FLOATY FLOATY LIGHT

This weekend I bought a beautiful floaty silk top from Kate Moss at Topshop. It as a beautiful grey and pink pattern on it but the main feature has to be the off the shoulder sleeves which make it even more elegant. I love it because it is so versatile, I can wear it with leggings in the day and jeans and heels at night. The most appelaing thing about it was that it was on sale! This was my first Kate Moss purchase, I got it for £20 reduced down from £40! The sale is still on this week, hurry though as the key pieces are selling fast!

I don't usually buy light floaty items as I worry about them not being warm but, as I recently realised, they are fantastic for layering over other items to add texture and make thick, heavy winter clothes more feminine. Most importantly, they look fantastic teemed with a big wooly knitted cardigan.

This season is all about layering and contrasting.

Here are some beautiful feminine floaty items available on the high street

Blush Black Vintage Lace Dress. £59. ARK

Lace Button Top. £35. Topshop

Pleated Chiffon Corset Dress. £65. Lipsy

Kimchi Blue and Printed Tunic. £45. Urban Outfitters

KEY FEATURES

FLOATY, SILKY, LACE , CHIFFON, FRILLS, RUFFLES, LIGHT SHADES

Emma

A MARVELLOUS VINTAGE AFFAIR

If you love vintage shopping then you must check out the VINTAGE FAIR which is being held at the Faversham this Saturday. It is going to be a fantastic event with a vintage fashion accessories workshop, a stitch and bitch intro session, a silent movie show from the hyde park picture house and free urban outfitters goody bags! There will also be live performances from Doctor Butler's Hat Stand, Medicine Band, The High Tone Poppers and DJ Honeydripper!

How marvellous!

Sophie and I will definitely be making appearance, probably for the majority of the day, and will be snapping up our top ten vintage fair looks so make sure you wear something inspiring!!

THE MARVELLOUS TEA DANCE COMPANY!

ps how could I forget-there will be tea and cakes on sale too!

SATURDAY 7th NOVEMBER

5-9.30pm

THE FAVERSHAM

SPINGFIELD MOUNT

Leeds

£4 f or students

http://www.thefaversham.com/

http://www.themarvellousteadancecompany.co.uk/

Emma

Add a touch of sparkle!

So I’ve recently been taking a bit of a back seat with the blog! I have unfortunately had two very dull essays to write and have had barely any time to scour my favourite fashion websites! However, after a quick trip home to Nottingham this weekend I of course managed to have a look through my Mum’s old wardrobe. She has finally decided to have a clear out and amongst the rails I found this...

Possibly the most gorgeous dress ever? And guess what...it fits me! I finally have my perfect Vintage find!

My Dad bought this dress for my Mum on a trip to New York in the early 80s. He bought it from a boutique shop in Trump Tower, it is by a make called ‘Caché’.

Wow, ‘do not dry clean’ and ‘do not wash’, very practical indeed!

I’ve been invited to a friend’s 21st in December and the theme is Festive Black Tie, I think this dress will be perfect for it...lots of sparkle, I can’t wait! So after finding this little gem I thought I’d have a look at what sequins are on the high street at the moment and they are everywhere!

Topshop are taking the lead with the most sequins in store, here are my top items:

Sequin front vest, £38, Topshop

Sequin Lace Dress, £65, Topshop.

Flower Sequin Swing Crop Top, £28, Topshop.

Knitted Sequin Cardigan, £85, Topshop. (LOVE IT!)

Here is a photo of my two beautiful friends, Letty (on the left) and Catriona (on the right) before a night out in Leeds.

Both Letty and Cat are equally gorgeous and very stylish girls! I just wanted to show you Letty’s outfit because it’s still in the shops now, you can get her look too! The dress is an example of the more subtle use of sequins on the high street at the moment. It is from Oasis for just £65 and her shoes were £25 from New Look...bargain!

Until next time...

Sophie x

Passion for Prints

Two years ago, I lived in London with Hannah Kay (the wartime wonder) for 5 months. We were both working as secretaries in banks and trying to earn as much money as we could to go travelling. The dire reality for us was that saving meant NO spending! I had to restrain myself everytime I walked past a shop. It was horrible. There are A LOT of shops in London. HORRIBLE. I was living in London, one of the fashion capitals of the world, and I couldn't shop! Walking down Oxford Street was impossible. In fact, I had to ban myself from ever getting off the tube at Oxford Circus. Just looking at the sign made my heart wrench. More to the point, I spent EVERY minute of EVERY day in black pencil skirts and white shirts-I couldn't even afford to jazz up my work wear!

One winter day, whilst braving the icy walk in stiletto's from the tube station to the office, I came across an incredibly colourful and immediately uplifting billboard advertising a Matthew Williamson exhibition at the London Design Museum. My heart skipped a beat.

I visited the exhibition straight after I finished work the next day. I walked in praying that my craving for fashion would be satisfied and I walked out with an overwhelming sense of awe and happiness. I had had my fashion fix for that month and it only cost me £5!

The exhibition was rich with bright, vibrant colours and highly intricate and creative patterns.

Strolling through the exhibition gave me the sense of spinning around in kaleidoscope. All around me decorative shapes and vivid colours were emerging. Everything was so intricately designed and beautifully crafted.

Matthew Williamson is renowned for his butterfly wing patterns and bright vibrant colours. His designs at the exhibition reminded me of silk paintings; the colourful dyes seemed to have seeped fluidly into the delicate materials. They were vibrant, refreshing and vivid as well as subtle.

You are probably thinking, where on earth is she going with this?

Well, today I came back from my lectures feeling miserable. The dark rain clouds weren't exactly elevating my mood. Then something happened. Something very similar to the moment I spotted the Matthew Williamson billboard. Flashback. I visited the LIPSY ONLINE STORE website and came across these beautifully patterned dresses, very like the designs above by Matthew Williamson.

The only difference now is that I am not saving so, even though I really shouldn't, I can SPEND!

Jewelled Strapless Rouched Dress. £65. Lipsy.co.uk

Bubble Tulip Dress. £30. Lipsy.co.uk ON SALE

Strapless Bustle Dress. £30. Lipsy.co.uk ON SALE

Drop Pocket Shift Dress. £25. Lipsy.co.uk ON SALE

VISIT

http://www.lipsy.co.uk/

Did I mention, there is a mid season sale now on at LIPSY!

EMMA

Word on the street...

Jimmy Choo is collaborating with....

H&M from the 14th November 2009!

A little bit about Jimmy Choo...

Maylaysian born shoe designer, Jimmy Choo started his career by setting up a shop in East London in 1986. His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he reached international notability when his creations featured in an eight page spread of a 1988 issue of Vogue. His designs are renowned for being chic, sexy, sophisticated and very expensive! Luckily for students, his designs for H&M are affordable so now everyone can buy and savour them!

Other fashion designers that have collaborated with H&M include Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Stella McCartney and Comme des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo and more recently, Matthew Williamson.

The thought of having a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes in my wardrobe for an hour makes me excited which is why, on the 14th November, I will definitely be the first person to walk through the shop doors of H&M, the first person to touch his designs and the first person to walk home with an H&M Jimmy Choo bag in my hands and a HUGE smile on my face.

To get a sneak peek at the proposed collection just visit the H&M website and look through their magazine. The best news is, that for his first collection, Jimmy Choo will be releasing a limited collection of clothes as well as accessories.

http://www.hm.com/gb/#/jc_preview/

Expect delicate straps, skyscraper heels, studds, red leather and peep toes!

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 14th NOVEMBER!

Emma

Try on these at H&M

AT H&M BLACK IS BACK

Velvet dress: £39.00
note the puff shoulders!
Torn grey jeans: £39.99
note the worn and torn effect
Shorts: £24.99
note the sequin embellishment detail
Jacket:£29.99
note the banding effect

Something provocative...

Dita Von Teese

Inspiration: Dita Von Teese

Style: Sumptuous Burlesque
What: Lace Bodies, Ribbed Corsets and Velvet Leotards
Where to buy: Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Warehouse
When to wear: Only at night-keep the look mysterious.

How to wear: Under high waisted shorts, with a blazer and a bodycon skirt

VELVET

Glitter Velvet Body. £28. Topshop

LACE

Pop Lace Body. £25. Topshop

EMBELLISHED

Embellished Body. Christopher Kane. £75. Topshop

Emma

We LOVE...

Spike Gold Studded Platform. Topshop. £75

Emma and Sophie

High Rise...STILETTOS

GIANT platform high-heeled stilettos are swarming the shelves in shoe departments.

Can anyone remember when this last happened?

Once again, we look back to the so-called period of 'anti-fashion' (you wouldn't have guessed where the name came from from the photo below) the NINETIES!

The infamous British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood re-introduced the high heeled platform shoe into high-fashion in the early 1990s. It was while wearing a pair with five inch platforms and nine inch heels that the super model Naomi Campbell took a tumble on the catwalk at a fashion show in Paris.

Naomi Campbell on the Catwalk in Paris

The best memories I have of platform shoes, however, are the times I spent dancing around my living room dressed in my mum's high heels with blond pigtails to 'If you wanna be my lover' and 'Who do you thnk you are?' Yes, I was Baby Spice and , yes, I was in my own Spice Girl band! Throughout the late 1990's whilst the Spice Girls were pulling out continuous hit singles and becoming the UK's bigest phenomenum, platform shoes were hitting the world of high-fashion HARD! The Spice Girls took what, the 5 inch platform heels we now buy today, to extreme 9 inch levels!

The Spice Girls on tour-LOOK AT THEIR SHOES!

The platform shoes on sale today are, to the relief of boyfriends and our ankles, a little less ambitious. However, don't expect anything too safe as platform heels must have a reasonable sized platform to count and this season, it is all about the platform heel!

Here are a few I have picked out,

In order of size!

Office. Simple Minds. £70

Topshop. Shakira Studded Gladiator. £75

Carvela Giant. House of Fraser. Was £110. Now £79


Topshop. Unique Metallic Sandal. £95

Topshop Boutique. Passion Frill Shoe. £95

I thought I'd end on a high note...

Office. Party all night. £85

Emma

Did I just read about a Mid Season SALE at ASOS.COM?

My love of fashion can sometimes be too extreme, very ridiculous and just a little excessive.

It is 2.16 am and I am awake. Not only am I awake at 2.17 am, when I am meant to be having a 'quiet night in' but, I am awake and ooing and ahhing over ASOS.COM, who have just announced that they are having a mid-season SALE!

I won't be going to sleep for a while.

There can't surely be 1374 dresses, 674 tops, 118 jackets and 202 skirts on SALE.

But I promise you, there is!

I want this heart patterned dress...

Heart Printed Bandeau Dress. Was £38. Now £22. SAVE £16!

Of course I couldn't not get this beautiful frill layered cocktail dress...

Pink Chiffon Petal Skirt Dress. Was £85. Now £40. SAVE £45!!

AND

I would love this printed silk skirt...

Lipsy Snakeskin Print Silk Skirt. Was £50. Now £21. Save £29!!!

I'm also not sure (I'm very sure) I couldn't live without this cute denim jacket.

I could wear it with EVERYTHING!

Warehouse Shrunken White Biker Jacket. Was £59. Now £39. SAVE £20!!!!

Carvela...oh no! I must have these!

Carvela Ribbon Tie Mega Platform Shoes. Were £150. Now £63. SAVE £88!!!!!

and...

Emma! Calm down.

BUT, I'd SAVE £198.

When I come back from a day of shopping with my Mother the first thing my Father asks (after we've quickly slipped upstairs to hide most of our purchases) is,

'How much did you spend?'

and my Mother always replies,

'Well, we saved £££!'

In opportune circumstances like this, what you save is what matters.

There is a sale on at ASOS.COM!

Why are you still reading my post?!

http://www.asos.com/

(just to make it easier for you, and me of course!)

Emma

A great read...

So this month I have been reading a great feel-good book. To have a break from my university set texts, I have been reading a book called “A Vintage Affair” by Isabel Wolff and for any fashion lovers it is a really enjoyable read. The book brings to life my mantra, “Every dress tells a story” by telling the story of a little blue coat. Read it and let me know what you think!

Sophie.

Fashion Trend: Polka Dots!

A fashion classic...again and again polka dots work their way back in to our wardrobes. After reading this month’s Tatler, I am dotty about dots all over again! The November 2009 Tatler is a special collector’s edition, the magazine has been running for 300 years! Can you believe it? “300 years of mischief”as it says on the cover. It’s great to think that the people of the 1700s were not that different to us after all, fashion was important and of course, they were mischievous!

The dress that caught my eye in Tatler was a beautiful ,silk, Moschino Cheap and Chic dress for £615...not so cheap but very chic! There are many equivalents on the high street at the moment which are probably more in my price range! Included in the polka dot feature was a picture of Gordon Conway wearing polka dots on a shoot for Tatler back in 1926. These dots really have staying power don’t they?

French Connection seems to have the best range of polka dots this season, check out this amazing dress:

One shoulder mini dress, £125.00. Also available in pink and black, personally I don't think you can beat monochrome!Another great find in French Connection, puff sleeve jumper for £50.00.

I am in love with these shoes, cute and very flirty, bring out your mischevious side with these courts. Kurt Geiger, £90.00.

Polka dot tights, £8.00, Miss Selfridge.

Get dotty today!

Sophie.

Get Hannah's Look

To get Hannah's look all you have to do is head straight to Topshop this season. They have a brilliant line of pretty, loose fitting tops from cropped to long sleeved in some beautiful pastel shades. They have also introuduced a collection of smart, very fitted trousers and shorts which will allow you to play around and experiment with adrogyny. Soften the masculine look by accessorising with head bands, headscarves and simple jewellry. This look thrives on simple detail and delicate materials such as silk, chiffon and satin.

DELICATE, FEMININE TOPS

Lace Panel Batwing Blouse £45.00.

Dandelion Floral Drape Vest £22.00

MASCULINE, FITTED TROUSERS/SHORTS

Button rouched taper trousers £32

Rouched Harreem Trousers £40

Silk Polka dot shorts £35

Boyish, decorative Brogues

KRUZ Leather Lace Up £orsage £8.0

I think this would look fantastic...

Spot Double Breasted Playsuit £45.00

Mix feminine with masculine and the look is yours.

All items can be purchsed from Topshop or online at www.topshop.co.uk

Emma