Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Dark Fashion
What I Wore: Stag
0
2 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Primark Skater Dress / Primark Light Knit Cape / Primark Metal Waist Belt / Unbranded Stag Necklace / Schuh Biker Boots
After my foray into brightly coloured floral last week, today’s outfit post is back to my usual ‘black on black’.
I can’t get enough of my new Primark cape at the minute. It’s lovely and light so is perfect for every day wear during spring, and looks great with pretty much anything.
The dress is one of my wardrobe staples, and has already seen me through a couple of years of wear. I’m not usually a fan of high necks as I find them irritating, but this one is surprisingly comfortable and flattering. Team it with a statement necklace, like this antique gold stag head, and a waist belt, and you’re good to go.
I found the boots lurking at the back of my wardrobe last week. I haven’t worn them for years, and they were a bit battered when I pulled them from the depths of my closet, but I think they look all the better for it. They were originally from Schuh, but I replaced the laces with black ribbon when I first bought them.
Naomi x
What I Wore: Floral
1
2 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Primark Light Knit Cape / Primark Floral Skater Skirt / Primark Basic T Shirt / Primark Tights / Gifted Cloudbusting Silver Necklace
It would seem that Spring is finally here, and brighter weather calls for brighter clothing! I’ve been trying to add a few more colourful pieces to my mostly black wardrobe lately, and this skater skirt from Primark is a good start. It’s floral and made of crepe, two things I’m not usually a fan of, but at £3 in the sale I thought I’d give it a go, and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a lovely shape and very comfortable, and though I bought it to with the intention of wearing it to work, I can see it becoming an all round favourite this season.
The black cape was also in the Primark sale, half price at just £7. It’s a lovely soft lightweight knit, so is perfect for keeping covered during the spring months, when it isn’t quite warm enough for bare arms.
As you may have seen in my 25th Birthday Haul post, this gorgeous necklace was gifted to me by my fiancé for my birthday. It’s made of 925 silver and was personalised especially for me. Cloudbusting by Kate Bush is one of my favourite songs, and holds many special memories, so I absolutely adore it.
Have you been enjoying the warmer weather this weekend?
Naomi x
What I Wore: Comfy Sunday
2
2 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Today my fiancé and I decided to go out for lunch, to one of my favourite bars (the Orange tree in Leicester – they serve a cracking veggie roast!) Afterwards, we went for a leisurely wander around town, did a spot of shopping and checked out the new Richard III monuments near the cathedral. A lovely casual day called for a casual outfit, so I threw on this gorgeous draped hoodie with a basic tee, and my favourite pair of jeans. I love anything acid wash and polka dots, and these jeans combine the two, and are made of light, stretchy denim so are incredibly comfortable. They’re a real wardrobe staple and have seen me through Spring and Summer, but will also be great for Autumn, worn with a pair of chunky boots.
DressLink.com Draped Hoodie / H&M Polka Dot Acid Wash Jeans / Primark Basic T Shirt / Primark Metal Waist Belt / Primark Canvas Shoes / Thrifted Topshop Leather Stud Bag
I ordered this oversized draped hoodie from DressLink.com a few weeks ago. It was originally intended to be for my mum, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite fit her right, so she let me have it. Believe it or not, this is an XXXL, but Asian sizes are a LOT smaller than our Western sizes, so it fits me, a size 10/12, like a baggy hoodie. There’s no way it’s a UK size 20 like the website suggests!
Tops like this are absolutely perfect for this time of year. It was sunny today, so too warm for a coat, but there was a hint of Autumnal coolness in the air, so it kept me nice and cosy, and the hood is great for when you want an extra bit of warmth. I also really love the length and draped style of the hoodie as it gives it a slightly witchy edge, and though it looks good baggy, I adore the more tailored shape of it when worn with a waist belt over the top.
What pieces will be seeing you through the Summer to Autumn transition?
Naomi x
Affordable Summer Fashion at House of Fraser
1
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
This year I’ve been trying to add more summer basics to my wardrobe, and after browsing countless online and high street stores, House of Fraser have really come up trumps. Though House of Fraser stock a lot of premium brands, they also sell a wide range of more affordable brands, so you can add staple pieces to your wardrobe on a budget, that can be worn year in year out.
House of Fraser recently challenged me to pick some summer items to style, up to the value of £30. I thought the best way to go for this challenge would be simple and versatile – things that could be dressed up or down and paired with different things to create different looks – so I opted for this plain Jane Norman Maxi Vest Dress, and a cute little Ziba 3D Skull Bracelet.
Jane Norman Maxi Vest Dress / Ziba 3D Skull Bracelet / Primark Sandals / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Juno Black Patent Grab Bag
The dress is made from a light jersey fabric, so is very cool and comfortable, and the vest section is lined so you don’t have to wear a bra on hot summer days. I think the dress looks great as it is, but it also looks amazing with a sparkly cropped jacket and clutch for a glamorous evening look. This is currently discounted from £20 to £12, which is incredibly cheap for such a lovely piece.
I chose the Ziba Skull 3D Bracelet for several reasons. For one, I love skulls and covet anything with a skull on it, but this year I’ve also really started to love fine and delicate pieces of jewellery. I used to always wear big chunky items, but the beauty of bracelets like this is you can layer them together, but if it’s too hot to be wearing a thick wedge of bangles, they look elegant and lovely worn alone. This particular bracelet was £9 when I chose it, down from £12, but it’s now only £6 so is even more affordable. Also, if skulls aren’t your thing, the Ziba range has loads of other designs to choose from. I especially like their cute little owl.
In total, my House of Fraser items have a value of £32, but with the online discount they now come in at £18, which is a pretty good saving. I’ll definitely be going back to House of Fraser in the future to look for more affordable basics. Also, why not check out their current range of maxi dresses and bracelets?
Naomi x
*This Jane Norman Maxi Vest Dress and Ziba 3D Skull Bracelet were sent to me on behalf of House of Fraser, for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Follow me on Polyvore
0
3 years
After seeing loads of Polyvore sets on Tumblr and wishing I could create some myself, earlier this week I took the plunge and signed up. For those who don’t know, Polyvore is a website (and now app) where you can discover and shop fashion, beauty and home items that you love, and put them together in collages to create different looks.
Being able to browse items from all over the internet, with the ability to filter out specific items and colours, is such a great way to explore your own personal style. I’ve been finding Polyvore a great source of inspiration for future purchases and outfit combinations, and even though I can’t really afford a lot of the items I style, it gives me an idea of dupes to look out for on the high street! Also, I’ve mostly been using Polyvore on my phone via their app, and it’s so much fun, and a brilliant way to pass the time when waiting for the bus or travelling.
To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s one of my recent sets, which has a suitably summery theme, but still makes the most of my favourite clothing colour – black!
Black Sands by bewitchery featuring a gucci shawl
Bordelle black bathing suit
£275 – luisaviaroma.com
£275 – luisaviaroma.com
Ancient Greek Sandals strappy leather sandals
£160 – anotherlove.com.au
£160 – anotherlove.com.au
Patrizia Pepe vintage black purse
yoox.com
yoox.com
Gucci shawl
£195 – yoox.com
£195 – yoox.com
Wide straw hat
£5.29 – amazon.com
£5.29 – amazon.com
Rounded glasses
£8.24 – 80spurple.com
£8.24 – 80spurple.com
If you’re already a Polyvore user, please comment below with your username so I can follow you! Also, if you want to view my page or follow me, click here. As usual, my username is bewitchery.
Naomi x
What I Wore: Stormy
2
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
One of my favourite things about summer is the storms. The rain that cools the air down, the thunder, the lightning – it’s all so exciting! This weekend has been particularly unpredictable, with amazing storms one minute, and bright, hot sun the next, which though nice, makes it difficult to know what to wear.
New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress / Everything5Pounds Waterfall Jacket / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Primark Tights / New Look Stud Pumps / Topshop Leather Stud Bag (Thrifted) / Accessories Boutique Heavy Spike Bracelet
The key for me has been light layers that can be added/removed accordingly. A dress makes a great base for this kind of look, as it’s cool enough for the sun, but can be made rain and wind proof with a jacket and tights. I went for this New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress that I bought in the last ASOS sale, and added a pair of basic sheer black tights from Primark to avoid flashing my undies in the wind, and a lovely waterfall jacket from Everything5Pounds. I absolutely love this jacket as it’s really comfortable, and is perfect for warm weather as a cover as the fabric is so lightweight.
To accessorise, I wore my Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses, that are an absolute essential when the sun is shining, and I also gave my New Look stud pumps a first outing. Of course my trusty thrifted Topshop leather bag was a necessity too, and I added a heavy spike bracelet from Accessories Boutique to bring the stud theme of the outfit together.
What have you been styling during this stormy summer weekend?
Naomi x
Designer Accessories, High Street Clothes
4
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Though some people see it as an absolute cardinal sin to team high street with designer, I’m the opposite, and I think that mixing the two can be the perfect way to create high-end looks, without completely bankrupting yourself. In my experience, buying timeless designer accessories that will transition from season to season, every year, can actually save you money, whilst adding a touch of luxury to a variety of high street outfits.
‘But why not buy designer clothing and high street accessories?’, I hear you ask. Well, you could, but fashions and personal tastes change, and that dress you love this year might not be your thing next year, and it might not even fit you then! But you never grow out of basic sunglasses, jewellery, bags and shoes.
The key to choosing the right pieces is to save up, do your research on what is best for you, and spend savvily. Not all of us, myself included, can afford to buy designer with every pay cheque, hence having to mix with high street, but if you put a little bit aside when you can and keep an eye out for a good deal, you can bag yourself a timeless piece that will last for years. This summer I’ve been relying on two designer pieces in particular, both by Alexander McQueen. I bought these zipped biker heels in the McQ online winter sale after eyeing them up for months, and they were reduced from over £500 to £159. They’re made from very high quality leather, are surprisingly comfortable, and look great with anything from smart work outfits and going out dresses, to casual jeans and a jumper or tee.
My other go-to designer accessory this summer is a pair of stunning vintage-style cateye sunglasses. I know a lot of people wouldn’t choose to splurge on a pair of sunnies, but think of it this way… If you spend £15 on a pair of sunglasses, chances are that by the end of the summer they’ll be broken. It happens to me almost every year because, quite frankly, cheap often means badly made. But if you save up and shell out on a more expensive pair, made from higher quality materials, they’ll more than likely last a lot, lot longer, and eventually you’ll have saved money by not buying a new pair every year!
I adore these sunglasses, and have been wearing them almost every day for the past couple of months. They’re very sturdy and come in a solid protective case so can’t be broken or damaged easily, and the lenses provide far better protection for your eyes than cheaper shades. The classic cateye shape has been popular for decades, but the glossy eye frames against the matte brow, and gradient lenses, give them a modern, Gothic edge that really suits my personal style. Alexander McQueen sunglasses don’t come cheap, and I’ve seen these on a lot of websites for around £220, but you can get them from Red Hot Sunglasses for £180, with free delivery.
Be sure to check back soon for a series of What I Wore posts featuring these designer accessories and high street clothing!
Naomi x
*These Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses were sent to me by Red Hot Sunglasses for review and styling purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: You’re On My Wavelength
2
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
My summer wardrobe is usually full of bright florals, but this year I’ve really been embracing basics, and sticking to my favourite polka dots and stripes. Most of my new summer purchases are black, white, and grey, which may sound drab, but I like to add a splash of colour here or there with a bold statement piece or a pastel bright, and a quirky item of jewellery. Today’s outfit is the epitome of that, and combines a cute black skater skirt from H&M, with a simple stretch tee from Primark. I wanted to wear this outfit without tights, but unfortunately it wasn’t that warm today, and there was a bit of a breeze!
Primark Stretch Tee / H&M Skater Skirt / Primark Shoes / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Eclectic Eccentricity Necklace
To finish the outfit, and add a bit of interest, I wore my Alexander McQueen sunglasses, which I love, love, love and have been teaming with everything this season (look out for a special McQ style post coming soon), and this amazingly cool necklace from Eclectic Eccentricity.
Eclectic Eccentricity is a British brand who specialise in creating quirky pieces from vintage components. Their pieces are all so unique and unusual, and I have a wishlist as long as my arm of items from their website! This necklace is their You’re On My Wavelength Einstein necklace, which features a gold toned geometric frequency wavelength, and a teeny tiny, but very detailed, figure of Einstein. Who knew he could be so cute?! I’m a big science fan, so this necklace is right up my street, and it’s definitely a talking point. I love how it hangs as well and it sits perfectly, just where I want it. You can grab your own here for £16.50.
What do you think? Would you wear this necklace?
Naomi x
*This You’re On My Wavelength Einstein Necklace was sent to me by Eclectic Eccentricity for styling purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: Polly Peplum
3
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
At the minute my wardrobe is full of dresses, skirts, jeans, t shirts and jackets, but for some odd reason I am seriously lacking in nice tops! I recently made the decision to rectify the issue, and one of my new additions is this gorgeous Polly Peplum Frill Lace Top from Missy Empire.
I usually shy away from peplums as they don’t always suit my shape, but the soft, flowing cut of the fabric and fitted waist means this one looks very flattering, and does a great job at accentuating curves in all the right places.
The fabric is textured, and studded with small black sequins, and the sleeves and chest panel are made from a pretty floral sheer lace, which is stretchy and incredibly comfortable to wear.
I adore everything about this top. The sweetheart neckline and delicate lace are especially elegant, and it looks and feels so sophisticated. It’s also a really versatile piece, and being black it’s easy to wear and style in a variety of ways. In the photos above I’m wearing it casually with leggings and flats, but it also looks great with skinny jeans. For smarter looks it can be paired with tailored trousers or a pencil skirt with basic court shoes, or for a night out, a shorter skirt and sky high heels.
Missy Empire’s Polly Peplum Frill Lace Top is available in a range of sizes and shades, and is available here for £16.99. You can also follow Missy Empire on Facebook on Twitter for news about giveaways, new products and special offers!
Check back soon to see how I style this beauty throughout the summer!
Naomi x
*This Polly Peplum Frill Lace Top was sent to me by Missy Empire for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Throwback Dress
1
3 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Not so long ago I was sorting through my wardrobe, working out what to keep, what to sell, and what to get rid of, and I realised I have one dress in particular that survives all of my wardrobe clear outs. I’ve had this black and white star print skater dress for almost half a decade, and since buying it from Matalan I’ve actually dropped two dress sizes, but I just can’t bear to part with it. It’s even been taken in at the back so I can still wear it!
This dress has become affectionately known as my throwback dress, as it’s seen me through many seasons, layered up or down accordingly, and many events, including christmas day 2011 and my 22nd birthday. It always reminds me of when I first met my fiancé too. It may not be the most breathtaking item of clothing that I own, but I treasure it and will probably always keep it.
My little sentimental encounter with my throwback dress got me thinking… what will be my throwback dress of the future? A dress that I currently love and will keep for years to come. There are a few candidates, but I think this Dolly & Delicious skater dress from New Look will be it.
I call this one my goth fairy dress, and I absolutely love the layered net skirt and cut out sides. I get the feeling it will become a staple wardrobe item this summer. I plan on wearing it to several gigs and events in the coming months, so it will undoubtedly become associated with fantastic memories that I just won’t want to get rid of.
Do you have a throwback dress? If so, why do you keep it?
Naomi x
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