After a fun but busy day at the Polo yesterday (pictures coming soon!) I’m more than ready for a blog writing session in my PJ’s today. This week I’m back with another look from Topshop Cardiff and it’s this gorgeous denim dress with a polka dot blouse layered underneath. It has a zip at the front so you just put it on like a jacket, which I love as it’s way easier than having it at the back. I also love pieces like this that you can layer up as it gives you more options for when it’s not as warm. I paired it with my sock boots, also from Topshop that I just can’t stop wearing at the moment. I think they’re about to fall apart but they’ve been so useful. I definitely need to find a replacement soon!
wiwt
I Can’t Believe This Coat Was £20
Last month on my way to the Hotel Indigo launch I had some time to kill and went in search of a mirror that I could touch up my make in. Turns out my makeup was fine but the Zara coat I was wearing definitely wasn’t. Basically my work bag is leather and I think where it had been raining the dye had run all over my shoulder. It was like a big muddy handprint all down one side of me and as much as I’m hoping that happened on the way there, I was probably sat at work all day looking pretty trampy. So it’s very lucky that I found this pink New Look coat because it’s in exactly the same colour and made for an easy switch. It was also only £20 in the sale which is beyond incredible and I literally haven’t taken it off since. My favourite thing though? That it’s fully lined!! I haven’t seen a lined coat on the high street in forever and it’s my pet peeve…
coat – new look // t shirt – h&m // dress – toyshop // boots – toyshop // bag – autography
photography // sarah barnes
Posing outside Berlin Cathedral
City breaks are my absolute fave and it feels so good to get away and explore somewhere new. I always feel more inspired coming back and seem to have way more ideas too, which is the best excuse for a holiday!
Last week me and Rory went to Berlin for a few days to check out the sites. On our first we had a few hours to kill before check-in, so we went for a little wonder to find some lunch. We were staying in Alexanderplatz, which is pretty much in the centre and so we were actually really close to the Berlin Cathedral without realising. It wasn’t on our list of places to visit but it turned out to be one of my favourites, have to love serendipity! You can see from these pics just how beautiful it is and climbing to the top gave us the best views of the city. I feel like I would go back again just to visit this…
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?
Photographs by Sarah Barnes
3 Easy Christmas Party Outfits
Today I’m pairing up with Jack Wills to bring you some super cute Christmas party looks that are really wearable and extra glitzy. I love putting together outfits for the festive season and although I thought Jack Wills was just for pyjamas their range this year is really impressive. There are so many gorgeous cocktail dresses, evening bags and warm coats that would work for any holiday occasion.
If you’re looking for presents they have some really lovely accessories and pyjamas which are great too. If you’re struggling it’s worth checking out their online gift cards as well which ping into your bestie’s inbox so they can pick their own perfect gift. For now though let’s get on to the outfits…
Jacket £69.95, Sequin Top £41, Velvet Mini £59.95, Bag £24.46, Earrings £9.95
I think this one is perfect for a work Christmas party. The cute skirt and sequin top look really festive but it’s comfy and classy at the same time. I love this bag too, you could fit so much in this and a cross body is ideal if you feel like a dance. These are definitely pieces you would wear again and again with various different outfits, especially the mini and velvet jacket! Pair this with some black tights and heels and you’re good to go.
Pink Coat £148, Dress £62, Bag £27.96, Necklace £12.95
I LOVE this coat! It’s so perfect and the most gorgeous colour. This look is great for a family party or even for Christmas day. The dress is really flattering and will nip in your waist, giving you the classic hour glass silhouette and I love the spotty sleeves. Very 50s! Pair this with the gorgeous velvet bag and long necklace to complete the look and add some texture too.
Earrings £9.95, Jumpsuit £90, Belt £27.95, Bag £29.95
This last look is the most dressy and perfect for getting catch up drinks with your friends. I always pair a jumpsuit with a belt because I think it really draws in the waist and accentuates your shape. This clutch bag is perfect for a night out too as it has the little wrist strap so you don’t have to worry about holding onto your bag all night.
I hope you like these looks! Let me know in the comments what you’re wearing to your Christmas party too?!!
*This post is sponsored by Jack Wills / Spot Digital
How to style a Beret
“Championing small, creative businesses has always been really important to me”
In fact I’ve got a whole series of blog posts interviewing designers from my favourite fashion start-ups including Swag and Tassel and Xandra Jane. I think anyone who is creative and following their passion knows how important support is in keeping their art alive. As much as we would love to endlessly create, the reality is that we also need to pay our bills and put some food on the table. Before I get too deep though today’s post features a gorgeous beret from a new fashion start up right here in Wales. Andrea’s Closet only launched 3 months ago but they already have a RTW and bridal collection which they successfully showcased at Cardiff Fashion Week last month. Their gorgeous fascinators are the perfect wedding accessory but my favourite pieces are the knitted head bands and winter friendly berets. I think often hats are something you only think about when you have a special occasion or when it’s super cold but they’re such a good thing to invest in. This beret is timeless, it’s interesting but also really wearable and it’s something I’ll bring out year after year.
Here are some quick styling ideas to get you inspired to pick up a Beret…
1. Wear it back on your head and tilted to one side for a super casual look.
2. Wear it perfectly straight and back on your head if you want to channel classic Parisian chic.
3. Pair it with some sunglasses like the one in this post to instantly bring a beret up to date.
4. Pick one up in a contrasting or bright colour to add some interest to a boring outfit.
5. If you’re super edgy pop it straight on your head and puff out the shape for a very extra, runway inspired look.
6. Make sure you get one in the right size! If it’s too big you might still be able to work with it but too small and your head will be bulging out the sides. Not cool!
Once the new Andrea’s Closet website is live I will pop it here but until then please check out their social media pages to see their newest collection.
twitter // facebook // instagram
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Get your Tassel Earrings On / Rhian Kate Contemporary Jewellery
It’s so important to me to support small businesses. The crafters, artists and creatives that are going out on their own and building a business from nothing are the people who inspire me the most. I love being able to share them with you on here too, people like Xandra Jane, Swag and Tassel and today Rhian Kate Contemporary Jewellery. I’ve been following @RhianKateMakes on Instagram for ages now and her minimal, modern jewellery is as beautiful as it is wearable. She has a really strong design style and a great understanding of how women like to look and feel while wearing jewellery.
“For me when I make jewellery and people decide to wear what I have made it’s exciting, it’s a connection you make with someone that you are not always aware of but what I have made becomes a choice in who they are or what they want to express.”
Tassel earrings are a statement being made by lots of Instagrammers right now and I really love these red ones. They’re the perfect size, still dramatic but also dainty, feminine and sit at a good length. These and all of Rhian’s other pieces are handmade in Wales using pewter (lead free), acrylic and aluminium. The pretty, textured disc at the top of these earrings is a trademark of hers and runs throughout her collection in various different shapes and styles. It’s a really lovely effect that I haven’t seen anywhere else and makes her pieces a unique investment.
I’ll make sure to put all her links at the bottom of this post so you can see some examples of her work and show her some love. Also If you like these tassel earrings make sure to look at her Instagram for all the colour options too.
RHIAN KATE // WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // ETSY
TOP – ASOS
SKIRT – NEW LOOK
PHOTOGRAPHS – SARAH BARNES PHOTOGRAPHY
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jeans and a nice top
I’ve had to admit something to myself recently that I never, EVER, thought I would have to. However it’s very sad and so true that I’m a little bit of a ‘jeans and a nice top’ girl. I feel like this is the fashionably comfortable equivalent of wearing your pyjamas to Tesco. It’s just so good, the jeans are stretchy, it’s a well put together outfit but it’s so low maintenance. As if I had to iron a single thing, that’s the problem with pretty dresses. You don’t have to shave, tan, hold in the wind jeans and a nice top, it’s good as it is. I may be the worst Cardiff fashion blogger but at least I’m honest about it.
sunglasses : mango
vest : primark
mesh top : wakiki vintage
jeans & shoes : marks and spencer
belt and bag : vintage
The Netflix Apartment
It’s taken me the longest time to write this post, which is bizarre considering how amazing it is that I was actually invited. Getting an invite to a Netflix party is up there as one of the best invites I’ve had since starting Style Rarebit. I guess I wanted to wait a while though so that I could catch up on some of the new shows and let you know what I’ve been enjoying too.
This event was at the St.Davids Hotel which is gorgeous and the few times I’ve had dinner there it’s been amazing too. They fed us the nicest canopaes, macaroons and champagne to keep us chatting and me and Zoe did our best job to taste test every single one. The night was all about sharing our favourite Netflix shows and discussing the things that we can’t wait to see more episodes of. We also got a sneak preview of some of the new ones that were coming out including 13 Reasons Why (which hadn’t been released yet) and my favourite Mind Hunter which is out later this year. You can watch the trailer here and if you like crime dramas you will love this.
So lets talk about the things I’ve been watching. I’ve managed to narrow it down to four shows which are all good for different reasons. The first being American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson. This real life crime was one of the most awful, bizarre and gripping cases in history and has been an amazing show to watch. This show really told the story and had the most incredible performances from Sarah Paulson and Cuba Gooding Jr. which will keep you watching for hours. The second is the Marvel series DareDevil. I’ll be honest I didn’t think I would get into it but I’m currently on season 2 and loving it. I watched all of Jessica Jones (because Krysten Ritter is my absolute favourite) and this is equally dark and more gory taking out the cringe factor of it being a comic book hero show.
The third is Girlboss the adaption of the book by Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso. To be honest I watched half of the first episode and had to turn it off and it was only because all my friends loved it so much that I persevered. Trust me though it does actually pick up by episode 2/3 and you’ll start to fall in love with the self destructing, narsisitic and annoyingly cool Sophia before you know it. Lastly and this might not be for everyone but Schitt’s Creek is a new comedy offering from Eugene Levy. It’s about a rich family who loose everything and have to live in Shitt’s Creek, the only thing that wasn’t worth taking by the debt collectors. It’s silly, easy watching and it’s been entertaining me in the mornings for a week now. If you’ve watched any of these or have any good shows for me to start let me know, I’m always up for a good binge.
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
TROUSER // ZARA
SHOES // H&M
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