Highstreet finds

.:*HIGH-FASHION*:.

I thought I'd try something a little new for the blog. As I've been trawling onlines shops recently for some key A/W items to see me through the next few months, I've come across some great items heavilly influenced by high-end brands but at a highstreet price. Don't worry, I'm not turning into Look magazine - I just thought I'd share some of my finds . . .

.:* Burberry or bust *:.

Like these Burberry bad-boys (ABOVE)? That'll be your entire life savings please. But wait! Why not try these New Look replicas (BELOW) that won't break your bank balance and that you won't be so bothered about getting soaked on England's puddle drenched streets this A/W.

.:* Prom prom prom *:.

Can't afford one of Prada's gorgeous prom dresses? These two (ABOVE and BELOW) come in a similar vein but with a more affordable price tag. Both are from the wonderful Warehouse.

.:* Saddle up *:.

Chloe's saddle bag (ABOVE) wreaks of the 70s revival that's wafting up from under the floorboards this season and is set to burst through like a well-manicured zombie hand next Spring/Summer. Some trends just don't stay buried... so embrace the 70s early by grabbing this Chloe-esque saddle bag (BELOW) from Warehouse and be ahead of the game. (It's a more attractive colour IRL. Just sayin')

.:* Pirate footware *:.

These Vivienne Westwood pirate boots (ABOVE) have been popular for several years now, but if you don't want to sell your house to buy some boots, why not pop into your local Peacocks and grab yourself a pair of these very-Vivienne-esque boots (BELOW) at a very reasonable price.

That's all for now. I hope someone out there found that useful!

Ps. Shoegazer Fashion's main contributor Poppy has recently had a gorgeous baby girl who is keeping her very busy so I (Claire, from the main Shoegazer blog) will be posting here for the foreseeable future. For now I'd just like to say a huge congratulations to Poppy! x

Do you like my new boots?

... they are from H&M. I'd quite like it to be colder now especially for the old wet look leggings/chunky socks/booties ensemble - is that too much to ask?

TFNC cardigan, Topshop dress and leggings, H&M socks

But instead, the sun is streaming through my window and I got incredibly hot doing these outfits! I had to sit on the balcony with a bottle of water and a book to recover.

Anyway, you'll be glad to hear I'm ok now. This necklace is from my new Etsy shop - bambiandsnowflake.etsy.com, ch-ch-ch-check it out!

The booties would also do for work, if it weren't for the hike between the train station and the office that negates anything but the most magical of heels:

Miss Selfridge dress, Primark cardigan, Topshop tights, H&M socks

Unfortunately, the new booties are not magical, they are 100% man-made fibres.

Review: Coco Avant Chanel

Hmm. Strictly one for the fans methinks. I'd sum up Coco Avant Chanel as beautiful but dull - like Marie Antoinette - breathtaking to look at, but the story is less compelling than the costumes.

The story moves rather slowly, with the scenes where Coco is inspired being clunky at best. The director stops short of having a lightbulb appear above Audrey Tautou's head when she sees fishermen in Breton shirts, but only just.

Having said that the love story is touching (but I'm a big softy), and Tautou is convincing as the melancholy but headstrong seamstress-turned-couturier. But I'd go for the clothes alone.

Glastonbury Fashion Round-up

I went to Glastonbury - it was lots of fun. There were the inevitable fairy wings and tutus for the 'zanier' attendees, and a few interesting sartorial choices.
Overall, it struck me as infinitely less fashiony than say, Reading festival. Perhaps with the run of rainy Junes everyone was feeling a little bit practical.

These were the ubiquitous looks of the festival, courtesy of Style.com:

The credit (or blame?) for high-waisted shorts and belly buttons' popularity rests, in my opinion, solely on the shoulders of Rumi of http://www.fashiontoast.com/ - her sexy 90's aesthetic has influenced designers and street style alike - if you didn't bring a crop-top to Glasto, you sure as hell had your t-shirt knotted by Saturday afternoon.

Playsuits at festivals perplex me. I did it once - on a day ticket to Reading, which had not been thought through at all. We started drinking at 9am on the train, I didn't think to pack loo roll and I wore a playsuit. It wasn't until I reached the front of the queue to the long-drops that I realised all three were mistakes...

They do look ultra cute though, perhaps this girl knows the secret to a positive porta-playsuit experience...

The Celebs, images courtesy of Vogue.com:

Trust Natasha Khan to put on a show, she's ever so magical. I picked Ladyhawke out of a difficult timetable clash, but caught a bit of the Bat en route to the tent afterwards. The knickers and tights silhouette is terribly Gaga, but I think 'Tash pulls it off, don't you?

Florence was so good I cried when she did Candi Stanton's You've Got the Love. Perhaps it was too much cider and missing the boyfriend? Either way, she was amazing. She was scaling the scaffolding in her 5 inch heels, wailing like a banshee. I can't believe her album isn't even out yet - everyone was signing along and every song was followed by the standing-room-only equivalent of a standing ovation.

Her outfit was designed exclusively for her by Topshop, and didn't they do well? I spy Gaga knickers again - perhaps they are the secret to these girls' success...

And so to the lady herself. I must admit I gave Gaga a miss. I'm not really a fan, and she seems like the most cynical marketing invention since VV Brown ... but she is one of the most interesting dressers around at the moment. It must be exhausting for her.

I don't normally do this kind of thing...

I went to a fancy dress party - I don't know what came over me. But don't worry, it was quite a good one. The theme was New York movies, so I went as Edie Sedgwick.

Here I am looking suitably unhappy with my lot in life with (l-r) Big, Carrie, Madison and Michael Corleone:

Here I am with Madison (Daryl Hannah) from Splash:

Vintage coat, Warehouse earrings, Zara dress

Sorry to disappoint any eyebrow fans out there, but they aren't my own.

I picked Edie before I'd actually seen the film, because she was a badass:

I didn't know she'd had such a thoroughly shit time - poor Edie.

Go with the Flo

Last night I went to see Florence and the Machine with Claire of Shoegazer fame (http://www.shyshoegazer.blogspot.com/).
This is what I wore:

Muu Baa jacket, Paul's Boutique bag, Topshop vest and belt, Miss Selfridge skirt, Primark sandals

This is what Florence wore:

You can't see the dress very well, so I will elaborate. It was navy blue, and could have been a Debenhams prom dress if it weren't for the saving grace of two chunky chain things going under her breasticles and around like a waistcoat. They made the dress interesting and stylish - I'm sure it would be a very easy customising project too...

The girl herself is a nutter - she reminds me of Boudicca and Lady MacBeth, she signs so loud and so passionately. It really is a wonder people like Lily Allen are mentioned in the same breath as her. See Claire's blog for a proper music-centric review - me, I'm all about the surface!

http://shyshoegazer.blogspot.com/2009/06/florence-and-machine-brighton.html

The support band were really good too - the Golden Silvers, check them out!

I'm so excited

Only 23 more sleeps until Glastonbury - it's time to plan outfits.

American Apparel shorts, ancient Clash T-shirt, vintage key + chain, ebay glasses.

Gap T-shirt, H&M leggings.

American Apparel vest, H&M vest (worn as skirt), vintage scarf + bag.

Miss Sixty cut-offs, H&M top.

I am most looking forward to wearing these outfits while watching the Specials, Steel Pulse, Passion Pit, Animal Collective, the Virgins and Dizzee Rascal ... anyone else going to festivals this summer? What are you most looking forward to wearing?