Barbara Hulanicki for George – Brightest drop yet

Posted on July 31, 2014 by fashion-mommy

I am a huge fan of Barbara Hulanicki, since reading her autobiography I was fascinated by her drive and glamour, and the allure of Biba, which even now, almost 40 years since it shut it’s doors, still has the aura of decadence and beauty, and a glamorous mystique which I don’t think can be applied to any other shop or store.

In recent years, Barbara has used patterns, cuts and styles of the past and has applied them to an affordable collection for George at Asda. The collection has been very popular and successful, and the latest drop has just gone live online and in stores. I have to say I think this may be my favourite collection yet, due to the use of pretty pink and mustard shades, and the addition of my current obsession, the kimono jacket.

The prints are still very much vintage influenced, with birds and butterflies showing the importance of nature to the designer. I also love the shape of the new wrap tops, which gently drape and are really versatile wardrobe essentials.

Here are my favourite pieces from the collection, which once again has no price above £18.

Barbara Hulanicki Bird Print Dress
£18.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Patterned Dress
£18.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Bird Print Blouse
£14.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Drape Top
£9.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Butterfly Print Dress
£18.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Wrap Top
£10.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Butterfly Print Blouse
£12.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Butterfly Print Kimono
£14.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Collared Dress
£18.00 click to visit Asda George

Barbara Hulanicki Drape Top
£9.00 click to visit Asda George

To view the complete Barbara Hulanicki collection, including a few sales bargains, click here to visit Asda George.

Statement necklaces from Miss Selfridge

Posted on July 29, 2014 by fashion-mommy

One of my favourite books of all time is by the jewellery editor of British Vogue Carol Woolton. ‘Fashion for Jewels’ is, if you allow me the pun, a treasure trove for anyone who has a love of jewellery, from pieces that have belonged to royalty, to those that littered the love story of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Filled with exquisite images of priceless gems, this book is a wonderful tribute to the most beautiful pieces of jewellery that have ever been created, and their endless power to enchant and bewitch.

These days, you don’t need a king’s ransom to own a beautiful piece of jewellery. Statement pieces are all over the High Street, and although these are paste jewels rather than the real thing, they can still transform a simple outfit into something special. These days there are as many pieces of costume jewellery on the Red Carpet as there are diamonds, with the Duchess of Cambridge a huge fan of wearing pieces from Zara for special occasions.

The great thing about costume jewellery is that it looks fabulous, but is often reasonably priced, even for real statement pieces. This means you have none of the fear of wearing and losing it, or worries about packing it in your suitcase for your holidays. Currently I have been drawn to the collection from Miss Selfridge, which actually contains a section called ‘statement jewellery’. These are big, bold and bright pieces, with coloured glass and intricate patterns. These are the pieces that are crying out for a little black dress to decorate, or a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt to transform for a night out.

Here are my favourite pieces from the collection, but I highly recommend you take a good look around the Miss Selfridge website for yourself, or check out the current in store sales. Jewellery is a sale bargain that rarely goes out of fashion, so it is always worth picking up when it is on offer.

Multi Chain Stone Necklace

Bright Stone Collar

Baguette Stone Collar

Rhinestone Flower Collar

Bright Stone Flower Collar

Green Stone Flower Necklace

Green Bar Collar

Triple Section Necklace

Chunky Blue Flower Collar

Large Flower Collar

To view all statement jewels, click here.

Vintage Love for This Old thing

Posted on July 29, 2014 by fashion-mommy

My summer television treat has been ‘This Old Thing – the Vintage Clothes Show’. Presented by Dawn O Porter, ‘This Old thing’ is a delve into the world of vintage fashion and how to shop for it. I love anything shopping related, and this series shows some of the beautiful items that can be found if you have a magpie’s eye. But as much as I have loved the series, I do think it has uncovered some of the major problems of shopping vintage.

This Old Thing has shown that when you look into the past for your inspiration, you can find something that is unique, beautiful and well-made. Unfortunately, it is, more often than not, also very expensive. Items that come from places like Lucy in Disguise, Gingermegs vintage and the Portabello Road are often more expensive than even High End High street, enough to frighten some people off the idea of wearing vintage, especially in our more frugal times. In addition, the idea that vintage will look like a costume is not really helped by Dawn O Porter. She looks amazing, a stunning looking girl. But her inspiration comes quite literally from the 1960s, with Dawn the epitome of a swinging London dollybird. For those who think vintage means fancy dress, Dawn sort of proves the point.

But Vintage fashion doesn’t have to be expensive, nor do you have to look like an extra from Scooby Doo! (unless you want to of course). Nor does it have to come from Vintage shops if your budget won’t stretch to that. Charity shops and car boot sales can also have rich vintage pickings, and you can mix and match them with pieces already in your wardrobe to create modern looks.

Here a few looks I created with a few ‘old things’ that didn’t break the bank.

Look 1 – The Vintage skirt and the new bag

This is a look that combines a vintage silk skirt with pieces from the High Street, and a fabulous new bag from Spanish label Desigual. Desigual is my latest style crush, I also have my eye on some very pretty sandals from their range, and I may be able to afford them due to the saving I made on this skirt! The skirt is not labeled, and I feel it may have been handmade, but it is in a really beautiful coffee shade, and it is not see-thru, despite being unlined. I teamed it with simple separates, a vest from select, a long pendant from Next, and gold flip-flops from Dorothy Perkins. The skirt cost just £4, a total bargain for something that can be worn again and again.

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Look 2 – Vintage, High Street and charity shop finds

This is the outfit I wore for my Father-in-laws birthday meal. The skirt is Betty Jackson Black from Debenhams, but the rest of the outfit is pre-owned and pre-loved. The lovely top is a 1970s Marks and Spencer, St Michael label, and was £2.25 from a charity shop in Shrewsbury. I found the early 1960s bag on a tabletop sale held at a local church, a bargain for just £1. The shoes are early 1990s Roberto Vianni and were the perfect way to finish this outfit. I love this outfit and think it is quite classic and timeless.

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Look 3 – Pretty vintage sun dress

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This is a pretty vintage dress that I tried on when shopping for my holiday. Vintage clothing always needs to be tried on, the sizes are totally different. So, if you like the look of something, ignore the label and head to the changing room!

Look 4 – A modern trend with a vintage touch.

This season, pastel lace was a huge trend that was all over the catwalk, and then the high street. This pink lace jacket is a 1960s original that was picked up for £4.99. It has the most incredible buttons, but these are a detail that I could’ve changed if I hadn’t liked them.