2014 Was't All That Bad...

The end of the year often leaves me stewing in a pot of reflective doom. You're still stuck in a festive coma, feeling a bit too heavy from one too many festive leftover sandwiches, looking back at what you actually managed to achieve this year.
I sat there, feeling like the lower end of a 'hot or not' barometer, thinking about everything I failed to accomplish in 2014. No I didn't lose the 10lbs that I said I would on my New Years Resolution list, no I didn't get to travel to some exotic island and get a real tan, I didn't manage to get a Glasto ticket, and no I still haven't earned enough to buy myself a Burberry trench coat (or found a really rich boyfriend to buy one for me.)
Overall, it feels like 2014 was a bit of a fail.
It's easy to categorise fashion bloggers as self-obsessed narcissists. After all, it doesn't get much more narcissistic than posting pictures of you posing in clothes on the internet, does it?
But one of the reasons I began blogging my style choices is because of the memories fashion can hold. A photograph of certain outfits can pull back a special memory you had forgotten about and by keeping a visual style diary I can easily pull out these memories that are entwined with my clothing.
Fashion has always been a big part of my life because of its power to change your mood, confidence and outlook simply by by changing the way that you are dressed. Looking back through my sartorial choices of 2014 has pulled out memories of what those outfits meant to me, the events I had worn them to, and how it made me feel in that exact moment. So scanning back through these photographs has made me realise the things I did accomplish, like being nominated for a Cosmo Blog Award, interning at The Times during LFW, being flown over to Amsterdam for my training at my job at Fashionchick.co.uk, opportunities to work with incredible brands I have always loved, and going to fashion events and meeting people I never expected I would have.
This year I've met so many inspirational people and it's been great to watch them grow and succeed. It's pushed me to evaluate the things I did well this year, and the things that I did fail a bit at (I'm still waiting to be swallowed up by the fitness trend...), and what I want to push myself with in 2015 (expect more lifestyle, beauty and maybe even some vlogs!)
Looking back at 2014 really wasn't that bad at all...
Now I'm not sure about you but this cliche end-of-year love-fest is beginning to make me feel a little bit sick, so here's my favourite looks from Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter of 2014.

Spring 

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Pinstripes and Pin Collar Shirts

ASOS Coat | Hawkins & Shepherd Pin Collar Shirt* and Swarovski Pin Bar* | Topshop Leather Trousers | Daniel Boots* | Zara Bag

What do you think of when people say pinstripes?
I'd hazard a guess that your thoughts fall onto your mum mid 90s wearing a skirt suit after she landed that new IT job. I'm not sure about you, but that's never been a look I've particularly wanted to emulate. We've had granny-chic before, but early 1990s mum-chic? I don't think the world is quite ready for that yet.
But with 90's mania still in full swing, what better time to welcome the pinstripe back from fashion exile than in the form of a full length tailored coat? Shaking off its basic boardroom reputation, pinstripes feel more Stella McCartney style scandi-chic than 90's city banker. 
When asked my top style tip I'll always say never underestimate the power and versatility of a simple white shirt. Whether fitted and preppy or oversized in a Breakfast at Tiffany's kind of way, it's a guaranteed classic that's always going to work, so it seems like a natural go-to pairing for pinstripes.
But sometimes classic can get a little bit boring... Taking a trip further down the fashion timeline, this pin collar shirt by Hawkins & Shepherd twists the classic down a paired-back glam 1920s avenue with its smart tailoring and glittery Swarovski pin bar. 
Now if someone asks you to think of an outfit influenced by both the 1990s and 1920s you're probably going to be left with a terrifying mental image of pure style sinning, mashing up a decade of decadent dazzling glamour with another decade known for its stripped back minimalism and sportswear. Basically, a flapper girl wearing a bucket hat and a tracksuit jacket.
The reality? More of 20s tailoring dream played against some subtle striping.
No skirt suits in sight.

 

Contouring: & Other Stories Face Contour Cream

Who's to congratulate for Kim Kardashian's beauty transformation?

Ever since Kimmy made enough money from her bodacious butt, that infamous sex tape, and working for Paris Hilton to be able to afford an actual makeup artist, the beauty world has gone crazy trying to imitate the contoured look that she's been seen with ever since.

We all know contouring is about shading and defining the face by accentuating the cheekbones, making large noses and foreheads (or fiveheads in my case) appear smaller, and brightening up parts of the face. When done well, the result is basically like you've spent an hour playing on the Sims to create the ultimate version of you.

Earlier this year I went on a date with a man who I hadn't seen for a year. I'm not sure if he had issues where he felt the need to be awkwardly openly honest about everything, but he was kind enough to tell me "Sophie, you don't look as chiseled as when I last saw you"

Now I'm not sure about you, but I think he might have been trying to tell me that I had put on weight... In reality, I'd just ran out of my favourite contouring product, MAC Pro Sculpting Cream in Coffee Walnut, apparently rendering my cheekbones totally invisible.

So I sat there, cocktail in hand, feeling 11lbs heavier than I was AND as though I had the makeup application ability of a drunk clown.

Recently, to the dismay of my distinctly average cheekbones, not only did I run out of my Studio Sculpting cream but it turns out it's been discontinued. I prefer contouring creams for their ability to buff into the skin more seamlessly than a contouring powder, so that wasn't an option. What's a girl to do? Sink into a Kim Kardashian circa 2006 makeup aesthetic created from cheap lipgloss and an overdose on blusher?

& Other Stories to the rescue. An unlikely contender against cosmetic giant MAC, the super cool Scandi-fashion brand has produced a contouring cream as part of its beauty range that seems an almost identical dupe of MAC's Pro Sculpting cream in Coffee Walnut. The creamy consistency blends seamlessly into the skin and can be layered up to create stronger definition.

For �10 it more than makes up for the fact MAC's version was discontinued. Sadly, it's no longer available online, but I can imagine with the popularity of contouring it'll be back in stock soon. Or try and pick up some from the store at Oxford Circus.

Now excuse me whilst I indulge in this pizza and continue tricking people into believing that I am far more chiselled than I really am.

The Lazy Girl's Guide To Dressing: The Belted Coat

Zara Coat | Topshop Leather Trousers | Daniel Boots * | Zara Bag

We've all been there. Whether it's after an epic night out, or an all night hardcore marathon of Netflixing Orange is the New Black, the morning comes and we hit the snooze button one too many times. Whilst blissfully dreaming of your parents buying you a Chanel Boy Bag for Christmas you're completely unknowingly slicing into those precious getting-ready-minutes.
Cue the post-snooze wakeup panic wave of 'oh crap I'm going to be late for work/school/lunch date' and I have absolutely nothing to wear.
Let me introduce you to the Lazy Girls best friend: The Belted Coat.
Part dressing gown, part blanket, part coat, this is the season that comfort dressing got stylish. It's basically the fashionable daytime equivalent of wearing pyjamas and loungewear (but won't render any bizarre glances for wearing it publicly)
Layer it over a pair of jeans and a tee in all of it's blankety, oversized glory for the chicest way to face days of pure laziness and cant-be-botheredness. The result is something surprisingly glamorous considering the lack of sleep and rush you got ready in. 
There are many reasons why this Zara coat has been a life saver for lazy moments since I picked it up way back in August (although it was actually way too hot to even consider wearing it...) Its classic camel colour is timeless, the belted silhouette has that old-school vintage glamour feel, and the oversized fit means it can hide a multitude of sins (like a dirty jumper or the effect of festive binge eating...)
Finally, it arguably has the ability to eclipse the lack of sleep by being chic enough distract any onlookers from looking at my actual face.
It's got me questioning whether I need to ever bother getting up early again...
Here are my current favourite belted coats. I'm just praying that the Topshop Boutique Blue Blanket coat will be slashed in the sale...

My Favourite Festive Lipstick: NARS Audacious Annabella

All tucked up in a roll-neck sweater, I'm feeling festively cliche in shades of snowflake white and spicy redcurrant. If there's one thing that I cannot live without this season (or any season for that matter) it's a good red lipstick. What I love most about red lipstick is its ability to change your look almost instantly - and often your mood with it - in just a few precise swipes. Feeling sniffly? Red lipstick will brighten you up. Feeling hungover? Red lipstick will make you look less like a dishevelled zombie. It demands attention and is the easiest way to inject a bit of classic glamour into any look.

Flitting between summer favourites Mac So Chaud (the ultimate matte fiery red-orange colour) and Nars Heatwave, I felt as though my winter lipstick palette was lacking and needed a real festive twist. As the days have turned cooler (so cold recently it feels like the air is trying to kill me) the shades of reds have intensely heated up. After picking up Nars Audacious Annabella lipstick from my Sunday Service experience at Urban Retreat at Harrods, I felt like I'd been given the perfect early Christmas present. Described as a 'Bold Poppy Red', Nars Audacious Annabella is a deep warm red, perfect for the festive season.

Bold, bright and heavily pigmented, the colour is entirely opaque in just one stroke, eliminating any need to layer up. For such a strongly pigmented lipstick the finish has a surprisingly soft sheen without looking overly glossy, as opposed to a matte finish which often has the tendency to dry out your lips. The texture is total lipstick bliss: it applies to the lips like soft and delicious (red) butter.

And the staying power? You get about six hours wear providing there's no serious eating, drinking, or kissing involved (it should come with a warning that it is HIGHLY transferrable...) It also has a slight tendency to bleed, but for the head-turning colour it's well worth making a few double-checks in your iPhone camera.

As a lipstick fanatic (I love soft nudes, bold reds, fiery oranges and moody berry colours) I'd love to know what your favourite festive lipsticks are!

Should we just ditch the Boyfriend?

Mango Coat | ASOS Jeans | ASOS Shirt (similar here) | Zara Bag | Daniel Boots* (similar here)| H&M Hat (similar here)
Grey, oversized, and actually rather shapeless, this Mango coat is my favourite purchase so far this winter. But despite my love of big and roomy coats this season (excellent at hiding Saturday night's pizza binge), there's one word that has been sticking in my head and it's beginning to turn quite sour...
Boyfriend.
Boyfriend coat.
Boyfriend jeans.
Boyfriend shirt.
What unites these individual items of clothing is their unconventional sizing: large, roomy, and therefore obviously, boyfriend-y. It's a label that I'm not entirely too comfortable with. No, it's not that I'm not some angry feminist that hates boyfriends. I love them. In fact, the more of them the better. It's when the term boyfriend is used with clothing that disturbs me just a little. Why does a female piece of clothing that is larger and less conventionally tailored have to be described as being boyfriend? Heaven forbid someone might think we are actually wearing a real life man's coat... As a fashion journalist, I know the importance of having an expansive fashion vocabulary (or that thesaurus.com is a fashion writers best friend), but lately, with all the debate about gender equality, I can't help but wonder is there no better adjective to use that is gender-neutral?
Here's a task for you: grab your dad, brother or lover, and dress him up in something of the boyfriend variety. Suddenly the term boyfriend doesn't seem right anymore when you have a man standing in front of you squeezed into very small proportions looking somewhat surprisingly girly and emasculated...
And when was the last time you saw a trendy type of man wearing a pair of jeans that looked anything remotely like women's boyfriend jeans? I think it was back in 2007 at some terrible club that you nicked your sisters ID to sneak into ( he was dancing to Cascada and drinking a WKD...) Now most of these well-dressed men are wearing skinny styles or slim-fit. But we don't see anybody labelling them as men's girlfriend jeans based on their figure-hugging fit...
Despite the push for gender equality, men wearing women's inspired fashion is still surrounded by taboo. Why is it that it's okay for girls to wear boyfriend clothes, but not the other way round?
My best friend once had a boyfriend that would steal her vintage floral shirts to wear with a faux fur coat that had also once belonged to her (he wore eyeliner and had long black hair, to create a more colourful picture for you.) And back when I was 16 all of the cool indie boys bought their jeans from the women's section in Primark (the men's were simply not tight enough, they would tell me.) But these were complete anomalies. The lines between masculine and feminine fashion should be blurred, without labelling clothing with a gender.
So what I really want to know, amongst the sea of boyfriend coats and jeans and jumpers, is when are we going to start seeing an influx of girlfriend coats and girlfriend jeans for men? 
What I'm really looking forward to is the day a man comes home saying "Babe! I bought this amazing girlfriend top today!" And lo and behold he waltzes in wearing some teeny tiny crop top with tassels and hopefully a glittery pony on it.
Hmm. I wont hold my breath...