AllSaints 2014

Even though the looks are from AllSaints' spring-summer 2014 collection, I think they'd be perfect for right now. Simple, in neutral colours and with a boyish look, what more can you ask for?  

MY TOP 10 ESSENTIALS FOR FALL

A closet full of clothes and you still feel like you have nothing to wear. Oh yeah, I get that feeling from time to time, especially at the beginning of a new fashion season. And since fall-winter makes no exception, here are my top 10 essentials for a stylish and sophisticated look this season:

1. A flannel shirt from UNIQLO - you might need it for the sexy grunge outfit. 

2. A grey cashmere sweater from Zara - Match it with white jeans and leopard print boots

3. 90's style ankle boots from Zara - because they're just awesome 

4. Mariniere top from Petit Bateau - for those days when you don't know what to wear to work (or school). 

5. Oxford shoes from Massimo Dutti - comfortable and stylish for rainy days. 

6. Masculine style trousers from Zara 

7. A small barely-there necklace and a more bling-bling one with the initial of your name.

8. A sexy black camisole - to wear on a night out with a tux jacket or a chunky cardigan.

9. A chemise de nuit (which don't worry it's an actual dress) from Topshop. 

10. A white leather backpack from Grafea. 

HEAD-TO-TOE LEATHER

You say "Autumn", I say "Leather" - Autumn/Leather Autumn/Leather! 

I am absolutely in love with these edgy garments from Other Stories, especially the leather laser-cut bucket bag (you gotta love it) and the scarf. Even though the idea of a head-to-toe leather outfit might seem a bit too much, this one works just right! 

PS- I am sorry for my lack of posts lately, but I am happy to announce I am now part of ONE.ro editorial team! So those of you who read Romanian, go check it out for daily fashion news and tips! I also promise to update the blog as often as possible :)

WHITE JEANS PART 2

Wearing white jeans in the summer time seems like a cliché, but since summer is almost over, this is the right moment to take them out and have some fun with the styling. Try matching a grey top (or for colder days - a grey cashmere sweater) and get some accessories with a print - animal print boots will look cool or a bag with a crazy print can do the job as well. For rainy days, put on a khaki parka and for a more elegant look, try styling the white jeans with a black tuxedo jacket. 

DARK COLOUR

At the beginning of each season, you have to decide which team you play for. This time is super easy - you're either a girly girl and go for the feminine trends, like pastels and mid-century inspired clothes, or you play for the opponent team. That means dark colours, punk style clothes and lots and lots of menswear. 

There's no need to tell you, which team I choose. I'm sure you already guessed. While browsing ASOS.com I saw this shirt dress and fell in love with its dark goth look, though I'm not sure it will work in my advantage, because of its loose straight cut. Either way, it will be perfect for the summer's end. 

90s IN RED AND BLACK

Last week-end while google-ing "Juergen Teller", I came across this amazing editorial he did for I-D Magazine back in the 90s. It's starring sexy model and actress Amber Valetta, wearing minimal 90s dresses carefully selected for her by stylist Camilla Nickerson. 

Photo credits: http://amandalovesyourstyle.blogspot.ro/ 

BLUE JEANS

Happy to be able to wear jeans again ( after a while, summer shorts get boring) and I can't wait to put on an outfit that has at least two layers. With autumn trends in my mind, I wore a dark flower top with an army print bag from Zara and boyfriend jeans from ASOS.  

ANNIE HALL'S STYLE

There couldn't be a better inspiration for autumn fashion than Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. Designers already filled the catwalks with masculine style clothes and let's face it, we can't wait to throw on that over-sized tweed jacket. Make sure you keep an eye on checked shirts, high-waisted trousers, masculine jackets and long coats. Personally, I am looking forward to try an updated look of Annie Hall's style next season. 

GO-SEES

According to Urban Dictionary, a go-see is when a model is sent by her agency to meet with one of their clients: a photographer, a designer, etc. It's basically like an audition. 

Between 1998 and 1999, photographer Juergen Teller received hundreds of models at his studio for various castings and photographed each and every one of them. Later on, these fashion images were published all together into a conceptual art photography book called "Go-Sees". 

I'd love to get my hands on a copy, and see all photos. I was able to find some images on tumblr and pinterest, and what's interesting to see is how these girls presented themselves to their first audition. Eventually, some of them got really famous (like Shalom Harlow) and others, most probably never made past the initial photo-shoot. 

Photos: from Go-Sees by Juergen Teller. 

KNITWEAR

August, crazy summer heat and what are we talking about today? Knitwear! I'm pretty excited about pairing over-sized sweaters with skinny jeans, turtlenecks with pencil trousers, or cropped sweaters with A-line mini skirts. Until then, let's enjoy the summer while it lasts! 

Photo: Sweater from Rodarte 2012 collection. Try to imagine it on top of a mini black dress. Stunning! 

RED SHOES

"Should I get the ones in beige or red?" I asked, "Well, beige it's easier to match, but red is more striking" she replied. I thought about it while circling around the shop with two different shoes on my feet. How to match them, where to wear them, etc? And since most of my clothes are in neutral colours, they can't be that difficult to wear. Imagine they're not red, I said to myself, and just wear them with whatever outfit you can think of. In the end, as you can see, that's exactly what I did. I bought the red shoes and wore them with black shorts and a blue shirt.  

RETRO WITH A TWIST

Most probably, retro inspired swimsuits will never go out of fashion. They're girlie and sexy at the same time and they compliment all body shapes. In fact, they look better if you have a curvy figure rather than a slim one. I particulary wanted to share these pictures with you, because the styling is very fresh and youthful, showing a new side of the retro swimsuit. 

Check out the cool swimsuits from Motel, the plus-size swimsuits from Roaman's and the sexy one from Dolce&Gabbana. 

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest for more daily inspiration! 

BIRKENSTOCK SHOES

That's what I call style - turning a very unfashionable item into something you'd want to have in your wardrobe! Yes, after seeing these images, I'm seriously considering getting a pair of Birkenstocks for the summer holidays. Tricky to style - yes, but surely a challenge! What do you think? Love them or hate them?

Credits: afterdrk.com,  a portable package, pinterest. 

PUNK'S NOT DEAD

I know I've been absent for almost a week, just didn't have the time to update it, but I promise to catch up on the news! You probably know by now, punk fashion makes a major come back this fall. I'm sure we will all get so crazy about it and after 4 months it will become so unfashionable again. But that is the beauty of fashion! The look is from Fausto Puglisi's collection and it made me remember I already have so many tartan grandma-style skirts that I could wear next season! 

Credits: style.com 

FOR THE WEEK-END

Can't think of better inspiration for the week-end than Courtney Love's dress, which is actually a chemise de nuit. It's comfortable, sexy and definitely cool. Wear it with flat sandals or Converse shoes and don't forget to put on some jewelry, otherwise you will actually look as if you just came out of bed - or going to bed. If you think it's too revealing, finish the look with an army style shirt. 

Here are some chemises, I mean dresses, I selected for you: 

1. Elle Macpherson Black Chemise with white lace 

2. La Perla - trimmed silk - blend satin chemise 

3. Elle Macpherson White chemise 

4. Kiki de Montparnasse - black chemise 

5. Calvin Klein purple chemise 

FUEL FIRE

Grunge made a subtle come back in fashion, this time as a sleeker and more stylish trend. Don't be afraid to play with layers and mix different prints and textures. The more you think it doesn't match, the better it looks. After all it's what grunge was famous for! 

Selina is wearing Scared Off shorts, Predator Leggings, Prey Dress from 109. Shirts, beanies and boots from H&M, crop top and skirt from Mango, vest and sunglasses - vintage. 

Photography - Vlad Birdu 

Make-up - Luiza Burhai @ Tinytouchups.com 

Model - Selina @ MRA Models 

Clothes - H&M, 109 

BERMUDA SHORTS

The bermuda shorts finally got an upgrade. I remember my last pair had a terrible cut and the fabric was something similar to denim, but not really. Don't get me wrong, they looked very cool for 2001, but I wouldn't even think of wearing them again! A decade later, they're back in fashion with a more sophisticated and chic design. If you're thinking of buying a pair, search for one made of a silky fabric and don't be afraid to wear it with less elegant clothes, like a sweater or a plain T-shirt. You don't have to be tall like a model to wear bermuda shorts, remember high-heels are a girl's best friend. And if you are tall enough, go for flat shoes. 

THE NEW LACE

There are certain garments that make you scream "Oh my god, I have to buy it...now!!" It was the case of this H&M skirt. A month ago, while styling for the Tiger.Watermelon project, I used one from their Showroom for an outfit. I know you couldn't actually see it, because in the end we chose a different picture, but here it is now! 

Last week, the collection finally hit stores, so I ran to get one for myself. I was lucky to find the last one in my size (you can imagine the joy of buying it was even bigger). It has a very Rihanna - 90s vibe and I absolutely love it! I styled it with the crop top, just to show you another look inspired by the Resort trends, but it can be just as cool with a loose T-shirt and a nice pair of Converse shoes or a denim shirt. It's very versatile and I have a feeling it will be my favourite item for this summer!