Top 10 Wardrobe Must Haves!

I have been prepping this post for a while now, trying to narrow down the final 'Top Ten' items I believe all women should have in her wardrobe. The items shown here are staples but addapted to  my personal style and colour scheme. The principles and pieces are there, and anyone can use this as a basis to building a wardrobe that will mean they will have again have to wonder 'why do I have nothing to wear!'

I have been watch an unhealthy amount of 'Goks Clothes Show Live' and as much as I dislike him and his addiction to belts, bangles and boobs ("Lets add another bangle!"), his idea of a staple wardrobe appeals to me. So the 10 wardrobe basics I have picked out here are interchangable and can be worn for work, casual or going out, day or night.

1. Vest Tops. Simple and necessary. These can go under a sheer blouse, with the jeans or skirt.

2. Comfortable Heels. These can be in any style, stilletto, wedge, boot, whatever, as long as you can walk well in them and can survive in them for a long period of time.

3. Ballet Pumps. Everyone should have at least 1 pair of ballet pumps (I have about 15!) They never go out of fashion and are so easy to slip on.

4. Blazer. This jacket adds sophistication to an outfit and is a stylish way to keep warm.

5. Leather Jacket. Release your inner rock star and look effortlessly glam in a leather jacket. I love the biker style jacket as it is laid back and can work with dressed up outfits or casual ones.

6. Blouse. Again, this can be dressed up or down to suit the event you are going to. I kept it simple with back and white and I love a good bow!

7. Jean. Buying a well fitting pair of jeans is time consuming and can be expensive. But I feel investing in a pair of jeans is really worth it as they are so comfortable and easy to wear.

8. Pencil Skirt. For those days you want to feel like a bombshell. Channel your inner Marilyn Monroe in a figure hugging pencil skirt.

9. LBD. No wardrobe is complete without a Little Black Dress. Find a shape you like and you can keep it for years! I always feel glamourous in a prom dress style, and this one has a hint of lace too!

10. Fur Coat. Nothing adds a bit of Old School Hollywood glamour like a fur coat. Keep cosy in the cold seasons and still look fab in a (faux) fur jacket. I love leopard print so this is a must have in my wardrobe!

I love classic black and white outfits; to me they scream sophistication and style. That's the reason I have based mine around those colours. However, you can chose these pieces in whatever colours suit you. Similarly with shapes, if you prefer boot cut jeans and they suit you more go ahead! This is just my personal take on Wardrobe basics.

I loved making this post as it really made me think how easy it is to stay on trend if you have to right basics. each season you can simple pick up some statement pieces in on trend colours to update the look year after year. The days of looking at my (overflowing) wardrobe and whining that I can't find anything to wear are hopefully over!

Weekly Wish List #3

Scarf - Alexander McQueen / Del Rey Bag - Mulberry / Dip Hem Skirt - New Look / Dr. Marten's / Bowler Hat - TopShop / Silver Ring - TopShop / Studded Purse - TopShop

 

This weeks Wish List is a mix of designer and high street and, as you can see, burgandy is prominent! The first two items, the McQueen and Mulberry, are obviously wish list items, things I can dream to own. The rest are pretty affordable and I definitely want them all!

 

With my new hair (see previous post) I want to bring some more colour to my waredrobe and I am absolutely loving burgandy, berry, wine colours. And, of course, I couldn't stay away from the studded purse that I saw at the TopShop / Vogue Event.

 

Also, I want to start trying out hats with my new hair. I love hats, I just think they don't suit me, but I want to branch out and try new things so later this week I plan to buy this hat and see how it goes.

 

 

50 Shades Of Grey Inspired Fashion

 

This morning I finally jumped on the bandwagon and started to read '50 Shades of Grey' by E.L James (who by very tenuous links it appears I am sort of distantly related too). I am still opposed to the idea of a woman succumbing to a rich man's pleasure and being dominated and, effectively, used as a sex doll. However apparently the high street and designers are also joining in the hype of the Best Seller series. Bongade / S&M inspired fashion is everywhere at the moment and will continue into A/W '12. Hints of lace and leather, corseted silhouettes and power platform heels show a link to a sexualized post '50 Shades' society. What I like however is how fashion has translated it into powerful dressing for the woman, espicially in the tie jewellery and sharp structured shapes. This suggests she is in control rather than a Christian Grey figure of money and authority. It isn't about dressing for a mans pleasure, it is instead about feeling sexy in yourself and in feeling confident and power you will inevitably appear sexy. Although some may find this intimidating (no doubt Mr Grey who likes clumsy, innocent Ana) I believe there is nothing more sexy than a confident, empowered woman. 

 

And in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt 'Well behaved women rarely make history' 

 

Wish List #2

Jeffrey Campbell Studded Lita's- Office / Dip Hemmed Leopard Print Skirt- MissSelfridge / Black Dip Hemmed Skirt- New Look / Faux Leather Skater Skirt- Lavish  Alice / Cross Vest- Topshop / Acid Wash Skinny Jeans- Topshop / Disco Pants- American Apparel / Cross Jumper- MissGuided / Studded Belt- New Look / Black Lipstick- Barry M

When I first created this blog I planned to do a 'Weekly Wish List' post, however I managed the grand total of 1, so am hoping to pick that up again!

I'm really getting back into my alternative, grungey find of style as of late and I am absolutely loving studs and skulls and pleather, as you can probably see from my wish list!

 

I'm really hoping this month to save some money and purchase some items from my wish list!

I am also thinking of changing my bright red hair to a much dark black red or a dark chocolate brown, thoughts?

In other news, I got my A Level results yesterday and got an unconditional from Goldsmiths, my first choice! So incredibly happy! I even got a tweet from them! Although I am defering a year, its still a major acheivement :) Hope everyone who received their results yesterday are proud of themselves not matter what the result was!

Where is everyone planning to go to University?

Those who have already graduated or are currently studying, where did you go and what course would you recommend? 

Broadwalk Empire Series 2 DVD Launch Event

As I meantioned in my earlier post, I attended the 'Broadwalk Empire' Series 2 DVD Launch Event in Regents Street a few weeks ago. It was held in Tommy Guns Salon, which is a really cool Salon under on the ground floor of SuperDry. It was originally a Barber shop designed by Percy Westwood and Joseph Emberton it opened in 1929 and its been restored by Tommy Guns. Its a mix of original features such as the towel heater, with more modern decor so it was the perfect setting for this event! I, myself, had never heard of 'Broadwalk Empire' before I attended this, but you can find a quick synopsis here.

Anyway, the eveing consisted of champagne, cocktails and canapes, mini hair and makeup demos for the ladies and hair styles and wet shaves for the gentlemen, a small Blackjack tabel and then an amazing Burlesque performance by Gwendoline Lamour. Over all it was an amazing 20's themed evening in which I had a bit too much champagne but thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

The twenties theme however inspired me, along with the forthcoming Hollywood release of 'The Great Gatsby' (well, in December), to create a twenties style mood board. Enjoy!

 

I love the glamourous decadence of the period and embellishments and pearls. I really like the cuts of the dresses and if I had the figure and lifestyle (and budget) I would love to dress like this all the time.

Rock Star Daughters

Georgia May Jagger / Daisy Lowe / Frances Cobain / Tali Lennox / Pixie and Peaches Gekdof / Lourdes Leon / Miley Cyrus / Kelly Osbourne

Being the daughter of a Rock Star would be for many girls (including myself!) the idea of heaven! Let alone growing up in a house you are surrounded by music, industry type people and have the networking skills to rival many, you would also inherit the style traits, and in many cases the waredrobes, of your famous parents. Since Rock music errupted into the more mainstream audiences and music and fashion have collided, there has been a whole generation of girls with rockstar parents that have grown into beautiful women with impeccable, alternative style that mixes high fashion sophistication, with the harder, grungier influences of their parents careers. These ladies are proof that when it comes to rock star fashion sense, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

All the women here are fashion influences to me to some extent. While some I have been aware of for a fairly long time, such as Daisy Lowe and Kelly Osbourne, others are quite new to me and their styles are all so interesting and fashion foreward that they interest me greatly. While the younger generation, like Miley and Lourdes, are just finding their fashion feet and emerging as style icons, the older fashionistas are firming their places among the front rows of Fashion Weeks and style red carpets world wide. Collaborations with designers, musicians and front covers of thousands of magazines combined, these daughters of Rockstars are definitely a force to be reckoned with!

 

Pain with Pleasure

I came across an article on Christian Louboutin on the Telegraph
website and I found it really interesting and his view was so
 honest and I totally agree with what he said. In the interview
he gave to Grazia magazine he said, ''I really have not so
much sympathy. If Tina Turner and Prince's back-up band can
perform on stage in them for three hours, you can't tell me they are
impossible to walk in. High heels are pleasure with pain. If you
can't walk in them, don't wear them.''

This is precisely why I do no wear heels! I can't walk in them, they
hurt me and instead of spending the night being in pain, or having
freezing, throbbing feet, I'd much rather wear a gorgeous pair of
flats! I can dance so much better in flats, enjoy my night and be
comfortable!

I have only adopted this way of thinking since being with my
 boyfriend, who is only a few inches taller than me. At first I
missed the way they made my legs look, the way it made me feel
dressy and ready to party. But the first time I went out with him and in
flats (red patent ballet shoes, in case you cared!) when it got to 1am
and I still had shoes on, and I wasn't falling over and I was dancing
crazily, I thought 'I could get used to this!' Therefore I am offically
converted to a flats lover and all my heels can sit in my room gathering
dust!

So I've collected a few flats that I own and love (all appart from one)
to try and convert more to wear flats out! At least then we might see
 fewer girls at 3am walking precariously barefoot on glass and sick in town
centres!

Dr Martens

Since an early an age, I have always loved Dr Martens. This may have stemmed from having fairly 'alternative' parents who both wore Docs themselves. My mum had a fabulous pair of purple velvet ones, but unfortunately she's a size 7 and I'm only a 4, so no chance of a hand-me-down there!
Also my Dad's girlfriend at the time worked for the Dr Marten's shop that used to be in Covent Garden, so in a way a grew up in them.
I will always remember the first pair I chose myself; luminous lime green covered in daisies! God knows what I was thinking, but I loved them and they were the first of many!

At the moment, I only have one pair, black 14 hole black with red roses up the side. I adore them (no I've finally broken them in!) however I realised I need to wear them more!

Above are a selection of Docs that I either want to get or really like but wouldn't suit my style. The Cherry red pair on the left will be my next pair when I save enough. I don't mind paying over £100 for a good pair of boots as I know they'll last. In fact, they have a lifetime guarantee!

They even do swarovski crytal covered Dr Martens now, however they are really expensive. I might have to do a DIY version with cheaper diamontees!

Overall though, I think Dr Martens are a timeless fashion statement. From the Punks to the Hipsters, Grungers to Girly Girls, there are a pair for everyone. Especially since singers like Cher Lloyd and Jessie J have brought them to the publics attention, more so than ever Dr Martens are a fab way to toughen up any outfit and are so comfortable!

I <3 Dr Martens!

Job Interview

I had a job interview next week and I'm preparing my outfit for it now. 

You might recognise the shirt from my weekend wishlist post, and I plan to buy this later today or tomorrow.

I already have the skirt, shoes, lipstick, nail varnish, eyeliner and bracelet so thats the majority sorted. 

The claddagh ring at the bottom is beautiful! I had one for ages but it came off when I went bowling one day :( ! But found this on Amzon that has a deep red Amber stone, which is beautiful. May have to get that too!

I am really excited for the job interview, which I won't say what it is for, but it would be an amazing opportuinity, so fingers crossed!

Weekly Wish List #1

I'm Jade BD, and this is my new blog, Lipstick&Lace!
I decided to start with my Dream Designer wish list as my first post. However how I'll share my more realistic Weekend Wish List so you can get a feel for my style and what I like.

1. Denim shirt with sheer sleeves- Missguided.com (£24.99). I love this new range for Missguided- Peace+Love. It mixes tough and girly really well and I love her sheer sleeves and back on this shirt.

2, Freia Clock Face Necklace- Missguided.com (£5.99). Another Missguiged piece here. As will be a common theme of my blog, as it is affordable and I always find something I like on their website. This is really cute and has a vinatge feel to it.


3. Pearl Collar Denim Shirt- Missguided.com (£24.99). Missguided again! This is more girly than the other demin shirt I want, with the pearl embelishment. I think it would look great with a high waister shirt, or open for a more casual look.

4. Jenine Suede Studded Platform Shoe Boots- Missguided.com (£50.00). Penultimate Missguided item! I've wanted these for such a long time, but they sell out of size 4 really quickly. Also, my boyfriend is not that much taller than me so I wouldn't get a chance to wear them very often.

5. Kiss Ever Easy False Eyelashes 03- Boots (£6.50). I have an allergy to latex, and suprisingly many false eyelashes contain rubber latex! So I've found that this make are made with a different matterial, therefore I can actually wear them! This is the longest, thickest style which I like as I have incredibly thin lashes and sometimes I like to have HUGE lashes.


6. MeMeMe Blush Box 4 Rouge- Superdrug (£8.50). I love how this echos the blushers from Benefit but at a fraction of the price. Although the picture is of 3 Coral, I prefer the 4 Rouge, which has a reddy pink tone which is amazing and its buildable so I can choose how dramamtic I want it.


7. Waterfall Skirt- glamourousuk.com (£27.99). I'm really into the dipped hem skirts that are on the high street at the moment. I have a black one already, but what I like about this is the sheer dipped hem that I think would make it a bit more glam to go out in, rather than the one I  have already, which is more casual.

8.Studded Collar Blouse- Missguided.com (£25.99). Final Missguided piece. As you can probably tell, I like shirts! Unlike most girls nowadays, I would wear a vest under this, as I hate bra's on show! I've done it once and felt so uncomfortable I chose to never do it again! I love the studs on the cuffs and collar, as they match my studded slippers from Missguided.

9. Steamy'Nail Lacquer- MAC (£9.00). I never ever have bare nails. I always have nail varnish on and occasionally I get Gels, but usually I go for darker shades, like black or deep red. However I am trying to broaden my horizons, and I love this bright pink!

10.  Caviar Manicure Set - Black Pearls- Ciate (£18.00). Since seening this in so many magazines, I'm really excited to try it. I prefer the black one as shown here.

11. ''Lickable' Lipstick- MAC (£13.50). The blue base of this bright pink lipstick is good for my pale skin, but I have red hair at the moment, so this will have to wait until I dye it a less vibrant shade so I don't clash too much! It also matches the nail lacquer.

I really hope I can afford to get some of this in the next week or so, as there is so many nice pieces on my list!

Dream Designer Items

This is my first attempt at using Polyvore, so I decided to create my dream designer wish list. All these items I covert over and hope to one day invest in. 

1. An Agent Provocateur corset. I absolutely adore corsetry and lingerie. If it was socially acceptable to go out in only underwear I would. Despite me believing that underwear on show is usually awful, I agree with it if it looks classy. For example, a sheer black shirt and a bright pink bra to a club, in my eyes, is not classy (take note most of the girls who go to Watford!). However hints of underwear in luxe materials and lots of high quality lace (of course!) can transform an outfit.

2. A Vera Wang Mermaid Wedding Dress. If I ever get married, I would love to get married in Vera Wang, especially this mermaid style, as I love the contrast of the figure-hugging body and the tulle skirt. I probably will not be able to afford one on my actual wedding day, however I will seek out one as similar as I can to it!

 3. A pair of Louboutins. The flash of red sole. The shine of studs. These are my favourite design of Louboutins, and the    heel height isno't too high.

4. A Quilted Chanel bag. An absolute classic and must have for anyones waredrobe! 

I really liked used Polyvore and plan to use it far more often now!