The Age Old Workwear Debate...

Today I am going to raise the age old question a lot of you have spent most of your time pondering (i’m sure).  Are trainers acceptable with work attire if you are on your commute to/from work?  I think this is a horrific crime against fashion and I am going to list the reasons why below – i’m sure you are all on the edge of your seats, so try and contain yourselves...

1.   Trainers do not go with trousers at all – Trousers and trainers are not acceptable.  If you REALLY HAVE TO wear trainers with something other than sportswear, then drainpipe trousers are the only acceptable leg coverers, and this is only in a matter of life or death.  Even this is bad though, for the following 2 reasons:  1.  There will never be a life or death situation that would require you to wear trousers and trainers 2. If you own a pair of drainpipe trousers then you sound like you might be on the ball a bit with fashion, so you will already know that trainers and trousers are not a good look.

2.   Trainers are definitely not to be worn with a skirt and tights EVER.  No one wears trainers and skirts and just because you are going to work doesn’t mean that you are allowed to.  Trainers with a skirt make your legs and feet resemble golf clubs and this is never a good look for any woman.

3.   Wearing trainers with your work outfit totally ruins the whole ‘sexy secretary look’ that men find so attractive.  I would lay my life on the fact there has never been a man who has fantasised about being naughty in their office with their secretary, and when they look down at their feet they have a pair of Air Force Ones on (I know those trainers are so 2002 but I have no idea about brands of trainers today as I point blank don’t wear them – EVER).  Don’t worry, there have been times where I have been on the train and I look like I have literally been pulled out of a swamp after a fight with a crocodile so it’s not as if I embrace the SS look every day, but you can at least give men this illusion, fake it a bit!  I don’t wear heels to work as I have a hard enough time trying to walk in them at the weekend let alone stumbling around the office trying to print out some files for my boss.  Flat shoes are fine with skirts and can make you look dainty and ballerina like – trainers make you look like an idiot.

4.  There is literally no reason why trainers and workwear on the tube is a requirement.  Going to the gym?  Put your trainers in your bag and put them on once you are there.  Find heels uncomfortable walking to the station in?  Get a pair of cute flats then.  Planning on running to the station?  Don’t.  Can’t get shoes comfortable enough that aren’t trainers?  Go to your doctor.  I cannot think of any reason why anyone would want to wear trainers on the train.

This whole discussion came around this morning while I was on the train with my friend Jamie.  A woman was standing next to us, dressed in a smart suit with a pencil skirt, tights, and then these massive black trainers on her feet.  I cannot work out why this would ever be the sort of thing someone would think to put on their feet when they are getting ready for work?  Anyway, Jamie works in Fashion and I have noticed of late that he takes notice of what women wear anyway, but he looked down, looked at me and then said “look at her feet, I HATE THAT”.  You might think men don’t notice, but they do.  I also know that you might be reading this post and think “I don’t care what men think, I dress for myself in what I like and what I am comfortable in” – That is absolutely fair enough and I congratulate you for being your own person, BUT if you have any sort of interest in your appearance whatsoever then you would not wear trainers with workwear.

I am not vain or massively concerned with my appearance.  I don’t dress for friends, boys or anyone other than me.  I wear what I like and if someone else doesn’t like it it doesn’t matter – they aren’t wearing it.  That being said, I do like to look nice and I don’t want people looking at me and wondering what sort of injury I suffered that would make me want to dress the way I have.  I am all for pushing the boundaries of fashion and trying new things, being creative – however this is not pushing the boundaries, being creative or just trying to be comfortable.  This is just lazy fashion and I wish all women would care about their appearance EVERYWHERE they go.  I am not saying you have to be dolled up to go to the shops, or have a full face of make up to go and get petrol.  Just try and look nice all the time, opportunities come along no matter where you are, relationiships get formed all the time when you least expect it.  You don’t want to be the woman they remember for having the criminal trainers on.  I could understand if there was a point to it, same as I don’t bat an eyelid if a girl is wearing heels or flats, if someone is in full sports gear on the train or if someone is wearing a huge b*stard rain mac (if it’s actually raining out).  As I stated before, I just cannot think of a legitimate reason of why you would want to wear trainers on the train;  If you have bothered to make the effort and get up, do your hair, put on make up and a nice suit then just spend the extra 10 seconds slipping on a pair of flat shoes and leave the trainers at home! 

I enquired on Twitter as to what people thought about trainers and workwear, and got a few responses.  Jess (@styladelica) said that she has a 20 minute walk to/from work so there is no way she would wear heels, hence she wears trainers.  I totally understand, yet I asked her why she didn’t just wear flat shoes?  I get that they might not be as comfortable as trainers, but they aren’t uncomfortable – they are flat?  As of yet, no response.

Anyway, I don’t want to cause offence to anyone.  If you do wear trainers to work that’s your prerogative and none of my business.  If you think I am talking out of my ass and want to set me straight then please feel free to comment on here and let me know why.

***Please bear in mind that throughout the duration of me writing this blog post, in my head I have been imagining a pair of black trainers.  If you wear OR endorse the possibility of WHITE trainers with work wear, then please answer the following questions:  1.  Have you had an accident at work recently?  2.  Have you been hit on the head?  3.  Have you suffered a minor stroke?  4.  Are you drunk?  If your answers to any of these questions is yes, then please feel free to either email me and I will try to help you, or contact your local doctor.***

UPDATE!!  My friend Jo has just read this blog post and has labelled these people #sneakerbastards - brilliant.



Is this you?

2012 Golden Globes - The Best and the Worst

So it’s the start of the awards season and it was kicked off last night by the return of the Golden Globes.  As much as I despise Monday mornings (especially ones as cold and unbearable as this one) I jumped out of bed eager to get into work* and see what everyone was wearing this year.  (* I didn’t, clearly)

I got into work and scoured all the fashion websites, looking through all the best and worst dressed articles and I have to say I’m not exactly complying with the fashion etiquette this year.  There are a few dresses that people think are amazing that I thought were horrific.  I like that there were quite a few people bucking the trend and going for weird and wonderful outfits, better than the bog standard embellished full length black/red dresses that have been overdone on the red carpet of late.

Sorry i’m being such a total girl about this, but I love the awards ceremonies just for the fashion, so now I am going to do my best dressed and my worst dressed lists – just indulge me J

Best Dressed

1^st Place – Mila Kunis

Mila wins my best dressed of the night award in her full length black Dior number.  Golden girl Mila didn’t really need much help to look beautiful as she is stunning anyway, and I know I just said I didn’t approve of the boring full length black dress but within minutes of me looking at the news reports Mila made me eat my own words.  I love the layering of the skirt, I love the nude/black mesh detailing of the top and the one strap is perfect for her, accentuating her neck without leaving her looking broad shouldered.  The jewellery is a bit blingy but still relatively understated (I think it was a good move not wearing any bracelets) and best of all, this dress shows off her skin to perfection – look at it!  She has a perfect complexion, not a bruise/freckle/spot in sight.  It’s not often I get skin envy but Mila has done it to me - Absolutely beautiful.

2^nd Place – Angelina Jolie

Angelina is the epitome of old school Hollywood glamour in this dress.  Never one to be too ‘revealing’, she manages to dress perfectly for her age as well as look absolutely stunning.  This oyster and deep red Atelier Versace dress is beautiful anyway, but when matched with Angelina’s incredible bone structure and matching scarlett lipstick and clutch, the whole outfit comes together perfectly.  Amazing that with her naturally pale skin tone the colour doesn’t make her look washed out, instead it gives her skin an incredibly dewy glow -  even the questionable tattoos don’t ruin this dress!

3^rd Place – Jessica Biel

Another fantastic outfit for me was the beautiful Ellie Saab gown worn by Jessica Biel.  I have never really been a fan of Jessica’s before (having never seen her look remarkable in an outfit) but the minute I saw her in this dress I did a complete u turn.  The dress is a bit ‘bridal’, but considering the rumours surrounding her and long time beau Justin Timberlake making it official and getting engaged this week, you can forgive her for that.  The lace and pearl detailing on the dress is very elegant and the dress obviously looks vintage because of this.  I love the scallop hem on the split in the skirt and the split shows just enough leg without it being too ‘gash revealing’.  The colour of her hair against the dress is perfect, any darker and it would be too brash, any lighter and could easily look to wishy washy.  Although this dress is beautiful from any angle, the back is the best part.  With a deep cut exposing most of her back the chain draped around the edge is a beautiful touch and look so elegant – it’s just a shame that you can see her knickers through the dress, but we’ll pretend we haven’t seen that bit...

Worst Dressed

1^st Place – Sarah Michelle Gellar

Unfortunately, Sarah gets the gong for the worst dressed of the whole evening.  It’s a shame, as when dressed right she is lovely, but there was so much wrong with this whole look.  First up, the tie dye dress – this was never going to be acceptable anywhere, let alone on the red carpet when everyone else is dressed so amazingly.  Next, the dress absolutely swamps her.  You can see from her shoulders that she has a small frame, yet the bottom of the dress looks like it could fit about 5 other people in it.  I am all for epically puffy dresses in the right situation, but teamed with the pattern this dress is just far too fussy.  Team this outfit with the Croydon facelift ponytail and the whole look is just wrong.  It’s a shame as well, as I don’t really mind Sarah, but there is just no denying this dress is awful.

2^nd Place – Natalie Portman

This is another unfortunate one.  It’s a shame, because I do like Natalie Portman and there have been some pictures of her on the red carpet that I have totally raved over, but this year was just a big fashion miss.  I don’t like the mix of the red and pink on this Lanvin dress, the top of it looks too big for her and the bit that sticks out on the side just brings nothing to the dress.  It’s not horrific but it doesn’t do her any favours.  The pink also clashes horribly with the red carpet, her hair just looks tied back like she’s popping to the shops, and from what I can see of those shoes, they don’t look too great either.  This picture makes me sad L

3^rd Place – Kate Winslet

This is the one that hurts the most.  I have LOVED Kate Winslet ever since I saw her gob in Cal’s face in Titanic.  She normally does awards ceremonies so well, as she should because she normally picks up one or two.  This outfit is just awful though.  It’s one step away from being appropriate for a frumpy 50 year old womans work attire (imagine the white skirt was trousters) and that is not her normal look at all.  The sleeves on the top are totally 1996, the top look too small for her.  The dress looks like it’s straining over her curves at the front, and it’s just plain and boring.  Love the hair, but unfortunately even that can’t save this outfit L

There weren't TOO many horrific outfits on display last night, so the majority of the celebs did well.  What outfits did you love/loathe?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the fashion last night, but for now i'll leave you with some other outfits I loved... enjoy!

Claire Danes looking super slim in J.Mendel



Helen Mirren looked stunning in dark blue Badgley Mischa gown

Props to Reese Witherspoon just for the beautiful hair and
super sunkissed tan... The Zac Posen dress isn't bad either!

Dianna Aragon looked absolutely beautiful
in this Giles dress



Evan Rachel in peacock printed Gucci



Polish Me Up

Once again I went out on lunch and although I don't have a pot to piss in, decided that I was going to buy myself some nail varnish. 

I have seen some awesome nail art banging around recently, so I am going to attempt a certain design I have seen tonight.  I have watched a few online tutorials and it seems SO EASY, so I am going to have confidence in myself and give it a whirl.  I'm not going to disclose what the design is at this moment in time, i'll wait and see if I pull it off first because if I royally f*ck it up then i'll just look like a twat.

Anyway, so I went out on lunch and bought a bottle of white nail varnish (I need this for the base for the nail art).  Nothing exciting, just bog standard No 17 white lasting finish nail varnish.

While I was in the shop I walked past the Barry M counter.  I always have a look at their polishes as they have awesome colours, but I am not really a fan of the texture and coverage of Barry M - just me?  I find the polish chips so badly on me and it's just not even worth me wasting my time painting them.  The lights and the bright colours and the glitter all went to my head though, because at the moment Barry M have a Limited Edition polish out called Limited Edition Effects in Silver Glitter.  As you can probably tell, the polish is just silver glitter, but there was something about it that made me want to buy it.  I can't resist a bit of sparkle (as much as that makes me sound like Liza Minelli).  I hot footed it back to the office and because I am impatient and childlike, I whacked it over the top of the nail varnish I already had on.

God please excuse the state of my fingers, no prep!

Bear in mind the pictures were hastily taken at my desk, as was the painting of the polish, so you'll have to forgive me for the shoddy visuals.  The polish I have on this hand is just 1 coat, so I am pretty impressed with it.  I have a thing about wearing coloured nail polish whenever I want, regardless of the time of year.  It's Christmas?  I'll wear coral polish then.  Christmas is over?  Time for me to bust out the glitter!  Hence why it's the 3rd Jan, everyone is suicidal yet I am trying to cheer my boss up by painting my nails like disco balls and waving them around in front of him as I speak.

Anyway, at £3.99 for the bottle it's good value, especially as it's Limited Edition.  I don't really understand the 'Effects' part of the name as it's not as effect it's just... glitter.  Anyway, go buy it, but only if you don't already have a silver glitter polish.  If you do and you buy it anyway, you are a fool like me.

P.S Erm why is it I am the only person in the world that still cannot track down any of the OPI Muppets collection?  I really want the Kermit green glitter and the Miss Piggy red one - I didn't realise that all of the glitter polishes in this collection were similar to Rainbow Connection, in that all the glitter is slightly different sizes and not just all tiny equal size pieces.  That's made me want it even more, so obviously that means as long as I think about it it won't be for sale anywhere.  FML.

If you know of anywhere in London that sells OPI Muppets and hasn't sold out, hit me up biznitches!

P.S Hi Toby :)

All The Single Ladies, Put Your Hands Up...

There are lots of ‘holidays’ that are celebrated throughout the year.  Christmas and New Year obviously, and St Patricks Day for all the alcoholics.  St George’s Day for the people that like a bit of patriotism, Easter for the religious types (and the people that like chocolate), Valentine’s Day for all the couples...

Valentine’s Day is nice when you are in a relationship, but I do think it’s a bit of a waste of time.  The restaurants all do set menus and put their prices up so you need to take out a loan just to eat there.  You HAVE to buy your boyfriend a stupid present because there is literally no Valentine’s day related product in the WORLD that a boy would ever want.  Arguments start because the boy has been rubbish with getting a good Valentine’s day present or arranging for you to do something nice.  Girlfriends feel let down by their boyfriends because they don’t want to go mental and celebrate it.  It’s nice, but it’s just HASSLE. 

Last year was the first time in 8 years I had been single on Valentine’s Day.  I wasn’t sure what my plans were going to be at the start of the year, but I ended up going to my friends house and having dinner with her and some of the other single girls and do you know what?  It was one of the best Valentines Day’s I had ever had.  We bought each other cards and stupid little presents – it was relaxed, and I spent it with the people I do love the most in the whole world, and that is what Valentine’s Day should be about.  It SHOULDN’T be about who got the biggest bunch of flowers delivered to the office, or how many different fridge magnets your mug boyfriend bought you declaring his undying love.

This brings me onto today, National Singles Day.  I bet you didn’t even know it was National Singles Day did you?  That’s what the problem is here, we have all these holidays but nothing to celebrate the fact people are alone and HAPPY ABOUT IT.  If you are currently single and enjoying yourself, then this is something to be celebrated (and n.b. I mean REALLY enjoying yourself, not enjoying yourself with 5 different men at one time).  This criteria includes:  Going out and having a good time with your friends, enjoying your life, being yourself regardless of what anyone thinks, and not having to worry about anyone apart from yourself.  Doing things you want to do FOR YOU.  These are all things you can’t do that well when you are in a relationship, but they are all things that should be celebrated and encouraged!  3 of my best friends are all single (Charlie, Jo and Hollie in case any of you boys have been eyeing them up on here!!!), so we see each other a lot – I am sure if you’ve read my previous blog posts you’ll know what sort of year I had in 2011, and this is all because of them and nothing to do with boyyys.  I don’t want to be in a relationship right now, I want to be on my own.  All the couples get to swan around all smug on Valentines Day, buying each other pink cards and basically making me want to vom into my handbag.  But all the single people don’t get to walk around all smug today, groping strangers crotches and buying themselves presents because they love themselves more than they could love any boy.  I am annoyed about this.  I love the fact I am single and I do want to let everyone know I am happy about it. 

I am aware that this post could look a bit manic, and a bit like I am bitter about being single but I promise you it’s the total opposite.  When my friends and I tweet each other, we can often be seen using the hashtag #LOL – this stands for Love Our Lives, and I have said that so much within the last year that even I am over that phrase by now, but it’s the truth.  For the first time since I can remember, I do 100% love my life and it’s nothing to do with a boy.  I am not totally anti-men, if I met someone I liked and we got together I would probably write a blog post about the first steps in a relationship and how much I am loving life etc, but I want to celebrate today because you can’t be happy with someone else unless you are truly happy with yourself, and I am HAPPY.  A few people on Twitter today commented about National Singles Day but said it was a bit depressing – when I found out it was National Singles Day I nearly shat myself with excitement!

Don’t get me wrong, I will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with Charlie, Jo and Hollie, just not in the most conventional way.  Restaurants are normally ones to be avoided for singletons on this night because everyone in them is IN LOVE and practically dry humping each other between their main course and dessert, but this year we thought we’d beat them at their own game.  We have booked a table in an amazing restaurant near us called Sheesh.  We plan to eat, shout, scream, laugh and eye up any potential male specimens in the restaurant, regardless of whether they are with their girlfriends or not.  We want to have fun and a good time, and I guarantee half of the girls in the place with their boyfriends will look at our table, see how much fun we are having and be jealous.  Do you know why will be doing this on Valentine’s Day?  Because we can.  We don’t have any obligations to a boy, we don’t HAVE to go to Clinton Cards and buy a load of sh*t just so we fit in with everyone else and have participated in Valentine’s Day.  We are doing this because we want to, not because we have to and because we know like everything else we do, it’ll be full of bants.

Due to it now being National Singles Day, I am calling on all the happy singletons out there to stand up and celebrate.  Buy yourself a massive bar of chocolate on the way home and eat it all to yourself, and SMILE because you have no one you have to share it with.  Go home and watch the sort of chick flick a boy would hate but you love, because you don’t have to take anyone else’s feelings into consideration.  Do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it.  Today is our day, and although every day for a singleton is a day of freedom, TODAY is the day WE get to be smug about it.

*smugface*

To my lovely single ladies... who knew being single could be this much fun?

Havva Mustafa Luxury Footwear

Oh I love starting the day with a sneak preview of some beautiful shoes!

Havva Mustafa Shoes is a luxury footwear brand, run by the talented and highly skilled artisan Havva Mustafa.  Specialising in beautiful handmade Italian leather pumps, sandals, heels and winter boots, intricate designs and stand out styles single the brand out from others.  I’ve attached some beautiful pictures below of some of the styles from previous collections, and I was lucky enough for Havva to send me through some sneak peaks of the Spring/Summer collection.  The shoes are absolutely beautiful, and you can see the effort that has gone into creating them.  The accompanying drawings are works of art on their own!

The Autumn Winter collection focused on heels and winter boots, and the Spring/Summer collection is focusing more on sandals (obviously) and summer shoes.  The boots are just as amazing, perfect for splashing around in puddles like your in a Dior advert!

I've just placed an order for a pair of the beautiful glittery pumps in this up-coming collection, and they will be available from mid-feb.  As soon as I receive a press pack for the Spring/Summer collection i’ll blog it, but for now have a look at the best of the previous collection and look at my lovely new pumps that will be winging their way to me shortly:

You can check out Havva’s website HERE, and Havva’s styles are also sold in Wolf and Badger in Notting Hill – check their website out HERE.

xx