My current style inspirations

If there’s one thing that they don’t tell you about a self-imposed shopping ban it’s that it’s not quite as easy as it sounds…

Once you’ve breezed through all your tried and tested outfits, things can start to get pretty boring. One minute it’s all going swimmingly and the next, you’ve smuggled yourself into Topshop and are surreptitiously trying to bundle lamé bodysuits and bright pink kitten heels into your shopping basket in a determined effort to escape your self-imposed style rut.

But I’m not prepared to give up that easily. When these urges kick in and I’m struggling to see past my own regurgitated combinations, there are a few places that I like to turn to for a fresh bout of inspiration and a new perspective on some of my old classics... 

Bloggers 

One of the places that I like to turn to for inspiration is other bloggers. They’re real women with real bodies and, for the most part, real budgets –which makes them much more relatable than your high fashion glossies and big budget campaigns.

Whenever I'm feeling at a bit of a loss, I like to see what they're currently styling up on their blogs, talking about on their YouTube channels and featuring on their Instagram accounts. 

If I had to choose, I'd say that Instagram was my favourite place to look. It's just so quick and easy and can be done while you're waiting for the kettle to boil or when you've got a spare five minutes on the train.

Over the past year, I've managed to really hone my Instagram feed so that it's full of images and looks that inspire me whenever I log on. I particularly love Shotfrom the Street, Negin Mirsalehi, Alicia Roddy, Lydia Elise Millen and ThePersian Babe on YouTube. 

Online retailers

Much to my boyfriend's amusement, I've got a talent for always finding a loop hole. Whether it's a way to squeeze in an extra hour of napping or cajoling him into making breakfast when it's really my turn. 

I might be sticking rigidly to my online shopping ban, but I've still managed to find a valid excuse to regularly stop by some of my favourite online stockists. 

Of course, I’ve been spending less time browsing the sites for items to buy and more time exploring their other content. There's a wealth of information, edits and trend reports to browse through. They're a great place to see what the industry is currently coveting and get a good idea of what's popular right now. 

ASOS is one of my favourite places for this. They always make an effort to style up their products - giving you new ideas on how to wear their pieces and incorporate certain trends into your own personal style. 

The street 

It sounds really obvious, but just stepping outside of your door can often be a great source of inspiration. I love heading into Liverpool or Manchester and seeing what other women are wearing and how they've put their looks together. Contrary to popular belief, it's not all Uggs and bright pink rollers, there's actually some great style in the North... 

I'm currently wearing
Frayed jeans c/o ASOS
V neck t-shirt c/o ASOS
Pearl embellished blazer c/o Zara
Bag c/o Zara (currently sold out)
Shoes Lipsy c/o Zalando