The Autumn Wardrobe

London Fashion Week is about to draw to a close, so whilst the models have walked down the catwalk showcasing next seasons must have pieces, I started to think about my wardrobe for the Autumn.

Or in my case, an excuse to go shopping!

The days are getting shorter, colder, and wetter, so it's goodbye to the shorts and vests, and a hello to a trip down the shops to buy these pieces that I have found for you (or a click on the links to get them online!).
Your wardrobe will be ready to battle any storm Autumn throws at you.

Let's start with shoes. Afterall, most people check out what shoes you are wearing on first impressions, so you need to get these right. For me, brogues are a must have this winter because they can be worn for any occasion. Try walking through the wet streets in some suede shoes and your socks will drown, brogues however, will keep your toes warm!

These bad boys can be found here, and will compliment any outfit. The light brown means you can wear it with any jeans and still look smart or casual, depending on your look! Buy them here.

What to wear on the bottom half is always a bit tricky in the summer, but the autumn is easy and Topman have got it completely covered in this department!

You need three pairs of trousers; One pair of dark denim jeans, one pair of light jeans, and one pair of black jeans. You don't need any others, honestly, as these three colours will provide you with every combination you need, from smart to casual, lunch or partying. 

The rule to jeans this season is to have them tapered, and the brogues match them too!

Number 1 can be bought here, Number 2 is here, Number 3 is here. Don't forget your student card if you are starting at university!

When it comes to tops, there are so many out there with a range of different designs. From patterns, to stripes, to the standard white shirt, the shops are your oyster. Especially when they will be hidden under jumpers or coats and scarfs!

Therefore, here are 4 tops that are on my shopping list (which you can view here), and will last the autumn and into winter!

Buy number 1 here, Number 2 here, Number 3 here, and Number 4 here.

Whilst you have your base layer sorted for when you get to the pub or dinner, it is all about what you wear on top whilst walking down the high street. If it isn't too bad out, then a jumper or cardigan will keep you warm. A burgundy kint will go well with any of the jeans, and my choice would be this absolute gem from All Saints.

You can buy it here, and know you will be wrapped up warm for when the snow comes!

Of course, autumn means coats and jackets. Whilst some of last seasons coats will still look great this year, there is always room on the coat rack for a new one. For me, big hooded parkas are a must for when the snow or rain is hammering down, whilst the classic bomber is great when the sun does pop out.

You can find the Bomber jacket here, and pick up the parka jacket here! 

Obviously there are so many different varieties around on the high street, so don't be afraid to mix and match your outfit choices and go for different colours in the coats, it will still look great and keep you stylishly warm.

Throw together some accessories if you want too, and my top (not-to) secret... Ski socks under your jeans to stay warm!

I'm going to go grab a glass of mulled wine to get into the autumn spirit, let me know if you have found any pieces and I will share them on Pinterest too!

ASOS Black X Puma

ASOS has always been a favorite website of mine, and I know a lot if you shop on there too, which is why I was so excited to be invited along to their launch night for their new collaboration with Puma in East London.

Like the Adidas Spezial exhibition I popped along to last week, I haven't worn Puma in such a long time, so I was really keen to see what their latest collection looked like. 

Once we had finished up working for the day, me and Vitor hopped, skipped and jumped over to BoxPark in Shorditch for the launch of the second menswear collection by ASOS BLACK x Puma.

I wore a plain basic Tee from Topman, with a necklace to break it up.

After a couple of drinks and catching up with some friends we spotted in the crowd, we grabbed a moment to have a look at the look book and chose our favorites. The first collaboration between the two brands brought style and sport together, something I am always a little skeptical about going wrong for any sport brand. Get it wrong, and it doesn't work. Get it right, and everyone wants in.
However, young, hip and trendy, the second collection isn't a sports brand trying to be fashionable, its stylish and on-trend, and everyone wanted in, including us!

It was a little like 'Hello 2013, I am the 90s revival and this is what is cool right now in my world.'

Vitor went for one of the new vests.

Whilst I have fallen in love with one of the new sweatshirts!

There are no large logos splattered across coloured tees, instead patterned jumpers and tees that would fit right in the wardrobe make up the majority of the collection. Throw in some sweatpants too, and you are decked out for all year round!
The collection is available on ASOS now (check it out here), so take a look and pick our something new for the wardrobe.
Go on, treat yourself! Here are a couple of my other faves from the collection...

I absolutely love Boxpark, because you always come across pop-ups that are there for a short bit of time, can buy something that isn't owned by everyone, and grab a bite to eat upstairs too! If you haven't discovered this little gem, then head over there one evening and check it out for yourself.

You will enjoy it, promise!

After a few more drinks and feeling a bit tipsy, we made our way downstairs and had a look through some of the stores who were still open, including Hype and One Piece, before grabbing a bite to eat and heading into the night for another drink...

Christmas Partying

A good work Christmas party has to involve an open bar, fancy dress, and those moments that will be spoken about the next day.

Fortunately for me, I had the following day booked off. With a Christmas party set in the heart of Soho, it was obvious that I was going to head out clubbing afterwards, dressed in my outfit that began with the letter E (my company is going through the alphabet, I am already planning F), and then pass out on the night-bus home only to wake up in Peckham. 15 minutes past my stop!

I blame the open bar that was clearly calling for me to consume as much alcohol as humanly possible.

A drunk Egyptian is always a fun sight in the heart of Soho, right?

With everyone in their outfits, we headed over to The Player in Soho. An underground cocktail bar that did not disappoint, and I would recommend you all to go to if you need a venue for some christmas drinks, or after work cocktail! The Goonies on old fashioned television sets, 1970's style lamps and 100 people in fancy dress.



The bar staff were great, and were able to accommodate any request. They even made a special home-brewed cocktail for one couple, which obviously left them worse for wear. Luckily, the canapes that came out helped them sober up slightly!

In the words of Miss Burke... there's an Elephant (or two) in the room!

Even our lovely HRH Queen Elizabeth made it out to celebrate!

An Etch-A-Sketch, Envelope and Eighties girl...

The winner of the best fancy dress went to the Emergency Exit!

Having the Empire State Building as an outfit was genius.

At the end of the night, the lights came up, colleagues unlocked their lips and realised who they have been kissing (standard party procedure!),  and we ventured out into Soho. A few of us moved onto another club, before me and Vitor jumped on the bus back home.

That's the great thing about having a friend live round the corner from you. You can nod off and they will wake you when you get to your stop.

Unless they fall asleep too and you both wake up in Peckham! Well, that is what google maps said when we had to find out our location! If you ever happen to fall asleep on a bus, don't do it dressed as an egyptian or 80's clubber - the looks you get are horrific!

The only way I can describe the next day is by this...



How was your Christmas party? Drop a comment below and let me know where you went, and if you ended up a little too far from home too!

x

Pam Hogg. London Fashion Week

For the gay guys and straight women, you can stare at the fashion and pretty men around the room.

For the straight guys and gay women, you can stare at the women and their immaculate figures. Oh, and the odd boob too.

For the majority of last night, I was flashing away on my Blackberry to catch shots of the latest collection from Pam Hogg for SS13. London Fashion Week is upon us. Another week of models strutting their stuff, designers showcasing the latest collections, and celebrities battling for FROW seats.

Pam Hogg was no exception last night. From Jaime Winstone to Alfie Allen, to Kate Nash and Nick Cave, this show was full to the rafters with many people turned away, and the reason was obvious. The collection was utterly different and flawless, especially with the model Alice Dellal taking to the catwalk for this too.


The camers are set.

Entitles 'Save Our Souls', the show opened like a minture concert. A model, cladded as a nurse, made her way down the catwalk whilst the music began to fill the air. As the lights came up, the collection of spandex inspired bodysuits floated down the floor. The theme of souls continued, with the models portraying a bewildered, lost-soul persona as they flaunted the collection.

Whilst these looked breathtakingly fantastic (and you know Jessie J will probably crack a few of them out), it wasn't until the wedding inspired dresses took to the runway that the room really applauded Hogg's work. Backless dresses, Queen Elizabeth inspired head pieces, this was my highlight of the show. It was more a case of what the models wasn't wearing, but the pieces were amazing. Although there may be a few eyebrows raised in the church should someone wear them to their wedding.

Oh, and straight guys, this is when you really would have wanted to pay attention.










Spot the blogger? Here is a clue... Furthest left

With the final walk of honour from the models, the entire crowd rose to a standing applause as the designer made her way down the catwalk. The lights came back up, and we made our way out of venue, discussing the collection we had just seen.

Oh, a quick pose outside the venue before heading out to dinner.

I chose loafers from Aldo. Blue Skinny jeans from Topman. Plain White Tee from River Island. Cream Blazer from Zara.

Frankie chose her dress from Topshop, and a vintage denim jacket.

London Fashion Week continues until Tuesday, 18th September. Go here for more info!

Jeans. By MQT

I can hear you now...

'MQT? Who are they. I have never heard of them before.'



Neither had I to be honest, until I discovered their jeans and shorts range through a friend and suddenly got excited about them. The main difference about these jeans is that they come from a family run business, which actually means that you are probably getting something that has taken generations to perfect.

Think of your grandads jeans, with a 2012 fashionable twist, and you have MQT.


Being intrigued, I headed down to Selfridges (one of the many stockists) to take a look and try some on. They fit well, look good, and made me feel like I was wearing something that didn't come from a factory churning out 1000's of the same item.

Plus, I am being a trendsetter by wearing them!

The only downside was that they didn't have my size in stock in the colour I wanted. So I had to leave with a little dent in my excitement. Oh well, at least we can look at some pretty pictures of them instead until they come back in...













Having red hair is optional.

Whilst their website can give you more info, and you can buy them online at ASOS, you should head down to Selfridges and see for yourselves how nice these are. They are pretty good value for money too, and know they will last longer than other brands.

We can all be trendsetters!