SUMMER WISH LIST

SOPHIA

Last Friday saw one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. Me and my friend spent about three hours in John Lewis snapping up all our Christmas presents at discount rates (still managing to spend a bomb). I also got these sandals from Topshop which were reduced by 20% for Black Friday, bringing them down to less than £40! They're the first pair of sandals like this I've had in a while that haven't killed my feet so they are definitely my new go-to shoes for nights out!

I created this outfit after seeing this beautiful 3.1 Phillip Lim top on My Wardrobe; the colour and the embellishment is beautiful! If I was just a (big) bit richer this would be on my Christmas List for sure. 

What bargains did you guys manage to snap up on Black Friday?

Top and Skirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Sandals by Topshop, Earrings by Dannijo, Clutch by Jimmy Choo 

Monochrome

Topshop Blazer, Stella McCartney Lace Skirt, Splendid Jersey Tank, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Messenger Bag,  Zara Sling Back Sandals, Topshop Laser Cut Collar, Topshop Crochet Side Shorts

I'm always a sucker for black and white statement/staple pieces. You can't really go wrong with a classic black or white blazer, a black court shoe, a white t-shirt etc. We even saw a resurgence of the white shoe (a notoriously hard look to nail) on the catwalks of Alexander Wang and Jil Sander for SS12. We all know that those Alexander Wang Joan Pumps were high on the cool-girls hit list.
So here's my black and white wishlist for the coming months. I already own this Topshop blazer in blush pink, but the white one looks somehow sleeker and crisper. Stella McCartney's skirt and Topshop's Shorts would be plain bar the lace detailing which makes them stand out to me. Phillip Lim's white messenger bag is good for essentials, Splendid's tank is essential, and Topshop's geo cut collar is a perfect accessory. 
Oh, and those Zara pumps? They're going to be the next big thing; I'm just waiting for the deluge of bloggers wearing them. 

Unconventional Summer

Denim Shirt by Topshop, Sequinned Shorts by Topshop, Embellished Collar Peplum Top by Topshop, Clutch by Chloè, PVC Pashli Tote by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Dress by Chloè, Necklace by Etro, Ankle Boots by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Everything's gone on sale, except for the one I'm waiting for; Zara. The Topshop sale has been especially good, as was the Net-A-Porter clearout. And my number one dress go-to, French Connection, has had brilliant markdowns as always.

But my wish list for the week is consisting of the new in. As here in London the summer is shaping up to be not so summery, it feels pointless to make another summer wishlist, and so I've made a list of things that I want to wear right now. Topshop are having a real peplum moment and my favourite is this embellished collar piece. Plus, all of a sudden my jewellery radar is alive, and I'm in love with this Etro necklace.

Oh and following my white-on-white Resort post, look out for an all white wish list. Ciao. 

5 Ways To Style ... The White Tee

1. The Floral Suit Arguably one of the most hideous combinations in the fashion kingdom; the floral suit. Topshop have some really good summer prints this season, my favourite of which is this blended pastel concoction above. Not only do they have a blazer but by god, matching trousers. How perfect, except my excellent taste is shared and these babies are already sold out. When your outer layers are screaming enough flowers for every bee in the Northern Hemisphere to notice, your white t-shirt comes in useful. Keep the accessories simple too; I went for black, as white seemed a little eugh.
Topshop Blazer, Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Topshop Trousers, Giuseppe Zanotti Heels, Alexander McQueen Clutch.


2. The Statement SkirtSpring's 2012 runways gave us a revival of the statement skirt (hurrah). To style my white t-shirt I chose this tribal invention by Burberry Prorsum, but let us not forget the statement skirts of Proenza Schouler, Prada or Balenciaga. This outfit gives you the chance to dress a little above your age (good/bad?) as the length is cut a little longer. Accessorise with statement jewellery; this is tribal so you get the vibe, wooden bangles anyone? I've finished this off with courts to complete the streamlined feel; moreover if I have to clap eyes on Burberry's hideous raffia wedges once more I will scream or cry. 
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Burberry Prorsum Skirt, Jimmy Choo Courts, Burberry Prorsum Necklace, J.Crew Clutch 

3. The Dungaree
Yeeehawww. Let's look to the resurgance (which has been slightly exaggerated by me in my own head) of man's oldest denim friend; the dungaree. These flared Stella McCartney babies are all retro and slouchy and perfect and I want to sleep in them all day long. Throw on a white t-shirt under them and you're ready to rock and roll. Plastic orange tie-dye shoes (which we all need) add a splash of colour, along with McCartney's own falabella clutch and sunglasses; keeping it in the family. When in doubt, look to the 90s.
Alexander Want T-Shirt, Stella McCartney Dungarees, Sergio Rossi Sandals, Stella McCartney Sunglasses, Stella McCartney Clutch. 

4. The Denim ShortA combo older than me (cough); the white t-shirt and denim short. So let's liven this up, look, denim shorts with crochet! Radical. Unless you've been living under a rock you will have seen the recent hotpant denim short trend; if it's a good or bad trend, I'll leave you to decide. Regardless, this is summer and so denim shorts are our staple. Just so you don't look like everyone else, wear with Sergio Rossi's roped in heels and Mr Lim's Pashli. Street Style in a second?
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, Irit Design Necklace, Topshop Shorts, Sergio Rossi Sandals, 3.1 Phillip Lim Tote  


5. The JeanThis is your all year round staple right? Well it should be. Because you can never go wrong with this. For cooler summer days go for the cropped jean; 7 for All Mankind do excellent cropped jeans. I've styled this as a sort of mismatch of colours and styles because this is how I like to wear basic combos. The pink sandals add a splash of colour, the watch adds a splash of glamour. And the backpack is twofold; it's slouchy and convienient, but also it clashes with the tan. You're not supposed to do it, and so you should. 
Alexander Wang T-Shirt, 7 for All Mankind Jeans, ASOS Sandals, Michael Kors Watch, Marni Backpack, Diane Kordas Necklace

Brunch

So I'm heading off to NYC next week and I'm really determined to have brunch whilst I'm there, just to feel like a cheesy American and try french toast. According to NY Eater, the above places are the top brunch spots in the city. Gotta admit, I wanna go to the bottom left one, just for that brick wall. Small things hey.

So what do we wear to brunch, I hear you ask. Well, these are the three options I came up with. Weather permitting these outfits would work. And hopefully it will permit and the sun will be cooperative.


Topshop Basic Neppy Tee, J Brand Distressed Jeans, ASOS Macaroon Shoes, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote.

First up, the plain white t/denim combo. Never fails.
If your pennies stretch a long way, get a James Perse or T by Alexander Wang tee. Just so much better. Pair with distressed jeans so you don't look too polished. Not that I ever do. Brogues in white because we're all sick of tan. Pashli tote. Just because.


Topshop Pork Pie Hat, Melissa Odabash Striped Jersey Mini Dress, Zara Plaited Messenger Bag, ASOS Flossy T-Bar Sandals.

Second, the breton stripe/tan combo. See, we're loving a combo right here.
Wear the hat, just to make a point, plus it livens the outfit up a little. Melissa Odabash's striped mini dress is perfect, plus it's a dress so we don't have to wear jeans for once. And nothing goes with a breton stripe better than tan, so accessorise with said tan. Zara is the go to for these bags, and ASOS just so happen to have some pretty sandals in.


Topshop Plain Grill Jumper, T by Alexander Wang Jeans, ASOS Milan Shoes, Mulberry Oversized Satchel.

I don't know what combo this is...white jumper/black jean combo? Doesn't really work. Oh well. This one would be good for a slightly chillier day.
After seeing so many jumpers in the past month, and acknowledging that we're in the awkward weather phase between spring and summer, I got to thinking that this jumper would be a good option to just wear alone on colder days. Not completely alone, just without a jacket. Black jeans, oversized satchel and tan laser cut shoes to complete the look.

Happy Brunch! x