Tag: Marks & Spencer

Fashion

Back to the matter

by renaissanceidealLeave a Comment on Back to the matter

Happy New Year! Are we still allowed to say Happy New Year? How long is it until you to decide to stop saying Happy New Year? For me it is until January is over, better late than never I say. Plus it has been forever and a day since I have posted, so a greeting is more than over due.

I had not posted mainly because I was inconsistent and did not want to post here or there. So I am back, back to the matter of blogging. As you know I love sharing my thoughts, views or simply sharing with you news that I love to talk about-fashion, politics, faith and so on ( a little bit of everything).

To start 2019 off, its a fashion post.

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I brought the pinstripe blazer from H&M in the sale at a bargin price, though I am trying to be smarter when it comes to buying, the blazer is a must have. Pinstripe blazers are classics, which can be worn over and over again-with jeans to make it casual or smart trousers for a SHE-E-O look.

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The mini bag is also a new buy, which I got for a wedding to match my dress (I can be extra). And I absolutely adore mini bags, it forces you to bring the necessities only. This is a struggle for me. I am the type to carry everything, for anything that may pop up and for any possible situation that may occur-plasters for paper cuts, antibacterial gel for my hands after a train ride and paracetamol for a headache after a long day. With this mini bag, I am just about able to carry my phone, my lipgloss and maybe my keys. There are cons to carrying a mini bag, but I do not see the mini/micro bag trend dying soon and plus its just cute.

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Before New Year I was getting the ‘Are you pregnant?’ question and my response has simply been ‘Darling, its fat and bloating’. I have been eating good for the past few months without caring. Sometimes its just nice to relax and not care about all the carbs you are eating. Now I am back on the matter and its goodbye oompa loompa and hey sexy 2019. You can even see I am doing the old trick of covering your belly with your hands. I am not even going to hide it, I am embracing it and doing something about it.

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Outfit details:

Blazer: H&M

Polo neck: Old

Skirt: ASOS (old)

Mini bag: ASOS

Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Earrings: Zara

Stay Blessed

x

Fashion

The art of rewearing: How to repeat outfits and not get noticed?

by renaissanceidealLeave a Comment on The art of rewearing: How to repeat outfits and not get noticed?

 

Do you ever repeat an outfit Rae? This question is probably one of the most asked about me. Answer is yes, yes, yes and yes again.

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I believe in repeating outfits, whether its rewearing an outfit from a week ago, a top you wore months ago or a dress from a wedding last summer, repeating your clothes is the way forward (and the way to save your coins). Repeating an outfit without getting noticed is an art form. Why I say this is because when you are like me taking pictures all the time and the dress you wore last month is plastered all over Instagram, you think hmm can I really wear this again? The answer is yes. Plus there is no way I can afford to wear clothes once, hell to the no (I don’t have Beyonce schmoney….yet). Money should not only be the reason as to why you repeat your clothing, sometimes you just love that ASOS little Black dress with embellished sparkle and do not care if you have worn it a dozen times. Think about how much money you have spent on your wardrobe…actually let me rephrase this. I take clothing as an investment, some clothes and accessories I may spend more on because I see myself wearing it for a lifetime whilst others its a quick fix (a season or two). Clothes as anything else you spend on, will be a long term investment or a short term investment. So some clothes deserve to be worn more than once, twice….or fifty times e.g. your favourite pair of jeans.

I am going to give you 5 tips as to the art form of repeating outfits and not getting noticed. Grab a pen and take notes ladies:

P.S The pictures of me repeating the jumpsuit below are taken a year apart. Guess the most recent?

1. Switch it up

Its time to get creative. To make the outfit different to the last time you wore it, add a belt, change the necklace or wear a different pair of shoes.

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2. Layering

Layering outfits is an art form and at the same time it is a money saver. Firstly layering helps create unique looks and secondly it helps make use of all the clothes in your wardrobe. Got a jumpsuit like me and its slightly cold? Wear a t-shirt underneath. Or wear a shirt underneath, throw on a blazer perhaps or even a polo neck in the cold months. The options are endless. If you really wanted to go layer-crazy you could throw them all on. The first time I wore the jumpsuit below I wore it with a white shirt and a blazer jacket. There are no rules to layering, go ahead and layer-crazy.

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3) Know your audience

Went to a gathering last Friday? Going to dinner on Sunday? And will be with different people on both days? Go ahead and repeat the outfit. No one will see. You get my point, its fine to wear the same thing in a short period of time at different places with different people.

4) Change your hair and make up

Who is going to tell that you wore the dress two months ago when you have completely switched up your hair do and make up? Well if you are an observer like me, then maybe yes. If you had a ponytail with the first time you wore your outfit, wear your hair down the next time and the following time in a bun. Same applies with make up-a nude lip one day and then changing to a red lippie with the same outfit will transform it completely.

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5) Back to the Basics

It is easier to remember a bold print than a solid piece. Invest in lots of basics e.g. white t-shirts and jeans, then jazz it up however you want to.

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So there are my tips, there may be observers as I like to call them (I am one of them) that pays attention to everything and will notice one repeating their outfits. But who cares! Be creative, play the art of rewearing and save those coins.

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Outfit with white t-shirt:

T-shirt- H&M

Jewellery-Topshop

Shoes- Marks & Spencer

Bag- Marks & Spencer

Jumpsuit- Marks & Spencer

Outfit with blazer:

Blazer- Old

White Shirt-Old

Shoes-Dune

Bag- Therapy (House of Fraser)

Jumpsuit-Marks & Spencer

Stay Blessed

x

Fashion

All Shades Of Red

by renaissanceidealLeave a Comment on All Shades Of Red

 

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An almost monochromatic look-I was battling on whether I should wear red trousers and I thought it would be way too much. Way too much! So I decided on a pair of flirty culottes I brought in the ASOS sale during the Christmas holidays.

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Do you have items of clothing that you just avoid? Bootcut jeans? Leggings? Jumpsuits? Mine, until recently was culottes. I felt that culottes did not suit my petite frame but I have found a couple that I love.

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Every now and then, I switch it up from my trusted studs. I should wear big earrings more often but I just have this fear that it will get caught onto something and my ears will fall off. Don’t ask me how this fear began, I do not have the answer.

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Here are more pictures of the outfit below:

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Outfit Details:

Polo neck- Marks & Spencer

Culottes- ASOS

Boots- Kurt Geiger

Bag-Chanel

Earrings-Topshop

 

  Stay Blessed! x

Fashion

Smokey Roses

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Smokey Roses

 

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Embroidery has made its comeback and is one of the biggest trends of Autumn 2016-17. Designers have added embroidery designs over shirts, jeans, dresses, tops, shoes and even handbags. Embroidery can be seen throughout Gucci’s Autumn collection, with Alessandro Michele as creative director Gucci has once again become fashion’s ‘it’ label. From Gucci’s coveted denim jackets to its embroidered and appliquéd Dionysus handbags, the Italian luxury house has grown to new strengths with the high street following in its foot steps.

Embroidery can be seen on the high street from pinstriped shirts as seen here with my outfit to bomber jackets and boyfriend jeans.

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I was reading an article on a fashion and lifestyle website that was giving tips on how to wear clothing with embroidery, it said that whenever you wear an embroidered piece the rest of the outfit has to be simple. I disagree! You know me I am a playful conservative (talking about clothing here…not politics). I always like to make my looks interesting, whether its playing with different textures or styles. Here I matched it to a skirt with frills-the weather was dull enough my outfit can’t be boring too!

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I adore Solange and her style, her hair looks for her album ‘A seat at the table’ was beautiful. Her album cover reminded me of the 90s when as kids we would put so many clips in our hair and we thought it was so cool. Well, I did anyway. My brother hates me reviving my 90s obsession with hair clips, but hey ho I like it. Plus its so useful, if you you have unwanted flyaway hair and you cannot be bothered with hairspray or gel.

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And I know you are probably tired of seeing these heels of mine, I wear them all the time-spring, summer, autumn and winter. Rain or Sun-I have them on. They go with everything and I love them.

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Outfit details:

Pinstriped Shirt with Embroidery Details- Marks & Spencer (Limited Collection)

Frilled Skirt-ASOS

Bag- Marks & Spencer

Shoes-Marks & Spencer

Hair clips- H&M

Stay Blessed x

Fashion

Roll n Lace

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Roll n Lace

Happy Sunday! Hope you all have had a great weekend. It was my brothers birthday this weekend (they are twins) they are 18! I am so proud of them and how far they have come. They have a blog focused on men’s fashion, check it out here www.uptothepoint.wordpress.com.

My outfit today was mixing old and new. The polo neck, dress and stole are new, the coat and the shoes are all old. I love this dress, in my mind already I have got an idea how I will wear it next time. I could wear it to a wedding on its own- the style on the back of the dress is cute.

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What I wore:

Leather Coat-Vintage

Polo Neck- Marks & Spencer

Dress- Marks & Spencer

Stole- Marks & Spencer

Shoes- Russell & Bromley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Blessed

x

Fashion

Suede Shearling

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Suede Shearling

The 70s is one of the biggest trends this A/W 2015-16 season. One of the key pieces making waves, is the shearling coat. The shearling coat comes in different colours, textures-many stores and designers have got a shearling coat in their 2015-16 collection.

When I first tried on my suede shearling coat on, I told my mum I felt like I was going to Antarctica (because of the warmth and length of the coat) and a woman nearby laughed. The coat is snug, covers me up well and it is so so so warm. It is a coat for bitter cold temperatures. When I first wore it was not that cold but because I love it so much (and I wanted to do styles haha) I wore it immediately.

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I brought the coat from Marks & Spencer (click here to buy), from the Winter Sale which is still going on now. One thing I must draw your attention to is the length of the coat. On the model the coat appears to be shorter. If you are short like me, I would advise you to go in store if you can and try it on before making your final decision.

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Stay Blessed x
Fashion

Pollockism

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Pollockism

One of my favourite artists is Jackson Pollock. He is famous for his style of drip painting and is one of the main figures in abstract painting. I love the way he uses colours to express energy and motions in a painting.

The outfit I wore today, reminded me of Pollock’s work. It reminded me of the time when I studied Art at A-level and I was working on a piece influenced by Pollock. I think the top looks like a pouring of colour thrown onto material. Can you see it?

Here are some pictures of my outfit of the day:

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The front of top is a kriss kross arrangement of different Ntoma or Ankara (African fabric) fabrics. The back of the top is a navy sheer material.

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What I wore:

Kriss Kross Ntoma/Ankara top- Made in Ghana

White Trousers- Vintage

Shoes- Marks & Spencer

Bracelet- Marks & Spencer (Limited Edition)

Bag- Zara

   Stay Blessed x

Fashion

Smiles in the Rain

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Smiles in the Rain

Hello *waves hand*. It has been a long time since I have posted. I’ve been very busy with law school, so that has kept me away. I’m back now and expect regular posts from Renaissance Ideal’s usual posts from Politics, Law, Fashion, Poetry, Faith, Business and much more.

I took these photos a while ago, on a miserable raining day in November. I find that wearing a smile on a rainy day makes it all better (and a fab outift helps too). The weather was lovely on the weekend but today was miserable.

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I love mixing old and new pieces together. The blazer was my mum’s and now its mine haha. I love it because it has subtle shoulder pads with white and black stripes. It makes a ordinary black blazer unique. The white polo neck top, is actually a short sleeved crop top that I tucked into the orange-red skirt.

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The gold capped shoes are one of my favourite flats-it is simple and elegant. It even matched my accessory of the day, the umbrella.

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What I was wearing:

Blazer-Originally my mum’s

White Polo Neck-Marks & Spencer

Flats-Kurt Geiger

Umbrella-Topshop

Stay Blessed

x

Fashion

Bring me flowers

by renaissanceideal4 Comments on Bring me flowers

This is an outfit I wore to Church today. It has been such a sunny and lovely day. I finally could put a pair of sunglasses on. I hope it stays the same throughout the week. Maybe, that’s a big ask…lol.

It seems that florals are never going to go out of fashion. Last summer it was in and it is still in now. I guess it is a statement that says ‘BANG, here is the Spring and Summer Season!’. Nothing but florals and bright colours say Spring and Summer better.

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What I was wearing?

Dress- Marks & Spencer

Shoes-Kurt Geiger

Earrings- Topshop

Pearl Bracelet-Topshop

Bag- Zara

Stay Blessed

x

Fashion

Purple pleats

by renaissanceideal2 Comments on Purple pleats

Happy Sunday everyone. It has been a lovely day, hasn’t it? Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I do not usually have braids. But I l do love it, you can just wake up and go without any major styling. I also put some colour in my hair. Although I love colour generally, I’m usually a no no when it comes to the colour in the hair. I stick to 1B and that’s me, but my Auntie who does my hair persuaded me to have a change. And…I love it.

I wore this outfit two weeks ago and paired a white leather top with a purple pleated skirt and a cream longline sleeveless blazer.

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The leather top is actually a crop top and comes up to my belly button. It is quite a long crop top, or maybe because I am short and it comes out bigger. I tucked it into the pleated skirt and belt.

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What I was wearing?

Cream Longline blazer- Marks & Spencer

Leather Crop Top- Marks & Spencer

Purple Pleated Skirt- Marks & Spencer

Bag- Marks & Spencer

Belt-Versace

Black Sandals- Kurt Geiger

Stay Blessed

x