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Fashion trends that need to die in 2020

Fashion trends that shouldn’t follow us into 2020.

New year, new trends. However, some trends tend to outstay their welcome (or were never even welcome in the first place) and stick around for too long.

One of my previous blogposts ‘Fashion trends that need to die in 2018‘ seemed to be popular, so why not reflect on the trends of 2019 that need to die?

This is a disclaimer: don’t get offended if you like any of these trends; this is just my opinion. If you like to dress like this, I’m sure you’re still a nice person.

Here are the 8 trends that need to disappear in 2020:

1. Cycling shorts

Unless you’re training for the Tour De France, you have no place wearing these outside of a gym. They do not look good with a T shirt, a baggy jumper, a nice top, a shirt, trainers, sandals or heels… they do not look good with anything. I’m sorry, cycling shorts are awful and should not be worn for “every occasion” as Glamour magazine suggests you should.

2. Ridiculously tiny ‘bags’ aka ‘micro bags’

It was the 2010s – where mobile phones started to get bigger and bags became so small the phones cannot fit in them. It is extremely logical… (note the sarcasm).

These are not functional by any means, but fashionable? Also no. There is literally no point in these but to make people look at you and think ‘did that bag get shrunk in the wash?’ or ‘is that person carrying a Barbie doll’s bag?’.

I’m not talking about the bags that are also classed as a ‘wallet on chain’, you know, a device that can actually fit in your credit cards and a set of keys. No, I’m talking about the micro bag by French designer Jacquemus which sparked the tiniest trend yet.

The bag I’m referring to is a massive one inch deep, two inches high and wide and weighs 3oz. You’d be lucky to fit a Lil-let tampon in there.

But don’t worry, for your £200, you’ll also get a dust bag included, and I can see why a dustbag is necessary, because by the looks of it, it’ll only take two specks of dust to disintegrate this thing.

3. Bucket hats

The only person that can get away with wearing a bucket hat, in my opinion, is Billie Eilish. But, even the most stylish celebrities I’ve seen wearing a bucket hat end up looking like a long-lost member of Hanson. Bucket hats paired with floaty dresses and chic suits? For me, it just doesn’t go and looks off-balanced. I guess it works if you’re going straight from fashion week to fishing though.

But maybe I’m just jealous because I struggle to find hats that suit me.

 

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A post shared by BILLIE EILISH (@billieeilish) on

4. Shoes without socks

I’m talking about the typical Essex boy look here. Leather loafers or trainers worn WITHOUT socks. I mean, some shoes will lend themselves to the ‘no-sock’ rule, such as espadrilles, but fully enclosed leather brogues? That’s just screaming fungal breeding-ground.

Every time I see a guy without socks I want to ask: ‘are your feet not extremely sweaty??’. I’ve even seen some go sockless along with tight, rolled-up chinos to a wedding. Unless its a wedding on the beach, this is not acceptable and Ascot agrees – as men without socks will now be refused entry to the races.

Finally, this trend has introduced the word ‘mankles‘ to the English lexicon. MANKLES! If that’s not a sign to ditch this trend I don’t know what is.

5. Socks and sliders

Now this is why I’m confused… Aforementioned men who don’t wear socks with shoes will also be the ones who wear socks WITH sandals? Oh, the irony.

Socks and sandals has notoriously been a fashion faux-pas, so it’s actually quite impressive that this one has caught on. Well done socks and sandals.

6. Joggers

Couple joggers with the socks and sliders and you’re on track for the perfect outfit for taking the bins out in the morning.

I’m not hating on joggers; they are very cosy. I have many pairs. The reason I wear them is either for slobbing about watching Netflix, travelling or actually jogging (pffft who am I kidding? I don’t jog).

I would just like to campaign for people to stop wearing joggers to restaurants and other public places. Nando’s isn’t Michelin star cuisine, and Odeon doesn’t call for a black-tie dress code, but come on, have some decency to wear actual clothes to go out to eat. And proper shoes with socks too.

7. Saddle bags

Okay, this may be controversial… but the Dior saddle bags and all the liver-shaped replicas that it inspired should have stayed in 1999. I liked it on Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City and that’s where my interest in this bag ends. Vintage pieces can bring another layer to a modern outfit, but a brand new copy-and-paste version of the original that has been brought back by Maria Grazia Chiuri still feels out-dated (and over-priced at that).

Carrie Bradshaw played by Sarah Jessica Parker in an episode of 2000's Sex and the City. She wears a Dior saddle bag (original) with a white vest top and a purple flower brooch on the strap.

Photo: Getty Images.

8. Boiler suits

So this last one I’m a bit on the fence about. Perhaps it’s because I’ve not yet found a flattering boiler suit, and yet, it can look quite chic when styled up the right way. However, I can’t really get the image out of my head that if I wore one I’d look like I’m about to shovel some coal or like an extra in ‘Orange is the New Black’.

Trends will come and go

Every year there’ll be some new weird and wonderful clothing styles and I look forward to seeing them. Perhaps we’ll have creative clothes made out of old Tesco uniforms, in the same way the IKEA blue bags had a moment. I was going to say Sainsbury’s in stead of Tesco, but Beyoncé’s brand Ivy Park already has that covered.

Are there any ‘ugly fashion’ trends that you like? What do you think 2020 will bring?

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment and be sure to come back again 🙂

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Body confidence: what if you’re not ‘body positive’ about yourself?

By Posted on 12 4.1K

*In collaboration with UK Swimwear.

📍Arenal d’en Castell, Menorca.

In an online world full of contradictions, do you feel conflicted about your body image?

This post is about how a simple bikini photo shoot (pics courtesy of Dan – thanks) led me to feel more confident and ask myself if I should feel guilty for not always being happy with my body.

When you go on a week-long beach holiday do you take enough bikinis for a month or is that just me? I love the sea and swimming (and apparently bikinis) so when UK Swimwear reached out to me about collaborating I said yes straight away. You’ll find designer swimwear to suit all different needs and styles – for me I loved every single item by Watercult (their stuff is beautiful!)

But then, I realised for this blogpost that I would have to photograph myself in a bikini and put it up for everyone to see and I wondered if I wanted to do that… It’s weird because I post photos of myself wearing outfits, so why should this be any different? I’ve been struggling with my body confidence so now, so I was worried about putting photos of me semi-naked on my blog…

Hannah with on hand on her head in the sea.

Wearing Watercult Bandeau bikini*

So, originally I was going to write a holiday checklist (I always need to do this before every trip, so I’ll still publish that) but now have these bikini photos ready to post, I thought that talking about body confidence in this post would be more fitting.

At the end of this blog post, I have three points for you to take away that I hope helps if you ever feel bad about yourself… or feel bad for feeling bad about yourself.

Conflict of feelings

I feel ashamed to say that I’m not happy with how my body is at the moment.

Whatever body shape or size you are, unfortunately, you’re not immune to feeling body-conscious. We’ve come a long way in the representation of women’s bodies but there is a lot of damage to undo. We’ve seen the supposed ‘perfect body type’ presented by the media and advertising for so long now that social media and society has created an ingrained pressure for women to look a certain way.

But now, there are conflicting messages in the media too – “you should be proud of your body whatever it looks like!” “Don’t conform to the patriarchy’s ideals of beauty!” “Be confident” and other slightly aggressive demands amongst all sorts of inspirational quotes. We still see ‘perfect’ images of Victoria Secret models everywhere in magazines but we’re now being told we should always be positive about our own bodies.

80% of people have stretch marks and 90% of women and 10% of men have cellulite. That’s 90%! How can that be something we are embarrassed by when literally almost every woman has them? Click To Tweet

Hannah sitting on the beach in the waves. Arenal d'en Castelll

It’s kind of confusing.

And it’s making me feel guilty that I’m not always ‘body positive’. On the other hand, I don’t feel like I can use the expression ‘body positive’ because I don’t want to appropriate a message that’s been created for plus-size women. I’m just an average size with the average concerns… I’ll obssess over so many things wrong with my body,  yet I would never think so harshly about other people..

It’s not just me or you that feels this. Here are some quotes from other people that we can probably relate to:

“I obsess about my weight constantly, and I really hate myself for it, especially for being such a hypocrite. I preach self-love all the time to my friends and can’t seem to find any for myself.”

From article: ‘’I feel guilty but I hate my body’: a feminist confesses’

“If you’re one of the girls who still feels inferior no matter how many body-positivity articles you read, you’re not alone.”

From article: ‘I hate my body and think I always will’

Everyone has scars and ‘imperfections’

I am able-bodied, thanks to a surgery I had when I was two. If it weren’t for the NHS and a fantastic surgeon, it’s possible that I wouldn’t be able to walk properly. So, why am I putting my body down when it has managed to go through so much with me?

Ever since then, I’ve had a large scar on my right leg and hip and one going through my stomach across the pelvis. Yet I’ve never been ashamed or embarrassed by the scars. I never mind telling people where they came from when they see it and ask. I’m actually proud of them – my war wounds 🙂

Hannah doing scynchronised swimming in the sea. Arenal d'en Castelll

(I used to do synchronised swimming but I’m rusty so don’t judge my technique!)

 

However, when it comes to my cellulite, my stretch marks, and my lumpiness it fills me with disgust. But it’s totally normal and natural for anyone to have these. In fact, 80% of people have stretch marks and 90% of women and 10% of men have cellulite. That’s 90%! How can that be something we are embarrassed by when literally almost every woman has them?

I feel ashamed to say that I’m not happy with how my body is at the moment. I know that’s because there’s more to life than our bodies and, to other people, there may look like there’s anything ‘wrong’ with my body. And there isn’t – so that’s why I feel bad sharing my insecurities.

I shared an Instagram post a few weeks ago saying I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and everyone was so kind; a lot of you were saying that I had nothing to be worried about. There’s nothing wrong with how my body is but right now I feel that this isn’t my body.

That probably makes no sense.

I’ll explain…

Hannah faces a rock in a rock pool, with both hands on head clutching hair.

It’s more of a psychological issue than a physical issue.

Never before have I had any issues or worries about how my body looked. I did a lot of exercise and managed to maintain the same weight for years. That was until I took some medications a few years ago which had the side effects of weight gain. Ever since I took those, they changed how I felt about myself; now I’m focused on so many ‘flaws’ I never had or noticed before. I’ve been struggling to get back to where I was – the ‘old me’ who didn’t worry about that.

It’s not that I think my body shape or size is not nice and I don’t want to write anything that would make someone else upset or self-conscious. But, I don’t feel like my body suits me. I feel uncomfortable having a bit of chub I didn’t have before. I look at my old photos and that is a happy person who didn’t worry.
So, I suppose my problem is not how I think I look but how it makes me feel.

The body I have now is one that hasn’t healed itself yet. My scars from my operation have healed. But, the lumps, the extra cushioning around my cheeks and waist are scars that haven’t healed yet… because they are reminders of a mentally tough period in my life which I’m not over yet. When I’m out the other side I’ll either have lost these parts I don’t like or I’ll be happy enough to accept them.

But that’s why I’m not joining in with the movement of shouting from the rooftops that I have flaws and I’m proud of them. Does that make any sense?

Hannah stands in the sea wearing black and white balconette bikini.

That’s one of the reasons I like fashion. It makes me feel better.

You may look at my photos and think I have nothing to worry about… And I know that I shouldn’t worry, which where this guilt comes from. You may also say, well if you’re not confident why are you posting these photos?

To that I say, well, it was a lot of fun taking these and I felt more confident as we went on. I feel happy with how these came out. They have happy memories behind them. My boyfriend and I were on holiday together, having a laugh playing around taking these photos and I felt good wearing this bikini*. Also, it helped that I knew that no one on the beach knew me that day so I didn’t worry about looking silly.

Sun is behind Hannah's face

I wish you could see behind-the-scenes of this photo… I’m demanding that Dan ‘get lower down’, ‘no, lower so the sun is behind my face’ … Him: ‘No I don’t want to get all sandy; I’ll have to go and wash it off in the sea again!’ ‘I can’t see you, it’s so bright!’

And trust me, these photos aren’t all realistic themselves – I’ve put up the best photos of the bunch and we took a lot of photos… and a lot didn’t make the cut. In these I’m stretching out, facing my back to the camera, and trying to angle myself so the lumps and rolls don’t stick out. Same as what models do on photoshoots and everyone does on Instagram. Just take Iskra Lawrence’s example that we can all hide certain things when we pose a certain way.

So, the last thing I’d want is for anyone to compare my images to themselves and feel bad. These are just some photos that I think turned out well.

What you wear makes a difference

Putting on this bikini, I could tell it was of a much higher quality than the bikinis I normally wear… As soon as I put it on I felt really good in it; it fits well and the bikini top gives the support of bra. (A good supportive bikini top is necessary when swimming – trust me! I’ve had a few rogue floating bikini tops after diving into the pool before!). I love the embroidery and the elastic on the bottom is supported with Petersham so I’m sure these will last for quite a few holidays to come.

Close up of the bikini bottoms - black with white aztec embroidery with tie-sides and gold filigree pineapple charms.

Look at the little gold pineapple charms!!!

What you wear really can dictate how you’re feeling about your body and image. When I’m dressed in something I love, I feel confident and am therefore happier with how I look. When I’m in panic-mode and having ‘nothing to wear’ (we all know that’s not true, but we’ve all been there) and I chuck on something I’m not quite feeling, then I know I’m not going to be thinking positively towards my body. I’m fairly sure that I’m not alone in this.

So, if you’re going to a pool or a beach, my advice is to find a swimsuit that fits you really well in the style and design you really like. It’ll make all the difference to your confidence.

And if you want to do what I did, try taking some photos and you might end up with ones that you think you look banging in.

Hannah sits on the sand looking out at the sea.

What’s the conclusion to this then?

I have three things that I’ve realised:

1. You’re not alone if you feel guilty for not always liking your body.

In today’s world of social media, it’s hard not to escape the paradox of ‘this is how to improve yourself!’ and ‘be fine with how you are!’. We can’t blame ourselves for having mixed feelings about our image.

2. Don’t compare yourself to images online

Although almost it’s unavoidable seeing these images everywhere and it’s become an unconscious thing to do – comparing ourselves is not healthy for our esteem. When you catch yourself with these thoughts make a conscious point to tell yourself that a photo online doesn’t always tell the full story.

3. Make a small step towards body confidence and dress up in something that makes you feel good

I’m not meaning that you should ‘dress nicer’ and I’m not insinuating you need a magic makeover, not at all. This isn’t just surface-deep. On a psychological level, you can boost your self-esteem if you’re happy (or happier) with how you see yourself on the outside.

Now go out and treat yourself! It’s the perfect excuse 😉

Have you ever felt bad for feeling bad or are you always confident no matter what? Honestly, I’d love to hear different points of view on this. Leave me a comment and maybe we can start a discussion.

 

*This bikini was gifted.

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Four staple pieces you need this Autumn

On-trend staple pieces for autumn

*In collaboration with Boohoo.

Okay, it’s time for round two. By that, I mean I’ve written this before. Déjà-vu. If you think you’ve already read or commented on this post, then you probably did. Just for context, I was having a bad day (I mean really bad) and something went wrong with my code in the back-end. What was a fairly simple fix, I made things more complicated than they needed to be and restored my blog to its last backed up state. So, the last four blog posts I’d written WERE DELETED FOREVER * crying face emoji *.

Autumn fashion

I don’t know about you, but autumn fashion can be tricky to get right. The weather in October is never sure what it’s doing in the UK. Will we have a mini heatwave or will it storm? You just never know what to dress for. This is why knitwear is always the answer for me. You wear can wear a knitted cardigan or jumper on its own when it’s too warm for a coat but you can also put a coat on top for when it is cold.

Four staple pieces for autumn

1. Black turtleneck

The black turtleneck has never really gone out of style. They are so simple, chic and classic. It’s been a fashion favourite ever since the 1930s. While the first person to come to mind when you think of black turtlenecks may be Steve Jobs, who isn’t exactly known for his style sense, you can’t deny the number of fashion icons that have been photographed wearing the black turtleneck: Yves Saint Laurent, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Steve McQueen… and of course, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in that vintage photo. (I’ve included it at the end, you’re welcome).

Hannah wears a black turtleneck, leopard print skater skirt and black sock boots with a perspex heel

Channeling Posh Spice

Hannah wears a black turtleneck, leopard print skater skirt and black sock boots with a perspex heel

Cropped turtleneck knit* | Leopard print skirt* | Sock boots*

Hannah wears pink knitted trousers and a black knitted cropped turtleneck

Cropped turtleneck knit* | Knitted Co-ord set* | Sock boots*

2. Animal print

Animal print is a massive trend for autumn. I love this leopard skater skirt (it’s only £12 – bargain!) not only does it look stylish but it’s also comfy. You could get away with wearing this bare-legged on the warmer, balmy days or put on some knee-high boots or tights for warmth on the cold days – which makes this skirt a great transition piece.

It doesn’t just have to be leopard print though. Snake-print is everywhere, as well as tiger, zebra (I’m lusting after these beaut palazzo pants), crocodile – anything exotic.

Cropped turtleneck knit* | Leopard print skirt* | Sock boots* | Knitted Co-ord set*

3. Sock boots

These were on-trend last year and they’re back again. They’re so flattering because they fit, well, like a sock. The ones I’m wearing are perfect if you want to wear a statement but are not ready to go all-out. The clear perspex heel is an interesting twist on a classic black boot which makes a statement but is still classy.

Cropped turtleneck knit* | Leopard print skirt* | Sock boots* | Knitted Co-ord set*

4. Knitted co-ords

I love a co-ord. Even better when that co-ord is knitted and comfy. I was afraid knitted co-ords would look too much like pyjamas… but the pyjama as outerwear is still going strong so I’m all for it. I also love that you get more outfits for your money with this. You can wear the top and bottoms together, or you could mix and match with other items in your wardrobe and that’s what makes it so versatile.

*These items were gifted.

What are your staples for autumn? Are you loving the animal print trend too? Leave me a comment 🙂

Thank you to my lovely friend Laura for taking these bomb photos! Follow her for yoga inspiration: instagram.com/ripetideyoga

This post is in honour of the Rock rocking a turtleneck. We stan. 🙌The rock rocking a turtleneck

 

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Style Inspiration: Dolce & Gabbana

Get the Dolce & Gabbana Look on the high-street

I hope the people remember Dolce & Gabbana for the sensuality, for the Mediterranean sense, for our honesty to the life.

-Domenico Dolce

Dolce & Gabbana has one of the most distinctive brand personalities – think of Dolce & Gabbana and you think of sunny Sicily, small Italian villages, big italian families and big designs. It’s one of the most recognised fashion houses since the 80s, so it’s no surprise that there is so much on the high street that has clearly taken inspiration * cough * or ripped off * cough * from D&G. Being one of my favourite designers, it made sense for my next ‘inspired by’ post to be on D&G.

[Check out my Style Inspiration posts on Gucci and Chloé]

If there is one thing that Dolce & Gabbana doesn’t do, it’s doing things by halves. It’s the definition of maximalismo. Everything is exuberant.

Fun fact: Dolce & Gabbana have said that when they die, their eponymous fashion house will die with them – they do not want anyone else to take over after they are gone. Every offer they have received so far, for example, when they broke up as a romantic couple, floods of offers came in to take control but they refused.

The DOLCE DNA

If you want to experiment with your style and add a splash of D&G flavour to your high-street outfit, then here’s what to look for:

  1. Lingerie pieces
  2. Feminine florals
  3. Colourful prints
  4. Regal and religious accessories
  5. Baroque extravagance

Photography by D Rayner Photo (edited by me)

Hannah wears an embellished and jewelled black bustier with straps and baroque patterned red silky pyjama style trousers/pants. Shoes are red mules and she holds a black weaved wicker box bag outside a old white Manor House.

Powerful but romantic. Womanly.

-Tim Blanks, Vogue

1. Lingerie pieces

Bralettes, camis, satin pyjama pieces, corsets, structured tops… These are the types of pieces that make up the basis of Dolce & Gabbana’s aesthetic. Perhaps, the corset is the most iconic – a favourite of their muse Sofia Loren – which subsequently returns to their collections. I saw this bejeweled bustier top on Zara and immediately knew where they got their inspiration from. Black and red are staples of the D&G diet, more specifically, black lace and red jewels and lips.

Hannah wears an embellished and jewelled black bustier with straps and baroque patterned red silky pyjama style trousers/pants. Shoes are red mules and she holds a black weaved wicker box bag, in front of a white stately house.Look One | Earrings: | Bodice: Zara | Trousers: | Bag: | Mules: River Island

To me, flowers are happiness.

-Stefano Gabbana

2. Feminine florals

Florals make up a large proportion of Dolce & Gabbana’s prints, especially roses. Instead of ditsy prints, look for large flowers that dominate the fabric. This white and is absolutely stunning (any weddings coming up soon?) and a complete D&G dupe.

Have fun with the florals – clash them with other prints, like polka dots or leopard print, maybe go for a nautical vibe and pair a floral top with stripes.

Hannah kisses a pineapple

Hannah holding a pineapple to her hear

Look Two | Earrings: | Top: | Skirt: | Bag: Asos

In life you need to take a risk

– Stefano Gabbana

3. Colourful prints

Go for statement prints that remind you of summer. Prints that are beloved by D&G (and lucky for us available on the high-street) are florals, as mentioned, prints with fruit, post-card prints (an example of what I mean below), animal prints – especially leopard, a classic – scarf prints and tile prints to evoke their gorgeous maiolica print…

This H&M dress may be a bit extra, but as soon as I saw it, I needed it. The sweetheart neckline, the ruffles, the banana and yellow lily print just screamed Dolce & Gabbana.. which may be why it sold out straight away. I tried three times to buy it when it went out of stock! Eventually, I came, I saw, I conquered! It was all worth it. This dress has earned so many compliments every time I’ve worn it.
If you’re afraid of wearing something like this, then maybe first try it out with flats and understated jewellery and start by wearing it to an event like a wedding, where you’ll feel more comfortable all dressed up.

Hannah wears an H&M bright, floral and lemon flounce dress in front of a mediterranean looking house. Hannah in yellow floral dress leaning on a red post box. Unfortunately, this dress is sold out! But here are some gorgeous alternatives:

We built our fashion around three fundamental concepts: Sicily, tailoring, and tradition.
– Domenico Dolce

4. Regal and religious accessories

Sicily is at the heart of the brand, so pieces that reflect the traditions of this Italian city are key. Domenico and Stefano love to play with bringing Italy’s historic and religious past into their modern-day looks. Expect to see a lot of big crosses and headpieces that would be fit for a queen 👑.

Gold is a key metal, so pick out items with gold buttons and or cute headband to jazz up an outfit. Statement earrings are a must – the bigger the better. You’ll find loads of that are especially made to look like the ones seen on the runway.

Go for jewels upon jewels! Jewelled earrings – check. Embellished bag – check. Stone headband – check. Pretend you’re Beyoncé in the ‘Bow Down’ video.

(Okay, I cheated with this outfit, because the top is not a high-street dupe, but I’ve listed a few tops below that are similar to the D&G top I’m wearing).

Hannah crossing the road, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana vest top which says 'Sicila, Mare, Sole, Amore' with an Asos polka dot skirt with gold buttons. Floral and embroidered sandals with a rose gold flower headband and cross baroque earrings with red lips. Dolce and Gabbana style inspiration

Look Four | Top: Dolce & Gabbana – in blue | Earrings: | Skirt: Asos | Bag: Asos (sold out – ) |  Shoes: Topshop – similar | Headband: Asos

Purse friendly versions of this Dolce & Gabbana vest:

Baroque  /bəˈrɒk/)

is a highly ornate and often extravagant style of architecture, art and music that flourished in Europe from the early 17th until the late 18th century. The baroque style used contrast, movement, exuberant detail, grandeur and surprise to achieve a sense of awe.

5. Baroque extravagance

The pattern on this Asos jumpsuit fits perfectly into the baroque category; it’s got the roses, the ornate gold borders, panelling and the colours are stunning together. Reminds me of the Sistine Chapel ceiling!

To get this look, make sure you have some gold or silver tones, along with textures like embroidery on top of intricate patterns and jacquard fabrics.

Hannah wears a scarf print jumpsuit in blue, red and gold baroque pattern. She holds a minaudiere box bag in black. Dolce & Gabbana designer inspired high-street look. Style inspiration. Fashion blogger. Photos taken by D Rayner photo

Look Five | Jumpsuit: Asos |Bag: | Sunglasses: Primark

I had a lot of fun putting together these outfits! Are you inspired to jazz up your outfit with a statement earring or cute box bag? Let me know in the comments what you thought 😉

Also would you want me to share the Lightroom presets I made for these photos? Let me know!

Thanks for reading!

x

More Dolce & Gabbana inspired pieces

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Is Burberry making a mistake? | Fashion fail

Is Riccardo Tisci going to f*ck up Burberry?

This is the second time that Burberry has been at the forefront of fashion news this fortnight. The first time for their disposal of their left-over stock. That’s another issue which I actually wanted to write about. But, this may surprise you… The second piece of news – the controversial logo change – now THAT  has triggered me more than all of Burberry’s burning clothes.

THIS IS THE NEW BURBERRY LOGO (be prepared to be underwhelmed):

If you like this new logo, then your opinion is WRONG! 😛

Let me tell you why.

Christopher Bailey would not have committed such a crime when he was at the helm of Burberry.

To me, this logo change doesn’t seem to about Burberry. It screams ego-trip. It’s a power move by Tisci

What is it with new Creative Directors coming into historic brands and the first thing they do is rebrand? Sometimes it’s needed. Burberry could use an overhaul in some areas of their public image, but one thing it did not need is a brand new logo.

Part of their brand identity is heritage and history. This logo is what translates that to me:

My issue isn’t necessarily with Tisci trying to modernise and bring the brand into 2018. Maybe if the new logo was still a serif font I’d have less vexation.

The issue here is that:

  1. The sans-serif just is too over-simplified to translate the luxury and history that Burberry is meant to be all about. I get that many other luxury brands use serif, but there is something about this logo that’s not fitting for Burberry.
  2. This took four weeks to design. Come on now. Apparently, this project actually needed four months! FOUR. MONTHS. To design this… Okay then.
  3. Where is the creativity? It looks like a watered down version of every. other. new. logo. out there.
  4. Following on from this, I feel like these rebranded logos have become a meme of their own. We have Hedi Slimane changing Yves Saint Laurent‘s beautiful script into the plain ‘Saint Laurent’ that we have today. Raf Simmons just changed Calvin Klein’s logo, which was designed by Peter Saville, who, surprise suprise, has designed this new Burberry logo. I mean, just look at how diverse he can be…

We also have Céline, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenburg… (the list goes on) with similar looking logos. To me, this new logo is this meme:

Can I copy your homework? sure just change it up a bit so it doesn't look obvious... ok.

Even the new monogram is blah. Why do they need a monogram? We already have the iconic Burberry check. This monogram just looks like a souk’s version of Louis Vuitton and Goyard mashed together.

 

[Read: Five Fashion Fails: Lawsuits filed against fakes]

If it ain’t broke..

In his statement about taking the job [Tisci] said, “I have enormous respect for Burberry’s British heritage and global appeal,”

Vogue

Being British, Burberry is an important brand to me. 2016’s Christmas campaign starring Domhnall Gleeson as Thomas Burberry perfectly captured what the brand is all about. Tisci coming in and demanding a complete rebrand within four weeks doesn’t seem to be someone who really wants to get in touch with the heart of the brand’s history. Imagine the research and archives you’d have at your disposal and the amount of time that it would really take to understand the complexities of what works and also what doesn’t work.

It’s a very bold move, even arrogant, to assume you know the failings and to overhaul everything when you’ve only been in post a couple of months.

To me, this logo change doesn’t seem to about Burberry. It screams ego-trip. It’s a power move by Tisci who wants to show everyone that he’s the new person in charge and he can do what he wants and he’ll get all the praise for any of the publicity it gets.

Italian designers can be brash and bold, which works for certain brands. But here, for Burberry, whose essence lies in innovative practicality – think back to the 1901 classic trench that was designed for British and French soldiers – I can’t see how Tisci is a good match. Come September, we’ll see if I’m proven wrong. I do look forward to seeing Tisci’s first collection, however. Who knows, maybe I’ll review it?

A Burberry gift box

Do you have any thoughts on this? Am I overreacting??? Let me know if you disagree and you like the new logo; I’d be interested to know why!

If you like a ranty post check out my ‘trends that need to die in 2018’!

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Fashion trends that must die in 2018

8 fashion trends that need to stop!

“A trend simply reflects what seems to be going around at any given time.”*

Some are born out of necessity, some are expensive, some out-stay their welcome and some are downright wrong (see number 8). Some are all of the above. Trends come and go and these are those that need to go.

They’ve gotta go…

1. Ridiculously ripped jeans

Cue the jokes about me sounding like your nan, but why am I paying so much money for something that is already torn before it leaves the shop?

I’m here for rips in the knees and some artful fraying – modest rips, shall we say – but what in the hell are these rips all the way up to your butt cheeks? You know the ones. Just imagine Kylie Jenner as an extra in the Walking Dead – the sort of jeans that character would wear. Just please. Someone make it stop. Or, just give me £40 and I’ll happily ruin some of your old jeans for you.

2. Nude everything à la Yeezy

I like nude colours. They can look so chic. Especially suiting pieces (see my photo below 😉). But what I can not get on board with is nude body-con pieces paired with more nude and even more nude, so you become all camouflaged. I’m thinking most things Yeezy and these sorts of outfits that Kim Kardashian wears. Unless penis in a condom is the look you’re going for. (Sorry for all the weird imagery. And we’re only at no.2 in the list).

You know what I want to see this year? More colour!

Kim Kardashian wearing some god awful latex, shiny, nude colour dress

3. Gucci marmont belt

“A trend simply reflects what seems to be going around at any given time.” And there has been a lot of Gucci belts going around. I mean A LOT. It’s hard to open Instagram without seeing one… and it’s (dare I say it) a bit too samey. This isn’t new either; I think this has been around the last two and half years now and I’m a bit tired of it.

The GUCCI BELTS NEED TO GO.

“But I spent a lot of money on this!” you may cry. Don’t get me wrong, I actually love these belts and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want one. I even considered getting one… But y’know – money, sizing, stock problems (what you gunna do?). But the main problem with this trend is that it’s just that: a trend. An expensive one at that.

Alas, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. I have a feeling this will probably divide a lot of opinions!

PS I know Moschino belts were a big blogger thing a while back. They were an eighties revival, and for me, a classic. So, after the hype died down I got one in a thinner width and less in-your-face. I see less people (and less fakes) with this belt, so it looks a bit different.

Want a designer belt? Why not try one that’s not ‘trendy’ so you’ll never have to worry about it going out of fashion?

My top alternatives to the Gucci belt

4. The ‘choker’ dress

To be honest, this one isn’t offensive at all; I’m just not sold on this trend – is it a choker or is it a dress? You want to wear a choker, why not put on a necklace? This one looks a bit faffy for me to buy one of these, although it does look good on a lot of people, I’m just probably not one of them.

5. UGLY sneakers!

Just… No. I couldn’t ever jump on this bandwagon. If I wore some of these trainers in P.E. back in school in 2008, I would have got so bullied. Don’t these Balenciaga trainers just remind you of something you get out of lost property when you left your kit at home?

I’m still seeing these this Fashion Week… Part of me thinks there’s an inside joke. I can imagine the brands and influencers talking ‘let’s make the ugliest shoes possible a ‘thing’ and see how much people will pay for them?! It’ll be hilarious”.

Yeah… I’ll stick to my white Nikes thanks.

Louis Vuitton's extremely ugly sneakers

Louis Vuitton

6. Slogan tees that make no sense

Don’t get me wrong, I love a slogan T-shirt. I have too many to count. And they are definitely going nowhere… if anything, we’ll see more of them (if that’s possible), but what I just don’t get, are slogan tees that chucked some words together to form a sentence that doesn’t mean anything. These are some hilarious examples I’m talking about.

7. Low jeans on men

This has gone on for too long. Wear your trousers properly! I can see your pants and it looks like you shit in a nappy. That’s all.

Liam Payne wearing jeans so low you can see his boxer pants!!

8. Wearing IKEA bags

Let me repeat that for you, so you can let that sink in. People were actually making clothes out of those blue Ikea bags and wearing them, out in actual public. Now, I don’t know if this was a full-on trend; I didn’t see my Instagram cluttered with Ikea, nor have I seen anyone wearing this, but this wave of nonsense is too funny not to include.

I believe the whole thing started to poke fun at Balenciaga for producing a £1,600 bag that looked eerily similar to Ikea’s shopping bag. Is it just me or has Balenciaga had an identity crisis?

I gotta give to those people for their creativity with this though! Check out Some of the Best (and Most Ridiculous) Products People Have Made From IKEA Bags.

Three people wearing IKEA bags as 1. a coat, 2. shorts and 3. bralette

Do you agree/disagree with my list? Is there a trend I missed that you would really like to see disappear this year?

Leave a comment below 🙂


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The secret to shopping Erdem x H&M

H&M is back with its latest designer collaboration: ERDEM x H&M

Thursday, 2 November. PUT IT IN YOUR DIARIES.

As of today (25 October) The Erdem x H&M collab release is only one week away. If you want to get your hands on something from the collection you’re going to need tactics.

The H&M designer collections are notoriously popular; so much so that it crashes their website every time. The most coveted pieces sell out within minutes. I always get sucked into the hype, so after a few years of shopping the H&M designer collabs, I have learnt a couple of tricks to shop online and without camping out in the cold to queue! So, if there’s an Erdem x H&M piece you absolutely need in your life, I’ll share my tricks that seem to work!

The full collection of pieces with prices were released last week, and, to be honest, it’s one of the priciest collections yet. Unfortunately, everything is at the higher-price point, with not much to pick up for less than £50, unless you’re after a T-shirt or earrings. So, it’ll be interesting to see how it goes down this year (no doubt the site will still crash).

A bit about Erdem

Established: 2005 in London by Canadian/Turkish designer Erdem Moralioglu.

Known for: Exquisite romantic garments and beautiful floral prints with a vintage, timeless feel.

Notable clients: Cate Blanchett, Emma Watson, Felicity Jones, Nicole Kidman and the Duchess of Cambridge, Emma Stone…

Kate Mara, Zendaya and Kate Bosworth. wearing Erdem X H&M at the launch party. Source: LA Times Looks from H&M's collaboration with London-based designer Erdem Moralioglu, presented at the Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles. (Erdem X H&M)

1. Decide what you’re buying BEFORE

This is important. Browse through the collection and decide exactly what you’re after before the launch. You won’t have time to dither on the morning.

2. Make notes

H&M normally release the collection onto their website a day or so before the launch. You’ll be able to view details, but not add to your basket. This is the time to note the details, while you still can. Previously, there has been a product number (they didn’t do this for Kenzo though), so if there is, this is the most important thing to note down. If not, jot down exactly how they describe the product on the site.

3. Make sure you have an account

Got something in your basket? Yay! But, it’s not safely yours until you pay, so it can still get snatched from you at the last second. So, make sure you have an account set up with H&M already, log in, save your password. If you can, it’s better to remain logged in.

4. Be ready at 8:45am

The collection will be released at 9am.
Make sure you have their sales phone number: 0344 736 9000. I have H&M saved in my phonebook (what a state of affairs 🙈)
Okay, so you need to be able to multi-task. You need to try to place an order online AND on the phone. Hopefully, you’re still logged in – you’ll need to be in your account a  couple of hours before, as the site will probably crash way before 9am.

5. 9am: go, go go!

All systems: go. At 8:59am, phone H&M; you probably won’t get through and will have to call numerous times. If you’re lucky, you’ll get through to someone. Meanwhile, keep refreshing your webpage. You may just slip through! If you get in, search for your product as quickly as humanly possible and add to bag.

I normally have more luck on the phone… after several attempts at ringing, You see why I saved the number to my contacts – it’s quicker when you’re calling again and again. When you get through, use your notes to give the sales advisor, so they understand exactly what you want and will be able to process your order before the stock runs out! Also, tell them your name and name and email address you used for your H&M account. If you managed to put something in your basket, it should still be there.

6. Pay

This is where your H&M account helps you get through on the quicker. They’ll have access to your details, so you just need to confirm your payment card and security questions and then your postage address. Just confirm you want your order sent to the address on your account.

7. What to do if you’re not successful

You have up to 28 days to return your online order (online 3 days in store), so keep checking the website every few day, in case someone has returned a piece in your size! And you can always check out eBay, although be prepared to pay more than the RRP.

Pieces I predict will sell out in minutes

Silk scarf

A silk scarf with the signature Erdem print? At £25 this will be a steal.

Hoodies

There is a floral and logo hoodie. Everyone loves a logo – from previous years everything with a logo sells out first and doesn’t come back into stock and this year will be no different.

Tea dress

As the least-expensive of the dresses in the collection, and maybe the most versatile, I think this will get snapped up early on.

Don’t want to wait?

These pieces have an Erdem vibe, that you can get right now (fuss-free!):

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Five Fashion Fails: Lawsuits filed against fakes

By Posted on 3 3.4K

Real sues the fakes

It’s nothing new that the high-street takes inspiration from luxury designer houses. But when they go too far, the fakes can be sure there’s a copyright violation lawsuit coming after them for a BIG sum of money…

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