5 Spring Capsule Wardrobe Favourites To Invest In

Whilst it may not totally feel like spring out there right now (I feel like summer has come and gone, and we are straight into autumn again), there is hope the weather will get better - eventually. One thing we can agree on is that is not exactly freezing anymore, so the classic thick knit jumper and big coat combinations don't really work anymore. Instead, we want to leave behind all the grey hues and opt for lighter shades as well as lighter fabrics, and with this in mind, I bring you 5 timeless wardrobe pieces that not only you will be grabbing repeatedly this season, but also in the many springs to come. These are totally capsule wardrobe worthy so keep on reading to find out more!

Wardrobe Staple: How To Wear Mom Jeans

Far from being a trend, the mom jean has become a staple. This style has been on a high ever since its comeback a few seasons ago, and its popularity continues to soar. If you raided your mom's wardrobe in the '90s you most likely found a pair or two of these. Otherwise, you would have seen them in popular television shows like Friends, Party of Five, etc. Mom jeans have an usually high waist, long back pockets (making your behind appear longer and flatter aka booty-shaping), stiffer material, and the zipper and leg areas have a more relaxed fit; I also talked about it recently here. Brands in attempt to re-do the trend and make it simpler have come out with this style in various washes and cropped versions, as well as embroidery which is not going away anytime soon. Mom jeans, whilst not the most flattering pair of jeans you're going to own, have quickly managed to work its way into our wardrobes, and surprisingly it has ultimately become the most used article of my closet. I've already for my eyes on a few other pairs; I just can't get enough!

S/S 2017 Trends: Ruffles & Fuchsia

Last spring we saw a rise of Ruffles and frills on the catwalk as well as on the high street and I spoke about the trend previously here. This spring it is back and gutsiest than ever which is great news for ruffles lover me. For instance, Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen showcased ruffles in black leather embroidered and printed with Scottish roses, which sound just as stunning as they were. Erdem, Preen, Jacquemus and 3.1 Phillip Lim were also among the number of designers keen on the style, each bringing a different take on it. But one thing they all had in common was that there is something about ruffles that seemed perfectly Victorian. I love the exaggerated leaves in garments, the ruffled high neck, ruffles along the collar bone...which is why when I saw this gorgeous denim shirt with excessive ruffling detailing and this throat-constricting neckline, I knew it had to mine. As soon as I spotted this shirt I knew I was onto something. Not only have I worn this a couple of times already (I only got it last week!) but I strongly believe this will be my go-to shirt in the upcoming sunny season! Let's see how I paired it!

S/S 2016 Trends: How To Wear Maxis This Summer

The maxi dress is a summer staple and is undoubtedly the season's most effortless piece. Which is why when JD Williams asked me to share my summer style tips, I instantly knew I wanted to do something around maxis because the maxi style is coming back with a bang this summer. This season, the trend has been given a few updates, making it an even more versatile seasonal piece. Try the oversized style, the luxurious textures clashes and minimal 90s styles, or even a more boho and feminine approach. There is something for everyone whatever the occasion may be. And, if you find yourself wondering whether you actually can pull one off, take a look at my mum and tell me she doesn't look smashing!

S/S 2016 Trends: Gingham

Gingham is coming in hot this season, and it has been crowned the cool girl's print. Despite being usually associated with a youthful vibe, this warm-weather style has most certainly grown up for spring. Designers like Victoria Beckham, Wes Gordon and Marni, to name a few, all showcased pieces in this print on the runway in a multitude of fabrics, colours and clothing options, and it is currently proving to be increasingly popular. What is gingham though, I hear you asking me. Gingham is usually a lightweight fabric, checked in white and a bold colour. It is really very similar to plaid, and being a huge fan of plaid myself, I am loving this latest trend. 

Guilty of Wearing Things Once? 5 Tips To Style Your Wardrobe in Different Ways

I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to buying a new dress for a special event, wearing and feeling great in it but completely forgetting about it until I have a wardrobe clear out. This got me thinking and it seems that the "wear it once" trend is on the rise; are we really that terrified to be seen in the same outfit more than once? Nowadays, social media is the main culprit for the rise of this trend and being "tagged" wearing the same dress twice is even considered a faux pas. Deep down, we all know this is ridiculous – it’s a trend based on an illusion and staging, signifying nothing. Even celebs don’t toss out a designer coat or pair of jeans after its first wear!

S/S 2016 Trends: Bardot Stripes & Button-Down Denim

To this day, mum and grandma still believe that us curvier girls should not be sporting stripes because they make you look bigger than you actually are. If a year ago you told me that I would be head over heels for anything stripy, and I mean anything, I would have shrugged the comment off and called you mad. Now, tables have turned and I can’t get enough of this stuff.

5 Tips For Transitioning Your Wardrobe Into Spring

If you're anything like me, you are dying to ditch your well-worn winter coat and move on to lighter clothing options. I know I talk about the weather a lot, but what can I say, I am a hands down summer lover and if the sun is out I am instantly happy. But as I've learned, in Europe sun doesn't necessarily mean warmth and spring is much colder than I would expect. It's officially spring in the UK and I gotta say, so far so good (let's hope 2016 is a lot warmer than last year)! With spring knocking on our doors, it's time we leave the dark hues behind and bring out more colour in our outfits. Swapping my usual all-black getup for a brighter and lighter spring-appropriate palette is what I love the most about spring. But if you are not looking to splurge on a whole new wardrobe I've got a few tips for you to get ready for the seasonal change without the need of a closet overhaul, using pieces you already have and layering them up. That's right,the key is: layers, layers, layers!

LAYER-UP

S/S 2016 Trends: Culottes & Leather

I WANT: Fashion Spring Wishlist

High Neck Jumper // Midi Skirt // Stripe Dress // Gypsy Blouse // Mini Skirt // Cold Shoulder  

Despite having a closet full of clothes that can barely close, every time I have a look online for new season inspiration, my wishlist just manages to grow and grow. My favourites places to shop at the moment are Matalan (which you know I've loved for years now), H&M which is pretty new to me as I never shopped there and good old Asos that manages to have everything we need in one place. 

London Fashion Weekend 2016: Catwalks + #LookOfTheDay

The past weekend London, the fashion capital of the world, was buzzing and I made it my mission not to miss a chance to be part of it. Last year, I headed over to London Fashion Weekend 2015 for the House of Holland catwalk and we left feeling inspired by all trends we saw and all the shopping we did. This year, we attended both Spring/Summer 2016 catwalks; designer and trends, and everything looked so amazing that I would have no problem in wearing everything right from the catwalk. The day started early and had tons of fashion inspiration in store for us. 

Designer Catwalk: Temperley London

A video posted by Pam Scalfi 🇬🇧🇧🇷💻📲💄💅🏻💍🔝🙏 (@pamella_scalfi) on Feb 27, 2016 at 3:32pm PST

To be honest at first I was more excited for the trend catwalk  that would later follow but I was honestly left rather impressed with how beautiful everything from the Temperley London collection looked. Alice, the designer, made the spring/summer collection wearable enough; the main highlights in my opinion were the bohemian airy dresses, loose cut pants and various prints that exuded a Mediterranean vibe and were simply summer chic. To complete every look, models sported lace up sandals which were big last summer but will be back strong this year once again and hats with their hair tied back, trend alert spotted?

Trend Catwalk: 4 Spring/Summer 2016 Trends

Bootanicals are back and were all over the catwalk. It's a given that florals pretty much go hand in hand with spring/summer (and to be honest I have no problem wearing flowers through autumn and winter too, see here) but this year they are bigger than ever. Patterned tops and bottoms made their way down the catwalk graciously and got me in the mood of adding a bit of English countryside into my Spring wardrobe pronto.

Americana, inspired by North America style as the name suggests, will be hot this season! Red, white and blue stripes as well as varsity jackets, sparkles and a country vibe are safe bets when trying out this trend. In short, the bolder the cut the better! The catwalk saw a lot of fringes, leather and denim; 3 of my favourite things for spring/summer. 

I made it my mission to wear more colour this year so I was glad to see Pop Art come up too. Clearly, the concept here was bright and bold colours. It's true what they say, colour is the new black and avoiding clashing colours is a thing to be left in the past. I personally can't wait to give this trend a try and mix a few colours I wouldn't dare of putting together before.  

And finally, New Romance which can be defined in 3 words, lots of lace. This last trend was an absolute dream to watch on the catwalk, the designs were delicate and feminine but not too girly, and illustrated pure elegance. All looks were great for warm-weather and softer shades and sexy cuts are what I will be looking for to make this trend work. 

Dungarees: New Look (here) // Ankle Boots: New Look (old) // Handbag: Michael Kors

For the day I chose a comfortable yet stylish look and as soon as I saw these dungarees I knew they were perfect. The air was chilly so I paired them with a grey turtle-neck and boots (with extra thick socks) to keep me warm. I didn't think much of the bag I was taking, all I wanted was something I could fit my camera in and this MK one did the job exceptionally well. I have more shots from the weekend on my instagram (@pamella_scalfi) so make sure you follow me there too!

Goodie Bag

This wraps up this super long post, so if you made it to the end give yourself a pat on the back! I hope you liked seeing the latest S/S 2016 trends and collections and let me know below which trend is your favourite!

Thanks for reading beauties and wishing everyone a nice week ahead!

xoxo

S/S 2016 Trends: Rose Quartz And Serenity: The Pantone Colours of 2016

Call me optimist, but here I am bringing spring a tad earlier this year. When I think of spring, I think of pretty pastel shades that are perfect to spruce up our spring wardrobe; who doesn't like to dress up in candy colours that look good enough to eat?! And despite being a few months away from spring just yet, pastel blues, pinks and even yellows are having a major moment in fashion already and I think we can thank Pantone (authority for all things colour) for that.

We leave behind the rich tones of 2015’s Marsala and for the first time Pantone welcomes two shades as the Pantone Colour of the Year 2016; Rose Quartz and Serenity. This is for sure a softer take on colour as joined together these shades establish an essential balance. The mix of a ‘warmer embracing rose’ and the ‘cooler tranquil blue’ reflects connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace according to Pantone, and I couldn't agree more. 

Rose Quartz is an influential yet soft tone that expresses sympathy and a sense of tranquillity. As seen all over the catwalks for Spring/Summer 2016, this can be implemented in both fashion and beauty. Try this gentle tone on cheeks for a flushed finish or with pinky accessories to finish off an outfit. 

Serenity - inspired by the blue skies- is light and vivacious and the perfect antidote to modern day stresses bringing feelings of relief and relaxation. Believe it or not, blue eyeshadow is making a comeback and whilst I wasn't sure at first, seeing it on so many models has made the colour grow on me. Blue pastel nails are also here to stay and that is one trend I can get on board with.

Woolen Coat*: here // Striped Crochet Jumper: George at Asda (here) // Boyfriend Jeans: Matalan (here)
Rose Gold Trainers: Superga (here) // Bag: Matalan (old) // Sunglasses*: Firmoo (here)

For this look, I wanted to implement the best of both worlds to achieve a fun and comforting look that can work just as well for the end of winter as take me right through spring. I don’t have many Rose Quartz items in my wardrobe, but an oversized pink coat and rose gold shoes are close enough and really proves you don’t need brand new items to make this (or any!) trend work. Additionally, what could be closer to Serenity than light wash jeans and a blue stripy top?! Don’t forget the lace bit there because you know I am all about the lace (no pun intended) and also the sunglasses which are so affordable yet so great!

What do you think of these shades together? Are you excited for Spring? Let me know below!

Thanks for reading beauties!

xoxo

*Items sent by the brands. All opinions are my own (disclaimer here).

Petal Power: Beating The Januray Blues

Despite being an important month for me with so many birthdays, including my own, January tends to be quiet and long. It seems that we are all trying to get back that "real life" rhythm which proves incredibly hard after you've had a nice couple of days off work for the holiday season. February isn't much different even though in theory the month should feel shorter, emphasis on the "in theory". And, to make it all worse (especially for us a bloggers), days are shorter and daylight is nearly non-existent, the sun is continuously hiding behind grey clouds and we are fighting below zero temperatures in the early hours on our work commute. Lovely isn't it? #Sarcasm: just one of the many services I offer.

Yes, I'm feeling blue. I think that I speak for everyone when I say that what makes all of these somewhat better is shopping, eating (more like stuffing your face; diet who?), awards season and, lots of pretty and cute things.  Even better, if you are anything like me, what really helps is some petal power, I'm talking flowery clothes, accessories, homeware and of course, actual flowers. Remember when I spoke about wearing Florals For Winter here, that is exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about. Not only flowers effectively cheer me up, they are perfect to brighten up the space around you and get us in that Spring mood. Say goodbye to dark days, hello to blooming lovelies.

Lamp // Watch // Orchid // Diary // Ring // Earrings // Frame // Tea Set // Dress // Cushions

Give spring an early nod and fly in the face of those gloomy winter nights by brightening up your living room, wardrobe and pretty much anything else; be gone dark days! If flowers can't beat those New Year blues, I don't know what will.

What do you think of florals for winter? Let me know below!

Thanks for reading beauties and don't forget to enter my giveaway  here.

xoxo