Highstreet Beef: Things I don’t Love

At the moment, I am slightly consumed by rage. I’m not too sure what my problem is, but I have just been an angry, angry person recently. In fact, when Claire and I drove home today, I flipped someone off. Granted, they did cut us off BUT still. There was no real need.

So, in the interest of channelling my inner rage into something positive (kind of), I have decided to create a post of current highstreet bits and bobs that I think are downright silly. Now, I’m the type of girl who is happy to embrace even the stupidest of trends (see jelly shoes), but there is a strong, fashiony line for me. And here are the highstreet nonsense items that I just plain don’t like.

Drop Waist Dresses

Drop Waist

Topshop Drop Waist Jersey Tunic | ASOS Gingham Drop Waist Dress | Topshop Bonded Drop Waist Tunic

Drop waist dresses are a huge bug bear of mine. In theory, I should like them. They’re a close cousin to the skater dress, which I love with the fiery passion of an ice skating goddess. But, they’re just so wrong in so many ways. Unless you are a willowy beautiful person, they will look lovely on you. But if you are a short, slightly dumpy person like I am, they will more than make you look like a potato. NO THANK YOU. Also, the word drop waist makes me think of some kind of accidental toilet problem in your trousers.

CulottesCUlottes

Another stressful garment on the highstreet that causes me deep amounts of pain. Like drop waisted dresses, they look lovely on tall willowy ladies, but bloody stupid on me. In fact, they make me look at least 10 times worse than a certain Game of Thrones character who got his head violently squashed. I just don’t really understand how long, billowy shorts are supposed to look normal on a 5ft girl. At all. And I’m very unsure about what shoes anyone would wear with them.

ASOS Culottes | Topshop Palm Print Culottes | Boohoo Butterfly Print Culottes

Knee Length Gladiator Sandals

Sandals

Boohoo Cage Leg Gladiators | Missguided Cage Gladiator Sandals | Carvela Tall Gladiator Sandals

MORE SHORT GIRL PROBLEMS. I say that these are knee length, but on me they would basically be thigh length. And they would genuinely make me look like the most ridiculous person in the whole entire world. In fact, I can’t think of anything less flattering on my ham legs. Frankly, these would be an absolute disaster. I hate them. Although that’s mostly because I can’t pull them off. I have seen many a beautiful fashion bloggers wearing them and looking fierce. But not me. Plus, Claire just made the valid point that they look a little bit like when you by a joint of string wrapped beef.

So anywho, these are my LEAST favourite things on the highstreet at the moment. Reading back, I think most of my issues with them are actually because I am short, rather than because they are horrible. But ya know. That’s that.

What The Idiots In Our Office Think About… SS14 Trends

Claire and I work with genuine fools delightful people. In an office of 6 boys and only the two of us to defend ourselves against football and their horrible pulling techniques, we have to keep ourselves amused by forcing them into girl talk. While this often involves us pestering them about their tragic love lives, it also can get fashion related. And safe to say, they don’t quite understand it. Just the other day, Claire wore a crop top to work and they began asking invalid questions like, ‘did you shrink your tshirt in the wash’ and ‘did you buy a baby’s tshirt by accident’. Sigh and sigh again.

So obviously, we thought that it would be a jolly good laugh to ask them some questions about the current SS14 trends and get some boys’ perspectives on all of the fabulous things us girls are wearing at the moment.

Cleated Soles

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First off we showed them a picture of a pair of white cleated platforms. Safe to say that they weren’t particular fans of our summer staples. And here is what they thought:

  • “Errr they are rubbish”
  • “These are basically for the summer hooker, and in black they are even more hookery”
  • “I think my nan used to have a pair” and “they look like granny shoes”
  • “They cause an immense amount of sadness within me”
  • “They look like you should be in prison or a desert”

Co-Ords

PicMonkey Collage

Claire and I love co-ords at the moment. Unfortunately, the boys didn’t much like them. At all.

  • “Who the fuck is going outside in their pyjamas”
  • “Whether you wore a long or short version, you are going to look like a tit”
  • “I would stamp on someone in the street if they wore that”
  • “It looks like a joke”
  • “These are like meggings and should be illegal”
  • “It looks like a hospital gown”
  • “It’s like bananas in pyjamas, except it’s a lady”

Baby Pink

Baby Pink

Baby pink is the must have colour this summer, and this was a SS14 trend that the boys liked the most.

  • “We like baby pink”
  • “Although not if you wear all of it at the same time, you would look like a skeleton”
  • It’s ok, but it might look like you’re naked if you stood far away”

Unfortunately, the lads weren’t fans of girls with pink hair, with one commenting that he would “spit on people with pink hair”.

Holographic Accessories

Holographic Clutch

Holographic accessories make me and Claire hugely happy. We both love it with a fiery passion. Again, the lads weren’t keen. When shown a picture of a holographic bag, they said:

  • “What the fuck is that”
  • “Erm, it looks like a condom packet”
  • “It looks like someone can’t afford a handbag and has to use kitchen foil”
  • “It looks tacky”

Jelly Shoes

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We are also fans of the jelly shoes here at Stylingo. Again, the boys were not. We showed them a number of different colours of jelly shoes and none of them appealed. Here’s what they said:

  • “…Oh no”
  • “If you are over the age of 3, you should not be wearing these”
  • “Do you want to look like a child?
  • “If you wear these, you need to have a sit down and have a long, hard think about your life and where it is going”
  • “Why can’t you afford real shoes?”

Well, I think that all this can prove is that boys genuinely know nothing. Let’s all just ignore them and go on put on our baby pink co-ords, match it with a holographic bag and cleated platforms. Good day.

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The Best of the Highstreet: Palm Tree Prints

Good evening dear pals,

I have a confession to make. I have developed an unhealthy obsession with palm trees. Don’t ask me how, don’t ask me why but there it is. I have been desperately searching for some kind of ‘palm tree print anonymous’ groups but apparently they don’t exist. If there are any fashion bloggers out there who would like to create a palm tree print obsessed group, I would be more up for that than Miley Cyrus is for twerking and/or being a lunatic.

So, feeding my obsession and also giving myself an excuse for yet more shopping, I have been perusing the old internet and found some of the best palm tree prints on the line. You are all welcome, you stunners. Don’t blame me if your bank rings you in palm tree print anger.

Stylingo Palm Tree Print

Palm Tree Crop Top – Topshop | Tie Dye Palm Print Maxi Skirt – BoohooPalm Tree Print Leggings – Missguided | Mint Green Palm Tree Cami – New Look |  Palm Tree Toms – Asos | Palm Tree Print Bustier Crop Top – River IslandPalm Tree Clutch Bag – New Look |

I don’t know about you all, but I love that New Look cami especially, it’s beauuutiful. I’m also keen for the New Look clutch bag, it is more than jazzy.

Is anyone else mega keen for palm tree print at the moment? The only thing that I am sad about is the fact that I’m not off anywhere on holiday again this year to fully take advantage of these tropical print beauties. I’m going to have to force Claire to buy loads of these so that I can live through her when she goes away later on in the summer. I’m pretty sure she won’t mind.

What do you lovely ladies think? Are you a palm print fan orrrrrr?

Don’t forget you can vote for us as Best Blogging Duo in this year’s Style Blogger Awards with Company magazine! Click the icon below to be taken to the voting site:

STYLE_BLOGGER_AWARDS_LOGO_2014_VOTE_ME_jpg-e1399972815745

The Best of the Highstreet: The 90s Trend

Ahoy hoy,

I don’t know if any of you clowns are anything like me, but approximately 2 years ago I laughed with much mirth and scorn about 90s fashion and pretty much decided that it would never come back ever. I waved goodbye to the days where I enjoyed a half-up-half down ponytail and somewhat sadly packed away my plastic tattoo choker.

BUT ALAS I WAVED AND PACKED PREMATURELY. Not only are the 90s back, but they are freakin’ brilliant. I have embraced them with a heart of the Britney who loved Justin. But even I, the 90s firmest supporter, admit that there are some 90s trends best left alone. Frosted tips on boys for one, should be banished to the depths of fiery boyband hell. Another 90s trend that can be banished is the lack of bra. While I am all for lady freedom, there was just too much nip for me to feel comfortable with.

But anywho, here are some 90s inspired snaps to get you ready and raring to go and play on your Tamagotchi.

Yes, I know. I want a Union Jack leotard too.

But what’s about on the highstreet at the moment 90s wise? Pretty much LOADS and there are some brilliant bargains to be had for the poor girls up in here too. I’ve picked a few of my favourites to share with you all, and I hope that you love them as much as I do. Just call me a massive 90s pervert. I won’t mind.

Oversized Denim Jacket – Topshop | Ribbed Halterneck Crop Top – Missguided | Pink Cleated Platforms – BoohooOff the Shoulder Croptop – Asos

 Mesh Jersey – Elsie and Fred | Strappy Bodycon Dress – Missguided | Clear Jelly Shoes – ASOS | Pink PVC Skirt – Boohoo

So my excellent homegirls, I hope that you have enjoyed this excellent 90s edit and you should definitely go out and source some beautiful 90s pieces, because they are so worth it. More worth it than wearing a plastic choker, and that is saying something I can tell you that chum.

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How To Wear SS14 The Holographic Trend

I love shiny things. In fact, things that involve glitter, metallic delightfulness or just a bit of shine makes me infinitely happy. I’m of the opinion that pretty much every girl feels the same too (and if not, why not you lunatic?). So, giving thanks to the fashion gods and so on and so forth, we have the holographic trend to keep our magpie tendancies in check.

But lets be honest, wearing a load of shiny silver material isn’t the most flattering thing (unless you are Kendal Jenner for example) and it is potentially really the most difficult trend ever. While I would like to wear a holographic dress, I’m pretty sure a tiny size 12 disco ball lumbering toward people would both alarm and distress the general public. In fact, I’m pretty sure David Cameron would deport me back to the motherland.

With that in mind, here are some easy options for incoporating the holographic trend into your wardrobe. And while the easiest way would be to whack a holographic bag or pair of shoes onto your outfit, there are actually loads of different holographic things you can put on your body to feel awesome.

Screen Shot 2014-05-02 at 14.03.26

Missguided Holographic Platform Sandals | ASOS Metallic Hologram Hoodie | Nasty Gal Hologram Phone Case | Motel Holographic Backpack | Holographic Jeffery Campbells | 90s Holographic Skull Choker 

If you’re keen, Topshop also have some holographic nail wraps, which I forgot to put on this collage but they look SUUUUPER AWESOME.

So my dear shiny friends, I hope that these have inspired you to become a beautiful disco ball. Claire and I both agree that we would give up our first born children for those Jeffery Campbells, without question. They are incredible.

It’s actually quite hard to put shiny things with anything other than black, but I recently wore my holographic bag with a bright orange dress…so I think the key is to be brave and just embrace the wildness. If you want to be a disco ball, just be a disco ball. PREACH.

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Guest Post: The Problem With Pink

As some of you may know, Lauren is still living it up in South Africa and I’m bogged down with work in Costa Del Coventry (seems fair RIGHT?), We’ve therefore enlisted the help of one of our other favourite bloggers Rachel, who’s kindly wrote this guest post for us. CHEERS PAL!
Pink
Hello lovelies! I’m Rach from over at Me, Myself And…, and I’ve stopped by Stylingo to guest post for the lovely Claire and Lauren! I’m here today to offer support to those who are still feeling a tad nervous about the pink trend. Bring it in ladies…

So – PINK IS STILL IN. Who saw that coming? Certainly not me.

For someone who loves pastel colours, I always tend to shy away from the candy floss hue. Cobalt blue, neon yellow, lime green – I’ve got em all! But fuchsia pink? No thanksss.

Being the brave creature that I am, I’ve pushed my irrational fear of pink to the side and had a look at some of Asos‘ newest offerings. I have to say, I’m sort of coming round to the idea…

I had originally gone looking for some bits and pieces from the website just to show what was on offer, but I’m not going to lie – I saved ALL for later. How much later? Payday later! Don’t get me wrong, I’m still nervous about it all arriving and looking completely ridiculous on me. I can’t help it if I think even the slightest bit of pink being incorporated into my outfit is going to result in a striking resemblance to Frenchy from Grease.

So, if you’re anything like me – crazy – then here are a few tips to get you through the pink trend…

You’re not sure which shade of pink will suit you
Tip: Chances are, none of them – so just pick whichever will look nicest sitting at the end of your bed, tag still attached, for the next 6-8 weeks.

You think it looks too girly on you
Tip: Grunge it up with chunky boots. If that doesn’t work – grow a beard.

Hardly anything in your wardrobe will go with pink
Tip: Throw it out. Throw it all out. Then buy more pink stuff. Hell, why not just drop out of beauty school and rename yourself Frenchy while you’re at it.

You think it makes you look like a walking, talking marshmallow.
Tip: Walk around with a bag of Flumps permanently fixed to your hand – anyone who can’t differentiate between the two doesn’t deserve a place in your life.

Happy Shopping!

A huge thank you to Rachel for guest posting for us today!

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Guest Post: Pick of the Pastels

Hi guys, I’m Estelle and I blog over at Let Me Go Xo. When I saw that Lauren and Claire (although it’s just Claire as Lauren as loving life in SA) were looking for guest bloggers I jumped at the chance. How does it feel being on Stylingo? All of my dreams have come true.

Pastels Let Me GoIt is no secret that I am a pastel lover so I decided to do my ‘Pick Of The Pastels’ where I show you guys some of my favourite pastel clothes out there right now. 

I’ve been loving skorts recently and a skort in coral? Yes please. But first lemme take a selfie, I have a pure hatred for that song but I have a pure love for this jumper. Jumpsuits are so in right now, they’re perfect for holiday and this mint colour is so pretty, I also love the slight shine to the jumpsuit. If you’re a regular reader of my blog then you’ll know I have a *slight* obsession for shift dresses and this mint dress is no exception to my obsession. Try saying that quickly. When I think pastels, I think Missguided, this box top is so pretty as is the bralet. Now for my new favourite shop: Oh My Love. Everything on their site is to die for, the powder blue maxi dress is absolutley precious and the peach dress is, infact, perfection. 

Thanks to Claire (and Lauren) for having me on their blog! What is your favourite item from this list?

Estelle x
letmegoxo.blogspot.co.uk

A huge thank you to Estelle for guest posting for us! If you would like to write something for us then please let us know by emailing us.

Please nominate Stylingo.co.uk for the Best Blogging Duo award in this year’s Company Style Blogger Awards!

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Brand Showcase: Bug Jewellery by Ellie Ingram

Right you hot mommas, today I am bringing you something a little different to our usual clothes collages/makeup reviews/awkward outfit of the days (at least on my part anyway, Claire looks entirely normal).

I have recently got to know a wonderful girl called Ellie, who lives in Birmingham and also happens to make some of the best jewellery I have ever seen in my whole, entire, tiny life. And that’s not just me being biased. I genuinely haven’t see anything that is this well made or this lovely in a very long time. For that reason and that reason alone, I just had to share with you some of my favourite pieces from her shop, which is called Bug, so that you can see this wonderment for yourself. She is a wizard, is she not?!

All of her jewellery is handmade and designed by Gandalf Ellie herself. I am quite frankly baffled that you can buy a necklace that is in the shape of a working toaster. Complete with moving toast. This is a great world that we live in, and I am happy to be part of one where toaster necklaces exist.

The La La Land Collection

Bug collage

This is my favourite collection, with loads of cute jewellery to do with tea, picnics and kitchen stuff. Literally THE BEST THING EVER. I love the deconstructed tea bracelet the most I think. Check it out here.

The La Discotheque Collection

bug collage 2

This is a unisex collection inspired by electronica…amazing. Bring me that radio necklace, baby jesus. View the collection here.

The Chained Collection

bug collage 3

This is literally the perfect jewellery for summer, who doesn’t love a head chain? That’s right, no one. No one in the history of the world. Bring me toe rings, head chains and cuffs. Now. View the collection here.

If you’re a keen Wolf and Badger fan, you might have already seen some of Ellie’s stuff, which is stocked on the site.

I urge you to visit Bug and take a look at these beauties yourself. You can also follow Bug on Twitter and like Ellie’s Facebook page to keep updated with the stunning things she is creating. HUZZAH. Go now, and godspeed to you all.

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SS14: The Sunglasses Edit

I have to say that I am a big sunglasses fan. Anything that covers the majority of my face is a winner in my eyes. However, I don’t usually seem buy sunglasses, because lets be honest and open with each other. When does it actually get sunny enough to think ‘Good lord, I am blinded by the rays of the sun, let me delve into my handbag and retrieve my eyeball protectors’? Yes I thought so. Virtually never.

This year, however, is the year of the sunglasses. And here are two of my recent purchases/gifts:

SUNNIES

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New Look Round Sunglasses | Elsie and Fred Chunky 60s Sunglasses

Sunglasses are definitely not an afterthought anymore, and the right pair can definitely finish an outfit perfectly. But what sort of sunnies should we be buying for SS14 and what beautiful eye protectors are on the highstreet at the moment? These are questions that I am about to answer, mon amie, so don’t you go worrying.

Round sunglasses

Screen Shot 2014-04-09 at 09.18.56

Topshop Colour Block Sunglasses | ASOS Handmade Acetate Sunglasses | New Look Frame Sunglasses | Miss Selfridge Pink Round Sunglasses Missguided Baby Pink Round Sunglasses | Elsie and Fred Audrey Round Sunglasses

Round sunglasses are a must if you are planning on being seen in public at some point this summer. Yes, you might feel a bit like a prat and/or like our dear departed John Lennon, but round sunglasses are great. In fact, the rounder the better. NO HALF MEASURES.

Wire Frame Sunglasses

I think the idea with this sunny trend is to channel Harry Potter – i.e. draw a little lightning bolt on your head and pretend everybody is a muggle and I’m pretty sure people will think you are bang on trend.

Screen Shot 2014-04-09 at 17.32.14

Peach Wire Frame Sunglasses | Teashade Sunglasses | Revo Lense Aviators | Elsie and Fred Pyramid Sunglasses | Rose Tinted Sunglasses |

Tinted Sunglasses

Tinted sunglasses are soooooooooooo 90s and cool I can’t even cope. Think Olsen twins. Think Spicegirls. Think ‘I’m not sure how much this is shielding me from those pesky UV rays but god damn it I look brilliant’.

Screen Shot 2014-04-09 at 17.11.32

Topshop Hex Sunglasses | Jeepers Peepers Blue Sunglasses | Pink Tinted Ray Bans | Mango Mirrored Lens Sunglasses |

Anywho, what sunglasses do you want to put on your face this summer?

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S/S 14 Mini Trend: The Ugly Shoe

Ugly Shoes 1We live in a crazy world, ladies and gents, and I would say that the craziest thing in this world – aside from the fact that Kit Harrington has not yet noticed me as his soulmate (fix up Jon Snow!) – is fashion. The fact is that sometimes following fashion means you have to wear things that you think make you look like you belong in some sort of asylum. Oh sure, it would be great if pretty dresses and nice bags were always the height of fashion so we could parade around looking normal, but then how would we confuse elderly relatives?

So one of the oddest trends stealing the show this season is the ugly shoe. Yes, I do believe that is the official fashion name. Characterised by a cleated sole, numerous straps and buckles and preferably a bit of height, these are definitely the ‘it’ shoe of S/S14. Whether you opt for platform, flatform, jelly, canvas, velcro or even holographic versions, make sure you keep it as clunky and cumbersome as possible. You win extra style points the more it looks like you might have raided a Spice Girls dressing up box.

Here are a few of my favourite ugly shoes from around the ‘net:

Ugly Shoes 21. eBay / 2. Topshop / 3. New Look / 4. River Island / 5. eBay / 6. Pretty Little Thing 

And just in case you think I am actually mocking this trend, I want you to know that I am 100% not. Those ones in the top photos are my own little babies – Primark for a superbly purse-friendly £14, in case you were wondering.

What do you all think go this trend, love it or hate it?

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