NEW: Taller that your average x Long Tall Sally collection launch

Jourdan Dunn captured backstage wearing TTYA x LTS with Cara Delevingne

Exciting news!  Taller Than Your Average (TTYA), clothing label founded by former ASOS stylist Irene Agbontaen, have collaborated with Long Tall Sally to create an 18 piece capsule collection.  Modeled by the stunning Jamie Gunns and photographed by Alex Sainsbury, the collection aims to make core staples more accessible for the taller women (5' 8" and above).

Taller Than Your Average founder Irene, looking gorgeous in the Maxi Metalic Dress and jumper.

I am a big fan of Long Tall Sally (see my visit to HQ here).  Their philosophy is that the taller girl shouldn't have to compromise on style or choice.  Just take a look at their jeans- several different leg lengths AND colours!  Irene has a similar philosophy and her mission is to help the taller girl feel 'style conscious, not self-conscious'.  TTYA currently has a cult following including Elle MacPherson, Jourdan Dunn, Daisy Lowe and Jessie J.

The collection looks great and costs range from £24- £110.  It is a real mixture of pieces that can be worn together, or mixed with other items from your wardrobe.  I've shared a few of my fashion picks below, including a few styling tips.

Removable Collar Dress (link)

Take the Removable Collar Dress (yes removable), you could style it for the office, or an evening out with dainty heels (as above), or why not remove the collar, add dark tights and lace up boots.  Chuck on a denim jacket or biker jacket and you are dressed for going down to the shops or grabbing a quick coffee.

Jourdan was wearing it above- the striped wrap shirt.  There has been a really big trend this summer for cropped tops and high waisted skirts that display a bit of midriff.  As a (taller) girl, I often sport this trend purely by accident (go me!)!  I love that this monochrome striped top is long enough to skim the hips- even when you (inevitably) visit the supermarket and get asked to reach down a tin of sweetcorn off the top shelf.  I'm not sure I am brave enough to 'bare' the deep V so I would style it over a simple plain vest top (or even one with lace trim to compliment the textures).  I think this might also look good with a thick, black or white elasticated to clinch in the waist.  Or even this belt from Altuzarra for Target (link) and a pair of wet look black leggings.

Striped wrap shirt (link)

Transitioning from summer to autumn is always tricky, but layering is the answer.  Layering thin clothes under a jacket means that if the weather suddenly changes during the day, you can adjust the layers accordingly.  (I always find dressing for the day a challenge due to the weather first thing in the morning completely changing by the time I am dressed!).  This yeti coat looks like lots of fun.  There is something very Marilyn Monroe about it.  I can imagine walking a red carpet in lots of sparkly jewels and a killer dress... then getting up the next morning and chucking it on over a vintage rock band t-shirt with some dark skinny jeans and a pair of converse.

Yet Coat (Faux fur of course) (Link)

Stuck for a (Halloween) fancy dress idea?  Why not stick a pair of ears on an alice band and wear the coat :)

The collection looks fantastic, and launches today on Long Tall Sally (link) and in selected stores.  Long Tall Sally have outlets across the UK, Germany, USA and Canada so hopefully there will be a few items close to where you live.  I'd love to know your thoughts on the collection!

Stand Tall x

The World's Oldest Handbag!

The oldest surviving handbag in the world!

While reading the news yesterday I found out the world's oldest surviving handbag has been identified.  It was made in Mosel, Northern Iraq and looks pretty amazing considering it was made in the 14th Century!  Scientists were trying to work out what it was, and suggested all sorts of uses from a document wallet, to book bag.  Now, they have decided it is a women's handbag.

Scene on the lid using gold and silver on brass.

It is made of brass, inlaid with gold an silver.  The decoration shows Islamic scenes, with some reference to the Il-Khanid dynasty (Mongolian ruler who took over in the 14th Century).  Whats more it is currently on display at London's Courtauld Gallery till mid May (link) and costs entry costs just £3 if you go on a Monday!

See the lady looking at her reflection in the mirror?

Looking at the bag, I can't quite take in how old it is.  It looks like there was a strap (as there is a strap ring at the side).  It sort of reminds me of a metal lunch pail (but more ornate).  I love the Arabic and Moreish design with the beautiful scalloped edge- though I am not sure if it would be heavy to carry about.  That said, my (lighter material) bag is often too heavy.  If anyone else has to move my bag, they often groan and puff exclaiming how 'heavy' my bag is and 'what on earth do you carry about in it?'!  At least if my bag was metal, I would have an excuse as to its weight!

Was this lunch pail inspired by the oldest surviving handbag in the world?

This is one bag I would have loved to have seen on Youtube with a 'What's in my bag?' tag- even more so if a 14th century noble lady was presenting the video!  I wonder if this 'oldest surviving handbag' declaration will see any similar bags creep out of the woodwork.  I can sort of imagine Indiana Jones carting one of these about instead of his leather satchel- carrying lost treasures around safely.

I am predicting that one or two designers will have a collection out shortly, heavily influenced by this bag.  I like middle eastern design so I'd be quite happy to see this trend next season.

Do you like this bag?  Are you a fan of middle eastern design?
 

You can read more about this bag here.  Photos credited to Courtauld Gallery.

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Stand Tall x

P.s. My Gogo Philip Necklace Giveaway closes this week (link).

New Holiday Wardrobe: £245 (12 days of Holiday purchases!)

According to 'new research', the average woman (cough) spends £245 on a new holiday wardrobe before jetting off to a relaxing destination.  £245?? £245 for a new holiday wardrobe?!

Holiday Shopping?

Apparently the women the researchers spoke to said that they will normally buy (N.b. please read this aloud to the tune of 12 days of Christmas....)

• SIX summer dresses
• FIVE holiday tops
• FOUR pieces of swimwear
• THREE pairs of shoes
• THREE pieces of jewellery
• THREE items of makeup 
• TWO pairs of shorts
• And a pair of sunglasses (beach bag and sun lotion*)

I don't know about you, but that sounds like my ENTIRE packing list for a holiday?!  Not a casual holiday shop!?  Seriously, who are these women they surveyed?  I don't think anyone I know has purchased that amount of items for one holiday- let alone EACH holiday they take.  Maybe if it was a honeymoon there might have been a few new purchases- or a specific piece of kit for themed holiday- i.e. walking boots for a hiking tip, or a super posh frock for a cruise where there is a dress code.... but all these items.  No.  I don't think so.

Kate Middleton's 'Honeymoon going away' outfit: Zara Dress, LKBennett Shoes, Jacket/belt unknown but rumoured to be Topshop or Hobbs.  Estimated cost £200

 

I don't know about you, but I have a 'summer wardrobe' section which I try to pack away during autumn each year.  I try to eek it out as long as I can, while clinging to some notion that cold weather will never return and I can live in a summer fantasy world forever.  When warm weather is about I delve into these items, though living in the UK I rarely get to wear them.  This means that if I travel abroad to hotter weathers, I have a virtually unworn summer wardrobe to choose from.  Of course there might be a few replacements from time to time, but not for each trip.

 

I pride myself of being able to squeeze into the same items as it means I am the same size (although I do replace them when sun bleached, frayed or the elastic perishes).  Sometimes I will out the items because I don't like them anymore- BUT I don't set out to buy a new wardrobe each holiday!!

 

Sun Cream! A 'Wardrobe' item?!

 

Now I put a * by sun lotion and makeup.  One might treat themselves to new makeup every now and again, but most women will have a little purchase at duty free- I don't think that counts as it is not a home territory purchase..!  And sun lotion looses it's protection factor once it has been opened for a year- in fact the SPF goes down every year anyway, so it's a necessity to replace this.  I wouldn't count it as a 'summer wardrobe' purchase.  SPF is very important (if used responsibly- but I'll go into that on my beauty blog at some point)!  I do not see Sun lotion as an aesthetic item that people buy to 'primp themselves and look different in holiday photos'!

Don't get me wrong.  I do like to make new purchases for the season ahead, I just wouldn't spend *that* budget purely for each holiday trip.  I'd rather put the money towards investment purchases, or travel insurance/day trips/holiday food etc!  Oh and I also like to buy a few things while abroad... say a new dress, bracelet, some duty free makeup... hmm maybe spend the £245 on a new wardrobe while ON holiday.... that doesn't count, right?

Do you shop FOR holiday, or while ON holiday?  Do you agree with this survey?  Do you did out the same items first before purchasing replacements?

 

Stand Tall x