Designer Versus Highstreet: When to spend and when to save

Hi guys,
Like most people, I love a little bit of luxury, and I can't resist treating myself to designer things every now and again. But I'm also a high street addict and I love getting a bargain. I've tried to give up shopping in Primark so many times, but I always get lured back "just to have a look" and I always end up picking up something: their on trend styles and low-low prices are just too tempting!

As someone, therefore, who mixes designer and high street pieces in almost every outfit I wear (though my wardrobe contains significantly more high street items!) I thought it would be a good post to share my opinions on what you should buy designer, and what items you should save your money on and get from the high street. Unless you're a millionaire of course, in which case you can hang the expense and get everything designer! But this is for the average gal like me, with a relatively small amount to spend on fashion each month:

Accessories
When it comes to most accessories, I subscribe to the philosophy that designer is best. I think people notice if you're wearing a statement watch from a good brand or if your sunglasses are designer or high street. And because trends for these items change very little, they're worth investing money in. It's also worth noting they're usually much cheaper than designer dresses or handbags!

On the other hand, I like to update my wardrobe with my accessories (that's what comes of being addicted to classic black outfits) which means there are also pieces I like to get from the high street: I would love to be able to afford necklaces from Mawi, for example, but for oversized statement necklaces I don't think you can get better than Topshop - especially because fashion jewellery trends change so often.
I just can't seem to stop myself buying designer accessories - it's an obsession!

Clothes
As a general rule I shop highstreet when I'm buying clothes. We are so lucky in the UK, because our high street is the best in the world both in terms of style, and in terms of quality and fashion forward-ness. Of course, I would love to spend £1000 on that Matthew Williamson dress. But when Monsoon do a very passable equivalent for a tenth of the price (and you'll only wear the frock twice anyway!) it really does make sense to save your money.

I do caveat that though with this notable exception:

Coats
My black trench coat is Stella McCartney (I got it from a sample sale) and I really do think you can tell the difference in it's quality from my old Topshop black trench coat. Designer coats tend to be heavier, a little thicker, more well crafted. If you like to have lots of coats in lots of styles and colours (like me!) then the high street is going to be your best friend. If you choose just one winter coat that you like, and wear it winter after winter, then look for a designer coat you can really fall in love with.

Handbags and shoes
A lot of people will say that when it comes to handbags and shoes, designer is best. But what I think they really mean is that quality is best. Whether I'm buying from the highstreet or spending designer money, I always like my shoes and bags to be leather. It lasts longer, and looks better: it doesn't have that plastic sheen that pleather tends to have.

I think a splurge is definitely worthwhile on one classic designer handbag: especially if there's one you've had your eyes on for a while. Saving your pennies to buy your dream bag is definitely behaviour I approve of!

PS - Don't believe people when they say that designer heels are worth the money because they're more comfortable: As the owner of several pairs (Dior, D&G, Moschino) I can tell you that it's a myth!

A mix of high street and designer, but every pair is leather!

So in summary I guess what I'm saying is spend on the classics: your watch, sunglasses, everyday handbag and coat. But save on trendy tops, perpex necklaces and anything in neon: you won't wear it often enough for it to be worth spending too much money!

Of course, don't forget that buying designer doesn't have to cost the earth! Here are some of my favourite websites that I scour through at least weekly to find designer treasure at discount prices:
www.tkmaxx.com (They have regular designer flashsales, but you now have to sign up to shop)
www.theoutnet.com
www.brandalley.co.uk (You have to be a member to shop their designer sales)

What do you think of my suggestions? What items do you like to buy designer, and what do you think you can get just as easily from the high street?

Love Tor x

Girl meets Dress. Dress meets Party. Everybody wins!

Hi guys,
Another day, another Christmas post: Sorry guys, I've just taken this theme and ran with it! Today we're talking about getting a knock out gorgeous dress that you definitely can't afford on a budget that you can.

Girl Meets Dress if a dress hire company where, for as little as £29, you can hire a frock for that special party or festive occasion: obviously the price of the dress depends on the one you want to hire, with the maximum hire cost being around £200 for a really extravagant ball gown.

I've written about Girl Meets Dress before, but they seem to have gone from strength to strength and gotten better and better since then: They now offer over 4,000 dresses from 150 different brands, so it would be almost impossible not find something you like! I can actually imagine this being the perfect place to find the perfect New Year's Eve party dress without breaking the bank (like I usually do every year!)

Even more excitingly (from my point of view) is that since the last time I visited the site, they have added a new category: Accessories hire! You can hire your dream bag for two nights, a week, or even a whole month! I think from my point of view this would be the most cost effective way of ensuring your outfits make an impact for the whole holiday season: just hire a fabulous Jimmy Choo or Halston clutch that will go with everything you plan on wearing, and show it off at every posisble occasion!

Have you thought about your New Year's Eve party outfit yet? And would you ever hire a dress for a big party, or would you prefer to spend your money on something with a lesser label that you can actually keep in your wardrobe forever? I have to admit, that's the one drawback of dress hire for me: having to give it back afterwards!

Love Tor x

PS - Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway: there is a great selection of little prizes to be won!! 

The Fabfrocks guide to: Bagging a bargain in TK Maxx

Hi guys,
I'm a big fan of TK Maxx, they are one of the stores on the high street that I pop into quite regularly and like my other obsessions (I'm thinking of car boot sales, Bicester village, and charity shops) the thrill is in never knowing what you might find. This weekend I popped into my mum's local store, whilst I was over visiting, and was truly delighted by the bargain I found lurking under one of the Christmas gift tables, where I was busy rummaging looking for a new make up bag:


The rrp on this gorgeous Missoni scarf was £197.47. I picked it up for £39.99. Hidden away, and it was the only one in the shop: I'm going to call that fate!

So how do you find that elusive designer bargain that you've been waiting for all your life (exaggerate? me?) Well here are my top tips for bagging a bargain in TK Maxx:

-If you've found something you love but can't find it in your size, look through all the rails. Much like Primark, TKmaxx can sometimes look like a jumble sale, because people pick things up then put them back in the wrong places when they change their mind. If you really love something persevere and you might just find the size 12 dress you were looking for hanging out with the size 6 dresses instead.

- Don't forget to look in the gifts section: especially at this time of year! That's where I found this scarf. There was also a great range of leather goods (including several Osprey purses I lusted after) that would have made a great present...to myself! Just because it's in the gift section doesn't mean you have to buy it as a gift!

- If it's big named designers you want, look for the rails marked 'Gold Label': that's where you will find all the bigger branded goodies.

- Remember that TKMaxx isn't just for fashion. I'm a sucker for their homeware department, where the discounts are (if possible) even more insane than on the clothing.

- Don't have the energy or the inclination for rummaging through the rails? The TKMaxx website has improved dramatically over the past couple of years and there are plenty of bargains to be had: I got the unborn 2 Stella McCartney tops from the website this week! For me though, the instore rummage is half of the fun!

The best thing about shopping in TKMaxx is the buzz you get for the rest of the day, after finding that bargain! Do you shop in TKMaxx? Do you have any clever tips to add that you think make your TKMaxx shopping trips more successful?

Love Tor xx

To everything there is a Seasons (Turn! Turn! Turn!)

Hi guys,
Sometimes I hear something that puts a song lyric into my head and I just can't get it out: hence the title of today's post. Because it's all about my latest online shopping discovery: seasonsclothing.co.uk. Which immediately made me start singing The Byrds 'To everything there is a season'. Over and over again in my head. In fact, I'm doing it now! Anyway, I digress.... 

Like most websites, its name doesn't actually give anything away about it, so let me explain. Seasons is a designer clothes site featuring a myriad of amazing designers, including Acne, Alice Temperley, Marc by Marc Jacobs, See by Chloe and many many more. Before I started writing this post I spent over an hour creating a virtual shopping list on the site: I didn't intend to, but there were just so many things I wanted, and once I start creating wishlists I just can't stop! Check out all the great pieces I'll be wearing this season (see what I did there?) when that lottery win finally comes in:

Marc by Marc Jacobs tote bag, £143.50
Acne burgandy knit cardigan, £260
Barbour chunky knit, £195
Aamaya-by-Priyanka ring, £175
Acne short boots, £360
See by Chloe oversized jacket, £570
Equipment snakeskin shirt, £280

This whole moodboard is pretty much how I envisage my new mummy wardrobe will look. Of course realistically it's likely to be more pajama heavy, and covered in more baby sick than this, but a girl can dream! I really love the snakeskin shirt, which would look amazing teamed with either leather leggings or waxed jeans.

Live t'up North? Then your in luck! As well as exploring the website, you can visit an actual Seasons store! The brand have two stores: one in the Devonshire Quarter in Sheffield and one in the Victoria Quarter in Leeds.

Love Tor xx

*This is a sponsored post 

Designer of the day: Kristinit

It's hard to get excited about sustainable fashion: T shirts in organic cotton and stiff patterned skirts are what I immediately think of when someone says their collection is 'sustainable'. So I was delighted when Kristinit send me the lookbook for her lastest sustainable collection entitled Love: It is created with social and environmental responsibility in mind, and in collaboration with Zoe Melo, the LOVE Campaign uses custom, handmade lace from artesenatos in Brazil, supporting fair trade and linking women and beauty across the globe. I think it is this aspect that appealed most because, lets face it, who doesn't want to do something admirable that could change the world simply by shopping!?

.

Kristina Lenss, the designer of Kristinit says: "This collection is about complementing fashion with sustainability — without sacrificing style." And from the pictures below, i'm inclined to agree:

I think the collection is very sleek and very grown up, but with a quirky fashion twist. There isn't a piece here I wouldn't put my (ridiculously fashionable, by the way!) mother in and she would look fabulous in the whole collection! But that doesn't mean I wouldn't wear it too: just in a different context I think. For a lady like my mum this is probably daily wear, but for me it is the stuff that you save for work appointments and meetings at the bank! I love the gentle ikat pattern of the prints, and the handmade lace peephole on the black dress hints at the wearer being a little bit naughty: much nicer (and sexier!) than yards of flesh on display in my opinion!
.
I can't decide out of the top three which is my favourite, but I do know that they would all slot perfectly into my non-exsistent work wardrobe!

.

Love Tor

.

Ps - Is anyone else looking at the dark haired model and suffering serious hair envy?!

Taking one for the Team-o!

The moment I saw these Teamo jackets on refinery29, I knew I had to have one. In fact I will go to any lengths to have one: in particular the second one in this trio of loveliness; I'm addicted to tails and I yearn for shoulders sharp enough to take an eye out! This is the garment worthy of cracking open my savings account for!Isn't it amazing that the model can look both sinister and ethereal at the same time? The soft draping on the dress juxtaposed with the slick tailoring and angles of the jacket works perfectly! Although it would be quite a statement, I do think these jackets are wearable, rather than just costume pieces. In order to be so raised and sharp, i'm desperate to know what the fabric feels like, and if the wearability of it from that point of view suffers!

Jennine on the Coveted said that although she admires these jackets, you would have to be as thin as a rake to actually wear one of them: i'm inclined to disagree and I am rather desperate to prove her wrong: I want to wear this jacket over acres of grey jersey with high gloss black leggings and killer shoes.

The problem is, I can't figure out where I can buy it from (or even just lustfully try one on)!! New High (M)art stocks some of the Teamo range (including this amazing Mary Kate and Ashley t-shirt I am also coveting hard!)

...but they are yet to stock the AW09/10 stock. I am hoping with everything crossed that they will! Anyone have any idea where I can get this jacket in London??

.

I am yet to see an item from the Teamo design duo from Mexico that I don't like: although I rarely wear earrings, I would bend this unofficial rule to wear these black fringed hoops:

The fringing on the hoops goes all the way round, extending up into the hair, which would look fabulous against my golden locks (even if I do say so myself!)

So it's official; Teamo is my favorite designer of the moment. I'm addicted to their overthetop designs and architectural attention to details. Now I just need to find someone who's eyes i'd like to remove, so I can try out my imaginary new jacket (one day!) properly!

Love Tor x

Who will sell you if you don't sell yourself?

Flicking through the street chic at the Chelsea flower show section of vogue.com, I came across 2 pictures that started a curious train of thought:

Daniella Issa Helayel says "I'm wearing Issa, a Philip Treacy hat, a Chanel bag and a clutch by Corto Moltedo."

Meanwhile, Julien Macdonald says "Today I'm wearing Dior Homme, American Apparel and Gucci."

Now, whilst I am aware that Macdonald doesn't design menswear, this got me thinking about what designers do wear. Is it OK that Issa is wearing Issa? Should/do we expect designers to wear their own collections or does it seem too self promotional and, well, naff?

Yup, i'm thinking about you, Donatella Versace!

I think this is a tricky area. Issa is wearing her own collection, but she isn't wearing it head to toe and the overall look is very chic. To me this is self promotion that works. Donatella on the other hand seems to wear Versace head to toe, day in and day out, and therefore we stop admiring the gowns/resort wear and see the clothes instead as a stereotypical extension of her persona.

Karl Lagerfeld always wears his own sunglasses, whilst Marc Jacobs is also famed for wearing his own collections. However MJ also drew the attention of the world press to the Commes de Garcons kilt for men by wearing it onto the stage at the fashion show showcasing his own collection back in 2008. I wonder what people found more shocking; that he was a chap wearing a skirt, or that he was drawing attention to another designers garment which seemed set to overshadow his own collection?

I am all for shameless self promotion (have you read about http://www.yourlondonstylist.co.uk/ yet, by the way?) but I also respect designers who wear other designers clothes; they must love fashion (or they wouldnt be in the business!) so it seems natural to me that they would want to wear beautiful things, as well as have variety in their wardrobes. However I think a designer would have to be very stupid (or too famous for it to matter perhaps!) not to wear their own clothes occassionally, simply for that priceless red carpet moment when someone asks what you're wearing, and you can say yourself. I bet Daniella Issa thought all her birthdays had come at once!

What says you Karl?

An interesting point well made!

Love, Tor xx

Liberty design competition

Ok, so I am about to skim the following copy staight from Liberty's blog (hence the speech brackets!) because I thought it was too good an opportunity for you talented lot to miss out on and because they put it just as well (OK a bit better) as I would:

"Are you a budding new British designer? How would you like to have your products sold at Liberty?

In a bid to recognise and support new and emerging British design talent, Liberty is hosting an Open Design Day on Saturday 25th April.

A panel of experts comprising the Liberty buying team, now headed up by ex-Bergdorf Goodman Senior VP Ed Burstell alongside industry experts such as Yasmin Sewell (Liberty’s Creative Consultant), David Nicholls (Design Editor of the Daily Telegraph) and Sarah Mower (international fashion authority), will be on hand to cast their expert eyes over everything the public bring in.

From fashion to furniture, hats to handbags, craft to cushions and from ceramics to silverware Liberty is encouraging anyone with a creative passion to bring in their designs for the panel to assess.

But don’t expect a Dragon’s Den – rather it is a chance for new designers to get sympathetic and helpful advice from experts on how to nurture and develop their ideas.

The best designs will get the chance to have their products sold at Liberty, a name synonymous with the very best of new design since its doors first opened in 1875, and now one of London’s best-loved emporiums of style and design.

Arthur Lasenby Liberty trawled the world and created an emporium where the finest could meet the rarest. In keeping with this heritage Ed Burstell is keen to champion the best new British design and craft. He and his team will offer support and direction for each step of the process that designers need to get their items selling on Liberty’s world renowned shelves.

To register your interest and receive further updates on this event please send an email to opencall@liberty.co.uk "

How cool is that?! So I suggest you all get those sewing machines whirling and give it your best shot: i'd be joining you if it weren't for my complete and utter lack of talent!!

Love Tor

The Out-Net!

Ok, I know this news was all over other blogs earlier in the month, but in typical Tor fashion, it's only just penetrated my radar!
.
I love Net-a-Porter. Despite the fact that I applied for a job there and didn't even get an interview (sigh!) I spend half of my life on Net-a-Porter drooling over all the wonderful clothes (and stealing pictures to post here of course!) but i've never actually ordered anything: the prices are a bit too rich for my purse, not to mention my pesky aversion to ordering anything online.

However I think i've found the perfect antidote to help me overcome that fear; next month Net-a-Porter is to launch an online outlet store! And we all know how I feel about outlet stores!

.
On offer will be a mix of the former season's merchandise, classic pieces and greatest hits resurrected from designers' archives, all with average discounts of 40 to 60 percent. The company also plans to give some items away for free.
.
"We've been thinking of doing a sale shop -- under a separate brand -- for years, and now is the right time to focus on it," said Natalie Massenet, founder and chairman of Net-a-porter. "We are no longer a start-up, but a mature, established business, and we want to follow in the footsteps of stores like Barneys Co-op and Neiman Marcus' Last Call," she said, adding the new company aims to service customers and brands alike.
.
I, for one, am keeping my fingers crossed for an affordable, cross seasonal blazer and counting the days until the launch!
.
Lots of love,
Tor

Big bust and a baby boom

First woolworths, then the officers club, ghost, zavvi, now viyella. Then I read on dressed and pressed's blog that the mosaic group c/o oasis, warehouse, principals and more was in trouble.

The face of the British highstreet is changing forever, and not neccessarily in a good way. Without choice there is no competitive market; without Zavvi we have to buy our non-chart CD's either online, or in HMV and who knows what that will do to the prices?

But today I read in the Independent that it's not all a downward spiral in retail terms, believe it or not. Evidence seems to be showing that the money we women seem increasingly guilty about spending on ourselves we are instead lavishing on our children.

What baby doesn't need an animal print D&G bottle?

According to several fashion companies, little sizes are turning into big business as designer childrenswear is experiencing buoyant year-on-year growth and bucking the trend of impending doom and gloom the rest of the retail industry is experiencing. The sector has become so profitable – Dolce & Gabbana has just announced that its kids' sales rose by 30 per cent in 2008 – that chic designers have taken to including childrenswear in their clothing lines. John Galliano and Marc Jacobs already produce mini designer gear, and soon Jean-Paul Gaultier will feature children's fashion. Boutiques and websites specialising in mini couture are springing up.
.

Well done to the clever designers jumping on this trend and finding new ways of keeping their ailing business afloat. Because designer fashion doesnt come cheap, no matter how tiny the clothes are. This quite frankly frightening collection of baby-adult clothes from little marc jacobs costs almost as much as the adult range.

Not that I care about what crazy parents choose to spend their money on. What worries me about this though is the toddlers and children padding around in their diamond encrusted nappies or galliano trainers. See, where I come from kids look like this: They play out, they get grubby. They tear holes in their jeans climbing trees. They grow, really quick. And I wonder if the parents investing the money that, according the world news, they dont have in these expensive clothes will let their kids be kids in them or will fret (like I do over my betsey johnson handbag or my favourite suede heels) about them getting scuffed, torn, damaged. And what kind of life is that for a child? And what kind of values does it teach them? That having designer clothing makes you important, special, less able to play with the other kids?

.

What right do I have to decide what kind of values a child should be given anyway? I don't even have one! And any boom in the British retail situation should be celebrated given the current crisis. After all, if we lose anymore highstreet stores, there won't be much of a highstreet left for me to shop on, and then where would this blog be??

Apologies for the slightly off fashion nature of this post, but it's worrying when there are 6 year old babies with better wardrobes than me. Learning which designer label you like best is something you can do at any age. Learning how to ride a bike or climb a tree are things you do in your childhood. Or maybe i'm just jealous because I don't own anything by D&G....and I can't ride a bike!

.

Love Tor

Genius. Pure genius.

I heart catwalkgenius.com. In fact, I HEART catwalkgenius.com. Caplocks for emphasis.

This morning I was looking for the perfect T shirt dress. Inspired by my pvc leggings that I still haven't worn, but am determined to, I thought that what I probably needed was something casual (to counteract the killer heels) that was short enough to show off my leggings in all their glory, but long enough to cover most of the horror show that is my thighs. Enter then the T shirt dress. Answer to all my ills. All the usual suspects were attacked, and I found nothing that would make my boat float. In a bid of desperation I typed in my desire to google and they came up trumps.

Enter catwalk genius. Hundreds of beautiful covertable items at seriously affordable prices but made from wool and cashmere and luxurious cotton, rather than the cheap polyester of topshop for practically the same price (well, if you squint a bit and you cant really count!)

Here then are the things I covet:

Owl tshirt, Otswald Helgason, 177 euros.
Wow dress by JoJo and Malou, 94 Euros

Handcuff sequin jumper, Markus Lupfer, 227 Euros
Shark attack dress, Jojo and Malou 116 Euros

Dodecahedron necklace, Fred Butler, 383 Euros (First I saw Fred on Channel 4 making pin wheels, then I saw Susie Bubble wearing her necklace and fell in love. Oh how I covert one of my very own!)

These are my five favourite things, but there's so much more! And the real "genius" of the project (who am I to miss such an obvious pun?) is that the site enables young and new designers to sell there stuff at no risk, as well as giving users the opportunity to support them; you can buy shares in their next collection, and the site encourages you to spread the word about the designers you like (which I realise is exactly what i'm doing now!)

I still haven't found that T shirt dress of my dreams, but do you know, just for a moment, I think i've stopped caring.

Lots of love,

Tor x