Sunshine your style! | My Depop Shop

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If you caught my previous post you will know that one my main focuses / goals at the moment is to get my own online store / shop running smoothly and consistently. The name sunshine your style, is one that associate with both my blog and my shop, because the clothes that I sell represent the same thing as. It's all about playfulness, colour, experimentation and self expression through the mode of sustainable fashion. I have been brought up on "thrifting", be it charity shopping or carbooting most of my wardrobe was second hand. Mostly because I come from a low income family, and it was an affordable way to shop nice clothing but on a budget. When i started to get older into the moody teenage years of 11, 12 & 13 I used to get dead worried and self-conscious in the shops, I would be scared incase anyone I knew from school would see me and make fun of me for it.

Now that I am working and have a decent income, I still thrift. I would say 90% of my wardrobe is thrifted items, the other percentage is from H&M (where I work) or odd pieces from the high street that I have picked up in the sale. For me, I love the excitement and thrill surrounding finding something that no one else has, and giving new life to something. Being able to give something a new home and life is super important too me. This is mainly because it is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way to shop possible. Rather than contributing to the mass pollution and non-ethical production of fast fashion you are recycling something old that could've ended up on a landfill as waste. 

True Vintage 90's high leg swimsuit, size 10. £15

Nowadays the perception of second hand shopping has completely flipped to a more celebrated way to shop worldwide. I think blogging and Youtube has a lot to do with that, there are a bunch of super popular youtubers that make videos dedicated to thrifiting, and have made it more into the mainstream conscious of teenagers and Y.A. in today's society. Alongside this the invention of depop has really contributed to sustainable secondhand shopping, it has made it trendy and cool rather than embarrassing and a signifier of your class. So this gets me onto my main topic of today's post, my depop shop! I have been working really hard recently on my shop. Trying to make it all look consistent and more professional. I used it on and off before, just as a little extra bit of money (and because I kept on buying things, that I had no room to keep!). But now I am looking at is a more of a career prospect, I am trying my hardest to build a brand for myself so that one day I can have a shop of my own.

True vintage 90s/ early 2000's knee high zebra print boots, size 5. £45

My shop focuses on vintage, y2k and festival style fashion. Mostly filled with unique colourful items, sportswear brands and "trendy" brands like playboy etc. All my items are hand picked by me, and are usually one of a kind - where you are pretty unlikely going to be seeing anyone else in it. I take pride in what I sell, and I am picky about what gets the cut. I know that there are tonnes of people out there that like to be different, and like to experiment with trends that just aren't available on the high street. Most of my clothing draws inspiration from brands like Unif, O'Mighty, Shop Tunnel Vision etc. Mainly because these stores draw most of there inspiration from 90's and Y2K fashion, which is about 80% of the items I sell. I pick up so much stuff near enough every week, and my wardrobe is constantly changing so why not share it with you guys? I see so much stuff that I think oh my gosh someone would love that! Or I would love that (but it isn't my size) etc. I know it's a difficult industry to get into, and there are so many people trying to make it but I think my style, items, and focus on individuality and inclusiveness will set me apart! I am so driven to make this a success for me, because it is something I feel so passionately about. When it is a passion, it doesn't feel like "work" it feels like fun! 

Y2K Stonehenge Cropped T shirt size Medium, £10

I have a lot of items from my personal collection already up and loads more ready to be listed, I have also piked up a few new pieces to list that I just could not resist! I can't seem to leave something when I know there is someone out there that would cherish and adore it. So within this post I have included images of some of the items up on my shop, along with the prices etc. If there is anything you like, or if you're into my style and sustainable fashion then I would love it if you could give my shop a like! or at least a lil browse.To find me on depop just search emmalouisloves and my lovely little shop will pop up for you. I know this post just seems like a massive self promo, and I suppose in some ways it is but it something that has been taking up most of my time and I feel so passionately about it that I felt the need to share it. I want this blog to be a platform where I can share everything I am passionate about, and whatever is in life that I feel like I want to share.

Authentic Playboy Top, size 14. £15.

I hope this post hasn't been too much of a bore for you! & I hope that if nothing else it has given you a new outlook on second hand shopping and sustainable fashion and has maybe encouraged you to get out and look into it yourself.

Psychedelic Princess | Festival Series Part 2

Hello, Hello!

So with festival season vastly approaching, I would say it officially starts in the U.K. this bank holiday weekend (also my birthday!) With Radio One's Biggest Weekend & Slam Dunk. So I thought today in the second instalment of my festival series I would bring to you these two outfits and my concept focus, and ultimately (subject to change of course) what I'm going to be wearing to Parklife in just under 3 weeks. Actually on the subject of Parklife, I will also being doing a post on who I want too see perform / my top picks, so keep an eye out on the blog for that if it's something you're interested in. Also let me know in the comments if you're going to Parklife or any other festivals this year! I would love to know where you'll all be groovin' at. 

For me, one of the greatest things about festivals is the freedom of expression, and the opportunity to let your creative juices flow and get lost in the fantasy. Since I am only attending one festival this year, and with the stressful year I've had I really want to put my all into it. I've always had fun with festival fashion in the past, but I have never been brave enough to go as boldly as I wanted too. Also, while i was at university festivals didn't seem as exciting or important, they were just another party like all of university was. However, now that I live an adult life and work full time my lifestyle is completely different. So for me now this full weekend of freedom, music, partying and happiness is so much more important and special to me. There is nothing like that absolutely liberating feeling of freedom, and I think after all the responsibility I have taken on since university I really can't wait for it.

So, onto my concept and my outfit styling in this post. My overall theme, as the title suggests is psychedelic princess. I really wanted to go for heavily printed hippie / psychedelic vibe. Think The Yellow Submarine by The Beatles meets Rave Queen.  I really wanted to try and keep these looks cohesive and stick to my theme and I think I did so with the use of print, both the main features of these looks have heavily psychedelic and bold patterns. I couldn't believe my luck when I picked up this little two piece set for 50p! The bold colourful print and the fit of it is perfect, because I feel secure but I also look super sassy and like a little festival queen! I love how cheeky the bottoms are, they show my lil peaches so nicely. I feel like just on it's own it would just look like an abstract bikini, however teaming it with yellow tinted glasses, a pair of red fishnet tights, my super chunky platform shoes, the cute little denim backpack and finally the cowboy hat the look really comes together. Accessories in my day to day life is something that I always overlook, however I think they are essential with festival fashion. I mean who can deny the power that the flower crown has had on the festival scene? For me I am all about hats! From this fabulous Cowboy Hat to my Psychedelic retro cap in my next look, I just really thing they elevate the look and add more interest. Also, the sunglasses may add another cool retro vibe to the look, but they are actually super practical! You are protecting those little eyes from the UV ray exposure you will be getting all day from partying in the sun (this also marks as a reminder to always wear sunscreen!).  I decided to also show you this look with a little jacket over the top that would be perfect in the evenings, this will roll up really small into the bottom of your bag on you're good to go! Because there is nothing worse than getting cold once the sun has gone down. 

I think something super important to note about festival fashion is that a lot of the style is very "dress up" so a lot of the items you can pick up super cheap at charity shops and carboots. When it comes down to accessories, you cannot go wrong with Poundland! The cheap and tacky hen-do type accessories like this cowboy hat and feather boa's etc. are perfect! You'll look like festival queen, and will have only spent a few quid. Like the cowboy hat, these little fishnet gloves came from a fancy dress shop in the 90's rave section, they were also only £2.99! It really is worth checking out places where you wouldn't think of shopping as you really can pick up some perfect festival styling pieces. 

My second look is I suppose less dramatic, but still as bold and colourful. Actually, this two outfits would be perfect for anyone camping at a festival because they would take up no room at all! The second look is just this super funky psychedelic paisley print halterneck layered over the same little bottoms from the previous one, with the same tights, glasses and gloves. This top was the item that inspired my creativity and what made me come up with the psychedelic princess theme. I love the low neckline so that I can have a glitter chest - and I think I'm going to get a gem piece to put there too. I just think the boldness and playfulness of the print is super fun, and the fit is really feminine and girly which makes it pretty flirtatious. I feel like I just want to twirl around and dance my little heart out in this outfit, it makes me feel so pretty! I feel like If I was a princess in a distant yellow submarine land, this is how I would look all the time. I had a hat change for this look, to a very retro 60's hat with even more groovy psychedelic prints on it! This look really plays more on the traditional 60's hippie style, and I love it! I feel like a modern day Flower Child in this look, I'll be living out my WoodStock fantasies in this for sure. As well as a hat change, I also changed bags to this cute fluffy zebra print backpack. I kept both the bags as backpacks as I think they are just the most practical bag for festivals, just chuck everything in you need, throw it on your back and you're good to go! I hate ever having to carry a bag, I like to feel liberated and hands-free so for me a backpack is perfect. Obviously the iconic bumbag would work fine, however I can just about roll up a little jacket / shirt into one of these lil backpacks so I've got something to put on once it gets cooler as mentioned above. 

Obviously these looks and this sort of vibe is not for everyone, and you can take from this what you will. I personally think festival fashion should just be your own style just amplified, for me that means mad colour, pattern play and cute kitsh accessories - because that's who I am as a person.  There is no better time to experiment with fashion then at a festival, but only ever wear something that you feel comfortable in. These looks and posts are just here to inspire and to show that there are no boundaries to festival fashion, and the limit to expressiveness is endless! I hope some of you are inspired by this look, but are more so inspired to just be yourself and have fun! Life is too short to be taken too seriously, so get out the glitter and let's all get funky. 

XO,XO. EMMA 

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3 Ways To Style Cycle Shorts

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I mentioned a few posts prior that a trend that I am super excited about for Spring / Summer is Cycle shorts, they are super comfy and actually super easy to style. However, for today's post I thought I would show you 3 ways to style them, Casual, Smart Casual / Instagram Style & Festival. I think they are such a versatile piece that can easily be dressed up or down, it just all depends on what other items of clothing and accessories you style them with. This trends seems to be more of an "online" one, I don't think we have seen much of it on catwalks, but they are all over our Instagram feeds thanks to Yezzy Season Six which was made most influential by Kim Kardashian. Now all the high street retailers, especially online stores like PrettyLittleThing and Missguided have jumped on the trend for the Instagram baddie gal, but I am here to show you alternative way's to style them, and ways that you can make them your own. So, without further ado let's get into the first look. (P.S. If you click on the above shop links it will take you straight to there selection of shorts, just incase you're looking to spend some cash cash money).

1. Casual Club 

So I thought it was best to start with the most basic / everyday styling first. This is probably a look I will gravitate towards a lot in summer, especially for work because it's so comfortable and simple yet still manages to look quite Chic and put together. For this look I styled my vintage Reebok cycle shorts with my (also vintage) oversized The Smiths band Tee. This is probably the easiest way too style cycling shorts, but you could also easily dress this look up by throwing on a blazer and maybe some heeled boots, that would elevate the look and make it a bit more tailored. However, because I was going for a really simple comfort look I just called it a day by teaming the look with my flyknit Air Force's. I feel like of all the trainers to style with cycling shorts, for some reason Air Force's always work best. 

2. Festival Style 

This look is probably my favourite out of the three, I mean there isn't much doubt there when this is the most colourful, playful "out there" look. I've styled Cycle Shorts similarly to this in a previous post which you can read here if interested. For this look I teamed my (also vintage) Adidas cycle shorts with my cropped H&M Divided Hoodie found here , with a super Andy Warhol inspired printed shirt underneath, when it comes down to festival syle for me more is more. The more layers, the more clashing prints and textures, the better! Of course this is not everyone's festival style, but that is the beauty of it - it is completely your own. Accessories also play a massive part in festival styling, this look would be extra elevated with a pair of fishnets, some head jewels / crown or some crazy glitter. But I kept it (relatively) simple. For footwear there is no better, and no more practical option for festival season than Dr Martens, because they can withstand any weather or any beating that you throw at them. Of course I had to be that bit EXTRA and wear my pink ones, but I mean more colour is never a bad thing to me. The bumbag was of course another essential, but I much prefer the new trend of wearing it cross-body, it is a lot more chic but also feels even more convenient. 

3. Smart Casual / Instagram Style

 This is probably the most popular, and most sought after style, the slick Instagram style. Personally, this really isn't my style. However I have tailored it here to fit my personality and put my own spin on it. I think that is one thing to remember is that yes this is a top trend, but you shouldn't just be wearing it for that sole purpose. I think it is really important to yes be INSPIRED by trends, but not COPY them, instead MAKE THEM YOUR OWN. I guarantee that you will feel more confident and comfortable in something that expresses who you are / your own personal style rather than just a look to make you stay relevant to the trends and what is considered "fashionable". However I do think we are moving past the era of everyone dressing the same, I don't think personal style, especially within street style culture has been this present since the 90s. So, for this look I teamed my simple black cycle shorts, which were literally £2 from Primark, an essential really at such a good price. Probably wouldn't trust them without something on that didn't cover my bum though. I teamed it with this bright yellow strapless top, for an added touch or "me". I am not about the head too toe nude, grey, or black looks, they just aren't me and don't fit my personality. I feel like a staple for this look is the blazer, it really adds the smart edge to the look and elevates it. This is my trusty oversized black and white plaid blazer, and I adore it. It has such a nice effortlessly chic fit, and really pulls this look together. Accessories wise, I kept it simple - as always. I decided to wear this (very) old season topshop straw bag, because these are literally EVERYWHERE at the minute, and they are also something that you can pick up pretty easily in your local charity shop, so definitely keep an eye out! I think the yellow ties in well with the yellow top, and brings the look together. On my feet I am wearing a pair of platform satin black sliders, however if you wanted to go full Instagram - the heeled sock boot is the way to go. 

So, that was my 3 ways of styling cycle shorts! I hope too add more to this series / format of blog post, I have one on silk style scarfs and the basic hoodie in the pipeline so keep an eye out for those if you enjoy this style! Until next time,

XOXO, EMMA

Rainbow Bright | Festival Series

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So with festival season being so nearly upon us in the UK, and with Coachella flooding our timelines over the past couple of weekends I thought that there was no better week to start my festival series! In each post I will be styling a different vibe / aesthetic and posting many more tips and essentials for festivals in general. I am only attending Parklife this year because I'm also going on holiday and your broke gal cannot afford both. However the fashion is my favourite kind so whenever summer comes around I want to make it a central feature on my blog, because there is no better time to express yourself than at a festival! So without further ado let's get into the look.

Let's start with what inspired this look, the rainbow crop top. This is new in from New Look, it is £15.99 and can be bought online HERE. I was having a little browse in the shop the other day and naturally my eye was gravitated towards the rainbow, and it was love at first sight. I'm not normally into off the should / bardot tops, but the cuffs are that far down that having them ride up wasn't an issue. The quality of it is amazing and soft, and not see-through! As soon as I bought it  I knew it would be perfect for festivals, as it's super bold , colourful and fun but it's also practical enough for you to dance your little heart away. I feel like a number one tip for festival styling (if there is such a thing) is that rainbows / rainbow stripes are ALWAYS a good idea. 

Originally I wanted to style this with just some high rise bikini bottoms (which I have on underneath) with the fishnets, but I am just not brave enough for that! I just wasn't comfortable with it, but when Parklife actually does come around you never know, maybe it is just the thought of me wearing it when it isn't the festival that is the issue? We shall see! So instead I decided to throw on this very 80's colourful pleated skirt, which is actually see through. It is a kind of mesh / sheer fabric so in person you can see my high rise bottoms underneath, which I actually love. It is super fun and playful.  I think the colours in the skirt match pretty perfectly with the top, but I also love the way the prints clash.  Another tip - the most your items clash the better! There is no better place to make an outlandish statement than a festival, so just play around and have fun with it! After all the funniest thing about it is that there are no rules.

So if there wasn't ENOUGH colour in this look, I decided to add another. This is the most incredible reversible oriental silk jacket, I prefer the lime green side as it really packs a punch and gives off a different vibe to the outfit. It gives the look a new level, and the added layer is great for the evening when it gets a bit chilly once the sun has gone down. It's something I always forget and then it gets too 10pm and I'm there shivering trying to keep warm in the crowd. I love the added colour as it contrasts the ones seen in the top and skirt because it's neon, and I know for sure I will not get lost in the crowds in this!

For footwear there was no other contender than these incredible platform trainers, reminiscent of the buffalo's which are so on trend right now. They actually are super comfy because of the massive platform, but I do feel like a broken ankle might be in works if I fall over / loose my balance. But hey, I will get a good view in the crowd though! I desperately want to wear these for parklife, I just don't know if they are going to let me groove away in them safely, so watch this space too see if I actually wear them or not. The finishing touches with the accessories, are simple but effective. I am not an accessories person, but I can get on board with a good hat and some good shades. This Spice Girls cap needs no explanation, it is absolutely iconic with their styles being forever festival inspiration too me, it is only fitting I feature them. The shades are just yellow lenses from Primark, only £2! Get yourself down there and grab a pair, because they are 100% not worth spending more than that on, I mean we are all just doing it for the gram aren't we? The final thing, fishnets. I don't think any festival look, well any look for that matter is complete without fishnets these days. Plus, my legs feel too bare without them.

So there you have my first instalment too my festival series! I thought it would not be me if I didn't start with a bold colourful playful look. I have another couple of outfits that are going to look absolutely KILLER, so keep an eye out for them once this British weather clears up again and I can get shooting. I also might do a makeup post / tutorial, haven't decided on that yet, I might just do a list of key makeup essentials on creating the perfect festival look... we shall see! Hope you stick around to find out!

XOXO, EMMA