M&S Does Minimal!

I just had to sign on today and write about M&S' amazing new minimalist collection that anyone and everyone is talking about right now!  You should see some of the lovelies they have to offer.

I recently spoke about Co-ords, and as it happens, this latest collection from M&S features a cute, bright white long sleeve crop top and midi skirt combo which is on trend in so many ways and will suit anyone that wants to brighten up their wardrobe without having to fear bringing in the fuchsia pinks and lemon yellows of this world.

However, if you do like more of a bright colour, this is where this collection is wonderfully unique and versatile;  because although it is minimal, M&S have brought in a bright colour pallet to their collection too! So if you want the previously mentioned fuchsia pinks, you can have them!  They have made beautifully tailored shirts in this colour, as well as pretty court shoes with a twist for spring.  You can also nab yourselves the 'slip-on skater slider' trainer shoes that you can see any of the fash pack wearing right now. That's a whole new trend though that no doubt i'll be writing about soon!

So hurry and go grab the new modern and easy to wear M&S bargains before they're a sell out!  I've even linked you below to a few of the key pieces in the collection!

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Peep-Dippy-Hem-Blouse/dp/B004EFUMW8?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=2492354031&sr=1-1&qid=1389265163&pf_rd_r=0ZMX21F65K3NZVEVCJVE&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Suede-Water-Resistant-Insolia%C2%AE/dp/B005DOKV2U?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_20&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-20&qid=1389265329

January Blues, January Blooms!

So I havn't posted in a while, but as you can imagine, it's been rather hectic over Christmas!  It feels great to finally be back on my blog though, imparting my knowledge of the latest trends and all things fashion-y!

You might have guessed by the title that i'm about to turn your miserable January blues into something a bit more inspiring and exciting.  I want to show you the new trend that has hit town - big, bright and blooming floral prints!  Particularly on Co-ords.  You must know that I am a huge fan of these because they are the perfect casual or party piece for anyone looking for something to get the crowds talking, and someone who wants to be a bit adventurous with their style.  Well I ask you, what better time to do it than in January when everyone is making new year's resolutions?  Make you resolution to be a bit more daring with your outfits. Even if it's only a tiny step, that's great!  It will really give you the confidence to try new trends.

So anyway, back to our topic, 'January Blooms'.   I want to give you some advice on how to wear the big floral prints this season has to offer.  For those of you that are comfortable wearing co ords, well perfect! Because that's what the high street is offering;  like this pretty two piece skort and cami combo from Topshop, admittedly more suitable for when the temperatures increase significantly, or if you're jetting off to a hot destination: http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=co+ords&storeId=12556&productId=13491404&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057

However if you are not sure on the co-ord trend, why not wear either piece at a time!  Ladies with a bigger bust should keep the large prints on their bottom halves to give proportion to their curves, and equally ladies with smaller busts should wear the print on their top half to create the illusion of curves.  If you are petite, be careful to not choose materials that swamp you in this print.  Choose something like silk or satin to flatter your frame and make sure the prints are in soft colours, such as this combo also from Topshop: http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=co+ords&storeId=12556&productId=13467709&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057

I hope you enjoy trying out this trend, and if you're a bit shy to try co-ords, try to ease yourself in gently with small pieces such as cami tops and shorts rather than trousers and jackets.

Primark's New Collection 'Springs' In

Winter has settled in nicely and no one is daring to leave their house without being tightly wrapped up in jumpers, scarfs, gloves, hats and big coats!  But already news is in that Primark's Spring collection is set to hit the stores by no later than the end of December!  I don't know about you but this little piece of news fills me with delight!

Especially as this beautiful new collection from Primark, (oh and by the way, don't you think Primark just get better and better with each collection?!) is full to the brim with pretty pastels which are the perfect transitional colours from winter to summer, monochrome delights much like what was seen at Balmain for S/S'14 and my absolute favourite trend of the moment, patterned two pieces!  There is one particularly gorgeous blouse and skirt combo that looks like it's been attacked by black marker and bright paints.  It's totally unusual and updates Primark's usual style pieces perfectly.

The collection has carried the very popular midi skirt through to spring, and contrary to popular thought, it is not only tailored for tall girls!  If you want to try the midi skirt, make sure to keep whatever you wear on your top half streamlined and fairly tight fitting to help create the perfect silhouette.  If you are petite, avoid large patterns as these could potentially drown you, so stick to small ditsy prints. 

So now all to do is to enjoy Christmas and get down to Primark as soon as January hits and start bagging all those new collection bargains!

 

Fill Me In: Putting a Christmas spin on the Chunky Knit

Another week has passed and it's time for me to give you a style update again!  This week i've chosen the infamous chunky knit as it really is wintery out now and you need all the help you can get to stay warm, as well as ahead of the trends.  I also thought it was the perfect opportunity to post about how to wear your chunky knit with a christmassy spin because Topshop are doing 20% off on all their knitwear until midnight tonight!  How exciting!

So as you can see i've demonstrated in the picture an outfit with a chunky, fluffy knit I bought in Topshop last week as my second winter warmer purchase of the year.  I've teamed it with a Topshop glitter detail skirt that I got last year just before Christmas, a statement emerald green New Look necklace, my new cat face watch that my boyfriend gave to me on my birthday last week, and totally versatile black Office brogues.  Of course the glitter in the skirt really gives a nod to the Christmas fever we're seeing as it gets nearer and nearer which is why I want to encourage you to find yourself something like this out on the high street to make your jumper christmassy!

This is the stylish update on just buying a Christmas jumper.  We're making a whole outfit christmassy, not just the jumper! Chunky knits like these look great paired with leather look leggings too, but I feel that velvet is more of a material that suggests 'festive season' to me, and believe me there are plenty of velvet leggings out there right now!

If you want to avoid leggings, go for a pretty skater skirt like mine with maybe a dark red tartan print or one with glitter embellishment.  Most importantly, make sure you keep your bottom half free of anything bulky because you don't want your outfit to drown you, as you jumper is already loose fitting.

Here are some links to a few suggestions of what I think will look great with your chunky knit. Enjoy!

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=tartan+skirt&storeId=12556&productId=12778829&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057
http://direct.asda.com/george/womens-skirts/check-kilt/G004429953,default,pd.html
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/clothing-203535/trousers-leggings-203565/black-baroque-print-brooke-jegging-2455271?bi=41&ps=20

Fill Me In: Crop into Winter!

This week I want to show you how to wear your much loved summer crop top in winter.  To begin with, I thought this was a crazy trend that just wouldn't take off, because in my mind, a teeny tiny crop top over a shirt/tee just looked ridiculous.  But i've definitely been persuaded by this new way of taking your summer lovelies into the colder winter months, because when worn with the right kind of things it can look fab!

The great thing about this trend is that you won't necessarily have to go out and buy anything new, because chances are you've already got what you need!  My first piece of advice is to go look in your wardrobe and fish out your favourite crop top that has a bit of give in it to put a tee or shirt underneath and then find a collared casual shirt, ideally in white to put underneath (like I have in the photo).

What else is cool about this is that you can pretty much pair the two with anything from trousers and jeans, to a skirt in any shape!  I've put mine with a little black Topshop mini skirt with buttons down the front to give the outfit a boost with embellishment. If you're going to wear your crop top with a shirt, it will look great with the collar popping neatly out the top and buttoned all the way up.  You could even add a statement necklace with it, as we know they're mega popular right now.

Most importantly, be creative with it! Mix and match your plain shirts and tees with different crop tops you've kept since the summer, and have fun!

Christmas Velvet Crush

What is there not to like about Velvet? It feels luxurious, it looks luxurious and the first thing that springs to mind when you think of velvet is expensive, high society and, well, luxury!  And it's even better when velvet becomes a major fashion trend and the high street snap it up so quick you've barely had time to note that it's actually going to be fashionable again!

What's fabulous about velvet clad garments on the high street is that we can all go get our fix for a fraction of the price we'd expect to pay! High street velvet materials also look amazingly real too so you can feel expensive and look like you're wearing something that costs a bomb, without actually doing it!

High street Mogul Topshop have already created a whole trend based around the fashion phenomenon of velvet for this Winter and have got a fabulous collection, everything from shorts to dresses and skirts to bags. Do you know what else is absolutely delightful about this trend? The fact that it is the perfect party wear material, in what ever shape or form it comes in.  You can wear it head to toe in a pretty velvet dress - Topshop even do a playsuit with lace mixed in with the velvet, or you can go more minimal with a pair of their velvet heels!

Let me tell you, velvet can be tricky to wear but it can also be perfectly easy, depending on your shape.  Pear shapes will look amazing in a little velvet skater skirt, whilst if you're apple shape you should wear your velvet on your bottom half to place emphasis on your great legs, meaning grab yourself a fabulous pair of velvet patterned (or plain if you prefer!) trousers and wear it with a chunky knit to nod to another one of A/W13's trends.

I've put a link to Topshop's velvet collection on their website below so you can get shopping and let velvet into your life this Christmas party season!

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?beginIndex=0&pageSize=20&sort_field=Relevance&viewAllFlag=&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&langId=-1&parent_categoryId=208491&categoryId=1484680&intcmpid=W_HERO_HP_UK_WK12_VELVET_TOUCH_2#beginIndex=21&pageSize=20&sort_field=Relevance&viewAllFlag=&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&langId=-1&parent_categoryId=208491&categoryId=1484680&intcmpid=W_HERO_HP_UK_WK12_VELVET_TOUCH_2

Fill Me In: Punky Tartan loves Girly Pink

As of this week i'm starting a new feature on my blog called "Fill Me In".  Yes you're right! It has pretty much the same name as my blog right? Well the title is appropriate because it does exactly what is says on the tin. I'm going to give you style tips each week about a certain trend, print, colour, look, shape; pretty much anything going on in the world of fashion and style, and then post a picture of exactly how I wore it. As well as this I will give you links to certain pieces i've found on the net that allow you to create it yourself! 

So, let's get on with post number one! I've captioned this, "Punky Tartan loves Girly Pink" because I want to show you just how amazing the two look when worn together.  The toughness of dark tartan prints perfectly compliment baby pink girly hues that are gracing the catwalks at the moment and both are amazingly popular right now. 

In my look above, i've gone the extra step in creating a collision between something that's usually associated with being so girly and a print that is notoriously punky.  Not only have I chosen the sweetest pink colour ever, but i've also chosen it on a cutsie high collar crop top! This tones down the toughness of my washed grey denim jeggings and band tee and my tartan hair scarf accessory.  I've also put it with a bright pink jewelled statement necklace which again compliments the girly tones of this ensemble, and some frilly dotted socks! 

My look only hints at being more girly because the two trends i've mentioned are only shown through accessories.  However, instead of just sticking to accessories you can of course go further with this and nab yourself a great tartan skirt from pretty much any high street shop this winter, (I know.  I have seen countless ones lately!) and pair it with a pink top like mine, or you can reverse it and wear tartan on your top half and pink on the bottom. 

A great little collared top like this one will look fabulous if you've got a small bust, or if you're pear shaped, unbutton the top couple of buttons on your collared top and this style will look great on you! If you're an hourglass, a tartan skater skirt will nip in your waist and accentuate it and flatter you wonderfully!

Here are a few links to some of my favourite picks from these trends on the highstreet.  Have fun experimenting with it yourself!

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/red-and-black-tartan-check-skater-skirt_290939209

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=tartan+trousers&storeId=12556&productId=12777541&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057

http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=tartan+top&storeId=12554&productId=12485935&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33055