Monday 17 September 2012

Passion for Fashion


So if you've not heard about the competition moneysupermarket.com  are doing at the moment, you must have been living under a very big rock. (Or you've not been on the internet for a while)
They are giving you the chance to win £1000 and an ipad by styling 5 outfits costing less than £200 each in the  following categories:
Office - Casual - First Date - Outdoor - Party

With such great prizes up for grabs, I simply couldn't resist. So, in keeping with my own personal style, here are my offerings

OFFICE:


Printed Jaquard Trousers - Primark - £16
White Blouse - H&M - £7.99
Fitted Faux Cashmere Coat - Romwe - £64.45 (with 20% first order discount)
Spike and chain collar tips - Empty Casket - £7
Platform Pump - 4feetshoes on eBay - Buy it Now - £18.95
Double Stretch Bracelet - NewLook - £6.99
Lip Marker in "Berry" - Topshop - £8
Vintage Silk Scarf - candlecane123 on Etsy - £5.69
Birdcage Print Clear Umbrella - Fulton Umbrellas - £18
Victoria Flower Sunglasses - 80sPurple on Etsy - £24.03

Outfit total - £177.10

Now, I don't work in an office, in fact, the thought of working in an office is my idea of hell, but, I do like the idea of dressing formally for work every day. I guess I was kind of inspired for this by Phillip Lim's 3.1 ready to wear collection. Black, white and bold prints featured heavily and that's what I have used here.So let's start with those trousers. I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Primark as I tend to think that the pieces look tacky and cheap but those jaquard trousers are almost identical to the Topshop versions but for over half the price! To keep it simple up top I used this classic white shirt from H&M but added some personality with the stud and chain collar tips and double stretch bracelet. I love a good platform and these platform pumps and chic and a steal at under £20! Now onto the coat. This is my ultimate favourite item. Imagine snuggling down into those lapels on a cold morning on the way to work. YUM. To add to the snuggly-ness  I found this gorgeous vintage silk scarf on Etsy. Now, as with any season in Britain, one minute it could be glorious sunshine, the next you're stood in the middle of a downpour. To cope with this I found these cute flower sunglasses and this gorgeous birdcage print umbrella by Fulton for the journey to work. Fulton umbrellas have a long standing British Heritage and have even been honoured with a Royal Warrant  for the queen.

CASUAL:



Cross Print Distressed Jumper - Romwe - £24.10
Stay Cute Beanie - Whiskers on Kittens - £15
Spike Choker - shopwithasianstereotypes.com - £17.26
Roberta Sunglasses - American Apparel - £30
Girl about Town lipstick - MAC - £14
Platform Studded Sandals - HeavenlySole on eBay - Buy It Now - £11.95
Claw Cuff - dtwell on eBay - Buy It Now - £12.65
Jordan Skinny Jean with stud detail - Motel Rocks - £48
Embellished Rivet Bag - OASAP - £45.50 

Outfit Total - £191.45

So the jumper..THAT jumper. I've seen it on several people on LookBook now and I'm lusting after it for A/W. The material is just right to keep you warm and cosy but light enough that if we get a freak Indian summer this winter (hey anything is possible) you won't be sweating like a pig. I have teamed  it with the studded Jordan jeans from Motel Rocks and studded shoes and accessories. I love the mid to high rise of these jeans, super flattering and slimming (great for if you eat too much bonfire toffee). The cat eye sunglasses are bang on trend for A/W and add a cool retro vibe. To add a splash of colour, I decided to add the "stay cute" beanie from my store Whiskers on Kittens. The big bobble and floral pattern add a cute/girlie touch and I don't know about you but I love slobbing around in big slouchy hats.

FIRST DATE:



Lace Long Sleeve Crop Top - Topshop - £26
Mesh overlay Maxi Skirt with Side Split - MissSelfridge - £20 -sale
All Seeing Eye Head Chain - Empty Casket - £15
Golden Skull Necklace - The Cult Label - £6.47
Skull Bracelet - The Quiet Riot - £4.55
Stud Clutch - The Quiet Riot - £14.66
PU Studded Biker Jacket - New Look - £49.99
Stud Ballerina Pump - Next - £30
Max Factor Lipfinity in "Royal Plum" - Amazon - £5 

Outfit total - £171.67

So let's assume that the first date involves, eating, drinking and sitting down (three of my favourite things btw) you need an outfit that will make you look great and not be so tight that everyone can tell when you had for dinner. Plus, I guess a lot of people would be terrified by this outfit, but I'm also going on the assumption that whoever I'm going on a date with, has seen me before and therefore knows the style in which I dress...
Skirts are always a good way to go from my experience (although on mine and my fiance's first date, I wore a battered band t-shirt, some jeans and trainers with holes in them...go figure). Anyway, this skirt I have fallen in love with. Anything with mesh is a winner for me and the side split adds a sexy touch without showing too much flesh. Teamed with the long sleeved crop top means the smallest part of your midriff will be on show and yet you'll be warm with the cooler evenings. I've teamed it with some amazing jewellery  which alongside the studded clutch and shoes gives it an edgy/grungy feel. Plus, this clutch is big enough to fit your whole make up bag (or almost your whole make up bag) inside meaning you don't have to worry about make up touch ups. And just in case the date goes well, I've chosen to put an on trend berry lipstain on the lips so there's no need to worry about it coming off if you get to the smoochy part :)


OUTDOOR:



Kristen Jean - Topshop - £40
Lace Crop Top - Topshop - £15
Vintage Studded Camo Jacket - weekdayz on eBay - Buy It Now - £15
1st Edition Beanie - Skull And Bones Boys Club - £10
Luxe Velvet Snood - TheVelvetVillage on Etsy - £15.81
Spiked Platform Boots - piwei80 on eBay - Buy It Now - £24.99
Hollow Out Black Short Jumper - Romwe - £44.31
Lip Paint in "Black" - Barry M - £4.49
Necklaces - Both Empty Casket - £20 (combined)
Chunky Woollen Mittens - Twinknits on Etsy - £17

Outfit Total - 196.61

I know I know, a crop top for outdoors? But I've layered layered layered with this gorgeous short mesh jumper so you can still see the top underneath, the high waisted kristen jean (which  personally own and love) and this gorrrrgeous heavy duty studded camo coat. With a nod to the streetwear trend that was so popular last season and a nod to the military trend which is going to skyrocket in A/W this jacket is just..wow. To keep with the spiked theme I added these amazing studded platform boots. I own the unstudded version and they would be ideal for being on your feet for a long time as well as keeping your feet toasty and dry. To keep you extra warm (I'm all about being snuggly) I found this lovely velvet snood and these handmade chunky knit woollen mittens. And  in keeping with my style I've added Barry M's lip paint in black.


PARTY:



Faux snakeskin bag - Primark - £8
Structured Bustier - Kelly Brook for NewLook - £8 -sale
Textured Tube Skirt with Side Split - Topshop - £22
Ihua Ring - Made - £19 - sale
Kuguru Ibati  Bangle - Made - £15 - sale
Gold and Horn Ring - River Island - £8
Layered Crosses and Skulls Necklace - Empty Casket - £20
Gold Spike Double Ring - New Look - £2.99
Gold Hearts Hand Chain - New Look - £4.99
Spike Peep Toe Heel-less Wedge - Milanoo - £56.88
"Passion Preserved" Pro Longwear Lipcolour - MAC - £17
"Disco Heaven" Head Kandi - Models Own -£5

Outfit Total - £186.86

Whenever it's party season I feel the best way to go is few interchangeable items an then let your accessories do the talking. Tube skirts seem to be becoming a hit for the upcoming season and this textured skirt from Topshop with its side split is the perfect amount of sexy. Also, as it can be teamed with an array of different tops from bralets to shirts to cute cropped t-shirts, it's pound per wear value is great. I've teamed it with this lovely bustier made by Kelly Brook for New Look. I love the sweetheart neckline and feel it would be flattering for small and big busts alike. So.. now onto the shoes. They're so good. I actually squealed when I saw them. You might have guessed by now I'm a fan of anything with studs (I know, I've been so subtle about it) and these are maybe my ultimate shoe. I own a pair of heel-less shoes and I can honestly say that now I've tried them I'm hooked! There's no worry about the dreaded heel wobble because there's no heel (ha!) and for under £60 they look a lot more expensive than they are. I'm in love. I have chosen a few pieces  of jewellery from "Made." Made are a British accessories brand based in Kenya who teach new skills and provide sustainable employment to all. Every piece is handmade so you're not only getting a gorgeous one off- you're also supporting a great project! To finish off the look I have chosen Mac's pro longwear lip colour in a lovely deep red. I have used this lip colour before and as well and not drying out your lips it passes the drinking test and lasts for hours! Perfect for a long night out.

So I hope you enjoyed my looks as much as I have enjoyed making them.
Has anybody else entered the competition?


3 comments:

  1. love it all <3

    http://behindcatiseyes.blogspot.pt/

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  2. Wow your outfit choices were great!
    X

    apreciarvintage.blogspot.co.uk

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