'You're Giving Me a Hipster Penguin Vibe Right Now'

Sweatshirt: TopShop
Backpack: New Look
Trousers: ASOS

Thank you, strange man in coffee shop,  for that soundbite. Apparently when wearing this sweater, I look like a hipster penguin. It's certainly niche, but I can think I can get on board. I've already used this look once with Hannah Dorman and have now shamelessly stolen it for myself. Sorry pal, but I love it. Turns out bright orange stripes set against a monochrome outfit are an (occasionally clashing) marriage made in heaven.  

This is yet another attempt to get more colour into my wardrobe. Perhaps going straight from nothing to neon was quite extreme, but there we go. This has to be one of the comfiest sweaters I have ever worn - so easy to throw on with jeans and trainers and still look like you've made some kind of effort. I don't think I've ever worn something that's prompted such a wide spectrum of reactions - it's ranged from "ah it's so cool!" to "why would you ever wear neon orange in public?" And then, obviously, there's being told I look like a penguin, which isn't exactly something you hear everyday...but penguins are really cute, right? So I'm gonna go ahead and take it as a compliment. 

...I can actually see where he's coming from. Oh well.

Hannah xx

P.S Thanks to Katie for the photos! 

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I'm not Wearing your Grandmother's Curtains

Kimono: Pull and Bear
Crop Top: Pull and Bear
Cigarette Trousers: TopShop

Hey! Haven't done one of these posts in a while - mainly because it turned out stocking up on the season's latest offerings on a weekly basis wasn't economically sustainable. Shocking. But I've done a bit of an autumn haul, which included this curtain...I mean this kimono. I'm really not used to wearing prints, but they're pretty hard to avoid right now - guess I'll just have to get used to it,

There are two key elements at play here - you can thank the 1970's revival for blurring the line between wallpaper patterns and fashion statements. But, equally, the oriental trend has covered the British high-street in intricately detailed clothing. So...this is the result; paisley print kimonos. If you like this kind of thing - and it's definitely growing on me - Pull and Bear have some really nice styles at the moment. They even have a matching skirt...but, in my mind, that's just overkill.

Personally, I think prints work best when paired with block or plain colours - one complements the other in such a way that both stand out. Covering yourself head-to-toe in paisley, a la the 1970's, is risky - and not only because the next time you visit your gran, you might blend in with the backdrop.

Anyway, I'm trying really hard to welcome the paisley into my wardrobe and, eventually, my heart...but it might be a difficult journey...*wipes tears of struggle away from face*

Don't worry. I'll pull through.

Hannah xx

P.s Thanks to Katie for the photos!

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A Field Day with Hannah Dorman

Boyfriend Coat: TopShop
Backpack: New Look
Boots: New Look

Jumper: TopShop

Sleeveless Jumper: Miss Selfridge

Shorts: TopShop

Sweater: TopShop

Say hi to Hannah Dorman! The gorgeous gal who's upcoming single 'Take Control' has been 'Track of the Day' for BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex. And with her single launch in October, the Guildford based singer/songwriter is going from strength to strength. 

It was great to have a whole day dedicated to trying out different looks and seeing which ones worked best. We ended up settling on three looks: a timeless monochrome, a 'transitional' piece and something a little more sporty. My fave was the monochrome, It's a consistent classic, and Hannah makes it look effortless and stylish. "I feel like an art student", she says, as I make her 'candidly' walk through the field for the hundredth time, but that's no bad thing. I hear those guys are meant to be pretty cool. The TopShop jumper is perfect for winter (it's coming guys, we can't avoid it forever). It's simple without being boring, and, like every other piece of upper body clothing at the moment, has that staple high neck detail which is both flattering and necessary - we're British, and it's cold. 

By 'transitional' piece, I mean something to wear when the weather can't make it's mind up. It might be sunny, but absolutely freezing...or tipping it down, but feel like the tropics. It's a constant struggle. So a sleeveless jumper is your best bet. It's still warm, and you can easily throw a coat over it, but hopefully it won't cause you to overheat during this sporadic Indian Summer we're having. The little Miss Selfridge number is great - it's light colour brings out Hannah's lovely olive skin tone and shows off the fact that summer actually worked for her. I'm not bitter. 

Anyone who's read my blog before will know I love sport chic, so obviously I had to incorporate it into the shoot. I think I might be in love with the sweater, it's like wearing a brightly detailed hug. (I know this because I have since stolen it for myself...sorry Hannah). Sport chic is something I was keen to get Hannah into, as it's a look she doesn't necessarily wear that often - unless she's actually doing sport, which probably makes more sense. But she definitely pulls it off, from the scrunchie, homemade by Tara Scott, right down to her gym trainers. 

A big thanks to Hannah for being an excellent model!

Keep an eye out for her new video for 'Take Control', which will be released via her Youtube channel this Sunday (27th). And catch her at the World's End in Finsbury Park for the single launch on October 16th!

Hannah xx 

N.B I have not been talking about myself in third person this whole time. 

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Knitwear

Jumper: Beyond Retro, Brighton
Jeans: Plenty, at Urban Outfitters
Choker: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Urban Outfitters 

Amazingly, I am not all in black. I haven't gone as far as wearing bright colours, but you've got to start somewhere.

I love a good vintage knit, and the Autumn/Winter season is the perfect time to bring them out in all their patterned glory. As a little twist, I'm trying out a cropped knit from Beyond Retro in Brighton. I really like the style, it works brilliantly with high waisted jeans to create a casual look that's perfect for the chillier days. Plus, the slight shapelessness gives a sort of Nineties vibe, which, as you're probably more than aware, is a key look at the moment.

I'm probably jumping on the bandwagon a little early, but chunky knitwear is always a staple for Autumn/Winter. The styles tend to remain relatively constant from year to year - a slightly offbeat pattern and a cable knit design are pretty much all you need for the look. And there's no need for it to be expensive. You can grab them from vintage shops, charity shops or even just your dad's wardrobe from the 70s.

I'm so looking forward to stocking up on these knits, they're just easy to throw on and wrap up. I'm especially loving the high-neck styles that are coming in at the moment, they add an element of chic to an otherwise casual style.

Jumper: ASOS

But it's definitely too early for the full-on christmas jumper, September is not the time to start dressing like our pal Colin...

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Cut it Out

Cut Out Blouse: Boohoo.com
Leggings: River Island
Bralet: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Vagabond, Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Continuing my love affair with black and sheer clothing, I instantly fell for this blouse from Boohoo. The cut out shoulder detail and high neckline create a shape that would flatter any body type. It was slightly harder to take the pictures though, as it turns out my skin is the same colour as my standard white backdrop, and the look does require existent and visible shoulders...

The cut out trend is great for the summer-to-autumn transition period. It still shows skin, but only in fragments, suggesting a slow move toward covering up for the new season. Although I prefer the cut out shoulder style, this is not the only way to wear the trend:

The cut-out waist dress is a pretty timeless piece, but has seen a relaunch this summer. Personally, I find it difficult to wear, but that's how I am with most dresses...so I might not be the best the judge. It's tricky to get right. The cut-out detail has to hit the waist at precisely the right point to be flattering and, if that happens, then it can look really good. But, if you're like me and you have never found a waisted dress that actually goes in at your waist (because you're basically too short for that to happen) then it's harder to find a style that works. That's just my experience, however!

Get the trend while you can, before it gets too cold to have any skin on show at all. River Island and Motel have some really nice styles - click the links to have a look! But, while I love the trend, I'll be avoiding any white back drops - I don't want to risk blending in.

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