ShinyStyle loves: Store Twenty One’s stripe summer 2011 collection
By Andrea Petrou on June 21st, 2011
Archive for the ‘Affordable Fashions’ Category
Affordable Fashions, Designer collaborations, News
H&M and Versace team up to create an affordable clothing range
By Andrea Petrou on June 21st, 2011
Versace is to collaborate with H&M.
The Italian fashion house – headed up by Donatella Versace – has teamed up with the Swedish high street brand to create a collection, which will include menswear, womenswear and homeware.
Donatella said: “I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching its wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere.”
Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M – who has masterminded collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garcons and Jimmy Choo in the past – added: “Versace is one of the most important brands of recent times and their collection for H&M will be glamorous and flamboyant – everything Versace stands for. Donatella Versace is sharing with us iconic designs from the archives. This is such a celebratory collaboration and is perfect for the party season.”
The collection will go on sale on November 17 and will be followed by a pre-spring collection that will be available online from January 19.
The news of the collaboration comes three ways after Donatella ruled out a high street diffusion.
She said: “I respect everyone who does it. But the reason I didn’t do it is because I work very hard to put the Versace line in the luxury section. I think to put the Versace line in H&M would confuse the brand.”
Affordable Fashions, Fashion Tips, Gallery
Top 5 high street playsuits
By Elisabeth on June 2nd, 2011
With the sun shining and the festival season just around the corner I’m sure you’re busy planning what clothes to bring to ensure the music and drinking experience is as stylish yet comfortable as can be.
Muddy fields and spilled drinks are a guaranteed feature of any festival, so high heels and long skirts are perhaps not the best gear for style conscious girls. That’s why we’re loving that playsuits are in fashion this summer as they go with wellies, let you sit down without having to figure out how avoid that dreaded builders bum and they look great when teamed with a denim jackets.
If you haven’t found the perfect playsuit yet, here are five from the high street that won’t break the bank – leaving you with more money to spend on organic cider!
French Connection
Affordable Fashions, Gallery, Trend Alert
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.. this cool grey slouchy t-shirt is a perfect summer buy and you can find it here.
Shiny Style loves: Lazy Oaf’s quirky summer tee designs
By emilyborrett on May 31st, 2011
Ice Cream Pocket Slob T-Shirt
It’s been a while since we last paid a visit to the Lazy Oaf site to check out their cool graphic tees and silly jewellery. As summer is upon us it’s the time to stop taking fashion seriously and invest in some bright prints and cheeky slogans – I had a good feeling that the illustration and design collective would have some new stuff worth checking out for your summer wardrobe and, guess what? They didn’t disappoint.
Take inspiration from quirky designers such as Henry Holland and Jeremy Scott this summer and get stuck into the Lazy Oaf’s bold, quirky designs. With fruit prints, crazy aztec patterns and florals all gracing the runway at the moment now is definitely not the time to be a wallflower.
We’ve put together the above gallery to show off the best of Lazy Oaf’s new tees. Check them out and let us know what you think – personally I can’t wait to get my mitts on one of their palm-tree crop tops.
Affordable Fashions, Designers, dresses, Gallery, vintage
ShinyStyle’s Best of Etsy.com: Dig For Victory
By emilyborrett on May 30th, 2011
Abstract Print Halterneck Wiggle Dress
If you’ve been reading ShinyStyle for a while now then you’ll know that we’re just as big fans of independent and one-of-a-kind fashion as we are of the great British high street. There’s nowhere better to discover new unknown talents than at Etsy, a site where people can advertise and sell their own handmade goods.
Today on Etsy.com I discovered Dig For Victory, a Brighton-based fashion label that specialises in making classic retro dresses in vintage fabrics. I couldn’t have discovered this label at a better time. It’s finally sexy to have a waist and curves again, and I think I’d like to celebrate my more generous assets with a timeless pin-up dress. Curvy girls, who’s with me?
Going all-out with a 1950s outfit can feel daunting (the first time I bought a vintage prom dress I felt like I was wearing a costume), so leave that to die-hard lovers of all things retro if you’re feeling shy. But a sexy full-skirted prom dress or tea dress doesn’t have to look old-fashioned at all – instead of teaming one with all-vintage, why not try it with some edgy heels and a tailored blazer for a look at that’s playful and sexy?
As a self-proclaimed lover of all things vintage, Dig For Victory’s classic designs drew my eye immediately. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen garments like these so beautifully and artfully constructed – the dresses are reminiscent of Christian Dior’s classic 1950′s collections. The owner of Dig For Victory, Eleanor Callaghan, should be extremely proud of the gorgeous designs that she’s making. Check out the gallery for my favourite pieces from her Etsy store.
Affordable Fashions, London street style, Style spotlight
London street style: denim jacket and pleated skirt
By Elisabeth on May 24th, 2011
On Friday our men’s style site Brandish’s editor Laura stopped by Shiny towers to say hello.
We thought Laura looked so cute in her denim/pleats combo that we decided to take a photo and share it with our readers. And best of all, most of what Laura is wearing can be found on the high street!
If you like what Laura’s wearing here’s how to copy her style:
Denim jacket, H&M, £29.99
White roll sleeve tee, Topshop, £15.00
Long pleated skirt, Urban Outfitters, £40.00
Chuck Taylor All Stars, white high-top, 
Leather bag, Roots, $268.00 CAD / approx. £170.00
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Gallery, jewelry
ShinyStyle loves: Jewellery on Asos Marketplace
By Andrea Petrou on February 4th, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Last week we gushingly wrote up the marvel that is Asos Marketplace and put up a gallery of some of our favourite pieces from the online boutique “Never Fully Dressed”. But today we’re going to look at their amazing jewellery section, which sells beautiful, ornate statement pieces that are a snip coming in at under twenty pounds. If you want to give your wardrobe a new lease of life, but aren’t particularly tempted by what’s on the high street at the moment, why not just re-vamp old outfits with some stunning new eye-catching jewellery.
If you’re a fan of grungy dressers such as the Olsens and are a bit unimpressed by the jewellery available on the high street, then Asos Marketplace is the ultimate jewellery mecca for you. Heavy metals, designer-style animal pendants and heavily bejewelled cocktail rings are all there on the site, just crying out for you to team up with your favourite LBD and some spiky heels. Not sold on the idea yet? Check out the gallery below for our favourite pieces.
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Designer Fashions, Gallery
Trend Alert: Marchesa-esque girlish romance
By Andrea Petrou on January 28th, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
I don’t know about you, but there’s been an awful lot of girls out and about in grungey, black get-ups at parties at the moment – we love our gothic lace maxis, but a teeny part of us wonders if there will be a more refreshing party look to emulate come spring. And there definitely is – this past week’s Haute Couture Week in Paris, we could see a definite theme of quirky romance, understated softness and femininity in all of the collections bar one. Sheer, draped fabrics in ice-cream shades of soft peach, off-white and pale yellow were regularly seen, as were an abundance of ruffles in nearly every party dress and more than a bit of sparkle in the form of heavy costume jewellery. It all reminded us a lot of Marchesa’s Spring 2011 collection, which was one part rich Sultan’s daughter and two parts sugarplum fairy.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a party dress as jewel-encrusted and luxurious as a Marchesa one without having to shell out the real thing, but the look is easy to emulate. Accessories such as feather capes and heavy costume jewellery can give a simple sheer dress a bit of Marchesa’s infectious joie de vivre, and if you’re feeling creative you could buy some jewels from a habadashery and add some sparkling detail to your outfit yourelf.
As the models on the runway showed us, this isn’t a trend that requires a Barbie Girl type to wear it – in fact, the Marchesa girls instead wore their hair up in an edgy bun and dark, modern makeup to balance out the girlish magic of the clothes and avoid the whole thing becoming too sickly. Check out the gallery below for pieces that can be put together for a completely beautiful Marchesa-esque party look.
At Marchesa's Spring 2011 collection, jewels, sheer draping and frills were the flavour of the day
Affordable Fashions, Gallery
How gorgeous is this shirt dress? It would look dreamy with a pair of heels or toughened up with some biker boots.
Asos Marketplace highlights: Never Fully Dressed
By Andrea Petrou on January 28th, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
We at ShinyStyle can’t quite believe that we haven’t yet written anything about the new marketplace feature on online shopping superstore Asos.com. The basis behind Asos Marketplace is similar to that of Ebay or Etsy – put up your own fashion pieces for sale, with photographs and descriptions, and see if anyone bites. The difference between Marketplace and Ebay, though, is that Marketplace doesn’t leave you scrolling through pages and pages of crap from New Look in the early noughties just to find a pair of shoes that you think are sort of okay – designed and sold by young, fashion-conscious people, absolutely every piece sold on Marketplace is fashion gold.
Today we’re going to look at the online boutique store Never Fully Dressed, which specialises in sheer, floaty pieces that manage to be both pretty and edgy at the same time. Still hankering after one of the see-through, high-necked blouses that so many London girls favour at the moment, but don’t know where to get one? Never Fully Dressed sell a gorgeous one in assorted colours for under forty pounds – bargain. The boutique is choc-a-bloc full of separates and cool basics that will be amazing new must-haves for your spring wardrobe, and look great on a night out or dressed down with leggings and boots. Check the gallery below for our favourite items.
Frank Button Frock
Affordable Fashions, award show fashion, Celebrity Style, Gallery
Mandatory Credit: Stuart Castle / WENN.com
Shiny’s new fashion crush: Chloe Moretz
By Andrea Petrou on December 16th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
There seems to be an emergence of mini-talents taking over the world at the moment – Justin Beiber is experiencing an outbreak of hysteria reminiscent of the rise of the Beatles in the 1960s, Tavi Gevinson is in the front row for every fashion show and Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” is officially the catchiest song in the world. But today we want to talk about Chloe Moretz, the tiny actress who’s proving to be one of 2010′s hottest talents, having risen to fame as the potty-mouthed Hit Girl in superhero film Kick-Ass.
And we love her look. Is this how every thirteen year old girl should dress? Probably. She’s adorable – all wide, kittenish eyes, heart-shaped face and bobbed vintage curls, stepping out to events and awards ceremonies wearing sweet, neat little tunic dresses, opaque tights and mary-jane heels. (Apparently her mum is very particular about what the tween can and can’t wear out because she’s so young, but the mary janes have the parental seal of approval.) She is like a little doll that we want to tuck under our arm and dress up.
Whether you’re 13 or 30, Chloe’s rocking a timeless, classic style that works whatever age you are. If Karl Lagerfeld’s letting her wear his designs, then you know she’s probably one to watch. Check out the gallery below for our favourite Chloe Moretz fashion moments, and where you can get similar pieces.
Leaving a London performance of "The Nutcracker" yesterday, looking doll-like in a sweet British peacoat and magenta shift dress.
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Celebrity Style, Christmas outfits, Gallery
WENN.com
Get the look: Chanel Iman
By Andrea Petrou on November 25th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
The model looked stunning last month at a gala in NYC, wearing a sequined maxi dress, headband and sultry velvet blazer. We love.
With all the upcoming parties and events that get rammed into your diary during winter, everyone has been very preoccupied what they’re going to be wearing this December. And we’ve found the one woman we should all be trying to emulate at this year’s office party – Victoria’s Secret model Chanel Iman.
Obviously, she’s stunning and all that – her mix of African and Korean roots have blessed her facially – but more importantly, she has got the party look nailed and is a walking advert for the motto that sometimes more is more. Feathers, fur, sequins, metallics and glitter; ’tis the season to pile it all on with a shovel, and have another drink.
We particularly loved the outfit that she wore to a gala in NYC last month, oozing vampy Hollywood glamour in a deep-blue velvet blazer, teamed with a sparkling headband and sequined maxi skirt. This is the way to carry the maxi-length from summer into winter.
To see some of our favourites of the supermodel’s best looks, and where you can get similar pieces online, check out the gallery above.
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, dresses, First Looks, Gallery
This on-trend cape is a chic alternative to a regular coat when wrapping up warm this winter. Fearne Cotton has one.
ShinyStyle loves: PretAPortobello.com
By Andrea Petrou on November 20th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
Goldie Fringed Camel Cape
Portobello Market has, for a long time, been an iconic site for London shopping – it’s one of the best places in the country to pick up something unique and unusual. Suits of armour, vintage postcards, old luggage, records, and most importantly, clothes. If you live in London, love vintage and one-offs and have yet to go, I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else more highly.
However, market shopping is tiring and can be a bit of a pain; especially for those of you visiting from outside the city. That’s why Shiny Style hearts the new clothing site Pretaportobello.com so much. Taking all the best boutique clothes and accessories available at Portobello and squishing them together in one lovely website, you can now shop the best of the market at a click of your mouse.
I’ve been hard at work (poor little me) searching the website to compile a shortlist of all the very best clothes and jewellery that the site has to offer, readers – and you can see the clothes in the gallery above. Everything we found is gorgeous, but ShinyStyle’s favourite is the cute sixties mini-dress with bow cuffs – the perfect cocktail dress.
Affordable Fashions, dresses, Fashion Crush, First Looks, Gallery, vintage
One to watch: River of Romansk at Etsy.com
By Andrea Petrou on October 20th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
Cast your eye back to the poetry and romance trend that we highlighted on the site recently, and then read on. Inspired by the likes of Valentino, who showed their delightfully girly and fairytale-esque creations at Paris Couture Week earlier this year, it’s not a mode of dress to be sniffed at and you don’t have to look like a model to wear it well.
The River of Romansk store on Etsy.com ticks all the right fashion boxes, using delicate and girly colours such as peach, nude and lemon in the dresses while creating dresses which sport hourglass silhouettes that Mad Men’s Joan herself would be green over. The creators of the store themselves describe their little dresses as recreating “an era of dainty loveliness; of sash and ribbons, satins and laces.. all of which are reminiscence of a time more dreamy and innocent.” They’re beautiful clothes, but one could argue that their teeny-waisted wiggle dresses are more sexy and knowing than innocent; they promise to create curves that you never knew you had and put an extra slinkiness in your step.
Major fashion points go to River of Romansk for their caramel-toned wiggle dress, which features the silhoutte of the season (womanly) and the colour of the season (camel). A modern approach to the fifties, if you will. Meanwhile, any serious shopper worth their salt would realise that the pale-yellow tea lace skater dress with the zip front is an investment worth making – why get one from Topshop that all your friends own when you can get a unique, River of Romansk original? If you don’t feel like wrapping yourself up in shearling and granny jumpers this winter, do Autumn/Winter the pretty way instead and check out the gallery above for some of our favourites from the store.
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Gallery
Umbrella Heaven: keeping out of British weather the pretty way
By Andrea Petrou on October 8th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
Fifi Umbrella in "Creme"
Summer is offically gone, the thick M&S tights and winter coats are coming out of the wardrobe and we’re all bracing ourselves for the wintery weather ahead: rain. In the UK, it rarely snows but it pours. Just the other day I was wailing and lamenting over my beautiful leather biker jacket that I wore over my head to keep my hair dry during a torrent and as a result it now looks (and smells) like it’s been chilling out at the bottom of a pond for the past five years. Weep.
For those of you that know, deep down, that it is very good common sense really to carry an umbrella with you everywhere you go come October, but just can’t quite bring yourself to be bothered enough to get one, you should take a look at the boutique umbrella company Umbrella Heaven. There’s a great array of umbrellas, from the ladylike, classic styles to the more cutesy, gimmicky ones: we particularly love the see-through parasol-style umbrella with the white lace trim, which is gonna be an adorable way to keep dry and groomed on your way to work or to a club. Also favourites of ours at Shiny Style were the the dragonfly-print umbrella, which is a statement in itself, and the lovely girly “Daisy” umbrella. Check the gallery above to see the best from the site.
Accessories, Affordable Fashions, Fashion Crush, First Looks, Gallery
Shiny Style loves: Adorable bespoke charms and jewellery from Cat Bear Express
By Andrea Petrou on September 28th, 2010
By Emily Borrett.
Sweet Pink Macaroon And Ribbon Necklace
I’d like to see the girl that won’t want to “ooh” and “aah” over the adorable handmade jewellery from Cat Bear Express. Even the hardest of girls wouldn’t be able to turn down the necklaces, rings and charms in the shape of itty-bitty cakes, ice creams, sweets and little animals, which look lickable and good enough to eat. I actually had to eat something sugary whilst looking through Cat Bear Express’ online Etsy store.
If you’re really just not that into the whole tough leather and lace look, or just want to let the world know how much you love food with smiley faces and cute little animals, you can’t do much better than this jewellery shop. It’s perfect present material for a friend or girly relative, and items can be made bespoke on request to make the jewellery personal. It was hard to select some favourites from the shop as I love everything (as you can tell from the gallery above) but I especially loved the pink macaroon necklace and the marshmallow bracelet.
I suddenly feel a passion for charm bracelets coming on…
From:Debenhams show us how to avoid tanning disasters this year