Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Leather
What I Wore: Tartan
0
8 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Guinness T Shirt / Papaya Tartan Skirt / Primark Tights / Converse Hi Tops / Topshop Leather Bag
Ever since I saw the gorgeous tartan pieces from Alexander McQueen’s ‘The Girl Who Lived in the Tree’ collection, at the V&A Savage Beauty exhibition, I’ve been looking for red and black tartan items to add to my wardrobe. I thrifted this skirt from eBay a few weeks ago, and though it isn’t MacQueen tartan, I still love it. The sash at the waist and net underskirt give it more of a modern twist than your traditional kilt skirt, and I also really like the fullness the net gives it.
I picked the Guinness t shirt up in a gift shop in Dublin a couple of weeks ago, specifically to wear with this skirt, and I think they look pretty good together. The patterning is so pretty, and the red font is another twist on the traditional.
I can see this outfit transitioning really well into autumn, layered with a leather jacket, thicker tights and biker boots, so hopefully I’ll get a lot of wear out of both pieces before the year is out!
Naomi x
What I Wore: November Red
3
9 years
The last couple of months have been ridiculously busy and stressful for Charles and I, what with us both starting new jobs and moving house. This weekend was the first in many that we had time to spend on ourselves, doing whatever we wanted, so that’s exactly what we did! Seeing as Friday was pay day, we spent Saturday shopping, eating in our favourite bar, and in the evening we went to the annual bonfire and fireworks display at the local park.
A relaxed weekend called for a relaxed outfit, and as there is finally an autumn chill in the air, and I was spending most of the day (and evening) outside, it had to be warm too!
New Look Leather Biker Jacket (Thrifted) / Primark Crew Neck Top / Blue Rags Red Ornate Embroidered Trousers / Dr Martens Lauren Boots / DressLink Cowl Scarf / Topshop Leather Bag (Thrifted)
These red embroidered trousers are a new purchase of mine. They’re by a French label called Blue Rags, but I actually got them from Everything5Pounds. Most of my wardrobe is black, but I like to add a splash of colour here and there, and these trousers are the ideal shade for Autumn. They’re incredibly soft and comfortable and the detail of the embroidery is stunning. I also ordered a pair in black and I’m so glad I did as they’re a real statement piece.
My Dr Martens Lauren boots are another new purchase. They have that buckled biker look that I adore, so they match my biker jacket, but they’re not as clumpy as a lot of my other Dr Martens. I’ve been wearing these a lot over the last few weeks, casually with jeans, but also with my work dresses, and I think they look great. I walk to work so it’s essential that I have a warm, comfy, waterproof, sturdy pair of boots for the winter, and these tick all the boxes.
Naomi x
What I Wore: Comfy Sunday
2
9 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
Thrifty Finds No.5: Car Boot
2
9 years
Last Sunday I visited my favourite car boot sale once again, and came away with yet another decent fashion haul. I managed to find a few things that I’ve actually been looking for for a while, which I was very pleased about, as well as a few other unexpected items. Here’s what I bought…
Topshop Studded Lace Bralet £5
This cost a bit more than I usually like to spend on items at a car boot sale, but I just couldn’t resist the studs and lace! Topshop bralets seem to be really popular at the moment, and this one has an RRP of £38, so I’m pleased to have found one in my size at a fraction of the price. According to the lady I bought it from it is unworn too, other than being tried on.
New Look Cutout Heart Dress £2
I’ve been wanting a cut out heart dress for ages, so when I spotted this under a huge pile of clothes on one stall, I snapped it up. It’s exactly my size too! I love it, and it looks like it’s never been worn which is a bonus.
Sans Souci Polka Dot Dip Hem Blouse £2
This is one of my favourite finds of the day. I’m currently on the look out for more summer tops, and this will be perfect for warm, sunny days. The dip hem and button back detail are really lovely, and are what caught my eye when I saw it on the rail. Sans Souci isn’t a brand I’m familiar with, but the blouse still had a TK Maxx tag attached, and it cost £9.99 new.
Oasis Leather Studded Waist Belt £1.50
Again, I’ve been trying to source a decent waist belt for a while, so this was another bargain I couldn’t pass up. The belt is made from real leather, and still had its Oasis tags attached so is brand new.
H&M Silver and Grey Jumper £1
It’s not like I need another jumper, but I actually saw a similar jumper to this in H&M last season and wanted one, so I bought it anyway. I thought it’d be itchy, but it’s actually nice and soft, and I know I’ll get plenty of wear out of it.
Next Oversized Polka Dot Shirt 25p
This shirt is three sizes too big for me, but I bought it to wear it as an oversized cardigan during cool summer evenings. And anyway, at 25p I couldn’t say no.
Stuart Little Soft Toy 50p
And just because I have a soft spot for cuddly toys and rodents, I brought Stuart Little home for 50p. He has slightly tatty whiskers and was a little grubby, but after a quick bath he’s now squeaky clean (excuse the pun!)
Total: £12.25
What do you think of my latest thrifty finds? Which piece stands out for you?
Naomi x
What I Wore: Acid Wash
1
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
I didn’t do much shopping during the recent spring sales, but I did place a little order with USC at the start of April. Unfortunately they use Yodel as a courier, who are notoriously unreliable, and it took over two weeks for my parcel to arrive – not great considering I paid £3.99 postage! At one point I was told my parcel was lost, but then it miraculously turned up the next day! Though I’m not happy with the service I received, the items I got were sort of worth the wait. One of said items is this gorgeous acid wash denim skater skirt, which was reduced from £22 to just £3.50. Acid wash was all the rage in the 1990s, the decade of my childhood, and though fashion wasn’t the greatest in those days, I do quite like acid wash denim, and this skirt makes me feel all nostalgic.
Glamorous Acid Wash Skater Skirt / Primark Black T Shirt / Primark Sheer Black Tights / Converse Suede Polka Dot Hi-Tops / Zatchels Gothic Lace Saddle Bag / Claire’s Spike Necklace
I really wanted the skirt to do the talking with this outfit, so I paired it with a plain black tee and sheer black tights. I was considering wearing heels too, but in the end I settled for Converse as I think they suit skater style clothing well, and my partner and I were heading to the cinema so I thought I’d keep it casual.
Finally, to pull the outfit together, I accessorised with a grey spike necklace from Claire’s, and my metallic silver Gothic Lace Saddle Bag by Zatchels, just to bring out the silver in my shoes and to match the grey in the skirt.
I also got a beautiful dress in my USC order which I absolutely love, so check back soon to see how I style it!
Naomi x
What I Wore: Foxton Locks
2
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Today my fiancé and I visited Foxton Locks with my sister and her boyfriend. Foxton Locks are ten canal locks on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal, and the whole area is so lovely and green. I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Locks, ever since I was a child, but today’s trip was extra special as it was the first time my fiancé had been. We all had a nice time and had a little picnic whilst we watched the boats go by, before going for a walk along the canal paths.
As April’s weather is usually unpredictable, I thought layers would be best, so I wore my favourite Primark skater dress (which is becoming a Spring wardrobe staple of mine), and teamed it with my trusty faux leather biker jacket and some basic leggings. Over this I wore an oversized but light floral skull scarf which I thrifted last year, for an extra bit of warmth if necessary. As it happens, the weather was gorgeous and the sun was shining, but luckily it didn’t get too hot.
Primark Faux Leather Biker Jacket / Primark Faux Leather Cap Sleeve Skater Dress / Primark Leggings / Dr Martens 1460 W Purple Shimmer Boots / Abandon Floral Skull Scarf (thrifted) / Topshop Leather Stud Bag (thrifted)
As I knew we’d be walking a lot, I thought it best to throw on my Dr Martens, which was definitely the right call, and I also took another thrifty find of mine – my Topshop leather stud bag. The perfect size to carry my camera and picnic food.
I’m so pleased that Spring is finally underway as I love being out and about enjoying the nice weather, and today was a great opportunity to do so! Have you been taking advantage of the sunshine lately?
Naomi x
Thrifty Finds No.3: Topshop Leather Bag
3
9 years
Yesterday was a lovely sunny day in Leicester, and it saw the start of the car boot season! I’m a sucker for a good car boot, so I forewent my Sunday lie-in and headed to Measham car boot, with a purse full of change, to see what treasures I could find. As I expected, it was VERY busy, and though there were hundreds of stalls I only came away with a few bits and pieces. In fact, all I bought was some pins and a tape measure for my sewing projects, which I’m pleased about as I needed them and they were an absolute bargain, and the best bargain of all… a real leather Topshop bag, which cost the princely sum of just £1!
Admittedly, the bag is showing a few signs of use (a couple of studs are missing and the lining has been stitched in one place), but the leather is beautifully soft and in excellent condition, and it still has plenty of wear left in it. I love the slightly slouchy style too. I’d been looking for a generously sized plain black leather shoulder bag for months, and this is ideal. It’s really roomy, with a large main compartment and smaller side and internal pockets – perfect for work or a shopping trip.
Will you be going car booting this year? What do you hope to find?
Naomi x
What I Wore: Purple Knit
2
10 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Yesterday was a fairly mild day for December, so my fiancé and I decided to take advantage of the Autumn sun and go for a little wander around the lakes with my camera. Whilst we were there, we took the opportunity to take some ‘What I Wore’ photos, featuring my new oversized purple cardigan from Primark.
Primark Purple Knit Cardigan / Primark Plain Black Vest / Primark Leather Look Leggings / Dr Martens 1460 W Purple Shimmer Boots / eBay Multi-Layer Leaf Necklace
I was really quite pleased with this Primark find as I’d been looking for a big cardi for weeks, but hadn’t been having much luck finding one I liked. In fact, after a lengthy browse I was ready to give up on Primark, but as I was about to leave I spotted a sale rack with this gorgeous cardigan on it. Admittedly, quite a few of them were cut weirdly and I had to try a few on to get one that fit right, but I’m glad I persisted, especially as it was reduced from £12 to only £5!
The cardigan is lovely and chunky, so I wore it over a plain black vest and my leather look leggings, and still felt cosy and warm. Of course, I had to team it with my trusty purple Dr Martens, and added a multi-layer leaf necklace for a bit of extra detail. A simple outfit for a chilled out day, which ended perfectly with nachos and quesadillas, doughnuts and Breaking Bad!
What did you wear this weekend?
Naomi x
Real Leather Jackets at New Look
1
10 years
by Naomi in Fashion
I was recently approached by New Look with information about their range of real leather jackets, and after seeing what they have to offer I thought it too good not to share! As I’m sure we all know by now, leather is big this season, but a lot of the faux leather and leather look jackets out there at the minute are really rather pricey. New Look, however, are selling a selection of on-trend leather jackets which, for the most part, are really affordable and come in at around the same price as many of the faux leather jackets I’ve seen on the high street.
Buckle Hem Biker Jacket – £69.99 / Faux Fur Collar Jacket – £69.99 / Biker Jacket – £59.99 / Waterfall Jacket – £120.00
There are quite a few real leather jackets available on the site, including a brown version of the Buckle Hem Biker Jacket, but the four above are my personal picks. As a lifelong Edward Scissorhands fan I have a soft spot buckles and straps, so I love the buckles on the Buckle Hem Biker Jacket, as they add a nice bit of edgy detail to a simple design. The asymmetrical zips on all four of the jackets are also a highlight for me as they’re edgy, but flattering, and so popular this season; as is faux fur which looks so glamorous when combined with an oversized collar. The final jacket, the Waterfall, is incredibly pretty and would be perfect for a more sophisticated evening look. The draping is really feminine, and would look beautiful teamed with a winter maxi. If only I could have them all!
Which jacket is your favourite?
Naomi x
French Connection Wishlist
0For years my personal style has featured a lot of black, so I’ve really been embracing this season’s trends for black and the leather look, as they’re letting me revive my teenage love of the Gothic, but with a bit more sophistication. In my search for new clothes to add to my hoard of black, I have been browsing the internet, and have found that French Connection’s current range has some amazing pieces that would look right at home in my wardrobe. So, I thought I’d put together a little wishlist featuring a selection of my favourite French Connection clothing.
T-Solar Dress / Vienna Dress / Judy Jegs Jeggings / Judy Jegs Pencil Skirt / Riot PU Jacket
These two French Connection dresses are fine examples of what, for me, a little black dress should be. They’re classic in their shape and fit, but have a little something extra that really makes a statement. The T-Solar’s leather panels and pleated skirt are bang on trend and give it a real edge, and the Vienna dress’s beautiful sheer lace sleeves and waist detail look so elegant. Both dresses would be perfect for the upcoming party season, teamed with a contrasting necklace and heels.
The Judy Jegs Jeggings and Pencil Skirt are simple pieces that could easily become wardrobe staples for me. Their simplicity means they could be worn to work without looking too over the top, making them the ideal way to bring the leather look into the office. Having said that, they could also both be dressed up with a nice top, your favourite jewellery and a gorgeous bag for a glamorous evening look.
Last but not least, the Riot PU Jacket would be great for those days when you want to wear something a bit brighter, whilst maintaining that on trend edge. It could be thrown over a colourful bodycon dress or even a t-shirt and jeans, and still look brilliant. The cropped fit, exposed zips and emphasised shoulders are also really modern, which I love.
You can find these pieces from French Connection online at divinetrash.co.uk.
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
