Practicality Versus Fashion!

Fashionista-Outlet were musing the issues of looking fabulous whilst trying to keep it together in lifes busy day-to-day madness. We got chatting to Johanna Payton who came to our rescue. As the author of Fashion Detective this top fashion blogger knows what she is talking about! Fashionistas welcome to Johanna’s fantastic inside tips on practicality versus fashion… 

1. Until the weather gets better, tights really are required – and not only are colour pop tights more exciting than nude, traditional shades, they are less likely to ladder too. At the mo I’m mad for bright orange, hot pink and deep purple – aim for a colour that clashes with your skirt or dress for full-on impact.

2. If you’re worried about ditching your faux fur jacket for spring, try wearing more layers to compensate for the warmth a jacket provides. Wearing a light vest, then a button down blouse, fastened to the top, and a cute pastel jumper over the top provides a funky, preppy look – and you won’t shiver.

3. Clutch bags look great but you need to be clever (and economical) when it comes to choosing what to put in them for a night out. I’ve invested in every make-up “stick” known to man as they are light enough to carry in a clutch and you can pretty much do a full make-up touch-up with them; Garnier’s anti-dark circle pens for under the eyes (and the odd blemish) are a must, and Soap and Glory do three fabulous double-ended products in “stick” form – Marvelips to perfect your pout, The Daily Double eyeshadow and liner and Arch de Triumph to shape and highlight your brow.

4. Vintage clothes are still popular, but the bargains you buy are often stained. There are loads of effective, non-chemical ways to remove stains including using toothpaste, hairspray and a slice of white bread! Have a Google to match the stain to the cure.

5. If you’re inspired by celebrity looks you’ve seen on TV, create a file of inspirational styles (the old fashioned paper way or on your phone/tablet) and take it shopping with you so you don’t lose sight of the effect you’re trying to achieve. If you only caught sight of that amazing dress for a second, see if the show is on catch-up via the internet and then you can pop a screen grab in your “style file”.

6. If you love the idea of wearing prints but you’re worried about how they will look in reality, have a really good trying on session in a high street shop (eg. Topshop or Warehouse) with tons of print options. Rather then dresses, try separates so you can tone down the boldness with something understated. Mix and match to see if the prints are more flattering for you on the top or the bottom.

7. If you’re very busy, but you want fashionable nails that complement every outfit, pop to a salon and try having a UV Gel treatment. It lasts for about three weeks and will prevent your polish from chipping or peeling. If you still want your nails to look natural, ask the manicurist for a thin layer of gel and avoid false tips. Choose bright, acid colours to be on trend for spring.

8. Everyone knows that taking a spare pair of shoes out in case your feet ache at the end of the night is a good idea, but if you’re carrying a small bag it isn’t always practical. Coco Rose fold away pumps are outstanding in this capacity and if you invest in a foldaway shopper too, you’ll have a bag big enough to carry home your heels in.

9. Everyone is going mad for pastels at the moment, but if you just can’t get into the idea of wearing ice cream shades, try pastel jewellery and accessories instead; a pastel bag or bangle will show that you are in the sartorial know without making any wardrobe compromises.

10. Not every fashionista is a tech-lover, but there are some brilliant apps available that really enhance your fashion experiences. Fashion Speak, for example, tells you how to pronounce all those baffling labels and designer names, so you’re never embarrassed in a shop again, and the Dressipi app beats vanity sizing by working out which size you should go for in individual fashion shops and from different online retailers.

PURE LONDON FEBRUARY 2012

Here are some random pictures from our day around The Pure London Event. Held at Olympia London we found Style Hunters, New trends and Catwalks…

Pure London 2012

Pure London 2012