Destination: denim

Somehow, denim has become a massive trend over the last few months.
 
Maybe it's a 90s throwback (anyone else get irrationally upset after they heard that the rumour that the F.R.I.E.N.D.S reunion was false?), or maybe - more likely - it's representative of the fashion world wanting to perfect the easy-breezy look that throwing on a denim jacket creates, just in time for summer... but I'm not Anna Wintour, so I can only ponder.
 
Anyway, the fact denim is now available for almost every clothing item (I haven't seen any denim underwear yet, but watch this space) means if you're not wearing at least one item of denim in your S/S 2013 outfits, you're just not on trend. Sorry.
 
Denim is super easy to style, can be dressed up OR dressed down, and the variation of denim effects (bleached, pale, dark, black, crochet, embroidered, go crazy) means that double denim is no longer offensive. Huzzah!
 
So as a tribute to the denim trend, for which I am whole-heartedly on board, here's my top denim pieces for the coming months.
 
1. Light wash Cassie Boyfriend Jeans - £35, River Island.
You can't go wrong with some slouchy boyfriend jeans... I think these could sway me away from the skinny jeans I've been squeezing into for the last 5 years!
 

 
 2. Denim Jacket - £24, h&m
Slouchy, simple, and a wardrobe staple. Easy on the purse strings, this jacket sells itself.

 
3. Lexie Denim Cross-Backed Pinafore - £60, Dahlia
I've had my eye on the Dahlia pinafore ever since it was photographed to sell the necklace the model wears, and now it's finally available for me to actually buy! *cue tears of joy*
 

 

 4. Mid Blue Denim Skater Skirt - £14.99, New Look
Skater skirts don't seem to be going out of fashion anytime soon if clothing sites are anything to go by (which I hope they are).
 

 
5. Mid Wash Floral Print Playsuit - £40, Miss Selfridge
I adore the bleach wallpaper effect on this playsuit. Throw in a peter pan collar and I'm SOLD. Too cute.
 

 

 6. MOTO Bleach High Waist Hotpants - £28, Topshop
These shorts combine a flattering high waist cut with summery bleached denim and a semi loose leg, and they don't look like they are going to show any bumcheek, which is always a good thing.

 

7. Light Wash Aztec Panel Cropped Denim Shirt - £25, River Island

How rad is this cropped denim vest? Perfect for festivals.



 

 

8. Majlis Shirt - £25, Monki

Can't get enough of the colour-contrast denim on this shirt. As soon as I saw it I had to buy it, and I can see myself living in this during the summer months with the sleeves rolled up.



 



So what are you waiting for? Get excited for summer and jump on the denim bandwagon, or risk being left behind...

Daydreaming about Dahlia.

My 21st birthday is coming up which means I've been trawling the internet and thinking "What can I ask for that is super nice and not something I couldn't usually buy?"

Luckily, the solution came to me pretty quickly in the form of Dahlia (www.dahlia.com)

I've had my eye on this brand for a few years. It has a single store on Carnaby Street, London, and specialises in really pretty, feminine designs in sumptuous fabrics. At the moment their collection includes a nod to the Western, baroque print jumpers, quirky pinafores and flowing skirts... amongst other beautiful things.

The clothing is quite unique, which means they can get away with their higher-than-your-average-Topshop prices, shirts costing upwards of £38, for example.  Unfortunately they don't offer student discount which I think would be really good for them (if any people working for Dahlia read this: pretty please!) which means I can only usually afford Dahlia when it goes on sale.

Anyway, I decided that my turning 21 deserved some pretty pieces that I can use for sophisticated nights out at glamorous bars and interning by day (yes, this is how I visualise my life, post-uni, let me dream). Here's what I'm lusting after.

From the top: Bergen Burgundy Cross Print Blouse, £38; Bernice Chunky Jumper with Stud Shoulder, £25 (SALE); Ella Black Scallop Edge Pinafore, £64; Jakarta Pink Metallic Pleated Knee Length Skirt, £38; Sabrina Pink Blouse with Floral Beaded Collar, £48.
The shirts will look fab under the pinafore, with skirts, or with jeans and I can mix & match the tops with the maxi skirt, too. I love the prints, the embellishments and the cuts of the clothing. Dahlia is super flattering for the more slender, boyish figures amongst the female population, and I can't wait for my birthday and to get my hands on this lovely stuff.