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.

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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

In the garden

Spring has finally arrived and last weekend, I was actually caught out wearing much warmer clothes than was necessary. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come and I can start bringing out some of my summer pieces that have been locked away in the wardrobe all year. dark fashion blogger with wolf doggarden 2

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Leather jacket: Muubba

Fur pom pom hat: received as a gift but found similar in real and faux fur.

Black oversized batwing jumper, Asos

damask jeans: Ebay

chainmail jewellery: Richard Ayres

Boots: Office

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Eustratia Halloween Favourites and SALE!

Every year, I notice it’s coming up to Halloween on about the 10th of October and decide to schedule an appropriate photoshoot and a “top picks” collage from designs for Eustratia.

This year, I decided to be a bit more pro-active and post my selections early. This gives you guys more time to think about your outfit and also coincides with the mini SALE I’ve just put on for the remainder of the week! (but obviously you’d have to make up your mind quick for that, end midnight on Saturday GMT).

I’m not really into items that I see as tacky, or anything that is specific to a particular character, though I do love dressing up. I prefer to choose items that can make an impressive addition to a costume, but are versatile and can also be used in other situations.

eustratia halloween favourites

Here we have a few examples of items I have incorporated into past costumes but continue to come in useful today.

The Elizabethan Ruff

The latexlace mask

The bunny hood, bunny mask fascinator and bunny ear fascinator

The antler headband

The miniruff trim collar

and the kitty ears.

These are just some easy options I picked to save you looking through the whole website, if you have some spare time though, there are plenty more wonders in the sale section. Harnesses of any type are also a great choice in my opinion. They give a distinctive “tough” look that can also be toned down enough to wear every day, with the right outfit.

If you have something extra special planned and nothing on the site will quite do, I’m always happy to take on custom commissions and I will offer 20% off those until Saturday. That includes crowns, horns and hair covered, sculptured head pieces that you may have noticed in some of my work.

To give you some inspiration, here are some of my costumes from previous years that I’ve been photographed in:

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Jamie Mahon-5418a

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A few of these are a bit old now, but I hope you enjoy looking at them all the same.

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Monochrome dreams

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In the past, I probably never would have thought that pairing a t-shirt with a pleated chiffon maxi skirt was a good idea but recently I’ve been updating the categories I mentally assign clothing to.

I wanted a comfortable but striking outfit to attend a friend’s birthday drinks and this was definitely a hit.

The wedge trainers perfectly marry the contrasting elements and the accessories add the right amount of edge.

t-shirt: Topshop

skirt: similar here

trainers: Nike

harness: No:Wear

necklace: Eustratia

earrings: Richard Ayres

Images shot by Richard Ayres photography

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Bleach and shade

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Today it really felt like spring has arrived. It’s the first warm day we’ve had this year an I was pleased that my arctic vest from Efy Clothing turned up just in time to get my arms out. It was only sent out yesterday so I was impressed with the fast delivery. I’m trying to introduce more colour into my wardrobe and I love the crisp look of digital prints. This one features Owls and Orcas in a mirrored print and combines cold and warm colours, which makes it match both my hair and red lipstick at the same time.

There was still a few windy spells so I paired the vest with my new leather jacket from Asos as well as lots of gold chainmail to bring out the owls’ eyes and add a bit of an edge to my outfit.

I wanted to take pictures in the sun to document its existence but also in the shade because the details of my outfit showed up better. In the end I decided to do both.

 

 Jacket and sunglasses: ASOS

Vest: Efy Clothing

Joggers: Missguided

Boots: Office

Chainmail: Richard Ayres

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