The Ultimate 2009 Back-To-School Wardrobe: Student Fashion Essentials You Won't Want To Go Back To School Without

[Requested by the infinitely lovely Charlie; if you'd like to request anything let me know!]


photo from here.

The first day of school has always been a complete shock to the system. You fall asleep, excited and jittery for the brand new and exciting day ahead; the next day you wake up bleary-eyed, nauseous and wracked with nerves. You reluctantly button up your brand new too-big regulation check dress and slip on your extra-soft new jumper which leaves a trail of blue felt over everything it touches; both still reek of the cellophane they came in. You slip your toes into dazzlingly white new frilled socks and slip on your new brown hard leather sandals before picking up your new expandable backpack filled with new clean pink stationary ready for another day of another year of school.

Of course, that's how it used to be. As with myself and many of my friends, it's likely that you're in college, 6th form or university and are now trusted with the previously forbidden task of dressing yourself. (And if you're not yet - don't worry about it; hang in there & you should be able to very soon!) Some people like myself love to dress up for the occasion in layered skirts, smart jackets and beautiful shoes, whilst others opt for comfort and simply wear their favourite hoodie and jeans. Neither is better than the other of course; it's just another part of who we are (like sometimes I feel like dressing up for school and other times I just don't).

It has come to my attention that there are a huge number of people starting uni this year and that means one thing - a great excuse to buy new clothes. No, I'm not just being my clothing-obsessed self: it's of utmost importance to have a wardrobe for school full of items that are well-fitting, good value, versatile and that can be worn again and again. The problem with universities and dorm rooms are that it's eather difficult to take lots of bulky items with you, as well as both the lack of space and lack of money coming in. This means you will have to shop smartly to create a completely personal compact wardrobe full of pieces which can be worn over and over for just about any occasion that throws itself at you.

So this is how it works: below are ten different sections, each representing a different type of must-have essential clothing for school. Your task is to pick at least one item from each section (depending on how much you can afford to store/take with you) and...ta-dah! - your new instant back-to-school wardrobe awaits! So let's kick it off...

1. Section One: Hoodies.
Wear this for: Classes, keeping warm in a chilly home, throwing over a basic outfit to dash to the nearest convenience store. Buy one in your favourite colour, but keep it basic for versatility purposes.


American Apparel Unisex Flex Fleece Zip Hoodie - £36: The most expensive, but extremely comfortable and excellent quality with the distinctive white contrast zip. With 20 vibrant as well as neutral colours available, you're sure to fall in love with at least one.
Uniqlo Zip Hoodie - £14.99: A thicker, heavier cotton hoodie but still in a more flattering ladies fit; choose from 10 colours. Great for impromptu strolls & bike rides in the freezing cold weather.
Criminal Damage Unisex Zip Hoodie - £24.99: Similar material to the Uniqlo offering. If you're a fanatic of the white contrast zip and drawstrings, get a similar one here for just over £11 less.

2. Section Two: T-shirts.
Wear this for: Anything. Basic t-shirts are classic, simple and great for layering. Make sure you have at least 7-10 in an assortment of shades, prints and necklines. Basic t-shirts are the ultimate essential, so here are three classic styles from AA, purveyor of super-soft, super-stretchy, quality tees. Don't scrimp on quality with these - make sure they don't bobble, fade or seam twist in the first few washes or you'll be out to buy more before you know it.


American Apparel Baby Rib Short Sleeve V-Neck - £10
American Apparel Baby Rib Basic Short Sleeve T - £10
Baby Rib 1/2 Sleeve U-Neck T - £12

3. Section Three: Casual Jackets.
Wear this for: Parties, going out, classes, dinners - anywhere where you need to keep warm and casual yet still presentable. Make sure this is a fairly basic colour that can be mixed and matched with everything else. Interesting textures are a plus, eg. leather/PU, corduroy, tweed, etc. Make sure it fits well, flatters and can be done up comfortably - too-tight jackets make you look disproportionate as well as being very irritating.


ASOS PU Hooded Jacket [Black] - £45: Real leather is absolutely luscious to wear due to the divine texture, though this is the next best thing if you're either vegetarian or can't quite afford the real thing.
H&M Blazer - EU29.95: Although not available in UK H&Ms just yet, it will more than likely turn up on our high street eventually. A beautiful deep indigo dual blazer/jacket piece which would perfectly accomodate our big cosy scarves in the winter weather.
Diesel Fitted Jacket - £80: If you've got a slightly larger budget, Diesel delivers instant rock-chic cool with this classic fitted jacket.

4. Section Four: Blazers.
Wear this for: Going out, parties, looking presentable and smart occasions you forgot about until the last minute.


Topshop Vampire Print Jersey Blazer - £55: Jersey blazers have had a sudden surge of popularity recently, most likely because they're very wearable, mostly washable and fairly smart-looking without feeling too dressed up. A perfect casual blazer for a smaller frame with extra awesome points for the inside lining print.
ASOS Varsity Sweat Blazer - £40: You won't find a decent blazer for much cheaper than this. I am currently in love with preppy styles clashed with punk rock chic and am completely lusting after this particular blazer. Definitely cooler than the one you had to wear at school previously.
River Island Black 3/4 Sleeve Jacket - £49.99: Smart fitted boyfriend blazer with the wonderfully trendy 3/4 length sleeves. A perfect basic blazer if you don't like them tight, especially for taller folk.

5. Section Five: Coats.
Wear this for: Braving the impending below-zero winter weather, keeping wam & toasty in the coldest of classrooms, frosty mornings, tunnelling your way out of the place when you're snowed in. A fabulous coat is the one thing you must splurge on fantastically, otherwise you'll be kicking yourself come winter time.


Topshop Wool Check Toggle Bomber - £65: Very similar to those I fell in love with on the Delias website in previous years. The furry hood is the ultimate insurance against the cold weather; also you can't go wrong with a good plaid (I swear by it!)
Topshop Check Frock Coat - £95: If your bank balance allows for it and you happen to have fallen head over heels for classic 30s/40s chic, this is the coat you'll be practically living in this winter. Extra-long to exclude pesky winter drafts with a flattering double breasted fastening and a vintage-inspired tailored fit.
BDG Army Fatigue Jacket - £65: Military chic never fails to seduce me. If you're heading off to the hills of Edinburgh or Glamorgan this autumn (you brave thing!), chances are everyone else will be decked out in floor-length Puffas and camping gloves. This army-style coat will keep the frosty wind out whilst still looking completely on-trend as a casual jacket.

6. Section Six: Jeans
Wear this for: Just about everything - keeping in mind that many schools have strict 'no shorts/skirts' rules, you'll be practically living in them. Topshop is my undisputed favourite for high-quality jeans in a plethora of sizes and washes, so pick several in your favourite cuts and colours and wear them day after day.


Topshop Black Straight Martha Jeans - £40
Topshop Crushed Skinny Baxter Jeans - £40
Topshop Black Ella Skinny Flare Jeans - £40

7. Section Seven: Loungewear.
Wear this for: Studying at home, lazy days, sleeping. Do NOT! wear out to the shops or, god forbid, out to someone else's house - just because our favourite Hollywood celebrities do it doesn't mean we have to as well! Wear with a t-shirt and fluffy dressing gown for an extra-warm & super-cute outfit for lazing at home. Comfy PJ pants will be much more economical if you spend a little extra for decent quality, as cheap ones will only split and rapidly wear out.


David and Goliath 'Take A Chill Pill' Lounge Pants - £20
La Senza Roll Over Top Pant Grey - £16
David and Goliath 'I've Got The Scoop' Lounge Pants - £20

8. Section Eight: Book Bags.
Wear this for: Lugging around your weighty overpriced textbooks like a champion weightlifter on a mission. If you're going to be carrying around a big heavy bag for at least several hours a day, at least make sure you love it. Keep away from the plastic carrier bags and be eco-friendy with a delightfully cute tote or patterned backpack.


I Love Topshop Shopper Bag - £6: Show your unfaltering adoration for the holy grail of high street stores with this patriotic printed shopper tote.
Dickies Vertical Stripe Backpack - £17.99: The best choice for your back as the handy backpack distributes weight evenly between shoulders, saving money on costly chiropractic bills. Make sure you get one with an awesome print like this.
Rootote Carousel Tote Bag - £24.55: How cute is this gorgeous loli-inspired tote by Rootote? Their bags are made of weighty, hard-wearing canvas material and with so many genuinely wonderful designs you'll be spoilt for choice.

9. Section Nine: Dresses.
Wear this for: Parties, summer, dances, impromptu girly road trips and any days where dressing up is a must for your well-being.


Saints Of Soul Navy Stripe Dress - £40: Clearly I'm still obsessed with the hitch hems, but for good reasons. The perfect dress for the alternative girl who's sick of all the hot pink bodycon offerings and just wants something that'll gain a well-deserved 'wow' from her fellow moshers.
Modcloth Williamsburg Dress - ~£35: Modcloth for me is like what a sweet shop is for a hyperactive toddler; I want everything, and I want it now. The entire site is full of beautiful American vintage-style pieces that make you wish you lived in New England instead of this regular old England.
Miss Selfridge Check Zip Hitch Dress - £38: Yet again with the hitch hems and plaid - my two loves. Some solid neutral plaid with a fabulous zip-up front and some cross-shoulder strap action.

10. Section Ten: Shoes.
Wear this for: Walking, strolling, skipping, jumping, dancing and ambling wherever the fancy takes you. All these can be styled up with just about anything, so make sure your footwear can too.


Dr Martens 14-Eye Boots - £64.79: Everyone knows how much I love my darling purple DMs. They're pretty expensive at first & only appeal to a minority, but will last you for years and years making the investment well worth it. There are a ridiculous number of colours, designs and styles available so there's bound to be something you'll adore.
Blowfish Shock Knot Pump [Black] - £30: A fair price for basic faux-leather flats from the adored brand Blowfish. Plain flats are an absolute wardrobe staple and can be a complete lifesaver when absolutely nothing else goes with what you're wearing.
DC Chelsea Ladies [White/Carbon] - £33.99: Skate shoes aren't for everyone, but you'll be grateful for a pair when your feet ache from the night before, long pointless walks around the city or a late-night stroll to the only takeaway open at 2am. It happens. A great pair of skate shoes have always been a favourite of mine - I don't wear them in public that often, though they're perfect comfort shoes for the rest of the time.

Congratulations - you now have a brand new, completely versatile student wardrobe for a completely reasonable price! Adding up the cost of everything you purchase before school may seem daunting, but factor in the amount of use you'll get out of each piece and you'll see that you'd waste more money by NOT buying it! Money tends to be an issue for us student folk, though spend it wisely on quality key purchases and you'll be eternally thankful for it.

Some extra tips to bear in mind for the new term:

- Work with what you have. Maximise the wearability of your favourite outfit combinations by being creative with accessories. A dress can be worn as a skirt the one day and a top the next. Even the most basic of DIY skills will serve you well - spare material can be fashioned into anything from headbands to pillowcases.

- Don't give in to the allure of cheap, disposable clothing. Primark and Peacocks-brand garments may seem like a no-brainer when you're itching to spend money on new clothing, but in the long run you'll only be wasting your valuable cash. Many Primark items develop holes and split seams during the first few wears - ask yourself: is it really that much of a bargain?

- Combine wardrobes with a friend for twice the fashion possibilities. If you're sharing a room or dwelling with a like-minded style-savvy friend, why not borrow from each other for twice the choice? Only do this if you're sharing with someone you know and trust extremely well, as clothing often goes mysteriously 'missing' otherwise.

What are YOUR essential items in the wardrobe for the term ahead? Are you going for quality or quantity, trendy or classic? Are you completely transforming your style or sticking with what you know and love? I want to know!

10 Favourite Thrifty Beauty Buys! Save Money By Shopping Smart

In times of desperation and economic crisis, money is all-important. Everyone worries about not having enough of it, some more than others, and it can buy us wonderful things like clothes, CDs and pretty jewellery. Saving money has become an extremely vital issue lately, and there's so many creative methods you can do to save a little extra yourself.

One HUGE way in which many people waste money is through buying stacks of makeup and cosmetics, much of which is unused. According to recent studies, the average woman spends over £750 on cosmetics every year - this includes hair products, makeup and body treatments. Sounds about right, hmm? Are you spending £20 on an item when you could have a similar (or even better) result for a fraction of the price? How many unopened or barely used bottles, tubs and pots of the stuff are filling up your drawers? Imagine how many pairs of shoes £750 could buy! (this always helps me to visualise large amounts of money!) Why do we purchase this unneccessary excess of sweet-scented, sticky, gooey goodness, and how does it end up there? We all do it, it happens. But do not feel guilty! I have compiled a list of hints, tips and my top favourite super-cheap and wonderful cosmetic items to help you lighten your makeup bag and not your wallet.

1.
Name: The almighty Vaseline!
Why it rocks: Truly the item of a hundred and one uses. (Talking of which, have you read this humorous review yet?
Vaseline beats any moisturiser or lip balm. Rub it all over your lips before falling asleep and wake up the next morning to luscious softness. Sore nose? No problem! Same goes for your nostrils, especially useful during the season of colds and runny noses. I could go on forever, seriously.
Buy it here: Practically any drugstore or supermarket, almost anywhere in the world. So convenient!
Price: Usually between 90p-£1 for a small tin like the one pictured, depending on where you buy it from.

2.
Name: VO5 Silky Smooth Miracle Mist
Why it rocks: Who else worships their hair straighteners but hates fried hair from the heat damage? Truthfully, the only way to 100% prevent fried ends is to boycott the heated appliances and give your poor hair a rest. However if you're a true devotee to the holy GHDs, you'll need a trusty heat defence spray that will loyally stick by your side and never let you down, no matter how hot things get. The Miracle Mist is a prime candidate for this - it is easy to manipulate, does what it promises and can be picked up at a bargain price. I have used many horrible products in the past that claim to defend the hair from heat, but ended up leaving me disappointed, my ends more fried than ever. However this spray will defend your poker straight locks like a valiant hero and keep them in beautiful condition. I use it every day and it hasn't let me down.
Buy it here: Larger Boots stores will stock it. Or buy online from Chemist Direct. Though there is slightly different packaging in different countries, so read the packaging to ensure you're buying the right product!
Price: £3.15 for a 150ml spritz bottle. Or save 6p and buy from the above link! Every little counts, right?

3.
Name: Ulta Eye Shadow
Why it rocks: High quality, excellent choice (99 colours! Think of the possibilities!) and there is always a great offer on them, such as 3 for $10, or the current 2 for $7 (buy one get one free..I'm there!). This makes them ridiculously cheap, as well as being great additions to your eye shadow collection. I love experimenting with the more unusual shades and use them as much as my more expensive Urban Decay and MAC shadow. Currently I have around 6 colours, but will shortly return for more.
Buy it here: Shipping is only available to the US - American sweethearts buy it here from Ulta's online store. UK and worldwide darlings, make the Ulta store it a must visit on your next transatlantic shopping spree.
Price: Currently $7 each; however the latest discount lets you pick up 2 for this price! Hooray!

4.
Name: Superdrug Extra Gentle Apple De-Tangling Spray
Why it rocks: It makes coarse, tangled hair and knotted hair extensions a thing of the distant past. It doesn't matter that it's for kids, it works just as well on adults without spending ridiculous amounts of money on expensive conditioning sprays. A wonderful extra bonus: it will make your hair smell like deliciously juicy apples. I used to use it on my old hair extensions, as they tangled ridiculously easy. This stuff made them smell of fruity goodness as well as leaving them soft and smooth.
Buy it here: Superdrug. Unfortunately it's not online, hence the tiny picture (only one I could find!)
Price: 99p! Pay with £1 and throw the change into a wishing fountain for good luck.

5.
Name: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
Why it rocks: Stubborn eyeliner and mascara smudges will never stain your pillowcases again. One of the worst things about wearing makeup is having to take the whole lot off at the end of the day. Eye-burning mascara cleanser and skin-drying foundation remover are not the most pleasant thing to slather onto your delicate skin every night, so do your face a favour and use these super-gentle cleansing wipes instead. They are wonderful for eradicating even the most stubborn black eyeliner and waterproof mascara. I don't think I could live without them. There are several variations, including age-resisting and exfoliating, but personally I think the original ones are the best.
Buy it here: Most supermarkets and drugstores, including Tesco and Waitrose. Though Boots seem to be rather cheap too.
Price: £2.93 from link above, anywhere around £3 from anywhere else. There are 25 wipes in a pack, so that's a mere 12p per day to remove every bit of makeup. Your skin will love you for it, I promise.

6.
Name: Maybelline Full 'N' Soft Mascara
Why it rocks: Why throw away money on expensive mascara when you can have beautiful, full, clump-free lashes for a fraction of the price? I know I sound like a mascara advert, but it's true! Since discovering this several months ago, I swear I haven't used anything else. I'm often skeptical about cheap makeup but this is the real thing. It'll make your lashes look natural, full and soft (does exactly what the name implies) without spidery clumps or flakes. I don't think I'll be using anything else for a long time either.
Buy it here: For some reason I can't find it in the usual high street stores - maybe it's only available in the largest branches? If you can't find it, don't bother buying any other Maybelline mascara, as the rest just don't match up to this. Get it cheapest on Yu Yu Beaute. Or Ebay it! Always check feedback and buy from a trusted seller.
Price: £3.25 from the above link, possibly cheaper from Ebay retailers.

7.
Name: Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lip Care Stick
Why it rocks: It's my favourite flavoured lip balm ever. It'll make your lips pillowy soft and smelling of delicious creamy chocolate - is there any better flavour?! It's not foul and cheap-smelling like many other chocolatey lip balms, this is the closest you'll get to real chocolate cosmetics. And who wouldn't want to kiss a girl whose lips taste of cocoa butter?
Buy it here: The Body Shop.
Price: £3.90. I know, not as cheap as many other lip balms, but definitely worth the price!

8.
Name: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
Why it rocks: No more oily skin! The first time you try these, they are truly like pocket-sized miracles. I got hooked on these when the chinese students at my school let me borrow some they'd brought back from Hong Kong, and I simply had to get my own. You can see all the excess oil it removes on the wipe - very cool in an odd sort of way! Try them for yourself and take them everywhere, you'll adore them. I can't believe they don't sell them in the UK - I always knew English people were crazy.
Buy them here: A reputable seller on Ebay. Buying in bulk works out cheapest, though buy a single pack if you've never tried them.
Price: Ebay bulk buying works out at approximately £1.5o each.

9.
Name: Johnson's Baby Powder
Why it rocks: Babies smell awesome! It has that gorgeous fresh baby smell to it - light, fresh and heavenly. Just like Vaseline, baby powder is a product of many uses. It is the best dry shampoo I've used - sprinkle a few touches onto your hands, rub it vigourously through your hair and say goodbye for greasy roots for the day. Of course, you should wash your hair frequently as usual, but it's a lifesaver when your hair is unusually greasy one morning, or you've forgotten to wash it the night before. Also great for its intended use, as your skin will be sweet-smelling and silky soft.
Buy it here: Boots has great 100g mini containers of it - perfect for handbags and travelling. Just remember to twist the top closed before throwing it into your suitcase!
Price: 97p for the small 100g; £1.69 for the mighty 500g.

10.
Name: A Crash Course In Skincare Fresh Face Mask
Why it rocks: Take advantage of Lush's most generous freebie offer and choose this delightfully fresh & natural mask as your reward for returning your black pots. I have tried several of their fresh face masks and this is my favourite by far. One pot gives you 6-8 masks of yummy avocado, lemon and yoghurt mixture to make your skin soft, glowing and touchable. It's perfect for sensitive skin, won't dry out your face or make a mess of the bathroom.
Buy it here: Lush
Price: £6.31, or free upon the return of 5 clean black pots.

There is so much more I'd like to add to this list, though I think 10 is a good number for now! I may post a sequel to this if anyone finds it useful.

Some more helpful economising tips:
- Buy your favourite products in bulk lots & larger sizes! Is there a particular shampoo, vitamin or other cosmetic product you use frequently and would benefit from if you bought a larger size? You can save several pounds by buying hair products such as Catwalk conditioners (my favourite!) in duos or mega bottles. I always buy a larger salon size to save money and packaging. Keep a look out for similar deals at your local hair salon, or from a reputable Ebay retailer such as Unwind Me, who have amazing deals on salon brands when bought in bulk.

- Sign up for a store card from your favourite cosmetic stores. If you're a frequent shopper at Boots, signing up for a points card is free and can earn you tons of wonderful freebies. It's the most generous points card in the UK, letting you build up a personal store of points to spend on any products instore which your heart desires. This is an excellent way to save money on your everyday necessities, or spoil yourself with perfumes and extravagant body lotions. I have a similar card from Ulta which works similarly, just a shame that it's so far away. We all deserve it, don't we?

- Don't be afraid to ask for free samples. If you're pondering spending your hard-earned cash on an expensive body scrub, at least make sure you truly like it first! There's nothing worse than blowing money on a product, coming home and finding out you hate it. Stores such as Lush and The Body Shop have lovely employees who will gladly bestow an array of free samples and yummy smells upon you. Everything is labelled and given in generous portions, so you can experiment with it properly and find out whether it's worth your cash.

- Sell new and lightly used products on Ebay. There's nothing worse than receiving stinky perfume or soaps from a 'loving relative' every Christmas: the ones who forget your name and buy you something awful that you could truly do without. "No, Auntie Vera..I REALLY don't want another Barbie fragrance!". Instead of finding its home in the depths of your dresser, maybe it could be passed on to someone else who would enjoy it. If you're an Ebay addict, it's a great opportunity to gain back some money on your shopping mistakes and let others benefit from your beauty faux-pas. However when selling used cosmetics on Ebay, think to yourself, "Would I want to receive a similar product in this condition?" Always be completely honest about the item, its condition, why it's used and how it's been used (to avoid germs!). Being 100% honest about anything you sell is vital!

So after this mammoth entry, here are some questions:

How much do you reckon you spend on cosmetics each year?
Favourite thrifty beauty buys?
What are your favourite cosmetic stores for great value products? Lush is mine! I could literally live there - the factory is only 30 minutes away, so it's not exactly impossible...
Best money saving techniques when it comes to cosmetics?


What an entry! Probably the biggest I've done so far: I figure it's a result of procrastination from holiday homework. I'd love to hear comments, tips - any feedback would be wonderful.