Win a Parisian Holiday with Worldwide Wardrobe

Yep, this post title is no word of a lie. Travel Supermarket have decided to treat one lucky blogger to a fabulous trip to the French fashion capital in their first ever Worldwide Wardrobe competition. But that, my lovely readers, is not all. They will also be giving away holidays to Thailand, New York, London and Ibiza plus an outfit to wear when you get there. Unlike many competitions, this is not a question-and-answer-winner-picked-at-random situation. It’s a styling challenge people! In order to enter you need to choose a clubbing outfit for Ibiza, chic sightseeing ensemble for Paris, Carrie-worthy cocktail attire for New York, laid back shopping look for London, beach party picks for Thailand or, to be in with a chance of winning the lot, all of the above. Simple non? However there is a catch. Each outfit has to cost a total of £200 or less so hitting the Net-a-Porter holiday shop isn’t going to fly this time. This, my fashion loving friends, is an exercise in stylenomics. As this is a competition for bloggers, the folk at Travel Supermarket decided that it should also be judged by bloggers and asked me to choose which stylish so-and-so wins le petite vacance à Paris. Unfortunately (for me) this means I can’t enter but if I could, these are the outfits I’d pick…

Clubbing in Ibiza

1) Topshop Acid Leaf Cut Out Sundress, £42, click here to buy
2) Miss Selfridge Bug Stone Studs, £6.50, click here to buy
3) ASOS Piccolo Perspex Wedges, £40, click here to buy
4) ASOS Parshall Box Clutch, £35, click here to buy
5) Topshop Bright Stone Bracelet, £18.50, click here to buy

If there’s any occasion on which you can go mad with flouro hues it’s clubbing in Ibiza. Admittedly there is a LOT of very bright colour going on here and I probably wouldn’t wear this ensemble back home in London but when cutting loose on the notorious party island, I feel it’s ~~allowed~~ mandatory to try something a little wilder.

Sightseeing in Paris

1) Topshop MOTO Blue Denim Pini Dress, £38, click here to buy
2) Petit Bateau Breton Stripe T-Shirt, £45, click here to buy
3) ASOS Pointed Ballet Flats, £18, click here to buy
4) Topshop Pushlock Cross Body Bag, £35, click here to buy
5) ASOS Cat Eye Sunglasses, £10, click here to buy

You can always recognize les petites anglaises in Paris for the simple reason that they will be the only people wearing Breton striped shirts. Much as I love the idea that Parisiennes spend their days mincing around in Audrey Hepburn esque Capri cropped jeans and striped tees, experience has taught me that in fact most of the young, hip residents of les Marais favour Isabel Marant trainers over French Sole ballet pumps. But does that stop me bringing out the Bretons whenever I visit? Does it hell! This outfit would pretty much obliterate any chance you had at being mistaken for a native but it’s so adorable I find it hard to care.

Cocktails in New York

1) Topshop Necklace Beaded Shift Dress, £45, click here to buy
2) ASOS Metallic Pointed High Heels, £45, click here to buy
3) ASOS Summer Doorknocker Earrings, £15, click here to buy
4) Miss Selfridge Multi Stone Ring, £8.50, click here to buy
5) ASOS Floral Beaded Clutch Bag, £40, click here to buy

As you’ve probably gathered, I’ve recently found myself strangely attracted to neon. My view on all things fluoro is that it’s best to steer clear of anything unstructured unless of course, you want to look like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. This sweet shift dress might be a similar shade to those tabards cyclists wear at night but the embellished neckline, clean cut and OTM holographic accessories keep it strictly fashion focused.

Shopping in London

1) Miss Selfridge Embroidered Denim Shirt, £32, click here to buy
2) Topshop Pink Jacquard Mini Skirt, £34, click here to buy
3) ASOS Monogram Leather Loafers, £45, click here to buy
4) ASOS Gem Drop Earrings, £8, click here to buy
5) ASOS Black Round Sunglasses, £10, click here to buy
6) ASOS Scotty Dog Bowler Bag, £35, click here to buy

When choosing a “casual shopping look” for London my first thought was boyfriend jeans and Converse. I then decided that was just too dull for words and opted for a fluoro floral mini, denim shirt and tassled loafers instead. Comfortable can still be colourful, non?

Beach Party in Thailand

1) Topshop Lilac Crystal Tie-Die Bikini, £30, click here to buy
2) ASOS Round Glitter Sunglasses, £12, click here to buy
3) Miss Selfridge Snow Wash High Waist Shorts, £30, click here to buy
4) ASOS Fete Flat Sandals, £28, click here to buy
5) Whistles Rivington Pouch, £75, click here to buy

I’m never made the gap yah pilgrimage to Phuket so wasn’t entirely sure of the dress code at beach parties in Thailand. Having consulted friends who did go, the general response was “not much” but no one could remember much more than that. With this in mind I picked a particularly fabulous bikini and the kind of denim shorts that can be left crumpled on a hostel floor for ten days and not show it.

Feeling inspired to give it a go yourself? Here’s how to enter…

Step One – Publish a Worldwide Wardrobe post on your blog including an outfit and accessories for the five different destinations, explaining why you chose each look. You can enter just one of the categories to be in with a chance of winning a holiday to that destination or enter an outfit for all five categories to be in the running to win all five holidays.

Step Two – Make sure you mention our competition page within your post so your fellow bloggers will know how to enter – www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/worldwide-wardrobe/

Step Three – Nominate 5 fellow bloggers that you think will be up for the challenge and let them know via Facebook or Twitter (#worldwidewardrobe)

Step Four – Let Travel Supermarket know you’ve entered by:

Emailing worldwidewardrobe@travelsupermarket.com with a link to your post

Tweeting @travelsupermkt with the hashtag #worldwidewardrobe and a link to your post.

Or, tagging the TravelSupermarket.com Facebook page in a post linking to the blog post that you are entering.

Entries close on June 5th… Good luck!

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 14 Comments

Look Du Jour: Hard Working

What: Coat: A.P.C, Jumper: Boutique by Jaeger, Shorts & Shirts: Whistles, Loafers: Russel & Bromley, Bag: Anya Hindmarch, Beret: American Apparel

Where: Meetings and Appointments in London.

First off, I must admit that this post title doesn’t refer to what I got up to while wearing this outfit. Yesterday was definitely not what you’d call a “hard working” Monday. Busy, yes. Stressful, at times. But that stress was mainly just panicking over being too pasty for an Temperley dress now taking pride of place in my wardrobe and later on, smudging my nail polish. This week kicked off with a trip to Temperley London’s Mayfair HQ to choose something fabulous for a very special event I’m supremely over excited about attending next week. After having a rather embarrassing mini meltdown over nothing “looking right” (brat alert!) I finally fell for an exquisite cocktail number in oyster silk jacquard. Sadly it has to be returned to it’s rightful owners sooner than seems fair but until then, I’m much enjoying just looking at it. After a couple of midday meetings at the Liberty London cafe (high risk meeting spot due to it’s proximity to oodles of Carven and Christopher Kane) I headed in the direction of Chelsea for the afternoon’s “work” engagement… A mani pedi at Bliss Spa which will be the subject of my next grooming review. By the end of the day I felt a bit spoilt and ridiculous, in the very best possible way. Getting back to my original point, the reason I decided to dub this Look Du Jour “hard working” is because of the pieces themselves. From my trusty A.P.C peacoat (AW10) to my camel Whistles shorts (SS11), on a cost-per-wear basis these babies have all paid for themselves many times over. Summer, winter, London, New York, Paris… A garment that works all of the above is worth its weight in gold and certainly worth dry cleaning and re-lining a stupidly expensive number of times. As for the Anya Hindmarch tote, I picked up that beauty at a second hand designer shop in Notting Hill a couple of years ago. Considering it had a whole other life before entering my wardrobe and the amount I’ve used it since, this bag deserves a lifetime achievement award! As of sometime last week I’ve decided to make only – or at least mainly – these kind of chic yet sensible, wear-forever buys. And re my extravagant Monday, it was definitely a one off, this afternoon will been spent slogging away in the library.

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 5 Comments

Look Du Jour: New Shoes On

What: Shoes: Oliver Sweeney (c/o), Coat & Shirt: Whistles, Skirt: American Apparel Jumper: Massimo Dutti, Hat: Topshop, Bag: Radley

Where: Press days in London.

I promise I’ll stop banging on about the weather soon (I’m a Brit, moaning about rain is in my DNA) but how ridiculous is it to be wearing this outfit in almost April!? Bobbly wool hat, sheepskin collared duffel coat, thick corduroy… All lovely things but best suited, sartorially speaking, to autumn. This weekend I’ve gone to my parents’ house in Sussex for Easter and decided to make the big, new season wardrobe swap-over. When I return to London next week my winter coats, chunky knits and thermal tights will not be coming with me. Instead it’s going to be pastel blouses, floral prints, cropped cigarette pants and potential hypothermia. The only good thing about having to wrap up last week was how brilliantly this cold weather resistant (ish) ensemble went with my new Oliver Sweeney brogues. I have a feeling that these babies are going to prove invaluable as they look great with autumnal hues and I plan on pairing them with bare legs and pop socks if/when we ever get any sunshine.

Love Ella. X

Ps) Happy Easter!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 1 Comment

Whistles

Weekly Wish List: 29/03/2013

1) REISS 1971 Ice Blue Crewneck Jumper, £179, click here to buy
2) J Brand 811 Skinny Jeans in Neon Coral, £200, click here to buy
3) Folk light grey Steph boots, £315, click here to buy
4) McQ Pink Razor Blade Scarf, £135, click here to buy
5) LInda Farrow for Charlotte Olympia Feather Sunglasses, £135, click here to buy
6) Whistles Safari Leopard Print Parka, £125, click here to buy
7) Marc by Marc Jacobs Cross Body Bag, £260, click here to buy
8) Charlotte Olympia Miranda Silk Twll & Bamboo Sandals, £545, click here to buy
9) Carven Front Pleat Skirt, £260, click here to buy
10) Carven Textured Double Breasted Jacket, £420, click here to buy

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Shopping Leave a comment

SS13 Handbag Hot List: High Street Edit

Much as I’d love to be the kind of lucky so-and-so who can treat herself to Mulberry whenever the mood strikes, I’m not, and I suspect not all of you are either. Thankfully there are still a lot of lovely handbag styles around that don’t cost the equivalent of a small car or skiing holiday. Here are a few of my SS13 faves…

Whistles Wooster Tote, £150, click here to buy

It’s big, it’s mint green, it’s Whistles… Obviously I love it. You’re all no doubt painfull aware of my bordering on worrying obsession with the Brit brand run by fashion mastermind (and major life/career/wardrobe idol) Jane Shepardson. Whistles’ clothes been a permanent fixture on my wish lists since I started this blog but for SS13 their handbag offering is better than ever before. This modern mint tote is currently making my heart skip a beat and my bank balance quake.

Janet Drawstring Bucket Bag by Vince Camuto at Kurt Geiger, £115, click here to buy

Kurt Geiger is another of my fave high street labels to have really pulled out all the stops with their accessories this season. For SS13 bucket bags have make a seriously sleek comeback and this luxe lovely is just about perfection.

Topshop pushlock cross body bag, £35, click here to buy

I think it’s safe to say that I have a bit of a “thing” about green. Ever since my teenage Pony Club days when I decked out my pony in emerald shades I’ve been powerless to resist the colour in any of it’s incarnations. This Topshop treat is both roomy enough to fit lots of stuff and structured, therefore avoiding my pet peeve, bag sag.

Cambridge Satchel Company 11″ Lilac Satchel, £105, click here to buy

Every single Spring I indulge in a love affair with pastels. Lemon, spearmint, soft blush, powder blue… You name it, I’ve worn it and am probably digging it out of my wardrobe as we speak in the hope that it ever stops raining. For SS13 I’m particularly loving lilac and this satchel adds to the prep factor nicely.

Anthropologie Croc Blush Satchel, £178, click here to buy

Yep, more pastels, namely the aformentioned “soft blush” variety. That said I feel the hobo shape and croc effect leather gives this Anthropologie stunner an ever-so-slightly rock n’ roll vibe. Either way, I want it.

REISS Bronte Zipper Tote Bag, £165, click here to buy

This season I’ve rekindled my love affair with Reiss thanks to their excellent SS13 collection. This bold yet understated tote is a prime example of why the brand beloved by K-Middy has got it going on right now. Modern femininity with a distinctly utilitarian take on elegance.

& Other Stories Satchel Bag, £45, click here to buy

I don’t know whether you saw my post last week about H&M group’s new premium brand & Other Stories. If you didn’t, click here to read it, or just trust me when I say their stuff is awesome. This bag strikes the perfect balance between prep and edge, a fact that will no doubt make it a favourite among ballet pump and high top wearers alike.

Once again, I struggle to pick a favourite! Which one tops your wish list? And what do you think of these in comparison to my designer edit?

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Shopping Leave a comment

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