Investment vs Bargain Fashion

For so long I have bowed down to the shrine of hard and fast fashion, that is, cheap and in bulk. There's no greater feeling than looking at your bags after a days shopping and rejoicing in the fact that you got 20+ items for practically nothing.

I like adding good quality designer pieces with my high street heavy wardrobe.

Now I'm not saying that I don't do that anymore. You'll see plenty of Primark, H&M and charity shop finds on this blog, and 90% of my wardrobe is made up if affordable high street pieces. But as I've got older and have a bit of a disposable income (not a lot though!), I've started looking to have items that will last over multiple seasons, and more importantly over a number of years. 

Let's do a bit of fashion maths:

1 high street polyester bag = £50+ and lasts (in my experience, a maximum of 18 months of weekly usage).

1 designer handbag = £300+ and potentially lasts a lifetime (most designer stores will always fix or replace a genuine item no matter how long you've had it).

Certain things that I use on a daily/weekly basis need to last and I'm fed up with replacing things so frequently. Frequent items for me include a black handbag, black boots, brown boots, winter coat, summer coat, sunglasses and black flat shoes. Over time I'm planning to get these pieces as investment items, but will not be replacing everything I own with stupidly expensive versions as I don't need to and more importantly can't afford to!

I wrote recently about how to get these items in sample sales, and I stick by this being the best way of finding designer pieces without breaking the bank. I found a pair of Miu Miu real leather biker boots (see first pic above) at one for £70 which is about 90% off RRP, and are hands down the warmest, comfiest boots I've ever worn.

I've also recently bought a couple of full price items (I can't stress enough that I've been saving for these for well over a year to be able to afford them!). My Miu Miu sunglasses and Mulberry Del Rey bag may make my Mum's eyes water, but I know that they will last AND go with whatever high street pieces I wear with them.

What's your opinion on designer vs high street fashion?

Shopping: Another Primark is Coming to Oxford St!

There's surprisingly few Primark stores in central London. When the first Oxford Circus store opened there were scenes of carnage as people practically wrestled each other to get to the bargains before anyone else. Well, be prepared for it to happen all over again! On my way to the tube after work last week I did a happy dance in front of this sign:

Being only 5 mins from my office, this is bound to RUIN my bank account. But I'm very excited! Roll on September!


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Shopping: H&M Fashion Against AIDS

H&M have had a number of high profile collaborations, the most recent being Marni and David Beckham, but less frantically publicised are their 'good cause' ranges. If you been in to any of the stores recently you'll have been bombarded by the Conscious Collection, however hidden upstairs is the amazing Fashion Against AIDS range.

Pics from www.hm.com/gb/

Full of brash, bright clashing colours; the range embraces this season's trend of obnoxious prints with ombre and big ol' jewellery to have a riot on the high street. It's basically the must-have wardrobe for Coachella-goers.


Obviously the massive added bonus on top of all the shiny stuff is this range gives 15% of all profits to AIDS research and support charities.

I bought this amazing necklace which essentially looks like it's made from a load of ball bearings, which had its first outing the other night with my Lulu Guinness cameo tee.

The range has definitely made me even more excited about the upcoming accessories collaboration with Anna Dello Russo, as that is bound to be 10 times more eccentric than this!


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Fashion: Knock knock!

In the beauty world you are generally believed to be an 'eyes' or 'lips' person, and I think when it comes to costume jewellery you're either a necklace or earrings person. I have a stupid amount of necklaces: long, short, petite, collar, statement - one for any outfit. I love earrings, I've got 6 holes in my ears especially for decorating, but I always feel very Pat Butcher when I wear statement pieces.

So the doorknocker earring trend at the moment makes me a little uncomfortable, but I'm trying to embrace it. I think it looks fabulous on everyone else, I just haven't found the right pair for me yet. 

I found these adorable oversized studs in Accessorize the other day that are, quite literally, door knockers! I think they're perfect for trying out a trend that I need breaking into gently!

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