What I Wore to Florence & The Machine (& Dressing for Yourself!)

Hello, Hello.

So, If I was to name the artist who most inspires me, saved me and taught me so much about myself then it would be Florence & The Machine. Their music awakens something in me that nothing else ever has, it is such a spiritual experience that I feel so lucky to even be able to experience. This bank holiday weekend just gone, for some miraculous reason the stars aligned and they did a gig in my HOME TOWN of SCUNTHORPE (of all places!), and I managed to get myself a ticket. I don't know what possessed her to come to this town, all I can put it down to is fate and a pull of similar spirits wanting to be brought together. If you didn't know Scunthorpe is a town with a very bad reputation, and the location where they played was very small and intimate. It is the sort of venue that you expect bands and artist's to play early on in their career, not when they are this well know on a global scale. These sorts of venues are the  best places to see someone perform, because it feels so much more personal and you connect with them on a whole new level. I was standing as well, and I knew this is probably the closest I will ever get to my idol, and I honestly cannot even explain how much this meant to me.

The word of the street is that because she hasn't toured in a long time and she has her supporting show to The Rolling Stones in London, she was doing these small intimate gigs as warm ups for her up and coming festivals and The Stones in London. She played a mixture of songs, from all three albums, and she performed some never before heard songs from her new album High as Hope, and oh my god they were magical - I cannot wait for that album to drop, and for (hopefully) the tour she is going to do alongside it. This was hands down the best performance I have ever seen life, the vocals alongside the band in harmony is like nothing else on this planet. The crowd was sort of annoying, I am OVER the whole videoing and taking photos it actually infuriates me. It takes so much away from the whole experience, how can you fully immerse yourself in the experience if you are watching it through your phone? URG, that is a story for a whole other post because I could rant about it all day. I just went into my own little bubble, ignored the crowd around me and focused on the band, and I completely lost myself in a truly freeing, spiritual experience that felt like all my stress was lifted from me. One song that will stick with me forever is the performance of Mother. This is my favourite Florence song, and easily one of my favourite songs of all time. The fact that she decided to choose that song and perform it over some of her other songs, touched me in such a beautiful way. I don't think I have ever felt more spiritually connected with someone, than I did to Florence Welch in that performance. I don't have any more words to describe it than out of body.

I thought while I was here i would talk you through my outfit and how I will always stay true to myself no matter what. As some or most of you may know Florence Welch is known for her bohemian style, with flowy floral dresses and light delicate fabrics, but that style isn't particularly me anymore. I used to be heavily into "hippie" style while at University, but my style has evolved a lot since then. I was trying to piece together an outfit that was inspired by her style, and then I thought to myself hang up this isn't what she represents! She is all about self expression and being true to yourself, and I wouldn't be doing that if I had gone in something that I don't think represents who I am. I am a bold colourful soul, and I really wanted my outfit to reflect that. However, when I was there I saw a lot of girls all dressed in long floral dresses and they all looked beautiful and bohemian, but that just isn't me. I know I got a few funny looks and I stood out because I didn't look like I fitted in with the crowd, but truth be told I didn't! I don't fit in anywhere really, I'm into a mixture of all music all fashion all cultures and my style reflects that. I feel like some people where probably looking at me like "oh she is not a true fan", but just because I dress the way I do which is different too the "typical" crowd it doesn't make me any less of a fan. I have, and always will be one of their biggest fans, it is just that I do not feel the need to prove myself through my style.

This sparks something that I feel very passionate about, and that's being able to dress for yourself and to not give an F what anyone thinks of you. It is one of the most freeing feelings when you finally realise that you do not have anything to prove to anyone, especially not with how you choose to express yourself. I am a much happier and content person now that I don't worry about what people think about what I choose to wear / how I do my hair / my tattoos, because it all represents who I am. I love myself  and I think that is key to being able to let go of all societal expectations and just be free. This is central to Florence's being, in the middle of her set she always tells the crowd to turn to the people next to you and express your love because we are all free. SO if you wanna wear that dress, or have your hair a certain way DO IT! Life is way way too sort to be worrying about someone else's opinion, half the time it is central to their own insecurities anyway. It is so important to never take anyone elses bullshit, do not keep people around in your life that shame you for how you express yourself. Those people are only bringing you down by making you doubt yourself! You are fabulous, and however you choose to express that is absolutely incredible - do not let anyone tell you other wise.

Outfit Details: 

Bikini is Pretty Little Thing via Asos Sale: top here, bottoms here

Skirt: Second Hand Nike Golf Skirt Via. Depop. (Can't find anything similar - sorry!) 

Kimono: Asos Via. Charity Shop (Also cannot find anything else with similar neon colourway) 

Boots: Dr Marten 1460 Patent Pink, only have them in Junior sizes up to a size 3 on the website here, 

but available in all sizes here,

XOXO, EMMA 

The Colour CLASH

Hello everyone! As I said in my previous post this is part two - in today's look I am styling 4 pieces that I got when thrifting. A hat, top, pair of jeans and a coat. The only thing that isn't thrifted is the boots! I could've done a complete lookbook featuring all the items but in all honesty there would be way too many looks for one post! Instead what I have decided to do on my blog is to show how good sustainable shopping is by featuring at least one item of clothing or accessory that is second hand in each look (which isn't even a challenge really). I want to show how with the right styling, and the right attitude you can be the trendiest person walking the streets and no one would batter an eyelid - in fact when I wear my second hand ensembles that is when I get the most compliments! Alongside the posts I am going to be linking similar items to ones I am styling that are on the high street - to prove that you can find the top high street trends at a fraction of the price! But for the items that aren't dupe-able - well it reinforces how special the whole experience is/items are. SO without further ado lets get into the look.

So let's start from the top with the red felt beret. These are literally everywhere - you can pick them up in near enough any popular high street brand and they are identical. This one only cost me £2. Which is probably well under half of what you'd pay new. HOWEVER if you must there is one in the zara sale for £3.99 here.  You can find these so easily so I would definitely recommend keeping an eye out as they are such a key trend at the moment.

Let's move down to the top, I wanted to keep in touch with the Parisian style so opted for a black and white striped smock style top. Originally from Zara but I paid £1.99 for it. Stripes are classic - and are always in fashion. But I liked the smock style as it made it a bit different. This one from Asos is the most similar I have found here. As well as the beret striped tops are some of the easiest things to thrift, and you can pick up some pretty unique styles as well.

So my personal favourite thing about this look at the cropped kick flare high waisted jeans. I almost squealed when I found them, and I did squeal when I tried them on and they fitted perfectly once I got home. These jeans are a prime example of looking at other sizes, these are a size 16 but because they are retro / vintage they run smaller much more like a UK 14. These are such a stylish piece, and I am still utterly obsessed with red (as you can tell). So these turned out to be my favourite purchase - mainly because I know I'll get so much ware out of them. I found quite a few similar pairs while having a browse. These are in the sale on H&M of £17.99 here. There are also a pair of weekday one's in the sale for £20 on ASOS if you'd rather have a higher quality jean here. I really wanted to go all out RED as I am an all or nothing gal and I love the effect that wearing these pointed red kitten heel boots have given, super fun and different. These are old season Primark but these are only £9.99 in the Zara sale! (Lord Bless January sales).

The final thing -and probably the biggest bargain of the century is this Made in England vintage Sherpa coat. It has real leather details, in near perfect condition and cost me the mere amount of £1.99! Can you even believe that? They were only just ticketing the item and I grabbed it before it even touched the shop floor. Later on the manager said it was a trainee that priced it up, and if i hadn't of got it they would've priced it a lot higher, so what a score. I researched it and they are selling for between £60-100. SO if that's your game, buying to sell - then keep them eyes peeled. This is one of those items which I can't seem to find a close dupe for, bu the teddy bear style is absolutely everywhere this season, with big fluffy coats being a massive trend. So I've managed to bag a true vintage piece that is still very current and trendy, that is one of a kind.

So if I haven't managed to sell you on thrift shopping these past two posts then I don't know what will! But you will for sure see more thrifting related content and images on my blog, I'm thinking of doing a 'where to thrift' post in the near future talking about all the different ways to shop sustain-ably so keep your eyes peeled for that if you're interested!

XOXO, EMMA