Winter Essentials on a student budget!

In a panic as you feel your starting uni with hardly any winter clothes? You need coats, jumpers to wrap up in but you’re skint. You want clothes that are practical, yet are still on trend! This may seem impossible, but no fear as with our guide you can achieve a high- fashion look for high- street prices! We’ve scoured the shops to find the best deals around for cash- strapped students.

Primark is the obvious first stop for students for fashionable, yet affordable clothing however there are many other alternatives that can be just as reasonable! First off, don’t forget to whip out your uni. Portsmouth card to ensure you get that student discount where you can! New Look, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins are just some of the several shops that do. For on- trend pieces at student friendly prices New Look is the place to be, find all your winter essentials at an attainable price! The Jeans are a bargain at £10-£20; whether super- skinny is your style to boot cut you can find jeans to suit your shape. Coats can be pricey for students on a budget, however at New Look coats have currently £10 off, and you can ensure to be on trend with their trendy leather jackets! H&M also do incredibly cheap jackets, from £34.99 there are fashionable duffel coats and biker jackets available, that look good and won’t break the bank!

Find yourself realising you have hardly any warm clothing to brave the approaching winter? Converting your wardrobe can be a nightmare, especially with little money to do so! But no fear, as Dorothy Perkins has got it sorted for poor students like us, with special offers on their good quality jumpers for two £15 jumpers for £25! The coats are averagely priced at £50-60 but there is a mid- season sale plummeting on- trend Mac coats from £60 to £30! Biker jackets, Macs and Duffel coats are all in fashion this season, however if you are looking for an alternative to the traditional coat, a blazer, or boyfriend jacket could be for you! Usually priced around the region of £50, there is a bargain to be had in Dorothy Perkins with their jackets going down from £20- to even £15! Primark also does boyfriend style jackets for only £10, so hunt around for the best deal to be had!

Now you’re sorted with the basic winter essentials, its time to put a look together to make your friends jealous! A look that screams high fashion, but is actually high- Street! Instead of wearing a basic jumper and jeans, mix it up by wearing an oversized jumper with leggings. Vibrantly coloured jumpers can be found at primark for only £10, and with leggings for only a pound makes it a cheap, yet trendy outfit to ensure that you stand out from the crowd. Jumper dresses are fashionable, yet are a practical option for winter. Still feel warm and snug, yet look like a fashion icon! There are to be found in most high- street shops, New Look has some pretty angora- mix dresses, for only £20 and cable knit dresses for £18. The angora and cable knit dresses are in fashion, and tend to look more expensive than they actually are! Result! Team jumper dresses with black tights and ankle boots, for a cool yet practical look for Uni.

Adding accessorizes can make an outfit; therefore for a fashionable look invest in a slouchy beanie hat for the wow factor. Accessorize has a range of styles, whether a black classic beret is more your thing, or a something more quirky like the pom pom beanie hat you will be sure to find something that catches your eye! At £16 a pop, they may be at the upper end of your price range, but they make up for it in style and individuality. The vibrant colours and cutesy patterns are bang on trend, and are sure to catch a few admiring glances! For a cheaper alternative, H&M does some great slouchy beret hats for only £4.99, in various colours and cable knit styles. They also do fab chunky knit scarves, to ensure you keep warm in the windy Pompey weather!

From day to evening… capsule style!

As a Uni student, you are constantly on the move. If it’s off home, or travelling round the country for a mates 21st you are bound to need plenty of clothes and outfits prepared for all occasions, yet you don’t particularly want to lug around half your wardrobe!

Here with our guide, we will show you how to transform your look from day to night- capsule style!

In the day, leggings and a long top will suffice. To transform your look, its all about adding accessorizes to glam up your look! Add a belt that cinches in at the waist which will transform a baggy ordinary top, into a more sophisticated evening look.

Wear clothes that can be worn from day to night, for example a body- con skirt with a casual vest in the day, then simply throw on a pair of quirky patterned tights to ensure your look stands out from the crowd!

Alternatively a statement jacket/blazer is a practical, yet formal option that can be worn from day to night. Add statement jewellery to make an impact, as this season it’s all about layering up; several long necklaces, either in vintage gold chains or strands of pearls.

A simple cropped top can easily be glammed up by accessorizes, keep in trend by adding a pretty nude flower headband to accent your look.

Fashion through the Ages.

1920s- Known as the “Roaring Twenties”, a time of rebellion and newfound freedoms. Fashion became extravagant, due to prosperity. Women’s style, known as the iconic “flapper” reflected women’s liberation, as hemlines rose, women cropped their hair and wore more make up than they had ever before!




1930s- The great depression gripped Britain, but there was a sliver lining of Hollywood’s golden age, as glamorous starlets evoked aspirational styles for the masses to imitate.

1940s- Hard times hit Britain and fashion during the war. As clothes were about being functional, not fashionable, “utility” clothing was plain yet long lasting. People were urged to “make do and mend” as rationing meant that fabrics were scarce.

1950s- The Glamorous style of the 1950s injected life and colour back into fashion. With Iconic idols such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley heavily influencing styles, women adopted the glamour of Monroe wearing full- skirted prom dresses, whilst men were either “good guys” who conformed to the clean cut “preppy” look of v- neck sweaters and blazers, or they imitated the rock n roll swagger of Elvis wearing leather jackets and tight- fitting jeans.

1960s- The “swinging sixties” was an era of revolutionary change. Young people invented their own styles disregarding the fashion rule book.
London in the early sixties was at the epicentre of fashion, rebellious young people rocked the Mod look, a vibrant and flamboyant style which saw men wearing brightly coloured paisley suits, whilst women wore scandalously short mini- skirts in psychedelic patterns.

Late 1960s- Saw the emergence of the “flower power” Hippies; often wearing casual flowing clothing in paisley and flowered patterns, they rejected the mainstream fashion trends creating their own unique style. Loose bell bottoms with tie- dye t- shirts were the look!

1970s- Disco danced its way into young people’s hearts, the craze took over dance clubs in the 70s; a prominent figure John Travolta encapsulated the disco scene with “Saturday night fever”. It was all about flares, hot pants, platform shoes and jumpsuits!
Alternatively there was the radical style of punks, who sought to shock people with their extreme take on clothing often wearing ripped, slashed clothes adorned with dog collars, chains and razor blades. Not to be missed out in a crowd they styled their hair in sky- high spikes or Mohawks.

1980s- Known as the “decade of greed” when the economy was thriving and the look was high- powered and business like. “Power Dressing” impacted the fashion scene where people wore designer suits with large shoulder pads to convey an image of success.
The phenomenon of “fame” and the fitness craze of the 70s propelled legwarmers and leotards onto the masses.

1990s- Unlike other decades, fads were influenced by the entertainment industry, celebrities and popular music.
Sexuality became an important element in fashion. “Hip Huggers”, were low cut jeans that exposed the bare midriff, a trend that was kick-started by sexy sweetheart star Britney Spears.
On the other end of the fashion scale, influenced by rock bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the Grunge trend evolved. Baggy, ripped jeans or long baggy shorts with flannel shirts were the look!

2000- The fashion industry today has spanned the ages of fashion reworking trends from as early as the iconic 20s flapper dress, to the awful shoulder pads of the 80s! It relies on significant looks from earlier decades, which we see as “retro” or “vintage”. Without the fashion sensations or faux pas of the past, our shopping experience today would certainly not be the same!

This article, and the following are articles that have been published in the University of Portsmouth's student magazine, Pugwash. I currently hold the position as Life and Style Editor, and plan to write more for our third and final issue! :) Check out Pugwash magazine online at http://www.upsumedia.com/ for online articles! X

Work. Weekend. Party...how to work one designer piece for your week!

We all dream of a designer wardrobe; however our pay cheques may not allow us this luxury! Our advice is to splurge on one classic investment piece that will last forever!

Splurge on this beautiful blush coloured silk- pique blazer from Stella McCartney for £1,095 from Net- A- Porter. Com.
While it may be expensive, yes I can hear your bank balance groaning, don’t feel guilty as you can make the most of your money’s worth by wearing it to death!

A transitional piece from Stella McCartney’s spring collection, it is smart enough for work, yet it can easily be transformed into a party piece, or alternatively pared down for a smart, relaxed day time look. It works for all occasions!
With its luxurious satin- silk lining and 100% silk exterior it will make you the object of your mates envy. A classic investment piece for your wardrobe, it will take you through the seasons.
However, it is still bang on trend with this season’s nude “romantic” trend. Wear with pastel hued separates for this season’s “barely there” look. The Blazer also optimises the relaxed tailoring trend; compliment the look with soft, fluid shapes.

Here with our guide, we’ll show you how to mix up the dazzling designer piece with garments from your fav high- street stores for a sophisticated yet affordable look!
Follow our advice as you we show you how to work the Blazer from the boardroom to the dance floor....



Work Chic

Add a touch of glamour to your working day, with this smart tailored silk blazer. Smart and functional, yet on trend and glamorous be the object of envy of your co- workers! Work the look by wearing it with this season’s lace blouse to compliment the feminine romantic trend. Top shop has one in an unusual khaki colouring, for £32.

Pussy cat bow shirts with frilly necklines are also big this season. Alternatively if this seems too fussy for you, wear with a simple silk shirt for a sophiscated work look.
Why not try out harem pants for a smart, yet different take on your usual office attire. Miss Selfridge has a suitable smart pair for work, for £32. Warehouse also has a good selection of work wear, including soft Hareem pants for £35. Comfortable yet fashionable you will be sure to stand out from the crowd!

Pencil skirts are always a winner for work, so add a touch of sophiscation to your work wardrobe by wearing a high- waisted pencil skirt. Or in keeping with this season’s relaxed tailoring trend embrace peg leg trousers, for a relaxed yet smart look. Warehouse does a dark grey pair for £45, or if you fancy a lighter shade Asos do a fab pair in light grey for £40.
Instead of your standard court shoes, indulge in a pair of Brogues for a quirky take on office wear. Try a cream pair from Dorothy Perkins for £32, for a practical yet fashion forward look.


Weekend Cool .

Alternatively the Blazer can be worn as an everyday casual piece for the weekend. Perfect for day time drinks with the girls, or your mad hunt round the shops on a Saturday! Let the Blazer do the talking by keeping the rest of your outfit simple, for a smart yet relaxed day time look.

Underneath the blazer wear a simple vest, or camisole from a fresh or nude colour palette. Top shop have a great selection of embroidery Anglais cropped cami’s for £22, or lace trimmed cami’s for just £14, in white, peach and light blue. Alternatively Top Shop also does some pretty embroidery anglais ¾ sleeve blouses. Wear these for a simple, yet sweet day time look.
Reworked Denim is big this season, try out this season’s take on the denim skirt by wearing it ruffled to add some fun to your look. Bohoo.com does a bleached denim ruffled skirt for a bargain £15! If you choose to wear a denim skirt this season, keep it light and bleached as this will compliment the rest of the nude tones of your outfit, and ensure you are on trend!
Top off your day time look with this season’s clogs, Asos. Com does a great pair for £75. Alternatively if you feel the clog is too adventurous for you wedges are yet again big this spring, Carvela do a cute pair for £120 in bright red.
Or if you fancy some comfortable flats, whip on some gladiator sandals perfect for a relaxing day out at the park!


Partygirl.

Glam up the blazer for a chic evening look, whether you’re going for an evening meal or hitting the town this Blazer can work for both. To transform the blazer into a party piece, the key is accessorizing! In keeping with the vintage romantic trend of this season, wear plenty of gold ornate jewellery. Layer up with chain detailing necklaces, and vintage charm necklaces, or alternatively opt for some sophiscated pearls.
To compliment the ethereal look of the Blazer, mix with clothing in pale toned down hues. However, to transform your outfit for the evening, add sparkle to ensure you stand out from the crowd!
This nude diamond embellished dress (£85), currently from Miss Selfridge vintage collection, perfectly compliments the silk blazer. Replicating the era of the 1920s, this dress reaps of vintage glamour!
Or alternatively if you fancy something less showy, but still with the sophiscation of vintage glamour why not try Warehouse’s lace and fringed dress (£55) for their take on the vintage flapper girl dress.
If dresses aren’t your thing, you could wear the blazer with some slick city shorts and a sparkly cropped top (£45), or a nude lace top (£28) for a sophiscated evening look.

To add some va- va voom to your outfit, wear heels, and wear them high to make a statement! This season, nude detailed heels with bows, frills and netting are big. Look out for these daring pair from Topshop Boutique, with their unusual lace netting, and flower detailing (£130). Alternatively, Miss Selfridge has some winners with their lace up shoe boots for only £40.

So now you don’t have to feel guilty about that one big splurge, as your certainly getting your money’s worth out of your purchase- by working your glam blazer in three very different ways!

Retro inspired looks…with a modern twist!

This spring, the vintage look is in! From the pretty war- time look of the 1940s tea- dresses, to the classic chic style of Chanel past time pretty is in! What we wear today is heavily influenced by styles from previous decades, as the fashion industry recycle distinctive trend from past era’s recreating classic looks for the modern market. This means that no look is new, as trends bounce back into our wardrobes time and time again, however with our guide Glamour shows you how to update retro trends to this current season.

It’s all about combining classic fashion staples, with this season’s trends to create a modern twist on the vintage inspired look.


“Edgy Florals.”

Florals without fail make their way into the catwalk each spring; this season the trend contrasts pretty vintage styles from past decades, with modern elements that toughen up the look, creating a harder edge for spring.

Vintage 1940s tea dresses are a runaway trend that keeps coming back into fashion. Capture the charm of the quaint countryside by wearing a tea- dress in delicate floral patterns, for a feminine elegant look. Rework the demure look this spring, by contrasting it with tough studded worker boots for an edgy floral look.

Contrast vintage styles with this season’s trends to update your look. Wear bleached denim jeans, or 70s frayed cut off shorts for a retro inspired look or alternatively for
a modern take on the trend wear this season’s bleached skinny jeggings.
Wear this season’s body- con skirt, flowered with intricate poppies, daises, pansies in pretty pastel hues to evoke the vintage feel of the 1940s.

Perfect for a summer’s day, wear flowing smock dresses in breezy chiffon. Reminiscent of the free loving hippie style, rework the look by adding a dash of rock n roll with a leather biker jacket for a pretty, yet edgy look.

Playsuits are huge this summer, inspired by 1950s swimwear wear them cropped and short embellished with ditzy floral patterns for a fun, flirty look. Mix up the look by wearing a playsuit with chunky opaque tights and on trend brogues to give the retro inspired trend a new season edge this spring!

“Parisian chic”

The nautical look has always been in fashion, a timeless trend that optimises the essence of Parisian chic it has bounced back into our wardrobes time and time again.

Heavily influenced by fashion revolutionary Coco Chanel, who created the classic looks that are in our high- streets today, the classic string of pearls, the quilted chain bags, the nautical stripes all of which have been revived again this spring.

The nautical striped t- shirt is always on trend, a chic fashion staple to the modern women’s wardrobe. This season the look has been updated by being in a range of fun, brightly coloured stripes with details of cutesy bows and animal prints for a fun, flirty look.

Channel the sophistication of Chanel this spring with the iconic quilted handbag. The bag has been given a modern edge this season, seen in a variety of eye- popping colours and styles, update the look by wearing it over the body and patterned in this season’s stripes or florals.
Pretty Pearls have made a comeback this spring, but this time wear the gems on everything from necklaces to headbands. Instead of one single classic strand of pearls give the classic look a new season twist by wearing them layered, mixed with quirky bow and charm details for a cutesy retro look.
Wear a classic trench coat a la Audrey Hepburn style, but rework the look by wearing one covered with retro polka dots, as seen on the celebs!

Capture the French chic vibe this season with tops imprinted with images of the Effifel tower, French phrases and most significantly the logo of Chanel no.5- not to be missed this spring!


“The Modern Cowgirl”

From the moment go the western look has never not been in fashion. From the glam cowgirl days of the 1980s, to the more recent 2000 revival where everyone seemed to own a pair of cowboy boots; country chic is once again back in fashion this spring!

The classic weathered western trend is back, but this time with a twist. Moving away from the sequins and rhinestones of vintage cowgirls in the 80s and the standard checked shirts and jeans in the late noughties the modern cowgirl incorporates both traditional and modern elements of the Wild West, mixing up traditional styles of the western with this season’s current trends.

Toughen up classic looks of the western trend by wearing checked or fringed cowboy shirts with biker boots, instead of the usual cowboy boots to add a dash of rock n roll to your look. Wear a traditional country chic lace sun dress with a leather jacket to modernise the cowgirl look.

Alternatively go for a softer feminine country style, with cancan ruffles and pretty peasant blouses to capture the vintage charm of the Wild West. Rework the trend by wearing retro ruffles on this season’s statement cropped jacket.

Wear faded florals in dusty, faded hues that reflect the balmy nights of the Wild West. Update the look by wearing florals on this season’s body- con skirt, or try out floral skinny jeans for a different look from the typical cowgirl blue jeans.

If you don’t fancy doing the western look from head to toe, fringing is massive once again this spring so incorporate part of the look by wearing a fringed bag, or shoes. Leather belts are back, but steer clear of the 80s rhinestones and sequins, keep it modern by wearing them simple and ornate.

Whatever vintage inspired style you choose to go for, remember to contrast it with this season’s trends for a modern take on the look! Now time to get down the shops- happy, vintage shopping to you all!

This article, and the following Work..Weekend..Party is part of my University project, Media Writing. Focusing on developing our writing skills, for those who wish to pursue a journalism pathway. As part of the project, we have to replicate the style and content of a particular magazine. I chose Glamour, as I love Fashion and feel they have a distinctive edge in the market.

Hello There! My first blog.

Right,

So I have FINALLY set up a blog, after many months of pondering and deliberation I finally have! What really inspired mee to put the force in motion was Company's blogger issue- there is literally so many cool blogs out there, be it Fashion, gossip, music, films, homes, even feminism! The last one did particuarly interest me, being abit of a feminist fanatic myself, Saturday night Sexism proved a point.

It describes the all too familiar experience of when a drunken guy comes on to you on a night out, standard. You may say, so what? Or you're looking for it when youre wearing a short skirt/top. But hang on, why can't you wear whatever you want, without being made to feel guilty or exposed, when that guy won't leave you alone. It makes you feel uncomfortable, I've been in a situation when a creepy guy literally did not leave me and my mate alone for ages, ruining a big part of our evening. I know this isn't serious, but some of the examples in from the Saturday night Sexism were shocking, resulting in one man putting a hand up a lady's skirt. So when does harmless, turn harmful? As a uni student, I know walking home is a no- no, although several of my mates do it. All it takes is for that "creepy looking" or the weird guy in the corner who keeps looking at you, to follow you home from the club.

As you can see, this blog really made me think and ended up in a feminist (sounding) rant, soo i think blogging may be the way forward for a girl who has a LOT to say!

Hahaa. I'l be using this blog to post up articles i've done for my student magazine Pugwash so far, in which I am Life & style editor of and those I have completed for a Uni project. Fashion dominates my world, however issues, including feminist ones!, the media, books, general rants and ramblings may end up on here too! Looking forward to it ;)

Emily. X