Payday Purchase

Wow, it's been a while since I wrote one of these. I feel like every time I write a post I have to justify why I've not written in so long, more to myself than anything if I'm honest. A sign of my own laziness I'm sure! 

Stepping aside from the procrastination and onto the matter at hand, my latest purchase. 

I've never been a fan of trainers, I've always had this thing in my head that certain things are for men only - pints, football and trainers. Weird I know, but lately the influx of trainers worn for fashion as opposed to function has become hard to ignore and who am I to avoid such a blatant trend. Well I've ignored it for the past year but at least I'm finally latching on. 

After going from a trainer hater to someone in desperate need of a pair in the space of a day I enlisted the help of the only person I could trust with such a decision regarding my footwear. Together we went to Westfields and after visiting numerous shops and heated debates over what I should get (he greatly favours Huaraches whilst I was partial to a pair of Flyknits) we both decided we liked the Air Max Thea (above). Surprise surprise not a single shop in Shepards Bush nor my local high street had my size, luckily however a planned trip to Manchester that weekend worked in my favour.

As mentioned, there was a two day lapse in picking my trainers and actually purchasing them, in the mean time I realised my usual attire of 50's style skirts and skater dresses would hardly work with this new choice of footwear. Therefore I spent the next two days shopping determinedly, buying my new jeans for the first time in years and even a new coat especially to wear with my trainers.  Any excuse!

Wear the trend: Pink Coats

Everyone knows that the pink coat is the must have item this season.  Shown this season by the likes of Carven, it wasn't too long before stores such as Zara had replicated the look with their own (much lower) price tag.  Choosing the right kind of winter coat is hard enough work as it is (bare in mind it is the only part of your outfit most people will see!) and considering that a coat like this is barely going to see you through to next season then it's more important than ever to pick the right one.  Here's my top 5 from the high street.

1) Wool coat £79.99 - H&M

2) Mil £99.00 - Marks and Spencer

3) Masculine studio overcoat £179.00 - Zara

4) Lacy coat £239 - Hobbs

5) Neon boucle coat £250 - Boutique by Jaeger

Wear the Trend: Spaghetti Straps

The summer might almost be over, but as we all know, fashion never sleeps and although most of our summer may have been filled with rain, as memory recalls September is usually one of the hottest months of the year. 

As a girl who seems to have developed a phobia of jeans, finding a nice dress has becoming something of an obsession of mine.  This season's spaghetti strap was one which I initially deemed inappropriate for my body shape, I mean, lets be honest, I know I'm not the only girl who would prefer a cap sleeve for fear of bearing their entire upper arm.  Having tried my first dress however, I realised that this style, as with many, is more a case of having the confidence to dare to bare. 

Whilst a plain up and down dress with these straps can be a little daunting, with the right cut and detail, you need to worry as the style will balance itself out.  See below for my top 5 spaghetti strap dresses.

 

 

1) Satin dress - H&M £34.99

2) Silk pleat slip - Topshop £100

3) Black ombre fringed flapper dress - River Island £50

4) Dress with ruffle neckline - Zara £35.99

5) Zenith bow front dress - Jil Sander @ The Outnet £387

Payday Purchase

Every year we have an 'IT' coat and unsurprisingly this years comes by way of Spanish retailer Zara. Gracing the pages of Vogue, Elle and every other fashion glossy, the powder pink coat is the must have item on all of our winter shopping lists right? Well, not mine.

I love pink, don't get me wrong, but there is something this shade of a coat that doesn't sit right with me. I found this khaki number in H&M for only £35, a muc better colour, style and, lets face it, price. 

The canvas and leather fabric contrast is a bit repetitive of last years Zara number, but the quilted style of the sleeves offers a fashionable update and the canvas fabric as opposed to wool makes it a better option for the in between months of Autumn and Winter. The best part? Khaki coats will repeat a lot more than a powder pink!

Wear the Trend: Block Heeled Sandals

As women, we all love to wear a heel to work.  For some of us, however, a heel just isn't viable due to the fact that we are running round on our feet all day.  Enter the block midi heel.  A perfect style for summer, the block heel makes for comfortable walking as opposed to the formerly favoured stiletto style heel and is also a great step away from that hideously offensive and unflattering kitten heel.

This tan option is from Zara and is currently in the sale (from £49.99 to £39.99) which in laymans terms means you might want to snap them up before they're gone.

The neutral colour means they'll go with pretty much anything, but I favour this pair with a pair of chiffon shorts and a white blazer for an easy office to bar look.

The white colour of these sandals are perfect if you've got a summer tan, if you are more on a pale side, like me then luckily these Kurt Geiger shoes also come in black.  At £85 they are slightly pricier than their high street counterparts, but as any fashionista knows, you get what you pay for.

This pair are from High Street fave Topshop. Priced at £48, they won't break the bank and with their simple style and plain black colour they work with pretty much any outfit and are guaranteed to last. A safe yet stylish option if you are still unsure of this style.

At £625 this Rupert Sanderson pair are way out of my price bracket, but when a pair of sandals look like this, it would be a crime not to include them in a post.  This bright colour and perspex heel of this shoe make them just about as on trend as you can get and would flatter any summer dress.

Payday Purchase

Whilst this isn't the most extravagant of purchases, we all know that basics carry us through most seasons.  This bag from the Zara Basics range is no exception.  Admittedly I bought this particular bag whilst on holiday at full price and came back to the UK to find it in the sale, however it's low price luckily doesn't make too much of a difference.

A clutch bag can be difficult to carry for day to day activities but a tote can sometimes be a bit much, this messenger bag makes a nice compromise between the two.  Its roll top makes it more casual, and easy to grip under the arm and although it reminds me of a brown lunch bag you would see in an american sitcom, I can see this bag being more than worth it's money.

Payday Purchase

First week back and student loans have dropped, this can only mean one thing - a shopping spree in Zara. As you will all know the beginning of January is sale time, and believe me when I say that Zara have the biggest sale I have ever been to and unlike most sales it isn't simply rails of fragmented unsellable pieces. The Zara sale is actually perfectly organised and neatly lines the walls of the store - therefore no elbows to the head as you battle your way in between rails!

Anyhow, I digress. As you all probably know, every girl should have a leather jacket in their wardrobe; it is not only a great transeasonal piece, but it a real leather jacket will last you for years to come. For some reason, I never even owned a leather jacket - until now. I've invested in this great jacket from Zara, and at only £169, it's a fraction of the price of the jacket I was originally going to buy from Whistles.

Now that is what I call an investment piece!

Payday Purchase

I've never been a massive fan of Spanish retail Zara.  I quite often found that everything they offer can be found in various other high street store for a better deal or made with a better fabric etc.

However, I went shopping with my sister this weekend, helping her pick a dress for an upcoming event (yes the same sister that turned me into a TOWIE watching Zombie!) when I saw this dress.  It really was love at first site.

The dress immediately reminds me of certain garments we have seen from Christopher Kane, and with the digital print it was exactly what I had been looking for for this season.

At only £29.99 I truly do not believe I have, or ever will find such a bargain.  Unfortunately, the dress has already sold out online, but get down to your local store and you may just be lucky enough to grab a return!

Payday Purchase

So amongst all the gorgeous-ness that is Milan Fashion Week, I've still found the time to bring you my pick of the week.  I haven't completely decided whether this will be a work coat or a 'walk-through-Tatton-Park-to-see-the-Reindeer-coat' but one thing is for sure, I <3 it!

It is perfect for that androgynous feel that is going to see us through to the next few seasons.  The most important thing about a coat is it's wearbility, and this coat is going to be one that can be kept in the wardrobe for years to come.

It's from Zara and called the 'male Vigore Coat' (what a strapping name, right?) and the best bit, it's only £99.99. So come on, what are you waiting for? Get clicking now!

Buy it here at Zara Male Vigore Coat