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Tag Archives Summer

TV shows to watch (and not watch) and dressing up like Reese Witherspoon

Big Little Lies and other shows returning in 2019

*This post is sponsored by Panasonic.

Who doesn’t love Netflix and chill, Amazon Prime and unwind, Now TV and… take it easy? I can’t wait to get a brand new TV for my house – I’ll be having a look the Panasonic Oled Televisions.

Sometimes my two passions (fashion and snuggling on the sofa) come together. I love watching stylish programmes that show off fashion eye-candy, like Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, 90210… And as only re-runs air now, the new show that filled the void in 2017 was the multi award-winning Big Little Lies. If you haven’t watched it yet I implore you to!

Alongside flawless acting, with a show starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz, how could you not expect an impressive exhibition of fashion?

 

Entertaining with great storytelling and visual artistry and speaking meaningfully about the world we inhabit.

TV shows not to miss in 2019

Other TV shows returning in 2019 that I cannot wait for:

  1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Jake Peralta and Captain Holt never fail to make me literally laugh out loud. The world panicked when it was cancelled and wept with joy when it was picked up for season six by another network in the same day. What an emotional rollercoaster.
  2. Game of Thrones: if you’re not watching this epic, where have you been? Just everything about this show will have you on edge (once you’ve got your head around all the characters).
  3. Good Girls: hilarious and gripping, this is a cross between Bridesmaids and Breaking Bad.
  4. Black Mirror: creepier and creepier each season, you don’t want to look, but you can’t look away – whilst also being paranoid that you’re in an alternative universe where someone is watching you

[ If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then why not check out this post Game of Threads: Fashion behind the thrones or this one on Daenerys’ style (promise you won’t be disappointed – I have photoshopped in a dragon!) ]

What NOT to watch

OMG I tried to watch Netflix’s new show (or bomb) Insatiable. Preparing myself for some black comedy and a harsh reflection on society’s perception of beauty… I was sorely disappointed.

I don’t even recommend this show for the laughs. Because there are none.

It tries so hard to be funny and slick… but it doesn’t succeed. It could’ve been good.

But, a show that uses the line ‘skinny is magic’ in all seriousness without a hint of underlying sarcastic commentary is not a show clever enough to pull off what they’re trying to do.

Don’t worry, it’s not just me who thinks this – it received mostly bad reviews.

Anyway, enough of that rubbish! Let’s move on…

Hannah wears a shirt dress and fluffy green bag

Why you should watch Big Little Lies

  1. Have you not read the list of stars in the show? Alexander Skarsgård. Reese Witherspoon. Alexander Skarsgård. Nicole Kidman and… Alexander Skarsgård.
  2. They touch upon hard topics that need more awareness, for example, domestic abuse.
  3. It’s multi award-winning – too many awards to count!
  4. The wardrobes!
  5. Beautiful music.
  6. Beautiful scenery.
  7. A look into frienships and relationships.
  8. Tough reflection on society and its obsession with perfection and image.

Big Little Lies: New Wardrobe Envy

I love Reese’s character in Big Little Lies, Madeline Martha Mackenzie. She’s firey, takes control, loyal, will do anything for her friends and sometimes fucks up but isn’t afraid to admit it.

Her style is very clean and put-together and always feminine. I noticed that she is a lover of a Dolce & Gabbana dress too – a designer which I have just posted about (wink wink).

In the season one finale, the women all dress like Audrey Hepburn characters for a party (as you do) and Madeline dresses as Holly Golightly in her pjs.

You know we’re all about that pjs-as-outerwear trend, so I’m totally stealing that Reese-as-Madeline-as-Audrey-as-Holly look! (Wow it’s fashion inception)

This look cost me like £9! lol

Hannah wears pink tassel earringsHannah wears shirt dress, fluffy green bag and headband

 

Bruises heal, stigmas can last a lifetime.

– Madeline Martha Mackenzie

The costume department may have dressed Reese in an oversized Céline shirt, but, I went one better and got this beautiful from Asos for a toal of £3, once I used my student discount and my £15 Asos rewards voucher – #winning.

I decided not to go full-on with an eye mask, like Reese’s, (fun fact: the costume designer bought the actual one worn on the show !) but in stead, I took it as inspiration and went for something more wearable like a twisted head-wrap.

I got this one from , random, as I have not set foot in that shop since I was 12, but heads up – if you need a handband they have loooooads of choice in there! They’re perfect for keeping hair off your face on holiday!

Earrings: Ebay | Dress: | Bag: | Shoes: Asos | Headwrap:

“Sometimes I’m just holding onto this idea of perfection so tight, something has to give.”

Top tip: get costume earrings from eBay!

These cost around £3 (you know Zara be charging £15), they came the next day and the quality is pretty good so far!

Madeline is often seen in feminine floral A-line dresses with a little cardigan. Definitely stuff I wear on holiday. Probably all the time if I lived by the beach like her…

Reese Witherspoon on set of Big Little LIes wearing a floral dress

This Jack Wills piece gets the vibe of Madeline’s dress here quite well and I think it will be good to transition from Summer into Autumn. They also have a more casual cami version 😉

By the way, shout out to all the Instagram boyfriends out there – thank you Daniel for your photography and willingness to follow me to various places and hold up a blanket whilst I change in a park!

Earrings: Ebay | Dress: Jack Wills | Bag: Fendi | Shoes: Asos

 

You can go fuck yourself on the head.

– Madeline Martha Mackenzie

I hope you enjoyed this. What do you think of my attempt at Madeline’s look? Let me know in the comments if you watched or are going to watch any of the TV shows I mentioned in the comments and if you have any recommendations!

In this post for Madeline’s look:

Earrings: Ebay | Dress: | Bag: | Shoes: Asos | Headwrap: 

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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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Autumn style | How to wear your summer clothes in the Autumn

Summer to Autumn style

*Courtesy of lovethesales.com

Summer to Autumn style can be tricky. It’s sometimes warm, sometimes cold. One minute you’re overheating and the next you’re an ice cube.

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Game of Threads: the fashion behind the Thrones

Game of Thrones: what are the secrets behind the show’s fashion?

The most successful and expensive show of all time needs no introduction. HBO’s Game of Thrones returns to our screens on 16 July and I CANNOT wait! What better time to delve into the world of the Seven Kingdoms and its fashion?!

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