Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty at The V&A

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I read a lot of reviews about Savage Beauty, the retrospective of Alexander McQueen, before it even arrived in London. People wrote about feeling emotional, but I just thought it was arty types being a bit dramatic. I love fashion, and I'm even lucky enough to own some McQueen items, but at the end of the day it's just clothes, right?

I was proved spectacularly wrong.

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at Somerset House

Every year, on top of London Fashion Week, an open air cinema and the city's most famous Christmas ice skating rink, Somerset House is home to the #AmexSounds Summer Series - a number of gigs from a wide range of musicians, all in the beautiful surroundings of the historical building in central London.

Playsuit: Alexander McQueen
Esparilles: Office

We were so fortunate to have good weather for this, a light breeze but still so warm which meant I could wear this denim playsuit (donated by my big sister!). I love all the pinafores and playsuits that are available at the moment, I think they're perfect for slightly more formal summer wear while still being casual enough to not feel dressed up. I didn't have any accessories with the playsuit, as it felt like a statement in itself really. I do love my little anchor espadrilles though, they are so cute and playful don't you think?

 The gig we went to see was Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, a band I was introduced to by an old uni housemate about 4 years ago and who I've loved ever since. They're most famous song 'Home' has been used in adverts and quoted on romantic posters on Etsy and propelled them into a cult status group. There are two types of gigs that I absolutely adore: the ones where they hardly play any instruments but they still make incredible sounds, and then the complete opposite. That is, the ones that have so many instruments the music is a glorious jumble of exotic noises that confound but delight my musically talentless ears. Edward Sharpe are definitely the latter. There's 11 members of the group and each one got to show off  their multiple talents; each one could sing with a unique style that somehow still fit the folk country indie pop they've created. 

But the amount of people on stage didn't overcrowd the stage. They were infectiously active, all in harmony with each other's excitement, bouncing on (and off) the stage. It was never raucous, it's not the sort of music that can create that sort of atmosphere. Instead it radiated happiness, which is so rare at gigs. Everyone was dancing and cheerful, singing along and laughing. They played until the last second of their curfew, dragging out songs with extra bridges and handing the microphone to the audience in order to drag out their time on stage. They, and the audience, were savouring every moment - it wasn't so much of a show but a collaboration and a meeting of friends. Adorable. 

Oxblood Leather

I tend to stick to leather on shoes and jackets, but that's not to say I don't love leather trousers, tops and skirts on other people. When roaming around a sample sale recently I found an amazing Alexander McQueen leather skirt which I had to have in my life.

Top: H&M
Leather skirt: Alexander McQueen

I've got far too many things in oxblood and I know it's not exactly great for Spring, but Winter is going to roll right back around again and I'm determined to get a lot of wear out of this beauty.

I wore it for the first time to a filming at the BBC, the last ever in fact, of a new sitcom by Spaced star Jessica Hynes. The show is called Up The Women and will be shown on BBC4, so keep an eye out for it!

What do you think of leather skirts?

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What I Wore to...the Costa Brava, Spain

For the first time in 2 years I hit the beach and made my way over to the Costa Brava in Spain with my boyfriend. I'll put some pics up soon as it's a really beautiful place and a massive bargain getaway, but first here's a round-up of my favourite Instagram outfit posts from the trip:

My big sister donated this denim Alexander McQueen playsuit - my first piece of designer clothing!

Zara silk trousers and Topshop Boutique vest

Next tunic

ASOS shorts and H&M vest (with ASOS bikini poking out the top!)

An old favourite: Primark horse print playsuit

H&M crop top and River Island high-waisted denim short

For all of my holiday outfits check out my Instagram feed.