Black and Gold

This year for my birthday, I decided to go out for a few cocktails with friends. I wanted to wear something that was comfortable, slightly dressy and really “me”.

I decided to wear this beautiful, long, mesh dress with gold embroidery. I love this dress because it balances many of the elements I enjoy in “going out ” outfits. It’s feminine but not too girly, dressy but also comfortable and the embroidery adds just the right amount of detail.

This dress is also really versatile and can be worn with tights and different base layers during the winter.

To finish off the look, I added some gold accessories to match the embroidery and a black saddle bag with gold hardware.

The details really bring this look to life.

As we were staying out for the evening, I added my favourite All Saints Balfern jacket, it’s the perfect weight for spring evenings and adds a bit of edge to the outfit.

I have been wearing trousers quite a lot recently but after this outfit, I feel like dresses and skirts might be having another moment.

I’m also really pleased with one of my latest eBay finds, these shoe boots by Mc Q. I try to buy leather items second hand whenever possible and feel very lucky to have found these in my size. I originally bought them because I needed some boots without buckles for work but I have ended up wearing them quite a lot, they are the perfect mix of “city girl” and “storybook witch”.

Overall, I really enjoyed my birthday this year, I did a few little things over the course of a week and actually had quite a good turnout of friends, despite my last minute arrangements.

OUTFIT:

Dress: Next

Jacket: All Saints

Bag: Vivienne Westwood

Shoes: Mc Q

Earrings: Dixi

Phptpgraphy by Richard Ayres

Sunkissed Field

Aesthetic contradiction dark fashion blogger

 I love it when well-known brands reach out to work with smaller bloggers,
particularly when they launch projects that celebrate style diversity.
On this occasion, I was approached by River Island , to be part of their “shape my style” campaigne,
in which bloggers with different styles, choose their favourite item
from the current dresses collection and style it to fit their individual look.

River Island style project

 

 

 

 

  The current collection includes dresses for every occasion and to suit any body type, but one really stood out to me as a piece I could wear for many different occasions,

styled in different ways and would have longevity in my wardrobe.

I try to make each addition into my wardrobe considered and don’t tend to go for things that are “too” trend led, unless I consider them a staple.

River Island black midi dress

The dress that I chose is this black long-sleeved midi dress with shirring and tie details to the neck, wrists and waist (also available in other colours!).

I have recently noticed I have a preference for midi dresses over shorter styles, I find them much more elegant and flattering.

The top half  of the dress features a wrap stye front, with a tie closure that can be worn open or tied in a bow to show varying degrees of skin. Features like this make this dress extremely versatile, which is one of the things I really loved about it.

River island dress details

I like the floaty, feminine style of this dress but I wanted to add a bit of edge to my outfit so I paired it with some of my signature accessories with silver hardware and a harness bra with a choker detail.

I love the brightness the flashes of silver bring to this all black look.

Aestheticcontradiction edgy style blogger

The rouched waist makes this dress very flattering, but also forgiving and helps it remain comfortable, even after a long night of dinner and drinks.

The fabric feels good quality but is also easy to wash so it’s not a dress you would have to worry about on a day out with the family.

River Island blogger style project

I wore this dress on quite a warm summer’s evening and it was the perfect weight

but it could definitely also be worn in colder months with tights and boots and a jacket.

I will definitely be featuring it on here again, styled up for winter.

Dark fashion blogger Aestheticcontradiction in black River Island dress

We have been enjoying some gorgeous weather here in the UK this summer so I took the opportunity to shoot this look

at golden hour,in one of the sun kissed fields by the golf course. They are always filled with long grasses and wild flowers

at this time of year but look particularly impressive after two months of solid sun!

dancing in the sun

Dress: River Island

Necklaces: Dixi

Earrings: H&M

Belt: Asos

Bag: Givenchy

Shoes: Miista

 

 

Photography by Richard Ayres

dark fashion blogger in field

Birthday shopping in black Acne dress

Black leather jacket, acne maxi dress

Today is my birthday and I celebrated by going for a bit of shopping and lovely lunch with my mum and grandma. The weather was very spring-like indeed and gave me the opportunity to test-run my new Acne dress, which I musta say, I’m a bit in love with! I often try these long, draped garments, imagining I will like them and end up returning them after feeling like I’ve been swallowed up by a creased rubbish bag… This however, is different; it has a boned Basque in the inside, that keeps the dress in place and also makes sure all the folds fall beautifully. The leather straps around the neck also add a unique touch.

dark fashion look acne dress chainmail necklace

I paired it with my usual mix of accessories. I love the silver chainmail against all the black and I also decided to take my Givenchy pumpkin bag with silver hardware to match. The leather tassels mirror the leather cord on the dress and its shape compliments the folds of the fabric.

dark fashion blogger black acne maxi dress Givenchy bag

I decided to go for comfort with my black, wedge high-tops, although I think this dress would also look great with boots or sandals, both heeled and flat.

edgy fashion look chainmail necklace Givenchy pumpkin bag

My trusty H&M sunglasses finish off the look. I think they are probably the last ones standing now and I need to add a new pair to my collection!

edgy style blogger long black acne dress

 

dark fashion blogger

I think the images of the back of the dress really show how the internal barque really helps the dress stay in place and affects the way the garment hangs.

dark fashion blogger

edgy fashion blogger in acne dress

I’m looking forward to wearing this again in Berlin next month for my best friend’s hen do!

edgy fashion blogger aesthetic contradiction

OUTFIT:

Dress: Acne

Bag: Givenchy

Jewellery: Richard Ayres

Trainers: Nike

Sunglasses: H&M

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)

Boho Fade

Autumn has the most beautiful sunsets. The warm colours hitting the leaves contrasts the chill in the air in the most wonderful way.

edgy blogger, faux fur trim leather jacket

The lighting makes it look quite warm but it actually wasn’t and I was very glad I decided to wear my padded leather jacket.

Manchester blogger aesthetic contradiction

I have been looking for existing autumnal pieces in my wardrobe and have fallen black in love with this pleated maxi skirt I bought a couple of years ago, I love wearing it in winter because it’s easy to layer warm tights under it, without compromising the look of the outfit.

edgy autumn style pleated maxi skirt leather jacket

Wet Manchester weather and walking through grass always call for water-resistant footwear and Dr. Martens never disappoint.  These are not current season but they have a new textured version, which will be linked below.

edgy autum style velvet top grown up goth

I paired my skirt with this cropped grey velvet top from H&M. I love the slit details on the arms and fact that it’s quite warm for a thin top.

details dark boho look jade pendant and feather necklace

I finished off the outfit with some accessories. I emphasised the dark bohemian vibe of the outfit with a black feather necklace from Richard Ayres, a jade pendant and some long earrings. I also wore my usual ring assortment.

dark bohemian style grown up goth alternative

OUTFIT:

Top: H&M

Earrings: H&M

Jacket: ASOS

Jade pendant: bought from stall on holiday

feather necklace: Richard Ayres

Skirt: Ebay

Rings: Dixi

Boots: Dr. Martens