My Style: House of Holland’s ‘Creep’ T-Shirt Meets the Pashli Bag

House of Holland Slogan tee

Last week the winter weather unexpectedly returned, with wind, rain and low temperatures. This is annoying for multiple reasons. Firstly because IT’S MAY and I, like the rest of the UK, want some sunshine! And, also, I’ve already put most of my Autumn/Winter wardrobe into storage, so dressing has become a challenge. Black opaques are currently my go-to style solution, as I hate to wear jeans if there’s a chance it might rain (why does denim stick to skin when it gets wet?). My favourite leather skirt has also been getting a lot of outings over the last five days, and it’s the perfect partner for House of Holland’s ‘creep’ slogan T-shirt.

The press team at Harvey Nichols dared me to wear this HoH design a few weeks ago, knowing I usually avoid slogan tees. I tried pairing it with numerous looks before I settled on this combination, favouring the classic mix of black, white and red. And yes, I was wearing my winter coat as well, but I took it off for these pictures because who wants to see a wool coat in May?!

Coco's Tea Party Ella 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Bag Black Medium I’m Wearing: House of Holland “Creep” T-shirt c/o Harvey Nichols | Leather skirt Warehouse (similar at Oasis) | 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli handbag | Giraffe print heels c/o Next | Necklace vintage (similar by Lulu Frost) | Watch Michael Kors

Photos by Abi Marvel

Do you like the House of Holland ‘creep’ slogan T-shirt? How would you style it? Leave a comment and let me know…

Shopping For: Pieces to Dress Up a Statement T-Shirt

Shopping Reason Celine Dion
Shop the Edit: 1. Jewelled bib necklace by ASOS Premium // 2. Block heel sandals by Whistles // 3. Celine Dion T-shirt by Reason // 4. Khaki army jacket by Topshop // 5. Floral pencil skirt by M Missoni // 6. Two tone jeans by MiH Jeans // 7. Floral print ‘Pashli’ bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Last week I purchased Reason’s ironic Céline Dion T-shirt, and I literally can’t stop wearing it. Although it’s sold on the ASOS men’s site I’d still recommend buying your normal size (unless you favour the baggy look), as the fit is already very snug. I’ve been pairing my T-shirt with everything from skinny jeans to printed skirts, and it’s inspired this week’s shopping post. MiH Jeans’ two-tone skinnies would look fab with the cult tee, especially if you topped the outfit off with Whistles’ colour block sandals and Topshop’s khaki jacket.

Also get ready to develop a massive crush of 3.1 Phillip Lim’s new floral Pashli handbag. The printed design is exclusive to Net-A-Porter and is so beautiful it could bring a tear to the eye. The Pashli bags may weigh as much as a small child (seriously, why so heavy?!), but this design is totally worth suffering back ache for…

5 of the Best Pointed Toe Flats {Inspired by Marc Jacobs}

There’s a relaxed mood in fashion, this season, and it’s most evident below the ankle. The ‘It’ shoe of the season isn’t a strappy, platform heel or a hard-to-balance-in avant-garde wedge. It’s a walkable, wearable flat. Models at Marc Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2013 show strode down the runway in the pointiest pumps imaginable, and the look didn’t stop there. At 3.1 Phillip Lim buckled, grunge-y sandals were streamlined with sharp points, and on the high street pointed toe flats are popping up in a wide variety of colour-ways. Grab a statement pair now – especially if it’s from the selection below…

pointed toe flats spring 2013
Shop The Edit: 1. See through detail flats from Dune // 2. Lemon yellow ballerinas by Diane von Furstenberg // 3. Strappy buckle flats from Topshop // 4. Metallic Mary Jane heels from ASOS // 5. Striped calf hair flats by Marc Jacobs

The striped Marc Jacobs flats are my absolute favourites, but I fear anyone with feet larger than a UK size 4 would look like they’re wearing skis. That dramatic point definitely adds an extra two or three inches to your toes.

DVF’s yellow pumps are perhaps the most wearable, as the softer point isn’t too toe-pinching, and they’ll look fabulous with baggy boyfriend jeans rolled up at the ankle. I’d also pair the tomboyish Topshop flats with cropped denim – and in the height of summer I’d add a ditsy floral print to the mix. Do you like this look? Which pair of flats is your favourite?

Runway images from style.com

Shopping For: Statement Sweaters and Leather Dresses

phillip lim pashli topshop tiger sweater

Every now and then an item just grabs your attention, and Topshop’s embroidered tiger sweater is one such piece. Sure, I’ve never felt my wardrobe is lacking a giraffe print sweater with tigers across the chest, but now I know it’s out there I want it! This week I’m also loving Hoss Intropia’s leather dress; the fitted shape is so chic and it would look great worn strappy black sandals, gold jewellery and a tan. What’s on your wishlist this week?

Shop The Edit: 1. Embroidered tiger sweater by Topshop // 2. Orange skull slippers by Alexander McQueen // 3. Leather mini dress by Hoss Intropia // 4. Faux-leather biker jacket by Warehouse // 5. Doorknocker earrings by ASOS // 6. Wrap leather bracelet by Gojana // 7. Pashli handbag by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Shopping For: Accessories for the New Year




What better way to update your look for a brand new year than with a selection of Spring 2013‘s hottest accessories? I’m loving the fresh pastel hues, statement stud details and bursts of playful metallics. 3.1 Phillip Lim’s mini Pashli bag is at the top of my wishlist, and I’m also finding it hard to resist Topshop’s “Chic” belt and the fabulous studded slippers from ASOS. Let the shopping spree commence…

FYI: Shopbop is offering a further 20% off sale items until tomorrow. Shop using the code ”EXTRAOFF”.

Struggling with the Grunge Revival? Follow 3.1 Phillip Lim’s 6 Easy Steps to ’90s Cool

Remember that iconic moment in Clueless, where Cher looks around her high school and expresses her mad dislike for the Nineties’ grunge fashions? In case you don’t remember, her exact words were:

“So okay, I don’t want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don’t get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair – ew – and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we’re expected to swoon? I don’t think so.”

Clueless is now 17-years-old (how did that happen?!) and grunge is having a major fashion revival. The look was all over the Spring/Summer 2013 runways, and I like to think that this time around Cher would be a fan of the trend. After all, if Clueless was set in 2012 Cher would definitely have a 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli handbag in her rotating, computer-controlled wardrobe! And Phillip Lim is leading the way with the ’90s revival. His S/S designs championed the grunge era and also offered some smart styling solutions.


Here are 3.1 Phillip Lim’s six easy steps to fabulous (Cher-friendly) grunge style…

Tip 1: Swap the ultra-baggy jeans for a pair of loose-fitting patchwork denim pants. Opt for a style that’s cropped just above the ankle and make sure you belt the jeans firmly around your waist. No one wants to see your underwear…

Tip 2: Slogan tees can still be cool. But update them with some DIY crystal embellishments and pair them with sheer fabrics for an unexpected, slightly sexy twist.

Tip 3: The grunge girls favourite item – the floral dress – is still a vital ingredient to the ’90s look, but try to avoid overly ditsy prints and search for interesting textures (like 3.1 Phillip Lim’s plaid floral design on sheer silk organza) and clean, modern silhouettes.

Tip 4: Throw out your plaid shirts and look for bold check-print dresses. Paired with bare legs and clunky flats they look seriously chic. I imagine Alexa Chung will be all over this look, come SS13!

Tip 5: Dungarees can be cool if you find the right pair. Fit is everything, so avoid anything oversized and definitely don’t go too tight. It’s also a great opportunity to experiment with colour, as Phillip Lim’s bright fuchsia dungarees show.

Tip 6: If all else fails a sweater tied around your waist still scores major grunge points and requires very little effort. Stick to a tonal colour palette for maximum impact!

And – just because I love Clueless more than words could ever explain – here is the clip in question:

Do you like 3.1 Phillip Lim’s take on the ’90s grunge style? Is it a trend you plan to rock in Spring 2013? If so, how do you plan to style the look? And are you still completely and utterly in love with Clueless?

Images style.com