Top 5 Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Halloween is tomorrow and this year it falls on a Friday, so you are probably already invited to 6 weekend Halloween parties. 

But who buys costumes weeks in advance? Definitely not you. 

Of course the easiest thing to do would be to go to Tesco, Planet Bong or any other store littered with extremely revealing variations on every uniform and fantasy character under the sun, but who wants to be Slutty Witch No. 5 at a party? We will help you dress originally and most importantly, in style. Fear not (leave that for tomorrow!), as we present our top 5 costumes you can get before nightfall. 

1. Gatsby style never gets old. 
Try this True Decadence dress from House of Fraser with simple flats and add this Zara headband for a simple, but stylish outfit that will surely make you stand out in the crowd. 
Michelle Phan has an amazing makeup tutorial you can follow, to finish up your look. 

2. Be adventurous! 
And we mean, literally - dress up as a female version as one of the most famous adventurers of the silver screen - Indiana Jones. For that you will need this H&M hat and any white shirt of your choosing (we actually prefer a mens one for this costume!). You can tie it in a knot to reveal more body, or keep it tucked in to stay more true to the character. 
If you feel like REALLY getting into the role, grab this whip from Ann Summers. 

Alternatively, go for Lara Croft look with a white tank top, cargo shorts and large boots. Bow and pistol holsters are optional but encouraged. 

3. Grab a friend and get spooky. 
Matching costumes are not only impressive at a party, but also show the true dedication and friendship between those wearing them. Pay homage to the classic that is The Shining by dressing up as the Twins. This Topshop dress would be perfect - just add a simple white sash and tie it in a bow at the front. if you and your friend have mismatching hair, fix that with appropriate wigs - they will be easy to find at this time of year. 

4. Bring back a childhood character. 
Many will remember Pippi Longstocking from when we were kids. Now is the time to bring her back. While the “classic” character has a patched up blue dress, feel free to improvise with colours! Don’t forget the cute pigtails! You can use a wig here as well. H&M has a cute blue dress in its Basics collection which you can easily use as the basis and add the patches, if you have the time. 

5. Turning a black dress into a costume. 
Who rocked a black dress better than any other Halloween-themed character? Morticia Addams of course. All you need is a long black dress (like this beautiful lace H&M one for example) and some great pale makeup and you are good to go. If you have a date, get him to grab a pinstripe suit and a moustache, and you have a beautiful couples costume. 

Written by: Ivan Slobodin
Edited  by: Diana Drgonova

Interview with Angela from duringthecoffebreak

This week, we have an interview with Angela, fashion blogger at duringthecoffeebreak

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
Hello! I'm 20 years old and studying first year sociology at Warwick University.

2. Define your personal style
Oh I've never been asked to describe my style before and I've never really thought about what to call it; I just go with whatever I think looks good! But I suppose you could call it some sort of retro style? I really like the silhouettes of the 40s, 50s and 60s and I often try to recreate them with modern clothes, if that makes sense. 

3. How did you start blogging?
I started blogging because I got interested in photography when I got my first camera as a teenager and wanted a place where I could keep all my photos in one place. After a while I gained a couple of followers who started leaving kind comments on the way I dressed so I started posting more outfit pictures. I still mainly use my blog as a way of archiving my photos, but it's a lot more fun now that others appreciate it too! 

4. What are your favourite brands/designers?
At the moment I love almost everything from Orla Kiely, but another designer I've worshipped for years now is Ulyana Sergeenko. Sadly I don't think I'll ever afford to buy anything from her, but everything from the clothes to the photography and styling inspires me a lot…!
5. Who is your style icon?
Audrey Hepburn, probably. Everyone from Mad Men. And Ulyana Sergeenko. 
6. What’s your current favourite piece of clothing?
Do you mean like, type of clothing or a specific piece? I always liked dresses because they're both convenient and pretty; and as for my favourite piece of clothing that I own, I don't know if bags count, but if they do it's my Mulberry bryn bag, other than that it's a floral sundress from Warehouse.

7. What are your favourite blogs?
Right now I really enjoy reading Wish Wish Wish, Esme and the Laneway and See Creatures.

By: Diana Chen Qin

5 Fashion rules that should be broken

5 Fashion rules that should be broken

1) You cannot wear too much of one colour

This is partially true, but you can wear one colour from top to bottom and still look chic. How? By using different shades of the same colour. It also helps if your piece are made out  of different materials. 

2) You cannot wear two bold colours at once

False. Ever heard of colour blocking? You can wear two bold colours at once but make sure that the two bold colours complement each other. Also you can bring the two bold colours together by adding a neutral accessory, such as a belt. The neutral belt will act as a mediant to tie the two contrasting colours together. If you are wearing two contrasting colours on top, wearing neutral shoes will also do. And don’t forget, wearing shoes in the same shade as your skin will also visually elongate your legs.

3) You cannot pair black and navy together

I don’ t even understand why this is a rule. Although black is a very dark colour, you should keep in mind that black also serves as a neutral colour, just like greys, ivories, tans and creams. Neutrals bring an outfit together. You can wear neutral with just about any colour because they will complement one another. Meaning, you can pair black with just about anything. So yes, black and navy work absolutely well together. Moreover it is a great colour combination to bring into the winter season. 

4) You should not mix different prints together 

This is absolutely false because mixing different prints together can look great. But there is a strategic way of doing it, so you don’t end up looking like a mess. Prints are visually very busy on their own. So you want to find a print that will complement the other print and you want to make sure that one print is more dominant than the other.

5) Mixing metals 

Mixing gold with silver?! Don't worry, not so bad of an idea.  Actually gold and silver can be great friends as long  as it looks deliberate. If you are wearing 99% gold and 1% silver, that won't do. If you work in an even mix, totally chic. So in sum, make sure you have the same amount of each metal, so that one does not look more prominent than the other. 

So remember guys, when someone imposes a rule on you, remind them that some are simply just meant to be broken!

Michelle Williams stars in the new Louis Vuitton campaign

Michelle Williams stars in the new Louis Vuitton campaign

You may have seen the gorgeous Michelle Williams in popular movies such as 'Brokeback Mountain', 'Blue Valentine' and most recently in 'My Week with Marylin' but did you know that she is also a model?

After modelling for the Fall/Winter 2013 campaign, Michelle Williams reprised her role for this year's Spring/Summer collection. 

In these shots she can be seen showcasing the brand's new Lockit, Alma and Capucine bag. These new images convey feelings of exploration, travel and fun matching the bold colour palette that the bags come in.

 

What do you think of the new LV ad? Does it make you feel ready for summer?

By: Diana Chen Qin