#i love their design aso much i think its so cute

[sonny-whorezik]

i think they're the coolest girls in the world tbh

[amphtaminedreams]

Sitting Front Row at...(On a Budget Obvs): Lookbook no.15

Hey to anyone reading!

And welcome to my fave lookbook I’ve done in a longggg ass time! Yes, that’s partially because it involved making collages and doing the low effort work of scouring Vogue Runway for “research purposes”, but I promise, that statement wasn’t made out of COMPLETE laziness-I am super happy with it too. It’s been a good use of pre-part-lockdown-lift time in the interim between that brief period of Christmas celebrations and eateries finally fucking opening again because let’s be honest, I always knew I was gonna get distracted by oat milk vanilla lattes and veggie all day breakfasts once I could actually sit down with them at my fave local cafe. You could say I was very much operating on a self-imposed deadline.

The “what I would wear to sit front row at...[insert designer here]” TikTok/Instagram reel trend was something I wanted to get on board with ever since I first saw one and whilst the option of doing my own live action take-I really cannot bear the thought of having to edit footage of myself awkwardly attempting to sit nonchalantly in front of a camera for hours on end-was off the cards considering my complete lack of screen presence, I decided a Tumblr text post would work just as well, and if not even better in a way. Given the absence of the time limitations you face when you’re making a reel or a TikTok I thought it’d be cool to present the looks as part of a mini moodboard for each designer which adds a bit of context to each look even if you aren’t familiar with their past collections and establishes the general vibe of the brand I’m attempting to replicate. Not to sound snotty or as if I am the font of all knowledge on anything high fashion related but even with my amateur knowledge I noticed that as the video trend took off and was adopted by big name influencers, it became less about the average person putting their own personal spin on the aesthetic of the labels we can’t ordinarily afford and more about them building outfits that only vaguely resemble the general public perception of the brand around the real corresponding (and often gifted and thus inaccessible to someone who doesn’t makes thousands for a sponsored post) pieces they own SO I thought I’d take the trend back to its roots and get a bit resourceful. All that being said, in no particular order, here are the outfits I would wear to sit front row at Gucci, Vera Wang, Miu-Miu, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Brock Collection, Alexander McQueen, Etro, Burberry aaaand Saint Laurent based on their past collections and guess what? They didn’t cost a shit tonne of money :-)

-disclaimer: will include an asterisk before any new purchases if from a high street store though to be honest, I don’t think there are any, we shall see! I do include where I got old purchases from in case anyone wants to search anything on Depop/Ebay-

1. Saint Laurent (formerly Yves Saint Laurent)

-blazer from identityparty on Depop, pleather trousers from Zara, jewellery from Dolls Kill-

I know technically abbreviating Saint Laurent to YSL doesn’t really make much sense anymore given the brand’s name change in 2012, but I’ll always think of it as that in the same way I’ll always associate it with the slightly dishevelled yet simultaneously glitzy rock n’ roll aesthetic. The thing is, whilst YSL hasn’t done anything wildly out of the box for a long time, it’s rare they put a look on the runway that I wouldn’t wear; they never end up being a fashion week standout but the Parisienne take on grunge we’ve seen Anthony Vaccarello establish as his go-to will always have a place in my heart. 

2. Alexander McQueen

-embroidered leather jacket from Ebay (originally Topshop), harness from Amazon, dress from ASOS, boots from Koi Vegan Footwear-

Alexander McQueen is a brand that is pretty much universally liked, from the historically extravagant and groundbreaking shows the man himself put together to Sarah Burton’s more toned down but still beautiful collections. Obviously I didn’t attempt to do justice to the former, so I tried my hand at putting together a look inspired by Sarah’s blend of delicate femininity and nomadic edge, and it went...okay? Like it’s definitely not my favourite of all the looks because it does give off slightly cheap copycat vibes buuut outside of the context of this lookbook it’s cute.

3. Brock Collection

-boater hat from Ebay, midi skirt from morganogle on Depop, corset top from ownmode_, heels from amybeckett1, bag from Primark-

Brock isn’t as well known a brand as most of the others in this list but I adore everything Laura Vassar Brock does and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to try and channel the vision of one of the OG pioneers of the cottagecore vibe through my own wardrobe. I mean fr, this woman’s work as a steady provider of meadow photoshoot worthy dresses and corsets and skirts is v slept on and I will not stand for it. I will sit in front of a camera and then write a paragraph in my blog post begging anybody who reads to give LVB (an abbreviation I acknowledge is unlikely to catch on because Lisa Vanderpump anybody?) some form of acknowledgement for her services to period romance novel inspired moodboards everywhere.

4. Marc Jacobs

-coat from House of Sunny, white shirt from Retro World Camden, co-ord from Sugar Thrillz, bag from Poppy Lissiman-

If there’s one thing Marc Jacobs always does, it’s COMMITS. TO. HIS. THEME. I just KNOW he has a secret Pinterest with separate boards for every fashion era of the 20th century and he is putting those boards to good use providing us with collections that are as immersive as they are eclectic year in year out. 

5. Miu Miu

-beret from H&M, hair clips from H&M, jewellery from Primark, coat from mollyyemmaa on Depop, shirt from YesStyle, sweater vest from YesStyle, skirt from Depop, diamanté belt from Brandy Melville, shoes from Koi Vegan Footwear-

We all like to talk about Bratz dolls and Monster High dolls and Barbies as fashion inspo but can we all focus on Cabbage Patch dolls for two secs so as to acknowledge the fact that a Miu Miu collection is basically all their fits grown up? And made boujie as fuck? If I want my fix of Wes Anderson meets Scream Queens (what a combo) inspired outfits, if I want prissy and girlish but also glam, if I want to look like a bratty rich girl whose one redeeming quality is her eye for vintage clothes, I know where to look and that is the Miu Miu section of Vogue Runway. 

6. Vera Wang

-blazer as in no.1, velvet bralet from catdegaris on Depop, harness from Amazon, skirt from Ebay, knee high socks from Ebay, lace up boots from Ebay-

Vera Wang’s RTW aesthetic, a blend of the ethereal, ultra-feminine bridal designs she’s known for and British style punk rock influences, is something I feel has only become firmly established in recent years but it is everything I ever wanted and more. I always find myself trying to balance the part of me that loves everything girly and delicate and pretty and the part of me that would love to be in a biker gang and Vera’s collections are always an inspirational reminder of just how well it can be done.

7. Burberry

-coat from charity shop, suit from emmafisher3 on Depop, top from simranindia, shirt underneath from Zara, jewellery from ASOS-

Now I’m not gonna lie, I’m not the biggest fan of Burberry but there have been a few looks over the past few years I’ve really liked and as someone who owns numerous trench coats, high necks and way too much plaid, I thought it’d be an easy one to replicate. Plus, if you can count on Riccardo Tisci for nothing else you at least can rely on him giving you some layering inspo which is very much needed in a country where it literally just snowed in April and where my plans for today have just been cancelled because the iPhone weather app did a Karen Smith and didn’t predict rain for today right up until it started raining so thanks for that one British meteorologists. Your incompetence strikes again.

8. Etro

-corset from Urban Outfitters, vinyl trench coat from Topshop, boots from Ebay, black slip dress from kaoanaoleinik on Depop, fur trim afghan coat from louisemarcella-

Like with Brock Collection, Etro isn’t a hugely well known brand, but it is always one of my favourites-to add a spanner into the works of any attempts to cultivate a firm sense of personal style, I live for the ornate Bohemian look that Etro does so well just as much as I love both grungy and girly pieces, and so I really wanted to include a brand whose collections go down that route. It was a toss-up between this and Zimmerman, the flirtier, free spirit counterpart to the dark romance of Veronica Etro’s designs; her vision really shines through the most when it comes to the brand’s winter collections, imo, and given that I live in a country where winter or some weather state resembling it does seem to take up 70% of the year, I did decide on channelling her work rather than that of the equally talented Nicky and Simone Zimmermann this time round.

9. Dolce & Gabbana

-flower crown from ASOS, tiara from Amazon, earrings from YesStyle, dress from alicealderdice1 on Depop, opera gloves from Ebay, boots from Koi Vegan Footwear-

D&G is a brand I felt really conflicted about doing-I don’t include their current collections in my fashion week reviews based on the actions of designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce over the last few years because I don’t want to mitigate the collective effort of fashion critics to push them towards irrelevancy. Though people like to claim the brand has turned a corner since Lucio Di Rosa was brought on board as the manager of celebrity and VIP relations last year (they are as prolific a force on red carpet fashion as ever), we haven’t seen any real meaningful apologies or reparations made by Dolce and Gabbana themselves which once again leaves us in the all too familiar quandary of whether or not we can separate the art from the artist especially when it is far too much of a simplification to only credit the two men for their work given there’s a whole design team behind them. There are a LOT of shitty people working in fashion, the whole industry is a bit of a cesspit if we’re honest, but I don’t think that should stop us from at least being able to appreciate old collections if we make sure we aren’t engaging in any kind of promotion of current works whilst doing so. D&G are a brand of high highs and low lows, with looks that range from hideously ugly to showstoppingly beautiful in a single show-when the looks are good, they are GOOD-and their presence in the fashion world is most definitely felt whether we want it to be or not. It would just be shit to refuse to recognise the existence of some real iconic runway moments, the practical work that went into the ornate detail and opulence that helped cement D&Gs place in sartorial history, the styling that’s made goddesses and fairytale queens out of modern day women as they’ve glided down catwalks, the far more extravagant and, let’s be real, sexier version of our world D&G shows have transported us to in the past. Will I talk about D&G ever again? No, and if you Google the scandals their brand has faced over the past few years, there are more than enough reasons why, but just this once I did want to pay homage to some of the collections, the snippets of which I saw on my Tumblr dashboard back when I was about 13, that first got me into fashion.

10. Gucci

-fur coat from Topshop, clips from Zaful, glasses from Ebay, dress from gracewright246 on Depop, shirt from Boohoo, blazer from charity shop-

Now last but, if you ever read any of my fashion week reviews (the likelihood of someone actually having read one of them and reading this is incredibly, incredibly slim lol, I wouldn’t read me either) you’ll know, definitely not least, is Gucci because Alessandro Michele comes through every!! single!! time!!

The man is truly the king of quirky throwback maximalism and it hurts my heart that a lot of people seem to think of it only as a brand associated with ostentatious displays of wealth. Year after year since Michele was made creative director he has released purposeful, fully-fleshed out collections which unravel themselves to us on the runway like time capsules containing the belongings of the rich and whimsical and yes that can sometimes result in outfits which are *ahem* a bit mismatched but it doesn’t matter because through fashion he manages to take us to a vivid version of the past where people could dress as freely and lavishly as they wanted to, into the wardrobe of a person unaffected by the side-eyeing of others. You get the impression he doesn’t design so much as plays around with some kind of enchanted dress up box and takes inspiration from there and to give that impression is only a credit to his talent-to make outfits so kooky and extravagant look like they were meant to be takes a boldness and genuine love for clothes that I do tend to feel a lot of the big name designers have lost in the pursuit of profit and the necessary placating of the dying customer base that keeps that coming in. Of course I'm not for a second saying Gucci does not care about profit, but at the very least, they have on board a creative director who genuinely has fun with what they’re putting out there and wants to make a statement too and that really shows; you can rest on your laurels and sell tweed boucle jackets to rich old white women for eternity but nobody’s going to mention your brand name and the word groundbreaking in the same sentence ever again unless they’re talking about what it was a century ago, you know (mentioning no names...unless...did I hear someone say Chanel)? That feels like such a shady way to end, lol, but I’m sure said brand will survive-to be fair, they’ve been included in every other What I’d Wear to Sit Front Row At video I’ve seen so although I’m always slagging them off for doing the saaaaame thinggggg year after year, for that same reason their aesthetic is instantly recognisable and so will always be a source of imitation. There are obviously pros and cons to being a brand which constantly reinvents itself but I think it’s totally possible to do that whilst maintaining an overall mission, and Alessandro Michele’s work at Gucci demonstrates that with ease.

Anyway, if you got to here, thanks for reading! I know I’m super behind on this whole TikTok trend and I know a Tumblr post instead of a video is a bit of a cop out but all the real, physically awkward ones out there know that watching yourself back is excruciating lmao, so I hope this does the trick. After this, I’m gonna get back to the reviewing S/S21 collections post though knowing me I’ll probs take a few days to get back into that because I feel like since I left full-time education (RIP me going back in a few months) writing continuously like this for any longer than about 15 mins fries what brain cells I have left. Again, thank you for reading and if you are, sending many good vibes your way! Stay safe!

Lauren x

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG Prompt 6 Nesri

Tagging: @ratracechronicler (also thanks for Rebecca!), @maple-writes (aso thanks for Cirrus!), @nightskywriter, @rhikasa, @pen-of-roses, @aeslin-writes, @the-moving-finger-writes, @knmartinshouldbewriting, @makeitmonstrous, and @timefirewrites!

I wandered around the training room, looking for tributes to recruit, and I grinned when my eyes landed on Cirrus. District 8. He was punching another tribute, but since it was in the designated sparring area, it wasn’t against the rules. A Peacekeeper called for the match to be over, and the defeated tribute left, staggering. The other tributes watching stepped backwards, but I grinned. This was just the kind of challenge I loved.

I walked into the area for the spar, and a Peacekeeper called for us to start. We circled each other, and I grinned at him. “Nesri. District 11. Were you trained to be a soldier? You’ve got all the anger and confidence. And it looks like you have the strength to back it up.” I glanced back at the defeated tribute. The trainers were surrounding him to make sure he was still okay.

He eyed me suspiciously. “What do you want?”

I laughed. “Aw. Haven’t you heard of small talk before meandering to the point? You’re no fun.”

“And you think this is supposed to be fun?” Cirrus glared at me and crossed his arms. Now he wasn’t even taking the fight seriously. “Have you noticed where we are?”

I shrugged. “Eh. Nothing like the cold certainty of your imminent death to make you not take anything seriously. And also,” I dodged in close so I could whisper instead of talk loudly so anyone could hear. “I’m part of a group that wants to get as many tributes out of the arena and away from the Capitol’s control as I can.”

He scoffed. “Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Yes. I was a part of this group even before I was Reaped. I helped them rescue tributes from the arena. I know how they operate, and I can assure you, they are successful.”

“How many are part of this plan?”

I had to count out on my fingers first. “Eight, including me. Of the eight, three are tributes, including me. And that’s not counting the crew of the airship.”

He looked surprised for a bit before regaining his composure. “Fine. I’ll believe you.” He steps closer to me, his eyes narrowing. “But this better not turn out to be a trick.”

I grinned and held out my hand for him to shake. “Wonderful! Do I really seem like a person who would trick you?” I winked at him.

He didn’t say a word, just shook my hand and walked away. Aw. We hadn’t even really fought.

*

Churi glared at me as I stumbled through the exercise. I hadn’t even gotten my magic yet. They had to put us through tests first.

I gasped as my body moved on its own, and I fought back, breaking his control over me in just a few seconds.

“You’re not supposed to be able to do that!” he screeched. I hunched down as he ran at me. He kicked me in the stomach, and I cried out as the force of it made me roll. “We hoped the first time was a fluke, but you. You are different. How can you break our control over you? It makes you dangerous.” He kicked me again. “Monster. Hideous creature. No one is supposed to be able to resist us. You’re our property. You should do as you’re told.” He kept kicking me until…

I sat up with a gasp, and tears fell down my cheeks. Crap. I thought I had gone past those dreams.

Someone was standing in the door. I jumped up out of the bed and held up the knife I always slept with until I recognized Triel. She didn’t even flinch at the knife. She was used to me being jumpy, even though I had gotten better these past few years.

She walked in as I set the knife back under my pillow, and she sat on the bed. She wasn’t wearing her usual wide brimmed hat and ridiculously long coat, but that just made her seem more human, less larger than life.

She watched me as I sat down next to her. “You had a dream of them again, didn’t you?”

I nodded. I had already told her that Churi had approached Lynne and me, and she had asked Skylar to hack the cameras around our suite to make sure the Shades didn’t try to take me or Lynne during the night. We should be safe, but still…

I burst into tears, and Triel hugged me tightly. I held onto her. She was the reason I had ever been able to live as if I was free in the first place. “I…I can’t go back to them. They will never let me leave again. Please, Triel. Please. Don’t let them take me. Or Lynne. Please. Please.”

She held me even closer, and I drank in her familiar scent. Safety. I wasn’t trapped by the Shades again. I wasn’t in a back alley fighting for my life against mercenaries hired to capture me again. I was with Triel, so I was safe.

“You need to get some sleep,” she whispered.

I shook my head. “I can’t.”

She laughed. “Well, why don’t I sleep with you?” She held up her hands when I sucked in a breath. “Not that way, hun. At least not yet. Just to keep the nightmares away. Movies claim that works, so it has to be true.”

I sniffled and nodded. It was better than nothing. We got into bed, Triel hugged me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, just focusing on her arms around me. After a while, I did fall asleep, and there were no nightmares.

*

The next day, I just shoved the memories of the nightmares and Triel’s arms around me out of my head as I scoped out the training area once again. I just had to pretend I was paying attention to the training stations while I looked for potential recruits. Nothing exciting was happening.

Except for the commotion over by the stairway that led to the Gamemakers’ feast. A tribute, Rebecca Bullard from District 6, seemed to be looking for something. The Peacekeeper guarding the door to the Gamemakers tried to help her look for whatever it was she was looking for, and she pulled a knife out from her pocket and left. What had she been trying to do?

Might as well go ask her about it. I walked over to where she was putting the knife back, and I grinned at her. “Soooo, what were you doing?”

She eyed me. “Nothing! What are YOU doing?”

“Scouting potential allies.”

“Ooooh.” She perked up. “Cool. What kind of standards do you have? I have a knife. And I didn’t really lose it—that was just my cunning dodge so that fellow didn’t think I was after the Capitol’s sacred apples.”

I nodded. Let’s have a little fun screwing with the Capitol and enabling her. “That’s a good resume you have right there. But I must ask. Do you have the courage and fortitude to actually steal the sacred apples? I mean, it’s not required, but it would be awesome to witness.”

She grinned. “Courage? In surplus. Fortitude? In spades! What I don’t have is the right plan to get past that guy. Yet. I mean, I kinda promised I wouldn’t get the knives, you know, lethally involved until the actual Games begin…”

“Never underestimate a pirate who knows how to talk someone to death. I’ll distract him. You get the apples. Meet in that corner in half an hour.” I pointed to a sheltered corner, probably carefully arranged so tributes could play up a romance they wanted to use to get sponsors.

She hesitated, but she nodded. “Fine. And if you just turn the guard on me instead, you’ll both figure out how much I’m learning about hand-to-hand combat this week. Ready?”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of betraying someone so cute.”

I ran off before I could see her response, and I stopped in front of the Peacekeeper, feigning being out of breath. “Oh, please. Come quickly! It’s an emergency!”

He looked worried and ran after me as I ran over to the knives. Rebecca had already ran off to do her thieving awesomeness. I gestured dramatically at the table. “There’s a knife missing.”

The Peacekeeper rolled his eyes and tried to walk away, but I clung to his arm. “You’re the only one who can help! I think one of the tributes might have stolen it. And I think it was him.” I pointed dramatically at Zenith, and the Peacekeeper walked over to him. I followed the Peacekeeper, and when Zenith turned to us, I mouthed for him to play along.

He nodded imperceptibly. “Is there a problem, sir?”

The Peacekeeper (way too long a name, let’s call him Steve) crossed his arms. “Did you take one of the throwing knives?”

Zenith’s eyes darkened, and he crossed his arms back at Steve. “And if I did?”

Steve spluttered. He was actually skinnier and shorter than Zenith. “That’s obviously not allowed. I’ll have to ask you to return the knife.”

Zenith started walking away. “No.”

Steve ran after him, and I had to stifle laughter as I followed. This was great! I didn’t even have to do anything anymore. Steve grabbed him by the shoulder, and he turned to Steve with an unimpressed expression.

“Return the knife or I’ll…I’ll…”

“Can you even prove I have the knife?”

“You admitted to it!”

“Nah. I just asked a question instead of answering your question. I admitted nothing. What can you do to me?”

Steve must have been new. He actually seemed intimidated. “You’re guilty until proven innocent here, so I can—”

Zenith loomed over him, his eyes darkening. “You can what? Put me in prison? I’m already about to go into an arena with 35 other tributes who want to kill me. What can you do to me that’s worse than what you already have done?” He stalked off, and Steve just kept spluttering.

I touched Steve’s hand, and he stared at me with wide eyes. I put on my best sad face. “Heroic Peacekeeper, I know you can get the knife back. I believe in you.”

That seemed to bolster his courage. He struck off after Zenith, but Zenith was whispering to Lynne and handing something off to her. He slipped away as Steve stopped at Lynne.

She looked over at him (she was also his height) with wide, innocent eyes. “What seems to be ailing you, dear Peacekeeper?”

He flushed, and I rolled my eyes. He really was hopeless. “Did-did that tribute give you something? A knife perhaps?”

She shook her head. “I did not receive anything of the sort. That would be illegal. I did get this.” She held out a note and smiled. “I think it’s a love letter.”

Steve spluttered again. “Are you sure he didn’t give you anything else? Could you check your pockets?”

Lynne gasped. “How rude! Asking a girl to empty her pockets. What if there’s something…personal in there?”

Steve looked completely out of his element, and he looked around for Zenith, but that dude had the smarts to completely disappear. I didn’t even know where he was.

When I saw Rebecca run for the corner, I sighed. “Well, I guess it’s fine. Thanks for your help, Steve!” I walked away from the very confused Peacekeeper.

I ran off to the corner and eyed the bundles of food in Rebecca’s arms. “Success?”

She lowered the bundles to the ground, and I could get a peak of what was inside. Meat. Pastries. Tons of apples. “I got enough either to keep us fed til next week or to buy us some more allies. Strategy later…eat now. You’re welcome.”

I grinned. “Brilliant! You’re absolutely brilliant! I was just expecting a few apples. I think you’ve earned learning more about this alliance. This isn’t just any old “we agree not to kill each other until we decide to ourselves that it’s time to betray the other person” kind of alliance. I’m part of a group that wants to get as many tributes as they can out of the arena and away from Capitol control.”

“I’m listening.” Rebecca bit into an apple. “What kind of group, and what’s the motive? You know all these kids or something?”

I bit into an apple as well. “We’re pirates. My captain, Triel, has been helping a few tributes each year to escape the arena. Her motive is mostly spite against the Capitol. And she wants to screw with the Capitol even more now. She’s told me she wants to get all of the tributes out of the arena, but even she knows that’s too ambitious. We’re just trying to get as many tributes out as possible.”

Rebecca relaxed, even though I hadn’t even noticed that she had been tensed, and she smiled. “I know some pirates, too! Small world. Different captain—I hope you folks aren’t at odds. And that’s as good a motivation as I’ve ever heard. The Capitol’s never done a thing for me and mine. I’ve got a taste for giving them a piece of my mind. And if it means getting me out of the arena too, without winning and killing too many people…Sounds like my kind of plan. Tell me how I can help.”

Two days in a row now! “Thank you so much! You could maybe scout and see if anyone else might be interested in joining the group. We’ll have more of a plan once we’re in the arena. I’ll find you or you’ll find me in the arena, and we just need to survive until we can escape. I look forward to working with you!” I saluted and ran off, snatching a few apples before I left.

[sonipanda]

I still have so much Gabriella to go through, it’s unreal. I picked up so many little goodies here and there, and now I am suffering because I went totally mad on it.

I have to admit, Gabriella is a very good brand, considering they are really cheap. I always used to have mixed reviews about them before, but as I am trying more of their pieces out, I am beginning to really like them!

The Spec

Colour: Black

Size: Small

Denier: 20

Materials: 85% polyamide, 15% elastane

Price: £4.20 / Sale £3.78

Website: More Tights – Gabriella Zafira 20 den

My Outfit

God I cannot remember the last time I wore an outfit like this; it has got to be absolute ages. I used to love wearing long tops with shorts, tights and pumps. It just worked for errands, seeing friends at the park etc.

I wore my bodysuit paired with my frayed shorts and added my white pumps to finish off the look. I kept it proper simple today, but you can always brighten it with jewellery or scarves

My Deets

Bodysuit: Cecilia De Rafael

Tights: Gabriella

Shorts: off eBay

Pumps: Primark

    The Review

From The Website: Gabriella Zafira is exclusive fancy tights 20 den with spectacular design on the calf. Made from Lycra fibers double braided with silk polyamide. Without marked panty. Cotton gusset, flat seam and invisibly reinforced toe provide durability of the product. Perfect for summer.

Denier: 20 den gusset: cotton gusset / small gusset Colour: beige / grey / black matt: matt fabric: lycra occasion: dating / party / evening toe: invisibly reinforced toes transparency: transparency pattern: abstract panty area: none marked area

  The Packaging: as you can see below, these are exactly how they come. The front of the packaging shows the model wearing them along with the brand and model name. when you flip over, it goes into a little more detail.

When you get inside, you will find these flat folded, wrapped around card and then covered with plastic.

  On The Legs: well let me just say how lovely they are; pretty simple with a cute statement on the back. I thought these are super cute to be able to dress up or down, whatever the occasion might be. I went with shorts instead of a skirt for a change, and not once did I feel that these didn’t work with what I was wearing.

The quality is great. I seriously cannot complain here to be honest. No snags, no rips, no hassle.

The fit of these are spot on for my leg length and size, so I would recommend checking out the sizing guide before you buy a pair. There is a nice amount of stretch in them depending on the size you buy. I felt mine was enough to be able to get on the legs without tugging.

The feel of them are lovely and smooth, and these also do have a semi-shine to them. I forgot to take images with the flash on, but there is a subtle shine there so that’s a bonus if you’re wearing them in Spring/Summer.

The design starts right at the bottom of the foot and works its way up to behind the knee (that is for me; it can differ depending your size and height). I did have to push and pinch this back into place a few times as it did move on one leg, but it wasn’t a huge issue as it stayed in the same place most of the day. I have done something similar before (ASOS Snake Tights) which were super cool and a thicker design compared to these.

  The Toes & Ankle: I am whooping for joy that these have reinforced toes to them, and with them being invisible it’s even better that you get to wear them with almost any type of footwear too! I went with pumps to keep my outfit casual, but I would have easily worn my peep toe boots instead to give it a bit more glam.

There is plenty of wiggle room in these to keep your toes from feeling crushed and there is no extra material hanging around the sides. There is also no pressure added at any point during the day either when you’re in these.

Around the ankles, it’s a lovely smooth finish.

  The Waistband: fits really well and I had no issues being in these either today. They have sat around my belly button and haven’t rolled down once or felt too tight either. They have plenty of elasticity to them as well, which means you get a lovely huggable fit.

    My Thoughts?

For what you pay, I think these are great. It’s nice for those who don’t wear patterns much, and with the design being at the back you will hardly notice you have it on after a while. I love the way these fit and felt on the legs and I will be surely recommending them!

Gabriella Zafira Tights I still have so much Gabriella to go through, it's unreal. I picked up so many little goodies here and there, and now I am suffering because I went totally mad on it.

[evannalily]

  https://www.prettylittlething.com/black-faux-leather-ankle-boot.html

Afternoon everyone and happy Sunday to you all I hope the weekend is treating you well. Todays post is a little later than anticipated but its here and its all about ankle boots! I basically live in boots for the majority of the year as I’m not really a runners kind of gal I just find that boots can make an everyday outfit look that bit more special and just add a certain something to it. As we are now in Winter boots are definitely more of an option now as they tend to just be that little bit warmer and wether you like flats, heels, plain or with a little something extra I hope I have enough here to cater for any preferences! I have gone mainly with black because it is the most popular colour and the colour I think people lean towards this time of year from what I have seen at work but I have included a few white pairs as they are still very in at the moment too!

https://www.prettylittlething.com/black-point-chelsea-western-boot-pu.html

https://www.stradivarius.com/ie/woman/shoes/shop-by-product/boots-and-ankle-boots/ankle-boots-with-metal-heel-piece-c1399019p300970108.html?colorId=040

https://www.asos.com/accessorize/accessorize-flat-leather-studded-trim-boot/prd/10068698?clr=03-black&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=3&gridrow=14&gridsize=4&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=672

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-annie-silver-sequin-western-boots/prd/10516347?clr=silver-sequin&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=4&gridrow=8&gridsize=4&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=672

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-ebele-pointed-ankle-boots/prd/9743635?clr=black&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=4&gridrow=8&gridsize=4&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=672

https://ie.boohoo.com/pointed-toe-block-heel-ankle-shoe-boots/DZZ26318.html

https://www.asos.com/accessorize/accessorize-leather-mid-heeled-ankle-boots-in-black/prd/10068744?clr=03-black&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=3&gridrow=14&gridsize=4&pge=4&pgesize=72&totalstyles=671

https://ie.boohoo.com/pointed-toe-metallic-trim-chelsea-boots/DZZ20451.html

https://www.asos.com/lost-ink/lost-ink-black-studded-heeled-ankle-boots/prd/10146417?clr=black&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=4&gridrow=3&gridsize=4&pge=6&pgesize=72&totalstyles=675

https://www.riverisland.ie/p/black-patent-pointed-block-heel-boots-720643

https://www.riverisland.ie/p/black-leather-western-ankle-boots-725373

https://www.missguided.eu/black-three-buckle-pointed-biker-boots-10106602

https://www.zalando.ie/faith-bud-cowboybiker-boots-fad11n01l-a11.html

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-radius-suede-ankle-boots/prd/10061704?clr=green-suede&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=3&gridrow=15&gridsize=4&pge=3&pgesize=72&totalstyles=671

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-atom-leather-chelsea-boots/prd/9764788?clr=white-leather&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=4&gridsize=4&pge=4&pgesize=72&totalstyles=671

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-reese-pointed-chelsea-boots/prd/10080554?clr=black&SearchQuery=&cid=6455&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=1&gridsize=4&pge=9&pgesize=72&totalstyles=675

https://www.riverisland.ie/p/black-pointed-block-heel-boots-721264

https://ie.boohoo.com/zip-side-block-heel-shoe-boots/DZZ03527.html

Obviously Black Friday was on last week and some stores are continuing their promotions until Monday so here are the brands from this post that still have promotions on!

Boohoo – 30% Off New Season Limited Time Only

Asos – 20% Off Everything Code Hello20

Missguided – Up to 70% Off Everything

Prettylittlething – Up to 60% Off Everything

River Island – 20% Off When You Spend €100 Or More

I personally love a bit of a heel on my boots just because I’m only 5.2 so I like having a little bit of height and I do wear boots to work a lot so I have definitely figured out what ones are practical for working or not! There are a few pairs here that are really similar to ones I own. I have a pair from a year or so ago from Boohoo that I wear to work majority of the time which are really similar to the patent black River Island pair that I have here which are just a nice plain heeled boot that just adds something extra to my outfits without having to put too much into a look but still look decent for work. There are a few pairs in here from ASOS as they just have really nice stuff in at the moment like the western style sequin pair which I think would be really cute for everyday to just add a pop of colour to a look or look nice for going out when you don’t want too much of a heel but still want a dressy style shoe. I have included three pairs of white boots as well as they are still trending at the moment but a lot of the ones I have seen are a kitten heel boot which are nice but I personally prefer more of a heel and for everyday a stiletto or kitten isn’t really practical so these three have a good blocked or flat heel for everyday use. Again the Boohoo pair are the same style and look as the two pairs I bought last year in black and patent silver so I can confirm they are comfortable and I have got good wear from them both!

I am on the hunt for a proper high stiletto going out boot as well as my favourite pair are starting to look like their glory days are wearing out so I definitely need to replace them! I am also looking for a good thigh high pair as well that (this sounds weird but its the only way to describe it) are more petite size as ones that I have tried are fine until the actual thigh where they just get that tiny bit too big so if anyone knows anywhere that do good tight ones then let me know! For now though I am going back to my Christmas shopping so hopefully this year I will be organised by the time Christmas week comes around!

Happy Sunday!

Ever Yours

Lily

xx

        Everyday Boots : Essential Ankle Boots Afternoon everyone and happy Sunday to you all I hope the weekend is treating you well. Todays post is a little later than anticipated but its here and its all about ankle boots!

[asos-marketplace-blog]

Marketplace success story: Sisterhood

In just three years, this chic boutique has grown into a thriving business. 

Tired of working for someone else, aged just 25 design graduate Eve Jones decided to set up her own womenswear label.

Championed by Who What Wear for its cute Parisian aesthetic, in just three years Sisterhood has won cult status, finding a place in the wardrobes of women around the world (and their Instagram accounts too). 

A one-woman operation, Eve oversees her business single-handedly; from design to customer service queries and everything in between. We caught up with her to hear more about how she’s grown her business into the thriving operation it is today.

How long have you been on Marketplace and how has this helped to develop your brand?

I’ve been on Marketplace around 18 months now. It’s crazy how much the brand has grown in that time. I initially was just selling through my own website and a friend suggested trying ASOS Marketplace in conversation, at the time my sales weren’t the best so I thought I’d give it a go as I had nothing to lose. I never really expected that many customers to shop via Marketplace but I was really pleasantly surprised at the success my boutique has had and how many worldwide customers shop on the site. It has given me a chance to increase the quantities I am selling and reach a wider variety of customers, so overall has been a real help in developing my brand.

What has been key to your success on the site?

Customers always comment on how much they love the imagery and styling. I think the brand has a really specific look; having a consistent aesthetic and a strong ethos really helps customers to buy into the brand as a whole, and encourages them to keep shopping with you.

If you could give one piece of advice for other boutiques on how to achieve success with Marketplace, what would it be?

Really try and understand who you’re targeting and what you want to achieve from your brand and boutique. Have consistency through every aspect from photography to packaging and branding. Keep on top of customer service and just be persistent in making small steps to move forward - even though it can be overwhelming at times.

[stepperpepper]

Hey lovelies!

Hope you’re having a great Summer without too much heat! I finally have a tan, well a bit more than I had hoped for, cause half of my back seems to be lobsterised now (if that was not a word, it now is) – And FYI it is a very uneven tan. Here in Malta we had really bad weather until the end of May, which is usually Summer here and then it got super hot super quick, so I didn’t really think about planning or buying a lot of Summer clothes and items! Today I thought I’d share with you some of my top essentials for Summer, so for anyone, who like me, has not planned their Summer out yet, I hope this post will be of help to you! In this post you’ll find both wardrobe and other daily essentials which will help you get through and also make the most out of the Summer heat. Most of the below are handy to pack for a day at the beach.

    1.) Straw Sun Hat 

Hiding your face from the sun whilst also looking cute? That’s a yes in my books! And they look super good in photos too!

Pro tip: If they’re big and floppy you can even just use them to hide your face from someone you don’t feel like talking to! 😉

  https://www.asos.com/south-beach/south-beach-exclusive-oversize-straw-hat-with-bow/prd/11638377?CTAref=We+Recommend+Carousel_1&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-natural-straw-floppy-hat-with-plait-braid-and-size-adjuster/prd/10769468?clr=natural&colourWayId=16302641&SearchQuery=floppy%20hat

  2.) Denim Shorts – Yeees, denim shorts have been my go to for Summer since I was young. They’re super comfortable and match with everything, what more could you want?

  Shorts – asos

  3.) Sunscreen 

You might not feel the sun’s heat sometimes, but it’s still doing damage to your skin. UV rays are sometimes even higher when it’s cloudy than on sunny days. The higher the SPF, the more protection it will give you. So kids, this year say goodbye to your tanning oils and say hello to sun screen! (Unless you want to get super wrinkly skin.)

    4.) Heat Protection – Milkshake beach hair

The same way you should be protecting your skin, protect your hair from extra heat. This Milkshake spray is ideal to use against the sun, salt, chlorine and wind. With its delicate fragrance and protection from the sun, it is the perfect product to be using for your hair!

    5.) A basic t-shirt – Maybe not that exciting, but it is super versatile! A basic tee, denim shorts and cute sandals and you’re good to go for the day! Basic tees go with, over and under everything; from skirts to shorts to dresses. Basic white tees are my favourite for the Summer as they feel lighter on the skin. Usually both ZARA and ASOS have some great ones!

  https://www.asos.com/prettylittlething/prettylittlething-basic-lace-sleeve-t-shirt-in-white/prd/8361592?clr=white&colourWayId=15167296&SearchQuery=basic%20t%20shirt

https://www.asos.com/selected/selected-femme-stripe-t-shirt/prd/9103376?clr=snow-white-dark-sapp&colourWayId=15264589&SearchQuery=striped%20t%20shirt

https://www.asos.com/brave-soul/brave-soul-eleanor-basic-t-shirt/prd/11687796?clr=white&colourWayId=16397360&SearchQuery=basic%20t%20shirt

  6.) Cute sandals 

Flat sandals or flatforms, just get yourself some comfortable, light, easy to wear shoes for the Summer and go enjoy the day!

    7.) Kaftans (I actually just learned this word, but apparently it’s what they call it). Basically it’s a fancy word for a beach cover up. I am currently looking for a white one as, as a I said above, I love wearing white during the Summer! Kaftans are great for when you’re at the beach and just want to cover up a bit to go grab a bite from a snack bar nearby. So let me know if you have any suggestions of where I can buy one!

  https://www.asos.com/new-look/new-look-palm-crochet-kaftan-in-black/prd/11481578?clr=black&colourWayId=16332166&SearchQuery=kaftan

https://www.asos.com/seafolly/seafolly-amnesia-crinkled-beach-kaftan-in-white/prd/7693820?clr=white&colourWayId=15327984&SearchQuery=kaftan

https://www.asos.com/accessorize/accessorize-mozambique-kaftan-in-black/prd/11913033?clr=black&colourWayId=16346020&SearchQuery=kaftan

  8.) Book – I don’ have a particular one at the moment as I do not find time to read, it sounds bad but I usually just end up filling the very little free time I have doing other very important things, like sleeping. But! I spent most of my free time last Summer, just reading books in the sun. There used to be this tiny second hand book shop round the corner of where I used to live, so it was just perfect! Seriously, a book is your best friend when you’re alone at the beach, waiting for someone or anytime really. I try to give myself a break from social media, so a book really helps!

    9.) Sundress 

Don’t sundresses just scream out Summer? Well they do to me! It’s a no hassle outfit in seconds! Perfect for daytime and you can even just pair it up with some wedges for an evening walk by the sea look. Unless you haven’t noticed by now, I just love quick and easy outfits for the Summer! The last thing you would want in this heat is to stay half an hour staring at your wardrobe trying to find something to wear.

  https://www.asos.com/vero-moda/vero-moda-floral-square-neck-mini-dress/prd/11790090?CTAref=We+Recommend+Carousel_1&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-mini-square-neck-sundress-with-ruched-drawstring-waist-in-spot/prd/11086386?clr=spot&colourWayId=16321377&SearchQuery=sundress

  10.) Bikini/ Swimsuit

For someone living on a very tiny island, I can get to the beach within 10-15 minutes from wherever I am! Whether it’s going to the pool or to the beach, you just need to have one bikini or swimsuit, especially if you live in a hot place like I do. I usually like to take one with me wherever I travel too, just in case there’s a sauna or jacuzzi!

    11.) Beach bag 

A beach bag comes in really handy to keep all your beach essentials in! I usually just have everything in travel size and keep my beach bag full of the things I need so it is so much easier and faster for me to grab when I’m heading off for a swim!

    12.) Summer playlist – Ah, yes, there’s usually always those few good Summer songs which are overplayed on the radio and also at parties. However, I also enjoy listening to some chill music when I’m at the beach. I am currently still compiling my Summer playlist, so stay tuned for that!

  13.) A pair of Sunglasses 

These are a must, especially if you drive to work or if you are walking during those hot afternoon hours, or anytime you’re outside of the house really. I lose and throw sunglasses way to carelessly to be owning a pair of designer sunglasses at the moment, even though I really want to! But for now a 10 euro pair of sunglasses will have to do! I just bought these ones in the photo below last week from New Look and I absolutely love them!

    Everything I mentioned above doesn’t need to be expensive. You can still be stylish and protected from the sun even on a tight budget! What are some of your Summer essentials? I’d love to see hear about what you use and wear most throughout the Summer!

– LivinlikeStef

13 Summer Essentials for 2019 Hey lovelies! Hope you're having a great Summer without too much heat! I finally have a tan, well a bit more than I had hoped for, cause half of my back seems to be lobsterised now (if that was not a word, it now is) - And FYI it is a very uneven tan.

[8831blog]

VICTORIA BECKHAM X TARGET 

As we all know the Victoria Beckham x Target collaboration has launched! As a plus woman I feel frequently left out by designer collabs (Versace x H&M, you will forever haunt me). I have selected a few of my favorite pieces and made some styling suggestions! PS, even though I chose to highlight her plus size options, everything here comes in straight sizes as well! 

Black Embellished Bug Dress

This is the type of dress I would wear to Coachella, if I was the sort of person that went to Coachella. Thigh high boots (if they made them in my size/height), maybe a sheer black shawl with little pompoms, glorious extra large black cat eye sunnies  and LOTS OF SUNBLOCK. I like No-Ad Sport because you can get sixteen ounces for like $12 and be able to use enough and reapply without worrying about spending your entire paycheck on a single day’s worth of sun care. A cute frock like this deserves to be apart of a wonderful ensemble and not be swallowed up by too much happening.  

Bee Print Button Down Top

I love bees! It sounds crazy to say, but I do truly love them. They are not only essential pollinators but very cute creatures themselves. When I was in daycare I found a chunk of a wasp’s nest that blew down during a storm and had a poor lonely wasp trapped in one part of the hive. Not knowing the difference between wasps and bees I put it in my travel terrarium and brought it to school to show everyone my new little “bee” friend. When he died two days later I buried him in the forest and had a bee funeral with lots of flowers from my mothers garden and dandelions from the lawn. I think I remember putting some honey on his grave too and was completely distraught when the ants came for it. 

Anyways, back to fashion. Button ups (or button fronts, as my Fashion Essentials professor taught us, whats up Prof Cockle) are essential wardrobe pieces. This bee print is unique which to me, makes this top look more expensive. I love a high ballerina bun, button up top tucked into a pleated skater skirt (black for this), a mid number denier tights, and pointed black balled flats. Paris Hilton has size 11 feet and wears pointed shoes to make them look daintier, a trick I employ to make my clown feet a little more elegant. 

Bee Print Empire Waist Cami

Ah, the empire waist cami. When I was younger and just starting to pay attention to fashion I thought these were called babydoll style tops. I think that name would give this a more flimsy, lingerie feel so I see why they chose empire instead. Empire, properly pronounced “om-pee-heir”  was popularized during the 19th Century Regency, after Prince Regent George IV or Empire (after the Napoleon's Empire) Eras. If we go back to the early 1800′s less was more, as Prof Amanda Hallay puts it. The English and French were inspired by the classical era of Greeks and Romans and recreated the empire waist in woman’s clothing. It was simple, more comfortable, and very different than the Rococo era that had proceeded it. 

This top is also simple and comfortable, embellished with my favorite bee print. For a casual spring weekend outing this would be nice with some leggings (my favorite are from Torrid), a light cardigan like this one from ASOS and leather Chelsea boots paired with a tote that helps benefit the bees and a coral pealized lipstick, like this one from Revlon. Revlon pealized lipsticks are honestly one of my all time favorite products. Or, you could choose one from Victoria Beckham’s collection from Estee Lauder, like this one. 

Bee Print Scarf with Marigold Trim

literally wear this in your hair, around your neck, on your bag. its cute and you need it. 

Black Peplum Jacket

Since I’ve begun wearing corsets all I want to do is show off my waist.  Peplum style anything is phenomenal for anyone with full hips, truly a show stopping look. Since I started my job back in beauty I was looking positively everywhere for a peplum blazer, and only found some that I wouldn’t be able to afford anytime soon. Thank god for V Becks! To channel her, I think this peplum bomber jacket would look fabulous with a black bodycon high-neck dress and your highest black patent heels. And of course, Victoria Beckham sunglasses and handbag and the poshest attitude you can conjure up. 

Black Collared Dress

The black collared dress is a quintessential part of any woman’s wardrobe in my opinion. It is classic, chic and very easy. You could wear this with tights and kitten heels for a job interview, leggings and calf high boots for fall afternoons or alone with cute flats 

If you want to spice up your life and wardrobe, head to Target for these exclusive styles! Most of them are on sale right now, and if you buy them online with eBates you get 1% cashback! Sign up for eBates here! 

Let me know if you bought anything from this collection. I would love to see your pictures! 

Love, 

Anna McCabe 

[daziran1]

cheap monday jeans sale

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[outfittrends]

What to Wear in Italy: Packing List 2019 and 15 Outfit Ideas Outfit Trends - Ideas How to Wear & What to Wear

New Post has been published on https://www.outfittrends.com/what-to-wear-in-italy-packing-list/

What to Wear in Italy: Packing List 2019 and 15 Outfit Ideas

What to wear in Italy. Choosing your outfits when traveling to Italy does not have to be a hassle nor does it need to be overwhelming! In this article, we have you covered on all things wardrobe so you can make the most of your Italian travels. With outfit ideas, packing tips, and wardrobe pointers, say goodbye to packing stress and hello to your best vacation ever!

Italy is definitely a dream destination and we’ll help you look dreamy too!

How To Pack For Italy Trip

Let’s start with some Packing Tips:

Most tried-and-true travelers will recommend that you pack super light when going abroad in order to save space for the inevitable souvenirs you will pick up. So bear that in mind when you are planning your Italy travel wear.

You can either opt for a capsule wardrobe to optimize luggage space or if you are only staying a short while, a more extensive, fashion-conscious wardrobe.

The season will also determine what you end up packing. Italy is apparently quite hot during the summer, especially during July and August, so if you are going during the summer months, make sure you pack light, breathable clothing. 

↓ 15 – How to Choose a Capsule Wardrobe When Packing For Italy Trip

The rule of thumb for creating a capsule wardrobe is designing a wardrobe where every piece works with each other. Some people choose a 37-piece limit; others 50. You will also want to stick to a basic color scheme.

Depending on how long you will be traveling determines how many pieces you ultimately bring along with you, but here are 10 pieces we think are absolutely essential:

Two dresses (choose colors and a cut that complement your complexion and figure, as well as can be dressed up or dressed down according to the occasion)

Trousers and/or jeans

Long-sleeved shirt

Sweater/Cardigan if traveling in Fall/Winter

Shorts

Blouse

Tee shirts

Underclothes

Well-fitting, classic jacket

Jumpsuit

A Versatile Skirt that you can pair with any shirt

One pair of sneakers/walking shoes and neutral heels that can be paired with any outfit

Accessories are separate, but there is no need to go overboard. Opt for a few main accessories that match your clothing, and keep in mind that you’ll probably be doing a lot of walking and exploring when choosing your footwear.

↓ 14 – How To Fit In When Visiting Italy

A classic trend you may see a lot of in Italy is tucked-in shirts. It’s a simple trick to give you a slightly more European look. With this ensemble, pair a light blue button-down shirt with a well-fitting, patterned mini skirt. Tuck it in and, if you really want to seal your immersion in the Italian culture, add a belt to the outfit! Italians love a good belt.

To finish this look off, opt for a pair of oversized sunglasses, a trend-setting purse, and some stylish boots.

Pro Tip: If you are going to be doing a lot of walking (and let’s face it – you probably will) remember that many of the streets are cobblestoned and roughly paved. Avoid delicate shoes like espadrilles or TOMs and, if in doubt, opt for boating shoes or stylish sneakers.

Via

SHOP THE LOOK FOR UNDER £230

H&M Bucket Bag £14.99

MissyEmpire Margret Black Chunky Square Sunglasses £8.00

Harrod’s Patch Pocket Collar Shirt £205.00

↓ 13 – Street Style in Italy

This look is perfect for a breezy summer day walking the streets. If it’s just too hot, you can switch out the jeans for shorts, but we love how the more skin-revealing top is matched with these high-waisted, wide leg jeans. Distressed hems and stylish sneakers bring the look home.

Also, can we talk about this super cute off-the-shoulder blouse? Not only does it make for the perfect top to achieve some summer-ready sunkissed shoulders, but it also reminds us of that classic I Love Lucy episode where Lucy goes off on a grape-stomping adventure at an Italian winery, donning a lovely if not somewhat touristy style dress in order to imitate the local women. Happily, we can say pretty confidently that no one will be looking at you twice in this ensemble, as you will be fitting right in – no Lucy to see here!

Pro Tip: It goes without saying that heat-conscious clothing is a must if you are traveling to Italy during the summer months. Linen and cotton are your best bet, so keep this in mind when picking your outfits.

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER $470

Madewell Wide Leg Crop Jeans $128

Revolve 2790 Platform Sneaker $80

Ray-Ban Sunglasses $213

H&M Weekend Bag $39.99

↓ 12 – Tuscany Sightseeing Tour Outfit

Tuscany is another must-see destination and most people choose to do a one-day tour of Tuscany during their visit to Italy. It’s most popular for its fields of flowers, vineyards, medieval towers and the leaning tower of Pisa. We recommend going for a neutral outfit for this trip, for example, a black dress or a white tee with jeans. If you want to go for something printed, we recommend stripes since they’ll look great in Tuscan pictures. Especially if you’re taking the day trip, you would want to choose something simple and fuss-free. Have a look at the Tuscan images below to get some ideas:

↓ 11 – Outfit For Venice Boat Ride

For most visitors or tourists, the boat ride in Venice is one of the highlights of their trips. It’s such a peaceful and romantic experience and of course, it’s where you get the best pictures of your trip. So obviously you need to wear something that will look good in that background. We highly recommend going for something flowery and flowy, like a floral maxi dress. If you’re not a fan of floral prints, go for a solid colored dress instead but make sure that you choose a bright color like red or orange because you want to stand out in the water and not blend in with the background.

↓ 10 – Perfect Outfit for Summers

Summer is that much coveted time where Italy’s ladies bust out the heels, so make sure you have at least one sturdy but fashionable pair to bring along with you. We love these open-toed booties that would match well with nearly any outfit.

Start with a boldly striped tank and tuck into a brightly colored pair of shorts. Don’t forget accessories. Oversized earrings like these flower cutouts will really draw the eye to your face. This is a great look for going out to lunch or grabbing some gelato!

Pro Tip: Bring pieces that you can mix-and-match and make multiple outfits with. Remember, you want to optimize your luggage space. These three pieces can be worn in a variety of ways, which should be your goal for everything you pack.

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER $100

LOFT Stripe Ribbed Sweater Cami $44.50

LOFT Knit Tie Waist Shorts $49.50

↓ 9 – What to Wear in Italy to NOT Look Like a Tourist

Everybody wants to look like they fit in, especially when traveling to a new place. The truth is, you probably will stick out a little – and hey, that’s totally okay. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid looking like a massive tourist:

Opt for fitted, tailored clothing whenever possible. Italians are big on tailoring.

As previously mentioned, tuck your shirt into your trousers. It’s a thing.

Avoid flip-flops and Converse. Opt for flat sneakers, loafers, or a similar stylish walking shoe.

Don’t wear too-short shorts.

Say no to yoga pants, crop tops, and fanny packs. Those will stick out like a sore thumb.

For this outfit, tuck a vertically striped cap sleeve top into a pair of white wide-legged pants. Throw on a matching pair of loafers and let your hair loose. It’s a simple, well-fitting look that will have you totally fitting in!

Bonus: Peep the stylish guy look for your significant other!

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER $415

Nordstrom We the Free by Free the People Patti Crop Cotton Pants $46.80

Two24 by Ariat Jubilee Loafers $227.95

Shopbop Cap Sleeve Tie Front Top $139

↓ 8 – Dinner Attire

For a European-inspired look, check out this gorgeous ensemble. Knot a satin, cream-colored top at your waist and pair with some white corduroy pants. Roll your sleeves to your elbows and tie your hair at the nape of your neck. This is a lovely evening look for when you are heading out to dinner or taking a boat ride through the canals of Venice.

Pro Tip: When accessorizing, you can’t go wrong with Aviator Ray-Bans (apparently you can buy them on any street corner in Italy for super cheap so take advantage!) and a scarf.

Via

SHOP THE LOOK FOR UNDER £70

H&M Wide Corduroy Trousers £39.99

ASOS Design Relaxed Satin Long Sleeve Shirt £28.00

↓ 7 – Beautiful Summer Evening Look

A trip to Italy would not be complete without bringing at least one or two dresses in your suitcase. And this lovely red dress is perfect for any occasion, especially when going out in the evening. This dress works well for summer or spring and can be worn with a hat and sunglasses for optimum style.

Pro Tip: In order to be allowed in a church or cathedral your shoulders must be covered. So keep a scarf in your purse so that you are always prepared! Also keep in mind that if you are wearing a skirt or dress, the hem must fall to the knee or below it and you can’t wear shorts. Otherwise, you can wear jeans or long trousers.

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER $680

STAUD Penny Cotton-Blend Poplin Midi Dress $230

Nordstrom Straw Boater Hat $49

Gucci Aviator Sunglasses $420

↓ 6 – The Right Outfit To Explore Italy

While we recommend slightly more durable footwear when pounding those Italian streets, we cannot get over how cute this look is! Jumpsuits are stylish and versatile and can be worn so many different ways for just as many occasions! For this look, pair a well-fitting jumpsuit with a hat and simple accessories. This is a great ensemble for warmer days.

Pro Tip: A neutral-colored jumpsuit can replace one of the dresses in your capsule wardrobe and can be dressed up or down according to the occasion. Remember to pop a scarf or light cardigan over your shoulders when visiting a cathedral or church. (And yes, that includes the Vatican!)

Via

SHOP THE LOOK FOR UNDER $105

In the Moment Jumpsuit $101

↓ 5 – Italy During the Fall

With fall comes slightly cooler weather so if you are traveling during the later months of the year, this is the perfect opportunity for you to bust out the sweater, long-sleeved top or blouse. This look is light and airy, well-fitted and perfect for a lunch out dining on Italian fare. This look also works for touring different spots.

We love this pale blue bell-sleeved blouse paired with white jeans folded at the hem. (Bare ankles are a thing, you watch and see!) Accessorize with a paisley scarf and stud earrings. Opt for some street-chic boots like this neutral colored pair.

Pro Tip: Make sure your scarf matches the rest of your wardrobe, capsule or no. That way you can pair it with more than one outfit!

Via

SHOP THE LOOK FOR UNDER $260

Loft Ruffle Bell Sleeve Blouse $29.88

Old Navy Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans $30

Loft Coastal Paisley Scarf $19.99

Nordstrom Petty Chelsea Boot $99.95

Nordstrom Swarovski Crystal Pearl Logo Stud Earrings $78

↓ 4 – Simple and Classic Outfit to Wear For Sightseeing in Italy

You might just want to consider packing a pair of white skinny jeans as they feature in so many of these outfits. Remember it’s about the fit, so whether you are a size 2 or a size 12, choose jeans that flatter your body type and shape.

Here is another outfit where a light-colored or neutral top is paired with a white pant leg and a simple but classy shoe. Great for dinner or a gondola ride!

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER $450

Nordstrom 10-Inch Button High Waist Crop Skinny Jeans 

SHEIN Rolled Up Sleeve Striped Dip Hem Blouse $18

Nordstrom Yaro Ankle Strap Sandal $99.95

Nordstrom Robinson Leather Wallet on a Chain $298

Delicate Layered Necklace $17.57

↓ 3 – What to Wear in Italy During Spring

We can’t imagine a better outfit for exploring the side roads and hillsides of Italy during spring than this look here! Extra points for the comfortable but stylish footwear, as well as the cinched waist on this striped, 3-quarter length sleeve dress. This is a classic, easily styled look that can work for just about any occasion.

Nordstrom Gondolier Boater Hat $375

↓ 2 – What to Wear in Italy in Winter

Depending on where you are visiting will determine how warmly you need to dress. As with most places in winter, the farther north you go the colder it will be. So make sure you bring along a well-fitting coat and at least one classically cut jacket.

We love the layers of this ensemble and hope you will too! In fact, you may find that most Italians really pile on the layers right around the October mark. For this look, start with black or opaque tights and top with a lacy dress, cinched with a belt. Layer with a black leather jacket and black heels. This is a great ensemble for traveling in the southern cities where winters are milder.

Pro Tip: Check the weather before traveling and pack accordingly. Also, keep an umbrella handy at all times! A travel-size one will fit in your purse or day-pack and serve you well in case you get caught in a downpour.

Via

↓ 1 – Classy, Elegant Outfit

Our last outfit is one that you could wear for just about any occasion where you want to look elegant and stylish. Plus, these are all items that can be worn over and over again when paired with other articles in your capsule wardrobe!

Start with your staple pair of jeans – these are Mom jeans done right with a high-waist and a straight cut. Pair with a tucked in floral-printed blouse and cover up with a long satin cardigan. Pop on a pair of heels and accessorize with sunglasses.

Pro Tip: Ultimately you want to enjoy your Italian experience. So pack clothing you love and will feel comfortable in. After all, that’s all that really matters.

Via

SHOP THIS LOOK FOR UNDER 105 €

ASOS Neon Rose Satin Cardigan 70,99 €

ASOS Schmale Mom-Jeans 30,49 €

[awkwndrr]

Helium: Director’s Blah Pt. 2

Akala mo tapos na no? Di pa po. Ang dami ko pa sikreto. Marami pa ako sasabihin. Kaya sit down, inom ka muna ng kape and enjoy.

Sabi nga nila, it wouldn’t be an Elly film without being Elly. And for those who don’t know me. I am really weird and secretive. Ang dami kong hidden agenda sa bawat bagay. I like creating puzzles, hoping that people will figure it out. And the same goes for Helium. Ang daming pa-emote. Ako lang naman nakakaintindi, so here it goes.

Quick recap lang. Helium is a 30 minute short film about an introvert girl, Allie, na nagkulong sa sarili niyang mundo because of rejections and heartbreak. Her only friend is a loud girl named Ella. One day, biglang nagbago life niya ng umuwi ang former friend niya at nawala ang aso niya. 

If you haven't seen the short film, expect massive spoilers duh.

The film began with clips of the outside world, moving towards the empty house, and then the colorful room of Allie. Pinakita sa maikling mga segundo ang mundong kinabibilangan niya. Ang takatak ng keyboard. Ang kawalan ng buhay kahit makulay ang kwarto niya. Sa isang saglit, ipinakita ang orasan hindi lang basta ipakita ang nagdaang oras kundi para na rin ipakilala ang bida.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:12 

Isa sa pinaka-importanteng elemento ng Helium ang usaping “Faith” kaya gusto ko siyang ipakita in different ways. One way is through Bible Verse. Yung hindi over the top, pero nandyan. Kaya naisip kong ipakita siya through time. 

Allie lost her faith not only to the Lord but herself as well through the course of time. She let it happen to her. I think this is one of my favorite easter eggs of the film. Kasi alam ko na ako lang nakaka-alam nito. Haha. Truly for pleasure ko lang talaga siya. Hehehe. 

The film continued to introduce Allie’s character. Her mannerisms, repetitive routine, her interest in Photography, crafts and film and her friend, Ella. Spoiler alert. Hindi po totoo si Ella. She is the personification of Allie’s depression, fear and anxiety. That’s why throughout the film, hindi nagbubukas ng pinto si Ella. Hindi rin talaga siya nakikita si Allie. Tayo lang ang nakakakita kay Ella. She is interacting with her own sub-concious. Lahat ng parang interactions nila ay intentional/convenience lang. Try to take note of this when you watch it again. Although I must warn you, merong isang scene na nagkamali kami. Hahaha.

Another thing I like to point out. Sa lahat ng eksena ni Ella, lagi siyang kumakain. It is because Allie does and always feed into her depression, fear and anxiety. The more na kumakain si Ella, the more natatakot si Allie sa mundo. The more the bumibigat siya. 

I really want to portray the weight of depression in the simplest way. Kasi, most of the time, people disregard “depression” because it is not a physical sickness. Sometimes, in the most simplest ways, people are in pain.

Another favorite easter egg of mine is the book “The Solitaire Mystery” na briefly ipinakita sa Cafe scene. Its my favorite book of all time and it is about a father and son looking for their wife/mother. 

A joker is a little fool who is different from everyone else. He's not a club, diamond, heart, or spade. He's not an eight or a nine, a king or a jack. He is an outsider. He is placed in the same pack as the other cards, but he doesn't belong there. Therefore, he can be removed without anybody missing him.

I was inspired by this passage from the book. And another description of Allie and Ella. They feel isolated in the world they belong to, thus creating a new one for themselves. Also, another similarity is that the book reminds Allie of her friend, whom she longed for a long time. Katulad ng father and son to the wife/mother.

Each character, dialogues and events have its significance kasi ito talaga yung nag drive kay Allie to branch out, and poke her comfort bubble. Without those desires na matagal nyang di naramdaman. If hindi umuwi si Philip and asked for a reconciliation, I think, mataba pa rin si Ella hanggang ngayon. Hahaha.

*

Things we missed because filming is a one shitty hell hole.

Helium was supposed to be a coming of age film about self love. Pero dahil sa napakaraming conflict of interest na compromises, naging short film siya about a girl finding reconsideration with the people she loved/abandoned and herself. Hindi kasing deep as I expected. 

Eto na, ang mga eksena sa Helium na na-cut, di na-shoot o talagang nawalang parang bula. The story would really make sense kung napasama talaga siya sa final cut. 

Ang nawawalang aso, nawawala pa rin

Isa sa mga turning point ng life ni Allie is noong nawala ang alaga nilang aso na si Yohan. Throughout the “supposed to be” shortie, hinahanap ni Allie si Yohan. She always bring food outside, looking for Yohan, waiting for Yohan. May mga shot kami nito, but hindi siya talaga napanindigan, so na-cut siya sa final output. Ugh, naririnig mo ba? Ang pagkadurog ng puso ko?

Importanteng parte ng istorya si Yohan because the dog is the representation fo God’s Mercy. Yohan literally means “God is merciful” and if ko-connect mo siya sa life verse ni Allie it kinda makes sense. Allie lost her faith - but constantly, in little ways try to find it. At some point, Allie believes that God is merciful.

Hindi nakita ni Allie si Yohan. Hindi na ito bumalik, instead nakakita sila ni Ate Che ng puppy. That puppy is the representation of her “new faith” to herself and to the Lord. All along, yung lost puppy pala ang kumakain lahat ng food ni Yohan. All along, Allie is feeling her new faith, unbeknownst to her.

So sino ba talaga si Philip?

Philip is actually a name driven from the Bible Verse, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” which is also present sa shortie if mabilis mata mo. If mapapansin nyo, Philip always encourage, he is also present when Allie is looking for Yohan.

I think halos lahat ng character may significant meaning ang names. Allie / Ella is connected. Philip and Yohan is about faith and Che is short for cherish. The time and memories lost because Allie did not “cherish” her own sister. Haha. Cute ko. 

Bakit hindi na friends sila Allie and Philip?

There’s a dialogue where Philip explained kung bakit siya umalis. Sabi niya “kinailangan niya umalis at si Allie talaga ang nagputol ng friendship nila.” Which is true. Umalis si Philip kasi kailangan niya alagaan ang nanay niya na may sakit. 

Sobrang nasaktan si Allie because meron siyang trust issue. Isang major explanation na na-cut sa shortie is her background story. Kung bakit siya depressed. Kung bakit di niya matanggap na iniwan siya ni Philip. It all rooted when she was younger. When her father left their family. Allie never recovered. Meron din kami dialogue ng Tatay and batang Allie, pero hindi namin nasama kasi nakakatawa. (Sorry Daddy ni Hans.)

Sino ang kausap ni Allie sa breakdown scene?

Siyempre ang sarili niya. She was looking at the mirror the entire time na kausap niya si Ella. She was crying to herself. Reflections are really the key to understand this film and I’m sorry na hindi ko siya napanindigan.

One foreshadowing din is yung cup ni Allie. She always drink something. And yung design ng cup means something. It is letter “E” kapag nakataob and letter “A” kapag nasa tamang position. Ang pinaka importanteng foreshadowing siguro is their name itself. Ella backward is Allie without the “i” meaning, the real person is “Allie”. Does it make sense? I hope it does.

And lastly, bakit Helium ang title? Adik ka ba?

Medyo. Hahahaha. At dahil ako ay ako, syempre may meaning kung bakit Helium ang title ng shortie. First, gusto ko may impact yung title. One word lang, pero mapapakunot ang noo mo. Ang dami kong idea non, pero wala yung talagang sumapak sa akin. I still remember yung gabi na lumutang ang word na “Helium”. Nanuod kami non ng movie and while we are in the bus on the way home, basta bigla na lang siya nag pop. 

Helium. Heal.um. HE.lium.

Alam mo ba na Helium is much lighter than oxygen, kaya nakakalipad ang lobo? Sa buong palabas, Allie has been blowing her own balloon. Instead of letting her life fly, she is dragging it down with her weight (Oxygen=Ella). Heal.Um. Katulad ng sinabi ko noong pitching day namin. One must “Heal” in order to be their “better selves” and lastly “HE” can make all things possible

What the fudge is the ending?

Helium ends with Allie arriving to Seoul. South Korea. Nakatanggap siya ng tawag from Philip asking how is she. Sabi ni Allie, “Okay na” siya but a second passed, and we see the shadow of Ella behind her. What does it mean? Fear, sadness, and anxiety doesn’t go away. These are part of life. Of growing up. Surviving. But take notice that Ella and Allie has distance between them. It means that even though Allie is still scared sa mga pagbabago sa buhay niya, she is no longer controlled by Ella, her fears.

*

The conclusion

Do I have regrets? Yes. Plenty, sa sobrang dami, inihip ko siya sa lobo. But I think those regrets are part of the process. Alam ko naman na hindi magiging on point ang Helium the way I imagined it. And even though there’s so many heartbreak, I have grown to accept it. At the end of the day, I am happy and blessed to be able to make one of my stories come true. 

Also, I’ll just let this out there. Helium is not about myself. Halos lahat sinasabi na ako si Allie. Hindi po ako si Allie. If I would make my life a short film, totally different. Totally crazy. Believe me. Hahaha.  Allie is inspired of so many people I know. Myself. The introverts. My friends who’d struggle through time. Ella is part of who we are. We are constantly playing with our balloons, praying that it’’ll break free and fly. We are healing.

If gagawa pa akong shortie? Of course. Naghahanap lang ako ng timing. Parang yung Helium. Naghintay ng 10 taon para mabuo. With the right timing. Right people and crew. Right moment. Right OST. Salamat ng marami.

Part one ba hanap mo, click here.

[sonipanda]

Back into Gipsy we go, but with a higher denier and some florals added to the mix. I know it’s mad to be wearing thicker deniers now, but sometimes it makes a nice change.

Plus I like to target those (from time to time) who can’t wear lower deniers or show too much skin 🙂

The Spec

Colour: Multi-Coloured

Size: One Size

Denier: 60

Materials: 70% Nylon, 25% Polypropylene, 5% Elastane

Price: £9.95 

Website: The Tight Spot – Gipsy Multi Floral Jacquard Tights

10% Off Discount Code: Panda10

My Outfit

Keeping it simple in the office today, wearing my strappy black skater dress paired with my dusky pink heels. I thought it was super cute and decided to roll with it instead of court shoes.

My Deets

Dress: ASOS

Tights: Gipsy

Heels: Forever21

    The Review

From The Website: Dress up your winter look with these stunning 60 denier floral patterned tights, from Gipsy. Designed with red, pink and blue flowers knitted into the black opaque tights to create an embroidered styled floral pattern. Made with soft materials that feel smooth on the legs. Featuring a reinforced toe for extra durability and a matte finish for a luxurious look. Ideal for any occasion; pair these floral patterned tights with a plain black dress and heels, allowing the multi floral jacquard tights be the centrepiece to your look. 70% Nylon, 25% Polypropylene, 5% Elastane

60 Denier Delicate Floral Pattern Matte Finish Reinforced Toe

  The Packaging: these come in open packaging (and yep no plastic around it either) so you basically get straight into them with ease. There isn’t much detail to them to be honest, as you get to see and feel the hosiery before you even get it on.

These come flat folded, with the foot section looking super wide there!

  On The Legs: how pretty do these look?! They’re subtle yet enough to make that statement. Now I do have to say depending on the lighting you’re in, these can either look quite dark or pretty sheer. I wanted to show you in different sections of the room so you can see.

The denier is great for some semi-opaque coverage. I won’t say it’s a block colour or super sheer, but enough so your legs are given a lovely smooth coverage.

The quality is just sublime; no rips, no snags, not easy to catch and I had a whale of a time in them. I was rushing around all day and not once did I find these an issue. I will say these have plenty of stretch in them too, so the legs are hugged well.

The fit is one size, but works for me as there is plenty of elasticity in these to stretch them way out and not lose shape. The feel of them are soft and super comfortable. No irritation on the legs either 🙂

The design is just so feminine and really cute. The pattern works from the toes to the top thigh (before it becomes a boxer brief) so you get a good lot of it to show off. I like how there isn’t too much colour either; you’re working with mainly blues, greens, pinks and red. If there was orange, yellow, purple etc it would make it slightly harder and it would instantly become a lot bolder. I mean I don’t mind, I can wear anything but I like the simplicity of these colours.

  The Toes & Ankle: so the toes are reinforced (YAY) which means you’re good with those long nails! Just make sure they’re not sharp otherwise you’re screwed!

There is plenty of wiggle room – as you can see below due to the extra material hanging around BOTH sides of the toes! It was a flat box shape before I got them on the toes, and to be honest it didn’t fit around the feet as much as I wanted it to. I suppose it being one size they can’t have it too fitted, but then again …

Around the ankles it was a lovely smooth wrinkle-free finish 🙂

  The Waistband: so the band is a plain simple section from the band to the top thigh. This part I am hoping is reinforced!

The band itself is pretty slim, and holds up the tights really well. They sit around the waist (belly button height on me) and what I did love is that these didn’t roll over itself at any point or lose its elasticity with the amount of times I took them down and pulled them back up.

    My Thoughts?

I think these are real cute and perfect for those who don’t expose their legs during Spring/Summer – it’s a way that you can still wear florals without having them on a nude base.

Gipsy Multi Floral Jacquard Tights Back into Gipsy we go, but with a higher denier and some florals added to the mix.

[fashiontrendin-blog]

Meet the brand doing super luxe pieces without a hefty price tag

http://fashion-trendin.com/meet-the-brand-doing-super-luxe-pieces-without-a-hefty-price-tag/

Meet the brand doing super luxe pieces without a hefty price tag

Needle & Thread has quickly become a go-to for women who want a statement piece but don’t want to look overtly fussy and also care about value for money…

‘I don’t really think we’re a girly brand, but I do think we’re a feminine brand which is maybe a bit more grown-up,’ says Hannah Coffin, the founder of Needle & Thread. Working with artisans in India and the UK, the British brand handcrafts occasion wear and separates all with a contemporary edge. Think intricately embroidered sweatshirts, delicately beaded tops alongside full length frothy tulle gowns.

It’s quickly become a go-to for women who want a statement piece but don’t want to look overtly fussy and also care about value for money. With a focus on design and creating silhouettes that are super flattering, its appeal also lies in the fact that you get all this without a hefty price tag, with the majority of dresses checking out around the £300 mark.

Here, Hannah talks textiles, sweatshirts and why her relationship with the customer always comes first…

    ‘I set it up Needle & Thread because I was frustrated with not being able to buy some of the things I wanted to wear. I’ve got such a love for textiles but I couldn’t find a brand that really specialised in them. I wasn’t just looking for occasion wear, I wanted cute t-shirts and sweatshirts too, with the same attention to detail. So that’s what drove me. I hoped if I was looking for stuff like that than others were too.’

‘My own style growing up was quite eclectic. Like any young girl I’ve gone through all sorts of phases and there are, of course, some you’d want to bury! I started doing embroidery and knitting when I was six years old. It was my Grandmother’s way of keeping us children entertained. When I was eleven, I was given a Christmas present of an old Singer sewing machine and that was when I started making my own clothes. So there’s definitely a textile background that’s been handed down.’

  ‘We launched with ready-to-wear about five years ago. We started on ASOS and it quickly took off. We’re now stocked in Selfridges, Harrods and Nordstrom to name a few. And on Net-a-Porter we are one of their best performing and growing contemporary brands.’

    ‘It was our customer that really drove the demand for us to start doing bridalwear. Our customer care staff were getting about 30 enquiries a day asking if we did bridalwear. I wanted to do it but wanted to create a collection that was still contemporary, had a fashion accent and where the price points were fair.’

  ‘We don’t have a typical bride as our customer is so global. It used to be traditional to change for the party aspect of a wedding or for the going away part and I do think that’s becoming a trend again so we have lots of different customers. It’s not just one dress anymore.

    ‘We recently started doing bridal looks with a selection of colour options and that’s been really interesting. When we launched our vivid red option, within 72 hours we had sold 15 dresses. Brides don’t always just want to wear white.’

  ‘Our blouses, t-shirts and sweatshirts are also hugely popular. I love the way a more casual item can actually be really beautiful and luxurious. Take our sweatshirts. All the motifs on them are hand-drawn. And then the artwork is engineered to each size. So say one person is a size 8 and another is a size 16. The pattern will sit correctly on each body. That makes such a difference. For me it’s not just about looking good, but feeling good too so we’ll concentrate a lot on the wearability and fit.’

  ‘I want to dress real girls so it’s really important for me that our price points are accessible. For me, it is much more sustainable to wear a piece that costs £300 rather than £3000. And I like to create pieces that are timeless and good value for money. That way you can buy something and know that you can wear it again with a different bag or shoes and it’s not going to date. Plus you’re not terrified that you’re going to ruin it when dancing or spill something on it.’

    ‘We’ve had some big Hollywood names that have been photographed wearing some of our designs including Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Roberts and and Dakota Fanning. It always really exciting to see. But it’s when a certain influencer snaps themselves in something or tags us, that we really notice a spike in sales.’

  ‘Our repeat customer rate is really high. They have a really emotional relationship with us and are always tagging us on our Instagram. When you go to an event you always remember what you were wearing. So I think we’re associated with a lot of positive times in their lives.’

[wp-yahoo-style-1042-yahoopa-blog]

8 plus-size influencers share their biggest shopping gripes — and the brands that get it right

Imagine trying on five pairs of the same-style size 18 shorts in a small, poorly lit dressing room because each pair you try on frustratingly fits differently. Or being plus-size and needing to find a last-minute outfit when there are only a handful of brick-and-mortar stores offering extended sizes. This is just a glimpse of the problems that we curvy folks have to deal with on a regular basis.

Shopping is not an easy task for most, but it’s especially challenging for those whose body type does not fall within the industry norm, aka above a size 10. I’m not going to lie — it totally sucked growing up with the amount of plus-size exclusion I faced, and it definitely played a negative role in my self-esteem. While the plus-size fashion industry is growing, we aren’t seeing enough expansion and diversity in the market just yet.

With roughly 67 percent of women in the U.S. being considered plus-size, brands that don’t offer extended sizes are missing out on literally millions of potential customers — and dollars. This statistic does not even account for the large market of plus-size male customers who are also in search of fashionable clothing for their size.

There are still big-box brands with the resources to make great clothing that refuse to embrace the prevalent curvy customer and invest in quality design and manufacturing. And claiming you carry plus sizes and then banishing the meek selection to an unidentifiable area of the store is just not cutting it anymore.

That said, if there were a time to be plus-size in fashion, it would be now. Ever since mega-babe Ashley Graham made the cover of Sports Illustrated, many brands have jumped on the plus-size bandwagon. But some brands seem to want to cash in on the body-positivity movement by thoughtlessly creating clothing that does not actually fit the plus-size customer’s body — mainly because the designs were not researched and the patterns were not scaled correctly.

Some brands are even using models who are much too small for the plus-size market, showing an unrealistic representation of the clothing. As a plus-size fashionista myself, I long for the day when brands will fully invest in and embrace their curvy customers by offering more accessible fashion.

Don’t get me wrong — not everything is bad about the plus-size market right now. We have more options than ever before. There are standout brands making an impression on the plus-size community and being industry leaders. The clear winners are staple brands like ASOS and Eloquii. The online e-tailer ASOS is always offering edgy designs that push the plus-size fashion envelope and parallel straight-size designs, while Eloquii is all about quality and fit. Lane Bryant is paving the way by being super-inclusive and body positive, creating diverse ads and leading the unretouched-photo campaign showcasing women’s real bodies. (Another positive sign: The current season of Project Runway has models of all sizes.)

Since the fashion industry is ever-evolving and has a lot to learn about its plus-size customers, I wanted to hear from the curvy influencers who are paving the way. I talked to crusaders including Denise Bidot, Ashley Nell Tipton, Nadia Aboulhosn, and others.

Check out what these plus-size leaders have to say about their biggest fashion gripes and the brands they think are already killing the game. They, like me, agree that everyone deserves access to great fashion regardless of their size or gender, and I’m excited for the strides that the future will bring.

For more style inspiration, follow me on Instagram and read my style blog, Margie Plus.

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Denise Bidot

Denise Bidot, model and creator @nowrongwaymovement Biggest shopping gripes: It’s really not being able to try on the clothes I want to in store. There are so many high-end brands that carry extended sizing, but either they are in another section or online only. Also brands need to stay consistent in style and fit when they do go up in sizes. Plus-size women come in all shapes, so extending your size offerings is not as easy as just scaling up the straight size pattern; you need a fit model and time [put] into the design. Brands that get it right: Good American — they have inclusive sizing, and there is no change in cut or fit based on size. Also their ads feature a diverse group of women and it’s all made in America. Dolce & Gabbana is another. Their advertising has been so on point lately, and they recently featured a plus-size girl on the catwalk in Milan. Lane Bryant has been fearless in their marketing, getting me into Sports Illustrated, unretouched. They really respond to and inspire their consumer, which I think we need more of. (Photo: Denise Bidot)

Source: Yahoo Style

Ashley Nell Tipton

Ashley Nell Tipton, designer and winner of Project Runway Season 14 Biggest shopping gripes: Most brands that are able to design fashionable clothing are merely extending “regular” sizes, not taking into consideration how garments work on a curvy body. So the fit is off, silhouette is off, comfort is lacking, and most of the times it just doesn’t work! Plus-size women want the same designs as everyone else, but brands need to do their research on how to fit a curvy frame. Brands that get it right: For fit, quality, and overall cool factor, I would say my line Ashley Nell Tipton because I put a lot of thought into what the plus-size woman is looking for in terms of design and fit. I also saw a strong need for plus-size jewelry in the space, so I am excited to share that I will have an extended-size jewelry line dropping soon. When I discovered ASOS I flipped; they offer such cool designs in a large size range, making it more accessible. Lastly, I think Torrid is doing a great job of always having an assortment of design styles and is constantly trying to offer a well-fit look that you can actually try on in a store. (Photo: Ashley Nell Tipton)

Source: Yahoo Style

Troy Solomon

Troy Solomon, blogger Biggest shopping gripes: The biggest problem I have is a lack of trendy and fashion-forward clothes for men. It isn’t too hard these days to find a bigger plain black T-shirt, but it is hard to find one that has some character and style to it. Finding clothes that reflect the current fashion climate or push the style envelope are nearly impossible to find for bigger men. I want printed leggings, I want apron-cut longline shirts with embellishments and design. I want someone to put thought into the clothes they are making for the bigger man who loves style. Brands that get it right: I buy a lot of women’s clothing to make up for the lack of cute clothes for men, but ASOS is doing the best when it comes to offering fashion-forward clothing for both plus-size men and women. I think FashionNova Curve is doing an excellent job as well, and I’d love to see them come out with a men’s line. I love American Eagle’s plus-size pants and shorts — the fit is right on point and they have different variations of stretch, so they’re trendy and comfortable. (Photo: Troy Solomon)

Source: Yahoo Style

Nadia Aboulhosn

Nadia Aboulhosn, blogger Biggest shopping gripes: My biggest shopping problems revolve around jeans that end up being too long for my petite curvy frame or bottoms that have a back gap above my butt. Brands that get it right: I would have to say ASOS, Good American, and Daya by Zendaya (Forever 21 has been releasing some really dope pieces lately as well). Good American has such a great stretch-jean fit, Daya by Zendaya shows such a diverse amount of models so we can see representation, and ASOS has always been fashion-forward. (Photo: Nadia Aboulhosn)

Source: Yahoo Style

Chastity Garner

Chastity Garner, blogger and co-founder of theCurvycon Biggest shopping gripes: My biggest gripe is when a brand offers a plus-size range that is subpar to their straight-size range. When a new line is announced, we get all excited and are sometimes met with disappointment because the clothing isn’t the same style or is ill-fitted and/or just plain unfashionable. That’s a part of the reason why I co-founded theCurvycon, a two-day event that brings together awesome plus-size brands and women alike to chat everything curvy. Brands that get it right: Eloquii — the styles, price point, and integration into the plus community is all there. They are on the pulse of the trends and offering great quality all at the same time. Rachel Roy is one designer that I loved from afar for years. It’s refreshing to see a designer offer the same style to their plus customers as they do their straight sizes. WhoWhatWear x Target — love, love, love this line. It’s created at Target’s affordable prices; plus, it is another line that offers the same designs to their straight-size and plus-size customers, not to mention is great quality. (Photo: Chastity Garner)

Source: Yahoo Style

Marie Denee

Marie Denee, editor in chief of The Curvy Fashionista Biggest shopping gripes: All of the styles, looks, and designs I love are rarely available in plus. If you go to a brand that sells both, you will often see a watered-down version available in plus sizes. Also, brands using models that aren’t actually plus-size so the clothing is too large on them and we do not get to see the true fit. Lastly, there’s little to no access for in-store shopping, so we are always relegated online. Because of this, I started the TCFStyle Expo, a plus-size shopping event in Atlanta last July, for plus-size women to shop their favorite plus-size brands in person and all in one space. Brands that get it right: Eloquii — they are quite reactionary and responsive to the market. Style, representation, and engagement. Ashley Stewart — their conversations and the high-level touch that they have with their audience is impressive. The diversity of models, sizing, and the conversations they have with the readership is impressive. (Photo: Marie Denee)

Source: Yahoo Style

Maddy Jones

Maddy Jones, editor at Plus Model magazine Biggest shopping gripes: Why are we segregated to shopping primarily online? Not being able to have an in-store experience as much as my smaller friends is disturbing. Many brands and designers only offer plus-size clothing online but do not include us on their floor space. Brands that get it right: Lane Bryant — their lingerie/bras are their strong suit. You can never go wrong with Cacique’s fit. Eloquii is on trend, on trend, on trend! I can’t say it enough. Dia & Co — in the world of subscription services, they have separated themselves from the rest by marrying fashion, styling services, and body positivity. (Photo: Maddy Jones)

Source: Yahoo Style

Kellie Brown

Kellie Brown, blogger Biggest shopping gripes: With shopping being so limited to online only, it robs us of an in-store experience and makes it impossible if we need something last-minute. For brands that do offer plus in store, you can’t offer pieces that are subpar and wonder why no one bought it. Or create a tiny plus-size section in store, invest no marketing or publicity in it, and say we didn’t shop when no one knew it even existed. Brands that get it right: I love ASOS because they are offering the same types of styles in both plus and straight sizes. Having visited their offices in London, the curve section is not at all an afterthought, as they have large teams dedicated to the category fit and design. Eloquii is amazing because they are offering quality, runway-inspired pieces that you don’t need to throw away after a season. Lastly, I think Universal Standard is great because they offer a great fit and unique takes on classic design concepts. (Photo: Kellie Brown)

Source: Yahoo Style

[rsrchag261107]

K-Hole

Trend Forecasting as Creative Practice - Rhizome

That makes my head spin. The walls are truly down, shit is over and shit is forever. Trend forecasting is art - okay, let’s move in with it...

K-Hole is a collective of 5 born out of graduating into the recession and accepting that world. They were accepting of the world where they freelance, where they have a dayjob, where they are both a painter and a graphic designer - where they willingly function as both.

K-Hole has released five trend forecasting reports:

K-Hole #1: FragMOREtation - A Report On Visibility

This is scary. It’s scary because in 2017, this is not a forecast. It’s not an idea - its happening. It’s happening everywhere from Nike to Taco Bell to the dickhead trust funder who owns 5 bars in Leeds, each pretending to be a cool, chill, spot.

Post-recession, we wanted to feel free from corporations. We wanted a world in which we could have our spots. Where we could have our communities, where everyone had something - your store, your venue, your bar, your cafe - the consumption economy was there because we just wanted shit we could relate to. I don’t want to drink my coffee next to the guy who works in a band - he is not part of my social group, why would we share interests? I don’t want to go to starbucks.

I have a friend who never ever carries cash. It annoys me to no end, since a lot of places that function as venues for nefarious doings don’t always take card. This dude just doesn’t buy stuff. At the bar “can I pay with card?” “Cash only”

He’ll just sit without a drink.

This is an anal dickhead problem, get cash and keep places sketchy. I don’t think people will rush into paying their dealer with venmo. Either way, it’s an uncomfortable thought, making money social. This is six years old, what am I even saying...

K-Hole #2: Prolasticity - A Report on Patience

I used to work in social media & digital marketing - I was forever saying this to higher ups. It’s a dangerous fact, but still a fact. People knowing about you, you being a name in the conversation, that is infinitely more important that them doing one thing once.

The spot I worked at was a law firm, dealing primarily in real estate but in most other legal matters as well. My argument was that rather than drumming up individual pieces of business, the aim of digital marketing was to infiltrate the culture of all potential clients. My view was that rather than selling your house through us and getting on with it, we should be concerned with making everyone you know think of us as their first port of call for any legal need. That’s how you build loyalty.

These companies are trying to become part of your social network.

K-Hole #3: Youth Mode

This report talks about the death of age, something I’ve been looking into in my own writing (although I’ve been discussing the death of time). The above statement really stuck out to me.

When i was 20 (just turning 21) I enrolled in an art course at a local college in Scotland (lasted 3 months). I thought I was pretty on it, I know about cool shit, I dress cool, I’ve lived. These kids, 2 or 3 years my junior, didn’t give a fuck. I had been phased out of the generation gap, I didn’t even get my shot at being an elder statesmen.

Fast forward to 2015 and starting art school, same thing again. I got nothing, man. Can’t catch a break. I can’t figure this out, how do social movements go from being over a decade long to being flipped every two years?

Marketing.

There’s a lot more money to be made by introducing a new aesthetic. It’s a lot easier to integrate new advertising theories, marketing methods and technologies into new things than it is to adapt them to dying trends. People wanted to create look books of themselves, so now companies treat people like these marketers. We are made into something new (at our own volition) because that’s the world we just to inhabit. The best part is, if we can afford it, we can inhabit the space of Youth for as long as we want. None of us were ever going to retire anyway, right?

This is a great statement. We’ve created a thought catalogue in social media - an ever evolving wish list. Our friends and followers (more importantly, followings) are there for the scraping. So, we’re listening to a lot of trap but we’re dressing like a suicide girl? Where’s the crossover. Nobody in “Youth Mode” can afford to be as boutique as they want to appear, we’re amalgamations and not individuals, so companies offer us these little slices of ourselves in stores we would never shop in, but are shopping in. Everyone has an asos account.

“You’ve been working so hard at being precise” - This is really fun, really apt paragraph. I got a lot of love for the person who is being precise, I look at them on the internet like some kind of fantasy creature. A weird cyborg that is in it’s earliest prototype stage - this shit is bananas. It’s bananas because it’s a kid (emotionally lol) who has the time and energy and fucking brainpower to turn themselves into an ad real. Into a perfectly curated image of whatever they’re on at that time. Cafe indie kid starts off slow and 18 months later is an instagram punk - shit, you bore me. I don’t know how you do it. It’s real cute tho.

It’s these motherfuckers. This sarcy trend forecasting group - they coined this term. Beginning of the end, something like that. On the inside I’m 50 on the inside I’m 15.

K-Hole #5 - A Report on Doubt

Wiki didn’t list what #4 was so I just rolled by it, w/e. This is reallllll interesting. We get to 2015, a year I spent quitting my digital marketing job and moving to England to go to art school. Seems like these guys did too...

Chaos magic!!!!!

I am a super huge fan of Last Podcast on The Left. That’s where I first became aware of the term Chaos Magic. I am so unbelievably excited about these two converging interests that I literally can’t contain myself. I’m talking directly to you. I’m breaking the fourth wall. This is fucking it, man!!!!!!!!!!

    So our digital marketing trend forecasting new york &  berlin straddling demi gods over at K-Hole are now going to attempt to do actual magic because their shit is feeling wack? I’m in.

I love this one. The idea that witches are real because everyone believes in them is great, it’s true. We manifest a world in which witches exist and have power over us because we believe them to. Mark Rothko paintings have a psychological effect on us (nope) because enough people said they did.

The fact that this tweaky thing exists is almost too much to comment on. This, the group that coined normcore, that made “basic” academic, that diagnosed the generation purged by the internet and nu-advertising, is talking sigils I love it.

[outfittrends]

How To Wear Puffer Jacket? 31 Chic Outfits With Puffer Jackets Outfit Trends - Ideas How to Wear & What to Wear

New Post has been published on https://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-wear-puffer-jacket/

How To Wear Puffer Jacket? 31 Chic Outfits With Puffer Jackets

How to Wear Puffer Jackets For Women? Oh the weather outside is frightful, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to look delightful (ly fashionable).  Even when its bone-chilling cold with temperatures in the teens (bbbrrrr), many ladies really don’t want to skip fashion for warmth.

But we have very good news – it is possible to wear a puffer jacket and not look frumpy and out of style. Believe it or not, you can look and feel unstoppable in a puffer jacket. According to a recent Boston Globe piece, “Any woman who has shopped for a puffer understands there are tiny style distinctions that take on outsized importance, which sometimes allow a woman to think her coat is — however marginally — cute: The slightest shaping at the waist. A faux fur ruff around the hood. A sophisticated silhouette.“

What To Wear With Puffer Jackets

Here are more than two dozen ways to brave the elements this winter and remain super stylish while wearing a puffer jacket.

↓ 31. Go for the gold!

The Skyler down filled bomber jacket by Sam-NYC is crafted from a densely woven nylon. The surface has been treated to obtain a lacquered look. It is lightweight, yet protective of wind and water, and filled with goose down to achieve warmth and an ultra-soft feel. The jacket features a raccoon fur trimmed hood, center front zip closure with snap placket, 2 lower pockets, a knit waistband, and spandex thumbhole cuffs. This pretty little number will cost you a suggested retail price of $695.00.

↓ 30. Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget

You can never go wrong in a neutral monochromatic coat, especially one that comes from H&M for as little as $124. Pair with asos high waist jeans, Nike air max thea sneakers, a.p.c geneve bag, and who what wear collection top. You’ll look like a million bucks while barely even trying. And have money left over to splurge on guilty little pleasures, like lattes, all month long.

↓ 29. Living in a Material World

How cool were the 1980’s?! Channelling Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Boy George & Culture Club. Life would be so much better if neon pink could reappear in every decade! This jacket brights up your complexion and turns you into a ray of sunshine. The best part is, it’ll be super easy to identify which coat is yours at the end of the night.

↓ 28. Jewel Tones

Sometimes we just need a break from basic black. Michael Kors understands this and offers this winter coat in rich jewelled hues which can easily be matched to your amethyst and emeralds. Treat yourself to a matching mani too! You’ll sparkle like the precious gem you are.

↓ 27. Go big or go home!

Stay toasty warm from head to toe. This belted “puffy compilation” from Imgur lets you flaunt your tiny waist and not look like a big shapeless blimb. Dress it up with pumps, boots with a kitten heel or keep your feet planted firmly on the ground in a pair of Uggs or fashionable kicks.

↓ 26. Show The World You Have the Winter Blues

The colour blue is having a moment in home décor. Pinterest boards full of cobalt blue kitchens. Fashion follows the interior design. Step out looking boho chic in this warm 90% duck down warm parka quilted coat. Best part if the removable scarf.  On sale for only $125.55 at Boho Gipsy Store.

↓ 25. Sorry, I Wanted to Stay in Bed

For those cold, raw days when you really wish you could stay under your duvet covers, throw on this stunning coat from Add. Changing out of your oh so comfy pyjamas is optional.

↓ 24. Pinkies Up, Dutchess

Let them question if you’re part of the royal family in this majestic purple hooded winter white duck down jacket with natural fox fur collar. It’s even available in plus sizes. They will be shocked if you tell them it’s only $217.27 at AliExpress.

↓ 23. Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Wish your closet could be filled with Balenciaga, but worried if you can even afford this month’s rent payment? The Orolay is the thickened $100 down jacket that looks a little bit Balenciaga, a little bit Sacai, and is selling like hotcakes. I spotted three women checking into spin class on the upper east side of Manhattan, New York City this morning. Snag it for only $99 (was $250, now 60% off) at Amazon.

↓ 22. Keep Your Hands in Your Pockets

C’mon, admit it, what girl doesn’t go crazy when they realize their dress has actual pockets?!? The H-line Casual Pockets Hoodie Coat offers front pockets. What a score! Gloves optional. Did we mention this jacket has front pockets?!?

↓ 21. Eye See You

Ward away fromthe evil eye and make sure everyone is watching you closely while prancing through the streets in this very noticeable puffer from Rivaynyc.com | Rivay® Official. Pairs nicely with a classic Chanel bag. The girl who wears this is certainly an “It Girl” wanting to be viewed, admired, appreciated and remembered.

↓ 20. Headed to the Gym

Puffer jackets are the perfect way to winterize athleisure, which continues to be so in style right now. This Aritzia super puff jacket comes in so many different colors options. The key to styling the perfect puffer jacket is to get one that is slightly cropped, because it emphasizes your waistline and creates a feminine silhouette.

↓ 19. Wine Time

Easily a perfect jacket to throw on before a girl’s wine night out or meeting friends at the pub. Pairs well with black pants and heels. It’s practical and unfussy, even if you’re not.

↓ 18. Grading on a Bell Curve

This trusty quilted Alice + Olivia is by far my absolute favorite.  The jacket means serious business both in terms of warmth and sensational style. The bell curve on the hips adds just the perfect amount of flounce and flair. A great pair of shoes is all that’s needed. What’s she’s wearing underneath is meaningless because this detailed jacket screams, “Here comes a fashion plate.” 

↓ 17. Green with Envy

Strut yourself in a big bold emerald green jacket and skinny black stirrups. It’s almost possible to feel the heat radiating off of this classy lady. This seriously could be Meaghan Markle in her pre-Dutchess days. Do you see the resemblance?

↓ 16. It’s a Long Shot

The long puffer is a must-have staple in every female’s closet. It protects you all around, exposing only a tiny portion of your legs. Keep that part of your legs covered in heavy tights or thick wool pants. There’s no better option for those living in a city with lots of precipitation and/or low temperatures. Feel free to take a bold chance on your shoes and accessories since the majority of your body will be covered up the coat. Puffer coat + cropped jeans + ankle boots equals a winning equation every time. Now you do the math. 

↓ 15. If You See a Shiny Penny, Pick it Up…All Day Long You’ll Have Good Luck

Glossy magazines will never be completely out of Vogue. There’s something so rich, luxurious, eye-catching and worthy of shine and that definitely includes shiny nylon down jackets. This is a bespoke shiny/PVC/vinyl down winter coat which is made of high-quality 4-way stretch vinyl. It has an oil slick look with really smooth touch (latex imitation). In a class by itself and not your usual nylon puffer. You may think it looks familiar because it mimics the Moncler style, but is much more glossy.     

↓ 14. Even Runway Models Walk on Paved Streets

An eccentric design could really polish a plain, boring coat. Gigi Hadid provides us with some awesome tips with this bold, sassy and comfy puffer coat. Remember that you don’t have to put too much effort with your other clothing because the coat itself can do the magic. Just like that, you can look effortlessly chic.

↓ 13. Walk as if You are a Painting in a Museum

Patterns can be risky, but there’s just something so beautiful and unique about this White Floral Turtleneck Long Sleeve Coat. Definitely meant for the condifent fashionista who wants to stand out from the crowd and differ from the masses all huddled togethjer in their basic, boring, black winter gear.

↓ 12. Make Love, Not War

This camo puffer jacket from Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren Down Snorkel Jacket is guaranteed to keep you toasty warm. It’s also available in a men’s version, if you want to twin with your mate. Requires nothing more than a chic pair of jeans and rugged combat boots. Spend less time getting ready and much more fun having fun.

↓ 11. You’re Making Me Blush

Puffer jackets with a slim silhouette like this blush pink renew lightweight puffer jacket prove endlessly versatile. Simply toss it on over workout gear on your way to or from the gym, or style it with a sweater and your favorite jeans for the perfect, low-key weekend look. The mock neck collar complements so many different layers, from turtlenecks, to crewneck shirts, to button downs, to hooded sweatshirts. Add a little extra warmth on cooler days by wearing it over a simple cashmere sweater. Pure perfection.

↓ 10. Two Tone

This two tone puffer is so attractive and easy on the eye. Roll up the sleeves for an extra pop of color. I can’t help but wondering if it’s reversible. That would mean two fabulous coats for the price of one!

↓ 9. Mid-Length

Mid-length jackets can be worn by any type of individuals, whether you are a plus size or a petite woman. The length still keeps the whole ensemble more flattering because it provides a complimentary balance. She looks put together in a pair of black leggings, big handbag and eye-catchy boots.

↓ 8. It’s a Cinch

Puffer coats with belts are really attractive and convenient. You can manipulate the comfort and style level by adjusting the belt. This accessory promises that you will never have a hard time finding the perfect fit because the coat itself is adjustable. Zippers and belts are a fantastic combination to lay emphasis on your body.

↓ 7. If you got it, flaunt it!

From the upper to the bottom, you can certainly affirm that this girl knows how to style a puffer coat. The design of the top and the colors of the coat perfectly mesh together. And oh, the flare long jeans were ideal match to the mini short puffer jacket.

↓ 6. Don’t Skirt the Issue

One might wonder: can you pair a puffer jacket with a skirt? Apparently so! (All while keeping your legs warm too!)

↓ 5. Mad for Plaid

Plaid is always current. Bring it out for hayrides and bonfires in the crisp fall weather. Add a red or green scarf for a true festive holiday feel in December. Rest assured, you don’t look like a lumberjack. But you may just get picked up by one.

↓ 4. Got a Problem with the Paparazzi? 

Hmmm, is it possible that the puffer coat has made its comeback courtesy of celebs being spotted in them right before stripping off for red carpet event to get photographed in their revealing dresses? Or, because it’s this jacket they choose to wear when running errands in cold temperatures and hiding from the paparazzi? Well… they’re obviously wearing them for style reasons. 

↓ 3. Don’t Throw Shade at Me

What if I told you all you all need is a great pair of shades to compliment your puffer coat. So stick your chest out a bit more and stay incognito hidden behind a great pair of sunglasses that flatter your face.

↓ 2. Countdown to Spring

Better days are coming. They’re called spring and summer. Let winter know you are breaking up with him. Show him, it’s not you, but I’m gravitating towards warmer weather filled with lilacs and pretty flowers.

↓ 1. Invest in Your Future

If you can afford it, go above the budget and treat yourself to a timeless and classic beauty such as Moncler, Canada Goose, etc. Be vigilant about taking extra good care of it and plan to pass it along to your daughter once she’s grown into it. Because when your daughter covets your clothing, you know you’re a super cool mom! Now if only she could give you her perfect skin.

Bundle up, stay warm and have the best winter ever!