Posts tagged New Look
bonprix: Style a Summer Look for A/W
0A few weeks ago I was contacted by the bonprix team, asking me to take part in a fun fashion challenge – to style a Summer look for Autumn/Winter. Autumn has always been my favourite time of year, and I’m quite partial to layering up my summer dresses to keep me warm on colder days, so I was definitely up for taking part.
I was given a budget of up to £50 to choose items from the bonprix holiday shop, to be used to create a summer look so it’s transitional for Autumn/Winter.
bonprix Tile Print Skater Dress / Primark Black Flats / Primark Mini Shoulder Bag / Alexander McQueen Cat Eye Sunglasses
The main item I chose was this tile print skater dress for £39.99, in the black on white colourway. I don’t often wear white, but I loved the print so much I decided to find out whether I could pull it off! For Summer I styled it with a pair of black flats, a cute mini box bag, and my Alexander McQueen sunglasses. Simple, but why add more than you need to when the print speaks for itself?
bonprix Tile Print Skater Dress / New Look Black Leather Jacket / Blonde + Blonde Lace Up Block Heel Boots / Primark Super Soft Tights / Primark Mini Shoulder Bag
And having such a bold print, it didn’t take much effort to transition this gorgeous dress into an Autumn/Winter look. To make the outfit more suitable for the cooler weather I added some super soft tights, and my trusty leather jacket. I also removed the sunglasses and swapped the flats for a pair of chunky heeled boots, which are far more rain-resistant – very important at this time of year!
The dress is incredibly comfortable as the scuba fabric is stretchy and soft, and the classic fit and flare cut is ideal for day or night, dressed up or down.
How would you style a summer dress for Autumn/Winter?
Naomi x
*This Tile Print Skater Dress was sent to me by bonprix for style challenge purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: Luxemme
2Luxemme Melba Tie Waist Jacket / Primark Lace Panel Top / Primark Vest / Primark Skinny Trousers / New Look Shoe Boots / FitBit Charge
Only two more sleeps until September, and judging by the weather lately, and the new season clothing on the highstreet, Autumn is well and truly on its way – yay! At this time of year I often struggle to know what to wear, as one minute it can be windy and wet, and the next ridiculously sunny and humid. Usually I end up wearing several thin layers which can be taken away and added when needed, and lately I’ve added a few lightweight jackets to my wardrobe to see me through the coming season.
One such jacket is this Melba Tie Waist from Luxemme. Luxemme are a ‘forward thinking fashion brand combining Parisian chic with Manchester street style’. Their online boutique is full of sleek and stylish pieces which are luxury in quality and appearance, but also affordable. Their Melba jacket has flattering 3/4 sleeves, a tie waist which gives a great fit, and oversized lapels which drape elegantly. Yesterday evening I went out for food before going to a local cinema event, and I teamed the jacket with my favourite summer top, a pair of classic black skinny trousers, and my New Look shoe boots, for a simple but chic evening look.
Which is your favourite piece from Luxemme’s range?
Naomi x
*This Melba Tie Waist Jacket was sent to me by Luxemme for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: Witchy
2Thrifted Witch Hem Dress / Primark Metal Waist Belt / Primark Long Sleeve Top/ Primark Tights / New Look Strap Ankle Boots / Four Beautiful Keys Moon Necklace
I get so bored of wearing the same ol’ stuff every day for work, and though today’s outfit is simple, it’s nice to be able to wear something that feels more my style.
I have no idea where this dress came from. I certainly don’t remember buying it, and it has no labels in it, which makes me think it was either thrifted or gifted. Floaty dresses are perhaps more associated with summer, but layered over a long sleeve top with a pair of thick tights and boots, this one has a wintry feel to it. I absolutely love the witch hem and loose strings, which are made all the better by the fact that the dress is slightly oversized, so the fabric hangs and drapes nicely. It reminds me of bat wings, and it’s also great for spinning and swishing!
I wanted the dress to be the centre of attention, so I kept the accessorising to a minimum. I added my favourite metal waist belt to cinch the dress in and give a more flattering shape, my new New Look ankle boots, and my favourite Moon Necklace from Four Beautiful Keys.
What do you think of this look?
Naomi x
January Sales Haul
0Hi everyone!
I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. Mine was spent at home with family, which is just how I like it.
After a few days of relaxing, and purposefully avoiding the first crazy days of the sales, I spent yesterday and today doing a bit of shopping. Luckily the shops weren’t too busy, and though I didn’t go mad, I managed to get quite a few items that I’m really pleased with. Here are most of them…
Primark Biker Jacket – Was £23.00, Paid £10.00
Primark Dressing Gown – Was £12.00, Paid £5.00
George Penguin Fleece – Was £16.00, Paid £8.00
Primark Black Bag – Was £6.00, Paid £3.00
Primark Green Bag – Was £6.00, Paid £3.00
New Look Boots – Was £27.99, Paid £14.00
New Look Shoes – Was £11.99, Paid £4.00
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7″ – Was £139.99, Paid £79.00
I bought a few other things in the sales which aren’t pictured, including a pair of gloves for £2.00, some Christmas decorations reduced from £3.00 to £1.00, a diary for £1.99 (down from £7.00) and a Vax hoover for £45.00, reduced from about £70.00. I also bought a couple of non-sale items too, namely a top and a case for my new tablet.
In total, I made a huge saving of around £90.00 in the sales this year, made all the better by the fact that a few items were paid for using vouchers that I got for Christmas.
What did you get in the sales?
Naomi x
What I Wore: November Red
3The 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: Stormy
2One 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
Throwback Dress
1Not 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
Thrifty Finds No.5: Car Boot
2Last 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: Bitch
3I know I’m a few years behind the universe on this one, but I recently started watching Breaking Bad and, just as the rest of you were, I am well and truly hooked! So much so that I just had to add something Breaking Bad related to my wardrobe. Jesse Pinkman is my favourite character (he’s just so well written), and I love the fact that he single-handedly revived the word ‘bitch’ from the bottom of the 90s insult bin, so this t-shirt is my tribute to Jesse and his famous catchphrase.
Jonny Cotton Jesse Pinkman ‘Bitch’ T-Shirt / New Look Black Skinny Jeans / Schuh Black Biker Boots
I ordered the t-shirt from an eBay shop called Jonny Cotton. I was slightly worried at first as it’s impossible to judge the quality of t-shirts like this on eBay, but I’m really pleased with it. Both the fabric and the print are great quality, and at £7.99 with free postage it was an absolute bargain. I’m usually a size 12 but I ordered a men’s medium as, being 5’10”, I often find women’s tees to be too short in the body and I wanted something baggier, and it fits really nicely and isn’t too shapeless. I’d definitely recommend Jonny Cotton for printed tees.
I teamed the t-shirt with my go-to black skinny jeans from New Look, and a pair of black biker boots from Schuh that I found lurking under my bed. I must have had them for about five years now and I wasn’t too keen on them at first, hence why they were under my bed, but they’re starting to grow on me now.
Do you like Breaking Bad? I’d love to hear your thoughts. But please, no spoilers!
Naomi x
Real Leather Jackets at New Look
1I 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