How to wear the military trend.

You can guarantee that when my friends see a little flimsy dress in a shop they'll define it as a "Cohen Dress". Peter Pan collar mandatory. Yet, when Voucher Codes got in contact with me a couple of weeks ago they set me a challenge pretty far out of my comfort zone. By simply sticking your head inside any high street store you'll see the distinctive areas marked out for each of Autumn's looks, and the one assigned to me was the military trend. With a budget of £80 to purchase three items, my thrifty student arose, and here's what I found when scouring the Liverpool high street (yep, I'm back!).

On a night out.

 

Mustard blouse: £14.40 (with 10% discount), Pop Boutique.

Paisley shorts, Glamorous UK. Bag: vintage. Elephant necklace: New Look. Watch: Roatry. Heels: New Look.

Can you really beat an oversized blouse? I'm pretty sure that this was originally from the men's section, but with the sleeves rolled up and tucked into teeny shorts, I reckon this'll work perfectly when you hit the town during freshers. Or any other time of year, I shan't discriminate.

  On a date.

   

Khaki jersey dress: £23.40 (with 10% discount), Topshop.

Pink silky collar blouse: American Apparel. Rabbit necklace: Topshop. Black heeled boots: Topshop. Glitter clutch: Topshop.

Who said miltary can't be girly? This outfit stands in the liminal space between girl-next-door and punk-rock badass (I tell myself), just make sure the person you're meeting is still taller than you in your killer heels. If they're not, then reassess whether you really need to meet up with them.

To a gig.  

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Military jacket: £22.49 (with 10% discount), New Look.

Arctic Monkeys t-shirt: Don Valley Bowl. Indigo jeans: Topshop. Leopard print boots: Topshop. Skull bracelet: Made, via ebay. Bag: my wardrobe... somewhere.

As if you need any excuse to bring out your favourite band t-shirt! Channel side stage gals like Suki Waterhouse and Breana McDow with a little bit of loyalty, and what my friend calls my "Miles Kane Boots" (YES). Let's be honest, you'll garner more attention than the frontman.

 Even though the phrase "military trend" made my lace ankle socks quake in their boots, I'd like to think I managed to integrate it into my wardrobe without too much upset. Mission complete!

xxx

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When at Somerset House...

 

The Union Flag atop Somerset House

Two of my favourite looks from Spijkers en Spijkers

Dina from She Loves Mixtapes getting papped 

... do as the fashionistas do!

Don't get me wrong, I abhor the word "fashionista" (and I use the expression lightly), but London Fashion Week is such an overblown and preposterous affair that it seems the only one applicable to those who flock to the Strand twice annually to sample what the capital of quirk and cool has to offer. Or you can sit on a bench at the sidelines and cheer on your favourites when you see two beheeled editors running to the show space with only a few minutes to spare.

I adore the atmosphere in the centre of the courtyard; I doubt it can be replicated anywhere else at any other time. The exhibition is always impeccably curated - the French Sole and Kate Sheridan showcases were two particular favourites - the close proximity of designers often ensuring that their finest selection is on display, the tables being an overload of aesthetic lavishness that doesn't quite transfer to the shopfloor anywhere other than the lush New Bond Street flagships.

But, of course, attention is focused upon the shows and presentations of SS13 collections. Friday's personal highlights were Maria Grachvogel and Bora Aksu (see bottom photo): the former revealing jumpsuits that even little Cohen could see herself in, and the latter had big hair and crowns fit for the pastel creations worn beneath. Despite the rail replacement's best efforts, I managed to get to Freemason's Hall for the Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Ones to Watch show, which is the one I had been most eagerly anticipating as everything would be new. I do like established designers, but once you've seen a Burberry trench coach, there's only so much you can do (which, apparently, means creating a ridiculously expensive peacock feathered version). Charlotte Simpson's glitter contrasted Ming Pin Tien's intricately laced corsetry perfectly, with Hellen Van Rees sending her models onto the catwalk with things that looked suspiciously like weetabix attached to their heads...

 

Navy dress: £12, Clothing at Tesco. Floral collared blouse: £2, charity shop. Butterfly brooch: gift, vintage. Skull bracelet: £11, Alexa Chung for Made, via ebay. Leather envelope clutch bag: Luella, via ebay.

It wouldn't be true Fashion Week coverage if I didn't show you a little bit of what I was wearing myself! I'm not the kind of person who likes being in front of another's camera, so dressed rather sedately in comparison to the other teddy bear adorned persons. Thank you to Dina for taking my photos - such a novelty to not have to hurry backwards and forwards with my self-timer!

I have another post coming up that's not technically to do with Fashion Week, but you may have seen me tweeting about what I got up to between stints at Somerset House, and it was equally exciting, so keep your eyes peeled (or stick with a sixties eyeliner flick, that's quite okay too).

xxx

Saying goodbye to Bora Aksu

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I would say I'm sorry if I thought that it would change your mind.

Forest green t-shirt (tied at the back): £2.50, Primark men's. Truffle corduroy circle skirt: £15, American Apparel via ebay. Denim £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Brown buckle shoes: £3.50, vintage via charity shop. Brown leather bag: £8, vintage. Watch necklace: gift. Black Rotary watch: gift.

I've never particularly been an "adventurous" dresser, choosing instead to focus upon a basic wardrobe of plain colours that can be worn in seemingly endless combinations. The idea of dressing up for London Fashion Week doesn't especially appeal, the dreaded street style photographers are very welcome to jump on the bejewelled  and beautiful, but I'd rather focus on the collections than stand stiffly in front of another's lens. These two pieces have become a new favourite pairing; it may not be worthy of the Sartorialist's time, but I love the muted berry hues twinned with the oversized tee, twisted into a knot at the back. I wore this to a twenty-first birthday meal, then on to town for my friends' gig, and it managed to survive everything from burning sambuca to 1am trips to a supermarket perhaps better than studded knee-caps would - not that I've ever tried!

I simply cannot believe that summer's finally drawing to an end. I'll be heading North for the third and final instalment of my Liverpool-based exploits early next week, and I simply cannot wait. Being a student is difficult: I know I'm not the only one, but in my personal experience the past two years have been pretty testing in regards to both my academic endeavours and learning to live simultaneously at polar ends of the country. Despite the times when I've felt insecure and down - and boy, there have been a few! - I relish my time in Merseyside, and I am determined to cram in as much as possible, when I'm not hidden beneath a pile of oxford world classics.

xxx

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