No Debutante - RIP Bodycon

Hello Fashionistas! It's time for another personal style blog, I've had a busy week of settling back into doing school runs, attending the wedding of my favourite local illustrators Peskimo, check them out here http://www.peskimo.com and watching my mates band The Afterparty check them out here https://www.facebook.com/theafterpartyofficial. You have to plug creative friends!!

Today's outfits are quite different and I have very different opinions on both! I wore the first outfit on a day trip to Bristol Museum with my kids which included Egyptian mummy's tombs, Dinosaur bones and a lot of taxidermy, which makes for a curious day! Not one to dress down for any occasion I wore a Breton top, denim cut offs, frilly ankle socks and my Underground brothel creepers. I had a couple of days of wearing my fringe long, think it worked on the first day (worn with the headscarf) the whole of the second outfit wasn't doing it for me!

 The outfit in question included my sleeveless denim shirt, bodycon dress (worn underneath), sports socks and Dr Marten boots. I am loving the boots with the socks and the grunge element to the outfit, the problem on this particular day was the bodycon dress, I think I am just totally over bodycon, I have been wearing it for years, even when others were not wearing bodycon, I have been bodycon obsessed for a long time. Like the skinny jeans, I am completely over it now! I am glad this has happened it means I have comfortably moved onto a new look, I told you I am very fickle but I will wear a thing to death if I love it! The other problem was the dress kept on riding up and literally showing my pants, I had to wear my jacket round my waist on the work commute! RIP bodycon...

 

 

Even fashion obsessives have their off days and don't know what to wear!! Mine usually happen when I am in a hurry or if I am attending an event and have not considered what to wear before hand, my brain goes to mush and fashion errors are made!! 

Do I ever get up and not have a clue what to wear and just bung something on?? Never! Do you? If the answer is 'yes' I admire you but I would personally miss the challenge of putting an outfit together. 

Does anyone prefer the second outfit?? Answers on a postcard to ' No Debutante, I prefer the other one'.

Thanks for reading xx

ND xx

No Debutante - Short Circuit

I am sorry for the lack of posts over the past couple of days but I have been busy with birthdays, leaving parties and hangovers!! I did manage to get my images for this post cropped last night but that was pretty much all I was capable of, so today the post shall consist of less taking and more imagery!

 

It appears that I have been all about showing off the legs these last couple of days, wearing short skirts and denim cut offs, I have boyed them up a bit Dr Martens, creepers and little tee’s and the hair is up and wrapped in headscarfs. 

That's it from me for today, I shall hopefully be back tomorrow with more fashion fun! Have a great weekend!

ND xx

No Debutante - Mish Mash

Have you ever had one of them days when you put on one of your most favourite items from your wardrobe only to discover it really isn't your favourite anymore? I had this discovery this morning about 20 minutes before the school run and went into a sheer panic about what I was going to wear ( I know this is not a big concern for many people but I do like to pre-plan an outfit).

 I had put on my big red oversized American Apparel batwing hoodie only to discover that it felt like I was wearing pyjamas. I guess over the years this old favourite has become a bit out of shape and I have probably just moved on style wise but in it's sportsluxe reign -  circa 2010/12 -  I bloody loved it! 

I remember a similar thing happening with a sixties style summer dress I had a few years back that I wore to death and then it got so threadbare that I had to stop wearing it. Thing is I (as is fashion) am a fickle thing and was so over it by the time I had made the decision not to wear it again.

 I guess, the old trusty American Apparel hoodie will live on as a bit of 'lounging around the house' wear,  poor old sweatshirt, it was an 80s fashion statement when I bought it! I am so over it already.....

Here's the outfit I chose to wear instead I shall not attempt to label the look, it's usual No Debutante mish mash up style, the other day somebody on Pinterest had repinned one of my Personal style pics onto a board called 'What?' with the caption underneath reading simply.....'there are no words....' which instead of taking personally, I had a little chuckle about it and only found myself even more encouraged to dress the way I do, as fitting in with the masses isn't really my style!

I'm off to see Vikki Mac tonight and get my hair all pink, platinum and lovely in time for my next club night 'Bang' which is on Saturday! Exciting times!! Expect some new hair shots tomorrow!

Styling by No Debutante. Todays Photographer is Mika (aged 6)

Thanks for reading my blog!

ND xx

No Debutante - Jeepers Creepers

I am off to London tomorrow to meet up with my oldest friends from my hometown. I am very excited about seeing them with good food, good wine and Lucky Voice Karaoke on the cards.......things will, as always, get messy! I am having a packing dilemma for my over night stay as this mid season weather is so unpredictable, I shall attempt to pack light but will inevitably take everything, I change my mind too much and find it very difficult to pre plan outfits, even for one day!! Rubbish!

 

Before I head off to London Town I am gonna attempt to write a double post tonight as there isn't a chance in hell that I'll be blogging tomorrow night but I shall attempt to get some personal style images and perhaps get some shots of my friends too so I shall have loads of blogging material! I can then publish the second post in the morning from my phone, I am loving the new phone!!

 

The first post is today's Personal Style post , I rocked up to work wearing a shirt dress, with a denim waistcoat and frilly ankle socks and creeper shoes. I got a few comments and few double takes....The outfit was a success....

Look at the morning light in these pics, who needs Instagrams special effects?

 Check out my Instagram to see what I wore this weekend under the name nodebutante. Blog posts to follow on Sunday......probably Monday if I know my friends visits and the hangover that follows.....

 

Have a great weekend!

 

ND xx

No Debutante - Welcome to my 100th blog post!!

I only just noticed that this is my 100th blog post!!! I am very excited and amazed I actually got here! I wish I could post on my blog every day but I seriously do not have the time! I am writing this post on the evening of Mothers Day after receiving a lay in, breakfast in bed (a Marmite Bagel lovingly prepared by my 8 year old son Lucian), homemade cards, chocolates, spa vouchers and a bottle of Sailor Jerry's rum - I have been totally spoilt, again! We then spent the day at the pub with my family with lots of food and drinks consumed, followed by a freezing cold walk home, more food and here I am sat with a glass of rum about to watch an episode of Mad Men. Life is sweet!

This is a No Debutante personal style post featuring Monochrome, Primark Sunday and other oddities.

Monochrome

 

This is the outfit I wore for Primark Sunday. What is Primark Sunday? As I have mentioned before, twice a year (to meet the change in the fashion season) I plan a big, kids free, day out at Primark for a big shop! I can try everything on and spend ages (4 hours on this occasion - the Primark here in Bristol has 4 floors, don't judge!) browsing and hunting down the best buys for the current season-which clearly hasn't started yet as snow is predicted, again. It's ridiculous, there was a bloody heatwave in the UK this time last year!!?

A Primark shop includes everything you need for the season at a 1/4 of the price, it's disposable, high fashion and I love it!

Beehives, headscarves and flowers in your hair!

 

The below images were not taken on Primark Sunday but I liked them so I thought I'd pop them in for a bit of colour and wish it was actually Spring!!

 

 

 

 Primark Sunday

 

  Last spring I returned home from Primark Sunday with lots of Americana printed garments but this spring it was definitely the season of the shirt! I managed to get a sleeveless shirt, a white broderie anglaise sleeveless smock shirt with denim details, denim shirt with mesh leopard print sleeves, and a khaki army jacket with aztec detail.

I also managed to get hold of some studded denim cut offs, a long black vest with white skull detail (for a mere £3!!) a  long cross detailed necklace and a great crop t-shirt which is the perfect 1980s cut with RAD written on it. It's supposed to be an ironic statement to my husband Phil who skates and this sort of thing annoys him. The irony actually is, that I really like the Rad t-shirt! It's Rad!

One outfit from Primark Sunday.

 

I thought I would give you a glimpse of one my new outfits from Primark Sunday. I had to be quick so I am actually still wearing the monochrome outfit underneath! This is a brave new look for me -the pleated maxi skirt- I have chosen to wear it with the new denim and leopard print shirt and my brothel creepers. I was already wearing the socks but I liked the look and went with it. I chose the skirt in black as pleated, light weight black garments are a big thing for the summer. What do you think? Can I work a pleated maxi skirt?

 

 

Creeper love!

All clothing from H&M, New Look, Underground at Office and not forgetting Primark!

All styling by No Debutante.

 

I love Primark Sundays!

ND xx

I'm going out dancing.....February Fashion moments

There seems to be a theme for February which features either dresses or denim. It has been freezing here in Bristol so I am totally faking the bare arms look just for the photographs! I cannot even imagine going outside wearing no tights or in a short sleeve, hot weather is a distant memory to me.

My complexion suffers too, during the winter months I go a healthy shade of jaundice and need to smother my face with bright make-up to stop me from appearing, well.....dead!

Here's what I have been wearing this month.

 

Monochrome with red

 

 

 

 Double Denim layers

 

1970s tight tees and denim midi

I love my cute new Topshop dress with peep hole front detail and vintage style Hawaiian print.

 

Peep hole dresses and crop tops are totally wearable at the moment (if you ignore the cold British weather that is) as you are baring your torso rather than your belly button, your highwaister skirt, jeans, shorts should be covering that area up! This is not the 1990s midriff and hipster exposure, we do not want to see a muffin top, it still needs to be flattering! Try this look out, you may be surprised. If you don't fancy the dress, tie up your shirt or a top a little, we only need to see a flash of skin but remember, no hipsters or belly buttons, it's highwaisters all the way.

My outfit for the Bang 10th Birthday Party (a post to come very soon) I wore a belt with the Louise Gray dress on this occasion as it made it more flattering. I got so many compliments about the dress and other comments about how the strategically placed stars made people want to HONK my boobs, yes, I said HONK!!

The day after the night before, I was feeling surprisingly well here and was about to go and pick up my kids from my parents house. I'm still wearing these Dr Martens in, I love them, despite the pain!

 

All clothing from H&M, American Apparel, Rock Candy at Office,Topshop, Louise Gray at Topshop,Super Lovers-Japan, Vivienne of Holloway, Dr Martens, Primark,Charity and Army Surplus stores, Underground at Office. All styling by No Debutante.

 

One last thing, yes, I have been messing about with fonts,I get bored easily and work with graphic designers who will notice and be annoyed with my careless font choices! Sorry!So many fonts so little time!

ND xx

No Debutante and Mark Sewell Photography Collaboration No 2 -Part 3 Real Wild Child

I have to apologise with the lack of posts of late, for once it has nothing to do with illness, I have been real busy planning my club night Bang's big 10th year Birthday party which might I say was an amazing success last Saturday night!! It wasn't just arranging the event that took up my time it was the rehearsing for the Bang Band which forms once every 5 years to celebrate Bangs more significant birthdays and I also made a Bangzine (Bang's fanzine) which features all the photographs that I have taken over the past 5 years, there is also a previous Bangzine which celebrates the first 5 years. Its great to see all the different faces and fashions that happened at my little club night over the past 10 years, I'm so happy we have evidence that it has happened!! I promise to do some posts with all my favourite Bang pics very soon!

 

OK,  so yeah, I've been busy, so busy that I haven't managed to show you the last part in the most recent photoshoot collaboration between No Debutante and Mark Sewell Photography.

 

Part 3 has been named Real Wild Child due to the overload of faux animal print and fur that feature in the shoot. It wasn't planned, I had taken along the bodycon tiger print dress and wanted to show off my new fur coat bought in the Topshop sale.

 

The photos, for me, have come out looking like a mash up between Jerry Hall late 1970s early 80s glamour, punk and those girls in the Happy Mondays video for Kinky Afro, some people say they were prostitutes, but who am I to judge, let's say their look is very early 1990s glam, whatever, I am happy with the result.

 

 

 

 

All styling by No Debutante and all photographs courtesy of Mark Sewell Photography.

Clothing from Topshop and Underground at Office Shoes.

 Watch this space for another collaboration between No Debutante and Mark Sewell in the future.

I've gotta go because the baby has woken up but I thought I would leave you with this. Hope it works??

 

http://youtu.be/pJCZml22k50

 

 

ND xx

No Debutante - Hello

Since my last post, we've had a bit of snow here in Bristol and my kids finally got to use those sledges that we got them for Christmas, two years ago! I got an unexpected day off work, thanks to the snow and nearly didn't make it to the planned studio photo shoot collaboration with my photographer friend Mark Sewell. Thankfully the roads were cleared yesterday so watch this space for the next instalment of the collaboration.

 

Here are the second lot of images showing what I've been wearing since Christmas taken with my usual little Sony digital camera.

Look at my lovely Antoni and Alison purse that my husband bought me for Christmas. I always love the Antoni and Alison vacuum packaging, so I had to show it to you! This purse is so useful, it's longer than a usual purse and I can fit my phone and ipod in too!! I love the childish punk prints and Antoni and Alison were my new favourite shop back in the 1990s....Oh, Antoni and Alison, it's been a long time but I still love you!! Check out the website here http://www.antoniandalison.co.uk 

 

My latest pair of 1940/50s style jeans from my new favourite shop Freddies of Pinewood (also a present from Phil) worn with my oxblood Dr Martens which I was lucky enough to blag from the recent shop launch, attended by myself, Rudi and Mark Sewell back in October 2012. I seriously have a Dr Martins problem at the moment, they had a half price sale on the other day and I didn't leave the shop empty handed. Whoops! Watch this space for my latest purchase!

More new shoes?? Yes, another present from my husband (yes, I was totally spoilt this year) These leopard print Topshop high tops come with a removable wedge heel that you put into the shoe. I haven't actually worn them without the wedge yet, they look great on and I thought I'd pair them with a bit more leopard print...You can never wear too much, I say.

OK, here's a brief explanation about those monstrous sized decorations behind me in these photos. Phil and I put them up after having one too many mulled wines on Christmas Eve as a surprise for the boys on Christmas morning - A kind of Santa's grotto, if you will - we did mean to take them down but they managed to stay up for two weeks! Was the reason for this that we didn't have time to take them down? Was it sheer laziness or did we secretly (blatantly...ahem!) Quite like them? Enough said..

Leopard print bodycon, red ankle socks and brothel creepers! Oh, and Phil's new skate deck.......See I did treat him this Christmas too!!

Pink!!

Check out my new Tatty Devine pink lightning earrings!!

Quick secret....This jumper has been in the bag it came in since last Christmas....That's bad, isn't it? Don't judge me, I'm wearing it now....

More land girl style in my new jeans!

I'm really loving the bigger jeans and Dr Martens boots look for this Winter, it's so masculine but also 1950s cute worn with stripey tops and big knits.

 

My next post will be the studio photo shoot collaboration with No Debutante and Mark Sewell. Very exciting!! Watch this space!! ND xx