Lust of the Week: Finery London Hartington Wrap Dress
Finery London Hartington Wrap Dress
A wrap dress with an asymmetric hem and obi belt in a gorgeous grey colour - yup, this Finery London number is right up my street. I'm starting to build up my autumn wardrobe and this dress is at the top of my list. It'll be perfect for work, plus the addition of a great pair of heels will make it one for post-office drinks and dinner.
P.S. Finery is offering 30% off as a bank holiday treat but it ends at midnight tonight! Just enter BANKHOLIDAY at checkout. Shop the full collection here.
Outfit: Striped Jumpsuit
Jumpsuit: c/o Luxemme
Cuff: c/o Reiss via Fashionchick
Sandals: Topshop (similar)
We haven't been able to move for the '70s trend this season. Not that I'm complaining - I love it - but when your style steers towards the minimalist, it can be quite a difficult trend to incorporate into your personal style. That's why I've looked towards pieces that give a subtle nod to the '70s rather than an outright reference, like this jumpsuit from Luxemme. With wide legs and a halterneck top, those '70s vibes are definitely there, but the monochrome stripes give it a more contemporary feel. Paired with my trusty sliders and a simple black cuff, it creates that minimal look that I'm always coveting.
Five of the Best Pointed Flats
A pair of pointed flats are my go-to everyday shoe at the moment. Smart, sleek and with a slight masculine vibe, they go with every look and instantly add style to any outfit. My trusty black patent pointed flats from Zara are starting to show signs of wear and tear so I'm currently on the hunt for some alternatives - here are my top five favourites.
Outfit: Ruffled Tee and Culottes
Top: COS (similar)
Culottes: Zara (similar)
Flats: Carvela (similar)
Navy and camel is quite possibly one of my favourite colour combinations (apart from black and black, of course), and one that makes a great option for transitioning into autumn. I picked up this top during my trip to Copenhagen (COS is one of the biggest things I miss about living in London!) and it was love at first sight - a simple tee given length and definition with a ruffled edge. I went for a size bigger than I normally would for an extra-oversized feel because I love the silhouette it creates - especially paired with some wide leg culottes. Keeping in with the colour theme, I popped on my navy Carvela slippers with gold-tipped toes to add a bit of luxe to the look.
Lust of the Week: Topshop Cropped Jumpsuit
I'm loving the whole judo belt craze this year and it doesn't seem like it's one that's dying out (yesss). I'll be carrying it into autumn/winter with this cropped jumpsuit by Topshop Boutique. A blend between utility and voluminous shapes, it's the kind of piece that you can dress up or down - I'd wear it with pointed flats for day and chunky heels in the evening.
Outfit: Longline Grey Jacket
Jacket: Mango
Top: COS
Culottes: Warehouse (similar)
Heels: c/o Fashionchick
Ring: Moth
Give me an outfit that's oversized and slightly sack-like and I'm happy. I scored this jacket in the sale (only £30...go, go, go), buying it in a medium to create that loose silhouette; it's incredibly light and soft and makes me feel like I'm wearing a silky dressing gown - the best. I paired it with wide leg culottes (of course) and loose-fitting top, brightening up the whole look with these statement lace-up heels (which despite appearances, are some of the comfiest heels I own).
Five of the Best Shirt Dresses
A shirt dress is one of those pieces that every woman needs in her wardrobe; totally versatile, you can wear it to the office or throw it over culottes or trousers for a casual weekend look. Plus, it's one of those things that you can just throw on in the morning and you know it will always look good - here are my top five from the (virtual) high street.
Rooftop Yoga at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Sports Bra: Nike
Vest: American Apparel
Leggings: c/o Sweaty Betty via Fashionchick
Flip Flops: Havaianas
Sunglasses: ASOS
Yoga Mat: c/o Casall
On the third day of Copenhagen Fashion Week, we got up early for a rooftop yoga session with Casall and Temple Yoga (excuse the make-up free face, we just rolled out of bed and went), starting the day in the most relaxing way as the sun came up over the city around us - totally worth the early morning wake up call!
Luckily, Fashionchick had sent me the Tolasana 3/4 Yoga Leggings from Sweaty Betty a few days before so I was kitted out for my session. I've never been one to spend a lot of money on sportswear, figuring it's all pretty much the same, but these Sweaty Betty leggings are so worth the price. Super flattering, they're also really comfortable and easy to move in, and you can feel the quality the minute you put them on. Sorry Sports Direct, I don't think I'll be paying your reduced rack a visit any time soon.
Lust of the Week: & Other Stories V-Neck Dress
Oversized, long and with simple details - yup this dress from & Other Stories ticks all of the boxes for me (plus it's only £39). I'd wear it on its own in the warmer months and over wide leg trousers in the autumn for a tunic-style piece.
Outfit: Orange Maxi Dress
Dress: Finery London
Sandals: Zara (similar)
Summer seems to have returned to the UK (well, kind of) so I'm taking full advantage and wearing my most summery things every time the sun comes out. Regular readers will know I'm a big fan of Finery, and I'm pretty much building up a section of my wardrobe solely dedicated to pieces from the brand. I bought this maxi dress in the sale (it's sold out but you can find similar here) and the minute I put it on my mood is instantly lifted - how can you not be happy wearing something like this?! It's the complete opposite to my usual colour palette of black, navy, grey and white but I'm loving it (for a couple of months of the year anyway).
Beauty: The Perfect Red Lip with Nars
Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder and Nars Lipstick in Rita c/o LookFantastic
When it comes to makeup, I tend to stick to the basics - not straying from a touch of light foundation, a sweep of bronzer. kohl eyeliner and the god send that is Touche Éclat. Experimenting with makeup isn't really up my street (I love my Naked 2 palette but let's face it, only three of the colours have been touched), mainly because I feel like a bit of a drag queen whenever I put anything beyond the basics near my face (although that might just say more about my poor makeup skills than anything else...)
Having said that, a bold red lip is one thing that I have always loved and is one thing that will always look good - plus, it instantly lifts an outfit and distracts from tired-looking eyes. These two Nars products have recently made it into my makeup collection and have quickly become firm favourites; the Laguna bronzer is the perfect pick-me-up for summer, and this lipstick in Rita is quite possibly the best shade of red I've ever come across.
Outfit: Tunic and Culottes at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Culottes: Warehouse (similar)
Sandals: Clarks c/o Spartoo via Fashionchick
Bag: Zara (similar)
The third and final day of Copenhagen Fashion Week was a gorgeous one - Clare and I got up early for a rooftop yoga session (more on that soon), doing an hour of Yin Yoga as the sun came up and woke up the city around us. After a couple of hours of writing up show reports for Coggles, we went to Atelier September - a minimalist's haven with the best avocado on rye bread, before heading to the Designers' Nest (showcasing work from some of Scandinavia's best design students) and Mardou&Dean shows, with the obligatory cinnamon roll break in between. That night we went back to Cofoco for wine in the sun and an unbelievable meal at Øl & Brød.
This was my outfit for the day, wearing quite possibly my favourite combination of a split tunic over wide leg culottes. White and navy is a classic colour mix, and I love how you can just see that flash of the culottes. The two pieces were incredibly light and airy, making them perfect for the heat (and all that eating!), while these Clarks sandals added to the minimalist feel.
Lust of the Week: ASOS Hairy Wool Coat
I know it's August and we've finally got summer back in the north of England, but I can't help having a little browse at the new coats coming in for autumn/winter - after all, coats essentially become a full outfit for at least four months of the year so they make up a big component of your wardrobe. This ASOS coat has stuck out to me this week; it's classic and simple with masculine vibes, while the 'hairy wool' texture and dark green colour give it a bit of an edge. Plus, at £75 it's a damn good price for a gorgeous coat.
Outfit: Culottes and Crop Top at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Sunglasses: ASOS
Top: Solace London
Culottes: Zara (similar)
Flats: Zara (similar)
I'm now back from Copenhagen and to say I was sad to leave is an understatement. The city is so incredible and I felt so at home within minutes of arriving - it's not often you feel instantly comfortable in a new place but for me that's exactly how I felt in the Danish capital...when can I move?!
This was the outfit I wore for the second day of Copenhagen Fashion Week. We were so lucky with the weather so I was able to wear this amazing crop top from Solace London (now sold out unfortunately!), paired with my trusty camel culottes and pointy flats.
The second day was a busy one, going to the Revolver trade show to check out the beautiful SS16 collections of Scandi, British and American brands (I'm particularly excited about the 2NDDAY collection), before going to the By Malene Birger (simple, gorgeous, rib knit and pyjama-inspired pieces), Baum und Pferdgarten (subtle 70s vibes with lots of delicate lace) and Ganni (clean lines in black, yellow, camel and olive) shows.
Of course, we made sure we were suitably fed and watered and stopped off at the incredible South American restaurant Llama, and a quick stop off at COS for a wardrobe update (there was a much better selection than in the stores in the UK - I massively struggled to only buy one thing!)
Outfit: Boiler Suit at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Sunglasses: ASOS
Boiler Suit: H&M
Flats: Topshop
Watch: c/o Links of London (similar)
I'm now on day two of Copenhagen Fashion Week and I am head over heels with the city already. Everything is Scandi minimalism at its finest (i.e. my favourite thing in the world), the whole place feels far too calm to be a capital and everyone is so bloody stylish. We arrived yesterday afternoon and after a quick freshen up at our hotel, headed straight to Acne Archive - a gorgeous little outlet store selling all things cut-price Acne (and yes, I did make a purchase. It was an absolute steal and I can't wait to share it with you on the blog).
Then we headed to dinner at Cofoco, where minimalist interiors met the most incredible fresh food and wine, but more on that later when I do a foodie round up of Copenhagen. The evening was all about the shows - we went to Barbara I Gongini and Han Kjobenhavn, finally heading back to the hotel for a night of writing show reports for work. This was the outfit I wore - we only took hand luggage so I needed something that would see me through the flight and a day in the city; this H&M boiler suit (£5 in the sale!) ticked the right boxes for both activities and was definitely the most comfortable option. A pair of flats, statement sunglasses and bold red lip finished it off, keeping everything simple to try and keep up with those impeccably cool Danes.