3 Ways to Wear It

The typical temperamental British weather always makes it difficult to choose an outfit to wear, but this rich red, straw-tie detail hat (from a Winter Wonderland fashion stall - can you believe it?!) is perfect for summer or winter - come rain or shine.

Whenever I wear it, it reminds me of Anita from 101 Dalmatians - it oozes class and is very versatile while being a great statement piece, as I don't often wear hats!

See below for the three outfits I created all centered around the hat, that all total under £50 - frugal and fashionable!

Lunch Date

This outfit's lightweight polo neck is an ivy green which closely matches the colour of the patterned trousers. The diamond print contains dark reds and pinks which harmoniously combines the colour scheme. To make it a more casual affair, you can roll up the trousers to get the ballet shoes tied higher up the leg. Hat - Winter Wonderland stall £15, Polo neck - H&M £9.99, Trousers - H&M £9.99, Shoes - Primark £8, Necklace - Dorothy Perkins £2.99 (sale)

Evening

This is a Saturday-lunch-turned-late-night-session kind of outfit; you want to be prepared to go out dancing after your civilised lunch, once the third bottle of Prosecco has been uncorked. Pairing some skyscaper glittery boots with a textured grey dress keeps the colour palette simple, whilst the reds and bronzes in the necklace bring out the hat's deep red colour, tying the outfit together.
Hat - Winter Wonderland stall £15, Dress - Primark £14.99, Shoes - New Look, £9.99 (sale), Necklace - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Work - Smart Casual

This is probably my favourite outfit out of the three, and the one I wear most often to the office - think Fashion Friday, that you can also wear after work to that drinks do. The bardot top is so on point at the moment, and is lightweight, plus the crochet detailing on the sleeves and hem is adorable. Pair this with dogtooth deep purple culottes and the neckscarf, and you are slaying it. The hat picks out the purples and reds from the culottes and the neckscarf, making this outfit simultaneously super flirty yet totally chic.

Hat - Winter Wonderland stall £15, Bardot top - Spanish Market £5, Shoes - Forever 21 £25, Neckscarf - Body Shop £3 (gift wrap option)

Lust of a Glamourpuss

I know usually my style is thrift fashion and shopping on a budget, but every girl can dream, and I simply had to take this opportunity to share this divine shoot with you all - can we just applaud Hello!Fashion and Jodie Nellist (the stylist) for bringing such plush clothes & curious detail to our attention. Credit cards away girls, this is some serious spending.

Take a minute to appreciate the sultry gorgeousness of this pure luxury - this is fashion at it's peak.

With the graphic prints, gold buttoned suits, immaculate blouses and statement swimwear, dressing up is the new dressing down.

Featuring the likes of Carolina Herrera, Jimmy Choo, Bulgari, Balmain at Harvey Nichols, Lecoanet Hemant and Maocci, this shoot illustrates the sheer levels of sass that the designer labels can create. Although the High Street can attempt to replicate these (which thank god they do, otherwise the likes of me and zillions others would be forced to live in bin-bags) unfortunately sometimes there is simply no substitute for expense, lavishness and a keen eye for style. 

Head to www.hellofashion.com to watch a video of the fashion shoot!

Trousers, £695, Etro Top, £125, The Fold Scarf (worn as belt) £250, Bally Shoes, £420, 

Chelsea Paris Earrings, £34.90, Lola and Grace Ring, £175, Jennifer Fisher Sunglasses, £125, Wildfox

 Jacket, £550, Trousers, £450, both Lecoanet Hemant Blouse, £148, Me+Em Shoes, £420, Chelsea Paris Ring, £55, Melinda Maria Earrings, £240, Dinny Hall Bag, £675, Jimmy Choo

Kimono, £635, Carolina Herrera Shoes, £645, Jimmy Choo Earrings, £10,700, Bulgari Ring, £175, Jennifer Fisher Sunglasses, £190, Karen Walker

Photographs - James Lucas

Model - Nara at Premier

Hair - Heath Massi at Frank Agency using Beauty Works

Make-up - Irena Rogers using Giorgio Armani Skincare and Beauty

3-Ways Satin Jumpsuit

It's always handy to have several staple items in your wardrobe, especially when you're in a rush and need a gorgeous outfit, pronto. This navy satin jumpsuit from New Look £24.99 is wonderfully versatile and each outfit is chic yet affordable.

Lunch date

This sophisticated look is maximised by the skyscraper heels, although they are sensationally comfortable because of the wooden platform. A sleek outfit perfected with a slick of blood-red lippy.

Wool high neck jumper - H&M £9.99, Shoes - Steve Madden £40 (sale), Necklace & elasticated gold belt - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Work

I like the androgyny of this look, and the slight reminiscence of a school uniform - it makes it feel a bit cheeky. It has a playful edge yet is practical for the office, plus looks super cute with Kim Kardashian style French plaits.  

Chiffon/Lace blouse - Primark £8, Tassel belt - Primark £4, Patent rudeboy tassel loafers - eBay £12.99, Necklace - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Evening

My favourite part of this outfit has to be the Tom Ford-esque silver sandals. I died when I saw them and simply HAD to have them, and at £15 they were an absolute steal.

Shoes - Primark £15, Necklace - TU at Sainsburys £14, Pearl and chain circular earrings - Aldo £8, Clutch bag - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Luscious Lips

March is here, and although we should be cracking out the pastel shades and floral prints, instead we have cracked lips because of this cold snap (some places in the UK have snow!)

So I have put together a little collection of lippies to help you re-moisturise and get your perfect pout back, ready for Spring.

We get dry lips because they don’t have any oil glands, unlike the rest of our skin. To tackle this, try a gentle lip balm to cool and moisturise;  my handbag essential is my Nivea Pearly Shine £2 lip balm. It lasts for hours and has a pearlescent sheen to it that can double as a lip colour, plus looks great with nude-style make up.

If you want a high pigmented, plump lip but you’re not a fan of the Kylie Jenner pout, courtesy of intricate lip liner and lashings of lipstick (plus a teensy bit of filler), then why not try Urban Decay products? Urban Decay’s Lip Junkie Gloss £13 uses Maxi-Lip, a bonus ingredient that claims to plump lips by up to 40% when used for a month that leaves lips creamy rather than sticky.

An alternative to precision lipwear that keeps a buttery-smooth finish is the wine-stained look. Use a dark pink/plum coloured lippy, such as Topshop’s Matte Lip Bullet in Get Me Bodied £8 and apply lightly before dabbing gently with your middle finger, until it looks slightly smudged and worn. For longer wear, easier application, and additional moisture apply a slick of lip balm before the lipstick.

If you suffer from the blighters that are coldsores (that come on as a result of being stressed, a change in the weather or just because they feel like you’ve not had one in a while, particularly hours before a party) then try Zovirax £4.85. The Acyclovir element will minimise the coldsore, targeting the virus and reducing the size and redness, just apply ever 3-4 hours. Alternatively is Blistex £2.69, which deals with coldsores but also relieves dry, chapped lips to leave them soft and smooth.

Let me know your favourite lip-plumping products or techniques for a chance to win a new lipstick in your choice of colour!

Maurice's Mantra

Voted 9th in Vogue.com's Most Stylish Men in Fashion, Maurice Mullen (Head of Fashion and Luxury Goods at the London Evening Standard) has been at the forefront of fashion publishing for almost thirty years.

Marking the beginning of Fall 2016 men's season, the Vogue.com editors weighed in on the well-dressed men they are eager to see, with Sarah Mower, Vogue.com Chief Critic, stating:

“To me, it’s Maurice Mullen of the London Evening Standard, who I always look forward to seeing at the London shows. I have never been able to comprehend the number of immaculate Savile Row suits he must have, nor his ability to deploy the loudest patterns and colors and the killer clashing pocket handkerchief—and plaid trousers on occasion!—while being the most gentlemanly and wickedly insightful neighbor to sit next to at a show.” 

I recently attended a lunch with him, where we were discussing the future and how we see ourselves making an impact within the media industry, specifically within the fashion and luxury goods sector. He shared with me a mantra that he often used to emanate ambitions and succeed when communicating that really boosted my confidence:

“In life, people can be radiators or drains”

He concluded that radiators give warmth and naturally draw people to them, contributing optimistically to others and enhancing their life in some way; they provide happiness and share joy with others whilst radiating positivity.

Drains are the opposite; they withdraw energy from those around them, emotionally exhausting them and only focus on their own issues. This is dispiriting to others, and means that they often take more from the relationship than they give.

Whilst I think this gives an extreme view of the world, it is definitely something to contemplate, both in a personal and professional capacity. It made me wonder if in life, I was being a resilient radiator, or a drag-you-down drain.

Thankfully, Maurice said he thought I was a radiator, with an outgoing personality and ambition to drive forwards but this isn’t necessarily true all the time. Everyone gets down days and it is okay to have them, and to seek advice or the support of others. Only when you start valuing your problems above everyone else’s can this lead down a slippery slope… or into a drain as it were!

Next week, Maurice is off to Paris Fashion Week to teach a class of 22 American students from Washington DC visiting PFW with their tutor for the first time - wish him luck/congratulate him using the below Twitter links!

Inspired by: Maurice Mullen and Vogue.com
@standardfashion  @ESMagOfficial #eveningstandardfashion

Have A Monochrome Moment

With the blossom buds just beginning to bloom, it is time to reap the last of the AW15/16 monochrome trend before SS16 comes in with all its nets, mesh, lightweight denim and lingerie in tow.

I love this combination, as it is simple yet sophisticated, and can easily be transformed from office to evening – just add some winged eyeliner, lashings of mascara and a rich lippy (I advise going for one from this list). Don't forget to dry shampoo your hair for extra volume and to deal with any residual grease (hey, we know you were too busy watching Netflix to wash your hair last night) and voila!

The best thing about this outfit is the price (it totals under £50!) so not only is it sassy and curve-hugging, but it is also affordable for anyone who doesn't have the cash to splash on designers.

Skirt - Primark £6
Turtle-neck top - H&M £5.99
Patent leather boots - H&M £23.99
Layered necklace - Forever 21 £6
Ear cuffs (1 x pearl, 1 x diamante) - New Look £1.99 
Earrings - Aldo £4.99 (Sale)

Tell me what you think of this outfit and don't forget to Tweet/Instagram/FB your monochrome outfit creations - make sure to tag me!

 

Assorted studs - wishbone/cubes/asymmetrical karma set

Primark - £0.50 (Sale)