Fashion Bites for the Fashion Conscious

The Shred-Factor

2011-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

So, antifashion has become fashion. Cut off denim shorts, laddered tights, and Doctor Martens: Grunge is back. And I must say it’s very very welcome. My purse contains very few pennies at the moment, and it seems to be that it is at times like this that I open my wardrobe only to feel completely uninspired. Clothes make me happy, being skint makes me unhappy. And screw Smarties, only ‘trashion’ has the answer to this stale wardrobe predicament. As well as being easy to wear, I welcome this revival in grunge fashion for one main reason: it is so easy to replicate. Not only is it easy to create this style using not much other than your own bare hands, it is also extremely cheap.

This trend doesn’t call for trips to designer clothes shops, or any shops for that matter. Simply open your wardrobe and pick out anything that you haven’t worn in a while. Whilst trashion has been adopted by designers and high street stores alike, the essence of the trend can be retained by following some simple DIY projects. Shredding is the best way of reviving and updating old tops, leggings and pretty much anything of a fabric nature. The wonderful thing about shredding is that the very nature of the style means that a designer look can be created by even the most unskilled seamstress. You don’t need delicate fingers or a careful eye; even the most heavy handed can create a perfect shredded garment.

Take this top below for example (Bassike shredded effect tank top). It is hard to believe that something that looks like it was worn by Little Red Riding Hood in her fight with the Big Bad Wolf could warrant the wopping price of £385. And it really is simple to create this look at home.

There’s a multitude of tutorials online to create this look which will offer variations on how to create different effects, but once you get started you’ll probably find your own comfortable way of trashing that never worn top. One warning though: it requires patience! Lots and lots of patience! But if your patience does start to slip and you find yourself becoming frustrated don’t fear! Ripping holes in the fabric only adds to the charm! So follow these extremely simple steps to shred your way to a truly trashtabulous top...

Step 1-
Cut the hem off your top

Step 2-
Using a pin, or a stitch picker, or even a pair of scissors (anything small and sharp will do) pick the first few rows of fibre from the cut bottom of the garment. These first few fibres will break.

Step 3-
Stretching the fabric, use your fingers to pull the fibre away from the fabric.
Continue doing this until you have the desired length of ladder. If the fabric gets to a point where it won’t ladder any more, but you want the ladder to continue, just stretch it a bit further and break more fibres at the end of the ladder.
Continue starting ladders from around the bottom of the fabric (or you can even shred a whole garment)

If you want to start a new ladder part way up the garment, just attack it with a pin until the fibres break, stretch the fabric sideways, and shred with your fingers as before.

I tend to trim the top of the top as well, but don’t shred all the way to the edge to retain as much shape as possible.
If your top has sleeves, you could choose to leave them intact, or even shred them completely.

The more holes and irregularities the better! It’s the randomness of this process that gives it the true essence of Kurt Cobain meets the cast of ‘My So-Called Life’ meets just being plain 90s awesomeness!

Smells Like Teen Spirit

2011-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

Pleats pleats pleats

2011-05-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Pleats are back on the street! Whether teemed with suede and tailoring (such as the cropped trouser), or floaty, long and sheer, the pleat is definetely back in town. In my book, anything in the combination of sheer pleats and big black boots is a good look, though I have been debating snapping up this amazing pair of tailored suede pleated trousers by asos (the onyl reason I haven't decided yet is because I have a slight love/hate affair with my very skinny akles!) and combining them with a loose black vest top and khaki blocked heels. The tobacco colour and perfect pleat are making it hard to resist! High-street shops which are fabulous for this current trend are Topshop, Asos and H&M.

Topshop Black Pleated Trousers

Asos Cropped Trousers

Pleats & Tribal

2011-05-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Pleats by lexy88 featuring a cropped sweater

Night Fever

2011-04-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

The 70's are making a comeback, and they're doing so with a vengeance! I've always loved this decade and have fond memories of watching That 70's Show, oggling Jackie's (Mila Kunis) and Donna's (Laura Prepon) fabulous outfits.

Lately I’ve been going crazy for anything with fringing and suede, crochet knitwear and wide-legged jumpsuits (who can forget those fringed trousers by Cavalli?!). But if you, like me, don't have thousands of pounds to spend and you're looking for inspiration on the current trend, H&M is the place to go. The shop and magazine's take on the classic boho look is one that's definetely worth checking out. With animal print jump-suits, suede shorts and sequinned jackets, the store ticks all the right boxes for the upcoming season. However, one of my absolute favourites (but oh-so-expensive!) has to be this sequinned jumpsuit by Reiss, which adds a modern-day twist on 70's glam and makes me feel like heading to the rollerdisco and bust out some moves whilst listening to Saturday Night Fever!

Elisa Sednaoui wearing Cavalli's fringed trousers in Elle Italia (Feb/11), Sequinned jacket and suede shorts by H&M (H&M magazine spring/11), Sequinned jumpsuit by Reiss via ASOS

Wedges

2011-04-19T15:19:00.001-07:00

Wedges by lexy88 featuring mary jane shoes

Flares and Wedges

2011-04-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

70's throwback? by lexy88 featuring glass shades

That 70's Show

2011-04-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

Mila Kunis, Bianca Jagger via andyourbird-cansing.blogspot.com, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix from the book The Seventies, 10 Jaar Pophistorie, Amanda Seyfried in Marie-Claire UK (Apr/11)

Spring Proof

2011-04-16T04:58:00.000-07:00

First try by lexy88 featuring leather jackets

Springtime

2011-04-12T03:56:00.000-07:00

Spring has come. Yay! This is my favourite time of year. Not only because your breath no longer descends from your mouth in clouds, or because the trees are blossoming, or because it becomes acceptable to order a frappucino (although the latter does make me very content!).. it is especially my favourite time of year to wear fashion. The light breeze and temperature hovering around 17 degrees (at least here in Europe), makes spring every fashionistas friend. No longer do we have to cover up with 3 pairs of tights and jackets that make the Michelin man look skinny, neither is it so hot that even the thought of wearing anything other than tiny crop tops makes sweat drop from your brow. Spring is the perfect time for floaty dresses matched with big boots and light jackets (waterproof preferably!), and in my wardrobe, elegance meets grunge spring /11.

Vero Moda Cut-Back Dress by ASOS, Topshop Chiffon Smock, Topshop Mesh Maxi, Office Tiziri Sandals, Wheels & Dollbaby Singlet Dress by ASOS