feathered friend

Clockwise from left:

Capelet: Topshop // Dress: Marchesa // Skirt: Topshop Premium 

 Heels: Asos // Neon Skirt: D&G via Net-A-Porter.com

It's that time of year again... you know the one where I forget all my previous shopping woes to dress in a way that I'd either be mistaken for some sort of animal* or a disco ball (see here). Maybe both if I'm really succeeding at life/fashion.

This year, I'm evolving: My aim is to look like a slightly less yellow Big Bird. 

Seriously though, I've been lusting after a feather skirt since the dawn of time** but haven't ever committed. But now I want everything, from the slightly more subdued feather capelet to my future Marchesa wedding dress (a girl can dream) to the boudoir-esque heels that I'm planning on getting for my Christmas party... I am officially a Feather Floozy!

*I have a coat from Zara which has, in the past month, garnered descriptions from 'Sheep' to 'Dominatrix Care Bear'. A direct quote from my sister: "Your coat is what I'd imagine cuddling up to The Cookie Monster would be like".

**Slight exagerration.

Find me:

 FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // BLOGLOVIN'

Miss Francesca Couture A/W12 Pop-Up Boutique

I don't usually post about events, but this really is too good not to mention!

If you haven't heard of Miss Francesca Couture (where have you been?!), she's a Liverpool based Fashion Designer that specialises in dresses that, in all honesty, look good enough to eat! I first heard about Francesca back in May when I started contributing to Open Magazine, and went on to interview her for the first print version of the magazine, which as a writer was a pretty huge deal. Ever since then, I've followed her closely on Twitter (hello, stalker) and was overjoyed when her designs became available on ASOS! To give you an idea, in my interview I described 'Miss Francesca Couture' as "the sartorial version of the Hummingbird Bakery" (and we all know how much I love cupcakes). Francesca's designs epitomise Liverpool style, and steal my heart purely based on the amount of sparkle, whilst staying on the right side of 'blingy' - the thing that separates Liverpool Style from Essex Style, in my opinion.

Alors... To celebrate her new A/W12 collection, Francesca is launching a Pop-Up Boutique in Liverpool from the 26th-27th of October. Whilst the invites for the Friday are only open to the press, the Saturday provides the perfect opportunity to check out the collection (open from 10am-6pm).

The event is going to be inspired by my favourite photographer Tim Walker, so as you can imagine it's going to be a fashion lover's dream come true... and of course it will be possible to shop the collection!

And finally, here's how I would style one of my favourite pieces from the collection (post lottery-win/bank robbery):

 Jacket: Azzedine Alaia // Dress: Miss Francesca Couture for ASOS //Clutch: 5 Inch And Up for Nelly.com // Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood // Cuff: Marni 

Whether you can make it to the event or not, make sure you check out Miss Francesca Couture:

Website // Twitter // Miss F Couture @ ASOS

You can check out my interview with Francesca here.

Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin'

singin' in the rain

Hands up, who else in England is sick of this weird rain/heat thing we've got going on? It's the worst.  I got all excited and semi-prepared for summer (see this post), only for there not to be one. Come on England, or are you saving it all for the Olympics?

 

Top: Topshop // Necklace: Marni // Bracelet: All Saints // Backpack: ASOS // 

Wedge Trainers: Giuseppi Zanotti // Umbrella: Lulu Guinness // Skirt: Derek Lam // Belt: ASOS

In case you were wondering, in my blogging absence (sorry about that...), I've been flouncing around in puddles wearing the above and collecting gimmick-ey umbrellas. Well, not really; I wish I was wearing the above, and I've only bought one gimmick-ey umbrella. It's from H&M and it has apples on, which, FYI, are my favourite fruit.

So, here's my ideal rain outfit, from the top: A tiny top because noone likes over heating. A flared leather skirt because it's fun to twirl in puddles and leather is waterproof... I hope. If I need to explain the umbrella then you clearly have no brain cells. Wedge trainers because it's good to be elevated above puddles, and I have a severe dislike for wellies.  The belt is purely decorative. As is the jewelery. Actually, the shoes probably are too as they're furry and so clearly not weatherproof. The backpack is to carry things; phone/wallet/keys/wellies incase of wet feet due to aforementioned furryness of the wedge trainers.

On a side note it probably would be wise to wear a jacket or something with this, as it may still be hot and muggy, but it's still not that hot. 

P.S. Don't for get to Vote for Polway as Best Established Fashion Blog in the Cosmo Blog Awards 2012! You can vote here.

Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin'

"TWS"

I touched on the subject of 'The White Shirt' in this post, but since then they've been on my mind almost constantly (along with fish and crystals, apparently). I'm beginning to think it's almost genetic to gravitate towards The White Shirt; my Mum lives in them (her current favourites are H&M). Actually, I'm surprised that since it's such a 'classic item', it hasn't been honored with an abbreviation similar to that of the LBD. And if I have to explain what an LBD is then I don't know where you've been but it's something little and black and dress-like. I think, however, that TWS doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Anyway, I digress... earlier, as if to prove that the TWS (no? Okay) is probably the most wearble item in the world - to myself more than anyone - I spent the past half hour on Polyvore and tested out 'The White Shirt' worn with a few trends that seem to be floating about at the moment.

Outfit One: Prints

Shirt: D&G // Skirt: Topshop // Sunglasses: Illesteva Le Steel // Bow Tie: Zara 

Shoes: Charlotte Olympia // Clutch: Pucci

Outfit Two: Sport-Luxe

Shirt: As Before // Leather Backpack: Theory // Cap: Monki // Wedge Trainers: ASOS 

Watch: ToyWatch // Shorts:Kelly Birgin @ Net-A-Porter.com

Outfit Three: Pastel

Shirt: As Before // Small Zip Bag: Paul Smith // Jacket: Thierry Mugler// Shoes: Charlotte Olympia 

Trousers: Paul Smith // Chain Collar: Topshop

Just as a little after-thought; as much as I think The White Shirt is something that can be worn with anything, to any occasion, I personally won't be wearing one to any occassion that includes any of the following: spaghetti sauce, black coffee, mud, blood, leaking pens, children, dark-haired animals... etc. etc. I think you get the idea, I'm clumsy.

By the way, as well as being able to follow me on Twitter and Tumblr, you can now like Polway on Facebook!

on summer dressing

Let me just put this out there: I prefer Winter to Summer. I like layers and fur (faux) and boots. I like hot chocolate and duvets. I like tea and biscuits. The reason I don't like Summer so much? Summer is too hot for all these things.

This might come as a bit of a shock after my post from last week, but let me explain: at this point almost every year I get nostalgic for the activities of summers past, and think about all wonderful outfits I'm going to wear. This carries on until the hot weather actually arrives (although usually only for a few days in Britain) and I panic and curse myself for not having anything to wear, and then panic shop and buy a black maxi dress.

So today, while thinking about what to blog about, I realised; my inability to dress for summer is through a lack of preparation. Or put in simpler terms, the fact that I never plan for a summer wardrobe.  Well not one that I feel comfortable wearing (lets face it, I'm never going to look like Alexa Chung in denim cut offs).When the summer months start looming I carry on buying items that work for me in the cooler weather (sequins, leather, layers etcetc) because I'm stupid it's all I know. Consequently, I overheat and complain.

This isn't going to happen this year! This year I am going to be prepared, and find a way to make my wardrobe summer appropriate! So, without further adieu, here is the start of my 'Summer Wardrobe Conversion Therapy':

Outfit One

Cropped Tee: Alice and Olivia // Clutch: Lulu Guinness // Printed Maxi Skirt:Zimmerman @ Matches // Necklace: Kate Spade //  Belt: Paul Smith @ ASOS // Sandals: Topshop

The Idea: Re-using what I've already got.

The Reality: I already have similar items to this in my wardrobe (though I can't tell you what I wouldn't do for the skirt. Seriously.), so this is just a case of reworking the maxi skirt with less layers and summer accessories. Also a good example of how to rework winter (read: black/darker) accessories into summer. Because I do love my black.

Outfit Two

T-shirt: Rag and Bone // Shorts: Levis // Kimono: H&M // Sunglasses: Linda Farrow 

Bag: Marc Jacobs // Platform Brogues: Topshop

The Idea: Making getting my legs out less scary.

The Reality: Realistically, I don't think my denim cutoff dreams are ever going to cease, so this is all about finding a thin layer to wear over the cutoffs to conceal anything I'm not quite ready to bare, which due to the aforementionedtea and biscuits is pretty much everything at the moment. Note to self: running is your friend.

That's all for now; a step in  the right direction. After all, isn't life so much more appealing when you're dressed for the occassion?

trois tenues de Noël

It's four days until Christmas!!!

(If you didn't know...)

Apparently I'm doing an accidental blog countdown to Christmas. I am so excited, I really love this time of year. Not for presents, but I think it's just great to spend time with friends and family, and to eat my bodyweight in food.
Having said that, the main thing I love about this time is getting dressed. Think about it: this is the time of year where everyone finds sequins in the day acceptable (not that I let prejudice stop me wearing sequins in the day in, say, March), and wearing a decorative pair of antlers is practically the norm. I shall be sporting a pair on Christmas eve. And perhaps Christmas day.
So without further ado, here's what I would be wearing for my three favourite days of the season, if I had access to unlimited funds.

Now, I'm going to go and find similar items in my wardrobe to re-enact the above Polyvore ensembles (create by moi). Maybe if Santa's feeling generous some of these might end up in my stocking...?! 

by night

'Mean Streets' Editorial, Vogue UK March '11

Images scanned by me.

Sequins + Leather + Print + Neon = Night Time Mischief

AKA what the wardrobe of an adult version of 'Skins' would look like.

This editorial has stayed in my mind since March, though it feels like I only saw it for the first time a month ago. I guess that's a mini ode to how fast this year seems to have gone. I don't know why it's taken me so long to share, but  it feels right, right now. An ode to the dark evenings if you like. Unfortunately most evenings I'm more likely to be sporting bed socks than sequins, but not tomorrow! It's the weekend, I'm going to enjoy myself and adorn myself with something cheaper similar. As I was bored, I came up with my interpretation of the look:

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

werk

So, as I briefly mentioned in my last post, in just under 3 weeks, I'm going to London to stay with a friend (one of my very best). What I didn't mention, is that it's for some pretty awesome, fashion related, work experience. Which has, of course, made me extremely excited about potential outfits.

So whilst I'm sitting here trying not to pee my pants with excitement (too much information? Sorry), I got my Polyvore on and here are the results. I.e. Some examples of what I would wear if I could afford it, and if I thought it would be practical to wear heels everyday.

Favourite items of mine include the Topshop shorts, Givenchy hat and ever-so-tacky Eiffel Tower ring from Asos. You know, because it's French themed.

Not sure how 'work appropriate' these outfits would actually be, but hey, it's all hypothetical until I rob a bank win the lottery.

anticipation

I am not a Summer person. And apparently I had my favourite season (Autumn) on the brain when I rediscovered Polyvore this afternoon. I used to play around with it all the time, but had long forgotten about it until today, when I created two looks which seem to show just how much I'm missing Autumn*:

(Look 1: Shirt: Stella McCartney/Hat: Etro via Net-a-porter.com/Earrings: Chanel/Coat: Topshop/Shorts: Maje Hilton/Boots: YSL)

(Look 2: Skirt: Alice + Olivia/Coat: The Row/T-shirt: Christopher Kane/Necklace: Dannijo/Shoes: Miu Miu/ Clutch: Alexander Wang)

I like to think of these two looks as reflective of the double sided personality I'm hoping (?) to encompass this autumn... Or maybe not. Anyway, back to the point...

The first is the 'work' look, which whilst making I was clearly dreaming about the amazing, powerful job that will hopefully fall into my lap. This look is meant to resemble my sophisticated side.

The second is the 'party' look, which whilst making I was simply thinking about drinking lots of José Cuervo. The side of me this look shows is pretty self-explanatory.

A look for work and a look for play: how deliciously unclichéd of me.

Right, I'm now going to lie in bed with my snuggle-socks (in AUGUST), read a book and drink English Rose tea (if you haven't tried it do - it's delicious). If you're in England, I hope you're safe from all the rioting. So scary and unnecessary.

*Yes I am completely aware that England is currently slightly Autumnal.