A Sucker For Oxblood

And there you go: this is look number three of the four burgundy files, featuring a little tunic from Topshop.

I have something quite similar in dark pine green, less lacy and more everyday, with a slight bubble hem. I found earlier that this dress style worked for me - it clings lightly to your shape but is forgiving around your bottom half (right, quarter), it is very feminine but in a soft and girlie way.

Some may question my choice of footwear but when you have to go outside in winter and be ready to walk a lot (who knows where you end up at what time of the night), I just want to wear low chunky heels and something in a knee height.

I have ordered my Topshop studded boots in burgundy, which will look impeccably elegant next to these battered black lace-up boots. Until then, even the pickier of you should rest assured I am not deluding myself into thinking I look half smart in these pics - I just had to show you the dress.

Which is, by the way, not even a dress, but a tunic in the main range of Topshop. It also came in black and in a petite version, but I definitely wanted the choice to wear it as a dress.

The transparent lace back may be a bit tricky if you want to give it a swirl in the office or want to wear a bra without actually showing it off. That is why I dropped a simple cotton cami in the very same colour in the shopping bag when placing the order with Topshop, et voilá.

The dress or tunic looks best as part of a total burgundy look, so get a pair of soft opaque tights and, unlike me, wait for that pair of oxblood boots to be delivered before getting your photos taken! And if you haven't done so already, do hit the sales - it is that time of the year.

Lace tunic dress and studded boots: Topshop, quilted clutch: Primark, lace-up boots: vintage, tights: Intimissimi

Baroque Daywear: Off The Wall

For the past few seasons I have been crazy for all things floral, baroque, paisley and jacquard. Add to that the fact that I've always been quite the baroque creature when it comes to print - more is more, the louder the better - and a sucker for tapestry and classic wallpapers.

Nowadays, if you want to dress in head-to-toe baroque, you'll find the choice is overwhelming, even on the high street. But to find your favourites is a challenge, and you can't just pick any piece or combo - you owe it to yourself to buy what works best for you.

By the time I discovered this Topshop tapestry print, it had already sold out, except for the white summer sleeveless-crop-shirt-and-shorts co-ordinates. But soon enough, the black suit emerged in the petite range, so it was time I took full advantage of my imposing 5'2".

The trousers in my size are teeny-tiny, they look almost like leggings but after some heavy road-aka-office testing I found them quite easy to wear. For an even smarter look I decided to go a size up (taking advantage of the sales) but I'm definitely keeping this smaller pair too.

The belt was basically an accident - I wanted something elastic to keep the waist together and hide anything that needed to be hidden even if I decided to undo the buttons (yep, the waist on the petite size 6 is that small for me). I have no idea where I got it but it's something cheap. As it happens, it was the metal clasp detail that put a real baroque stamp on the whole otherwise baroque enough outfit.

The blouse from Zara with its contrast collar, front and cuffs gives structure, proving that colour blocking details tend to look amazing with exuberant prints. To finish it off, I needed heels, so I went with my trusty storm-coloured patent shoe boots. If you want the right bag to go with all this, choose a sturdy and boxy classic satchel or some big, butter-soft leather beauty in rich, dark tan with bits of gold detailing. 

While I was taking the photos, I was so impatient to keep going that I wouldn't wait until I could hang up - sorry if I sounded weird, Mum. It might well happen again.

tapestry print trousers and blazer: Topshop

contrast detail blouse: Zara, shoe boots: Clarks, elastic belt: no idea

Wilderness Of Mirrors

It was only little over a year ago that Mary Katrantzou showed the collection that - after a few seasons of great promise but relative obscurity - catapulted her to the creme de la creme of London designers. Can you believe that?

Since then, her florals and striking print-on-print visions have blossomed all over the fashion world, from designers to the high street. There can be no doubt it was her direct influence that everyone was suddenly after floral tights, smart trousers and jeans, and more print clashes than had ever been deemed possible, even in the most exuberant baroque paintings.

I wasn't fast enough to get my hands on the Mary Katrantzou for Topshop (click here for a quick peek) dresses and the blouse in my size but, to be honest, I was relieved I didn't really have to make the decision. The floral legging, however, was a simple enough piece for experiments.

But wild floral bottoms are just the beginning. I, for one, can't get enough of mirror prints, scarf prints, and all that colour and print blocking. Enter two exquisite, smart tees by Oasis - it's time to get lost in the wilderness.

Leggings: Mary Katrantzou for Topshop, patent loafers: New Look,
patent colourblock t-bars: Asos, mirror print tee: Oasis,
pom pom hairband (worn as bracelet): a gift

Leggings: Mary Katrantzou for Topshop, mirror print tee and baroque print tee: Oasis,
patent colourblock t-bar shoes: Asos

Glam Rock

This weekend, we headed out to catch the latest creepy thing of a movie in the beautiful spring sunshine. I decided to pull together a light, relaxed outfit based on a pair of striped glam coloured jeans by River Island, one that would look sufficiently springy but feel warm enough in the cool breeze while I'm outside.

One look at me, and my friends asked whether we were going to a rock concert - which made me rather proud of the non-fashion darlings. It's no bad thing to provoke some reaction, especially the right reaction... it's all in the education. 

But those who react to one's outfit also inspire the stylist. So, in addition to the relaxed look for the trip to the movies, I tested a few more options I would have if I were actually going to a gig or a spring festival. 

Jeans: River Island, leather brogues: New Look, sparkly cat motif tee:
Zara (TRF), stripe snood: River Island, leather blazer: Mango, brogues: New Look

Jeans: River Island, top: Kate Moss for Topshop, Trilby: H&M, leather brogues: New Look 

Plain silk vest: Hennes collection, printed silk top: Gap, cropped velvet military
jacket: New Look, necklace: Pull & Bear, scarf (worn on wrist): vintage

In The Navy

In love with navy dresses, much? Definitely. Navy blue is supposed to suit blondes, and it's also the (not so) new black. Sure enough, every colour of the moment is labelled as the new black, but navy is more than just that. Maybe I should have said 'the other black' - a permanent, richer, deeper, more radiant alternative.

I got so hooked this last season that I filled my wardrobe with these dresses - the little lace number in the last post, then these three, plus a couple more.

The three I'm showing you today, to share the love, are perfect for transitional daywear.

Neat and easy, all that needs to go on top is your favourite peacoat, trench style coat, suede or leather biker or bomber. And simple black leather footwear.

First up is Miss Selfridge's petite military shirt dress, then an Alexa-style bodycon dress by River Island with lace collar and cuffs, and last, but not least, the uber-sleek and structured 1960s one with leather pockets from Asos.

Dress: Miss Selfridge, boots: Mango, belt: from a Dorothy Perkins summer dress,
shearling biker: Topshop 

Dress: River Island, shoes: Topshop, leather bomber: Mango
faux shearling collar: Asos 

Dress and platforms: Asos 

Sunday Grungy Sunday

Sundays often start like that. A long, long lie-in after a longish night with guests, then a hearty breakfast, a bit of housework such as hanging the washing to dry, making lunch, and lying back on the couch reading ELLE. A perfect afternoon in old jeans, a 1980s style jumper from New Look, and a scarf.

All that equals no dressing up, and no room for any home glam (negligees, dressing gowns, silk PJs, turbans, scarlet lips, you get the idea), but no tracksuits either, mind you. That is the grunge of things chez moi, over a typical week-end.

Snuggling up with the glossy well before it gets dark takes your mind off having to go to work only too soon. But what do you do when the realisation hits - you're out of bread, and there is no choice but to get out into the cold?

Jumper: New Look, mustard wash green jeans: Mango, scarf: charity shop, suede wedge trainers: Topshop

Throw on a puffa and head straight out? Or start the usual routine of finding something to wear from scratch? Today, neither seemed appropriate. I wanted to keep the grungy feel and the jumper, but making sure the outfit is somewhere in the realm of citywear. Here's the result...

On the way back, I'll reward myself with box of blueberries, a bar of chocolate and a well-earned coffee.

Jumper: New Look, wool pencil skirt: no idea (Mum's maybe?), spot print silk shell blouse: Zara, emerald patent bag: Mango, patent leather embossed boots: Darcy, Dr. Martens Diva collection

Fifties Biker Chic

Not long ago, I fell in love with this sheer colour block shirt, so much that I had to have it right away, along with a couple of things I thought would do it justice, namely the skinny wetlook biker jeans and the simplest kitten heel courts to create my (totally false) 50s biker chick look with a slight twist.

While I am fully aware that this will not add an inch to my styling creds, I feel so easy and chic'd out wearing this sleeveless beauty and the zipped little monsters  - both by Miss Selfridge - that I could not resist sharing this outfit with you.

The only thing I added was a fine sleeveless black top underneath to avoid feeling naked, but I admit I love the extra colour block detail as it peeps out along the shoulders.

To finish off the look, all you need is a classic fitted leather biker jacket and a Chloé Paddington style toughie of an arm candy. 

A classic helmet and a biker boyfriend with an extra special quiff would make perfect props, too.

colour block shirt and skinny zip biker jeans: Miss Selfridge,
low courts: Dorothy Perkins, leather biker jacket: Topshop 

Sweet Surrender

As mentioned in this catwalk report, I was inspired to switch back to blogging mode by a single still image from the Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti show packed with pastel candy colours (click here for flash report and pics) to throw on a few pieces shiny and new, trashy and plain, retro and vintage - you will easily tell which is which.



One thing is for certain,  I dare not call this experiment a re-creation of looks from Alberta's collection. This is merely an homage to all things 1960s sweet and cute, lying untouched for years and years in our wardrobes, still impossible to part with. At first, I was only going to show you the blue dress for fun, but ended up snapping a few more to home test the basic Philosophy concept for autumn/winter and style a couple of outfits in pastels. Very nearly all a big no-no in real life for this tomboy.

The verdict: the simplest things with a great cut and a near-perfect fit just work, no matter what. The rest - too big, too creased, too forced, wrong length, will not. A no-brainer, then, for today. OK, here's one: don't fear sweetness. The devil is not in pastels and too-cute cuts, but in ill-fitting pieces, and in your head.

P.S. I do appear to like sporting two bags at a time.

dress and tie/belt, worn as headband: vintage, top: Promod, mocha tights: Dorothy Perkins,
shoes: New Look, sunglasses: C&A, lady bags: vintage

textured fabric, 1960s

structured dress: River Island, shoes: Mango, coat: C&A

skirt: Terranova, lemon knitted top: 1970s, knitted dress: charity shop, nude platforms: Mango,
gold jive t-bars: Topshop, stone tights: Dorothy Perkins

Hippie Rocker Reloaded

Just a few days ago I had some fun with this outfit post as, using some of my good old stuff, I decided to bring the springfest atmosphere closer to home and create a look I labelled as feeling like rock & roll and looking like a hippie. 

Yesterday, when I received Topshop's newsletter on new seasonal look the Gypsy Rocker, it just seemed like a great idea to recreate the featured look with items from coolest British high street brand Topshop, actually available in shops and online.

Here's my outfit, and below, the ones I styled with Topshop pieces, grab them and enjoy the spring!

All items: Topshop as at 30th April 2011