First outfit of spring

Spring seems to have come late this year but the weather is slowly starting to pick up here in Manchester.

Manchester blogger edgy street style fashion

I decided to join my family for an afternoon drink and document my first coatless outfit of the year!

edgy fashion blogger chainmail jewellery

Every time spring come around, I feel like I’ve forgotten to dress in a way that doesn’t involve at least 7 layers and I realise, I really don’t have enough lightweight jackets.

Manchester blogger aesthetic contradiction casual style

One item I have finally managed to track down, are these check, tie waist trousers. I’ve wanted a pair since last year but hadn’t quite managed to find the right pair until this month, when I found two very attractively priced styles in the sale, I bought both and will most likely feature the other pair in my next outfit post.

mirrored marble print sunglasses, bun hair, black tee

I’m in desperate need of some t-shirts or casual tops for the new season, but I haven’t managed to get any yet so I paired the trousers with this black batwing style one from Topshop. I also added my usual chainmail jewellery to add some edge and these mirrored, marble print sunglasses from Quay Australia.

Rebecca Minkoff mini Mac bag blue velvet

I didn’t need to take much with me so I decided to go for this small Rebecca Minkoff bag. I wasn’t initially sure if it “went” with this outfit but I really enjoy contrasting textures and looking back on the pictures, I think it looks fine.

street style casual style Manchester blogger

I decided to wear trainers with this outfit for comfort and a casual look.

Tie waist check paper bag waist trousers

 

mirrored shades chainmail jewellery edgy style

I really enjoy the contrast of the silver tone chainmail against all the black.

outfit details cross tee tie waist trousers

I’m looking forward to more spring outing and subsequent outfits over the coming months.

mirrored shades edgy dark fashion look

 

 

OUTFIT:

Sunglasses: QUAY

Jewellery: Richard Ayres

Septum ring: Regal Rose

T-shirt: Topshop

Trousers: Shein

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Trainers: Nike (similar)

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

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

A festive day out in faux fur

December was quite a hectic month for me, running your own business can be hard at the best of times, but when you have 3 times as many orders to get through, as well as your own Christmas shopping and preparations, things can get tough.

eustratia faux fur coat blogger

manchester fashion blogger and designer stacey black

This was a day in early December when I managed to escape from the madness for lunch at the Alchemist and a walk around the Manchester Christmas markets with my mum and her cousins.

 

As I was getting ready to leave, I found myself wishing I had a new coat to amp up my outfit and was overjoyed to realise that it was just about cold enough to wear this wonderful faux fur coat from last year’s winter collection for Eustratia. I had been keeping it hidden away in a garment bag so as not to risk ruining it before I had finished shooting it.

 

I was originally going thinking it would dress my outfit up and make it look a touch more feminine. Looking back at the photos however, I realised that paired with the braids and chainmail jewellery, it probably makes me look more like a hollywood version of a Viking queen, which I consider a happy accident.

 

 

 

 

 

To achieve this makeup look, I used my recently purchased Morphe 35T palette and Gerard cosmetics liquid lipstick in “invasion”.givenchy pumpkin bag

 

stacey black dark fashion blogger

Outfit details:

Coat: Eustratia

Sequin front jeans and cardigan: Topshop

Jewellery: Richard Ayres

Bag: Givenchy

Shoes: Miista

miista e8 shoes

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