SS13: Mellow Yellow from ASOS AFRICA

Hi guys,
I've fallen slightly in love with the latest collection from ASOS Africa. ASOS Africa is produced in collaboration with SOKO Kenya, allowing communities to establish sustainable business through local craftsmanship. It's the perfect combination of stylish glamorous fashion, and doing something for the greater good. And with its bold yellow and green motifs, it's just perfect for summer:
Traditional African lace is given a very modern update in this new collection.  Soft silhouettes are given a sporty edge with chevron jersey binding, dolphin hems and cropped layers over longer lengths. Traditional Kenyan kanga fabric is used as an all-over print on trousers and crop tops or inserted on a tailored quilted jacket.

Prices start at £25 for a crop top and range to £50 for the full-printed maxi dress. But it is the loose kimono and the fitted jacket that I am most excited about: both are perfect for teaming with a white cotton tee for effortless casual summer dressing.

What do you guys think of the new ASOS AFRICA collection? Are there any pieces you're dying to get your hands on? 

Love Tor x

Matalan sale: Buy now, wear all spring

Hi guys,
When shopping the sales it's easy to fall into the trap of buying chunky winter coats and sequins perfect for Christmas: no doubt bargains, but not exactly sensible purchases for the warmer months that will be here before you know it.

For obvious reasons, you don't see a lot of spring/summer clothes in the January sales. So imagine my surprise to find these fully lined jersey blazers in the Matalan sale reduced from £25 to just £5:
I picked up the jersey grey and pastel green versions because I can't resist grey marl, and because when spring arrives, pastels are always in fashion. If these colours don't float your boat though, my local store also had the same jacket available in electric blue, red, fuchsia, burgundy, aubergine and black: all £5 regardless of the colour you chose!

So what should you look for when trying to find bargains for next season in the winter sales?
- Well, the first thing to look for is lighter colours: anything in pastels, white, nautical-style stripes and bright flouro colours is always going to work nicely for spring: that fluorescent pink jumper that looked so amazing in December with black leather trousers and a fur coat, for example, will look just as good come spring teamed with pale boyfriend jeans and new sandals.

- Secondly look for lighter weight fabrics. Chiffon and silk are always popular at Christmas because they're seen as luxury fabrics. But they're also so lightweight that they look great and glamorous worn on warm summer nights.

- Finally, think outside the box. Could that trophy jacket work for a summer wedding if you wear it with a brightly coloured dress? Will you wear coloured jeans in the summer as well as the winter? It's amazing how many items you'll find that overlap all the seasons, that you can wear again and again.

But back to my bargain jackets. It's not often you find such an amazing and versatile sale bargain that you could buy now and still be wearing in 6 months where the reductions are higher than 50%: if you live near a Matalan then my advice is to snap one up before they're all gone!

And if you're quick then the Matalan sale is available online, and you'll find the jacket on the site in the grey, green, and navy blue colours right now! Here's the link!

Love Tor x

Primark picks of the week: Erm, can I have everything?

Hi guys,
I had to pop into town to pick up some antibiotics yesterday afternoon (I have a sinus infection: yuck!) And whilst I was there I just couldn't resist a little peak in Primark. I'm glad I did, because I left feeling inspired: there is just so much to like in store right now!

I seem to have done a complete 360 on fast fashion recently. I'm still buying considerably less of it, and focusing on building up a wardrobe based on quality long lasting pieces, but I've come to realise that fast cheap trend-led pieces will always have a place in my wardrobe: it's the only way to inject some of the newer/more unusual trends into your look without winning the lottery!

Note that everything I've picked out below is available in my local store right now, so if you want anything you'd better be quick! (The perfect excuse to hit the shops this weekend, perhaps?!)

Rabbit print jumper, £14 
Embroidered shoulder cut out blouse, £12
Chunky metallic crew jumper, £12 
Watercolour mono blazer, £19
Studded collar shirt, £12
PU sleeve military jacket, £25

Quilted biker jacket, £25
Leather skater skirt, £12
Animal peplum top, £8
Floral block heel ankle boots, £20
Leather panel pencil skirt, £12
Graphic zigzag blouse, £12

I actually picked up the rabbit jumper yesterday: I can't wait to wear it! I also already have the chunky knit with the metallic flecks. It looks great, and is indicative of the gorgeous knitwear currently instore: I was impressed!  I also picked up 2 pairs of super-thick 150 denier tights: the quality feels better than ever before: certainly worth the minor price increase to £3 per pair. And if you're a plan-aheader, Primark have all their Christmas supplies in store too; wrapping paper, stocking fillers, and even Christmas tree decorations. What don't they have? Well I haven't been impressed with any of their coat selections so far: let's hope they're coming soon!

Have you been into Primark recently? Were you impressed by the stock in your local store, and have you bagged any bargains?

Love Tor xx

Fall Fashion: Army Green Jacket

The arrival of beautiful foliage means that the change of seasons is upon us and, although the past weeks in NJ have been unseasonably warm, we should prepare for cooler days.  When the temps drop the trees might undress, but we like to bundle up! So, a favorite must have item for fall is an army or military inspired green, lightweight jacket.  Because they're light weight they are perfect for fall or spring and great for layering over thin tees or sweaters! We've been seeing this look everywhere, varying from feminine flair to rugged chic. Just think of the 90's grunge scene, but pretty.

One of our favorite looks is this cinched anorak by BDG. It's large hood makes it perfect for shielding you from the crisp fall winds, but it's lightweight enough to wear even in September. The details are what make this jacket stand out: we love the cinched waist, hidden zippered pockets, and split hem in the back. This is one fall trend that we'll definitely be sporting.

Another great casual look is this cropped military jacket from Forever 21. It also has a large hood and hidden zippers, and the cropped style makes it perfect for layering. Just throw on a buffalo plaid scarf, and you're all set for apple picking!

A similar, but more polished look is this utility jacket from J. Crew. The jacket sports a comfortable knit trim collar, and is water resistant, which is handy for when you trek through the rainstorms in Nam.

We also love this cropped military jacket by Ann Taylor Loft. The structured Mandarin collar and broad belt will have you marching down the streets with authority, but what really makes this jacket stand out is its deep color. Described as "burnt olive" on the website, this shade of green is rich and vibrant, which is a nice change of pace from all the faded greens. And it especially looks good on red heads, as pictured above.

If you want something less casual, then try on this belted faded olive trench from Victoria's Secret. The large brass buttons and high collar give this a military feel, but the belted waist gives it a nice feminine fit. This look is great for both work and play,  and is a bit more interesting than your standard khaki trench.

Another fashion forward look is this lightweight parka available at Top Shop. This is a more urban take on the traditional army green, with a jersey body and cotton layers giving it a soft, cascading look. This parka would look great with leggings and combat boots (our other favorite fall trend) or with tights and heeled oxfords. 

Finally, we love this military inspired overcoat from Mod Cloth. Made from a warm wool blend, this is a great coat to have come November, when temperatures begin to drop and you're forced to forgo your light blazers for something more substantial. The cut of this coat makes it appropriate to wear to work,  but would work equally well with jeans and booties.  

At ease, soldier!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

The perfect black jacket

Hi guys,

.

It strikes me as funny that Susie Bubble (of stylebubble fame, of course!) should write about the importance of owning the perfect black jacket (or PJB as she calls it) yesterday, because on that exact same day I found my perfect black jacket. (Ooooh! Spooky!)

I have been hunting for one for ages, and in frustration bought a cheap tux jacket from Primark which was no substitute (and shall now be making its way to ebay). But now i've found a jacket to love for years to come and I think it looks great!

I love that its so much longer at the front than it is at the back, and the cascading lapels are flattering on my bust (despite their ruffly nature!) because of their length. Its smart, which is how i've worn it for work today, but i'm desperate to wear it with my faded torn jeans and a flesh coloured t shirt for travelling to my parents on Friday! Smart casual will forever now be easy for me!

And was it expensive I hear you ask? Well the answer is no (in fact it was as good value as a session with yourlondonstylist ;) Oh the joy of the shameless plug! ha!) I got it from my new best friend the topshop outlet in Edgeware.

I had the day off work yesterday to go to the hospital in Edgeware for xrays and blood tests (yawn!) and I figured while I was there it would be rude not to pop into my most favoured discount store. While there I fell in love with this top:

The gorgeous, gorgeous sleeves! They are really lovely unusual zip details. Ahhh, I die! (As Rachel Zoe would say; that's how much I enjoy this top, it makes me quote Rachel Zoe!) I then immediately fell even more in love with my jacket of dreams and took them to the checkout where they were rung up and I was told they had been wrongly priced. My face fell. I didn't want to spend more than £30 although I would for that jacket. At that moment in time I suspect I would've thrown caution to the wind and handed over the entire contents of my bank account for that jacket! But I can sense that you know there is a happy ending to this tale....

....And here it is: Have no fear for I got them both FOR £10 BOGOF, BABY!!! That works out at just £5 per item!!

Sometimes I just can't believe my unbelievable luck! And super cheap or not, these are items I will definitely cherish in my new, slightly more streamlined wardrobe....or at least, realistically, streamlined for now!

Lots of love,

Tor

NB - Whilst were talking about funny coincidences, which I suppose we sort of are (ish), yesterday Susie also wrote about an exhibition in Norwich that I was telling my boyfriend I wanted to see when we were up in Norwich to visit Becky at the end of May. Spooky or what

Comme de Garcons for H&M - Before

Today my day is split into 2 distinct sections: before and after I view the Comme de Garcons for H&M collection. Unfortunately, unlike half the bloggersphere, I had to get up and come to work this morning rather than get up and wait in line for a chance to try on/buy some of the range. So while everyone else is battling it out on Oxford street, I’m sat here with fingers itching, waiting for 5.30 to come, and praying that there will be something left by then (and that the queues wont be as bad as they were in Tokyo!)
I’ve been admiring the collection from afar for months; I need the shirt with ruffled sleeves and the circus master-type jacket in particular. (see below!) But often these things are so much more disappointing in the flesh, so I’m trying not to get too excited (she says as she scours the web for more pictures-again!)

However, provided everything looks and feels as good tonight as I hope it will from my computer screen, these are the things I will be looking out for:

And here it is up close:

I need this jacket! I need it more than I think I can express in words right now! I think I also need this models platinum hair....

Oooh! Ruffly sleeves! Like jewellery attached to your clothes - I want to wear this under a little black dress for work and team it with (it's an urge I cant control) boots and legwarmers!

Comfy and practical - not cool but things I love anyway!! I can see me slouching to work in these on hangover days and still feeling lovely!

For more pictures and the prices of everything check out the H&M website (it goes without saying really, but just in cases!)

Obviously, in true fabfrocks fashion, my take on the whole thing will appear hours after everyone elses, and I know in the back of my head that all the 'good stuff' will be gone but still, I can't help being excited!

Roll on tonight!

Love Tor x