STYLED INTO FASHION

Thursday 30 May 2013

Spring Blossom

Given the miserable weather we've had in London over the past few months it was a breath of fresh air to have a warm sunny May Bank Holiday weekend. I decided to head out to the park and soak up some rays before the grey rain clouds returned from their holidays. Not exactly summer weather though pleasantly warm, I wore a River Island Floral Peplum Top, Topshop Leigh Skinny Jeans, New Look White Clutch Bag and Fashion Union White Buckle Sandals.

Top River Island

Leigh Skinny Jeans Topshop

White Clutch Bag New Look

Shoes Fashion Union

Watch Michael Kors

Transitional Outfits: Pretty Floral

The weather in London is pretty poor for late May/early June, if it's not raining it's grey and cold... how miserable! This is bad news for many retail shops, as usually by this time of the year they're selling their summer items, short skirts, vest and pretty summer sandals. Still they sell their winter stock, hoping that the weather will brighten up and warm up... lets keep our fingers crossed and hope this happens soon.

A few weeks back, I was so excited at the prospect of summer that I went on a couple of shopping trips to buy some goodies for the transition... goodies I'm still yet to wear. With the thought that this 'summer' I'm waiting for not turning up or merely showing it's face for a few days, I decided to mix my new summer buys with some winter items I already own, coming up with some great outfits for the 'not yet summer but leaving winter' period. Oh and in case you're wondering what happened to the other two seasons; it appears we don't have Spring or Autumn over here in the UK!

Here's my first outfit... Pretty Floral <3

Michael Kors Watch

Topshop Leigh Blue Skinny Jeans

Zara White Ankle Strap Sandals

River Island Floral Peplum Top

New Look White Clutch

PRODUCT REVIEW: Alice Suede Three Buckle Boot by Miss Selfridge

The Alice Suede three Buckle Boots by Miss Selfridge are a beautiful yet funky pair of boots to say the least. When I saw the boots, what caught my eye was the cut out design and the gold buckles. I'd previously seen a cutout pair on the Topshop website, unfortunately at the time they had sold out in my size. But then I must say these look much better, whilst flashing a bit of skin the shiny gold buckle give the boots a more funky yet expensive look. I can't even remember the last time I saw a gold buckled footwear, it seems silver buckles are preferred.

I was always of the opinion that only dressy shoes and summer sandals were peep toe, but the peep toe on these boots give them the extra edge over other ankle boots. So whilst it can be worn casually, you can also dress them up and wear them on a night out. Just make sure your pedicure is looking good.

My shoe size varies from shop to shop, though I generally wear a UK 4(37) or 5(38). With these boots I had to get a size 4 as the 5 felt way to big. I haven't purchased footwear from Miss Selfridge before so I'm unable to inform you as to weather they usually come up small, big or true to size. On this occasion they came up big.

At 3.5 inches the heel height of the boot is prefect to wear at any time during the day, it really just depends on the outfit you decide to wear with it. Though there is no platform, the chunky solid heel makes for comfortable wearing throughout the day.

Though the boots look amazing, there's one change that i would make if i was the designer; the heel. There is nothing wrong with the height or the shape of the heel, just the fact that it appears layered. I really do dislike the layered look, where heels have small lines.. I think it makes footwear look cheap. Luckily here the lines are not so obvious.

For 100% leather at £69 you just can't go wrong, in fact I think I got myself a right little bargain with these boots.

TOPSHOP 'Leigh' Skinny Jeans - Review

Well, where do I start. I'm not exactly the skinniest of females, I'm a healthy size UK 10 (usually, but depends where I buying from) and a petite 5'3'', I'm fairly curvy and have great difficulty finding clothes that fit my frame, especially jeans. For a long time I hunted for jeans that would fit both my waist and my thighs, whist complementing my derrière. Being petite, finding the right length was never really a problem for me, getting alterations at my local dry cleaners for a fiver didn't hurt my pocket, I just wanted jeans that actually fit me and complemented my shape.

L-R: Previous pairs purchased Winter 2012 in Navy and Stonewash. Three new pairs purchased May 2013; Blue, Pale Grey and Black.

Towards the end of last year I purchased some amazing skinny jeans from Topshop and I can't stress how great they are. I love them so much that I purchased the same pair in another colour and today, after months of trying to find other jeans that would fit just as well, I finally gave in and went back to Topshop and purchased another three pairs! What Topshop jeans are these do you ask? Leigh, Super Soft Ankle Grazer Skinny Jeans.

Affordable at just £38, you can't go wrong.

Now the style of the jeans is in the name; they're super soft, graze the ankle and are a skinny fit. Due to the materials used the jeans are very soft on the skin making for great comfort and the use of Elastane give the jeans a good stretch, allowing them to mould to your shape. Ideally the jeans are suppose to be worn above the ankle, but if you're not a fan they're available in three different lengths (30'', 32'' and 34''), so you can opt for a longer pair. I tend to like my skinny jeans to fit quite tight, but not as tight as leggings and these jeans are just the great go between; the look of jeans with the slight feel and all the comfort of leggings.

The jeans have five pockets, two to the rear and three at the front.

Not all Leigh jeans have a folded bottoms, but all five pairs I own do. I quite like this as it give the jeans a casual look when worn with converses and flat pumps. However, should you not like the folded bottoms there are many Leigh jeans available without or you can easily undo the small stitching that creates the fold.

The Jeans generally tend to be made of Cotton, Polyester and Elastane.

I've had my first two pairs for about 5/6 months now and I wear them both all the time. They're constantly being thrown in the washing machine and they still look great, no tears and the colour almost as good as when I first purchased them. They're definitely great quality and I would recommend purchasing them, especially if you have trouble getting jeans that you can wear without a belt.

I guess the only suggestion I would make when purchasing these jeans is to buy them in the shop rather than purchasing online. With the material varying depending on the colour you go for, some Leigh jeans are much more stretchy and comfortable than others. So definitely worth trying before buying.

PROS

Comfortable
3 Different lengths available
Long Lasting, Good Quality
Affordable at £38
Huge range of colours

CONS

Materials vary, so some not as comfortable as others

For more Leigh jeans and to view Topshops alternative jeans visit: www.topshop.com

WHITE: The New Black

White has always been big for Spring/Summer and this year is no different. Designers like Victoria Beckham and DKNY have been showcasing their white designs; all white everything, from head to toe.

Victoria Beckham

DKNY

It appears that the celebs are loving this trend, with a few ahead sporting white head to toe in the midst of winter.

I like to be on trend, so decided to buy a couple of pieces that I can mix and match with things I already own.

Zara Top

£39.99

Unfortunately, I couldn't find this top on the Zara website (though I was able to find the photo on Google), but was lucky enough to pick up the last one in store. It was love at first sight and the laser cut leather reminded me of similar techniques used in current S/S'13 designs by both Roberto Cavalli and Balmain.

I've worn the Zara top once so far, casually with stone-wash skinny jeans but think it would look great with a black leather skater skirt for a monochrome look or any type of white tailored bottoms for an all white pure look, one things for sure I'd have to sport gold jewellery.

Fashion Union Sandals

£34.99

When I saw these shoes I just knew I had to have them, they had to be a part of my ever growing shoe collection and at £34.99 how could I say no. I'd been looking for a pair of white shoes that could give me a little more height whilst being comfortable enough to wear casually. I had just about given up when I came across these beauties on the Fashion Union website.

Not only are these shoes comfortable they look great dressed up and worn casually, especially with stone wash and white. I love the fact that the buckles are gold and not silver, as it makes the shoes look much more expensive than they actually are. Also available in tan and black and at such a bargain price, I'm seriously considering buying another pair or two.

Whilst head to toe in white is great for the catwalk it isn't really practical for every day wear, so why not team up white with other colours and prints.

Here are a few outfits I've put together...

COBALT

L-R: Dress AX Paris, Shoes Zara, Bag River Island, Earrings ASOS.

GREEN & STUDS

L-R: Dress River Island, Chain John & Pearl, Bag ASOS, Shoes Carvela.

MULTICOLOUR

L-R: Dress AX Paris, Shoes Boohoo.com, Bag Lulu Guiness, Earring ASOS.

FLORAL

L-R: Jeans Topshop, Bag Vince Camuto, Shoes Zara, Top River Island.

For tips on how to wear white check out http://www.reetah.co.uk/trends

ZARA: The Shoes, Bag & Necklace You Need!!!

I love love love (yes, I had to say it three times) Zara, so much so that no shopping trip is complete without a visit to one of its many stores. Though a high street store, celebs are loving it too, with none other than Olivia Palermo regularly being snapped in Zara gear. Many other celebs are also jumping on the bandwagon, with it's sleek tailoring, high quality and on trend garments no wonder Zara is taking over the high street and my closet.

On a recent shopping trip to the store I picked up some fab finds and you shouldn't be surprised to learn one of the items is now sold out.

The Shoes

Multicolored Lace-Up Sandal

£69.99

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-S2013/358009/1168517/MULTICOLORED+LACE-UP+SANDAL

After appearing in Look magazine the shoes sold out both in store and online, but fear not as they are now back in stock. If you love them get them before they sell out again, as they may not be restocked.

As featured in Look magazine!!!

The Bag

Basic Messenger Bag

£19.99

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-S2013/358021/1195245/BASIC+MESSENGER+BAG

I love this bag so much, it may be basic by name and appearance but it goes with just about everything, from casual to dressy. Right now I'm loving teaming it with my monochrome and leather look outfits. Now available in three other colours I want them all!

The Necklace

Chain Necklace with Appliques

£22.99

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-S2013/375003/1049746/CHAIN+NECKLACE+WITH+APPLIQUES

The Necklace has been so popular it has now sold out online and in store, the only place to purchase this beauty, that I'm aware of, is Ebay, where sellers are listing the item from £20 to £55! If you really want one prepare for a bidding war!

Here are a few other items I'm loving from Zara:

Tiger Print Clutch
£39.99

High Heel Shoes With Ankle Strap

£29.99

Dangling Earrings With Sparkly Stones

£9.99

Met Gala 2013

The well known Costume Institute Gala aka The Met Gala, held annually by Vogue took place a couple of days ago and I was so excited to see what the celebs and designers had worn on the big night. I must admit I was disappointed, unlike last year it appeared that a lot of attendees had gone for a more relaxed look (chuck on anything, that'll do) but of course the true fashionistas kept up appearances by looking every bit spectacular. I wont mention the names of those who failed to impress, I'm sure they know who they are.

Have a look at what the celebs and designers were wearing on the night, would you have guessed this years theme was PUNK:Chaos to Couture?? No, neither would I.