A night out at the Oracle Reading

At 8:30PM on Tuesday the 16th of October 2012 the Oracle opened their doors to hoards of excited students.  Wallets bulging with ready-to-spend-cash, feet freezing from the hour long wait in the cold, the floods of teenagers fought the urge to sprint to their favourite stores but instead maintained a “we are British, the British do not sprint, the British walk, very briskly” attitude.

The atmosphere was instantly overwhelming.  Between the low lighting, blaring music and free drinks (courtesy of Lola Lo’s) it was as if the shopping centre had converted into a club for the night, but so much better.  The evening only got better thanks to the deliciously free food that was thrust at us; thank you Tampopo, you’re next on the Riverside list to eat at!

Diving into Topshop first was the best idea of the night.  The sale section was rampant with bargain hunters, tearing through the racks, picking up item after item; I’m sure I saw a fight break out over a cream chiffon top.  It was like feeding time but these shopping animals were not tame.

Half an hour into the Takeover, Topshop and Topman were one in one out, crazy by any standards, as both till points were queued round the store.  New Look received the same treatment not much later on into the evening.

Speaking of queues, hitting the kids section to purchase a super slick blazer from H&M cut a good portion of queuing time, making sure we didn’t miss out on Violet Class killing it in Republic.  The live indie music was a sweet contrast to the club feel of the other stores, Republic nailed its unique selling point for the night and drew a more alternative crowd.

The nifty little purple discount cards given to shoppers added to the ‘exclusive’ feel of the night, while acting as a cute (not to mention free) memento, replacing the space in our purses where our money used to be.

Overall, a successful night at introducing the freshers to the Oracle, getting plenty of new clothes unbelievably cheap and for Reading’s economy.  David Cameron will be so pleased.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/a-night-out-at-the-oracle-reading/

Sheep chic

As the nights get longer, the days get colder, and winter slowly creeps in, we need something snuggly to remind us that the holiday season is just around the corner, where fireplaces and heating are patiently waiting for us. What is it that keeps us from shivering through these cruel months? Why, something warm and wooly, of course.

This year’s Wool Week (15-21st October 2012) gave designers the chance to showcase their designs in a different context. Harvey Nichols dressed their Knightsbridge department store up as a ball of wool, complete with knitting needles and Topshop provided us with some sheep-chic numbers to warm our upper-halves with pride.

Wool doesn’t have to mean a jumper or classic winter accessories anymore (we’ve all sported the wooly hat/scarf/gloves combo). Now you can get your toasty mitts on dresses, cardigans and last year we even saw the rise of the knitted legging. Yep, you can be head to toe in sheep! Although it’s not advised.

A good rule to stick to is one chunky knit per outfit, then layer, layer, layer! Chunky knit cardigan with a light knit sweater? Hot!

Generally, the chunkier the knit, the more expensive, but luckily Primark always have a bargain (even if it’s not real wool) and if you do splash out a little more, it’ll be a staple piece able to last you year after year.

Light knits are perfect for sub-zero cool at the Christmas party. Get a studded cardigan or a print sweater and team with leather paneled leggings for super warm clubbing style. No more teeth chattering in the queue for Q. It’s finally cool to be warm.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/sheep-chic/

Festive Accessories

Baby it’s cold outside! Make sure you wrap up with a fur collar meanwhile channelling some classic glamour. Audrey Hepburn eat your heart out. A classy addition to any coat or jacket Topshop’s fur collars turn crimbo chic. Pair with some leather driving gloves to pump some 20’s elegance into your everyday outfit.

Keep your tootsies toasty with some holiday-themed socks. New Look is offering 3 pairs for £4, so you can mix and match your reindeer with your robins and your snowmen with your Santas. Not for you? These would make a perfect stocking filler. Who says we can’t sport candy-cane socks all year round?

If you need to make a statement this season, go for an embellished clutch. Accessorize have a stunning palm-sized, hardcase clutch available in a range of colours. From a sultry black to a teasing teal. Perfect size for your lipstick but not much else. Then again, only thing you should be carrying this holiday is your fine self. Add some chandelier (note; not christmas tree-shaped, chandelier shaped) earrings to continue the glitz from your hands to your head.

Speaking of jewelry, make your neck the conversation piece of the Christmas party with a jaw-dropping piece of art. When it comes to necklaces, the bigger the better. Less is just less. See ASOS or Nelly.com for some visual treats.

Finally, if all the sophisticated stocking stuff doesn’t do it for you, head to the festive-favourite, Claire’s Accessories. This season we’re treated to a selection of comedy santa-hats, christmas tree earrings (complete with baubles and a bow!) and even a Rudolph-themed headband. Well, if you can’t beat em…

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/festive-accessories/

Fashion forward sportswear

Maybe the Olympics has spurred you to want to be part of Rio 2016 or perhaps the looming new year and the expectation to get your butt into the gym for a new years resolution is driving you to the SportsPark. Whatever your motivation, you need to look damn good, and how are you supposed to achieve that when you’re sweating one out? Easy.

Now, ladies, you need to strap your girls down. If you’re in the A cup club good for you, but us bigger than Bs need a suitable sports bra to keep Thelma and Louise from causing havoc in front of the boys. H&M offer good quality support sports bras ranging from £9.99 to £14.99, where can you go wrong? And if you blow the new year’s resolution it’ll look super cute for next fresher’s sports night out.

If your lady friends are supported make sure your feet are too. We’re talking trainers without the word ‘wedge’ in front, whoever thought we’d see the day. Perfect for a yoga cool down these mint Nikes scream chav turned chic, but if you’re aiming for gold turn to Adidas for less comfort more swag as you glisten through your workout.

Layer up with a pair of three quarter length leggings and a simple t-shirt. If you’re feeling confident and want to channel Jessica Ennis rep the tighter tees. However if you’re more of a vintage gal, opt for an oversized slogan or band tee, this Topshop one is particularly apt.

Finally, pop some fun into both your workout and your outfit with some novelty headphones. Check out Skullcandy for best in-ear sound quality and colour range, these INK’D Rasta ones are definitely my favourite.

Now all you need is the gym-goers ultimate accessory, the membership, and you’re set. Happy exercising!

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/fashion-forward-sportswear/

Men's fashion week

Kicking off on Monday 7th January, London’s first fully dedicated Men’s Fashion Week came to town. The ‘week’ technically only lasts three days, but it’s a massive step up from the previous day tagged onto the end of Women’s fashion week.  This means that

Racking your brains about where you’ve heard about J.W. Anderson before?  That’s because he collaborated with Topshop last year.  His wacky designs aim to bridge the gender gap with dresses, pleats and the trademark knee-high boots – showing a lot of leg for a sex so hairy.

Winner of the 2012 Menswear Emerging Talent Award, Jonathan Saunders was always going to bring big things to the catwalk.  Clashing colours, a broad range of textures and some very practical A/W layering, Saunders made a designer collection very wearable.  He also jumped on the horizontal stripe bandwagon with the likes of Oliver Spencer, Hardy Amies and Shaun Samson (all names to look out for over the next few years).

Thought you knew oversized? Think again.  Sibling do oversized and they do it well.  Their flowery “please kill me” motif on super soft knitwear seems so incongruous, but it works.  The designers Sid Bryan, Joe Bates and Cozette McCreery love juxtapositions like their intrusively bright red leopard print trousers against cute and cuddly baby blues and pinks.

Richard Nicoll’s spaceman theme seemed to transcend all earthly fashion boundaries.  As an award winning womenswear designer we were on tenterhooks anticipating his first menswear collection.  He delivered with metallic jumpsuits, structured bomber jackets and the hue of A/W13: “safety orange”. Plus, we all love a good beanie.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/mens-fashion-week/

The Oracle’s Student Takeover: Be Prepared

Firstly: get informed!

Like “The Oracle Student Takeover” Facebook page and secondly sign up for queue jump by RSVPing to the event. If you don’t you’re guaranteed to be left standing out in the cold while watching all the people who planned ahead snap up the free Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Like a far more glamorous freshers fayre, there are freebies, opportunities to win spot prizes (£10 vouchers? Every little helps!), even complimentary cocktails. Time to get your Carrie Bradshaw on and shop, shop, shop! Do not forget to check in at the HMV entrance to the Oracle, without your exclusive discount card how are you going to get that bag you’ve been eyeing up for weeks?

The ones you need to know:

Topshop and Miss Selfridge (concession in Debenhams) are both offering 20%, which is double their regular discount, so persuade yourself that the jacket you’ve always wanted isn’t that expensive now, what are student loans for anyway?

For ultimate bargains, and topping up your A/W12 wardrobe with trend pieces at rock bottom prices, hit up Republic and New Look. Again, both offering 20% off. The big name and one of the busiest stores on the night, run over to H&M first to ensure you grab the sizes you want before they’re all gone! Cheap, good quality and stylish, we’d buy the whole shop without the extra 20% off but this makes it so much sweeter.

Top tip: queue upstairs?

There’s a till point downstairs in the kids section, swing by that one to avoid any unnecessary waiting; use the time saved enjoying a complimentary facial in Lush. Now onto shoes, my weakness! Office are offering 20% off for one night only. Last year I left with a pair of fringed, suede stilettos which became my favourite statement winter piece. Nothing says Christmas like red fringing! If beauty’s more your thing, Urban Decay are offering 10% off while the Body Shop are offering 20%! Who said we can’t pamper ourselves now that we’re students.

Above all have fun! This is a free event totally different to any freshers activities, with live music and an electric atmosphere it’s a great way to get to know a different side of your new friends as well as their wardrobes. I went with three friends last year who I now live with, so remember, students that shop together stay together.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/the-oracles-student-takeover-be-prepared/

Staple, statement or fad?

A woman’s wardrobe should ideally divide into three simple categories: the trends, the awe-inspiring and the classic. Or, in fashion terms, the fad, statement and staple. This quick guide aims to tell you where to buy and how much to spend on clothes and accessories to keep you in the stylish loop of campus fashionistas.

Fad or trend pieces are the in and outgoing pieces that survive one season at a time, often decades apart. Spend your absolute minimum on these (anything over £30 is a waste) if you can’t ignore them completely and want to stay on trend. The neon trend is possibly the best trend any of us could have followed this summer. Last seen in the 80s and even resurfacing briefly during the early Spice Girls period of the 90s, for a total low-cost raid elder relatives wardrobes, if that fails, find any small accessory you can. Go for a neon yellow or pink for maximum output for minimum input, H&M earrings, or a Primark satchel should satisfy your trend craving for a teeny price, with the bright colour blasting any outfit into 2012 with a bang. Speaking of accessories, the category where “statement” gets thrown around a lot. A study was conducted into how many times a street style blog used the phrase “statement necklace” it happened more frequently than Nick Clegg manages to disappoint.

Embellished clutches, engineering-required earrings and extravagant arm parties are a safe bet, but I’m a firm believer in shoes. Make a good shoe a statement piece and it doesn’t matter what else you’re wearing. Budget £30-£70, see Topshop and River Island for the ultimate in outrageous yet wearable style.

Finally, transcending trends, understated but timeless, see: staple wardrobe. Like a staple diet, we’re talking your basics, your can’t-live-withouts. How to tell if it’s staple or fad? It would suit anyone from Marilyn Monroe to the Cheeky Girls (believe it or not). Yes, your basic staples should consist of t-shirts, jeans, leggings etc, but cut the boring stuff, we’re only interested in one thing. No budget, it’s priceless. No specific store, once you find it, you’ve found it. Flattering on any shape or size, designed with power and sexuality in mind, the symbol of eternal glamour. The only staple piece a woman needs is her little black dress.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/staple-statement-or-fad/

April Showers

It’s that time of year where the cold is out and the rain is in. Yep, we’re talking raincoats and umbrellas and anything waterproof; the April showers are here.

Burberry really showed us how to rock the rain with their SS13 show last fashion week. The leader of waterproof wear, they rocked a spectrum of metallic macs. Pinks, purples, blues and browns dominated the shimmery coats meanwhile they paired them with classic shaped but clashing colored bags – the Burberry Blaze.

If Burberry is a little out of your budget – if not, then good for you – the trench coat is easy enough to hunt down on the high street too, with Mango, All Saints and Topshop all cashing in on the weather change.

Meanwhile, fetch yourself a plastic handbag to complete the look. Plastics are right on trend and give a subtle quirk to any outfit; available in clutch or rucksack form what better way to keep your books dry.

If you want a coat with a little more longevity, opt for the traditional, festival favourite, the Jack-in-a-Pack. The cheesiest and most practical but least stylish of them all. Luckily for us, companies are picking up on the fact we want practicality and style, so there are a variety of options popping up all over the market in various patterns and colours to keep us dry and trendy. If you fancy something a little more fun, head to ASOS for their lollypop-lady yellow rainmac, complete with ears.

Finally, if my mother taught me anything it’s to never leave the house without an umbrella. Umbrellas are a great excuse to mix up your style. Normally wear block colours? Go for something really heavily patterned. Don’t want to clash your patterns with your brolly? Neon is in and what better way to embrace it than over your head. Still not convinced? Play it safe with any outfit and opt for a simple monochrome one – totally on trend right now and one hundred percent clash-risk free.

First published by Spark* Newspaper: http://sparknewspaper.co.uk/fashion-beauty/april-showers/