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Showing posts with label Zara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zara. Show all posts

Saturday 11 March 2017

A quick spring update - wearing your underwear as your outerwear

But we're not talking wearing your pants over your tights, Superman style. Just in case you were wondering.

I'm interrupting my series of posts about the five top trends on the High Street this Spring, to bring you this quick Wardrobe Update. The interruption is largely due to the fact that I will have an abandoned child at a train station in Birmingham if I do the post that I was planning on doing but it's also because I really like this look - and if like me you're not so good with a plain t-shirt, this might just be for you too.  

We've seen bralette tops making a big splash this spring, not only as underwear but as outerwear too and this is how the look is shaping up....Fancy trying one? No? Why ever not? 


Bralette top Zara (£25.99)

So in comparison this is a very tame look. OK so your husband/partner/children may well ask you if you've put your clothes on in the wrong order but what do they know about fashion? Pah! Nope, this is the quickest way to update your look. Chuck on a t-shirt, bang a pretty cami over the top. Job done. 


Or if you're uber lazy like me, you can buy this Zara top and t-shirt (£17.99) and the work has already been done for you.


That child* that I mentioned. Well she's now been officially abandoned. Ooops.

* said "child" is now over 18 so please don't call Social Services.

Friday 10 March 2017

The five top trends on the High Street this spring - watch your back

Watch your backs ladies! There's a lot going on behind us at the moment! Whenever I pick something up I find myself turning it round to see what is on the back, because that's where it's all happening and that's where the interest is at.  

Kicking off with a spring coat at Zara in classic navy, which is gorgeous. Just see what is on the back!


It's so pretty. I love the bright colours against the navy coat and here again we can see the embroidered trend stealing the limelight.


Zara coat (£89.99)

Moving on to something a little more casual, we've got pom poms, we've got khaki, which is everywhere right now...


and on the back we have....A LOT going on! More pom poms, brights, zig- zags. It's a marmite item, I get that. But I think that it's brilliant!


Zara parka with embroidery pom poms (£59.99)

This jacket is a real treat and could (arguably) slot its way into a wardrobe quite easily. It's more bomber in its style but being navy, frilly and blingy on its back (and front) it still has a very feminine feel about it.


Embroidered jacket with frills Zara (£49.99)

And then finally, for anyone who is a fan of snoopy, Zara has small range of clothing with snoopy on its back which I couldn't resist including. There's a jumpsuit and this Zara overshirt with snoopy print (£59.99)


So ladies, watch your back. You don't know what's lurking behind you!

Thursday 9 March 2017

The 5 top trends on the High Street this spring - embroidery

Today I'm looking at all things embroidery related and oh my golly, you can't walk through a shop without being accosted by an embroidered top, a pair of jeans, a pair of shoes, a bag, a jacket - you name it, it's been embroidered. It's such a HUGE trend this season and so easy to tap into in  a really minor way. Plus some may find it more accessible than the military, or army, trend that I looked at yesterday.

First off, embroidered jeans. I tried some Topshop ones at the end of last summer and decided that I looked a plonky head in them so left them in the store. This year I may try them again. No doubt others will still think that I look a plonky head in them but I'm not ready to give up quite yet.


First off there are the Next embroidered jeans (£42). Quite a lot of the styles that I've seen seem to be heavily ripped, so it's just a question of finding that balance between pretty and roughed up.


Anyone tried the Mom jeans yet? I really, really hated them to start off with but I'm definitely coming round to them - although they can make your bum look seriously big! These are the Moto floral mom jeans from Topshop (£59).


These Zara mid-rise jeans with embroidery (£39.99) are cropped. I love the floral but the cropped length can make them a little less versatile. Sometimes I like to be able to play with the length of my jeans, depending on the shoes that I'm wearing, or whether I've bothered to apply any fake tan to my ankles.

Then moving on to tops. Peasant style embroidered tops will accost you from every angle, as they did last year. But if they're not for you, then there are alternatives...


This mandarin collar floral embroidered shirt from Zara (£25.99) is a lovely little number and it's 100% cotton too, which is a bonus in the summer months. I don't think that us mere mortals would end up doing an abs flash in it.


Here we're going full on peasant style with this embroidered off the shoulder top from Zara (£25.99). For some the volume may be too much whilst others will love it. The sleeves offer good coverage for those who would rather not have their arms on display and there are lots of different coloured tops in this style around.


This is quite a pretty, girly, option  from Zara (£25.99). It taps into trend for all things frilly, as well as all things embroidered. I love it. Again I wouldn't really fancy ironing it every time that I wore it and it's probably on the young side for me but....

Then there are embroidered shoes, such as these tie sandals Topshop (£52). I can understand that people may feel that an embroidered shoe (even if not this style) is an easier option than a piece of clothing. Embroidered backless loafers would be a good option.


Or even easier than a pair of shoes - a bag! I like the detailing on this bag in addition to the flowers. And a cross body bag is always such a useful addition to a wardrobe. This is the floral cross body bag Topshop (£35).

Hopefully this offers up a little bit of an idea as to what is out and about there when it comes to embroidery. There are endless options and if the embroidery trend appeals to you, no doubt you will find something that you like. Do let me know how you get on and what you come across on your travels! Just tag me in a post @bethgoodrham_stylist on Instagram if it's easier.


Wednesday 8 March 2017

The five top trends on the High Street this Spring - In the Army

Over the next few posts, I'm going to take a look at some of the big trends hitting the High Street. As with each season, there are distinct and definite trends, although having said that there is some merging and cross-referencing of trends along the way. And the best way to bring yourself up to speed is to take a wander around Zara. Their stores are laid out in really clear trends and in colour packages too. Even if you don't buy, it's still worth taking a look - and chances are if you're anything like me, something will grab you!

The first trend I'm going to look at is "Army". Its influences can be seen not just in the traditional camouflage sense, although there is plenty of camo around, but in badges on shirts and in subtle detailing too.


Oversized shirt with patches from Zara (£25.99)

Starting with a white shirt with army badge detailing, this could be thought of as quite a subtle nod to the army trend, as opposed to a full on bear huge embrace. It's crisp, white and slightly oversized and it's lovely. I nearly bought it the other day but didn't. I think that I might be paying the store a return visit


 Military shirt from Zara (£29.99)

This is also a subtle nod to military styling, the main reference being simply to it's khaki colour. It's a lovely soft tencel so easy to wear, great on a hot day, for travelling in, or over swimwear on the beach.


A shirt, or top, is such an easy way to tap into any trend. This New Look embroidered trim military shirt (£22.99) is a great option for anyone - and I include myself in this - who prefers some feminine or pretty details alongside the more utilitarian army type feel.



Camo shirts were a huge trend last summer and they are back again. I bought one from New Look at the end of last summer and this year it's been repeated (New Look green camo print shirt £24.99). It's 100% cotton and fairly thick, so it could double up as a jacket on a warmer spring day. Oh, and if you're wearing cut offs but want to cover any less than toned bits at the backs of your legs, just tie it around your waist and rock your inner Cara at the same time. Who says that you can't look cool whilst covering cellulite?!


So now we're getting to the real deal in the form of Zara camouflage cargo trousers (£29.99). Side pockets always remind me of the band All Saints. I know, I'm showing my age! They can be kept quite "tough" with a slogan t-shirt and biker jacket, or prettied up a little with an embroidered top - of which there are many and which I'll be looking at in a future post.


Coming on to jackets, there's the Hush Kafka jacket (£70) which is a great choice. I like that it's not too long so you can see a jeans belt. Belts - they are having a revival in a big way! And if you have a wardrobe full of denim, navy and black,  a camo jacket will work its way in there nicely.

For something a little more full on in the army style stakes, there's the Camouflage print parka Zara (£49.99). I like the styling of this with its statement neckline and big sleeves plus it has a hood and a waist tie, so you can create some shape at the waist.  And if you're out and about a lot pushing a pram, going on long walks, in and out of the car, or just because you fancy it, this is a versatile spring coat.

Hopefully there's something for everyone here - whether you want a nod or a full on embrace, or just to try something a little different. Hope that you're having a great week and I hope to be back soon! x






Tuesday 28 February 2017

The quickest spring wardrobe update...

Just beware, in reading this post you might need to make friends with your ironing board!

They were everywhere last year and it's the same this season too. White shirts. Blue shirts. Blue and white shirts, with frills if you like and maybe a stripe too. I could buy them endlessly and wear them endlessly, to the point that I wouldn't need much else in my wardrobe. They are just so fresh and fun and well, spring like.

I'm not great with t-shirts, they just seem to drown me and look scruffy and some hippy style tops do the same. But a shirt or a blouse? Well it offers just the right level of "smartness" and "put togetherness" without me feeling too overdressed. Plus I can layer them up or down depending on the weather which is good because I don't want to spend a huge amount on tops that I can only wear on the four sunny days of the year.

But I don't want a corporate look - hence there needs to be a bit of fun, frill or frou-frou to get the balance right. There are so many in all of the usual Zara, Warehouse, Topshop and H&M type haunts but here are just a few.


I bought this NEXT blue ruffle shirt (£28) on a whim whilst out shopping for an event. I had my arms full of suiting at the time but it caught my eye and I managed to hang it off my little finger. I'm so pleased that I bought it. So far I've worn it with navy culottes for a promo shoot at QVC, under dungarees and with jeans. It currently needs ironing :(


I spotted this Karen Millen super frill shirt (£115) a few weeks ago and immediately put it on Instagram. I love the fact that it's so fitted. Jeans and a frilly shirt make a perfect outfit combo for me. A frilly shirt just takes the jeans up a notch and gives me that feminine feel that I like, whilst still being practical and comfortable.


I saw this white shirt in Whistles today. It's the Margo Broderie tasselled blouse (£87.50 in the sale) and was the only piece that I went back and looked at again. I can just see it working with so many things (OK jeans or denim cut offs) in the summer. But what else do you need, apart from some cool trainers or espies?


The one slightly different option that intrigues me is the cross over shirt Zara (£25.99). I've seen a few and am tempted to give one a go. I also like that this has a V-neck so it's more flattering for those who are ample of bosom. In addition, because the stripes aren't horizontal, they are also more flattering. Imagine the potential for dishwasher hazards if it not only had this long dangly crossover bit, but huge sleevage too. A recipe for dishwasher disaster methinks!



And then, just in case it does reach more than 17 degrees sometime between  now and next winter, there's the asymmetric striped shirt from Zara (£29.99) which I love. OK so some clever wit is going to ask you if you've lost a sleeve en route (probably your husband) but that's no reason not to indulge your inner glam mam!



And I've included this image because I like not only the bemused look but also the fact that it made it onto the Zara website. I think that if only she swapped her shirt for a blue or white one of the striped, frilly, off the shoulder, cross-over variety, life would suddenly all make a whole lot more sense.









Thursday 22 December 2016

All I want for Christmas...is a new top

There's something about a new top that can completely revolutionise our wardrobes. In fact four new tops and four new pairs of shoes can take a wardrobe from something a bit meh to something totally yeah.

A "new top" is also probably one of the first things that we learn to shop for as teenagers but as life goes on, tops can become increasingly hard to find. Whether it's because of a curvy bust, a "not as flat as we would like" stomach, the need for sleeves, or the cost, the hunt for a great top can be exhausting.

Now I'm not saying that I've found the perfect top by any stretch of the imagination. In fact Mr SG asked whether I was wearing chain mail. But I do like a sleeve, a bit of a frill and something that's not too tight - so it ticked lots of my boxes.


I'm wearing the Zara lace top with frill (£29.99). I've got a black vest underneath mine but I might try it with nude, or white, for a change. I like the way it's been styled on the Zara site but I don't think that it would be fair to go "vest free" when I go round to see some friends tonight. It might put their guests off their mulled wine and mince pies.



Wednesday 21 December 2016

A soft slouchy (Zara) sweater with statement sleeves....



During a quick trip into town yesterday morning I picked up this soft touch sweater from Zara (£17.99) which comes in pale pink, grey or black. I thought that it would be nice to wear over Christmas, with a long necklace, a statement necklace, or a fur scarf. It's gorgeously soft and the sleeves add that little bit of interest to it. I might just have bought the grey one too....The only problem is that if you do need to do anything of a domestic variety, you really do have to roll up those sleeves - big time! 

A bit of a frill is a lovely feminine touch, so I've linked to the Zara frilly pieces here if you fancy taking a look.  

Hope that everyone's Christmas preparations are going well and that you are all nearly there with the shopping, wrapping and the general faffing! x


Saturday 26 November 2016

The tale of the Fur coat and its changing colour...



The finished article!

Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know that for a few weeks now I've been playing with the colour of this Zara mint fur coat that I've had for a few seasons now. Given that I bought the coat via my own free will, I obviously didn't dis-like the colour per-se but I wasn't a fan of it on me. The colour wasn't quite deep enough and on occasions I felt a bit Orville like but nonetheless I loved its fluffiness and warmth, so I decided to dye it to see what happened. 

This was its colour pre-dye...


I dyed it with one box of navy blue dye which was really easy to use. I had to wash the coat on its own, wash it again with the dye and then run the washing machine through again whilst empty.

One box of dye is sufficient for a garment that weighs up to 600g. At 750g that coat was slightly over the limit but I bit the bullet in any event.

So this was the coat after its first round of dye. In all honesty I'm not sure that this colour is a true representation of how it really looked after round one and prior to round two, which probably isn't really that helpful but it at least it provides an idea. Still, I did keep wondering whether, if I used two boxes of dye, it might finally go navy. I knew from reading the instructions that i was unlikey and instead, that the coat would end up a mix of its original colour and the colour of the dye...but I'm an eternal optimist.


Which is exactly what happened. It didn't go navy (other than the inside label) but it did go a darker shade of green - but a shade that I really like so in the end (wait for the pun)....it all came out in the wash. And actually I have to say for a pretty inexpensive fake fur coat, it washes like a dream.


Wednesday 23 November 2016

The "alternative" Christmas top - because not everyone loves sequins!

I know, it's hard to believe, but not everyone loves sequins. And there's a real trend this season of "un-seasonal Christmas dressing" which frankly I'm not buying into at all. If you like them, Christmas is for sequins, feathers, frills, froth and fancy stuff and no-one is going to convince me otherwise. However for those who genuinely are on the hunt for something pretty but less obviously "Christmassy" how about a kimono inspired top?

Firstly, apologies for the slightly small images. Really if I was any good at this game I would spend ages re-sizing the images but please forgive me - I want to go to bed!

Anyhow, let me introduce you to....



..the floral print kimono top from Zara £25.99. It's a fab price, lovely with a pleather pencil skirt, kick flared jeans and heels or some tapered leg trousers. What I really like about this top is that it's not a clingy number (see below), it has wide sleeves so there's no cutting into flesh and it's just a lovely top to have in your wardrobe for those last minute invitations out.


Quite a lot of the kimono pieces are made of silk, so they can be pricier but equally they can work really hard in your wardrobe and you know, if it's the perfect piece, then it's worth the price.


This cherry blossom silk kimono from Karen Millen (£250) is a fabulous piece. I love the nod to the tux from the collar - and the longer back offers some bottom coverage where it's needed most. Layer with a pretty cami for a wafty, exotic (non-sequined) look. There's currently 25% off with KM for Black Friday.



And I love this embroidered collared jacket from Ted Baker (£249). This would be perfect, and different, for a winter wedding, a work do or equally good dressed down with ripped jeans.


There will be others out there and it's only an idea - but it's one that I'm quite fancying if I'm honest. Are the days of the sequin numbered?

Oooh and as to other deals for Black Friday, there's 20% off at Hobbs, 25% off at Whistles and 20% off at Selfridges.

Saturday 19 November 2016

Winter white at its best from Me & Em





[Styling the Me & Em cable weekend jumper for a Saturday shopping trip with jeans, Topshop fringe loafer boots and a sleeveless coat.]

Recently I've been lucky enough to work with the wonderful brand that is Me & Em. Many of you will be familiar with Me & Em already but for those who aren't, Me & Em started out as an online brand in 2009. I used to pore through their catalogues both religiously and longingly!

Recently Me & Em have gone from strength to strength and they now have a store in Connaught Street in London and also a pop up store in Belgravia.  Clare Hornby, Me and Em's founder and Creative Director, seeks to offer "high quality affordable clothes that are contemporary, flattering and classic."  Essentially she takes classic wardrobe items and tweaks them, making them stylish and relevant - and lovely to wear.     


In this post I'm featuring the cable weekend jumper from Me & Em (£149). You all know me by now - always running a little chilly and much as I would love to waft around in gorgeous silky tops, unless I can get a few layers underneath them they're just not going to work for me. But I've always loved a cable knit jumper and I have been on the look-out for the perfect one for a number of winters now, rejecting many along the way. I have an old one from Warehouse but it's a bit "porridge" in colour where as this is a lovely warm, creamy, soft white, which works much better for me. It also comes in grey marl and antique blush


I love the chunky neckline on this jumper, together with the way that it falls - plus it's incredibly warm. But don't be fooled by its chunkiness and casual nature, with some heels and sparkly socks, this gorgeous jumper could easily be worn in the evening.


If you're looking for an item that doesn't cost much but that will transform lots of you shoes and outfits in an instant, look no further than the glitter double lace ankle socks from Topshop (£3.50). I love them and will be heading back for more!



Same outfit but with different socks and shoes. These socks are also from Topshop...


...and the shoes are Carvela. They are many years old now but they are surprisingly comfortable and I really love their vintage styling.


And then for somewhere in between the "I'm going shopping" look and the "I'm wearing heels" look, I've put the jumper with my favourite pleated skirt which gets an outing at least once a week. I love the juxtaposition between a chunky jumper and a silky skirt and it's hugely versatile. Wear with boots, or heels, or sparkly socks and heels - it's a go anywhere combo.


And here's a shot of the jumper from the back too - because it's always good to check your view from the rear!

This post was written in conjunction with Me & Em but all words and views are my own and I can honestly say that I've hardly taken this jumper off since I received it (which you may, or may not, want to know!)