The Helmut Lang Gilet!

This, Bloggers, is kind of my dream item to me so I've decided that the only way to truly honour it is to team it with some other items- budget has completely left this one. As has any consideration of height/body shape. Just imagine this is what I would recommend if perhaps you possessed Kate Moss qualities.

So, here it is. I kind of went with two opposite ensembles and styles that show the versatility of Mr. Helmut Lang. I suppose when we think of Helmut Lang, the image of hard leather and slick basic t-shirts are the typical items that come to mind. This luxurious black fur gilet is the perfect example of this :

 

The first outfit kind of follows this vein with a loose basic Alexander Wang T and some cigarette Stella McCartney trousers, finished with the ultimate Christian Louboutin fur shoe boots. Something, I think I would be wearing to my casting or something along that theme ;)

Outfit Number Two!

I decided to play up to the 70's vibe of this season as its quite fun and a really comfortable alternative to killer boots and trousers that i swear would stop me breathing if I ever risked wearing them :)

The top is Yves Saint Laurent from net-a-porter.com and is made from a gorgeous silk in a maroon colour, paired with the Kate Moss dainty floral patterned maxi skirt. I didn't get as a far as shoes because I guessed that with a maxi-skirt, one can get away with almost anything. 

By the way, has anyone seen that this is Kate Moss's last collection for Topshop ? Or have I mis-read?

The Best of Friends

Apparently they're stopping Friends on British tv soon! I don't know if its a sick new money saving scheme or something but for some reason, I'm watching like two hours of Friends on E4 everyday! I realise I'm about ten years behind but I can't stop watching it and as I'm seeing Brad Pitt at Monica's for Thanksgiving, (looking absolutely lush by the way) I thought it was time to broadcast the end for Friends :(

Although it might not be true.

And from a fashion perspective, I'm just glad bras are way more popular now!

In With Outer-Wear

This season, as far as coats and jackets are concerned, we are definitely spoiled for choice. Its only October and I've already got my Aviator jacket ticked off my Wish List. H&M's affordable and stylish option. I admit, its not exactly Burberry standard styling but my budget doesn't exactly stretch to such lengths and the texture of the shearling is so soft and warm, its a close replacement while I'm waiting for the real thing.

Next on the agenda, although not a key item for this season, is yet another leather jacket- I think I'm developing a fetish but that's for another site... The neutral beige colour is perfect for the "minimal bare" look now and it has a retro seventies feel which does tie in current trends. I bought it for only £30 at London Fashion Weekend, this Lipsy original is my wardrobe staple at the moment and I suspect it will be in the coming winter!

So, all that's left is the knitted cardigan. Its my missing piece at the moment as I just can't find one that feels right. Discussing this with my friend only yesterday, she seemed to agree. A cardigan has the perfect cosy cable knit but doesn't have the large Abercrombie and Fitch style buttons or doesn't have any buttons at all which is my pet hate. Its not that I typically button-up cardigans fashioning myself ready for the Antarctic but without them, it just doesn't fall right. The patterned designs are my favourite right now, though, with the classic two tone patterns. Bellow is my short list:

Miss Selfrige, £38

 Miss Selfrige, £36

 Zara, £39.99

 Oasis, £50

 Oli.co.uk, £50

 Zara, £59.99

 Warehouse, £65



Note the button style from the Hollister knitted sweater above,
not the actual sweater itself.

Maxi Must Haves

Is it a reaction to the utilitarian theme of this season? Are we desperate to exercise our inner bohemian chick? Or are we actually enjoying the functional wardrobe Autumn/Winter has to offer that we are taking it further with a maxi skirt? I honestly couldn't tell you but I can assure you that for the first time I can think of, I NEED a maxi skirt!
Everything I have would look perfect with a maxi skirt: my ankle boots would give me some height and sophistication, my baggy crop top (as taken from Elle's Daily Outfit) and my new H&M Aviator jacket would pull the look from hippie festival to edgy glamorous. This seasons wardrobe is designed for this skirt and with a good pair of heels and some clever balancing of proportions, the maxi is designed for everyone and here are some of my favourites:

Oasis offers a simple black skirt and the genius this skirt offers is in the tailoring under the bum. The fit gives shape to your bum and flicks out slightly at the bottom to stop a cone effect happening.
This is currently in the sale for £10 from £20 but I'm guessing the old "while stocks last" applies to this number.

Talking of Elle's Instant Outfits, this skirt from Topshop for £40 was featured on the website very recently. The neutral colour is very on trend (although I hate that phrase) this season and the shape is a more exaggerated version of the Oasis example above. The lace trim at the bottom is also an interesting feature and added touch of femininity to piece.

TK Maxx has long been the outlet of guilty pleasure. The Donna Karen bag for only £20 or the McQueen top for £40, a bloody bargain and here they offer another! I'm guessing its not exactly a Westwood or Lagerfeld original but it does have a very attractive pattern that acts as almost a cross over piece from whimsical summer pieces and festival/holiday wear to harsher, more practical wear for Autumn/Winter with the darker colour and new shape. As well as this, the skirt is priced at only £11 so get rummaging.

New Look here and only £19.99. Horizontal stripes have been embedded into our minds as evil unless six foot tall and six inches wide but paired with a simple t-shirt and some ankle boots, a very urban, sophisticated style can be created. I think its definitely worth a trip to the changing rooms anyways, just for a look...

This is the most expensive of the selection at £45, found in Warehouse but I love the pattern so much and the colours are simply perfect and if you were having trouble with the more popular angry styles of A/W then maybe this is a welcome relief and the shape is looser all the way down with a definite, more obvious flare at the bottom. Shown with boots here in this picture, an example of how to wear for A/W, showing that it will still go with your other purchases in preparation for the changing season.

I hope this has opened the eyes of the maxi dress pessimists. Join me in my bid for full length!

Red Hot!

Yesterday, I over heard a conversation between two men; the one was determined the bar in which the conversation took place had some "decent sugar lips" and his friend was determined that the man should stop using such terms to describe women because it was embarrassing.
From a fashion point of view, I suppose he was quite on point, although I assure you, this wasn't his intention, as all over the Autumn/Winter collections we have seen simple, clean and fresh faces paving the way for gorgeous red lips. There is always a slight variation from show to show and here are some gorgeous examples from Dior and Richard Nicoll going for a deeper, almost burgundy colour with browner tones. The Dior show adding a pop of colour to the eyes for their couture show.

At Karl Lagerfeld, he kept the colours classic and definitely made a statement with cherry red lips for a contrast to the subtle and more darker styles of the Autumn/Winter collections.

How to get this look for yourself from the highstreet?

MAC has released a line of new creamy, long lasting lip sticks called Pro Longwear Lip Creme for only £14.50. They come in all the colours shown in the Autumn/Winter collections under the names of Perpetual Flame and Extended Play so why not give in to every one's secret desire for a Marilyn Monroe pout!

Kelly O-Yeah Baby!

After news came out that Kelly Osbourne and her long term boyfriend, Luke Worrell split earlier this year I suppose there were only two roads a celebrity can follow these days: Becoming a love-scorned sex-crazed party animal or the second, work harder, train harder and show him what he's missing.

Kelly definitely seems to have taken the second road and although I'm not sure of her current projects, she has surely worked out all the way to the Emmy's this year where she is photgraphed looking stunning and glamourous in this black Tony Ward dress. The kind of fish tail style skirt is emboidered with beads and looks gorgeous on her new figure. Her blonde bob is styled into a soft curl and smouldering make-up ensures Kelly is utterly radiant on the famous red carpet.

Shown again on the Ellen Degeneres Show, her dress is feminie and delicate and Kelly seems comfortable, confident and happy. Perhaps a slightly shallow outlook on the breakdown of a relationship but I still think you look lush, Kelly!

Photos taken from googleimages

To The Dark Side?

So with the new season set to be serious and all rather mature in comparison to the whimsical summer gone, will our hairstyles be following a similar vein? Should we be looking to a practical and sophisticated new look? Perhaps its polishing the sea salted waves or toning down the sun bleached blonde but to many, a darker shade is a sure way to a new older image. Looking at some celebrities, its almost like the Bar Mitzvah of the A-List, you haven't truly made it until your hair has reached a golden chestnut or rich chocolate brown.
Here's a look at some transformations of dazzling blondes into brilliant brunettes and see if you're ready to make the change:
Lindsay Lohan is the perfect example of how maturity can come in the form of a couple shades on the hair spectrum as her locks look more expensive and real without the streaky platinum blonde waves. Her eyes look darker (although that one can be put down to good make-up), she looks healthier and a lot more glamorous in my opinion. Definitely a beautiful brunette!

Jessica Alba recently became a mother and with it, seems to have taken on a richer shade of brown, perhaps closer to her natural colour. Maybe looking for a lower maintenance look now she has a young child to care for? Or maybe because she looks stunning? Blonde was sexy but brunette is sultry confident and wholesome, and the style is a lot more natural with loose curls and a simple sleek do.

Victoria Beckham has to be one of the transformation royalty when it comes to hair and style. The gorgeous lady was always fashionable but when the Beckhams made the move to Beverly Hills, Victoria dropped her Cavalli dresses, hair extensions and blonde streaks for a dark brown pixie cut. The perfect head for the head of her VB fashion line and a free pass into a world of class...

I love to know what people think so let me know!
All these images were taken from google.com/images

Minimalism.. Maximised

This season, we seem to be reading about how classic lines are back, trousers and coats are replacing embellished bags and cocktail dresses as the new essential staples and Vogue is guiding me through minimalism. With so much enthusiasm behind the new trend (and with some stunning pieces, rightly so) I can't help but feel there is a slight rebellion among the ranks, kind of a minimalism with added extras. It sounds strange but the result is sultry with quite a dark edge.

Take a look at Burberry's new campaign:

A neutral palette and feminine lace tunic dresses. Then take a look at the stunning shearling leather jackets! The huge collars and thick layer of fur toughens up the whole look, giving it a completely new level of sex appeal and that harsher edge, leaving my brown leather from last year cowering in the corner!

Now perhaps a look at Stefanel. A simple outfit, the knitted cardigan, in neutral colours again, and a simple pattern but when worn with knee high boots.. And nothing else (assume that you would tie the cardigan closed) this understated cardigan is sexy and slightly suggestive.


I don't mean that minimal now means minimal clothing, Lanvin's girls wore skirts and blouses or dresses in his new campaign:

Alber Elbez decided that the edge to these pieces would be a metallic black material and studded chunky jewellery to give the model's a dark and Gothic look.


Jil Sander, the designer that flag shipped minimalism the first time around in the 90's has come back now with a new look. The silky material and perfectly tailored suit creates this sexy, sophisticated body hugging ensemble in her new campaign. So simple and yet, such a stunning statement.


So the rules of this new minimalist movement:
1) Colours are neutral or black
2) Shoes and jackets are the focus
3) Fur adds a touch of glamour


Go to:
vogue.co.uk
lanvin.com
jilsander.com
http://www.burberry.com/
http://www.stefanel.com/

My Glowing Review

No one ever really wants to go back to school after the long summer holidays and the desparate efforts to prolong tans that took two weeks of sweating in the midday sun to achieve are sadly failing.
But Wait!

Tess Daly's new collection for Marks and Spencers (yes I am aware I shop like my Nan) now has a "Daly" Fake Tan and by request from the cashier in Marks and Spencers, I'm reviewing my purchase. I haven't technically been applying it "Daly" because its really shimmery but I would definitely recommend it for going out as it goes on really smooth and evenly and on my legs, it kind of looks like those sheer tights you can buy. People have also commented on my tan more when I'm wearing and if used "Daly" then I have my faith in Tess for it to work and for only £6.50, it does far more than most that are more expensive on the highstreet.
Another plus is also the scent as its not so much like a chicken korma, not to name names (Johnsons and Dove) and not too much like fake tan in general.
As you can see, the bottle is also really pretty and as much as I don't want to sound like a Barbie Doll, I can't help but be more inclined to buy it.  I know its advertising, but I'm sure Tess Daly had researchers and designers and marketers all over that colour so I feel bad ignoring it.

I'm just glad I don't have to disappoint the cashier to be honest, she seemed quite excited.

Get Suited and Booted for A/W 2010

This Autumn, its all about smooth, clean lines and delicate, classic styles. The trousers are back with a vengeance in leg lengthening styles and colour scales ranging from taupe to beige. The coat has a resurgence as designers start becoming sensible, surely it can't be true?!

Don't panic, fashion followers, but do be prepared to walk the walk this season. Boots are coming from every direction and at Prada, Alexander McQueen and Dior they are hitting thigh height while Acne and Aldo are returning to the wild days of Punk for Doc Marten style biker boots with added high fashion class. A personal highlight had to be the Chanel biker boot in a luxurious calf-skin leather and large buckles for that dark/grunge edge Karl Lagerfeld does best.

 Another Chanel favourite was the furry boots also seen at Lanvin, perfect for those snowy days at home or in the Alps.






The third style has to come from Burberry with the ankle shearling boots of their A/W 2010 collection. The fur trim and killer heels are the ultimate in glamorous rock n roll style. Wear with beaten leathers and a rockstar boyfriend and you can't go wrong this season.

For more info on these shoes visit: 

net-a-porter.com

vogue.co.uk

www.farfetch.com/

elleuk.com

Festival Feverr

So I may have put a bit of a downer on festival fashion on the highstreet before but that is because I see the stunning starlettes hitting the stage in perfect festival outfits and the stage is where this kind of costume belongs.

Watching Florence's emotional and gorgeous performance at Glastonbury this year, I have to admit, there aren't many times I almost don;t notice what someone is wearing when I see them but this time I have to say her singing of "You've got the Love" completely through me. It was only looking back over google that I was reminded of the white flowy leotard she donned for the occasion.

Ellie Goulding has been making statements in t-shirts this year with simple white tee's embellished perfectly to add to the toned down glamour of her sets at V Festival, Glastonbury and T4 on the beach.

Marina and the Diamonds followed suit (or tee) with an over-sized t-shirt with a cheeky bra and pants set embellished on the top (at Isle of Wight Festival), a Disney themed number and the red tiger shown here. I don't know about you but I love the casual and comfortable glamour of the t-shirt. This autumn, the comfortable statement seems to be the perfect one to me.

Check out http://www.gigwise.com/ for coverage of all this year's fesivals across the globe.

Rokit Vintage Clothing

After my previous preeching to the Gods of supermarket style about Tesco's Florence and Fred, I am now writing nudge them down from their heroic pedistal as although their clothes are still perfectly suitable for their purpose (I have recently bought two tops for a total of £8) their shoes have let me down. I will admit that i was somewhat intoxicated so perhaps I didn't help the cause but Topshop has supported my drunken antics many a time and still continues to do so I have to admit, I'm slightly disapointed; I live in Wales, I need shoes that can take a little rain! I suppose it does prove though, that shoes really should be left to the likes of Manolo and Louboutin for a job perfectly done...

This week, I hope to slightly redeem myself with a store I discovered on the internet. I came across http://www.rokit.co.uk/ which is a vintage site based in London for both men and women and has some really stunning pieces.

Another great thing with the t-shirts and some of the jackets (blazers particularly) was that the mens and womens were basically unisex with some cool t-shirts from bands and other things and I managed to find top for £20 (shown right) in a size in the men's page which looks good over leggings or jeans and is just really compfy.

One of my favourite pieces was a pair of red leather shorts which were stunning and that would've been my ideal outfit with the top bought but they still await for someother lucky shopper.

The knitwear as mentioned above is also worth a look with some classic 70's and 80's designs and shapes but pieces that really would look great now as well.

With a really quick delivery and easy accessible site, its a perfect (test-driven) place for some one-off vintage pieces.