Just Jumper

It is finally, finally, finally starting to feel like winter as the colder temperatures lurk about. Although as I type this post, the skies are blue and the sun is shining - but this week it was cold enough to wear my new adorably soft jumper dress from H&M. Just incase some people thought the dress (or very oversized, long and slouchy jumper) was too short, I took precautions and wore denim shorts underneath. This is the first post I've done since handing in my first University project and I'm going to keep it short. The jumper dress comes in two other colours; petrol and camel. I worry often about jumpers being too itchy; the jumper featured in my last post is a nightmare, being made from 100%. This jumper however is 11% Alpaca, 9% Wool, 26% Polyamide and 54% Acrylic. This gives it a nice balance; it shouldn't go bobbly after washing and is soft enough to be comfortable. 

Unfortunately some of the images seemed to have lost their quality after being uploaded to the blog.

Please check out my latest looks on Lookbook @ http://lookbook.nu/user/3801130-Rebecca 

Outfit Details

Jumper - H&M

Tights - Primark

Necklace - H&M 

Boots - Zara 

Due to the importance of my University work, I will be posting when I can; hopefully next week. Thanks for reading! 

Fleur-de-lis

Many people may or may not know much about me, but one thing is for sure; I am an avid gamer. The word 'gamer girl' annoys me. That might make me sound like a bullish feminist; but most people assume when a girl says they 'game' is that they mean they played COD with their brother or FIFA with their boyfriend that one time. Some guys have this strange picture in their head that "gamer girls" play on their consoles in overly sexualised pyjamas. And this is what annoys me.

I was raised on a Playstation. The very first games I played in my eyes were absolute classics; Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider (of course), Kula World, Soul Edge; my personal favourites Tekken 2 and 3. 

I've had a Playstation 1, 2, 3, and an original Xbox. I've experienced the likes of playing as both Master Chief and the Arbiter, the female cast of Dead or Alive playing volleyball in very skimpy bikinis, and finally the most superior character of all; Dovahkiin. 

The reason I am writing about all of this is relevant; to me at least. Another one of my favourites, although ridiculously outrageous and farfetched, is the Saints Row series; particularly Saints Row the Third. Their main symbol, their logo that represents their gang is the Fleur-de-lis. So forgive me when I have rambled on about my gaming memoirs and become nostalgic. The jumper, which was given to me by my Mum (I consider it vintage!) I believe was bought a while back in her younger days from somewhere in Scotland. It is 100% wool and itches like crazy so I have to wear a long-sleeved T-shirt underneath it - otherwise I love it. It's oversized and the pattern screams retro. Retro isn't really my usual style but I am hoping that I pull it off.

Outfit Details

Jumper - Unknown, similar here

Trousers - H&M  

Shoes - Converse 

Thanks for reading!

Whatever Leather

Zara is always one for slogans with attitude. It gives their clothes an edge; the vibe that is laid back, not caring and just living. Their slogans on their clothes and accessories are a favourite of mine. A few posts back you will see that I purchased a T-Shirt that is a play on the Mean Girls film and one of their stand-out quotes. Another staple piece that I wished I owned from Zara is their white 'Stressed but well Dressed' clutch, as I feel it fits my life perfectly. However it sold out in stores and online before I managed to get my hands on it. I have scoured eBay for it but the price that sellers are asking for is double, sometimes triple the store price; so unfortunately I've had to go without. Having said that, I've found an alternative. 

It might not be exactly the same, but I still really like it. I've been seeing a lot of items, especially clutches, being released online and in stores by Missguided, Next and New Look which have a slogan slapped across them. Zara may have started the high street need for a slogan clutch, but the likes of Kenzo, House of Holland, Moschino and Anya Hindmarch have had clutches with bold text featuring on the catwalks. 

Outfit Details 

Duster Coat - New Look

Top - New Look (similar)

Jeans - H&M 

Boots - H&M (similar)

Necklace - H&M

Clutch - New Look 

Watch - DKNY

So my alternative is from New Look; the also do the clutch in white but after much debate I decided that the black was more appropriate and sensible. 

I'll be back next week, hope you enjoyed reading! 

Harmonious Contrast

Black and white, light and dark, ying and yang. Opposite ends of the spectrum, colliding with each other in harmonious melody. You're probably thinking, what the hell is she talking about?! 

I'm talking about contrast; one of my favourite things to exist on the planet. From the very first Photography project in GCSE, to pinpointing a main element to my personal style, contrast influences a lot of things in everyone's life, everyday; not just in my own. 

The reason I am rambling on and on about contrast is because that is the word that I think describes this outfit best. I don't just mean colour either but there are two contrasting style genres (or at least I like to think there is) in this outfit. 

For example the top half is quite formal and something you would maybe wear to a fancy restaurant; whereas the bottom half is darker, edgier and chunkier in comparison to the sleekness of the blouse and necklace combination. This look is Classy Chic mixed with Underground grunge; contrast!

I really think the two styles come together really well; the grunge is only subtle but it is still present. The chunkiness of my shoes isn't really visible because the trousers aren't super-skinny but I absolutely love the thick, Dr Marten's-esque sole, the edgy croc texture and the zip detailing.

Outfit Details

Blouse - H&M 

Necklace - H&M

Jeggings - H&M 

Watch - DKNY

Shoes - Primark

Hope you enjoyed the photographs (taken again by Coral Baker) and reading my burst of creativity. I'll be back next week!

Check Mate

Life as a Fashion Student is hard, especially when you live so close to the Bullring. I am 10 minutes away from shopping central, including very dangerous territory such as Selfridges. However the hardest thing about being a Fashion Student, and living so close to the Bullring is that if you want to survive you must prioritise between buying food and much needed clothes. If it isn't obvious from this post already, I have my priorities set. 

Today's post features two newly bought items. It also features the white wall of my University Accommodation Kitchen, after having manoeuvred the sofas around to produce an appropriate "studio" space.  The photos were taken by the lovely Coral Baker. 

I like to describe this outfit as pointy monochrome, as the outfit is made up from black-and-white featuring garments, and also has several points; the ends of my collar, my shoes and the corners created by the check fabric of my cigarette trousers. 

As soon as I saw the blouse at work, I reserved it in the cupboard behind the cash desk. It was love at first sight. I have been longing to purchase a black top with a white collar for ages, and one of my all time favourite detailing on a top is a bejewelled collar. In all honesty it is a very similar story in regards to my new trousers. I had been desperate for a pair of grid check, monochrome trousers ever since H&M stocked a pair of grid check, monochrome slacks; however they sold out in my size before I even had the chance to buy them. The store I work in didn't even stock them for too long either so I had to buy these when I saw them. 

Outfit Details 

Blouse - H&M

Trousers - Primark

Shoes - H&M

Watch - DKNY

Hope you enjoyed both reading and browsing the images of my latest outfit post. Expect another outfit post soon!