Independent women in fashion

Hey fashionistas! It's been a month (or so) of repping independent designers, and mostly Bristol ones too! From upcycled vintage fabrics from Balulu and Duvet Days to having a bash at a zip front fleece for my own slow fashion brand Fruit Salad, it's all about the independents, and independent women at that! 

The amazing Mickey Mouse co-ord by Bristol brand Balulu

Print clashing it up in Duvet Days stripe trousers and matching reversible crop top paired with a Lazy Oaf  oversized shirt. 

More Lazy Oaf and Duvet Days Mash up!

Time for me to pair my own creations with Duvet Days stripe trousers - Pastel fleece by Fruit Salad

Streetwear styling with a That Thing beanie and joggers 

Close up of Fruit Salad zip front pastel fleece

These Duvet Days trousers just go with everything! 

Have yourself a very local Christmas...

There are so many supportive Christmas markets happening in Bristol this year with a big focus on encouraging us all to buy local by supporting independent creatives and makers, there is even an amazing social media campaign named Indies in Bristol that asks you to #actlocalxmas and to consider an alternative for Christmas gifts this year. 

Lulu Harrison from Balulu at The Pop-up Christmas shop at The Island, Bristol

Today, I popped over to The Pop-Up Christmas Shop at The Island,  initially to meet up with Lulu from the amazing, fun-filled fashion brand Balulu for a Bristol 24/7 article (more about that soon) and after an amazing dressing up session in these super-cute garms and a brief chat with Bec from Dakota Rae Dust, I noticed all the other amazing goodies on offer!

Lulu and No Debutante wearing  super-cute Balulu garms

The dressing up session continues - Dungarees and onesie by Balulu

From handmade geometric earrings by Hyprnrml statement earrings and t-shirts using vintage and upcycled fabrics by Dakota Rae Dust, Super cute kidswear by upcycle queens at Duvet Days, bold Ghanaian printed streetwear by Ashanti Empress, amazing doodle art from Dixon Does Doodles and that fun-filled, super-cute range of onesies, dungarees and jackets by Balulu. 

Lulu and Bec - designer at Dakota Rae Dust. Both have handmade goodies available at the Pop-up Christmas Market

Handmade tasselled jewellery by Dakota Rae dust (left) & handmade earrings by Hyprnrml 

Amazing homewares with bold & fun cartoon art by Dixon Does Doodles 

Ghanaian printed streetwear by Ashanti Empress (left) and the coolest upcycled kids clothes by Duvet Days (right).

The final outfits from our dressing up session - I went with the red Mickey Mouse two-piece! My official Christmas Day outfit! Thank you to Lulu from Balulu for the garms and the fun! 

If you are in Bristol get yourself down to all the amazing independent shops and Christmas markets and if you're not then go find yours, support independent and support local. Consider independent this Christmas! 

Transitional Traumas!

As the seasons change and winter begins to loom over us like a bad dream (yeah, I hate the winter! ) it's time to take a look at what No Debutante has been wearing in these transitional months. 

There is nothing more exciting than the arrival of Spring and not having to wear a coat anymore, well for a few months anyway, and what about the freedom of being able to wear just shorts and a vest top every day? I really look forward to that time of year and that side of transitional fashion but the other end of transitional fashion just doesn't appeal to me at all!

I do not embrace the colder weather, I am, without a doubt, a summer person. I will admit to romanticising over the idea of being able to wear my faux furs and beanie hats again but this will be short lived, soon I will realise that I will have to wear overcoats and winter woollies every day, for half a year or more, (the weather in the UK honestly sucks) I think I am already over it! 

September started like this, I had a glowing tan and I was still refusing to even consider wearing extra layers. Realising I wasn't in Majorca anymore, I allowed a half cover up of a long sleeve hoodie or trousers but that was all, it was still crop tops a go-go for No Debutante. 

I subtly added a red beret - that I had spotted in Vogue magazine on my holidays and thought I could probably pull it off - into the mix late September , but, slowly, the cold crept in with October, which is where you find me now, wearing scarves, tights and cardigans! I am absolutely furious! 

From happily leaping about in summer layers to warm layers and bloody tights! (Still managing to sneak a crop top under those layers though!) 

Bringing in transitional styling with sporty shorts and popper pants

My super comfy striped Duvet Days co-ord is a perfect transitional outfit and can be worn layered up with jackets and boots as the cold kicks in.

Introducing the No Debutante new favourite Topshop Vinyl beret! Yeeeeessssss!

Bringing in the clashing prints this Autumn in Keith Haring style monochromes and my newly purchased vintage crop jacket (that makes me feel like a late 1980s pop star,)
both pair up a treat with that beret and some Tezla earrings! 

Happy Transitional October Fashionistas!

Duvet Days every day

No Debutante's current new obsession is Bristol fashion designer and upcycling extraordinaire Duvet Days! 

Every time I see these sassy and sustainable gems, made from upcycled duvets and retro fabrics, I want to own them all! From the fun trousers to the cutest little summer co-ords with their cropped tops and shorts and more recently, the very on trend, Bardot style ruffle top and shorts co-ord. 

No Debutante lounging in her bespoke Duvet Days polka dot two piece worn with Tezla earrings and Reeboks.

Print clashing it up with a Duvet Days polka-dot crop top and retro print trousers

As soon as I clapped my eyes on the Bardot, (spotted on Duvet Days instagram) I was straight on the blower to designer Emma White requesting her latest fabrics to choose my next Duvet Day garms! 

Yes, you can actually choose your fave styles and from a selection of the latest Duvet Days collected vintage fabrics you can create your own bespoke garms, made for you in a matter of weeks (days even)! 

No Debutante wearing her striped trousers and 90s printed trousers by Duvet Days

Getting ready to DJ at Bang wearing the Bardot style co-ord by Duvet Days

My first Duvet Days purchase was off the peg from the That Thing Festival launch party, (you can also buy ready made Duvet Day garms at That Thing in Bristol) a pair of  super comfy vertical striped trousers that are a flattering yet, baggy fit, that nips in at the high waist. Emma then kindly made me a matching top, that was reversible  with stripes and spots! 

These garms have become staples for me over this hot summer so I just had to get me more Duvet Days! The trousers are so comfy that I needed another pair asap! I choose a 90's inspired print in blues, greens and coral pink shapes for the trousers and just had to get a Bardot short set made up for my summer hols, for this combo I choose a yellow fabric with pink polka dots. 

This co-ord is the cutest outfit and perfect for summer!

The reversible Duvet Days crop top worn with retro print trousers (left) and polka dot Monki trousers (right).

I just love all my Duvets Days garms and the bonus is, if you are a print clash lover like me, you can mix and match these lovely garms as seperates! The possibilities are endless! I think I feel another post coming on! 

Alongside the unisex trousers and cute short sets Duvet Days also creating colourful shirts, dresses, sweatshirts halter tops plus the cutest range of kidswear featuring  cute lil' skirts and baby bibs aswell as the Duvet Days staples. Prices start from £7 for kidswear up to approx £60 for adults garms and don't forget you can get bespoke items made too! 

Get your reversible crop top at Duvet Days and mix and match with your wardrobe! 

If you want something unique, support independent designers and sustainable fashion get yourselves over to Duvet Days now for the most colourful, comfortable and fun garms ever, all made lovingly by hand in Bristol.

Find out more about Duvet Days 

If you are having a fashion event, a new collection or fun event you would like No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

No Debutante promotes fashion independents, new designers & sustainable fashion. 

Check out my work with Bristol 24/7 magazine under my name Emma Gorton-Ellicott

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me nodebutanteblog@gmail.com

Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest all under the #nodebutante name. 


Thanks for checking in Fashionistas
ND xx

Stripe it up

There is no doubt that this seasons favourite print is polka-dots but coming up close behind all the dotty fun are the stripes. Candy colours, rainbow stripes, glam stripes and monochromes are all big this season.

The super-sassy stripes are appearing on everything from jackets, sportswear, t-shirts, jumpsuits and co-ords. New shapes for this years stripes include tapered or flared trousers and maxi shirt dresses, wear yours with a matching co-ord or clash the stripes up with those polka-dots that we can't get enough of. 

Remember horizontal stripes are best left with t-shirts, it's time for flattering, vertical stripes all the way this year so go get your stripes fix for the summer! 

Monki really are on it for stripes this year but why not check out your local independent designers too?  Two of my Bristol faves are working the stripes; Neat Frontage, make amazing rainbow stripe co-ords and super cute pastel crop sweatshirts & Duvet Days source amazing retro prints (upcycled from duvet covers)& create the comfiest trousers ever, you can even get a matching top too! Yeeeesss!

Charity shops (and even your own wardrobe) can be great for breathing new life into retro style stripes. Urban Outfitters are currently selling 90s inspired striped crop tops for well over £30. Consider upcycling and charity shops before blowing your money, you'll also be the only person with your new upcycled stripe tee. 

TIP ALERT!!! Find an old striped t-shirt (look in any male person in your lifes wardrobe, you'll find loads of them) and either crop the t-shirt off or knot it up at the front or the back and you have a perfect nineties inspired t-shirt, which can be worn as a crop top or a nipped in at the waist oversized tee. Boom! 

Candy Stripes at Angus Chiang and Fila

Handprinted stripes at Typical Freaks. Where your candy stripes with socks and sandals/ sliders to make a statement this summer. 

Monki's amazing stripes come in lots of colourways in relaxed wide leg trousers and oversized shirt dresses

Stripes for the boys too featuring Kenzo ss18 (left image)

Wide stripes in monchrome jumpsuits and colourful co-ords featuring Mara Hoffman (right)

The stripe crop top from Urban Outfitters (centre) just waiting for you to recreate it with an old stripe tee.
Bowiesque stripe jumpsuit by Topman Design (right)

Supercute pastels and rainbow stripes by Bristol designers Neat Frontage (above & below)

Glittery rainbow stripes at Roberta Einer (left) aand who could resist these vintage rainbow stripes from a 90s Versace ad? 

No Debutante wearing candy cane stripes from Monki and upcycled 90s stripes from Bristol designers Duvet Days.

In one quick hoard I found 5 striped t-shirts in my husbands wardrobe!
Keep an eye on my youtube channel to  find out how I restyled up these retro beauties.

Image credits. Vogue, Typical Freaks Urban Outfitters Monki Graphic Tide Topman Neat Frontage

If you are having a fashion event, a new collection or fun event you would like No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

No Debutante promotes fashion independents, new designers & sustainable fashion. 

Check out my work with Bristol 24/7 magazine under my name 

Emma Gorton-Ellicott

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me nodebutanteblog@gmail.com

Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest all under the #nodebutante name. 

Thanks for checking in Fashionistas

ND xx