Topshop – Stylitz

Leaping forward into Spring

Published on March 24, 2015March 24, 2015 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

So spring has finally sprung. Even if the sun isn’t quite blazing, when it does rear it’s pleasant head you can actually feel the warmth for the first time in months. Added to which the days are getting longer and the hazy scent of summer eves spent in beer gardens hangs in the air. Plus this Sunday is the day the clocks go forward marking the official start of British summertime. Begone winter, we welcome you spring!

With this is mind today’s post is quite a summery affair. I recently acquired a new pair of trainers and have been loath to remove them since. In fact only my obsession with keeping them looking brand spanking new has stopped me wearing them daily. I have been wanting a pair of white trainers for quite some time and have been debating the various merits of the Adidas Stan Smiths (a bit too ubiquitous), the Superstars (a very close contender) or a new pair of classic Converse All Stars (a wardrobe staple).

Then I was thrown a curve ball in the form of Lacoste’s new SS15 collection and I fell in love. With the clean lines of a tennis shoe, discreet branding and super soft leather (comfy to wear from day one) these Carnaby Evo’s will carry me through shopping days, weekend brunches and meetings alike. And aside from the stunning minimalist design, what I actually love most is that they are slightly cream rather than pure white, which adds to their chic retro quality.

Carnaby Evo, £84.99, Lacoste available at Office.co.uk

Like a missing jigsaw piece they fully integrate into my current wardrobe and pull together some of my favourite clothes. Also did I mention how super soft and comfy they are? Here is how I plan to style them this month:

Weekend brunch: Dress, Topshop; Earrings, Claire’s; Necklace, Whistles; Oversized clutch, Primark; Jumper, Mango; Trainers, £84.99, Lacoste

Meeting with clients: Sleeveless Ponte jacket, £42, Topshop (available now); Necklace, Whistles; Polka-dot shirt, New Look; Boyfriend jeans, Nobody; Trainers, £84.99, Lacoste

A stroll in the park: Boyfriend jeans, Nobody; Jumper, Gap; Polka-dot shirt, New Look; Trainers, £84.99, Lacoste; Purse, homemade gift; Necklace, Primark

Feel inspired? Then check out the full Spring Summer Lacoste range available now at http://www.lacoste.com. Unfortunately for those of you with delicate feet these trainers are from the men’s collection (sizes range from UK 7-12) but there are very similar women’s options available.

For other items featured on this page head to http://www.topshop.com, http://www.newlook.com, http://www.primark.com, http://www.mango.com, http://www.gap.co.uk and http://www.claires.co.uk

Topshop x Adidas Originals

Published on March 18, 2014March 18, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

With Chanel pairing trainers and couture gowns, Prada showcasing stripy footless sports socks on the catwalk and a printed sweatshirt being the garment-du-jour for several seasons, the proliferation of sports influences in fashion hasn’t been this big since the 90s.

Chanel Couture SS14

Prada SS14

Street style blogs are exploding with high-tops, rucksacks and baseball caps and chief Twitter faces Cara Delevigne, Rita Ora and Miley Cyrus are regularly spotted in logoed attire. In fact fashion’s current obsession with the decade that redefined sportswear may well have nearly reached its summit, but not before this week’s collaboration causes a veritable shopping storm.

High street giant Topshop has teamed up with sportswear stalwart Adidas Originals to give us a 20-piece collection that blends slouchy shapes with vibrant prints. Incorporating the brand’s iconic signatures, such as the triple stripe and logo motif, Topshop has infused tracksuits, shorts and sweaters with a dose of fashion magic. In store this Thursday (March 20^th) the collection is causing a buzz in style circles with the high-tops in particular attracting a flood of attention. Check out the below images from the campaign. Let the fashion frenzy commence.

Shorts, £32

Hoodie, £55

Vest, £26

Printed hoodie, £70 and tracksuit bottoms, £50

Jumpsuit, £137

Zip-up printed top, £70

Printed tracksuit bottoms, £50

High-tops, £80

All items Topshop x Adidas Originals

Also head to the Topshop website where you can catch an interview with the creative directors heading both companies – Josefine Aberg for Adidas Originals and Kate Phelan for Topshop.

Topshop x Adidas Originals hits stores on March 20^th. http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/category/topshop-x-adidas-originals-collection-2774327/home?geoip=noredirect

What I’ll be wearing to LFW AW14

Published on February 13, 2014September 26, 2014 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

With one more day til London Fashion Week starts and the stylish masses descend upon Somerset House, I decided it may be time to start putting together my outfits for the shows. My style is a mixture of girly and masculine, with a strong emphasis on print and colour. And as you can see I’m quite a fan of animal print in it’s many guises. Most of these clothes are trusty favourites from my ever expanding wardrobe, but a few are current and are still available in store. Let me know what you think and which outfit is your favourite. I hope you like…

Look 1: Clashing monochrome prints – I’ll add a white roll neck under the top and pair with high-tops.

Credits: Fuchsia coat, Primark; Necklace and printed top, both New Look; Animal print trousers, H&M.

Look 2: Pretty vintage – I’ll pair this with ankle boots and a masculine black coat.

Credits: Vintage leopard print jacket; Pale pink pleated dress, Topshop; Acorn necklace, NW3.

Look 3: Boy meets girl – I’ll add gold chunky heel courts. Bow-tie or necklace? What do you think?

Credits: Varsity jacket, Urban Classics; Polka dot blouse, New Look; Boyfriend jeans, Nobody; Shoe print bow-tie, Topman; Vintage multi-strand necklace.

Look 4: Parisian chic – worn with fuschia jacket from look 1 and white Converse or flat pink pointy pumps.

Credits: Printed jacket, H&M; White shirt, New Look; Skinny jeans, Uniqlo.

Look 5: Glam meets utility – I’ll add silver courts or a chunky flat boot.

Credits: Faux fur jacket, Therapy at House of Fraser; Necklace, Primark; Boilersuit jumpsuit, River Island.

Shoes (L-R): Vintage black boots; Pink suede flats, Russell & Bromley; High-tops, River Island; Vintage gold courts; Animal print pumps, Hobbs.

Unless you have the luxury of a private driver chauffeuring you between shows, flats and comfy heels are fashion week essentials. Now I just have to decide what to wear when and hope the rain eases up, otherwise my frizzy Monica-in-Barbados hair will ruin every look.

Put your back into it

Published on February 8, 2014March 1, 2015 by Alicja Jasnikowska4 Comments

It’s official, the backpack is definitely BACK! Having bubbled as a trend on catwalks and in streetstyle snaps for a few seasons, the Hoxton hipsters carryall of choice for has now hit the mainstream. Whilst perusing yesterdays hot-off-the-press New York Fashion Week AW14 pics, I spotted too many backpacks to count. Forget nylon rucksacks full of gym kit and leave the kitsch cartoony versions for the kids, the modern backpack is chic, clean and comes in luxurious leather.

New York Fashion Week AW14 (Image: Phil Oh for http://www.vogue.co.uk)

New York Fashion Week AW14 (Image: Tommy Ton for http://www.style.com)

Rag & Bone AW14 catwalk show (Image: http://www.style.com)

Here is a selection of my favourites available now – I particularly love the Grafea ones, which come in a wide selection of colours. I predict we’ll see many more of these across the coming fashion weeks and this trend will run and run (as will you with your new hands-free bag). Invest early and team with miminal oversized tailoring to avoid being mistaken for a schoolgirl.

Grafea ‘Piano’ White and black leather backpack, £165. http://www.grafea.co.uk

River Island white quilted rucksack, £30. http://www.riverisland.com

Topshop perforated monochrome backpack, £36. http://www.topshop.com

Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal backpack £915. http://www.alexanderwang.com/

Marks & Spencer Autograph Leather Rucksack, £89. http://www.marksandspencer.com

Proenza Schouler black python PS large backpack, $3,050. http://www.barneys.com

3.1 Phillip Lim Orange Pashli Leather Backpack, £745. http://www.liberty.co.uk

ASOS leather luxe backpack, £75. http://www.asos.com

Topshop mock-snake zip front backpack, £36. http://www.topshop.com

Grafea ‘Smurf’ blue leather backpack, £180. http://www.grafea.co.uk

Holding image: Rucksacks £198, Chris Van Veghel at http://www.etsy.com/

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Published on December 13, 2013December 13, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

In case you didn’t hear, today is Save the Children’s Christmas jumper day where folk are asked to wear their cute, pretty or just darn silly novelty jumpers to work and donate £1 to charity.

Even Santa would look underdressed at this party

In tribute, and in case you still don’t have one, today’s blog is dedicated to Christmas jumpers. Below is a small selection of festive sweaters that I have chosen for your sartorial pleasure.

Robin, £20 (in sale), River Island

http://www.riverisland.com/women/t-shirts–vests–sweats/sweaters–hoodies/Grey-Robin-sequin-dolman-top-645003

Reindeer, £29.99, New Look

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/knitwear/black-reindeer-light-up-christmas-jumper_288545601

Holly, £50, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

Bow, £50, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

Pudding (men’s), £12, Primark

Fair Isle men’s cardigan, £29, Matalan

http://www.matalan.co.uk/discover/christmas-jumpers/s2534212/easy–fairisle-cardigan

Snowmen, £12, Primark (as bought by Kelly Brook)

http://www.primark.com/whats-new/article/250

Tree scene, £35, River Island

http://www.riverisland.com/women/knitwear/jumpers/Red-under-the-mistletoe-fair-isle-jumper-650014

Penguin (kid’s sweater), £16-£17, John Lewis (too cute!)

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-penguin-jumper-red-multi/p621168

Penguin, £15, boohoo.com

http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/knitwear/christmas-jumpers/icat/christmas-jumpers/christmas-magazine/sarah-snowflake-penguin-jumper/invt/azz40605

The Vamps in their Primark Christmas jumpers (including the pudding one above)

And for the truly festive why not apply some Fair Isle print to your nails too…

Nail wraps, £6, Topshop

http://www.topshop.com

And finally, just because I couldn’t resist, here is a picture of my awesome friend Ceri who doesn’t believe in doing fancy dress half-heartedly and today decided to shun the usual novelty sweater and dress up as a Christmas tree for work. Love it!