be categorised as either clothes, books, or beauty.

I love how sleek and subtly sexy this variation on the LBD is. The ASOS Bodycon Dress in Cutwork Lattice seems to be getting reduced by the day. It started at £45 and is now just £27. Praying it doesn’t sell out so that I can get myself one after Christmas if Santa doesn’t come through.

Admittedly, I already own four Heattech tops from Uniqlo, but they are SO useful that I really don’t think I could ever have too many. Women’s HEATTECH Crew Neck T-Shirt, £9.90.

I’ve wanted a tux jacket for ages. I think white is that bit more daring than black, but still classic enough to last for ages. ASOS PETITE Exclusive Tuxedo Blazer, £55.

Everybody says Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman, a kind of modern day guide to feminism, is brilliant.

I’ve been meaning to read Garbiel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude for about a hundred years (boom boom) because people who know what I like say I will love it. And if Penguin say it’s a modern classic, who am I to argue?

As a iPhone devotee (well, until I was given a Nokia Lumia) I’m fascinated by Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography is the only biography authorised by the man himself, apparently, and it was released just after his death.

I don’t understand why people buy expensive mascara, because whenever you see videos of famous make up artists they’re so often using a tube of the classic green and pink-packaged Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, which is only £5.19 at Boots.

I was given some Groomed Face Scrub Smooth Off at a press event in August and promptly handed it over to my boyfriend. But I’ve kind of regretted that because every time I use it at his house I remember how good it is – it smells so fresh and leaves my skin feeling decidedly smoother. I can hardly believe it’s only £1.50 from Asda.

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Elle’ perfume has been my signature scent ever since it was released in 2007. I’m almost at the end of my huge 90ml bottle and ready for a refill.

How amazing is this? I think Sophie Caldecott will like it. The Nordicware Gingerbread House Cake Tin produces a perfectly shaped gingerbread house ready for you to decorate just as expertly as in the picture below. Only thing is, it costs £37. Bit much for a cake tin if you ask me!

What do you think of my Christmas wish list? Anything you’ll be adding to yours, or ideas you’ll be stealing for others people’s gifts?

Pret a Portobello: Market stall chic made easy

Image by hosiawak

I love Portobello market in London, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it gets so crowded that trawling through the hordes of people for vintage bargains can often feel like wading through treacle. Call me lazy, but the other day when a friend introduced me to Pret a Portobello, a website which enables you to browse market stalls and even get involved in a spot of haggling all while remaining comfortably tucked up in bed sipping a hot chocolate, I got pretty excited.

I suppose the obvious comparison is the online designer treasure trove, Net a Porter, but I can never afford anything from Net a Porter anyway, so for me it’s really more of a replacement for ASOS. I really like the little catwalk video thing they do on ASOS so you can see how the clothes look in action, but Pret a Portobello is really easy to use and has great photographs, so it wouldn’t feel too risky ordering without trying things on. It’s got the unique factor going for it, plus it seems you can return items if they don’t fit, so there’s really no way to lose.

Image by Andreas Kambanis

The website doesn’t just source clothes and accessories from Portobello – they also sell items from other London markets such as Spitalfields, Camden and Brick Lane, and have even just started sourcing in Sydney, Australia, too. I can tell this is going to be my new lunch break addiction…

Scotch & Soda: Effortless cool from the Netherlands

Having spent some time recently browsing the boutiques in Amsterdam’s Nine Streets, I came across one shop who’s name I was semi-familiar with.  Scotch & Soda, an Amsterdam original, has definitely popped up on my late night ASOS searches for a while now.  

What struck me most, when browsing round their bricks and mortar store, was how well Scotch & Soda have branded themselves.  Although the label has been going since the 80′s, in the early noughties it was rebooted and has since expanded to include womenswear (Maison Scotch), premium denim, and childrenswear.  It oozes that fashionable, effortless cool only the Parisian and Dutch women of Europe seem to be able to pull off…bitches.

With photoshopped sales assistants floating around (it should be illegal to be as good-looking as the men who work there) it did take me a few minutes to focus on the actual clothes.  And thus I spent a good ten minutes tearing myself away from a tweed blazer with a star print lining.  Seriously, their Maison Scotch statement pieces are BUFF.

You have been warned.  Thanks to Dolce & Gabbana, stars are back in orbit this Autumn, and everyone is following suit.

The Big Bag Personality Test

I firmly believe you can tell an awful lot about a person though one of two things; their choice of bag, and their shoes.  Now this may seem a tad judgemental, but it isn’t meant to be.  Actually it can be very interesting.  I’ll admit, I don’t think this will be up there with Sigmund Freud’s psychology tests, but how about try my little game and see if you can find out anything about yourself in the process. 

 

Now, I’ve decided just to focus on the bag today, and emptied the contents of my very new, very grown up Asos portfolio clutch bag.  And what can’t I leave at home?  Basics such as my Miu Miu purse, Ray Bans (although, lets face it I probably can start leaving them behind in Winter preparation already), my student diary (because I am not organised enough to get one in Jan like normal folk, and end up having to settle for this months later and it’s all they have to sell me), lip gloss, pen, my battered Blackberry and my ipod.

 And what deep introspective enlightenment has befallen me?  Apparently all my accessories are PINK.  I knew there was a girl in there somewhere.  And apparently I’m just not that deep. 

 

 

#TodayImWearing a whole lotta gold

I have a nasty habit of falling in love with really expensive pieces of jewellery I ‘ll never be able to afford (this week I’m worshiping at the altar of YSL and THAT turquoise art deco inspired ring that’s sold out evvverywhere), but where there’s a will theres usually a way, and therefore here are some of my best jewellery steals this month…

Firstly, I can’t deal with dainty, girly watches and would rather be dragging my wrist along the floor like a Neanderthal weighed down by gold than wear a skinny strap any day.  Therefore I channelled my inner Vicky Beckham (I am from Essex after all)  and opted for a new timepiece in rose gold – rumour has it she got Louboutin to colour match the shoes for her first Fashion Week show from a similar watch David had bought her.  And until I can afford to splash the cash on the mac Daddy of all Rolexes, which I like to humour myself that my wrist deserves, my £20 imitation will do me quite splendidly thank you.

Same goes for rings really.  That amber one on my index cost a quid from George, and despite the stone falling out the next day (a glue gun can really be your best friend sometimes) its been as good as (fake) gold ever since.  And with Easter is round the corner, I thought I’d go a tad religious and opt for a long St Christopher’s charm necklace to finish things off at a barginous £6.  I just hope it doesn’t turn my neck green.