Denim Dress

The New Year is upon us and it's time to look ahead and plan my purchases for the first half of the year.

As always, I am keeping to my Essentials List, but adding the odd classic along the way. I'm a huge denim fan, pretty much live in jeans and I'm on the hunt for the perfect denim shirt. I'm seriously lacking in some versatile day dresses at the moment. So, after spending lots of time on Pinterest, style sites and blogs over Christmas, there was one item that I craved...

Topshop Short sleeve dress / Topshop denim shift dress / Topshop Denim dress

Unfortunately, the best I could find available at the moment (due to the sales) were all from Topshop.  However, this is not too unfortunate as there is a fab selection of styles and they are all purse friendly!

Here are some images of my inspiration...

Alexa is a fan!

   

Perfect in summer, teamed with neon, white, bare legs and summer sandals/ankle boots OR winter with tights and a leather jacket.

Along with the denim theme, how amazing is this Nails Inc Baker Street nailvarnish!

November Wishlist

November Wishlist by bea-atreides 

(1) Boutique by Jaeger drop waist dress / (2) T By Alexander Wang  / (3) Zara quilted jacket / (4) Mango straight jacket / (5) American Apparel Disco Pants  / (6)_Topshop Studded shoes / (7) Zara studded shoes

How is it November already?!

I do love this time of year, wrapping up warm, layering up and it is also my Birthday month and there is Christmas to look forward to!

There are a few items that my wardrobe is crying out for at the moment...

I'm desperate for some cute little dresses to pair with tights for daytime and night time, this one from Boutique By Jaeger (1) at ASOS is perfect! I saw it in a magazine and fell in love, I love the navy polka dots and the twenties dropped waist. 

I need some thick jersey/fine knit wear, the shape/style of this T by Alexander Wang one (2) is ideal.  Perfect for layering up and taking you from day to night, add a few costume necklaces et voila!

I'm still yet to replace my leather jacket and this one from Zara (3) is on my Birthday List, I adore quilted leather and I think this jacket is a quality classic, without breaking the bank.

I really love this tuxedo jacket from Mango (4), it is perfect for winter evenings and would go with pretty much any outfit. It's an essential piece that you can wear whatever season it is. 

I don't care if every girl in the world has them, but I'm lusting after a pair of Disco Pants (5), they are a great alternative to leather leggings and worn correctly can be super flattering.  

My footwear situation at the moment is shocking! So these pointed courts from Zara (7) and leopard print loafers from Topshop (8) would be a welcome update. It's really hard to put a good outfit together when you don't have the right shoes. 

The Camel Coat

Camel Coat by bea-atreides on Polyvore

The weather has taken a very cold turn, so (if you haven't already) it is time to invest in a new winter coat.

I adore summer, but, I do love winter and a good coat.

I've been lusting after a good camel coat for a few years (Celine, Stella McCartney, Chloe, Maxmara, Michael Kors... to name just a few of the best), as always my budget doesn't allow me to own these, but, fortunately, there are some beautiful high-street coats out there. However, I would recommend spending that little bit extra on a coat (if you can), think of your 'cost per wear' and the fact that it will last you forever, instead of a few months/weeks like some cheap brands. I truly believe a coat should be an investment piece.

I usually get distracted by fur and leather, but this year I have promised myself that I will get a camel coat!

Above is my inspiration moodboard (all images from pinterest), I love the clean lines, classic tailoring and the fact it can be styled with everything and automatically gives you a chic/timeless look.

Pointed Courts...

(1) Manolo Blahnik black leather pumps/ (6) Topshop High heels / (7) H&M high heels / (4) Dune ballet high heels / (5) Zara shoes / (3) Nelly Shoes high heels / (2) Zara shoes

If anyone follows me on Pinterest, you will have noticed a lot of the images including pointed court shoes. I've been lusting after a pair for a while now.

Alas! Unfortunately, my budget won't stretch to a pair of Manolo's or a Louboutin Pigalle (yet!).  So I've been hunting for a purse friendly pair to keep me going, so I can recreate the chic looks above.

They're perfect for work and evening, without looking too clumpy or OTT.

I'm so impressed with the prices of the ZARA ones!!!

Firmly added to my wishlist/essential list.

Style Steal: Denim Shirt

Style Steal: Denim Shirt by bea-atreides featuring leather leggings

River Island blue shirt / Leather legging, £47 / Michael Kors jewelry / CÉLINE cateye sunglasses

I have been admiring denim shirts for a while, from afar. 

The problem is that I need to find the right shape, unfortunately having a 'chest' is not very fashion friendly and some styles can make me look like a frump! 

I fell in love with this look straight away, simple and classic.

This denim shirt from River Island is great, mixing different washes, giving a classic piece a little twist. 

I desperately need a new pair of leather leggings, my old Topshop ones (2 years) are finally giving up on me, however, I have worn them to death. So, I'd happily invest in Topshop again.

I'd team the look with classic accessories and clashing metals. 

These Celine sunglasses are amazing and have been on my wishlist for a while now! 

How to wear: Peplum

How to wear: Peplum by bea-atreides  (Polyvore)

T By Alexander Wang short sleeve shirt / Peplum skirt / High heel, Whistles / Zara clutch handbag / Michael Kors Jet Set,

I love the peplum trend and for AW12 and SS13 (so far) it looks like it is here to stay, however, I have to admit I've been struggling with it, finding a piece that flatters my shape rather than making me look so much larger than I am!!!

I love this neon lace peplum skirt from Topshop, nailing a few trends in one item (how's that for frugal!).  I would team it with a simple jersey top and accessories, playing with different textures, whilst letting the skirt be the stand out piece. 

Now I just need to try it on and see if it will actually suit me...

September Style - Outfit 2

September Style 2 by bea-atreides (Polyvore)

T By Alexander Wang pocket tee / Topshop Biker jacket / Current/Elliott skinny fit jeans / Mango sequin mini skirt / Topshop Mid heel boots / Zara shoes

I desperately need to replace my leather jacket and I'm after a quilted one, Zara also have a lush one that I'm hoping to get ASAP!

I already have plenty of jersey in by wardrobe, but I really want to add some T by Alexander Wang into my closet, I'll be keeping a beady eye on The Outnet for some. 

I really love the military trend, I think it always gets reworked for AW, so it's quite a 'safe' trend to follow, I have a khaki parka and a pair of khaki utility trousers, but I'm hoping to add some camo in there too! 

A sequin skirt is a great way of dressing up basics for a night out and looking effortless.

I'm also on the hunt for the perfect black ankle boots and I really like the double zip effect on these ones from Topshop.  The heels from Zara are a great way of making the classic black heel more interesting!

Get the Look: Army Girl

Utility, Army, Camo, Military... whatever you like to call it there is already a tonne of great pieces on the high-street to put together this style. 

Burberry AW12 

Topshop Unique AW12

Burberry AW12

          

Topshop Unique AW12

Topshop Unique AW12

So far there is an abundance of khaki all over the high-street: Zara, Topshop, COS, Urban Outfitters and ASOS to name a few.

Here are some of my favourite pieces...

Topshop

COS

ASOS

Perfect for the transeasonal wardrobe (or now as we don't seem to have summer in England anymore)... layer, mix with neutral tones such as camel, black, nude, cream, white and grey, mix textures of jersey, knit, leather, suede, sheepskin etc.

Staple piece: Khaki parka jacket

Dropped Waist

I have fallen in love with the dropped waist silhouette. Inspired by Victoria Beckham's collection, it is a more girly shape that I usually aspire to, but I love it! It gives that element of Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl that I love.

Victoria Beckham

Recently I have seen a few of these popping up by high-street brands, which makes me very happy!

I fell in love with this one from Three Floor (my new obsession! I'll be doing a post on them soon) worn by the very beautiful Ashley from Ring My Bell

Three Floor

Three floor also have another cute style...

As well as this red shift style from Topshop

I'm definitely going to have to invest!!!

Chloe Jade Green X Topshop

I mentioned a little while ago that Sir Philip Green's (a.k.a The Retail God) daughter was launching her footwear line, CJG, into Topshop. 

I adore the collection and the mint green sole is divine and perfect (my favourite colour) and I desperately need to get my hands on a pair! 

Here are some of my favourites...

Lady Mama Crystal Booties - here

Misha Slingback Mega Wedges - here

CJG Stud Back Peep toe - here

Love. Love. Love.