Go Nude This Spring

Well, if you have read my last post (‘its all in the wrist’), you will have appreciated how adamant I was NOT to buy a woolley cardigan as it is technically spring. Easter is 5 days away, the clocks went forward last night, pink and white buds are blossoming from trees, daffodils and crocuses are poking through the earth, the birds have begun to sing at inappropriate times… and heavy snow is forecast all over the U.K. tonight. Yes, this is the joy of British spring time, and summer for that matter. As I was shopping today the only items of clothing appropriate for this unfortunate climate happened to be cardies. So I bought one. The reason for this ‘boring’ purchase was because a) I felt cold at the time (I have tried to ditch my winter coat for a summery jacket) and b) the cardie I purchased is in this season’s must have shade; nude.A simple change in cardie colour can really uplift your wardrobe.

Mix different shades of nude, pink and neutrals, and make sure the materials are loosely fitted and flowy otherwise it will look like you are wearing another layer of skin. I love these colours, they make such a difference to my normal grey and black and can look lovely and feminine. Team neutral clothes with matching accessories, make up and nails.

Accesorize with gorgeous

Stella McCartney neutral shoes or a classic nude Chanel handbag.

Mac Creme Nude Lipstick is perfect for creating the nude lip look. Alternatively, dab a small amount of foundation on your lips. This is a cheap and easy way to create the same look.

I love Sally Hansen Sheerly Opal, Naturel Colour nail varnish. You can buy this in SuperDrug and it comes in a french manicure set.

To finish the look, add neutral coloured bangles. These were from International and cost £4.99

It’s All in the Wrist

Spring has finally sprung, although it doesn’t really feel like it. The drab London weather is reflecting my monotonous post winter wardrobe. I feel a total lack of inspiration searching through my wide range of grey and black clothes. It’s still too cold to purchase the Spring/ Summer collections and the thought of buying another woolley cardie depresses me. I have however found a happy medium, which happens to be one of spring 2010’s hottest trends: Bangles. Designers are piling on the bangles for Spring 2010 and even celebrities have been parading down the red carpet at the Oscars with mass amounts of glittering wrist candy. A good set of bangles are guaranteed to cheer you up and will wake up even the most tired wardrobe. Sounds good? Well it gets better. The High Street has caught onto this trend and you can pick up a set of bangles for less than a tenner. It’s time to show off those wrists.

Designers are stacking on the bangles; the bigger, the brighter the better. Christian Lacroix Couture’s Rainbow Collection adds an injection of color. Go wild for Louis Vuitton’s animal print bangles. Images: style.com

Sarah Jessica Parker sparkles with her diamond bangles at the Oscars. Image: style.com

Stay en trend with New Look’s nautical themed bangles for £10.00. Or be pretty in pink with Primark’s bangles which cost a mere £1.50!

Images: own, style.com

This is East London - Street Style

Strolling around Old Street, Brick Lane and Hoxton Square on a crisp, early Spring Saturday afternoon with camera in hand, I snapped photos of some of Hackney’s most fashionable residents. Here are some of the Spring 2010 trends East Londoner’s are wearing now.

90’s Now

No, you are not having an unpleasant déjà-vu, the 90’s are back in terms of fashion. Denim shorts are a popular way to pull off the modern 90’s trend without looking like a member of the Spice Girls. Worn with black tights during the colder months, this is a transitional trend which will see you through the summer.

Fur

Fur is here in a big way. Everyone is wearing natural tones; black, brown and tan. Wear bulky fur coats over skinny jeans or leather look leggings to create a top heavy silhouette. This is a unisex trend. Fur hats are also popular. Warning: if you want to avoid looking like a bear, don’t wear your hat and coat at the same time.

The School Satchel
Brown battered vintage satchels are a massive trend at the moment. In order to complete the look, team with matching brown, vintage leather shoes.

Images: own

Curiouser and Curiouser

March Hares, Mad Hatters and substances labelled “drink me” can only mean one thing; Wonderland frenzy has begun. With the release of Tim Burton's incredible and rather dark movie ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (which I saw in 3D and absolutely adored), everything Alice is ‘in’ in terms of fashion. This quintessentially Victorian, British story which has enchanted generations of children, now has a grown up twist captivating high end to high street fashion designers around the world.

Swarovski have designed a charming ruthenium-plated ring, inspired by the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. The great thing about this trend is that Alice in Wonderland is a timeless tale, so you can invest in that special item without feeling too guilty.

Image: Swarovski Crystal

Stella McCartney has designed a Wonderland inspired necklace and bracelet scattered with curious charms. These pieces were made with the same chain which was used for the designer’s Falabella bag and will set you back $425 for the necklace and $395 for the bracelet. Image: Style.com

Don’t despair if you aren’t willing to spend several hundreds of pounds on Alice inspired items. The high street has caught on to this trend so getting your Wonderland fix is really a piece of ‘eat me’ cake.

Images: Junkie Lovers, Junk Food at Jukupop

Wonderland fever has spread around the world. In Paris, the French department store, Printemps, has transformed its window display into Wonderland throughout March. An incredible pair of heels, designed by Nicholas Kirkwood, donning red roses, miniature tea pots and chessboard stilettos are proudly displayed in this installation. Unfortunately these beauties are not for sale, they are only for longingly fantasising about!

Image: Style.com

Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck’s new Fall 2010 collection appears to have been inspired by Alice in Wonderland. These massively oversized top hats which dominate this collection make the Mad Hatter look positively sane.

Alice in Wonderland had a huge impact on my childhood, and I will happily embrace this trend as an adult.

Image: Walter Van Beirendonck Official Website

Red Lipstick, Sloe Gin and Ration Cards

During my quest to gain some form of social life in London (without joining websites for lonely Londoners), I found myself being transported back to the 1940’s, during a black out, in a small bar in Soho last Sunday evening. Walking down a dark alleyway in the pouring rain, arm in arm with Elena, my course mate from Moscow, I was relieved to hear raucous laughter and music coming from what appeared to be a closed bar. Opening the door ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was being played on the piano whilst a number of young men and women, wearing pretty floral sundresses and suits (and to my delight the occasional uniform), sang along. Dim lights and candles lit the room and the windows were completely covered up with black curtains and black paper; preventing light from getting out, and 2010 from getting in.

The music picked up a jazzier beat and couples began energetically swing dancing together. We were given ration cards and headed to the bar where warm fruit cider and sloe gin were being served. A delicious, comforting smell wafted from the kitchen and we all sat down together at large tables chatting and sipping sloe gin whilst a choice of Woolten Pie, Lancashire Hotpot or Brown Stew and Dumplings were dished out. Being on rations the portions were small so I was glad that we had Raspberry Buns and Crumble and Custard for desert. After the meal, women re-applied their red lipstick and the dancing resumed.

This may sound like a fabricated fantasy but it really did happen. I was lucky enough to be invited to this event by Katharine, my course mate, who organizes monthly events in London based around dining experiences. As this was a 1940’s dining concept I did attempt to get an appropriate outfit, and yes, I did enter a vintage shop and try on a hat or two. Unfortunately my attempt at vintage shopping was a failure; the hats were too modern, and if they dated back to the 1940’s they were too expensive. I am not patient enough to route through boxes and boxes of old, overpriced clothes. So I settled for buying the brightest red lipstick I could find. During the eating, dancing and sing-a-longs I met many interesting people living in London. I strongly recommend attending an event like this; it was a truly wonderful experience.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=236034304372



Images: own