Rachel Ellen: fashion

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Sunday, 19 March 2017

fashion 15:57

An Ode to Winter

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring (woohoo!) We're getting much more daylight, the occasional sunny day and a little warmth in our lives, which I am loving!

So I thought, in an ode to Winter, I would just show off a couple of pairs of boots I've got this year that I loved, before they go in to cupboard until colder days (actually they won't, I love to wear boots all year round but you get the idea)

For a couple of years I'd been wearing the same brown and black pairs of boots, I adored them like my own children but they had holes in, I had to keep colouring one of my brown ones in with sharpie (I'm a student, don't judge). So new boots were in order this winter.

First, my boots that I got for my birthday in November. My khaki green Timberlands, as soon as I saw them I was totally in love, though they have taken some effort to wear them in properly, the inside at the back isn't the best shape, for the price that's not really ok. But I still love them

Next, a very recent buy, these beauties were in the New Look sale for £12 which I thought was amazing, they're wide fit and pretty comfy, although, in future I need to remember to take pictures before various evening escapades that involve drink splashes :(

Winter, it has to be said, I will almost miss you. But I will dread your arrival once again. In the mean time, summer, can you be a little less disappointing?

Sunday, 5 March 2017

fashion 22:49

International Women's Day

by Rachel

Wednesday is international women’s day. As a 23 year old female, I feel I might actually be on my way from a girl to a woman (you know like when a stranger refers to you as a lady #sogrownup).

There are a lot of women in my life that have made a huge difference to me, family and friends included.

But I thought I’d talk today about Hayley Williams of Paramore and why she was important during my teenage years in my growing into a woman, and maybe some of you can relate.

I was about 13/14 when I became a fan of Paramore, and that Misery Business hair style.

I didn’t learn about feminism and the deeper things of being a woman in my teenage years, in fact I was pretty unaware of gender inequality still existing, which is sweet really.

For a while, I didn’t really know how Hayley Williams could be someone I could look up to, I was never going to be a singer (I sing like I’m being stood on)

But being a fan of Paramore and of Hayley Williams, taught me not to be afraid of being a girl. She always had mad hair styles and colours, she had crazy make up and cool clothes. She wore skirts and dresses but she was still punky as hell. She wore things with studs but also wore leopard print and pink.

"This is what I've learned, in my life: Headbanging is crucial. Growing up is hard to do. There's nothing wrong with wearing a dress."

Being interested in your own appearance is always associated with self-obsessed girls, and apparently negotiates your intelligence. But it was an important development for me to learn you can like make-up and clothes, but also be a human being who has important things in their life.

But also, being interested in your appearance, doesn’t mean you have to conform to a standard way of dressing. You can wear clothes that other people think are weird, you can have hair styles people don’t agree with, and that doesn’t matter because that’s your style.

“I’m really into healthy self-expression; That’s why I dye my hair, that’s why I wear stupid clothes, that’s why I don’t care that my bangs look like Spock from Star Trek.”

She taught me that it’s important to pay for music when you can, even when it is so freely available to you.

"Support music every day because there isn’t a day music won’t be there for you”

She taught me that a woman can stand up in a male dominated environment (the rock music world) and have a voice, work hard, and get what she wants.

I know there are a lot of inspirational women in the world, but for me, Hayley Williams was just such a big part of my teenage years, in a time when all the other bands I liked were male dominated, she was so important in realising, its OK to be a girl. That being a girl isn't a hindrance.

This year, International Women's Day have a hashtag #BeBoldForChange and I think that's important to me and in relation to this post, let's not be afraid to be bold, but also be a woman.

On international women’s day, celebrate the women in your life appreciate all they do because women are pretty badass after all.

Thanks for reading,

Rachel xx

Monday, 18 July 2016

list 17:07

Summer Work Outfits

by Rachel

So the weather man has said that this coming week, England is going to be hot. BBC weather is predicting 29 degrees on Tuesday for the North of England (how can I get out of work again?)

The lovely people at Tommy John ( check out their website here) inspired me to create a post on how to adjust to the summer temperatures.

Being a cold person (currently typing this wearing a dressing gown even though it's July) I struggle with the work office sometimes, when the air con is on, all the windows are open and I have a downwind of three different fans, I'm sat shivering. But of course I can't dress for winter because of the temperature outside!

Tommy John asked me how I would style a few outfits that you could be warm enough in air con but cool enough in the summer heat. And I've even included a few for men! Of course, take inspiration from whichever board you like, I have only separated by the gender given on the websites.

Trousers

Trousers are a great option for staying both warm and cool, they keep us from drafts, but if they are not too tight, they can also keep us cool. Some flat shoes are great for walking in, I always find wearing heels when it's warm make my feet warmer still! These have elastic to keep your feet in the shoe so not as sweaty as the straps you usually get on shoes. The top has a crochet effect meaning you can get a breeze outside but once covered with the jacket when inside it's nice and warm.

1. Black top

2. Trousers

3. Jacket

4. Shoes

The White Shirt

I think a white shirt is essential for summer. This one (that I actually have) is a nice thin material that keeps you so cool but looking smart and stylish. The option of having the sleeves up or down really helps with this shirt, my only problem with it is how much it needs ironing! The colours are slightly more autumnal but is a great outfit for keeping cool. Cardigans are great for throwing over your outfit when needed, and little cropped ones like this fit nicely into most work bags.

1. Skirt
2. Shoes
3. Cardigan
4. White shirt

The Dress

A looser fitting dress is a great summer option, this with a collar looks super smart, but is still girly. The addition of tights and the cardigan inside will give you that extra bit of warmth that you need, whilst the looser fit on the legs allows a breeze to cool you down whilst outside. Could it even be a summer outfit post without an espadrille style shoe.

1. Dress
2. Cardigan
3. Shoes

The White Shirt

It's not just the ladies that can benefit from a white shirt in summer, if you don't need to wear a tie, a short sleeved shirt is a great option, this means you can have the collar open or closed, you can get a cardigan over if it gets colder in the office.

This outfit has a second of my tips for men, see if you can get some shoes that you don't have to wear socks with, or something you can wear these Tommy John liner socks with. It will give you an extra breeze, just like their selection of men's underwear but won't make you really cold in the office. Slightly cropped trousers are great for guys too! You are able to show a little leg and it still be professional!

1. Trousers
2. Shirt
3. Shoes
4. Cardigan

The Pastel

Don't be afraid of lighter colours, not just pink but baby blue, lilac and other colours. The long sleeved shirt and full trousers will keep you warm in office air con, but when outside won't make you feel like you're being fried!

1. Shirt
2. Shoes
3. Trousers

Hope you liked these outfit posts, how do you stay cool in summer but warm under the air con?

Make sure you check out Tommy John's website here and check out their youtube video of one of their products, it should give you a giggle!