PULLED APART

A family wedding is looming and from the moment the invite dropped through the letter box i've been having an outfit panic. Having to sit on the top table and be a part of the wedding photos set at Southsea Castle has only made me worry more! It's not a case of vanity which has been bugging me, it's more that my style just isn't smart, nor is it elegant, and as a student I have to make careful and wearble additions to my wardrobe.

The Autumn date means dressing for the weather but also offers a chance to indulge in some new season pieces and trends. The abundance of trouser suits in opulent fabrics has come at a perfect time for me as i'm not a dress kind of girl and from there i've started to build an outfit. The separates i've chosen for the occasion will also be easy to work into my everyday wardrobe when pulled apart from the original look

The Wedding Outfit

I adore these trousers, although I did need to check I wouldn't clash with the curtains of the reception venue. I've paired the baroque cigarette pants with expensive looking high street pieces and will save money by swapping a headpiece I will never wear again for an updo and elaborate earrings.

All clothing; Topshop

Earrings; Topshop

Bag and Shoes; ASOS

....now how to make this outfitwearable after the event

Lazy Sunday 

This perfect coatigan will work again for casual Sunday dressing. I love to go out for a Bloody Mary and a read of the Sunday papers with my boyfriend, our favourite Sunday haunt is Spanky Van Dykes and it's nice to make a little effort for our weekly date. These boots are part of a new collection on the ASOS site by Swear, I want the lot! And the junk food socks add a playful element to an otherwise polished look.

Coat and Socks; Topshop

Dress; Topshop Boutique

Boots; Swear @ ASOS

Pouch and Ponytail Ring; ASOS

Office Intern 

A new internship is always a perfect excuse for new pieces and this outfit is both smart yet practical, ready for a day at your desk or a hectic day running across London. The simple top from the wedding outfit reminds me of Jil Sander simplicity, whilst an A line leather skirt is at the top of my Autumn wish list. The snuggly coat and big sunglasses make the early morning cold commute a little more bearable and far more stylish.

Top, Skirt, Shades and Socks; Topshop

Bag and Boots; ASOS

Jacket; Isabel Marant Etoile @ Net A Porter

Watch; Casio

Classroom Cool

I adore how this seasons trousers make a statement even when paired with a basic tee. I'd add a loose white top, roomy bag and flats for a day at university. I am loving the J.W Anderson range for Topshop and these flats may just help to fill the void left by creepers which I have worn until they have fallen apart (twice!!).

Trousers; Topshop

Tee; Topshop Boutique

Rucksack; ASOS

Notepad and Loafers; J.W Anderson

After Dark

I love this season's mentality to get your rocks out and the bejewlled bag from my wedding outfit will become my go-to for nights out over the Winter months. To keep the look to my taste i've chosen elements with a boyish utility, I think this may be my favourite bomber jacket on the highstreet and the boots are perfection!

Bag and Boots; ASOS

Bomber, Tunic, Nail Polish and Collar; Topshop

Lipbalm; Anatomicals (this is my favourite lip balm ever!)

Understated Elegance

Inspired by one of my favourite looks on the street during fashion week. I am having an out of character crush on stiletto heels and spied them paired perfectly with a sweatshirt and jeans outside the Giles show this week. This look is so comfortable and perfect for dinner with a friend, it has just the right balance of girlishness and don't care attitude for me. Wear with scruffy hair and super thick lashes.

Shoes, Necklace, Bag; ASOS

Mascara; Eyeko @ ASOS

Sweatshirt; Topshop Boutique

Jeans; Moto @ Topshop

*I apologies for the laziness of only using two retailers!!

22

It's my 22nd Birthday on Monday and high time I made a wish list of the gifts i'd love to be unwrapping! I'm celebrating truly entering the grown up years with a trip to London, starting off with a trip to Meat Liquor followed by drinks in Shoreditch on Sunday before stopping over, then spending the day partying at Notting Hill Carnival and hoping to get a spot on the guest list for the Red Bull party before heading off to see one of my favourite DJs Oneman at a Deviation night. Still need to find the perfect birthday dress! The next day is my besties Rachael's birthday when we'll be easing the hangovers with g&t's and dinner from the yummiest restaurant in town back at home. Bank holiday is always great with a double birthday in the mix!

Wish List; Pretty Underwear (Topshop), Opening Ceremony 10th Anniversary Book, Zubrowka Vodka, Chunky Jewels (Mawi), the Perfect Party Boots (ASOS), iPod....I lost my iPhone and i'm dreading the commute to my work placement without any music!.... Gold Casio, Beaded Clutch (ASOS), Ving Boots (Jeffrey Campbell), Molecule 03 (Liberty), Boo Boo Zap (Benefit) ..because any Benefit is great and the packaging of their skincare range is gorgeous, Free Run Sole Trainers (Nike)...I definitely can't pull off the streetwear look but fierce looking feet might just help me to dedicate myself to the gym a little more!  

SO CALLED SUMMER

Denim & Velvet Dress; Topshop Boutique £55

Mella Bra; Monki £7

Mella 60's Briefs; Monki £7

Orange Lipstick; Topshop £8

Gold Casio Watch; American Apparel £55

Camo Socks; Topshop £3.50

Ankle Boots; Jeffrey Campbell @ Solestruck £130

OLYMPIA

I am completely hooked on The Olympics, from the awe inspiring cauldron, to the sprinter shorts which have filled high street stores, from the high fashion hints to sports and onto the faded vintage sweats, the nail art (patriotic albeit tacky) to the unstoppable Usain Bolt...and less I forget the rumoured Spice Girls performance at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday. And haven't Team GB done us all proud. 

HI BROW

If you know me then it will come as no surprise that I am obsessive over eyebrows. After sporting over plucked apostrophe style eyebrows during my school uniformed years I began to lust over the full strong womanly brows. Eyebrows truly change a face and the coming season sees the brow taking centre stage. A certain sense of dystopian surrealism has been cast over the fashion and beauty worlds and I am in love with other worldly brow embellishments. I'll be experimenting with coloured make up pencils and glitter gels for evenings, the statement lip always was impractical for drinks anyway!

SUITCASE

Suitcase is a new magazine which brings together fashion and travel, perfect editorial escapism from the UK's very own monsoon season which is washing out any home based summer plans. While the fledgling magazine was a little lacking in art direction for myself as a type and layout nerd, the publication's Tumblr has got me longing for my holiday to hurry up! I'm heading to Barcelona the week before my birthday for the perfect balance of city break and beach holiday with my boyfriend and can't wait to see the amazing architecture, hunt for hidden treasures in markets, eat ice cream everyday and actually get a tan!

All images from suitcasemag.tumblr.com

ASOS: TREND ROUND UP

I adore the kaleidoscopic style ASOS have visually summarised A/W12's key trends with, these spherical repeats appeared on my Facebook feed and started to get me excited about how the new seasons trends will translate to the the high street.

Very Berry; Layered berry shades will be the colours of the season.
As seen at Roksanda Ilincic and Christopher Kane.

Man Up; Menswear is big news right now, just see London Collections Mens for the proof. 

As seen at; Miu Miu and House of Holland.

Baroque Rocks; The Royal affect brings us the 21st Century Princess, with heavily embellished pieces layers with boyish tees and jeans to keep it fresh.

Seen at; Balmain and Dolce and Gabbana.

Eastern Opulence; Princess of China gets real, the sporty take by Proenza Schouler should work well on the high street.

As seen at; Proenza Schouler and Dries Van Noten.

Sci-Fi and Fantasy; Well....just see my previous post, Game of Thrones and Prometheus are providing a dystopian escapism from the real world and it's time to play dress up.

As seen at: Balenciaga and Mary Katrantzou.

Leather; Used in more ways than ever, new jacket shapes, new colours and new textures. Kill two trends with one stone with Oxblood leather pieces.

As seen at; Acne and Proenza Schouler. 

Military; The current smattering of camo jackets evolves into a fresh take on the military look, it's all about texture and utilitarian shapes. The Unique collection has to be my favourite of the season although i've never really liked miltary influences.

As seen at; Unique and Maxmara.

Floral vs. Geometric; The digital era adds a new dimension to surface pattern, with mirrored florals and retro repeats appearing across co-ordinate pieces. Source vintage patterns for the best retro looks.

As seen at; Prada and Kenzo.