Spring Fashion Haul!

The high street is bursting with new season clothes and accessories now, and it's definitely a welcome change to my wardrobe! Even though the weather is staying resiliently below 5°C, I think there's no need to stay stuck in winter fashion-wise. Sometimes, when you're having a down day or feeling low, I think a new piece of clothing can really brighten up your mood and make you feel so much better (even if it is a fleeting feeling) and I love the transformation clothes and accessories can have on someone. So in the past few weeks I've been shopping around when I've had a few minutes on lunch breaks and days off, and these are some of the things I've bought! 

As mentioned in the last post, I went into H&M to see which bright jumper I liked best and ended up buying the first one I picked up! I fell in love with it instantly and it's an amazing neon peachy-type colour in an over-sized loose knit. 

H&M, £14.99

Next, I went to Primark and also saw these shorts as soon as I walked in the door! I'm not sure exactly when I was thinking I could wear them at the moment (haha) but possibly on a night out, or with tights!? If not, they'll just have to stay stashed away until the sun comes out! They're an acid wash ripped/frayed denim with some (really big!) silver studs on the left-hand side and I just thought they were too cool to resist!

Primark, £12

I also wanted a turquoise/mint-coloured jumper, and I found this thin one for a really good price also in Primark that I thought was perfect! I bought it in a size up so it would also be slouchy.

Primark, £6

I saw these boots ages ago but just didn't want to commit at the time! When I realised how much I needed some nice black ankle boots, I finally went ahead and bought them online, as the ones in-store only had a beige heel but I wanted the all-black version. They're perfect for going for a nice meal or drinks, and they're also so comfy which is worth a mention!

New Look, £24.99

I saw this black wet-look skater skirt online and thought it was such a bargain, I didn't hesitate adding it to the basket. I thought it would be so versatile and easy to wear for nights out.

Missguided, £9.99

I was going into H&M quite a few weeks ago now to return something, and spotted this really cute blazer on sale for only £10 - bargain! I ended up swapping my return for this which I was really pleased with. I loved the colour blocking on it as I thought it was still smart, but fashionably different.

H&M, £10 (Sale)

I love the stretchy tops that Jack Wills do, and they usually bring out a few different ones every year and they always come in useful. I thought this season's was really cute, and I loved the colours and floral design.

Jack Wills, £34.50

Jack Wills also have really nice fashionable tops throughout the year, and I loved this one and thought the navy was something different and the lace was really pretty for wearing to nice occasions! 

Jack Wills, £59.50

I know everyone has this bag, and I'm obviously no different, but I really love it and it's so versatile. Nude and gold will go with nearly everything I have for a night out, and it's also a bargain! As you can tell, I love items that I can use over and over again with loads of looks, and I usually stay away from the more risky fashion trends/items as I hate buying things I know I won't wear! 

Primark, £6

I bought this belt with my Missguided order as I thought it would be useful, and I've wanted a nice but inexpensive studded belt for a while now so I committed to this one!

Missguided, £4.99

This necklace is another Primark buy, and I've seen this style of necklace on a couple of people and wanted my own. Primark is perfect for having cheap items that let you try out a trend and see what you like! I'm a sucker for a bargain, too!

Primark, £2 (ish!)

So there are a few of the things I've bought so far as we transition into spring! What have you been buying so far, and what're your favourite items!?

xo.

Fashion Focus: Neon Brights

I'm always scouring the pages of Elle and Vogue to see what the trends are for the new fashion season. Whilst I'm not always a huge trend follower, I love to give them a go, and sometimes I find you can discover a trend that you end up in love with! The stud/biker chic trend that is everywhere (and appears to be going nowhere) was a huge success when I eventually gave it a go! One of the trends for Spring/Summer '13 appears to be neon brights. I usually only love a neon bright in the heat of the Summer (ie. on holiday!) and as the snow is still melting outside, it's putting me out of my fashion comfort zone pulling out the acid green nails in January! Nonetheless, I love a challenge and I'm going to give it a try. If you are not so brave like me, a flash of neon (as opposed to an entire rainbow-effect outfit) can be the easy way to go, such as a bright pink clutch, a fluorescent yellow hat, or an orange shoe! Inspiration can be found aplenty on the catwalk at the S/S '13 shows. From sixties chequered sunshine yellow at Louis Vuitton, to two-toned coral and aqua blue at DVF, and dip-dyed hot pinks and turquoises at Burberry Prorsom, there's no end to the bright hues the designers have decided we'll be donning this season! My favourite is the hot pink trench - Christopher Bailey has reinvented the Burberry classic in a whole rainbow of different shades to great effect.

Where the high street is concerned, I've already spotted a few neon numbers in the new season collections! H&M have an array of neon jumpers that are all completely affordable; the one I found below comes in at least five different shades - buy a size up and wear it slouchy with statement jewellery. Topshop have a 'Rave New World' collection on their website dedicated to the rave trend, which of course involves fluorescent colours - this is great if you need inspiration. I love the lime green jumper I've featured below, and I think it'll look amazing with a deeply tanned inch of waist on show and some bleached/acid wash skinnies. Zara are always fashion-focused and I struggle to find something I don't like in there! They have a selection of bright trousers on offer for the trend; I've picked two different pairs to show in neon pink and orange which can be made really wearable with a pair of plain ballet flats and a plain, loose fitting shirt, as shown below!

As for accessories, there are plenty of high street offerings. To warm you into a trend, or to see if you enjoy wearing bright colours, these can be a more accessible way of wearing fluorescents! Nails Inc. have a selection of neon-coloured crackle effect nail polishes which will look great over a black or white nail. River Island's satchel just has neon features incorporated into it which is a really subtle way of channeling the trend. However, their heeled buckle shoes a definitely more of a statement for the braver ones amongst the crowd! The Topshop beanie is cute and not too overbearing, and will be great for brightening up those chilly English days I was talking about.

Also worth a mention for the more high-end shopper/day-dreamer is the Selfridges & Co. website which has a 'Bright Now' section; great for a luxurious example of the trend (and also makes for amazing eye candy)! After writing this post, I'm so much more in love with the trend than I ever thought I could be, and I'm definitely going to buy one of those H&M jumpers when pay day finally rolls around! I think neon/bright colours are all about adding a shocking pop of colour, having fun, and being young - and they're a perfect antidote to winter's dominating blacks and plums.

What do you think of neon brights? Will you be brave enough to rock the trend this Spring?!

xo.