The fast paced world of fashion

Imagine, it's September, the weather’s still bearable and Summer is only just over. Most of us haven't even started wearing coats yet. It's that awkward time of year where we aren't ready for Winter clothes and are desperately still clinging to our beloved Summer dresses. But fashion doesn't wait, it always has to be more than one step ahead and this month is fashion month. A whole month where extra lucky (and mostly famous) people can see what they have to look forward to in Spring, about six months from now.

It may seem odd at first, sitting on the front row wearing layers of scarves and coats (or if you're like me, sitting in front of a computer with a blanket and a cup of tea) looking at Spring/Summer clothes in the beginning of Autumn and vice versa but in fashion people like to be ahead. The high-street is similar in the way that if you don't buy a bikini in Spring by the time you actually want a bikini ready for going on holiday in Summer they're all gone and the shops won't be getting anymore because they've already moved onto Winter.

Ridiculous. This mainly annoys me because if it's cold in January and I want to buy a coat I probably won't be able to. I don't want to have to plan my outfits six months ahead; I'd rather live in the moment a little bit when it comes to clothes shopping. Maybe it's a personal fault and I should do my clothes shopping earlier to avoid situations such as what happened this Spring - I wanted some summer shoes because I finally decided to stop calling my converse 'summer shoes', I found some really nice ones and went to buy them, but they were already sold out and they continued to be sold out all summer. Admittedly this was at Topshop and as we know if something nice is in Topshop every girl in the country buys it because every girl in the country shops at Topshop - or at least browses. You would think the most obvious thing that Topshop would do is order in more, right? Well no. They gradually ordered in shoes that were more appropriate for Winter, the shoes were getting thicker and more boots were coming in. So I didn't ever get the shoes I wanted, I should blame myself and be more organised next year.

Recently mentioned Topshop shoes here

Of course I understand fashion month and why it's so early. It's not just us customers that like to know what's in this season, the shops that take inspiration from designers like to know so they can make clothes that will sell, primarily for us. Although it does make me just a little bit uncomfortable watching models in floaty Spring dresses and little sandals whilst I'm thinking about what coat I should buy. Understandably the high-street shops, the journalists, and a lot of other people, need to know so they can make the clothes or report on what we should be wearing.

I just need to adapt to the fast paced world of fashion, I need to buy my bikinis in Spring and my winter coats in Autumn. Alternatively, I could buy Winter coats in the sales and save them for next year, but I am way too impatient for that.

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Cats in fashion

It seems like with the increase of internet memes and the likes of grumpy cat people have recently become a little bit more obsessed than usual with cats. If this doesn't apply to you then you are probably a dog person and will hate this post. But I do love cats, and I have recently noticed that there is a lot more bits of clothing and other stuff covered with cats, and I love that too. 

I've seen cat ears pop up recently - and even before the Halloween season began and every teenage girl decided to dress as a cat by wearing some (honestly, if I had the chance I would've done that too because I would take any excuse to wear cat ears)

Topshop did have loads of cat ears all in different colours but now these are the only ones on the website. They're still cute but I preferred the black ones.

Cat ears have also appeared on other stuff like hats, it seems everyone wants to become an actual cat and dress up with cat ears on everything possible, probably just because if you can, why not?

This cute furry hat is from Next and is £10. As well as being lovely and furry it has cute little ears like a cat. 

Trying to feed my newly found jewelry obsession I've found some pretty rings that look like cats. These rings are both from Asos. So if you don't want to show your love for cats quite so openly as wearing cat ears, you can subtly wear a little ring with cat ears and a little cat face with little tiny whiskers. 

I recently discovered an online shop called Seoulrhythm and they have lots of cat related things, cat tights, cat sweatshirts, cat dresses - so many cats. The prices are all in dollars but this just means the prices are a bit confusing and they ship to anywhere in the world. 

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Game City - Nottingham

I know this is mainly a fashion blog but I thought I'd a do a little post about Game City because I was there and I had my camera.

Really weird but amazing game called Starwhals

Mario Kart on a Nintendo 64

The awkward Nintendo 64 controller

On Monday me and some friends went to Game City in Fletcher Gate, Nottingham. Game City is powered by Nottingham Trent University, with support from Confetti College. It aims are to show video game culture as art and get people to experience and learn whilst having fun playing games.

 It's on all week (19th - 26th October) and it looks like it's going to be raining for a while so it's a really good idea. At first I did just think it was a room full of games because I went last year and didn't really explore, I just assumed that was it. But it's a bit more than that. As well as the popular stuff like Mario Kart and Grand Turismo they have loads of indie games and the developers are there too so you can talk to them about the games and other interesting stuff.

They also have different events on throughout the week here - schedule, which includes different workshops and competitions. On Saturday there is an Oculus Rift demo which I really want to go to because it's a virtual reality headset, my brother's had a go before and he said it was amazing. 

It's a really nice atmosphere where you can just sit on bean bags with your friends and play loads of different games in one room. I think it's aimed more a younger people because it's during half term and after about an hour me and my friends went. But my brother - who is 14 - has been there all week so far and still seems to find more things to do! 

My boyfriend made a vlog about the day so have a look here > click click click

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Denim and Monochrome

Hello! 

Sorry about my squinty eyes, I decided to do an outfit post in the rain, probably not the best idea ever.

I am wearing

Denim Shirt - second hand (Grandmas)

Vintage Skirt - Cow Vintage 

Purple Dr Martens - Dr Martens

Gold Necklace - Christmas present

I took these photos nearly a week ago but I've been really busy with coursework and work (Sorry!). I have a couple more posts in mind so I'll try and do one tomorrow and one at the end of October. 

I've posted this outfit to Lookbook too so have a look! 

I forgot to post my last outfit post on Lookbook and I have to wait 6 hours before I post another one, so I'll do that later. 

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Winter Shoes Wishlist

My creepers have sadly broken down, but I've worn them nearly everyday for nearly two years so I think it's reasonable that the soles have grown holes and the suede has turned from black to brown. What I'm saying is, I need new shoes. Sadly, I can't buy new shoes because I need to save my money for Christmas presents and I spent quite a lot on H&M stuff the other day (boxing day sales I will be buying lots of shoes). Because I can't afford shoes right now, I thought I'd do a wishlist about shoes.

Black heeled lace up boots are my favourite kind of boots at the moment. I really want something that has a heel and is casual too. I love these Topshop boots because they remind me of Converse but leather and with a heel. Topshop have loads of boots similar to this is loads of different colours and patterns so I recommend everyone to have a look! Perhaps they're not the perfect Winter shoes when thinking about practicality, you can't exactly walk through snow with them, but they look amazing and they would probably keep your feet warm and dry (maybe).

Topshop Boots - £42

I already have a pair of purple Dr Martens and I've been wearing them a lot more since I've gotten a bit bored of my creepers. When I bought my Dr Martens last year I was undecided on whether to get shoes or boots, after trying on the shoes and realising that they're actually really uncomfortable, I got boots. However, I think these 1461 shoe Dr Martens are really nice. I love the colour, it's perfect for Winter and matching with tartan. Dr Martens are more appropriate Winter shoes because of the thick leather and the grippy sole so you won't fall over on ice (because that always quite embarrassing). 

Dr Martens Shoes - £85

I've seen so many people wearing boots similar to this and I love them. The cut out section is really clever because it means you can wear cute socks and everyone can see them. They also come in white, but I thought that these are more appropriate for Winter. These boots are Jeffrey Campbell so they are slightly out of my price range, but there are loads of high street versions available from pretty much everywhere. They are good for Summer and Winter because you don't have to wear socks if it's warm but if it's cold you can wear socks, very versatile.

Nasty Gal, Jeffrey Campbell - £115.77

Chelsea boots are still in this season and I really like these traditional looking ones. They would go really well with a tartan coat and jeans. The leather would keep you warm during Winter and the elasticated section makes them comfier too. 

Office- £80

There are so many pretty boots out there at the moment but I'm going to wait until after Christmas because then I can get them cheaper in the sales (hopefully)

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

ps. my boyfriend made a youtube channel and I'm in a video so have a look click click click

Saving money whilst keeping up with trends

I'm not one of those people that obsessively follows trends and thinks 'I have to buy this because it's in'. However if there is a trend that I really like (eg pinafore dresses) then I will buy something new and follow it. I don't often buy a lot of stuff that's in trend because I think I won't really be able to wear it for very long and it'll be a waste of money. So I want to explain how I try and save money and keep up with trends.

1. Don't get rid of something just because it isn't in fashion at the time.

I have done this many times, you're ruthlessly going through your drawers, find that black lace top you never wear, throw it in the charity bag. Then a couple of seasons later you want it back. (I still miss that top). Fashion often repeat itself so to save yourself from buying it again, just don't throw it away, just in case. This is also the case with my tartan skirt, I bought it last Winter when tartan was in and this year it's back! I'm happy about this because I love my tartan skirt.

2. DIY 

Simple DIY customisation on clothes can make them look brand new and for hardly any money. For example when the whole 'putting spikes/studs on everything' came in, a lot of people just added their own spikes or studs to old clothes because they're only about £2-3 in shops or eBay. I tried to do a bit of the DIY thing too, when it was the yin yang phase I drew them on my shorts, but I'm not sure how great that looked. I also added beads to the collar of a dress when beaded collars came in - a more successful DIY. All I did was sow little beads to the corners of my collar and it made the dress look a lot less boring. So you don't need to change your whole wardrobe each season, just change the clothes you already have.

3. Buy one piece of clothing that's in trend to go with your old clothes

This summer I bought a skirt that fitted in with the whole monochrome idea but it was the only monochrome thing I owned. However, it goes with so much, I can wear it with vest tops, bralets, jumpers etc, so I can do monochrome in lots of different outfits with one skirt. This also happened with the pastel phase. I had a couple of pastel pieces like a cardigan and a tshirt then paired them with shorts or jeans so it was still following with the pastel trend. 

4. Take a look in a charity shop

Charity shops can be full of all different and exciting things and you never know unless you look. Sticking with the same idea that fashion repeats itself, if someone donated some clothes that were in a few or maybe even ten years ago, then eventually they will be in fashion again, so have a look and you may find something in trend and at a reasonable price.

Too much Tartan

Hello! I took these photos yesterday using my tripod so they're not as good as the photos my boyfriend takes. It's got a lot colder recently so I've had to layer up with a hoodie, jacket and scarf - I really should just buy a coat. 

In these photos I'm wearing...

American Apparel Tartan skirt here

American Apparel grey hoodie similar here

H&M jacket (I can't find the same jacket because I bought it years ago but other H&M coats and jackets here)

Cow vintage tartan scarf (can't find similar but look around vintage/charity shops and you'll probably find something!)

this black top is from Topshop but I got it ages ago
Dr Martens here

So this is my first real winter outfit! I don't really have that many winter clothes but I wear the same clothes in winter as I do in summer. But I might go shopping soon, then I can do a little winter-y haul and loads of outfit posts, yay!

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

ps. I've had silver shampoo on my hair for over an hour so my hair will probably be purple when I wash it off (ah)