All posts tagged: britishstyle

Co-ords at Zara

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As a lover of all things grey and baggy I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled into the coord section of the Zara website. They’re low-key, simple yet effortlessly stylish. Sometimes on the high street the importance of texture and shape in clothing gets left behind but it’s so refreshing to see them being brought back to the forefront. A subtle flick of a hem or a tactile fabric can really make all the difference, the adjacent pictures emphasising this. Their baggy style makes it look like they’ve just been thrown on and the monochrome palette makes them easy to work into your wardrobe as individual pieces. I’m all about not overthinking outfits and with these two-pieces, all the work has been done for you. Shop the collection here.

MASC/FEM

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As a woman I am interested in the other meaning of sexy, not bodycon dresses but wide-leg trousers and structured blazers, the appeal of ‘not trying too hard’. In search of this alternative uniform I will occasionally dip my toes into men’s clothing, finding sometimes that I prefer the fit of a ‘male’ piece to a ‘female’ piece. Is this because menswear is more functional therefore more easy-going? Masculine tailoring has been drifting over into womenswear more and more and now designers have started blurring the lines by showcasing both collections together (Prada, Loewe) and sending men and women down the runway together. This gender-neutral take on clothing gives us more freedom in choosing how we dress, and lets us explore different definitions of words such as ‘sexy’. Designer Jonathan Anderson claims ‘it’s more about garments for garments’ sake. T-shirts, jeans, duffel coats, biker jackets – it all means the same thing, no matter if it’s a man or woman wearing it. They are a neutral zone.’ At the end of the day clothing has to make …

September Sun

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It is always important to question and reevaluate our social norms. The old age question of why it is acceptable to walk around in a bikini yet not acceptable to do the same in underwear, has always fascinated me. Whilst this is hardly groundbreaking, designers do love to shake things up and provoke thought in an ever-evolving world. This season’s swimwear is both forward thinking and fun. If you’re heading away in search of some September sun, now is the time to be updating your collection. I love sporty styles, crotchet and fresh green prints but would always build my collection around the firm foundation of a classic black bikini. Look for small details, interesting fastenings, flattering cuts and a perfect fit. Experiment with materials, try a crop top style or a full swimming costume, but most importantly know what works for you!  Try to balance the experimental items with staple styles to give your beachwear wardrobe some longevity.

Cover-Up!

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I’m currently loving everything by ASOS White. Described as ‘clean-lined’ and taking inspiration from ‘the art-room paintbox’, the day-time friendly collection strips back silhouettes to keep everything simple in crisp cotton, silk and organza. I love their approach to fuss-free tailoring and design, with the occasional pop of colour to catch your eye. A piece which especially caught my attention was this blue block printed coat. It helped that I was in the market for a light cover-up (as summer time in Britain is never quite what we hope for) but I just couldn’t resist. I’m not usually too crazy about print but I think this could work with just about anything: culottes, jeans, t shirt dresses, the list goes on… The fabric is very lightweight, similar to denim, so don’t let the fact that it’s slightly longer than your average summer jacket put you off. Cropped sleeves help to play with proportions and add to the ‘boxy’ feel. Who says long coats are just for winter? Shop ASOS White here.

Reflect

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“Black and white are not colours,” is something my art teacher would despairingly repeat to the younger years on a regular basis. You might call this a technicality but when it comes to choosing a great pair of white trousers it pays to be pernickety. The wide-legged trouser has a rich history, however in recent years has kept more of a low-key profile, almost playing second fiddle to its skintight cousins. Taking a look back at the S/S15 catwalks, you didn’t have to be a genius to predict that this classic trouser would make its high street come back this season. I for one am making the most of the renewed attention to tailoring. Suggesting that us mere mortals can throw on a pair and it will propel us to new heights is absurd, but this trouser can make you feel pretty sophisticated and the cut is so flattering that it almost demands confidence. Zara have got it pretty right with this pair; a great waistband and a successful balance between structure and flow. They …

Stripped back

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Warm evenings are not something we are too familiar with here in the UK, however on the occasional toasty eve or when we venture on holiday in search of a good dose of sun, dressing for anything above 15 degrees is somewhat of a foreign concept. I do sometimes find it daunting styling a good evening outfit that is so minimal as I love layering and the security of a cover up or two. Fabric choice, cut and colour all become far more important as practicality and style engage in a mini tug of war. Whilst in Rome I chose to wear this black dress which is fairly loose fitting and is made from a light enough fabric to ensure I didn’t look like I had run a marathon at the end of the walk to the restaurant. I chose to wear my hair up to keep cool and opted for a block heel which makes a strappy shoe far more comfortable to walk in.

Head-To-Toe

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My love affair with culottes continues, although this time they’ve been given a summer update in white.  Culottes are such a versatile item as they can be dressed up for a slick evening look or dressed down for a relaxed daytime vibe.  I’ve started really enjoying dressing in one colour head-to-toe and playing with tones and textures- their slight contrast keep the outfit light and fresh and stop it from being too clinical.

The New LBD

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I’ve never actually owned an LBD.  The concept of having one classic black dress you can reach for on any occasion has always been a bit of a mystery to me. There have been dresses, many in fact, but never the one trusty LBD you can rely on. That was until I stumbled upon this, an ideal on the go dress. The lightweight wrap style makes it unrestricted and perfect for summer evenings but also low-key enough for day time. It’s all in the small details: rolled up short sleeves, asymmetric hem and a d ring belt give it up to date styling quirks and keep it from being ‘another black dress’.  Finally the LBD can be part of my holiday pack list.

Fringe

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There’s nothing better than throwing on a white tee and a trusty pair of jeans: this is my current go to outfit when I’m in need of a fuss-free ensemble. Although basic, the subtle fringing on this crop top gives a nod to the 70’s without overpowering the rest of the look. I couldn’t live without my high waisted ripped jeans, so these are often a feature in my day-to-day wardrobe. To finish off this simple two piece, I’ve added a pair of healed clogs and some shades.

Father’s Day

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It was Father’s Day last week so I just wanted to share some of our snaps. We celebrated by going out for a meal at Weston Hall, a beautiful grade II listed building surrounded by acres of Staffordshire countryside. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with family; engaging in weird conversations and laughing until you can’t breathe. It’s so important to surround yourself with positive and non judging people, and for me family is just that. I wore a pinstriped two-piece (suits are my favourite thing right now) and Steph went for a printed shirt worn as a dress. If you’re not feeling too inspired by the dresses on the highstreet at the moment then a long shirt or suit are great alternatives for summer.