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

Enchanted Ivy

With so many events and parties to attend during the autumn/winter season, it’s important to have a few go-to outfits that slightly more dressy but still keep you warm enough while walking from one place to another or popping out to the Christmas markets (I can’t believe it’s that time already!) for a cup of mulled wine.

Dark fashion blogger uk autumn style

A couple of weeks ago, we had our first windy, cold weekend of the season so I got the change to try out one of my more wintery party outfits. The only thing that was certain at this point, was that I would need a coat. I’ve had this classic black Zara one for years (I’m talking like 12!) and I find that it just works with things when non of the other options will.

Edgy fashion blogger UK autumn style black outfit

I was kindly sent this beautiful lace-trim party dress from wearable.com and I was desperate to wear it for my mum’s birthday, but unfortunately it’s getting a bit cold for spaghetti straps, so I decided to style it with something warmer underneath. I went through various sheer black items, before finally deciding on this lightweight, cold shoulder jumper with floral embellishment around the sleeve cut-outs.

aesthetic contradiction edgy style blogger winter style dress from wearall.com

Wearing a hat with this kind of outfit is not so much a style choice rather than necessity, my ears are very sensitive to the cold, so if it’s windy, I’m either wearing a hat or ear muffs!

edgy autumn style Over the past couple of years, I’ve started wearing heels less and less. I like to have the option of running and dancing if necessary, so I’ve started option for lower, chunky heels or brogue type shoes. They are smart and relatively comfortable.

details

blogger with wolf dog

Ziva came came out with us and enjoyed sitting in a pile of dirt while Rik took pictures of me. She knows the drill now.

chainmail necklace embellished cold shoulder jumper

 

OUTFIT:

Dress:Wearall.com

Jumper:Topshop

Coat: Zara

Shoes:Missguided

Hat: H&M

Necklace: Richard Ayres

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

 

Sun in the field

I usually feel inspired to take pictures of my outfits when I’m going “out” to an event, for a meal, to a party or shopping but my day-to-day life doesn’t actually involve much of that. I spend the majority of my time working in my home studio and would probably be glued to my desk all day, if I didn’t have the dogs to walk!

street grunge urban style blogger

Manchester is known for its many weather so in a lot of cases, dog-walking attire consist of waterproofs and the field I’m standing in is a swamp, so I though I’d take this opportunity to feature my  outfit on a sunny day, before the weather gets too cold!

health goth grunge style blogger

I’m wearing some black sports leggings, which, if I’m honest, is what I wear most of the time. (I have about 5 pairs in different thicknesses to suit every type of weather!) I’ve paired them with a slouchy, ripped sweatshirts from wearall.com , my beautiful cap from Ace Vestiti and some black Nike trainers that I would definitely not be wearing if the ground was wet. Then to finish off the look, I added my custom made necklace from Richard Ayres.

grey grunge ripped jumper from wearall.com

My rings and septum ring don’t really ever come off, not all are linkable but some are from Dixi.

black nike trainers

The field I am standing in is probably the only large, wild open space in my area (we have a large park and golf-courses but that’s not the same) and is currently under threat of being developed into a housing estate. We are flighting to achieve “village green” status but I’m not sure if we will and I find it sad how few people appreciate a value of such a space in the city, for the people who want to enjoy it and the wildlife that has little remaining natural habitat.

Ace Vestiti hat wearall jumper Richard Ayres chainmail necklace

If you would like to see more Casula, every day looks, please let me know in the comments!

dark fashion blogger

 

*Cap: Ace Vestiti

*Sweatshirt: Wearall

Leggings: TK Maxx

Trainers: Nike (similar)

*Necklace: Richard Ayres

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