An Outfit Without a Smile

I wanted to post an outfit today, I had been planning it last night and was excited to get started as I felt confident with my appearance in my last outfit post. This is all started to go wrong this morning when I went to put on some Topshop shorts (very odd fitting- massive on the waist but tight on the bum) and was unhappy with my appearance in them, I felt like my legs were comically bulging out each side like a cartoon elephant in tight knickers. This is quite obviously not how I really looked but it put me in a bad mood from the word go. Still I persisted and changed later on, persuading my official photographer (my Mum) to take my photos in the garden for my blog. 

  

Needless to say I wasn't happy with any of the photos- I blamed my Mum not taking the photos quickly enough, my Mum being too short and making me look like a giant, I blamed myself for being too fat and too ugly. In fact these set of photos are no different from the other outfit photos I've posted, the only difference is how I felt when I was taking them. I felt like I looked awful so therefore I looked awful, the only real issue with how I look is that I look miserable. I was trying desperately to appear aloof, smiley and laid back and I couldn't look less like those things if I tried. I think I am not the most natural blogger really, yes I love fashion but I have always despised having my photo taken- pulling silly faces instead of trying to look nice so I wouldn't have to feel sad about my appearance was my go to tactic for most of my teenage years (and the next year or so till I'm 20 I suppose). Unfortunately this creates a vicious circle because if you feel angry and irritated with yourself the chances are you won't look your best. Sometimes I feel it is more important to put a blog post up or upload photos if you aren't confident because it shows that everyone has days (or years in my case) were they feel bad about how they look, however this doesn't actually mean anyone else would be able to tell. 

I wore this skirt all the time last year for college, the elasticated waist and midi length means that it is super flattering and comfortable even if you've demolished a monster sized meal. I do sometimes feel a bit nun like in midi skirts but I love the way they look on tall person, so being a tall person I hope it gives that elegant look I'm aspiring to have. I bought the jumper from Depop and have loved wearing it, much to the disgust of those around me who for some reason don't love the garish print. For me the print brings up visions of  80s Versace, for my sister I think it brings up a migraine and disgust in my taste. I have shoved my hair into a ponytail for this outfit because I am desperately trying to grow out my short pixie cut, unfortunately my natural hair is extremely coarse and kinky (not curly, not wavy, not straight) and I have to use heat on it when it is down- I've resorted to putting it up in any effort to keep it healthy but also slightly more bearable looking. Needless to say I will be beyond happy when my hair grows out of the awkward mullet stage and into an actual bob.  

 

*No Mothers were harmed in the making of this blog post 

Jumper- Topshop (bought on Depop)

Skirt- Primark 

Jug Ears

Today's outfit is based around the Topshop " Prince of Wales" trousers which look a lot more like culottes on me as I am close to 5'9'. I bought these after seeing Jess from sunbeamsjess style them in her latest Topshop lookbook.  when these style of trousers first came in I was more than a little hesitant to wear them, I envisioned myself looking like a slightly frumpy geography teacher who is still wearing the trousers they has from their school days. Luckily I don't believe that they do give that look, although they aren't something I would wear everyday I do think they give a smart twist to a fairly simple outfit. They remind me of something straight out of the 30s or 40s, I feel like I should be sitting around elegantly smoking and flirting with my imaginary butler. 

This blog post is entitled "jug ears" as a slight reference to the dear Prince of Wales himself who does happen to be in possession of some rather recognisable ears. These trousers do make me feel a little bit like I should take up blood sports and say pardy instead of party, but they are surprisingly comfortable and incredibly easy to style. I love combining the camel colour of the hat and coat with the dark vampy lipstick as it really ties the whole look together and balances out the lighter yellow tones. I think these trousers will become a summer staple for me next year but I doubt I will get much use out of them as the ice starts to spread over England and five layers are needed to be put on before leaving the house. 

I sometimes find it a bit daunting to go out in outfits like this as I live in a small town with some small minded people who genuinely gasp at the sight of originality. Personally I don't really think my style is that "out there" or unusual but a lot of people in the countryside are happy to live in their jeans and Jack Wills, which of course is fine it just isn't for me. I have avoided putting style on this blog in fear of people I know finding it and using it as some kind of comedy material to make fun of. Honestly, I have gotten to the stage were I realise that most people are too caught up in there own lives to care about what you are wearing, and if they do care or comment then it is probably out of an insecurity they have with themselves. Hopefully this will be the first of many style related posts to come as I have always loved coming up with outfits that encapsulate a certain time period, film or theme. If you have any suggestions on posts you want to come then please comment below and I will do my best.

Hat- Asos

Cropped jumper- Topshop

Tartan Scarf- Primark 

Prince of Wales Culottes- Topshop 

Shoes- Dr Martens 

Style Icon: Effy Stonem

blog 2 by bleughh featuring VILA

Hi guys, this is a start of a new series on my blog focusing upon so called "style icons", or people that I personally am influenced by when putting my own outfits together. A lot of these will be tv characters, I buy a lot more into street style and the outfits of "ordinary" people over celebrity style, especially considering a lot of celebrities have stylists which often results in them looking a little too polished for my taste. 

My first focus is on the character Effy Stonem from the UK tv show "skins", I fell in love with her styling when I first watched the show when I was fourteen or fifteen.Her style is very laid back, with lots of band tees, leather jackets and Dr Martens which fits in perfectly with the grunge trends seen over the past couple of years. Probably my favorite part about Effy is how effortless her style always looks, whether she is going out at night or rolling out of bed, she always looks laid back and perfectly carefree.  Obviously Kaya Scodelario's figure is amazing and although I think this a big part of how "heroine chic" she manages to look, I think anybody could pull off her style. Also a lot of her clothes are affordable or good value for money, both leather jackets and Docs are timeless pieces, that last forever and will never go out of style. This over all makes her style easy to pull off and perfect for students and young people who want a laid back but on trend wardrobe.

Probably the most important elements to compile an Effy style wardrobe are:

• Boots or converse- perfect for every day and a lot more comfortable then swanning around in heels. This is one of my favourite elements of Effy's style as being over 5'7 I hate wearing heels.
• Denim- Effy Stonem is all about denim: of course it’s never new, or dark, it is always that kind of grunge denim. That means, she often wears boyfriend jeans, ripped of shorts or over sized denim jackets.
• Tartan/plaid- This is perfectly on trend in the winter season and can act as a great tool for layering up under coats in the winter or as a thin layer in the summer.
• Layered accessorizes- Effy often sports layers and layers of chains and cross necklaces at college or going out, sort of like a less tacky version of Ke$ha. This is easy to achieve as so many highstreet stores stock great costume jewelry to create this look (look here, or here, or here).