Last week I visited my friend on her year abroad in Seville (blog post on that coming soon!). We did some sightseeing at the weekend but it was extremely hot which made walking around a lot during the day quite uncomfortable and tiring and generally a very sweaty time. Hence why on the last couple of days we also did plenty of shopping as the stores were all beautifully air-conditioned and we were able to make our way down the main shopping street zig-zagging in and out of the shops - which of course meant I bought a few things.

First I got a few bits in Bershka, including this rainbow top with a tie front for €7.99. It's just really simple and easy to wear with denim shorts or jeans, I feel like a cool kid when I wear it. I've also christened it my 'Brighton top' because of the rainbow - I have a feeling I'll get plenty of opportunities to wear it when I move there for my Masters in September!

Also from Bershka I got this lip print top with the same tie front (also for €7.99) because I thought it was a really interesting print. I haven't seen anything else like it around and there's something about it that makes me think of high fashion??

I'm a sucker for anything gingham so I had to get this little black and white playsuit which was €14.99 (reduced from €22.99). This is an XS but the straps are still a bit too long so I'm planning to readjust them myself and I think it will be really pretty with some sandals and a brightly coloured bag.

In H&M I bought these patterned trousers for €3.99 (reduced from €9.99!). I'm a big fan of loose cotton-y trousers as I tend to just wear them casually around the house instead of leggings if I'm planning to stay at home all day. These ones are quite busy but will be nice with just a plain tank top or crop top.

Finally I got this simple black strappy top with a feather pattern, which was €4.99 (reduced from €9.99). I have a few of these H&M tops in different patterns which I wear all the time so whenever I'm there I check to see if they have any new colours or styles.

And that's everything I got!

 

 

So I'm back at university and although lectures don't start till Monday it feels good to get back in the swing of things. There's something about the walk into town on a crisp autumn day and seeing the cathedral tower rising up over the rows of houses that truly lifts my spirits, but it's also comforting to come back to a city I know instead of starting in a new place like I was this time last year. The major difference this year is that I'm living in a student house which so far has been a really lovely experience, it's so nice to have a big space to live in instead of a tiny room in halls - not to mention a pretty decent-sized TV and a lovely bathroom!

On the drive up my dad and I stopped off at Bluewater for a bit of a shopping spree and of course I bought a few things. Unfortunately the big H&M was closed for refurbishment and Forever 21 was 50% off the whole store (which sounds good but it was an absolute tip, full of summer stuff and impossible to find anything), but I still managed to spend quite a bit of time and money in New Look. I also got a couple of things in the H&M here in Durham so I thought it was probably time for another haul post, even though my last one wasn't too long ago.

Striped 3/4 length sleeve top from New Look, £8.99

Checked shirt from New Look, £22.99

Striped top from H&M, £7.99

Okay so I realise these might all look very similar but believe me, they aren't. The one on the left is from New Look and it's just a really nice super soft top with dark red stripes which totally match my hair now it's red again. It's one of those really easy to wear pieces that go with a lot of things so I'm hoping it'll become one of my wardrobe staples. The shirt is also from New Look and I really love it - you can't see too well on the photo but it has a sort of twisted fabric thing going on at the bottom so you can't wear it like a cardigan but it's another effortless top that I think will look so good with plain black leggings or jeans. Finally I got this red and blue striped white top from H&M because lets face it, you can never have too many striped tops! I tried this on with blue jeans in the shop and it looked so good as the blue basically matched, I had to get it.

Green corduroy skirt from New Look, £9.99

White trainers from New Look, £17.99

Black suede skirt from H&M, £14.99

Black bag from Forever 21, £7.50

The skirt on the left is actually a really dark green and I just fell in love with it. It was from the 915 section of New Look which I'm really glad I can still fit into (this was an age 12 lol) as the stuff from there is always slightly cheaper. I'd been looking for white trainers for a while but could never find quite the right ones, so I was happy to come across these in New Look - yes I know they're basic af but I need more practical footwear for the colder seasons, especially now I'm living so far away from where I have lectures. The other skirt is a lovely soft imitation suede material and I think it'll just be really handy and go with everything, plus I'll be able to dress it up or down. Last but not least, the bag was the only thing I managed to pick up in Forever 21 but it's really nice, it has two pockets which are just big enough to fit your iPhone in one and some money and your keys in the other so it's perfect for a night out (not that I do much of that) or just any occasion when you don't want to be carrying a big bag.

Sleeveless dress, £24.99 // x

This dress is so simple and effortlessly romantic, I love it. It has a lovely old-fashioned feel and looks like something my grandma might have worn as a little girl growing up in the 1940s - in the best possible way, of course.

Embroidered dress, £24.99 // x

I'm a sucker for dresses with long sleeves and I wear them throughout the winter even on the coldest days. I sense a potential issue with wearing this dress with tights (dark tights under a light dress never looks good in my opinion) but I'm sure that could be got around - like with knee socks, for instance - and it would be totally worth it for the beautiful embroidered detailing.

Playsuit with lace, £19.99 // x

Okay so this does look kind of like (somewhat skimpy) pyjamas but in the vein of spaghetti strap slip dresses I'm sure you could get away with it as outerwear in hot weather. I really love the colour of this playsuit, I just wish I had the boobs to pull it off!

Embroidered blouse, £19.99 // x

This top is similar to the pink dress in the embroidery but I think the contrasting panel adds something extra and super cute. It makes me think of something a doll would wear, especially with the colour palette and little collar.

Dress in chiffon and lace, £24.99 // x

To be fair this has a lot in common with the first dress but again the contrasting detail makes it for me and it has the added advantage of little sleeves with delicate edging to make it especially charming.

Blouse with a lace collar, £14.99 // x

I think I'm right in thinking that this is what one refers to as a babydoll top - either way you've gotta love a little lace collar and bow detail. I think this would look really nice paired with a simple pair of light coloured jeans if you wanted to dabble in the lacy pastel look without fully committing to it.

Lace shorts, £19.99 // x

Perfect for summery days and garden parties, these shorts would add instant romantic factor to an outfit if worn with a simple cream or pastel top.

Suede ballet flats, £29.99 // x

Now I'm not gonna lie, I find these shoes a bit odd-looking but I think they would look a lot better on. Still, they definitely fit in with the style, what with the muted pastel colour and the intricate lace-up detail at the front.

Straw hat, £12.99 // x

I think this simple straw hat with a pretty ribbon would bring together any attempt to emulate this dainty, dreamy style while keeping the slightly period feel. Also it's practical and makes you look like someone who has their life together in the hot weather, score.

Fine-knit top with lace collar, £14.99 // x

For some reason I think of short sleeved jumpers as very 1950s but the contrast of the black and cream is oh so timeless and simple. This is a very versatile piece that could be worn with a variety of trousers or skirts to smarten up an outfit and give it a dollhouse feel.

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of another selection of H&M's current collection - I'm not sponsored I swear!

x

Patterned playsuit, H&M, £12.99 // x

This is so simple and summery - it makes me think of beach huts and evening strolls on the boardwalk and it also has some subtle nautical vibes. I would wear this with a brown belt, sandals and a straw hat and hopefully feel like a summer goddess.

Satin playsuit, H&M, £19.99 // x

This is obviously more of a dressy take on a playsuit but I think it's also quite versatile: you could wear it with heels and a clutch for an evening look or sandals and a beach bag for the beach. It's basically a LBP - little black playsuit.

Floral playsuit, H&M, £19.99 // x

I absolutely love the look of this and especially the shirt-style collar and sleeves. The pattern is so perfect for autumn with all the yellows and oranges and I think it would look so nice with my hair colour at the moment which is a sort of reddish auburn.

Embroidered high-neck playsuit, Topshop, £38 // x

I'm not sure why but I want to call this style a handkerchief playsuit - is that a thing or am I just making it up? Who knows. It's quite simple but the top and the fastening make it super summery and interesting and I love the detailing at the edge. The boho style means I would probably wear this for casual occassions.

Leaf print playsuit, Topshop, £36 // x

The last few times I've been in Topshop I've noticed a lot of stuff in this leaf print patter and I really like it - it's fresh and modern and just makes me want to test out its camouflage potential in a jungle.

Burgundy wrap front tie waist playsuit, New Look, £19.99 // x

This is another simple classy number and of course it's in my favourite colour. I would pair this with some chunky heels and a statement necklace to jazz it up a bit.

Floral lace-up romper, Forever 21, €24 // x

I couldn't resist including this because it's just so beautiful and delicate, which isn't a style I would normally go for but I really like it a lot. I think I would probably regret buying something all white because I would spill something down it within five minutes but it would be nice to start off with!

Scalloped crochet romper, Forever 21, €25 // x

I love this one to death and I would totally wear this with the hairstyle the model has because it's one of the only updos I do regularly. It's so sophisticated and classy but also just super chic and timeless, and of course you can't go wrong with another LBP.

V-neck denim cami romper, Forever 21, €14 // x

I actually have one that's very similar to this, it's the same colour and has white lace edging so in my opinion it's nicer but it was from Primark so that's debatable I suppose. I haven't worn it yet although I've had it nearly a year but seeing this one has just reminded me to get on and wear it while the weather is still hot and sunny!

And those are my playsuit picks! Which is your favourite?

x

It feels like it's been a long time since my last fashion post so today I decided to share my top H&M picks of the moment. It's a strange time in fashion because the shops are just starting to get their winter clothes in and there are tons of reds and greens and fur and pleather around, but at the same time summer's not quite over so you can find a good range of items in all sorts of styles. I actually threw a lot of clothes out at the beginning of the summer (we're talking like three black binbags full, it was intense) which was really liberating so I think it's time to invest in some new pieces for the colder seasons. To that end I was browsing the Divided section of the H&M website the other day and there were so many nice things I just had to share my favourites with you!

Top with lacing, £7.99 // x

I really love this sort of boho chic trend that's been in a lot of shops lately, and I think tops like this are the perfect way to embrace the trend without going over the top with the off the shoulder tops and floaty trousers. It's simple and classic and such a nice colour for autumn and winter - it would look great with just about anything, from black jeans to a patterned skirt.

Rib-knit cardigan, £7.99 // x

This is a really simple piece but the colour is so bold and bright, I absolutely love it. I don't think mustard yellow suits me particularly well but then again it doesn't look completely horrendous so I definitely want to get a few bits and bobs in this colour for autumn.

Ribbed top, £3.99 // x

Stripes are such a classic pattern and tops like this are so versatile: you can wear them with any colour and they look great with skirts and jeans. I think this one has a particularly Parisian vibe which I love, and you really can't go wrong with that price!  

Sunglasses, £6.99 // x

My current pair of sunglasses are also from H&M, they're round with mirrored bits at the top and I love them even though I don't think they suit my face. These ones, on the other hand, are a bit less round and owl-like so I think they might look a lot better.

Wool hat, £14.99 // x

I've definitely included a hat like this in a picks before and I LOVE how they look, but I still can't bring myself to go and buy one because I honestly don't know how often I'd wear it - I think it's more of a put-it-on-for-a-photoshoot type thing rather than an actual accessory, or at least it would be for me. Having said that, if I found a nice one for a good price (Primark, I'm looking at you) I think I might just have to get it.

Satin bomber jacket, £29.99 // x

Bomber jackets seem to be everywhere this season and while I don't think they're very me or go with my style particularly well I can't help myself from lusting after them in shops, especially super cool patterned ones like this. I think you'd have to keep the outfit underneath really simple, no patterns and just nice neutral colours because this really is a statement piece.

Loose fit trousers, £7.99 // x

I hate wearing jeans because I find them constricting, but that can be problematic in autumn/winter when it gets colder because there are only so many times you can wear skirts and dresses. So something like this would be ideal because they're a loose fit but also a nice wintery colour which makes a change from all the floral and brightly coloured ones you see nearer summer time. 

Printed tote bag, £3.99 // x

How cool is this bag?! Really really cool is the answer because look at that print. I actually have a top from New Look that's quite similar (I call it my witch top) and I wear it all the time because I love it so much. This type of bag is also so handy if you're just nipping to the shops or something because you don't need to carry a whole backpack or other big bag, you can just throw the essentials in.

Dress with lacing, £14.99 // x

This dress is one of my favourite colours and if you look closely you can see there's some boho lacing on the front which makes it a win-win. I think it looks a lot better on the model but it's basically just a really nice autumny dress - it reminds me a lot of a dress I had from Laura Ashley when I was about 8 or 9. 

Patent brogues, £24.99 // x

I really want to invest in some nice brogues this season because I think they're both practical and stylish which is the best combination when it comes to footwear, especially when you have to do a lot of walking which I will next year since I'm living about half an hour from lectures. I like that these ones have a slight heel as well as the light brown piping effect which means they're not too black, if you know what I mean.

Backpack, £24.99 // x 

Last but not least, this pleather backpack caught my eye. I have one quite similar to this already (which I bought at the beginning of uni last year when I realised my beloved Michael Kors bag just wasn't going to cut it) but after a year of use it's looking a bit worse for wear so something like this would be ideal to replace it.

And those are my top picks at the moment! Which is your favourite?

x

Earlier in the Easter holidays I spent some time staying with family in the UK and of course took the chance to do some shopping. Although it's quite different now as I'm living the UK most of the time so I don't need to take advantage of English shops in the same way, I live in a really small city where clothes shops are limited to a Topshop, a New Look and a recently opened H&M - oh how I long for Primark! So it will come as no surprise that most of this mini haul came from the Mothership (aka Primark) where I spent a grand total of £12.

Shorts, £6 from Matalan / Top, £2 from Primark (sale item)

This top is actually a size 18 can you believe it... Or at least that's what it says on the label (I have been a victim of Primark's mislabelling before) and there was only one on the sale rack so I had nothing to compare it to. But it really doesn't matter because it fits nice and loosely and in my opinion it's just such a staple piece for anyone's wardrobe. I picked up the shorts in Matalan as I really liked the pattern - I just hope these will fit as I haven't actually tried them yet!

Bag, £4 (sale item) and Shoes, £6 (sale item) from Primark

I'm always on the lookout for another little black bag and this one is a great size and shape. The clasp looks like it could break easily so I'll have to be careful with that, but otherwise this was an excellent find, in terms of price if nothing else! I'm mildly obsessed with these shoes for two reasons: first I have always wanted a pair of T-bar heels and I think they look SO elegant, and secondly they are instrumental in an Outfit Plan for my college summer ball - I'm planning to buy a 50s rockabilly dress off Amazon and do my hair all vintage and I'm hoping these will complete the look. I know they're not 50s per se, but for me they have something very vintage about them which is exactly what I need.

Faux leather jacket, £29.99 from New Look

x

Last Wednesday I took advantage of a brief lull in essay deadlines and general uni commitments to male the trip to Newcastle for an afternoon of shopping with a couple of friends. After two fieldtrips with my course since the beginning of the year it was nice to actually be able to explore the city a bit more without needing to complete any tasks or feeling guilty for stopping off in Starbucks. Although I was prepared to spend a decent amount of money (a pre-birthday treat to myself, if you will) we made the rookie mistake of going in Primark first (which has four floors!), after which everything else seemed too pricey and not worth the money.

I'm not exactly in need of clothes (I'm sure I could easily get through the rest of this term without needing to do any washing), but it seems I'm incapable of going into Primark without coming out with an armful of stuff - here's what I got:

Top, £4

I have about 5 tops like these from Primark already and I usually pick one up whenever I'm there. They're just so useful for tucking into skirts or wearing with jeans or anything else really.

T-shirt, £5

This top actually looks much nicer in real life, the border around the words is gold and it feels super soft.

Fancyish top, £8

It doesn't show up too well but this is a really nice shade of forest green. It's made of quite thick material so in my book this is a Fancy Top, which I'm thinking will create a smartish outfit when paired with jeans and a blazer. 

Top, £7

This is actually quite similar to the black one but it's much longer and has a kind of slit up the side. I wore this over black leggings the other day and it was a really nice simple casual outfit.

Pleated skirt, £8

I love this skirt a lot, I'm actually wearing it right now! It's unlined and definitely not the best quality but I can already tell it's going to be a useful little addition to my wardrobe.

Flip-flops, 90p / Necklace, £1.50 / Tights, £2.50

In a somewhat tragic incident the day before the trip my flipflops that I wear walking to and from the shower broke, so I picked up a really boring pair for 90p - they're suprisingly comfy though! The necklace is really lovely, it's rose gold and matches my watch which is always pleasing. I also picked up some relatively unexciting tights.

Shoes, £16

I very nearly didn't get these shoes but I'm glad I did because they're gorgeous. I'm sure it's all an illusion but they seem like really good quality and they're comfortable too (although I've yet to wear them properly). I'm thinking they'll be useful for those situations when you feel you ought to wear heels because the occasion calls for it, but you have to walk a bit and don't want to destroy your feet. Also I will probably just wear them on a daily basis.

And that's everything I got! I have another couple of potential hauls coming up but I feel like that's all I ever post on here so I might leave it a while ahaha.

x

I think H&M may as well just hire me to promote them because I seem to be doing a pretty good job of it lately! The January sales have started now but for some reason I decided to go shopping on the 30th of December, which actually turned out to be a good idea because it wasn't too busy and some things were already on sale. I only went to H&M in the end because I didn't have that much time and by the time I'd spent over an hour in there I decided I'd spent quite enough for one morning!

Aztec dress, €14.95

This dress is ridiculously flattering, it was one of those things where I tried it on and instantly felt like a model! It's quite trying on the eyes but the orangey tones complement my hair so well and the shape is a perfect skater style. The fabric is also really nice, it's quite thick so this is definitely a winter/spring dress rather than summer.

Flawless T-shirt, €5 (sale)

I remember trying this on ages ago when it wasn't on sale and really liking it, but for some reason I didn't buy it so when I saw it was on sale I just had to get it. Again the colours suit me really well and they go with a lot of my other wintery clothes. 

Printed top, €9.95

This top is made of the softest material ever, it's so comfy and loose and stretchy! So far I've worn it tucked into my denim button-down skirt and I think it worked pretty well.

Black turtleneck, €9.99

I don't know quite what I was thinking when I bought this because I've always kind of hated the feeling of turtlenecks, but it looked really quite fab on me so I decided to get it anyway. I felt super chic and Parisian wearing it!

Spangly dress, €9.99

I still can't get over the price of this dress, it's amazing! The dress itself is quite simple in shape but I think I could end up wearing it on a multitude of occasions, including formal dinners which I'm rapidly running out of things to wear for.

Spangly top, €3

Another bargain, although I'm not quite sure where I'll wear this. But who doesn't need a glittery gold top in their life?

Suede skirt, €19.99

This skirt is a beautiful colour and quite a lot lighter than it looks in the photo. I really have far too many skirts but admittedly none in this particular shape or colour, so it will make a valuable addition to my collection.

Layered necklace (left), €3

Choker, €1 (sale)

Charm necklace, €3

As I was on my way to the till I spotted the jewellery sale and ended up bagging some utter bargains! I really loved how layered necklaces look but they always seem so expensive so I thought this one was excellent for the price, and I also really like the choker on a velvet (!!) ribbon. The charm bracelet is adorable because you can mix and match the charms to create nice combinations, which is an idea I am a fan of.

And that's everything I got!

Earlier today I found myself idly scrolling through various clothing websites including New Look, Topshop, Forever 21 and finally H&M, where I found a lot of really nice and reasonably priced partywear. I've said it before and I'll say it again, H&M is so underrated - I always find amazing stuff there when I go, so I'm hoping to pick up some amazing bargains when I go in the January sales!

I love this sosososo much oh my goodness. I've been to a lot of formal college dinners this term and I never know quite what to wear over a dress when an actual coat would be too much and a blazer doesn't fit the style of my dress - this would be just the thing. Of course black would be a more practical colour, but I really like this shade of purple, it's gorgeous.

Admittedly this is quite pricey but I'm sure you could find something similar that isn't in suede. I don't know how practical it would be but I love the shape and the metallic studs and rope.

I spotted this and had a mild epiphany when I realised that a long blazer is precisely what my wardrobe is lacking. It would be ideal for making really boring outfits slightly more dressy, and just generally to get that effortlessly casual vibe down.

Would you just look at this dress, I mean what's not to love? It's full-on spangly so personally I'd probably only wear this for truly fancy events, but it's such a striking piece that is just crying out to be accessorised.

Sometimes you just need a really simple but fancy black top to wear with more exciting bottoms (such as the gold skirt). Plus this is so versatile, I would definitely wear this over shorts on the beach in summer!

Having recently purchased my first pair of non-black heels, I am feeling adventurous and I will totally buy these if I can find them in my size! I think metallic is definitely the way to go for parties, especially as it can bling up a more conservative outfit.

Merry Christmas Eve everybody! So far my day has consisted of finishing off some work for uni and playing board games with my mum and brother, and later on this evening I think we'll probably just watch some TV or something. I just wish the weather would cotton on and drop a few degrees, it doesn't feel the same when it's 12 degrees outside...

Anyway I just felt the urge to write a cheeky little blog post, so here are some outfits for the festive season for you to enjoy!

Unlike a lot of people, I really enjoy Christmas shopping - I love hunting for the perfect present for my friends and family (or if not perfect then just something suitable within my price range). This year I did all mine online through Amazon, which worked like a dream and meant I didn't have to face the long walk into town more than was entirely necessary. But when I'm out and about in the winter months I tend to plan my outfits quite carefully, as although they're probably warm I find jeans quite constricting, and thick jumpers tend to make me overheat - so something lightweight but layered like this is perfect.

In my opinion Christmas parties are a fabulous excuse to get properly dressed up - when else can you get away with dressing entirely in velvet (including a jacket), as I did the other week for a college formal dinner which is much the same thing? Obviously there are various degrees of fancy but my go-to outfit choices always consist of either something velvet or something in that gorgeous dark red, so I thought this dress summed it up quite well.

Lets not forget that it's distinctly chilly outside (unless you live in Australia, in which case g'day to you) and there is nothing better than curling up in a cosy spot with a warm drink and a book. Thick jumpers are fully required here, as are slippers and comfy clothes all round. Sadly I haven't done much of this so far this winter but no doubt I shall be making up for lost time in the new year.

I actually wish I owned this dress because I love it so much, but I think I'm going to have to content myself with something very similar in red. It's my go-to Christmas day outfit which now I think about it perhaps needs to change... I just think there's something so Christmassy about a nice plaid dress on the day itself!

I just realised I've actually bought a few things in the past few weeks that I hadn't 'documented' on here so here we go with a quick little haul! To be honest I bought some of these quite a while ago (like over the course of October) so I've forgotten the prices, but anyway.

I'd also like to take a moment to say something about the future of my blog - as of right now I'm not planning to stop blogging any time in the near future, but I've been posting less and in the long term I have no idea whether I'll be able to fit it around uni stuff. Having said that I would love to take this opportunity to try new things with it, especially if I can find someone to take some outfit photos on a regular-ish basis, which is something I've always wanted to do (although I've never had a proper camera and the confidence to do it, argh).

Top from Clockhouse

To be honest I wasn't really planning on buying anything in Clockhouse, but I spotted this top and I just thought it was quite sweet. Also I say nice a lot so I thought it was appropriate. 

Shirt from Forever 21

 Top from Forever 21

You've got to love a bit of rust for autumn. This top is so simple and versatile and I've worn it in a couple of different ways so far, first tucked into a houndstooth patterned skirt and then under a plaid shirt. Also I remember it was really cheap so it's a good all-rounder.

Dress from Forever 21

I am yet to wear this dress but I love it so much, it's ridiculously simple and very stretchy - to the point where it boings all over the place if I jump up and down a bit. Seriously, what more could you want?

Skirt from Forever 21

So I finally went and bought a denim button-down skirt and it is literally the best thing ever. I wish I'd invested in one months ago because I really love it, it's SO cliché now but the only reason you see so many people wearing them is because they're so fab. I have no reasons for its fabness, it just is.

Backpack from New Look

After a week of carting around my Michael Kors bag and killing my shoulder under the weight of several notebooks, a bottle of water, umbrella, purse etc, I finally caved and got a practical bag. It's about as stylish as I could possibly find though - I love the faux leather quilted look and it goes with everything.

Shoes from New Look

I also quickly came to the conclusion that I didn't have many pairs of shoes that would leave my feet blister-less after walking into town and back so I got this pair of simple plimsoll/trainers. So far they're pretty comfortable but I still prefer my dolly shoes and Chelsea boots...

Since I'm a poor student now I probably won't be buying much more for the foreseeable future so this might be my last haul for a while! 

Halloween is just around the corner and I for one have got my outfit sorted. It's a witchy ensemble with a long dress and a veil (actually a tablecloth from Poundland, I'm on a student budget here) and if it works out like I'm imagining it in my mind it's going to be great.

However if you haven't decided what you're wearing I've got a few more last-minute ideas that you could probably recreate easily from things in your wardrobe, this time with a less traditionally 'scary' Halloween feel (see my previous post for those) and more of a 'feminine' vibe. Enjoy!

1. Ghost

This first outfit is ridiculously simple but equally as effective. Basically just take any longish floaty white dress and accessorise - with a cross choker necklace, for instance, and pale creepy makeup. It's so simple I have literally nothing else to say.

2. Victorian Attic

Now obviously you're not dressing up as an attic but I feel like the various components of this outfit idea could easily have been found in a dusty old room full of crumbling antiques. In reality think slightly scruffy old-fashion clothing, with lace if possible, and then (the piece de resistance) drape fake cobweb stuff over yourself so you look like you've just crawled out of a pile of old drapes.

3. Space Princess

I like to keep Halloween dressing up more or less in the creepy realm and I think this hits the mark - think aliens and weird spaceyness and hazy shimmer. All right, so it's unlikely you'll have a holographic skirt hanging around but I imagine a similar effect could be achieved with a length of material and a needle and thread (it doesn't have to be perfect). Then just dig out your little sister's princess crown, add sparkly heels and you're sorted!

4. Prom

This skirt just screams prom but it's a nice halfway point between 'girly' and 'gothic' with a doll-like vibe. Hair and makeup could go either direction with this one: either something super glam and pretty or dark and scary-looking.

What are your plans for Halloween?

Lately I've been scrolling through the Topshop website thinking about how I really don't need to go shopping but I also really want to because I love autumn/winter clothes... So I decided to do another picks post to share some of my favourite items.

Yes I know it's just another A-line button-down skirt, but I'm obsessed with this colour. It's exactly the colour of autumn leaves and goes with so many other colours that tend to pop up around this season, like grey and dark green and of course black. This would probably clash horribly with my hair but it's just so beautiful I wouldn't care!

I'm not 100% convinced by this one, but I think it's probably an example of something that looks so much better on because it looked fine on the model. I'm quite partial to a playsuit and I also love velvet, so the combination is ideal really. I would totally wear this to a festive party or as my Christmas day outfit.

I don't think I'd ever pay that much for a top but I really like this. It's plain but not too plain because it has some pretty embroidery in swirly patterns, and the neckline is quite different with the whole ruffle thing it has going on. Also it's burgundy, which is always a plus.

I really love how pinafore dresses look, they're simple but chic and remind me of the kinds of things I wore when I was little. I would probably wear this one with a stripy top for a really effortless look, or something more busy underneath. They also had it in blue, but I think black is great for autumn because it's just so versatile and goes with everything. 

I honestly want a hat like this so much! I tried one on the other day and it really suited me, but whenever I consider buying one I always come back to the dilemma of 'what would I do with it if I went out somewhere with it on and wanted to take it off?'. It looks super sophisticated while it's on your head, but practically I'm not sure I'd ever invest in one.

This little bag just caught my eye - it's really simple so it would go with lots of outfits, and I really love the colours together plus the gold hardware!

Ah, more of this gorgeous rust colour... For me dresses are such an essential in winter and I love the simple cut of this one. It would go really nicely with an oversized patterned cardigan. 

Pretty much every shop I've gone into lately seems to have a few items of clothing in this suede-y material this season, and I absolutely love it (not gonna lie, I have a rule where I always have to stop for a second and stroke it if I pass a top or skirt in that material in a shop!). It's so so so soft and beautiful, plus I really like the cut of these shorts.

I kind of love this patten, it's very busy but I like the colours even though purple and red are generally considered to clash. This would be a real focal point for an outfit and it would look great with anything from jeans to a black skirt.

Who said shorts are only for summer? Put some tights on and they can see you well into the autumn. I personally would have called these a skort because they look almost like a skirt with the pleats, but I don't suppose it matters. They would work well with a top tucked in or under a jumper.

Yesterday I walked into town (to buy a printer, look at me adulting) and had an overwhelming feeling of Octoberness - the leaves were a gorgeous array of yellows and reds and golds and the air was crisp and bright. All of which means Halloween will be here soon!

I don't usually get majorly into dressing up unless I have a fancy dress thing to go to, and even then I've always dressed as something 'scary' rather than just dressing up as whatever. I think it's quite an American thing to just dress up in general, but I've always done that kind of dressing up at Carnival and just 'scary' dressing up at Halloween. So I thought I'd turn to Polyvore and rustle up some simple, practical and easy to recreate outfits that could pass for Halloween without being over the top.

1. The Wednesday

My go-to Halloween outfit is the Wednesday Addams look. Just take any plain black dress with a contrasting white collar, add dolly shoes and stockings or tights, and there you have it! I usually plait my hair too because it makes the look more recognisable. The basic outfit would easily pass as an everyday outfit, but to be even more Halloweeny you could accessorise with a 'pet spider' or a headless doll (both very Wednesday!).

2. Skeleton

Sometimes it's all in the accessorising - with some bold statement jewellery, belts and studs you can turn a simple skirt-and-top ensemble into something far more costume-y. The top here is actually a onepiece swimsuit-style thing, which I imagine would be a good investment piece for Halloween outfits because you could style it in so many different ways. Also the shoes are fierce.

3. Gothic chick

Any all-black outfit is a good starting point for Halloween, and all the more so if you happen to have something like this poofy skirt lying around that you might not wear every day. I'm picturing this look with really intense black makeup for a seriously gothic look.

4. Vamp girl

For this last outfit I took inspiration from the whole vampire-cum-catholic-schoolgirl vibe (if that's even a thing, maybe it's just Tumblr). It's probably unlikely that anyone will have a sheer black dress like this one but any lacy number will do, even if it leans towards being a bit of a nightdress. This is another one where makeup can make all the difference!

Next time I'll be posting some more Halloween outfit ideas with a totally different vibe!

x