Spring 2013 Trends: The Contrast

As showcased by Marc Jacobs, Alexandra Wang and Chanel among others at this year's London Fashion Week, 'The Contrast' is what everyone is talking about this spring. The black and white combination is classic and demure but can be dressed up with bright patterns and outrageous embellishments! It's an easy and understated trend that can be embraced by the bargain hunter and the 'more money then sense' splurger, so here are just a few outfit ideas and items which can help you jump on 'The Contrast' band wagon, no matter what budget you have! 

1. Catarina Lace and Leather Skater Dress- Missguided.co.uk

£29.99

I really love the sophisticated yet edgy elegance to this dress. The contrast is subtle with the of set white lace yet the leather skirt and collar makes the dress an automatic statement. To stay in the contrast theme  and not deter attention from the dress (the outfit does the talking) I'd team this with a pair of black or nude wedges or chelsea boots and wear minimal accessories. I think this dress is fabulous for the price as it looks a lot more expensive then it really is. 

2. H&M Black and White Print Top- hm.com 

£7.99

This top really is a statement piece. The vertical lines are really flattering for pear and apple shapes. The  triangles at the side of this top draw the eyes to the centre which gives an automatic slimming effect. The contrast on this top is really bold and will have you at the centre of attention! I'd pair this with a pair of black cropped cigarette trousers and a pair of chelsea boots or even platforms for an evening look. This top is great for dressing up or down and means you can add the contrast trend to your wardrobe without breaking the bank! Fabulous!!

3. Newlook White Contrast Lace Shoulder Peplum- newlook.com

£12.99 

The peplum is a trend that took off around winter 2012 and is still a massive trend for the spring. The peplum style is really flattering as it draws the eyes to the waist, enthusing your stunning assets. The contrast is not as apparent on this top but it is beautifully feminine with black lace sleeves. I'd team this top with a pair of black cigarette trousers or shiny disco pants for the evening and a pair of cute courts. 

1. Zara Shift Dress with White Stripe- zara.com

£45.99

Once again another understated yet sophisticated piece that allows you to dress up or dress down the contrast trend. I think this dress would be great for a night on the town or a dinner date. For a night out I'd team this dress with gold accessories, a pair of studded platforms and a leather jacket, transforming it with a blazer and a pair of black leather slippers. This dress is the perfect staple piece! 

2. Topshop Texture Stripe Shift Dress- topshop.com

£38.00

This dress has designer written all over it, except the price tag! Contrast stripes are the simplest and most effect way of staying on trend. Eye-catching yet simple, this shift dress could be teamed with a pair of black platforms and a blazer for a cultivating classic. This design has been seen on the cat walks so I'm pretty sure this dress won't be around for long! Grab that designer look for half the price. I think this dress is definitely worth the money as a piece like this will get so much wear. Stripes are almost always bang on trend. 

3. Missguided Veris Monochrome Tweed Sleeve Leather Jacket- missguided.co.uk

£37.99

A bloggers favourite, this jacket really is to die for! The contrast lies in it's leather body and white tweed sleeves, which give the jacket an air of suave will keeping it young and current with the leather body. This jacket would like great on most outfits, meaning you could be rocking the Contrast trend all day, everyday! It's a simple way to create the trend without worrying you have spent money on an item you may only wear once. This jacket is classic and a staple piece which can be worn all year round. A great investment and a great price. 

1. Stella McCartney Sleeveless Contrast Dress- selfridges.com

£445.00

The only thing that preventing me from buying this dress is the price tag! But if I had the money, this baby would be hanging up in my wardrobe. I love the simplicity of this piece. A body con dress is a pencil skirt is perfectly elegant yet has a sexy element to it. The contrast in this dress is very understated, with a strip of white running through the hem of the skirt, yet it just looks bang on trend. The high neck is also really sophisticated and allows their dress to be teamed with some REAL statement jewellery. As the dress is beautifully simple, I'd team this dress with a silver chain necklace or  a statement drape collar. I'd keep the shows neutral as not to overpower the dress, staying with the nudes and blacks. I just love the classiness and classic look of this dress! I just wish it were in my price range. 

2. Alexandra McQueen Contrast-Detail Shirt- selfridges.com 

£595.00

Contrasts shirts are always a great piece of buy into with the contrast trend. They can be worn day and night and are the most simple way of buying into this trend. I love the white collar and cuffs of this shirt. Although the shirt is rather masculine, the contrast gives it a feminine demure. The scoop hem is also beautifully feminine. I'd wear this shirt with black wet look leggings or cigarette trousers depending on the event. I'd wear a classic pair or black loafers to keep this outfit classic and not deter from the beauty and elegance of this shirt. Classic yet current, I just love this shirts ability to speak out from a crowded room. It's a stand alone piece which can define any wearer as an automatic fashonista.  

3. Marc Jacobs Scooter Stripe Dress- marcjacobs.com 

$398.00 

Looking at this dress you can automatically see where H&M and Topshop got their contrast inspiration from. This classic Marc Jacobs dress is sweet yet beautifully stylish, using horizontal and vertical stripes to draw the eyes to your figure. The boxy shape to this dress is classic and simplistic while the pattern keeps the piece on trend and gives it a breathtaking edge. I love the way this dress takes the contrast trend and real turns it on it's head,using patterns to keep the design unique and fresh. I think this dress is a stand alone piece. I wouldn't wear accessories with it and stay to understated footwear, as the dress tells us all we need to know. If only I had the cash, this baby would be mine! 

The Contrast Trend is a simple yet classic trend which is so easy to follow without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. From a plain white shirt and a pair of black trousers to a monochrome body con, this trend is bang on for the Spring and will carry you right through to the Summer. It's so easy to dress up or down and adds that touch of class to any outfit. Let your outfit do the talking this Spring and buy into the Contrast Trend! Then all you have to do is wait for the compliments to role on! 

Love G

x

Topshop Magic Liner Review

Now, I'm guessing that if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then a lot of you will already know about my EXTREME obsession with Topshop. If not, let me just tell you, I solemnly swear I keep that place in business. As much as I ADORE their clothes range though, I've always been quite sceptical about trying their makeup range since it's release a few years back.

For me, when a clothes store releases makeup, it always feels like it's just a disaster waiting to happen. Remember the saying- Jack of all trades, but a master of non? So yeah, Topshop releasing a makeup range had me feeling rather unsure. But last month I was desperately looking for a new liquid based liner. I've been using gel for quite a few months and even started using pencil liner before Christmas, which is great for daily use, but just doesn't cut it for the evening glitz and glammer! I have previously used liquid eyeliners from Rimmel and have tried some felt tip liner's from Maybelline. I found that liquid eyeliner was WAY to messy and time consuming for me (in previous years I may have had the time to faff around with cotton buds and cat flicks but I'm a full time student now!) and felt tips seemed to dry up super fast.

So, whilst getting my Topshop fix of the week (yes, the week...) on, I decided to have a meander of their makeup goods. I read a few reviews online about their 'Magic Liner' and decided at £6.50, I couldn't go wrong. The colour is called 'Engraved' which is just a creative word for Black. The applicator is felt tip for precise application. Now, with most felt tip eyeliners, you tend not to get the same pigmentation and bold statement as you do with a liquid liner. And as I've mentioned previously, the felt tip can often dry up, meaning it must be pressed against something to soak in the product (this can get a bit messy, especially if you are in a rush) But after a month of using this eyeliner, I can honestly say it is the best I have ever used. The application is really precise which is perfect for those who want to cat flick but can't be asked with the hassle of the liquid. The tip does not tend to dry up quickly and it wasn't until the fifth use that I felt I had to add pressure to the nib. I feel like this is probably the most pigmented and hassle free eyeliner ever. It's so precise that the tip of the liner can be used to stick close to the lash line (for more understated makeup looks) or turned on it's side to stroke the liner across the middle of the lid (for bolder and more statement looks). The other GREAT thing about this product is that it doesn't smudge!! I can't abide it when I get home from college to find my eyeliner is half way down my cheeks, so this liner is also great for pre-longed wear, keeping you looking and feeling as fresh as the moment the liner went on. 

The liner is also SUPER smooth. I don't know about you guys, but when I'm using liquid liner, I often find that after a while, the liquid begins to go flakey, which is a pain in the ass when you've spent half an hour trying to get a flick for half of it to then fall off from your face!! This liner just glides across the lid for a super smooth and bright eyed finish. 

SO if it's a signature Amy Winehouse flick you are looking for or a demure Zooey Deschanel, this eyeliner is perfect for your everyday look! Easy to apply, great colour and won't budge! Get your hands on this beauty from your local Topshop. You won't regret it! 

www.topshop.com

Love 

G 

x

Westfield, London + Hemel Haul

A few weeks ago I made a trip to London, Hammersmith for an Ed Sherran Concert and decided to stay over night. The next day, with little plans as to how to spend the morning before we ventured back, I realised that Westfield Shopping Centre (One of the UK's biggest shopping centres EVER) was just round the corner. With designer stores and high end shops galore, I knew I would end up spending a great deal of money in there. Thankfully though, I did not have enough cash on me to go venturing anywhere near the top designers, some of which included Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci and Prada. So I stuck to the shops I knew best. 

The Topshop in Westfeild is not the biggest in London, I believe that award goes to the Oxford Street one, but it is still a great size and offers a great deal of the new season and rare pieces that I often can't get my hands on in my local TS. There was also an end of season sale going on when I was there which for me is like dancing a Battenburg cake in front of my eyes, I can't resist it! I only three items in the sale, two included jewellery and the other a lovely plum coloured crochet collared top which is truly to die for. It cost me 15 pound which compared to it's original 34 pound price tag was a bargain! Although you can no longer purchase this item online (it may still be in the instore sale) you can purchase a similar crochet collar top which I think is equally as nice here: 

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=6346616&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&searchTerm=crochet%20collar&resultCount=1

 I also always appear to be attracted to Topshop's knitwear every winter. I have almost always owned a Topshop knitwear piece during the winter season and although slightly pricey they are totally worth their money in warmth. This year I grabbed myself a knitted textured grunge jumper which is super snug. It comes in a bottle green which alongside aubergine and burgundy is one of my favourite autumn season colours. It cost me 36 pound which for many is a little too much to pay for a jumper but I personally believe Topshop clothing is worth the money! You can also purchase this jumper in aubergine, cobalt (a baby blue colour) and black. 

I also visited another one of my favourite shops at Westfield, River Island. I love River Island not only because their clothes are so unique and eye catching but also because the shop holds a special place in my heart for other reasons. My nan was the manageress of River Island back when it was Chelsea Girl in the 60's/70's. River Island even continue to sell a clothing range under the name Chelsea Girl so if you were wondering why that was then there is your answer. I'm extra in love with their knit wear and blouses. Their blouses are extra dainty and so 60's mod fashion, so I had to pick up this bow neck blouse when I saw it. It is sheer making that bit feminine but it also beautifully fitted and the white and black contrast is just so sophisticated/smart. I fell in love with it immediately. I wear it with a blazer and fitted denim jeans to give that casual yet smart feel to the outfit. It cost me 20 pound which is quite a good price for a fitted blouse. You can grab a navy one online here:

http://www.riverisland.com/women/blouses--shirts/shirts/Navy-sheer-bow-neck-blouse-630176

I'm not a MASSIVE Primark fan and am a tiny bit of a snob when it comes to my clothing. I usually shop in Topshop, River Island or Miss Guided as I have found from previous experience of Primark that there items do not last very long and are not of good quality. 

However, that may have just been my local Primark as when I visited Hemel's Primark this week I found their items to be a lot more appealing. For some reason the shop had a much better feel to it and the clothes appeared better looking and of a better quality. I think this may have just been the fact that the Hemel Primark sells better items then my local one and is a better overall shop. Maybe my local Primark is the last to receive Primark's new season items? Who knows! If you do know, comment me below! 

But for the first time in a LONG time, I purchased some items from Primark. The first being this really adorable white peplum from Primark's Atmosphere range. The Peplum has a really sweet mesh shoulder and back which I absolutely loved as I love mesh detail on clothing. It adds that femininity whilst keeping it tasteful and sophisticated (which I adore). I have two other peplum tops from Topshop in burgundy and grey latex fabric which means the fabric is really moveable and fits nicely around your chest area. This top is not the same fabric but still has that stretch that I like in a tight fitted top. The fabric part is embellished with golden specs which really makes the top stand out and would make it an extra glamourous evening piece. For the first time I actually feel as though this Primark item will last me a while. It feels great quality, especially the mesh detail, which I was really surprised about and for 8 pound, the top is a bargain as well as a great quality of product. 

I also purchased this long Guns and Roses tank top. I have been looking for a top like this for a while as I often see people teaming similar band tees with leggings or shorts and thought it would be a great item to add to my college clothes collection. I love the glittery embellishment on the top especially as it gives the item that girly touch that you do not often find with band tees. The product is also of great quality and like most cotton based tank tops, is lightweight and breathable. I love the detail within the logo as well as it really show cases the beauty of the Guns and Roses band logo. I will be teaming this top with black leggings or denim jeans in the winter months and hopefully shorts during the summer, making it a diverse piece for all year round. This tank top cost me 6 pound! What a bargain! 

That concludes my London and Hemel Haul but if you would like to ask me any questions about the items, please don't hesitate to comment! 

:) 

Thanks

G