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Autumn casual

There’s always a day that signifies the turn of a season; a day where that “transitional” period ends and the season is in full swing.

These outfit pictures were taken on such a day and ironically, I wasn’t’t dressed for it.

I had been meaning for a few weeks to photograph this outfit that I had been enjoying wearing while the weather was still quite mild

and on the day I finally had a chance to shoot it, it was really too cold to wear it, so I had to change straight after.

acne jumper chainmail necklace

I have been enjoying wearing this outfit in more casual situations where too many black floaty things may seem over the top or at times where I need comfortable footwear but boots may be too hot.

dark fashion blogger with dog

This little leather jacket was a great eBay find, I have been wearing it all summer and it only cost about a quarter of the price that it would have retailed for. I generally prefer the look, feel and durability of genuine leather over faux (more on that in a different post) but I try to keep is at ethical as possible by buying second hand items that have already been consumed.

acne jumper manchester blogger

My jumper was also an eBay find, I realised I no longer had any lightweight knitwear in my wardrobe and was lucky to come across this Acne jumper that was exactly what I was looking for.

It makes a change from the vast amount of black in my wardrobe (I do like to change it up occassionaly) and makes a great transitional piece.

silver rings and chainmail necklace

As usual, I added some edge to my outfit with my accessories, my usual silver rings that I wear all the time and my custom-made, Richard Ayres chainmail piece.

aesthetic contradiction blogger

I put my hair in to a half-up twisted top-knot; my go-to lazy style and added some neutral, warm-tone make up. After years of denial, I have finally accepted that warm tones are usually more complimentary to my colouring.

Shooting on a windy day was not all bad as a helpful gust of wind helped me to capture and show of the side slits in my jumper. The front can be tucked into trousers, while the back hangs long.

nike trainers

OUTFIT:

Jacket: Oasis

Jumper: Acne

Trousers: Zara

Trainers: Nike

Necklace: Richard Ayres

Some ring: Dixi

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Autumn Wishlist

aesthetic contradiction autumn Wishlist 2017

 

This year more than ever, I’m thinking about adding pieces to my wardrobe that will have longevity. Over the past few seasons, I’ve realised that I’m not really interested in trend pieces, unless they falls into the rare category of items that are staples in my wardrobe, but not most other peoples’ and need to be snapped up quickly, whenever the opportunity arises. I’m generally aiming to add pieces to my wardrobe that can be staples in my wardrobe but will also be interesting enough to be worn in seasons to come, without me getting bored of them. I realise this is a tall order, but I’ve managed to do this with a few items in my current wardrobe so I would like to find more like them and build a “capsule wardrobe” of go-to items.

I often struggle to find exactly what I’m looking for in stores but I have managed to compile a list of some of the types of items I’m interested in adding to my wardrobe this season.

  1. I have been thinking about investing in better quality knitwear this season and this grey mohair and wool blend jumper from “& other stories” seems like the perfect cosy item to wear both out and about and when working from home.
  2. In recent years, I’ve realised I don’t really like wearing heels for long periods of time, so I’m always on the lookout for cute but edgy flats that I can wear to go out in. Last year, I bought the perfect pair from E8 by Miista and I was overjoyed to see that they have brought out a similar type of style that I’m equally as in love with for this season! The Luna flats.
  3. Now that I wear less body jewellery, I have been thinking about adding some studs back into my  jewellery collection. These sterling silver triangles from AbigailjewelleryAu on Easy are perfect and would go with everything.
  4. I have multiple ear piercings so something a bit tougher looking to pair with the triangles would be good and I found another great pair on Etsy, from Formood.
  5. It has been a couple of years since I added a new coat to my wardrobe and I’ve been looking out for the next addition. I think it would be good have something slightly oversized and boyish but also smart and flattering. I haven’t had a chance to try any on yet, but this tomboy coat from Zara, looks promising.
  6. Over the past few seasons, my taste has shifted towards smaller bags, I find that I no longer need to carry my whole life around with me and I would love a neat, smallish cross body bag. I have worn my H! by Henry Holland satchel bag to death so I though a similar style might be nice and I have found one from Anu Tera that looks perfect.
  7. I have also been looking into ethical knitwear, trying to find more conscientious  brands to invest in. A lot of them don’t really suit my style but I have found the perfect grey polo neck from Siizu.

 

S. x

 

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September sun

On Saturday we went on a family day out to celebrate my grandma’s birthday. We visited Bent’s garden centre, before sitting down for a lovely meal at Albert’s, one of the few restaurants that everyone in the family can enjoy equally.

Black haired blogger in mesh panel leotard

While we were waiting to be served, I took the opportunity to get a few snaps of my new outfit, that was kindly sent to me from wearall.com

Aesthetic contradiction dark fashion blogger

I have been on the lookout for some comfortable yet stylish transitional outfits and this one was just perfect for a day out where I wasn’t to feel like myself, but still be quite casual.

Aesthetic Contradiction blogger from Manchester

I paired the outfit with my go-to accessories, H&M sunglasses, H! for Henry Holland satchel and Asos boots. In recent years, I have noticed I gravitate more towards items that have a certain practicality to them, instead of just wearing things because they look interesting.

Dark fashion blogger in sunglasses

For the finishing touches, I added some silver gemstone jewellery. I felt that thin necklaces complemented this outfit better than by signature chainmail so I opted for a more delicate look this time.

blogger in black paper bag waist trousers

lace panel bodysuit and paper bag tie waist trousers

 

 

 

 

OUTFIT:

 

* Mesh panel bodysuit: Wearall

*Paper bag tie waist trousers: Wearall

Boots: Asos (similar)

Satchel: H! for Henry Holland (sold out)

Sunglasses H&M

Some rings from Dixi: wishbone, little luna, crescent moon

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August Bank holiday weekend

This August bank holiday, I mostly spent time with my family. On Sunday, I went out for brunch with my mum and her four cousins!

The weather was confusing, as it usually is in Manchester so I opted for a summery(ish) jumpsuit and shoes, teamed with some sunglasses and my favourite blazer. It was a good choice!

Manchester blogger Aesthetic Contradiction

You May also notice I’ve had a hair colour change. I loved the silver but I had had it for about 7 years and it was time for a change. I’ve had black in past so I knew that it suited me (or so I believe) and decided it would be a good choice, as the lack of bleaching should also help the condition of my hair.

Black haired blogger in Karen millennium blazer

OUTFIT:

 

 

Tuxedo blazer: Karen Millen

Jumpsuit: Topshop

Shoes: Miista

Sunglasses: H&M

Bag: H! by Henry Holland (similar)

Necklace: Richard Ayres 

Rings: Dixi

 

 

The majority of the items in this outfit cannot be linked as they are not current season but, I will link similar items wherever possible.

Manchester blogger

Aesthetic Contradiction blogger in black toyshop jumpsuitThe summers don’t last long enough in Manchester so I prefer to buy clothes that are a bit more versatile and can be carried forward from season to season. I love these items because with a few adjustments, they can be worn almost all year round.
Aesthetic contradiction Manchester Style blogger

We went to the Laundrette, a relatively new bar in Manchester, that was hosting an Ibiza style brunch, complete with sand and inflatables! There was a live saxophone player and a lady giving glitter makeovers. We enjoyed a selection garlic bread, burgers, haloumi flatbread and American style pancakes, washed down with prosecco and cocktails!

I hope you enjoyed your bank holiday weekend, whatever you got up to! Let me know in the comments!

S. x

aestheticcontradiction

Bella Morte Alt girls feature

This month I was selected to feature in Bella Morte magazine’s Alt girls issue, available to purchase here. They chose a set of photos I shot a while ago, in Chester with Gareth Hickey. There were a few hundred entries and only 20 girls were featured which makes me feel quite good.

They chose a set of photos I shot a while ago, in Chester with Gareth Hickey and gave me a double page spread, which you can view below.

My favourite image from this set and the one I use for my book is the one below but the feature has definitely make me appreciate the other two a lot more.

image by Gareth Hickey, make up by Azzurra