What I Wore - 21/09/09.

Attempt #2 of my latest 'What I Wore' post! Blogger has been failing on me and flu has been ravaging my immune system, so excuse the brief absense as it shouldn't be much longer.

I finally had my hairdresser trim and redye my hair, yay!


Cardigan: Miss Selfridge
Scarf: Topshop
Tank: H&M
Belt: Lowlife
Jeans: H&M
Boots: Fryes

Several people have already been quite literally gobsmacked after asking how much it costs to have my hair dyed as well as cut, but lovely-looking hair really is a priceless investment - it will always make you look and feel twenty times better! So what if it costs a small fortune every few months? When you find someone with awesome razor/peroxide talent, why bother switching to a mediocre stylist just to save a few extra pounds? Good hair is an investment, put it that way.

In addition to this, I happened to chance across a couple of must-have buys at Miss Selfridge last weekend, including the aforementioned cardigan.

I also got this beret hat:

Not only does it keep my head warm, it doesn't clash with my skin or hair - major glee points! This is clearly a big deal for me, as I am known for never wearing hats. Except lovely ones like this. It's a grey-pink colour, so it goes with almost anything. My entire stance on the realm of hats and berets has been completely transformed.

Thursday Fashion Therapy: Your New Mid-Week Pick-Me-Up!

Face it: when the midweek mark rolls around we're already completely and utterly drained, ready for the mammoth lie-in of the week. But wait, there's still more work to get through - how on earth will we manage it?! Friday (as well as Thursday) for many people is a case of dragging themselves out of bed in a semi-conscious, disheveled state with nothing more lingering in the mind other than the weekend ahead. How on earth do we quell these mid-week blues? With a little self-indulgent retail therapy of course!

Personally I find that even the cheapest midweek purchase can cheer me up from any chaos or drama going on at school, as long as it's pretty and exciting as well as possibly being glittery, scented or fluffy. You don't need to rush out and blow your savings on an expensive designer coat or a cashmere jumper every time you feel stressed or down from work overload - anything cheap, lovely and appealing will suffice.

I wanted to make this a regular weekly addition to this blog; each week I post a new item either from a high street store or online costing £10 or less so you needn't feel guilty about treating yourself. This could be a brand new wardrobe addition, an exciting new accessory or an unusual cosmetic product - anything to entice the senses and make your midweek experience that much more enjoyable.

This week's dose of must-have fashion therapy:


Dorothy Perkins Grey Flower Print Cotton Scarf - £10

Scarves are the ultimate accessory for adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to even the simplest of outfits. Though summer seems disappearing away with florals, show your passion for a classic print with this beautiful cream and brown floral print scarf by Dorothy Perkins. Wear with gorgeously girly yet plain dresses in neutral tones, as well as a cardigan and your favourite boots. No one ever said floral prints had to disappear with the real flowers, so why should they?

Tarina Tarantino's 'My Pretty' Collection

Everyone has that one brand of jewelry or accessories which they absolutely obsess over; the one designer who comes up with the most incredible eye candy season after season. For some it's Louis Vuitton handbags or Alexander McQueen scarves; for me it's Tarina Tarantino's jewellery. I remember staring at the sumptuously glistening Pink Head necklaces at the Sanrio store many years ago, a dazzling rainbow of candy colours locked away in a glass cabinet besides the cashier desk like how parents lock M&Ms and Skittles away from their hyperactive children. I'd be staring at them in the elaborate case and never wanting any other necklace more. They'd go with everything. I'd keep them forever. I wouldn't ever need another piece of jewellery. Eventually my auntie convinced me to go for it, to put down my last $200 dollars and just get the one necklace I wanted most. (Definitely a great philosophy if you adore something but have trouble parting with your money, as I haven't regretted it since.) It's my only piece of Tarina jewellery, but I still stare lustfully whenever a new collection appears, determined to get one or two things from them each time. This time around I'm sure to have much more trouble compromising between my bank balance and my lust for pretty things.

The My Pretty collection is typical of Tarina's usual style, incorporating glamourous vintage chic and a juicy, vibrant rainbow of colours and fairytale glamour whilst still appearing delightfully sparkly, grown-up and glamourous. Definitely to my taste then.

Here are some of my top favourite brand new pieces - how could one choose between them?:


'Over The Rainbow' Triple Row Cuff Bracelet
What would a Tarina Tarantino collection be without her trademark chunky lucite beads? I adore the vibrant emerald, blue and purple hues together as well as the tiny sparkly crystals - just beautiful! If I had this, I don't think I'd want to take it off. True jewellery love. ♥


Emerald City Stretch Bracelet
The gold antique effect beads echo a time long lost, whilst the small emerald lucite cubes are deliciously modern. It overjoys me when I see modern and vintage-look beads creatively matched so seamlessly like those in this bracelet. Too lovely! The colours (gold and emerald) remind me of mermaids, which is never a bad thing.


Emerald City Crystal Heart Key Necklace
One of the central themes of this collection is the Wizard of Oz and the Emerald City. I can imagine this looking fairytale perfect with ruby red shoes and a plaid dress. I'm intrigued by key necklaces, especially ones with such details as these beautiful shimmery crystals.


Lucite Skull Bead Bracelet
Skulls are traditionally characterised as morbid and have only become chic and more widely wearable in recent years. How much more fantastically stylish can skulls be than these with crystals for eyes and in an assortment of colours? I'm loving the emerald (pictured) and hot pink versions.


Filigree Heart Locket Necklace
I think a pattern is beginning to emerge - I'm mildly in love with big chunky hearts. From anyone else this necklace would look slightly over-the-top, but surprisingly faux pearls, crystals and antique effect filigree never looked so good together. This definitely has an anachronistic yet heavenly feel to it due to the comparitively toned-down shades and I know I'd have nothing to wear it with, but it's completely beautiful all the same.


'Bubble Pop' Multibead Charm Bracelet
Normally I can't stand charm bracelets; they're usually cheaply-made, get caught on everything and become somehow stuck in my hair. This one, however, is a complete exception - it resembles the contents of a beautiful underwater treasure chest with Swarovski glass pearls, starfish charms and those unmistakeable lucite beads we keep seeing so much of. It doesn't look too cluttered as many of the charms are very similar and stick to a delectable yet simple colour palette. If I had this I'd probably spend more time staring at it than would be considered healthy.

Share your favourites!

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!

[QUESTION] If You Were The Opposite Gender, How Would You Dress?

Ok, we all know it's not possible to suddenly wake up as the opposite sex in some kind of twisted 'Boy/Girl Thing'-esque parody. Recently I've listened to the rantings of some of my lovely and fantastically fashionable male friends, ie. what should I wear, how hideous is this top, why are all the high street stores full of rubbish this season, etc. Rifling through the mens section at Topman is, whilst ignoring the odd looks from passers-by, quite interesting.

Wandering into the men's section is like a new awakening to a world of fashion I have little experience with, as normally I go shopping in order to clothe myself and not a guy. Things like adjusted waist sizes, chest sizes and collar sizes seem to mean nothing to me in the men's shops, which is honestly rather alienating. Also, considering the sad lack of male-targeted high street shops selling truly stylish clothes, I'm not surprised that half the guys forced into those places by mums and girlfriends feel a bit alienated themselves.

So, hypothetically speaking, if I was a male, this would be my capsule wardrobe:


[click here for larger images + prices and stores]
Description: Rock-inspired clothing with a hefty portion of All Saints goodness thrown in for good measure. Despite the price, it would work out as fairly good value overall, as I'd be wearing each piece over and over. All the pieces would work perfectly for layering as well as matching, so these pieces would blend in seamlessly from season to season. The cranberry-coloured t-shirt could be worn with or under any of the other pieces, as it is the sole vibrant colour amongst a collection of neutrals, which are neither overwhelming in pattern nor colour whilst still making a statement.

I should probably create my very own capsule wardrobe; unfortunately I enjoy experimenting with so many styles that it probably wouldn't work! Maybe in a few years?

Again, the question: If you were the opposite gender, how would you dress? Would you dress in a similar style to how you already do, or would you go for something completely new and different? Would you stick to gender-specific clothing, or would you characterize yourself as the cheeky crossdresser? I want to know!

What I Wore Today: 25/08/09

POF: Plaidaholics not-so-anonymous; not wearing eyeliner. Today I went to Sea Life with the bf to see some cute and smelly animals & truly revolting feeding habits before going to the beach in the evening.
Shirt: Criminal Damage - I want so badly for this to work, though I'm not sure it does! Blue is one of my all-time favourite colours to wear & I very much like this despite this fitting very tightly even though it's a Large.
Vest [under]: H&M
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Bag [not pictured]: Latest UO purchase.
Shorts: Primark. Savouring the remainder of freedom before I'll only be allowed to wear skirts and jeans constantly.
Tights: Also Primark & one of the better-made items they sell.
Boots: Fryes..pictured for once! I've been wearing them almost every day for months, I'm kind of in love with them.

What I Wore: 20/08/09

This week is all about being busy, tidying, cleaning and getting ready for the impending autumn - exciting! However I've been rather disappointed with the selection of clothes in stores at the moment as I've found very little that I actually like, how strange. I was in London a few days ago and yet none of my favourite Oxford Street and Regent Street stores had a single new thing that I contemplated buying. Though I did get some good old Topshop skinny jeans. Hurray for 36" inseams!

Today I managed to dress myself to go out and get my exam results.



POF: Got 3 Cs and a D - thank god for Year 14.
Vest: Urban Outfitters
Tops: Forever 21/H&M
Belt: Off-brand
Shorts: Primark
Tights: Cheap (hence the holes)
Boots [not pictured]: Fryes

Bristolian Goodies.

I had the pleasure of travelling to the charming city of Bristol yesterday and spent a good few hours enjoying the fantastic shops, delicious food and delightful townsfolk. Most of the shops there are some of the biggest high street stores (hello brand new 4-storey Primark!), as well as a few exciting boutiques and vintage shops scattered around the place, making it a wonderfully enchanting place to pass the time. I can easily spend an entire day there by myself without being bored.

I didn't spend a whole lot of money strangely enough, but here's what I bought:

1.
Dorothy Perkins biker bangles! I seldom buy bracelet sets, but since I included these beauties in my previous list of lustworthy items, I decided I had to have them. I couldn't exactly say no when I saw them in the store reduced to £7 either. They are actually five separate bracelets and do indeed make a fabulously jangly sound when I walk, especially when accompanied by my wings necklace.

2.
Urban Outfitters cross-body heart bag. Like most, I cannot resist a good bargain. Reduced from £28 to £9.99, I thought this was a rather excellent bargain. I plan to use it as my gig bag, as the previous bag broke when I was jumping/moshing/headbanging too hard. Ahem. It's similar to many versions currently at Topshop, except half the price.

I did happen to go past the Banksy exhibit a few times, though the line was unimaginably long so it would have been impossible to get in. I think it circled around the building several times before snaking between metal fences outside the entrance. Next time then?

8 Dorothy Perkins Must-Haves!

I'm ridiculously thrilled about some of the new items in Dorothy Perkins' Autumn/Winter 09 collection. They seem have a terrible reputation around here (they've shut down their closest store now!), as previously they only had very plain, ill-fitting and generally hideous offerings. DP was referred to as 'the old lady shop' and I was genuinely stunned when my friend once unearthed some rather cute red skinny jeans from there in her size. Everything else was just, well, bland and ugly to put it lightly.

Now it seems that DP have finally got their act together with their website featuring some trendy yet rather lustworthy pieces, tempting me to spend even more of my ever-depleting bank balance, and I'd say it's definitely worth it! Here are some of my favourite new pieces:



1. White Foil Lip Print T-Shirt - £15 - Many of the styles lately have been going unashamedly 90s at the moment; my best friend used to have a white tank top with a blue foil print just like this one. And how cool were cutout shoulders?! This particular top is reminiscent of our childhood era without going over-the-top and still works perfectly with our current 2009 wardrobes. Wear with a loose-cut blazer and skinny jeans for a 21st century edge on this deliciously retro piece.

2. Grey Sequin Waistcoat - £30 - I'm currently trying to find the perfect waistcoat; although this is a little sparkly & delicate-looking for everyday, it looks like one of those things you can't help stroking every time you go to the store until you eventually buy it. Irresistable, no?

3. Navy Military Jacket - £40 - As it's likely you'll have to wear a jacket every day this winter, why not buy a gorgeous one? And what better way to spend that £40 weighing down your wallet? I adore military-styled jackets like this and would buy it if I didn't already have a very similar one...

4. Saints Of Soul Navy Stripe Dress - £40 - Anyone will know how extremely passionate I am about All Saints inspired pieces like this gem. There's a skirt in a similar style to this on the site and even the name suggests they may be rather heavily influenced by All Saints. I'd wear this with a short jacket and my reliable Frye boots and would more than likely wear it everywhere too.

5. Biker Bangle Set - £15 - A delightfully stunning bracelet set! This particularly one looks a great combination of punk and girly style bangles as well as being wonderfully jingly - one-person percussion band, anyone? This set seems to feature 6 different bracelets which would be excellent for fiddling with when bored at school.

6. Black Stud Pencil Skirt - £35 - No one seems to be able to get enough of studs lately; what better way to celebrate your new addiction than with a basic black punkish skirt with a delightful assortment of studs on the pockets? Basic yet detailled without being excessive.

7. Red Abstract Union Jacket Scarf - £12 - Sure, the state of our country's going downhill fast, but how timelessly classic does our flag look? Especially with butterflies thrown into the mix. An improvement on River Island's version of the scarf without the strange tassles or pricier tag.

8. Stone Suede Stud Ankle Boots - £50 - Wonderfully Vince Noir-esque footwear for the impending cold weather. Wear with opaque tights and a skirt, or grey/black skinny jeans for an indie rock-inspired look. However I fear these are real suede, so it may not be wise to wear them in the unavoidable downpours this Autumn. Wear them around the house if you like.

If you've just, like me, fallen in love with any of the previous items, it's best to buy them now before they sell out! Avoid disappointment and snap them up while they're still around.

Tall?

As any girl over the 5'8 mark knows, being tall can be a dreadful nightmare when it comes to shopping for clothes; nothing seems to fit. How familiar do any of these quotes seem to you?

- "It's much too short..I don't want the whole world to see my stomach."
- "There's no way I'm wearing jeans with the crotch this low - I'm not a goddamn gangsta kid."
- "I refuse to buy my clothes from the plus size section."
- "How dare they call me 'abnormally-sized'!"
- "I think I'll buy a Mens Small, at least it covers my belly."
- "If I hear anyone recommend 'Long Tall Sally' to me one more time, I think I'm going to scream."

Despite what others may think, high street clothes (especially cheaper ones) are normally designed to fit petite people with small chests, short legs and larger rear ends, so it's no surprise that upon entering the dressing rooms we can become frustrated with the terribly generic fits of clothes from places such as Primark and Miss Selfridge which seem to be made with the shorter girl/woman in mind.

So what do we do about it? Although crop tops seem to be coming back into fashion, ankle-grazers aren't always going to be in the 'What's Hot' section of your favourite magazines. We don't need to source our entire wardrobes from patronisingly-titled plus size sections in certain stores and most importantly, being tall does certainly not mean we need to compromise our style! I am 5'11 myself, borderline 6', and I feel awful that some of my fellow tall friends think they are doomed to wear the most awfully drab pieces because their stomachs peep out of everything they try on.

As it is nearly time to start frantically stocking our wardrobes for back to school/college/AW09, here are 5 simple rules to adhere by when browsing the racks this coming season:

1. Stop buying your clothes from the mens & plus size sections!
Why? Because despite the fact that they're just the job to cover the lower half of your torso, they most likely fit you horribly everywhere else. I'm sure we all have mens t-shirts stashed away in our wardrobes for various reasons - gig souveniers/sleepwear/awesome designs - and even if they're bought in a size S or XS, they still squish your chest, drown your waistline and envelope your shoulders, arms and neckline. Plus-size clothes will most likely disguise everything (unless you're genuinely plus-sized) - how can we be sure there's a fabulous figure under there. In addition, both kinds of clothes will make your body look like a square, which is definitely not what you'd call a desirable look.
What do I do? - We've all done it before - there's no reason to be ashamed. If you have larger things for sleepwear, make sure they are just for sleeping in. If you're good with a sewing machine, make a fabulous patchwork blanket or pillowcase out of the awesome designs and save the leftovers for DIY scrap projects or textile recycling.

2. Stock up on well-fitting basics.
If your basic pieces don't fit you properly, how is the rest of your outfit going to look? Plain tees, jeans, vests and leggings will look ten times better if they fit your shape, honestly. I had several pairs of H&M jeans on rotation and didn't realise how badly they fitted until I tried on a pair with an extra-long inseam from Topshop. T-shirts are much more comfortable and flattering when you can lift your arms in the air and they don't expose your stomach to the world.

Some must-have tall basics:


Topshop Tall Pocket Button Jacket - £60
Winter is quickly approaching and you don't want to be stuck with a last-minute cheap Primark coat that's clearly much too small for you. Even though it's not the most colourful style, this black coat can be worn with everything and you won't have a frosty breeze blowing around your middle as usual.


Tall Ribbed Scoop Neck Tank - £6/2 for £9
Layering tanks that fit you properly are an absolute essential and black and white are the most versatile colours. Wear them under tiny low-cut tops to turn them into casual wear, or wear them on their own or with a shirt over the top in the summer.


Topshop Tall Grey Denim Mini Skirt - £25 [£15 on sale]
The problem with wearing short skirts when you're tall is that they usually tend to look a little risque; they fit shorter on you than intended and as you probably have long fabulous legs it'll make the skirt look even shorter. I really want this skirt myself - shame they don't have my size in the sale. The grey will go with almost anything, it'll be a decent length when worn and would look great in all seasons.


Topshop Tall Ultimate Skinny Jean - £40
I'm not sure how these skinnies qualify as 'ultimate', but they seem like the next best thing after the sadly discontinued Baxter cut (medium/low rise, long skinny leg). Wearing jeans in the correct leg length is so important that I can't stress it enough, especially if you have particularly long legs. Try on a standard pair from H&M or Primark and then try ones with a longer inseam - much more comfortable as well as being a lot more flattering. It's absolutely worth selling all your old pairs and buying jeans for your height - you won't regret it.

3. Don't feel that you have to buy all your clothes from the Tall collections.
Let's face it - although Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and New Look offer a small selection of extra-long Tall clothing, the vast majority of it tends to be annoyingly drab and, although great for basics, you definitely wouldn't want to have to buy all your clothes there. That would be a nightmare. Instead, try things on if possible - many t-shirts, skirts and tops should fit fine, just make sure by trying them on before buying. Make sure you know the length you need on a top or skirt before making a purchase online to avoid disappointment. You don't need to be exiled to the equivalent of the icy tundra in your favourite stores, just make sure that an item is going to look fabulous on you before deciding to get it.

4. You CAN wear whatever styles you want.
Magazines tell us that because we're a certain body shape, we're restricted to certain styles of clothing. They tell us ridiculous things such as tall girls should only wear high waisted jeans and never wear high heels, petite girls should wear fitted tunics and heeled boots, etc. Sure, it may look more flattering to some people, but some girls would rather die than never wear a pair of heels ever again. When you're tall, many different styles flatter you despite what the fashion columns say, so try on an assortment of different pieces and don't be afraid to wear what you truly love just because you heard it's 'wrong'.

5. Love your body!
Taller people are often the butt of many spiteful jokes; don't let them get to you.(how many times have I heard "how's the weather up there"?) People often make rude remarks and comments because they can't deal with their own feelings of inferiority. Never take things like that personally. You have an awesome body and dress yourself to celebrate that. There's no 'good' or 'bad' height to be. Walk confidently, smile, dress fabulously and you shall look amazing.

Link List

- Topshop Tall - best selection of stylish tall clothes I've found, as it features many of the odd Topshop-centred trends parallel to the main collections as well as the best jeans.

- New Look Tall - Only found out recently that New Look has a tall collection. Nothing terribly exciting but it's worth a look if you're interested. If you're going to a store, the tall stock tends to be all over the place and not in one particular spot.

- Dorothy Perkins Tall - I've seen a few skirts in the past here that I've liked. Nothing incredible but definitely worth a look. Good for basic items too.

- Next Tall - Convenient for smarter workwear, as well as for your especially tall mum or older sister.

- This made me laugh.

- UK Tall Shopping Directory. For everything else.

Good luck with your shopping! ♥