Dark Craft

All clothing from Topshop

My apologies for the lack of blogging this month. My work and social life have been a bit mad, however I've bought lots of new clothes with my Topshop staff discount so there are plenty of outfit posts to come! This outfit mostly comes from my favourite Topshop trend called "Dark Craft." It takes it's inspiration from the nineties film "The Craft" and Christopher Kane style silhouettes. I love the contrasting textures of my fluffy jumper and boucle skirt. 

To all my Scottish readers, I recommend going to the fashion photography exhibition "Coming into Fashion" before it finishes on the 8th September. The City Art Centre in central Edinburgh is displaying a large collection of Conde Nast's images that have been published in magazines (mostly Vogue) throughout the decades. It's great that my hometown is showcasing a fashion exhibition as the only ones I go to have always been in London. 

Love from Lou Lou

My Mom Jeans

Jeans - Topshop

Top - River Island

Necklace - Accessorize

Leather jacket - Topshop Boutique

Boots - Topshop

I'm not usually a jeans wearing kind of girl, but ever since Mom jeans landed in Topshop earlier in the year, and the more I saw girls wearing them, I wanted to try them out for myself. So finally I got around to trying them on and I couldn't be happier with the fit! I love that they're not super tight like every other pair of jeans you find in shops, and the high-waist means I can wear all my crop tops with just a flash of skin, or tuck in a loose top for a casual look. The turn-ups are perfect for wearing with ankle boots, however they would also look great with a pair of trainers or high-heeled sandals. 

If you're wondering whether to try out a pair of Mom jeans yourself, don't hesitate like I did, and go for it! It's not every day you find clothing that is both super comfy AND super stylish!

Also, don't forget about my Sugar & Style £50 voucher giveaway, in my previous post. You've got just a few days left to enter so good luck!

Love from Lou Lou

High-waisted Mom jeans Topshop

Tweed Dungarees Look

Dungarees, top and boots - all Topshop

This is the other outfit that my friend Emily (of new blog Birdbones and Blouses) photographed. It's the first tweed item to enter my wardrobe and I have to say I didn't know how itchy it would feel! However, I love that it's an unusual material for the current dungarees trend. If I'm going to take on a popular trend, I would rather do it differently! The crop top underneath adds to the classic look and I love the extra thick cotton material it's made from. 

Love from Lou Lou

Birthday Outfit

Kimono - Topshop

Shirt dress - Urban Outfitters

Sandals - Topshop 

Yesterday I turned 26, which I was dreading a little, however I had such a fun day. It involved shopping for running kit (Mum bought me a magenta and black Adidas outfit); lunch at a stylish pub called The Rose Leaf; walking in the sunshine; popping into a couple of little galleries by the shore; dinner at Jamie Oliver's restaurant and eating lots of birthday cake with my friends and family. It couldn't have been better!

I always feel extra good when I'm wearing a new outfit so I put together my two new Topshop purchases. I love all things oriental therefore when I saw the pattern and cut of this kimono, it had to be mine! It is also the perfect length to wear over three different LBDs I have in my wardrobe. These clog sandals are so perfect to wear from day to night. Ever since I discovered Swedish Hasbeens years ago, I have loved the look of a wooden heel. The way that the sole is curved to the shape of your foot also make these beauties very practical!

Love from Lou Lou 

P.S. Check out the lovely variety of colours my 'nano' sandals come in...

Nano clog

Fashion Fling Look no.6

Ray-Bans - c/o McArthurGlen

Leather  jacket - Topshop Boutique

Sequined top - Lashes of London

Jacquard trousers - Lashes of London

Boots - Topshop

Hat - Topshop

This is my final look for McArthurGlen's Fashion Fling challenge, styling my Ray-Bans for a night out. I would ideally wear this out for drinks in Hoxton while visiting London. 

Blue sequins and a jacquard pattern sounds like a bad case of clashing, but somehow they work with a leather jacket thrown over, and accessories that match the clothing colours. I was particularly pleased when I discovered how perfect my boots are with the trousers. It's like they were made for each other!

I'm so relieved my hat didn't get swept away into the harbour, although it did fly off my head after these pictures were taken!

I would just like to thank the McArthurGlen team for letting me be a part of this challenge as it's been so much fun. Also, thanks to Lianne MacKay for taking such fab photos. I hope you have all enjoyed checking out my entries and wish me luck for winning the style challenge!

Love from Lou Lou

Fashion Fling Look no.5

Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Coat - ASOS

Handbag - Warehouse

Boots - Topshop

Today's Fashion Fling look is an outfit I would wear to work. Aviators became popular during the 1960s so I have been inspired by this era to create a sixties look. My coat makes me feel very ladylike and retro chic! As for my handbag, it  is big enough to fit in everything you might need for your 9 to 5! The rose tint and gold frames of my sunglasses work well with the colours of the coat's tweed panels, so I hooked them over the top of my coat. That's also the thing about Scottish weather - it changes so often that you may need to take your sunglasses on and off through-out the day! 

Love from Lou Lou

Fashion Fling Look no.4

Sunglasses - Ray-ban c/o McArthurGlen

'Louise' t-shirt - Zara

Star print shorts - Biba

Necklace - H&M

Trainers - Nike at ASOS

Photography by Lianne MacKay 

This week's looks for McArthurGlen's Fashion Fling Challenge are all styled around these these aviator Ray-Bans. It's the first time I have worn this style of sunglasses (I'm more of a round-framed fan) but that made it more of a challenge which was fun. I think the aviators work well with this season's sportswear trend. Just add a bomber jacket (on my wish-list) and it's complete for a shopping trip outfit.

I love my baseball style t-shirt, which says my name on it! I couldn't believe my luck when I found it on Zara's website. They still have some in stock, as well as the name Danielle, so get buying if either of those names are your's too!

These Nike 'Blazers' are by far the comfiest shoes I have ever worn. I love the colour and the suede material. I think high-top trainers look best worn with socks peeking out of the top, although they also look good tucked into skinny jeans if the weather isn't letting you bare your legs!

Love from Lou Lou

Fashion Fling Look no.3

Clutch bag - Ted Baker c/o McArthurGlen

Sequin crop top - Topshop

Slip dress - Topshop

Wedges - New Look

Necklace - H&M

Gold cuff - Maybury

The final look I have centred around my lovely new clutch bag is styled for a night out. I'm thinking a posh cocktail bar or maybe an after-party hosted by some of fashion's finest! My fashion tip for today is to layer clothes in a way that will make your outfit truly unique. I love adding to a dress by wearing either a crop top over it or a shirt underneath, and I've even worn a dress on top of a dress! Just make sure they work well together in terms of colour and proportions. You can't see so well in this picture, but my crop top is made up of tiny multi-coloured sequins which compliment the colour of my pink dress. I also like wearing it with a black and white striped top for a slightly more casual look. 

Next week I will be styling a pair of Rayban aviators in three very different ways. Remember also that it will be the last week you can get special offers and join in with the exciting events at McArthurGlen shopping outlets. Click here to find out what Livingstone's outlet has to offer.

Love from Lou Lou

Fashion Fling Look no.2

Clutch - Ted Baker

Jacket - H&M

Jeans - Topshop

Top - H&M

Necklace - a gift

Today's look I think proves that workwear doesn't have to be boring! Obviously depending on your job, you may have restrictions but I think if it's chic and sleek then you're on the right track. My oriental jacket is both on trend and smart enough for work. The ribbon tied around my waist and slight padding in the shoulders gives my body the perfect definition. I also love the silky feeling of the material. As the jacket and clutch are so bold, I have toned the rest of the outfit down with a pale mint top and black skinny jeans. You don't want to look too in your face at work! The best bit about my outfit is that I don't have to change if I'm meeting friends for drinks after work. I do love a versatile outfit! 

Look out for my next post where I'm taking my Ted Baker clutch on a night out!

Love from Lou Lou

Fashion Fling Look no.1

Today, I am very excited to show you all my first look for the Fashion Fling Style Challenge, run by McArthurGlen in association with Grazia. If you aren't already familiar with McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, they stock a range of luxury, designer and premium brands, all reduced by up to 70%. My nearest centre is in Livingston, however there are others in York, East Midlands, Ashford, Swindon, Cheshire Oaks and Bridgend. The shopping centres are holding a Fashion Fling event from 6th - 21st April, where customers can take part in various activities. These include Grazia styling sessions and prize draws, plus exclusive offers and a complimentary tote bag with a copy of Grazia inside! 

As part of the Fashion Fling, I have been challenged to style two of this season's must-haves for three different occasions: a shopping trip, dining out and work. This week's outfits are styled around a beautiful Ted Baker leather cut-out clutch bag. I love the eye-catching colour and design, which works well with my colourful clothing. For my shopping outfit, I have opted for a fun and flirty look by wearing a floral bodycon dress with leather wedges and accessorising with oriental fringed earrings and round vintage sunglasses. My style tip for today is never be afraid to wear bold colours. It is such an effective way to stand out from the crowd. If you aren't used to wearing lots of colour, use vibrant accessories as a starting point, and even some brightly painted nails. 

I would like to thank my friend Lianne MacKay for taking my photographs. She has such a great talent behind the camera and we had so much fun shooting around Newhaven, the part of Edinburgh where I grew up.

Floral dress - Topshop

Sunglasses - Mad Elizabeth

Fringed earrings - H&M

Wedges - River Island

Clutch - Ted Baker

What do you think of my first look? Will you be taking part in McArthurGlen's  Fashion Fling event?

Love from Lou Lou