WINTER COATS

With pumpkin spiced lattes hitting every Starbucks I knew it was time for the annual winter coat hunt. After reluctantly packing away my denim jackets and floral kimonos, I give you my top 7 coats for every possible wintery occasion.

(From left to right)

The Camel One- Zara £89.99

Is EVERYWHERE and yet I wouldn’t mind blending into the crowd if it meant I got to wear this coat. The neutral shade of beige looks effortlessly smart, much needed for that 9am lecture when you’re pretending you understand every word.

The Minimalist One- Mango £54.99

A throwback to the minimalist 90’s, you can’t go wrong with a simple white cocoon coat. The clean cut and collarless neckline takes things back to basics and makes an excellent canvas for many essential tartan scarfs.

The Teddy One- Topshop £79.00

The phrase all fur coat no kickers comes to mind in the sense that I can confidently say this coat will take over your entire outfit and there probably is no point in wearing anything else. But I think we can all agree that when you’re toes are near to turning blue; this oversized coat will be a stylish lifesaver.

The Checked One- Lavish Alice £60.00

For years my Mother has banned me from buying patterned coats for fear that I’ll hate it within a week or it’ll match only about 4 outfits I own. Finally, I stumbled across a checked duster coat with a simple design to curb my patterned needs whilst keeping my Mother happy with its versatility. No doubt it’ll come in handy as I try and avoid looking like an Eskimo sipping mulled wine in the local bar.

The Fur One- Topshop £68.00

Finally, a coat that looks incredibly warm and I can still flash my ankles. At wintertime I always feel obliged to wear the biggest coat possible, which, like everyone, causes me to neglect the outfit choices I wear underneath the mound of fur. Yes I probably will wear the same jumper/jeans combo for 2 months. This fur bomber is the answer to my prayers/whinges about nobody being able to appreciate how cool my new leopard patterned tights are. All hail.

The Draped One- H&M £39.99

This coat would go with anything and it would go with nothing, god forbid you distract away from the draped lapels. Ideal for the endless Christmas parties in the next coming months. 

The Sensible One- Warehouse £65.00

Let’s be serious now. The rain has started and won’t end till next June, and that’s if we’re lucky. We forget we live in dreary wet England and not Lapland. Instead of preparing for the snow, you need to worry about the rain and there is nothing better than an old-fashioned mustard rain mac to avoid the dreaded soggy jumper.

DOGTOOTH

Spaghetti Strap Vest- Missguided // Formal Joggers- Primark // Tattoo Choker- Ebay // Heels- Topshop // Clutch- H&M // Lip Creme in Sweetie- Topshop Makeup

For someone who loves nothing more than a black and white outfit combination, dogtooth is an absolute dream.

I had been swooning over this top for sometime before Missguided offered a 20% discount at which point I was straight online to snap it up. I love the 90's neckline, which I have a little bit of an obsession with at the minute, however, the material is a little strange... It reminds me of a bathing suit, much like neoprene I guess, just much cheaper in appearance. I think the lesser quality appearance is however mostly due to the patterning which seems really... fake? For £8 though, I can't complain, I definitely don't regret this buy. 

To liven up this outfit a bit, I threw on my electric blue heels and a hot pink lipstick which surprisingly worked better than I expected. 

Dogtooth Vest- £8 (Originally £10 without discount)

Formal Joggers- £12

Tattoo Choker- £2.59

Heels- £45

Clutch- £18

Lip Creme- £8

90'S MAXI

Black Maxi Dress- H&M // Studded Wedges- Topshop // Mac Lipstick- Ruby Woo 

What. A. Surprise.

I chose a black dress to attend my English Society ball... shock. In my defence I did in fact want something simple and which maybe made me seem a tad sophisticated... seem underlined. After sneaking in a bottle of rum into a rather prestigious ball I clearly don't know the meaning on the word classy, but can anyone living on a student budget? Justifying it to myself as always. 

I fell in love with the modest 90's neckline on the dress, the way the chiffon hung and the subtle side split to flash a bit of leg. Overall, this dress was a perfect timeless addition to my wardrobe. 

Much like the dress, I kept accessories basic with some plain studded wedges and red lipstick. I really felt like a princess (in a weird gothic kinda way) after buying my first maxi dress and I could wear it all day everyday if I could. 

The photos are courtesy of my flatmate and her a m a z i n g photography skills and I can honestly say I had the best night with this girl. The Midsummer Nights Dream themed evening was a fantastic celebration of the end of first year which although is kinda sad, I'm never been more excited to spend another two years with my favourite people. 

Maxi Dress- £15

Wedges- £25 (Sale price)

Lipstick- £15

ALL BLACK

 

Formal Joggers- Primark // Lace Mesh Top- Topshop // Snakeskin Flatforms- Office Outlet Ebay // Clutch- Urban Outfitters // Infrared Lipstick- Topshop

There is nothing that makes me feel more sophisticated than an all black outfit, even with the typical gothic labelling. I wore this to a smart/casual lunch outing a couple of weeks back and felt rather mature as I sipped down a few midday cocktails. 

I fell in love with plain black formal joggers when I saw them in Topshop, the fit is extremely flattering especially on those with bigger bums- which is a category I am most definitely in. However, the hefty price tag led me to search else where and I came across an exact pair in Primark. I can not stress enough how identical these trousers are, I'd even go as far to say the fit was better and at less than half the price I went ahead and bought two pairs. 

I often pair them with crop tops to show off the fitted style and choose a see-through lace crop to stand out against the black and break it up with the subtle hints of... tummy. My dad brought me the clutch back from Manchester a few years back, I expected it to be a lot bigger but its stands out perfectly against my all black look with the cool spider-web like patterning... just can't escape my inner goth. 

Formal Joggers- £12

Mesh Lace Top- £20

Flatforms- £13

Clutch- £18

Lipstick- £8

411 TOPSHOP BB CREAM

Ok so being pretty strapped for cash, to say the least, has forced me to give up a few luxuries. No.1 being MAC Studio Fix Foundation in pursuit of a cheaper brand. I heard on the grapevine the company behind MAC produce Topshop Makeup, so I thought 'what have I got to lose'... 10 pounds to be exact. With three shades of Topshop BB cream I was really spoilt for choice... the very difficult decision of whether to be 1,2 or 3 was cut short with the pressure of a busy shop and the approaching final bus which led me to grab the lightest shade and make a run for the till. I really do have the palest complexion so no.1 on the colour scale sounded about right and with the limited choice I expected the makeup would be more transparent which is kind of what I was going for. I wasn't expecting big things, in fact I made a vow to myself to buy more low budget makeup after realising I didn't really need to spend £30 for extreme coverage, I'll save that for when the wrinkles come. However, Topshop really let me down and trust me, with the little money I have, I have tried to make it work.

Price: 4/5- £10 An affordable price for a student.

Long-Lasting (Face): 2/5- Definitely feel like I reapply more often than I should. Lasted around 4 hours before I noticed some wear.

Long-Lasting (Bottle): 2/5- A little does not go a long way, used practically half the bottle on my   first application which makes me question whether a low price tag is always the best...                  

Moisturising: 2/5- Extremely dry, feels like it sticks to my skin if I don't apply moisturiser first.

Finish: 1/5 -A strange orangey pigment, leaves my skin looking rather shiny.

Coverage: 2/5- Definitely not the thickest of creams, a bit useless at covering blemishes.        

411 TOPSHOP SWEETIE LIP CREAM

Lip Cream in Sweetie

Red lipstick has indeed taken over my life. Same shade, different day... you could say. I decided to go for something a bit daring, a bold statement lipstick, so I turned to an extreme pink. In person the lip cream definitely stands out, especially as I paired it with a simple black and white outfit to make sure my lips were the main focus. I recommend pairing it with neutral colours to almost deservedly frame the lip cream, otherwise you run the risk of looking like a child who has just discovered crayons. I have to praise the people behind this formula, the colour stayed on all night, even after a few vodka and cokes... No need to reapply. Nothing better on a night out. 

Price:                  4/5 -£7.00 with 10% Student Discount.  

Long-Lasting:    5/5 -At least 6 hours with no need to reapply.

Moisturising:     5/5 -Creamy texture leaves lips feeling hydrated.

Finish:                3/5 -Little smudgy round the edges, although a silky finish. 

Pigmentation:    5/5 - Intense Colour. Little goes a long way. 

Workin' that Workout // Topshop x Adidas Originals

     Orange Runner Shorts // Tracksuit Top // White Tee // Blue Runner Shorts // Print Sweatshirt

The holey leggings have had a good run, but I think its time I saw the back of them. I've never really got the whole gym chic thing. At the end of the day, theres no avoiding looking like you've spent the past two years of your life hiding in the sauna. It's not pretty. This was until the release of the Topshop x Adidas Originals collection and I thought- why not? Those empowering graffiti-esque prints and pastel colours have lead me to remember my place as a fashion blogger, and surely this shouldn't be constrained by the sweaty threat of the gym? No more faded New Look legging's, no more boyfriend's hand-me-down Fred Perry tee. I tend to leave my self-esteem at the door when I enter the gym and I know many feel the same way. Its an intimidating place, especially as a newbie lacking body confidence and stood next to a muscular god. For me, I know without a doubt this collection would give me that extra shove through the door, who said the treadmill couldn't be a catwalk? 

Top motivation songs I've played countless times: 

Can't get more empowering than Destiny's Child, but Cyril Hahn definitely brings this classic into the now.

And closely followed by:



Seriously owe my commitment to the gym to you guys.

Monochrome in a Petticoat S/S '14

Pull & Bear: Neoprene Lace Pattern Top // Topshop: Croc High Neck Cami // Matalan: Collarless Oversized Boucle Coat // River Island; White Block Heel Cleated Sole Sandals // Topshop: Wrap Front Bralet // New Look: Pink Check Notch Mini Skirt // NARS: Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment // Primark: Palm Tree Printed Skirt // Topshop: Zip Front Denim Backpack // Topshop: Patent Leather Flippy Skirt by Boutique

For too long now we've been burying our breasts under excessive layers of knitted jumpers and tartan scarfs; frantically hiding our milky legs from the harsh cold under several pairs of thermals (and lest we forget the ugly wellies). S/S '14 is all about embracing our femininity and our old 90's friend, pastel pink leads the way. That's right, monochrome's gone all soft on us, forget black and white, it's so, well... 1960's.

If I'm honest I'm one of those people who as the saying goes will 'stop wearing black when they find a darker colour', but I just adore the straight-edged but ultra-girly vibes from this style. By itself, pink is just too much, the injection of white in this trend grounds it at a point of maturity- where you don't look like you're a 10 year old who hit puberty prematurely.

Pull & Bear- Neoprene Lace Pattern Top

Neoprene, something you don't tend to wear unless you're a deep sea driver, however, the fabric has been trending recently across both the high street and designers. Though better suited to A/W for its thermal abilities, its a big hit for spring... maybe apply a bit deodorant before you head out the door? The cutaway detail, high neck line and cropped length are why I love this top. It's simple, but structured. It's also lace patterned which is always a spring favourite. Check out Zara for simple styles.

Topshop: Croc High Neck Cami 

After watching clips from the Paris S/S '14 Fashion Week, it's decided, I definitely need more metallics in my life. Rochas' silver pleated dress was a beauty, but I didn't even need to look at the price tag to know it was out of my ever decreasing price range. This Topshop cami is definitely the next best thing (sort of), the animal print texture gives it that extra something to the metallic glint. If you love this trend as much as I do, Whistles is definitely worth checking out for some key pieces (and more specifically the Daisy Foil Skirt I'd be typing this blog in if it wasn't for the £125 price tag).

Matalan: Collarless Oversized Boucle Coat 

If they aren't already, everyone and their uncle will be wearing the pink pastel boyfriend coat by next week- a statement piece for S/S. I've seen a tonne of variations but Matalan, somewhere I don't tend to stumble upon, are selling it for the low low price (seriously) of £40. I tend to steer away from trend specific coats (opting for more timeless and interchangeable pieces such as the leather jacket), the prices tend to be too high for something that will be 'so last year' by tomorrow. But £40 I can work with.

River Island; White Block Heel Cleated Sole Sandals

What many might think resemble orthopaedic/nursing shoes, I think resemble next pay day's first buy (after I find a new job obviously...). Chunky is in, big time, and I plan on permanently adopting the inch taller look this summer.  

Topshop: Wrap Front Bralet

I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret- I am a sucker for a bralet. If I had the confidence I'd wear one every time I nipped to the shop for some milk, but they are just too revealing. I suggest pairing this top with a kimono or even a boyfriend coat to avoid looking like you're desperate for some sun or you've forgot to put your t-shirt on this morning. 

New Look: Pink Check Notch Mini Skirt

I am swooning over this Clueless-esque checked skirt, for £17.99 I'm practically clearing a space in my wardrobe as I type. You don't need me to tell you the 90's has made a comeback and this skirt is the perfect addition to your collection. 

NARS: Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment 

My No.1 accessory to any outfit is a good lipstick and NARS have hit the mark with a lipstick to suit any pastel look. What's even better is the mango butter hydrates your lips, ideal for any poor winter chapped mouths out there. 

Note: Make sure you take a minute to watch the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil Short Film described as 'evocative' and 'unique', so at least I know I'm not the only one laughing. Yet I still can't help but wish I had Frivolous Velvet Gloss in my hands right now... Something's working. 

Primark: Palm Tree Printed Skirt 

You heard it here first: The high street are obsessing over palm tree print this S/S. If you can't bring the tropical weather to Britain, you might as well wear it. 

Topshop: Zip Front Denim Backpack

You can't go wrong with a backpack, well... unless you end up looking like a school child, again. This mini white backpack has an air of sophistication, and paired with those matching sandals make a perfect combo. Do handbags even exist anymore? I've been the hunt for a cheap mini white leather backpack but I've had no luck, this Topshop alternative is definitely something different and hey, better to have white denim on your bag then on your jeans (White Denim Jeans = Hideous). 

Topshop: Patent Leather Flippy Skirt by Boutique

This PVC look skirt well and truly belongs to those space age looks of the 60's but without a doubt has a (2nd?) home here in the 2014. This pastel take on the generally black style gives the dominatrix look a sweet girly edge and I don't know about you but soaking up the (limited) rays in a pitch black plastic/leather skirt does not appeal.

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