Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, readers! Have you had a spooky weekend, or maybe you're planning something for tonight? For me, I never wholeheartedly embraced this festive day during my childhood, so now that I'm older, I'm trying to compensate for what I missed.

On the street, Winton

The guinea pig for my new lens today was MA Video Editing student Kat Grant, 
pictured here on the Winton high street. What I liked about her outfit was the 
contrast between the bright red tights and the dark green cape, while small details
such as the swallow brooch add all-important character. (P.S. My apologies for
the mad exposure, but it's taking me time to get used to a manual lens!)

New 28mm Carl Zeiss lens!

At noon today, the postman delivered a much awaited package - my new Carl Zeiss lens! Now I can finally take more impressive street style photos for the blog.

The lens has a fixed/prime zoom of only 28mm, but has a maximum aperture of f2.8, which will give me better lighting, as well as a clear subject and blurred background. I really fancy trying it out soon. Next on my wish list... A 100-300mm telephoto lens.

Gold glitter bow tie

When you visit Pokesdown, it's hard not to come away with something from the vintage shops, no matter how small it might be. In my case, a casual mosey in the oldest vintage store on the high street, Clobber, left me with yet another tie for my collection.

Although it may give me the slight look of a 90s game show host, I chose this gold glitter bow tie in particular to add a dash of glitz and glamour to my evening dress. Its quirkiness is just the ticket for the individualist styles I'm trying to achieve - nothing too outrageous, but perhaps enough to catch the odd glimpse or two.

Rucksack in the rain, Bournemouth University

These multi-pocketed, buckled rucksacks have been in trend for a fair while 
now, and I'm surprised I haven't bought one for myself. Lots of space, lots of 
pockets, and fashionable too. There's no need to look like a tortoise with a
huge, bulky sports rucksack lumbered on your back.

Teddy bear hat, Bournemouth University

Maybe it's my soft side, but I just adore woolly hats with ears - they add a cute 
and playful side to this warm winter accessory. The teddy bear hat here, worn 
by Charlotte, is from Jane Norman.

On campus, Bournemouth University

With a high-waisted skirt and her hair in a bun, fellow BAMMJ, Izzy, has a 
somewhat sixties look about her style. I adore the black lace top too, even 
if Izzy did pinch it from her housemate.

Retro clothing under one roof at the Pavilion

(as featured in the BHbeat newspaper, 13th October)

The nationwide-famous Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair came to Bournemouth Pavilion, drawing in hundreds of shoppers on 8th October.

Guest blogger for Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair

A few days before Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair came to Bournemouth, I was offered the chance to be their resident street style photographer and guest writer for their vintage style blog, recently shortlisted for best brand blog at the Cosmo Blog Awards.

The subsequent blog post was finally published yesterday, the following paragraph giving me a huge buzz when I first read it...

"But safe to say, our very first foray to Bournemouth this month did not warrant a jitter. With hundreds of folks out and about, we recruited fashion writer Joseph Kent [of Unlimited by JK fame] to be our fashion eyes, ears, pen and lens. Take it away JK!"

To read the full blog post, please click the following link: "Under the Boardwalk"

On the street, Bournemouth

The flowery playsuit has such a beautiful array of colours, and I really love the 
ornate peacock belt buckle. A perfect denim blue for the denim jacket too.

Versace for H&M

Somehow slipping my attention, designer meets high street with the upcoming collaborative collection from H&M and Versace. Designed by Donatella Versace, the brand's heritage will be exploding from every piece in an array of bright colours and loud prints, that which made Versace famous during the 1990s.

Whenever I see the collaboration's double spread adverts in the likes of GQ and Elle, I just want to reach into the paper and steal the outfits for myself. Everything about the clothes screams flamboyance and extravagance, something I believe people should feel more comfortable wearing. Someone's staring at you? Perhaps they're jealous.

(The new collection will be available in-store and online from 17th November)

Emma Watson on Elle, November 2011

If I were to have any celebrity crush, it would have to be Emma Watson. In the latest issue of Elle magazine, she's given an insightful interview away from the ten years of on-screen witchcraft, although still casting a spell on readers with a beautiful and playful shoot.

This is the first time I've bought Elle, and although I thoroughly enjoyed its content and page design, I honestly doubt I would have bought it were it not for Miss Watson staring out at me from the front cover. Just saying.

Greyhounds and purples, Bournemouth

And who says dog-walkers aren't glamorous? I love the colour co-ordination 
in the rich shades of purple, even in the tinting of her sunglasses. She also looks
very snug in her thick knitted cardigan and scarf. And though I can't say why,
her Greyhounds add extra glamour to this Sixpenny Handley housewife.

Today, I'm wearing...

...something experimental. Is wearing one casual shirt over another acceptable? Whatever your answer, I think this particular combination works unusually well.

The two shirts I am wearing today are both from H&M. The inner is a checkered flannel shirt, while the outer is chambray. In my opinion, they work well together for two very simple reasons: 1) both shirts are casual and predominantly blue, and 2) the chambray shirt looks very similar to a denim jacket. I have also found that the layering provides adequate warmth against the October chill.

H&M SUNGLASSES

H&M BLUE CHAMBRAY SHIRT

H&M BLUE CHECK SHIRT

JASPER J CONRAN BROWN LEATHER BELT

LEVI'S BLACK 511 SKINNY JEANS 

TOPMAN BROWN LEATHER LACE-UP SHOES

On campus, Bournemouth University

This lady has colour co-ordinated well with her outfit's palette of browns. I 
especially adore her pleated skirt with brocade pattern and gold embellishment.

Beales Girls Night Out

(as featured in the BHbeat newspaper, 13th October)

Earlier this month, Beales department store in Bournemouth held its semi-annual fashion show, Girls Night Out, featuring performances from former X-Factor contestants and local lads, The Reason 4.

On 6th October, about 500 fashion conscious individuals attended the event which included a catwalk of new and upcoming autumn and winter styles from such brands as Barbour, Esprit, Duck and Cover, and Calvin Klein. The evening was held to support Dorset children’s hospice, Julia’s House, for which over £9,000 was raised.

Lin Hudswell from Julia’s House said: “I was absolutely blown away by the show and the support from Beales couldn’t have come at a more crucial time.”

Upon arrival, guests were offered complimentary makeovers from the in-store beauty team while treated to the mellow tones of professional singer Katie Francesca. Everyone seated at 7:30pm for the main event, complete with a real runway.

Southampton boy band The Reason 4, who made it to the judges’ houses in last year’s X-Factor, were the surprise musical appetiser and finale for the catwalk, performing a cover of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” and their new single “Empty Bottles”.

The Reason 4 with Beales CEO Tony Brown (left) and designer George Davies (right)

Afterwards, the band signed autographs and posed for photos with their fans. 26-year-old Glenn from the band said: “I thought the show was a great success. The models looked great and there’s something here at Beales for everyone. I feel good to be a part of it.”

Also at the event was designer, George Davies, who came to promote his new clothing collections at Beales – ‘GEM’ for women and ‘Broadbents & Boothroyds’ for men – which were featured in the fashion show. George, who also founded ‘George at Asda’, gave a substantial donation towards the show’s cause.

He told BHbeat: “The people here are amazing and the fashion is great but more importantly, what it does for charity is even better. I’d travel anywhere for that.”

(Link to online article: http://bhbeat.com/18094/beales-girls-night-out)

Spitfire Sunglasses

An ASOS package waiting on my doorstep could only mean one thing yesterday - my new Spitfire sunglasses had arrived. With a clear plastic frame and removable lenses, their design is somewhat unconventional, but it's a style I am excited to experiment with.

Although having only discovered the Spitfire brand last week, their selection of eyewear are now must-have accessories for me. My next purchase from them might well be the green lensed sunglasses featured on the blog only recently. Winter sun, anyone?

Vintage Fair, Bournemouth Pavilion

The photos below show a selection of the stylish shoppers at today's Vintage Fair. Their fashions certainly look vintage-esque, but none have been styled specifically for the event - these are the styles they wear day-to-day.
 

Fantastic fairisle jumper - perfect for this season. And it looks great tucked into 
her high-waisted shorts. Lovely hairstyle too.

This look just screams vintage, with an aged, rusty-coloured jumper contrasting 
against the newer and bluer dungarees from Urban Outfitters.

These two ladies were very enthusiastic when I asked to take their photograph. 
Two similar but also contrasting outfits, with my favourite pieces being the 
stripy printed blouse (left) from 'Clobber' in Pokesdown, and the bright red 
jacket (right) bought from a charity shop.

Another wonderful use of fairisle, weaved into the jumper, jacket and socks.

This girl is only 14, but you wouldn't think it. "I get that a lot," she told me. 
It's amazing (although at the same  time a little scary) what the right amount of 
make-up and a great dress sense such as this can achieve.

Simple and delicate, but striking with a pink blazer.

This elderly couple from Christchurch live for vintage, their wardrobes 
apparently filled with original suits and dresses from the early 20th Century.

My favourite pieces from these three outfits have to be the reddish jumper (left), 
the black scoop jumper (middle), and the polkadot dress with Peter Pan collar (right).

'Girls Night Out' at Beales (with The Reason 4)

On behalf of BHbeat, I was invited to Beales department store in Bournemouth town centre for their 'Girls Night Out', with catwalk show and performance from former X-Factor contestants 'The Reason 4'.

On campus, Bournemouth University

Yes, it's all about the hat with this look. With winter edging closer and closer, 
it's time to whip out the woolly accessories. But why not try something cute 
as well as snug, like this girl's long-eared hat from River Island?

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair at Bournemouth Pavilion

This Saturday, the nationwide vintage extravangaza that is 'Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair' is coming to the Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom. From the curators of 'Vintage at South Bank', there will be over forty stalls selling retro pieces from the 1920s to the 1980s for both men, women, boys and girls.

The Bournemouth area already has a wealth of vintage fashion, so this fair will certainly be a treat. If you happen to attend, you're more than likely to see me wandering about with my camera, taking photos not just for this blog and BHbeat.com, but now also for the Vintage Fair's style blog - a very exciting opportunity indeed!

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair visits thirty cities across the country and has been featured in such magazines as Vogue, Elle and Stylist. Their blog has also been nominated for best brand blog in the Cosmo Blog Awards.

Admission to Saturday's Vintage Fair is £2 and will take place between 11am and 4pm. I hope to see you there!

(For the Vintage Fair's Facebook event page, click here)

Vintage Tie

Pokesdown, just east of Bournemouth, is a vintage hotspot with a number of vintage and antique shops along its high street. Yet in spite of living in Bournemouth for over a year, I paid my first visit to Pokesdown only the other week.

Browsing in the various boutiques, I came away with a woollen tartan tie from Vintage Per Sempre (originally from Michelsons of London) for only £3. I have already worn it once when reporting on the Grand Grotesque Parade, although with such a beautiful blue, green and white pattern, I hope to wear it again soon.

However, I also love the fact it is a wide-knot tie, which is a significant difference to my other much slimmer ties. In my opinion, wider ties can make more of a statement than their skinny counterparts, particularly in this case, where the pattern is very eye-catching.

There's an odd sense of satisfaction when I tie its knot, for which I always remember a small piece of advice from GQ: "Don't forget the dimple: when straightening your tie, stick your index finger into the knot at the front to achieve the desired dent." Unsurprisingly, this basic tip helps me to create the best shape for the knot.

But this one accessory won't be my only taste of yesteryear fashion. On Saturday 8th October, I shall be attending Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair at Bournemouth Pavilion, where I may indeed add to my newly found taste in vintage style. Keep an eye out for a blog post and photos this weekend.

Freshers' Fair, Bournemouth University

A couple of style spotting photos for the next issue of Nerve* Magazine, as well as a few extra shots of the Nerve Panda and friends at today's BU Freshers' Fair...

Yet again, two complementing looks. But what I like in particular about 
each outfit are the patterned shorts and studded waistcoat (left) and the 
denim dungarees (right). Casual but cool.

This girl's parrot print top caught my eye first, but I really love the subtle pink 
shade of her hair too. Because it is trending, I'm hoping to take a few more photos 
of alternative coloured  hair over the next few weeks.

Both very summery looks with a blue and white colour story working between 
them. The young lady's style, however, is absolutely gorgeous, especially her 
sailor-style dress from a Brighton boutique. Very unique.

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Station Manager at Nerve* Radio, Guy Larsen, with the Nerve Panda.

Relentless BMX tricks and stunt show.

The Nerve Panda with the Subway mascot, Subman.