STYLE SEARCH ON... THE PERFECT LBD // BY JENNY SKIPPER

In the often repeated words of Karl Lagerfeld, ‘One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress’… it’s a cliché, but because it’s true. Worked with a witchy hat for Halloween; glammed up with a glitzy necklace for the Christmas formal or bundled up with a cosy cardigan for your 9AM, there’s nowhere you can’t wear a good LBD. Equally at home at your office internship or the Big O, there’s no staple easier to style… now all you have to do is find the perfect one! Luckily, that’s where Style Search comes in, with our super selection of the high street’s finest little black dresses.

FASHION FORWARD

This Missguided minidress packs a serious punch of Mad-Men chic with its fun marabou trim. Mod styles like this were massive on the A/W 2014-15 runways (think Gucci, Saint Laurent and Miu Miu with their groovy go-go boots and sweet shift dresses), and feathers are having a bit of a moment too… see this-season Marni with their tide of feather-festooned skirts and knits. Even Victoria Beckham is getting with the programme, recently sporting a similarly fluffy frock from her own collection; this one in white. Well, if it’s good enough for Posh…

Missguided Chloete Crepe Fluffy Fur Trim Strappy Swing Dress in Black, £29.99

Or go just a little bit Game of Thrones, channeling Dolce and Gabbana’s A/W 2014 dark fairytale vibe. Now reduced from £72.00 to £21.00, this A Wear dress is a total steal, and with its ruched silky chiffon, ultra-feminine waist detailing (in intricate gold beading to help you feel like the perfect medieval princess) and open back for just a hint of Sicilian sexiness, it’s undeniably fabulous as well as fashion-forward.

A Wear Embellished Front Dress, ASOS, £21.00

CLASSIC

With its adorable sweetheart neckline, natty nipped-in waist and built-in petticoat for that perfect sticky-out skirt, you couldn’t find a lovelier LBD than this one by Jones & Jones; a foolproof, feminine choice for your next big occasion.

Jones and Jones Jessie Black Dress, £65.00

'Jessie' a bit frou-frou for you? Snag all the sleek poise of Audrey in this sumptuous velvet number by Nasty Gal; classy for campus with its high neck but just slinky enough for the next Fashion Soc social with its backless detailing. Don’t miss the beautiful mock diamond and pearl embellishment at the neck- so Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a tantalising touch to set this apart from the LBD crowd.

Nasty Gal Vivienne Velvet Dress, £48.48

Or maybe you’re simply hankering to go back to black with a no-frills, wear-anywhere LBD. In that case, look no further than this fab fit-and-flare frock by Topshop. It boasts all the same ultra-flattering features of our Jones & Jones pick; but just toned-down enough for the Trent Building… a truly dexterous dress that will dazzle wherever you go, well worth its £46 price tag.  

Topshop Sleeveless Seamed Flippy Dress, £46.00

GLAM

To really push out all the stops, there’s nothing like a bit of bodycon; and this Nasty Gal number will skim, shape and slim in all the right places. What with the same beautiful bandage knit as that Herve Leger frock you wish you could afford, and its cool asymmetric shoulder, it keeps it classy rather than brassy… making it ‘fitting’ for a formal as well as a night out on the tiles!

Nasty Gal Kiki Dress, £42.27

For a gorgeous hit of unadulterated glamour, go for this sensational sequin shift from Topshop. Sixties styling meets high-octave Gatsby glitz, all twisted up with pretty pleat detailing at the front; a bargainous beauty (or at least an investment buy!) to treasure for years to come.

Topshop Sequin Panel Pleat Dress, £65.00

EDGY

You only need look to the S/S 2015 shows to see that this cute black skater dress from River Island is bang on trend. Leather led the way at Paris Fashion Week; and not in jacket or boot form, as you’d expect. Rather, we saw this most quintessential of biker chick basics crafted into an array of exquisite new colours and cuts (see Nina Ricci’s black leather utility gown, inspired by the legacy of a war-torn Paris). This showstopper is the perfect way to get ahead of the fashion curve, with its girly shape and flattering fit softening what can be an intimidating trend for any leather-dress virgins out there. In 100% genuine leather, it’ll last you through many a Crisis-induced crisis, but what if your loan won’t stretch to the real deal? Try Topshop’s take on the trend; this one with cool cut-out sides.

River Island Black Leather Zip Back Skater Dress, £130.00

Topshop Pleated PU Skater Dress, £50.00

Splash out on a piece of fashion history with this fabulous football shirt-chic dress from the Alexander Wang x H&M collection. Wang’s main direction for this collaboration was sportswear, given an after-dark makeover, stating, ‘When you’re dancing and running around at night, you sweat. You don’t just sweat when you’re at the gym or playing sports.’ Sounds like any typical night at Stealth to us, and yet this lacey mesh lovely can also be given a speedy stroke of sophistication with strappy sandals and a sleek blow-dry a la Kate Mara, who rocked this at the collection’s launch party in New York. The line hits stores on November 6th… sharpen your elbows ready for this one, it’s a guaranteed sell-out.

Alexander Wang x H&M Black Lace Top, £79.99

UoN Fashion Love

Jenny Skipper - Society member

xxx

EBAY FASHION FINDS #3 / WOMENS FASHION

At this point of the term, the work load is starting to mount up, you may be feeling a bit homesick, and it's getting miserable outdoors, so there's only one thing to do - procrastination / retail therapy via online shopping. As always, my favourite place to hunt out some serious fashion bargains is Ebay. 

I've found you thoroughly fancy and fabulous fashionistas (say that 10 times fast) some pieces that I think could be worth welcoming permanently into your wardrobes. As always, links below. Happy shopping!

1) Black dress - this is a super cute LBD which you could always fall back on for a night out.

2) Floral trousers - the darker floral print on these makes them autumn-friendly.

3) Sweater - for those days when, yeah, you did wake up exactly like that!

4) Bee dress - this would look so adorable with thick cable knit tights and chelsea boots.

5) Cut out top - this channels that 90's grunge vibe nicely.

6) Orange bag - a pop of colour for your (probably 99% black) winter wardrobe.

7) Mint coat - pastel coats are seriously cool right now and this is so cheap that you won't feel as guilty as splashing out on that Topshop version.

8) Oversized khaki hoodie - this just looks so cosy and quite perfect for throwing on to nip out to Sainsbury's when you need some more milk!

UoN Fashion Love,

Jess- PR Rep

xxx

STYLE SEARCH ON... THE PERFECT RAINY DAY SHOES // BY JENNY SKIPPER

There’s no doubt about it: Nottingham is getting colder, greyer and, above all, wetter by the minute. We’ve all got that go-to cosy parka and big wooly jumper to brave the campus floods, but shoes can be a trickier proposition. The cut-out sandals we just couldn’t get enough of in summer will be soaked through quicker than you can say ‘downpour’, and, sadly, you can forget about those classic Topshop ballet pumps that go with anything (just me?!).

But never fear, help is at hand, with the best rain-resilient picks for all tastes as selected by Style Search. We all hope the dismal weather will clear up soon- but if not, at least we’ve got the perfect excuse for a good shop… 

FASHION FORWARD 

It’s official; knee-highs are the boots of the season, and is it any wonder? Not only are they incredibly flattering, elongating your legs to give a longer, slimmer silhouette, they’re also the perfect way to work the 60s and 70s-inspired retro that has ruled the runway as of late. Whilst, at first glance, these may not seem terribly rain friendly (we all remember THAT Gucci leopard-print calfhair pair; far too fragile- and beautiful!- to soak in a storm), choose your knee-highs well and they can help you take on Trent Building any day. 

Channeling an instant 70s-vibe with their chunky heel and oh-so-boho slouchiness, there’s no denying these Topshop knee-highs are bang-on-trend; it doesn’t hurt that they featured on Cara Delevingne in that fab A/W campaign, either! Don’t worry about the suede; contrary to popular belief, it can stand a few showers. Simply invest in a good water-proofing spray; and remember that black can hide a multitude of sins (or just a few splashes of rain!). Still not sold? Try this leather-look pair from Miss Selfridge: wipe-clean, durable, available in black or brown… and half the price. 

Topshop Control2 High Leg Boots, £125.00

Miss Selfridge Kentish Knee High Boot, £65.00 

Another blast from the past comes in the form of glittery mod ankle boots. If these sparklers don’t cheer up the showery slog to your 9AM, we don’t know what will… and with their glam rock good looks and marked resemblance to Hedi Slimane’s A/W 2014-15 pieces for Saint Laurent, their style credentials are on point too. Try Topshop’s black version for maximum versatility (the sturdiness of the heel on these making them fully lecture-friendly); or, if you’re feeling particularly runway-ready, these pink picks from ASOS. 

Topshop Magnum Glitter Ankle Boots, £82.00

ASOS Read My Lips Ankle Boots, £45.00

CLASSIC 

If your rain-friendly shoes need to be hardworking with maximum versatility, look no further than a classic pair of Chelsea boots. These have been a wardrobe staple for girls up and down the country for some time now, and it’s easy to see why. Perfect with jeans and an oversized coat, or a flirty mini, Chelsea boots have acquired extra fashion points thanks to this season’s aforementioned mod trend. They were a key symbol of the swinging 60s, popularised by everyone from The Beatles to the Stones… and, most importantly, their close fit and solid soles mean they should keep you warm and dry in the craziest of campus storms. 

For an affordable take on this trend, look to Boohoo’s Megan boots; elegant in understated black, with an automatic rockstar edge, all for the bargain price of £22, how could you go wrong? For those seeking a touch of tan, try ASOS’s Airtimes, crafted in real leather with half sizes available for the perfect fit. 

Boohoo Megan Chelsea Boots, £22.00 

ASOS Airtime Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots, £40.00

GLAM 

For a long trek in the rain, you want something solid yet stylish, and that’s exactly what a good embellished biker boot delivers in droves. Treat yourself to something special with these Miss KG Kurt Geigers reduced to £55 from £80, hardy yet handsome with the gold bucklework adding a luxe touch. Or, for those most biting of Nottingham winds, try Miss Selfridge’s fur-lined version; set to keep you toasty warm as well as rocking this season’s furry fever (see Gucci, Fendi and Alexander McQueen’s A/W 2014-15 collections to name a few). 

Miss KG Justine Biker Boots, £55.00

Miss Selfridge Angel Faux Fur Biker Boots, £49.00

EDGY 

In dirt-defying black and waterproof mesh, these cool Air Max should be able to take a bit of drizzle in their stride. Their neutral colourway and laid-back look means they will team with anything from your favourite oversized sweater to a fab sequin top to dress it down for a chilled night out. Meanwhile, the extra-thick AirSole elevates the body of the shoe from the ground; perfect for avoiding any unwanted splashes from the pesky puddles around campu

s! 

Nike Air Max Thea, £84.99

What would hold up better in the rain than a classic pair of Doc Martens? An iconic piece of Brit chic, perfect for toughening up a cute winter dress or going grunge with ripped jeans, to make these a permanent investment consider paying an extra £65.00 for the ForLife version. Dr Martens will guarantee to repair and replace your boots- made from a special waterproof Hardlife leather- forever; perfect for peace of mind in the event of an unexpected deluge. 

Dr Martens 1460 Boot, £100.00  

AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS… 

Let’s face it; there will always be those horrible moments where, from your first glance out of the window in the morning, you know nothing but a good old pair of wellies will really cut it in that storm. And, when it comes to these, we all know Hunter is King. You may think of them as a fab but festival-only staple, but Hunters recently received a stylish winter makeover at their A/W 2014 London Fashion Week debut, with model of the moment Suki Waterhouse working them with Miu Miu-esque duffel coats and schoolgirl macs… a pretty yet practical look for rainy-day uni.

 

Hunter Original Gloss Wellington Boots, £85.00

Hunters still too Glasto for a Nottingham November? Try these biker-look boots at Supertrash. With their rockstar look and opulent studwork, you’d never guess these were bona-fide wellies. I’ll be investing in these for days when real leather just seems too much of a rain risk; very Kate Moss-in-the-Cotswolds with a pair of ripped black skinnies and this season’s leopard print coat. 

Supertrash Shorty Biker Wellington Boots, £70.00

UoN Fashion Love,

Jenny Skipper - Society member

xxx

STYLE SEARCH ON... THE PERFECT LECTURE BAG // BY JENNY SKIPPER

Notebooks, pens, that tome of a textbook your lecturer says you just have to have for EVERY seminar… There’s no denying that our everyday bags take a huge amount of abuse - and you might not want to wreck your pride and joy ‘investment buy’ lugging it onto campus every day. But where to find a roomy, practical bag that won’t cramp your style; all for an affordable price? (You know you’d regret splashing out the day of that inevitable first lunch/drink/biro leakage…) Never fear; Style Search is here with the best options whatever your style - all big, beautiful, and for £50 or less.

FASHION FORWARD 

For those looking to cheer up the morning 34 bus with a little piece of Fashion Week, look no further than this River Island slouch bag. The black colour ensures ultimate versatility; the gold chain handles add a luxurious touch, and anything furry was HUGE on the A/W 2014-15 runway. Similarly fluffy bags featured at Fendi, Valentino and Jimmy Choo; in fact, there seems to be an uncanny resemblance between the latter’s ponyhair Charlie tote and this trend-led buy…

River Island - Black Fur Slouch, £35.00

Unexpected novelty and fun design reigned on the A/W 2014-15 catwalks (see Chanel’s Coco Lait clutch, Moschino’s Maccy-D’s inspired ‘Happy Meal’ and Anya Hindmarch’s take on Tony the Tiger), and what could be cuter than this owl-meets-backpack? Roomy enough for all your bits and bobs, it is definitely reminiscent of this-season Fendi, which featured a recurring owl motif (including a reworked version of its iconic Baguette), as well as top luxury brand Aspinal’s latest ‘mouse’ Letterbox rucksack. Note: It also features in badger-mode for those wanting to rock the monochrome look…

Accessorize - Ola Owl Backpack, £35.00

CLASSIC

What could be a classier choice for class than a classic satchel? (Say that ten times fast!) Spacious, featuring that crucial hands-free shoulder strap - perfect for a cheeky coffee run before your 9AM - and most importantly bang on trend (think Miu Miu’s A/W schoolgirl-chic look), Topshop’s excellent satchel range is where it’s at this winter.

For a pretty take on the look, reach for the version in duck-egg blue; try lipstick red to add an instant pop of colour to drab parkas and jumpers; or tan for a wear-anywhere, go-with-anything, one stop option (loving the whipstitch detailing on this). Real leather options are also available if you were tempted to go for that investment piece after all…

Topshop - Faux Leather Large Clean-Cut Satchel, £36.00

Topshop - Whipstitch Satchel, £36.00

GLAM

With this shoulder bags' ultra-feminine dusty rose hue and hints of rose gold which add a touch of opulence, you couldn’t find a prettier way to haul your books to Hallward (see what we did there?!).

ASOS - Winged Shoulder Bag With Front Push Lock, £32.00

For old-school glam you can’t beat a bit of crocodile skin, and this Warehouse tote’s expensive looks defy its price tag. With its sleek shape (not a million miles away from that of Louis Vuitton’s Lockit…) and versatile colourway, this is a smart buy - sure to instantaneously pull together the most hasty of campus outfits.

Warehouse - Croc Effect Day Bag, £38.00

EDGY

What could be more Cara than a laid-back sports chic backpack? Luckily, Urban Outfitters offers a plethora of budget-friendly options. Try exclusive label Deena & Ozzy’s oh-so-cool 90’s grunge-inspired clip bag, with its clever design making the luxe gold zip a focal point more than a mere necessity. Or, for a cheerier choice, look to their buffalo check sling duffle bag. The warm hue will add instant interest to a dark palette; as well as bringing an 80’s punk-esque hint of New York A/W Fashion Week, where plaid reigned at Simone Rocha, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Polo Ralph Lauren. 

Deena & Ozzy - Vertical Clip & Zip Bag in Black, £48.00

Deena & Ozzy - Buffalo Check Sling Duffle bag, £38.00

If it’s a shoulder bag you’re after, look to this edgier take on the satchels above, this time in soft pebbled leather and with ponyhair trim. Relaxed, effortless and the perfect piece of androgynous chic- just fab thrown on with your favourite Nikes and a big cosy jumper in the morning rush.

Topshop - Soft Pony Trim Satchel, £45.00

What's your favourite lecture bag?

UoN Fashion Love,

Jenny Skipper - Society member

xxx

10 WAYS TO LIVEN UP ANY WINTER WARDROBE (PART 2, 6-10) // BY ELLEN CLITHEROW

This is part 2 of the article. Please click here to read part 1!

Hat , Faux Fur Stole , Tights , Makeup , Nails

 6) Hot Hats – Keep your head nice and toasty with a new winter hat. My personal favourite is the shapka, a delightful piece of fluffy headgear that keeps your head and ears warm, but there are so many to choose from! A super-chic soft wool beanie, a faux-fur trimmed Cossack, and who could forget the classic woolly bobble hat? All wonderful pieces of headgear and all designed to keep you warm and on-trend this winter.

7) Fantastic Faux-Fur – This is a trend I’ve seen cropping up a lot recently, and I am a firm believer that faux-fur will be a huge trend this winter. Not only is it warm and deliciously soft, but it can make you feel like a 1940’s film star or Cruella de Vil, depending upon your way of thinking. You can also take it as far as you like. If you want to go for a full-length faux-fur coat, then go for it. Blacks and whites look the most stylish, in my opinion. If you don’t want to go that far, then perhaps a wrap or a stole is more your speed (very Marilyn Monroe), and if you really don’t want to wear too much of it, then a simple faux-fur collar on a coat or jacket will work just as well.

8) Tremendous Tights – Instead of a colourful outfit and plain black tights, why not try reversing the two? Tights come in a whole variety of colours and patterns, and although black and nude colours are staples, it’s nice to try something different. A good way to start would be to wear your favourite little black dress with a pair of bright tights. When you’re feeling a little more adventurous, go for a pair of patterned tights (winter florals are a trend this season, so try emulating that in your hosiery). Woolly tights will be everywhere in the coming months, so try to stock up on a few different types rather than go for the simple black or nude ones.

9) Marvellous Makeup – A classic trend for winter makeup is the feline flick of eyeliner and a classic red lip. But this winter, many designers have been a little more daring with their winter makeup by going against tradition. Rose-pink lips, heavy mascara on top and bottom lashes, metallic eyeshadow and blue-is-the-new-black eyeliner have all been seen on the Fashion Week catwalks (tutorials and expert tips can all be found here & article on A/W Makeup Trends by our PR Rep Jess for Her Campus Nottingham here). Now, as much as I appreciate the classic winter makeup look, I have to applaud the Fashion Week makeup artists for thinking outside the box this winter. Gone is the idea that dark colours are only for winter and pastels are only for spring.

10) Nailtastic – One of the easiest ways to accessorise this winter is by painting your nails. For those that aren’t quite ready to jump in at the deep-end with the other suggestions on this list, but do want to spice up their winter wardrobe, then nails are a good way to do it. Trends spotted at fashion week include: gradient nails (fading from blue to black was very popular), diagonal stripes and metallic nails are all on trend. As an added tip, space-age themed clothing has been spotted on several runways, so get your metallics ready for the coming season.

UoN Fashion Love

Ellen Clitherow - Society member

xxx

OUR COCO TANG MEET & GREET SOCIAL // SOCIALS & EVENTS

Apologies for a slight delay in this post, but on Monday 6th of October we had our first social of the 2014/15 academic year at Coco Tang!

New friends were made, cocktails were sampled and outfits discussed in the very fashion-forward venue Coco Tang cocktail bar & club. As well as this, prizes for the best dressed were given out which included one of my personal favourite perfumes, Juicy Couture!

Our lovely Vice President Isabella took some photos which I will add here so you can see some of the fabulous outfits showcased by our society members.

If you came to this social, I hope you had a really good time and thank you for coming, the night was super relaxed, friendly and fun (plus a fantastic excuse to finally wear those heels you brought with you and realised, with a heavy heart, that Ocean isn't heel-friendly).

If you didn't get chance to attend, don't worry as many more events will be taking place this year. 

Our next social is on the 21st of October at The Lacehouse, where with Flair Soc we will be taking a class in Cocktail Making! There will also be the opportunity to go to one of Nottingham's most loved nights afterwards - The Bakery. Tickets are available from the SU here for £8. I hope that lots of you can make it, so it's just as fun as the Meet & Greet!

UoN Fashion Love,

Jess - PR Rep

xxx

10 WAYS TO LIVEN UP ANY WINTER WARDROBE (part 1, 1-5) // BY ELLEN CLITHEROW

There’s no mistaking the fact that winter is definitely on its way. In just a matter of weeks, you’ll all be bundled up in big winter coats and trudging through freezing weather to get to your lectures. A lot of people associate winter with dreary weather and dark colours, and although I can’t help you to escape that icy wind, I can offer some advice on how to spice up your winter wardrobe so that getting dressed in the morning isn’t such a dull affair.

Scarf , Coat , Bag , Necklace , Hair

1) Accessorise with a scarf – It sounds so simple, and it is! A scarf can brighten up any outfit if the right one is chosen, and it’s practical too. I would recommend being a little more daring when you select your winter scarf. Rather than choosing a plain woollen one, go for a bold colour or a patterned one. If the rest of your outfit is lacking in colour, then that bright fabric draped around your neck will certainly put some pop into your ensemble. Not to mention that winter brights are very in this season, so you have no excuse not to try it!

2) A brightly coloured coat – Once again, I’m harping on about bright colours, but this is for the slightly more adventurous readers. A bright scarf takes a little courage, but it takes even more bravery to put aside your standard winter blacks, greys and browns to opt for a fabulous red or green coat (if you have both of those colours in the same coat, then kudos to you because you’re being daring as well as getting yourself in the festive spirit. Christmas is just around the corner!) It can be hard to know what to pair these bright coats with, but I would recommend a standard monochrome palate. If you’re going to go bold with a coat, then keep the rest of the colours on your outfit fairly muted, because you don’t want to show off too much at once.

3) A box bag – I have a very unhealthy relationship with bags. Hand, across-body, backpack, shoulder…I just want them all! But the one I’m going to focus on for this is the box bag. The smaller they are, the more delightfully adorable they look. As an added bonus, they look a little like mini-suitcases, so you can imagine that you’re jetting off to somewhere fabulously sunny as you tote one of these around (and now I’m thinking of tote bags...oops). For added flair, buy one with chains on it. Chains are becoming a big trend this winter, which leads me onto the next item….

4) Pretty necklaces – Who doesn’t love accessorising with a necklace? If I’m in a rush getting ready in the morning, I always make time to grab a necklace on my way out of the door, fastening it as I power walk to my lecture. A simple gold chain always makes a bold statement and is on-point for the winter trends, but I have recently been loving layering necklaces. I have a vast collection of simple slim chains with a single charm hanging on them. They work beautifully on their own, but layering three or four together gives any ensemble a little extra oomph.

5) Hairography – Much like choreography, but with hair. All of us have had to deal with the annoyance of walking in a brisk wind, and your time that morning spent carefully styling your hair goes straight out of the window. One way of avoiding this is to always walk with the wind against you so that your hair doesn’t fly in your face. If done correctly, this can make you look very much like a Hollywood film star, with hair flowing perfectly behind you. But then you have the issue of your hair turning into a ball of fluff as soon as you’re out of the wind. So, unless you want to travel with a fan to permanently keep your hair flying, you can don a hat (which I will get onto in part 2), or you can reduce how messy your hair will be by trying a trendy new winter hairstyle. Here are six hairstyles straight from the A/W 2014 catwalks that are easy for you to copy.

Part 1/2

UoN Fashion Love,

Ellen Clitherow - Society member

xxx

COSMO ON CAMPUS // WHAT'S ON IN NOTTINGHAM

Hey Fashionistas!

For us, magazines are a must for keeping up with everything going on in the fashion world. Without them how would we know how to work that seasonal trend, where to buy the perfect winter boots or what Kimye wore at Paris fashion week? With this in mind we are happy to share the news that Cosmopolitan's sister magazine, Cosmo on Campus, will be coming to Nottingham University on Thursday the 9^th of October.

Cosmo on Campus includes all the great bits of Cosmopolitan magazine but is aimed specifically at Students. This means that all the trends are budget friendly and there’s plenty of articles to help you make it through student life. It's the perfect accessory this Autumn so keep an eye out for CoC’s ambassadors around campus on Thursday and be sure to grab your FREE copy!

UoN Fashion Love

Jessica Neale - CoC Ambassador

xxx