Get Cosy in Chunky Knits

Hey hey Fashionistas! No Debutante is back. As my family life gets more and more hectic with my three speedily growing children taking up a lot of time with three music gradings, a first place in a swimming gala and a two broken braces under their belts, plus I managed to squeeze in time for a big awards ceremony at work and a rather amazing Russian Doll tattoo (watch this space for the pics) So, yes, its been rather busy and we still have three nights of a school performance of Peter Pan to contend with!

Finally, I have found a moment to catch up with my fashion correspondence and write a quick blog post. Today's moments of No Debutante fashion and fun feature chunky knits worn oversized and layered up. It's still freezing here in the UK and a big chunky knit is very much an essential wardrobe item! Here's how I've been wearing mine......

All clothing from Primark, The White Pepper and Underground.

Thanks for checking in, remember to follow No Debutante under the following social networking sites all under the No Debutante name for daily fashion inspirations and updates. Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

ND xx

T-Bird

I love oversized t-shirts, it's no secret, I have been wearing them for years. You have to be confident when wearing your oversized tee, know that you are wearing it for style and comfort but not to hide-away any unwanted lumps and bumps on your body, it's not about that. My love for over sized tees comes from the 1980s trend for over sizing everything and the  early 1990s trend for general massive t-shirts worn by every teenager during this time! 

The t-shirts I am wearing in today's post are both 1990s inspired with skate and surf influences and a bit of day-glo rave culture is in there somewhere too. Over sized tees can be worn with pretty much anything, layered over skirts or dresses, under dungarees and pinafores or with the 90s favourite denim cut offs or faded denim jeans. It doesn't stop there, an oversized t-shirt can be worn tucked in and/ or with the sleeves turned up or if it's big enough, as a dress.

Here are two ways I have worn mine lately but check out future posts for more oversize tee wearing ideas. My t-shirts usually have a skate or band logo on them and come in bright colours but a plain over size tee also looks awesome. Go get yours today!

All clothing from Vision Streetwear, Topshop, Maui and Primark.

Thanks for joining me today fashionistas, please check out No Debutante on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for daily fashion updates and inspirations!

ND xx

Bernhard Willhelm AW 2012-13

If there is one collection that has a vast selection of my favourite socks and tights for this Autumn/winter it has to be Bernhard Willhelm! I have had these images for ages and now I also have the images for next season so I need to get on with it and show you my favourites from the A/W 2012. You will have seen a couple of examples of the footwear on my Fox in Socks post a few weeks back, so you already know I have an obsession with the socks and tights! The whole collection is quite wearable, I have lots of the slouchy jackets, oversized tees (and of course the socks and tights), much more wearable than the menswear from the same collection, which is really creative, but a few too many unfunctional items (bare chest cut outs being one of them) that are not too Autumn winter friendly, or most men I know, friendly, let's use the word avant garde....I will show you a few chosen pieces from the menswear range too as there are some great pieces. There had been a lot of haters for this collection on pinterest, I am loving it, of course, attracted by the clashing prints, bright colours and big shapes as usual. People seem to take things so literally, you don't have to wear the whole look from head to toe!

Wrap Coats

Slouchy jersey with tasselled layers

Mix Print layers

Punk Mohair jumpers

 
Asymmetric leggings, graphic prints and sportluxe boots

Mix print jersey tasselled mash up!

Mix prints tailored V sportluxe

Camouflage sportluxe zip up jackets with shorts

 
Menswear mix print mash up

Snood style hoodie and Bernhard Willhelm!

To sum this collection up I would have to compare the very wearable women's wrap coats with the full on aztec jumper and leggings from the menswear range, this is no way the most outrageous item from the menswear range but it is definitely one of the pieces that caught my eye. The look is mostly for the very brave but as I always say, just take elements from it, apart from the socks and tights, I really want the wrap coats, mohair knits and the jersey tops, it all looks pretty warm and comfortable which is something I need during the British winter. It seems that long hair for men and women is a big thing for this look, so I am glad I am growing my hair, although I'm hoping my husband Phil does not become inspired to grow that long two tone beard! When in Bristol.........ND 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/

Hot summer hot, hot summer........

I keep seeing loads of images from Coachella Festival all over fashion blogs and sites and as the British summer festival season approaches, it has reminded me that I had collected images from Ftape.com last November (but never got round to using, as it seems I was otherwise busy having a baby and that) from the DSquared2 SS2012 collection.

The collection is festival inspired for sure and caught my eye with it's layered mix of shorts, jackets, boots and sporty tube socks, all the things I seem to have a liking for. Here are my favourite pieces from the collection which I am hoping to be wearing here in England....if the sun ever comes out. I am longing for bare legs!

Leather jackets, boots and sports socks! Get your sports socks at American Apparel. I have loads of pairs, I love them!

Animal print, denim shorts, tassle bag and yellow tube socks!

A tailored jacket layered over t-shirts and denim with layered tube socks and boots. Don't forget to tie tops around your waist for extra layering (and protection against the cold nights....of course!).

More tassles, tube socks and beer!

It's unlikely I will be going to a festival this year so I shall be wearing this look on camping weekends, my holiday to Ibiza and.....the school run.....oh the glamour! Yo VIP!

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

Fade to Gray

I have started collecting together images from the A/W 2012 collections but still have so much to say about the collections for this S/S, after all this is the season we are approaching. To be honest most of the collections that I have gone for from the A/W collections could all be worn in the Summer too (especially in the cold depths of the UK!) I am loving Jeremy Scott's A/W collection and shall be blogging about him in due course but I really think I have found 'My New Favourite Designer' in Louise Gray. Bright colours, clashing prints, crazy styling and great accessories and  hairstyles every time! So before I show you my favourites from her A/W 2012 collection, I would like to share my favourites from Louise Gray's S/S 2012 Collection..........whilst the baby is sleeping.

Let's start with the hair, pink, curled, braids, Love it! This outfit does have the naive look of a fashion student creation, with it's crazy embellishment on sheer fabrics but that's what gives this piece it's charm. It's playful and a bit punk and reminds me of the garments I used to make for my fashion label Phlem back in the day BC (before children) I will deffo get these early 2000's creations up here soon.!!

The hair is verging on platinum dreads here an area I could get dangerously close to without looking like a white rasta. Loving the bright colours and batik-like clashing prints. The construction of these pieces kind of take a back step with this Louise Gray collection, it's more about the styling and how you wear it. You could get this look by mixing prints on t-shirts and skirts and accessorising with more clashing scarves, well that's what I'll probably do anyway. 

I am really into wearing t-shirts under dresses at the moment. you can do it with any sleeveless dress pretty much, it's very 1990s which is what we're aiming for here. Well for me it's an 80s / 90s mash-up. This mix print dress looks really cute with the little white top underneath and finished off with cute frilly ankle socks and wedge sandels. Love it!

I was going to choose one or two of these images but loved them all so here they are! Lots of mix prints and layering here with tassles, scarves and net fascinators. I am loving the way the hair has been made to look more textured and bigger using bits of ribbon and fabric. I could make my short hair look longer doing this....Well in my head I can, I shall blog it if this plan ever works out!

Here are more versions of the fabric hair extensions, I just love it! It's a little bit grunge (stay away from the 90s Crusty look please - I have been saying this to most Bristol bohemians for the past 10 years, but they ain't listening!...uh-oh maybe they are turning ME into one of them! I need to leave Bristol!) It reminds me of Haysi Fantayzee - a much hated (it seems to my horror) band from the 80s featuring 90s clubber DJ Jeremy Healy - the styling is very similar to this collection anyway. See below.

 We also cannot forget Strawberry Switchblade who were the Queens of big be-ribboned crimped hair...I love them....

Louise Gray I think you are fantastic! I shall attempt to covet you this year . Get layering and clashing kids!