Sartorial Jubilations

Posted on June 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock I’m sure you’ll know that this weekend is Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the anniversary of a whopping sixty years on the throne. Alongside Queen Victoria, she is the only other monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee and various events are taking place up and down the country to mark the occasion in style… but I’m sure you knew that already!

Some may find it a bit twee, but this kind of thing doesn’t exactly happen very often, and I think we should embrace it- why not?! Has your patriotic side come out this weekend? I know mine has!

This weekend has been filled with bunting, Union Jacks, street parties and British-themed baking; only red white and blue will do. In addition, all eyes have been on the royals’ appropriately-hued attire. For the first day of the Jubilee celebrations, the Queen wore a royal blue crepe wool coat by Stewart Parvin and matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan to the Epsom Derby. Today, for the Thames Jubilee River Pageant, she donned an ivory boucle coat by Angela Kelly embroidered with gold, silver and ivory spots and embellished with Swarovski crystals; Clarence House said this was to reflect the River Thames, such a lovely touch. The Queen’s official dresser spent 12 months planning the ensemble which was reminiscent of the dress she wore for her Coronation. Today, the Queen’s outfit really stood out against the reds, golds and purples of the royal barge. You can really tell how much thought is put into the Queen’s sartorial choices – I think that merits its own post – and I predict tomorrow she will be wearing red!

Kate Middleton looked stunning in cherry red today; she wore the shade when I met her at the launch of the University of St Andrews 600th anniversary celebrations and I thought she really suited the colour. It was a vibrant colour choice but the tailored dress with box pleat skirt was appropriate for the occasion and Kate definitely didn’t out-shine the Queen. As soon as she stepped out today I squealed to My mum “she’s wearing McQueen!” I recognised the dress immediately: it was very similar to one that had caught my eye a while ago (I posted about it here) and I saw it again recently (and was extremely tempted) when it appeared reduced from £1200 to £500 on The Outnet! Kate’s must be a custom design as it has a more demure knee-length skirt and longer length sleeves appropriate for the event. I was pleased to see my predictions were proved correct when Clarence House confirmed Kate was wearing Alexander McQueen. I know, I’m a bit of a fashion geek! I was also incredibly flattered when Grazia’s Fashion Director Paula Reed praised my spotting skills on Twitter! Kate also wore a matching red hat by Sylvia Fletcher from royal milliner James Lock & Co and her trusted LK Bennett nude court shoes, and she carried a scarf in Strathearn tartan (a nod to her Scottish title – the Countess of Strathearn).

Camilla also stuck to her signature look and tried and tested combination of Anna Valentine creamy tailored coat and dress and Philip Treacy hat; she wore both designers for her own wedding as well as William and Kate’s nuptials. Princess Beatrice wore a silver and navy dress with complementary coat by Marni and Princess Eugenie donned a coral Roland Mouret dress, paired with LK Bennett heels, Anya Hindmarch bag and black and coral Stephen Jones hat.

I look forward to seeing more Jubilee outfits tomorrow for the Jubilee concert – will Kate be in blue or white?!

What about you? What have you been doing and wearing to celebrate the Jubilee? The whole thing is definitely a good excuse to dress up! Here are some ideas I had, in a patriotic colour pallet and with a few kitsch Jubilee-inspired pieces thrown into the mix:

Jubilee Outfit 1

Miss Selfridge winter white dress, £37; Acne suede leather jacket, £1,000; Alex Monroe silver jewelry, £165; Kate Spade cocktail ring, $63 Posh Pooch Shopper, Topshop; £10; Tatiana 025 shoes formula Samsøe Φ Samsøe, 1.400 DKK.

HRH the Queen loves a colourful cover-up and this feminine white Broderie Anglaise sundress from Miss Selfridge would make the royal blue Acne biker jacket pop. Jewellery designer Alex Monroe is fast earning a cult following and his Best of British collection, including this crown charm necklace, is the perfect mix of style and humour – what could be more British? Topshop have a fantastic kooky Jubilee-themed range and I think the Queen would approve of this corgi print tote! Lastly, to complete the colour trio a red Kate Spade cocktail ring and some red suede boots - I recently discovered Danish brand Samsøe Φ Samsøe and I love their simple, chic Scandinavian designs.

Jubilee Outfit 2

Current Elliott stretch denim jacket, £250; Dorothy perkin, £39.50; Zara heel sandals, $80; Charlotte Olympia clutch handbag, £595; Alex Monroe chain necklace, £135.

A vintage-style sundress taking inspiration from the decade of the Queen’s coronation would be high on my list of outfit options. This retro white and blue Dorothy Perkins floral frock is perfect, and pairing it with a bright denim jacket, such as this vibrant red one by Current Eliott, and a pair of sporty-inspired shoes such as these Zara heels, would give the look a modern twist. Another Alex Monroe charm necklace – this time a rose gold fox – adds a cute touch. Charlotte Olympia is another British brand combining eccentricity and humour with high end design;  I’m a big fan of Charlotte Dellal’s quirky designs and this Union Jack perspex clutch is just the right amount of kitsch.

Jubilee Outfit 3

Print dress, Topshop, £38; Vintage jean jacket, £38; Zara messenger bag, $90; Etrusca ruby jewelry, John Lewis, £48; Alexander McQueen Spine Lace God Save Mcqueen Pashmina, $790.

I’m currently coveting this retro-style cute-collared frock from Topshop, the tailored cut and ditsy pansy print are the perfect balance of girly-yet-grown-up. I would wear it with an oversized boxy denim jacket to balance the femininity and vintage style slippers such as these Pretty Ballerina flats. I’d give the look a pop of colour with this red Zara bag (very Céline) and this gorgeous Alexander McQueen “God Save McQueen” scarf – I think Kate would approve.

Jubilee Outfit 4
This Boutique by Jaeger sailor dress is something I could also see Kate wearing. She often nods to military style with her ensembles, for example with the McQueen military detail shirt she has worn on a couple of occasions. I would give this girly dress a bit of an edge with chunky black ankle boots and a statement red lip. Some more pieces from the Topshop range: bunting print socks and a crown ring, and I love this Limited Edition sparkly Nails Inc nail varnish! The Cambridge Satchel Company encapsulates British design heritage and high quality manufacturing; based on traditional Oxford and Cambridge satchel designs, the hand-made leather bags have become a cult fashion buy. I’m particularly enamoured with the satchels as I used to take this exact style of satchel to primary school and loved it to bits. I especially like this bright red version – and appropriate for the occasion too!
Jubilee images – Mail Online 

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Posted in British fashion

Richard Nicoll’s Topshop Brides

Posted on May 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

Looking for a wedding dress on a budget? Or just an alternative to a princess-style meringue? Fashion-conscious brides-to-be should make a date in their diary for June 15 at Topshop as Richard Nicoll’s (as well as Topshop’s for that matter) first ever bridal designs go on sale.

The seven alternative wedding dress designs have finally been revealed, as Richard Nicoll’s ‘Blushing Brides’ capsule collection for Topshop was unveiled today. Nicoll is known for his directional designs and pared-back femininity and the collection has an understated yet decidedly feminine feel with delicate lace, pretty ruffled hems and intricate detailing rendered in unconventional styles.

Nicoll had in mind a more directional take on wedding dressing from the outset: “I wanted to offer a younger, cooler alternative to meringue culture, something special, but not precious, like my friends, something they would wear if they were getting married”. This laidback luxury is what sets Nicoll’s designs apart and is certainly channelled in this collection. The designer also observed that whilst the dresses are marketed as bridal, they would also be suitable as bridesmaid or cocktail dresses. This one of my initial observations, as most of the designs would definitely be suitable for other formal occasions… lucky for non-bridal Nicoll fans like myself!

The seven piece collection is a testament to Nicoll’s unique brand of wearable cool. Both full-length and shorter styles are available in white and pink and prices range from £75 for a white silk slip dress with spaghetti straps and ruffled hem (my favourite!) to £350 for a maxi dress with lace bodice and sheer skirt.

Image credit – Vogue.com

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Posted in collaborations, designers

Shoesday Tuesday: Louis Vuitton S/S ’12 and Topshop ‘Gabbi’

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Every season has its defining shoe: a piece of footwear that encapsulates fashion’s current mood and prevailing character. This Spring/ Summer the distinctly feminine style dominating the catwalks was accompanied in designers’ collections by ladylike heels: pointed toes, contrasting toe-caps, mid-heels and pastel hues. For seasons, vertiginous stilettos ruled both catwalk and red carpet and colossal platforms were de rigeur; then came the short-lived trend for kitten heels in 2010 before some (in vain) decried the heel ‘out’ last year. The new season ladylike mid-heel is a welcome breath of fresh air and the elegant shape makes them the perfect partner for Spring/ Summer’s ladylike ensembles.

Louis Vuitton S/S ’12

Louis Vuitton S/S ’12

Louis Vuitton S/S ’12

This season’s most delectably feminine collection was Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012. There couldn’t have been a more marked contrast between their Autumn/ Winter catwalk – complete with leather-clad models, PVC macs paired with knickers, corset belts, 18 carat gold handcuffs and Kate Moss, fag in hand – and this season’s offerings. Models began the show atop a Carousel that had been constructed in the Louvre’s Cour Carrée, parading the icy pastel-coloured Spring/Summer designs, complete with big lacy collars and oversized white buttons. The collection was my favourite of the fashion house’s in recent years, and aside from the collars (you know my partiality to a girly collar by now…) the feminine accessories, especially the shoes caught my eye. Pastel or white mid-heels with contrasting metallic toe-caps were the order of the day at Louis Vuitton and I couldn’t help but lust after these unashamedly feminine shoes. To me they seemed to perfectly encapsulate this key trend and Spring/Summer style.

The high street have also come up trumps with styles inspired this mini-trend. Here’s my pick of the high street’s pointy mid-heels with contrasting toe-caps to be found at Topshop, Zara, River Island and Kurt Geiger:

Contrasting Toe-Caps

I wasn’t quite quick off the mark with the Topshop “Gilmore2″ or “Gabbi” (top row of the Polyvore image) and was kicking myself for not ordering them sooner, as they were the perfect pair for of the dress I had purchased for May Ball. I rang up Topshop in Dundee in the hope that they might have the “Gabbi” left in a size 5 – I was ecstatic to hear that they did and they sweetly offered to hold them for me but unfortunately when I went to pick them up they had been sold! However, they were so helpful and eventually tracked down the last pair in a size five in the country (in the Oxford Circus store) to be sent to the Dundee store and I picked them up just in time for the ball! Thank you so much to Topshop Dundee, whose customer service was great; in spite of the original hiccup they managed to rectify the situation. The shoes are surprisingly comfy and I danced the night away at the ball and received many compliments for them! Here they are:

Louis Vuitton S/S ’12 images: Style.com

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Posted in shoe love

It Looks Rosie: 4/5/12

Posted on May 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

I haven’t done an outfit post for a while so I thought I would share what I wore yesterday for the English department leavers’ lunch. The department organised a get-together for the fourth years; a chance to say our goodbyes to fellow students and members of staff over a glass of wine and some generous nibbles. We haven’t had exams yet, but yesterday was the last day of classes so it was a lovely opportunity to celebrate together before everyone goes their separate ways (and before that, gets bogged down in revision).

Yesterday morning was beautifully sunny and when I was getting ready I decided the occasion merited special and suitably summery attire. I fell for this dress when I saw it in the Oxford Circus store back in January, but only in coral and white, and I felt that neither colour really suited me. However, I had an inkling that Topshop might bring the style back in a few different hues, and what with pastels being a massive trend this season I was crossing my fingers it would appear again in sugared almond shades. A couple of months later, I spotted this lilac version in the ‘Tall’ section and a baby yellow one in ‘Petite’ on the website and thought the longer lilac midi length version would be the most versatile for me. Although I’m by no means “Tall” I was really pleased with the cut and fit!

The dress captures the feminine mood of Spring/ Summer and ticks numerous trends in doing so: pastels, pleats, midi, sheer, collar… I know I’m going to get a lot of wear out of it this summer (and beyond) and it’s so easy to dress up or down. Such a dress doesn’t really need much work with the styling; for the Leavers’ lunch I paired it with my leather jacket and ankle boots and a simple cuff necklace and chunky ring to add a tougher edge. I also love the pop of brights against pastel colours and wore Models Own Hedkandi Collection nail varnish in eye-popping neon coral hue, ‘Hedonist’ (so much brighter than my camera could capture).

p.s. In typical Scottish fashion, the weather took a turn for the worse whilst I was in my class, a howling gale got up and the showers started – I somewhat regretted my decision not to wear tights! Luckily the rain held off for the group photograph, although I’m sure we all looked very windswept!

p.p.s. my hair is SO curly and bouncy because I’d just been to the hairdressers – the lovely Chris at Sophie Butler is a hairdressing genius!

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Posted in It Looks Rosie, Uncategorized

Nike x Liberty Spring/ Summer 2012

Posted on April 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Once again Nike have collaborated with Liberty London on a collection of extremely stylish trainers. The brands first collaborated a few years ago now, with Liberty-print Nike Dunks in 2008 and Nike Blazers in 2009, followed by the biggest collection yet last April.

This season the duo have created an even greater variety of designs with new shapes, styles and, as always, a striking print to covet. The collection has been released in two instalments, both online and in store, so there are twice as many opportunities to get your hands on a pair of the highly sought-after trainers! The first batch launched at the start of the month, consisting of more traditionally “trainer-like” sport-orientated styles available in a variety of colours.

Today saw the second drop of the collection, which seemed to me the more “high fashion” offerings. Thanks to Isabel Marant’s cult design, trainers with a concealed wedge are a massive trend; Nike x Liberty are channelling this trend with their Red Liberty Print Dunk Sky Hi Sport trainers. As I said last week in my A-Z of Spring/ Summer 2012 trends, prints are big news this season: the eye-catching print combined with the secret platform heel ticks two trends in one (and at £95 they are a fraction of the price of a pair of Isabel Marants).

If you want a less trend-driven but still fashionable pair then both the Yellow Liberty Print Blazer trainers and Imperial Purple Liberty Print Hyperclave High Top trainers make a real statement and are a touch cheaper at £75.*

The entire collection features Liberty’s Lagos Laurel print; the design is a 20th Century take on traditional paisley, which first appeared in Liberty’s collections in the 1940s. As well as being revisited in the ’90s, the print was updated for S/S ’12 with the timely addition of the Olypmic laurel. Paisley has seen a revival this season, with J. W. Anderson and Stella McCartney among the designers who made use of the print in their S/S ’12 offerings. The Nike x Liberty collection taps into the trend and makes the print modern and fresh with graphic use of pattern and bright primary colours.

The first instalment of the Nike x Liberty S/S '12 collection

Red Liberty Print Dunk Sky Hi Sport trainers

Yellow Liberty Print Blazer Trainers

Imperial Purple Liberty Print Hyperclave High Top trainers

Image credit – Liberty London

*I just typed “£5″ there. I wish they were £5 and they would be on my feet RIGHT NOW! The woes of a soon-to-be graduate…

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Posted in collaborations

A-Z of Spring/ Summer 2012 Trends

Posted on April 5, 2012 | 2 Comments

Last season I wrote a sartorial A-Z of Autumn/Winter trends. Here’s a summary of the top new season trends for Spring/ Summer 2012.

Alexander McQueen S/S '12

A – Aquatic

Oceanic influences were rife on the catwalks; mermaid-esque gowns, conch clutches, pearl detailing and metallic fabrics sounded fashion’s siren call. Delicate trapeze dresses swam down the catwalk and undulating ruffled gowns resembled jellyfish at Alexander McQueen. Karl Lagerfeld’s nymph-like models were clad in light pastel tweeds and mille-feuille pleats at the magical underwater world of Chanel, complete with a Venus-like Florence Welch emerging from a giant shell.

B – Big lace

This season lace has gone oversized. Louis Vuitton’s pastel hued super-sized Broderie Anglaise was sweetly feminine and Dolce & Gabbana’s flesh flashing peekaboo lace creations were a flirty take on the trend.

C – Crop tops

Banish all thoughts of a ‘90s style croptop-combats combo and welcome this season’s chic crops into your wardrobe. Dolce & Gabbana paired longline bras with flared ‘50s skirts and ruched bandeaus were worn with pencil skirts at Prada. Best get working on those abs…

Gucci S/S '12

D – Deco dream

The roaring Twenties are back! Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is due for release in December and fashion channeled the trend with flapper dresses as the eveningwear of choice at Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Etro. Drop waists, embellishments, tassels and Art Deco prints ooze Jazz Age glamour.

E – Eccentric

Fun fashion is having a moment. Meadham Kirchoff’s balloon-adorned catwalk and dancing doll-like models (with a grungy twist) showed fashion with a sense of humour (and a large dose of talented design too).

F- futuristic florals

Florals are back with a vengeance: bold, clashing colours and contrasting prints are the way to wear blooms this season. Mary Katrantzou’s cult digital prints and Christopher Kane’s appliquéd floral offerings put a distinctly modern stamp on spring’s favourite print.

Mary Katrantzou S/S '12

G – Grids

Grids and checkerboards are a new print to add to this season’s myriad of pattern. Gareth Pugh paired the graphic print with sheer panels and his trademark dark colour palette, but the print was rendered with ladylike silhouettes and retro styling at Dior.

H – Headwear

Hats are still a trend that’s simmering away. Oversized hats will look stylish and protect from the sun, but beaded skullcaps and more ornate retro-inspired headwear are a glamorous addition this season.

I – Iridescent

An offshoot of the aquatic trend, mermaid-esque metallics added shimmer and shine to the catwalks. Make a Summer statement in shimmering satin and cellophane fabrics or pair metallic separates with neutral basics for a more relaxed take on the trend.

Elie Saab S/S '12

J – Jeans in colour

This season denim has had a colourful makeover. The skinny silhouette doesn’t seem to be shifting, and pastel hued 7/8th length jeans are a key trend. If pastels aren’t your thing then acid denim brights are the way forward, such as Christopher Kane’s covetable J Brand collaboration.

K – Killer collars

Fashion is still having a bit of a love-in with neckwear and a buttoned-up shirt paired with a statement necklace, cuff or collar tips is still a huge blogging trend.

L – Light leather

Butter soft biker jackets in light or neutral shades are the cover-up of the season, with Acne’s blue version a particular favourite. The fashion world has gone mad for J Brand’s white leather jeans too, the perfect partner of peplum tops and bright summer lace.

M – Mix and Match

This season it’s all about mixing and matching the myriad of prints on the catwalk. There aren’t any rules, but more is more! Clashing florals is one way to tick two trends in one.

N – Neon

Acid brights are still stylish for Spring, with bold pinks, aqua, tangerine, yellow and lime taking centre stage. Neons and neutrals are the freshest way to wear the look for summer, and neon accents from bold accessories nod to the trend.

Rag & Bone S/S '12

O – Olympic Obsession

With Olympics hype reaching fever pitch in the run-up to the 2012 Games, the catwalks had a distinctly sporty vibe, from athletic silhouettes at Alexander Wang to Stella McCartney’s sportswear-inspired details.

P – Peplums

The Spring/ Summer catwalks celebrated a womanly silhouette, with the peplum as one of the most prolific trends on the catwalk. All eyes are on the hips with bold statements at Jason Wu and Cushnie et Ochs and softer shapes at Acne and Céline.

Jason Wu S/S '12

Q – Quintessentially British

This season many editors agreed that the UK’s capital had the hottest ticket shows; the attention of the world was drawn to London Fashion Week and our city’s hub of creative talent.

R – Rucksacks

The chicest bag around this season is the rucksack: sling metallic leather or translucent plastic textured bags over the shoulder nonchalantly, and choose between a myriad of hues or stylish neutrals (Topshop seems to have a good offering!)

S – Sugared almonds

Sugar sweet pastel hues have to be one of the biggest trends this season: the catwalks were awash with shades of soft pink, parma violet, muted apricot, lemon curd, baby blue and icy mint. The coolest way to wear ice cream colours is head to toe, clashing pastels or combining hints of sugar with Summery neutrals.

Louis Vuitton S/S '12

T – Traveller

Fashion took inspiration from around the world; Bottega Veneta and Burberry lead the pack. Bold tribal prints and textures ruled, leather and suede combined with various embellishments: beading, feathers, tassels and suede.

U – USA

Designers lived the American Dream this season: retro-Americana, cowgirl influences, T-shirts emblazoned with the stars and stripes, retro diner styles, and prairie girl patchwork all had a moment.

V – Va va vroom

Prada’s kitsch car print suited their retro ‘50s American-inspired collection to a tee; the pattern formed the background of sweet pastel blouses and adorned leather pencil skirts. Prada’s automobile-influenced flame heels are the most coveted shoes of the season.

W – Wow heels

This season’s heels are ultra ladylike. Spiky stilettos with pointed heels and contrasting toecaps are the order of the day, as seen at Louis Vuitton. Neutral hued heels are the perfect partner to pastel ensembles.

Richard Nicoll S/S '12

X- X-ray

Sheer fabrics were the texture of the day, with many shows favouring romantic chiffon. Richard Nicoll’s clear plastic skirts were a futuristic take on the trend. Just make sure your underwear is up to scratch.

Y – Yellow

Every shade of yellow under the sun adorned the catwalks, from banana brights to baby yellow pastels. The perfect sunshine shade was a popular choice for summery dresses, as seen at Mulberry, Nicole Farhi and Preen.

Z – Zzzz

Pyjamas aren’t just for the bedroom this season. Nightwear was given a chic twist with pyjama-style trouser suits adorning the catwalks at Stella McCartney, Jonathan Saunders and Haider Ackermann. So wrong it’s right.

Stella McCartney S/S '12

All images: style.com

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Posted in shows, trends

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It Looks Rosie: Leather and Lace

Posted on March 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

I thought I hadn’t done an “It Looks Rosie” post in a while, so here you go! Sorry things are a little quiet around here, but we’re coming up to last (ever!) deadlines at the moment so essays are taking priority!

I picked this dress up in H&M on a recent attempt to “Burst the Bubble” (a.k.a. taking the bus to whizz round the shops in Dundee one morning). I’m absolutely loving how feminine the High Street is just now, and this cream crochet knit dress ticked all the boxes for me! The ’60s shift shape, flattering bell sleeves and scalloped edge detailing particularly caught my eye.

For its debut outing (for Al’s birthday meal) I contrasted the girliness of the dress with my Topshop leather biker jacket and emphasised the ’60s feel of the dress, pairing it with my Office black patent Mary Janes, UO bowler hat and vintage burgundy leather clutch. I think the dress will be a versatile addition to my wardrobe: the great cut and style mean it needs minimal styling, but it can also be given a twist to get lots of wear out of it with different looks! It’s also a great trans-seasonal piece; I’m wearing it now with tights and a heavier jacket, and in the Summer I’ll be wearing it with (eek) bare legs, sandals and a denim jacket.

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Posted in Uncategorized