Top 10 This Week #3

1: Faith Connexion // 2: KARL // 3: ASOS // 4: Carvela // 5: Urban Outfitters // 6: Dorothy Perkins // 7: ASOS // 8: ASOS // 9: River Island // 10: Mulberry

I've fallen in love with the entire Annabelle Dexter Jones collection for Faith Connexion, which hit Net a Porter this week! Each piece is a beautifully-cut, classic piece with a little contemporary twist, like the velvet Peter Pan collar on the dress - a perfect merge of Annabelle's New York preppiness and Faith Connexion's Parisian style. Think I might have to attempt a DIY at this - likewise with the pearl collar and blingy studded epaulettes; I actually made some very similar epaulettes a few years ago when I dressed up as a unicorn for Hallowe'en (as you do...), I'll have a hunt around to see if I can find them!

I'm starting to get into back-to-school mode, as I've been emailing my new landlady and trying to get everything sorted for the beginning of semester. I'm in the market for a new bag; I only have a couple of black ones that are large enough to take to class/the library, but I want something more colourful to cheer me up a little on those dreary winter days. The bright orange Bayswater is my idea of the perfect bag, but I think I might have to settle for something a little more affordable, like this ASOS one. It's not leather though, and ideally it would be!

How amazing are those Carvela shoes?! I think I'd prefer display them as a piece of art though rather than wear them! They'd make a fabulously odd juxtaposition with this amazing Urban Outfitters tapestry - I love the colours of this, and I think tapestries are just brilliant! I'll either be looking for something similar on Etsy, or attempting to make my own version throughout the cold and dark winter nights, channeling my inner Little Woman!

A/W Trend Inspiration: Gothic

It seems like every UK blogger is talking about the weather in their posts, but it really is such a pain in the proverbial arse at the moment! When I posted about summer dresses inspiration, the weather was warm and sunny, but today it's been freezing and pouring it down with rain! So I think that the changeable weather is going to replicated in my changeable blogging schedule: summer inspiration when the sun is shining, and looking forwards to autumnal trends when it's not!

1: Alexis Mabille AW Couture 2012 // 2: Jean Paul Gaultier AW 2012 // 3: Givenchy AW 2012 // 4: Jean Paul Gaultier AW 2012

With that in mind, the top trend on my list is gothic: a dark colour palette, luxurious velvet and leather fabrics, and studded embellishments. Layer up lace and sheer fabrics on top of each other, accessorise with lots of heavy jewellery (especially crucifixes) and studded embellishments. Toughen up with skin-tight leather, or go for a more romantic look with billowing sleeves and flowing velvet.

1: River Island // 2: ASOS // 3: Jeffrey Campbell // 4: Topshop // 5: Topshop // 6: Kelsi Dagger // 7: River Island // 8: Topshop // 9: New Look

Wardrobe Essentials: Leather Jacket

This is the second part of my Wardrobe Essentials series: the adaptable and versatile foundations needed to build a wardrobe for any occasion. You can read the other parts here.


Leather jackets were first worn by aviators and the military at the turn of the twentieth century; they were designed to protect the wearer from extreme temperatures, which is why some are lined with sheepskin. Throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s the style was popularised by Hollywood and quickly became an immediate way to define a character as 'cool': Marlon Brando and Honor Blackman both wore leather motorcycle jackets in 50s and 60s films and TV. In the 60s and 70s leather jackets were worn by punks and heavy metal fans, leading the item to be increasingly associated with rebellion; these jackets were often accessorised with chains and studs. 

Cropped: Acne // Coloured: Carven // Aviator: Acne // Biker: Topshop

I first began my obsessive hunt for my own leather jacket after seeing off-duty models, especially Kate Moss, wearing them effortlessly in street style photos. I say obsessive hunt, because it is really difficult to find the perfect leather jacket: I didn't want to settle for the first one I found in Topshop, I wanted it to be an investment, with the perfect cut, fit, and hardware. Believe it or not, but I spent three years hunting down my perfect one! I found it in spring last year, a gorgeous Burberry one in the softest buttery black leather, cropped with silver hardware, but it was far too expensive. Fortunately, it made it into the Net-a-Porter summer sale, and I was in a position where I could just about afford it at half price, and I literally bought the last one! 

1: Chan Luu // 2: COS // 3: Topshop // 4: ASOS // 5: Johnny Loves Rosie // 6: River Island // 7: ASOS // 8: ASOS

I now wear it all the time, and I think leather is one of those fantastic materials that only gets better with age! I can't wait for it to start weathering and take on that perfect lived-in look. It can be worn in infinite combinations: to add interest to a simple jeans + tshirt combination, to rock up a pretty floaty dress, making a casual slouchy dress more stylish.

COLOUR!: Mint

1: Topshop // 2: Yves Saint Laurent // 3: ASOS // 4: Goldie // 5: Topshop // 6: Jonathan Saunders // 7: Missguided

I'm trying to become more active on Etsy at the moment, so thought I'd include some highlights from my Etsy treasuries in each weekly COLOUR! post, hope you enjoy!

1: Maddenphotography // 2: BlissfulCASE // 3: onetenzeroseven // 4: goodbyefolk // 5: thecraftartykid // 6: AndyFarrow // 7: voilaipaper