January Blues

As the first outfit post to kick-start 2014, I wanted something bright. Post Christmas, funds for most of us are delicate until the next pay day. Inspired by this, my point for this post is that you don’t need big labels to have a great on trend look. This outfit, which I’m hoping you will agree, looks a lot more expensive than it is. I am wearing head to toe Penneys/ Primark, from shades to the dress, jacket, clutch bag, necklace and shoes, totalling at €75.50/£62.60! Each piece I am going to break down and show you how any of the items will add to your wardrobe to bring you from Autumn Winter into Spring Summer 2014. 🙂

Cobalt blue has been a really popular colour since last year, I was delighted to see it was also a keen favourite for the Summer. However, on blondes can sometimes be a harsh colour. Too vibrant and it can make you look very pale. In the past year I would therefore utilise bold blues in accessories like here, or wear a skirts so the colour is lower down on your body. When I came across this shade of blue I was delighted because it’s just that bit lighter than other bold blue shades so it’s much easier for blondes and red heads to wear. Brunettes are lucky in that most bold hues just add to their complexion as opposed to draining them. 

The fluted hem was a huge hit on the catwalks for SS 2014 particularly with designers such as Simone Rocha, Clements Ribeiro and Victoria Beckham. To be honest I was sceptical as to how a fitted flute hem would look on an apple shape like myself, but I was delighted. It felt extremely comfortable and I had numerous complements on the shape and fit. I’m wearing a size 16, so the dress is true to size as sometimes I have to get a size 18 in Penneys/Primark. It has a petite pointed cap sleeve, which makes it pretty flattering around the upper arm area too.

Accessories as you all know are a must for me. The sunglasses have a subtle cats eye shape to them similar to ones I had my eye on from Miu Miu. This Penneys/ Primark find was a fabulous €1.50 so the bargain hunter in me inevitably bought two pair, one in a brown shade – equally designer-esque. The necklace combined both the biker and perspex trend with diamond stud detailing and perspex spikes.  For a clutch I wanted something contrasting. This clutch was quite unusual – bold white faux leather, metal detailing on the top with neon yellow detail on the sides. When you open the clutch, the interior is bright neon which I adored. Designers such as Chanel, Roland Mouret and Celine all chose variations of neon shades for their handbags for Spring Summer, so keep your eye peeled for simple accessories like this that will take your Winter wardrobe into the S/S quite easily and without a heavy price tag.

This biker jacket is lightweight and worked really well with the dress. In this weather it’s light enough to wear under a coat which is perfect as well as being able to wear it during the summer months over a pretty dress. It’s a generous fit and as I never zip my biker jackets I bought a size 14 as it just sits nicely. The ankle boots were on sale for €9, simple but it pulled the whole look together. You can easily wear this dress with tights too, I just wanted to show it to you this way so you could see all the details clearly. Lou. xxx Details : All Penneys / Primark Biker Jacket: €27/ £22 wearing size 14 – available sizes 6 -22 Dress: €24/ £20 wearing size 16 – available sizes 6- 22 Necklace: €6/ £5 Handbag: €9/ £7.50 Open toe boots: €9/ £7.50 on sale Sunglasses: €1.50/ £1.20 Total outfit price : €75.50/ £62.60