Monochrome

Tibi, Spring/Summer 2014

Apologies, I've been slacking once again with the blog but just been so busy! Hope everybody's been having a good summer so far anyway.

I have been quite lucky once again to bag another bargain (my top). My friend bought this amazing paneled top from Topshop for £30, but didn't like it so sold it to me for just £10 - that's what I call bagging a bargain with mates rates! At first I was debating whether or not to buy it because it's white and I hardly ever wear white as I just don't trust myself, but as always, I couldn't resist a bargain opportunity. 

I'm in love with the top but it's one of those tricky ones which don't match many things. So I've had to keep it simple and pair it with my favourite high waisted black jeans, which are another bargain from Primark that look exactly the same as the Topshop jeans by the way! I'm usually one for colours and prints but the outfit was just calling out to stay monochrome; so I played it safe and finished off the outfit with my black leather wedges and my mum's old Louis Vuitton backpack (which I must say is the cutest thing ever!). I'm living in backpacks at the moment because as I've said before, the best things to have during this season; then who doesn't wear chokers these days - perfect accessory for any style.

The whole sheer panel look has become huge this Spring/Summer season, after designers such as Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, Lacoste and most importantly, the main inspiration for my top - Tibi (shown above) brought out this trend at their Spring/Summer 2014 shows. A little bit of skin exposure has come in strong as a trend, from sheer exposure, to net exposure - people are just out there showing off their bodies, however keeping it hidden at the same time so they don't commit any faux par's. Is it a trend for you? I think it all depends on how you feel about yourself, the confidence you have in yourself.. I'm not a very confident person but when it comes to fashion and styling my outfits, I just love experimentation and wearing what I like, which yes is a good mindset to have but everybody does need rules, however I believe that everybody should make your own though. Look at clothes in a way of helping boost your confidence, and be daring with different styles, have fun and play around! 

Panelled White Top - Topshop, High Waist Black Jeans - Primark, Black Boot
Wedges - £5 shop, Louis Vuitton Back Pack - Mum's Old Wardrobe, Choker - eBay.

Let's go walking..

I have found something to do this summer which is free of cost - go on cute photography walking dates with the boyfriend. I've wanted to do this with him for so long but never really got around to doing it.. So at last, with us both being poor, there's nothing else this summer we can do but explore the fields and woods of Buckinghamshire.

I wasn't intentionally meaning to get blog photos on our first walk of the summer, however I thought I'd share what one of my favourite summer dresses looks like and how I styled it (even just on a walk). 

The dress is one of the bargains I got from my charity shop haul post. 

Sunglasses - Primark, Red Floral Dress - Charity Shop, Black Bodycon - Primark,
Black Chelsea Boots - Primark, Choker - Mum's old Jewellery Box.

Kudos Roberto Cavalli and Rita Ora

It's been a while since I've done a review, so I've decided to start my summer collection of reviews with Roberto Cavalli's latest campaign for his Autumn/Winter 2014 collection. 

It's come to a surprise that Rita Ora has come to work together with Robert Cavalli after all the Moschino she's been rocking; both casually and in her music video 'I will never let you down'. She swapped her edgy look for an elegant collection of Cavalli prints; from the stunning gown (above) to my favourite two-piece pant suit (below). When I looked at the campaign, my first impressions were Marilyn Monroe meets Beyonce. The embroidery reminds me of Beyonce's extravagant show pieces and the classic curls and soft make-up is just what Marilyn Monroe was all about. The way this campaign has been composed is just beautiful. Cavalli has gone for a less dramatic approach with the art direction, for example the absence of the exaggerated poses usually seen Roberto Cavalli campaigns. Everything just works.

Being the print lover that I am, I've always been a fan of Roberto Cavalli. Therefore didn't expect anything less than this collection, a beautiful mix of the fierce woman, the independent woman and the conservative woman. The cool, luxurious setting enhances the colours and the garments stunningly, portraying them as art. There is no arguing that Roberto Cavalli has created art pieces. Kudos. 

It's a clash

As expected, England hasn't been treating us with the best weather however that does not stop me from getting my new favourite summer trousers which are also the most comfiest things ever. But once again I've had that issue of buying too much print and not being able to match anything. However, instead of finding it a problem, I choose to clash instead, why not!?

Now it's summer and in the middle of festival season, backpacks have made another comeback from last year. They are just an essential for the season, and lucky enough for me, my mum's dress sense was on point when she was younger, I've got this brown leather backpack for myself this summer. I never usually wear brown leather, but the size and look of this bag seems to go with everything. Never doubt an item. 

Baseball Jersey Blouse - H&M, Black Vest Dress - Primark, Navy Printed Trousers -
Charity Shop (Originally New Look), Canvas Flatforms - Charity Shop
 (Originally New Look), Brown Leather Back Pack - Mum's Old Wardrobe.

Charity Shop Haul

One thing I love about Buckinghamshire, are the bargains you can find in charity shops. I was so happy with the bargains I found the other day in Chesham, that I couldn't resist sharing with everybody. Being a student in a big overdraft, I can't really afford anything over £10 at the moment, so tragic! But I haven't given up because of places like Charity shops and eBay, two favourites. Just cause you can't afford the usual Topshop, River Island etc, doesn't mean you can't still look good, believe in the bargains available to us!

So here is my second haul post of my Charity Shop goodies:

Optical Illusion Top, £2.25 - Sue Ryder Charity Shop
Originally from Topshop, how can I say no to £2.25!?
I fell for the optical illusion print, which I'll simply team
with some black jeans. A top like this is just made for
a cute, simple outfit as this will be the statement piece
of an outfit.

Floral Sheer Dress, £3 - Sue Ryder Charity Shop
This comes in the top 3 of this haul, because it
makes such a nice oversized look due to the fact of
it being size 22. It's a lightweight dress to simply wear
over a black cami dress/top and boots or even on holiday
over a bikini. Also fits nicely in the boho look I'm
trying out this summer, perfect lazy boho dress.

Navy Tribal Print Linen Trousers, £2.50
- Cancer Research Charity Shop
I've been longing to find trousers like this,
and so lucky to find them at a bargain price!
These are a size too big but I will style it with
a belt so it creates that cinched waist look. 

White Embroidered T-shirt, £3 - Shaw Trust Charity Shop
Alike the trousers, I've been longing to find a top
like this because it's a perfect top to go with all the
bootcut trousers I found in my mum's old box of clothes.
It's another oversized buy, being a size 12, the elastic on
the neck isn't too tight therefore I can wear it off the shoulder.
It is just an ideal top in a boho girl's wardrobe which can go
with everything, from flare trousers to maxi skirts etc.

Black and White Sleeveless Blouse, £3.95 - Cancer
Research Charity Shop
Another simple black and white top, originally from
Zara. I chose this for my mum for work but I am
definitely going to steal, again just pair it with
some black jeans, or any colour jeans because black
and white goes with anything! Adds a little smart look
to an outfit.

White Long Sleeved Sheer Blouse, £2 - Cancer Research Charity Shop
One of my top 3 favourites, again oversized but I love that you could wear
this as a top as well as a sheer cardigan. The detailing on the bust and sleeves
won me over, another piece to add to my new boho wardrobe. Also another
that will be joining me on holiday to wear as a cover up. The price of this
blouse is just such a steal, so happy with this find!