Graduation is coming up!  

Now, my graduation outfit is very restricted in terms of what is actually allowed.  It must be black trousers and a white shirt.  SO MUCH CHOICE!  Not.  But, as a fashion student I have to funk it up a bit.  So I thought…what can I wear that will jazz my outfit up but not cost me obscene amounts of money since I am poor, as per.  ACCESSORIES!  A tie!  Perfect?  That’s what I thought until I saw the huge amounts of choice available at the moment and now I am stuck again.  As an employee of Arcadia I have really been looking at Burton Menswear and Topman in order to get my discount (hey hey!  Forever living the poor life.)  I have picked out a few of the most eye-catching and most ‘me’ ties.  I think these are the perfect way to spice up an otherwise plain outfit, so guys whom are graduation this year (or just guys looking to spice up a smart outfit) take note!

I am a sucker for florals (like I am sure you will see with the next few posts) and these two are perfect for me.  The first is the lighter of the two, perhaps not as smart as the other however the contrast between the pinks and blues is really cute, its really summery and its really now and this appeals to me personally.  Plus, blue brings out my eyes.  Always a bonus right?  The other, is an instant eye-catcher.  The obvious contrast between the pink and the black is so strong and this makes the pattern pop just that bit more.  This pattern is not exactly alien to Topman as they released a stunning backpack last year with the same pattern (that I had to buy, it was in the sale okay…)

But I do also have to remember that this is a very important occasion and maybe a pattern like the above is a bit much.  Burton have an impressive range of textured ties.  This flecked appearance removes it from the same barrier as your traditional ties but also in keeps with a more traditional look.  Burton’s website stocks three colours; grey, navy and purple.

And plain doesn’t HAVE to mean boring.  Its not all black and grey and weird striped patterns now.  Topman especially have some really vibrant shades that can certainly appear eye-catching.  The ranges come in lilac, rich blues and red.  By adopting one of these colour popping ties it can really draw attention and take a potentially drab outfit and allow personality to shine through.

There we have it, a small post on some of the current ranges of high street ties.  I know which one I will be going for now (I think - maybe).  Keep an eye out for more from High Street Hunting.

So followers, any requests as to trends that you want to see?

Now I wanted to do something different for my return post.  So I had a wee scope around my wardrobe and just had to talk about my favourite item and well, the brand that I keep up with the most.  And that is Abandon Ship Apparel.  Abandon Ship Apparel (ASA for short) are an east Glasgow based company formed a mere two years ago in 2011; the brand was created by two lads whom both had the same vision and saw a gap in the market place for clean, cool designs and that is certainly what ASA brings.  I heard of them probably about the middle of last year, but as a poor student I was gripping my last remaining coppers for that illusive night out or for one of those amazing pretzels they sell in town – anyway, that’s not the point – I was saving up, and waiting for something amazing.  I saw design after design come and go and some designs that I really liked such as the cosmic inverted cross and well, anything to do with an inverted cross.  But a wee while ago they launched this satanic kitten t-shirt and that was that.  I was in love.  Now, if you know me personally then you know that I have an unnatural obsession with cats.  I love them, they are fluffy and cute and cuddly (apart from my cat whom seems to hate humans).  Anyway, as soon as I saw this t-shirt I knew I had to have it.  The print is certainly something that makes it a statement piece, plus kittens = cute, and since they have inverted crosses then…they are cute AND evil, so when my birthday came around I bought it.

I had reservations, I have bought all over print t-shirts from the high street before and after one wash they fade and then they fade some more and more till it looks pure crap, but so far the design has held good!  And further to this, some printed t-shirts have that weird texture, like an additional thickness and with this comes a more rigid feel and fit, however this t-shirt is just as soft as a plain tee – the printing process really attributes to this.  And finally, the fit.  Oh my god the fit!  I am relatively tall, but I am also slim so it is so hard for me to get t-shirts that fit perfectly and this honestly is the best fit I have ever had in a t-shirt.  It fits perfectly around the chest and the length is amazing and doesn’t detract from the slim look that it creates.  Seriously, if you haven’t checked out this brand it is well worth a look; they stock some amazing stuff and look to be growing even bigger!  They stock a variety of products including crop tops, bobble hats (with the quirky ‘fuck you buddy’ motif), leggings, t-shirts, and more.  

Check out their site here;

http://www.abandonshipapparel.com/

Alongside your peplum tops you get your peplum skirts.  I personally feel that the peplum top is much stronger and that their is much more variety, but it is still a huge trend at the moment so buckle up for your skirt overview.

As previously stated the peplum is designed to boost the female figure by narrowing the waist and giving a full hourglass figure.

Again I looked at Dorothy Perkins, Republic, Topshop, Warehouse and Miss Selfridge, but this time threw in River Island for some good measure as the majority of the sites all stocked very similar pieces.

River Island have embraced one of the most exciting trends for A/W with this peplum effort;the leather look.  Leather looks to be big with the emphasis on a gothic and rock chick look - which is fine by me, I have always loved the rock and edgy vibe that comes with studs, spikes, leather, skulls and all that.  River Island have brought this long pencil skirt and added a statement leather look peplum to really make it stand out.  This would be something that I’d recommend more as stylish work-wear.  Team with a white sleeveless shirt with some statement jewellery possibly something from Topshop involving crosses, finish with a small pair of heels and a bag.  A great, edgy work look.

Keeping it gothic is this Topshop effort, that I just had to pick as it gives a real nod to the gothic trend with the repetitive cross pattern and is also finished in one of the top forecasted colours ‘Oxblood.’  This skirt is definitely designed with a night out in mind due to the length, colour and pattern.  Finish the look with a pair of killer heels, a plain black sleeveless top and some similar cross jewellery which shouldn’t be too hard to find in Topshop.

Republic keep up the night out look with this mini peplum skirt.  The shorter length will appeal to the younger market.  When it comes to styling up this piece it is pretty simple, unlike many of the other options you are working with a relatively blank canvas.  You can team this with a bright, vibrant patterned top for a fun going-out piece, or go more demure with a plain neutral option to create a classy look.

For something even girlier (yes, I know thats not a word, but I think I am over using ‘feminine’) you can go for this Miss Selfridge number which benefits from its elastic waist and relative stretchiness but mainly from its cute, nude colouring.  Nude has been a pretty much on-trend colour for a good while now, and is easily wearable.  Throw on a white top sleeveless top to continue the pale palette or spice it up a little with a body-suit for a statement night-out piece.

Warehouse embrace the cutesy, feminine lace trend with this peplum skirt.  Warehouse have paired the piece with a black vest top to not distract from the intricate lace detailing.  Team with a blazer and statement jewellery for a really standout piece.

Dorothy Perkins brought out this peplum skirt with bow belt a short while ago, and its proved to be quite a popular choice in-store.  The length lends itself easily to an office environment or a more…sophisticated night out that my usual ventures!  Dorothy Perkins recommends teaming the skirt with the pink version of the white top from DPs in the previous post, but I think that that might be a little bit of a peplum overkill, so I’d say to go for something a little safer like one of the pussy bow shirts that DPs does so well.  The bow belt is cute and adds to the whole look that Dorothy Perkins is currently going for with the Mademoiselle trend set which aims to be cute, feminine and draw inspiration from french culture and all that.

So thats that for the Peplum skirt, visit any of the sites for more options and information!  Stay tuned in the next few days for my final post on the peplum trend…the peplum dress!

Peplum, definitely a name you should all have been hearing over this late Spring/Summer period and a name that looks to be here to stay for the foreseeable future.  I am going to do this in three parts because - much like the military chic - there is a lot more choice than I expected.  Peplums are great to give a slim and chic female silhouette.  The over extension of the peplum gives the illusion of a narrower waist (and really extenuates your curves to give a lovely hourglass figure) so this is proving to be a popular piece for women of all ages and sizes.

First up we have the tops.  I have looked at five of the biggest high street retailers; Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and Republic; and picked out some of the most eye-catching and relevant pieces, so…lets get crack-a-lacking!

We have this stunner from Dorothy Perkins; the same top but different colours.  This top is perfectly versatile.  On one hand you could wear it for work due to the simplicity and   colour scheme, or you could jazz it up with some accessories for a wee night out.  It just depends on what you wear it with.  This top has proved popular in the Dorothy Perkins department at work, or at least many people have tried it on.  I find that the thick black band around the waist seperates this piece from many of the plainer options offered on the high street and gives it a bit of a more fashionable edge.  The top also comes in a pale pink variety which can lend itself to both casual and formal wear, however the white is my personal preference.

Topshop has embraced this trend too (surprise, surprise) and they have brought out a good few options.  Firstly we have this, just a plain peplum top.  It comes in red, (seen above) navy, white and black; each can lend themselves to different circumstances and occasions.  I feel that this is a cute way to show the style without an emphasis on pattern or detailing.  The ribbed effect does give it that little something to make is stand out from just a plain, flat material.  The capped sleeve also - to me - gives it a really fun, structured edge with a slight nod back to ye old days.

Embellishment has been a key trend over the past wee while and looks to continue on into the A/W season.  Topshop has caught onto this trend and the peplum craze to create the perfect going out piece that requires minimal effort in creating an eye-catching outfit all you effectively have to do is team with a pair of leigh black skinnies and heels and ta-da you have a great night-out piece.  The panelled effect is also reminiscent of the recent scuba trend led on by Cheryl Cole’s yellow number (Cheryl is also a fan of Peplum, that wee fashionista!)

Warehouse have brought in this cut out detail peplum top, which benefits from having a great glossy feel and a really structured look to it.  The detailing of the cutout design lends it more freely to a night-out/dressy situation than some of the other tops detailed here.  The top also benefits from a plunged back to enhance the natural shape of the wearer.  Warehouse currently have a great crop of denim in a variety of colours; I’d recommend the rose or the grey which will pop against the black of the top.

Miss Selfridge has definitely caught on with the lace trend with this stunning top.  The use of contrasting colours makes for a real eye-catching piece and gives more emphasis on a very feminine look (if the slimmer silhouette is not enough for you!)  Team with black skinnies and if you are feeling adventurous throw one of those beaded collars on the top to really glam it up.

Republic has really dived head-first into the A/W trends with this pretty little dogtooth number.  Brands like Dorothy Perkins have released their own dogtooth pieces in the past few weeks and the ever inspiring Henry Holland has brought out his new range which is full of his signature bright colours and thats right, you guessed it…the dogtooth pattern!  When wearing a pattern as busy as this its important to keep the rest of your outfit neutral so team with a pair of black skinnies or a black pencil skirt for a work look.

Each of these brands have an extensive range of peplum tops that I simply don’t have the time to talk about, ranging from leather-look (which is stunning, and Republic I think?) to galaxy print, to sequinned.  A real statement and feminine piece and something I can foresee gaining in popularity with Christmas and the Christmas parties approaching rapidly.

Denim shirts are still going!  Kicking it old school.  I love a good denim shirt, they are definitely one of my favourite things, although I rarely suit them I can’t help but admire them at a distance.  Topman and Burton have both recently advertised their latest denim collection; Topman a few weeks ago on their website with a trend alert feature, and Burton with basically all of their promotional material at the moment.  I have picked out four of my favourite denim shirts in both Topman and Burton at the moment to just give you a wee talk through and some style tips.

This one belongs to Burton, the ‘lost soul grey denim shirt’ goes perfectly with a pair of berry chinos. (which Burton are really pushing at the moment)  This A/W we are going to be greeted with a much more muted palette than summer, drastically different actually.  We will be wearing navys, greys, blacks - some real dark colours with some mustard, burgundy,burnt oranges thrown in for good measure.  So a shirt like this could be a good purchase for your winter nights out.  The shirt itself is also quick think compared to the usual lightweight shirts that have been surfacing around Burton over the last year which will be a great thing for me (if I buy it) because Aberdeen is bloomin’ freezing over the winter period, like so cold that I wear long johns, thats right you heard it here first.  The contrast white buttons make it an easy to dress outfit; go with some white plimsoles for a trendy smart-casual look.

This is my favourite!  We recently got it in at work and I have fallen in love with it.  It is really light weight, its a lovely shade of blue and when I look at it I get some 90s vibes and I just love that about it.  Heritage is a big theme for this A/W and this shirt can deliver that sort of country-chic feel, granted you don’t see much country bumpkins clad in a lovely denim shirt, but the shade of blue used and the buttons (I swear everything I had as a child had these buttons) make for a really great piece.  A shirt like this is great for layering also.  Burton has recently brought in a large line of knits with shoulder patches and this blue really stands out under some of the more unusual colours like the burnt orange, as well as looking very comfortable alongside the novelty knits that are creeping back into stores.

Topman then bring out this western denim, a real nice vintage wash with these two pockets which again brings me back to ye old days and some of the images I’ve seen of guys in the 90s and whatnot with their double denim.  Topman recommends a tribal t-shirt and orange contrast shorts, which granted would look pretty stylish in the summer months, but now we are sliding into winter I’d say throw on a pair of black skinny jeans and a bang on-trend chunky knit in either grey or burgundy.  

Finally we have the blue swallow print denim.  Cast your mind back a few days and you may remember a post about some printed polos/shirts and the swallow print cropped up then also (if not simply click menswear at the top of the page and scroll down a wee bit, maybe onto the next page.)  Swallow print has been dominating the Topman range recently; we have seen the polo shirt, the short sleeved shirt and I have probably blabbed on about the sweatshirt version too, but this denim shirt is pretty funky and would look great as a piece for layering.  The swallow pattern occupies the front of the shirt only, which makes the whole deal much easier on the eyes than many of the vibrant printed shirts that Topman is churning out at the moment.  I would say that you could wear this shirt with a variety of bottoms, whether it be chinos or denim, it can be teamed to create a really eye-catching piece.

Layering is important for A/W, and with the gradually shrinking temperatures I’d say that a denim shirt is a pretty sweet way or adding a touch of style to your layers of t-shirts, coats and cardis. And if you don’t want to layer up, then each of these would look top notch on their own, just team them with some chinos or skinny jeans and you have an easy-to-wear night out option.

For more choices and information etc. head over to Topman.com and Burton.co.uk