THE CHANELEPHANT: 2014

HOW I STYLE : CHAINED ANKLE BOOTS

a/w 2014 fashion

8/16/2014 10:19:00 pm
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BACK TO SCHOOL - THE ESSENTIALS FOR A/W 2014

8/13/2014 10:08:00 am
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Something that I feel like every girl needs once in a while is a little bit of inspiration as to what to wear on a date. As well as wanting to feel comfortable, you will be wanting to feel confident in yourself as well as feeling that you are impressing your date. Here is just a lil bit of inspiration as to what I would wear in different scenarios to help you out if you need it.

1) THE DINNER

I think something minimalistic always looks great. I love this style of dress and how it gives the illusion of a two piece outfit - which is also very comfortable to wear. I paired the dress with a pair of black heels which I recently bought, and they are amazing. I always tend to opt to a shoe with a chunky heel as I believe they are more comfortable and easy to walk in. These shoes I love particularly for the ankle strap - no buckles, no loops, just Velcro. I thought the use of Velcro was very unique, makes the shoe look 1000000x better and adds some complexity to the outfit.

2) THE "CASUAL"

This is a usual "casual" outfit for me - something loose and comfortable. I would tuck the tee into the jeans but make it hang loosely, and "one shoulder" the tee so the strap of the bralet is showing. If it's colder I would hang a leather jacket over my shoulders and possibly add a black beanie. I feel like being comfortable is key at all times, you don't want to be feeling restricted - especially on a date.

3) THE CINEMA

Again, a return of the monochrome. I currently love all white outfits, so having the focal points of the outfit being white will draw in attention and will contrast from the shoes, jacket and hat. I personally love this outfit as it's edgy yet sophisticated, and I am eager to recreate it at some point.

- E x

(Just a lil side note - as of next Saturday I will be going to Spain for 10 days, which means I will be unable to post for the next two Sundays. HOWEVER, I am going to try my best to post on Saturday before I leave, and I will post again as soon as I'm home or if I get the opportunity to while I'm in Spain - which is unlikely as I doubt I will have wifi. Either way, I will try my best to get my posts to you ASAP - you can keep up to date and know when I next post on INSTAGRAM or TUMBLR)

6/22/2014 11:13:00 am
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MY FAVOURITE 2014 SUMMER TRENDS

Summer is basically here, well that's what I can tell from the good weather we're having here which is quite a surprise. Since I am currently skint in the finance department, I can only sit here and lust over the beautiful (and often expensive) summer clothes that the high street have to offer. Instead of dreaming about these items of clothing in my head, I can share them with you here so you can lust with me.

1) TROPICAL PRINTS

The Paradise Print Lolita Crop | American Apparel

I'm currently loving the tropical/jungle prints that are coming into shops at the moment. They bring some zest and colour into the market and I find them incredibly fun. Depending on the tones and colours in your piece, they can also be worn in winter if you opt for dark, richer colours. However a lot of the ones you will find right now are bright and eye catching, which is great if you want to make an outfit look more alive in an easy way. I would pair one of these tops with a pair of white high waist jeans, or maybe a white skirt (which is another style I am also L O V I N G right now).

2) BRALETS

I think bralets are a classy way to show off your underwear through shirts, and I love it. If you choose the correct style of top (something loose fitted with a v-neck) and wear a bralet underneath it so the lace is just peaking through, it can bring more complexity to a simple piece. I find that wearing a bralet that contrasts to your shirt makes your outfit stand out and can add some minor details to make a basic outfit look more put together.

3) FEDORAS

I mentioned my love for fedoras in my previous "Festival Essentials" post and I'm gonna talk about them again. Fedoras are so simple but they can make an outfit look complete. I cannot contain my love for fedoras, if I had unlimited money I would have a wardrobe filled with them. A fedora is basically an accessory that will not date, and can match your outfit whether your style is classy or grungy. Plus they are reasonably inexpensive on the high street in the likes of New Look and River Island.

4) ROUND SUNGLASSES

Another item that I have mentioned previously. I just love round sunglasses. Since I tend to sway towards a more grungy style, these can make the difference between a "meh" outfit and a perfect outfit. They also work well with all styles, it all depends on the frame you pick up. You can get different variations of round sunglasses almost everywhere, so there is bound to be a pair that are perfect for you. Plus, they tend to be pretty timeless so you can wear them forever.

- E x

6/15/2014 12:15:00 pm
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MY HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

There seems to be a bit of a theme coming along here (completely unintentionally, may I add), however I thought I would share something with you which may be useful to those who have never been on holiday before. Since I am very lucky to be going on holiday to Spain and Malta this year, I more or less have a clear idea of the things I will be taking with me (fashion wise). I thought it would be fun for me to share with you what I would take to another country which could give you new ideas on what you could bring, or maybe our packing essentials are completely the same. Either way, I thought it could be quite an interesting post because after all, everyone has a different way of doing things.

1) THE BEACH ESSENTIALS

Obviously if you're going to be heading to the beach, you're going to need to be beach ready. A bikini/swimsuit is an essential if you're going to be taking a dip in the sea, or in the pool. The high street are selling amazing swimsuits/bikinis at affordable prices, I've recently bought two from Topshop and they are fab - in the terms of their appearance and quality.

A cover-up is also perfect just to throw over your swim costume if you're going out for lunch or anything similar after lying out in the sun. These are literally available EVERYWHERE right now, they are hard to miss and they won't cost you a fortune (unless you opt for something a little more glamorous and higher end). I find that it's easy to find a kaftan that looks a lot more expensive than it is on the high street, without the hefty price tag.

Sandals are a must, for the beach especially - you don't want sand getting into your trainers right? Finding one pair of sandals that you could use at day and night time could save you money as well as having one less pair of shoes to pack.

Having a bag that you could use as a beach bag, a handbag and a carry on bag would be the ultimate way to save room. Get something that's roomy and comfortable to carry, and you're set to go.

2) PROTECTION

If you're going somewhere hot, it's obvious that you're going to need to protect your skin from the sun. Using suntan lotion and a lip balm with a suitable SPF is something that I use constantly on holiday. At nights, using aftersun stops my skin from going dry and having a good pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun rays (and stop you from squinting, which will help recede under eye wrinkles. Bonus.).

3) A CAMERA

You're going to want to capture the moments you want to remember forever, and a camera does exactly that. Whether you use a polaroid, a DSLR or your phone, anything that can capture a memory does the job. I love taking photos of places I go so I can always remember them, and it's up to you whether you want to share them with friends or not. After all, making them a little jealous does no great harm.

4) A JACKET/JUMPER

Hopefully you won't need this but it's good to be prepared. If the sky is clear the nights could become a little chilly, so having a light jumper or jacket to keep you warm could come in handy. I think a kimono would be perfect as they are lightweight, plus the thin material can be rolled up and tucked into your bag in case it's needed.

5) COMFORTABLE CLOTHES

I hate wearing jeans, sandals and a pullover on a flight. I feel like trainers are comfortable for walking around in whether it's at the airport or where you're going on holiday. You can't really go wrong with a cool pair of high waist shorts and a crop top, just in case you want to look like you've made an effort in what you're wearing. As long as it's comfy, it's good.

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS by emmajaneross on polyvore.com

6/08/2014 03:06:00 pm
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MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS

Festival season is definitely one of my favourite times of the year. Not only because of the atmosphere and the live music, but for the fashion. Festival fashion takes a break from the ordinary, and you can see people in their element in the terms of personal style. Today I thought I would give you an insight of my top 7 fashion essentials for festivals, inspired by my own tastes.

A kimono is a piece that I think would look great at festivals. It shows off a bohemian vibe, but it can look very different depending on the style of kimono you get. I personally love ones with lace and/or tassels, which you can get almost anywhere from H&M to Nasty Gal. They tend to be quite pricey, but I have recently made my own using this DIY tutorial. I found that it was a lot cheaper than buying one from a shop, and relatively simple to make. Overall, a kimono would be perfect if you were trying to capture that classic, bohemian festival look.

Round sunglasses are a new found love of mine. I think they are timeless and can change the look of an outfit. I would say that they would be great for someone trying to achieve a grungy festival look, especially if you opt for a darker frame and lens. I feel that adding sunglasses to a simple outfit can complete it, and that you should definitely pack them if you plan on heading to any festivals - this can also apply to everyday life.

A bumbag is one of my favourite trends that would look GREAT at festivals. I'm one of these people who hates carrying around a handbag at festivals because I feel like it's too much responsibility as there is a large chance that I will leave it somewhere. With a bumbag, you can pack all the things you need - your phone, glasses, money etc. - and they can be right by your side 24/7. Plus you won't even feel like you're carrying anything. What's better than that?

A fedora is a style that I used last festival season and I am so happy that I'll be able to use it again this year. From my perspective, the fedora adds some class to an outfit. Plus, it will hide your hair if you're having a terrible hair day (which is likely if you're staying in a tent). Like the sunglasses, a fedora can completely change the look of a simple outfit which is great if you're wanting to keep packing to a minimum.

The bandana can be used in two ways - as a headband, or a scarf. Using it as a headband adds a hippie sorta vibe, yet I think it looks incredibly cool at festivals. For using it as a scarf, I saw some people at Coachella wearing their scarfs in a sherif style which I fell in love with. If that didn't make sense, it's basically putting the scarf into a triangle and tying it at the back of your neck. It's a style that isn't worn by many, which would be great if you're wanting to show some individuality within the crowd.

Wellies are an essential if you're going to be going to a festival in the UK. As it is well known that our weather is incredibly unpredictable, it's good to be well prepared. You don't want to be treading the fields in a pair of good shoes, right? Wellies are great for keeping the water out, keeping you clean and it has the classic, UK festival look. I highly recommend you bring them with you, you will regret it when it's pouring down.

A waterproof parka is another essential aimed at UK festival goers. As I said before, the weather is unpredictable, therefore you need to be ready for the worst. I would recommend you went for a waterproof, transparent jacket as then your outfit would still be visible while you're staying dry. Plus, a waterproof jacket secretly look pretty cool at festivals.

(Find the items used in this blog post here)

6/01/2014 11:25:00 am
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DIY - THE HOLED T-SHIRT

DIY

The holed t-shirt seems to be a growing fashion trend of the moment. First appearing on the Balmain catwalks back in 2010, the style seems to making its way back into the hearts of fashion lovers. The style being worn by Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Matthew Healy and seen on many at Coachella. As I couldn't seem to find any stores that were supplying these tees at a reasonable price, I decided to make my own as it wouldn't be difficult, and it would be a lot cheaper than going out and buying one from a shop. After all, achieving this style is simple and can give edge to a basic look. All you need is two things - a pair of fabric scissors and a plain t-shirt.

I got my t-shirt from Primark for £4, but you can source out this style of t-shirt from almost anywhere. I recommend going a few sizes up when buying, as in my opinion I think that this style looks better when it's oversized. You can get fabric scissors from any arts and craft stores or a haberdashery (I got mine from Hobbycraft).

I used this Steven Alan tee as a guideline, just to ensure that my holes were a suitable size and so I knew good areas to cut my tee.

The process of making a holed tee is incredibly simple. All you need to do is put your finger underneath the desired area that you would liked to be "holed" and use your other hand to pinch the fabric.

Ensure that you haven't pinched too much fabric, as you don't want to the holes to be massive. After you're comfortable with the amount of fabric you have chosen to cut, take your scissors and cut the pinched piece of fabric.

And it's as simple as that! Continue this step using various sizes of holes all over the t-shirt to give it a more distressed effect. You can also angle your scissors in different directions and make skinny, longer holes in your top if you fancied it.

This next step is optional. If you want your tee to look more worn out, you can cut the neck to make the edges rougher. Put on the t-shirt and put a line on the top with pen as to how low you want the neck to reach. Take your scissors and cut a small incision into the top of the left and right side of the neck, and cut right down to the mark you made on the front of the shirt. Your cutting does not need to be equal on both sides as you're making the tee imperfect. When it comes to the back of the neck, use the original neck as a guideline and cut it in a similar shape.

And that's it! I hope you's enjoyed this DIY which can help you achieve this style even if you're on a small budget.

4/20/2014 07:22:00 pm
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OUTFIT INSPIRATION

fashion

Throughout the past years, being influenced by fashion has been a large part of my life. Whenever there was a new trend I would purchase it, and looking back my outfit choices, they tended to be very mainstream (soz for the "hipster" word choice). I didn't seem to take a lot of independence in my outfit choices, and I was afraid to step outside the box - choosing to look up to people who's outfit choices weren't anything but mediocre. Since it has been my lifelong goal to make it into the fashion industry, over the past few months I have realised that if I were to stick to the same fashion choices, that I wouldn't stand a chance in making some sort of impact in such a hectic and swamping society. So with this in mind, in order to make a change in my outfits, I would have to make a change in the people who I looked up to. I've been trying to explore styles that I wouldn't of dared to tried a few months ago in hope that I would find outfits where I would feel good and comfortable in. By looking up to new people, they have helped me to inspire my outfits and find a style where I felt comfortable, and more "myself" in. I felt like in this weeks blog post I would share with you's who my main fashion influences are at the moment, as it seems like due to them, my style has made a drastic turning point when compared to this time last year.

1) Matthew Healy - The 1975

When I first started listening to The 1975 shortly after August, their fashion wasn't the first thing I acknowledged. But as my love for them grew, the more frequently I would see candids and photo shoots appearing on my Tumblr dashboard. The first thing that caught my eye was how cool, yet simple their outfits were (especially Matty's). That sort of dark, drapey style had always been something I was scared to try out. But as they say, when you go black you don't go back. I loved how black made my outfits seem edgier, yet it brought a form of class and simplicity. Although I try to make my outfits seem above average when I use this style, it isn't always successful. However, looking at Matthew Healy's style has helped me visualise new designs that I would like to attempt to make when I get the time, which gives me something exciting to work towards.

2) Selena Gomez

Selena's style has always been something I've both been attracted and pulled away from, but recently I have found myself reblogging her outfits quite frequently. Her outfits influence me to try out a more girly, boho look (which is hard to get me to try out). She takes recent style and interoperates it in her own way - making it look unique and her own. Selena's outfits seem to range from using neutral colours to going bright and bold, which reminds me that you're not limited to revolving around the same colour palette. As I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to style right now, Selena's style inspires me to step outside the box which is what I feel I need to do more of.

3) Harry Styles

His outfits always seem to be on point. Whenever new candids are released, I am rarely disappointed in the clothes that Harry tends to put together. His style has pushed me to go more sports luxe and try out dressing down casual looks. I love the whole formal shoes, casual shirt direction that Harry is going in and his confidence to wear things that you wouldn't see on a day to day basis. Like Selena, Harry takes fashion and twists it to suit what he likes and what he feels comfortable wearing, which I think is important when you're trying to find your desired style.

4/13/2014 01:49:00 am
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SMALL SPRING HAUL - FOREVER 21 AND TOPSHOP

My first (spring) haul of the year! Wow it has been a while. I genuinely have no idea how I have managed to retain from going on a mass shopping spree, but I guess the amount of money you save is worth it. Yes - this haul is small, but it’s better than nothing. Soooo….

I was wanting to get a pair of light, floaty shorts that I would be able to chill out and keep cool in when the summer comes, and Forever 21 is a perfect place to find the most ideal shorts in that category. I found this black pair which are made of a very thin but dense black material which are so light and comfortable and the elasticated waist seals the deal. However the red pair may be thin and slightly less dense, they are so cute and I love the frills in them. It’s rare that you see me wearing a bright pair of bottoms, but I couldn’t resist these. I’m super excited to wear these shorts on long journeys, lounging around the house or going out and about in where I can achieve either a casual or slightly more sophisticated look. There’s nothing better than class and comfort.

Black Shorts // Red Shorts

These sunglasses. I have adored the “Round Metal" Ray Bans recently, but being unemployed leaves you with the problem of not being able to afford lovely, designer shades. However, I came across this pair in Forever 21 and I think I shrieked with excitement. They are almost identical to the Ray Bans and they fit my face perfectly and look amazing. I am so so happy that I found these, it is going to be a heartbreaking time when these break (which will hopefully not be any time soon).

Similar Pair //

(Unfortunately, the exact sunglasses went out of stock shortly after I bought them, but I did find these as a close alternative)

Now, onto bikinis. I always have trouble trying to find a bikini that fits me perfectly, and Topshop seem to be the only place where I can find that. The materials they use always seem to be made of a very thick, durable quality which will last and do not go baggy while at the beach. Topshop bikinis never seem to let me down, they’re perfect in the sense of flattering your assets and looking very good at the same time. This is the second year I’ve gone back to Topshop for bikinis, and I highly recommend that you try them out too.

Black Top // Black Bottoms // Lime Crochet Bikini

4/03/2014 10:35:00 pm
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Pages

NEW PROJECTS, NEW ADVENTURES

HOW I STYLE : CHAINED ANKLE BOOTS

BACK TO SCHOOL - THE ESSENTIALS FOR A/W 2014

DATE NIGHT INSPIRATION

MY FAVOURITE 2014 SUMMER TRENDS

MY HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS

DIY - THE HOLED T-SHIRT

OUTFIT INSPIRATION

SMALL SPRING HAUL - FOREVER 21 AND TOPSHOP

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