Graphic T's and mini skirts: Three ways

top - Allsaints

skirt - Missguided

boots - Office

top - H&M

skirt - ebay

top - ebay

skirt - Missguided

You know those outfits where you put them on and just feel like you? That's what graphic T's and mini skirts are for me.

I used to think that my style had to fit in a box. I thought I had to be the cricket-jumper-and-knee-socks-prep wannabe OR the ripped-knee-and-band-t-rock-and-roll enthusiast - I could throw my heart and soul into one or the other, but never both.  I'm not sure where this mentality stemmed from (perhaps something to do with society's incessant desire to pigeon hole women in general, but that's a post for another day), but I'm glad that I'm now free from this mindset.

I love the feeling of being able to easily alter or reflect how I'm feeling simply through a quick rifle through my wardrobe. I love being able to jump from sixties chic to low-key goth in the space of five minutes, without feeling like I have to fully commit to someone else's ideal, or even explain myself. 

What's the outfit that makes you feel most like yourself?

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well.

xxx

Back to basics

top and blazer - vintage c/o Depop
jeans - Stradivarius
belt - Primark
necklaces - Neck on the Line
earrings and ear cuffs - ebay

Following on from the surrealness of my last post, I thought it best to inject a little normality back into my life - namely through an outfit post.

This look is an absolute go-to for me. Black roll neck and black jeans are such a great base to layer up with any jacket/shoe/jewellery combo. No one need know that you spent three hours on the verge of tears screaming at your wardrobe 'I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR'. Nope, not a soul.

Plus, it low-key make me look like I'm part of a drama group in a 90's American high school which I am so on board with. Just pass me my cigarette, beret and we can go through my lines, or like, whatever.

What's your go-to outfit?

xxx

photos by the fab mhquin

Leopard print skirt three ways

jumper - Everything5Pounds

skirt - Everything5Pounds

boots - Primark

bag - ebay

bag strap - ebay

'top' - Everything5Pounds
blazer & trousers - Primark

shoes and sunglasses - ebay

Practically everything - Primark

skirt - Everything5Pounds

If my Instagram is anything to go by, it's clear that I'm firmly on the animal print bandwagon.

Snake, crocodile or leopard, there's something both 'statement' and wonderfully muted about these prints we're still seeing  just about everywhere, making them perfect for pretty much any occasion. 

The above outfits are a little glimpse into my autumnal wardrobe, featuring - unsurprisingly - my newest leopard print purchase. What's even better, it was just £5.

Do you like the animal print trend? What's your favourite look?

xxx

Let's get graphic

shirt - Next

trousers - Shein

shoes - ebay

top - Shein

trousers - Primark

shoes - ebay

Currently in the weird post-holiday blues period where I'm still saying pleasantries in French and adjusting to the significant lack of croissants in my life - full details on international pastries in another post.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share my thoughts on a couple of new additions to my wardrobe i.e. the wonderful power such statement pieces can have.

You know the ones I mean - the printed shirt or embroidered blazer which you can rely on to instantly improve an outfit, or make it entirely. Whilst I am drawn to shiny new trend pieces, I know it's the trusty statement items which I can turn to in a crisis e.g. trying to get out of the house on time.

What's you favourite statement piece?

xxx 

An Ootd at Salford Quays

I love exploring places that I already know.

I realise that might sound a little odd; we tend to associate new adventures with unknown far off lands and places we've only read about in books. But what if the cities and towns we know so well hold hidden gems and unseen treasures we're yet to discover?

 

By new discoveries, I don't just mean that quirky gift shop on the corner or the new cafe in the centre of town which only serves chocolate biscuits. I mean those which might have been right in front of our noses the whole time, but we just haven't taken the time to venture to.

Last month I travelled to Salford Quays with the lovely Livia Lazar to capture some fancy new outfit snaps. I had some new red trousers and Livia suggested the Quays could be a good setting to get some interesting shots, so naturally I was on board.

 

For me, Manchester is somewhere I visit regularly; it's home to my boyfriend and secondly, a place for me to spend far too much money - Alchemist, I am looking at you. However, whilst the Quays is literally 20 mins from the centre, it's just not somewhere I've ever travelled to, and I'm so pleased I did.

 

 I think we all have those places that we think we know like the back of our hands, but on closer inspection, have just about scratched the surface. Even if it seems odd, taking that slight detour down that side street or getting off a couple of tube stops too early could result in a new discovery that we would never have otherwise come across. And discovering is something we all need a little more of, even if it is just a perfect pair of red trousers.

Talking of new journeys, there is a *slight* possibility I could be headed to London in a couple of months. Whilst nothing is, as yet, set in stone, advice from any current residents of the capital would be very welcome - i.e. will I have to live on beans on toast?

Photos by the wonderful Livia Lazar

top - Zara

trousers - Primark

shoes - ebay

necklaces - Neck on the line

rings - H&M

earrings - vintage