Black && Gold

Everyday I see loads of different people commuting to uni, at uni and out & about, a theme i have realised is alot of people tend to wear black with black, people are scared to add a little bit of colour with a black outfit. I know this can be dawnting as black seems to go with everything but in reality trying to match black with colours isn't so simple, think of the main primary colours in clothes trending right now: blacks, blues, metalics, reds, mustards and browns. (+ cream/white as always, mainly working as a neutral).
Most of these colours people tend to group together i.e. blacks/metalics/reds, Mustards/browns/metalics, reds/blues/browns etc, by grouping i don't mean wearing all the colours as garments at once, i mean using a colour for trousers/dress then adding accent colours finally with finishing touches of another colour.

This grouping is key for winter 2011/2012!

Colour isnt fading this year in our wardorbes but clinging on in smaller, discreat ways:
My Main tips:
- Don't colour overhall
- Remember to use one primary colour
- Followed by one complimentary colour
- Finished with an accent colour

I.e. Mustard dress/black tights/gold belt, berry chinos/cream shirt/leopard print belt & shoes.

- Remember to think about your shoes & bags
- Mix & match
- Finally... if you buy a garment that comes with a belt or accessories you DON'T have to use them with that item, if it looks mediocre then take it off and add something different or the opposite, keep reusing it!

MaeAlways: Snug as a Bug ina rug... well nearly!

MaeAlways: Snug as a Bug ina rug... well nearly!: Layer, Layer & more layers! Into November now, apparently it's going to snow, it might rain, it might be clear blue skies but something f...

Snug as a Bug ina rug... well nearly!

Layer, Layer & more layers!

Into November now, apparently it's going to snow, it might rain, it might be clear blue skies but something for definate is - IT'S COLD!!
Time to get out the cardi's, put tops under chiffon shirts and tights under skirts, swap the ballet shoes for ankle boots and that scalf that did naff all for a chunky wooley knit beauty.

Here I have teamed up a few layers, the key is to not literally wear layer after layer of chunky knits but too also mix materials, colours and shapes.

Personally i feel the cold more on my top half so thats where I have layered heavier, i hava a simple top under my chiffon shirt, with a tobacco cardi and ontop a wooley waistcoat.
Leather treggins are so warm, they insulate your body heat, treggins give shape and support alot more than normal leggings, definatly a key piece this autumn.

(shirt: Topshop, Cardigan: H&M, Waistcoat: Primark, treggins: H&M, Shoes: River Island)

Tips:
- Layer with mixed materials
- listen to your body! If your legs get cold easy then wrap them up, no bare legs!
- Keep a theme for your colours i.e. tonal

Make colour Statment...

I absolutely love this look, BIG necklace, bright colour, leather treggings and loafers. Simple cant go wrong!
I really like colour, in the summer it's everwhere but we Brit's have tendancy that when the weather gets cold and it's wintery, the blacks, greys, creams and any other tonal shade comes out, which dont get me wrong I think look really good but I love colour the brighter the better in my books.

This shirt is a 1960's themed from NewLook, the shoulder's have little detail and the back is a full seam of buttons, the treggings are so comfy, the front are leather look the back are treggings, bum hugging and super slimming, Necklace is big, bold and a little cleopatra themed. Bang on trend.

Colour, texture, fit.

Remember dont mix silver and gold accessories so gold button detail then gold necklace and if you decided to be colourful keep it classic, dont mix bright colour with too many tonal colours, make the colour statement.

Topshop beauties...

Review - V&A Selling Dreams - 100 years of fashion in photography

V&A Selling Dreams - 100 years of fashion in photography

The exhibition is on at The LightHouse, Wolverhampton.
There is a showcase of photography from various sources and time periods, charting how fashion photography flourished with different media, artists, editors.
There are 53 individual pieces, topics ranging from Challenging Perceptions, New century, post-war revival, shooting the city, sixties liberation, picturing femininity, capturing real life as well as fiction & fantasy.

I'll be honest when I first arrived I wasn't wowed so to speak, but the more time you spend looking at and reading about each piece the more you begin to appreciate it, most of the images are very well known but seeing them in real life makes them more inspiring.
I think the range of images gives a very clear vision of where fashion photography started, developed and is heading.

My favourite item is Tim Walker, Italian Vogue 2005 (as seen on this blog),
I really like the use of light, the oversized camera, the pose which Lily Cole is in, and the way the items are placed. The overall image is well designed and is a topic starter - you could use this image to challenge ideas and perceptions.

Other well known Photographers pieces of work in the exhibiton are: Erwin Blumenfeld, Lillian Bassman, John French, David Bailey, Arthur Elgort, Sarah Moon and Steven Meisel.

Denim Detail

Mixing materials, patterns and textures is a key look in Autumn 2011. Many high street stores were showcasing these looks on the catwalks, including Topshop and H&M.
This year the polka-dot pattern is making a return to our wardrobes, bigger and bolder than ever.

I have bought this dress from H&M during their sale (now on), for a suprising £12.49, it fits well and you can dress it up and down for most occassions. As you can see i have dressed it down, it looks super cute with some knee high socks and an oversized wooly cardi (great now its so cold!).

To dress it up I'd get some simple black, chunky heeled shoes, leather look clutch with embellishment, heavy statement jewellery.

This look is really easy to do, find a plain cheap (maybe already in the wardrobe?) polka-dot dress, thick waist belt, denim gillet/denim jacket, black tights. Simple as.

Detailed tights (F&F) bow & heart patterns are big! detail is everything.
High socks (New look) Lace edging and detail are adorable.

Jewellery, Necklace - type writer pendant from Rock & Rose, very quirkey and personal,
Ring - Topshop & Matalan, Cuff - Next, love chunky bracelets.

Nails <3 new design, Nailease from Boots - Tiger print, really easy to apply and look amazing!! Currently on 3 for 2 so make the most of it :)

Shoes - River Island, Black Loafers, gold trim - to die for.

What do you all think?

xoxo

Lady in red

Classic look that accentuates height, love the bright red trend going on right now, embroidery and images are big, the short jumper creates a slimming waist line, leather belt to break the colour contrast from the dress and jumper, topped off with super cute pearl jewlrey.
Last but not least, the super hot leopard wedges (& comfy), animal prints are everywhere right now, cant go wrong!

Vintage Love

Recently found this website, it sells vintage clothing at reasonable prices, alot of love right now,
I bought this Royal Blue full dress off the website, the cut is very good, although the dress is a size 12 it has an elasticated waist meaning it clings to my size 8 waist.
Tip: When buying vintage look for the shapes, cut and fastenings, obviously with vintage you can't always get your size but the clothes can be easily adjusted and look really stylish.
Right now it's all about having an indiviual style,
Would recommend to have a peek at the website,
www.vintagechild.co.uk
p.s standard free delivery & came within 4 days, doesn't get much better <3