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July 19, 2016

5 of the Best: One Piece Swimsuits

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It’s not often that the British sun graces us with its presence but the past two days in England have been beautiful! What better way to celebrate the sunshine than by hitting the coast with the girls or persuading that one friend with a pool to host a cocktail party? If there was ever an excuse for showing off the summer body you’ve been working for since March and dusting off your mum’s thigh baring 80s one-piece it’s certainly now.

The swimsuit is undeniably the hottest swimwear trend of the summer and there are countless options to choose from. As usual, I do like to keep things simple which means that if I do buy into a trend, the colour palette needs to be neutral so that there is more longevity and I can wear it for more than just one season.

Here is a selection of my favourite monochromatic swimsuits that will fit any budget and feature details such as romantic ruffles, sporty straps and Parisian polka dots. When the weather decides to turn wintery again in a few days, wear your one-piece under boyfriend jeans as a body substitute and I guarantee nobody will notice the difference!

Zimmermann halter top
net-a-porter.com

For Love Lemons swimsuit swimwear
nelly.com

New Look swimsuit swimwear
newlook.com

One-shoulder Bodysuit $34.99
£26 – hm.com

Tavik Swimwear one piece bathing suit
£150 – shopdashonline.com

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July 7, 2016

Sleepyhead

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Choosing to venture outdoors in sleepwear could once cause a few raised eyebrows or upturned noses, but now, the classic pyjama shirt has been reinvented as an alternative daywear option by designers such as Dolce and Gabanna.

Not only does this versatile item offer an opulent update of the cotton shirt, it also puts any former slobbish stereotypes to bed

Try casually layering one over a vest or pair with heeled loafers and boyfriend jeans for a polished Parisian effect. Dress it up with bold gold accessories, or dress it down with denim. The soft silk is sure to keep you warm during the breezy summer evenings and what’s more, it doubles as bedroom attire for those long nights where changing is just a contemplation too far.

Topshop high waisted jeans
£62 – nordstrom.com

Derek Rose silk pajamas
coggles.com

Gucci suede loafer
net-a-porter.com

Lipsy man bag
lipsy.co.uk

Maison Mayle chain belt
£615 – barneys.com

True religion mens jeans
vanmildert.com

Dolce Gabbana mens collared shirt
brownsfashion.com

Vans mens black shoes
urbanexcess.com

The White Briefs mens white dress shirt
matchesfashion.com

Ray-Ban mens round sunglasses
£130 – ssense.com

Ray-Ban ray ban mens sunglasses
£155 – bloomingdales.com

Valentino mens silver necklace
£180 – lindelepalais.com

L L Bean bed pillow
£36 – llbean.com

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July 5, 2016

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If a minimalistic approach is something you favour when it comes to fashion, be warned, this season the 80s are back with a vengeance. Among the red PVC boots, fishnet tights and other questionable items, a statement belt is one accessory you simply can’t avoid. Recycled season after season, they are perfect for accentuating waistlines whilst demanding attention.

Try a gold Chanel chain to establish an element of vintage luxe, or for a tribal feel, look no further than Vanessa Seward’s geometric staple. If a wide belt is too brash, BCBG’s leopard print design certainly counts as a neutral item, creating subtle safari vibes when matched with khaki or camel. Pair with some antique earrings and Baywatch-worthy waves for a night out or to cinch a white shirt in the daytime for added elegance.

Balmain leather belt
£630 – yoox.com

Gold belt
£325 – 1stdibs.com

Vanessa Seward braided belt
£28 – net-a-porter.com

Chanel belt
£2,895 – 1stdibs.com

BCBGMAXAZRIA waist belt
£36 – bcbg.com

Leather belt
£48 – wolfandbadger.com

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September 9, 2015

By the Sea

With the windy weather that Autumn brings, there comes a point where we will reluctantly relent to the decreasing temperature and throw a jacket on, whilst waving a begrudging farewell to the summer days of naked shoulders. Although it is not yet cold enough for thick woollen numbers or draping ourselves in ‘dead sheep’ (my mother’s reference to my fur coats), the bracing breeze certainly calls for some form of outerwear. While khaki military jackets may have ruled the runway last year, navy is a colour we are going to be seeing a lot of this winter in the form of cropped naval jackets and Breton striped knitwear.

Navy is a colour that has always suited me and I love that it is classic, nautical and slightly masculine. For someone who doesn’t like to wear a lot of colour, I think it is a midway point between strong shades and neutrals while feeling like I’m making somewhat of a comprise when wearing it. Both of these jackets above are beautiful, with the Armani one offering a crisp tailored cut, while the Mango jacket is more feminine and could even be worn thrown over the shoulders.

Trouser waistlines and hemlines are getting higher, so be prepared to say goodbye to bellbottoms and hello to cropped creations such as these Mom and Girlfriend fit jeans. Mom jeans are best suited to a pear shape with a high rise cut that sculpts the waist and hips, whereas Girlfriend jeans look great if you have longer legs and smaller hips.

Stan Smith sneakers still seem to be going strong and I have to say, after having them for a year, I am still a huge fan of mine. They really seem to add a sporty, casual tone to anything I’m wearing. Striped tees and gold framed aviators are another two things I adore and are timeless, versatile and gender neutral.

To accessories this look and compliment the sunglass frames, add an array of delicate gold rings or one single signet ring to really emphasise the nautical vibes. Just remember, less is more with this casual ensemble and it is best suited for a day by the sea or spent strolling along the pier in the cool Autumn sunshine.

Black and white stripped shirt
£9.31 – yoins.com

Bassike t shirt
£68 – farfetch.com

Emporio Armani dark blue jacket
armani.com

MANGO short jacket
johnlewis.com

Topshop highwaisted jeans
topshop.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied straight jeans
£240 – jades24.com

Adidas sneaker
£63 – farfetch.com

Isabel Marant lacing sneaker
farfetch.com

JFR gold jewellery
nelly.com

Gold signet ring
lauraleejewellery.com

Polaroid glasses
£16 – nordstromrack.com

Ray Ban ray ban eyewear
£97 – gaffos.com

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August 28, 2015

High End Vs. High Street: Black Belt

One item that I have completely fallen in love with from the Fall shows, is this gorgeous Alexander Wang cable knit sweater on the left. Most of AW‘s collection is blacker than black but this creamy creation adds a slightly softer tone whilst still conveying notions of androgyny, due to the oversized silhouette and studded details.

What better way to style it than with a wide leather waist belt, pointed chelsea boots and a pair of statement sunglasses? You may be wondering why I included shades in this post as September is almost upon us, but I’m a firm believer that sunglasses can be worn all year round.

Although oversized styles are great, anyone that knows me will rarely see me wearing a large blazer or sweater without a belt. It sounds strange, but it does make me feel more comfortable being cinched at the waist and I think it really can define any shape. Needless to say, I was super happy when I saw that waist belts were making a comeback for Fall – it’s certainly one of the few 1980s trends that appeals to me!

Whether you are on a budget or have money to blow, this glossy grunge style can be easily achieved. Find out where to buy both looks via the links below.

Zara white top
£33 – zara.com

Alexander Wang cable knit sweater
£1,370 – neimanmarcus.com

Tamara Mellon stretch pants
£555 – stylebop.com

H&M snap pants
hm.com

Acne Studios black leather boots
£365 – acnestudios.com

Office ankle boots
office.co.uk

Zara bucket bag
£65 – zara.com

Givenchy black handbag
harveynichols.com

Isabel Marant waist belt
£275 – net-a-porter.com

Black sunglasses
£18 – untitledandco.com

Christian Dior clear lens sunglasses
£390 – barneys.com

Vince Camuto waist belt
£31 – vincecamuto.com

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August 24, 2015

Dandylion

When it comes to denim, there has only been one standout style this summer in the form of flared jeans. Perfect for pear shapes and an instant leg lengthener, they effortlessly inject an element of casual seventies glamour into any wardrobe.

To make a statement, pair Mary Katrantzou’s geometric jeans with a structured denim utility dress such as this beautiful forget-me-not blue version from Derek Lam. Layering tunic silhouettes over flared trousers is not an easy look to pull off but it does give you a lot more opportunity to accessorise. Emphasise the retro vibes with a pair of platform heels from Tom Ford or vintage Christian Dior sunglasses and for a modern update, jauntily tie a Hermes scarf around the neck in true French fashion.

The key to getting this look right, is to keep to a monochrome colour palette and only adding a splash of colour where it’s needed – the jeans literally speak volumes so it’s important to tone down other parts of the outfit to balance the overall look.