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. 

SHARE:

0 comments

The Time Little Grim got Caught Trespassing in a Car Park

Jeremy - Joe - Roger - Chris  

You know those days where you follow four guys around with a camera, shouting 'LOOK NATURAL' at the top of your voice? Yeah? Pretty sure we've all been there. Meet Little Grim, a London-based alt-rock quartet, who recently played a packed out show at Guildford's Boileroom supporting Little Comets. Sounds like things are definitely on the up.

After the release of 'Vice' in February - great track, go listen here - the boys have been non-stop gigging and taking time to write new material. I've been lucky enough to preview their upcoming single 'Sparks' (release date T.B.C) and it's sounding bloody great, so keep the necessary senses peeled for that one. Both Vice and Sparks have an element of vintage rock to them, and, coincidentally, 1970s fashion is making a comeback for the autumn/winter season. So that all worked out pretty well, really. That said, the 1970s is tricky to get right, and one bold coloured novelty piece too many can take an outfit from fashionably retro to ABBA tribute act in a matter of seconds. (The world just isn't quite ready for your yellow corduroy shirt, Jeremy.)

With that in mind, I was keen to keep the 70s theme relatively subtle - staying away from the flares and opting instead for a pattern shirt (Joe) and maroon chelsea boots (Jeremy). Actually, I'm particularly happy with the footwear finds - the chelsea boots were only £29.99 from H&M, whilst the boots being so excellently modelled by Chris and Roger were both an absolute steal from Primark. Also, these looks mark a definite moment - they're not all in black. We're not exactly talking statement colours, but still, I feel like I've grown.

Anyway, had a great day hanging out with the Little Grim guys. They bought me coffee and Wagamamas which, in my mind, are the only ways to be genuinely happy. And I think we all learnt a valuable life lesson - if you're walking through a car park and don't own one of the parked cars, you're technically trespassing. Who knew?

Catch Little Grim on October 15th at the Black Heart in Camden!

Hannah xx

SHARE:

0 comments

The Week in Accessories

Sunglasses: TopShop

Rings: Topshop

Shoes: Adidas at Urban Outfitters

In the past week, I've jumped on at least 3 bandwagons. I've started wearing rings, round (ish) sunglasses and bought a pair of Adidas' striped sliders. I'm pretty sure the latter is now owned by at least 50% of the UK, whilst the other 50% can't stand them. They were described by my flatmate as the 'hipster version of Crocs', and, while I can totally see the logic behind that, I don't care, because they're great. Like Crocs, I had it on good authority that they'd be the comfiest things I'd ever wear. This is not true. Do not listen to the lies. In seven days, I've used up an entire box of plasters and still my feet won't stop bleeding...but it's fine...true love always hurts the most.

Rings have never really been my thing, mainly because they're always too big for child-size hands. But maybe TopShop ring sizes have gotten smaller - or my hands have somehow gotten bigger - and now I'm obsessed. They're so pretty! And relatively cheap. They are quite clunky, and perhaps aren't the most practical accessories for a job that revolves entirely around typing, but definitely worth the hassle.

So I'm gonna limp my way through the rest of the week, weighed down by new ring obsession...but at least I won't be squinting! These sunglasses are literally the only pair I've ever owned that even vaguely work with my bizarre shaped head - most styles accentuate just how spherical my face truly is. Plus, the colour makes a nice contrast to what will (most likely) be an all-black outfit.

Hannah xx

SHARE:

0 comments

Back...(in Black)

Shirt: Urban Outfitters
Crop top: Missguided
Necklace: Topshop

Jacket: New Look
Trousers: ASOS
Trainers: Nike.com (Kids section, Boys 8 -15...yep, seriously)

Jacket: Pull and Bear

Aight*. So its been about half a year since I last posted. Twenty-fifteen has been a bloody busy year - finishing my degree and beginning to work as a blogger for Brighton Fashion Week; the latter certainly being a lot more fun than the former...

As you can see, not a lot's changed. I'm still all about that all black errythang - with the exception of my favourite pink check shirt, which comes into its own during summer. Aside from that, I'm welcoming the (sporadically) warm weather with these cropped trousers from ASOS. I won't lie, what I really wanted was a pair of culottes, which are perfect for summer because they're light and always look effortlessly stylish on anyone I see donning the trend. However, me being the diminutive person that I am, that effortlessness quickly became an ordeal of buying, tailoring and eventually returning. But I won't give up. Because short people absolutely can wear culottes - have a read of this.

Anyway, I found the cropped trousers. I've basically lived in them for the past 3 weeks; they're really flattering and can be dressed up or down. For me, it's the heavy-soled Nikes and long-line duster jacket/oversized shirt that works for a more casual look - I do love a bit of layering. But combine them with a pair of chunky heels and fancy crop top, if you want something a little more dressy.

Hopefully I'm going to be able to post more regularly from now on, especially seeing as I'm officially not a student anymore...excuse me while I have a minor panic attack...
So yeah, in the words of various film characters - "I'm Back"

See you soon!
Hannah xx

*Northern for Hello

SHARE:

0 comments

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.

SHARE:

0 comments

The Tapered Trouser

Top: Missguided.com
Trousers: Topshop

Tapered trousers are pretty much my favourite thing right now. They solve so many problems - it's 25 degrees outside and you're just not ready to brave it with a bare leg, but it's far far too hot for jeans...put a pair of these on. They're light, baggy and usually come in floral prints that are perfect for the summer.

There is nothing really new about this trend, aside from its transition from smart to undeniably casual. I'm more used to seeing them as part of a stylish suit on the red carpet than being worn around the city with flip flops and a basic crop.

Kristen Stewart

Tapered trousers work really well on all shapes and sizes. They're not hold-your-breath-and-prepare-not-to-breath style tight, like the jeans and trousers that have dominated fashion in recent years, but also they're not completely shapeless. The high-waisted aspect erodes the appearance of the dreaded muffin-top, whilst the soft gradation from baggy to tighter at the ankle gives the illusion of a flattering leg shape. And they really don't have to be expensive. All the standard high street chains are selling them - New Look is particularly good value.

New Look Tapered Trousers - £17.99

Personally, I'm not so keen on that particular print, but the shape and general idea is definitely there. Plus, I tend to discriminate against bright colours...so I might not be the best judge

SHARE:

0 comments

Back to Basics

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Summer fashion doesn't have to be all about prints and bold colours. Simple little pieces can work really well too. It's so easy to get lost in trends - which print is in right now? What colour can I wear with it? Is the outfit right for the season? The questions are endless. Sometimes it's easier to just give up and wear a slab of plain grey cotton with arm holes.

And it doesn't look half as bad as it sounds! Shapeless dresses are actually not that unflattering. I've avoided them like the plague for years, thinking that, because I am short, they will inevitably drown me in a sea of fabric. But with a good chunky heel, it really works. And the simplicity works too - really easy to accessorise and achieves a sort of 'effortlessly cool' feel.

It's what I like to call the 'sack' dress - utterly shapeless. Which, I admit, sounds pretty negative...but all it means is that it's casual, perfect for summer day wear.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a dress, simplicity is easily achieved through jeans a plain T, or a neutral coloured skirt and top. For me, less is always more - I'd rather an outfit be under-done rather than overdone. But maybe I'm just playing it safe...

SHARE:

0 comments

Big Hat or Tiny Person?

I really love hats, of all kinds, and I am loving that they're everywhere at the moment. Particularly, I love the big floppy hats that are all over the high street shops, and are not always made out of straw, as you'd expect with typical summer beach fashion...

These ones are far more chic. Vogue recently published a list of 22 hats to end  bad hair days forever, whilst remaining  stylish and sophisticated, and the classic big floppy hat - for want of a better name  -was a prominent feature. At the  moment, Topshop are doing some really nice styles for around £25, whilst ASOS also has a wide selection for around £15 - £20.

Hat by Topshop

Hat by ASOS

The only issue I have with this hat trend is that I'm tiny, and I'm not completely sure whether I can pull them off proportionally...plus I do worry that they make me look a little pirate-y...but I'm going to assume that's just me being paranoid! Hats work with all kinds of styles, from bohemian to preppy, and from vintage to entirely modern. They are incredibly versatile.

Vogue has said in the past that hats increase femininity - they change the way we move. We turn slowly, look sideways and pretend to ignore everything around us, giving women everywhere an air of complete and utter confidence. Though, honestly, I think it's more likely that these women are trying to prevent their hat from blowing off in the British winds...it's always a tricky procedure

SHARE:

0 comments

Tie-Dye Blue

It's been around for a while now, but tie-dye is blasting at full force this summer. So I picked this little number (above) a few weeks back from Urban Outfitters and have been wearing it whenever possible. It combines two main trends for summer 2014. One being tie-dye, obviously, and the other being the colour blue. According to Harper's Bazaar, these are two unstoppable crazes, especially when put together.

Graham & Spencer Velvet Cami

MiH Jeans Dress

J.Crew Bikini

Tie-dye has moved away from its original 'Hippie' background and is now at the forefront of high street fashion. It's had quite a journey. In the 70's it was seized by the peace adoring, shower ambivalent hippies, but then was reclaimed by 90's grunge.

Now, in the 2010's it's set to be a major player on 2015's resort season. Resort wear (or cruise wear) typically refers to upmarket stores or collections frequented by affluent members of society. Resort stores allow these people to kit themselves out in the latest trends, ready for their winter escape to some island in the tropics, populated solely by the rich and famous. 

But tie-dye is still very present on the British high street. The catwalk hasn't captured it yet!

You can find lush pieces in loads of stores: 

Tie Dye crop
Bone White for Urban Outfitters

Dark Dimension leggings
Yayer.com 

Tie dye/fringe crop
Topshop

SHARE:

0 comments

The Oriental Explosion

Yep. That's me on a Brighton rooftop, trying to look calm and collected whilst having internal seizures due to the fact that I'm sitting on an almost-too-thin ledge about 50 feet above the ground.

Anyway, it's meant to suggest the beginning of summer, which means vibrant prints and block colours become standard practice. As summer's answer to Ebenezer Scrooge, I'm not good with colour, and tend to reject it wherever possible. But it can look great, and definitely does show that you're able to welcome the sunny season with arms, that might be slightly burnt, but still remain wide open.

Prints, however, take more care. It's basically impossible to carry off an outfit that includes more than one type of print without looking like a circus attraction. It's better to mix with plain clothes, allowing the print to become the stand-out feature...

...which is why the kimono is so great. They are everywhere right now. In some sort of oriental high-street explosion, the kimono has become the perfect summer cover-up. It's a great way of making a plain outfit a little more suited to the season. An otherwise gloomy black number becomes instantly rejuvenated by the bright colours and floral print.

According to the magazines, the kimono is part of a wider trend that combines western elements with eastern stylistic traditions. Vogue, in Spring/Summer 2013, predicted a "Nouvelle Japonisme" would take hold of the high street in 2014, and this is precisely what has happened. The styles are perfect for the western summer, because they tend to use light fabrics and don't rely too heavily on that classic colour that persistently pervades British fashion in particular - black.

Etro 

Emilio Pucci

Obviously, the catwalk styles are always more extreme than the styles found on the hight street, but the concept is still clear. The trend is not entirely innovative - for years, designers have taken inspiration from the far east and used it in conjunction with western ideas, and it is no coincidence that Tokyo and Beijing are two of the biggest fashion hotspots in the world. But the orient has never hit the British high street as hard as it is hitting it right now.

The oriental explosion brings easy ways of dressing for summer with light materials, bright colours and eccentric prints. They can make a colourful outfit even more colourful, or a a relatively gloomy number at least acceptable for June/July. But I'm going to continue to walk proud in my all black, we'll probably only get sun for a week anyway...

SHARE:

0 comments

The Spring/Summer Subversion

It's that time again. The pastels are in their prime, florals are making their inevitable appearance and bold colours are boldly striding forth - spring/summer fashion is in bloom.

Pastels and bolds are fantastic, if you can pull them off. If you are like me, however, this is not easy to do. Pastel colours and pale skin were not made to co-exist, the combination usually results in an 'I've just got rid of the flu' look... Bold colours can work really well, depending on the undertone to your complexion. For me, red is a no-go, it brings out the pink in my skin and I end up looking like a lobster. 

So I propose black. Yes, it's a wintery colour, but we're British! It rains all the time anyway.

Black is eternally stylish, it never really goes out of fashion. Instead, season by season, it moves in and out of the forefront of colour trends.

But black was definitely present at the twenty-fourteen fashion weeks, and they proved that it doesn't have to be associated with the more 'sombre' seasons.

Take a look at Yves Saint Laurent 'Black Magic' at Paris Fashion Week

It's sophisticated, but not too heavy. It's smart, whilst still emphasising the complexion of both models.

And black is pervading the high street as well. A personal fave of mine are the black dungarees that are making a frequent appearance in the high street shops. Urban Outfitters have some great styles.

These tapered dungarees are great for spring. Their smart/casual style can work for both day and night - the 3/4 length leg would work perfectly with flats for the day time, or with a pair of heeled ankle boots for the evening. Plus, the dungarees can be coupled with something colourful, so if you are one for the pastel trend, the two can be combined. 

But, just because I tend prefer a more casual style, I prefer the classic denim dungaree - which also look great in black. These vintage dungarees are a throwback to 90's fashion, which has been making a huge comeback on the high street over the past year.

The whole 'oversized' look so popular with 90's fashion does risk looking a little sack-like...but the black dungarees add a little 'chic'-ness to the whole look. It's classy, but at the same time oozes that effortless cool that simply says "yeah, I threw this on...I haven't even showered yet, I don't care, I'm too cool to care"

Though it is a fine balance. Unfortunately the dungaree will always be associated with the stereotypical redneck American. So, without careful consideration, it becomes less high-street cool and more Texan farmer...

       ...and no one wants that.

SHARE:

0 comments