29/03/2011

Bring It On

A look that has been fashionable for a while now is that cute, preppy and sporty look with a retro vibe. It's inspired by cheerleading outfits and typical american jocks. I haven't paid much attention to it in a while as it hasn't really graced the runways that much this season, however, in the last issue of Elle Russia I found an editorial, that I loved, inspired by this look.





This look is so simple yet the effect can be amazing. The items you wear should be simple shapes with not too many prints. The best colours to use are red, white and navy for that cute 'all american' high school look. You can add an edge to this style by wearing it with some harder pieces, such as leather shorts or trainer-inspired high heels, as shown above. Or you could take the style really literally and wear old vintage sports team or cheerleading t-shirts. Sporty shapes are also great for this look such as polo shirts, letterman jackets and cricket jumpers.

Here are some high street items of this style that I love...

TOPSHOP


TOPSHOP


PINS & NEEDLES


PINS & NEEDLES


BDG


AMERICAN COLLEGE


SPARKLE AND FADE


RENEWAL AT URBAN OUTFITTERS


AMERICAN APPAREL


VINTAGE LOVES AT FREE PEOPLE


VINTAGE LOVES AT FREE PEOPLE


ROCKIT


AMERICAN APPAREL


ROCKIT


ASH

24/03/2011

Beauty

Here are some of my favourite beauty looks this season...

DARK AND MYSTERIOUS





SLEEK AND SEXY






COLOUR





DIRTY AND TOUSLED 






GLITZ AND GLAM






BAREFACED AND BEAUTIFUL





Oh and this is me sporting my favourite hair style this season


(This is a joke by the way, just incase some of you are a bit slow...)

23/03/2011

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Grunge is a style that I love and it's one that is very easy to pull off. I think I mentioned it a few posts ago when I was talking about styles from different decades, so, as a said before it all started in the late 80's and then was popular in the 90's. The grunge fashion actually came about because it was the type of clothes that the grunge music artists and fans wore. Grunge music is a genre of rock and it's got an alternative rock sound but with punk influences. The most famous grunge band is probably Nirvana...



The look, like the music, has some punk elements but the overall it is quite different. It's all about 'utility' clothes so that means lots of outerwear and durable fabrics. The clothes should be pretty worn and tatty as the look is a retaliation against the high glamour and gloss of the 80's. 

Here are some grunge inspired editorials...


















The grunge look has many key features 

1. DISHEVELED

So this means holes, rips, ladders, patches and LOTS of them. 
For genuine grunge these holes and rips would have just happened overtime as people tended to wear the same outfits all the time. But now you can buy a lot of pre-distressed clothing. You could also look through vintage shops, charity shops or flea markets to look for old clothes that have holes or rips in them, you may even be able to get a discount because of it!

Firetrap



Jonathan Aston



Free People



Asos


2. SHIRTS

Plaid and Denim are best. These are very popular in the grunge look as they are easy to layer over practically anything; a dress, skirt, shorts, tops, trousers...

BDG



APC



Renewal at Urban Outfitters


3. FLOWERY COTTON DRESSES/PLAYSUITS

But they MUST be worn with old combat boots and a baggy, holey cardigan or layered over a long sleeved t-shirt - no traces of femininity wanted! Also should not be too short or tight - the grunge look is all about baggy










All above: Rockit

4. BAGGY KNITS

These are my favourite things as they are comfy, warm and snuggly. Here are some great ones...

Rockit


Cheap Monday



MM6



NEAL by Neal Sperling



Sparkle & Fade


5. TARTAN, PLAID AND CHECKS

These materials are very grungy looking, especially kilts.

Urban Outfitters



Urban Outfitters




Converse




Rockit




The Reformation



6. COMBAT BOOTS AND HIGH TOPS

Dr. Martens



 Converse




Dr Martens by Jean Paul Gaultier




Kurt Cobain Converse




Urban Outfitters



You're shoes should be completely distressed, with mud, scratches and holes. To make the look even more grunge you could scribble on your shoes with permanent market or randomly stick pieces of duct tape on it to look as if you're trying to stop them falling apart.






And if you just want to achieve the grunge look quickly, go role in some dirt.