River Island

I worked at River Island on my gap year as a Christmas temp. I loved all my colleagues, except my manager who seemed to take an instant dislike to me. For that reason I don't go into my local store any more. I would rather spend my hard earned cash in another branch as to not aid her in meeting her targets. Petty perhaps but also very inconvenient because I am a fan of River Island clobber! I have issues with the quality, it's not great which is disappointing especially considering their prices seemed to have creeped up in recent years. I'd say the best time to shop in R.I is during the sales. They've certainly improved, I did attach a 'chav' stigma to their clothing for most of my school years and avoided the place like the plague but they seem to have got their act together and their casual wear has won me over. Meet the Parents for Sunday lunch is the theme for this entry. Enjoy x

You want to keep the outfit stylish but comfortable and this is a nice smock which isn't going to restrict movement in any way. Keeping the colours dark with this look because you don't want to come across as brash. The bird print is very cute, just team this with a black or perhaps red cami underneath and you're good to go! I'm a sucker for tucking clothing in and this is not different £34.99

Just because you're meeting your beau's parents for the first time doesn't mean you have to wrap yourself in shell suit. Remember you're dressing for your presumably reasonably new boyfriend and showing a little leg won't do any harm. Just make sure you don't buy a size that will be too small for you, and legs out...boobs in! Casual and smart so you'll be feeling comfortable £29.99

If you're scared of wearing shorts and bearing all then tights are a good option. Of  course if  it's not warm enough which lets be reasonable it probably wont be in England then an opaque pair of tights are your best bet £9.99

Yay brogues. These go with everything in the world ever. They're comfy and when they're new they're smart and when they're scuffed up they probably look even better than before! Flats would be a given when meeting parents for me, you don't want to trip up the doorstep and land flat on your face. Bad first impressions are not in at any time of the year £26.99

River Island jewellery, it's where they feel at home. They get it very right and I think it's their biggest pull, in fact their accessories are probably better than their clothes. I love this set, it looks like it's been thrown together from all over the place - just the way I like it. Will bring out the reds, yellows and whites on the shirt too £24.99 

God I love this. It's on R.I's website as recommended by Vogue. It doesn't take a genius to work out why. It's beautiful. The colour is glorius, the shape, the buckles, the gold everything about it screams understated style. Perfect with this dark outfit. The styling is in the accessories and this finishes off the outfit nicely £69.99

TOTAL 196.94

Topshop (A day late)

I'm going to be blasphemous here and reveal my doubts about Topshop. This will be the biggest challenge in terms of staying around the self placed £200 budget as the hugely popular brand tends to be over priced in my opinion, and certainly not as good value as other stores. An outfit from Topshop head to toe gives a 'try hard' look which many teens and young women fritter their money away on. It's a safe bet...you'll look fashionable but at what price? For me Topshop is a one item shop, their more limited ranges provide an opportunity to buy an investment piece that is a little different. The sizes in Topshop also cause me some distress. Either all the other shops are hugely generous with their measurements or Topshop is trying to exclude over size 16's from shopping there. I'm not saying they don't make clothes in those sizes, but I don't think they are conscious of real women's bodies. Curvy girls, those with bits to hide, parts to accentuate or merely a girl with hips will find it hard to choose a flattering outfit. Anyway back to business, lots of girls put their trust in Topshop to provide them with their weekend clobber and here's my attempt. Enjoy x

Tuck this shirt in. Roll the sleeves up. Keep the top buttons undone, wear it casual. It's a gorgeous colour for the olive complexion and people with dark hair. There is a similar short sleeved version of this shirt for slightly cheaper and it's definitely an item that won't date. Pretty reasonable too £40

I had to get rid of a belt and pick this large purse as I couldn't afford the belt or clutch so this makes a good alternative. A nice retro gold casio watch, multiple numerous gold chains layer it on. I'm not a fan of gold jewellery on the whole but it will work with this outfit £22

Leather's in. This isn't the nicest leather mini I've seen, I'm not sure about the length or cut but you can make it work. Nudes and black leather is an absolute love love love fest for the season £58

I love knee high socks. Major cute look £10

Big shoes with knee highs is a winner. These are going to be comfy as hell, perfect for dancing the night away £70

TOTAL £200

H&M

H&M, thank you Sweden for H&M. Please God you can take Ikea but leave us H&M. This shop delivers on all fronts. I've shopped here since I was in my early teens, I've gone through punk, emo, goth, slutty, sporty, trendy, girly, geeky and everything in between. The reason you can buy 'disposable fashion' from H&M is because it's cheap enough to not feel guilty about getting rid of what you bought at the end of the season. It does span a lot of borders, it's great for basics and it's unique. I'm addicted to H&M ladies and gentlemen. They pull you in with their ferocious hook ups. Lanvin is hitting our stores in just over a month and I am mad excited.

The recession is still biting hard, it's hard to find a job and so you want to look your best for a job interview. Here's a stylish outfit that won't break the bank It's almost daylight robbery...a brand new 6 piece outfit for a almost unbelievable price. Exactly what you need when you've got no money and the bank but want it to start rolling in. Enjoy.

These little jacket has enough room in the shoulder to sit perfectly over the shirt I've already chosen. Which is important as nobody wants unsightly bulges anywhere in their outfit. The powder beige version of this is divine, but the dark grey makes the buttons on the shirt pop and brings the outfit together. Another snip at £14.99.

Shirts can look a bit try hard. This is smart enough and sexy enough to please you and the interviewer. Fingers crossed he's a guy right? The sleeves are a good cut and those black buttons make the shirt look more expensive than what it is. Attention to detail is key! Please tuck the shirt in. £14.99

These belts are versatile, it will break up this outfit so your body doesn't look like a marshmallow, plus it's cute. £3.99 I'm big on belts. One belt can change the look of an outfit, and there we go. Wear it over both the shirt and skirt. 

It's all too easy to stick to black or a trouser suit. I am a big fan of trousers but H&M have let me down a little bit with their selection and I do like this skirt. This is going to look great on a lot of people, providing you're not 3ft 5. Again crazy as hell cheap prices. £14.99

It's the hit or miss with H&M haunting us again. These aren't the most wow pair of shoes you're ever gunna see but I actually kinda like them. It's a practical good work shoe, the material is nice and I think they do the overall outfit no harm. £14.99 they're not going to break the bank and I guarantee you will find yourself wearing them a lot more than you thought you would.

We're coming up to the finishing touches. I have some kind of personal vendetta against black bags for one reason or another. This slouchy navy blue one fits the tones of the overall outfit but won't get overshadowed by it. Remember matchy matchy = boring boring but it is a job interview so ere on the side of caution and peg your crazy down a notch or four. £14.99 and I'll say it again...this bag looks more expensive than that.


Total £78.94

Zara

It is only right that I begin with an outfit from Zara. It is my favourite High Street shop. When I think about outfit ideas and looks I want to play around with I can often find them in Zara. It delights me with every visit as I always think to myself that Zara is primarily hard hitting with sharp, smart tailoring. In truth they provide so much more. Wardrobe fodder for the hippy, the sophisticated and the girl around town  It manages to churn out clothes of a high quality and surprises me with their prices which are among the most reasonable you can find. They don't drown their stores in the most extreme fashion forward items but instead draw from the catwalks and create their own unique pieces which all have an air of classic, timeless investment pieces. Today is an everyday shopping, lunching vibe.

On any fashion blog this season there will be some mention of shearling. It's all over the place right now, I thought I may as well nip it in the bud with this beauty. Keeping the Jacket relatively fitted because the rest of the outfit has a real slouchy look to it. Keep those sleeves rolled up! £39.99...Don't tell me Zara isn't fantastic value.

This sort of looks as though you've borrowed it from your boyfriend doesn't it? Get a couple sizes up from what you usually wear and work with it. I love all three colour options available I just don't like matchy matchy outfits and the other colours didn't quite do it for me with the rest of the look. £16.99 - buy all three!

I detest black belts, 'new looking' belts or brashy belts. An understated belt can often make an entire outfit. The best part is it's usually something other people can't quite put their finger on. At £25.99 I've just ordered mine.

Before I have to go into hiding for producing a boring brown and white outfit. Here's a deliciously deep red bag that would look good tossed over anybody's shoulder. Another fashion faux-pas in my eyes is a bag that's colour coordinated to the rest of your outfit or looks as though it's come in a set with your shoes. Don't do it! £49.99 and I'm in love.

These are my favourite item of the day at only £19.99

I usually shy away from animal print, however minus the bow which would be promptly ripped off for £49.99 these are a cute pair of shoes which you can wear all day and with everything. Animal ain't ever dying, I need to embrace it.


Total £202.94

Soldi Per Stracci

MONEY FOR TATTERS.
Fashion is a fun part of all our lives, every one has style be it good or bad. Bad style in my eyes only manifests itself when the proponent doesn't dress to suit their moods and their feelings. I love designer gear, who doesn't? But halt there, clothes are accessible to us normal Dom, Nick and Garys on the high street and here in the UK we have a good one. Everyday I will take a shop, an occasion and create an entire outfit for less than 200 of your GREAT BRITISH POUNDS (with a 10% contingency fund) from said collection. If something catches my eye, like I'm expecting the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collection to I will purge otherwise this is a one a day project and I'm geared up for it.

Enjoy.