Winter Outfit Inspiration – Casual Sock Boots

Just before Christmas I had an email from JD Williams asking if I wanted to collaborate on a post and I was SO excited. Initially I was thinking of writing about party shoes (glittery heels included) and putting together some outfit inspo for you guys but then I stumbled onto the ankle boots section and completely forgot all about that. I’m a little bit obsessed when it comes to boots, in fact I already have way too many but there’s just something about a classic boot that’s so versatile, so they always seem like a good investment. These boots are from the Violeta range by Mango and are a casual nod to the sock boot trend that is very much hanging around. Just way more comfy than the stiletto kind! I love how chic they are too and really pull together this everyday outfit with very minimal effort.

“I think this outfit is very reflective of that too. This is everyday me, not too dressy. It’s just comfort paired with great accessories.”

Just before the new year I felt like I was loosing my creative juice a little bit and I’ve also been struggling to find time (as always) to create new content for this blog. Sometimes getting caught up in comparing yourself to other people can really kill your vibe too but I’m finally learning to zone that out and remember why I started Style Rarebit in the first place. Because I love blogging!

I think this outfit is very reflective of that. This is everyday me, not too dressy. Just comfort paired with great accessories which is pretty much my go to philosophy when it comes to getting dressed. I think we would all agree that the number one goal is to look totally polished without having to make much effort at all. This look is essentially jeans and a jumper but tying a satin ribbon around my waist and dressing it up with a blazer is the perfect way to cheat looking like you’ve made loads of effort. I think that’s why the boots work so well too, being structured they are the perfect day boot if you want to look put together. They also look super expensive and the unusual heel (that metallic is everything!) means they add extra interest if you’re wearing plain clothes. They’re also on sale right now so even more of an incentive to pick them up… I love them with my mom jeans too as they’re tight on the ankle they sit really well underneath and give the illusion that my legs are slimmer.

If you take nothing else from this post just get to investing in some good boots this season that will totally dress up a zero effort look. Maybe even two pairs?

Shop boots here

Photographs by Sarah Barnes

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

Advertisement

Christmas Party Outfit Tips #thisisnewlook

“Tis the season and I plan on taking full advantage of every party I’m invited to so that I get to wear this outfit again…”

Christmas party dressing should NEVER feel like a chore, if anything it’s something to totally revel in. I feel like fashion at the moment dictates a way more relaxed and casual feel and more and more girls are opting for flat shoes and baggy trousers than ever before. This time of year totally overrides all trends though and there isn’t a store on the high street not offering some glitz.

Dressing up can feel a little bit overwhelming, especially if your don’t do it often but I think the most important thing is just to have fun with it. When finding the right dress it mainly comes down to the fit though, so you’re going to have to do some trying on! A good tip is to figure out your body shape (pear, apple etc), what you want to accentuate (boobies, bums) and what you want to skim over (for me it’s tummy and legs!). Knowing the shape of dress you’re looking for will be really helpful in narrowing your search and will make the trying on stage way less stressful.

The New Look Christmas range is full of gorgeous dresses in literally every shape, fabric and style imaginable, so you’re bound to find something! I love this star print dress because the shape is so flattering! It sucks in my waist, makes my boobs look way bigger and skims over what I want to hide. I love the star print too as it’s really fun and playful which is so perfect for this season.

I paired my dress with this insane faux fur jacket which is the key piece of the season. There are so many bold fur jackets out there but I love how subdued this colour is and I’ll be able to wear it with so many other outfits. It’s good to pick one that works with your skin tone too, especially if you’re going for something bright! I like that this one is cropped as well and hits my waist just where the dress starts to kick out.

“I love to go all out with accessories, they can really elevate a party look, even if you’re wearing a t-shirt and jeans…”

The right bag is everything, you only have to scroll through Instagram to know that. I love this black embellished bag as it’s so festive and glitzy but still wearable and will go with any party look. Something worth mentioning is that as great as a clutch bag is they’re so small and there’s nothing worse than not being able to close them. This bag is big enough for my phone, keys and some touch up makeup as well as a cross body strap that is dance floor friendly.

I love New Look all the time but I think everyone knows how incredible their shoes are. I would go as far to say they’re the best affordable brand and I can always find something. These platform shoes are pretty out there and they totally make me feel like I’m in ABBA (YASSS) but they’re also super comfy. Comfort is the most important thing in a party shoe and yes it’s hard to find comfy heels but they do exist! If you struggle to walk in stilettos opt for a chunky heel like these or a lower block heel instead. You want to look dressy but you also want to be able to dance all night and walk to the bar, right?

I hope you loved my Christmas party tips and you have the best festive season! Merry Christmas xx

Photography Sarah Barnes

_{This post was sponsored by New Look/Query Click}

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

Sock Boots at Sunset

So after not buying clothes for a full three months, I thought it was about time I treated myself to a little wardrobe update. I was on the look out for a trend piece that would refresh my outfits for the winter season and sock boots just felt like a perfect choice. They are 100% the blogger item du jour right now and they also happen to be pretty flattering too. I saw that they make it look like you have never ending legs if you wear them with black trousers and that pretty much made my decision for me.

Sometimes a pick me up is all you need to revive old pieces and feel excited about your wardrobe again. Everything else I’m wearing with these I’ve had for ages but the boots instantly make my outfit look relevant and on trend. It’s funny but as I’m getting older I’m starting to be more picky about the things I invest in. I really want to start saving for some special pieces and cut back on the amount I spend getting quick fixes. This is mainly where my three month ban from shopping came from! It’s been a great way for me to really get to know my wardrobe and think about the clothes I most love to wear.

I honestly believe that style has nothing to do with how much money you have to spend on clothes though or being able to get the latest thing. It’s all about creativity and individuality and no amount of money can buy that!

    

SaveSave

SaveSave

Flower Shopping

 My mum is a photographer (incase you didn’t know already, she takes all my outfit pictures) and has been working with the Flower Lodge for a while now. Just last week she brought home a huge bunch of Ranunculus (google them THEY ARE GORGEOUS) and it’s what gave me the idea to take some pictures there today. It’s the most beautiful shop in Rhiwbina and if your visiting I recommend having a look at their new gift range of candles and diffusers which are so lovely. A quick scroll through these pictures should inspire you enough to take a trip, so many amazing colours!

My look today is pretty much my go to outfit as of late. These gingham trousers, in terms of cost per wear, are probably about 1p. Too comfy to take off. I know that this is the season where I should be breaking out the colours but I like wearing monochrome and great basics and it’s nice to be comfy. Sometimes you just want to throw on what makes you feel good.

SUNGLASSES // VALENTINO

TOP // H&M

TROUSER // ZARA

SHOES // H&M

BAG // MARKS & SPENCER

PHOTOGRAPHY // SARAH BARNES

The £22 Dungaree Dress I Can’t Stop Wearing

I’ve been looking for a simple dungaree dress for years and I can’t believe I finally found one on a food shop. It’s actually the second piece of clothing I’ve bought from Sainsbury’s recently, the first being an embroidered jacket I saw in the ST Style Magazine.For £22 I’ve worn this quite a lot, it’s easy to pair with things, it’s comfy and it’s a classic. I think there is a lot to be said for supermarket clothing, it might not be the coolest or the best quality but you can definitely pick up some useful basics.

DUNGAREE DRESS : SAINSBURY’S

JUMPER : VINTAGE ELLE

BOOTS : JUST FAB

BAG : ZARA

PHOTOGRAPHY : SARAH BARNES

 

When am I going to make it?

I’ve decided that I want to start talking a little more frankly and openly about my life on Style Rarebit and express some of the ‘real’ things I’m thinking about right now. This particular vein of worry started about a week ago when I met a couple who are friends with my boyfriend. They were so lovely, they had recently got engaged, lived in a beautiful house and had two children. They were also two years younger than me. I think you can see where this is going. I am 25 and I cannot even get myself out of bed on time, let alone raise a family and afford a house. There are people my age who have their whole life together and honestly I haven’t a single plan past this Saturday. I am still eating tea at the family table, still getting told off for leaving cups in my room and still have not got my career together. Damn.

My boyfriend is becoming a police officer this summer and watching him get through every exam, interview and stage of the process has been so amazing. Don’t for a second misconstrue this as me not being unbelievably proud of him but it also makes me shit myself that little bit more. Everyone around me seems to be finding what they love to do and making it happen. Whether that’s in their career, or starting a family or just creatively making their passions happen everyday. Turning 25, as ridiculous as it sounds, was really daunting and thought provoking for me. I am a quarter of a century old and the fact of the matter is I still have absolutely no idea about what, or where or who I want to be in life.

I am currently working as a stylist/visual merchandiser and it’s honestly one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had and with some of the most talented women I have ever met. I get to be creative every single day and am free to experiment as much as I like which has been amazing. That being said I’m a graduate in the lowest level job, there’s no progression and for all the hard team work we’re putting in it’s a minimum wage pay check at the end of the month. On this salary I am no further to buying a house than I am being able to stretch my money to reach 31 days. It’s not that I’m being negative but after all the internships, free photoshoots and blogging time I have put in, it’s a little frustrating to be getting nowhere in return.

This may be a bit ranty but my anxiety is at 100 wondering if I’ll ever have my own home. I would love to have a career I can be proud of, or just something to tell people I went to school with, when I bump into them at Tesco so I sound like I’m doing something good with my life. I’m not sure what my next step should be or what avenue is best at this point but I know for sure I am not the only one that feels like this. I guess that’s why I really wanted to write this post, outfits and hair stylers aside this is my online voice after all. Maybe by talking about this someone will comment with an idea or spark my interest in a new career and vice versa. I’m never going to give up but if I can speed up the process all the better for it.

Here’s to 25

Here I am, finally recovered from my neck fiasco and feeling super pumped to blog. I have so much to show you, it really is amazing how much internet shopping you can get done on your sick bed. I’ve also just turned 25 and so I’ve got lots of beautiful presents and party stories to share too.

Equally it has rained so much in Cardiff this week it hasn’t been the weather for celebrating. I know it rains all the time here but it really, really rained… a lot. Therefore my outfits this week have been pretty casual and layered up and that’s kind of my everyday vibe at the moment. I really like wearing a hoodie underneath a smart jacket and heels, I like that it gives things a street wear feel and takes it away from looking too dressy. A hood also keeps my hair dry and my eyeliner smudge free, winner.

 

COAT : ZARA // HOODIE & VEST : PRIMARK // TEE : H&M

JEANS :  MARKS & SPENCER // BELT :  MARKS & SPENCER

BAG :  MARKS & SPENCER // BOOTS : JUST FAB

PHOTOGRAPHY : SARAH BARNES

Sale Haul and Try on Video

Style Rarebit 2017

Well hello there. Here I am! First outfit post of 2017 and the first of many more to come. For me this year marks a big change, I’ve spent far too long thinking about how I want my life to be. This is the year where I just have to go and get it, stop thinking and start doing.

Like a lot of people my age, I felt the slump after finishing university so frustrating. You’re no longer being creative on a daily basis and the reality of having to work jobs you hate sets in. Equally I know that a normal 9 to 5 is not for me and even though I’m not sure exactly where I want to go, I know that this blog is my favourite hobby. I’m going to try this year to make this more of a priority and really start pushing it as a medium to be more creative and broaden my horizons (I bloody hate that expression but you know what I mean). I think surrounding myself with people who want the same as me will only help to push us all in the right direction.

I love my blog and I love the opportunities, people and knowledge that it’s brought to me so far. I’m starting to branch out a little bit too with YouTube and doing more projects with brands, which is an amazing learning curve. I am more excited, positive and motivated for StyleRarebit than ever before and I hope you are too. Here’s to more stripy trousers and me rambling on video, whoop whoop!

TOP: MANGO SALE

TROUSER: LIMITED COLLECTION SALE

SHOE: FAITH

BAG: ZARA

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH BARNES

New Year’s Resolutions 2017

Here we are folks, it’s 2017!! I feel so excited for this year, I’m not sure why, I just have a feeling that it’s going to be a good one.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to achieve in these coming months and I think making resolutions is such a positive way to start. Why not set out to get what you want? and kick this coming year’s butt.

Resolution 1: Be more positive! Not gonna lie, I sometimes get a tad bit negative and it’s really not good for me, nor the people around me. This year I just want to focus on the good and be grateful for everything, the secret is real!

Resolution 2: Get strong I don’t feel at my best right now and I know that exercising is what my body really needs. I’m thinking of maybe signing up to a run or going to some classes to get me back on the right track. I always feel amazing after a workout and I got trainers for Christmas too, so no excuses!

Resolution 3: Grow StyleRarebit This blog is my favourite hobby ever but this year I want to push myself and grow it into something I can be really proud of. My main focus is creating better quality content and more of it. This is going to be my number one priority.

Resolution 4: Making Pyjamas I’ve been wanting to start a luxury pyjama line for about a year now and I’m still surrounded by toiles and fabrics. I’ll be starting small but I definitely want to have some pieces up online and be sewing more regularly by the end of this year.

Resolution 5: Do something out of the ordinary I really want to start doing a few things a year that are a bit more exciting and different. A zip wire is number one on my list but maybe trying some extreme sports or learning a new skill would be cool too.

I hope you liked these and that they inspired you to create your own. If you have any good ones please leave them in the comments below, I would love to hear what you have planned for 2017.

Happy New Year! x