Back to School Treats at Topshop

  

Back to university this week? Soften the blow with Topshop's tempting 20% discount! With a wealth of delectable coats, glossy leathers and juicy jewel brights, Topshop's AW13 collection is certain to lift your mood post lecture.

Here are my super chic picks to tempt you away from your textbooks for a moment. With the 20% offer ending this evening, you better get your skates on!

I apologise for offering you yet another means of procrastination...

NOUVEAU NEUTRALS

1. This beautiful croc-effect leather holdall is the ideal size for weekend excursions. Top quality and ultra-practical, this bag is a fashion student saviour. 

2. A silver leather t-shirt? Why not! High shine metallics are going nowhere for SS14, so keep ahead of the curve with this genuine leather t-shirt in mirror shine metallic. 

3. A classic camel coat will never date. This woolen double breasted style is great for layering over knitwear come the chilly months.

4. A budget friendly take on the Isabel Marant shearling styles, this sweet fluffy biker jacket in off-white is a fabulous little jacket for work or play. 

5. This premium statement necklace is a great term one treat.

6. A 20% discount is a fabulous excuse to indulge in luxury, boutique pieces. This satin shirt is a sleek update on a simple cream blouse. 

7. A chunky silver chain bracelet is a minimal detail with maximum impact.

8. A perfect everyday nude with a subtle blush undertone, this creamy lipstick from Topshop Beauty is a cheap and cheerful make-up bag essential. 

SHOP BELOW: 

 

JEWEL PURPOSE

1. This tomato red oversized coat is sure to sell out soon- get it before it goes. Wear with soft neutral tones and bold monochromatic pieces to let the colour pop. 

2. I am smitten with this smart satin skirt, also available in glossy navy. A delicious emerald shade with a subtle sheen, this colour is fabulous for the festive season. 

3. In magenta suede, these heeled slippers are a luxurious update on the colour pop court.

4. Tag bracelets are a must have this season, and this gilded style is minimally modern. Wear with a chunky silver chain bracelet to clash your metals like a cool kid. 

5. In cheetah print suede, these striking heels are perfect with colour pop separates. They are also sure to stand the test of time- prints are going nowhere for SS14 so go wild now. 

6. A directional take on the silk shirt dress, straight from the AW13 Unique catwalk, the 20% student discount at Topshop makes this luxury number a little more accessible. Wear with burgundy accents to enhance the icy shade. 

SHOP BELOW:  

Sneak Peek: French Connection AW13

Last week I headed along to the French Connection press day for Autumn/Winter 2013 to check out what delights they had on offer for the coming season.

It feels so bizarre to be thinking of Winter when we haven't even had a Summer yet, and yet here I am, thinking about which coats to buy and fawning over embellished sweatshirts when i've not even had the opportunity to wear my embellished short shorts... And no, that two-day period of sun this weekend just gone does NOT count- please stop siding with the weather.

As far as coats go, though, i'd happily wear a French Connection number all year round, for these coats really are the bees knees on the high street, beating many of their competitors hands down. 

For Autumn Winter 2013 there are a number of recurring motifs and trends to be seen around the collection, and here are a few little excerpts to whet your appetite for whats to come. 

With flashes of neon lime, I loved the monochromatic pieces on offer including this chequered cocoon coat (above) which is longing to be worn with white skinny pants and the fluoro silken vest. 

I know horses aren't exactly flavour of the month (sorry... couldn't help myself), but there is no denying that horses are among the most majestic, elegant animals around, and equine elegance is a recurring motif in the French Connection collection. This sweet zip-top pouch is a lovely way to buy into the look, and would work wonderfully with a little leather Maje dress and Shourouk for Swarovski Elements jewellery (coming soon to the blog... It's worth sticking around for!)

I have been looking for an excuse to buy a pair of luxury/fashion trainers for a while, but have not yet got round to it. A lot of my friends recoil at the very thought of studded leather trainers or glossy metallic styles, but I personally love them and the press days i've attended have illustrated, loud and clear, that fashion trainers are going NOWHERE fast. These tan leather ones with studded accents are beyond gorgeous. My jeans are calling for them...

As seen in my Liberty London sneak peek post (here for her and here for him), luxed up sweatshirts are back with a vengeance next season and I, for one, am pretty happy with this for they are so easy to wear and relatively forgiving. 

Let's just get through bikini season and then we can relax into the season of sweatshirts and cinnabons. 

A favourite of mine at the Liberty London press day had to be the Etoile Isabel Marant shearling chubby jacket, and this coat version with faux leather accenting from French Connection is sure to be a high street hit. I'd wear with skinny leather pants and an embellished sweatshirt for a really tactile, textural look that is more than a little bit on trend. 

This knitted sweater is just dandy if your name is Fiona. Or Fred. Or Florence. Or Flora. Or Freya. 

You catch my drift.

I've been a fan of tweedy jackets for years now (blame Chanel and, more recently, L'Agence) and this woven style with black accenting and fluorescent flecks is a natty little number for work or play. It'd look awesome to add a Wintry wearability to a brighter camisole from your Spring collection

Aah, yet another glorious coat. This bright orange coat has a delightfully masculine aesthetic, which is particularly cool for the Winter months. In a thick, luxurious woolen blend, this heavy boxy coat will add a peppy punch of colour to any look. 

What works better with a neutral ensemble than a little leather lovely in neon lime? Nothing... That's what. 

Another day, another statement necklace! I love this acid bright woven necklace with black crystals and metallic chains.

Shop the current collection here.

Friday's Finest: Booties

Office Dalmation Boots £80
Zara Magenta Boots £59.99
Kat Maconie Boots £260

I want all these boots so much! I just can't believe how many gorgeous boots are out there on the high street at the moment and i'm longing for payday like crazy!

The little dalmation pair are perfect with leather look skinnies (stay tuned for some AMAZING denim from ATELIER-TO-GO) and a slouchy fine knit for a casual look. The vivid magenta pair are a perfect way to tap into the purple trend this season- wear with black lace for a gothic spin or try with a sexy little dress for a great, modern evening look. Lastly I just had to include these fabulous boots by the amazing London designer Kat Maconie (see my post on her here), whose designs I first laid eyes on last fashion week. These deco-inspired boots are the perfect black ankle boots to carry you through season after season!

Lace and Gems

1. ASOS Earrings £18
2. Miss Selfridge Clutch £29.99
3. Topshop Playsuit £46
4. Zara Necklace £19.99
5. Zara Heels £59.99

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...

Instant Update: Zara Bib

I adore this Zara bib- perfect worn with white or neutrals for a really stylish look, or just to dress up denim!

Definitely on my "end of term treat" list... It's ever expanding, as you can expect!

What do you think of this necklace? Hit or miss? Comment below or tweet me @SWfashion_

Topshop Top 20 (% off!)

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

As a student at LCF, I can not help but be addicted to Topshop. Whether i'm at JPS or Lime Grove, i'm always a mere stones throw away from the high street mecca... And my bank balance is certainly not benefiting from this temptation!

However, the lovely folk at Topshop have decided to lend us a lifeline in the form of a 20% discount for student shoppers with a valid student/ NUS card! So I thought, in celebration, I would put together  a 20-strong list of covetable Topshop pieces!

I hope you enjoy, and enjoy your discount which ends on SUNDAY 22ND OF JANUARY at midnight! So get on it ladies.

While you're at it, I also suggest popping to Yo! Sushi to refuel after stocking up for Spring! Their January 'sale' offers a massive 40% off your food bill (mmm, spicy pepper squid!) and is pretty detox friendly as well! Why not treat yourself?