dressing appropriately

Although I write about a variety of different things on my blog, this post is a little more personal than usual and is, somewhat, mixed in subject matter. It is 50% about my holiday and 50% about how I dress for things which sounds vague and a little pointless but, stay with me and all will become clear...

When I was younger, and a lot less confident than I am now (mainly during the latter of my teenage years 15-19), I struggled to dress for occasions. By this, I mean, I had a set few items of clothes I limited myself to and that I felt comfortable in and unfortunately it became a one-outfit-fits-all-occasions kind of situation. I mostly wore leggings, a dress of a certain length, a cardigan and ballet pumps because that is how I thought I looked best. When summer came I didn't lose the cardigan or the leggings so I was crazily hot. A terribly embarrassing example of this occurred while I was away on holiday one year in Spain. I must have been about about 15 and we were spending the day on the beach. I remember being sat under an umbrella in a maxi dress with a cardigan on and under my maxi dress I had on a pair of leggings! It was the middle of August and the weather must've been 30 degrees Celsius (or more) and I was feeling so hot, I almost felt sick. I wanted to be in my swimwear like everyone else and go and swim in the sea but I didn't have the confidence so instead I just put up with the heat and it was a miserable day and needless to say, I must've looked ridiculous. Looking back on this makes me feel annoyed and sorry for my old self but also happy to be in a better place. 

Things weren't much different when the winter came, I hated how boots made my legs look short so, once again, I used to wear pumps and freeze my feet off (even when it was practically snowing I didn't let up). Autumn and Spring were easier months because they were less radical but throughout the rest of year, I always felt fed up with how I looked and felt. In scenarios where casual clothes (jeans, t-shirt, trainers etc) were appropriate I would stand out and when things were more dressed up, I could make my outfit a little more dressy but still, I felt bored by it.  

I've loved fashion since I can remember so restricting myself so much was frustrating and pretty crappy. Then I reached an age where things seemed to change and I gained a better perspective of things. This change probably began when I first read Gabi Gregg's blog Gabi Fresh (which was then called Young, Fat and Fabulous). I began wearing season/weather/situation appropriate clothing and from this, I started enjoying things a little more.

As I said at the start of this post, the point of this wasn't just about my confidence in the past, it was also, somewhat, about the holiday I just got back from (which actually prompted me to write this). Whilst I was away this Easter in the French Alps, I realised that I was actually wearing appropriate clothing that I felt happy in. I found it funny when I thought back to how I would've dressed had my 16 year old self come instead of my 22 year old self. It just felt like a bit of progress that for some reason, I decided I wanted to share! Although I didn't get any decent photos of my outfits on my DSLR I got some pretty good ones on my phone that I shared on Instagram (follow me @hheartsfashion) so I decided to share them on here as well. Don't get me wrong, my outfits aren't amazing and my make-up and hair were low key but that's the whole point, I guess. 

Anyway, if you made this far, thanks. This was a slightly longer post than usual but hopefully it was worth the read!

Please let me know your thoughts and feel free to share any similar experiences or comment about the craziness of me wearing leggings on a beach!

s/s 15 menswear style guide

It's seems to be rare to find people discussing men's fashion online and when they do, it seems to focus more on high-end fashion as opposed to high-street. Where are all the high-street fashion blogs for men? Anyway, I've been desperate to discuss menswear ever since I started my blog in 2010 so I decided I'd start by creating my first spring/summer style guide. I've done lots of style guides for women's fashion over the years but I've decided to try my hand at men's fashion and, luckily, I managed to rope my brother into helping me create a mini lookbook. His outfit was inspired by the upcoming trends for spring and summer, focusing on the French Riviera vibe that seems to be in at the moment.

Sourced from Google (Left: Christopher Kane, Right: Cavalera)  

Trend one: accessories

The great thing about accessories is that they enable outfits to be more versatile and, I always think, have the ability to make a plain outfit a bit more fashionable

Think:

Pocket squares, summer scarves, braces and sunglasses. All seeming to have a retro vibe to them, particularly the 70s which is on trend right across the board at the moment. There seems to be a lot of quirky and garish prints being styled up with tonal or quite simple outfits (see the accessories used in the images above).

Sourced from Google (Kate Eary)

Trend two: the seventies

I briefly touched upon this in the trend above but 70s fashion is everywhere at the moment. In the last few years, 90s fashion made a huge come back but as it's very inspired by 70s, it was only logical for the 70s to get the spotlight.  

Think: 

Large open collared shirts, vivid hallucinatory patterns, large patterned silk scarves and over-sized garments for a laid-back hippy style.

Sourced from Google

Trend three: sporty vibe

The sports vibe for s/ is to menswear, what floral prints and pastel colours are to women's. It's a standard trend for that season and although it isn't ground breaking but this trend will have always been, somewhat, reinvented. The term 'sporty vibe' is inclusive of almost every sport from sailing to polo to skating so this trend is extremely versatile. The skater look we saw in Bobby Abley's collection for s/s works well with the 70s trend, whereas the polo look is more suited to a preppy vibe and could fit in well with the accessories trend and the stripes. I decided to use this trend (combining the polo and sailing look for a French Riviera look - scroll down to see more) for my lookbook. 

Think:

Anything from rolled up chinos, deck shoes, skater shoes to board shorts.

Sourced from Google (L: Craig Green, R: E.Tautz)

Trend four: outerwear

Whether it's men's fashion or women's, the spring/summer coat is going to be very popular this season. More so for the spring because it's unlikely many people will take a coat with them on their beach getaway. There is an abundance of lightweight jackets and coats on the high-street at the moment that are perfect for chucking over a pair of shorts and a shirt to keep you warm as well as in style. From a practical viewpoint, the s/s coat will also be a fantastic transition piece from Summer into Autumn so don't be worried that you'll only get one seasons worth out of it!

Think:

Over-sized, drapey, long, tonal.

Sourced from Google (L: J Crew, R: E.Tautz)

Trend five: stripes

Stripes are a big trend for the upcoming season and I'm not just talking about Breton tops. The great thing about this trend is that it's versatile so everyone should be able to find a way to make it work for them.

Think:

Pinstripes, colourful stripes, wide/thin stripes, striped suits, tops, trousers, jackets and pretty much whatever else you can think of that has stripes.

Mini Lookbook

As mentioned at the start of this post, I got my brother to create a mini lookbook with me and we chose to go with a French Riviera theme. This included some of the trends that are mentioned above (turned up chinos, sporty/sailing vibe with the deck shoes, striped shirt). 

As you'll notice in the pictures, the outfit wasn't shot on the most beautiful French Rivera-esque day. Instead it was chilly, overcast and the sea was rough (so just a normal British day in March really!) but strangely I think the weather added something to photos. However, I'd advise that until the weather picks upm you should probably think about wearing a coat if you venture out on a day like this, Maybe a nice navy duffle coat would have complimented this outfit well!

What he wore:

Chinos - Polistas @ House of Fraser  (find them here)

Shirt - H&M (see similar here)

Deck shoes - Clarks (see similar here)

Let me know what you think of the look above!

Would you like to see more menswear features here?

What's your favourite menswear trend for Spring/Summer'15?

*

purple jeans

Two posts in one week. Who knew I had it in me.

I decided to make the most out of being home, having a photographer and, for a change, actually having some new additions to my wardrobe to show you. In these pictures are the jeans I mentioned in my last post. They are purple acid wash they have a big rip in one of the knees and are the comfiest jeans I've owned. Because I am not particularly tall, everything from ASOS is usually too long so I have to roll these jeans up but I like the length of ankle grazers on me so it works out quite well. Yesterday I decided to team them with a tucked in cami vest and my long grey cardigan that is perfect for the in between seasons. Spring has started to appear in the last week or so and in a couple of weeks, I will hopefully be ditching my coat in favour of cardigans, jumpers and the odd scarf. As much as I've loved my parka, I am ready to put it away for a bit. 

In these pictures I am holding my ASOS magazine, This isn't sponsored by them (I wish!), I just happen to be a little in love. The magazine is great for upcoming trends, inspiration and is actually a good read. The cover girl is usually a bit out there compared to other more popular fashion magazines and I love how the fashion varies. Also, they include a lot of fashion bloggers which I think is great cause it gives me the chance to find new blogs to read. I also included the magazine cause I'm  wearing a fair bit of ASOS in this post. My jeans are from the ASOS January sale, my vest is from last summer and my bag is brand new. I've been looking for a plain black day bag with gold detailing for a few weeks now. I wanted one that was a good size, sits on my shoulder/across my body and isn't too expensive. After searching around the high-street (Newlook, River Island, H&M) I found this bag online. I wasn't sure if I'd like it but surprisingly, it ticked every box (the gold has a lovely rosey colouring!) and will now accompany me to uni, to town, on train journeys, in outfit posts - you name it?

 

Jeans, cami vest, bag ASOS

Cardigan and flats Newlook

Watch Olivia Burton

Sunglasses Dorothy Perkins

Lipstick (Lady Danger) MAC

playsuits and elbow patches

I finally bought a playsuit. After weeks of debating it, I took the plunge. I wasn't sure if it'd suit me because I'm a bit of a pear but then I decided f**k it. I wanna wear a playsuit so I'll buy one. I picked this floral printed one from Newlook (see here) when I was out shopping yesterday and was determined to wear it today and get a few pictures. It's super comfy and one of the great thing about it is it's so easy to take off. There's a little button that does up at the nape of my neck so it's not too difficult. I always feared that I would be out or at uni, and I'd use the toilet but not be able to do the back up myself. I would then have to come out with my playsuit undone and have to ask a friend/stranger to do me up. Luckily this won't be the situation.

Also, I decided to team my playsuit with my new aqua cardigan. I immediately fell in love with it when I was surfing the ASOS website a week or so ago. The crocheted heart elbow patches are so cute and I'm a sucker for anything with hearts on/in. I felt a little like the old Hayley when I bought this because, of recent, I have stepped away from buying and (to an extent) wearing cardigans. I got a little bit too safe in them and then felt practically naked without one on. I can't remember the last cardigan I bought before this. However, I really love this cardigan and I don't think it's overly safe. The colour is bright, the elbow patches make it more of a statement and it's fitted.

The coin earrings are also new. I plan to do a post on my new purchases this week which include jewellery and some make up. I also decided to show you my nails in this post as I had my first ever manicure on Friday. I went for a nice peachy pink shade. Can you believe it's taken me to 21 to get a manicure?

Playsuit & leggings & nude pumps Newlook

Cardigan ASOS

Satchel Dorothy Perkins

Earrings River Island

Necklace Accessorize

Ring H&M

Bracelet Unknown

Happy Sunday!

baby doll

I'm not sure why I seem to be posting so many outfit posts recently. I don't think I'm wearing better things I just seem to remember to ask someone to take a photo. It's nice though cause I always wanted more of my outfits on here. It's what I like reading the most so I should probably be posting the things I like to see on blogs but yeah...

Today I'm wearing my crochet collared swing dress and leggings from Newlook. 

Jelly brouges from House of Fraser.

My trusty Cambridge satchel.

My club-master sunglasses from River Island.

I also decided to channel my five year old self and tie a ribbon in my hair. It's dusty pink and pretty. I love ribbons. Maybe I'll make it a thing this summer. Buy every colour and pretty pattern I can find. Put'em in plaits, around top knots. Maybe I could even do a weird post on it? Anyway, I really like this outfit. It felt like a nice mix of retro but with a real modern update. I saw this quote today and it resonated with me for this post.

"I love vintage. 60's and 70's are my favorite. I love baby doll dresses and the soft colors. I try to mix a little bit of modern into that..."

Elle Fanning

On a side note: you may wonder why, when other fashion bloggers have cityscapes and cherry blossom as their backdrop, I have a washing line behind me. Maybe one day I'll have cool job and live in a fast city and the backdrops for my photos will be spectacular. For now life's rather mundane and suburban so a washing line it is!  

Happy Wednesday! 

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the boyfriend tee

[Boyfriend Tee ASOS Jeans & Shoes Newlook Satchel Dorothy Perkins]

Today I wore my new ASOS boyfriend tee (see here) that arrived this morning along with my new cardigan which I'll try and do an outfit post on this week! I wasn't sure whether I'd end up liking or keeping this top but I am actually in love with it. It feels good quality, is super comfy and looks really cute and casual. I have so many ideas for this piece and love the fact that it's a bit different for me. I rarely go for slogan or print tees, let alone boyfriend shaped ones. I'm more of a fitted vest top kinda girl so it was fun styling a different outfit today. Another great thing about this top was that it only cost me £10.50 as I got 25% student discount with ASOS. A random (but brilliant) impulse buy!

On a side note: I, living the exciting life I live, ended up in Sainsburys (a supermarket) after a day at the seaside having a car picnic and I found a really pretty pyjama set  which was only £12,  a high-street edition of Company magazine and some much needed Nivea make-up remover/face wipes. Just thought I'd share a snap of this purchase with you cause I was rather thrilled with it. I love the cool things you can pick up in supermarkets. I could've spent a lot longer looking around at all the home wear things and garden accessories and trying on shoes and scanning through bras and holding earrings up to my ears in tiny mirrors!

Anyway, how have y'all been spending your weekend? 

Any exciting trips to local supermarkets like yours truly?

Happy Saturday!

the satchel and the blues

Today I was feeling blue. Blue in the colour sense. Like, navy and denim and pastel and cobalt. Not sad and moody, although I look a little of those things in the photos above. I just can't seem to smile successfully. I'm thinking way too much about the positioning of my body and outfit. Angling my legs and dropping my hip and pulling my collar straight and rolling my sleeves up. Does anybody else have this problem?

Clearly I'm not made to be a model but I've never been under such delusions anyway. My outfit photos are just cause I like sharing what I'm wearing and liking and buying and doing with whoever may be reading this. So if you could ignore my face (and focus on my pretty Cambridge Satchel) that would be great!

Two things should be said. 

Firstly, I'm wearing jeans. Like, all the time. This is so strange for me. I usually live out of dresses and skirts and leggings. Suddenly though, I've been loving jeans. I have two pairs and they seem to be on a sort of rotation. 

Secondly, and you may not believe this, but my outfit is not just from Newlook. I cannot believe it. I just can't...

[Jumper George Floral Shirt H&M Jeans & Shoes Newlook Bag Cambridge Satchel Company Necklace Accessorize]

Happy Thursday! 

the kimono

Today I wore my favourite kimono. It's another gem from Newlook. My jeans and top and shoes are also from Newlook. I believe I am currently supporting the company single handed.  

My bag is from Dorothy Perkins. I bought it while I was up in London at The Ritz for afternoon tea on Wednesday (see post here).

Sunglasses are from River Island. 

Necklace is from Accessorize.

Really loving kimonos at the moment. They are so comfortable, easy to wear and can make an outfit as simple as a black top and distressed jeans look quite interesting. I already have a black chiffon one (see here) but I'm now after a fringed one and also a longer one that is summer coat-like. How cute would that be?!

Anyway, 

Happy Sunday Y'all!