topshop Archives

bloomzy / December 27, 2016

New Year New Me… Oh Please! | Style

Biker Jacket: Zara| Shirt: Mads Nørgaard | Vest: Topshop | Trousers: Warehouse* | Trainers: Adidas

We all utter it at least once a year. Whether it’s New Years Eve, New Years Day, or maybe just after you’ve devoured all of the leftover turkey and trimmings. “New Year new me”. It can mean many things, and I truly believe that people have good intentions when they mutter it. I’ve definitely said it before. And thought it a million times. But have I ever done it? …have you?

After all, we all kinda know we’re lying when we say it. Aren’t we?

New Year New Me!

Well I think to a certain extent, we do all change and grow. Just not generally all at the same time. Can you imagine the carnage if we all suddenly discovered how to better ourselves at 00:01 on January 1st? As comical as the idea is, I like to think that we all learn from our mistakes. Even if it does mean making them a few times before we realise it. I definitely have a few things I need to teach myself in 2017.

New year new me may seem silly, or redundant, but it really is a heartfelt expression. However you phrase it, we’re (read: most of us) all doing our best to become better people. For some that may be cutting down on their guilty pleasures, for others it may mean taking more risks. I’ve certainly sat down with myself and had the talk. For now it’s personal, but I hope that I can share it with you all soon. And whatever your thoughts on ‘new year, new me’ are, I hope that 2017 will be a good one for you.

Check out my previous style posts here.
Photos of me are taken by Van Anh Le Thi

bloomzy / July 5, 2016

An Urban Jungle at Kew Gardens | Style (OOTD)

T-shirt: COS | Jeans: Topshop | Shoes: COS

Continuing my natural Mori Gal vibe, I recently headed to Kew Gardens for the afternoon, with VA and Dodo. Kew Gardens is somewhere I’ve been planning to go and shoot for a year or so now. The gardens are vast, however it’s the conservatories that interest me the most. They house a variety of plants, big and small, and are absolutely stunning. I love stopping by the Prince of Wales conservatory, but the Palm House is my number one recommendation when visiting Kew.

The Palm House was designed by Decimus Burton during early Victorian times. The original structure is still standing now, and is the most important surviving Victorian iron and glass structure in the world. It’s difficult to explain just how awe inspiring it is, not only for architecture geeks like myself, but for anyone. I just couldn’t wait to do a photoshoot there.

An Urban Jungle at Kew Gardens

Finding a fitting outfit for the Palm House was difficult. Part of me wanted to go all out, and wear something overtly feminine and elegant. Something along the lines of an evening gown straight out of 1950s Hollywood. But let’s be serious, I don’t own anything like that. So I went for my new kicks, with matching t-shirt from COS. I actually bought these items separately, but my current love for dusky pink, and COS’s own colour palette meant I ended up accidentally coordinating. Maybe it was the relaxing atmosphere, or the way my off-pink outfit blended nicely with the wrought iron fixtures. I felt like I belonged. Well it certainly wasn’t the humidity, either way.

Check out my previous style posts here.
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

bloomzy / April 19, 2016

The London Look | Style (OOTD)

Coat: Topshop | Trousers: New Look | Hat: Blake LDN | Backpack: Sandqvist | Sneakers: Luca Verdi*

The London Look…

What is it? This is a genuine question that someone asked me recently. Ok so they may have been American, and things may have gotten lost in translation…culture-wise anyway. Still a lot of people talk about it. One big beauty brand even has it as their tagline. But what does the London look even mean? Honestly I’m no closer to figuring this out. Some days I think it’s a combination of vintage finds. Others, a minimalist outfit made up of greys, nudes and blacks. Truth be told, I don’t think it is one particular look. But that’s what makes the fashion scene so great in London. It’s a hybrid of tons of different trends, styles and looks.

I like to think of it as a different look for every occasion. But what do you wear for brunch on a rainy London afternoon? Simple! Your favourite new tailored trousers, a chic shirt and sweater combo, and some designer Italian sneakers. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

For me, London is a place where I can dress however I want. Whether it’s smart-casual, ripped jeans, or an evening dress – I can feel like my style is completely my own. I feel secure in what I’m wearing, and I know others feel the same about themselves. That’s something pretty special. Maybe at the heart of it, that’s what “the London look” really is. Its just you, doing you.

Check out my previous style posts here.

bloomzy / April 6, 2016

COS Superstar | Style (OOTD)

Dress: COS | Trousers: Topshop | Shoes: Converse x Comme des Garcon

You ever have one of those moments when you just grab something from the shelf of a store – to try on for the fun of it – even though you know it will never suit you? That’s actually how I found this dress. Whilst wandering around COS one afternoon I spotted this little black number. I told myself, “it’s too long” and “it’s too big”, but I wanted to see it on anyway. I’m a sucker for punishment when it comes to gorgeous clothes. And maybe it’s the slits down the side, or the way the bottom of the dress floats like an angel…but something made me fall in love with this dress on that day. Truth be told, I’ve not fallen out of love since.

In all honesty, it’s most likely the way it so easily layers with other items of clothing. Even the COS website suggests pairing it with a turtleneck – something I’ll never do as my own neck is practically non-existent – so that’s saying something. We’ve reached that part of Spring (in the UK) when it’s neither warm nor cold, so I like to layer. Well, that and I love the way certain cuts and fabrics flow together.

Mostly I try to avoid this type of dress. And even though I’d usually feel like I was wearing a bag in this cut, I actually really like the way it sits on my body. It accentuates my curves, but it doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I dislike it when people say “that won’t suit your body, skin type etc etc” but I do believe in feeling confident in the clothing you wear. And I definitely do. This dress is a superstar in the making!

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

bloomzy / March 13, 2016

Superhero or Super Villain? | London Fashion Week OOTD

Coat: Urban Outfitters* | Jumpsuit: Topshop | Boots: ASOS

Part of the fun of London Fashion Week is going out in your Sunday best. Dressing up, and seeing if you get papped…snapped…Instagrammed? Photo sharing platforms aside, I genuinely love dressing up, so LFW is a lot of fun for me. I’ve had a couple of photos taken in the past, but I can’t honestly say I’ve turned heads. Not the way I did when I wore this little number, whilst wandering around Soho a couple of weekends ago. Is it the coat? Is it the hair? Is it the daring cleavage I’m flaunting? Who knows!

For such a simple get up, I felt pretty stylish. My trusty Topshop jumpsuit and ASOS boots were the basis for this look, but I couldn’t resist throwing on this (deep emerald green) Urban Outfitters coat when I saw it. The coat had me feeling like a superhero, what with the way it swished as I walked down the street. But maybe my look was more fitting of a super villain with this particular hair style? After all, everyone knows villains are always more stylish…

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

bloomzy / February 23, 2016

HEIO, Hello! | Style (OOTD)

Sweater: Light Before Dark @ Urban Outfitters | Jumpsuit: Topshop | Boots: ASOS | Bag: HEIO*

HEIO! It sounds like something a group of youthful jocks would shout in a sports bar. Actually it’s the name of an incredibly fashionable new bag brand. The more you know. Well on one particularly blustery London fashion week…day, I decided to take their Cube Turqueta for a wander. The cute, almost-origami style had me sold; as did the nude-neon lined colour way. Maybe others felt the same, as we got quite a few looks whilst shooting this look. Either that or they were confused by the tiny woman battling the wind, in nothing but a sweater and ankle swingers.

I’m still not quite sure how we managed to get these photos. I refused to give up though, as I was so in love with this cosy combo. Any time I get to wrap up in a cuddly sweater and call it fashion is ok by me. We were even snapped on our way back to The Apartment, so I must have been on to something!

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

bloomzy / January 27, 2016

OOTD | 50 Shades of Grey

Coat: Topshop | Culottes: New Look | Sneakers: Luca Verdi* | Backpack: Sandqvist | Beanie: Blake LDN

Grey slowly started working it’s way into my wardrobe late last year. But after New Year it made itself a permanent fixture. I’ve always stuck to darker colours (read: only wearing black), and my clear-out at the beginning of the month pretty much proved that. But the addition of this grey coat (which is as warm as it is stylish) to my wardrobe has changed all of that. It’s a happy medium between black and white, and it pretty much always looks great with a smart casual ensemble.

Now that the introduction is done with, let’s not avoid the elephant in the room. Yes, I did go and buy another pair of culottes. As ugly as some people may find these oversized trousers, I adore them. You know me, if something is comfortable and stylish, I’ll wear the hell out of it. They work with a variety of shoes, but since the weather was looking ok I decided to test drive them with my Luca Verdi sneakers. I couldn’t get enough of these pointy-toed beauties when I was in Italy; I almost cried when I came back to the UK and found that Expool & Luca herself had sent them to me. These will always be a reminder of an unbelievable travel adventure.

It’s a wonderful thing when your clothes tell a story. Even better when they make you feel good.

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.