Shoe shop gone wrong

On Monday I am very excited to announce that I will be starting a new job as an online merchandiser. It is my first 'real job' since graduating and by that I mean 9-5,inside a real office building. I have previously worked freelance from home as well as for small start-ups.

Today I decided that I would need a pair of new shoes, to make the right impression of course! The dress code is smart-casual however I'm not sure this stretches to a pair of Birkenstocks - much to my disappointment. 

I made a good start focusing myself, repeating the word 'footwear' so as to not be distracted with all the shiny offerings. It went well, for a time. 

Spotted these in New Look straight away and thought they were perfect but at £65 I feel it's a little pricey for the brand - what do you think? 

Then it all went very wrong. Miss Selfridge is always my downfall. For many, many years now it is like they are in my head as far as style is concerned. I always find something that I like and that seems to fit perfectly to my shape. 

Within about five minutes I was in the changing room with three items. Oops. 

Well I do need some work clothes! The two dresses I tried first although they are both similar in shape, both with 90s style necklines, they give such different feels and could easily be worn for days, work or evenings. 

90s Geo Printed Midi Dress - £25

Salt and Pepper 90s Dress - £18

Then came the jumpsuit. I have tried on so many jumpsuits and dungarees and they NEVER fit. My top is a size 8 whilst the bottom is a 10 so I have to opt for a bit of boob falling out or to be nearly sliced in half underneath - sorry to be so graphic! This one fit! Perfectly! Some kind of Miss Selfridge magic!? I found after I went to the till to purchase that I had accidentally picked up a petite size. Is never considered trying this at 5'6" but apparently this worked - brilliant! It has great double strap detailing too. 

Petites Black Strappy Jumpsuit - £42

So finding that I has mistakenly spent pretty much all of my money I then just wandered to Topshop and River Island for a browse. These were the best I saw, most completely not office appropriate! 

Unsuccessful yet successful shopping trip!

S. x

 p.s. I will be doing a summer shoe dedicated post very soon\

Fashion Flashback

Super, bold 90s style is having a comeback so, if you don't remember 'Clarissa Explains It All' you really need to check it out for some 90s style inspiration.. 

Style Icon Sunday #001

Okay so I am aware that my choice for The Styling Forecasts first #StyleIconSunday post is a little.. well let's be honest.. obvious! But I don't care. 

Since I was a little girl I remember being in awe of Kate and that has failed to dissipate. She manages to keep her own style whilst remaining current and lets be honest she's managed to do this whilst having a bloody good time.

So, how do you get Kates style?

Although she can glam up with the best of them Kate is known for her casual relaxed style. To emulate her casual, cool look a par of denim jeans are essential. We like this pair from Dorothy Perkins, but I would roll them up a little at the bottom to keep them current.

Bleach High Waisted Skinny Jean - Dorothy Perkins - £28

A structured blazer has been another Kate staple throughout the years. I wanted to keep the colours cool for Spring Summer, however, in Winter a black blazer will work. The first one, from Oasis, is really more in keeping with the casual style but I really loved this one I came across at Forever 21, it is unbelievably, somehow only £14.75 so it would be rude not to really.

Seamed Ponte Jacket - Oasis - £40

Boho Moment Blazer - Forever 21 - £14.75

Pair these two with a neutral top in grey, white, black or a soft, pale blue. Accessories are always minimal, hats and bags tend to be her key go to items rather than jewellery. If you go for a plain, light coloured jacket then choose a bold bag - we like this leopard print one from ikrush, absolute bargain at £9.99, and a nod to the leopard print coats Kate is often seen wearing. If the jacket you choose is printed then a neon yellow clutch would work instead.

Black Felt Fedora - Miss Selfridge - £25

Anesu Dark Leopard Print Clutch Bag - ikrush - £9.99

S. x

*All opinions and views mentioned on TheStylingForecast are my own (Sarah Hill) and they are mentioned for information, enjoyment and reviewing purposes only. 

I Want To Be Beyond Retro at Glasto

So today I got enough money to give to my sister to look after for payment of my Glasto ticket - feels good! Now I get to think about saving money towards an outfit which I obviously find much more enjoyable..

I've been having a little explore on Beyond Retro and have already picked out an outfit I'm a little bit in love with... it screams summer and is actually practical - even a swimming costume incase of rain and mud, mum would be proud!

I went for a 90s summer floral vibe and I was thinking back to when I was a 90s kid and those cut out clothes for dolls! 

I love the ease of the swimming costume with jeans over - no worries about a dress blowing up so you can fully relax. The trainers give height but again still with comfort! and what fest. outfit would be complete without a bumbag and some sunnies!

Click the images to shop - but hurry up before I get them all! 

All items are available from www.beyondretro.co.uk

S. x

*All opinions and views mentioned on TheStylingForecast are my own (Sarah Hill) and they are mentioned for information, enjoyment and reviewing purposes only. 

Blow me!..

..is what I said to myself walking out of the Isabella Blow exhibition at Somerset House. The exhibition was not only a showcase of her personal style but also of her ability to spot and nurture new talent and the obvious friendships built out of this. It was an emotional exhibition spanning her life from her birth into the aristocratic Delves Broughton family to her untimely death at her own hands.

Doddington Hall, the home that Blow was born into.

This is a must-see for anyone interested in the fashion industry or the creative arts. Unfortunately the exhibition at Somerset House has now closed but one can only hope that this exhibition will tour the world. Blow had global fashion influence and was a key 20th century figure in the industry it seems only right that the exhibition travels.

"I do historical research, I find unbalanced people, I choose photographers and places to shoot them."

Blow.

This quote sets the tone for whole exhibition. Picking up on four key aspects of Blows life, her family history and the life she almost had, her own issues with mental health, and the way her life and her story were an inspiration for the artists and designers around her whilst she also found mutual inspiration in them.

When you enter the exhibition, you are faced with the haunting silhouette of Blow in front of you. It is a piece created by Tim Noble and Sue Webster that usually resides in the National Portrait Gallery. Formed using objects relevant to Blows life such as a stuffed woodcock, lipstick and a Manolo Blahnik heel. It immediately creates the presence of Blow and this is something that is felt throughout the exhibition.

Unlike other retrospective exhibitions, that focus on an artist or designers work, this is personal. You get to know Blow from birth, through career, life and death and the emotion builds until you are faced with a final video. This is of Alexander McQueens 2008 collection 'Le Dame Bleue'. McQueen and milliner, Philip Treacy were both discovered by Blow and their work is heavily featured throughout the exhibition. They collaborated within the collection as a tribute, not to a colleague, but to a friend.

Polaroids taken by Blow. 

A piece from McQueens '96 'Dante' collection.

There is so much more that could be said about the exhibition but I feel that this was something that should be seen and felt in person. I've got my fingers crossed the exhibition travels for you!

S. x

Back To The 90s

 I have personally always had a nineties crush. Born in the mid eighties I have fond childhood memories of the era, discovering music and creating radio stations and my first discovery of fashion - i distinctly remember a teenage plaid skirt obsession, wearing a dark green and black one in this picture!

Plaid, and the grunge style of the nineties, was a look that was much favoured by Mary-Kate Olsen in recent years.

Gladiator sandal boots are an optional extra, on trend in 2010, personally I'd switch these for a pair of dm's.

Anyway, as you can imagine, my love for the era means that I am thoroughly pleased that the nineties were having an on trend moment in 2012 and am hoping this continues well into spring / summer 2013.

Opening Ceremony's collaboration with DKNY, launching tomorrow, is a promising indicator that this trend is not going to stop anytime soon.

The collection will reintroduce a small selection of nineties archived piece. My favourite is this cropped puffer jacket with logo. (£425) 

Fronted by 'girl of the moment' Cara Delevingne. I am particularly loving the Gwen Stefani, No Doubt period, inspired hair. 

Here are some items that I'd be grabbing to wear now to create a nineties grunge look:

Victoria Roll Neck Sleeveless Crop Top

From: Boohoo

£5! (Bargain!)

Burgundy Tank Midi Dress

From: Topshop

£29

(I was very happy to have received this for Christmas)

Wildfox Cross Drop Ear Cuff & Stud

From: Asos

£24

BA&SH Dropped Waist Shirt Dress

From: Asos

£81.50

Gold Tone Cross Necklace

From: River Island

£6

Throw in some band tees - think Pearl Jam / Nirvana and some chunky heeled black boots and your ready!