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.

Trend of the Month - Print it Out!

This is a bit of an obvious one for Spring/Summer '14.. But PRINTS!

Printed clothes, shoes, hats, bags etc etc! I have always been known to be quite out there with the prints, but this can be a good and bad thing as not many of my clothes go together cause it's like an overload of prints however keeps my wardrobe a little exciting. Anyway... Spring/Summer '14 this year is all about injecting some creativity and fun into your wardrobe! S/S '14 runways has brought us a huge range of new prints coming in trend for this season, and fortunately enough, retailers have recognised this trend and are all on it, expressing different styles.

Missguided are a strong contender of prints, have a look at all the fabulous prints HERE!

It's time to experiment again, go all matching or if you're daring enough, mix up the prints and go against the 'no clashing' rule! Again, it's another trend that can be worn chilled out or crazily, match the prints to your personal style. Prints are just a no brainer for this season, and even if you call yourself a 'plain Jane', don't be afraid to try out some subtle prints, to just accessorize your 'plain' outfits. 

So after browsing around, I have chosen my top 3 prints for Spring/Summer '14.. obviously everybody will have different but here are mine:

1) Florals (obvious one but there are never-ending types of floral print and every year, there's always a new one out, to not be obvious, don't go for the obvious! SIMPLES. P.S - tropical florals are very in this season)

PRETTYLITTLETHING, check it out here!
Just a bit of 70's inspo, along with rose print and neon colours -
my top 3 from PLT's floral collection - all good prices too
 (you know me with my fussiness of clothing prices and bargains)

2) Tribal (always a winner for me)

RIVER ISLAND, have a look here!
Who can go wrong with African tribal print, River Island always
wins it when it comes to prints.. a tad pricey but aren't these bits cute?

3) Paisley (I am a boho chic fan, therefore, paisley is just a weakness for me when it comes to prints)

BOOHOO, browse around the bargains here!
so so many bargains available on boohoo.com! Too much choice of prints
and bargain buys, I recommend here for budget holiday shopping.

Experimenting is key to styling, in my opinion.. You have to give everything a chance and have fun with what you wear. I know some may not be as daring or confident as others, but you won't get anywhere if you don't try. This season, trends from vintage eras and even what we thought were trends when we were younger are all making a comeback, so I think this is the prime time to be as daring as you want to be with trends you were loving at the age of 14! From jelly shoes, to bucket hats to co-ordinates to sliders and more! Fashion is weird but not everybody has taken grasp of that, maybe this season it's time.. 

Trend of the Month - 'Matchy Matchy'

For something different on my blog, I'm going to post my own 'Trend of the Month' features which in the title will consist of me expressing a current or upcoming trend which have stood out and caught my eye monthly!

For my first post, for April; I have chosen to look into the Co-ordinates trend of Spring/Summer 2014 (which I think will stay for next season too!).

So, 'Matchy Matchy' seems to be the new thing to do this season! I have seen this on runway shows, everywhere in retail stores such as Topshop, River Island and Primark, even on the red carpet.. and celebrities can be so influential on trends which is probably one of the reasons matching sets and co-ordinates have hit the fashion world by storm. Another influential platform of the fashion industry are the bloggers of today, blogging has become one of the strongest and effective ways of self-promotion or brand promotion therefore can create a buzz about trends or anything really! Even though some people may think it's tacky or dated, this is where I love it because it's like a challenge, to prove these people wrong - fashion is all about challenges of trends etc, anything can be cute if it's done right.

It's such a simple trend however like any piece of clothing, must remember that flatters you the most but won't have a problem of options because co-ordinates vary from block colours, or prints and patterns which is a little more daring but what's the harm in trying it out!? Getting ready has become 10x easier, and diva fits are no more due to this trend, there will be no excuse of taking hours choosing an outfit because here, two separates become one. Just choose your print/colour, only thinking needed.

MOTEL ROCKS, take a look here!

MISSGUIDED, take a look here!

Many different styles of co-ordinates are out there to experiment whether it is looking sharp and sauve in a tailored set, or comfortable and casual in a jersey set etc, this trend is here for you to wear it how you like and have fun with an overload of trends or popping out of the crowd in a block colour. Get on this co-ordinates trend this season, it's a big one!

Beyonce, Fearne Cotton, Ariana Grande and Rita Ora rocking this co-ord trend! All taken different takes on their set.
Beyonce looking fierce and sexy, Fearne Cotton looking stylishly smart in her tailored set, Ariana Grande going all
pretty with her hot pink set at an awards show then Rita Ora bringing back the retro print and style with her co-ord!

Bloggers obsessed with this trend, especially thatpommiegirl's Sarah Hashcroft - she's been showing her way of styling
her favourite pastel and print co-ords, whether it is for the day or evening/casual or dressed up, then shewearsfashion's Kavita Donkersley expressing her classy urban style with that cute palm tree co-ord and last but not least, cravegreenvelvet's girl Charlotte looking edgy and clashing two trends, in her metallic leopard print co-ord.
Again, all looking different and putting their own take on this fabulous trend!

Trent Soldier

Yesterday, I got some jogger trousers from H&M for a bargain price of £12.99! I've wanted some for ages, and now Sport Luxe is coming back in trend, you can now find them almost anywhere in several prints and fabrics. I chose to go for black ones because with my student budget, I have to make practical choices when it comes to shopping so black had to do as it goes with everything! I didn't mind too much though. 

Finally we got some sunshine in Nottingham, so I took this opportunity to get some photos of my new trousers! Typically unlucky of me, the sun decided to hide when I was all ready to shoot. Anyway, I went for quite a basic outfit, as they are high waist trousers I chose to pair them with a crop slogan tee then stuck with black with the rest of the outfit except for one of the best bags I have - it goes with almost everything and is perfect for University and it's just so fluffy! 

Fur and fluffy things have become such a big trend this Autumn/Winter, as seen on catwalk shows such as Jeremy Scott, Versace and Gucci, as well as everywhere on the High Street - especially in Topshop! This trend has crept its way up from the 90's and nobody's hesitating to bring it back; one person being myself. I think that this is one of many retro trends which I'm loving at the moment. It is also one of them daring trends but now it's in trend, In my opinion, everybody should try it out and be experimental with fur - don't just stick to the normality of fur coats, be adventurous! 

Finally, if you're wondering why 'Trent Soldier' - I go to Nottingham Trent University and we're called the Trent Army, so now it's pretty self explanatory.

Trilby Hat - Primark, Black Rope Necklace - New Look, 'Soldier' Slogan Tee - Topshop, 

High Waist Jogger Trousers - H&M, Boot Heels - New Look, 

Fringe Leather Jacket - River Island, Black and White Fur Bag - River Island.