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Tartan & Blue

7 November 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
The dull weather really dampens my mood. As much as I love autumn and winter, it would be great to have a rainy day or a sunny day, rather than a weird fog/mist/partially cloudy day. It's also the time of year where we are freezing in the morning but overheating by 3pm. I no longer attend school so I don't have the awkward situation of trying to pick an outfit that suits this unpredictable season. One this I couldn't let go of during the summer was my blue coat. Summer in the North isn't that long - maybe about 3 days and then just rain. But I found this coat to suit most outfits and it's continued to be reliable through to this time of year. At first glance, I wouldn't find a lot of items in my wardrobe to pair well with the coat but luckily it just seems to work. My jumper, which was bought for £4.00 from Topshop in the sale naturally appears during this season. Note: I'm so very proud I found such an amazing item at that price in a store like Topshop. Tartan, check and flannel are all autumnal trends that constantly pop up on the high street and seem to be common with celebrities too. 
Cropped jumpers are great for me as I have a figure that's most similar to hourglass. Having long legs does hide this a little bit, but it's there. Cropped tops paired with high-waisted bottoms are a great combination as they highlight the best bits of the body shape and disguise all the bits we don't want to show. 
Jumper - Topshop // Coat - Dorothy Perkins // Jeans - Next // Bag - TK Maxx // Converse - Schuh

Jimi Hendrix 68

29 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
There's nothing like a bright blue jeans to brighten up an outfit a little bit. Within my look, my jeans are one item that stands out the most, despite their simplicity and basic design. But I think jeans and denim as a whole are sometimes forgotten about, but in reality, they're incredibly valuable. As a girl that's almost six feet tall, it's really difficult to find jeans at the right length of a good quality. As as a curvier girl, it's a lot harder to find jeans that fit in all the right places. I naturally gravitate towards super skinny jeans because I know they will fit, but I still have to wear a belt. Today's jeans, which are from Next are so soft they're almost like leggings. Topshop and Next are my go-to high street stores for any style of jeans because the denim is of a high quality and the fit is generous and true to size. Along with my blue jeans, I'm wearing my favourite vest top from Topshop that I've had for at least three years. The graphic print is of Jimi Hendrix, as it's a poster for a San Francisco show in 1968. I've found this shirt to be valuable over the years because it never really dates. The monochrome print is suited to any casual style and pairs with plenty of items in my wardrobe. 
 Top - Topshop // Cardigan - made for me // Jeans - Next // Bag - TK Maxx // Shoes - Brantano

My Excuse Is That I'm Young

27 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
There's always that one item of clothing that you just cannot get rid of. There's not one element in the entire world that can demolish this specific bond and it has been your go-to look for at least a year now. That's exactly how I feel about today's dress. I'm absolutely crazy about it and I'm so excited for Autumn as the deep berry or maroon colour is ideal for this season. I've also been loving prints so the dark aztec print on the dress is ideal. This season has introduced a lot more coats and jackets which means I get to layer underneath to keep warm. There are so many different styles of cover-ups, the list is endless, but today I have chosen this khaki green coat with a faux fur collar to go with my look. I think the berry-like colour and the very dark green blend together really well and are two excellent colours for Autumn. I have also chosen matching accessories, as I wanted most of the focus to be on the clothing. This rustic rucksack is a new favourite of mine, it's denim but really light and pairs well with plenty of items in my wardrobe. Similarly, my boots, which are always a favourite of mine, are versatile as they pair with skirts and dresses as well as trousers or jeans. They're faux leather - making them waterproof and affordable!
 Dress - Topshop // Coat - Next // Boots - Brantano // Scarf (snood) - Primark // Bag - TK Maxx

Perfect Patchwork

17 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Wearing an oversized shirt as a dress is a big risk, but sometimes it can work. My shirt is quite long, and actually gets longer in the back which makes me feel much more comfortable. I think this look would be great for a holiday (of course without tights), but I have found it works for this season too. My inside leg measurement is also 35.5 inches which is considered rather long; making this shirt quite risky for me. If you prefer to wear leggings, I think that works perfectly too. I also love the two different shades of blue on this shirt even though it's one fabric. That's one way to 'spice up' a simple button-up shirt without going overboard for Autumn. Denim is such a versatile fabric, which comes in so many colours so I know I will be able to style this top in many different ways to suit so many different occasions. It's one of those shirts that can be styled up and styled down. You may select this shirt as a focus point for a casual look, or it can be used in layering in the colder seasons. On the other hand, pairing this shirt with the perfect formal jacket, skirt or trousers can immediately add elegance. The denim isn't too thick and isn't as all stiff which makes my top comfortable all day unlike a lot of pure cotton or denim shirts I own that can grow uncomfortable after a long period of time. 
Shirt - Next // Bag - Topshop // Shoes - Schuh

Wake Me Up When September Ends

29 September 2014

Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I'm refusing to believe this month is almost over - it's impossible for time to move that quickly without me noticing. As much as I miss summer, autumn/winter is my favourite time of year. I own way too many jumpers and have a strong obsession with boots so I love the transition stage which is this time of year. As September ends, I'm bringing out my complete fall wardrobe and getting to know my favourites again. This jumper, which I bought in a Topshop winter sale last year, and I've loved it ever since. Chunky knit jumpers have become a favourite of mine because they're so cosy to wear but they're not overbearing and are usually lighter than fabrics that take more fabric as they're using a smaller knit. The looser knit also means I don't overheat and can wear this jumper with a leather jacket. The length of this jumper is also great because I can wear it with leggings without exposing too much. Today's leggings are a lot thicker than typical viscose and elastane as they have a spandex-type fabric in them which is what creates the shiney, 'disco' effect to them. I've grown to really love these leggings because they keep me super warm during this season as they're a little thicker and actually a lot softer. To finish the look I'm wearing my favourite Chelsea ankle boots and carrying a faux leather handbag.
Jumper - Topshop
Leggings - made for me
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Bag - TK Maxx
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