Winter Warms Up - Blog 10

With the nights closing in and the weather turning sour, I’ve decided I finally need to pack away my flip flops and mini skirts. Possibly the most depressing time of year for me, because I am a summer fanatic. But (apparently) there are ways to still look good in the winter, without freezing your toes off.

First of all, I suggest investing in a good classy coat. I recently purchased a charcoal double breasted coat from Topshop, hopefully it will last me a while. I’ve realised, once you’re got a coat, you really can wear anything, whatever the weather. I am partial to wearing shorts and tights with heels with my big coat on top, it’s the best way to hide an outfit to surprise everyone.

Secondly, acquire a sturdy pair of boots, because with it either always raining or snowing in this country, you certainly can’t wear sandals. Boots can dress up or dress down an outfit so it’s an excellent idea to get a light pair and a dark pair to go with all your outfits.

So, even though I might have Seasonal Affective Disorder, there is still a way to look good over winter. But I choose to hibernate and wait for spring again, thanks.

Pushing the boundaries - Blog 9

Many designers choose to push the boundaries in fashion, whether it is between the sexes, between fabric and other materials or even between animal and human. You see people walking down the street wearing something outrageous and think, “Oh my god, they are really brave”. But more often than not, you are more likely to think, “Oh my god, they look awful!” There’s a very thin line between looking awful and looking amazingly outrageous, John Galliano probably being the master of this.

In my opinion, you should always dress to impress, whether you are going to the pub, out partying or even to Waitrose for some essentials (although, maybe I should have taken that into account, this morning). This is because you never know who you are going to see. But I believe there is a different between dressing to impress and dressing to shock. It is never a good idea to dress like an extra from the Rocky Horror Show, if you don’t have the confidence to pull it off, because it’s possible that many people will be looking at you.

So I think, be yourself, be adventurous and thrive in the attention you’ll get.

From Era to Era - Blog 8

It’s easy enough to buy a tie-dye t-shirt and say that you are from the 70’s, but wearing clothes from different eras can be excruciatingly difficult if you want to get it right.

I found this out after decided to go as a Flapper to a costume party, I thought, “Great, this actually will be quite easy, just get a dress that’s short.” After rummaging through my wardrobe I found a sparkly silver and blue dress. Perfect. I made some minor adjustments, like lowering the neckline and lining it because it was so damn itchy! I then realised that just wearing a dress wasn’t enough to pull off the whole Flapper image, so I had to make a head band, find the appropriate shoes and wear fishnet tights. It was not easy.

With Dita Von Teese emerging recently, 1950’s fashion and burlesque has been very popular, with shops selling corsets, stockings and high-waist skirts. Personally, I think if you are going to adopt 1950’s fashion it should be part of your style not just a fashion fad. After attending Punk, a nightclub in Soho, where I saw the Peek-a-boo girls, I realised that a lot of effort goes into dressing from different eras. Considering hair and make up is vital to get the full look from any era.

My top tip: Be commited.

Customisation for the nation - Blog 7

Customising your clothes is a really good (but really difficult) way to express individuality and revive some old clothes.

I was in Portobello on Saturday, looking for a coat, you know, winter's closing in and all that. I came across a stall with an over-eccentric owner, selling restyled and customised coats, they were gorgeous. However, they were badly made, I wasn't going to fork out 70quid for something that would fall apart, I left, disappointed.

It got me thinking how difficult it is to customise clothes to other people's tastes. Firstly and most importantly, if you are going to customise existing clothes, do it to your own taste, not copying others to look cool. Secondly, almost as nearly as important, don't over do it. No one wants to look like a walking haberdashery shop. In this case, less really is more.

Use your imagination and be creative, attach badges , pieces of material and beads to create a new look to an old t-shirt. They sell for £20 in Topshop!

A word of advice, when customising; Dip-dyed and tie-dyed material went out of fashion in the 80's. They aren't coming back... ever.

Start you own trend - Blog 6

Everyone needs to revamp their wardrobe every now and then but it's finding the way to do it that's the problem. I try to stay away from big chain stores like H & M and Primark, more often than not, the shops are full of complete crap and practically everyone owns the decent item in the shop.

At the weekend, I went to a clothes swap in Islington. A novel idea, I thought, and a perfect way yo reinvent my wardrobe. It was hosted in a quaint little pub, a great idea, get everyone drunk so they swap more! Unfortunately we had to pay a fiver to get in and by the time we got there, all the decent stuff had vanished, surprise surprise.

By the end of it, I came out with a Brown, man's checkered shirt. Purely because I didn't want to leave empty handed, not because it was "charming". It really wasn't. The idea of a clothes swap, is inspired, maybe I just got there too late. But I really do think, to reinvent your wardrobe, you need to get out there. Try new things, meet new people and discover a style. Go to a car boot sale, jumble sales, raid your mum's and friends wardrobes, or even go to a clothes swap. You never know, you might even pick up the perfect piece for you, or perhaps you'll come home, like me, with a dodgey brown shirt.

Blog 5 - To wear fur or not to wear fur...

Wearing fur is always a controversial image.

When walking around Islington yesterday I came across a variety of vintage shops and stalls that all sell fur coats and trims. I couldn’t help but think that if worn properly it can be quite classy.

With animals such as mink, badger and beaver appearing on jackets for Gucci, Burberry and D&G this season for menswear, I have started to consider some subtle rules for wearing fur.

Firstly, in my opinion, men should never wear fur, I feel it looks ridiculous and makes men look similar to pimps and sugar daddies. However, some of the men manage to pull it off in Vogue Homme International, possibly because they are half naked…

I will never forget, when I was younger, I saw a women walk past me wearing a fox fur trim. A trim with the head, feet and tail still attached, I was truly shocked that anyone would ever wear such a monstrosity. But whilst walking in Islington, I came across some mink fur trims that I wouldn’t complain about wearing. I still feel that trims should be tasteful, wearing one still with the head attached is just plain wrong.

I think that high quality fake fur is the way to go. Understandably, many people won’t buy it because it can look tacky, but it is less offensive and often less expensive. I am still very dubious about wearing fur. Maybe one day I will invest in a coat that can be handed down through generation. Fur is rather timeless, darling!

Blog 4 - Second-Hand Shopping

After my adventure yesterday to Brick Lane in London, I have decided to write about the four main rules for shopping in vintage and charity shops.

I’ve always been a bit of sucker for a bargain. Before I came to university in London I constantly shopped in charity shops. This was partly due to my lack of money but also because of hidden treasures that you can find for a small price. Handbags and scarves were my downfall.

I was so excited about moving to London so I could appreciate the vintage shops that I have only read about in magazines.

Rule One: Always Haggle

The price on the clothes is just a guideline, tell them what you would pay for it and what you think it’s worth. The shop owner is bound to give you a couple of quid off just to get rid of you.

Rule Two: Be Realistic

Don’t buy something just because it’s 50p, you’re wardrobe will end up cluttered full of rubbish and you’ll regret it later. Trust me.

Rule Three: Check for stains and holes

After buying the most gorgeous dress on the planet and realising it had a massive orange stain in the middle, I thoroughly advise to check anomalies that might break your heart. Small holes can always be fixed but it’s a good idea to mention it to the shop owner as they might be able to discount the price.

Rule Four: Make friends with shop owners

Have a chat with shop owners and other shopper to get hint and tips about other shops and markets that you might not know about. Shop owners sometimes will tell you when they are getting new stock in so it’s worth asking.

With these four rules, hopefully, shopping in vintage and charity shops can be relatively hassle free and there will be treasure a-plenty.

Blog 3 – What not to wear at work

“You” magazine, free with the Daily Mail on Sunday, has been my weekend reading ever since I was about 12. When I came home for the weekend, I decided to catch up on my reading, looking for some inspiration for my blog.

Conveniently, I came across an article by Mimi Spencer about dressing for the office. After previously being told in one of our introduction lectures that we should be “dressing to impress”, I found this article really interesting.

I’ve always wanted the excuse to dress up in a power-suit for work, but considering offices are now given an option of a casual dress-code, I can sense this being a thing of the past. With women’s suits dating back to the time of Coco Chanel and new shapes being introduced every season; why go to work in jeans and a pair of pumps; when you can arrive with executive style in a designer power suit?

Mimi Spencer informs us of the new suits with fuller skirts for autumn/ winter and the newly popular wide leg trousers. "Dressing to impress" has never been easier.

Blog 2 - Don't wear Black with Brown

Whilst browsing through the internet, I find a style guide: http://www.focusonstyle.com/fashionrules.htm and realise that such tips often neglect the current trends and designers currently on the runway.

• “Don’t wear tights with open-toed shoes.”

Peep-toed shoes being a key look for the current season, not wearing such a shoe would be a fashion faux-pas in itself. There’s a particularly great range of leopard print peep toes coming from Dolce and Gabbana as well as a gorgeous pair of Chloé Horseshoe Platform shoes, which focusonstyle.com obviously neglected.

• “Don’t Mix Patterns and Print.”

Haven’t you ever heard of Pucci?

• “Handbags, Shoes and Belt should always match.”

I have decided, as long as I have the Marc Jacobs Plum Stam bag, I would give up all my shoes and all my belts. Actually, I’d give up everything.

So, in my opinion: wear black with brown, tights with peep toes and a green bag with purple shoes. Just make sure you do it with confidence.

In the words of Yves Saint Laurent, “Over the years I have learnt what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”

Blog 1 - Fashion Etiquette

I was wondering for days what the subject of my blog could be, nervous that everyone had their ideas already. Then it struck me. Literally.

I was walking through Primark on Oxford Street, searching for bargains when a small woman barged passed me with no concern whatsoever that her obscurely large foot stamped all over mine. I go flying, and shout, “I know we’re in Primark but there’s no need to be rude!” So, then I realise, for my blog, I’ll write the rules and etiquette of fashion and shopping, so maybe, if I return to Primark, I won’t come home with a limp.

Rule number one: manners. No matter what shop, be it Prada or Primark, Debenhams or Dolce and Gabbana, pushing and rudeness should be left for the mosh pit instead of the shop floor. In high street shops it becomes more acceptable to ignore the existence of other customers and shop for oneself even if it means snatching clothes out of others hands.

I say, forget rummaging through clothes found on the floor, tripping people up in the process. Try saying please and thank you instead of, “Oi! That’s mine!”