Pieces Every Wardrobe Needs: Part 4, Accessories

Belt: A belt can tighten up any outfit (excuse the pun). Go for one with an interesting buckle to really make it stand out. A thin belt can also add nice detail to a plain dress and help define the waist.

   

Scarf: Chiffon, silk, cotton, cashmere, wool or knitted. A scarf can wrap you up warm, add another dimension to your outfit or just make you look damn smart.

Hat: Everyone needs a hat. or even a variation of hats. Bowlers, pork pie, fedoras, straw, cowboy, wide brim... Take your pick.

Necklaces/ Jewellery in general: Necklaces always add another dimension to your outfit. Long necklaces go well with tee shirt dresses, whereas a bolero chain pulls together a plain shirt. Layered chains also finish a look off, but be careful you don't over-do it. I know chokers are back in fashion, but be wary of them making you look like you've sliced your neck.

Gold or Silver Cuff: Let your arm make the statement.

Decorative Hair Accessories: If you have longer than bob length hair, chances are you'll have hair ties in the bottom of your bag. If you want to make your up-do more interesting, a statement hair tie is the way forward. Think steel band, jewelled or little exotic flowers.
Likewise, a simple clip in flower or feathers are fun for summer. A less popular choice are headbands,  but when done right, they can look pretty cute. Hey, if its good enough for Blair Waldorf...

Piece Every Wardrobe Needs: Part 3, Shoes

Pumps/lace-ups: An obvious everyday go-to shoe. The lace-up pump is a fail-safe option. With plenty of designs to choose from, have fun with your footwear and i promise you, you will end up with more than one pair.

Ankle Boots: Another fail-safe option, the flat ankle boot can be worn all year round. Suede and leather are always a good idea and go with everything. The heeled option are good to add a touch of glamour and a bit of height to a mini skirt for example. 

Cowboy Boots: Calf length or knee length, the cowboy boot adds a western vibe and looks amazing with denim.

Suede Platform sandals: Want to be another foot taller? Wish granted. Add a pair of these and feel as tall as the Eiffel Tower. 

Mid- heel sandals: Sometimes even comfier than their flat counterparts - mid-heel wedge sandals are perfect for an afternoon stroll on the riviera. 

Wedges: Whether closed or open toed, wedges are easier to walk in than stilettos. Bonus style points if you get wedges with a patterned heel.

Flip Flops: An essential for any wardrobe. Plastic flip flops are easy to pack, easy to dry and easy to wear. If you hate backless, there are plenty options with straps. 

Court Shoes: You will need some court shoes, whether it be for a formal event or a night out. Black court shoes go with anything.    Stilettos are also a smart option, albeit a bit harder to walk in.

Brogues: Not just for wall street bankers, brogues can immediately smarten up jeans or a skirt, they're such a classic shoe, and they're comfy. Other options are smart loafers or heeled brogues.

 Athletic Trainers: Yes some of them can be pretty ugly, but they're so comfy, and you need proper ones if you work out.  

 

Pieces Every Wardrobe Needs: Part 2, Bottom Half

Denim Shorts: Every year's staple spring/summer bottoms. You can never fail with denim shorts. Most likely seen in blue hues, but feel free to mix it up with colour, or an added detail like crotchet, lace or even aztec patterns on the pockets or hems. Add accessories or a waistcoat to add a bit more variety to your outfit.

Denim Jeans: Everyone needs a good pair of jeans, and maybe in several styles. It is important to shop your body shape when looking for jeans. For example, If you're on the petite side, maybe baggy boyfriend jeans will bury you; likewise, just because skinny jeans are on-trend, it doesn't mean you have to squeeze yourself into the skinniest pair you can find. After all, we can't all be Kate Moss. High waisted jeans can make you look taller and slimmer, but they're probably not best to be worn when eating a huge meal.  If shopping high-waisted, look for soft denim, as they can feel less restricting. 

Colours: Egg shell blue or black for skinny, dark blue for bootcut or boyfriend. Either way, it's up to you what looks and feels right. 

Smart black trousers: For either work or a formal event. Dress up with a pretty top, dress down with a white slogan teeshirt tucked in. Cigarette style are becoming a popular alternative to bootcut. 

Leggings: One of the most versatile bottom halves, leggings can be worn under dresses and skirts, or under a longish teeshirt. If you're unsure that your 'long' tee-shirt will cover all your bum at all times, wear black underwear. Seriously. 

Tights: Obviously. Get them in black and skin colour, just in case. 

Athletic cotton shorts: You can get these fairly cheap, and they're ideal for putting on when exercising or even walking to and from the pool. 

Thick Joggers: Ideal for winter exercise, plus they're just cosy to put on after a hard days work. 

Skirts: To add a feminine touch to your Ramones tee-shirt. Thick wool skirts are ideal in winter, thin cotton ones in summer. 

Pieces Every Wardrobe Needs: Part 1, Top Half

Plain/Minimalist T-shirt - Pair with a blazer and accessories to dress it up, or jeans and converse for the all american look. 

Colours: Black, White. Add a primary colour like red for a more diverse wardrobe choice.

Slogan/ Picture/Patterned Teeshirt: Not an essential, but i thought id throw it in here as everyone needs a bit of fun fashion in their wardrobe. Slogan and picture tees are really easy to get hold of and there is so much choice. Henry Holland do fun ones. grey by-henry-holland
Colours: Any. Just make sure its not too childish or too offensive like this outfit choice at Coachella. Coachella: Eat,sleep,rape,repeat

Plain/Minimalist Cotton Shirt: Long sleeved or 3/4, a buttoned up shirt goes well for work, or open over a coloured or slogan teeshirt with denim shorts, looks effortless in spring.
Colours: White.

Cardigan: Rain or shine, you will always need a cardigan. A thin one can be put under a jacket if you need some extra warmth, whereas a thick chunky knit or cable knit is a real staple in Autumn. Colours: Any.

Blazer: Whether its a casual or smart event, a blazer can pull together any outfit. Whilst a black blazer goes well with just about anything, a coloured blazer adds a bit more spice to an outfit. For example, a bright coloured blazer over a black or white dress can look amazing.
Colours: Black, Navy, White, Red, Tan etc..

Leather Jacket: Channel your inner rock god or goddess and invest in a good quality leather jacket. A leather jacket can take you from autumn to spring and back again. Opting for the shiny reflective kind can end up looking tacky and cheap, so it's worth investing your money in a 'matte' one. A black leather jacket over a pretty dress can toughen up the look, Pairing with light denim jeans and a pretty teeshirt can also look nice.
Colours: Black or Brown, although other colours, if done right, can look amazing too.

Teeshirt Dress: A real versatile piece, a teeshirt dress can be paired with leggings and a cardigan for winter, or with some sandals and a hat for summer. Colours: A plain one is a good idea and you can dress it up or down with accessories, but also patterned ones are ideal for summer.

Smart Cocktail/Evening Dress: Something incase a special occasion arises. Makes sure it fits perfectly and also make sure it can cater to more than one event. Ie, don't go getting a candy floss ball gown at £3000 if you're only going to wear it once. Get a nice one that can be worn for a party but also possibly for a formal occasion.

New Love: Shift Dresses

Dress types have been given yet more sub headings and Shift dresses are those dresses that are slightly longer and prettier than tunics. 

Earlier I learnt today that apparently Hubert de Givenchy originally designed what we know today as the shift dress. He designed the black shift dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in 1961 and the dress (along with the film) went on to become iconic. 

Flattering, flexible for all occasions and able to be dressed up or down; the shift dress has become a wardrobe staple for modern girls. The shift dress has been updated, and paisley (floral) and geometric (sharp shape) patterns are hot right now for A/W 14. Block colours are also very versatile and you can let your accessories and shoes do the work. Go forth and get one of these in your life!

 

Ref: http://shiftdress.com/the-history-of-the-shift-dress/ 

http://www.aewom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/07/1/Issa-Beaded-neckline-shift-dress-for-women-455-3.jpg

http://cdn-s3-2.wanelo.com/product/image/6012668/original.jpg

New A/W 2014 Trend... Capes and Blankets

Ever felt cosy wrapped up in a blanket and wished you could feel as comfy in class or in town? Well you can! Introducing... the woollen cape! We took inspiration from geishas in the summer with the kimonos, now we are taking inspiration from perhaps mongolian farmers for the cape.

Recently, I was on holiday in Portugal, and in Springfield (the shop, not 'The Simpsons' village), I saw an amazing woollen cape out of the corner of my eye, It was so unusual and I had to buy it! People be jel when I would be curled up in it watching Disney movies! However, it seems that 'the cape' is the new thing for A/W 14. Burberry have created a few and high-street retailers such as New Look and Miss Selfridge have lots of choice. With so many designers and shops to choose from, it looks like we'll all be looking stylish and feeling cosy watching Disney movies in winter...

                              Burberry

Springfield

Lady Gaga - The new face of H & M...

Lady Gaga and senior crooner Tony Bennett are set to star in the new H & M Christmas advert. Yep really, the high street retailer have chosen Gaga and Bennett for the advert both print and television campaigns, and will feature a song from the duos new album 'Cheek to Cheek'. For the ad, Lady Gaga has been stripped of her weird dress sense. Gone are the strange sunglasses and yellow hair and instead features natural(ish) makeup, a brunette curly wig and an oversize woolly jumper. Strange to see that without all the excess eccentricity, she's actually quite pretty.

Whilst Lady Gaga fronting a clothing line is a bold decision to make from H & M, I can't help thinking that she may have been better fitting for a Vivienne Westwood campaign. What do you think?