topshop | Vanity Claire

ClaireMay 2, 2014

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.

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.

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireApril 28, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Double Denim

Sleeveless Denim Jacket: Topshop (old) / Bralet: c/o Elsie & Fred / Jeans: Topshop (old) / Docs: c/o Cloggs.co.uk

Is it just me, or am I shrinking? I mean, I literally look about three feet tall in these photos. There are probably toddlers out there who could get me in a headlock.

Anyway, several years after it became a ‘thing’, I’ve today decided to rock some double denim – and it still felt a bit ke-razy of me. Both pieces are from Topshop several years ago, so you may need a time machine if you desperately want to get your hands on them (or eBay is a cheaper option).

That on the right is what I like to call my ‘flashing pose’.

I teamed the double denim with my favey pastel piece for this Spring, this beaut colour-block bralet from Elsie & Fred, as well as my beloved Docs (which yes, still have the nickname of ‘Claire’s gardening shoes’ whenever I wear them to work – stupid boys).

What do you all think of this outfit? Let me know in the comments below!

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

ClaireMarch 22, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Primark Check Co-Ord

Co-Ord: Primark / Crop Top: Topshop / Necklace: Primark / Shoes: eBay

Get out the banners and assemble the marching band, for this is worthy of a celebration – I finally got my hands on a co-ord! Despite my local Primark being masters of uselessness and not having any of their matching pieces together, as soon as I saw this jacket I was on a mission to track down the co-ordinating shorts that I knew existed. Ten minutes later I was on my hands and knees, ignoring the barging I was getting from surrounding pushchairs and rooting along the bottom rail in search of my size as I had finally tracked them down.

This co-ord makes me feel like a mixture of Cher from Clueless and some sort of football hooligan (I know, way harsh Tai). The bomber jacket top adds a very casual dimension, making the co-ord lie somewhere between a short suit and a cut-off shellsuit. It’s kind of odd, but I kind of definitely like it.

ALSO, can I draw some attention to my mighty fine new necklace, also from Primark? I’m going to be posting a haul either tomorrow or the day after (or maybe even the day after that – but definitely some time this millennium, hold tight) of a few the other bits I got on my Primark shopping trip so I won’t bang on about it too much. I just want you to be aware it exists and I love it.

The jacket was £15 and the shorts were £10, meaning this whole co-ord is a mere £25 (watch out Carol Vordermon). That is an absolute snip as for something similar in Topshop you’d easily be looking at probably three times that. The necklace was only £4, which was good as I think Primark have been getting a bit carried away with their jewellery pricing lately. I swear I saw something for SIX POUNDS recently; what an outrage.

Anyway it’s Saturday and we’re off to a super exciting event tonight with work so I need to go and piss off. BYE.

What do you think of this co-ord?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireMarch 20, 2014

Topshop x Adidas Originals: How to Wear

I don’t know about you, but I definitely thought that the varsity trend had had its day, and died a death with the Topshop ’86’ jerseys of last year. But it seems I’m wrong and that sports luxe is hanging around for yet another season, with Topshop today releasing their brand new collaboration with Adidas Originals.

The Originals range has always been the more fashionable side to Adidas, with the trefoil tees, running shorts and tracksuit tops popping up in vintage stores all over the place last year as a more authentic alternative to the sports trend. Now they’ve all had a full fashion makeover with the help of Topshop, who have incorporated new prints and luxe materials into its 18-piece collection.

The collection’s been designed with co-ordination firmly in mind, with most of the pieces matching others in the range. However, if you’re not brave enough to go head-to-toe Adidas (ya wimps) then I’ve picked out some other sports luxe pieces from around the web that can be worn alongside the Originals collection.

Vero Moda Flower Printed Joggers
New Look Cameo Rose Baseball Tee
Topshop Bomber Jacket
River Island Crop Sweater
Topshop Marl Running Shorts

Of course, the dreaded 86 jersey had to turn in some form didn’t it?! In general though, I’m happy to see sports luxe sticking around this summer; it means you can eat as much barbecue as you want without worrying about burger bulge AND if you accidentally bump into anyone at the shop when you’re wearing your joggers you can walk away safe in the knowledge that they might be fooled into thinking you were actually being fashionable, rather than just a slob.

What do you all think of the Topshop x Adidas Originals range?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireMarch 17, 2014

Outfit of the Day: £5 Primark Skater Dress & Topshop Fur Coat

And the award for the biggest bitch face goes to….that ginger idiot up there.

I don’t know why I look so angry, but I think it may be because my new ginger locks mixed with my dark eyebrows make me look a bit like a contestant in Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Must get a new, non-manly palette.

Like every self-respecting poor girl, I enjoy going into Primark and snapping up a bargain. In fact, my bargain hunting has got so out of hand that I look for sale and/or extra cheap things whilst actually in Primark. I know, let me just relocate to live under a bridge.

Despite coming across as a bit homeless, this Primark dress is an absolute STEAL. I’m not joking. When I wear it, I am slightly alarmed that the po po might come and shut me down. Nevertheless, at £5 (yes, five GBP) it is basically rude note to. They actually do a number of prints (Claire has a jazzy monochrome one), but I went for this suuuuuper cute green/white floral number. It’s become an absolute staple in my wardrobe (so much so that you could probably staple together a number of voluminous manuscripts) and I already have worn it to work about 100 times.

Before heading out, I whipped on my trusty Topshop faux fur coat and my Primark cut out sandals. I’m sorry you can’t see more of them in this, I am a terrible tripod organiser. I also have my wonderful and beloved Dirty Looks HK hair extensions in, as well as Kate Moss for Rimmel on my lips. WAHOO.

What do you think of this bargain £5 dress?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireMarch 8, 2014

Outfit of the Day: 1460 Vintage Rose Dr Martens

Top: New Look / Jeggings: Topshop / Chain: eBay / Doc Martens: c/o Cloggs.co.uk

Oops, the bitch face strikes again. In my defence though, I think when taking these photos I had to settle for a casual bitch face or risk cracking out into the gompiest smile ever, because I’m so IN LOVE with my new Doc Martens!

I know they’re not to everyone’s tastes – most of the boys in the office stared at me blankly when I proudly tried to show them off, while one just said “Er… are they your new gardening shoes?” – but I think they’re absolute beauties. The floral pattern is such a fun take on the traditional 1460 boot, and I know I’ll get plenty of wear out of them (once I’ve eventually broke them in anyway… I’m currently wearing them in bed). A huge thank you to Cloggs for sending these my way; they also stock Converse, Vans, Hunters, UGGs, Jeffrey Campbells and basically every other brand you could want so definitely check them out dear readers!

For their first outing I’ve teamed my beloved boots with my new waffle-texture top from New Look. I chose to finally get on board with the baby pink trend, but they also stock this in pale blue, cream and black. I don’t really venture into New Look all that much these days, but I definitely need to start as this was a little bargain at £12.99 and I think it’s really versatile.

I’m off to gaze at my boots some more now, bye bye and farewell.

What do you all think of this outfit? Let us know in the comments below!

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireMarch 5, 2014

How To Dress For Your Body Shape: The Real Person Version

I’m pretty sure most girls have tried on clothes while out shopping, taken a peek in the mirror and thought ‘good heavens, these leather trousers make me look like a raging hippopotamus lunatic’. (no…just me?)

I am very passionate about people wearing clothes that suit them (i.e. if you are over a certain age and insist on wearing disco hot pants, you need to go home). And that’s not just me being horrified at seeing elderly bottom in the streets, I think people generally feel better in clothes that fit them and suit them. I know I definitely do, which is why I refuse (on grounds that I don’t want to alarm anybody with my trunk-like arms) to wear things that don’t have sleeves.

But how on this good green earth how do you dress for your body shape in this day and age without looking like a lunatic?

Triangle:

If you’re a triangle shape, you tend to be bigger on top and smaller on the bottom – basically an inverted pear. Skater skirts help to put you more into proportion.

Leather Skater Skirt | Cropped Ribbed Tshirt | Cut Out Boots | Statement Necklace

Pear:

Aside from being delicious and good for you, pears tend to be bigger on the bottom and smaller on top. Patterns and sleeves balance y’all out.

Floral Skater Dress | Platform Sandals | Pale Pink Bag

Hourglass:

If you’re an hourglass, you’re a lucky thang. Hourglasses are the same proportions on top and on the bottom. Huzzah. Make the most most of your hot bod.

Black Midi Skirt | Crop Vest Drop | Cascade Necklace | Strap Heels

Apple:

Apple shapes are usually bigger around the middle bit, with slimmer legs and arms. Shift dresses are excellent because they don’t draw attention to the bigger areas. And transparent clutch bags are great.

White Flatforms | Daisy Print Shift Dress | Transparent Clutch Bag

Rectangle:

The model shape, you lucky thangs! Clothes look brilliant on you and you can pretty much wear anything. Thanks to the queen and merry England.

Metallic Boots | Lace Jumpsuit | Pink Satchel

I know there have been a zillion programmes on the telly about wearing the right clothes for your body shape, but lets be honest. Gok doesn’t really cater for us gals who are a bit on the younger side. And his tips don’t always correlate to what’s in the shops right at this moment in time. The whole “ooooo-er wear a waist belt to draw the eye to who knows what” is frankly nonsense. It’s not 2004 anymore and I don’t even know where you buy a coloured waist belt anymore. And this horizontal versus vertical stripe situation baffles me. If I wear a vertical stripe, I can pretty much guarantee that I will not look like a size 6 Kate Moss.

My ultimate top tip for you all is: the bigger the bag, the smaller the waist. While dressing for your shape is a good idea…sometimes you just want to wear disco hotpants. If that’s the case, just buy lots of giant handbags and wear what you want. Goodnight.

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireMarch 2, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Topshop Gingham Treggings

Top: Topshop / Treggings: Topshop / Boots: New Look / Hat: H&M / Bag: Primark / Watch: Casio (available via ASOS)

First of all – EWW could my extensions be looking any rattier? Thank the sweet baby Jesus and all of the animals in the manger that Dirty Looks have sent us new extensions to try out (review coming soon!) so hopefully this rattiness can be put to an end.

Secondly – oops, I went to Topshop! I’d had my eye on this pair of checked leggings for the last couple of weeks, but after trying on a few options in the shop I found this pair of treggings to be more flattering due to the thicker material. Also, HELLO, but gingham is so the new tartan anyway. Hair flick.

I also picked up this burnout effect ‘Berlin’ slogan t-shirt. I’m always a bit iffy when it comes to t-shirts; I hate when they have a proper Fruit of the Loom kind of neck on them as I feel like I’m being strangled by my own clothes – but there was something about this loose fitting one that I liked. Also as far as slogan tees go, ‘Berlin’ is pretty non-offensive, and I don’t feel like too much of a fraud because I have in fact been there (lovely place, lots of tall people and sausages).

What do you all think of this outfit? Have you seen anything you like in Topshop lately?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Instagram, Bloglovin’ and Twitter! ||

ClaireFebruary 3, 2014

The Best of Topshop Spring/Summer 2014

Why hi there chums,

It’s no secret that Claire and I are ~~massive tramps~~ ~~really poor~~ quite the bargain hunters. There’s nothing we like better than a trip into Primark or scouring eBay for a deal or five. For us, buying things from Topshop has become a distant student loan memory and paying the nice people at British Gas has eaten up our Topshop budget pretty much entirely. Sigh and c’est la vie. If you’re reading, BG, we wouldn’t mind if you cut us a little slack so we could buy some new threads for Saturday night ;).

Nevertheless, I do enjoy having a perv on all of the lovely clothes at Topshop and there are usually at least 5 pieces on my wishlist at any one time. I’ve been hugely excited about some of their ‘New In’ items this month and decided to put together a best of collage to showcase the collection. Huzzah and three cheers for merry England.

I pretty much love all of these things and need them in my tiny pathetic life. I’ve got my eye on the baby pink trend for spring/summer 2014 and I’m super excited to get some Barbie in my life. I’m also loving oversized gemstone jewellery and while this Topshop one isn’t real (it’s only £8.50 after all), it’s absolutely gorgeous. The oversized tee is actually really similar to my Primark printed tshirt I wore in this outfit of the day, but I love buying things that look the same. That is just the way I am.

No surprises that pastels are going to be mega in spring/summer 2014 (when aren’t they) but as I said earlier, I can’t wait to get a load of pink on my body. I’m also excited about the big floral prints that are coming out way (mostly because I am a tacky biatch). I don’t know about you guys, but I will be channelling the jungle in every single way that I can. I love the blue tassel tee too, although I’m not sure about the tassel business. They might grow on me or just make me feel like a lampshade.

So amigos, what do you think? Are you going to be investing in some Topshop key pieces in spring/summer 2014 or saving your hard earned pennies for a Primark splurge?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Bloglovin’, Instagram and Twitter! ||

ClaireJanuary 28, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Motel Cropped Alphabet Jumper

Jumper: Motel Rocks / Jeggings: Topshop / Boots: Boohoo / Chain: eBay / Satchel: Primark

First of all, I’m so sorry for the amount of belly button there is in this post. At least I’ve got an innie, hey?

Moving on…

I’m in love with my new cropped jumper from Motel, which I actually managed to acquire from eBay for the magical price of 99p NEW WITHOUT TAGS. Which might be code for “I’ve actually worn this a few times but I’m a sneaky snake and will pretend I haven’t”, but I don’t really care to be quite honest. 99p!

I’m also in sartorial love with my new satchel from Primark, which I’ve had my beady eyes on for a while. White might not be the most practical choice but I think it’ll be especially nice during summer to freshen up an outfit.

What do y’all think?

|| Don’t forget that you can follow us on Bloglovin’, Instagram and Twitter! ||