WHY PINTEREST IS THE ULTIMATE INFLUENCER

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I've let it be known over the years just how partial I am to Pinterest, it's my first port of call when trying to seek out some inspiring imagery, blog post ideas, how to style myself on days where I'm really struggling; it's a receptacle of endless ideas. 

If there's certain boards of mine that are heavily populated and updated almost daily (although I've definitely been a bit lax on that front in the past couple of months), it's my styling boards - Street Style, Point & Shoot Style and Style - I can't get enough of building up a monstrous digital moodboard to keep my mind and ideas fresh.

On the days where I'm looking at my wardrobe and seeing a black hole of nothingness (even on the new purchases that I swore I'd get plenty of wear out of), I open up Pinterest and start seeking out pins that have common items that I have sat waiting for me wear. Picking out key things helps me narrow my field of vision and suddenly I'm looking at outfits thinking - that's really cute, if I piece X item and X item together, I can vaguely recreate something that makes me feel like they look. Why didn't I think of that? - and hey presto, you're onto a winner.

Currently I'm wondering what staple seasonal items I want to spice my wardrobe up with, so of course I head back to Pinterest to find styles, colours, bold items that I can start looking for online and in stores to curate a selection that I'm excited to start showcasing on social media and generally IRL. *Please note, I wrote this months ago with the intention of posting in the SS season, only guess who forgot? But the sentiment remains the same and I'm sticking with this in the FW season too!*

BOLD COLOUR COMBOS

Okay okay, so basically I'm obsessed with any shade of green with just about any other bold colour. Green's the new black anyway, right? Whether you're colour blocking blue pants and a yellow blazer, or you're throwing on a bright red jumper and a mini hot pink grab bag, you're onto a 2022 winner.

Leonie Hanne is the queen of colour blocking and in-your-face colour combos!

OUT-THERE OUTERWEAR

A bold, statement jacket, or coat, is quite literally the key to my heart! It livens up any outfit, adds excitement and drama, my olive green vinyl trench coat is one of my most worn items and makes me feel the literal bees knees. Whether it's bright in colour, loud in print, or a funky texture, it's an investment staple piece that you'd throw on time and time again.

STATEMENT BAGS

If there's one thing to spice up any outfit - like an all black ensemble - it's a bold statement bag. Grab bag, tote, handbag, crossbody, clutch - you name it, if it's bejewelled, borg, quilted, heavy chained or ruched and in an eye-catching colour, you're onto a winner! 

S xo

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JUST BECAUSE I STUDY FASHION IT DOESN'T MEAN...

I’m a girly girl

If anything, my style is very mixed, some days it's band shirts, ripped jeans and Vans, the next it's feminine dresses and heeled sandals, with a lot of mixed grey area in between. It's fun and I don't dare describe my style these days because I don't know what it is (although right now it's 'Whatever's comfortable and will make me push on with the final weeks of uni').

The exciting thing about fashion is that it's given me the freedom to be a few different people, studying it isn't just for the feminine folk, it's for anyone and everyone who sees past the stereotype, works hard and wants to enjoy the industry as a whole.

When I was beginning to really enjoy fashion, I still felt confused and unsure whether I could fit in when I different interests. I like alternative music, I'm still finding my feel with beauty products and I didn't spend every wage packet on something designer. But then I found Victoria Magrath from INTHEFROW, she looks like a super girly girl, but she has tattoos and loves pop-punk and much as I. We're not all we appear to be on the surface and it shows there's room for everyone

I’m stuck up

Those who work in fashion often are stereotyped as a stuck up, snooty bunch who turn their noses up at those who aren’t wearing the latest trends or aren’t all that interested in fashion as a whole. And yeah, for some that may be completely true, but for most it’s rubbish - complete and utter rubbish. We’re normal people trying to make our way in an industry we love. 

I’m one of the most down to earth and chill people you could wish to meet, there’s no superior air with me, because we’re all the same and I don’t have time for those who think otherwise.

If anything, we embrace all fashions and individuality, because what’s not to embrace about that? Without a tonne of tastes to cater to, fashion wouldn’t be what it is today. 

Not everyone is like you see in The Devil Wears Prada.

I’m superficial

It’s true, fashion and being ‘trendy’ isn’t the be all and end all of life, and I’m not claiming it is. I can look beyond the industry and I know that there’s more to it that just pretty clothes.

On the outside we all may seem shallow, it’s understandable why some may think that, but there’s more to it - and us - than that. We know the importance of clothing on the world, we all wear it, and there’s really no getting around it. 

Miranda really had a valid point when she dumbed down fashion for Andy.

I don’t dress to ‘fit in’ (even if I do actually fit in by being a basic bitch), I dress in what I like, what interests me, what expresses me and my mood on a particular day, because dressing like a carbon copy of every other student in my age range is not my kinda thing. But good for you if it is! 

A few years back I wrote about how important shoes can be on a persons life, and particularly to me, and it still very much stands.

I’m skinny

This one is more of an obvious one, for those who have seen me (and seriously, there’s a tonne of picture in this post to prove my point) you’ll know I’m no Slim Jim. Yeah, common misconceptions say that if you’re into fashion, you’re mostly all of the above and you’re a slender, tall and beautiful woman. Well, firstly, if you’re thinking everyone but a tonne of designers and models are women, then you’re very mistaken. Secondly, the whole skinny thing isn’t true. At all.

The fact of matter is this, the industry professionals we’re usually exposed to are models, influencers and socialites that have the slimmest of figures and sporting the big name designers (or more commonly, the up and coming ones), so that way of thinking is justified…just about.

I’ll be honest and hold my hand up to say that once upon a time I thought that too, in fact I thought all of the above points, but once you start looking at all of the roles in the industry and how multi-directional it is, you’ll be quick to change around your way of thinking. The marketeers, writers, graphic designers, stylists, photographers, students, event co-ordinators etc aren’t all a UK size 2, working in their Dior gowns and barking at people. 

The ultimate point I’m trying to make throughout all of this stress and indignance, whilst trying to quell the stereotypes and the disregard at those pursuing careers in the fashion industry, is that they’re people just like you. Most of them look like you, eat like you, breathe like you and go about their business like you, some of them may have a different lifestyle to you but we’re all just the same and the industry is full of normal people just like any other normal industry and from all backgrounds and walks of life.

There’s a tonne of stereotypes for fashion workers, or those studying one of its many facets, but don’t take them on face value because most of them are a bunch of lame, and cranky, BS. Maybe I feel more passionately about this than I first thought, but hearing the same old-same old rubbish that people spout about us lot? B-O-R-I-N-G.

One thing that I’ve noticed from the fashion department at my uni though is everyone listens to bloody awful music. That’s my one fashion stereotype.

What do you think about all of this? Are you prone to thinking in stereotypes? Do you agree or disagree with what I've said? I'd love to her your feedback.

S xo

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CHANGING ROOM STYLE

Well hey there May, you sure arrived at an alarming rate didn't ya? 

Not that I'm too fussed, I'm pretty excited for this month, it's definitely a busy one.

A few weeks back to had to restore my phone to factory settings, and whilst I had a mini inner panic about it, I was pretty certain I had everything backed up. Thankfully I was right (I think, if not it can't be too important for me not to have noticed) but it spurred me on to clear out my photo's on Dropbox, especially after trying to upload about 600 pictures minutes before I had to say bye-bye to everything still on my trust little sidekick* and ended up with tonnes of duplicates. Always the way, eh? 

*I don't actually still have a Sidekick slide phone, I'm not stuck in 2008.

The first thing that became very apparent is that I take way too many changing room selfies. Like way too many. After a quick cull I thought I may as well share 'em, what with the lack of outfit posts I'm sharing this year. I've got my fingers crossed so tight, to shoot some style shots over the summer, that I'm pretty sure I'll pop a bone out of the socket.

Ps. I LIVE for H&M fitting rooms because hello glorious bright lighting!

I wear various types of Topshop Jamie jeans far too much, I know. Here's to summer and wearing so many skirts that I'l be fed up of my tragic northern pins.

S xo

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THE TREND EDIT: GREY & PINK

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For as long as I can remember I've favoured black over pretty much any colour because hello! oh so flattering! but sometimes it can feel so boring and drab when you wear the same colour day after day after day. Enter the paler hues.

Whilst I'm not the most girly of folk, pink is my favourite colour and has been for as long as I can remember (except the ultra emo teenage years) and lately I'm obsessed with mixing it with grey. Okay, it's no groundbreaking trend but it's so darn cute and feels really feminine even if the rest of your outfit is dark.

So I may love it a little more than I'm letting on to, my dorm room is now white, silver, grey and pink. Thank you Pinterest for showing me tonnes of images of divine decor and interior with this colour palette. You ruined me. A little.

But it's sooooooo cute.

If you follow me on Polyvore then you'll see the pattern emerging where either colours find their way into an outfit and more often than not they're now appearing together. If you don't follow me then you really ought to do so here.

Please tell me I'm not the only one crazy obsessed? I may even enjoy it more than Black & White. Say whaaaaaaaaaat?

What colour trends are you loving at the mo?

S xo

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THE TREND EDIT: BOMBER JACKETS

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Bomber jackets are the type of outerwear that should look godawful and completely unfashionable, but are constantly dominating the high street.

I've always been in love with the puffy, unflattering and now-ultra-chic jackets, especially with heavy embroidery, baby pink and worn with lace slips and biker boots.

The past season has seen an influx of such jackets, and thankfully this season will be seeing much more of the same, only this time they're bound with patched, motifs & monograms rather than intricate embroidery and large prints.

They're such a versatile piece of outerwear to be worn with slim fit jeans and Converse, or an LBD and YSL courts.

Gone are the days when khaki dominated the bombers with it's deep orange lining, now we're fully embracing baby pink, sunshine yellow, faux fur, sateen and everything in between. It's youthful and fresh, the perfect all-seasons cover-up.

You can shop some of my faves below!

If you're looking for some outfit inspiration then head over to my Pinterest board.

S xo
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THE FRINGE EDIT

It's official, I'm totally craaaazy over fringing in any shape, form or capacity (even a pair of fringed sunnies would have me swooning. Weird right?)

So maybe I'm not proud of those fringed/tasseled baggy pants I wore back in 2003 (even less so when I recall having at least a page blue and a khaki pair) but now there's no shame in other much-more-exciting-and-totally-not-cringeworthy garments! Like really incredible sandals, jackets or bags.

Fringing has always thrilled me, I still totally dig that faux leather Primark jacket with the fringed back, even if it did end up on eBay after a year, Maybe I love the festival reminiscence it brings, my longing to party on down at Coachella, or maybe because it actually isn't just 'perfect for festivals'.

In fact last year I couldn't resist the fringed Topshop x Kate Moss LBD and totally rocked it for my 21st birthday. It's exciting and fun, everything I hope to achieve with fashion.

Please excuse me whilst I scour the end of the sales for some bargain fringe buys. Here's to funky fashion,

If you're looking for some inspiration on stylings, check out my Fringe Pinterest board here and how I would style it myself here.

SB xo

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THE (SELF) IMPORTANCE OF SHOES

A few months back, after showcasing my latest Topshop-sale footwear all over Facebook, a friend of mine asked me what the obsession was with shoes, why people spend so much hard earned money on a pair of shoes (however practical or impractical they may be).

The shoes that started the topic

I could have easily told her that it was to protect our feet, they're important and need care, so a good pair of shoes would do the trick. But I knew she wanted a genuine and honest answer. Not rubbish BS.

The question made me pause and I began to wonder why I didn't flinch at paying £75 for pair of boots and then less than one month later, I paid £75 for a pair of shoes. Once I had money and my heart set on what I wanted, I didn't think twice.

My first big spend footwear!

Well, that's not strictly true, I cried and swooned and dreamt nightly about the shoes. But still.

After five minutes or so, it clicked. It wasn't so much about having what was on trend that season, it was about finding a shoe that gave me a new identity. If a shoe made me feel more confident, and made me walk with my head held high, then it was an extreme turnaround for my self esteem and was most certainly a new identity. A new me.

To me, a shoe has an ability to not only change the dynamic of your outfit, but to change your attitude towards yourself, and others.

If I'm sporting a pair of Vans or Converse, then I'm very relaxed and chilled out, perfect for my Friday's at work. I'm calm.

My Topshop Katz, (one of the £75 pairs) have been worn a million times so far and remain to make me feel smart and quirky, I feel a little more sophisticated as I wear them. Whether I look it is a different story.

It doesn't matter whether they're Valentino or Primark as long as they're right for you. Guess what? Both of these mules are from Primark!

A fantastic pair of heeled boots has me feeling confident, with my head held high and my back straight, like I'm ready to take on the world. And maybe dance a little too.

The long and short of my tale is that shoes, at least to me, are more important than just protection for your feet, they're the key to a new, and different, you.

How do shoes change who you are?

SB xo

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MINI LOVE

When in Paris, with beautiful picturesque backdrops, landmarks a plenty and photo-ops galore, I'll admit - I envisioned a multitude of outfit pictures stored on the ol' Nikon to share with you that would have made me feel pretty wonderful. Alas, it's much easier being on the other side of the camera - for both parties involved - when one is confident snapping the world and the other can't figure the angles and shots because they haven't seen the photographs you have, doesn't understand DSLR's and fascinating blogger shots (that' not a slight on you, mum, promise!).

However, I still came away with a few pictures of 3 different outfits from my little Paree jaunt.

I went on such a shopping spree (okay, I went on a few) before the trip, especially when Topshop were offering students 20% off, how could I ever resist? Their skirts have been so divine lately and I've been really feeling them this spring/summer, so I've been on the hunt for some faves. Plus, how cute is my bargain yellow H&M Jacket?!

Whilst my Converse aren't my most stylish shoes, comfort is key when walking for miles each day - they were an absolute godsend. And versatile!

I've also only just realised that I'm wearing the same top in all three outfits, just in different colours, oops?

What are your essential travel clothes? Share Polyvore sets, pictures and everything else with me as the social links below!

SB xo

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TRENDSETTER TUESDAY: RACHEL GREEN

If I were to name my ultimate 90's babe there's no doubt that I'd say Jennifer Aniston, because let's be honest, she's the ultimate babe of the last 20 years. Of course, with the height of Jen-An's career being perky, sassy and top telly fashionista Rachel Green, that makes them both the 90's queen. 

She rocked that plaid mini skirt and knee highs in ways no one else could and made loungewear look desirable. Don't even get me started on the hair!

Everything was pulled off with an effortless essence of cool, she made dungarees seem appealing and sun without looking like a giant adult baby, who'd have thought it, eh?

It's surreal that a tv character has been such a style icon over the past 20 years and influenced many.

Take a look at some of Rachel Green's finer moments.

Follow Sam Ball's board Rachel Green on Pinterest.

Trendsetter Tuesday has changed slightly this month, you can keep up on Pinterest instead and swoon over a bunch more images that what I usually show you! Fear not, all back Trendsetters will be featured on there too with many more snaps too. Hope you enjoy the new feature!

SB xo

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Ps. who can believe that Rachel would have just turned 45?!