Summer Scrapbook

So far we have had a typical gloomy British summer; but not being one to give up hope I am still in anticipation for my favourite summer cliches- Those hot sunny days and warm everlasting nights, the feeling of sand in my toes and the smell of sea in the air, picnics in the forest and bbqs that last all day. Its these little things that make life, well, life!


“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

-F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

It is also my favourite season for fashion. I have a great love of fantasy and think that summer is the perfect time to express this. So here are a few looks I can't wait to try this year...weather permitting.

Club Tropicana (drinks are freeeeeeeee).

Getting a taste of the exotic with vibrant prints which will brighten up even the most sombre of days. Think palm trees, birds of paradise,citrus fruits and sunset colours.

Modern-day Cinderella.

Ballerina style dresses in soft colours look so elegant and would be perfect for a midsummer night. Would be amazing with some killer heels or grunged up with Dr Martens, leather jacket and layered metallic jewellery.

Riding the Waves of Fashion.

The beach babe look is one that is always a summertime winner. Minimal make-up with hints of colour teamed up with tousled hair and sun-kissed skin is effortlessly stylish. Its so easy to be overly polished when it comes to fashion and we end up spending so much time deciding if this goes with that and that with this; don't over complicate it. Sometimes all the planning, prepping and preening can be undermined with a simple gut instinct. Its all about warm earthy tones, loose unstructured clothing and layers of beaded bracelets.

Lighten up!

For a girly glamours look that works through the whole day and night; experiment with candy coloured shades that make you look as good as a 99. Pastels are one of the biggest trends this summer and is so diverse. It is something I cant wait to play around with with. Dresses and blazers add a sophisticated feel; whilst cute little shirts paired with denim skinnys are great for a lazy day in the sunshine.

Travel in more ways than one.

Light flowing fabrics, cropped tops, big ear-rings and embellishment are great for a Romany vibe to an outfit. Make a statement with chunky chains and buckles contrasted with elegant scarves and silks for that dishevelled bohemian look.

Fashion Games

Fashion is most definitely something to be played with; mixing different fabrics, clashing colours and contrasting styles- balance out an an androgynous tailored look with romantic hair and girly shades of pink/apricot lipstick.

We have ALL looked back on photos and thought 'Oh my gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad, what was I thinking?!? how could I go out looking like that?!?', but I think this is all part of growing into our own skin. It is only by trial(and more often than not) error that we really discover what suits us. And more importantly what we feel comfortable and confident in. A style of dress or cut of shirt may be what is 'oh so hot right now', but if it makes you feel like a 58stone bag-lady the point of wearing it is nil.


Never underestimate how unique and expressive style can make you feel :) After all, there are just far to many mediocre things in life, style shouldn't be one of them.

Nature VS Nurture

Like Father, Like Son  Daughter.

No matter how independent we are as people in a world of free choice and speech; we are inevitably shaped from our experiences in life.

I know that much of what I do is influenced (either subconsciousnesly or consciously) by my parents. My style is no exception. 

Although some of my dads fashions choices are questionable- I know this months Vogue have have paired wool trousers with trainers, and tracksuit trousers with high heels; I remember since I was little my dad would wear his work shoes with trackies...something I laughed at then and something I still laugh at now.

Yet fashion is constantly recycling itself. Patterns and textures that disappeared for a over a decade, have a way of finding itself back into our wardrobe. 

And I'v found as my parents waistlines have increase so has wardrobe...

A Grey woollen jumper with diamond design perfect with daisy dukes (especially in British Summer weather!) and will be a constant well into the winter months aswell.

The silk shirt is a must for pretty much everyone. So classic and simple, yet unlike other shirts which are so restricting the light material makes it comfortable and breathable; whilst still having a fantastic lines to flatter any body shape. Its also a great way of introducing colour to an outfit.

Be Inspired

'Fashions fade, Style is eternal'

Wardrobe inspiration is everywhere- whether coming from a magazine, a blog or someone walking past you in the street. Our concept and ideas about fashion and what to where is ever changing as a direct result form the world around us.

But its important to be INSPIRED- people seem to confuse the idea of inspiration with copying. What is it about the look that you love?...The colour scheme, the material, the texture, the pattern, the fit, the line of the item are all things that make an outfit truly inspirational. So its important not to be a direct carbon copy of what is in front of you- style is very much about the individual and what it says about you. Not what it says about someone else. I think without personal input to an outfit, the ability to actually wear it with confidence and conviction is unachievable.

Heres a few things that have inspired my wardrobe...

 I LOVE Edie Sedgwick- Famous for being one of Andy Warhol's 'superstars', she is one of the biggest sixties icons, being effortlessly glamorous. Leggings, fur, BIG earrings and what inspires me the most; her make-up. I love the thick dark eyes creating a sharp crease with the combination of a nude lip. A look which works so well more than 40 years on.

Cio Manhattan!

Lets Begin.

A little glimpse of me...

I am currently studying English Literature in the pursuit of a career in the magazine industry (in particular fashion) and thought there's no better way to get my writing out there than with my own blog :).

So Why fashion?

Dianna Vreeland was quoted saying, 'fashion must be the intoxicating release from the banality of the world' and I believe no truer words have been said. There is so much in life which is confined by rules and regulations; as a result we no longer live to the rhythm of the world, but the rhythm of the machine. Fashion however, is all about play- there are no rules. It is purely dependent on the individual. The expression of inner creativity is what makes it so exciting and captivating. It creates beauty from the smallest of things; and constantly evolves which in-turn challenges our preconception of what beauty is.
Fashion is inescapable. Not everyone enjoys reading and those who don't may not even touch a book as long as they live- books become superfluous to their life. Yet fashion is an integral part of all our lives. We communicate to one another through fashion- whether its to do with our religion, culture or status we define our identity through our physical appearance. Even those who purposely choose to 'opt out' fashion/identity, automatically fall into another category- to 'opt out'.
Ultimately I feel although fashion in it's most simple form deals with the surface; it actually does so much more. 


And without it the world is blank.