British Vibes

For today’s OOTD I got to collab with two awesome friends of mine. Desiree, the lifestyle blogger behind Desire-plus-an-e and Jonathan, a super pro-photographer. If you like their work, don’t forget to check out their creative outlets.

This OOTD comes from a while back during the Thanksgiving weekend so the weather is much warmer than what we’re seeing now in Canada. Nonetheless, these are some of my favourite fall looks inspired by the street style fashion I observed in London.

Most of my OOTD was actually purchased in London, but I saw that Topshop in Canada also has these key pieces in store. This fall season we’re seeing lots of 70’s inspired outfits, whether it be flared pants, rustic/burnt colours or suede. I’m not a huge fan of flared pants because I think they don’t fit with my body shape but you can incorporate flare in other ways such as the flared detail in the sleeves of this black & white patterned dress. This dress also feels very 70’s to me as well – I think it’s the way the pattern looks like trippy zig-zag lines. Since this dress has lots of holes, being my conservative self, I would wear something underneath and since I have to wear something underneath anyways I might as well add some colour. Thus I matched the dress with a burnt-red turtleneck and red skirt. This red-on-red monochromatic pairing can actually be its own OOTD but by masterfully layering the dress on top you can almost mix-and-match many outfits. If red isn’t your kind of colour you can always stick with black pieces underneath or cobalt blue. Whatever the colour the top and bottom should be the same colour otherwise you’ll look more like a fashion disaster!

If this outfit looks too cold for you, I would add some black tights, switch the booties for over-the-knee boots and of course an appropriate jacket and winter accessories.

From my observations the key to looking like a Londoner is:

1. Anything Topshop!!! No literally Topshop does a great job in encompassing the London street style fashion. It’s like a mix of biker chic, grunge and sass while looking effortless (that’s probably why it’s my favourite store…)
2. Chelsea booties – in a very posh manner
3. Cool sunglasses – continuing with the chic & sassy theme (it also makes Londoners look mysterious I guess)

One more note, since I didn’t have a wide enough black belt instead I interlaced two braided skinny belts to give the illusion of a thicker belt. Without the belt I think the outfit would look a little flat from the funky 70’s pattern, so a black belt would do well in giving me what little shape I have.

~PRODUCT DETAILS~

Black & White Dress – Topshop ($60)

Red Turtleneck – Topshop ($48)

Red A-line Skirt – Zara

Skinny Belts – Forever 21

Black Chelsea Booties – Selfridges – Kurt Geiger London (similar here and here)

Mirrored Sunglasses – Express

As for Desiree’s look here’s her thoughts about her London look:

“I’ve never been to London myself, but I know that the people are out and about in what I would describe to be a stylish street style. Everyone would presentable and stylish. This is an outfit that I feel comfortable in. It’s not particularly dressy but at the same time it is stepping up from a completely casual vibe. The layered collar under the sweater dresses up the outfit and by adding the statement necklace it gives some dimension to the upper half. I wanted to add some colour to the otherwise monochrome outfit with these olive pants. The black Chelsea boots are one of my favourite pairs of booties that I have. It’s different because it’s not a particularly feminine style yet it adds some taste to the outfit. And why not include a wide brim hat with it to complement the structured feel of the boots?”

For Desiree’s look I think the essential London-themed pieces would be the felt hat, structured top handle bag and Chelsea booties. What I mean to say is that sometimes what makes the look can be the super chic accessories that you add to up the “street style game”.

~PRODUCT DETAILS~

Black Wide Brim Hat – H&M ($34.99 – also in Taupe)

White Collared Tank – Bluenotes

Statement Necklace – Laura Petites

Glasses Sweater – Banana Republic

Olive Pants – Old Navy

Black Chelsea Boots – Old Navy ($32.50)

From my limited travels I think what differs each culture’s fashion would be how they style the same key pieces together. The way Londoners bring out style is by far my favourite and I was truly inspired by all the fashionable people strutting their stuff down the cobblestones.