How To Wear: Oriental

Today I'm pretty excited because I'm going to be starting a new ten post project as part of my coursework for University. In our Fashion Communication module we were asked to start our own blog, which luckily, I had already done! However, we are being marked based on a series of ten posts so I have decided to begin a special theme which will feature different items, trends, clothing and how I would wear them - starting now!

Jumper - Zara
Maxi Skirt - Boohoo
Gold Chain - River Island
Chelsea Boots - Fashion Union
Gold Ring - Primark

Recently I purchased this beautiful jumper from Zara which I am obsessed with! I was first drawn by the pattern and the blend of colours which I think has a subtle oriental feel to it. As Zara are the masters of fast fashion, they are of course up-to-date with the latest trends - the blossoming oriental trend is no exception. 

Personally, I love how the feminine floral pattern has been clashed with the more harsh capitals of the slogan "Off Duty". To mimic this, I have paired it with a long maxi skirt, continuing the feminine theme, but toughened it up with the gold chain, side split and chelsea boots. 

For further inspiration on how to create an oriental-inspired look, visit my pinterest board which can be viewed by clicking here. 

How would you wear the oriental trend?

Feel free to comment...

Julia

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Micro Trends!

As well as the larger macro trends, having an impact on a more global scale - for example becoming more ethical where consumers now want to know where their clothes come from and how they are made - micro trends are just as important where new, more specific trends emerge. 

These micro trends can crop up, perhaps relating to other micro trends and eventually becoming a macro trend. A few mini/micro trends that I have noticed within magazines, shops, websites etc can be seen below...

Turtle Necks

Thanks to the Fall 2013 collections by designers such as Victoria Beckham and Tommy Hilfiger at New York fashion week, the turtleneck has sneaked back into the eyes of fashion lovers. 

Victoria Beckham Turtleneck

Tommy Hilfiger Houndstooth Turtleneck

Rumoured to naturally define your jaw line while giving a flattering, slimming effect - the turtleneck has also made its way onto Zara's shop floors.

Zara Turtle Neck Top - £39.99

Initially I was unsure how to pull off this look but I think with the right amount of layering it can look good!

Zara Turtleneck Sweater - £10.99
Karen Millen Masculine T-Shirt - £55
Oh My Love Midi Pencil Skirt - £28
Kurt Geiger Heeled Sandals - £130

Layering a turtleneck underneath a blouse and teaming with a pencil skirt and heeled sandals can create a sophisticated work/daytime look!

Kiboots 

Popularized by the likes of Poppy Delevingne and Jessica Hart, the Kiboot is seen to be the new 'it' boot, plastered all over Instagram by various adoring fans. The brand first started up in 2010 creating boots featuring original kilim rugs - even though they will set you back over £100, there are a few high street stores offering a cheeky, cheap alternative. 

Poppy Delevingne wearing Kiboot's 

'Inez' Kiboot - $199.95 (£128.26)

Black Woven Aztec Panel Boots
River Island - £60 (On sale for £30)

Headband Hats

With festival season coming to an end we are left with the issue of what to do with all those floral, aztec and folksy headbands. Well this is a smart and quirky alternative! By adding a headband to a hat, such as a bowler or fedora, you can bring the headband into the new season, picking black or berry hats to give that Autumn vibe. 

Spike Headband over Hat

Bee keeper Hat - Topshop £25
Johnny Loves Rosie Knotted Headband - Asos £24 (On sale for £15)

Eye Motif

Recently I've spotted eye motif's cropping up everywhere from jumpers to jewellery, and finding this interesting, I decided to research this a bit more! I initially saw this in an Asos magazine where I fell in love with the jumper they had photographed (seen below).  

Asos Eye Motif Jumper - £36

After viewing collections from designers such as Kenzo for Fall 2013, the eye motif seemed to pop up - an image which has now trickled down to the high street!

Kenzo Fall 2013 - Eye Motif

This has then moved into jewellery, with various items featuring the eye symbol, as seen below. 

Tally & Hoe Eye Necklace - Asos £18

That basically covers some things I've been spotting lately, hope this gives you inspiration for any new purchases!

Julia

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LBD - Time for an update?

Every girl has at least one little black dress in their wardrobe - in fact, I have at least five - purely because it's a staple piece no woman can live without. But every now and again, I feel my little black dress selection needs an update, and after spying this 'Oh My Love' halterneck dress, I had found the perfect replacement!

Night Stalker Black Halter Neck Mesh Panel Textured Dress
£39 - Oh My Love

I love this dress as the neck and back details take the classic little black dress style but make it a little more interesting. 'Oh My Love' is available in Topshop (click here), or for more of a selection I would suggest visiting their own website - this is where I purchased the dress. Click here.

 This dress also fits perfectly with the trends of the little black dress emerging this season which are explained in more detail below...

Turn Up The Heat

This season designers cranked up the heat in relation to the little black dress. It's all about tight bodycon, sheer panelling, mesh, or revealing bits of skin to create a less refined and seductive look. However, this has to be worn carefully so that it still looks sophisticated! 

Mesh Panel Bodycon Dress
Little Mistress - £58 (on sale on Asos)

This bodycon dress balances just the right amount of leg with sleeves, adding the interest of the hints of skin!

Vesper Pencil Dress
Asos - £56

The leather effect on the straps and the cut out sections provide a more flirtatious detail, balanced out by the slightly longer length.

So keeping this in mind, I hope you manage to find the perfect LBD for this season!

Julia 

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A/W Trends

As Summer is coming to an end (sorry to remind everyone), the shops are filling up with the new season's trends. Straight from the catwalk are a few hints of what is to come for Autumn/Winter which can be read below!

Pink 

This Autumn/Winter it's all about femininity, with rosy pinks emerging as a strong colour trend! These pink hues have been spotted on the runways from the likes of Lanvin and Nina Ricci (seen below). 

Nina Ricci
(Vogue.co.uk)

Lanvin
(Vogue.co.uk)

Meanwhile on the highstreet, Topshop have caught onto this trend fast - recently tweeting a collection of 'sherbet coloured' clothing - which fits in perfectly with this trend (click here).

Below are a few more pink coloured pieces that may be worth investing in!

Zara Short Woollen Overcoat
£79.99

This perfect, powder pink overcoat from Zara is definitely worth investing in for Autumn/Winter, especially as this trend is particularly big for outerwear!

Ethnic Embroidery Slim Fit Trousers
£29.99

I also love these slim fit trousers by Mango - a perfect staple trouser as it moves into those colder days.

More inspiration for this pink trend can be found on my pinterest by clicking here!

Plaid

Plaid is back! Dig out your checked shirts and kilts as this is a big trend for Autumn/Winter. With Chanel showcasing a collection including dashes of plaid, in a castle just outside of Edinburgh, it was obvious that plaid had defnintely made a comeback! You can watch some of the show here. (Amazing!!) 

Recently I purchased a plaid skirt from American Apparel which can be seen below. 

American Apparel Plaid Full Woven Skirt
On sale when I bought it for around £20

I also have a checked shirt which I purchased from Zara last year and still love - this will  be making an appearance again this season. However, the shirt below is a new item Zara have brought in which I particularly love!

Zara Checked Shirt with Contrasting Collar
£25.99

Further inspiration for the plaid trend can be seen on my pinterest by clicking here.

90's Grunge

Linking to the return of plaid, 90s Grunge is also making a massive comeback as shown by Saint Laurent in their Fall 2013 Catwalk which can be seen on youtube by clicking here.

I recently purchased a leather skirt from Forever 21 which I have teamed up with a few items to create a grunge inspired outfit.  

More inspiration for this trend can be viewed through my pinterest page by clicking here.

Leather Skirt - Forever 21, £12.75
Zip Back Jumper - Asos, £35
Boots - Asos, £50
Multi-Row Necklace - Topshop, £28

Animal Print

I've never really been a fan of animal print, but after seeing Burberry and Stella McCartney's A/W collections, I have been convinced that animal print can look classy and sophisticated if worn well!

Burberry A/W 2013

After my recent persuasion I decided to purchase this animal print top which was a bargain from Forever 21 (seen below). 

Forever 21 Safari Leopard Print Shirt
£18.75

This leopard print playsuit (seen below) is another of my favourites which was previously out of stock, but I think they may have brought in more due to its popularity. 

Further inspiration can again be taken from my pinterest by clicking here.

Oh My Love Playsuit
£39
(As seen on Millie Mackintosh)

That's all from me today. 

Hope this has given you some ideas for A/W shopping!

Julia

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