Hey Summer…slight issue…I’m a Floral-Phobic.

Among spiders, the fear of getting hit by an oncoming lorry and possibly the fear of never, ever extending my writing platform far beyond my blog (and those few magazines or books here and there that have taken and printed my oh-so-rambling words), I’m not so fanatic about colour.

Don’t get me wrong – I mean, I own a pair of fuchsia hotpants for goodness sake – but when push comes to shove, it’ll most definitely take the shove (or maybe, in the case of an orange, floral onesie or something of that garish nature, a gunpoint) to make me don something outside the monotone comfort zone.

For me, colour is selective. I’d rather just pick one colour, if any, to act as a statement, rather than drape myself in reams of rainbow-inspired fabrics. So, what’s a girl to do when this season the likes of Stella McCartney, Erdem, Prada and beyond offer dresses that look a little like the meadow-fairy vomited up its petal-happy insides all over them? And on a ‘scape money out of your purse – I’m a student and I can’t get a part-time job ANYWHERE despite being BRILLIANT’ budget, Topshop just ain’t gonna go back to Autumn’s array of black, maroons and camels at the click of a finger, I’m afraid.

But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to wear a little bit of floral here and there. Just not a huge amount. And most definitely, in small doses.

What to wear when colour isn’t your thing

-          Just don’t wear them all at once…

  

 

Ditch the usual black; inject some colour into your boots. These floral Dr. Martens would look great with denim shorts and a tee (and yes, those shorts and a tee can be black, if you so wish – the bright colour of the shoes balances out the other dark shades.) I like this. A lot.

 

 

 

 

Keep the shorts floral, and the rest? Not so much. Floral is not a trend to be overloaded, especially when wearing something quite stand-outish, such as these shorts (from Topshop). To keep the ‘less is more’ theology, wear something like this with relatively plain shoes, tops and accessories. After all, you don’t want to take away the attention from that statement item.

 

 

There’s no summer without the sunnies. A personal favourite of mine – the floral sunglasses. There’s no better way for understated summer colour than with your sunglasses, especially since you might spend the height of your sunny days with them glued and surgically attached to your face. Though, the Dolce & Gabbana pair in the picture, pretty as they are, cost around £160. Back to the ‘I have no money point’, just go to ASOS for £9.

Still not feeling it? Don’t forget jewellery or accessories when going for a trend, and here it’s one of the easiest things of all to get right. Set off and otherwise plain look with a ring, a necklace or a pair of earrings and rejoice – you’ve mastered a little bit of floral without having to don a fruit-salad leopard.

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How are you guys planning to wear floral this spring/summer? Or maybe you’re planning to steer well-clear?
Comments much appreciated.

Rachel xxx

P.S: Since November, I’ve been doing some work as a ‘Style Councillor’ for The Shopping Forecast. Feel like checking out some of the items I’ve picked? Maybe even placing a few votes? THANKS.

http://www.theshoppingforecast.com/councillor/Rachel-Michaella,-United-Kingdom.aspx

The Walking, Talking Advertisement.

“Forget flyers. Wear your ads.”

So it was during my recent time in Spain that I stumbled across these incredibly awesome items of clothing - a whole range of fashion blogging t-shirts! After trying on pretty much the entire range (from a shop called ‘Pimkie’ - I’ve been into their stores in both Spain and Germany), I decided to not buy the black one (which, coming from my insane love for the shade, was a huge phenomenon) and settled on the white one, boldly proclaiming “Everybody Talks About My Blog!” [See bottom picture].

Much as I doubt this is true, (though why we’re on the topic, why not do me a favour and go up to the person nearest to you and start a conversation about how awesome my blog and myself are?), as a fashion blogger I find this nerdishly cool. And what a conversation starter (- “You have a blog?” – “Well, now that you mention it…”).

P.S: And I love the Topshop lipstick I’m wearing. Très gothique.

Any fashion bloggers out there, how do you go about getting the word out about your work?

Rachel xxx

Wardrobe Watch: Fashion Pearls of Wisdom

Your favourite fashion-savvy people share their wardrobes and their style wisdom. 

–

Pearl Westwood is a 29-year-old fashion blogger from Manchester, UK. Three words? Vintage. Vivienne. And an-eye-for-unbeatable-quality.

"A typical summer look." - Vintage dress and cherry shoes

Is there anything in particular that influences the way you dress?

History is something which inspires me; I am fascinated by the history of fashion and style. My favourite designer, Vivienne Westwood, uses a lot of historical references in her work which gives her an edge that other designers do not have. She not only uses historical pieces for inspiration but also reworks historical cuts into modern masterpieces. I would say my friends also influence my style, as I shop and buy different things depending on which group of friends I am with.  I love going out with my ‘Westwood’ friends, we are all slightly obsessed with the Dame and love going out dressed head to toe in her designs. It is great fun seeing how differently we wear things too as we all have very different styles.

How would you describe your style?

And for winter? - Black trousers and her favourite leather jacket.

My style changes a lot between summer and winter. In winter I like to wear dark colours, black and grey with deep jewel tone accents, I love heavy fabrics and layer faux fur, leather, tweed, knits and boucle. I also adopt a sharper style with lots of tailoring and trousers. Whereas in the summer I like nothing better than a great full skirted dress, you can find really beautiful vintage ones. One thing that I am never without, no matter what season, are some sky high heels. I collect jackets and am lucky enough to have some incredible ones, but my favourites are my leather jacket by Ann Demeulemeester, my grey Chanel boucle and a red vintage chiffon jacket with intricate gold and black beading.

How often do you go shopping – and where?

I am always shopping, it is an addiction hobby! I love scouring vintage stores (Cow is my favourite and eBay) and my favourite designer boutiques (Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, Selfridges). I tend to stay away from high street stores as I can’t stand to waste money on bad quality, but if I do need something I will go to Zara. I much prefer vintage bargains or saving up for a quality designer piece. Of course I love to shop for myself but I have an online vintage store www.shopstreetstyle.com so I am always on the lookout for beautiful pieces to fill it. Nothing makes me happier to see someone wearing one of the pieces I have sourced.

"Perfect for running around in everyday....they're such good quality and they last for years" - Vivienne Westwood Heels

I’ve got no idea!! Probably one of my scraggy old t-shirts or a pair of jeans. Oh no wait actually it is my original Chanel 2.55 handbag, which is around 60 years old now. I feel so lucky to own something Coco Chanel herself designed; she was such a strong, influential woman. I still love Chanel, Karl Largerfeld is amazing, but Coco was something else. I wrote an entire post on that bag so I won’t go off on a tangent here about it, but yeah I think it should be in a museum not swinging off my arm!

And the newest?

A Vivienne Westwood black pencil skirt, with a quirky series of panels on the back that hug your tush, it is classic but certainly not average! I have been after the perfect black skirt like that for ages so was really pleased to find it on sale for £60, you would pay that for Topshop.

"My last big splurge...so beautifully made and a real statement too!" - Jacket by Vivienne Westwood

Designer all the way!! I would say my wardrobe is 50% designer 40% vintage and 10% high street. I really hate the high street, I know that sounds snobby but I cannot stand wasting money, which is what I always feel after a high street buy. Knits always bobble, dresses always fray, trousers lose their shape etc. I have a few basics from Zara, which I think is probably the best value for money, and I always by my tights from Primark (my dogs are forever laddering them) but that is about it. If you shop smart you can buy designer on the same budget, scouring sales and outlet stores such as TK Maxx. I also champion vintage, you can buy a gorgeous vintage 80s dress for £20, which will be either a lot cheaper than the high street (Topshop, French Connection etc) or the same price (Primark, New Look) but it will be 100 times better quality and no one will ever have the same dress!

If you could give one piece of fashion advice, what would it be?

"My favourite high heels!"

Have fun! Fashion is just like dressing up when you were a kid, enjoy it and don’t worry too much about getting it right! That and hunt out the best quality you can find for your budget – you will never regret investing in something that will last you a life time.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

The first pair of shoes I fell in love with were a grey pair of Secret Key shoes from Clarks, when I was about 5. They had a clear section in the heel with a picture in it and a crystal on the front. My mum says I refused to take them off even for bed, I would struggle to pull on my PJ’s over them, she had to sneak in when I was asleep to take them off.

What made you want to start blogging, and why do you love it?

I just love fashion, wearing it but also writing about it. It is great to be able to share this passion with like minded people and of course meet so many new friends along the way.

Pearl Iridescent Sequin Vintage Jacket - "I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and wore it home....a great vintage sequin or beaded jacket makes any outfit special."

How do you try to keep your blog unique to you and your style?

My blog is unique because it is about me, so it could never be anything else! I know many bloggers do outfit posts and things but each one is unique as everyone has such different tastes. Another key part of my blog are my fashion history pieces such as a post on the Chanel 2.55 handbag. I also write posts on how to spot designer fakes which so many people have emailed me to say I have helped them, there is no better feeling than knowing you have helped others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And her wardrobe itself?

“A stash of black trousers, some colourful vintage shirts, some Vivienne Westwood on the left and my big fantasy (faux) fur chubby on the right.”

Check out Pearl’s blog at: http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/ 

Rachel xxx

Do you want to be featured on ‘Wardrobe Watch’? Just drop me a quick e-mail to watchthisplace@hotmail.co.uk telling me a little bit about who you are and why you’d like to be featured. Simple, right?

Music Monday: Vices & Virtues

Coming back with a new album after half of your band decides to quit is never going to be an easy thing, especially when you’re Panic! at the Disco and you’ve just lost your lead songwriter. But, far from the dreamy, Beatle-esque sound of their second album, Panic! return to their roots with their third album – Vices & Virtues – (released in the UK today), sounding much more like their 2005 debut album ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’, with plenty of electronic sounds and studio-sythesized effects to suit even the most stubborn ‘the-first-album-was-the-best’ devotee.

For fans of alternative-rock meets dance-pop experimentation. Or anyone wanting to spontaneously dance. Or maybe, just maybe, you agree that lead singer, Brendon, knows how to rock a pair of goggles.

Favourite tracks:

- Trade Mistakes
- Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met)
- The Calender
- The Ballad of Mona Lisa
- Ready to Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind)

Just so you know…you know?

So, I’m back from a trip to Spain…

…but before more serious, incredible, super-cool blogging can commence, I thought I’d post a quick update.

This year sees the first ever Winchester Fashion Week, and I have the incredible opportunity of being involved as a journalist in the whole affair.

The lovely WFW people recently launched their offical blog (http://winchesterfashionweek.blogspot.com/
), where you’ll be able to see the run-up to the much-anticipated event before it commences on the 25th July 2011. There’s even a awesome article by yours truly and an amazing shout out that made my day.

So. Do it. Visit it.
Be cool.
Spread the word.

Love,

Rachel xxx

French Fashion, Glitter Eyeshadow and lots of Orange…

 

The Style Council’s Weekly Fashion Roundup

 

“As summer draws yet closer, there is plenty of fashion inspiration from some of our favourite blogs and even some ideas on spring make up. There is also some news on how one organisation is helping those suffering in Japan by sending shoes.

 
Freya Hill Talking About Fashion – I’m Turning French - A dedication to French Fashion
Style meets Story – Have a heart donate a soul - Recent Japan earthquake impacts the next Soles4Souls project
Watch This Place – Make-up this season? More is more. Weird and wonderful make-up this season offers a change from monotonous minimalism
The Shopping Forecast - Fashion Inspiration for autumn winter 2011 from Milan Fashion Week-  our pick of the most notable collections
The Fashion Buzz – Orange Picks for spring 2011 - some juicy orange pieces and some ideas on how to wear them
Style Eyes – Tout Noveau – a great place to find some of the seasons hottest prints”

- Edited by Ceri Heathcote

Rachel xxx

 

Music Monday

“It’s music-themed and has alliteration. Brill. What better title to give a feature.”

Fact of the day: I love music. A hell of a lot. And the result of this? …I’m proud to introduce a brand new feature on this blog. It’s musical. And on a Monday.

Let me know what you think!

__________________________________________________________________________

Forget good ol’ traditional marketing – I first heard about ‘The Product’ when they tweeted me. And, intrigued, I checked out their music.

The four-piece twenty-somethings are an unsigned band from Detroit, USA, who enjoyed incredible success with their 2009 EP “Break The Silence” and are currently working up to the release of their second EP. The sound? Think Framing Hanley meets The Blackout and guitar-riff driven rock with versatile growling vocals. Having already embarked on a tour and been voted the no.1 band on Alternativeaddiction.com, the signs are all pointing towards bigger and brighter things.

In conclusion, I totally have a new music obsession.

Check them out:

Love it?

Rachel xxx