Bird-spotting with Prints

The January sales weren’t very good to me. Whilst I didn’t pick up any discounts, I did get this lovely dress from H&M and for a very reasonable price too!

Bird print dress, H&M

A closer look at the print

I don’t really have many prints in my wardrobe so this is a welcome addition to my dress collection. It’s one of those things I want to wear constantly. The only bad thing I would say about this dress is that it does get crumpled quite easily. Maybe that’s how it’s meant to look like, but I ironed it to death when I wore it last weekend.

I would suggest heels rather than the barefoot look!

 I’ve seen a few dresses similar to this when I’ve looked in the shops, although this is certainly the cheapest I’ve seen. I can’t remember off the top of my head but I’m sure it was around the £12.99 mark. It’s still in the shops though, so correct me if I’m wrong.

A few other animal prints I’ve seen:

Butterfly print dress, £70, Oasis

Asymmetric bird print dress, £30, Dorothy Perkins

NW3 Annabel Cat Print Dress, £169, ASOS

I have a feeling I might have to own some more prints like this soon, it’s a good way of livening up your wardrobe.

Do you like animal prints?

Bhavna

Cosmic & Teddy Bears

Hello there.

The beginning of 2012 has been a bit hectic! Lots going on and not much blogging going on, sorry!

Last weekend Sunny and I headed down to London to spend a weekend with Chloe. We went to Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, which I’ve never been to before and had a good look round lots of vintage shops and Rough Trade records. I was a bit disappointed with the Beyond Retro in London- the one in Brighton is much better.

I did get tempted by a bowler hat at the market, which was £35. Does anyone know where I can get one for cheaper?

After I turned my attention away from the hat, I did end up going through a mountain of scarves. I know a bargain when I see one, and I think my trawl was worth it, but of course you guys can have your say too!

The girls told me I should get this scarf because the black and white print would go with a lot of things in my wardrobe.

Black and white butterfly?

I love a bit of stargazing, and when I saw this print I knew I had to buy this.

Sorry if it's not very clear!

I’m not even sure what everything is. There are lots of graphs and measuring devices on there. Perhaps Professor Brian Cox would know?

Protractor?

Um, compass?

It’s a shame that I haven’t perfected my scarf putting-on technique. I really want to be able to show off everything on this scarf.

Lastly, a scarf which divided opinion! It was another one of those “I must have this” moments. I just couldn’t resist…

TEDDY BEARS!

I love the colour and these guys are just so cute! I mean c’mon!

Can you resist a face like this?

Have you got any tips on how to wear these scarves?

Bhavna

Festival Special- Essentials

Festival season is always an exciting time for fashionista’s and with Summer here and festivals looming (people are having fun at Isle of Wight Festival as we speak), we’ve compiled some of the best festival essentials you’ll need.

Wellies

The number one festival essential is the Wellington Boot. With June’s weather being a bit iffy, you can never be too careful! The weatherman might predict sun but you’ll feel a bit silly if you get caught in a sudden downpour.

If you’d like to style yourself up like Kate Moss, there is the Hunter boot. It may be slightly pricey but it will never go out of fashion.

Hunter original tall Wellington Boots, £75, ASOS

 If your festival budget doesn’t stretch that far, you can go for these alternatives.

Dazzle Fluorescent Pink Wellies, £25, Topshop

Easy Peasy Welly, £30, Office

Sunglasses

I forgot to take sunglasses with me to Glastonbury last year but managed to get a cheap pair of fluorescent pink ones on site! But it’s probably best to take some with you. After all that fiver you spend on sunnies could be spent on a pint of cider. Worth bearing in mind.

Matthew Williamson Fade Festival Aviator sunglasses, £90, ASOS

UK printed sunglasses, £14, Accesorize

Floral Wayfarer Sunglasses, £10, Miss Selfridge

Hats

If the temperature is going to be sizzling, you’ll need to look after yourself with a hat. Plus it’s perfect to hide those bad hair days when you’ve been camped for a while and have no access to a hairdryer..

Wide brim floppy straw hat, £24, Urban Outfitters

Pink Festival Straw Trilby Hat, £14, River Island

Black Contrast Weave Trilby, £16, Warehouse

Bags

Essential to carry around spare bottles of water, money, camera, phone sun screen, your festival map and cans of beer.

Leather strap crochet bag, £35, ASOS

Floral Backpack, £10, Matalan

You might not be able to fit many cans or bottles into this next bag, but I just thought it was too cute to exclude.

Hippy Mini Pouch Bag, £22, Accessorize

Dresses and Playsuits

There’s always an eclectic range of clothing seen at festivals. Wether it’s band t-shirts of floral playsuits, everyone can have fun reflecting their tastes at the summer gigs. This year’s summer festival essential for me is going to have to be tribal prints, so here are a few of my faves.

Runway Yellow Tribal Dress, £45, Next

Tribal Print Maxi Dress, £15, Boohoo.com

Yumi Tribal Playsuit, £27, House of Fraser

Shorts

I lived in my shorts last year and have bought some new ones from Forever 21 for this year. A must have!

Ethel Shorts, £42, Motelrocks.com

Leopard Print Denim Shorts, £14.75, Forever 21

Mango Green Denim Shorts, £29.90, ASOS

Shoes

If there’s no need for wellies then stick your flats and sandals on instead. Perfect and comfy for having a bit of a rave to a bit of good music.

Safari Sandal, £50, Office

Chocolate Schubar, £41.65, Sarenza

Moda in Pelle Sandals, £34.99, Surfdome.com

Rain Coats

Even if you have your wellies, you’ll still wanna stay dry with a waterproof coat. I took a pac-a-parka last year which packed away nicely like it’s name suggested it would.

Khaki Printed Pac a mac, £35, Next

Cath Kidston Spotted Rain Coat, £18, ASOS

Spotted Pac-a-Parka, £30, ASOS

So they you have it. You’ll be pretty sorted come rain or shine with these. Don’t forget to pack all your other essentials like sun screen, toothpaste, dry shampoo and your poison of choice!

What will you be taking to the festivals this year?

Bhavna

Floral Prints & Brights For Spring

Spring is here finally and I want to look at cheering up my wardrobe. Out with the jumpers and in with the pretty spring wear.

If you wanted to know about pieces to help you make the transition from winter to spring then you can have a look at our post here.

I love anything floral and I think it’s a great trend for spring and summer. Nothing says “I’m ready for sunshine” more than a floral dress.

Rosebud Skater Dress, £32, Topshop

 

Floral Skater dresses are also available in petite sizes from Topshop.

Ditsy Print Tea Dress, £38, Miss Selfridge

 

O&O Floral babydoll, £40, Urban Outfitters

 

Multi Floral Gypsy Dress, £30, Dorothy Perkins

 

The other thing that will brighten up your spring wardrobe is the colour yellow. I’ve got some gorgeous yellow flats from Office which are a couple of years old which I love to bring out in the warmer months. If you’re not a fan of bright yellow, or not brave enough to wear such a bright colour then you can always go for a softer shade. There’s lots to choose from.

Lemon One Shoulder Dress, £45, Topshop

 

Full Circle Floral Tulip Dress, £70, Asos.com

 

Robot Vest by Newbreed Girl, £18, Topshop

 

Yellow 70D tights, £5, Dorothy Perkins

 

What are your favourite pieces and colours to wear in the spring?

Bhavna

 

Top trends for spring and summer

 

Here at Wardrobe we like to keep our fingers firmly pressed on the fashion pulse, and already this year there have been several trends that have caught our eyes. From feathers and stripes, to spots and flowers, 2010 looks sure to be a year where fashionistas of any size, shape and budget can find something to suit them.   

 But because of the huge number of different styles already emerging for the coming year, we thought that it was only fair for us to put together some of the best trends for Spring/Summer 2010.      

 

Ok, so I know it’s only January, but most of these looks can already been found in the shops and online, and one key trend that will be sticking around is layering, so don’t be afraid to mix a soft summery top with a chunky winter knit.    

So whether you’re looking for an entire outfit for spring, or a staple piece for summer, take a peek at our trend report.           

   

   

 Shorts           

 One trend that will be hitting the high street this summer is shorts. But not just any kind of shorts, no we’re talking short shorts and hot pants.           

Even though the prospect of any kind of sunshine this summer may seem slim, shorts look set to be a key trend.       

They were all over the place last summer with celebs like Pixie Lott and Daisy Lowe donning them for festivals, but be prepared to bare all again this year.   

And if you want to get ahead of the fashion pack, buy yours early and team them with chunky tights and knits for a cosy but cool solution to the cold.             

Ex Hills star Lauren Conrad shows off her pins in her denim hot pants

Distressed denim shorts, Miss Selfridge £28

Sequin hot pants from Vila, available at ASOS for £16

 Socks     

Ok, so we all wear socks. But this spring and summer, our feet can not only be kept warm and dry, but also stylish and completely on trend.     

 Instead of buying your usual six pack of plain white socks, why not opt for knee highs? No more expensive than the average sock, but way better.  

 

Coming in hundreds of styles and patterns, knee high socks can be worn in so many different ways. Over tights, peeping out of boots, with a pretty dress in the summer or even with those short shorts mentioned earlier.  

 

A number of celebs have been seen wearing them and our favourite stores have already pulled on the trend and stocked up on socks.   

Even in the sunny US Jessica Alba adds knee high socks to her outfit

Diesel over the knee socks £13, also available from ASOS

Gap angora kee high socks £8

Patterns and prints          

  One trend that already looks like it will be huge this summer is prints. With flowers and animal prints, stripes and abstract patterns, prints can add a little bit of va va voom to any old outfit.       

  Whether it’s a floral t-shirt, a leopard print playsuit or some Aztec leggings, prints can be worn with anything, anywhere.    

 And with so many to choose from, this really is a trend that easily translates from the catwalk to the high street, and to our wardrobes.            

Rihanna wears her patterned leggings with confidence

French Connection have gone tribal with these aztec print leggings £35

Topshop floral printed skirt £31

 Denim         

Ok, so when has denim ever been out of fashion? Well the answer is never, but this year there are several ways to update that classic wardrobe staple that everyone has.        

 One idea to update your look and keep your denim decent is rips. They go great with the rock chick trend, and can also make a cute outfit look a little cooler. The best part about it is you don’t even need to buy a new pair, just cut up an old pair you don’t wear anymore.           

 Another great way to jazz up your jeans is studs. Also on trend, studs can make any jeans look more edgy and just like rips if you’re a bit short on funds, you can buy them and put them on yourself. Easy.        

  Another trend that can apply to jeans, trousers, or even jackets is patches. Covering shoulders, knees, elbows, and anywhere really, patches can cover up a multitude of sins. Stemming from the trend for jodhpurs, patched have made their way on to jeans and trousers and can already be found in most stores.         

         

Megan Fox rocking her ripped jeans

Ripped jeans from Miss Selfridge £38

Patched Topshop jeans £62

  Some other trends already featured in Wardrobe which you should definitely look out for this year are the nautical trend, which has sailed its way back into fashion this year, feathers, which are a great transition from fur which was huge last winter and the nude trend, which has already taken over most of the high street stores in one form of another.     

So whether its shorts, florals, leapord prints or socks, theres something for everyone in 2010.          

         

  Steph