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.  

 ,

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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When you touch my hand and talk sweet talk I got a knockin' in my knees and a wobble in my walk.

Floral print Lizzy dress (worn as top): c/o Motel Rocks. Denim shorts: Fat Face. Denim Jacket: £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Coral belt: c/o Clothing at Tesco. Heart-shaped sunglasses: £2 h+m kids. Skull bracelet: £11, Made via ebay. Black ballet pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay.

I wore this outfit the other day, when pushing my hair behind my ears and getting stuck into InDesign, putting together pages for the University of Liverpool's magazine, Ellipsis - such a glamorous lifestyle! To escape the confines of my room, I went for a little walk across the fields near where I live, with my good friends John, Paul, George and Ringo. Maybe I've spent too long away from reality - I'm wearing double denim! I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm surprisingly a fan of this look - opinions? This top was a gift from Motel Rocks as I'm a member of their Street Team (you get 20% off with the code "itscohen"!), and I adore its not-too-girly floral print. It comes up a little big, so I'd recommend sizing down.

This past week has involved a considerable amount of rest and recuperation (not counting a rather eventful last night out in Essex pre-third and final year, but that's perhaps a story for another time). Last night I had a few friends over for Domino's, chick flicks, and pink wine - nothing beats a sleepover! Apart from fudge cake, and I may possibly have made plans to get some with friends early next week...

xxx

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In the corner of an english field.

 

As I pluck the last strand of straw out of my hair, now seems the perfect time to start reminiscing about the past weekend. I know that music festivals aren't everyone's cup of tea; the idea of spending multiple days stranded in a lumpy field, your phone battery slowly giving up the ghost and surrounded by people arguing as to whether someone is in the tent without checking at 4am isn't particularly appealing, but the faithful british institution finds itself beckoning punters back year after year, with over 250 individual festivals taking place annually. The Glastonbury institution may have taken a well-deserved rest while London 2012 used its portaloos, but I headed back to Brownstock festival for the third year in a row, to see what exactly was going down in Brown town...

 

Arriving a little later than my friends due to the event coinciding with the last day of my internship, I found my tent pegged in place (thanks Amy!), guitar being passed round, and generally an environment as far removed from the Tottenham Court Road office I'd left three hours previously as possible. As twilight encroached, we headed into the arena for dodgems and fairground rides, followed by a trip to the silent disco (well documented by my camera, but never will these be published online, for the greater good!). The two main days of the festival were spent between the Piano DJ tent - sets by Devon Mayson, Calico Ghost Town and the opportunity to sing Wonderwall incredibly out of tune - the Noise Kitten Treehouse for friends' DJ sets, the Good Shed for Grand Master Flash, Zane Lowe and Nero, and the Main Stage for Labrinth, the Futureheads, the Milk, et al. The music, without doubt, is the basis of a festival, but it's the DJ playing Jay-Z and Kanye that persuades you to stay at the silent disco, heading to the aptly named Stumble Inn for dubstep when everything else has closed, or, if all else fails, huddling round a piano for a singsong in your pyjamas when you decide you're not ready for bed quite yet that makes it slightly different to sitting in your back garden with the subwoofer pumping out album tracks.

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When I was a child running in the night I was afraid of what might be

1. Hungry for the Breakfast Club

2. Patisserie Valerie

3. Reflections upon Liverpool

4. Me, Claire, Sian, and Bel in Birmingham

5. Bukowski

6. Bracing ourselves for Sabby's birthday

7. Brownstock 2011

It certainly has been a while since I've posted any of my film "photography" on my blog. In fact, I still have a set to scan, and a few rolls of film waiting impatiently to be developed, but I like to think this'll only heighten the surprise/shame when I do finally see what delights are trapped inside the feared negatives. I don't see myself as a photographer, and leave the technical stuff to Jazzy, Lily, Laura and Sophie, but I still like to have a camera (or two, or three...) in my bag to capture moments in time. I know that a lot of people think bloggers ought to have a pricey DSLR to be worth taking up precious pixels, but my little point and shoot and I are plodding along just fine. The above photos were taken with a job lot of expired disposable cameras purchased from ebay, working out as well under one British pound each. They may not grace the pages of a glossy magazine, but I'd rather have a stack of these than a floor to ceiling pile of Vogues any day.

Today marks the end of a summer of interning. Three months of commuting past the Olympics - done! I'm being a little cheeky and leaving early today, in order to get to Brownstock festival before the ticket office closes. It's becoming tradition to end my summer sitting on a ground sheet surrounded by a buzzing bassline from afar, friends cross-legged playing guitar as the sun sets, and dancing to unknown (and familiar!) bands. I may have dreams of Coachella, but I really don't think anyone can do a music festival like the brits!

Enough romanticising, and a quick mention of romance - I'd just quickly like to say congratulations to the newly wedded Mr & Mrs Wren. I wouldn't put it past Eloise to make her first dance a Pitbull tune...

xxx

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oh! darling, please believe me

Black Pippa dress: c/o Darling. Grey oversized jacket: £31.50, Topshop. Watch: gift, Rotary. Cameo necklace: £1.50, charity shop. Brown frame bag: £3, vintage. Black two-tone flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay.

Happy August Bank Holiday!

I hope you've all had a relaxing day off? Today, my mum, brother and I headed off to Maldon to sample scones (big surprise), avoid the Essex Lion, and prove the theory that it will always rain on this day of the year. I picked up a couple of charity shop bargains, before battling through the elements towards Promenade Park for afternoon tea. It wasn't a high-adrenaline, activity-filled day, but it was exactly what I needed on my day off. With only one more week of my PR internship left, I'm looking forward to a little slice of summer fun, in the guise of Brownstock Festival and London Fashion Week. Daily life in East Anglia has been most welcome, but the allure of the North West is tangible, and I can't wait to move into a new flat with one of my closest friends. However much I love being home for the holidays, you just can't beat a little bit of change!

xxx

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Went for a walk down the old King's Road to see if anybody was there.

Floral top: £2.75, Topshop, via charity shop. Denim circle skirt: £28.50, American Apparel, via ASOS. Polka dot pop socks: £1, Primark. Two-tone ballet flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley, via ebay. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Polka dot sunglasses: £1, Primark. Skull bracelet: £11, Made, via ebay.

Yesterday was, in short, hot. Walking westwards along the King's Road (in an outfit that probably cost less than the average person's left shoe), Danielle and I were rather grateful for our sunglasses and the occasional breeze. Neither of us had ever visited the Royal Borough before, despite obsessively watching Made In Chelsea, so it was about time we braved the Circle line and saw what all the fuss was about.

In all honesty, the King's Road itself is just a high street. Admittedly, it is a very nice high street, as the average shop is Jigsaw or Comptoir des Cotonniers, but if you wander off the tourist-infused street, you'll have the opportunity to gaze wistfully at wonderful architecture, and maybe even doff your cap to A. A. Milne at his former place of residence (yep, I'm a blue plaque geek). On a more palatable level, there's plenty of scope for rumbling stomaches. We were hoping to try out The Bluebird Restaurant until the sight of our already rather empty purses decided that it wouldn't be the most sensible option. Instead, we tried out The Chelsea Teapot. If you like a good scone - who doesn't? - then this is the place for you! For just over a fiver each, we managed to indulge in some sweet homemade treats; Danielle tried her first ever (!) red velvet and it got a very enthusiastic thumbs up.

Apart from the World's End Vivienne Westwood shop and the Saatchi Gallery, are there any other places you'd recommend in SW3? I'm such a Sloane Square Stranger!

xxx

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I know we're all in this business kind of thing

Beige blouse: £2.95, vintage, via charity shop. Navy wrap-over pencil skirt: £1.50, vintage Next, via charity shop. Navy cross-over shoes: £3.95, vintage. Belt: Fat Face. Bag: mum's. Lipstick: Chanel Gabrielle.

Long time no see! Life's been a little hectic due to travelling for far too many hours, and immersing myself into another internship. This whole 9.30-6.00 business can be rather tiring! I admire those full-time workers who still find time to blog in their spare time. Thankfully I still manage to see my friends, including bloggers who know me well - hello Jade! - and I serendipitously work in the same building as Charlie, which means trips to our ninth floor cafe! Yesterday I managed to get some rays on my lunch hour by sitting in Gordon Square Gardens with an icy drink and a copy of Wish Magazine - a pretty perfect break, if I do say so myself.

Outside of the office, I've been up to Liverpool for a quick weekend to find somewhere to live next year, which is a long, boring, and incredibly stressful affair, but I believe we've got a nice pad now. We even managed to get back in time to juuust catch the Closing Ceremony which was only rounded up by the amazing bloody Who! Admittedly it was rather lacking in David Bowie and the Rolling Stones, but, as the Kinks got a look in, I'm a happy girl. And for those who fancy something new, I'm leaving you with a girl we've been listening to non-stop in the office: D E N A




xxx

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with love, from southend-on-sea

Mint green blazer: c/o Glamorous. Black strappy top: tesco (I think...). Floral chiffon skirt: £15, American Apparel, via ebay. Black Chelsea boots: £60, Topshop. Belt: 20p, charity shop. Cloud bag charm: gift, Luella.

If you ask the average Essex resident for their opinion of Southend you're likely to get quite a varied response. The high street is rather generic, littered with chain stores and night clubs, while the seafront is home to (possibly!) more fish and chip shops than grains of sand. Yet it boasts the world's longest pier, and, most importantly, it is where Rossi ice cream was born - both black cherry and banana are my favourites, it's impossible to have just one. I don't visit very often, but when I do you can guarantee a trip to Oldham's will be on the cards, finished off with a meander down the promenade to the Peterboat in Old Leigh to watch the sun set over the docked sailing boats.

In typical British fashion, the weather was rather changeable, so I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to air my first ever non-uniform blazer. I have always associated this item of clothing with stuffy classrooms and the one time I didn't put the lid back on my fountain pen, and the entire right-hand side of my pale yellow blouse was dyed a rather lovely shade of blue... However, the mint green did take the scholarly edge off things slightly, and sitting by the shore, with the sea breeze blowing my hair whilst sipping on a fruit cider took me as far away from assemblies and Friday afternoon German grammar "treats" as I think it's possible to be!

xxx

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