Knee high boots.

I think we fashionistas can all agree that knee high boots have been the biggest trend of the season for 2015. I honestly wish that knee highs could be worn all year round (well they possibly could with our less than tropical summer weather) but they are just perfect for these Autumn months. Even though fashion tends to not be about practicality...here's a few practical reasons why knee high boots are great for AW/WI:

1. If you are wearing tights they still keep your legs nice and warm so you A) don't have to walk like a penguin and B) you can walk without your legs chattering together which I believe is not only difficult but highly unattractive for people like myself who have a slight case of the thunder thigh.
2. Runner up in the biggest Autumn/ Winter trend, knee high socks, can leave small areas between the knee and thigh freezing and also fairly revealing but with these fabulous boots, slightly more is covered up and my opinion is that it adds an element of class and sophistication.

Ok, ok enough with the 'motherly' reasons why knee highs are better than ankle boots. I know fashion in the Winter can make you a slightly larger version of an ice cube but still we cant help but love those cute and rather snuggly accessories. Now for my second list:

1. I need to add my favourite outfit that includes knee high boots. Ok so step one, knee high boots in any shade, black, grey, tan or any material, leather or suede paired with some knee high socks, either in a matching or contrasting colour and a sweet doll dress that falls halfway down the thigh, now that is eye-catching!
2. You know those guilty pleasures, you know the ones I'm on about, fluffy socks?! Even though I am not an admirer of the rolled over the adidas trainer look, I am a fan of wearing these gift from the Gods under knee high boots! (And no one will even know they are secretly £2.50 from Primark). Can we just picture this a minute, sitting in your office at your work desk, in fluffy socks that yeah, you could have worn to bed and not a single soul knowing, now that is a Winter recipe I do enjoy!
3. Another point about these beauties is the fact they can literally be worn to formal or informal occasions or even to somewhere bang in the middle! Even if you are wearing jeans and a tee, knee highs can make your comfies turn from a 5 to a solid 10! Ready for a good shopping spree and if you want to head out for cocktails after you wont even look undressed, killing two birds in one stone as they say...

Seeing as this is a fashion blog, I should mention that so many designers are using knee high boots in their runaway shows. I have seen multiple models in these gorgeous shoes and they have been used in every way possible, with a short mini dress or skirt to leather trousers or a pair of your favourite denims, these boots will compliment any item of clothing that you decide to put on! If I haven't convinced you enough already (even though that's not what I'm trying to do) then why not have a sneaky look at New Looks website as they are extremely prominent in the high street market for this style of shoes.
Happy searching!

Designers take transforming 'rubbish' to a whole new level.

In commemoration of flashback Friday I thought I would share with you an article I wrote for the 'Fix Up Sharp' Clic Sargent blog about a Bristol based designer who makes amazing accessories out or recycled rubbish! Here we go lovelies:

The true definition of ‘upcycling’ is to reuse discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original… but I view it as so much more than that! The environment holds many natural benefits for everyone who chooses to accept them, but especially for people who have incredible ideas about how to use the wonders of the universe. If people do not already know becoming a designer is VERY expensive. After buying all the luxurious materials such as silk, felt or cotton it can end up costing hundreds, but why not just go to your local scrap yard instead? Many people do not realise what great objects you can find from the natural environment, it really is God’s gift! By paying a small price and giving a lot of love you too can make amazing accessories from pieces of unwanted scrap.

Katcha Bilek is a Bristol based designer who is known for her initiative and imagination. The main materials which she uses to create her incredible designs are ones which she has found in landfills. Rubber, car seatbelts, inner tubes, bike tyres and rubber mats are just a few of the parts which Bilek uses for her amazing creations. Many of the accessories which she has crafted have included waterproof wallets, handbags and manbags, collars and purses, all durable and all lasting much longer than anything brought on the high street. Katcha’s accessories show a combination of functionality and style, all of them have a clean design and are strong enough to carry heavy loads which is always necessary. The real thing which Kathcha has noticed about her environment is the beautiful materials that you can find within it. She takes care to make her products seem like they have not been made from something which she has saved from a landfill. She makes sure that all of her designs are sustainable, lasting for the future, which is a key detail for upcycled items. Every single one of her designs have been made to be unique, they have been magically handcrafted by Bilek’s skilled hands. For up-coming eco fashion designers there are a number of different materials which you could decide to use for your designs such as wood, netting or aluminium cans. However, Bilek chooses to use wheel barrow rubber and lorry and tractor inner tubes which have been discarded. This really makes her work stand out. Katcha is a prime example of how far eco fashion has really come, she now has a global brand of upcycled products which are locally sourced.

You too can begin to create accessories from anything, as long as it is original and helps the environment. Many eco designers put so much effort into their crafts because they choose what they want to make them from, they know where the material have been sourced and they search for the most creative products to use. Everything eco is the future and fashion remains in the hands of the scrapyards!

A quote from Katcha Bilek to finish off- “I became so aware of the abandoned materials that were around me and it struck me that, with some imagination, they could be reconstructed into something beautiful and useful.”