Addition

Casual Cult

Pale and Spotty

  

Who do you think you are?

It wouldn't be a standard blog post if I didn't have a rant about something or have a view. In fact, it would probably be a very boring blog altogether if I didn't give my opinion.
So, I will begin (brace yourselves)... Who do Topshop think they are!? Obviously, I know they are a high-street clothes shop, but lately I have started to wonder if they know that any more? My rant/opinion like many of my previous posts has come as a result of a personal experience. This particular post has come after spending many hours yesterday 'screen shopping' (the internet version of window shopping) and after searching for Christmas gifts for my girlfriends I decided on the rational, two for them, one for me. Which, I think, is a perfect Christmas present ratio. After deciding on a treat in the form of a bag I started to browse Topshop's many lovely offerings until I came across bag costing... £700!? After checking I had my contact lenses in right I re-read the price again. 'Yeap' to my shock I had read it right! Yes, the bag is part of the 'Unique collection' and has been featured on the Topshop runway, but that doesn't mean its any good. Like I have said in many of my blog posts I am not naive, I recognise that fashion is a business, but since when did Topshop begin to neglect there 'bread and butter' customers and start to think they are in the same league as more established brands such as Mulberry, which has the heritage, and therefore, the credentials to charge that? I understand that Topshop employ designers, but I feel I would be more likely (if I could afford to) to buy something from a 'virgining' talent than a massive company with faceless designers. I know that is quite hypocritical of me as I do happily buy pieces from Topshop's lower price bracket, but that's the nature of highstreet fashion. I feel with £700 sorts of prices they are playing with 'the big boys', the luxury brands who have 'covertable' pieces, and again, I am not discrediting the designers who work there, more the cheek of Topshop to think they can demand that sort of money. Maybe, its the way the items are placed on the website with all the other handbags? Maybe there should be a high end page, or a separate website altogether to make the item feel more luxurious and worth the money? I also think it speaks volumes when there is a no reviews on a piece. Don't get me wrong, I love Topshop and I love the high-end feeling you  
get from some of their pieces. I also really love the aesthetics of their ad campaigns, but I feel they should remember first and foremost they are a high street store. There is nothing wrong with striving, but perhaps I would respect the expensive pieces more if they gave the designers name on each piece. I sort of feel like 'unique' is such a general and 'blah' way to describe some seriously talented people. Maybe I am letting my inner hippy out and I am trying to 'stick it to the man' as I feel Topshop are sort of sucking designers and their creativity up and spitting them out. Perhaps I am totally wrong (it wouldn't be the first time), maybe Topshop is nurturing designers and giving them a valuable platform they never would of had? Or maybe its just a business and if your shit sells you don't need a name. Does it just boil down to money? What do you think about High-street stores charging High-end prices? Finally and totally unrelated to the  post here is WIWT. 
Hollie x

Coat-Reiss

Jumper- TK Maxx

Shorts- Zara

Boots- Topshop

Anything to add?

 

   

I think everything you could probably write about black has already been written, but that's not going stop me writing something else about the colour. For a colour that is so simple to wear it seems to get a bad rep sometimes, almost as if its simplicity is something we should frown upon. Lately I have been drawn to a lot of black clothing and it is usually when I am extremely busy. It's just so easy to get it right when you are wearing all black. Should I be punished for what some might call a lack of imagination? Believe me, I do this myself sometimes when I find myself in a full black outfit. I feel like I have failed to make an effort, but after saying this, when you think about it, it is in fact the effortlessness of the colour that makes the outfit chic. Take, for example, Marc Jacobs final show for Louis Vuitton in Paris. Nearly the entire collection was made up of black and I defy anyone not to find at least one piece they would not wear, and why is that? Well, apart from the amazing design, it has to be the colour, it really is the colour everyone can wear. For me, when I wear a full black outfit I try to add contrast through texture. Which is what I did today, by adding a thick knit roll neck Jumper from H&M with one of their faux alligator style leather skirts. What do you think to the colour black? Does it bore you, or ignite your imagination when you get dressed?
Hollies x

Jumper- H&M

Skirt- H&M

Shoes- River Island

Keeping it Casual

 

It's Sunday, it's a day of rest and in my case eating... So as a result, the stretchy pants are on and I am raring to go/eat. Oh, also, what do you think of my version of the Celine sneakers? As I don't have a couple of hundred pounds knocking around to buy a pair I decided to pay 10 pounds for a version from Matalan! Enjoy your Sunday!
Hollie x

Leather Jacket- Topshop

Jumper- H&M

Jeans- Topshop

Sneakers- Matalan

All Black

All black every thing. I'm totally committed to the colour today, in case that wasn't obvious by my pictures. 
Hollie x

Dress: H&M

Shoes: Topshop

Sunglasses: Rayban

Chic or Lazy?

Black, the chicest or the laziest colour to wear? I love the colour black it suits everyone no matter your body shape, it is also the easiest colour to wear to most events. But, I do often find myself relying on the colour when I cannot afford to deliberate or spend time choosing an outfit. This is why you could call black a lazy colour as little or no thought is required when wearing it. Am I being to harsh on the colour? Or is it in fact, one of the only effortless colours that should indeed be praised for its simplicity? Well, I agree with both statements yes, black can be a lazy colour and often I do rely on it when I cannot be bothered to pick something fancy to wear. But, this in itself is a testament to a colour that can look so good all the time and with such little effort. Isn't effortless something most people strive for? Lets not forget you can always add texture to an outfit with different material of the same colour. This was indeed one of those days. I had little time to choose an outfit, to add texture I wore leather pants and added colour a bright splash of red to break it up.

Holly x 

Coat: Vintage

Cardigan: Vintage

T-shirt: Zara

Leather trousers: Topshop

Boots: Topshop 

Bag: Topshop

Undateables

The sports trend; executed perfectly in my boyfriends jumper. His wardrobe seems to have become an extension of mine. Whenever I suggest an afternoon of shopping together he eyes me suspiciously, unfortunately for me, he has twigged onto my plan of 'lets buy clothes for you that I can wear'. Nothing says androgyny like menswear! So, I indulge that side of my style with his ever growing wardrobe and add a hint of femininity and whimsy from my side... PERFECT (he disagrees). To add some whimsy and warmth (note the snow) to this outfit I threw on a quilted Burberry jacket. 
Most of my wardrobe consist of High-street and thrift store finds, but on the odd occasion I will invest in a designer piece and this jacket is truly a testament to the quality you are paying for it is 8 YEARS OLD (capital needed for emphasis). The current economy has taught us to be more frugal with our money, consequently this means we have become more conscious of quality, unfortunately for us, and our wallets, this often means buying designer items. However, it would appear that the High-street has heard our cry, or more likely seen there sales numbers drop (I'm a cynic) and our obvious restraint in buying has meant that, slowly, the condition of clothing is improving thus increasing  longevity (everyone's a winner). We are the customer after all and we should expect quality goods that last. You don't go into a store to spend your well earned money on the dress you have been lusting over, with the thought that it might be unwearable in a year. 

Having said all this the high-street is still several years away. If I had the money I would buy designer and I'm not saying that I don't love the high street, its just I do believe in quality over quantity. This is also one of the reasons why I don't have a credit card because that sort of logic whizzing around in my head is not safe. Especially as I gaze at a Celine bag in the window of Harvey Nichols. For me, it would be a downward spiral into serious debt, which coincidently, poor money management is one of the reasons that the economy is in such a mess. Some would argue that one designer piece per season could pull you through. But this is still a massive investment for most of us!! If I invest in designer I have to love it forever, not for a season! I'm not talking lust, I'm talking, 'can't get you out of my head everything I wear would go with it' sort of love! In my opinion it also has to be transitional to put it simply 'undateable.' 

So, with this new argument in mind I will now demand my boyfriend share all his clothes with me for the good of the economy and my credit rating until my next 'undateable' comes along.
Hollie x

Adidas Jumper -Boyfriends

Skinnies- Topshop

Boots- Topshop

Jacket- Burberry

Small Green Clutch- Mischa barton