OOTD: Norfolk Girl

Coat – Sandro | Sweater* – Oasap | Trousers – Topshop | Boots – Topshop
 
A lot of people spent their Boxing Day queuing up for the sales. Now this may be a fashion blog, but Boxing Day for me means time with family, walks with the dogs and eating tons of food. That doesn’t mean I won’t be hitting the sales this weekend, but in the meantime I thought I’d relax and snap some photos.
Heading back to Norfolk for Christmas has been lovely, but I won’t deny that the weather feels a lot more fitting for Winter here than it does in London. So I grabbed my new Sandro coat, paired it with a chunky sweater, jeans and boots, and braved the cold. Walking the dogs isn’t really a stylish affair, but then I never really believed that you can’t be fashionable and practical.

The Big Christmas Jumper Debate

Mint Christmas Pudding Jumper* – New Look

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “Christmas jumper”? Cheesy? Mulled wine and minced pies? Maybe something hand knitted by your nan? When I asked my colleague the same question he admitted that he wore his for only a few hours on Christmas Day (mainly to satisfy his parents), and as soon as the unwrapping of presents was over he’d take it off again. It seems as though a lot of people feel the same way about Christmas jumpers, and I think it’s a bit sad.

They come in all shapes and sizes but if we’re all being truthful, they’re usually pretty tacky. However fashion brands in recent years have taken on the challenge of changing our view of the traditional Christmas jumper. From Primark to Topshop, the High St is littered with them at this time of year. You’ll find festive ones, funny ones, and maybe even some risqué ones. It sounds cliche, but surely there has to be something for everyone?!

I myself wasn’t a fan of Christmas jumpers until last year, when Topshop released this little gem. But what made me come round to the idea? Honestly I think it’s because stores have finally cottoned on that they aren’t something reserved for dad’s and awkward family dinners. Instead they’ve realised that they can be fashionable (and sometimes even chic), without being ott or tacky. Whether it’s a subtle Nordic print, or dainty crystal Christmas puddings, the Christmas jumper is no longer an embarrassment. It’s a fashion statement, and it’s here to stay. So don’t be a Grinch, join in the fun!

You can view my current Christmas jumper looks here.

OOTD: Tis The Season for Vintage Christmas Jumpers

ootd-christmas-jumper-beyond-retro-vintage-fashion-style-blog-blogger-bloomzy-3 ootd-christmas-jumper-beyond-retro-vintage-fashion-style-blog-blogger-bloomzy-5 ootd-christmas-jumper-beyond-retro-vintage-fashion-style-blog-blogger-bloomzy-4 ootd-christmas-jumper-beyond-retro-vintage-fashion-style-blog-blogger-bloomzy-6 ootd-christmas-jumper-beyond-retro-vintage-fashion-style-blog-blogger-bloomzy-7
Jumper* – Beyond Retro | Trousers – Topshop | Boots: Topshop

Thinking back to this time last year, I had one Christmas jumper…and I wasn’t a particularly big fan of wearing it. Fast forward and already I have three this year alone. One of those is from Beyond Retro (if you would kindly look at the photos above), which I’m trying desperately hard to pretend isn’t my favourite (so the others don’t feel left out).

If you had told me a few months ago that I would be wearing a vintage Christmas jumper I would have laughed in your face. When I think of vintage Christmas jumpers, I think of cheesy, itchy woollen things that your nan forced you to wear when you were 10. Well I was proved wrong with this little number, which was expertly handpicked for me by the Beyond Retro team. I never have much luck at finding vintage items that suit my personal style, so I was over the moon when I saw the Christmas jumper they had chosen for me. Clearly I need to go shopping with my own BR stylist. Daydreaming aside, this gorgeous piece has restored my faith in Christmas jumpers, and I already know I will be getting into the festive spirit and wearing it as much as possible. I wonder if I can get away with wearing it after Christmas? Who am I kidding? When something’s this fabulous, of course you can!

Pssst, if you missed my post on BR’s Christmas jumper pop-up, you can read it here. You can also view their amazing selection online at Beyond Retro.

OOTD: It’s Beginning To Look Alot Like…

Cardigan *- Mantaray at Debenhams | T-shirt* – Missguided | Trousers – Topshop
 
To say I’m beginning to get excited for Christmas would be an understatement. I love this time of year. Not because of the gift giving – although I do love to give gifts – but because of the feeling that comes with the season. December is probably the best month of the year. It’s difficult to explain, but things feel different. People are generally happier and act kinder, which is always noticeable when you’re living in London. Even the weather doesn’t seem so bad. I love to layer up, and my new cardigan from Debenhams offers a Nordic-inspired take on the usual Christmas sweater. Sure, it may be bitterly cold outside, but it’s ok because I can snuggle up in my blanket scarf with a big mug of tea and binge on chocolate and Netflix. It’s a special time of year, and I love it.

OOTD: Autumnal Bliss

Scarf – Primark | Sweater* – Oasap | Jeans – Topshop | Necklace* – Parla | Ring – Tatty Devine | Shoes* – ASH
 
Like most bloggers (and just people in general), Autumn is my favourite time of the year. It’s that perfect balance between too hot and too cold. The jumpers come out again, alongside light jackets and scarves – oh scarves, let me count the ways I love you. I enjoy layering clothes, but every Winter I tackle with big coats and waterproof shoes. That’s why Autumn is not only my favourite season for food and weather, it’s also the time of year when I can enjoy playing around with the items in my wardrobe.
Last weekend I made a quick stop in Norwich for my dad’s birthday, so naturally that meant taking my dog out for a walk in the woods next door to our house. I grabbed my new cosy knit from Oasap, alongside my Primark blanket scarf and a light coat. It turned out I didn’t even need the coat 5mins into our walk, which was quite lovely. It was also time to break in my new pony skin slip-ons from Repertoire Fashion, which paired incredibly well with the blanket of leaves that greeted us. As I planned to do a little shopping with my mum after our walk I wore my Antumbra necklace from Clarice Price Thomas with my Tatty Devine x Rob Ryan ring, just to look like I’d made some kind of effort. I may have been wearing a thick sweater and the biggest scarf known to man, but I still managed to feel pretty fashionable.

OOTD: Pattern Practise Take 2

missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-4 missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-3 missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-4 missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-5 missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-1 missguided-oasap-blogger-blog-fashion-style-statement-patten-tres-mignon-paris-sweater-shorts-glamorous-boots-2
Sweater* – Oasap | Shorts* – Missguided | Boots* – Glamorous | Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs

Another way to ease myself into patterns was to go for something I could pair with the basics in my wardrobe. As I’ve always been a fan of monochrome, it seemed like the perfect stepping stone.

These zig-zag monochrome shorts are so easy to pair with a plain tee or a slogan sweater. The statement pattern on them stands out enough though that I don’t fade into the background. Being high waisted they’re ridiculously comfortable (I am the only one who has discovered this?) and practically act as two pairs of shorts – I can wear them with a top/blouse tucked in, or throw a sweater/tee over top. I love owning pieces that can be manipulated in several ways – it makes my life easier, and my wardrobe lighter (but not my purse). Paired with tights and some cut-out boots, they transition perfectly into Autumn.

Mission 2 accomplished.

This post is part of the How to Wear Project in collaboration with Voucher Codes.

OOTD: Pattern Practise

ootd-fashion-style-blog-blogger-missguided-uk-florals-statement-pattern-1 ootd-fashion-style-blog-blogger-missguided-uk-florals-statement-pattern-4 ootd-fashion-style-blog-blogger-missguided-uk-florals-statement-pattern-2 ootd-fashion-style-blog-blogger-missguided-uk-florals-statement-pattern-3
Blazer* – Missguided | Tshirt* – Missguided | Jeans – Topshop | Boots – Topshop | Bag: Zara

I love stripes, everyone knows this. Yet my wardrobe is pretty much void of any other pattern. It’s plain to see that I need to be a bit more adventurous and work more patterns into my style.

The idea of playing with florals in Autumn seemed a bit odd (florals for Spring, groundbreaking) yet these feisty fellas are still popping up in stores and on catwalks. I thought I’d try a more toned down version, something that suited my style and the season. Thankfully Missguided have a ridiculously gorgeous selection of A/W florals on the site. I was in luck! Paired with a black boyfriend blazer, jeans and boots the pattern really stood out.

Mission 1 accomplished.

This post is part of the How to Wear Project in collaboration with Voucher Codes.