Subtle Sparkle

27 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today's dress reminds me of a kangaroo. I think because it's made of a thick fabric, like the fur of a kangaroo and it has a little pouch - I just can't help but feel like one when I wear it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation. I've really grown to love the dress after realising how versatile and functional it is. Today I'm wearing it for more of a casual day, but this dress is really easy to dress up to. The glittery effect in this piece makes it stand out from the darker background and pulls an outfit together making it seem more exciting. The subtle sparkle in this dress makes it a go-to piece if I need an exciting outfit as without the sprinkle of glitz the dress would be quite boring. The length is incredibly practical because it's not too long to be worn on a casual Saturday but not too short to be worn to a more formal event. To finish my mellow weekend look, I'm wearing plain black leather pumps and carrying a leather bag (both faux) to put all the attention on my dress. 
Dress - Next
Bag - gift
Shoes - Next

Completely Casual

26 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today's I'm going for the ultra casual look. Sometimes I like to feel really casual rather than dressing up every day. As I'm only shopping, I chose not to wear a dress because taking tights off and then having to put them back on every time I try something on can be quite a faff. I think graphic tees are the best way to still have an exciting outfit without going over board and staying casual. The one I'm wearing was actually a present, but t-shirts like this are available anywhere. I like that this t-shirt can have a dark background (still sticking with black as usual) but the design that reads "live on tour" is the focus point for the whole ensemble. In my opinion, jeans are the best nonchalant style without going full laid-back and wearing sweats. I prefer to wear super skinny, and this pair is from Topshop which make some of the softest jeans I've ever worn in my life. I've also found that the classic pair of hi-top Converse are not only comfortable but the ultimate informal shoe. I was going to wear boots, but again thinking of practicality, I went straight to the All Stars. 
T-Shirt - gift
Jeans - Topshop
Bag - Next
Shoes - Schuh 

Overworn Overwear

25 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
One of my biggest fashion habits is wearing one item of clothing too many times. Today's coat is a perfect example. I wore it only a few days ago, but luckily I'm not a celebrity so that doesn't matter. What initially drew me to this piece was the bright colour, but I quickly learned that this coat is incredibly versatile. At first, I thought I could only pair this coat with clothing that features a similar colour, like today's top - but I've found that my jacket can be worn with many different colours and clothing. If I want to really stand out, and I pair the coat with another bright colour, including orange which is the contrasting colour to blue and really brighten up a look. However, I can also wear this coat as a statement piece, as the colour is very bright so wearing much darker colours underneath will illuminate the whole look. I love that the coat is very light, but also contains wool so it's perfect for this time of year. As the temperature begins to drop and the clock will eventually go backwards, I'm going to begin to appreciate this jacket even more. Today is quite a casual day so I've chosen to dress down my whole look rather than go along with the elegance and sharpness of my coat. Today's shoes are very similar to skater shoes that are available from stores such as Vans and Schuh, they're super casual and give off an easygoing vibe. 
Top - Next
Coat - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Topshop
Shoes - Brantano
Bag - market in Salou

Treasured Trainers

23 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
About 4 or 5 years ago, I would be the first person to be immediately hostile towards trainers worn for any other reason that sport. I couldn't be more irritated by trainers and jeans worn together. Today, everything's a little different - although I still struggle to accept a pair of trainers such as the Air Max put together with a midi skirt or longer dress, but there's time for it to grow on me. Trainers with jeans were really popular when I was younger and I just couldn't stand it, especially white trainers with dark jeans, that look would aggravate me. Today I try to experiment more with my wardrobe, which means going out of my comfort zone, even if it's just baby steps. I've owned Nike trainers for a while, Nike is usually my go-to brand for sportswear, even if do pronounce it wrong. I've found that they have a wider variety of shoes, including the ridiculously popular Nike Roshe Run shoes which are worn by a large amount of people. I chose these darker pair of trainers which I actually picked up from the Nike section in Sports Direct (a sports store which sells items for the most amazing prices I've ever seen). I paired the navy shoes with jeans of a similar colour, and chose to go for super skinny jeans because I think they suit this type of shoe best. Because the design of the shoe is quite sleek and slim, baggier and wider fitter jeans wouldn't look as great. On top, I'm wearing a white, knitted 3/4 length jumper which also brings out the white in my trainers and brightens up the whole outfit. To finish the look I'm carrying my favourite oversized bag. 
Top - Next
Jeans - Topshop
Bag - TK Maxx
Shoes - Nike

Super Smart and Considerably Casual

22 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Happy Monday! There are often days where I have to dress in a less casual outfit to suit the occasion. Working for a charity means there are often meetings with other charity members. They don't exactly require you to arrive in a suit and tie, but turning up in your favourite sweats isn't the best idea. If you work in quite a relaxed work environment where you still need to make an effort, I think this outfit is perfect as it highlights the best of smart and casual combined. When I hear 'smart-casual' I immediately think dark denim. Whether this is because I have a soft spot from charcoal jeans I'm not totally sure, but I think darker denim is a great fabric to include in an outfit that is a little more formal than the rest. It's socially seen as less of a colloquial colour because darker tones tend to be associated with seriousness. I've only ever attended three job interviews in my life, but all three times I wore a blazer because they immediately give off a formalistic vibe. I love blazers because they're so versatile, and they can be worn over any type of item underneath - for interviews I lean towards dresses but blazers pair well with plenty of items. Blazers also come in so many different styles and colours so it's impossible not to find one you like - unless you have a realyl strong hate for blazers. My oversized bag is perfect for today as I'll be carrying folders and paperwork which looks a lot better without dog ears and tears. My oversized bag is idea for storing a lot of items without it getting too heavy or breaking - I often use it as a carry-on because it's so large and has zips on to expand. To finish the look, I included a bright blue blouse that adds a touch of colour to the overall outfit and my jet black Chelsea boots which appear much more professional in contrast to my everyday Converse. 
Blazer - M&S
Top - Next
Jeans - Topshop
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Bag - Next
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