INVESTMENT WARDOBE

Pictured Stockport Market, Photo credit: Sam Holden

There is definitely something in turning 25 this year that has made me realise that I want to buy clothing that will last. For the past 8 or so years I have been a Primarkfiend, and more recently an ASOS A-Lister, but this year I have felt the need to invest my money a little more wisely. 

Don't get me wrong, I think you can get some great on-trend bargains from the likes of the above which I am sure I will still buy, but I have reached a stage where I don't want to be wearing most of my clothes only once. I want my clothes to last me through the season and not having to throw something away. 

As a student I have a limited budget to spend on clothes, so making sure I know how much I'm spending each month is the first place I have started with this. Having a set budget helps me to better consolidate what I have.

I have decided that I want to buy a few new and good quality classic items, as pictured above I have a Zara trench which is incredibly good quality. In fact, my dry cleaner asked me how much I paid for it - he was so impressed! I also bought the faux leather pencil skirt from Karen Millen in the sale, they currently have the same skirt in a slightly different shade of brown full price at £100, I paid £60 which I think is a steal!

Some of my favourite retailers include Karen Millen, Whistles and Reiss, so I will be definitely checking them out and adding a few pieces to my wardrobe in the coming months. There is definitely something rewarding about buying something that you have saved for, or that you will look after because of the quality and price tag.

I don't think I will be completely ditching my trusty favourites such as ASOS and Topshop,  especially when looking for on trend items however, I have decided that building a capsule wardrobe is a lot better investment than lots of cheaper, low-quality pieces. I think the real key here is shopping with a good 'eye', so establishing where you can get the quality you are looking for i.e. your favourite outerwear retailer - e.g. Cos or Jaeger and buying a coat that will last you.

           

Calculating cost per wear is another great tip I got from a personal stylist at John Lewis, so if you are paying around the £200 mark for a coat, try and estimate the amount of times you will wear it, if it's over 20 times (so four times a week for just over a month) then that's £1 per wear! It really does make a lot more sense than trying to squeeze extra wear out of something that is getting holes in it from Primark...

Consolidate your fashion decision making and how you search and shop for fashion, by thinking about which channel you use first. Do you look on your favourite retailer apps, browsing online first to get an idea of pricing and what's available? Or do you hit the shops straight away? By using the internet to shop around, even websites like eBay can really save you money. Additionally, by stopping yourself from impulse buying you can also really consider if you need that piece. 

Finally, get a personal stylist appointment. Retailer's such as John Lewis, Topshop, Selfridges and House of Fraser all offer these by appointment for free. So it's an incredibly good way to have someone with a trained eye consider what would look good on you. A good stylist should take into consideration what you like to wear and also offer you a few new pieces that might inspire you. Colour and body shape analysis are also a must. 

I hope this article inspires you to invest more wisely, if you aren't already. Let me know what investment pieces you own or are saving for :)

WHY YOU SHOULD START A BLOG

Photo credit: Sam Holden 

Outfit:

Dress - Topshop

Gilet - Oasis

Lipstick - Very Victoria - Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution

Bracelet - Not on the High Street.com

Starting a blog was something that I wanted to do for about 2 years before I actually set this blog up. It was definitely a lack of confidence, the fear of putting myself out into the public eye and sharing my thoughts openly. It has been such a great journey from starting it, and despite having a busy life whilst studying my Ph.D. I don't regret adding a blog post to my to-do list. The internet is fascinating to me and the fact that we have the ability to express our opinions, set up groups, events, start petitions and just discuss what we are passionate about, shows what a massive effect the 'social web' as it is known, has on our lives.

As part of the computer generation, using the internet for the above reasons is second nature to me, but I also feel there is a great place for blogging in the lives of those who aren't as adept. I have a lot of friends and family who I actively encourage to channel their passions online through an Etsy store, blog or Youtube channel. Indeed, blogging and vlogging (Youtube videos) is even becoming a big thing with the male generation which I think is a necessary extension of the proliferation of beauty and fashion blogs amongst women. 

So here stands the obvious question; why start a blog? Here's some of my reasons which are more specifically related to fashion, but I think anyone with a passion whether it's travel, baking, sewing, art, photography have ideal reasons to start a blog.

Exposure

I recall having a conversation with a representative from Arcadia, the company that houses Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins etc, and one of their first questions to me was do you have a blog? I think now more than ever, the fashion world is ferociously competitive, and one way you can express your individually, thought, experiences and knowledge through a blog. If you are looking for a career in the fashion industry, a blog can set you up with so much unique knowledge in itself. My blog has boosted my CV, giving me something I can show to demonstrate my style and creativity. Additionally, you show you have your finger on the pulse, a benefit which goes without saying in a competitive job market. Jobs in fashion and beauty now often require candidates to have a blog, so that's all the more reason to start one. 

Learning something new

You immediately learn the basics about a website. One of my favourite modules at University was Fashion e-Commerce, where I learnt these buzzwords such as SEO and Google Analytics, but it wasn't until I started my blog that I could really see the benefit of such things and their use in marketing. Okay, it doesn't have to be complicated, but even things like how your blog is laid out takes great commitment to learn something new, how to add a graphic, widget or edit your name are all invaluable to learning about the web. Blogger.com gives you a breakdown of your views on each post, you can also pinpoint which device people have used, where the majority of your viewers are from and when you reached the most hits. This is all really interesting to learning how to ace the art of blogging, to target your audience and create the most engagement. If you find you are really passionate about the engine behind your blog/website, you might want to consider learning how to code to understanding how basic HTML coding works. Believe me, it isn't as geeky as it sounds....you could then create your own bespoke blog design. 

Create your own 'brand'

A good starting point is to pin-point your favourite bloggers, consider why you like them, what is it about their page/style/colour scheme/use of social media/tone of voice/advice they give and then hone in on what you feel you could emulate or achieve through your blog. A great place to find inspiration is through BlogLovin' a site that any blogger can sign up to and use on their blog to gain exposure across their industry. Thinking of a blog as your own 'branding' can really inspire you to think about how you want to portray yourself across your blog. If you are familiar with blogging, you will know that blogs don't often exist in isolation, so you may want to open new twitter, Instagram and snapchat pages specifally for your blog. 

Once you know what you want your image to be, you can start looking for a template design to use as your basic background and logo. If you have photoshop or InDesign skills then even better. I subscribed to a student membership of Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop. Luckily I gained skills in how to use these programs at University, but there are plenty of Youtube tutorials, investing in design and editing software will never be a waste. 

Discover new apps 

There are some excellent non-professional apps out there if you don't want to pay for photoshop, including VSCO. One of my favourite apps I use for Instagram is UNUM, which allows you to see how your Instagram photos look together, to check the colour scheme. If you wondered how the professionals make their pages look so beautifully curated...this is how. Long gone are the days of unmatching sporadic images, unfortunately, consumers of aesthetic apps such as Pinterest and Instagram want to see the appealing side of everything. This can be quite draining, but it will ensure you gain a loyal following if you deliver content regularly and on time. 

Truly understand engagement

Followers are ever-more-fickle, and with social media channels changing their algorithms to the posts that are most popular, rather than time-based, means that the arena for blogging has become more competitive. The golden word is engagement, so not just scrolling through your feed but actually liking a post, commenting and sharing. All these things drive social media engagement, both for your channels and for others. Without commenting and sharing you won't stand a chance growing your own page.

After making my first few posts I've really learnt a lot, and I don't proclaim to have millions of hits or the best blog out there, I just hope my advice could help something, who like me a few years ago, was afraid to take the leap :)

LUXE WINTER STAPLES...on a budget

Photo credit: Samuel Holden

During what is dubbed the most depressing month of the year, when we all are feeling the pinch, experiencing the brunt of the seasonal blues and attempting to keep resolutions...never has watching the bank balance been more crucial.

I'm as much as any, an advocate of looking good for less, in fact I pride myself on shopping on a student budget, but I don't like to compromise on style.

This post outlines my favourite winter pieces which have carried me through this winter season.

1. Velvet Satchel with Ring Detail

This style of handbag has stormed the high street since Chloe unveiled their Faye Satchel (£1500) in 2015. Ring detailing is definitely here to stay remaining a firm favourite and having been a big style detail across accessories and shoes through AW16.

I grabbed mine in the New Years sale at M&S...Unfortuntely this one is now sold out but you can get similar here for under £30.

2. Faux Fur

I have always loved faux fur, it's incredibly classy, can be worn with almost anything, and immediately makes you feel incredibly glamourous. I love to wrap up in this gilet, whether I am walking the dog or out for drinks, it's a perfect piece for any occasion, £55 from Oasis. Available in powder pink (I am purchasing this) black or burgundy as pictured.

3. Berry Lips

Bold, berry coloured lips are such a key winter trend. Perfect for elevating more simple outfits, or transitioning from day to night. Wear it with confidence!

For fairer tones: opt for a more purple colour

For warmer toned skin: keep it warm with more cherry reds

I'm wearing Cherry Skies - NYX

Other favourites:

Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Cassis

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Glastonberry

3. Ruffles & Frills

Ruffles are a firm favourite for SS17, as seen on catwalks of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Loewe and Gucci and now in Zara, Primark and Topshop. Invest now in some key statement frills and ruffle pieces to ensure a great investment for the coming season. Big, bold, frilled knitwear is definitely the way I'm headed to stay on trend, warm and cosy! 

4. Knee high suede boots

 A blogger essential! If you can't afford the iconic Stuart Weitzman boots for £800, get yourself a high-street version. Don't forget to check the sales too, there are often some great finds on Office or ASOS.

What is your favourite staple?

AUTUMN CAPSULE PIECES

The key to a good capsule wardrobe is something of an art. You have to be very selective about what you buy. Searching for alternatives are essential, and be prepared to pay a little more for quality so it will see you through the winter. I've picked some of my current favourites that haven't broken the bank, and are interchangeable with last year's winter wardrobe. 

You can't go wrong with a pair of leather (or pleather in my case) for the winter. They are perfect paired with a crisp white shirt for the working week or dressed up with a black velvet body and a pair of heels for a night out. The thing I love about these is that they are at a flattering ankle-biter length, which means they can be paired with a flat loafer, mule or add a heel and they still look incredibly classy. Whether you can afford leather or not, they evoke city-chic and ooze sexiness whilst not being too OTT. 

I have a few bobble hats in my collection now, but since going blonder in the late summer, I spied this sandy coloured knit and fell in love. I adore the fluffy bobble and like the way it compliments a blonder hair tone. It has a more relaxed fit than the Burgundy and Charcoal hats I have from last year, so it's great dressed up or down for that matter. You can't go wrong with a bobble hat!

Trousers - ASOS £32

Blouse - Zara £25.99
Candle - John Lewis £9

Bobble Hat - Zara £9.99

NYX Liquid Suede - Cherry Skies - £6.50

Corduroy Pinafore - Topshop

This Zara blouse encapsulates two AW16 trends, dusty pink and ruffles. The smock across the front and ruffled neck gives a Victoriana feel, which some people may find ageing, but personally I like experimenting with different looks from different eras, and I like to style my hair and makeup accordingly. This blouse is incredibly classy, elegant and high fashion. I like to wear it paired with a head of soft, tousled curls and a natural lip. Dainty touches such as the burgundy ribbon juxtapose the sexier, leather-look trousers above. 

I love this corduroy dress, in fact I love wearing corduroy. I think the feel of it reminds me of something I owned as a child! This pinafore is perfect for an autumnal evening, worn with thick tights, stood by a bonfire sipping mulled wine, with a dark mysterious lip colour...It's figuring hugging silhouette is flattering when worn under a large trench or camel coat. I enjoy wearing it with a black or grey polo neck underneck for extra warmth. Sometimes I even throw on my wellies and Barbour after a long day and go for a dog walk in it!

Nyx lip products are becoming a cult nowadays, and I know I am relatively late to the bandwagon. However, they still deserve a mention. Stumbling across Nyx in Selfridges I knew they must be worth a swatch...I was on the hunt for a dark, berry toned lip product as it's that time of the year to update my lip colour collection. I came across this deep cherry colour, which completely caught my eye, even after swatching the majority of the reds in the collection. It applies beuatifully and has a long lasting finish, there are only a few downsides 1. being that it dries to abotu 80% and leaves some tackiness. 2. it fades to a bluey-pink tone, more hot pink than deep red, so just be wary if you don't reapply. Other than that, this is a fabulous low-end affordable product which is bound to see me through the winter. 

I adore it when I find a few pieces that are match really well, I know I will get lots of wear out of them whilst staying right on trend, so I hope this inspires your own autumnal purchases.