elle & the fashion folk.

ways to wear white.

2011-06-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

thanks for bearing with me while i got the blog back on it's feet! all the tweets and emails, they really made my day. for now, i want to concentrate on one of the biggest summer trends: white.

white crops up every summer season for a reason. there's undoubtedly something fresh about it. all of glossies can't get enough of "setting off a crisp white shirt against bronzed skin to enhance that summer glow" or the amazing "simple white t shirt and jeans look". i wouldn't know. i'm as pale as they come. but oh boy, they make it look good in magazines.

it doesn't just have to be a white shirt though. there are a number of ways to wear white this summer, whatever your style.

1. if you've got the stomach for it (hell, even if you haven't!), knotting a white tshirt into a cropped top and baring your six pack makes a plain white t a little more interesting. one of my favourite tricks is to to knot a tshirt and wear a high waisted skirt with it. this shows off the ~~only~~ best viewable part of my waist, whilst also allowing me to hide my stomach at the same time.

2. white denim shorts. think loose, ripped, or old school levi style. i've got a pair from 2005 that have been loved to rags, but they're my go-to shorts for festivals. if you're really handy with the DIY, try bleaching an old pair of denim hotpants. it works a treat! can get rather messy though, so be careful and preferably do it outside.

3. lace it up. i've got more coming on this soon, but take inspiration from pixie lott and rock a white lace dress this summer (flower hair accesories are optional!). i love how versatile lace dresses are. i've been known on more than one occasion to spend all sunlit saturday afternoon in a beer garden and not bother changing out of my own lace dress for dancing later on in the evening. scruffy? yes. favourite dress? double yes.

4. crotchet clothing. with the 70s folk trend still floating around, anything fringed, loosely woven or oversized will work. if white crotchet waistcoats are a bit too wacky, choosing a top with crotchet detailing is an alternative, understated way to work the white trend well. h&m have so many of these in, though this one is my favourite.

5. maxing out your style in a white maxi dress. to me, it's a sign that summer has properly arrived when i can wear a maxi outside. if it's too cold, cover up with a denim jacket or pull a loose cardi in with a woven waist belt. i broke my white maxi out for the day at the beach, and just about felt covered up enough. i now pronounce it officially british summer time!

white maxi - topshop (sale) - £10

denim jacket - vintage - £3

satchel - vintage, ebay

so that's it! i'm hoping to heed my own advice and work a white cropped t+skirt into a later post. maybe i'll leave it till long after my sushi belly has gone though..

solutions.

2011-02-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

when i put together my lust-have list for this week, i had february dressing in mind. you know that awkward not-quite-spring period we're in, where nothing seems just right to wear? that's the kind of clothes lull i was in. it's not that i was uninspired, just that i keep eyeing and buying all of these sweet unsuitable summer clothes. it isn't warm enough to wear my shorts & socks combo, or dry enough to save my mocassins from puddle-damage. and don't even try to part me from my duffle coat just yet!

my answer to this weird weather conundrum is to pick summer pieces that are apt for layering. i chose items from asos that were easy to wear in so many different ways. take that beautiful navy chiffon shift dress for example: i'd wear it with clashing cardi+tights+boots, snug with a blazer, or on it's own when the sun shines. lightweight knits are another go-to versatile item, as are chunky heeled ankle boots to keep you steady. i really like the look of midilength skirts with ankle socks or woolly tights, and wide leg trousers are a fresh cut that'll keep my pins warm without looking too wintery. there's tonnes out there that are right for right now, i just couldn't see it before!

so it's all about slouchy shapes, lots of layers and minimal detail for me this month. i'll be throwing cardigans on over jumpers and sheer shirts, and socks over tights if i have to. layering, meet february. february, meet layering. and all of you lovely versatile clothes, get in my wardrobe!

as always, tweet me, follow this blog, or leave a question in the comments. i do enjoy feedback! only a week ago i was at 100 followers, now it's at 150. this blog keeps growing and growing and it does make me proud!

cosy,

2011-02-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

this week i've been blown away - quite literally. i'm guaranteed at least one comedy moment (at my own expense) every day, so i really don't know why i was surprised to find the wind blowing my skirt about my waistline in front of everyone. i'm not the most composed personal in general, but there's a time and a place for knicker-flashing. trying to walk into a restaurant is not one of those times.

that was enough for me. when i got home that evening, i had a serious wardrobe rehaul. BACK went the sheer shirts, BACK went the skirts, and BACK went the flared dresses. in their place, i pulled out my chunkiest, cosiest vintage winter jumpers, and spent the rest of the week smugly wrapped up in my winter knits, feeling safe and secure in the knowledge that all appropriate areas of my body were definitely covered. although i did check. frequently.

the world and her fashionable wife owns one, and i'm no exception. my cream cableknit jumper is thrifted from oxfam, and i love it. originally from c&a men's section, it's a bit big for me. but i like things big. just look at my boyfriend. he's six foot five (minds: gutter, people!) and a giant to my five foot two.

a close up of my vintage nautical jumper from kiss me quick online vintage boutique. i lived in this jumper for about a month when i first purchased it, and for that reason the white has gone a bit grey. anyone have any ideas on how to get it back to white? i'm scared to touch it, as i'm not exactly a domestic goddess!

i found this jumper in my local salvation army shop, though it is new look so not exactly vintage! i have had the odd ' where's wally?' comment from my ever-helpful friends, but i don't mind at all. this is probably my only jumper that actually fits. i saw a similar version in primark last week, and i'm so glad spring stripes are back so i can be a repeat nautical offender.

finally, this vintage wonder is my absolute favourite. big, black and sequinned, it's really easy to dress up or down. it makes me feel very 80s.. or as 80s as my tastes are ever going to get!

i would post photos of them styled on me, but i'm really ill at the moment and not up to it. but trust me - they're so easy to wear and unbelievably cosy. i'm wholeheartedly recommending hitting up the men's section in your nearest charity shop to find a jumper to keep you warm for this rest of this winter. when i feel better, i'm going back for round two. you can never have too many jumpers when living in england, right?

show me your blog!

2011-02-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

i received some wicked feedback to my s/s 11 trends post so thanks for all of the amazing comments. from what you said, it's really easy to see what the most popular themes were and what we'll all be going for this summer.

but i want to take a break from fashion now, and ask about the blogging aspect of it all. you know i enjoy a good topical discussion or two! below, i've listed the ten elements that i think are crucial to a blog's popularity. i do like my lists. give them a read and then tell me what you think makes a good blog. bet i've missed something out!

1. personality

i think a blogger's own voice has to come across in their writing, so that readers can get a feel for the blogger's personality. with millions (literally, it wasn't that hard to research) of fashion blogs online, putting your thoughts out there can really make your blog stand out. jen from a little bird recently wrote a more in-depth post on this one, and named gem as one of the best writers out there for putting her own personality across. i whole heartedly agree! there are other ways to get your personality in there too though. for example, rather than posting a regurgitated report on how good the latest topshop collection is, pick your personal favourites and show what you would wear the pieces with. letting readers know your personal tastes, events and activities is also crucial in putting your personality across. i always enjoy reading michelle's sunday post because she photographs her week, even the non-fashion bits of her life. let’s face it, we're all nosy and we like a good snoop, so it's a great way to let your readers into your life, as you can control exactly how much you want to give away.

2. individuality

the easiest thing to do in fashion blogging is to photograph your own personal style and put your own stamp on your look. audrey of be frassy has one kooky sense of style that i observe in awe, even though it's not the way i would dress. but i continue to read her blog because her photos are so different and stand out so much. i love seeing other bloggers' outfit shots, because they inspire me by what they make, match or mix up. but i would never outright copy someone else's style, because it would be a) a bit weird and b) a bit boring. who'd want to read my blog if they'd seen it on be frassy a week earlier? and it's not all about outfit shots. if you're limited by budget or location for photos, come up with original blog feature ideas or new content. anything that's a bit different will make your blog stand out and make your readers want to come back for more.

3. credibility

there's nothing worse than when a brilliant blogger gets enticed by sponsorship, advertisement or free clothes in exchange for a good write up. i'm not going to get into my personal views on blog sponsorship (because that's a wholllle different kettle of fish) but you can really tell when a writer has completely u turned in her views on a particular brand just because she got sent a pricey new skirt to review for free. accept brand requests for reviews, but prewarn them that you'll be truthful. if they're happy with that and still want to go ahead, then you have nothing to lose. the take ten girls review all of their delivered items honestly, which makes me trust in their credibility as writers. so keep your blog credible by only writing your honest opinions, and readers will trust your judgements in future.

4. quality

quality photos, quality writing. when creating content, passion for your chosen subject really comes across well. know what you're talking about: research. don't call an aviator jacket a furry coat. on the technical side of things, spell check your posts before hitting send or get someone to give them a proofread first if that will make you more confident. treat it like an academic essay, even if your content is a lot more interesting than war and peace (hey, whatever floats your boat...). many, many times my poor long-suffering friends have had to read through a blog draft before i'm happy to press that publish button, but that's the price they pay for being friends with me. in terms of quality photos, your camera phone won't do the knock up job like a DSLR can, but as long as the images are in focus, light enough and show every aspect of your outfit, the job's well done.

5. frequency

this is a tricky one. quality is always beneficial over quantity, but don't leave it weeks inbetween posting or your readers will think you're just not that interested in your blog. and if you're not that bothered, why should they be? i am/was terrible for posting frequently, but i've made it one of my 2011 resolutions to blog at least twice a week. and i'm seeing the results for doing so, too. since i started posting regularly, my hits have rocketed up by over 3000 per month. some of the most successful bloggers i can name offhand, like lily, vicky or sofia, post nearly every day. i don't think that's the only reason for their popularity at all, but i also don't think it's a coincidence!

6. accessibility

there's a whole kind of psychology behind it (hello 2.1 psych bsc, oh it's rare but sometimes you are useful!) that states people like people who are similar to them. therefore, pop culture references to your favourite tv programme aren’t necessarily a bad thing (unless you consider yourself a srs writerz)! in terms of blogging, the key thing here is that followers read about what they're most interested in, and because you're interested in it too, the chances are you'll be very similar. so make your blog accessible to the kind of niche you're posting to. don't always look picture-perfect and only write about how good your life is: be real. make your outfits accessible too. if you're a high street blog, state where you got that blouse from (a la milkteef) or if you peruse the charity shops a lot, write about where the best ones are like jazmine or sally & ross. if you and your finds are more accessible to your readers, chances are they'll like you a lot more.

7. simplicity

too many crazy colours, clutter and worst of all, the dreaded hidden music player will instantly make most readers turn off and hit close on their web browsers. they've come to your blog to read your content, not get dazzled by how good you think you are at html or how fresh you reckon dizzy rascal's beatz are. alright, to be honest i think most bloggers know the music rule, but there's a lot to be said for a simple layout. carrie from wish wish wish has one of the best blog layouts i think i've ever seen, and none of it detracts from her writing. it's all well and good putting your personality into your blog layout, because after all, your blog is your own little corner of the 'net, but make sure that's not the focus of your webpage.

8. creativity

even as a new form of media, blogs are already evolving. whilst creative online accessories aren't crucial to a blog's success, they certainly help to make it stand out (there i go again on the whole individuality thing..) for example, you could add a video to answer a reader's question like victoria, start a vintage clothing business like ella of belle vintage or create your own line of jewellery like lily. all of these accessories add a little something to your blog that shows readers more about you. starting a blog business highlights business accruement, creating your own pieces shows true creativity and posting videos allows us to see the blogger properly behind the writing. i know i'll definitely be looking into creating my own signature blog accessory in the future, because i think they're bloody marvellous.

9. variety

i just tried to explain the importance of 'bloggah featahs' in my pseudo-geordie accent to my mum, but she wasn't getting it so i'll try it again. posting a wide variety of blog features not only gives your blog some structure (wednesday wishlist anybody?) but it also means that your readers can use your blog as a source for a lot of different fashion insight. they might be interested in your outfit shots, but by posting your own wishlist, they also get to see what's hitting down in the high street shops this week that they might have missed otherwise. gem posts about so many different things that i'm always noting down new discoveries, whether it be food, places to visit or what to read. varying your photo location also gives a bit of a break from the monotonous bedroom shot. roz makes good use of her countryside location and posts some beautiful shoots. i'm not saying you have to be a fantastic photographer as well as a great writer and stylista, but pushing your boundaries in terms of photo location certainly breaks up the outfit-shot-slump.

10. community

finally, interaction in the community. i don't really understand why some bloggers don't respond to comments left on their posts even if there are hundreds and the blogger commenting system is a bit crap. it's not that hard to go to the commentor's own page or email and respond if their comment deserves a reply. i love reading what everyone has to say because i only ever post my opinions or outfit choices, and i'm well aware they can be challenged or added to. laura always responds to blog comments, and d'you know what, i notice it. i also notice when other bloggers don't respond, which makes me feel unappreciated as a reader. interacting with other bloggers also gets your own blog name out there so i say comment and email away, or add other bloggers on twitter. get stuck in with the blogging community. i'm a newcomer, and i've already found that other bloggers are really helpful in giving tips & tricks. the important thing to note here is that interaction with other blogs is important, but it should be done in a genuine way. don't comment on thousands of blogs a day just to leave your own link - it's spam. leaving a half-arsed comment like, "you're so cute! follow me at _____" will not only probably annoy the blogger you're spamming, but also damages your own credibility. in conclusion, interaction is important for 'advertising' your blog, but not if you don't genuinely want to add something to the community.

so there you have it. those are my 'ities' on what makes a good blog, illustrated by ms. bradshaw along the way. (i don't know why actually, her character was a columnist not a blogger!) i can't claim to know everything on fashion blogging because i am a relatively new writer, but from analysing my own favourite blogs, i stand by what i find. what else do you think makes a good blog? to be honest, i'm more interested to know the flipside: what do you think doesn't make a good blog? can you give me any advice? lastly, please link me to some of your favourite blogs (or your own, and i really mean that!) so i can add some more to my reading list.

as always, you can follow me via google, add me on twitter or email me to get in touch,

ladylike for s/s '11

2011-01-28T04:58:00.000-08:00

i received a style question from a reader today (my first ever, which made me ridiculously excited) about what to wear this summer:

"hi honey, i love reading your blog, i like the way you dress it's my kind of style. how would you wear this season's new trends? i like dressing more ladylike but i can't find any inspiration from the new collections. i hate most of this summer's stuff, it's my least favourite season. help!"

first of all - thank you so much. secondly, i agree: the big bright colours, shorts, bohemian feel and dark tans of summer don't really suit my more old school tastes either. but i've had a look at some of the high street's new s/s '11 lookbooks, and i did find some diamonds in the rough to suit my more preppy sense of style (and hopefully yours, too!) to answer your question, i've gone through the ten key summer trends and posted what i would wear to 'do summer like a lady would'. tea, anyone?

1. brights
i think h&m show how to do it best here. here we go: ladylike summer brights can be achieved through structured tailoring. by that i mean go for the colourblocking that's being hyped this summer, but apply it to more formal attire. introducing one bright item in an otherwise weary work wardrobe can really cheer you up, even if it's just a handbag. think 60s shift dresses and colourful high waisted skirts, it doesn't all have to be loud tshirts and bold jewellery.

2. chiffon shirts
the 70s chiffon shirts floating about the high street really appeal to me. new look (surprisingly) have styled the 70s vibe really well, i think. they have some great summer prints, whilst topshop have gone for the funky shaped shirts. i wear my sheer shirts tucked into anything for day time prep, or loose with a pair of skinnies to keep a certain elegance on my dress down days. and i usually really need elegance on my dress down days, because those are lazy stay-at-home good times.

3. florals
these have been blooming (sorry) every spring/summer since i can remember. if you like the vintage floral feel, go for tiny, intricate prints on tea dresses and skirts. do it with a twist - chiffon always feels so light and summery, so look for chiffon floral dresses that can be easily dressed up or down. maxi dresses are great for combining the two.

4. jackets
one word: mac. or if you're after something a bit lighter, go for a cropped blazer or one in a lighter shade. try and stay away from black. if you're after something a bit more fashionable than these staples, go for a short, boxy jacket like the h&m one pictured. these usually have beautiful pearly buttons and nip in at the waist, creating a beautiful sillhouette. gok would be proud of me!

5. shorts & playsuits
probably the hardest thing to style when you don't really like the bohemian vibes of summer. shorts used to be the bane of my life and i used to avoid playsuits like the plague! not any more though. zara, awear and new look have some great paperbag type shorts that look preppy and will keep you cool this summer. if that's a bit too dressed down for you, playsuits are a great alternative. i bet there'll be plenty of them in the shops this season. i think they're definitely a try-before-you-buy item, but playsuits with a great cut can be really femine and easy to wear at the same time. lovely.

6. breton
the craze that keeps coming back. luckily, it's quite an easy one to smarten up. i bet everyone has a blue & white breton striped tshirt in their wardrobe, so i tried to pick some different, more tailored stripe pieces. light shirts and loose dresses are apt for the striping, and you can even find some preppy breton dresses starting to hit down in the high street. i have to admit, i'd quite happily live in breton if i could.

7. funky trousers

i love this trend so much. cropped, baggy, a mix of both, wide leg, high waisted... it's all happening! there are so many new shapes out there this season, it means that you don't have to wear tea dresses and skirts the entire summer to get your prep on. personally, i'll be sticking with the crops (especially because i'm petite) and wearing a loose shirt over it. paired with heels rather than wedges, this new trouser craze can really look refined.

8. midi skirts

great for covering up without looking odd in the summer sun, i really like this new trend. i think they look really elegant when pulled in at the waist with a belt, what with all the pleats and floaty material. i've featured some of the high street's take on midi skirts and dresses, but i honestly would recommend hitting your local oxfam for some vintage pieces. i reckon they'd be even cheaper than primark, which is saying something.

9. different denim

i normally stay well clear of denim (unless at a festival), because i find it very hard to dress up. but this season it's all about avoiding the classic denim skinnies and cut off shorts to do it differently. so it doesn't take long to find some denim pieces that are a bit more polished and a tad more to my taste. try it with a line skirts and plain tops, or be even braver and go for the denim shirt dress - complete with peter pan collar - from asos. as summer goes on and the new collections arrive in store, it'll be a lot easier to find the right piece of denim to suit you.

10. shoe love

wedges. nude heels. ballet flats and sweet mocassins. worn with socks or barefoot, any of these shoes would complete an outfit. i like to live in my t bar wedges in summer, but i'm promising myself that i have to break free this year.

& don't forget! accessories make an outfit stand out. essential accessories for this ladylike look include floral scarves, satchel bags or straw basket carriers, big sunglasses, hair accessories, sweet patterned socks & dainty jewellery. et voila, summer sorted.

now i just need to go follow my own advice and try not to spend too much money on this summer's must-haves. hope that was helpful! if you have any more questions, please email me at annawilsonprimary[at]gmail.com, tweet me, or follow this blog at the top & leave a question in the comments.

sharing the love.

2011-01-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

now, i love myself a good charity shop as much as any other vintage lover, but it does take a while to find the diamonds among the rough. especially when carbooting! which is why i also spend many of my beloved pennies in online high street shops. this is because the instant purchase & quick delivery provided by online retailers holds a certain attraction to me - i often i find myself looking in these stores for fail safe choices that i know will get to me in time. BAM. there's saturday's outfit sorted - thanks topshop. and POW, hello ASOS free delivery on my new pair of shoes. see where i'm coming from? so i do, i admit to enjoying the instant gratification that comes from high street retailers and their online shops, as well mixing it up with a bit of genuine vintage.

so why not combine the two and live in the best of both beautiful worlds? below i've listed my top five favourite online vintage stores. some are quite pricey for their authentic lovelies, but others sell their wares at a fraction of the original cost. there may be a few lesser-known ones here that you can add to your bookmarks, so have a good look.

1. kiss me quick

an online boutique, run by charlotte, selling pretty vintage pieces at a tiny price (£15 for a dress?! madness!) i especially love her quirky frocks and tops section. this is my favourite place to stop, and although it's not updated regularly, when it is i always find something to purchase. i'll be honest: i'm a repeat offender here!

2. raw edge boutique
raw edge vintage boutique is just one part of the fierce fashion empire put together by such a creative team. check out their blog and original designs, too. bet you find something to love.

3. rokit
this is my ultimate treat website. it's quite expensive, but i reckon when you see the vintage pieces on offer, you'll find out why. each item looks as though it's a piece of quality clothing that will last a lifetime. i go back to rokit time & time again!

4. make lemonade
i just discovered make lemonade a few days ago, and i'm so glad i did! wish i'd found out about them when i was living in london, as they even have a pop up shop in camden. from the ML labelling to the entire website, make lemonade come across as a very professionl and dynamic vintage retailer - definitely somewhere i'll be buying from in the future.

5. liebemarlene vintage
liebmarlene vintage is the etsy store run by rhiannon, author of the infamous & whimsical blog liebmarlene. i love the grandad prep theme of almost all of her finds, and for that reason, i frequently visit her etsy shop just to gasp in awe. so many beautiful things! for UK readers, liebmarlene vintage is an american online store (etsy is the equivalent of our folksy), but the shipping costs look well worth it.

so that's it! i feel like i'm spilling my trade-secrets here, but these places are too good not to share. i should point out that i haven't been endorsed by any of these stores, and all my opinions are just that: my own. i've only posted my top five here but there are so many more i could recommend. also, if there are any others you can think of or run yourself, please let me know, because i'm guaranteed to fall in love easily.

do fashion bloggers always feel pressured to = beautiful?

2011-01-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

when was the last time you posted a photo of yourself on your blog without make up?

when was the last time you changed your outfit ten times before taking photos?

when was the last time you left the photos until another day, when that massive spot was gone?

i've done all of these things.

if fashion bloggers = unique + on trend + have an admired image,

do fashion bloggers always feel pressured to = beautiful?

that's the simplest way i can phrase the question. when i think of what a fashion blogger is, those four traits spring to mind. mostly, i think that's something to be proud of, and i am proud of my blog, however new it may be. but i also i think that all of those definitions require a certain amount of upkeep in the blogger's personal image, and a pressure to always look perfect in photos.

the most important reason that such a high standard of image maintenance is needed? to be perceived as 'seriously fashionable', because fashionable people are beautiful, non? and so, by coming across as seriously sartorial, this should unlock the key to gaining new readers who, afterall, are here for the fashion tips. in reality, we pile this pressure on ourselves.

to me, this completely defeats the point of blogging. i blog because i can't relate to magazine editorials and catwalk collections, yet i can form a connection to the blogging community because they're real people behind the hot clothes. so if we go out of our way to come across as beautiful and fashionable 24/7, surely we're going to lose that thread of attainability and genuine personality that attracts readers? i'm not talking about blogs full of designer clothes or magazine clippings, because they're aiming for a completely different target audience. i'm talking about the high street/what i wore today/charity shop bloggers who put across a different kind of take on fashion. i know for sure that i click close if a blog like that gets too impersonal via images or words. and i think that by putting ourselves under so much pressure to be perceived as perfect, we're actually going to end up coming across as pretty robots in pretty dresses. and robots aren't that interesting, even if they do have fantastic fake eyelashes.

i'm not crazy, so i'm not going to post photos of me in my reindeer pjamas on blogger for the world to see, which is my current sunday state. this is a fashion blog, and pjs aren't that interesting either, so that would just defeat the point. but i am going to show these photos of me completely sans make up to show how definitely imperfect i actually am. if you agree with me, maybe you could do the same. so what if i have dark circles under my eyes and a dodgy fringe? or that i look about twelve with no make up on? (i am, in fact, twenty one). i still have damn good taste in clothes, and you should definitely still read my blog.

edit: i'm not talking about general self esteem issues here, although those obviously have an impact on us!

style inspiration: oh, olivia.

2011-01-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

olivia palermo: what a genius.

for my first style inspiration feature, i chose olivia. mostly because she always looks flawlessly (although not effortlessly) put together - something i'd love to be! i didn't ever watch the city so i have no idea on her personality, but stylewise, she's amazing in my eyes. in an interview with asos for her august 2010 magazine feature for the online retailer, olivia credited her cool streak to watching films and reading articles on different city street styles, and picking out the best as fashion inspiration. from googling her, i can actually see where she's coming from. she wears the tweed of the british, the embellished dresses of spanish socialities, and the breton stripes favoured by the french on a day to day basis. all of this is matched with the minimalism of her local NYC. and it works - all of it! check out the 30 day outfit challenge she did for vogue to see how she works virtually any trend: military, vintage, prep and leather.

the proof is in the pudding!

ultimately, olivia palermo is my style inspiration because she merges the key trends any season throws at her with her own inspired city chic look to create an image that stands out, and she always seems to get it right. this is something i'd definitely like to try, but with my old vintage pieces rather than with a lot of expensive minalism!

so what do you think? do you like olivia's style? if so, why?

winter wonderwear.

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

it's now a week into my diet and getting tough to hold my nerve on the chocolate ban, so i thought i'd make a collage of the amazing evening dresses that the high street has to offer at the moment as my fuel for perseverence! with all of the sales in full swing and new S/S collections coming in store, i was spoilt for choice when making this, so no doubt you'll find a gem or two among these too. in this blog, i think i concentrate a lot on my day time charity shop finds, so this should be a refreshing flipside. for the record, i'm aiming to drop a dress size to a (UK) 8 and would happily wear any of these dresses, so if you really feel like you want to buy me any of them as a diet reward, go right ahead! ;-) i'm so pale that i always have to go for very strong colours (or the palest pink in nude) and love a good neckline on a dress, and true to form, there's lots of examples of these below. the links for where the dresses came from are listed below if something really takes your fancy!

1,2,3 (my nye dress) all from miss selfridge. i absolutely love their body con pieces this season.
4 with the straps and beautiful bronze coloured top part from zara.
5 is the nude bandau dress from h&m with the flattering black sash
6 is the peter pan beauty from peacocks (which is an incredible price by the way!)
7, 8, 9 are all classic cuts from topshop.
10 & 11 look more expensive than they are i think, from boohoo
12 & 13 are the gorgeous prom dresses from oasis.
14 is the blue cowel neck & 15 is the sequined peter pan shift, both warehouse.
16, 17, 18 are possibly the most figure-flattering pieces here from asos.
19 is my wild card from river island.
20 is the iconic black body con & 21 is the sequin number from french connection.
22 & 23 are the embellished chiffon dresses from rise.
24 & 25 are the wonderful one shouldered lovelies from desire clothing.
26 is the brave cut out body con from new look.
27 finally, is the drapey red dress from club couture.

right, that's definitely helped me put down the fererro rochers and move away from the roses tin. january is a major month of friends' birthdays for me, so hopefully by the end i'll be able to fit into a dress for each of the occasions!

someday summary #2

2011-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

so one of my new years resolutions was to update this blog more. i read other blogs daily, but update once a week if lucky! bad habits are changing, so here we go..

WHAT I’M WATCHING: i've been on a sofia coppola binge lately, watching lost in translation, the virgin suicides, marie antoinette, and somewhere all in the last week! somewhere definitely had the same awkwardness as lost in translation, but i don't think it flowed as well, and i didn't enjoy it as much. would still recommend seeing it though, it's out now in cinema.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: the lucksmiths, on repeat. in this post christmas gloom, i've definitely been craving a bit of sun. enter the lucksmiths, who remind me of summer days and always put me in a good mood. light lyrics, catchy pop riffs.

WHAT I’M READING: watching the english by kate fox. it's technically an anthropological investigation on english behaviour, but it's written in such a light hearted way that i laughed out loud at some of our english social awkwardness.

WHAT I’M WEARING: this dress for new years eve, from miss selfridge. i don't even work there anymore, and i still love their stuff to bits. it's not like i don't have enough LBDs, but i loved the beaded neckline on this because it reminds me of classic 1950s hollywood. not that i'm comparing myself to audrey hepburn, but i reckon she'd like this!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: starting my 365 project on my lj, spending nye with old friends in london and becoming a boxing pro on the wii.

also i know a few people have been thinking of new years resolutions, so i thought i'd share some of mine.

hope that was a bit of an inspiration if you haven't made yours already!

p.s. threewords me? http://threewords.me/minielle

A/W 2010.

2010-12-29T13:47:00.000-08:00

i thought i'd take a look back at the key winter trends from 2010 and showcase the way other bloggers have styled these concepts. i love seeing the different ways everyone wears each trend - it's probably my favourite part about blogging. no two outfits are the same! what strikes me most though is that all of these looks are accessible and more 'real' than the outfits put together in magazine editorials or company blogs. and for that reason, all of these bloggers inspire me. there's a link to each blogger under the looks, so don't forget to check out their sites for more. here we go...

LOOK 1: 1940s PREP

was all about: peter pan collars, tailored shirts, lace, longer hemlines, skinny belts, paperbag shorts, brogues + ankles socks.

(l-r) 1. stolen from grandma 2. hello mr fox 3. oh emma 4. quite quaint 5. the stylish heart 6. wish wish wish

LOOK 2: CAMEL CRAZY

was all about: camel on coats, tailored pants, leather shorts, shoes, shirts, cardigans & accesories.

(l-r) 1. mess.your.hair.up 2. hello mr fox 3. fashion champagne 4. a little bird 5. jazzabelle’s diary 6. blair on a budget

LOOK 3: DARK WINTER NIGHTS

was all about: velvet, berry colours, sheer chiffon, black lace, showing a shoulder.

(l-r) 1. jazzpad 2. dreaming spires and old car tyres 3. d is for dangerous 4. hi fashion 5. flashes of style 6. stolen from grandma

LOOK 4: LOVELY LEOPARD

was all about: big & beautiful fur coats, key accesories, hareems & night time dresses.

(l-r) 1. aha shake heartbreaker 2. a little bird 3. fashion champagne 4. fashion train 5. blair on a budget 6. milk teef

LOOK 5: RETRO '70s

was all about: drapey knits, maxi & midi skirts, tunic dresses, denim shirts, autumn florals.

(l-r) 1. another day to dress up 2. LLYMLRS 3. the clothes horse 4. the vintage valley 5.sitting pretty 6. lucy laught

LOOK 6: FAUX FUR + SHEARLING

was all about: shearling boots, cuffs, hats, coats, collars & scarves.

(l-r) 1.strutt 2. gem fatale 3. louder than silence 4. a little bird 5. elle & the fashion folk (me!) 6. louder than silence

LOOK 7: CHUNKY KNITS

was all about: cable knit jumpers, scarves & coordinating hats, fair isle print and cosy cardigans.

(l-r) 1. VIPXO 2. i heart vintage 3. where is harriet? 4. LLYMLRS 5. a daisy chain dream 6. belle vintage

so that's my take on it all! and it took absolutely ages to summarize, i'm not going to lie.

i may be new to fashion blogging, but i definitely know that 2010 was the year of the blogger for showcasing alllll that we got!

p.s. i'm back to blogging properly now, so hit follow if you like what you see or follow my blog with bloglovin!

forever nautical.

2010-11-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

hey guys, while i work out london, i just wanted to mention the opening of forever 21's brand new UK online store. the site opened last week but there's only one physical store located in birmingham so far. i had a snoop around online - which was bad, because i'm meant to be pinching on my purse strings! - and fell head over heels for this ring. it's a bobbydazzler. forever21 use the same supply chain as arcadia for their jewellery, yet sell it for a fraction of the cost! in the past, i'd save up for ages and make a bulk order from forever21's US site. thankfully now, we don't have to wait! with free delivery on orders over £50 and 10% off when you sign up for their mailing list, it's a pretty good time to go crazy on there.

thought i'd finish off with a quick outfit post. i don't know what's wrong with me, i'm going nautical crazy lately. but this vintage jumper goes brilliantly with my navy blue blazer coat from miss selfridge. it's been so cold this past week, i've broken out the earmuffs and mittens a month early. i've even been known to wear them indoors..

keep warm guys!

someday summary #1

2010-11-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

i'd like to make this blog a little more personal (though still fashion orientated, don't worry) so thought i'd start a new feature called someday summary. i'm not promising to post on a specific day, since life is a little crazy right now, so someday it is!

1. i'm moving to london! i've finally got a graduate job and i'm packing up my many, many suitcases to move 300 miles from my wonnderful weasley-like home by the sea on sunday. i don't know anyone in london so i need to know your recommendations on thrift stores, places to go that are a little off the tourist beat, and people to see!

2. halloween photos surfacing on facebook. i had a big leaving party this weekend, and crammed 50+ friends into my house. we decorated it with cobwebs, strobe lights and spiked the punch. everybody dressed up, and a friend made an awesome mix tape. it was a hectic weekend, but i loved it, and i enjoyed seeing the photographic debauchery on facebook. i was a bit of a cop out on the costume front and china dolled up my topshop white lace dress.

3. rosie the kitten. apart from my boyfriend dan, i'll miss this little critter the most when i move. we've only had rosie for two weeks but she's a darling. apart from when she tears my hands/clothes to shreds. i wonder how my housemates would feel if i smuggled her down in my suitcase?

4. gossip girl - blair vs./& chuck. i love old school glamour, and i thought blair's birthday dress was gorgeous. serena's? not so much. but i always knew i was a bit of a blair at heart anyway!

5. this baby! my mum has so many wardrobes of unworn clothes, and last weekend i unearthed some real leather pants from the 80s and some faux fur coats when cleaning them out for her. she's told me i could sell them, but i'm keeping this beauty for myself!

& that's it for the first someday summary!

i'm very, very nervous about the big move (and heartily sick of packing) so wish me luck!

p.s. don't forget to check out my eBay items ending in the next few days!

tough luck.

2010-10-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

my friend angelina challenged me to toughen up my look, so i took it head on. it's true that i do like a good bit of 'granny chic', but vintage thrifting doesn't have to mean just lace & tweed. with a black & gold theme in mind, here's what i came up with:

- black studded/ripped top: thrifted, topshop originally.

- denim shorts: river island.

- studded bag: miss selfridge sale.

- chain necklace: thrifted, orginally a belt.

- earrings: miss selfridge.

- gold arm band: eBay, orginally shirt stabilizers for men. (thought i'd stick a bit of 70s in there!)

- rings: various, mostly h&m.

- leather jacket: topshop.

in all honesty, i liked stepping out of my (mostly floral) comfort zone, it made a good change. what i didn't enjoy so much was tying my hair back, i hate wearing it up. maybe i am a bit too set in my ways..

p.s. if you're in newcastle & have a free evening, venture down to The Big Swish in jesmond tonight, i'll be blogging about it soon! x

60s shift dress.

2010-10-08T04:16:00.000-07:00

vintage dress/china doll.

2010-10-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

it pays to be short.. wearing a top as a dress with a modest amount of decency!

i tried carbooting for the first (proper) time this weekend, and this dress find was the jewel in my crown. i went with my mam, who absolutely loathed it. she compared it to a white lace doily, you know those victorian-style table top decorations? to be honest, i can see the resemblance, but i love it anyway! paired it with brown loafers, a string of pearls and some thick woollen black tights because it was freezing! went out with a massively oversized chocolate coloured cardi keeping me toasty though. and a coat. and a hat. nevermind fall, winter really has hit in the UK of late!

p.s. just started blogging on my phone, it's surprisingly easy! saving my favourite blogs to a folder on my iphone right now. done!

i've got love for you..

2010-09-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

i love the 1960s for the shift dresses, eyeliner and coiffed hair. the whole look seems effortlessly flawless. but what with the more 'messy' 70s being in fashion for A/W 2010, i'm finding it hard to acclimitize. to find style inspiration, i investigated some infamous groupies - and musicians in their own rights - from both eras. it was surprising how much it helped! here are a few of my favourite beauties featuring some of the key styles from this season. seems like some fashions really are timeless!

barbara bach

(bond girl/ringo starr's wife)

i think she's absolutely beautiful, and had great style! loving the peter pan collar on this vintage-looking dress and the brown slouchy knit style.

bebe buell

ultimate rock groupie/model/actress/singer

oversized fur jacket.. obviously i'd go for the faux version now!

brooke shields

(hello micheal jackson there!)

this is my favourite seventies style, something i could even see myself wearing now! i love the aysemmtric, glamorous style of this dress, matched perfectly to her hair and make up. ahhh, definite style envy!

dana gillespie

(singer/songwriter/muse for david bowie)

classic seventies gilet, long natural hair and, erm, cleavage out?!

janet morrison

(wife of van morrison)

alright, i would wear either of their cable knit jumpers here. is that wrong?

marsha hunt

(model/singer/muse of mick jagger)

maxi maxi maxi! no other words needed.

marianne faithfull

(singer/songwriter/actress/muse of mick jagger)

i love the breton stripes, the camel coat and that she's rocking the london top knot decades before it became fashionable again.

so these are just a few of my favourite groupie inspirations, but i'm looking for more. tell me where you source your inspiration from mostly! blogs, magazines, tv, music? let me know.

p.s. i'm going to be updating more regularily from now own, i have a special project planned!

five favourite vintage finds.

2010-08-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

i might not have been blogging for long, but i've loved thrifting for a while! as such, a lot of my wardrobe is made up of vintage pieces. these are my five favourites.

1. blue green sequin dress.

this is a size 18 st michael's (old m&s) long top that i can belt up and wear as a dress. i got this from an online vintage store, the colour is something else.i can't wait to wear it more this winter.

2. sleeveless denim gilet.

anyone remember tammygirl? technically vintage i guess! i got this cropped denim gilet from eBay for 99p. i went through a period of wearing it 24/7, but it's eventually been prised off my back! but only for...

3. peter pan collar trench coat.

i got this from a charity shop on my way to work one day this summer for the grand sum of £3. originally floorlength, i shortened it once, then shortened it again when i realized it was still too long for my five foot two frame! i like the floral pattern on the inside of this coat, but it's the collar i love most.

4. cream chiffon victorian blouse.

bought from a vintage shop in edinburgh (my favourite city for charity shops!) this blouse was an impulse purchase, but i'm so glad i fell for it. it has a victorian closed collar, long billowing sleeves and floral detailing.

5. black lace panel leotard.

this is my mam's, from the 1980s. she loves it when i wear it. every single time i get the 'back in the day, i could wear something like that...!' chat, but it's worth it! i didn't actually buy anything for the underwear as outerwear trend last season, i just used all of her old dance stuff.

tell me what your own favourite vintage item is!

DIY aviator jacket.

2010-08-06T04:18:00.000-07:00

after a longer-than-expected blogging hiatus, i'm back! and with something i've never done before..

the burberry shearling aviator jacket pictured here has been on my wishlist ever since i clapped my beady little eyes on it. unsurprisingly though, i don't have the £2195 spare to spend on this bad boy. in fact, with a summer so busy, i don't have two pennies to rub together!

yesterday i decided that keeping warm (and on seventies trend) this winter was a priority i couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't ignore. i hunted around my closets for materials and found a gorgeous soft brown vintage leather jacket that had never escaped since the day it was bought. you know the score, the charity shop bargain that you just can't walk past, but have no idea on how to style. anyway, with a good deal of hacking away at my mum's old faux fur topshop coat (sorry mum), some superglue, and some careful stitching, i came up with my own aviator jacket.

it's not even close to being finished yet - i'm hoping to whack on some different buttons and line the cuffs with the same fur - but it's a start. i'd never done something as brave as this (especially not with italian leather!) so i'm really happy that nothing's gone wrong... yet. burbs, eat your heart out!

elle x

p.s., if you have any hints/tips on where i can go from here with it, just let me know!

p.p.s. topshop have some similar fleece-lined leathers in for £150!

MIA.

2010-05-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

this isn't a fashion folk-y post, but just to let you know, my finals start today for the next two weeks and i am nervous as a nervous thing.

after that though, my degree will be over, so i'll have a lot more free time to update! going MIA for a while..

i'll be back.

elle x

the mother post of all things shabby chic.

2010-05-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

i'm a girl of simple vintage tastes. so when i got the green light to redecorate my old bedroom at my mum's house this summer, i decided to go shabby chic, duck egg blue with white furniture. it'll be time consuming but fun, which is exactly what i want (seeing as i have a month off after finals & before travelling!) so i'll be doing most of the sanding, painting and assembling myself, although anth may help if i ask nicely enough!

this is what i'm planning so far:

1. assemble a white, vintage mannequin in one corner.

2. buy a beautiful white bedframe, and load it with cushions.

3. use small trunks, vintage picnic baskets, old picture frames, tea cups to accessorize my shelves.

4. eBay source a beautiful white french dressing table & mirror.

5. repaint a bedside table or two white.

6. flowers, everywhere.

7. make up a white silk jewellery board in a silver ornate picture frame.

8. stock my walk in wardrobe with satin hangers.

9. hang white voile at the windows, rather than around the bed.

10. put an old school phone next to my bed.

11. fix some white french style wardrobe doors up.

12. polish up my hardwood floor.

13. couldn't be shabchic without c kid, get some cushions in there.

14. buy a cushioned stool to fit under the dresser.

15. choose wallpaper for my feature wall. blue floral? or blue stripes?

some inspirations:

(each photo relates to each point on my personal wishlist.)

so what do you think? which wallpaper do you prefer?

Elle x

p.s. new summery layout. anth drew the header for me - legend.

these are a few of my favourite things.

2010-05-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

I took the advice of a few people and decided to make this blog more about my personal style choices.On that note..

I have a confession to make. I am terrible at wearing outerwear. I own cardigans in every colour of the rainbow and have bought enough blazers to supply a whole school. With ‘proper coats’ though, I’m a lost cause. Same for season wear. In the summer, you’ll find me in a trench coat, yet it takes me well into November to don a thick coat and mittens. Even in the snow. This year however, I decided to make an effort.

This was my A/W 09 coat: pillar box red hooded duffle coat to match big black winter boots or black brogues. Sometimes stuck a white corsage on there.

Coat - £35, New Look.

Oh Facebook, how kind of you to suppy a picture of me in the coat at Christmas.. with a massive Father Christmas. Thanks Facebook, thanks!

Definitely went down the preppy pathway last winter. So much so, I decided to buy a brown leather satchel school bag in February, after staring at the Mulberry Alexa for too long.

Accessorised with a vintage scarf my boyfriend-with-good-taste found for me!

Leather satchel, £50, here.

Heaven in a handbag.

Now though, I have to rethink for the summer season. All I have filling up my wardrobes are trench coats in wintery jewel colours – blue, green, red. I want to find something light and summery, that has a bit more coverage than my trusty thrifted denim jacket. I’ve scoped out a couple of stone coloured trenches that would do, but I know they don’t flatter my pale skin. I like to think I have some pretty sound fashion knowledge, but I can admit to being stuck! So if any of you have any bright ideas as to what I can try, throw them my way!

Elle x

park picnics + style challenge 001.

2010-05-01T06:50:00.001-07:00

How to create a summer outfit for under £25.

I’m penny pinched right now. Summer is drawing tantalisingly close, I haven’t been paid in a while, I’m about to graduate and I need to save up for Euro travels. But I figure everyone feels the pinch at their purse strings at some point, so this post could be helpful for more than just poor old me!

The idea was to construct an entire outfit for under £25, clothing, shoes, accessories… everything! Charity shop chic meets eBay heaven? Yes please.

Note: These photographs were taken during a picnic in the park and not intended as my first time striking a pose, so don’t look at my face please, focus on the beautiful clothing! Click through for larger images.

Dress: £10 – custom made on order from Jennifer Lilly’s Wardrobe on eBay. She has some other beautiful prints, and makes all dresses herself. Definitely worth a look.

Denim jacket: 50p, thrifted.

White cardigan: 99p, originally Miss S, eBay.

Tan belt: £3, Topshop sale.

Black 70 denier tights: 50p, eBay.
(I know it’s summer but I am a pale-o).

Ballet pumps: £2.50 Primark.

And the bundles of accessories..

Faux pearl bracelets: 99p, eBay.

Faux pearl earrings: £1.50, Primark.

Sterling silver heart necklace: gifted.

Silver rings (part of a set): Miss Selfridge, £4

Total=£23.98

I did it – very proud!

I thought I'd add this last one in of me laughing uncomfortably during the taking of these photos.. and also because you can see what I'm wearing better. Guess it's better when you can put a face to a blog!

Nothing feels so satisfying as saving a bundle of pennies right before payday. Maybe the thrill of owning an Alexa Mulberry does, but I wouldn’t know..

Elle x

P.s. What other style challenges do you think I should conquer next?

xoxo gossip girl.

2010-04-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

I'm excited. Why? Miss Selfridge are launching their own Gossip Girl collection, and it looks far, far better than New Look's! Read the Vogue article here. MAJOR fashion coup or what?

It's gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous. If I'm honest, I'm surprised by how much I love Vanessa's tribal prints, as I'd never normally prefer anything resembling her sense of style (as a Blair-ite through & through). I'm actually least fond of the Blair look (I think it's the harsh print of the skirt). Overall, I think the designers at Miss S were very loyal to each character, espeically with Jenny. I could actually see Serena in either of her LBDs!

However, none of the girls did turn up at the press launch. But look who did...

None other than Chace Crawford, who I'd like to refer to as the ultimate stud of the stud world. I do prefer my men tall, dark and skinny, so he ticks every box. Those lucky, lucky ladies standing next to him! For more photos at the press release click here.

Now for the important stuff. The Gossip Girl collection at Miss Selfridge is released in store on 30th April 2010. However, you can get a sneak peek and an exclusive chance to buy online at Miss Selfridge.com from 27th April if you sign up. They're even offering a comeptition to win the 'Gossip Girl experience' with this preview. Yes please. Fingers crossed for everyone (but mostly for me).

Take me to the collection.

Which dress do you covet the most?
XOXO
Elle

gingerbread shoes & other stories.

2010-04-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

New Look's sale started today, and although I promised myself I wasn't going to look... well, I did. Thus, the inevitable happened. However, I only snatched two items and they're more fitting for A/W, so i'm telling myself I'll feel better when the winter winds hit! Right. Right...?

First off the bat are these gingerbread brown brogues. I wanted some higher-leg ones to wear with skinny jeans when it's time to cover the pins up for the winter chill. So, at £20 (reduced from £50) for real leather, it would have been rude not to worship these absolute studs of the shoe world.

By the by, how utterly amazing are New Look for penny-pinched designer knock offs?

Second up was this stone coloured draped cardigan. I'm easily taken by anything cable knit, and I can just imagine curling up in this by the fire come November (or more likely, September, knowing British weather). I paid £10 instead of the original £25, and left a very happy customer!

I KNOW New Look is cheap even for the high street, but a few pennies saved never harmed anyone..

Elle x

fresh.

2010-04-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

hello hello. i'm very new to the blogging community so i'm still unsure about what i'm doing. have faith though, i'll get some posts up here soon! elle x

a little introduction

i'm annabelle, although i'll answer to either half of my name. i'm a twenty something english girl, about to graduate with a psychology degree from durham. home is wonderful & weasley-like. i love to travel - as much as possible, and usually spend my summers teaching english abroad. musically, i mostly appreciate anything old school, but i'm happy enough to give anything a listen. i love my part time jobs in fashion, learning italian, books, art, music festivals, my mogs and dancing. i usually dance every day, but also drink eleven cups of tea daily to counteract the healthy benefits of this. i love late saturday evenings spent with a glass of rose or two... although i'm just as happy munching my way through a dairy milk to doctor who. i have an overful closet and a penchant for interesting rings. i suppose this provoked me into noting these stylish things down into some form of blog. however, i've never really written anything before, so this will probably end up more personal than a normal fashion blog. i rarely have enough time on my hands though & sometimes wonder where it all goes?

ETA: my personal style is a lot more vintage-verging-on-preppy than the way i've dolled my blog up to be. but i wanted it to be a piece of glamour, somewhere to inspire. i'm not promising you're not going to find the odd school boy satchel or corsage dotted about the place in posts though...