Ballin'

Every once in a while, the opportunity comes along to dress up and make an effort for the evening. Trust me, when such an opportunity arises, I rarely turn down the offer to act like a princess for one evening and one evening only.

For my college Michaelmas Ball, I was unsure which direction to take. The attire for the evening would be a vast mixture of short, long, plain and extravagant dresses; the theme was Hollywood glamour, thus I decided to take both the floor-length and the extravagant dress route. 

The dress discussed I picked up at London Fashion Weekend, almost two years ago. It is by the designer Ruth Tarvydas, via the website girlmeetsdress.com. It is full length sequined fishnet, layered on top of a plain polyester fabric of the same nude colour. The neckline is low (if you could even call it that!), a V-shape extending well below the bust. 

The back detail on this dress is probably my favourite feature; two thin straps cross over and fall mid back, creating a gorgeous backless-like impression, without feeling that too much skin is on show. The dress also has a long train, which looks gorgeous but is not great to dance with! Another option to consider would be to try and hitch it up, and stitch it in place so it was a lot shorter. Unfortunately, I lacked the time to do this, and I do think the train adds an extra dimension to the dress, so I decided to leave the dress as I bought it (apart from shortening the straps slightly). 

With such a statement dress, I found it difficult to pair accessories with it. In the end, sticking with the 'Hollywood Glamour' theme of the ball, I decided to keep it simple and very 'red carpet'-esque with a sleek satin black clutch, red lips, and nude heels (which were not visible anyway). 

For make-up, I was tied between going for the nude eyes/red lips look or a smokey eye/nude lip combo. I decided on the former, seeing as I knew golden browns work best with my blue eye colour, and I thought I needed a bit of a pop of colour to outset the subtle beige/nude ton of the dress. For my eyes, I used the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, and for my lips I used a dark burgundy Kate Moss for Rimmel shade.

For more dresses like this, I would check out Ruth Tarvydas. Most of her dresses are sequinned, which are perfect for the festive season and for any event for which you are looking to stand out! A brand which I would say is similar, but just on the shorter/less formal side is Jovani. 

Take care, keep shimmering!

Talia xxxx

Summer Sale Edit '14: River Island

Keeping with the monochromatic palette that I've been loving recently, here is a list of sale items I've been lusting over from River Island, most of which are black and white. Thinking ahead to the Autumn, I've included a couple of coats which can be thrown over jeans and skirts to protect us from unfavourable weather, without having to worry about being fashionable. I also have included a couple of splashes of blue and pink, which compliment the other items harmoniously.

Black check oversized jacket 

(£30 down from £65)

White perforated panel leather jacket 

(£75 down from £150)

Navy diamond jacquard oversized coat

(£30 down from £65)

Light pink polka dot shirt 

(£15 down from £38)

Black and white geometric print skirt

(£17 down from £28)

Turquoise leather pony skin cross body bag

(£35 down from £65)

Black and white floral print cigarette pants

(£20 down from £38)

Aqua rolled brim bowler hat

(£5 down from £20)

I really like the idea of a completely monochrome outfit, for example the cigarette trousers with a white shirt, with the pop of colour of the blue hat. 

Which is your favourite? Would you wear any of the items together?

Talia xxx

Summer Sale Edit '14: ZARA

Zara used to be a simple brand- essentially, it emulated an iconic capsule collection consisting of a few key shapes, styles and items which were re-released each season. The way they kept it fresh and relevant was simply to change the colour and pattern of these pieces, depending on trends forecasted from the international bi-annual catwalks. Recently (and by recently I mean in the past three or four years), Zara has become a lot more mainstream, and a consequence of this is that the quality of their products has unfortunately decreased. For the same price to the consumer, what was once leather and silk has now been swapped for polyurethane and polyester. Zara became no different to any other mass-produced high street chain.

On the other hand, I can still see the appeal of this popular brand. The people behind Zara always seem to keep on top of current fashion trends- many of their cult items are regularly sold out, and re-sold on eBay for a much higher price, sometimes for up to 800% the original RRP. It is also a store praised for its designer 'dupes', making luxury high-end fashion accessible for all. Here I have picked a few items from their summer sale which I think are key winners- pieces that are wearable and timeless, and that are valid for the remaining summer months and that can transition into the Autumn too. 

Sporty crop top 

(£9.99 down from £19.99)

Combination fabric dress 

(£15.99 down from £29.99)

Faux leather dress with straps 

(£17.99 down from £39.99)

Faux leather skirt 

(£15.99 from £29.99)

Guipure layer shorts 

(£17.99 down from £29.99)

Printed flounce dress

(£25.99 down from 45.99)

Printed peplum top in sea green

(£15.99 down from £29.99)

Striped top 

(£12.99 down from £25.99)

Printed blue dot shorts 

(£9.99 down from £19.99)

Leather ankle strap sandals with track sole 

(£19.99 down from £39.99)

What's your favourite sale buy from my picks? Are there any others you think are good value for money that I've missed off? 

Talia xxx

Catwalk Trends S/S 2014: Alexander McQueen

The oldest memory I have of Alexander McQueen is those big bold red lips, somewhat like a clown, strutting down the A/W 2009 catwalk accompanied a variety of monochrome hounds tooth ensembles. Shocked by this distinct, slightly ugly look, but at the same time intrigued, my twelve year old self went out and bought a hound-tooth skirt suit from Next girls in the coming months via a car boot sale. The skirt didn't fit, and the blazer's one button didn't quite do up comfortably, but there in my wardrobe hung my little piece of fashion.

The next season, McQueen's collection featured alien-like hairstyles, insect-like makeup and digital reptile print dresses. The shoes, curved from the ankle to the toe, balancing on a skinny stiletto heel, were like nothing anyone had ever seen before. I think this was the moment when my mind truly became engaged in the fashion world.

This season, Sarah Burton- now head of the late McQueen's fashion label- has presented us with feathers, gems, glitter and festive colours- but they are in such a way that is suitable for those luxurious summer evenings. Mostly a formal collection, these pieces speak for themselves.

 

This simple black dress is transformed into a red carpet evening gown by the gems which the neck, arm hole and waist areas, in subtle colours to avoid garish boasting in order to portray true luxury. A series of fine feathers add a peplum effect- a trend seen on skirts, tops, even coats everywhere last season- creating the illusion of a voluptuous figure for even the most boyish body types. The tassles which hang from the small gold and sequin bag nod to the recent Baz Luhrman 'The Great Gatsby' film, this outfit oozing 1920s glamour from head to toe.

Presenting a melange of cultures and trends, it is difficult to understand what this dress is trying to achieve; however, it works. The print is potentially inspired by the aztecs, the ancient peruvian tribe which was famed for its construction of Machu Picchu, considering the step-like design in the centre of the dress. It also contains some shapes which look like barcodes, holly leaves and pacman monsters, which are not too mismatched due to the deep coral red colour, something which is unique comapred to typical sand-coloured designs. Gold Egyptian jewellery, such as cuffs and a choker, makes this short body con dress (a style usually exclusive to house parties attended by the younger end of the teenage spectrum) slightly more mature and appropriate for more lavish affairs. Nonethess, chunky, strappy, heeled biker sandals bring the dress back down to earth and ensure the it does not claim to be something which is not. An ongoing third trend- 'sport luxe' - is touched upon as well, the fabric appearing to be of a neoprene-like texture from afar. By replacing the heels with some Doc Martens, and adding a black biker jacket, this dress would not look out of place for daytime use. 

Another outfit which contains Egyptian elements, this dress could be designed for the Godess of Love. The sweetheart neckline and scarlet colour would have made this dress perfect for a Valentine's ball, the dainty pleats and sheer layers adding a delicate romanticisty without being too cliché. 

Catwalk Trends S/S 2014: Alberta Ferretti

With New York Fashion Week in full swing, I thought it would be wise to rewind back to September and review the trends which are relevant for now, not those that will dominate glossy fashion magazines and edgy street style blogs in eight months. Here are some of my favourite looks for S/S 2014.

Alberta Ferretti
 Growing up, I remember Alberta Ferretti's show as a parade of romantic lace and gothic makeup, some looks inducing an image of 'runaway bride', whereas others oozing with subtle 20's glamour. Intricate detail was always present, and this season is no different. Vogue describes her currently collection as aimed at 'girls with nothing but sunshine on the mind', probably due to the bright colours and floral arrangements. For me, certain looks- those containing black garments- suggested a lost mind, maybe one who's mind was still reminiscing over winter, trying to hide its unwillingness for the heated months with small, summery accents.

Channeling Natalie Portman in Black Swan, particularly with the ribbon-tie ballet shoes, this dress takes a walk through Alice in Wonderland- the scene with the giant pansies and multicolored toadstools. The asymmetric hemline and sheer yoke make this dress slightly more mature, and the orange earrings bring out a focal point in the dress amongst the melange of colours.

 

With this dress, the first image that springs to mind is a nice, ripe tangerine. Not a satsuma, the colour is much more vibrant and long-lasting than that. Again, with an asymmetric hem line, this dress could work for both less and more formal events. The neckline is a bit more daring, however most cleavage is concealed. Floral additions in a mid-tone lilac hue complement the bright orange fantastically. 

 

And here is an appearance from Miss Scarlet of the board game Cluedo. A fierce red dress always impresses, yet Alberta goes the extra mile by combining different textures and features, such as sheer panels, three-dimensional flowers, and a layered neckline. This gown produces a sexy image without giving too much away; the unique layering makes it call for more investigation.

 

 Not only is this dress black, but it contains crochet: should we be sceptical? Alberta ingeniously turns our assumptions upside down and inside out by bringing typically 'Winter' trends into a Spring/Summer Catwalk. Needless to say, she has done so successfully. I have always considered black to look chic on a sunny day, however it is not easy to pull off. Long sleeves may be intimidating, but made less so due to the fact the top is sheer. Finally, orange earrings alleviate any suggestion of a sombre mood.

 

Something one would wear to a Harajuku music festival, this crop top and skirt combo shout summer from angles. The stripes aren't quite as uniform as those in the 2010 Sonia Rykiel for H&M collection, if anyone remembers those days? The colour combination of white and various warm shades of pink is easy on the eye, while still attracting the odd glance. The unexpected addition of blue mirrored lens aviators keep this outfit cool, effortless and not-giving-a-damn-about-what-anyone-thinks.

All photos taken from Vogue

Docs and Dungarees

After searching high and low for a pair of black leather dungarees, a mission which proved unsuccessful, I managed to pick up this pair of black waxed denim full-length overalls from River Island. An outreaching trend, it serves a range of people from the four year-old American pre-schooler to the hairy biker. It is safe to say I aimed to style more like the latter.

It may look like a one trick pony, but I can assure you these dungarees can be worn with so many different pieces; white t-shirts, Breton stripe tops, Christmas jumpers, formal dinner shirts.. the combinations are pretty endless. 

Here, I am wearing an M&S men's long white oversized pyjama top, Topshop chain necklace, grey H&M beanie and -another new addition- Doc Martens. Justification: they are a classic, work with anything, and are simply and utterly beautiful. Also, my creepers are falling apart after almost two years of daily wear through wind and rain. 

 

 

My mum said I looked like a 'Harley Davidson'; I had to break the news that that was indeed a brand of motorcycle and not a person. #oldageproblems

Sale Edit: Motel A/W 13

 Motel is a brand renowned for its Black-Milk inspired leggings, use of mesh and mermaid sequins. Never a place I've shopped at before; however it is taking a turn for the best by introducing some more mature and at the same time grunge-y items. No wonder it is a hub for the young crowd, the website offers 20% discount for students and free UK delivery and returns. Here are some of my top sale picks:

Vintage Girl Dress in Red - was 45 now 27

Thinking ahead to Wedding Season, this dress could be teamed with a fascinator for a more formal affair, and can be toughened up with a leather jacket and a statement necklace for the after-party.

Bonnie Long Sleeve Crop Top  with Sequin Pow - was 19 now 12

This would look great with high-waisted jeans and Dr Martens, or some laid-back dungarees and a pair of low-top converse sneakers. There is a variation of this top with the word 'ZAP' instead in yellow and pink sequins. If necessary, this can be used for superhero-themed fancy dress.

Mary Daisy Open Back Floral Lace Playsuit in Black - was 60 now 29

This is a great summer piece that would look great city-roaming with leather sandals and some round quirky sunglasses. Black is a colour which I think is easy to pull off in the summer, looking instantly chic and definitely different to the myriad of bright hues and garish florals we are bombarded with, so this playsuit is an easy and multi-purpose piece, with uses for both day and night.

Ronnie Crop Top in Black Metallic Mesh - was 22 now 19

Yes, it probably is not acceptable to wear this top anywhere other than a rave, with its short hemline and daring transparent nature. However, it does not fail to catch eyes, and is perfect if you have a sporty collection of bras which would otherwise remain untouched. Paired with trousers or jeans, this top will keep a party outfit understated yet undeniably cool; a body-con skirt or skimpy shorts will not do this top any favours, however, and will scream 'try-hard' and 'sci-fi freak' and possibly attract some other insults about lack of clothing in this cold weather.

talia xoxo

Sale Edit: Zara TRF

 Following the earlier post, here are some items from Zara's younger line, TRF, aimed at teenagers. With a more youthful feel, I feel like these items are less suited for work wear and more for the weekend. All would look great with a leather jacket and Dr. martens or Underground creepers.

 Combination dress in pearl grey 22.99 from 29.99

Sheer fabric, girly florals, what better way to wear than with chunky leather accessories? Other than that, this dress would be appropriate with dainty nude stilettos and a cream blazer for a summer wedding.

Printed trousers in blue 15.99 from 22.99

 An over sized t-shirt, Dr. martens and leather jacket + these leopard print jeans = match made in heaven. A felt fedora or bowler hat and some red lipstick would add even more character.

Flared miniskirt in black 9.99 from 17.99

 An inexpensive staple workable for many years and seasons to come. Could be worn for casual or formal wear.

Crop t-shirt in grey marl 9.99 from 15.99

Wear alone or with a white shirt underneath, trousers or a skirt, or even on top of a dress: this grey marl t-shirt serves a purpose, with its long sleeves and high neck, but also its dainty nature is multi-purpose, and great for layering, too.

The Sale Edit: Zara Woman A/W 13

Zara are renowned for their sleek workwear and Jil Sander dupes, this season reflecting that no less. On the other hand, I find Zara sales fairly poor, with miniscule discounts and a lack of variety in sizes. This season, I've had a look and picked out the items which I think are real classics which will be on trend for multiple seasons to come.

 (Link to polyvore set)

 

 Two-sided coat in grey marl 89.99 from 109.00

 A classic school girl item, I think this coat would complement autumnal hues such as burgundy and navy perfectly. It would look great teamed with skinny jeans and ballet pumps or thrown over a shirt, tartan skirt and loafers.

Faux leather dress in black 29.99 from 39.99

 This dress would work for both casual day-time and more formal affairs, with black stilettos and a holiday tan in the summer, and with a crisps white shirt, large pussy bow and creepers in the winter. 

Wide stripe sweater in ecru/black 25.99 from 35.99

 With black jeans, heels or flats and a leather jacket, this jumper can be modified from day to night in a classic print that never goes out of fashion.

Jacket with leopard jacquard in grey  29.99 from 45.99

This is another 'school girl' item, encompassing the cheeky style of a teenage urban outfitters shopper with thick grey cable knit tights. And who could ever resist a little bit of leopard print?

Cowl neck rib-knit sweater in grey 29.99 from 45.99

 Sitting in the area between cable-knit and mohair, this jumper is more for workwear. Again, team with a crisp white shirt, A-line skirt and patent loafers to make the perfect autumn outfit.

Jacquard safety pin pattern sweater in black 17.99 from 25.99

 Tartan trousers? Black jeans? Leather skirts? Potential parings for this Markus Lupfer-inspired jumper are endless.

 T-shirt with zip on the shoulder 15.99 from 19.99

 A classic without being too cliché, swap your typical french Breton stripe top with this for a more up to date look.

Cropped trousers in pink22.99 from 29.99

 Pink was all over the A/W 13 runways, from Carven to Topshop Unique, Valentino to Mulberry, and is here to stay along with other pastel colours next S/S. If a mohair over-sized coat is slightly too candyfloss-esque for your liking, these trousers with black patent brogues will be slightly more tame.

Mini skirt with zip details in black 29.99 from 39.99

Possibly something more that would fit in more with John Galliano's infamous punk collections, this tweed skirt can in fact fit into a modern working woman's wardrobe with a shirt and suit jacket, or worn more casually with berry-coloured roll-neck sweater and knee high boots.

Leather high top sneaker with zip 49.99 from 79.00

 No explanation needed.

Nappa leather wedge with glitter platform 39.99 from 59.99

Perfect for those New Year's Eve parties for which you will need to stand on your feet for hours, and want to add a bit onto your height without sacrificing for it. Comfortable and stylish, nude leather upper (flattering!) and glitter platform (stylish!), these shoes are perfect!

Floral print wallet 9.99 from 15.99

 Although not real leather, this bag could be used as a clutch or to store makeup. Team with all black leather if you're extra daring.

Fabric chain necklace in red 15.99 from 19.99

Can be teamed with a white cotton or black leather round neck t-shirt, keeping the rest of your outfit simple. Also could transfer into tribal trends for summer.