INBETWEENERS AT URBAN

So, with the nights GRADUALLY getting lighter (it is happening, folks) and the last dregs of the sales beginning to wane in the shops, I hate to admit it might be nearing the time to think about dressing for that tricky inbetween period of... DUN DUN DUN, Spring!

While magazines might be selling me the idea of strappy dresses and sandals in April, in Glasgow those things are reserved ONLY for the few good weeks we in the middle of July where it's actually warm enough to leave the house with no jacket. (beginning to think I literally have cold blood. Vampire alert?)

Frankly, Spring in Glasgow is often dreich, chilly and miserable... But still slightly too mild to wear my beloved woolly winter warmers :(

Thankfully Urban Outfitters' new stock includes some perfect inbetweeners to bridge that looooooong gap.

Reformed Veda Mainlow Button Through Blouse - Love the little stars and keyhole neck on this wee blouse.

Something Else Printed Cut-Out Yoke Dress - must have a thing for cut-out detailing at the moment, really like this pretty dress, can imagine it with a dark-grey chunky cardi and black brogues.

NEAL By Neal Sperling Cable Cardigan - OK, so I admit this isn't technically new, and I am most certainly NOT usually one for a dusky pink, but something about this just appeals. Big time.

Boy London Eagle Maxi Dress - Still loving my Boy London t-shirt AND maxi dresses, and this combines the two in one perfectly grungy, laid-back cool package. Ideal with boots on a rainy day or Ray Bans if the sun breaks through.

Sparkle & Fade Silk Dress - perfect layered under cardi or denim jacket with Mulberry Alexa and specs, no? Adore how they've styled it with thigh-high socks for this.

Renewal Leather Two-Pocket Denim Shirt - A normal denim shirt is OK but one with leather pockets it's transformed to HOT. These are facts, people.

American College Leather Sleeve Teddy Jacket - Everything looks better when sexed up with leather, including varsity bomber jackets (which will be everywhere come Spring). Just another rule I live by.

Oh Urban, I've been neglecting you recently but no more, I have learned my lesson.

LUST.

Anyone else agree that early Spring is a tricky time to get dressed?

TOPSHOP UNIQUE SS11

Pictures of some of the pieces first...

So yeah, the dominant print was "smoke print" which I guess is exactly how it sounds. At first and from far away it looks like a diluted floral, but thank God there were actually very few instances of overpowering flowers. If you remember last year's awesome Unique show, it was very denim, very young, with shark prints and colourful sporty accessories. This time around they've gone for a more grown up, sophisticated 70s-boho vibe which I also really like.

As I watched the show I jotted down some quick notes - not in shorthand yet, but soon! The main thing that came up over and over was the word "tassels."

Topshop have gone tassels mad! There were on tops, dresses, shoes, bags...you name it. I really love tassels, so I appreciated this, but perhaps they're not for everyone. You may remember me lusting after a beautiful tasseled bag from Urban, and actually there was a bag early on which looked a lot like one from All Saints - small bag with extra ultra long maxi tassels. Depending on how much it is, that's going on my MUST BUY list. Tasseled bags rule.

Also, like I mentioned before, they've definitely jumped on this 70s vibe that's been around for a while. Though I will never, ever, EVER wear a pair of flared chiffon semi-sheer trousers, there is no denying that on the catwalk they look divine.

I also noticed a lot of lame and liquid metals - by this I mean metallic fabric cut in a light, drapey way so it shimmers and reflects the light. The colour palette was white, black, grey, rose, yellow, orange, red, and brown. I didn't see any blues whatsoever (now I'm second-guessing myself trying to remember if that's true or not...) which is unusual for SS, but refreshing. And it's clear Unique are very much of the mind that the maxi and midi skirt are here to stay.

SO! Overall I was not disappointed, although my previous prediction for space/galaxy/star prints didn't come true - sadface! I really loved last years Unique collection and this one is so totally different, almost opposite to that one. Grown up, floaty, 70s, but also quite mystical and much more fashion-forward. Unfortunately I think the prices will reflect this, if the AW collection is anything to go by. Spare £350 for a bobbled cardigan anyone? No, didn't think so.

Good work Topshop, the only way is up from here on out. More of the brushed-out frizzy hair seen at Marc by Marc which was awesome. Hopefully though, the colours, prints and fabrics will filter down to the main Topshop line so we can all get in on the action, not just those of us on a bigger budget.

WALK WALK FASHION BABY

I don't have a fashion degree or any professional experience in fashion writing or criticism (I wish!) - just an unhealthy passion and a myriad of opinions... hence this blog!

I guess that's why, in a way, I feel free to say exactly what I feel about collections and designers without any pre-programmed fashion ideology about who's better or worse than anyone else. I base my opinions purely on aesthetics, progression and context - not reputation.

I have a point, I promise! What I'm talking about is Fashion Week. I'm very excited to see the SS11 collections at London Fashion Week, in particular PPQ, Topshop Unique, House of Holland, Betty Jackson, Richard Nicoll, Mulberry, Christopher Kane, Holly Fulton, Erdem, Pringle, Burberry and Ashish... and eclectic mix, but I have reasons for them all, trust me!

But, if you've read this blog before, you'll know that Spring Summer collections are not my favourite - I find them the most uninspired out of SS and AW, often safe and occasionally predictable. To illustrate what I mean, here's the Marc by Marc Jacobs show at NY Fashion Week:



I mean, flashes of bright, preppy, primary colours against neutrals and pastels, 50s-style dresses and slouchy tshirts just don't excite me. Of course some individual pieces were beautiful and I did love the mad brushed-out bouffants... but overall I just cannot get excited by this.

But then, on the other hand, Alexander Wang made me think I really need to be more open-minded about SS collections. This is GORGEOUS and edgy:



The middle portion with the sheer, shimmery fabric over the metallic pattern cut in a feminine, yet still somehow quite angular way, reminded me of the Rodarte AW10 collection - but much softer and more tactile. Plus, Abbey Lee's gone ice blonde and it is HOT! Is there no look she doesn't suit?

Anyway, I digress. I'm looking forward to seeing the collections I mentioned with an open mind - just please, no more stripey tshirts and 50s tea dresses!