Hump Day Treat

The Rise of the Fashion Sweatshirt

For the fashion boff in me, this article proved very interesting (yes, I'm linking you up to Business of Fashion again). It's about the rise of sweatshirts being worn in day-to-day fashion -- but think further than the image of the plain sweater you own that just popped into your head. Designers and editors alike agree that the best sweatshirts are those that have something about them, whether it be a quirky design or interesting embellishment. 

I adore the Kenzo jumper below, and actually stumbled across an ASOS equivalent for those of you interested. In fact, ASOS have got a whole feature on fashion sweatshirts right now - entitled "The Souped-Up Sweatshirt". They're bang on the pulse of what's on trend, as per usual. As BoF says, all hail the "statement sweatshirt." Love the phrase. Love the sweatshirts. Love anything 'statement'.

- A.T.

Fashion Film: Prada's Sweet Candy

The fashion news and business website, Business of Fashion (BoF), recently published 'The Top 10 Fashion Films of the Season', commending fashion labels such as Kenzo and Lanvin for breaking away from the 'old template' of fashion films, instead incorporating "unexpected plots, quirky music and bursts of humour."

I'd like to add another to that list. The film is for Prada's Candy L'Eau fragrance. Although the fashion films on BoF's list do try to stand apart from their slow-paced, serious predecessors (think of models staring aimlessly at the camera), none achieves a true break-away as Prada's Candy L'Eau film does. Starring Lea Seydoux as a free-spirited Parisian girl being pursued by two suited men anxious to win her over, the film is brief, sweet, and kept my attention for the whole duration as the story unfolds. (Also, how gorgeous is Lea Seydoux?!)

It's refreshing to see labels realising the key to a good fashion film. Here's to welcoming the 'new template'!

- .A.T

Fragrantly Fragrant... Alien by Thierry Mugler

Not unlike many other women, I love fragrances. I like the way the smell of a perfume can bring back memories of a certain place or time in your life. I've been through so many different perfumes in my life because I like to change every so often, and explore what else is out there. The past couple of years, Lacoste Touch of Pink has had me hooked. I first started wearing it in my first year of university and the smell has stuck with me throughout. I'm almost certain I'll be getting another bottle of it this Christmas, too, and I can't complain - I won't be ready to break off from it any time soon.

Recently, though, my sister was given a bottle of perfume whilst at work (it's one of the perks of her job!). She didn't like the smell so gave it to me. I loved it. The perfume is Alien by Thierry Mugler. Whilst my Touch of Pink fragrance is fruity, fresh and flirty, Alien is a warm blend of muskiness and sheer femininity. One or two sprays is enough for the smell to stick on me all day, unlike Touch of Pink which I feel wears off after an hour or so, and I feel the scent fits this time of year perfectly. It's the hint of musk that makes it so perfect for winter.

Additionally, I got a free bracelet inside the perfume box - I'm all for free gifts but I'm not entirely sure this one will be worn outside the house. Time will tell!

Whilst Thierry Mugler is one of the less popular perfumes when you compare it to the likes of Gucci or Calvin Klein, I'm glad my sister brought it to my attention because it's one of the best smells I've discovered in years. I'd liken it to Ghost Deep Night and Dior Pure Poison, both of which I've had before. All three are deeply seductive because of the musk, and yet smell fabulously feminine. My rating: 9/10.

- A.T.

Style Spotlight: Bib Necklace

One trend that has successfully transitioned into Autumn/Winter this year is the bib necklace, otherwise known as a 'choker' or 'collar' necklace. Browse any online retailer right now, from Forever 21 to Chanel, and you will find an assortment of necklaces in this style. In summer it was all about the bold African-stylee or floral bib necklaces, but as we head into the darker months it is clear to see how the trend has evolved to fit the season. Cue dozens of choker necklaces hitting stores recently, with thicker features and more metallic colours to match our wardrobes.

A bib/ choker necklace is one thing I felt I needed to enhance my wardrobe this winter. I'm all for the oversized plain jumpers and comfy leggings, but after stumbling upon this piece of jewellery I felt it would add a splash of colour to my outfits. The mix of colours on the necklace and gold exterior make it perfect for this seasons style, and the shapes on the necklace adhere to another trend this season: geometric shapes. Dark silvery greys and golds are in perfect fitting with the metallic revival of this season; 

My necklace:

(Primark, £4)

Designer options:
(from left to right: Lanvin, Chanel, Kenneth Jay Lane, Glossy Queen)

There are a handful of ways to wear the bib necklace, and I'm thankful that it's use isn't constrained to being worn on a night out. To go to class one day this week, I found myself wearing the necklace with a white oversized tee, turned up jeans, loafers and my black duffle. The outfit was warm enough for the weather right now and the necklace added just the right amount of colour that our otherwise dark outfits this time of year need. 

1. Black duffle coat, barbour.co.uk
2. Dark skinny roll-up jeans, hm.com
3. Brown loafers, aldo.com
4. White burnout tee, topshop.co.uk
5. Choker necklace, in Primark stores only

Below are some other outfit suggestions for the bib necklace. Here we have a chameleon trend that I'm confident will continue into next Spring. If you decide to buy one, remember that oversized, statement necklaces work perfectly with plain outfits - sometimes the necklace is all you need to set off the outfit.

           Try teaming a necklace with a knitted jumper

Matching the necklace to the tone of
your top works perfectly, as seen here
at Donna Karan

For a more glamorous look, try a gold bib and
use bronze tones with your makeup

Wearing a white top makes the necklace
more of a statement feature. Think contrast.

Heading out in the cold? Wear the necklace under
a coat, leaving the top buttons undone so it
still shows.

Bib necklaces transition perfectly
into nighttime, too. Try tied back
hair to accentuate the necklace.

There are a handful of trends to be fond of this season - and to thank designers for - from leather, to metallic,  to psychedelic patterns and oversized clothes. Whatever the trend, one characteristic sticks out: boldness. Embrace this whilst you can, and look fit for the season with a statement bib necklace. On a final note,  remember that you don't have to break the bank to get one - I found mine in Primark! 

- A.T.

Style Steal: Belt-Style Bangle by Cartier

One noticeable element of all the high street shops is how they try to re-produce designer styles. I have walked into Topshop many times and seen some form of footwear or handbag that looks exactly like a designer brand I had come across in my ELLE magazine earlier that month. Walk into another clothing store, and you'll probably find the same items that Topshop tried to copy. It's satisfying to find these items of clothing in the style of designer brands. They are not replicas as such, but more copies in that they are similar in shape, colour and minor details, but with the clothing stores' own spin on the designer make. Being a student, I naturally love this, and will root through clothing stores to find these gems. There is a limit though: if something is a bad copy, or looks cheap, it's not worth buying just for the sake of it.

Whilst shopping the other day, I was looking in H&M and came across a bangle which my sister had been wearing at the weekend. She was so excited to tell me that it was exactly like the belt-bangle that has recently become available at Cartier. I googled this and the bangle did in fact look just like the Cartier version. I love Cartier's range of jewellery, and this bangle is another popular item by the eminent French watchmaker-jeweler. I don't have anything like it in my closet, so I'm looking forward to wearing it because it's different. My sister wore a gold one, but I'm more of a silver person so I went for the silver bangle.

The H&M bangle (£3.99):

The real deal (from Cartier, £2,200):

It's such a steal at £3.99, and brand new to H&M, so definitely worth getting before they go out of stock! I'll be on the look-out for more style steals like this and will report back on here soon.

- A.T.