Summery Shoes

It’s June and – after months of pretending it’s high-summer – I’ve finally reached breaking point. I’m out of here. Thursday morning will bring outrageously early wake-ups, rush-hour Tube journeys, queueing and extortionate coffee but Thursday afternoon will see me lying on a deserted beach somewhere in the better part of Europe.
I’m leaving The Wardrobe Update in the capable hands of Zena & Poppy for the next two weeks so expect some fresh fashion blood, but I couldn’t abandon you without a brief goodbye.. so.. let me introduce some well-advised shoe picks for all-weather environments.

Hudson ‘Olsen’ Brogues (£150), Ego and Greed ‘Svan’ Platform Wedges (£75.65 @ Nastygal), Zara Swarovski Studded Sandals (£79.99)

If you’re not too sure about embracing the ‘man shoe’ trend then check out Topshop’s sale for their gorgeous colour-sole suede brogues; unfortunately they’re sold out in my local, but I’ve got a friend with a pair in my size..
Speaking of man shoes:

Hello Homme Boat Shoes (£80 @ ASOS), All Saints ‘Debut’ Shoe (£101.50 from £145) Creative Recreation ‘Cesario’ Shoe (£35 from £50 @ TOPMAN),

I feel like the criteria for a true ‘shoe classic’ is it’s ability to look incredible on both man & woman, and it’s hard to go wrong in these trusty friends:

 Classic Chuck Taylors by Converse, Limited Edition DM’s and TOMS

I know I picked a girly colour but the current Limited Edition DM’s are available in monochrome Black, White & Grey and their ever-popular Liberty Print collection can be found at Coggles and is available for both men & women. And of course you have the originals..
TOMS will be forever-loved on this blog because they give you the added fuzzy inner-warmth of providing orphans with a pair of shoes at the same time, however if you’re really cruel then I’ve spotted cheaper versions (without the charitable donation) in T.K. Maxx.

Who doesn’t own a pair of Converse?

I'll leave you with these YSL beauties - Chanel did a similar 'stars and stripes' pattern a few years ago - as I run away to pack... see you in the Algarve!

Yves-Saint-What?

After naming Hedi Slimane as the new creative director of Yves Saint Laurent earlier this year the brand appears set to make several huge changes to it's branding and clothing, starting with the name! Slimane believes the "Yves Saint Laurent" name associates the branding purely with it's former founder, and wants to take steps away from this by changing the name to Saint Laurent Paris.

SLP?!

REALLY?!

It sounds like Slurp to me - which is exactly why they've opted to keep the YSL logo, slightly backwards if you ask me.

Tribtoo Platforms in Red Suede (£540), Arty’n'Colour Cocktail Ring (£270), Chyc Clutch in Lizard-skin (eek! £630) and Chyc leather belt (£360 – all Net-A-Porter)

Yves Saint Laurent, developed in the 1970's, is probably most famous for it's "Le Smoking Jacket" tuxedo and safari-style jackets for women. Later (and now) it is most famous for it's accessories; clutch bags, statement 'Y' belts and the Tribtoo platform pumps. I've taken a look at my faves from their iconic style, just in case it's more than the name that goes!

The shoes have been featured on thousand of celebrities as a substitute to Louboutinies, and their eclectic range of cocktail rings are the perfect addition to any girl’s LBD. The clutch & belt are both from the House’s Chyc range, both featuring the iconic ‘Y’ logo, and are great for making a slightly quieter fashion statement.


 In other news..D&G have announced that, with no further ado, they are diffusing the D&G line back into Dolce & Gabbana. I am deeply unimpressed, as I lust after D&G's floral urban chic styles and sumptuous fabrics.

Silk Floral Dress (£245 from £350), Chain-trimmed Boucle Jacket (£444 from £650), Rose Handbag (£161 from £230), Denim-Waisted Scarf Maxi (£612 from £1,225)

Dolce & Gabbana made a statement with urban, thrifty and eclectic styles in the 1980′s – when Italy was big for it’s filming industry Dolce claimed fashion and film was one and the same; “our clothes are like a story..we think of a story, and design the clothes to go with them”. They aimed to produce quirky classics, setting new trends rather than conforming to the old. I love D&G’s line for it’s fab prints and classic cuts; the playful shades and details (especially on the handbags) are DIVINE! Sure, they’re not cheap, but they aren’t too hard to save up for and they’re iconic enough for you to wear them for years.

Snap them up while you still can..

Urban Outfitters: Picks

Indie giant Urban Outfitters have launched their Summer Sale! Up to 50% off; so let's re-visit my picks for boys & girls before looking at their new prices...

L-R: Womens Picks: Ecote 'Sneak Peak' Cami (£25), Deena & Ozzie Wedges (£85), Pins and Needles cut-out dress (£55), Angel Jackson Avenger Satchel (£350 - sold out, buy a similar version for £180!), BDG Stripe Shorts (£40), PEACE belt (£9-18)

L-R: Farah Vintage Raspberry Twill Shorts (£55 - now £35), Word Up Tee (£20), Red G-SHOCK Watch (£100), Fred Perry Silk Tie Belt (£40 - now £25), Bjorn Pants (£25), Lyle & Scott £60 - now £35 (VANS £45)

They recently contacted me to tell me how much they love my blog on Vision, and sent me a few cheeky pictures from Vaudeville & Burlesque's most recent collection:

I'm not sure how expensive the dresses are but I'm pretty sure I'll be pre-ordering the yellow!

xoxo

Accessorise for the Jubilee

London shoe designer Aruna Seth released her Jubilee tribute yesterday in the form of a £3,000 pair of Swarovski-crystal studded wedges in the Union Jack colours – they’ll go on display at Harrods and a select few will be available to order. Seth was the perfect designer for this job; her shoes are regularly spotted on Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton, and she was a runner-up in the race to design sister Kate’s wedding heels, however I don’t think we’ll see Elizabeth sporting them this weekend.

I featured Mulberry's Jubilee Bayswater a few posts ago, but they have released the special Postman's Lock on other styles (including the Pouch below) so if you’re not totally sure about embracing the head-to-toe flag look then try accessorising with Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

Scarf - VW, Pumps - Next, Bags - Mulberry, Barbour & Alexander McQueen,
Glasses - ASOS, Charms - Links of London, Cath Kidson & Pandora

On the High Street.. Next have cute pumps, Barbour’s tote is on sale and charm-giants Links and Pandora have both released limited edition jewellery for the big event.

If you're looking for a little more than accessories - check out The Londoner for a 'how-to' guide on making the cutest mini-Victoria Sponges, and head to your local supermarket for some bunting and Pimms!

I'll leave you with a pic of this guy, because who can resist a bulldog in a bowler?! I'll finish my exams soon, so I can promise many a wonderful post for you all summer....

xxxxx!

This is taking place at my home today, hopefully I'll be getting some goodies :)

'Vicky' by Jones + Jones

I've had my eye on a Jones + Jones dress for a while; ever since featuring their 'Audrey' dress in an article I wrote in February (Stunning Spring Picks - York Vision) and, while that dress didn't work out for me, I've set my sights on this one instead.  I posted it to my Tumblr blog a few days ago and, after recieving hundreds of reblogs, likes & comments, I decided to add a little detail for my devoted readers!

The Vicky Dress, £65

It's cute, It's lacy, It's racy (the back is cut in a deep V style, plenty of conservative cleavage!), it's summery, and it comes with student discount. 

The back, in cream

The only problem I'm having with ordering this dress is that I'm a really funny size, and I hate the long process of ordering something and having to send it back, decide whether to try another size or not etc. etc.



If this particular dress isn't your style, they've got thousands of others - I also love the aforementioned Audrey, Nicky, Petra is outstandingly beautiful and the Sarah dress is v. Sookie Stackhouse (how excited are you for True Blood's return on June 10th?) - so you're bound to find something that suits.

They're quirky, cute, edgy and a little sexy - how can you resist?!

If you can't fight...

Get a big hat.

Ever heard that phrase? I have. As a young lady of part-ginger heritage, the preservation of my porcelain complexion is a time-consuming and integral part of my daily routine.  So, dear readers, I thought I'd write to you today about my long-standing hatred against that big yellow fellow in the sky.

I’m always the one stuck with the bags, hiding under an umbrella and a thick layer of SPF 50 while my friends frolic in the sunshine and develop deep golden tans; however I like to tell myself that it will save on the extensive costs of cosmetic surgery in later life.

The best ally I’ve found in my war against the sun is a hat. Personally, I like a large hat – generally, the bigger the better – as it provides good shoulder cover and I’m convinced it makes me look slimmer.I bought a panama hat in Venice last summer and it’s become my new hat of choice for effortless cool.

See, everybody looks cool in a hat.

 Designer brands often sell their versions with a signature scarf – for example the Paul Smith stripe trilby would be the elegant option, and the Jack Wills stripe trilby would be the awkward one – and it’s easy to recreate this with a charity-shop scarf and a hat you bought from the market for a fiver.
I really like this option, as it makes me feel like a thrifty rebel in the face of fashion capitalism, however if you’re really useless (or can’t bear charity shops) then get a pre-patterned style.

This one's my favourite, It's from quirky British designer Paul Smith.

Aside from being a quick-fix update to your shabby accessories, scarves are really handy for those times when you’ve dared to bear but find yourself turning rapidly pink. During summer months I like to keep a scarf tied around my handbag, round my waist or round my hat just in case I need to whip it off and protect myself. Heck, if you’re SUPER-crafty you could always copy D&G and Prada and make your own scarf bag.

All in all, with the equipment shown here plus a few more key essentials (factor 50, a watermelon martini, a good book and a great poolside spot under a parasol) you’re perfectly prepared to survive a trip to the sunnier parts of the world.

While I hope I’ve converted you all into queens of skin-preservation, I’ll leave you stubborn sun-worshippers with a bit of advice my mother often gives me:

"Why buy yourself a designer handbag Frances, when you can hit the sunbeds twice a week and make yourself into one?"

The best place for a scarf, IMO

taken from York Vision's Fashion Blog: The Wardrobe Update