It's a Generation Thing...

Recently I went shopping with my friends, I wasn’t actually looking for anything in particular but that’s always how it starts! I stumbled across an amazing dress in New look. It was exactly what I had been looking for for my birthday (although two months away at the time, my theory is no one will have it by then anyway and it’s never too early to start looking).

I had wanted a sparkly dress, you know how it is on your birthday, you want to stand out and this dress was it, it was THE dress.

But, the problem is… It was from the Generations section in New look! The range that does sizes in ages! I was gutted and couldn’t believe my perfect dress was for 12 year olds. I would appreciate the dress so much more than them!

That was until I spotted an age 14 at the back. You’re probably thinking that’s a bit ambitious, I know, but I picked it out and analysed it. I haven’t grown too much since being 14 – well,  being 5ft 3 you  could argue that I haven’t grown at all. It actually looked a decent size when I held it up against me.

While cringing about being a 19 year old that is buying an age 14 dress I had to get it! Surely it doesn’t matter what section it’s from as long as it fits right? And it did! My bum wasn’t hanging out, my boobs weren’t squashed in (nice to know I have the chest of a 14 year old!) it was actually perfect.

I can’t praise the dress enough, I really think a sequined dress is the direction to go if buying a dress this Christmas or New-year. It adds a touch of magic to your wardrobe and it’s a total eye catcher when you’re out.

My personal favourites are black sparkly dresses, with long sleeves and a dipped back, nothing is sexier than that. I think it’s the idea of being covered up with only your legs and back showing, giving you a classy look.

So one of my biggest tips for this winter is the sequin dress, and don’t knock looking in the least likely places like Generations in New look because you can find your dream dress, just maybe take your little sister with you and pretend It’s for her!

Its Got to be... Furfect!

Sorry for the terrible pun in the title but I thought it worked quite well! Anyway, back to the point, moving into my second year at university I have been faced with many more challenges than the previous year, one of them being fur. But I don’t mean a higher level of education challenge.

I always find fur a challenge, whether it’s wearing, working or even talking about fur. There are so many ethical issues around the fashion statement that it’s hard to express your feelings without being scorned at.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s right to kill harmless animals for a selfish cause such as a fashion piece and I do stand by that. However, I do love fur, fake fur is the only option of course – or is it?

Here is my problem; my great Nan has a real, black, glossy fur coat that has been passed down through the family, and I could be next in line. I really want it, it’s gorgeous, but can I outweigh the ethical issues and feeling of guilt somehow? I don’t think I can, but I can give it a try. Even if I don’t wear it it’s already been made so would be a massive waste not to wear it? And no one has to know its real right?

My problem is that my views aren’t strong enough. I wish I was totally against it; I like to think I am but I see my nans coat and just want it, it’s like Phoebe in friends when she gets a fur coat – totally against it until she tries it on.

Until I am actually passed down that real fur coat, my decision for now is to stick to the fake ones, and to be honest I think it always will be, just think it’s a shame to leave such a beautiful coat in the attic until my children can find a better reason than I could to wear it instead of a fake one!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Shorts

If you’re an avid reader of my blog then you’ll remember me saying about how I wanted some leather hot pants. Well now the hot pant obsession has developed; into glitter ones!

It’s one of the things I love about it getting closer to Christmas – all the sparkles come out in the shops and you get away with over dressing. But when I was browsing topshop.com I came across a gorgeous pair of blue glitter shorts. My initial instinct was ‘I MUST have them!’

Topshop.com

I did look in store and found them, didn’t have my size and £40 is a bit steep for a student like me but I wish I could have got them! I would have even put up with the fact that the bottom of my bum cheeks would have had a slight chill as the shorts were that tiny. But wearing tights with them keeps my dignity intact surely?

I have come across many other gleaming treasures in the shops, blazers in Zara, tops in Topshop, and even glitter converse online that my housemate is desperate to get! On the other hand though, you have to be careful with sequins and glitter. They can look awfully tacky! But in my eyes Topshop can do no wrong (I go on about their clothes enough on my blog) and I have found personally that their extravagant pieces can’t be deemed as tacky in any way. This is also the case with Zara, so if you want a decent dress/top/shorts or even sequin bag, those two are your best bets.

I am still to buy these shorts, but I will! I just need to learn how to save money instead of heading to the food court every time I go into town.

Take a Bow

I can’t say that I am a huge fan of the masculine look on women, as much as I hate to say it I do think it only suits certain women, those around 5ft9 with a 26inch waist. And let’s be honest, how many of us actually look like that?! But I do love a good blazer and white shirt but not all together.

However, I am starting to become a fan of the dickie bowtie with a buttoned up shirt, I just think it looks really quirky. I have tried it myself, all I used was a wired head band to see if it looked good on, and I actually liked it! So there’s a tip if you don’t want to run out and buy one!

My attempt at a bowtie!

But if you do want to buy one, Topshop are doing a lovely range, made from velvet in every colour, which I think helps blend in with autumn and winter really well. Whereas ASOS’ range has more of a pop art appeal. Their patterns consist of polka dots and stripes, which could really add to a plain outfit. The headband I used was floral and I really liked how it added to my khaki green shirt.

Topshop.com

A few months ago I wore one out, a plain black bow with a cream sheer shirt. I really liked it, but felt like a bit of a waiter, so I can see that this accessory might not hit all the catwalks but I think they’re quite a fun way to add to your outfit, without breaking the bank, just be prepared for people to shout their food orders at you if you’re rocking a black bowtie.

asos.com

New Heights for Tights

Although the weather doesn’t actually know what it’s doing with itself, logically it is meant to be winter, which means only one thing; wrapping up those pins!

But that doesn’t necessarily mean ruffling through your wardrobe to find the long johns and wearing two pairs of trousers, I’m talking about tights! Every women’s best friend in the colder months.

Luckily for us we don’t have to be stuck with out old bobbly wool tights that everything sticks to, fashion has moved on, and if you ask me, it was about time!

Patterned tights are the way forward and I can’t help but jump on the band wagon myself. My personal favourites are the classic dotty ones; they just make your outfit sometimes and jazz up the old denim shorts. Although, you do have to but about eight pairs at a time because they are rather thin and easy to ladder. My tip is to get a bigger pair than you would usually get – then they have more give when caught on something! The heart tights are also a personal favourite.

However, if you’re style is a little more outrageous and you want to turn heads, House of Holland have amazing, quirky patterns that will transform any outfit. Flicking through Vogue online I came across the snooker ball tights and couldn’t help but be inspired by them. With a little black dress I really think they would work well. On the other hand, I’m all for mixing patterns, but putting these tights with some animal print just wouldn’t go down well. If these are to be worn they should be worn as a statement piece, and what a statement you would be making.

It was inevitable really..

I don't actually know why I am so angry, it was bound to happen at some point but my cheap mascara I bought along with the patchy foundation exploded in my bag! The bottom of my bag is now a nice black colour rather than tan and decided to stain everything else in my bag too. To be honest, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner rather than later, I mean it was broken already although still usable. Thank god my mum bought me a new one two days ago literally (If you moan at your parents about not having money to buy makeup- an essential in everyday life, they WILL eventually buy it for you), or i would be as busted as the mascara.

FNO

Something I really wish i could have gone to on the 8th September was Fashion's Night Out. Rubbing shoulders with the celebrities and being exposed to fashion exclusives and the exclusive tour of the London shops would have been, in one word, amazing.
However, seeing as I wasn't one of the fortunate ones i had to get all I could out of it from the wonderful web. And what did I see? Leather of course!
The street style was strapped with leather from jackets to boots and back to belts. I won't lie, if I was wearing my leather jacket and leggings I would have felt quite smug because they were everywhere. Leather desert boots were by far the most popular piece which means we can all recycle last years buy. They looked great with neutral shades, especially girly dresses, I've always loved that look though.
I do realise I sound like I'm promoting leather, no I do not have an ad campaign going on here! But I just thought I'd share what i took from FNO, next year my aim is to be the one there in my leather boots.