New Year's Fashion Resolutions

With absolutely no intention of giving up alcohol for January* or  resolving to "get in shape" we bring you our entirely fashion related resolutions for the brand spanking new year.

Siobhan's Resolutions

Clockwise: Dress by SUNO, Tops both from Topshop

1. Lady Murasaki: I will try to give purple more of a chance in my wardrobe next year. For some reason, my eye never wanders toward purple garments and the last purple item I have purchased was sometime back in 2007 (an adorable dress that unforgivably wrinkled, which may have caused some sort of association in my mind with the color). Now that Pantone has deemed Radiant Orchid the color of 2014, it is the perfect chance to let some of the royal color into my life. I also have an aversion towards yellow, but I am not fully prepared to cross that color bridge yet... maybe another year?

From left: Cheap Monday, ASOS, & Other Stories

2. Pass the Clutch: They say that ladies are usually either "shoe girls" or "bag girls" and my fashion genetic code leans more towards "shoe." I tend to cling madly to an black medium-sized bag until it pretty much unravels. You all know I love my PS 1 Bag madlyyyy, but I've decided this year to diversify my portfolio and try to rotate my hand bags more frequently. I've decided to start off small and work my way up, so I think I will first focus on clutch bags. Miriam is the Queen of the Clutch, so I shall be asking her to give me guidance in the way of the no-strap-wonder. 

Miriam's Resolutions

Clockwise: Dolce and Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, MADE for ASOS

1. Earring Aid: As a result of Dolce and Gabbana's breathtakingly beautiful SS14 collection, I intend to spend the majority of next year prancing around in large gold earrings, pretending to be Sicilian.

From Left: Isabel Marant, Dune, Topshop

2. Best Foot Forward:  I rarely wear real heels because, as my friends will attest, I am a raging bitch when my feet hurt, but 2014 could just be the year that I finally stop being a baby and dress my feet in a more ladylike manner. This is of course resolved under the assumption that resolutions, much like ankles, are made to be broken.

*During dark and dreary January, alcohol is more necessary than ever but if you are unwise enough to give it up, please do keep it to yourself, there really are few things as tedious as a reformed character. 

Magpie Eyes: New Year's Eve Inspiration

It is a truth universally acknowledged that New Year's Eve is awful; overpriced drinks, long queues and the depressing sight of people pretending to have had the most wonderful year - their smiles not quite meeting their eyes - all combine to create what is, to any right thinking person, the most horrid night of the year. And this annual evening, when your triumphs and failures are weighed up, inexplicably comes with the dress code of GLITZ, rather than Pyjama.

Now magpies we may be, but even to these glitter attracted eyes, sequins very much fall into three categories of the good, the bad and the ugly. So, if you are unhinged enough to throw off your PJs and venture into the outside world, adorned in your finery, take a peak below at our top spangly picks, which will ensure that when it comes to sparkle, you will even rival the glitter ball.

"Oz, The Great and Powerful" When Monkey's Fly! - OPI Nail Polish
Phone Case: Skinny Dip, 

Sequinned skirt: Topshop
Beanie: Markus Lupfer
Clutch: Mawi,

Lace up shoes: ASOS
Necklace: Miss Selfridge

Sneaker Pimps

Photo by Mark Iantosca

My poor, poor feet. I have not worn a properly supportive shoe on a regular basis since middle school. They were powder blue with white laces and may still live in my parents' house to this day (they might have been FUBU). Of course, when exercising I rely on my Nike Free's, and although I do love Converses you all know they are flat as pancakes and don't really offer support. Aside from those two instances, sneakers have always seemed completely foreign to me. I just masochistically accepted that my ballet flats or loafers would literally pound the pavement. But since the undeniable 'Sports Luxe' trend arose, it only makes sense that sneakers are now free again to cushion the toes of any fashionista. Seeing these fierce ladies (and baby) pictured below, give me the strength to accept that maybe I can rock sneakers and no longer bear the pain of city streets!

Photo by Silas Lee

Photo by The Sartorialist

It appears that sneakers can go with any type of outfit, whether it is fancy or casual. All that is necessary is a leap of fashion faith and adeptly hidden socks (or are they even wearing socks??). Below are our sneaker fantasies!

1. Nike Pegasus Air

2. LOSERS Readymade in Metallic Silver

3. Zara TRF Running Shoe

4. Nike Roshe Run in Black

5. New Balance 574 Trainers in Burgundy

6. Reebok Classic MonoColor in Blue

I Want Candy

Coat: ASOS
50s Style Bralet: Topshop
Swishy Skirt: Topshop
"Meet Me At The Alter" Nail Varnish: Essie
Bracelet: Miss Selfridge
Cosy Jumper: YMC
Ankle Boots: & Other Stories

If it's true that you are what you eat, then subsisting on a diet composed almost entirely of sugar should mean that I am a lot sweeter than I am, but nevermind! If Percy Pig is your role model too -- as he very well ought to be -- and you don't have your heart set on a mouth full of fillings, an alternative way to channel his sweet nature is to dress in candy colours this Autumn. 

Veggie Percy spices up his look with a contrasting green ear - we approve! 

Tattoos: The Mark of Rebellion

Although neither of us RF girls are inked (yet?), we both have a great admiration for body art. We promise to document any ink that we do pick up, if we do! (And we promise not to get matching rainbow unicorn tattoos.) But in the meantime, check out Miriam's latest article for the newest issue of Zero Magazine. Her article is about the history of tattooing in popular culture and how now the fashion industry is at the forefront of destroying the tattoo taboo. With designers like Aminaka Willmont incorporating ink in their runway looks and the popularity of tattooed models such as Rick Genest a.k.a. Zombie Boy and Freja Beha and even Barbie getting inked up, tattoos are being aesthetically admired by mainstream society. Tattoos may be a mark of rebellion but it appears many people are looking to show their rebel yells.

Click here to read the full article!

Desirables: Granny Grunge

Plaid Skirt - ASOS | Patent Ankle Booties - Cheap Monday | Short Arc Earrings - Moorea Seal

Amethyst Cuff & Ring - & Other Stories | Vegan Leather Overalls - Wasteland | Layered Slip Dress - Zara

Iggy Sandals - Senso | Pink Wool Cardigan - Zara | Mixed Knit Socks - ASOS

Some of the biggest keywords for Fall and Winter 2013 trends are 'granny chic' and '90s grunge' and never the two shall meet it seems. We say nay! While doing a bit of online window shopping, I realized that both looks can definitely be combined. Am I advocating socks and sandals, the basically banished footwear combination? Yes! But if orthopedic chic isn't your thing then some modestly heeled booties would also suit this style. Adding sheers, some shorter hemlines and interesting jewelry will add some youthfulness to this look. Let the cool breezes roll in with lots of leather and cozy fabrics!

And in some shameless promotion news, Remotely Fashion now has its own Facebook page! If you love RF, then please show your support by liking our facebook page and you'll get all the latest RF news right on your newsfeed. Looking forward to interacting with you all over there!

NYFW vs LFW SS14

 LFW: House of Holland | Holly Fulton | Roksanda Ilincic | Erdem | Burberry Prosum

NYFW: Derek Lam | Helmut Lang | Brandon Sun | J.Crew | J. Mendel

It's the ultimate face off of our two metropolitan loves -- NYC vs. LDN! We meticulously went through the gorgeous collections to determine which was the superior FW. Every neckline, every sample of light blue, every frock was analyzed. The above are our favorite picks from our respective homelands, with Siobhan tackling New York Fashion Week and Miriam handling London Fashion Week. It was a pretty close call, with both cities leaving us yearning for next spring, but we think that this year London had the edge. Let us know your favorite collections in the comments! 

RF Style Barometer #3

Kris Jane International

If you know anything about us RF girls, you know we love dipping a toe into the world of fantasy. Our ultimate escapist dream involves imagining ourselves as Khaleesi of a tropical island with an armada of well-dressed warriors who tend to our every need including: brushing our unicorns' manes, preparing sea-fresh sashimi and cups of tea, and of course performing K-pop songs on demand. There also might be a teleportation device involved so we could travel to favorite international locations (Tokyo, Seoul, California, London, Washington DC and Columbus, Ohio).

When my friend, Kris Jane, showed me the beautiful and fantastical designs of her clothing line, I truly felt like my inner Khaleesi fantasy was being beckoned! The vivid colors and psychedelic prints in ladylike and flowing silhouettes are certainly what we envision our inner warrior princess wearing. Cue Xena warrior yells of excitement! I also appreciated the mixture of international inspirations, as she is wanderlusting lady, just like Miriam and I. Learning about Kris Jane's inspirations only confirmed my visions:

My inspiration mostly comes from patterns and colors from nature and architecture. The Oceanica collection for example..., the print was inspired by the patterns from the mandarin fish. And the new Foulards collection, the prints are inspired by exotic animals and plants from the rainforest.

And indeed, Kris Jane International's Foulards collection, will make your eyes dance in enjoyment as flora and fauna explode into geometric images. And like a camouflaging chameleon, the shapes morph depending on how the scarves are tied, making the styling possibilities truly exciting. Below are our favorite pieces from the new Foulards collection, that are now available at her online store! Check it out and let us know what your favorite design is.

1. Chorus Blue Scarf 2. Splash of Baroque Scarf 3. Chorus Green Scarf

Sono Mama

(Clockwise)

Stitched Panel Track Pant - 3.1 Phillip Lim | Plush Trousers - Zara

Patchwork Back to Front Shirt - 3.1 Phillip Lim | Check Panel Sweatshirt - Gorgeous via ASOS

Racer Double Flap Bag - 3.1 Phillip Lim | Snakeskin Shoulder Bag - H&M
A-line Biker Wrap Skirt - 3.1 Phillip Lim | Quilted Wrap Mini Skirt - Dorothy Perkins

If you have a touch of the Summertime sadness, then taking a gander at 3.1 Phillip Lim's autumnal collection will surely lift your spirits. Just seeing the promotional film, Sono Mama, for the collection made us a giddy as Japanese rockabilly! Well, they seemed quite giddy in the video. Not only that, one of absolutely fave models, Kiko Mizuhara, is center stage so go check it out already! And come back here. OK! Now that your appetite is whet, check out these style substitutes from the fabulous collection. We'll be booking our tickets back to Japan and don't be surprised if we join a biker gang. 

Summertime Sadness

Maxi Dress - H&M (similar here)

Ankle Boots - Jeffrey Campbell 'Roscoe'

Crystal Ring - Urban Outfitters

Gold Pendant Necklace - Brandy Melville (similar here)
Hat - Urbant Outfitters (stolen from RF Ken doll's wardrobe)

As I was recently catching up on the upcoming fashions for Fall/Winter 2013, I do admit I felt a twinge of pain at the inevitable death of summer. Don't let my smile in the images above fool you! As I am now writing this in sleeveless top, I am to happy report that it has not arrived yet. But now I feel almost frantic to do ALL the summertime things! (In a very Hyperbole and a Half fashion) So a couple weekends ago, I attempted to do something decidedly British and I finally went punting along the river with the RF Ken Doll and some friends. The outfit above was what I wore on the blazing hot day (well, by English standards). My incredibly thrifty H&M maxi dress served me well and symbolizes my mourning for the death of summer. However, I can console myself -- I think about how some of the best clothes are for when you're shivering in your ankle boots and beanie. 

RF Style Barometer

Welcome to our new fortnightly feature; here we will celebrate those things that have made us as happy as unicorns galloping through a field of bluebells and shame those that have made us throw-up in our mouths. Items on the up and up on the left and items on the right... well, shield your eyes. 

At Great Lengths

Above: Mid-length Circle Skirt by American Apparel

Picture this: It's the year 2009 and bodycon mini-skirts are all the rage. Tonight is a girls' night out and you're running late. You slip (and slide) into your textured mini and it sucks you in all the right places. You're ready, girl. Go conquer the world. As you scurry to catch the train, you notice your limited movement has given you the instep of a baby duck. And now, oh god, your skirt has actually decided it prefers not to cover your ass. In fact, it's in outright rebellion against it. I think my stance for every weekend in 2009 was one hand tugging down on skirts like these to keep the booty at bay. 

Ah, but it is a new day and age and an exciting silhouette is creeping into the fashion stratosphere recently: the a-line midi skirt! The skirt that so vehemently disgusted me as a college student -- mainly because I favored them quite a bit in my high school days (I am what I hate.) And here the fashion cycle turns again as my bodycon weary eyes turn to it again. 

1. Bright Yellow Midi Scuba Skirt by Choies 2. Rose Organza Insert Calf Skirt by Topshop 

3. Black Midi Skirt with Gridding by Choies 4. Burnout Floral Midi by Topshop

What I find so appealing about styling this length is that it exudes femininity with little effort. You can get away with structured bustier top on top when you're covered past your knees. And isn't the idea of a slouchy sweater in a candy-colored shade hanging off your shoulder while you wear this skirt style so sweet? Or maybe a totally work-appropriate Grace Kelly look with a beautiful button-up? Barely-there sandal heels and brogues are my shoe ideals when paired the a-line midi. Are we going to back to 50's? Well, you know here at RF we already have (and again) so it's full steam ahead!

Miss Independent

1. Ryan Sandals - Free People 2. Buhala Jumpsuit - Shop Wasteland 3. Prowl Shades - Nasty Gal 4. Denim Penny Dress - Shop Wasteland 5. Dream Reversible Tote - Free People 6. Braided Low Wedge - Swedish Hasbeens

We may be based in the U.K., but we R.F. girls have a love affair with America. This past May, we were both in the land of the free and took full advantage of the American way; bags of spicy crawfish, backyard parties, plates of Hooters buffalo wings, road trips, bowling alleys and strolls in the sun. This fourth of July we will be showing our love of 'Merica by wearing some good ol' fashion red, white & blue. We hope our American readers have a fabulous Independence day full of BBQ, fireworks and summer heat.

The Silver Surfer

Thomas Maier Bikini - Net-A-Porter, Pharaoh Necklace - Nasty Gal, Lame Shorts - The Outnet, 

Silver Rucksack - Nasty Gal, Sunglasses -ASOS, Hermes' Sandals - Matches

At only the merest hint of sun, most Brits get rather heated; sadly, it is not at all uncommon to see a bare chested man marauding around his local supermarket, lobster-red hand grasping for bags of charcoal and packets of suspect looking burgers. Whilst this appalling display invariably makes us throw up in our mouths, we can empathise with the sentiment behind it. Helios makes so few appearances on this fair isle, that on the rare occasions he does visit we want to make the most of it and loll around in the garden until positively crispy, but those spoil-sports skin specialists have ruined all of our fun, what with their talk of sun damage, wrinkles and cancer. So we have had to find another way to quench our thirst for 1950's silver face tanners and these marvelous metallics just about do it.

High Heels Get Low

1. YSL Ingenue Pumps (similar here) 2. Zara Studded Slingback 3. J.Crew Janey Patent Flats 4. Jeffrey Campbell Affair Sandal 5. Zara Metallic Sandals 6. Clarks Sharna Balcony Shoe

We Remotely Fashion females have a love-hate relationship with most heels. We love how heels make our legs more unicorn-like, because we are trying in vain to look like human-versions of The Last Unicorn. On the other hand, we are admittedly clumsy, clutzy and easily lost (meaning we end up walking way more than we planned). Fortunately the fashion gods have smized upon us and low heels were a runway regular for Spring 2013 (Marc Jacobs, Saint Laurent, and Nicholas Kirkwood, to name a few).

But I needed to see my patron saint Alexa Chung rocking her YSL Ingenue pumps in order to quell my trepidation. We think the key to keeping this style from going matronly is to look for dainty ankle straps as well as futuristic colors and textures. Metallics aren't just for F/W, we think silver or rose gold would pair perfectly with a pastel-colored outfit. Basic black is also sure to look very classy and feminine and would look lovely with a bodycon midi-dress or a pair of tailored trousers. From the window to the wall, we are about to get low! How about you?

Moon Rock n' Roll

 

Miriam's Outfit: Blouse - Korean Boutique, Jeggings - H&M, Necklace - Gift (from Ebay)

Siobhan's Outfit: Dress - Forever 21, Earrings - & Other Stories, Chambray Shirt - Forever 21

After learning of the glow-in-the-dark qualities of a local bowling alley, we neon-loving ladies had to assemble our most cosmic ensembles for a night of fun! We bowled two sets with our friends, who very graciously allowed us to snap pictures between rolls. Miriam nearly got the top score in the first set, which I contribute to the luckiness of her galaxy rabbit bowling shirt. Unfortunately, the moon rock earrings I borrowed from Miriam weren't a good luck charm for my bowling abilities, but they sure looked great under the black light!

Tweet

Remotely Fashion has officially entered the twittersphere. Although, Miriam and I are proficient in most other forms of social media, twitter is a new thing for both of us. We will try our best to keep you entertained. Oh, and here is a picture of one of favorite style icons, Lana Del Rey, rocking some our favorite early Spring trends: crochet shorts, cozy sweaters, hair braids and floral headwear. And all the while holding a very twitter-like bird -- um, this is what we call kismet. Speaking of Spring, you may have noticed some Spring cleaning around the whole blog. We hope you like the new design. 

Follow us @remotelyfashion!

Hallo Spaceboy

 V&A's, Ziggy Stardust Silk Shawl / Nasty Gal, Space Unicorn Leggings / Barb and Bear, Bowie Ring / Monki, Ina Cap / Monki, Eyeball Bibi Patterned Tights / Urban Outfitters, Oxford Shoes / Monki, Alien Lizard Skin Sam Case / Zara, Neon Crystal Box Clutch / Nasty Gal, Dark Crystal Ring / Tatty Devine, Radiance Ultra Necklace / Topshop, Galaxy Nail Wraps

What with the excitement building for the V&A�s impending retrospective and his new song whirring around our brains, it would seem almost churlish not to spare a moment and marvel at the wonder that is David Bowie.  The video for �The Stars (Are Out Tonight)� is of course outrageously beautiful and we would do unspeakable things for the pink coat that Tilda Swinton glides around the supermarket in. But, faithful to the end, our hearts still belong to Ziggy Stardust and with that in mind here is our selection of pieces that are out of this world.

The Emerald City

(Gabby Sequin Dress - Motel Rocks, Lace Bra & Knickers - Topshop, 

Dancing Queen Mirrorball Lacquer - Model's Own, Lace Crop Tee - Topshop, 

Envelope Clutch - American Apparel, Sweater - Acne,

 Bonnie Crop Top - Motel Rocks, Midi-Dress - Asos)

Ring the knell, gather round children and get ready for some visual stimulation -- Pantone has announced that the color of the year for 2013 is 'Emerald'! I know we are used to this shade being reserved for St. Patty's Day, but free your mind and the rest will follow. Emerald is also about elegance with an energetic and playful undertone. Because of these dimensions, you can really alter the color to suit your OOTD. To be elegant with emerald, pair it with blacks of all different textures (tweed, leather, suede). Beautiful costume jewelry goes very well with this look. To be playful with emerald, colorblock it with fuchsia, cobalt, or tangerine. And for an energetic emerald, pair it with heather greys and sport-casual items. Above are some of Remotely Fashion's top picks for emerald fashion items!