LookOfLou: 2016

Monday 19 December 2016

END OF YEAR SPARKLES

Not content with last weeks shimmer and shine I wanted to do a quick post before the end of the year on some more sparkles and sequins. Perfect for Christmas parties and new year celebrations but also just as easy to dress down for day to day wear. Whether its a party dress, stand out skirt or a top that you can style with ripped jeans and trainers. I've done the hard work for you and trawled the high street for the best on offer.

Sequin Skirt Glamorous @ Topshop £45.00

Sequined Jacket H&M £69.99

Sequin Embellished Turtleneck Dress &Other Stories £55.00

Black Glitter Block Heel Ankle Boots New Look £29.99

Black Sequin Shoulder Padded Jacket New Look £22.49 (was £29.99)

Sequined Skirt H&M £39.99

If there was ever an 'IT' skirt than this would be it. Fashion bloggers the world over have gone crazy for it. It's affordable, versatile and so so pretty. I've tried it on a couple of times and did find that I had to go up a size. It's also quite a long midi length and of course is a little heavy so be warned. I love it styled down with a chunky knit, trainers and an oversized biker jacket.

Blazer with Sequins Zara £89.99

Sequinned Midi Skirt Zara £49.99

Shiny Sock Ankle Boots Zara £39.99

Sequined Strappy Top H&M £29.99

Kimono Jacket in Sequin Co-Ord Religion @ ASOS £135.00 (currently out of stock)

Awkward Length Trousers in Sequin Co-Ord Religion @ ASOS £98.00

Evening Bucket Bag Zara £45.99

Grey Embroidered Sequin Block Heel Boots River Island £40.00 (was £75.00)

Sequin Blazer Miss Selfridge @ ASOS £55.00

Sequined Silk Dress &Other Stories £95.00

Silver Sequin Skirt &Other Stories £65.00

My advice on sequins if you're not sure would be to go for a blazer. I picked one up at the beginning of the year from ebay that was originally from George at Asda. The quality is far better than I expected it to be and I have worn it so many times. It looks fab dressed up with a black mini skirt but also works well with ripped jeans, a graphic tee and trainers.

Top Tip....George at Asda have them in stock again at the moment although not available on line so pop in to your nearest store or shop a similar style above!!

My Look

Sequin Blazer George @ Asda (see above)

Black Knit H&M (old) similar here

Maxi Skirt Topshop (old) similar here

'Tis the time for sparkle so here's a little more style inspo to get you to the ball.....

Images via pinterest

Thursday 8 December 2016

SHIMMER AND SHINE - TROUSERS EDIT

Party season is upon us but that doesn't mean you need to save all the sparkles and shimmer for after hours. I love a statement trouser and especially one I can dress up for evenings and down for daytime. So a silver trouser !? No you say, oh yes I say! I was in Primark this week looking for Christmas novelty items, as you do this time of year, and came across a pair of metallic shimmer and shine silver jeans. Skinny, high waisted and wait for it, only £3.00 in the sale.

My Look

Night out

Plumetis Top Zara £15.99

Metallic Skinny Jeans Primark £3.00 (was £13.00)

Heels New Look (old) similar here

Daytime Drinks

Leopard Coat TU-Sainsburys (old) similar here

Leather Jacket H&M (old) similar here

Printed T-Shirt H&M £12.99

Flat Strappy Shoe Zara £39.99

Daytime Casual

Jumper with Lacing H&M £14.99

Converse Office £47.99

If you can't find yourself the bargain of the year pair in Primark then why not try one of these, all with direct links to get them ordered and delivered before Christmas.

Golden Hits Trousers &Other Stories £39.00

High Waist Leggings Zara £19.99

Imitation Leather Trousers H&M £24.99

Stretch Coated Trousers H&M £24.99

Silver-Toned Leggings Zara £19.99

Stretch Faux Leather Trousers Topshop £34.00

Double-Sided Trousers Zara £29.99

Glittery Leggings H&M £14.99

Metallic-effect Skinny Gloss Jeans Mango £39.99

If you fancy going one step further with your sparkle then why not add some sequins. Same rules apply, dress down with band tees, baggy knitwear and trainers. Or dress up with shirts, blouses and heels for evening glamour. My tip on these is the H&M pair, for one they're the cheapest and I've also heard very good things about them. They also come in black and gold if silver isn't your colour.

Sequin Trousers Next £45.00

Sequin Leggings Topshop £59.00

Sequinned Leggings H&M £29.99

Don't stay safe, break out the box with some sparkle! If you're still not sure, check out the style inspos below and then try telling me you don't want to shine, I dare you....

photos via pinterest

Friday 2 December 2016

NEW SEASON LACE EDIT

I don't know what's been going on recently, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day or days in the week. But here I am, finally grabbing 5 minutes amongst the chaos to share some love for lace. Christmas is most definitely upon us and the countdown has begun, so if you have parties coming up this might just help you out. But remember Lace is not just for christmas, invest in a good piece and you can bring out season after season.

My Look

Evening Glam

Top Zara (see below)

Velvet Trousers F&F @ Tescos £18.00

Shoes Public Desire similar here

Christmas Drinks

Top Zara (see below)

Jeans Marks and Spencers (old) similar here

Boots New Look £29.00

Daytime Casual

Hat Primark £3.00 similar here

Top Zara (see below)

Jeans River Island (old) similar here

Converses Office £47.99

This lace top is one of my favourite buys of the season so far and all mainly down to its versatility. I really love the ruffle detailing which means you can wear it without a top underneath. If you do want to cover up a little more though just add a black cami or long sleeve roll neck underneath. I took the Large so I would definitely say be careful with sizing as I found the Medium a little too restricting and wanted to be able to layer it up.

Lace Top with Frills Zara £29.99

If this ones not for you then how about one of these beauties......

Dark Green Lace Flared Top River Island £20.00 (was £30.00)

Sheer Lace Blouse with Ruffle ASOS £32.00

Lace Blouse with Frilled Cuffs H&M £29.99

Lace Body H&M £19.99

Lace Blouse H&M £19.99

Flower Lace Top &Other Stories £69.00

Frilled Blonde Lace Top Zara £17.99

Frilled Plumetis Top Zara £15.99

If blacks not your colour then try something a little softer. A cream lace especially will flatter all and will be perfect not only in winter but also in summer with a light wash denim. If you don't fancy going all out on the trend though then why not try something with just a touch of lace and mix it up with different patterns, textures and styles.

High Neck Lace Top Fashion Union @ ASOS £28.00

Velvet Lace Hem Hoodie Topshop £38.00

Pleated Lace Skirt H&M £29.99

Fine Gauge Lace V-Neck Jumper Topshop £36.00

Lace Blouse Stradivarius £25.99

Crew Neck Chunky Lace Jumper M&S Collection £39.50

Animal Print Top Zara £25.99

Checked Top with Lace Hem Zara £9.99

Knee-Length Lace Skirt H&M £19.99

Black Layered Lace Maxi Skirt River Island £45.00

Now for a little style inspo, just in case you're still not sure on how to style it up, take a look at how the pros are doing it....

photos via pinterest

Tuesday 15 November 2016

PINAFORE DRESS

Pinafores aren't just for little girls in the playground, oh no they are more than suitable for any age and a huge fashion statement right now. I have one that is a few years old so also proving that a good black pinafore dress will come back in to fashion year after year and will never disappoint.

My Look

Shirt Matalan £16.00 (in-store only)

Pinafore Miss Selfridge (old)

Boots ASOS (old)

There really is a pinafore out there for everyone. A shorter length will give a younger look while a midi length will be a great alternative as a smarter look for work. If you're not confident on your body shape, the M&S pinafore (below) will nip you in at your smallest point then flare out to the knee.

Pinafore Lined Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress Marks and Spencer £69.00

Leather Look Pinafore Dress Boohoo @ ASOS £25.00

Flowy Pinafore Dress Mango £35.99

Short Pinafore Dress with Tassels Zara £59.99

Pinafore Style Maxi Wal G @ Topshop £18.00 (was £33.00)

Embellished Bib Pinafore Dress Needle & Thread @ ASOS £285.00

Pinafore Shorts H&M £19.99

Pinafore Dress Warehouse @ ASOS £24.00 (was £60.00)

Column Pinafore Dress in Midi Length ASOS £18.00

Just add tights for winter and when it warms up again, bare legs and ankle boots look fab. Don't over think what you should be wearing underneath your pinafore. I like to take the attitude, if you love it, just bloody wear it, you'd be surprised what a little bit of confidence in yourself can do. A plain basic long sleeve roll neck will work well, as well as a chunky knit. My favourite look with the pinafore is a pretty lace blouse.