Dapper Darlings

1. Slick Black Jacket from The Kooples £340
2. Chain and Bead Clutch from Zara £49.99
3. Sequin Skinny Trousers from Reiss £99
4. Céline tee from Farfetch- currently sold out, but if you're desperate, check THIS out.
5. Stunning chain detail heels from Zara £69.99

I know that the party season is not the easiest time when it comes to fashion- so many parties/events, such little time ! It's a hard life, isn't it?

Anyway, I thought i'd put together a few little posts about some killer evening looks with a little bit of a difference. First up, we have something for the more sophisticated sort.

If you're bored of the old LBD, then a two piece suit could be just the thing for you.

1. Blazer from River Island £40
2. Glitter Heels from Topshop £50
3. Grey Wide Leg Trousers from Reiss £125
4. Cocktail Ring from Accessorize £12
5. Embellished Clutch bag from Topshop £70
6. Delicate embellished top from Miss Selfridge £45

 It doesn't need to be a black tux with a classic white blouse, though, this season ever brand from The Kooples through to River Island have come up with a more party-ready take on this classic look.

Whether you decide to add a touch of glamour with sequinned trousers, or keep it understated with a muted dove grey palette, the suit is always a sexy alternative to a little dress!

1. Multi-Row Cross Pendants from River Island £12
2. Topshop Bralet £32
3. Metallic Bronze Blazer from The Kooples £350
4. Matching Bronze Shorts from The Kooples £150
5. Black Velvet Wedges by Kurt Geiger £220
6. Lovely Stud Detail Clutch by Missguided £22.99

Add a few sparkly accessories and sophisticated shoes to add a feminine touch to a sharp tailored suit. And if you really can't bare to cover up head-to-toe, then try a short suit.

The Kooples have such wonderful tailoring season by season, and for the party season they really have pulled out all the stops with this metallic shorts suit- a real favourite with fashion bloggers and celebrities alike.   

1. Tweed Blazer from Topshop £68
2. Young Hearts Run Free t-shirt by Wildfox £70
3. Tweed Trousers from Topshop £40
4. Gorgeous grey pouch bag from Whistles £55 (great price)
5. Beautiful Violet Heels from Zara £39.99
6. Collar Necklace by Dannijo $445
7. Revlon Nails in Plum Seduction (at Boots) £6.99

Finally, to stop a simple grey or black suit veering into office territory, keep it bright and bold with colour pop accessories and kitsch touches, like a cute Wildfox tee or Markus Lupfer knit.

Ultimately, a suit is smart, clean and sure to make you stand out from the hoards of girls in cutaway body-con dresses. 

Fat Day Formula

1. Miss Selfridge Jumper (SO comfy and such a bargain with their current 20% discount for students!) £35
2. River Island Maxi Skirt £20 (even more of a steal if you have this month's Company magazine or go to the student lock in on the 4th!)
3, 4 & 5. Multipack of Rings from Freedom at Topshop £12.50
6. Ring from  Freedom at Topshop £6.50
7. Ring by Rock'n'Rose £16
8. Zara Bucket Bag £79.99
9. Topshop Stud Ankle Boots £85

Fat days are the bain of my life. Perhaps fat days are the wrong thing to call these days... The ones where I roll out of bed to notice that my hair is standing on end, my face is a spotty mess and my arms look particularly doughy. It's generally just an "EW day" but a fat day sounds better.

There are lots of ways to combat a fat day, and my preferred method is to slink into my Jack Wills joggers and my school hoody with "WALLY" emblazoned on the back, however that is not particularly chic. While I love to cover up and look even more anonymous than usual, that is not always the best option when off to work or out for lunch with the girls.

BEHOLD, the ultimate fat day formula that is comfy, discreet and still looks reasonably cool...

Massive chunky knit + maxi skirt + ankle boots + jewellery = nonchalant, grungy look that hides a multitude of sins. 

A Gothic Goddess: BE MINE.

Dress by By Malene Birger

You know when you see a dress, and you really like it, then you dream about it, then you realise it's £499. Then you cry?

Yeah. That.

I didn't actually cry, but I am so in love with this By Malene Birger dress that I dreamt about it... So sad, but true.

After spotting it at a recent Atelier-To-Go shoot (like our FB and Twitter for some behind the scenes shots), I fell a little bit in love.

With delicate lace panels, thigh splits and a darkly ethereal pleated skirt, the dress is the stuff of dreams. It's a little bit Gucci but still wearable and (dare I say it?..) veering towards affordable.

One of Atelier-To-Go's esteemed stylists, Julia Brenard of Russian Vogue, styled the dress ala Gucci A/W 2012 with deep berry lips and the most beautiful Jimmy Choo peep-to booties. The gorgeous blonde model, all wavy hair and enviable legs, pulled if off a charm- it was elegant but still gothic and beguiling.

Winter Coat Floating My Boat

Ooh Ya Bootie

all from Topshop (race ya?)

And so the hunt for the perfect Winter boots begins...

Oop. That was quick, wasn't it? I would happily welcome any of these studded boots to my wardrobe, particularly the £70 and the £80 pair.

I'm a woman obsessed with studs and all these boots are just tempting my inner magpie and urging me to reach for my purse. If you see me in Topshop with more than one pair, please do stop me, remind me that I need money to live, not just wear nice boots. Priorities, Shona, priorities.

I would wear these with everything from jeans to my new favourite lacy dress and they are all so lovely and practical. Not ideal for airport security but (BOO HOO) i've done all my international travelling for this year, so that doesn't bother me!

I'm currently on a clothing ban (no. more. clothes.), but I can still buy a pair of winter boots, right?

Or two... Or three... Or four...

Five New Neutrals

Let me know what you think at @SWfashion_ and get your new neutral fix at Ciaté and Nails Inc!

PS

Apologies for my revolting purple/red hands. I have terrible circulation! 

"Bombay meets Brixton"

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

As described by Vogue's Tilly Macalister-Smith as 'Bombay meets Brixton", this amazing show was one of the first that i've ever been to! And it was just such a treat. It was called "Bollywouldn't" and features beautiful sequins, juxtaposed with rainbow creepers and sporty detailing. It also really reminded me of the video for MIA's catchy "Bad Girls" which I have posted here!

Just totally amazing... or, as a fashion girl would say, #totesamaze or #chictothenextlev