New Look | Vanity Claire

ClaireAugust 13, 2013

August Haul: Primark, New Look & More!

‘Ello ladies!

I have a bit of a confession to make…I am supposed to be on a spending ban. That went well.

I’ve been trying to invest in some simpler pieces to go with the more jazzy things in my wardrobe so I don’t have to wear too many mad prints at once – I usually am a bit of a ‘AHH LOOK AT THE LEOPARD PRINT. LOOK AT THE FLORALS’ kind of gal and have very little interest in plain things. But as a working girl in her 20s, sometimes turning up to the office in acid wash and leopard print isn’t the most professional way to dress.

New Look Dress | Primark Shirt | Missguided Shorts

I managed my new simple mantra with *two* of my recent purchases, so all in all not too shabby! You can’t g wrong with a t-shirty style skater dress and I love the rose colour of this one! Rose is also a big colour for autumn/winter, so I’m pleased to be getting a few on-trend items in my wardrobe already! The shirt is very me and I have about 10 cream blouses in my cupboard already…one more can’t hurt, right? I plan to wear it with these jazzy neon floral shorts on Saturday night for our house party!

Phew, we have a few beauty products on the go don’t we! I haven’t used any of my Lush stuff yet, so I can’t comment on those. The Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm is something I seriously don’t get. It’s just vaseline, basically. WHAT IS THE HYPE ABOUT?! The Purdie’s hand lotion smells amazing and I picked it up in Scotland. The rest is pretty self explanatory, oui oui?

H&M Pork Pie Hat | New Look Bag | Primark Necklace and Earrings

I’ve been after a pork pie hat for AGES, but refused to pay Topshop prices because I am a ~~tramp~~ poor girl. I found this bad boy in H&M for £8.99 so it swiftly found it’s way into my shopping basket! It’s going to be another great autumn/winter piece and I’m very excited to start wearing it! The bag is another transitional piece (and one that was desperately needed after my main handbag began to fall apart!). It’s not the best quality but it cost me £10 in the New Look sale so you can’t complain really. Primark is one of my favourite places to go for jewellery and it definitely didn’t disappoint this week! I love this necklace and the earrings are right up my street (although very plasticy!). I also bought a really cute bee/bug ring but I couldn’t find it while I was taking these photos, cry.

New Look brogues | Converse from Schuh

This pair of converse are actually a couple of weeks old and something I didn’t buy myself! My parents got them for me for my birthday, which was very lovely of them! I claimed I wasn’t a trainer girl for about a year and that has definitely change…so comfy! The brogues were another attempt at dressing like a grown up and since buying them about a week ago, they’ve had A LOT of wear. I’m very pleased with them, definitely a great classic addition to my wardrobe.

PHEW. That is pretty much all of my recent buys. I think I went a bit mad, but you know. You have to speculate to accumulate, right? (Anyone know what that actually means?).

What do you all think of my August buys?

ClaireAugust 4, 2013

Outfit of the Day: ASOS Mirror Print Skirt

Crop Top – Primark / Jewellery – Primark / Skirt – ASOS (Petite) / Shoes – New Look

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ClaireJuly 24, 2013

Short Girl Problems: The Best Petite Clothing

They say that good things come in small packages – but what if the package wrapping just doesn’t fit?

Lauren and I are both self-confessed hobbits. I always liked to ambitiously declare myself as 5’3, though a cruel machine at the gym recently broke the news to me that I am in fact 5’1.8 (the .8 makes all the difference). Lauren comes in even smaller than me – some rumours suggest she is as little as 3 feet tall, and just wears special shoes like Tom Cruise.

Here is a recent photo of us.

We both quite like being short – you never really have to worry about finding a boy who’s taller than you, you’re brilliant at hide and seek because you can easily fit into most cupboards, and you can often get away with paying child fare on the bus.

One thing which is a proper snore about being short, though, is the clothing issue. Trousers drag along the floor. Midis cut us at awkward angles. We trip over our maxi skirts (Lauren face-planted in the middle of Birmingham City Centre just a few weeks ago due to this. Of course I didn’t laugh when she told me. Not one bit). Yes, these problems could all be fixed by altering our clothes but, frankly, the furthest I ever got in textiles lessons in school was making a puppet that was supposed to be a rabbit but more closely resembled something you might pull out of the hoover when you have a blockage. The domesticated life is not the one for me.

Another option is sizing down in ‘normal’ ranges. I have quite a few size 6 dresses in my wardrobe which, if you saw my hips, you would know is NOT my true size. But going a size smaller means you have less material, so it can be spread across your body better (sorry, I couldn’t find any better way of saying that). This is a good tactic with bodycon stuff, dresses in particular – I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for a pair of jeans, as fitting a size 10 bum into size 6 jeans will just result in an arse split that will be difficult to hide as you hand it back to the shop assistant.

My TIP TOP TIP though, is to find out where do good petite ranges. Things just look so much better when they are made for someone of your height – they keep you in much better proportion, plus you have less bruising from falling over all the time. So, here’s my list of the top 3 places to head to for petite clothes.

Topshop Petite
Topshop are hands-down one of my favourite shops that cater to my little-legged needs. They always have a decent sized range and often do petite versions of the season’s best-sellers, so we don’t have to miss out just because of the poor genetics passed onto us from our parents.

ASOS Petite
ASOS’ petite range is another personal favourite of mine, particularly for maxi skirts and dresses. Whereas Topshop only stock sizes 4-14, ASOS go up to a 16 so the majority of us tiny tots (did I really just say that? Yep, moving on) can find something to wear. What I also like about ASOS is that they do a lot of pieces exclusive to the Petite range. This makes me feel like I am in some sort of special club and can sashay around in amazing dresses that would leave taller girls flashing their foofs.

New Looks – 915 Range
Okay, DO NOT LAUGH. But buying kids’ clothes really is a superb idea if you’re petite. Have you seen how tall these 14 year olds are?! I have a slight problem with New Look’s 915 range because as I browse the crop tops and mini dresses, I can’t help but wonder where on earth 9 YEAR OLDS are going dressed like that. But that is a problem for parents and not for us short shoppers – so just enjoy the cheaper prices and worry about the nation’s children at a later date.

Are any of you petite? What are your tactics for dressing for your height?

ClaireJuly 21, 2013

Outfit of the Day: Neon Tshirt and a Maxi Skirt.

My unabated love affair with the neon trend continues. When I came home with this top yesterday, Claire sarcastically said “Oh, I didn’t know you liked neon”, which I think was a bit rude really. I think that girl needs an attitude adjustment. She has a point though, my last few shopping trips have all included something neon and I’m seriously wondering whether I’m investing too much into this trend, only to be rudely awakened by the dark colours and gloominess that the autumn/winter trends will bring.

But as our dear and beloved friend Drake would say, YOLO. I love the colour of this little neon pink number and I can see myself getting LOADS of wear out of it before the hot weather runs out. Basic tshirts are something I don’t have enough of, so it is a useful little addition to my wardrobe.

I wore this outfit out for dinner at a friend’s house yesterday (nachos, YUM) and I’m horrified to say that the WHOLE outfit is from Primark (apart from my necklace, phew). I bought the maxi skirt a few months ago, it’s nothing special but it’s nice and flattering. My love of crosses is nearly akin to my love of neon, so I whacked on my big cross pendant (bought from New Look), a pair of sandals (Primark, I’m sorry) and a brown bag. The top was a mere £3.50 from Primark, what a genuine barg!

You might notice a bit of a change of scene for this OOTD. I thought I’d treat you all to a sneak peak of my bedroom (this post is practically an episode of Cribs). As you can see I have really nice carpets, I think the puke green marbled effect really compliments my eyes. I also have a chicken ornament, nothing more needs to be said about that.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and keep your eyes peeled for lots of exciting posts this week!

ClaireJune 28, 2013

How to Dress Like… Iggy Azalea

I don’t think I can accurately describe how thoroughly in love I am with Iggy Azalea. Ever since first seeing the ‘Work’ video, I’ve dedicated good portions of my day to stalking her Twitter and Instagram accounts, lusting over her hair, clothes, figure… okay, her everything. It borders on a creepy crush, and I’m perfectly fine admitting that to you all.

I figured that I may as well put my obsessive perusing to some good use and run through some of Iggy’s key looks, how you can replicate them and general tips on how to embrace your inner Iggy.

Look 1: The Body

Miss Azalea is regularly spotted wearing leotards that perfectly show off her teeny tiny top half. One of the reasons I absolutely adore her style, and I’m sure I’ll waffle more about this in a bit, is because she’s proud of her ‘runway tits’ and doesn’t go in for trying to make them look bigger like other small-boobed celebs do (Rihanna, I’m looking at you, ya B-cup faker).

Motel body / Miss Selfridge Black Mesh Body / New Look Print Body

Look Two: Urban

I’ve read numerous bits about how Iggy moved from Australia to America (which is not something I’d necessarily do – waving ‘laters’ to fit Aussie surfer boys just seems like the actions of a lunatic) because she considered it to be the home of hip hop. Her love of this culture is obviously something that passes into her style, so she’s regularly repping the urban look. Generally, I wouldn’t encourage you to start going out in full tracksuits unless you’re a big name in rap, but luckily the current trend for sport luxe means that you can incorporate this in a wearable way.

River Island Mesh Crop / Topshop Grey Quilted Joggers / River Island Studded High Tops

Look Three: Bright Bodycons

One word will suffice here: CURVES. She’s always emphasising hers in bright prints and colours. I’m personally really intrigued to know whether she ever wears fat pants to suck it all in – I mean, I know her abs are amazing, but what if she has a really big pie before an event? Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d get a response if I tweeted her about her underwear. Sad face.

Boohoo Ombre Dress / Motel Jolene Dress / Motel Zoe Dress in Aztec

Look Four: The Crop Top

A girl after my own heart, Iggy has a selection of amazing crop tops. If you had a stomach like this, wouldn’t you constantly be flashing it?

Topshop Leater Look Bralet / New Look Aztec Crop / Urban Outfitters Halterneck Crop

What do you all think of Iggy Azalea’s style? Who are you admiring at the moment?

ClaireJune 12, 2013

Outfits of the Day: Skulls & Leopards

Top: New Look
Necklace: Primark
Skirt: Primark
Boots: Dorothy Perkins

Vest: H&M
Scarf: eBay
Bracelets: Primark
Maxi Skirt: Topshop (Petite)

Greetings earthlings! It’s been a pretty fun few days for us in regards to this blog, having had an AMAZING response so far to our giveaway (click on the link for info on how to win – it’s easy, so no excuses).

We (by which I mean Lauren) also finally figured out to get our (by which I mean Lauren’s) camera fixed to our new tripod, which hopefully means more OOTD posts and general fun and games. That is, unless we get too enthusiastic at the weekend after a couple of vodka lemonades and end up knocking it over while trying to take group shots, which is highly possible…

I think our night at the gym last night faffing about with kettle bells and weights might have left us both with the urge to feel a bit more feminine today, as we both emerged from our boudoirs wearing skirts for work this morning. Lauren went for her trademark leopard and gold (she is the epitome of class, that girl) dressed up with a red midi skirt. I opted for my bright blue tube skirt that I LOVE and have worn so much since getting, with my trusty old skull scarf – which comes in really handy when wearing tight outfits like this, covers up that lunchtime cous-cous bulge a treat. I was also wearing my new black loafers from Primark, but the camera cut them off. I would say this is because I’m too tall, but a machine at the gym the other day broke the awful news to me that I am shorter than I thought – I am only 5’1.8! Off to climb into a shoe and cry. Bye bye.

ClaireJune 6, 2013

What to Wear: My Night Out Wishlist.

I’m currently having a terrible panic that my entire wardrobe is terrible and that if I don’t invest in some new clothes quickly my whole life will become meaningless. Some might say this is slightly over-reactive but to them I say, NAY YOU SIMPLY DON’T UNDERSTAND.

Backing up ever so slightly, I haven’t bought many new clothes of late because I was saving up for my big move from Cheshire to Coventry. Now that I have my lovely new job, a wonderful (if a bit broken and untidy) house with Claire and have finally got my life together, I have a bit of extra cash to play with. I say a bit, I don’t really have any but I feel like a baller and what is a baller without a good wardrobe?

Next week, we are having some of our university pals to stay. The story is quite tragic, mostly because my old housemate is having to move back to Dubai and we may never see her again, sob. So we’re having a bit of a hoorah at our house to say farewell and also to catch up after the long and upsetting months we have been apart. As you can tell, it is an important occasion that will definitely be fuelled by wine, tequila and a lot of cry hugging. Partly because my wardrobe is in such a pathetic state and also because it’s an excuse to buy something new, I’ve been all organised and decided to plan a few options of what to wear. I’m loving the UK fashion trends at the moment, so it’s going to be an excellent time to invest in a few key staples.

I’ve been inspired by a lot of fashion and beauty blogs that have been featuring neon pieces recently, so I think this is the main trend I’m going for when I eventually go shopping. Unfortunately, I’m having to coordinate with Claire who’s going for a neon crop top and denim skater skirt so I’m a bit limited (she’s a selfish one, isn’t she). As you might know (if you’d read my fashion tragedy post), I bought these New Look platform sandals last week and managed to break them within an hour of wearing. I’m hoping to replace them this weekend so they are my shoes of choice while I’m looking for outfits!

Floral Midi Skirt: Missguided. White Cropped Tshirt: Topshop. Gold Chain: Topshop. Yellow Nail Varnish: Barry M. Platform Sandals: New Look.

Printed Shorts: Boohoo. Gold Earrings: Topshop. Pink Lipstick: Topshop. Shoulder Cutout Body: Missguided. Platform Sandals: New Look.

Monochrome Skater Dress: Missguided. Neon Satchel: H&M. Geometric Earrings: Topshop. Platform Sandals: New Look. Black Lipstick: Barry M.

So, what do you all think? Any favourites? I’ve officially got a week before the girls come over so it’s definitely time to start planning and buying!

ClaireJune 6, 2013

2013 Bikinis: Best on the UK High Street

It is with a slightly heavy heart that I sit down to write this post, and I want you all to know that it’s only because of my dedication to this here fashion blog that I am even bothering to write it. For today I am writing a post on the best bikinis for holidays this summer – AND I AM NOT EVEN GOING ON HOLIDAY MYSELF.

I’ve been on girls’ holidays every summer for around the last five years, but saving to move into my new house this year has meant that a holiday is firmly off the cards. Especially seeing as I’m now 22 so would have had to go somewhere respectable that doesn’t do a fishbowl, two cocktails and a round of shots for a fiver (oh Magalluf you will always have a special, though tacky, place in my heart).

So, no hot holiday this year means no bikini shopping. But, like the trooper I am, I’ve scoured the web to track down some of the best swimwear available on the high street right now. THE THINGS I DO FOR LOVE, EH?

Asos Bikini / Topshop Bikini / River Island Bikini @ Asos

Topshop Bikini / New Look Bikini / Missguided Bikini

New Look Bikini / Boohoo Bikini / Forever 21 Bikini

Well, this has thoroughly depressed me.

ClaireJune 5, 2013

Outfits of the Day: Double Denim & Summer Pastels

HEY THERE HELLO. This is just going to be a quick little Outfit of the Day post. It is, in fact, our first proper OOTD entry that hasn’t involved mirror snaps or pictures where we are happily obscuring our faces. I would like to apologise for a few things:

• The quality of the photos. We are finally going to start using a proper camera (and a tripod – look how serious we have become) so these will improve!
• My awkward photo face. I am awful at having my photo taken, I usually end up doing a creepy smile that is most often found on the faces of sex offenders on Crimewatch. Again, I think that the tripod and practice will make this better over time.
• Our messy floor – no real excuse there though, I’m afraid. We just messy.

Claire

Lace Body: Topshop
Vest: Primark
Gold chain: eBay
Watch: Casio
Lavendar skinny jeans: Primark
Shoes: Converse

I decided to wear quite a summery-coloured outfit today, possibly as a reaction to wearing all black yesterday and nearly boiling in the heat. Before, I never would have dreamed of wearing a pastel pair of jeans as I was convinced they would be the least flattering thing for my shape ever. As you can see, I was incredibly correct about this. BUT I’m going through a new phase where I’m trying to embrace my natural body shape and so getting The Hips (epic enough to deserve capital letters) out in lavender is now something I am just rolling with.

Lauren

Blouse: Missguided
Denim shirt: Primark
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: New Look

We recently published a post all about double denim where we asked whether you dared to do it. Well, Lauren dared. She says this was a result of me telling her we needed to do an OOTD post and her panicking with the need to wear something interesting – BUT I think it works marvelously. Fun fact: these glittery pumps proceeded to give Lauren huge blisters on our way into work, causing her to stop off and wear her bright (and I mean BRIGHT) pink gym trainers for the rest of the journey. Of course I didn’t laugh. Of course.

ClaireJune 4, 2013

My Outfit of the Day and a Fashion Tragedy.

I had a quarter life crisis last week (much like Claire and her strange purple dip-dye phase) and decided to overhaul my general appearance in my eternal quest to become a trendy wendy. This meant dashing to the hairdresser in my lunch break on Friday and carefully explaining that I wanted a fringe cut well above my eyebrows, so that all the effort I spend drawing them on is not wasted. After a disdainful “that’s a bit short isn’t it…’ and my hairdresser deciding not to charge me (probably because she thought it looked horrible and I was upset by it. I wasn’t, I love it and I got a free haircut), my new look is on its way to being complete. For those of you who follow us on Instragram, you may have seen a picture but here is the final result anyway:

I’m also lying slightly when I say outfit of the day because this was actually my outfit on Saturday. However, I generally look slightly trampy at work because I get ready at 6am and forget how to dress myself, so there will rarely be a good outfit post here. Anywhoo, this was my favourite outfit from the weekend (the rest of the time was spent in a tshirt with a strange Jamaican man on it) and I wore it to do a spot of shopping in Birmingham.

Neon skirt: H&M

Lace top: Next

Box bag: Primark (its hilariously old so I wont even attempt a link)

Black boots: Dorothy Perkins

I also have to share with you all possibly the worst fash trag (also know as a fashion tragedy) that has happened to me yet. On my shopping ventures on Saturday, I bought these absolute stunners from New Look. I’m a big fan of New Look heels in general (although I don’t love their clothes) and these ones are bang on the mark in every single way. I can’t describe to you how much I love(d) them; my day, NAY MY LIFE, was infinitely improved. They were only £24.99 too, so literally the biggest bargain of my entire human life.

So, my shoes and I should have lived happily ever after. We had all the makings of a perfect couple. I wore them out on Saturday night for a casual one at Snobs and things were going swimmingly. They were comfy. I was tall. It was a most exciting time. HOWEVER, being the literal clumsy idiot I am and also blaming New Look somewhat, I managed to break ALL of the straps on one of the shoes. I wasn’t even vigorously dancing; I managed to break my shoes by simply standing up. Obviously, I was more upset about the fact my shoes had broken than the fact that I had to spend a million pounds to go home, get another pair of shoes and come back out. I’m going to replace them this weekend and hope that the next pair survives longer than an hour because I really, really can’t live without them!