I Found The Perfect Leather Pants And This Is How I Style Them (Size 16)

I've been on the hunt for leather pants for what seems like forever. I find leather a really hard fabric to make look good on my body and for that reason it took me a while to come around to the idea of getting some leather pants, but each time I was pulling out an oversized tee from my wardrobe I was thinking "Ugh, leather pants would look good with this, why don't I have any?".

After trying on many different shapes and styles of leather pants I settled on the idea that a leggings style pant would be best for my body shape, plus since I was wanting to style the pants with oversized t-shirts I may as well be as comfy as possible! I had first tried on New Look's Leather Style Biker Leggings at the start of the year, but sadly for me I am a very small human so there was just too much leg to roll up for the pants to really give off a slick vibe that leather pants normally do. Fast forward 6 months and a global pandemic, I realised that they came in Petite! This filled my heart with joy, maybe after all I'm not too small to pull them off. 

I placed an order for them ASAP and I was buzzing when they arrived and fit really well! I still have to roll them up a one fold, but I roll them inwards instead of outwards which doesn't leave the inside fabric poking out at the bottom of my leg, doing it that way means you can't even tell that I've rolled them up. The leggings are super comfy and have a thick lining inside of them which makes them a perfect staple in your Winter wardrobe. My favourite part has to be the 'biker' look of them, having the ribbed knees and the zips really do just add a little something and I'd even go as far to say they don't look like New Look at all, they look WAY more expensive than £22.99.

How To Style

I think the most flattering way to style leather pants on any body type is by pairing them with an oversized t-shirt or jumper. This sort of look gives a real 'model off duty' look without trying too hard at all, plus why not opt to be comfortable whenever you can while still looking trendy. I've also got to admit I do love an all black fit when styling leather, I just can't help myself when it comes to all black, leather pants were *literally* made for a gothic moment. 

To contrast the all back look, I use softer items like cute graphic t-shirts that are neutral in colour, this way you can tone down the leather pants and make them seem a lot less in your face which is a good way to style them if you don't feel as confident with a darker more gothic look. 

Some great bloggers and Instagrammers to look to for inspiration are @sammimaria, @idressmyselff, @gracesurguy and @helenanderz

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Are you hopping on the leather pants trend this A/W? Let me know in the comments how you'd style them.

Megan x

Recent Depop Purchases (Absolute Steals)

Following up on my recent post about how to shop on Depop, I thought I'd show you what I've been buying on the app recently. I've been looking for both practical and classic items  I can add to my wardrobe. I've noticed that pretty much all my items are ASOS, I'm not shocked at that revelation but this should be a mental note for me to break out of that habit.

I purchased an abstract jumpsuit at the start of lockdown for around £10, It's super comfy I just don't really know what to wear on my feet while I wear this because I'm so awkwardly small, so at the moment this number hasn't left the house, however when it's been hot and I'm enjoying the sun in the garden I have been popping this on to laze around.

The blue fleece that you can see in the first picture on this post is VERY cosy, as I'm sure you can tell because It looks like It's going to swallow me whole, lol. This like everything else is a size 16, It actually fits my arms really well just the collar looks bit crazy because I'm small, but I will 100% be wearing this on days when it's a little chilly, just because It's nearly summer doesn't mean It won't be cold, after all I do live In the UK.

Shoes are my weakness, and this month I've purchased two pairs on Depop, I do feel a little less guilty when they're second hand and cheaper than the original price point. I managed to get some chunky boots from ASOS for £15, the seller had never worn them and they are brand new, so for £15 I'd consider that a steal! I then found some gorgeous pink and red New Balance that I got for £45, the original price for these babies is £65 so I'd say thats a good price point, and yet again these shoes had not been worn, only tried on. Honestly, shoes make my heart so full they're easily my favourite part of any outfit. These New Balance shoes are literally me if I were a shoe, not even exaggerating!!

I've got my eyes on some more pieces but I really need to reel in the purchases, I've just got rid of half my wardrobe I don't want it all back with impulse Depop purchases but ya girl is struggling.

Megan x

I Love Dresses: The Smock Dress Wish List

There was a time and place when I actually hated wearing dresses, and yes I know, looking at my Instagram you'd literally never think it. I'd say I own more dresses than trousers. Honestly, dresses are just so hassle free, they're literally a full outfit all you have to do is accessorise, it takes no time at all to think about what you want to wear, I'm all about that.

I have a lot of different style dresses but by far the most popular in my wardrobe is a smock dress, this style of dress will suit you no matter your height or shape, if you're a little smaller like me shop for them in the petite section so they cut off on your thigh in the right place.

I went to ASOS and picked out 7 of my favourite smocks:

ASOS DESIGN long sleeve tiered maxi dress in blue spot
ASOS DESIGN smock mini sweat dress with long sleeve in camel
Y.A.S textured smock dress in pink
ASOS DESIGN denim soft midi smock dress in blue
ASOS DESIGN Premium broderie midi smock dress with lace up back in cream
Sister Jane mini smock dress with tiered skirt in strawberry embroidered organza
ASOS DESIGN high neck tiered mini smock dress in textured organza

My top pick out of the seven has to be the Sister Jane Strawberry smock because It is on another planet with the design and fit, honestly If I ever got the chance to wear this dress I'd never want to take it off! Sister Jane is such an amazing brand, I'm gutted that they don't do over a size 14... I mean COME ON it's 2020.

If you want to see me style a bunch of dresses then you can follow me on Instagram where I post a lot of outfit pictures mostly of dresses as it seems I have a problem lol.

Megan x

How To Shop Depop To Create A Sustainable Wardrobe

Over the last year Depop has become one of my favourite shopping destinations. If you didn't already know, Depop is an app that you can use to buy and sell clothes, worn or brand new. I started using the app last year before interning in London to make a few extra coins, plus when packing I realised I was leaving more than half of my wardrobe at home, meaning I either don't want the clothes anymore due to style change or they were uncomfortable to wear, so I set up a depop and got selling!

I've heard a lot of people say that they like the idea of Depop but can never find anything that they want. To be honest I can scroll on Depop for hours and that's how I end up finding a lot of gems, you've just got to know what to look for in terms of key words and what to spot on someones profile to indicate if they're going to have anything you might want.

I'd start using Depop by filling in your own size and favourite categories this way the 'for you' section is way more reliable, anything you like and buy will also contribute to what Depop suggests you purchase. 

When searching for items I always search brand, size, type of item. For example, 'Asos, size 16, dress' this way you have a few key words in the search bar meaning depop can bring up more items. I also like to search the brand and filter options for size etc using the little setting tool when the search loads this way you can search every Asos item (for example) thats in your size no matter what type of product it is. 

When you find a few items you like, make sure you actually do 'like' them. This way you can see if someone else buys them, if they go on sale or if the user decides to take the item off Depop. I try to use the like page to my advantage by viewing the profiles of the users who i've liked a post by, seeing if they've uploaded anything else I might like or if they have 'liked' something that I might also be interested in, chances are if they're selling clothes in your size they're going to be trying to find clothes in your size too. Take advantage of the like section! 

The major advantage of shopping second hand on an app like Depop is that you have access to up to date second hand, in brands that you know will fit you. As someone who is 'average' size (16/18) shopping second hand in a charity shop is near impossible because A LOT of the clothes are not my size, this gives us girls who are a little bigger options to shop more sustainable, while having vintage and older pieces to access like a traditional second hand shop, Depop offers the fast fashion second hand too! 

Megan x

My Everyday Ring Stack

Accessories have always been my favourite part of any outfit, Jewellery adds that little bit extra 'something' to absolutely anything. It's not exactly everyday that I do get to wear Jewellery because of my job, I don't want to risk accidentally breaking anything in the stockroom which I may, or may not have done to a £160 watch before *oops* and yes, I did in-fact shed a little tear over that one because It was about 3 months out of it's two year warranty. But when I do get the chance to wear any rings or bracelets, they're always rose gold, Olivia Burton and Pandora.

Olivia Burton Is a brand that I've been obsessed with for around 2 years, every birthday and Christmas I always receive something from the brand. My first ever purchase from the brand was the classic bee ring, which I still wear every possible chance I get and is obviously featured in my everyday ring stack along with the perl bee ring and the gorgeous bee bangle, altogether I have around 6 pieces from the brand and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I am so in love with one of their most recent collections inspired by the sea, I really need to get my hands on the shell ring which is a beautiful gold and is quite thick, in contrast with all the other pieces I own from them. If you're into rose gold, bees, rabbits and all things floral and girly, check Olivia Burton out, you'll be obsessed with their pieces!

The only other brand I've got an established amount from in my Jewellery collection is Pandora, sorry to be a basic bitch but Pandora are really overlooked nowadays because of their popular stunt 3 years ago when everyone and their mam had a Pandora bracelet and a princess crown ring *cringeee*.  Don't worry everyone, I never owned neither, the only fashion mistake I ever indulged in was UGG boots and it even seems they're making the appearance again. I have a selection of silver and gold rings in my collection but the one that sees the most daylight is without a doubt the rose gold heart band ring, It sits perfectly with the OB rings and is dead on the same shade of rose gold.

I really want to expand my collection with more British designed jewellery, especially in these trying times, I have my eye on a few pieces from Sammi Maria's Jewellery line, they're all ethically made (another biggie for me) and I'd love to support an OG blogger in their new venture. Please give me any reccommendations for other British brands in the comments. :)

Megan x

Trying To Curate My Capsule Wardrobe

I've recently realised that I have no clothes, and not in the way of literally having zero, but I mean I have actual pieces of clothing but often find myself wearing the same outfits because I have nothing to put with statement pieces. That's when I realised I needed to invest in a capsule wardrobe.

"Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called Wardrobe in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces."

What I Want To Include In My Capsule Wardrobe:

• Full Length White and Black T-shirt
• Cropped White and Black T-shirt
• High Wasted Black Jeans
• High Wasted Blue Jeans
• Mom/Straight Leg Jeans
• Black Leather Jacket
• White Trainers 
• Black Boots 
• Dress Pants
• Waterproof Jacket/Rain Jacket
• Denim Skirt
• Blazer
• Practical Bag (backpack)

I think a good capsule wardrobe should really differ from person to person, for instance not everyone would say a rain jacket is as an essential item however, to me it seems like something I'm really missing and require more times than not. As a rule of thumb capsule wardrobes are normally monochromatic as that tends to fit with every season and other pieces you might pair them with. When we look at celebs and influencers we are quick to buy whatever statement piece they are rocking but fail to look behind the flashy stuff at what really makes the outfit. I have fallen into this trap hard, and now have a wardrobe full with mismatched stuff, having a good quality white top or black jeans that fit me good will honestly change my whole wardrobe and how I put together an outfit.

Megan x