My Passport to Style | Celebrating The Anniversay Of My Wedding

Hi Gals, inspired by my wedding anniversay today! This is Lady like chic with a capital L! From the film W.E directed by Madonna, the costumes alone would make viewing worth while! Dress gloves are a must, as is lavender water and a great corset, but if your struggling to get your hand on these a good tweed pencil skirt is a great place to start, see Thomas Pink.

Now I'm off for fun and frolicks with my lovely husband!

 credits - Vanity Fair

Meet The Latest Vintage Vamps | Cloth Magpie And Truly Sopel

For all you new vintage fans out there here are two scrummy unique British labels to feast on that will bring a big splash of sunshine to your wardrobes, that I'm bursting to introduce you to. But first for those of you that are a bit puzzled with the term 'new vintage', let me explain, new vintage is basically a new take on an original vintage design or style, that has been recreated using new fabric. Very often companies still opt for reproduced vintage prints or reclaimed vintage fabric that are still in mint condition. The benefits are pretty obvious, all the charm of vintage with none of the wear. You may also have the luxury of being able to choose one design in several prints or different colour ways, as was the rigour in days past, when styles of women's clothing were much more restricted a unique pattern of fabric was essential to helping you stand out amongst a crowd of wasp waisted women.

 

Cloth Magpie the British handbag label created by designer Sam Cross in Cambridge born out of her love for vintage fabrics, offers three distinct retro style handbag shapes in a wide variety of vintage prints, beautifully finished with a bright contrasting lining. But Magpie Cloth has gone that little bit further than most vintage etailers to spoil all you vintage lovers out there; simply register your newly purchased handbag on the Magpie site and you can claim free matching key ring, don't you just love that! Seeing as they are holding a fantastic sale right now AND all the current Cloth Magpie designs work with the strong trend for 60's and 70's this A/W 11 it will be tough to choose...

 

Next up on my vintage hotties hit list, is the lovely Truly Sopel from Somerset, inspired by the dresses she used to create as a little girl for her dollies and a wish to recapture the pretty innocence she remembers, she launched a fun, frivolous range of underwear showcased here today at Truly Knickers off the back of her very successful vintage clothing line at Truly Sopel, I think the sunshine yellow tweed coat is adorable. I'm loving the sheer versatility of Truly's vintage inspired knickers sets, in a range of the cutest fabric, you simply pop on a set in the morning teaming the top with a pair of your favourite jeans and if you get a little too hot and bothered just slip your jeans off and hey presto you're a chic 50s pin up girl ready to sun bathe or cool down, equally these would make a great set of stylish PJ. Find your perfect match here.

Alphabet Chic With My Passport to Style

M is for Madge and for 'material girl' shot by Dirk Bader, happy birthday Madonna!

My Passport to Style | Mad Mens Costume Genius Teams Up With Banana Republic!

Have you missed what is possibly the hottest fashion news to hit the internet? Banana republics latest limited edition collaboration with legend costume designer and fashion darling Janie Bryant who designed the costumes for the sensational Mad Men, well fear not as the chic line launched on the 11th of August. So there is still time to hotfoot it over there! Here are my favourite pieces from the collection, now wheres Don? - 

My Passport to Style | Brand Beckham Keeping It Real

Today I'm getting a little bit personal about the Beckhams and to be honest I think it very necessary as to me it is their combined personal values as a couple who met through two very different channels of entertainment that has contributed to such a powerful fashion brand with great values; values like fairness, loyalty, and a great work ethic. It is these values which have meant that Victoria and David Beckham have made the crucial some might say unusual decision, to continue to be represented by Simon Fuller (who represented the spice girls) when they both first became part of the world of fashion.

With David poised to seal a deal with H&M for a men's body wear range which he himself will front and Victoria's line of dresses and handbags now welcomed with open arms by the fashion world, it is safe to assume assume that manager Simon Fuller has been instrumental in brand Beckham continuing to enjoy such stellar success.

Both Victoria and David inhabit a world that affords them the luxury to act like the diva from time to time if they so wished, however it seems that whatever the giddy heights of success they reach, they are only more determined to dig their heels into their wish to remain grounded and take the people they respect and love along with them on their journey. During the difficult and turbulent time the UK is experiencing right now, brand Beckham represents not only an exciting fashion label but serves as inspiration for a way forward for both parents and young people to aspire to, in these changing times as well as the fashion community. 

image credits- Manchester fashion network

How To Survive A Food Fair!

Hi Gals, I'm off to a food fair of epic proportions in Clitheroe for the weekend to celebrate my husband's birthday. Just in case you have never been to a food fare or have one planned, I decided to offer my ultimate survival guide! Clothing can be a dilemma when you are guaranteed to chomp your way through a vast array of scrummy food stuffs!

Here is a Peek of The Location And Some Of The Food On Offer!

Clitheroe Castle

famous sausages

banana cupcakes

Advice On What To Wear

1. Stetch is a must!

2. Draped fabric flatters full tummys.

3. A busy print on a blazer done up over a dress or trousers helps disguise bulk, a print cardigan worn open over a dress landgirl style, creates contrasting panels of pattern, slicing the width of your body into smaller segments thus slimming the tummy and waist area.

4. A maxi dress in block colours is not only flattering because it falls beneath the bust, the bright block colours draw the eye down the body and the focus away from any bulge.

5. Bring a doggy bag, in America this is standard, that way you won't need to regret the cake that got away and you slow down during your 24hr food marathon!

Here's my selection, all Top Shop

My Passport to Style | Wedding Outfit Post Breaking With Tradition

Hi Gals, hope your having a fun weekend! I was inspired to feature a wedding outfit post on My Passport to Style today, after visiting the talented Pocket Stylist and this gorgeous bridal shoot she styled, do take a peek I love her work.

I decided to break with tradition for my nieces wedding and forgo the usual dress or two piece suit won at weddings when I fell hook line a sinker for this this elegant indigo linen jump suit (Skye Jumpsuit) in the Great Plains sale, firstly as most of you know by now navy is my neutral colour of choice, if you don't check my profile picture! I love navy, it's such a flattering colour against olive skin tones like my own.

To elevate navy to wedding status you need to team it with strong colours like fushia, yellow, ruby red and black. So I opted for these dramatic black suede wedges from Clarks (Ski Lift) I love the lattice detailing and the front opening really slims the ankle. Rather than a blazer which would mask the great cut of this jumpsuit I'm thinking I will wear a black sheer shrug like this one from Matalan which has a sweet vintage feel.

 I will be wearing my hair up and a pair of giant cream pearl earrings and my lola rose bracelet, as I think matching all your accesorise can be a bit boring. I found these lush velvet purses from the perfect handbag company  but which colour do I opt for? Do I go for a classic look with the ruby clutch or a more edgy feel with the gold.What do you gals think? Which would you pick?

    

    

My Passport to Style | Enlisting The Help Of Jon Richard

Anne Hathaway looked stunning and exuded poise in her MCqueen gown and her delicate barely visible to the naked eye swaroski bracelet,at the New York premier of One Day. I'm all for good good taste but I can't help but wish that she would be a little more generous with her bling at these events, after all diamonds are supposed to a girls best friend and that beautiful swan like neck just cries out to see the swish of long glittering earrings, instead of being shrouded in hair!

Jon Richard offer some stunning red carpet worthy styles in diamante this Season that are great value, I love this set of theirs below.What do you think, is bling your thing? Now might be a good time to bookmark their site or follow them on FB as come mid September when they relaunch their new site, you will have the pefect opportunity to emulate screen goddess Liz Tailor as Jon Richard are offering the first 300 customers on their newly launched site www.jonrichard.com a free pair of cubic zirconia stud earrings!

My Passport to Style | Just Another Blogging Competition??

Hi lovely that you popped over to see me, it's because of you readers and followers of my blog that I'm writing this post today. I recently found out about Look magazine's blogger competition, I'm sure you have come across a blogger competition of some sort by now on the blogosphere, it's no secret that the world of fashion journalism is evolving and recognising the value of fashion bloggers.



The Lovely Jedward



Style Over Substance?

There is a lot of focus on bloggers and journalists who write about fashion to look cool and edgy, but whilst I find great style and fashion and the creativity of styling up a new look thrilling and love researching new fashion designers and their labels. It's really nice when you come across a competition run by a magazine or brand such as Look magazine that recognises that the way a blogger writes and reports on fashion is equally important also.

Maybe I'm slightly biased about the need to write good fashion content as I get really excited about the planning and writing of a post that will put a fresh spin on the latest fashion story. Writing about the latest fashion trends in a fresh and immediate way and making them come alive by selecting the right images to accompany the piece is always a thrill for me as is reviewing a new fashion label or line.

Bring On The Competition!!

Winning this competition would offer me a great opportunity to use my hard earned skills in creative writing and as a stylist to report on clothing labels on behalf of Look magazine at their LFW catwalk. But more importantly, and I know you should never start a sentence with but, BUT, I have recently discovered something new about myself - I need competition because it keeps me motivated and helps me push my writing skills and come up with new exciting informative fashion posts that hopefully you all enjoy and even find useful.

The BOUNCE Factor

So my take is I won't just be entering the blogging competitions with the biggest and most exciting prizes and then sulk for days because I didn't get selected. I will hone the art of bouncing gracefully back and move onto the next opportunity out there for us fashion bloggers. The life blood of a great fashion blog is interesting original content, let's face it after seeing thirty pretty floral dresses we fashion bloggers need something to make us sit up and take notice. More importantly above everything else a blog needs a strong focus and that's where entering blogging competitions comes in, they encourage you to evaluate your skills set regularly, check that your happy with how your projecting your blog and up your game. If you're the one sitting on the fence when a blogger competition comes up, I hope I have convinced you not to!

Look magazine blogger competition ends August 15th 2011 if you want to check it out.

credits for images go to 

   www.tights-stockings-pantyhose.blogspot.com/

                                             www.thesavingsprincess.blogspot.com/

                                             blogscoventerytelegraph.net 

My Passport To Style Will Feature In A Book For Teenage Girls!

I had some really exciting news recently, I was contacted by a lovely Lancashire lady now living in Sydney who wants to use one of my fashion posts in a book she is currently writing for teen girls full of lots of great advice and tips on how to survive being a teen girl and lots style inspiration to help enjoy it! I'm honoured that she is using my work in this way and thrilled, as helping young women feel good about their body image is a subject close to my heart. It will be a while till publishing, but I will be sure to share the thrill of seeing my name in print with you my lovely followers.

Speaking of followers and empowerment, coming up soon - I meet some amazing successful ethical buisness women working in the world of fashion and beauty and watch out for the great giveaways that will be part of this post and a thank-you to all you lovely readers for your ongoing support!   

Ladies Let Me Introduce You To The Very | Stylish Thomas Pink

Valley tweed jacket and Dell tweed skirt

left Fern print silk dress and right Heath jacket and Dales skirt in ruby tweed

This A/W 2011 savvy women everywhere will be returning in their droves to the institution that is the two piece suit. The reasons are a shift in the culture of fashion, a change in what we now identify as high style and a good dose of common sense. We have become slightly jaded by the staggering amount of choice on offer in the world of fashion today. Women are yearning for the simplicity of those school uniform days, where the toughest choice was whether or not to hitch your grey school skirt up a couple of inches without mum noticing, to make it your own. In rather the same way the two piece skirt suit from heritage label Thomas Pink offers the same instantly accessible charm of effortless grownup smart. You could be forgiven for being more than a little smug about the fact that by buying into a great classic tweed suit from British label Thomas Pink (limited in number) for work, you will stand out in a sea of cardboard black trouser suits your colleagues are wearing to the office and then later on in the week step into the same skirt teaming it with your favourite super pointy heels, shirt and leather biker jacket for a trip to your local pub for an instant shot of cool.

My Passport to Syle | Celebrates The Talent Of Designer Stella McCartney

Stella

Stella and Paul

 

Steely Stella as she has been sometimes called is soon to celebrate her 40th birthday, so it seems perfect timing to celebrate Stella McCartney one of the nations favourite designers here on My Passport to Style. Stella is a fearless designer who pushes herself, but beneath her exceptional skill for putting a fresh slant on the current silhouette of the season and working with tweed one minute and lycra the next, she has a talent that was honed whilst working under the guidance of Savills Row tailors and it shows. She credits her inner strength and determination to her mother Linda who was never in any doubt about her daughters ability to achieve her goals.

Stella and Linda

 

 Stella McCartney understands what lines work to flatter a woman's body and at the same time she empathises with women who want to look feminine and timeless, I believe her consistently close relationship with the stage and the world of performance and music is reflected in her work as a designer her clothes are meant to empower women and give them confidence.

Cutting Edge Design At Adidas



Autumn 2011



Sportswear and tailoring do not fit neatly together, yet they give Stella's brand a timeless edge that few designers can match, both tailoring and sportswear design require a rigorous understanding of body shape and fabric, however sportswear design demands the designer know how a garment moves when it is being worn, so comfort is not compromised for style, Stellas signature is effortless confident style.

Spring 2011

My favourite pieces from McCartney's women's wear collections are usually her jackets, coats and trousers, to me this is where her greatest strength as a designer lies, she designed her first jacket aged just 13, 3 years later she was interning for Christian Lacroix at 16, after studying at St Martins in London, she was then appointed creative director of Chloe in Paris a major coup. She followed this up by collaborations with Adidas, H & M to bring her label to the mass market and is constantly evolving, expect the unexpected from Stella McCartney and you will never be disappointed!

Winter 2011

Happy Birthday Stella, you're a true champion of the fashion world!