I’ve road tested thigh high boots so you don’t have to!

See my review right here+ 

Hey all! The day is here! The day of the new beautiful blog!! The only downside is… How am I going to bring you all along for the ride when there isn’t a send to email option?

Don’t panic yet! I’m still working on it! But guys…. there is a new subscribe option over on www.therealjlow.com so you can receive my monthly roundup!! Of course I’m going to keep up dating my social media and even pop back here while we still in limbo!

But I am so excited to share all the new things happening on the blog there is lots of fashion posts like above ^ – lots and lots of reviews, we even have health and beauty, wellness, music and shopping posts! Also, if you want to read more of my life and work based posts I’m also over on Medium!

I’m not just back a little bit guys, I’m back full force and I couldn’t be happier! Speak soon!

Jess x

 

 

Shopping | Pre Spring shopping sweep…

Since Spring and Summer have less trends to follow the potential of pre planning a season of clothes becomes infinitely easier to plan for. Whereas Autumn and Winter always seem to cost me far more in terms of money they are far less cohesive and organised.

In Spring and Summer however I have had great fun in developing a firm and simple style which is easy to reinvent year after year. For the past two years I have kept focused on simple lines and patterns, often a mix of white blue and grey and in keeping with this I’ve been on the outlook of similar timeless items with a couple of stand out pieces to invest in more exuberant, timeless summers.

Here are a few of my favourite emerging pieces…

The simple, timeless and classic

These are pretty expected from me but its always good to have the odd classic piece to carry over year after year.

Gingham Dress: Tu, Sainsbury, Chiffon Shirt: Zara, Denim Skirt: Next, White shorts: Topshop, Blue rain mac: Sainsburys, Paris Haute top: New Look

White Skirt: River Island, Floral Body suit: Zara, Grey pencil skirt: River Island, Yellow backpack: Zara, Blue off the shoulder shirt: Next, Red patterned Skirt: Zara

Fashion | How to compose an outfit and work with wide sleeves.

(very unlike myself, the moody photo. It gives all of us the laughs 🙂 )

Working with different lengths of clothing can make an outfit work better instantly. Clothing like art is all about composition and with the lovely wide sleeve having made a come back, now is the perfect time to work on your outfit composition.

When I was a teenager the style was for short tops and low rise jeans, looking at TV shows like Gilmore Girls at the time you can see how this made our silhouettes so boxy and because I grew up with that being the ‘look’ I sometimes forget the rules to dressing better and how to make an outfit more flattering.

Even if you are tall like me, making a slimline silhoutte works both for making yourself taller and slimmer. To create that line, you have some choices, in this case, the long, sleeveless blazer elongates my body making a cohesive line, even though its actually broken up between my skirt and my top. Furthermore the reason everyone should have a wide sleeve top in their closet is because it helps creating more flow. It reaches further down our arms (great for those shorter in the body also) and the wide sleeve gives more movement to the outfit which in turn adds to that length. no sharp cut off points!

To keep that length as well, this faux fur stole from Zara adds the perfect distraction as to where my skirt and top meet as the shape of it leads the eye down and over that cut in my middle.

If like me however, you need to at least give the illusion of a waist, belt outside of the jacket, or the longest part of your outfit, then either side of that line is the same keeping the overall length you are trying to create.

Fashion | Its still cool to wear a dress over trousers. Promise.

I distinctly remember being 14 and wanting to learn to make my own clothes. Puberty had made me keenly aware that I was not quite like the others. I wasn’t small, petite or willowy like my friends, instead I had already hit 5′ 10′ and my body had filled out so that I didn’t just look plain odd. Big feet, wide shoulders but still no hips (heavens sometimes I think I’m still waiting.) and I wanted to look as cool as my peers, but the stores were not so accommodating, not just in sizing or anything like that but in being more inventive.

In fact to go on a limb I feel as though its only been recently with places like Zara that we are finally seeing exciting, and alternative pieces on the Highstreet. Back when I was fourteen however, I wanted to make something actually outdated for the time. The skirt over trousers look.

I got this idea because I watched an awful lot of Mary Kate and Ashley films and shows, I realise 14 is a little old but once I like something I tend to do a lot of re watching so my fashion style tips were still coming from these out of date sources. In terms of making my own clothes, I never got very far. I hated all the textiles teachers (believe me you would have done too) and honestly I’m an idea’s girl and at the time I just didn’t have the patience.

What I’m trying to tell you all is this, although a certain form or style is outdated it doesn’t mean that you can’t keep wearing it. That’s its not in a sense, wearable. Its the most interesting part of fashion in how the same ideas and styles resurface but they can do so in such different ways. After all current fashion takes after the 90’s for example but it doesn’t feel the same, because its been tweaked and the overall look and form has changed.

Its why a dress over jeans or trousers can still work. It works because its not quite the same, the shapes have altered enough to offer us that and this is where this outfit came from. The simplicity of a dress over trousers.

What i like most about this is wearing a shirt dress open like this almost feels like a cool, long jacket and especially whilst its cold, its always good to find yourself a good amount of layers to wrap up in!

Fashion Thoughts | The worst first day back at work outfit ever.

Monday evening, post Christmas I had planned my first day back work outfit. Comprising of  Denim ‘mum jeans’ a white t shirt, chenelle cardigan and no idea on the shoes, I figured mentally, this is the one, this is the look, perfection.

When I woke up however, I found myself pulling on tailored sweat pants, a shirt with cats on it and a striped sweater. Staring myself down In the mirror for approximately ten seconds I quickly shed my kooky mix of cats and trousers/pants that were far too casual And I once again stared into the abyss of my wardrobe and figured….

I’d do better, taking off all my clothes again And reverting to my pre planned outfit. The mum jeans without the cool, Leandra factor. I still felt like I looked ridiculous as I pulled on argyle socks and brown ankle boots but somehow I stuck with it. Perhaps this was as good as I was going to get on the first work day of the year.

It was not a good idea as it turns out. I’ve never looked so unlike myself as I did that day. Nineties jeans and an equally dated fabric? In one ensemble had I woken up in a parallel universe? None of which felt a stitch like me. Arriving into London it only got worse, cold and shivering I lost the one patch of myself and femininity – a half tucked white t shirt to prove the world I actually wasn’t bloated this day. Look at that flatish stomach! It’s almost like free lypo!

In my dreadful search for a quick, cheap fix I ended up with ribbed grey sweater with 30% off in Dorothy Perkins.

The jumper itself is not bad, in fact for slightly shorter, more petite girls I’d pair it up with leggings and knee high/over the knee boots. I’ve now already determined its future come spring is to be worn as a coat over a chiffon, pleated skirt, it’s two side slits revealing the pleats and what I hope will be the prettiest ever floral design you ever did see.

Layering myself into this new sweater, I caught myself in Victoria stations bathroom and had a small smile for myself, this sweater isn’t half bad for a £15 emergency buy, maybe this won’t be so bad…. Well, perhaps it wasn’t but having lived through the late nineties and two-thousands I felt a little backward, like an awkward flash back, the eighties jeans, the early two thousands crew neck, the chenelle which was iconic to my childhood? The argyle socks people I feel like I’d had a personality crash am I me? Or am I someone else?

I was back to work again, and whereas a few days ago where sitting on my bed I’d had an epiphany about the next campaign, what I learnt my first day back was different, my eyes won’t de puff unless I wake up past seven am, I can’t get dressed before six and learning to meditate on the trains is going to take a lot of work.

Another lesson learned? Always pack an extra jumper, the odd £15 adds up fast and never trust Jess to work out how to get dressed in the first day back.

Tips to making ripped jeans

Hat: Marks and Spencers (A long time ago), Shirt: Lidl, Jeans: New Look (only £9.99 full price!), Heels: Clarks (A Long Time ago)

I thought ripping my jeans would be hard. I was also terrified in ruining a pair of jeans, if I bought them especially for this reason. Thankfully ripping your jeans or cutting them is so, so simple, all you need is Youtube and a pair of scissors, I could give you my own tips but honestly you have them all in full colour video!

What I would suggest doing is give yourself time to do it and do it well, measure where you want the slits/holes, start small and get bigger in time. Also make sure you have some good sand paper at your disposal!

In terms of wearing them, I like to keep them casual, I don’t see them working all that well for work, although I have worn an old pair of Zara jeans to work like that but they only have a small hole below the knee, I would wear them with shirts, with hats and even pig tails because I’m just whimsical like that!

Fashion | How to dress a little like a flapper…

Faux fur stole: Dorothy Perkins (2015), Cricket Jumper: Next, Flared stripe Dress: Zara (Summer 2016), Bag: Accessorize (2014) Strap+, Peep Toe Shoes: Clarks (2014)

(So my bag is ancient . . . at least a year and that in fast fashion is positively in line for retirement, but that funky bag strap? Its available on its own for only £12! It completely made my day when I saw this strap, I love how it looks on its own (although odd just wondering around with the strap) but it works perfectly with this clutch and several others! Best £12 spent ever. Even if Josh thought I was odd.)

This outfit was actually a stroke of genius, it literally wondered into my life without even really trying, it just came to me! Faux fur and a cricket jumper? yes please!

This AW, fashion has just felt refreshed! Perhaps without buying a new house and planning a wedding I just have more headspace for it, but finally I feel like I can get dressed with at least an inkling of style!

Now mixing in flapper style is perhaps an odd move for me, and yet . .  . this dress from summer just screamed, “I need a long v-neck jumper layered over me! I need to be transformed!” I think I also needed to be transformed and thats why this outfit spoke to me so loudly.

This AW I have even been bringing back various old style staples, V necks have played a prominent role in that. This sweater fit perfectly in that need for things which suit my body shape over momentary fashion choices.

Fashion | Shopping and why you should take photos of yourself in the changing room.

Green Roll Neck: Gap (On Sale!) , Cord Skirt: Next PLC (Similar – same store), Brogues: Clarks (In Black)

Oh, how I enjoy the shopping and planning process! It has to be my favourite part of any year. I think, just like planning one of our rooms to renovate planning for a season ahead brings so much more joy than I could ever expect!

(Look at the sleeves of this sweater! I call it my Snape sweater… – ultimate love right there) Its from Zara but I can’t see it online . . .

This Autumn/Winter I feel so much more on track to having a great, hard working wardrobe which is both on trend and flattering. I know, I used the word flattering! The horror! That being said I am feeling so good about this season that I figured why not show a few in changing room photos. Why do I take photos in the changing room? Well here goes . . .

They make you really look at yourself. Almost as though through the eyes of someone else.

I know that I have some really bad habits when it comes to shopping. I have been known to simply pick something up off of the shelf and buy it. Buy something that I don’t actually like because in my head I want it to work or because I simply want to make myself feel better. The best thing about photographing yourself however? You can’t hide from the truth. I mean you could . . . but its a lot harder at least.

When did I start photographing?

When I didn’t have my superhero mum telling me how terrible or good I really looked and secondly when I started the blog.

The reality is what we wear can look drastically different between our eyes and the camera lens, not to mention at mine and Joshes the mirror I use is slightly warped which gives me an unrealistic view of myself . .  . very helpful I realise.

To combat this I started photographing myself in changing rooms to look at myself from a different view point. To see my flaws and all! Since photographing myself I have on the whole seen an improvement in purchases, in fact I think that its why I am a better shopper if I go to the physical stores rather than ordering online. When I order online I’m more likely to keep something even if it doesn’t fit right just because I can’t be bothered to take it back. Therefore photographing a look in a dressing room? It can sometimes be so much easier then buying something half or blind and regretting it ever since…

Summer 2016 Fashion wrap up

It seems a little odd this year to discuss summer outfits especially since I only gave you guys about one photograph a week.

For the UK as well we didn’t exactly have weather that leant itself to great, inventive outfits, it was either cool-cold (I wore a jacket well into July) or so hot and humid that the idea of clothes became repulsive. On the whole however, I spent the majority of the summer in skirts and then shorts on the weekend.

Last year I was in love with dresses, as you all know I had the same dresses in multiple colours and this year I fell into the same pattern. At the beginning I picked up a couple of sale ones from The Gap but this year they really didn’t get worn. Maybe it was the lack of summery weekends that weren’t hot to the bone but this year for work I have lived in skirts. The blue one above as well as my grey midi wrap skirt and my two corduroy ones on repeat, in rotation. So much so in fact that I realised I don’t own nearly enough tops in comparison to bottoms.

On particularly humid days I also wore my jersey harem trousers on repeat. Again, like last year my wardrobe was pretty predictable, but maybe thats exactly what summer is about spending more time doing things and wearing what allows you to do whatever it is you want to do until the cooler months where you can spend more time  developing interesting outfits instead.

If I have learned anything however its this, whatever your wardrobe size you need a good deal of balance between the items, if you have 100 skirts and two tops you’ll never get the best from your skirts and vice versa. Even more so don’t over purchase one item if you never wear it and don’t purchase too many colours that don’t all merge!

Also for summer in the UK? Buy a fan and yes I bought shorts to work just to wear on the train home! #skills

What were your summer clothes clothes like this year? leave your comments and links below!

Fashion | Denim shorts and the tall girl

I have a theory about being tall and wearing shorts and short skirts and thats this, we look more indecent.

It sounds insane and frankly a little ludicrous but if we wore the same length skirt as a shorter girl (and I mean relative so it would end the same distance from the knee on both) gathered the general public and asked for their opinion I am pretty sure that they would say that the tall girls skirt was shorter.

Its all relativity in all honesty that because my legs are longer my shorts look shorter, but it certainly doesn’t help a girls self esteem! On the upside when its as hot as it was when we took these photos (at half nine in the morning) then a girl is likely to wear what ever to insure she doesn’t end up a puddle by the end of the day!

Also whilst taking these photos we had a group of guys who sleep by the river in tents throw stones and sentiments like, “hey poser!” Oh, how little did they know about blogging that I would not be deterred! Jeers and all.

Fashion | WHY YOU ‘COULD’ HAVE SEPARATE WORK AND HOME WARDROBES

Bomber Jacket: Next, Khaki Shirt: Next, Z Collection Necklace, Accessorize (Potentially still in Sale), Blue stitch Skirt: Next, Lace up Flats: New Look (no longer available online 😦

We have established previously how clothing affects our mood and splitting my wardrobe with home and work has made good progress in showing that this idea is true.

You could have a separate wardrobe.

Why only could? What works for one might not work for all and similarly you perhaps don’t have the cash to splash on multiple clothing personalities.

If you do however, or feel like you would like to try out two separate wardrobes then here is why you should . . .

• A work wardrobe (only used at work) immediately puts you in the right mindset the moment you wear it.
• Its gives you more of a divide between ‘home’ you and ‘work’ you.
• Allows you to enjoy all your clothes by giving them a purpose
• Lastly it allows you to set a precedent for yourself at work, as a professional in which field you are in.

Purpose became a huge factor to me recently. After only two weeks of wearing these exclusively for work, when I put this outfit on the other Sunday for these posts I instantly felt wrong wearing them out in Maidstone. It appears that I was already busy associating my clothes with my days and honestly, I already feel better for it.

Another side of this is relating back to A Season Of Style I wondered how I would be able to have different style sets without feeling out of whack, or pairing them together and finding odd combinations. This feels like the answer, my work wear can have one vibe and my home wear can have another.

I’m not entirely sure how that looks quite yet but I’m thoroughly enjoying wearing certain clothes for certain occasions. It puts purpose to my purchases and it already makes me feel better especially when I found this scuba fabric skirt with stitch detailing and this great staple shirt in a stretchy khaki my work wardrobe started falling into place. Almost this entire outfit is from Next and I actually love this store for work staples. Its easy to get bogged down with of the moment trends but Next have always led me right with smart and affordable corporate pieces.

I have a sneaking feeling in fact that this might not be the last of Next Work wear in my future . . .

Fashion | Sportswear for the weekend

Two outfit posts in a week I hear you cry! What happened to you Jess? This is all very unlike you . . . I hear you, I hear you, its been a while but there is something so classic about the outfit post that sometimes you just have to share more than one in a week.

Sportswear, has to be my favourite thing in the whole world. When it came into fashion focus I literally jumped for joy! The bomber (this one is from Next but check out Zara for some truly beautiful pieces!), paired with comfy drawstring pants(trousers) or the classic legging and you’ll find me in my dream world. A world of elastic and jersey.

We have literally this weekend booked to go to Berlin in October so I’m now very much looking for a pair of drawstring, sporty trousers to double up as being uber cool whilst relaxed, perfect for our two days flying either side of the trip! I’m keen on these from Next (I also love these in ochre) and these from Topshop which do we think is best? Leave your comments below and if you’ve been before give me your top recommendations for Berlin!

p.s. That second look guys, that face! How have I only just seen the beginning of hysterical laughter face before? lets be honest, I ❤ it. Keep an eye out for more hilarious expressions to come!