Festive fashion this winter!

Being British and living in London trains you to learn how to dress fashionably, no matter the weather. Londoners deserve an award, as yet uncreated, for remaining stylish when the temperature drops, especially when the weather is rarely on our side. The city’s clever and quirky student fashion is a testament to the attitude that no matter what budget and degree Celsius, there is no excuse not to dress well in winter.

Londoners love layering and it is key in achieving this iconic winter chic. This is simply the most stylish and successful way to keep cosy, out in the cold. A staple on-trend coat is essential. Brits favour hard-working coats that fit over those bulky Fair Isle and cable knits. Ballet flats are cute in a French Sole way, but boots are your friends this December.

The British high street is legendary for its affordability, range and trend-led stock. The shoe department will not let you down: boots come in a range of heights, studs, suede and leather, and New Look is not your only saviour. In London, warm accessories will ensure you are never underdressed. Your mother might have used to say to you “Hat! Scarf! Gloves!”, but mums really do know best. Pashminas may be beautiful but you need to stow them away and embrace the thick scarf.

You may not be a hat person, but this will change if the coming winter reaches the sub-zero temperatures of the last. Topshop, H&M and Accessorize always have adorable woolly accessories for next to nothing. However, remember that while it may not be as cheap as Primark, Zara and other high-end high street brands sell good quality wares that last and will actually benefit your purse in the long-term.

Do not fret, London’s gentlemen, you are not deprived of fashion kudos. The dress sense of British men has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years, due to an increased high street focus. You will rarely go wrong if you stick to a classic English look, which often means a thick jumper and this year’s revered desert boots. Shops like Topman cater quite well for menswear, although I have heard on the male grapevine that their clothes are seen as fairly generic.

Stores such as All Saints and Ted Baker are more popular for their designs, but unfortunately not for their price tags. A good trick is to look out for newer labels, which are cropping up all the time. Rupert & Buckley and Stanley Kane are two such brands that are particularly good for menswear. Check out the former’s Literature t-shirts and the latter’s sweatshirts and denim shirts. London style is all about a British sense of where to invest and when to save. Given the fact that winter will well extend into next year, you have a lot of time to get it right!

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Check out my article in Rogue #3! 

http://issuu.com/kclsustudentmedia/docs/roar_-_rogue_december_2013_final_ed

Why pink is the new black!

Believe it or not, there was a phase several years back, when girls shied away from the colour pink, as it immediately linked you to the plastic doll every girl had in her life at one point. But now, Barbie is back in business; pink is the colour of the season.

It’s the hottest colour to have your coat in and is the perfect way to add a splash of colour to your outfit in the dreary winter weather. Why not stand out from the crowd in a hot pink mac or balance out a cosy chunky knit jumper by getting in a bright, sexy fuchsia? If you’re really not a daring pink girl, use your accessories; nothing looks more striking than a dark outfit brought to life by a pink handbag or pink scarf!

Personally I like wearing bright, loud and eclectic clothing but many people prefer a more conservative look. That’s not a problem at all! You have an entire range of nude pinks, baby pinks and coral pinks to choose from as well! It’s not about what shade you go for, it’s simply about adding that touch of happy colour to your life and ensuring that you don’t get lost in an outfit of greys, blacks and other dark tones.

Here is a selection of my favourites from the newly pink high street! Enjoy!

< At £16, this Topshop fluffy scard is the perfect and cosy way to brighten up an outfit, if you’re not a particularly pink lady 😉

< I LOVE coloured jeans and trousers and these jeggings from River Island are no exception. £35 is not bad for a decent and comfortable pair of jeans/jeggings and River Island’s always last you forever. Pair with a black leather jacket and black boots for instant cool.

< New Look are keen to show you that a) a jumper does not mean you have to lose shape to your outfit and  b) knitwear is THE cosiest thing ever. This jumper is really cute and a bargain at under £20.

< If fuchsia and bright pink isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the softer tones and shades. Asos has won me over with this blush-pink ‘Dolly’ coat, with the adorable collar and pocket detail. The flared bottom is really flattering as well!

< I am a Dr. Martens girl through and through; they’re so comfortable and keep your feet warm and dry which is what we all need in the gorgeous English winter weather! They’re an investment as they’re brilliant all year round but at the moment they’re at even better bargain of £54.99 at Office!

< Make sure you’re the hit of the party in the only colour anyone is talking about. This more conservative nude-pink colour might be more to some people’s taste. At £9.49 from Missguided, I think this LPD (little pink dress) is anyone’s taste!

< Looking very similar to the Mulberry ‘Alexa’ in watermelon pink, this Boohoo satchel is only £16 -how good is that gonna feel dangling off your shoulder?!

Whether you’re braving it with the bold fuchsias and hot pinks or toning it down with rosier and nude shades, pink is going to be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe this season.

I need a new coat

Winter drawing near and the fact that I simply live in England means I need to invest in a new coat. My old staple one was a charcoal grey military coat from River Island and did me a good service for 4-5 years and as much as I adore my faux fur coat (also River Island), I need a practical everyday investment.

Here are my top picks from the high street; I believe in spending a decent amount of money so that you will get stylish, reliable and comfortable use out of your coat, but not so much that my new coat will be all I buy this winter. Wanting to steer away from military and faux fur coats, my beloved Topshop and River Island proved little use to me, but I found plenty of gorgeous picks elsewhere. In no particular order:

Drumroll…

1) First up, is Boohoo’s beautiful tobacco coloured belted cape, which is at a stylish save of £25. Whether you need a new coat or not, I would definitely purchase this absolute steal, as it will add chic class to any outfit.

2) Another beauty is this deep navy blue duffle coat with a fur collar to die for. I have always thought that duffle coats have an aura of adorable style to them and they definitely keep you oh so cosy! This particular one from Urban Outfitters has my mind drifting to a snowy day; the colours would look gorgeous against the crisp white snow. At £125, it’s a good deal more expensive than the previous Boohoo cape, but it would be money wisely spent.

3) My next choice is perhaps better suited for a rainy day, rather than a bitter cold one, but it is undeniable that every girl needs a stylish mac in her wardrobe. I have had my eye on this burgandy-wine coloured mac with pu sleeves for a while now and with a bit of luck, it has just been reduced from £89 to £50. Bargain. The colours are definitely Autumn 2013 and the pleated bottom and bow at the waist are just too cute.

4) I was really intrigued by this khaki textured parka coat, as the majority of khaki coats have the standard fur collar and hood. I love the unique texture and design of this coat and of course the colour is absolutely lush. The zips had a biker feel to the coat, but the relaxed structure of it keeps it from being too military-esque. Again, at £90 it may seem like a lot to pay, but for a good-quality coat, that is a decent price.

5) Zara are on point with their oversized trench boyfriend coat. This grey woolen wraparound lovely gives the aura of ‘working girl’ and has an androgynous feel to it. It looks sturdy and cosy and fashionable, which is all any girl wants out of a coat. From past experience, Zara’s coats last you a long time and never go out of style. It is priced at £89.99, so it is not extortionate and will definitely keep you warm this winter.

6) As a lover of tartan and bold, eclectic patterns, this Miss Selfridge biker coat was never going to slip past me. Slightly cheaper than the majority of the above, it is £79 and is perfect for those girls who live in their leather jackets. It is a great transition from jacket to coat, as the length and thickness will certainly protect you from the winter’s winds but it still resembles a jacket.

Of course there are many more stunning coats and jackets out there, but those are my ‘Top 6’. I was originally only going to do a ‘Top 5’ but I could not have that Miss Selfridge tartan biker coat miss the list!

The most important things to remember when buying a coat:

1) Don’t worry about sizing. The cold weather means you will most definitely be wearing a thick jumper underneath your coat, therefore there is no point trying on a coat in a shop with only a vest top on underneath and deeming it to be the right size. Coats are meant to be bigger than your usual dress size!

2) For most people, this will be your only coat. If you wish to spend a lot of money on it, it will be your only outerwear investment, so there is no point purchasing a design that you know you will only wear a few times. If you hate clashing prints and colours, stick to black or other neutral colours and if you worry about your body shape, the structured military coat tends to nip people in in the right places.

3) Read the fine print. If you’re someone who thrives on high-quality materials, then you do not want to be spending more than necessary to only find out that your coat is not completely cashmere, but only has a small percentage.

Enjoy!