Holiday Lookbook: The Daytime Dress Down

The second (and last) instalment of my holiday lookbook is toned down just a smidgen from last year - not only to save room in my suitcase and stop cluttering the apartment with clothes I probably won't even get the chance to wear but to prevent my poor brother going into further meltdown as I drag him around Spain with a camera and my formal orders. Day to day wear is a favourite in my book, there's a sense of careless casual and cool chic thrown into my outfit delivery as I either spend time around the pool in bikinis and cover ups, or stroll off for breakfast in a lightweight get-up of shorts skimpy tops. The heat is obviously insanely intense throughout the day, especially at peak time of 12-3pm so it's hard to find comfortable balance - as you'll see in a moment, I usually end up immersing myself with too many pairs of sunglasses, sandals, and sometimes even bare feet.

Day one: my airport attire was uncomplicated as can be this year as I managed to grab this denim jumpsuit in the New Look sale. As soon as I slipped into the broadened material and it fit like a glove I knew that would be the all in one piece I'd be travelling in. Its versatility fits in with the country swap; the cut out sides allowing me to breathe once I arrive in doubled temperatures! A pair of slip on mules I can easily release my feet from on the crammed plane and a baker boy cap I can hide my sweaty excursion hair in is just an added bonus.

Holiday Lookbook: The Nighttime Glam

Welcome to my first instalment of my holiday lookbook! After another tough week battling through a heavy schedule and an unfortunate deterioration in pain levels, I finally managed to sort through the most important chapter of my holiday - and that would be my outfits.  If you were interacting over on my instagram whilst I was away you'll have more than likely seen a sneak peek of most of my outfits but I also like to showcase them over on my blogging platform for you all to see! For me, planning, preparing, then eventually wearing your new clobber is one of the most exciting parts about heading off on vacay - albeit there's some unavoidable creases and accidental shampoo spillages on the way there, and there's the issue of humidity attempting to creep in and replace stylish with sweaty mess once worn but I still love the refreshing feeling and the confidence gained when you dash out for an evening of food, cocktails and a gearing up for the guaranteed "why is she so dressed up in a quiet rural part of Spain" stares. 

If you've been following my blog for a couple of years (oh you loyal things, you) you'll know photographing my daily and nightly outfits is a cliche move for me and this year was no different. I've stuck to my morals, experimented with garments I'd be happy to take on in an unfamiliar environment, developed an unwavering love for bright shades of colour and mixed up my holiday wardrobe so there's no specific direction. From pretty dresses to relaxed jumpsuits and all out risque, I tried it all...

Day one: imagine my mood when the entire first day was cloudy and dull, keep that picture in mind and then analyse my outfit choice. Yep, that's right, I went for all black in this on trend cut out shoulder frill playsuit, layered choker necklace and tie up sandals.

The holiday lookbook: evening wear week 2

So I'm now onto the final instalment of my holiday lookbooks, the last week of my evening attire. As we've come to an end, it feels like I finally have to let go of the Spanish reminiscence and I no longer have any excuse to pine over sunshine and happy times. Goodbye Costa Blanca, hello Costa Del Rainy Leeds...

The last week of a holiday is a bit of an angel/devil situation. You're able to enjoy dressing up to your hearts content as your tan is in full golden mode, but then you know the fun and relaxation is about to finish any moment and you're almost watching the clock tick by. I think I did make the most of the time I had left (outfit wise anyway), I gave my style a boost in the right (or should I say white) direction and I really thought I'd up my game with the 'I wish to appear more elegant' movement. I may have had a funny look here and there, the familiar question of 'why on earth are you so dressed up' pretty much visible on the ogling faces of the public but that's just me, I dress up to feel good and it's such a holiday tradition that I'll be doing it till I'm old and grey. 

EVENING 10 -

A floral statement doesn't need a big amount of further detail, it's such a safe, sensible yet complimenting choice.

Dress - Zara (sale) | Shoes - Deichmann | Bag - Primark

The holiday lookbook: evening wear week 1

To say I'm way behind on publishing my holiday posts is an understatement to say the least and although I'm now 100% ready for pretty flowers to turn into golden, crispy leaves, drawn out evenings to change into darkened nights and summer stock to be replaced with Halloween gear, it doesn't stop me dreaming of this time two months ago when I was enjoying my well needed trip to Spain. 

Contradicting to my casual day outfits (which you can find here and here) it's almost traditional for me to make more of an effort (or at least try to) once sprucing up for the evening meal and drinks to follow. I never leave the apartment without a pair of statement heels (unless I'm going to be walking a while and need some room for my feet to breathe) and my accessories have to blend in. Past 8pm has to be my favourite time during a holiday, the heat is almost bearable, the sun is setting, and as you're nearly ready to take a therapeutic walk to the centre for allll the food, applying the final touch of detail to your freshly co-ordinated outfit is oh so satisfying, whether that be a piece of jewellery or a certain nail varnish. I always find evening outfits are way more fun to create and if you're lucky enough to be on holiday for a long duration of time, you can display all sections to your personal style which in my case is the comfortable side, the on trend side, the girly side and the cool but casual (and judging by some rad decisions), the cowboy side. 

EVENING 1 - 

The first night choice is difficult when you're still pale as ever, but you can never go wrong with stripes.

Jumpsuit - eBay | Bag - Primark | Belt - ASOS | Shoes - Primark

The holiday lookbook: daywear week 2

Finally, after getting back on track, I've moved on to the second part of my holiday lookbook which is the day-wear part two. The outfits featured are definitely some of my favourite of the bulk lot. Not just because my tan was more noticeable (crying into my pillow because that's now completely vanished) but because the locations are so blog-ready and I strangely felt much more ship-shaped going into the second week. Typically, it got hotter in Spain as the weeks went by so I had to keep the clothing to a minimal and I think the choice of styling fit the bill and kept heat exhaustion to a minimum (trust me when I say I had a serious case of that on a daily basis). So, without keeping a conversation pointlessly rolling, I'll crack on with showing you what I wore.

DAY 11 -

 That H&M dress was the perfect choice for a day at the beach. Light, white AND appealing.

Dress - H&M | Hat - H&M | Bag - H&M | Sliders - Primark | Sunnies -  River Island

DAY 12 -

I love layering but the only suitable layering abroad is sleeveless on sleeveless. Camel on black is what I went for here.

Dress - Forever 21 | Sleeveless Jacket - Miss Pap | Hat - H&M | Belt - ASOS | Shoes - Primark

DAY 13 -

This ASOS dress was a definite all round vacay dress. Adding in some contrast, delicate accessories jazzed it up a little.

Dress - ASOS | Sandals - Mango | Bag - H&M | Sunglasses - Primark | Necklace - New Look

DAY 14 -

Back at the apartment I always opted for a safe choice of a camisole and shorts. Square necks are so complimenting.

Top - H&M | Shorts - Stradivarius | Shoes - Primark

DAY 15 -

Jersey dresses allow you to still have breathing space whilst being a step bolder and classier when exploring. 

Dress - H&M | Hat - (a Spanish own) | Sandals - Forever 21 | Bag - H&M

DAY 16 -

A lightweight stripe number is a must. The clean cut, crisp white colours matched the Spanish streets effortlessly. 

Dress - New Look | Bag - Primark | Shoes - Forever 21 | Hat - H&M

DAY 17 -

Reaching out for my girly side, the neutral whites and pinky nudes were in full swing with this pretty fringed blouse.

*Top - C/O DressLink | Shorts - Forever 21 | Hat - Primark | Sunglasses - Stradivarius

DAY 18 - 

Finding that 1 pair of shorts and wearing them to death is necessary. Crop top/shorts are the ultimate holiday combo.

Top - New Look | Shorts - Stradivarius | Bralet - Primark | Sunnies - Primark | Hat - H&M

DAY 19 -

When wearing a stand out print on the bottom half, a more simple bralet to throw on is a great way to mix it up.

Bralet - Primark | Shorts - Topshop

DAY 20 -

I love a good tanned shoulder so showing them off in this beautiful bardot piece made me feel oh so sophisticated.

Dress - Bershka | Sandals - Mango 

DAY 21 -

I often swap outfits at the beach so carrying featherweight, barely there pieces with me was a grand decision. 

Beach outfit 1: Bikini - H&M | Kimono - Primark | Hat - H&M

Beach outfit 2: Bralet - eBay | Shorts -  ASOS | Hat - H&M 

If you want to recap on the first daywear lookbook, you can find it here! Stay tuned as evening wear part one will be posted soon (definitely sooner than the gap between these two).

Bridie x

Style: ten festival inspired outfits

As August comes to a near end, festival season heightens. With V Fest this weekend, Leeds Fest and Fusion Fest next weekend, and Sundown the week after that, I thought it was only natural for me to prepare another festival fashion inspired post. I did a very similar post last year and reading back, nothing has changed. I still don't think I could bear being in a swamped field surrounded by overly drunken people whilst I hide in my tent with a cuppa and pretend I'm not pining for a shower, warmth and clean bed sheets BUT what proves to be true is I love revisiting the typical (and sometimes not so typical) festival style, even if that does mean I can dress up and prance around but then only venture out into my back garden. Last year I picked out five outfits, but this year I've upped my game and collected ten. Now, if only there were hundreds of tents, burger vans and a stage behind me...

NUMBER ONE - THE PLAYSUIT

Although not always ideal for the tussle of the portaloo's, I think a pair of dungarees with an on trend blouse underneath sets off a simple selection.

Dungarees - Zara | Blouse - Missguided | Shoes - Forever 21

NUMBER TWO - THE BUTTON DOWN SKIRT

I reflected on my admiration for a-line button down skirts in a previous wishlist post and I still stick to it. Throw in some boho and fringing detail and a pair of sandals and you're a fine line between casual yet chic dressing.

Skirt - Stradivarius | Top - Forever 21 | Lace Up Sandals - Primark | Hat - Primark | Bag - H&M

NUMBER THREE - THE CROCHET STAPLE

You can't ever have a festival trip without some beloved crochet. A basic dress topped with accessories (and an extremely handy belt pouch) is a great on the spot 'what should I wear' decision.

Dress - Miss Selfridge  | Belt Bag - Primark | Boots - Primark | Hat - Primark 

NUMBER FOUR - THE DENIM DRESS

Let's be fair, who doesn't wear denim at a festival? Not only that, a full on denim dress means you're head to toe on trend and don't have to worry about putting too much effort in when all you wanna do is dance.

Dress - Forever 21 | Bag - Primark | Hat - Primark | Boots - Primark

NUMBER FIVE - THE JACKET AND SCARF COMBO

Whether it's a kimono, a blazer or a bulkier jacket, a statement piece with an optional neck scarf thrown into the mix makes it appropriate for the guaranteed rainy weather, ensures comfort and makes you stand out from the rest.

Jacket - Boohoo | Top - H&M | Shorts - Stradivarius | Shoes - Zara | Skinny Scarf - ASOS | Hat - Primark | Bag - Vintage

NUMBER SIX - THE BARDOT STRIPE

Stripes, stripes, stripes. All day everyday, if it was acceptable, it's all I'd wear. You can never go wrong with the styling of stripes no matter the position, the shape and the cut. A bardot swing dress like this allows you to show off your shoulders and stay nice and lightweight (in more than one way). 

Dress - Boohoo | Boots - eBay | Skinny Belt - ASOS | Hat - Primark | Camera Bag - Primark

NUMBER SEVEN - THE SLEEVELESS JACKET

The combination of a bold printed dress and an over layer of some kind will always be my favourite. Sleeveless jackets just add that extra depth to an outfit, especially if the colours clash like this gorgeous burgundy and black. 

Dress - Ark | Sleeveless Jacket - Boohoo | Boots - Primark | Hat - Primark | Shoes - Primark | Bag - H&M

NUMBER EIGHT - THE WHITE DENIM

Keeping it minimal with an oversized shirt and denim shorts is a job well done at a festival. You'll be cool, comfy and have plenty of room for the fun adventures. It's nice to change up the usual denim to white denim, plus it still hopes for some more summer.

Shirt - Forever 21 | Shorts - Topshop via Depop | Sandals - Primark | Hat - Primark | Bag - Primark

NUMBER NINE - THE LAYERED SHIRT

A chunky shirt thrown over some basics is a perfect match and just screams out festival wear. That one shirt that goes with pretty much everything means you can once again keep it simple with stripes and denim. Plus it gives you the option of adapting to the weather! Too warm? Take it off. Freezing later on? Pop it back on and embrace the snugness.

Top - Zara | Shorts - Topshop | Shirt - H&M | Sandals - Mango | Hat - H&M

NUMBER TEN - THE SUEDE SKIRT

Tan and camel colours are my top picks whatever the occasion. I think browns just work so well together, and with suede being the in thing at the moment, a focus skirt is the answer. The double layered button ups on this outfit completes the contrast and by placing a crop top over a long sleeved top, you get the two in one effect.

Skirt - ASOS | Bell Sleeve Blouse - ASOS | Crop Top - Ark | Bag - H&M | Hat - H&M

Have you been to any festivals this year? What's your go to, first choice outfit?

Bridie x

The holiday lookbook: daywear week 1

For me, a holiday abroad takes a lot of preparation clothes wise. It's 100% guaranteed to be boiling hot every day so it's necessary to pack the lightweight pieces but a demand for style also comes hand in hand. Without a doubt, I am an over packer, especially now I'm well and truly hooked to fashion blogging so this year I ended up taking way too many outfits to try and squeeze into the 17 days I was in Spain but I did it (yay!) and have finally got round to creating my first lookbook out of four.

There's always two kinds of outfits prepped for a relaxation break: 1) The casual, comfortable chosen look for throughout the day, and 2) The more dolled up, free from sweating cobs (what even is cobs?!) and smart but chic look for an evening meal and a night exploring the bars. This starter post concentrates on number one! A day in the life of my daytime activities consists of lounging round the pool, making the most of the beach, trips to the shops, walks around the familiar streets and the occasional typical tourist exploration so for that, I need to keep it cool. In honesty, no real effort and overthinking goes into my day wear - I strip it back, dare to go makeup free (notice the sunglasses and ooze of confidence where I'm in a setting not having to worry if I'll see anyone I know and scare them half to death!) and most of the time, I end up switching round my shoes and accessories and even changing my outfit twice in the same day (to squeeze in everything I brought with me of course). Depending on my energy levels, I'll either laze around in a bikini or go for a stroll with a fan and a bottle of water in hand and as you'll see, my mood reflects my decision making; read: hair scrunched up in a ponytail = definitely getting annoyed with the failed mix of heat and long hair. 

DAY 1 - 

I stepped into my girly side with my first look, pairing a pretty crop top with some beloved crochet.

*Crop top - C/O DressLink | Shorts - Topshop | Sandals - Forever 21 | Hat - Primark | Sunglasses - River Island

DAY 2 - 

Along with a statement necklace, a vibrant top half and a patterned bottom creates the perfect contrast.

Cami Top - H&M | Shorts - H&M | Necklace - H&M | Rose Gold Sliders - Primark | Sunglasses - Primark

DAY 3 -

Simple fringing is ideal for both festivals and holidays. Black teamed with browns is a combo I love.

Fringed Top - H&M | Shorts - Forever 21 | Shoes - Primark | Hat - H&M | Sunglasses - Primark

DAY 4 -
Although the air is extremely hot, a layered kimono gives that ordinary outfit a boost.

Top - Zara (sale) | Shorts - Zara (sale) | Lace Up Sandals - Mango | Kimono - Primark | Sunnies - Primark | Hat - Primark

DAY 5 -
It was instant love with this white sheer lace tunic and instead of using it as a cover up, I paired it with basic denim.

*Tunic Top - C/O DressLink | Shorts - River Island (old) | Sandals - Forever 21 | Sunnies - River Island

DAY 6 -
I can't go away without a Missguided piece, this cute little halterneck gem makes summer styling easy as pie. 

Playsuit - Missguided | Bag - H&M | Shoes - Primark | Hat - H&M | Sunglasses - River Island

DAY 7 -
Playsuits are definitely my go to, especially when it's in stripe form with added detail.

Playsuit - Mango | Hat - (a Spanish own) | Shoes - Forever 21 | Sunnies - Stradivarius

DAY 8 -
I do praise a good supermarket find! I found out dark denim works really well with a growing tan.

Denim Playsuit - George at Asda | Shoes - Primark | Bag - H&M | Necklace - Zara (sale) | Sunnies - Primark

DAY 9 -
I don't know what's best; an off the shoulder co-ord or discovering huge cacti in the middle of an open space!

Top - ASOS | Shorts - ASOS | Sandals - Mango | Hat - H&M | Sunnies - River Island

DAY 10 -
A day well spent is a day in nothing but a bikini and an airy over lace layer.

Bikini 1: Bikini Set - New Look | Kimono - Primark | Hat - H&M

Bikini 2: Bikini Set - River Island | Lace Top - H&M | Sunglasses - Primark | Hat - H&M | Bag - Primark

Starting out with the palest shade and ending with an obvious subtle glow is almost amusing (and highly satisfying). At the end of week one I was already developing a pretty decent tan and I still had plenty of time to work on it. Aside from flaunting my new found colour, another enjoyable part of my holiday was finding the photogenic backgrounds suitable for coordinating blogger style. Last year I stuck to the same old patio backdrop but I really did get to work on finding the locations and think I must have mentally marked down every place I passed. Talk about scouting Spain!

Hope you enjoyed having a browse through my first lot of outfits and keep an eye out for the next round!

Bridie x

Style: How to rock the smock

Smock dresses and swing dresses, the two kind of dresses that you either lust over or try and avoid. When it comes down to it, I'm a bit of both; I love the simpleness of the designs and cut and they're so easy to wear but then again, I tend to automatically think if I picked that dress to wear today, it would do me no justice. The stereotypical presumption for smock dresses is lifeless and unflattering as they don't really have a 'shape' to them but I think it's all in the way you style them which will influence the way you carry them off. Smock dresses are also often associated with summer, being light, flowy and comfortable they are the perfect choice but I believe you can turn any item (apart from the obvious beach wear) into a versatile piece for the autumn/winter, it's all about the detail and the accessories you pick to enhance.

OUTFIT 1

Dress - Missguided | Hat - Primark | Scarf - Zara | Boots - H&M

This has to be one of the most favourite dresses I own, the navy blue colour with basic printed daisies opens out the options on how to style it. As you can see, I've paired it with a chunky camel scarf (possibly the most comfiest scarf I've ever purchased), a camel coloured hat and some light beige ankle boots. Matching all the 3 add ons with a similar shade of brown makes it the ideal Autumn inspired outfit.

Dress - Ever Ours (old) | Coat - Primark | Boots - Forever 21 | Hat - H&M

Mixing a monochrome floral dress with a pastel coloured coat is a clever way of injecting more colour into your wardrobe and allowing the pattern to still stand out even though you've added a layer to keep you nice and toasty. Although the cuffed sleeves appear too pretty to cover up, the mid section of where the smock dress gathers can still pay the chief compliment to your outfit.

Dress - Primark | Gilet - Dorothy Perkins | Boots - Primark | Hat - H&M

I have cheated here as this is more of a swing dress but it still doesn't hold much shape to it which makes wearing it alone that little more risky. Gilet's are always my answer to a problem, you can wear them over almost anything and it will give you that wintery feel. Black on black is my favourite combination, fluffy black garments on top of a sixties inspired dress makes it even better. I don't know why it works so well, I just love the way the gilet makes the dress look more a-line to my figure.

Dress - Ever Ours (old) | Shoes - Primark | Coat - Primark | Hat - Primark 

Sticking with the hat and the brown toned colour chart theme, I turned a Spring like dress into a dress which is fit for all seasons. The light beige colour to this dress was a major advantage, the beige/camels shades are my most adored and I have so much variety when it comes down to garments I can pair it with. The gorgeous rose embroidery is the main focus and I didn't want to step away from that, so throw on an almost identical coloured coat and a fedora and you're good to go.

Are you a lover of smock/swing dresses? Which is your favourite outfit out of the 4?

Holiday Lookbook

Night 1: Jumpsuit - AX Paris | Shoes - Primark | Bag - eBay

 Night 2: Playsuit - Primark | Shoes - same as above | Bag - same as above

Night 3: Dress - Select | Shoes - Primark | Necklace - Primark

Night 4: Dress - Boohoo | Shoes - ASOS | Bag - Primark

Night 5: Co-ord - Missguided via Depop | Shoes - ASOS | Bag - Primark

Night 6: Co-ord -  Boohoo | Shoes - same as above | Bag - same as above

Night 7: Dress - Missguided | Shoes - Primark | Bag - Primark

Night 8: Co-ord - New Look | Shoes - same as above | Bag - eBay

Night 9: Co-ord - somedaybylaura (Instagram) | Bag - eBay | Shoes - Primark

Night 10: Bralet - River Island | Skirt - Missguided | Shoes - ASOS | Bag - Primark

Night 11: Dress - Missguided | Shoes - Public Desire | Clutch - Primark

Night 12: Dress - Missguided | Shoes - ASOS | Bag - Primark

Slouching around all day and then glamming up on a night is something I've always done when on holiday. I much prefer to wear something different every night and like to go all out with the heels, the clutch bags and the fancy outfits, compared to the casual clothing I'd normally wear in my own company. The only issue is, there's a huge barrier when it comes to packing and planning, and that barrier is a woman's worst nightmare; the luggage allowance. Luckily (and surprisingly), I've never gone over the authorised 22kg but it limits your choices when it comes down to the accessories,which is why I have to carefully think how many times I can pair a staple piece with my selected outfit. At this time, you never realise how far one pair of shoes and neutral coloured bag can go. It's almost like if the outfit you're wearing has a smudge of white in the print or the colouring, then the white bag and white shoes it will be; and that's just the way it has to be, even if you do pine for the lonely collection you've left behind back home. With me, every day I wore the same shoes/carried the same bag out of the four I brought with me, but just styled them in a different way.

Formalising my sense of style when going out on holiday is a routine I've continued to stick with. I love the feeling after a refreshing shower, putting on the items you've carefully chosen and erasing the gross, stickiness you've had to cope with when lazy sunbathing throughout the day. I think dressing up does a whole lot of good for your confidence too, you can actually take advantage of embracing the fact you've made the effort to look nice, therefore are allowed to feel nice; and with me not being a night out kind of girl, I'll grab that opportunity straight away. 

There was never really any real decision making going into what I wore, I just went with however I felt that night. As long as it was comfortable, light enough for me not to overheat in the soaring temperatures (yes, even at night!) and allowed me to walk freely to the shops and restaurants without stumbling and allowing painful blisters to form, I was ready to go. I also did the sensible thing of saving the brighter clothing till the last few nights when my tan had properly formed and the summer colours weren't highlighting my 'representing a lobster' burnt bits. You've probably noticed a variation in the flushing of my skin from the top picture to the bottom. It's as though I instantly transformed to my ghostly pale self, to some golden goddess (which I have to thank Mr Sun for). You've also probably noticed a repetition in where I've purchased my things from, I seem to always head straight for Missguided, Boohoo, and good old Primark for my holiday clothes; not only is everything fairly priced, the clothes have that 'holiday' vibe to them and you can enjoy wearing pretty gear without being uncomfortable. The final thing you may have picked out (or maybe this one is down to my self criticism) is the same awkward smile facial expression and statuette pose I seem to be pulling off rather well in almost every photo. I can blame this on the quick captures and the lack of preparation but frankly, I think I just need to improve my stance and grasp that stereotypical 'blogger pose' but don't count on it, I can only try my best...