Best of Bestival

Best of Bestival: top looks

The UK’s festival season was brought to a suitably stylish close with the tenth birthday celebrations of wacky fancy dress fest Bestival. This year’s musical highlights included a set from festival favourite DJ Fatboy Slim, Snoop Dogg/Lion performing hits from his debut album Doggystyle and Elton John’s epic finale. Set in the Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight, Bestival attracts thousands of music lovers every year, all dressed to the nines according to the set theme. This year saw visitors embrace nautical notions in stripes, tropical prints, sailor dresses and captain outfits. Relive the fun and check out our pick of the trends that took the crowd by storm.

Got stripes

Given the theme, it was no surprise that every other person incorporated some form of stripes into their outfit. There was no shortage of Breton tops and jumpers, which look amazing on pretty much everyone and are an easy way to put together sailor chic without going overboard. However, I preferred the fashionistas who saluted the nautical look in a more inventive way, on shorts, bags and dresses. 

Sparkle magic

Inspired by headliner Elton John, the flamboyant members of the crowd took the maritime theme to a more glamorous level with sparkles and sequins galore. While some used them to glam up a simple outfit, I also saw lots of revellers rocking a mermaid look, teaming trusty wellies with fish-scale tops, skirts and dresses for a fun and glitzy twist on the theme. 

Printed paradise

This popular trend was a big hit with the fancy dress lovers at Bestival, who embraced the rule that the brighter and more garish the better. From vintage polka dot pin-ups to animal patterns, Aztecs and tie-dye, the looks on offer were wild, weird and varied. Bring this summer style into the autumn with a stylish addition to your wardrobe - check out this season’s stylish maxi dresses for bold and beautiful printed designs.

Here are some more chic items that can be added to your fall wardrobe:

Awear Stripped Dress on sale (here), Rope and Stone Short Necklace (here), Love these Keds Glitter Sneakers (here), Planet Occasion Necklace (here), and Dorothy Perkins Stripped Dress (here).

Natural Sport

I get disgusted when black women make it a point to try (yes try) to speak down on me or other natural haired women. If your perm isn't straight and you're wearing a curly weave, that doesn't match your hair texture please stop. I was born natural and I love my hair, while you unfortunately chose to look like that.

I think many need to understand that we as naturals do not think we are better (more politically aware, or etc...) than you, or at least I don't, because we wear our hair naturally. And we find it funny and quite ignorant when you call us nappy headed. Nappy is a word Jill Scott so perfectly stated that infinitesimally minded people use to describe to the natural hair state of people of color. Once I hear someone call me nappy headed I laugh because I find it humorous, especially if you have a horrible weave. 

We as black women can rock so many styles, so whether it's natural, relaxed, texturized, cornrolled, braided or in a weave, make sure it looks nice. As women let's celebrate our hair and the avid variety that we are blessed with. (I love rocking weaves and wigs as protective styles!!) For those that aren't natural please, please, do not embarrass yourself by calling us nappy headed. We know what our hair looks like and are okay wearing it in it's natural state. Calling us derogatory words reveals more about you than it does about our hair texture. Besides I am not my hair...although I must admit I think my Afro is my best accessory. 

 Outfit Grand Total:

Zara Mustard Tank on sale: £3.99

 Zara Trousers on sale £15.00

Zara Bag: £30.00 similar (here) + (here)

Gold Bangles Tie Rack on sale: £8.00 similar (here) and (here)

Ebay Vintage Elephant Belt worn as a necklace: £60.00 similar (here) and (here)

Christian Louboutin Pigalles 100: £395.00 (here) + (here)

Total: £511.99

Yup, I love my hair!

Everyone stay blessed and have a fantastic weekend, my brother is doing his white wedding in the DMV tomorrow so sad I can't make it, but I am so totally estatic!!!

Now Playing: Tank ft. Drake - 'Celebration'

Adire Junkie

Adire prints are so unique and are made in Nigeria. My mother and aunts used to tell me of how they had classes in tie-n-dye in making Adire during Secondary School, I wish they would teach me! I am very forward thinking in supporting Nigerian textile makers and those that make clothes with Adire material by supporting them we are keeping our culture alive (those of you who are Nigerian and if you aren't you're keeping African culture alive). Besides being made at home, love the stiffness of the material; I can use them for bags and accessories much more easily than Ankara. 

 When I found this particular print I was with my mother-in-law in Balogun market this Summer and I fell in love immediately. We debated about whether I should buy the material for almost 5 minutes. she said it looked old I said that's what gives it character, she shrugged and knew I'd purchase it. I was worth every kobo: ₦2,500 to be exact (did I get cheated?). I now wished I'd bought the two.

I wore this dress to a friends wedding last week (the most fun I've had at a wedding in a very long time) and it was nothing short of great. I got compliments on the dress all night. My tailor and I went back and forth with the design, it wasn't what I really wanted...however it turned out okay in the end. 

Outfit Grand Total:

Adire Dress + Tailoring: £30.00

Vintage Earrings: £12.00

Vintage Shoulder Bag w/gold detailing: £5.00

Assorted Bangles: £20.00

Miu Miu Ankle Strap Heels: Regular price £1,800 I scored them for £80.00 on sale.

Total: £147.00

Now Playing: D'Angelo - 'Cruisin'

Jewelry Designer: Jennifer Loiselle

As a Jewelry Designer and Buyer it is great to discover other jewelry designers that have marvelous designs. I ran across Jennifer Loiselle while searching online for a rope necklace (I have a current obsession with rope necklaces). Nonetheless, Jennifer is: 'an Australian born, UK based handmade accessories designer with a penchant for statement pieces incorporating unexpected combinations of materials and techniques.' (boticca) Her rope necklaces are uniquely gorgeous.

How to wear it:

Zara Biker Jacket (here), Whistles Esme Pima Tee (here) short sleeve version on sale (here), J.Crew Satin Trousers (here) + similar (here), Zara City Bag (here), Jennifer Lioselle Necklace (link below), Christian Louboutin Ron Ron 100 (here), 

Purchase her collection (here)

Now Playing: Janelle Monae ft. BigBoi - 'Tightope'

NYFW 2013: Favorite Looks

I love everything about this outfit! The accessories are to die for and the layered necklaces are superb. 

NYFW has had some amazing style during the last week. Here a few of my favorite looks! Let's see what LFW (London Fashion Week) has in store!!! I'm upset I'm not in London at the moment....for those who are have fun, network, be safe and take loads of photos!!!!

P.s. Remember to take a moment of silence to remember all those lost during 9/11. 

Now Playing: Boyz II Men: 'How Do I Say Goodbye to Yesterday' 

J.Crew SS2014: Sophia Webster Collaboration

Yesterday, Sophia Webster: former assistant to Nicholas Kirkwood, announced that she collaborated with J.Crew on footwear for their Spring 2014 Collection. Sophia Webster's designs are: eccentric, innovative and quirky, in short the only accessory one needs if wearing some of her outlandish shoes. I don't however like how last season her shoes were around £365 now this year they are going for £500+. What happened to they days when Designer goods were expensive but still somewhat affordable...oh the recession happened...I digress.

Here is a preview of the clothing with some Sophia Webster Shoes on the models. I definitely like what I see so far, almost everything is right up my style alley...

So J.Crew has Lulu Frost and Sophia Webster under their belt for designer collaborations. Maybe their next collaboration will be with Charolotte Olympia or Dannijo...hey a girl can dream!

Source

Now Playing: Dwele - 'Find a Way' 

Sunset Leather

This weekend I did a serious purge of clothing, vintage stock and accessories in London as I'll be moving soon. It came it about 6-7 bags. Thus in Early October I'll be having a £5 sale in West London where everything will be sold for £5, whatever isn't sold will go to Charity. It was a hard process but over the last 5 years I have accumulated so much (senseless spending and buying because I thought I would wear it). My overall style has remained the same but there are a lot of items that are no longer 'me'. 

These days I'd rather have a plain, chic outfit with clean lines and have accessories to change up my looks. I now invest most of my time and energy in shoes, bags, jewellery and jackets/coats, putting my staples in frequent rotation. 

That's exactly what I did with this outfit. This Leather Jacket goes with everything and was worth every cent at Zara last year! Details below. 

Outfit Grand Total:

Zara Leather Jacket (old): £150.00 (or so)

Zara Tee (On sale): £8.00

Gap Skinny Trousers: £15.00

River Island Gold + Spike Necklace: £8.00

Aldo Lace Up Heels (On sale): £56.00

Pearl Choker Necklace Ebay: £6.00

Zara Bag (2 years old): £80.00

Grand Total: £323.00

Now Playing: Foreign Exchange - 'Authenticity' 

Telephone Booth

The weather on Saturday was amazing. I wore this LBD that I've worn previously here, for a quick run to the Off License Shop. 

Isn't it funny how telephone booths still exist? I used to think that they should all be done away with (except for the red booths, in the UK as they are apart of history and a tourist attraction) Until I remembered the time several years ago, when I was visiting in London before I moved and I lost my phone...let's say the telephone booth came in VERY HANDY!! 

Outfit Grand Total:

Zara Dress (On sale): £15.00

Vintage Earrings (Ebay): £52.00

Various Animal Enamel Bangles: £3-£10 each (£18 total)

Gucci Horsebit Sandals (On sale): £200.00

Grand Total: £285.00

I'm going to start trying to list how much I spend on my pieces. I think this will help us all understand the importance of money more. You'll see I don't always spend an arm and a leg for designer pieces. In addition, you'll learn how I mix designer, high street, and vintage to complete my style. I hope this will help us all to become better shoppers and better with our money. 

Now Playing: Mint Condition - 'Pretty Brown Eyes'

City Date

Yesterday was date night. We went to my favorite restaurant Steak. Ironically, I don't like steak; however, their peas and macaroni and cheese are divine. I can have a meal with just sides! I nonetheless, need to explore new restaurants in Edinburgh, if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. 

Outfit Details: Blouse ASOS on sale (here), Gap UK Skinny Trousers similar (here), Vintage Ann Taylor Clutch similar (here) + (here), Arm Candy (New York Boutiques + Ebay), Shoes: Pigalles 85 (here) + similar at Topshop (here).

I have an abundance of black trousers I noticed when I was doing a much needed closet clear out. I over 10 pairs. All different in their own right but yet very similar...one can never go wrong with cropped black trousers. Currently these new skinny cropped ones from GAP are in frequent rotation! I always buy them because I tend to wear them into the ground and have to throw them away.

 What type of  clothing do you have in excess, be it black flats, LBD's or boyfriend jeans? Hopefully, I'm not the only one... Everyone have a great weekend and enjoy the little time we have left of this summer weather.

Outfit Grand Total:
ASOS Blouse: £16
Gap Skinny Trousers (On sale): £15
Ann Taylor Vintage Clutch (It's more than 5 yrs old but around $10): £5
Christian Louboutin Pigalle 85's: £395
Total: £431.00

Now Playing: RaVaughn ft. Wale - 'Better be Good'

Instagram Giveaway

I bought this necklace along with other accessories to add to my collection and when it arrived I didn't like it in person. As I always say: My loss your gain. All you have to do is like the Photo on Instagram. Ends Next week Wednesday September 11th, 2013. 

Now Playing: Wale - "Sunshine"

Pigalle Dust

I am not an overall fan of Christian Louboutins, but the arch on the Pigalle's are nothing short of SEXY! Louboutins' run small so my size 41 is a 41.5 or 42 in pointed toe shoes! I have been searching for a pair of Pigalles for almost a year and a half now, they are literally like Gold Dust! They sell out everywhere in a matter of days! I'd say hours but I'd just be over exaggerating (but I wouldn't be surprised)! After running all over London for 6 months straight and with them always selling out, I gave up. Then finally found my size in two colors on Net-a-Porter! God is GOOD!

Now Playing: D'Banj ft. Big Sean + Snoop Lion - 'Blame it on the Money'