Wednesday, 5 November 2014
OUR BLOG HAS MOVED - REDIRECTING YOU TO THE NEW BLOG...
OUR BLOG HAS MOVED - REDIRECTING YOU TO THE NEW BLOG...
Monday, 21 April 2014
sun, style and sangria
Is there anything more beautiful than a bank holiday Monday? The shackles of early starts, of 9 to 5s, of alcohol-free (ish) Sundays are cast aside for eight Mondays a year, and boy should we cherish them. But then there comes Tuesday. Our state of mourning was just postponed, and our four day weekend has come to a blunt, bitter end. Well ladies and gents, here's a little ray of sunshine to make that transition a little less painful. Summer hovers just around the corner,we can almost taste the sangria... But until then, let's indulge in a little escapism. Think delectable dishes, think exquisite fashion, think David Gandy's white speedos. Let's think Summer.
Having spent the last two days in a state of chocolate-induced coma, the thought of any food outside of the Easter Egg food group comes as a welcome lifeline. Nothing goes better with Mediterranean sunshine than a lavish display of authentic, delicious food. Add Scarlett Johansson into the mix and you're onto a winner. The pulse of films such as Vicky Christina Barcelona and The Talented Mr Ripley beat around the vibrant, rustic dining culture, with endless lunches, dinners, (and the obligatory second lunches and dinners...)at the heart of this carefree holiday culture- though you've got a tough job of convincing anyone that Miss Johansson's eaten more than an olive. And there's no denying the joys of the liquid diet. Endless cocktails, no judgement, nothing better...
Okay, so it's rare you'll find a Daniel Craig in little blue trunks strolling down the sandy beaches of the Canary Islands- but a girl can dream. Bond emerging from the crystal clear Atlantic onto the beaches of the Bahamas could ignite a passion in anyone for holiday (or passion full stop)... Or if George Michael is more up your street, Wham's Club Tropicana sets the bar for lively, holiday fun. I mean drinks are free, who's complaining?
Rustic cuisine, unlimited cocktails, ripped men on tranquil beaches, oh the delights of Summer. But really, is there anything more exciting than holiday fashion? Vibrant prints, bold colours, there is no better opportunity to make a stylish splash, and an essential summer staple comes in the form of kaftans . From poolside to beachside, layer over your favourite swimming costume to liven up any look. Pair with sandals and sunglasses for day time chic, or layer over skinny jeans and team with a pair of wedges to make that all important transition between day and night.
If you fancy spicing up your summer style, inject your wardrobe with a bit of South West Ten. Be it our cobalt blue and white print beauty, or our vibrant coral tunic, make a statement this coming season with our bright colour combos and stylish embellishments. Summer might be a few months away yet, but get a slice of it now at www.southwestten.com. Until then, we here at SWT wish you a merry bank holiday, and we hope our summer reverie lasts you through tomorrow. A bit of fashion and Daniel Craig can soothe any wound.
Having spent the last two days in a state of chocolate-induced coma, the thought of any food outside of the Easter Egg food group comes as a welcome lifeline. Nothing goes better with Mediterranean sunshine than a lavish display of authentic, delicious food. Add Scarlett Johansson into the mix and you're onto a winner. The pulse of films such as Vicky Christina Barcelona and The Talented Mr Ripley beat around the vibrant, rustic dining culture, with endless lunches, dinners, (and the obligatory second lunches and dinners...)at the heart of this carefree holiday culture- though you've got a tough job of convincing anyone that Miss Johansson's eaten more than an olive. And there's no denying the joys of the liquid diet. Endless cocktails, no judgement, nothing better...
Okay, so it's rare you'll find a Daniel Craig in little blue trunks strolling down the sandy beaches of the Canary Islands- but a girl can dream. Bond emerging from the crystal clear Atlantic onto the beaches of the Bahamas could ignite a passion in anyone for holiday (or passion full stop)... Or if George Michael is more up your street, Wham's Club Tropicana sets the bar for lively, holiday fun. I mean drinks are free, who's complaining?
Rustic cuisine, unlimited cocktails, ripped men on tranquil beaches, oh the delights of Summer. But really, is there anything more exciting than holiday fashion? Vibrant prints, bold colours, there is no better opportunity to make a stylish splash, and an essential summer staple comes in the form of kaftans . From poolside to beachside, layer over your favourite swimming costume to liven up any look. Pair with sandals and sunglasses for day time chic, or layer over skinny jeans and team with a pair of wedges to make that all important transition between day and night.
If you fancy spicing up your summer style, inject your wardrobe with a bit of South West Ten. Be it our cobalt blue and white print beauty, or our vibrant coral tunic, make a statement this coming season with our bright colour combos and stylish embellishments. Summer might be a few months away yet, but get a slice of it now at www.southwestten.com. Until then, we here at SWT wish you a merry bank holiday, and we hope our summer reverie lasts you through tomorrow. A bit of fashion and Daniel Craig can soothe any wound.
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| http://www.southwestten.com/Spring-Summer-2014/Holiday |
Sunday, 6 April 2014
A flare for fashion
When we think of Grease, we think of leather jackets, tight trousers and John Travolta. And once we've begrudgingly withdrawn ourselves from that reverie, Sandy comes to mind, complete with mega perm, red platforms and skintight trousers (where leg and pleather first became bosom friends). But on the sidelines of our memory lives the other Sandy, with her tiny waist and billowing full skirts, cast into the shadows by her seductive sister. Well, it's about time we gave her a little recognition. For decades upon decades, the fit and flare dress has floated down the runways and hung in the wardrobes of every fashion icon we have ever heralded. As timeless as Clooney himself, here we celebrate the dress that's never gone out of style- here's to the unsung Sandy.
From Grace Kelly to Jackie O, this immortal dress can be seen gracing the stars of more than 60 years ago, firmly stitching itself into fashion history. Bardot's monochrome checked number oozes effortless Parisian chic,whilst Audrey's strapless beauty cinches in her waist (let's pretend it needed to be cinched) and creates the ultimate feminine silhouette. If the princesses, first ladies and Marilyn Monroe's of the world are wearing it, you know you're onto a winner.
Fast forward to the 21st century- we've said goodbye (and good riddance) to the mullet, fingerless gloves and flares, but this staple piece has moved through the years gracefully (take note Madonna) and come out the other side as chic as ever, radiating eternal and effortless style. With a kaleidoscopic range of colours and vibrant prints available, this timeless shape can cater to all tastes, occasions and complexions. Be it Lupita's exquisite and elegant Lanvin beauty, or SJP's dynamic mix of floral prints fused with studs and leather, this shape offers endless possibilities. Who said an old dog couldn't learn new tricks?
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| dresses available at www.southwestten.com |
If you're looking to add this staple silhouette to your wardrobe (let's face it, when are we ever not looking to add to our wardrobes?), why not try these classic and classy skater dresses on for size? Coming in nude or white, they form the ultimate stylish core for any outfit, easily transferable between night and day. Try loafers or wedges with an over-sized handbag for day time chic, or throw a chunky necklace and vibrant clutch into the mix to take the outfit up a gear- you'll never have to wear the same look twice.
So Sandy, we hope we've fought your case convincingly. Besides, you can never go wrong with a classic. Oh, wait...
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| sorry John, I still love you. |
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Layer up with leather
As February once again melts away into March and Spring starts sounding its sirens, it's official- the season of pastels, florals and the occasional new born lamb is upon us once more. Slightly less predictable however, is our unforeseeable British weather, as hit and miss as Kim Kardashian's wardrobe choices. (Sorry Kim.) Whether we're faced with the notorious spring shower or the slightly lesser known ray of sunshine, layering is a Brit's best friend, and this SS14 we have the jacket for you. We saw it first at Lanvin, later at Hermes, and now here it is at South West Ten- we bring you the eternally stylish, leather jacket.
With everyone from Alexa Chung to Jessica Alba hopping on the bandwagon, the jacket of the season has taken the celebrity world by storm. Alexa opts for day time chic, layering hers over a black ensemble with a splash of maroon; Rita wears hers with, well, more leather, and at the other end of the spectrum, the ever stylish Miss Palermo pairs her soft brown jacket with prints, fur and yet more colour. (Hats off to you Olivia, it looks a lot better than it sounds...)
Get a bit of grunge in your wardrobe this season with our kaleidoscopic range of stunning, soft leather jackets. Wear with a shift or fit-and-flare dress to give a feminine look some edge, or pair with skinnies and a chiffon shirt for sleek, statement street wear. Be it warm tobacco, dove grey or biker black, add one to any outfit for an injection of instantaneous style. It's the George Clooney of the coat world- an old favourite, effortlessly cool, and something we really wouldn't mind having draped around us.
So there you have it. Be it 5 or 25 degrees this Spring, channel your inner fashionista and have our coat of the season on stand by. Besides, my motto in life: if SJP's got it in her wardrobe, you can never be too far wrong.
With everyone from Alexa Chung to Jessica Alba hopping on the bandwagon, the jacket of the season has taken the celebrity world by storm. Alexa opts for day time chic, layering hers over a black ensemble with a splash of maroon; Rita wears hers with, well, more leather, and at the other end of the spectrum, the ever stylish Miss Palermo pairs her soft brown jacket with prints, fur and yet more colour. (Hats off to you Olivia, it looks a lot better than it sounds...)
Get a bit of grunge in your wardrobe this season with our kaleidoscopic range of stunning, soft leather jackets. Wear with a shift or fit-and-flare dress to give a feminine look some edge, or pair with skinnies and a chiffon shirt for sleek, statement street wear. Be it warm tobacco, dove grey or biker black, add one to any outfit for an injection of instantaneous style. It's the George Clooney of the coat world- an old favourite, effortlessly cool, and something we really wouldn't mind having draped around us.
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| www.southwestten.com |
So there you have it. Be it 5 or 25 degrees this Spring, channel your inner fashionista and have our coat of the season on stand by. Besides, my motto in life: if SJP's got it in her wardrobe, you can never be too far wrong.
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| All hail fashion royalty. |
Friday, 18 October 2013
Fashion, fur and the Fifties
In 2011, Beyonce Knowles finally gave us the answer to a question that has plagued us for centuries, sparking debate amongst esteemed philosophers and grand thinkers alike- who does indeed, run the world? (Hope you're singing along as badly as I am..) But let's face it, in the fashion world, there's been no doubt you runs the show, and this AW13/14, feminine fashion reigns supreme. Think Hitchcock's heroines, cinched in at the waist and draped in sumptuous furs. Think full skirts and hour glass silhouettes. Think Gucci, Prade, Erdem... Prepare yourself to fall into a lustful fashion-fuelled slumber if you haven't already; let's check out the looks on and off the catwalk...
This season, everyone's gone a little bit psycho for mid-century inspired trends. Channeling merry old Alfred himself, femme fatales strutted down the runway, their chic waist belts and fabulous fifties inspired shoes melting the hearts and loosening the purse strings of women around the world. I mean, who isn't seduced by a bit of Louis Vuitton? Be it Marc Jacobs' metallic pencil skirts and splashes of fur, or Bottega Veneta's crimson, statement jackets and Rita Hayworth hair, we've all been left utterly spellbound. (If only we had pound for every Hitchcock pun we could fit into one paragraph...)
To sprinkle a bit of grandeur onto any outfit, all you need is a splash of fur. Be it the lining of a cape, draped around your neck or adorning your new winter jacket, lavish fur oozes elegance and takes any day to day outfit to the next level. Prada feature some magnificent fur jackets, and we all know if you can't beat 'em, joining in is the next best thing... South West Ten have a fabulous range of fur coats to take your pick from. Our fur lined parkas even have a detachable on trend gilet- flawless fashion in excess.
For those of us who just fancy a subtle nod to the trend, our fur lined cashmere scarves radiate glamour and are perfect for layering over jackets and knits as our bitter British winter takes hold. Already a firm favourite with the marvellous Millie Mackintosh, get your hands on this exquisite staple piece and take the lead in the style stakes this season.
So there you have it. We might not all be Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman, but we can certainly have a whack at channeling their stylish spirits. Glamour is the new grunge, so this season let your inner vixen come out to play. If you need a hand, you know where to look...
www.southwestten.com
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| Yep, that's pretty much how we looked when we saw Gucci's AW13/14 collection too... |
This season, everyone's gone a little bit psycho for mid-century inspired trends. Channeling merry old Alfred himself, femme fatales strutted down the runway, their chic waist belts and fabulous fifties inspired shoes melting the hearts and loosening the purse strings of women around the world. I mean, who isn't seduced by a bit of Louis Vuitton? Be it Marc Jacobs' metallic pencil skirts and splashes of fur, or Bottega Veneta's crimson, statement jackets and Rita Hayworth hair, we've all been left utterly spellbound. (If only we had pound for every Hitchcock pun we could fit into one paragraph...)
To sprinkle a bit of grandeur onto any outfit, all you need is a splash of fur. Be it the lining of a cape, draped around your neck or adorning your new winter jacket, lavish fur oozes elegance and takes any day to day outfit to the next level. Prada feature some magnificent fur jackets, and we all know if you can't beat 'em, joining in is the next best thing... South West Ten have a fabulous range of fur coats to take your pick from. Our fur lined parkas even have a detachable on trend gilet- flawless fashion in excess.
For those of us who just fancy a subtle nod to the trend, our fur lined cashmere scarves radiate glamour and are perfect for layering over jackets and knits as our bitter British winter takes hold. Already a firm favourite with the marvellous Millie Mackintosh, get your hands on this exquisite staple piece and take the lead in the style stakes this season.
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| http://www.southwestten.com/Accessories/Scarves/Silver-Fox-Fur-Trimmed-Shawl http://www.southwestten.com/Accessories/Scarves/Navy-Cashmere-Fox-Trimmed-Scarf |
So there you have it. We might not all be Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman, but we can certainly have a whack at channeling their stylish spirits. Glamour is the new grunge, so this season let your inner vixen come out to play. If you need a hand, you know where to look...
www.southwestten.com
Sunday, 22 September 2013
The Marvellous Mrs Millie Manderson
Disclaimer: this article will be riddled with many a bitter
remark and underpinned by a solid foundation of jealousy. Blame Millie, it’s
not our fault she looked that good.
On the 10th September 2013, our beautiful Millie entered the gorgeous Babington House as Miss Mackintosh, and left as Mrs Manderson. Our style (girl) crush is officially off the market (sob, but at least she wed a Manderson so we can still have fun with the alliterative taglines…). We have enough trouble choosing what to wear to the supermarket, so when you’re the woman with the wardrobe that pales many a fashionista’s into insignificance, how can you ever decide what to wear for the most important day of your life? Well, my god didn’t she choose well. The spectacular vintage Alice Temperley gown radiated elegance and Millie was aglow. She completed the look with the ultimate accessories- ivory Louboutins on her feet and Pro green on her arm. Still torn as to which I would prefer…
Speaking as an avid believer of the ‘well you never know when a so and so might
come in handy’ school of thought, I think I could be pushing it when it comes
to a wedding dress… But that doesn’t mean we still can’t channel Millie’s
effortless, regal stylings in our day to day wardrobes. Winter looms ever closer, and as we
start loading the loft with our endless supply of kaftans and yet another pair of gladiator sandals, our desire for chunky knits and luxurious wraps comes back
out to play. Why not try one of our stunning fur coats on for size- the ultimate
luxurious item of a woman’s winter wardrobe. The sumptuous feel and elegant
look come together to delight the senses, and add a bit of glam to any
wardrobe. If you’re looking for a splash of royalty and grandeur to liven up a
day to day look, then our fur trimmed capes and wraps could do the trick. Our
dark grey, cashmere shawl is already hanging up in the wardrobe of the lovely
Millie- follow her lead and team with a chunky knit and skinnies or throw over
a light jacket or dress. Endlessly versatile, endlessly stylish.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Holiday headaches
In precisely 13 days, a task awaits me that can only be described as quite frankly impossible, a problem that has relentlessly plagued females across the globe for decades, a challenge that has claimed the sanity of many a victim across the summer period. That's right ladies, it's the season of the 10kg baggage restriction. Deep breaths people. Whilst the thoughts of basking in the delicious heat of the Spanish sun or wasting away afternoons in delightful tavernas with a Mojito glued to my right hand serves only to heighten my excitement, I have a constant niggling reminder that I very well may be doing all of the above naked. Or worse, in the same outfit. But here at SWT, we've done our best to compile a few key elements for the perfect capsule holiday wardrobe to conquer this almighty feat. (First world problems, eh...)
Okay, we figured we'd tackle the issue in two chunks, the first of which being daytime wear. The perfect poolside piece is undoubtedly the kaftan or tunic dress, which can quite easily be teamed with a pair of skinnies and wedges and voila- you could be walking the streets of Barcelona. With a wide range on offer at SWT, why not try on for size our gorgeous, dragonfly print Monroe Tunic? The loose fit and soft nude tones ooze bohemian chic and it's 100% silk so will look and feel fab. Or take advantage of one of our stunning sale items such as our green silk beauty with embellished neckline. What ever tickles your fancy, only pack a couple! Okay, maybe three.
Okay, we figured we'd tackle the issue in two chunks, the first of which being daytime wear. The perfect poolside piece is undoubtedly the kaftan or tunic dress, which can quite easily be teamed with a pair of skinnies and wedges and voila- you could be walking the streets of Barcelona. With a wide range on offer at SWT, why not try on for size our gorgeous, dragonfly print Monroe Tunic? The loose fit and soft nude tones ooze bohemian chic and it's 100% silk so will look and feel fab. Or take advantage of one of our stunning sale items such as our green silk beauty with embellished neckline. What ever tickles your fancy, only pack a couple! Okay, maybe three.
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| http://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop |
In the evening, there's nothing like a maxi dress to inject a bit of glamour into your wardrobe, and it means you're outfit's sorted from head to toe! Well, ankle. Our gorgeous, floral beauty is bang on trend this season, and the stretch material ensures that it doesn't crease and can be easily packed. The vibrant print and halter neck shape radiates glamour and wouldn't look amiss wherever you're jetting off to. Alternatively, our pure silk dragonfly maxi comes in coral, aqua and will soon be available in black to set off your holiday tan.
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| http://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop/Aqua-Dragonfly-Maxi-Dresshttp://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop/Cobalt-Floral-Maxi-Dress |
If the maxi doesn't do it for you, a staple evening top could do the trick. This green and lilac fern print top is a stunning piece that would look great over a pair of white jeans for miami chic. If bright colours are your thing, our multi coloured print beauty will suit all body types with it's effortless loose shaping. Or if you fancy a bit of bling, our lime green chiffon tunic with beaded embellishments will be sure to dazzle, and the colouring is huge for SS13.
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| http://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop/Fern-Print-Blouse http://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop/Lime-Green-Chiffon-Tunic-Dress http://www.southwestten.com/holiday-shop/Mulit-Coloured-Kaftan |
Now we're not super human, so we're leaving accessories and swimwear down to you, but we leave you under strict instruction that you must NOT pack 10 pairs of sandals or two bikinis per day. Top tip, your hand luggage can take another 5kg. Or alternatively hunt down the elusive breed of light-packing friends and cram the rest into their case. Sharing is caring after all. We wish you the best of luck, and fingers crossed I'll make it out to Gran Canaria fully armed with a well packed, thought out 10kg case. Here's hoping...
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