Berry Good Indeed

It’s all very well and good having the perfect autumnal outfit, but us girls (or guys, if that’s what you like) are sometimes pushed to find a great make-up palette to go with it.

For the colder months ahead, you need look no further than the runways of London Fashion Week, where ‘just bitten a berry’ lips were the name of the game. Not only do plum and berry shades look amazing with this season’s camels, but they tend to suit all skin tones as well. Unlike most lipsticks, the issue with darker berry hues isn’t really finding the right shade, but applying it properly, so take these handy hints with you next time you’re in Boots:

• Invest in a clear lip liner to prevent your lipstick ‘bleeding’ beyond your lipline. It’ll come in handy for your other lipsticks too.

• A slick of liquid eyeliner can look striking at night with berry lips, but this look works best when the rest of you doesn’t look too ‘done’. Nude eyes and skin - with dishevelled hair and no more than two coats of mascara – make sure that the focus is maintained on the lips.

• Don’t paint on dark shades. Instead, try dabbing the lipstick on your finger first and then pressing it onto your lips, as you would when applying lip balm. This will give your lips that natural, flushed look, as opposed to looking too gothic.


Click for a bigger picture.

Now wearing: High waisted indigo jeans and black body.

Now playing: In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

Now coveting: All of Illamasqua’s make-up on www.illamasqua.com – too beautiful!

Post written by Mary-Jo Hamer ahumandadrum

If it’s good enough for Wonder Woman...

The most impractical of all this season’s hot coats is the cape. However, when has that ever put us off a trend? Seen on the catwalks of Erdem, Celine and Givenchy, these theatrical statement pieces are without a doubt here to stay to get us through the cold winter.

Not only do these cover-ups make the wearer feel glamorous and flamboyant (with a nod to ever-so-cool style inspiration Sherlock Holmes) they also have a ladylike appeal, adding sophistication to the most simple of outfits. Colour wise, they must be this season’s most overused shade, Camel, or alternatively earthy tones (greys, khakis or the darkest blues).

Textures and fabric choices are vast, with wool or wool mix being the warmest option as the colder autumn sets in. Consider the detailing on both the front and back – subtle pleats and tucks behind the shoulders can develops a more flattering shape to the traditional cape, preventing the unattractive balloon silhouette. Epaulettes and storm flap detailing also add a military injection. Toggles, perhaps the cutest and most nostalgic fastening or oversized buttons should attract even the staunchest doubters to this style.

Importantly, capes should be styled over tailored or fitted outfits. Think peg leg trousers, loafers and a chiffon blouse, or in typical student style, leggings and a long fluid top, pulled in with a skinny belt. It may be worth considering just how to hold your bag in your new favourite jacket however; depending on the chosen style this could become a bit of a challenge. For the best high street options head to Topshop and Oasis, affordable yet good quality coats.

Just avoid wearing with hot pants or bodies – let’s leave that to the professional superheroes yeah.


From top left:
1. River Island grey wool piped swing cape coat, £59.99
2. Topshop Camel Ultimate Military coat, £95
3. Asos Hooded Military Cape, £70 (in Khaki – pictured, or camel)
4. Oasis Black Duffle Cape, £75
5. Cooper & Stollbrand for ASOS Checked Cape, £200 (the contrast leather detailing and bold use of print make this a definite wardrobe favourite!)
6. Miss Selfridge Khaki Cape Parka, was £42, now £25 (covering both the parka and cape trend, get this jacket before it’s gone)

Now wearing: Woollen jumper dress and grey ribbed tights

Now playing: In the Morning - The Coral

Now coveting: Chloe Voodoo riding boots

Want to get involved? Email us at uomfashion@gmail.com

A couple of great finds...

Now, I hope that because you have clicked on this link, the following post will have some relevance to you and hopefully inspire you to change the way you look at your own style. Recently I have come across a couple of sites which have encouraged me to expand my fashion horizons and given me some ideas about how to reinvigorate my wardrobe.

If you are partial to a bit of vintage (and who isn't?!), you should find this first blog very inspiring. A woman from America has given up high street shopping in exchange for buying one garment from a thrift store everyday for a year. She then takes the garment home and reconstructs it. Here's the catch, her budget for each day is $1.

http://www.newdressaday.com/


An example of a before and after.

Another fantastic project I found is 'The Uniform Project'. I posted this on facebook a while back but thought I would put it in a blog because I love it so! A woman in NYC wore the same dress everyday for a year and basically accessorised like MAD. Oh how I wish I had her wardrobe, creativity and fearlessness! The current project sees a different woman taking on the challenge each month so check it out for some serious inspiration!

http://www.theuniformproject.com/


Click for a bigger picture.

In relation to our previous blogpost, this woman has a seriously enviable collection of socks and tights!!

Now wearing : Baggy t-shirt and leggings....oh how inspiring...

Now listening to : Mountainhead - 65daysofstatic

Now coveting: Anything from Cos but more specifically, their camel double breasted cape. Yum.

Post written by Stephanie Shaw @stefidoo

Want to get involved? Email us at uomfashion@gmail.com

Sock it to me!

We all wore them peeping over our wellies at the festivals this summer, but now it’s time to embrace socks as a winter wardrobe staple. From thigh high to simple ankle socks and everything in between, there really is something to suit everyone in this Prada-inspired trend. Luckily if your purse strings don’t quite stretch that far, there are plenty of socks available on the high street that will set you back less than a tenner.

Everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to Victoria Beckham has been snapped in thigh high socks recently, but if like me you’re a little curvier on the thighs, socks that fall just below the knee are much more forgiving. Colour is a key thing to consider too, and while bold colours and patterns can work, sticking to neutral colours similar to your outfit is definitely the safest option.

Choosing a pair of shoes to match is the easy part as socks go well with anything from lace up heels to utility boots, and they’ll look great layered over a pair of tights during the day if you don’t fancy baring skin in the cold weather. So forget about being afraid of looking like a school girl and discover your own way of wearing them.


1. Pointelle Over The Knee Ruffle Sock, £8, Urban Outfitters
2. Vigo Chunky Yarn Ankle Sock, £9.90, Mango
3. Over The Knee Socks, £4, ASOS
4. Rib Knee High Socks, £5, Topshop
5. Knee High Lace Socks, £2.99, New Look
6. Jersey Rib Velvet Bow Oatmeal Knee High Socks, £6, Accessorize

1.2.3.

4.5.6.


Now wearing: Knitted jumper dress and tights

Now playing: Hurts – Wonderful Life

Now coveting: A camel coat. Any will do!

Post written by Claire Byrne @claire_byrne

Topshop Student Shop!

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Topshop is hosting its infamous Student Shop. Some of you might remember the flurry and excitement of last year’s event, I know my fleeting memories include lots of elbowing, being weighed down with armfuls of jumpers and my poor boyfriend moaning at the lack of a ‘husband chair’. But it was all worth it for the 20% discount, DJ set and cute freebies a-go-go. So get your student IDs at the ready, dress to impress (I hear some lucky gals are getting snapped for the website) and head down to the Arndale Centre for 7pm with plenty of stamina.

In the meantime, I’ve picked out some of my favourite pieces to make the inevitable choosing process a little easier…


Click for a bigger picture.

1. Laurel patent buckle clogs, £68.
2. Sleeveless sequin dress, £65.
3. Knitted fairisle cardigan, £55.
4. Silk cowl back dress, £65.
5. Pleated wide leg trousers, £48.
6. Camel pleat long line shorts, £32.
7. Cropped aviator faux fur coat, £75.
8. Leather bound a-line skirt, £35.

Now wearing: A stripy shirt dress and cable knit tights.

Now playing: Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

Now coveting: Any and all of D&G's S/S '11 collection.

Post written by Rozi Jones @rozijones

Want to get involved? Send us an email at uomfashion@gmail.com

Designer Profile: Snoozer Loser

I am definitely not one to adorn myself in printed clothing, as I tend to get a bit bored with the print after a couple of wears; and of course there's the issue of people recognising straight away where it's from. Therefore, I tend to stick to more 'classic' (breton stripes and check shirts) items so I can shake things up a little by mix and matching and adding accessories. However, I came across an adorable independent designer from New York called Snoozer Loser, from charming Alice In Wonderland inspired prints to oriental patterns. Better yet, designer Sonia Tay hand prints and makes most pieces herself. Silk-screen designs of vintage scissors, birdcages, flowers, etc, all on gorgeous garment shapes. Contrary to her brand's name, that seems anything but lazy...


Click for a bigger picture.

Now wearing: Black and white stripes, black jeans and slippers!

Now playing: The Smiths - This Charming Man

Now coveting: Mary Katrantzou's S/S 2011 collection.

Post written by Emma Walters

Want to get involved? Email us at uomfashion@gmail.com