Shoulder Bags vs Handbags

No one can deny it - like the Tories and Labour, these are just about the only two popular bags in existence. We've decided to weigh up their pros and cons against each other. After all, there needs to be some way of deciding which one you want to wear, right? Because if your lives follow the same pattern as mine, they're full of last-minute rushing which is made worse by indecision over which bag to wear - which looks nicest with what you're wearing?

 Shoulder bags are practical whilst still looking fashionable (most of the time) and can easily fit all your essentials as well as things that are of more awkward shapes: like A4 folders and pieces of paper. They make everything very organised and from one unzipping it is clear to see what is inside.
But as always shoulder bags have the awkward habit of banging against you with every step, especially if you're walking or running quickly. They also tend to swing around in the most annoying (and sometimes painful) manner.

Handbags are definitely also practical - the general carrier of everything you ever need, these items always remain your fiathful companion. They are usually big and never really have to be unpacked - you can just continue dumping new things on top.
Which brings us to the one, major con - handbags (not always, but nearly always) tend to be a complete mess. You have to dig around for a good time to find anything, and on the way there your hands tend to encounter unpleasant things you didn't even know were still there. Like the shoulder bags, they can also be tedious to carry when they start slipping off, or take up lots of space next to you and bang into everyone you walk by.

Despite all of this, we have chosen the traditional handbag as our favourite. However, when you need to put anything that might be crumpled or bent into a bag, we definitely recommend the shoulder bag. Unless you don't care about how it looks like once you've walked a few steps!

Bus-Stop Fashion

It always comes back to the same old question: What do you wear if you’re doing something really casual? Where is the distinction between fancy and simple? And most importantly, what do you wear at the bus stop?

The simple truth is that your heels and short dress can be very embarrassing as you step onto the bus. You stumble, the wind blows your dress up, it splits while you’re managing the large gap drivers always seem to leave between pavement and bus. You can, of course, wear your old trainers and carry your heels in a plastic bag, but we’re looking for better alternatives.

As of yet, we've found that the best (and easiest) method is to go for the dressed down chic – chunky doc martins may not seem the ideal partner to a lovely dress or those cool roll-ups you just bought, but go ahead, try it – you’ll be surprised at what the outcomes can be. 

And here’s our Top Tip: Next time you’re bored waiting for the bus, have a go noting down what everyone is wearing – business style? Laid back? Wrapped up in thick rain-jackets? And then (here comes the important bit) think of how you would change the outfit to make it dead fashionable. It’s not as easy as you might think, and varies with both time and bus-stop location. But one thing is guaranteed – seeing that the bus is only due in 14 minutes will (hopefully) never be boring again for all you fashionistas!

Wedge Heeled Trainers: Miracle or Disaster?

(CHISM in Camel, £70 at Aldo.)

Can't decide whether to wear something that you don't fall over in, or lengthen your legs with your heels? You can have both now, but is the end result really as great as it sounds?

None of us can deny the fact that these trainers with their "hidden" heel are becoming more and more popular. After starting off as something I thought was just a passing phase, the craze has spread until it is hard to find a shop which doesn't sell them!

Despite the way in which they are being sold, I have to say I honestly haven't seen too many people wearing them. Why is that? Has it got something to with their design? Their bulkiness? Have people seen them so much in shops that they would oversee them if they had their own pair? Or has the trend just not really set in properly yet?

In an attempt to try and analyse these new shoes as closely as possible, I have trudged through the high street and tried on a pair from almost every shop. In the end, after various deliberations, I decided to choose this pair as our prime example.

(Aerobic Wedge Heel Trainers, £70 at Topshop.)

The Pluses: 

The shoes have wonderful "hidden" heels that make you look taller without anyone noticing much - although to any fashionista this will be obvious.

They are a lovely twist on the traditional wedge heels, both comfortable and fashionable.

You can wear them with anything - literally, jeans, skirts, dresses... That is, until you get bored of them. 

Balance. In these shoes it is very hard to stumble and/or fall, and if you are wearing these in places like the Tube or Metro, we all know that doing this is not good, especially when you are half-running to catch the bus/train. Even as an experienced heel-wearer, we all have those moments when we can't help but lose our balance. With satisfaction, I can tell you that these wedges are very, very stable.

The trainer aspect of the shoes - these are heels you can actually run in, folks! They have a good rubber sole - although to call it "bouncy" would be an exaggeration. 

The Minuses:

There's next to nothing, apart from one glaring thing I could not get over:

See the strange shape of the back of the shoe, where the heel is? In my opinion that just looks like you have broken your ankle. However, you do have to take into consideration that no one will bend down onto the ground and look at your shoe from the side - probably, but from a perfectionist's point of view I couldn't let it go. 

They do look a bit clumpy, but if you're digging that look, then they are absolutely perfect.

Verdict:

Let the money-spending begin! Though it is partly a matter of taste, these shoes are definitely in. Get them before they go out again - or you might prefer to wait and see what Spring brings with it. Either way, we definitely liked them. And so did people like Rihanna, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and many others. 

AW12 Womens' Coats - The Best of the Best

With the last of summer now over, it's time to stock up on your Autumn/Winter Closet. The most important item: a coat - there's nothing better to stop that Autumn chill creeping into your bones as you clutch your Latte and wait for the stores to open. Thankfully we have collected the "Best of the Best" - after hours of traversing both the internet and the high street. Enjoy.





This season's coats are leaning towards the more extravagant, as demonstrated by Topshop Unique, above, but for those of you that want a coat that is both practical, and still looks like it has just come straight off the catwalk - this article is for you.
Above all, the key aspect of coats this season is colour - floral prints and summery colours are most definitely out, while dark greens, blues, browns, greys and blacks are in.

  

("The Winner" - Sparkle and Fade Oversized Parka, £98 at Urban Outfitters)
 
Coats are all cut long, and are not the tight-fitting items we expect next spring. The ideal style is a parka or military coat, but it can be hard to choose the one that is right for you, so below is a small selection of the ones we saw and liked. Remember not to go with what everyone else is already wearing; that means not only looking in large chains but bargain hunting in the small boutiques and vintage shops that are often overlooked. For those who are London-dwelling, like us, might want to check out places like Camden Town, Greenwich Market, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Soho and Hampstead.
 
We Liked:
 
Bresnef Coat, £295 at All Saints - Stunning paired with boots, and we love the detail on the buttons.




 



Applique Coat, £129 at Zara - We like the unique front; exactly the quality we're looking for.

 
Denim Parka with Detachable Hood, £190 at Hilfiger - This coat is just itching to be worn.                

Fur Hooded Lined Parka, £80 at ASOS - One of our favourites.

 
Biker Detail Jacket, £100 at Oasis - Perfect for wearing with a funky scarf.




Quilted Contrast Sleeve Coat, £75 at ASOS - Straight off the catwalk.

 


Wool Pea Coat, £205 at Sessun Palemberg - There's no better way to splash a bit of colour into your winter days.


 
Tweed Princess, £99 at Darling - We fell in love the second we saw it.

 
We Avoided:
 
All long, puffy jackets - unless you're going purely for warmth.

 
Fitted Duffel Coats - this year it's all about loose.

And, most importantly, Waterproofs are solely for rain - do not try to force them into the world of fashion - at least, not this AW - who knows whay the next year will bring...
 
This brings us to the end of "The Best of the Best" -and me to the end of my cup of coffee. Enjoy the rest of AW12, fashionistas!