Cactus Club: The New 'It Print'

After making the mistake of going out without a jacket and shivering the whole way home, I've finally accepted that summer is over (cry). On the bright side, I'm heading off to sunny Dubrovnik in a few weeks time so I'm still looking out for summer-style pieces that I can squeeze into my suitcase. If you're also jetting off in October and are looking for some inspiration, there is a certain print that has dominated this summer - cactus!

 

T-shirt//River Island
Playsuit//Zara
Socks//Asos
Shoes//Zara
Bag//Cambridge Satchel Company

Whether its florals, foliage or pineapples, every summer we see bold, bright patterns hitting the high-street. This year, cactus print has become the new 'it print' and I'm definitely on-board! One of my favourite pieces is this Zara playsuit. I love how it's cute and ditsy - typical of a floral print - but has more of an edgy-ness to it. If you're not into the playsuit, here's a few more prickly high-street picks...

Mango//£39.99

Cheap Monday//£20

House of Holland//£95

Asos//£4

Topshop//£28

Wildfox//£16

The Bomber Jacket: Embroidery vs. Graphic Stripes

Bomber Jacket//Zara
Dress//Zara
T-shirt//River Island
Shoes//River Island

If you're sick of bomber jackets taking over high-street stores you're not in for much luck for Autumn/Winter, as the trend is well and truly sticking around. Personally, I am obsessed with collecting bomber jackets - it's kind of a problem - and this is the latest addition to my wardrobe. Although, I do agree it becomes repetitive seeing the same (or similar) items across various high-street stores so I tend to purchase versions that are a bit different. What I like about this Zara version is the juxtaposition of beautiful floral embroidery with harsh, graphic lines and by combining this with a contrasting striped dress it creates a quirkier look!

So what's in store for A/W 16? Very much like the example above, the catwalks showed signs of mixing femininity with more masculine urban/military looks. Also, with the rise of the puffer jacket, quilted bomber jackets will start to come through. But if you don't fancy forking out money for a new version, take a leaf out of Balenciaga's book and zip down your bomber jacket to create a cool off-the-shoulder neckline. 

The Bargain Blossom Blazer

As much as I hate to say it, Summer is coming to an end (cry) and as a result the shops are filled with sales as they launch their new Autumn/Winter collections. However, it does mean that you can pick up a few bargains which is always a good thing!

 

 

 

 

Blazer//Zara
Cami Top//New Look
Skirt//Missguided
Clutch//Accessorize
Shoes//Oh My Love

I picked up this lovely Zara blazer in their Summer sale and I love it! The delicate pattern is perfect for wearing with jeans or dressing up for cocktails. Being a skint student, when I buy items I like to know that I will get good use out of them. So for example, even though it will be getting colder, florals can still be brought through into the next season. Also, zip detailing was used frequently in dresses, skirts and jackets by the likes of Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gautier - so again the zips on the sides of the blazer can carry through into Autumn/Winter.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying what's left of their Summer!

 

 

Sporting Spirit

Crop Top - Zara
Trousers - Topshop
Shoes - Asos (Kurt Geiger)
Necklace - River Island
Bag - Asos

Another week, another impulse purchase... this time it was a crop top from Zara that caught my eye. It kind of reminded me of a basketball top, which I love, and with the sporty trend continuing in to Spring/Summer I thought I would give it a try.

Being a shopping addict, once I had the top I had to go buy other items to make an outfit and thought these floral joggers would be perfect. These have quickly become a favourite of mine because they're super comfy and I still feel like people aren't judging me for being a fashion student and throwing on joggers to uni... 

The shoes are actually a bit of high street inspiration as I've seen this style of shoes everywhere at the moment. They have multiple different versions on Asos in different patterns and I've also spotted this pair in Topshop (£10 cheaper than I paid from Asos - so annoying!). But anyway, they are really comfy and I will definitely get some use out of these as we move into Spring/Summer. 

Lastly, before I go, if anyone else is loving the sports trend you might be excited to hear about the Topshop and Adidas Originals collaboration which is soon to be launched in stores on 20th March! The 20 piece collection is said to be feminine but still wearable for both fashion and performance. I've seen a few sneak peeks on the Topshop and Adidas Instagram and Elle have also mentioned it in their latest edition where you can see a few more pictures. Personally, I think it looks amazing and hopefully I won't be disappointed!

Elle
April 2014

A Zest for Zara

Bowler Hat - Forever 21
T-Shirt - Zara
Shorts - Zara
Boots - Primark
Necklace - New Look

If I step into Zara and I don't buy anything, or at least want something, there is something seriously wrong! Due to Zara delivering new products to their stores twice a week, I constantly find myself in there at least once a week - definitely a shopaholic... 

Yesterday, while waiting for a train, I popped into Zara and made a few impulse buys in the form of some lovely lace shorts and the 'something very addictive' t-shirt you see in the pictures above. I kind of bought these separately but when I got home and tried them on I thought they actually looked really nice together. I've styled this with my bowler hat that I purchased last month in Glasgow and my black and gold boots from Primark. I'll probably need to wear some tights though since it's freezing here in Scotland!

Also loving how I look pretty tanned in these photos!

Free free to comment as always.

Julia

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