New Look AW13 Preview

Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to preview New Look's AW13 collection, along with a guest (had to be my mum, who still rocks a New Look ensemble with the best of them - we refrained from exhibiting any of our matching purchases on the day though).

Equipped with scanners to log our lust-have items, we entered an Aladdin's Cave of grunge chic, light-up Christmas jumpers, winter crops of all descriptions, Hitchcock heroine accessories, more (faux) fur and animal print than London Zoo, and some of the most stunning statement jewellery ever seen outside the Tower. Here are a few of my top picks...

The Clothes

We were surprised to see several items traditionally synonymous with summer style (like light floral blouses and denim jackets) holding their own in this collection - but who doesn't love turning rules on their heads? I love the cosy twist to this sheepskin-collared piece. '90s grunge chic is sticking around too - I was excited to see these dark-washed denim dungarees, having had no success finding a similar pair so far this season!

Crop tops of varying descriptions also made a sterling showing - I fell in love with this glitzy cropped jumper and Victorian-influenced button-detail lace number, along with a beautiful shimmery batwing tee - ah, the possibilities!

Some concessions were made to British weather - faux fur has to be one of winter's top 3 redeeming features, right? I fell deeply in lust with the coats, but would love to see some longer Hollywood siren styles too...

The Shoes

I don't think I realised how empty my life truly was until I saw what I lacked. Dalmatian and carpet print on everything please. Oh yes.

More lovelies which won't give you blisters before you get to the end of the road... Oh, how my feet beg to be encased in high-shine monochrome brogues.

Vertiginous but luscious loafers, funky courts and... cut-out ankle boots - on the wishlist? Oh yes, snow or no snow!

Looks like gold-plated tootsie armour will be a must... Loving the chunky ankle cuffs and toe caps, but note that gorgeously chunky, pressure-easing heel bottom-right - pretty and practical - sigh...

Baroque's b-b-back!

The Bags

Ladylike vintage style ruled... Did you know you needed a mini satchel/briefcase hybrid? Well, now you do.

But for those times when you really need the kitchen sink/a sturdy umbrella, only a jumbo tote will do... Crossing my fingers and toes for some zip-up winged totes to appear next season - "clutching-single-poppered-bag-to-chest-whilst-feverishly-scanning-for-pickpockets" is a look I'm intent on avoiding!

The Jewellery

Want. every. single. bit. of this Gothic/Renaissance-styled collection of treasures - inspired.

Our first peek at the collection - nearly swooned.

Statement ear cuffs will have their time to shine.

Aztec princess or cyber warrior? Take your pick...

You could say statement necklaces were big...

The Goodies

Although we sadly had to leave the bejewelled beauties behind, we didn't go away empty-handed - New Look were lovely enough to send us away with gossip mags, handbag mirrors, clutch bags, studded bracelets, beanies (I am so channelling my inner Shoreditch sista, but despite much coaxing, hilarity and forcible styling, mum wasn't so keen, so I just had to keep both - shame), and a £10 gift card each. Mine lasted about 30 minutes before being soundly ravaged - just enough time to make it to the nearest New Look and discover an amazing mono bandeau peplum top in the sale for £8. And the perfect not-too-plain-but-not-too-fussy neon earrings - it would have been rude not to.

Are you a New Look fan? What do you think of their upcoming collection? Anything you'll be waiting for with baited breath?

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Florals on Stripes on Metal - My F&F 7 Days of Summer Haul

As I mentioned in my last post, I was lucky enough to win the F&F at Tesco #7DaysStripes Twitter prize with my striped crop top and blazer/pink pinafore combo, on the first of their 7 Days of Summer. My £75 prize voucher didn't remain in my possession for long - a few feverish hours after discovering the good news, my haul was being picked, packed and prepared for its breakneck journey to my local store...

I do blabber on a fair bit about how much supermarkets have upped their game in the fashion stakes lately (- note that my mum discovered this Great Gatsby-esque wonder weeks before all the mags cottoned onto it!), but, although I'd spied several F&F gems in mags, lookbooks etc. over recent seasons, since my local store doesn't stock a huge range of clothing, I'd never actually picked anything up before.

Logging on, I was quite frankly shocked by the selection of pieces on offer, and actually receiving them had me even more gobsmacked! I picked some monochrome striped shorts (befitting a #7DaysStripes winner!), along with a tuxedo-style white blazer, printed kimono and metallic gold court shoes*. Everything turned out to be incredibly well cut, a perfect fit, and super comfortable (even the heels - beating all the high street metallic courts I'd already tried hands down).

*After a relatively brief internal debate, I quickly put a second order in for their '60s-Barbie-style bow-trimmed tweed shift, with my very own hard-earned cash - COULD. NOT. RESIST. You may have seen a sneak preview on Twitter, but I'll be featuring it in all its glory very soon.

Talk about serendipity - who knew my new shorts would combine with my trusty Primark blazer to yield a perfectly matched suit?! If you don't happen to have one hanging around (I think the Primark version is pretty much sold out now), F&F do stock a made-to-match version anyway, so never fear! Aside from that, I love the cut - the high, slightly V-cut waist, subtle A-line and cheek-covering length make them so flattering and versatile - the tailoring is immaculate.

Everyone needs a classic white blazer for that Riviera siren look, right? I was dying for a single-button tuxedo style to mix and match with monochrome separates... I'm sure you'll be seeing this again soon, when there may be a 0.1% chance that I'll have outgrown my blazer-as-cape phase, but, donned as intended, it strikes the perfect balance between effortless stolen-from-the-boy style and feminine loveliness, with its slightly nipped-in waist. The material feels thick and great quality, with a slightly structured feeling to the shoulders for added "pow".

I've had a thing about kimonos for quite a while now, and was after a longer, floatier chiffon version for this season - several F&F contenders actually fit the bill, but this half-price beauty took the crown, thanks to its beautiful sleeve detailing, explosion of colour and authentic-looking oriental print. Although it looks gorgeous left loose as a cover-up, I love it just as much loosely tucked into high-waisted bottoms and worn as a top - perfect for dipping a toe into the floral/stripe mixing trend! Do I hear an updated "How to Wear the Kimono" post beckon?

And so we come to the shoes... Since I decided I needed a pair of metallic courts in my life, um, two weeks ago, no high street pair had met my most lenient criteria in terms of comfort (i.e. don't make you want to kill yourself within 5 seconds of putting them on), no matter how amazing the price... We all know buying without trying is a risky business, but, hey ho, since delivery and returns (and even they themselves, luckily enough for me), were free, I figured it was worth a punt... Lo and behold, Cinderella's fairy godmother couldn't have conjured up a more beautiful, or beautifully fitting pair. They are slightly matte, for a grown-up, subtle take, making them a little more versatile than super-high-shine versions, and akin to nude shoes in their leg-complementing properties. OK, I never expected to be able to wear them out shopping - they are high after all, and no stiletto is ever gonna feel like a Hush Puppy - but for skyscrapers, they are about as comfortable as it gets, and would be ideal for nights out.

Shorts, Kimono, Shoes and White Blazer: All c/o F&F at Tesco; Striped Blazer: Primark

I'll definitely be keeping my eye on F&F from now on, especially now I've seen their AW13 preview too - methinks a sheer tartan pussybow blouse may be winging its way to me next season!

How about you? Have you ever ventured beyond the fridges and freezers at Tesco?

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How to Wear a Pinafore, Part 2: 4 More Ways

Things I never thought I'd rediscover undying (though deeply buried) love for #2: pink - I didn't just like pink, for years I wore more of it than Barbie. At a certain point, I decided I needed to ditch it if I was to have any hope of honing some kind of "edge" and, anyway, I was quite frankly sick of the sight of it! But its gradual tiptoe back onto my radar became a full on sprint this season (I think the Barbie dress was the catalyst) - I am now officially embracing my rose-tinted roots (and will probably be sporting rose-tinted tips shortly!).

As for pinafores, well, they never really went away for me, even when no one else over the age of 8 appeared to share my enthusiasm for them, so, by the time everyone else finally joined the party this spring, I was a bit over the classic black variety... My houndstooth shift went some way to alleviating my desire for a new spin, but when I spied this in New Look (along with a couple of choice lovelies to layer underneath, for which credit goes to my mum), it was love at first sight. It's out of stock online now, but you might be even luckier than me and manage to pick it up in the sale if you're quick!

Oh, and the Part 2 bit? Well, you've seen my first D.I.Y. pinny look, but after I'd put this post together, I saw another had-to-have-it vision of pinafore-shaped amazingness - in monochrome polka dot! So watch this space for part 3...

Ice Cream Sundae

Pinafore and Cropped Jumper: Both Tokyo Doll at New Look, Hair Band, Boots and Socks: All Primark (Past Season)

Strawberries and Cream

Pinafore: As Above, Top: New Look, Trainers: Primark (All Current)

Go West

Pinafore: As Above, Shirt: Primark, Boots: Boohoo (All Current)

Neapolitan

Pinafore: As Above, Crop Top: Quiz, Blazer: Primark, Shoes: Peacocks (Past Season)

If you follow me on Facebook and Twitter, you may have already seen this ensemble, as it won me the Twitter prize on the first day of the F&F at Tesco 7 Days of Summer challenge last week! I managed to amass an amazing haul with my £75 prize voucher (plus, er, £26 of my own - there was too much choice!) to which more pink and more monochrome stripes both made a significant contribution! Hopefully I can start sharing it with you soon - too many possible outfit combos, too few days in the week, argh!

My Top Tips for Rocking a Pinny Post-Playschool

• Keep bulk to a minimum - I've found that cropped tops/knits and light, sheer shirts work best - a chunky jumper or stiff shirt can look a bit German folk dancer, especially if you're large-chested!
• If your pinny is plain black, you can go wild with colours and patterns. If not, sticking to pieces in neutral tones or the same shade "family" (e.g. pastels with a pastel pinafore) tends to look more polished, which allows you to...
• Experiment and push your own boundaries in other ways - clashing two monochrome patterns, going all out on accessories, or trying out a style that isn't traditionally associated with pinafores, like sports luxe or Western...
• Have fun! This look is all about playfulness, so feel free to forget the rules and try whatever the hell you like if the urge takes you!

Have you put on your pinny yet?

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