Tag Archives: outfit inspiration

10 Mini Skirts That Will Make You Look Ultra Luxe This Summer

MINI MINI

It’s all about the perfect mini skirt outfit to keep you looking cute this summer.

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Photos by Michaela Efford

If you haven’t noticed already one of my favourite outfit combinations is a cute skirt and a top/t-shirt. This doesn’t change when I’m thinking of cute and casual summer outfits. Now that the sun is really starting to shine and the weather is picking up again, it’s time to start thinking about mini skirts. You know me, I’ll wear a cute mini skirt come rain or shine so I have collated a list of the 10 best mini skirts out there that look super luxe. So if you’re trying to think of cute summer outfits for your next vacation, or just need a bit of a summer wardrobe upgrade, these are the best skirts around. What I love is that there’s a range of prices, from high street to higher end but they all look equally luxe and expensive (even though some of them are really not expensive.. like trust me, including this Zimmermann dupe!)

For my outfit today I wanted to make a bit of a statement. I paired this Topshop (yes you read that right, it’s Topshop, not Zimmermann!) ruffle skirt with a puffy sleeve top. Puff sleeves are having a real moment right now and I love the volume it adds to the look. If you are a petite girl like me though, I recommend pairing it with a mini skirt like this because otherwise you risk looking too small! To pull the look together I added in a headband and my favourite Prada sandals. I wear these soo much because they are soo comfy!

How are you wearing mini skirts this summer? Did you find any you like in my post?

My Favourite Mini Skirts

Click for Links

White Puff Sleeve Blouse (similar)

Topshop Ruffle Mini Skirt

Prada White Sandals

Headband (similar)

Puff sleeves are having a real moment right now and I love the volume it adds to the look.

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Click for Links

White Puff Sleeve Blouse (similar)

Topshop Ruffle Mini Skirt

Prada White Sandals

Headband (similar)

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25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me

MY 25TH BIRTHDAY

This post contains affiliate links but this does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by @alisejane_photo

Over this weekend (more specifically on the 7th of April, feel free to mark your calendar :P) I turned 25. I was so happy to be able to celebrate this moment with my family and friends and I gave you guys a front row view to the whole weekend on my Instagram Stories as well (It’s in a highlight now so you can see the whole thing unfold, just click here). I was planning on writing a post on how to create the perfect birthday outfit but then I stopped and thought to myself, that isn’t as fun and it supposed to be my birthday. Instead, I want to share with you guys 25 things you didn’t know about me to celebrate my 25th birthday. Here we go:

1. I’m one of those people who LOVES their birthday. I still get excited about it and stay up till midnight and I still wake up with that extra special feeling in my stomach. Just can’t help it!

2. Regardless of loving my birthday, I’m actually an introvert. I can be quite shy when it comes to large group events and that’s why I find large networking events to be difficult but I’m working on getting better at that.

3. I’m a total goof. I dance around and make strange noises around the house and the more you spend time with me, the more you notice it. This occurs even when I’m alone.

4. I love to cook and bake. My first attempt at baking was a massive fail (red velvet cupcakes…ouch) but I vowed to get better and now I’d say I’m actually pretty good. I focus on cooking and baking healthy things but every now and then something indulgent will pop out of my oven.

5. I’m a perfectionist. I get very agitated when things aren’t just right and I usually try to strive to be the best at everything I do. It’s taken me a long time to see that sometimes there is a balance and you don’t have to be the best at everything.

6. I am a board game fiend. I LOVE to have a games night and my favourite games are Taboo, Snatch, Scrabble and Codenames. Yes, I can be very competitive but you’ll probably win if you’re on my team.

7. I used to very athletic in school. I was on my school’s football team and played varsity for all my high school years. There was one year when I didn’t make the travel team in the 8th grade and I still remember that horrible feeling. I also trained in a dance company and almost decided to dedicate my life to dance. I obviously didn’t and I don’t ever regret it.

8. I struggle with my weight sometimes. I fluctuate with it up and down but since my days in dance, I have always been very critical of my body. I’m working on showing myself more self-love and care.

9. I think my two favourite foods in the world are dim sum and pasta. My soul dim sum is probably a Xiao Ling Bao or a custard bun. I’ll let you decide.

10. I love Buzzfeed quizzes and I tend to take the results very seriously. It provides great entertainment for everyone around me.

11. I hate avocado. I have said it and admitted it. I have always found it really gross but somehow I like guac… not sure how that works but it does.

12. I love mystery novels and Agatha Christie ones are my favourite. Growing up I would read Nancy Drew like it was going out of style. I still watch Hercule Poirot on TV.

13. Speaking of reading, I also love Harry Potter. I have a very strange obsession with everything to do with the magical universe and my first celebrity crush was Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. I also LOVE Princess Diaries.

14. My first concert was INXS. I didn’t particularly like the band but my friends and I were just excited about attending a concert for the first time.

15. I’m quite forgetful. I have to set lots of reminders but sometimes I leave things in random places around the house and I just can’t remember where.

16. I write everything down and have an obsession with notebooks and stationary. Any excuse for a notebook is fine by me.

17. The first time I ever went into the ocean was on my trip to Bali… in 2014…Yes you read that right. I actually had a fear of water growing up but not anymore.

18. My teeth may look great but I’ve had 5 root canals and countless cavities. I don’t have enamel on my teeth so they had to put veneers in.

19. The other reason I probably had so many cavities is because I have a massive sweet tooth but one day I just decided to take out refined sugar from my diet. That was.. tough.

20. I went through a phase in my life where I would eat cupcakes for breakfast every Friday. Red velvet cupcakes…not healthy at all.

21. My drink of choice is either wine, whisky or a vodka soda.

22. I am beyond loyal to my friends. It takes a lot for me to get upset and someone must have had to really rub me the wrong way to make me angry.

23. I love candles. I am a massive homebody and love to fill my space with beautiful smells. My favourites are Baies and Tube Rose from Diptyque and Wood Sage & Sea Salt from Jo Malone.

24. I can’t watch TV shows and movies without knowing the ending. If the ending is on wikipedia I’ve read it. It actually makes me enjoy it more.

25. My favourite flowers are Peonies, Babys Breath, Tulips, Roses (NOT red) and daisies.

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Ba&Sh Floral Dress

Gianvito Rossi Heels

Flower Crown

How To Style The Two Most Popular Pieces on The High Street for A Cute Summer Outfit…

Combining the best of the high street for the best summer outfit…

Every season, there are some high street pieces that start to blow up on our Instagrams and this season it’s all about this beautiful summer blouse from Zara and the perfect button down maxi skirt from Topshop. The great thing about these two pieces is that not only are they both well under £100, they can be styled together! I wanted to share with you how I styled the two most popular high street pieces for the season, into one very chic summer outfit.

This white Zara top is completely on trend for this summer with its puffy sleeves and shell button details. Since a top like this is quite voluminous on the top half of your body, you want something a bit straighter cut for the bottom. Enter the cutest maxi skirt ever! I love the mustard stripes on this maxi and the asymmetrical hem! This striped skirt is so popular that Topshop has actually made a few colour variations of it, and a super similar version has popped up on ASOS too. Is this the skirt style of the summer? I think so!

The key to really making a high street outfit yours is accessories. I wanted to add some definition to my waist so I added in this vintage gold chain belt This is a great way to wear a maxi skirt without looking too short, especially if you are petite like me. I also wanted to make this look a little more chic and elegant so I opted for my vintage Chanel slingback heels and these beautiful earrings that I found at Fenwicks in London. I love how the colours matched together so perfectly!

What do you think of this high street look? Would you wear it?

Zara White Top

Topshop Striped Maxi Skirt (similar maxi skirt on ASOS here)

Vintage Gold Chain Belt

Chanel Vintage Slingbacks

Fenwick Earrings

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Zara White Top

Topshop Striped Maxi Skirt (similar maxi skirt on ASOS here)

Vintage Gold Chain Belt

Chanel Vintage Slingbacks

Fenwick Earrings

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Why I Think This Designer T Shirt Is A Better Investment Than The Gucci T Shirt

The Battle of The Luxury T-Shirt; Gucci vs…

In the past few years, we’ve seen a rise of luxury houses churn out cult designer t shirts. We’ve seen it with Dior (Think, “We Should All Be Feminists” the first runway look of Maria Grazia Chiuri to come down the runway), Chanel (from their Cuba collection) and of course, the ever famous Gucci t shirt. Not only does Gucci have one cult t shirt, they have two! This season they came out with another one that everyone is racing to get their hands on. That being said, I am not racing for that second one (yes, I admit I have the first one which I styled ages ago in this post here.. how things have changed!) because I think that there is another designer t shirt that is a much better investment than the Gucci t shirt (gasp! the shock and horror!); The Saint Laurent Logo T Shirt.

When investing in a designer t shirt you need to consider more than whether the piece is trendy at the moment. The ones that are worth the investment, are the ones that stand the test of time for you personally. The Saint Laurent Logo T-Shirt, which has as much of a cult following as the Gucci one, is a piece that you will be able to style today, tomorrow and for years after that. While it dabbles in logomania with the original YSL logo from their first store in Paris in the centre, the logo’s size makes this t-shirt so much more wearable, subtle and chic. I also love the acid wash effect, an immediate cool girl factor.

This is a super cool luxury investment that is subtle enough for you to style and keep in your wardrobe for more than just a season or trend cycle. I think that is one of the most important factors when it comes to purchasing luxury goods.

I styled my new favourite t shirt with a Topshop white denim skirt. I always have a certain amount of key basics that I stock up on from the high street. I think Topshop has an amazing denim selection and I always have at least two denim skirts from them in my wardrobe. I love the mix of light colours for summer; so fresh! The look was complete with some statement Dior slides and these adorable & Other Stories sunglasses. Talk about a high low mix!

What do you think? Who wins between the Gucci and Saint Laurent T Shirt battle? Comment below!

Saint Laurent Logo T Shirt

Topshop White Denim Skirt

Dior Slides

& Other Stories Sunglasses (similar)

Images taken by Michaela Efford

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Saint Laurent Logo T Shirt

Topshop White Denim Skirt

Dior Slides

& Other Stories Sunglasses

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The High Low Edit: Outfit #2

I bought these Topshop trousers a few months ago and they are one of my favourite pairs because they can be dressed up or dressed down. I was wearing them in this office inspired outfit here, and I’m wearing them for today’s Instagram outfit feature. They are a high street piece that look so much more luxe than they are. If these are not available in your size, I have linked to a similar pair from Topshop that are also super chic.

I paired the trousers with an old silky polo from Pinko. I love that it’s a crop top and I’ve tried to find a similar version for you below.

Style Tip: Pair crop tops with high waisted trousers. It looks more elegant as you still show enough skin to elongate your silhouette without looking too out there!

The look is complete with my Louis Vuitton handbag and my Valentino sandals. I picked up these sandals a few years ago and I wear them on repeat when summer arrives! I found a similar pair on ASOS as well if you want to recreate this look!

Topshop Trousers

Similar Topshop Trousers

White Pinko Top (similar)

Valentino Sandals

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How To Style That Cute Summer Top for A Casual City Look

Time to get that Summer top out…

Although the rain may be pouring down in London this week, there is no denying that summer is well on its way, which means it’s time to get your summer wardrobe in order and make the most of those cute summer tops! If you’re thinking those white off the shoulder blouses and wrap around shirts are just for the beach, you’re wrong! I always believe in making the most of your wardrobe and finding ways to wear your favourite summer holiday pieces in your city too! That’s the way to guarantee no shortage of summer outfits! Here’s how to style that adorable summer top for your next day out on the town!

This Esse Vie white, off shoulder blouse, is perfect for a day in the sun in the likes of Capri or Cannes, but it’s equally adorable for a casual summer day outfit too! I wanted to pair this summer blouse with something edgier, so I opted for a layered leather skirt. I love that the layers of the skirt still make the outfit quite feminine, but the leather adds that perfect contrast!

Accessories are always key to any summer outfit! The baker boy hat is still a trending piece for 2018 and it’s a great way to dress down this beautiful blouse! I paired it with my favourite Chanel Boy Bag and Churchs boots and I suddenly had the perfect outfit for a summer day!

How do you create your summer outfits? Do you have any summer blouses you can’t wait to style? Share with me in the comments below!

Top: Esse Vie

Skirt: Goldie London (similar here)

Hat: ASOS (similar)

Shoes: Churchs (similar here)

Bag: Chanel

Earrings: Parisienne Amsterdam

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Top: Esse Vie

Skirt: Goldie London (similar here)

Hat: ASOS (similar)

Shoes: Churchs (similar here)

Bag: Chanel

Earrings: Parisienne Amsterdam

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This Is The Only Statement Sweater You Need This Spring….

A Piece That Is More Versatile Than You Think…

I’m not sure when the obsession with the slogan sweater began for me but I’m sure if I go digging through some of my childhood photographs, I’m sure to come across a few with me wearing statement sweaters and statement t-shirts! After all, some of the coolest casual outfits and street style looks to revolve around that slogan sweater; it literally provides the perfect spring summer outfit idea, just waiting for you to wear it!

This season I am obsessed with the coolest statement sweater that I spotted at Ba&sh. Anything with a pop of colour that reminds me of Paris is good in my books and I love how you can dress this piece up or down! I paired the sweater with a statement black skirt. The zips on this skirt let me adjust how high the slits on either side go, which means I can make an outfit casual like I did for this spring look, or I can make it a bit more formal! I love pieces that are versatile!

Like I said, you can dress this piece up or down. Pair it with your favourite denim mini or denim jeans for a more off-duty look. You can spice up something like that with a pair of kitten heels! You could even pair a statement hoodie like this with some faux leather leggings, some killer heels and statement earrings. The options are endless, but all outfit options I’ve tried and tested just for you! I love this hoodie from Ba&sh but if you’re looking for something similar and more affordable, I also found the cutest hoodie from & Other Stories. I have a feeling both these pieces are going to sell out pretty fast, so don’t forget to grab yours!

How do you like to style your slogan hoodies?

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Sweater: Ba&sh (similar via & Other Stories here)

Skirt: Maje (similar via Na-KD here)

Shoes: Dior (similar via Monsoon here)

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3 Tricks To Finding Your Personal Style

The Journey To Your Personal Style Starts Here…

Whenever I’m coming up with outfit ideas, whether that be for the spring or summer, I always find that my style inspiration comes from the way I define my personal style. Trust me, finding my personal style was no easy journey but after the warm feedback that I received from you all a few weeks ago when I wrote this article about my own style journey, I thought I would share with you three easy strick tricks so you can find your personal style too!

1. Understand what suits your body type
It’s important to remember that what suits everyone may not suit you! I’m incredibly petite so a lot of the times I find that very oversized pieces or other styles don’t suit me as well as they suit some of my taller friends! The key is to understand what suits you and use that to enhance your style. It’s the first step in finding your personal style!

2. Gather your inspiration!
Last month I wrote a whole post on where I find my style inspiration. Gathering fashion inspiration to create perfect outfits is another step in your style journey. It helps you define what you like and don’t like! For me, I find that movies and magazines are great sources of inspiration. I also gather a lot of inspiration from the designers I love like Christian Dior, Chloé and Isabel Marant. I have a huge book full of every single collection to come out of the House of Dior and I can always find something inspirational in there! If you’re not sure where to start, why not start here.

3. Be Fearless!
Don’t be afraid to try something new and trust your instincts. The whole key to personal style is that it’s something unique to you! Just because someone else hasn’t tried it yet, doesn’t mean you can’t! Don’t be afraid to go bold with your colour combinations or layer unexpectedly.

This is one of my favourite outfits because I think it’s so me. It’s got a touch of feminine with the very dainty ruffle skirt and all my layered jewellery. At the same time, there is a bit of edge with the exposed logo strap (this is Dior but how cute is this high street version? I’ve linked to some more below!), the oversized sweater and the sneakers. It’s the perfect balance that really speaks to my personal style!

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Sweater: Massimo Dutti (similar via ASOS here)

Bralet: Dior (similar from Pretty Little Thing here, from Missguided here)

Skirt: Isabel Marant Étoile (similar via Pretty Little Thing here, Monki here and Free People here)

Shoes: Department of Finery

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The Secret To My Personal Style

Find Your Personal Style With My Tips…

One of the style questions I get asked regularly, is “How do you define your personal style?” At first, I didn’t know what to say but over the years I have been able to define my personal style more clearly (If you’re interested in that answer, you can read about it here!) and I’ve learned the important lesson of how to find and define your personal style. I am so happy and excited that so many of you look to The Silk Sneaker for style inspiration, so today I wanted to share with you the three secrets to my personal style and how I found it (as well as a spring outfit idea that would be perfect for your fave statement sweater!).

1. I believe in investment pieces
Don’t get me wrong, I love Zara as much as the next girl but some pieces are worth the investment. Whether it’s a pair of trousers, a bag that I know I will love forever, or a pair of amazing shoes, I believe that there are certain pieces that are worth the investment. This is simply because they fit better, they last longer (probably forever; I mean I have accessories that my mom was wearing when she was in college that are still in perfect condition!) and they are eternally stylish. It’s also about pieces that speak personally to me that I know I will forever love and cherish (What I consider classic!). They are also the pieces that I reach for time and time again. For example, you all know how much I love Dior. My Dior bag was one of the best investments I made and it’s helped me curate a wardrobe that is so in line with my personal style!

2. I believe in contrasts and mixing it up…
My personal style is always a mix of two opposites, and it’s actually a great styling trick to use! If I’m wearing a designer piece, I like to match it with a high street piece (an easy way to make you’re whole look more expensive! You can read more about that here). For example, I’ve paired my Chloe sweater with a skirt from the high street and ASOS booties! If I’m wearing a very feminine skirt, I’ll pair it with an oversized sweater or sneakers. Great style is all about great contrasts! After all, one of the things that define my style is my mix of high street and high-end fashion!

3. I believe in not getting swayed by the crowd…
The key to finding your personal style is remembering that it’s personal. Trends can be fun but they are fleeting. If you don’t actually love those new Balenciaga dad sneakers, don’t invest in them or on the dupes either! Don’t be swayed by what’s trending if you don’t love it/it doesn’t suit you. A good question to ask yourself is would I wear this if it wasn’t trending? Remember, confidence shows on the outside and can really make an outfit!

Your style is constantly evolving and changing with you and it’s great to have your sources of inspiration (like me I hope!). The easiest way to find your personal style though is to stay true to yourself! That never fails me!

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Sweater: Chloe

Skirt: Whistles (similar via Pretty Little Thing)

Boots: ASOS (similar)

Earrings: Isharya

Bag: Dior