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!

I'm all about the prints

This past week has been filled with prints from leopard print, 90s style aztecs, memphis squiggles and my new favourite polka-dots. Here's how No Debutante wears 'em.

Spots and stripes with vintage Adidas

Leopard print with silver Reeboks

Print clashing with 90s Aztec Kuccia bomber, Polka-dot shorts from Monki and Memphis vibes in Tezla Designs earrings

Sharp monochrome geometrics from Lazy Oaf paired with Dr Martens and cute cherry print socks by Meadham Kirchhoff X Topshop

All photography by No Debutante

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Emma Gorton-Ellicott

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Thanks for checking in Fashionistas

ND xx

Clash Fash

I love clashing up prints and colours, so much so it seems that when I went to call this personal style post The Clash I had a quick moment of deja-vu and low and behold I had previously used this name twice in fashion clashing posts over the past three years! Yes, The No Debutante blog and persona shall soon be celebrating a third year on Blogger! Whoop! 

Let's face it, there will be a lot of personal style posts from me about Clash Fash so to keep things simple, let's always name it Clash Fash. Not to be mixed up with Fash Clash from the Urban Dictionary - When two or more people show up to the same place wearing the same clothes. 

This is not something that happens to me too often as my outfit is usually made up of new items, vintage and items from my wardrobe from the past 20 years. I'd be amazed if it did happen at all to be honest! Perhaps with a single new item? No Debutante friends, have any of you Fash Clashed with me? 

Let's get back to Clash Fash. I love it, here are today's lovely clashing outfits. Clash Fash to me doesn't just mean wearing clashing prints and colours, it's also about clashing up styles. Although I am a self confessed random item buyer who doesn't buy anything to be worn with anything else, there is still a knack to Clash Fash. You will know instantly if it hasn't worked out! Please feel free to covet any of the looks but please do not Fash Clash with me at any up and coming events....

All clothing from H&M, Urban Outfitters, Vision Streetwear, Topshop, American Apparel, Converse and Dr Martens.

If you like what you see here please also follow me on Instagram, Facebook  and Pinterest for daily fashion updates. Thanks for reading!

ND xx

No Debutante - The Clash

Three weeks on am I am still living in an upside down house where half of my kitchen is still in the living room/ lounge making things impossible to keep tidy and even more impossible to find!! So is the chaos that surrounds me!! This would be one of the reasons why I have been behind with my blog posting and even more behind in catching up with all the bloggers I follow! I have also taken a back seat with the daily fashion photos due to the fact that there are builders in my house and I don't really want them to see me taking my personal style photographs! I'm sure my personal style confuses them enough on a  daily bases without my flauting it in their faces with constant selfies!

Today's personal style pics show that I am not afraid to clash and mix up prints and colours, if you are a regular reader of my blog then you will already know this. I wore both of these outfits to work and I love it that I can now wear my jackets again since the weather has got cooler. I have had the H&M leopard print fur since Lucian was a baby (he is now 9 years old) and it is a classic part of my wardrobe that just keeps on giving! On this occasion I have paired it with a rockin' skull tee, denim cut offs and my favourite Dr Martens (I have other pairs but these are just so worn in and comfy that I can't stop wearing them!). 

I had caught sight of myself in a shop window on my stomp to work and realised how outrageous I looked with my pink hair, pink sunglasses and my pink headphones clashing up a treat with my leopard print coat. I had to laugh to myself and took a quick photo on my phone so I could show you guys the extreme of my possibly, out of control, accessorising! Love it!

The following day I was inspired by the 1990s and Bjork and popped my hair up into a style that was a bit of a regular for me during the 1990s when I was a teenager. This time I like those Bjork Buns even more in my pink hair! I went for a bit more print clashing with camouflage and Breton stripes worn with denim cut offs again, ankle socks and creepers. The look was both a mix of cute and tomboy style. Business as usual!

Thanks for following and reading and I shall be back soon with some more fashion fun, perhaps looking at another of my current obsessions or my favourites from the autumn winter 2013/14 shows. Hmm? You'll have to wait and see, until then, have a good time, all the time xx

It's too early for that dress - Post Pregnancy Fashion Dilemmas Part 11

This is the second part to the 7 months post pregnancy fashion dilemmas posts, I took a lot of images this month, for once! I have however failed to post short n sweet posts every/every other day, like I said I was going to do, it seems three blog posts a week is my limit at the moment.

 I am pleased to announce that Sylvie now says 'Mumma'! Yey! However, the tone of the way she says Mumma is not like the chirpy, melodic, happy way she sings 'Dada'...Oh no....Sylvie has learnt to say Mumma for one reason only, to get my attention! It's more of a demand if anything, but I shouldn't complain, at least she is saying my name now!

You can tell the weather has finally changed in the UK from the next  set of photographs, I've got sandals on and everything!!

The weather was really humid but it still rained here so at this point I was still in half summer half spring outfits -arms showing legs covered up!

I have sleeked my hair into a short side parting in this pic the wispy sides have not grown properly since I (randomly) shaved them off with my Dad's disposable razor when I was 12, I have been into undercuts for a long time it seems! To conclude, I cannot get those side bits to stay behind my ears for the life of me....it's very annoying!

Dress from Rico at Topshop

I can't actually wear this dress as a dress without wearing leggings underneath, it's so short, my body is really long and the front fastenings open up and show off your pants!! (That's your underwear in the UK for any international followers).

Let's get Physical

I have managed to adapt  the crop top look without revealing any midriff, inspired by American Apparel and the 1980s penchant for aerobic wear. I wear my crop tops over my basic bodycon dresses and layer it up, it creates a new silhouette for me which I like! It is bodycon 80s but made softer with the layering and it conceals the baby belly that secretly still blubbers a bit beneath the clothing!

I have also created crops tops from old vests and tops that I already have, by tying them in a knot at the sides and and twisting up the shoulder straps, the trick is to show off all the layers and to make each layer different on the straps etc.The pink top below was a real cheap, thread bare neon vest that has now been giving a new life!

Black bodycon dress from H&M, Blue crop top from Primark, name necklace from Tatty Devine.

The above pics were taken on my 36th Birthday just before Phil took me and the kids (no babysitters!!) out to my favourite Italian Restaurant in Bristol. I thought I'd dress up for the occasion and wore the  bodycon layering with my wedge boots, that I have only worn twice before, once on Xmas day, they nearly killed me then, I'd just had a baby and didn't have the balance for heels! I also wore them to my cousins 40th in London a few weeks ago but there is no photo evidence as I started drinking really early! Enough said!

I had a great birthday with lots of amazing food, wine and champagne! Mika declared he wanted to go to the Italian restaurant every day for breakfast and that the garlic bread was the best he's ever had! So sweet!

The boots were fine by the way, I just had to concentrate real hard when walking!

Dress as before, Neon vest (customised into a crop top) from H&M, Earrings and Necklace both from Tatty Devine, Cardigan from Primark,  Boots from Office Sale were approx £90 I got them for £20. Whoop!



New leopard mock fur sandals!!

It had taken me until June this year to find the perfect sandals, well here they are, bought them with my birthday money. Right happy!

This top was actually bought as a dress but after the first wash it shrank, even though I followed the wash instructions!! Very annoying! I have been put off buying from this label ever since, which is a shame!

I was on my way to a 5 year olds birthday party (Rock n Roll), it was a very muggy day but I didn't feel like getting the legs out, so a bright backless top, jeans and leopard print sandals seemed like the best thing to keep me cool.

Top (bought as a dress) from Motel at Topshop, Jeans and sandals from Topshop.

Crop n bodycon again! Ignore me though this is all about Sylvie's outfit, it's the white trash, hillbilly, Dexys Midnight Runners (Come on Eileen era) bare chest and dungarees look. Sylvie rocks it!

We were off to watch Sylvie's Daddy play in his band The Relay Rips as part of the annual Bristol Harbour festival, it was the hottest day of the year!!!

Sylvie wears dungarees from H&M Kids



Bright Print Clash

Another hot day and off to the park.......It's the first week of the schools summer holidays, the park was rammed like a bad day in Benidorm! I dressed brightly for the occasion so the kids couldn't lose me.

Neon green vest from and bodycon dress both H&M, Floral leggings by Versace for H&M, Leopard sandals as before.

Hot Summer, Hot Hot summer.....At last...

I finally got a bit of colour.......on my face and...er....arms....a bit patchy some might say...I have fooled you with an almost toned looking (be it very white) torso it was so hot I had to strip off the jeans I had been wearing for these baggy denim cut offs that are also great for hiding my baby podge belly. I have to admit I do look alright and I have pretty much lost all of the baby weight visually, I have not actually weighed myself though, not brave enough I guess. I'm not sure I would venture out of the house dressed like this but for lazing about in my garden it fine.

Top (rolled up into a crop top) from Vivien of Holloway and customised denim cut offs.

I still have a back log of images????? What the?? I think I shall be posting about something different next time, a bit of A/W 2012 fashion perhaps or maybe a style icon? ND XX

Fade to Gray - Louise Gray A/W 2012

I have been dying to show you Louise Gray's Autumn Winter collection ever since the A/W 2012 shows back at the beginning of the year. I had such a back log of stuff I hadn't even shown you for this Summer, what Summer? I hear everyone in the UK mutter to themselves whilst peeking out from under their umbrellas!! - Can I just say, not only is the continuous UK rainfall getting me down, I then have to read about how hot everyone is on any US blogs that I follow, which makes me really jealous!! Anyway, weather rant over for today!! I am now at the end of my Spring summer 2012 posts...

Let's have a look at Louise Gray's A/W 2012 collection of multi-coloured, print clashing, Pop Art Punks to cheer ourselves (Me) up.

How I shall be wearing Louise Gray AW 2012......If only I could afford the real thing.....

Let's start at the Punk inspired hair, I shall be quiff and spiking my hair up, perhaps create a bit of a curly quiff with my Babyliss styling wand. Sleek down the sides or for long hair, a pony tail and quiff up the front.

The 80s punk v's geisha girl make-up - loads of bright pink blending into orange eyeshadow/blush blended from the cheekbones right up to the side of the eyebrows...yeah!!!

The 80s inspired earrings - brightly coloured, massive beaded, trinket filled dangly earrings that finish below your chin. Wear 'em big!

The outfit - a 1960s style shift is the winner here, you can wear it over clashing printed tights, leggings or trousers ( the 1990s skirts and dresses over trousers look is massive this autumn winter) The print of your dress needs to clash with any other prints you are wearing or at least come in a different colour to the rest of the outfit. The jackets are either cropped or sixties inspired rain macs to wear over your main outfit or opt for a long sleeve shirt or printed long sleeve bodysuits to be worn under your dress like a pinafore.

The footwear - the knee high boot returns, wear them bright and printed and clashed up with your brightly printed tights or trousers.

The prints - this collection is a mash up of tribal aztec, metallic futurism, 1960s graphic  op-art and bleached up, punk paint splashes....all must be worn at once.

The Bag - bright and clashing with your outfit and carried like a clutch upside down.

I think that covers it.

Oh, Louise Gray,  you are becoming my favourite fashion designer ever!! As always, you are sooo creative and colourful and it seems, like me, you are very influenced by 1970s punk and 1980s style, with a smidge of 1960s pop art. I could wear every piece of  all your collections!!!

I love Louise Gray's personal style, she completely absorbs her collections, which makes me appreciate and enjoy the collections more. It makes them more wearable, I think, to see the designer wearing the collection. the clothes aren't just for very young, skinny catwalk models! Check out some images of Louise Gray above, I am loving the randomly applied eye make-up and I am considering this look for the next time I DJ at my club night Bang, which is in less than two weeks on Friday 27 July!! Excited!!! ND xx

Sources used for images include www.catwalkqueen.tv www.futurespacemagazine.com www.thedandyproject.com www.stylebubble.co.uk http://pinterest.com/nodebutante/

It's too early for that dress -Post Pregnancy Fashion Dilemmas - Part 3

Brrrr! So we had a weird heatwave last week and now we are all freezing again here in the UK, seriously, it's been snowing and everything!! I am now 4 months into my post pregnancy and have been recording my outfits as often as I can. I now have so many images that I am going to have to filter them between posts! The first set are from early March, before the hot weather arrived (and left).There is still the need for a coat....

 Layering and clashing prints

The above photos were all taken early morning just after the school run, I think we shall have to call this Leopard Print Week, I hadn't consciously worn leopard print all week, it just happened. Although I do own a lot of it, it has to be said.  

Leopard print fake fur coat from H&M, I got this about 7 years ago (it's practically vintage) Leopard print top and trousers, red dress, peep toe boots, suede fringed bag and jeans all from Topshop. Aztec cardigan and wedge boots from Newlook.

 I got my haircut on this day, I had posted another picture from this set previously on my post of the family haircuts in Cut Your Hair.

 Stripe top from Topshop and that's the pregnancy staple bodycon dress from H&M underneath. I am also wearing anchor earrings and a swallow necklace, Mothers Day presents from my lovely kids from Tatty Devine! They know me so well, and I didn't have to send their Dad a link to the website or anything....ahem!

The conclusion at this point is that I have been walking loads in an attempt to shift the baby weight, I have hardly any energy at all from being woken up twice a night by a hungry Sylvie Belle (if I will go and have 3 kids... ) so walking suits my lifestyle. I am not a person who you will find at the gym! I do not diet but usually don't eat after 8pm, my vice is wine and beer (and alcohol in general!) but I have always limited this to 3 nights a week, well since being a mother I have...I bloody have!!! At this point I am not fitting into my high waister size 12 jeans, this is my goal!

I am off DJing tomorrow night at the Hoochie Coochie Kabaret and have had dilemmas with finding an outfit / costume, which, at Hoochie, usually involves tiny bits of fabric and lots of skin showing....this will not be happening on this occasion, god, I only had a baby 4 months ago! Elle Macpherson I am not..I'm sure, I will do a Hoochie outfits post soon so you can see what I usually wear.....The next post, however, will be the follow up to this one and involves sportswear......What? Has No Debutante become a Chav? Find out next time ND xx