Putting the "Access" in Accessories

An outfit is sometimes not complete without accessories. Accessories can add a punch to an outfit, and really show off a person's unique style. For example, if you were wearing a white blouse and black skirt, your look would most likely say "classic." However, just by adding a studded belt, knee-high boots, and a chunky necklace, the look would suddenly shift from "classic" to "edgy."
I love accessories. Particularly ones that feature pearls, bows, flowers, hearts, butterflies...anything that would make you say, "aw, that's so cute!" (I do this all the time when browsing websites.) Oh, and if they didn't cost so much, that would be great too.
On my recent (well, not so recent anymore) trip to England, I came across possibly the best accessory store in the entire world. Literally. The name of the store is Accessorize. If you like pearls, flowers, and bows like me, I recommend you check out the link below:
http://www.accessorize-usa.com/
For some reason, I can only get the USA site now, but I'm sure there's a way to change it to Great Britain pounds or Euros.
I love everything on this website. Absolutely everything. There is only one small fault: it is a tad bit expensive. The style laid out by Accessorize is similar to that of Forever 21. When I compared some products from both sites, they were almost identical, except in price. While accessories from Accessorize can range from $5 to $35, accessories from Forever 21 are rarely over $15. Let's compare, shall we?

The one on the right is a cupcake necklace from Accessorize, costing $9, while the ice cream necklace on the left is from Forever 21 and is only $4.80.

The owl necklace on the right is $10 from Accessorize, whereas the one from Forever 21 is $6.80.

The set of gold bangles on the left is $32 from Accessorize; the pack on the right is $6.80 at Forever 21.

The set of cute rings on the left is $14 from Accessorize while the ones on the right are $4.80 from Forever 21.

                               

The flower earrings on the left are $9 from Accessorize, however, at Forever 21 a set of three only comes to $3.80.

                            

The floral headband on the left is $14 from Accessorize; a similar one from Forever 21 is $4.80.

The handbag on the left is $70 from Accessorize, a similar one from Forever 21 is $30.80.

Now, I'm not advertising in any way that you should never shop at Accessorize just because Forever 21 is cheaper, I'm just comparing prices of similar items. Having bought accessories from both these stores, I can say that the quality is pretty much the same.

I credit the websites of Accessorize and Forever 21 for all the photos.

http://www.accessorize-usa.com/page/home/

http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Main.aspx?br=f21

Summer Inspiration



Downtown chic featuring high-waisted shorts and a bold top

Lace paired with a jean jacket for a laid-back, but still girly look

Nautical- mix and match reds, whites, and blues

SHOES! :)

This video is just plain hilarious :P enjoy!

Stay Classy

With summer quickly approaching, it's hard to stay focused on finishing school. Endless days of sunshine and warm temperatures while we have to stay inside finishing projects and studying for exams. The worst is when the air conditioning decides to break on what seems to be the hottest day of the year. What happens then? Two words for you: trashy fashion.
Tube tops, short shorts, low necklines, see-through tops, I've seen it all. Next someone will show up in a bikini. It's not stylish fashionistas. I know it's hot, but there are other ways to keep cool besides showing all. To beat the heat, here are some outfit ideas to get you through the hot weather.

This first outfit shows a nice length for shorts; not too short, and not long enough to be called bermudas. The top is nice and loose, which is what you need on a super hot day. Tight, spandex tops just stick as the day becomes hotter, so cotton is definitely the way to go. And if you have to wear a v-neck or revealing top, wear a cami underneath that's also lightweight. 


The outfit below shows a nice way to wear a tank top or cami. Just pair it with a lightweight cardigan, either long-sleeved or short- sleeved. We don't want to see your bra straps! Again, the skirt comes to mid-thigh, which is not too long or short.


Footwear I have no problem with. Flip flops, sandals, cute flats, wedges...I love shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Let's get some shoes. That video is hilarious. I will post it.

I think that's all, really. No revealing bra straps, low-cut tops, too short skirts, dresses, or skirts...yep, that's it. Don't worry. Summer vacation will come before you know it and then you can wear whatever you want. Until then, stay classy, not trashy. :)

British Fashion Part 3

Combining the essence of British style with a new summer trend comes bold sophisticate. The British not only dress sophisticated and put together, they also walk like they know it. A new trend this summer is colour-blocking, which includes clothing with different colours that are not arranged in stripes. You could take this trend one step further and pair together colours that would normally clash, such as purple and orange, in tailored pieces that fit the British style.

Above: welcoming spring and summer with bright colour combinations and bold accessories.

Can these all these three trends be mixed together? Of course they can (in moderation)! The picture on the right shows brightly-coloured shorts paired with a loose-fitting top and floral flats.

As a concluding note, British fashion is always a step ahead, sporting floral prints, bright colours, and loose-fitting tops all in a sophisticated way this summer. Planning your next vacation to England? Now you can fit right in with these top trends of the season.

All photos made on

www.polyvore.com

www.looklet.com.

British Fashion Part 2

Another trend across the ocean is loose and flowing clothing. This includes tops, tunics, skirts, and dresses. If you're feeling brave enough you can also go for wide-legged pants or trouser jeans. This trend is seen more in street style than on the runways or in the magazines.


This style segues into a top summer trend this year: boho pieces and more specifically, tribal prints. Style tip: pair one piece of loose clothing with something more fitted, like leggings, skinny jeans, or a belt to cinch your waist. You don't want to look like your clothes swallowed you. (See ideas below.)

Above: Still in the area of loose, flowing clothes are maxi dresses. I saw many people wearing these in Harrogate.

British Fashion Part 1

On a recent trip to England, I discovered a whole new world of fashion. Not only are the British extremely stylish, but they have such poise and elegance sporting their new looks. They even take the basic jeans and t-shirt up a notch. I bet they would even look good in sweatpants (not that they wear them). Over the next few posts I will be sharing with you a few trends and outfit ideas straight from the streets of Harrogate and London.

Right: From flirty dresses to dainty earrings, nothing says spring like floral patterns. What better way to welcome spring after a long, cold winter than to wear it?

Here are two ideas of how to incorporate floral into your wardrobe. Stick to one floral piece in your outfit: for example, if you have a floral skirt, pair it with a neutral-coloured top.

I'm sure you've seen them everywhere, especially since Will & Kate tied the knot a month ago: those crazy British hats. The more headpiece-style ones are called fascinators (such as the one Kate Middleton is wearing, right), while the hats are just called, well, hats. The history behind these dates back to the 18th century, when British women tied their hair in a topknot and paired it with flowers, feather, jewels, and ribbons clipped in. The styles have obviously changed since then, British women now sporting elegant hats, clips, and fascinators on special occasions.