I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I love being set a good style challenge - especially when it forces me out of my comfort zone. Recently one of my favourite local shopping centres intu in Derby challenged me to put together a look from the centre and the AW17 trend I was given was the Seventies. I can't lie, when I first read that my heart sank a little. We all know I love vintage and retro style, but the one decade that has never really appealed to me personally is the 1970's, I don't know why but it just hasn't - until now that is.
I'm a major planning and research nerd so of course before setting out to the centre I did some research on some really iconic 70's looks and how they have been brought back to the catwalks for the end of 2017. Should I go for faux fur and shearling? Or maybe the spacey disco look? Hippy boho style? As needing to shop the plus size sections obviously limits the amount of choice I have I didn't make a decision then and there, but went ahead to see what kind of options were open to me. Nervously I hopped into the car and parked up at the centre, met my gorgeous friend Polly and started shopping! I was actually pleasantly surprised by how many choices I had to pick from as I could easily have nailed any of the looks listed above, but I absolutely fell in love with one piece and then the image I was going for was stuck in my head and I was on a mission.
The piece in question is this stunning New Look Curves Pink Tie Sleeve Duster Jacket (£39.99*) - I love the big collar, I love the dusky pink colour and I love the ruched back that accentuates your waist and bum! As soon as I saw it I new it was the focal point I needed to start with and a picture immediately popped into my head of a Seventies style business lady look - pussy bow blouse, wide leg trousers and some killer platform shoes. The shoes were the next thing I spotted again in New Look - I love their wide fit shoe range don't you? These Wide Fit Pink Suedette Platform Heels (£27.99*) are seriously comfortable despite being so high and I kind of want them in every colour cause they're so cute and sexy!
After grabbing a spot of lunch at Zizzi and eyeing up the makeup counters in Boots we shimmed our way to Simply Be and I managed to find the perfect final pieces for the look. I'm actually surprised by how much I like this Navy Pussy Bow Blouse (£28.00*) as I thought it was a little too froofy (disclaimer, I may have made that word up) to really suit me but the satin fabric is so lush and soft and makes the frills seem more subtle, so I think it looks banging! The final challenge was finding some wide or flared leg trousers that didn't make me look too stumpy and I kind of had my heart set on finding some camel coloured ones - until I found these Super Wide Flared Leg Trousers in Mulberry (£13.00*) that is. The fit of these babies is great and I love the elasticated bits at the back of the waist that make them super comfy, the only downside of how quickly they crease! I ironed these right before I drove the ten minutes to shoot these photos and this is how creased they got. Annoying indeed, but they were only £13 so I can't really moan that much.
I absolutely love the colour palette of this look and I'm so happily surprised by how great I feel in three styles that I wouldn't usually go for - a duster jacket, flared trousers and a fussy blouse. It just goes to prove that you really must try things even if you're unsure because you might just find yourself a new favourite look!
I'm really excited to be back at intu Derby on Saturday the 14th for the launch of the centre's Autumn Winter fashion event! The ten 'faces of fashion' are going to be unveiled on Level 2 outside Topshop along the couture catwalk and there will be style displays and tips on where to find the season's key pieces in the centre, plus you'll be able to pick up a free voucher book with great discounts on loads of fashion brands! Drop me a tweet if you're coming along too, it would be lovely to meet some new friends!
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