Sneak peek: Diesel A/W12 Press day

Hi guys,
Yesterday I popped down to the Diesel A/W press day. Diesel isn't really a brand I wear: their jeans were 'all the rage' ten years ago, and my husband still has a pair knocking around at the back of the wardrobe, but nowadays nobody I know really wears Diesel (A contender for the overlooked store tour perhaps?) So I entered the press day with an open mind, hoping to be surprised. Here's what I found:




Simple, utilitarian clothes with plenty of black, grey, and neutral fabrics. The quality and workmanship is obviously of a high standard. But not necessarily to my taste.

There were two leather jackets I loved. But the rest of the outfits seemed a little bland and unsubstantial. I'm not a fan of shearling, the washes on the denim made me think of chubby builders, and there seemed to be an abundance of unironed (slightly grubby looking!) white shirts. Maybe it's a sign of my age, or maybe I'm just not 'cool' any more, but I prefer a look that's a bit more 'done' than this.

What do you think about Diesel? Is it a brand you wear or a shop you go into? If you love it, why? I'd really like to be convinced!

Love Tor xx

Give up Clothes for Good!

Hi guys,
Earlier in the month I was invited to a private dinner hosted by TKMaxx for a sneak peek of their latest charity campaign: Give up Clothes for Good! The campaign is being run in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, and will support and help fund research on kids cancers.

The basic premise of the campaign is pretty simple. You take a bag of clothes to your local TKMaxx store next time you pop in for a shop of bargain hunting. They give the bag to Cancer Research UK, who sell it in their charity shop. Each donated bag could raise up to £30 towards vital cancer research. Easy peasy!

Check out the video below to see what I (and all the other bloggers at the dinner) donated to the campaign, and our key picks from TKMaxx's new Spring/Summer collections:

It really is a great cause, so why not combine having a good old Spring clean of your wardrobe (something I recommend every year!) with filling a bag of clothes to take to your local TKMaxx for donation, and supporting their campaign?

Because, let's face it, it feels good to do something good! And any excuse to pop to TKMaxx to 'replace' all that stuff you just gave away, right?!

Love Tor xx

The matching/clashing accessory conundrum!

Hi guys,
It's a question I often ask myself: is it better to match your accessories or clash them?! Personally I'm a big fan of matching (I rarely leave the house if the colour of my shoes doesn't match the colour of my bag) but I also appreciate that a little clashing (especially in the summer) is probably much much cooler!

Matching

I love my new tan saddle bag (thank you very much, TKMaxx!) so I knew I had to get the perfect pair of summer shoes to match it. Enter these amazing peep toe T-bar sandals from Bertie (c/o Sarenza) They have a sturdy platform at the front which balances out the height of the heel, meaning you can wear them all day with no discomfort: tried and tested! I was delighted by how exact the colour-match was too. It's very rare when the colour on the screen is the same as what arrives on your doorstep!

Clashing

This is my third pair of Valensi pumps from Sarenza (I also have a gold pair and a black pair) and I plan on adding a couple of other, brighter and more summery shades, to my collection. They are the most comfortable pumps I have ever owned: they have a supportive back and sit slightly higher up the foot than normal pumps leaving you feeling snug and supported. It would be a little twee to then add a powder pink handbag though, so this is where I turn to the clash-side! So instead I went for a turquoise studded clutch. Just add jeans and a white tee and I'm ready to go!

Do you tend to match your accessories? Or do you mix and match colours? I'd love to hear your shoe and handbag co-ordination thoughts!

Love Tor xx

The Overlooked Store Tour: Miss Sixty

Hi guys,
When I was 15 I had a long Afghan coat in burgandy and gold which had a gold fur trim all the way around it. I loved that coat more than I've ever loved anything: It made me feel retro and glamorous. It was the most expensive, most luxurious thing I had ever owned. And it was from Miss Sixty. Which is why I have chosen them to be the next stop on the Overlooked Store Tour!

Miss Sixty isn't a brand I have thought about in years. Until I wandered past the Carnaby Street store earlier this week, I didn't even know they still had stand-alone stores (They do. All over the country: find your local one now!)




But a little research has given me a newfound love and respect for that favourite brand of my youth. Yes, you can still buy an overpriced cotton tee with a Miss Sixty logo on it. And all that denim of course! But you can also, and more interestingly, find a great selection of retro-inspired yet modern and wearable frocks and separates. And a range of handbags I'm already itching to get my paws on!

The brand seems to be having a love affair with lace at the moment, and there is a great flippy lace skirt that would flatter almost everyone. And as for the lace and denim dress in the first picture? At £140 I think it's a summer no-brainer: add this to your wardrobe, and always have something to wear!

The overall feel is laid back, not trying too hard, but still timelessly mega-cool! I want to be a Miss Sixty girl!

Do you/would you shop in Miss Sixty? And what store or brand reminds you of your long-lost youth?!

Love Tor x

Do you know your body shape?

Hi guys,
Sometimes when you find yourself in a fashion rut (and have more days when you hate everything in your wardrobe than when you can find something to wear) it's time to go back to basics: do you know your body shape? And are you dressing it in the best way?

Pepperberry sent me these great dress up dolls to illustrate the three most common 'curvy' body shapes, and how to dress them. Regardless of whether you gain or lose weight, your basic body shape always stays the same (just bigger or smaller!) Here's how to work out what basic curvy shape you are:

Straight
If your shoulders are equal to or wider than your hips, and you have little waist definition, then your body shape is straight. When you gain weight it usually lands straight on your tummy, but your slim hips and legs are your best features.
Is this your body shape? Then wear fitted dresses with an empire line to emphasise your narrowest part (just under your bust) and elongate your body.

Balanced
If your hips are in line with your shoulders and you have a well defined waist line then you have a balanced figure. When you gain weight it distributes evenly across your whole body and your curves are you best feature!
Is this your body shape? Then you're lucky, because you can wear most skirt shapes! But why not try a fitted pencil skirt to show off your curves?

Shaped
If your hips are wider than your shoulders and you have a narrow waist but full hips and thighs then you are shaped. When you gain weight it will show on your hips, bum, and tum, but your slim waist and upper body are your best features.
Is this your body shape? Then make like a fifties film star in a line and prom shaped frocks!!

What body shape are you? And is it something you think about/take into consideration when you hit the shops?

Love Tor xx