Fashion Week Essentials #2: Fashion Faves

Hello all

#NYFW is now in full swing! Instagram & Twitter are being bombarded with SS14 pictures & updates of what is going to be in vogue in the new year.
Today's post is going to focus on some fashion favourites. Of course, fashion week is about creativity. Look at any fashion blogger or FROW, & you'll see an array of style, from daring to demure. However, there are some items that I believe you should definitely include. In the below collage, I have put together some basic essentials, with a nod towards my own style. These can be tailor made to suit your style or outfits over fashion week!

 Clockwise from topleft: Roll up ballet flats- Rollasole | Blazer- New Look | Bowler Bag- Zara | Shopper- Zara | Sunglasses- Topshop | Black tights- Primark | Silver & Black necklace- New Look | Silver necklace- Rock n Rose | Monochrome scarf- Topshop

So, as this was my essentials most of the items are black, shock! However, the principle of each item has a reason.

First off, a pair of roll up ballet flats are absolute essentials to through in your bag to run between shows. Lightweight, simple & plain, these come in a range of colours so you can match them to your outfit. I chose black ones with a tiny skull, because it's me! 
Next, as I stated in my previous post about beauty essentials, which you can read here, both September & February fashion weeks, in all of the host cities, it is likely to be a little chilly! Including a light jacket or blazer is a good idea. I love this New Look one, as it's a good mix of casual but could also smarten up an outfit too. Of course, chose a jacket that suits your outfit, but I'd say a jacket is a must have.
Having a fairly big bag is essential, not only for all your must haves, but also it's likely you will receive some goodies on your travels, from food to fashion bits. So having a fairly large bag will mean you can throw everything in & be carrier bag free. These two from Zara are plain black & very large. Although I do love a designer bag, sometimes an unbranded bad is also very handy so you can take it to any show without being attached to a certain brand, for example taking a Mulberry bag to a Celine show may not look that great!
As I've previously mentioned, September & February have very temperamental weather, so although it could be cold, you may also have a sunny day, so a pair of sunglasses are a good idea. As you may know, I love the cats eye shape, they suit my face & are timeless.
 If you're wearing tights, I think it's a good idea to bring a spare pair, in case of ladders!
My penultimate items are two statement necklaces. I think accessorizing can really change an outfit, so these statement necklaces can glam up a day outfit for night, or just change between shows & make you look appropriate for the show you're attending. I love the RocknRose cuff style silver necklace, it's simple but still makes a statement.
Finally, having a chiffony scarf is again a good idea for the intermittent weather, & similar to the necklaces, it can really change up an outfit.

Of course, you should also show your style over fashion week & use it as a time to express your personality & creativity. These items are just a basis to help make things most comfortable. For example, chose different colours or styles of flats, bag, scarf and glasses to suit your style & inject some personality to your look.

Next time I'll be doing a tech essentials post, from camera's to chargers!
Hope you're all enjoying the fashion week reports & even more so if you've attended any shows in New York!!

Fashion Week Essentials #1: Beauty Bits

Hello all

As you probably know, today kicks off the start of Fashion Week SS14. As usual, New York hosts the first week of new season fashion offerings, particularly for sportswear, London follows for edgy, avant-garde design; then Milan for its over-the-top yet stylish looks; & finally Paris for haute couture. Although each city brings a different climate, culture & catwalk, I thought I would put together a series of 'Fashion Week Essentials'; items that you should carry with you regardless of season or city.

As I'm a bit of a beauty obsessive, I decided to kick off with some beauty bits that I think you need over fashion week, all small & light enough to carry with you should you be lucky enough to attend the shows, or if you go along to do a spot of style or celebrity spotting!

Top Row (l-r): MAC Fix+ Travel Sized | Superdrug Antibacterial Hand Gel Travel Sized | Nivea Roll On Deodrant Travel Size | Kleenex Pocket Tissues

Middle Row (l-r): Kirby Grips | Seamless Hair Bands | Compact Mirror and Brush | Batiste Dry Shampoo Travel Sized

Bottom Row (l-r): Collection Sheer Loose Powder | Cosmopolitan Retractable Powder Brush | Carmex Cherry Lip Balm | Topshop Lip Bullet in 'Rockabilly'

Because September fashion week follows straight on from  the summer break, travel sizes are still available, which are the perfect size & weight to pop into your bag.

M.A.C Fix+ is a great makeup fixer, but also a quick spritz will refresh your face. Traveling from venue to venue, often on public transport will expose you to germs aplenty, so I would always pack some antibacterial hand gel, again in a travel size, & on hot subways / underground, deodorant is a must! Roll on is, supposedly, much better for you than spray, so I chose that. Tissues are handy too.

Hair must haves include clips & hair bands (make sure you opt for bands without a metal join as these damage your hair) to transform & tame your tresses. This Denman compact hair brush & mirror is small but useful. Finally, travel size dry shampoo is great to refresh your hair & give you some volume.

Choosing only a couple of makeup bits were hard, but I managed to whittle it down to only the pieces you will actually use. It's all well & good bringing eyeshadow palettes & full makeup bags with you every day, but when I thought about what I actually ever use when I'm out & about, these were the most obvious. Even though it'll be September or February, running from show to show & sitting close together in the catwalks will no doubt make you a little shiny! Collections loose powder is lightweight but will take away the shine. Use with this retractable powder brush, that's compact & clean. As both September & February fashion weeks occur in Autumn or Winter, looking after chapped lips is essential; I love Carmex lip balm & find tubes or stick lip products a lot more hygienic than pots, like Vaseline. Finally, having a red lip crayon in your bag means you can instantly add some glamour to your look, or take you from daytime shows to late night after show parties. Topshop lip crayons aren't too drying & are hugely pigmented.

Next time I'll be putting together some fashion essentials, followed by tech essentials! 

Is anyone attending any shows this Fashion Week?