THE BASIC CHAMBRAY SHIRT

Neat Fit Chambray Shirt £29 // Topshop

This year, I want to start buying minimalist pieces for my wardrobe and begin to create a collection of investment items that I can style into multiple looks, so basically what I am saying is that I want a streamlined wardrobe rather than an overflowing one of bargains that I don't actually wear.

I had a £30 Topshop voucher from Christmas, and I was a bit unsure of what to get and spent a good week checking up online to see if I found anything, which I didn't. I left it and went into a Topshop store a while after, and saw a gorgeous shirt in the maternity section, pretty annoyed I wouldn't fit it, but then I found it hidden behind some other items after a rummage in my size and fit.

This was £29 which I think is a really good price, as the quality is outstanding. It's a chambray cotton shirt; giving the appearance of a light denim, just a lot less heavy and thick, which is why I love this so much. I was initially going to get the white version to satisfy my monochrome wardrobe but I surprised myself by filtering a slight element of colour in. I love the masculine baggy fit (I got a 10) with the only element of shaping being a single pleat in the back.

I am so pleased with this versatile purchase, it literally is love. I think I will find endless looks to pair this shirt with and just typing this makes me want to throw it on.

THE FLANNEL SHIRT

For the longest time, I have been lusting after a flannel shirt - to me they just seem so Kylie Jenner and I always think up endless outfits they would go well with, so when I was hunting for one there was no hesitations on whether I actually wanted to spend money on something.

Being the petite person I am I actually managed to get this in the New Look teen kind of section for a mere £14.99. The material is so nice, slightly fluffy and seems like a really great layering piece - especially after seeing a post on how to style flannel shirts from Lily Pebbles. I was either hunting for a monochrome one or a red one, and I decided on the red as I thought it was about time I added a little colour to my wardrobe. Now, I really want the blue one New Look offer too, as it looked like a really great piece.

I envision wearing this open, with the sleeves rolled up, paired with a slogan tee, black ripped skinny jeans and flat boots (both of which I'm still hunting for). Nevertheless, it looks great done up tucked into plain jeans or over leggings for a slouchy approach, as well as looking great almost as an accessory around the waist.

I expect I'll be getting some major wear out of this in the Autumn/Winter, and I hope it'll last me for years to come as flannel shirts really are a timeless piece.

SIMPLE BASICS, STATEMENT SHIRT

 OVERSIZED SHIRT: PRIMARK £12

SHORTS: H&M £5 (SALE)

VEST TOP: PRIMARK £2

SHOES: NEW LOOK £19.99

WATCH: JULES AND JAMES

SUNGLASSES: PRIMARK £1

I have wanted a kimono for a long time now but since I have been seeing a lot of people wearing them around now I thought I would leave it for a while until I saw a really high fashion looking one. That was until I spotted this oversized shirt in Primark that I thought paired with jeans and a black crop top or as pictured above. I rolled the sleeves up to make it look less like a shirt and more like a layering item.

I genuinely love this shirt and looks like it is worth so much more than I payed and I think styled right you would never guess that it was a Primark purchase. This could be love... and a new wardrobe essential.

RECENT WARDROBE ADDITIONS

First thing first, sorry for the lack of posts, I have been swamped with coursework and revision and so needed to prioritise. But, I have picked up a few fashion items recently and thought they would be worth a share considering I have been preferring fashion over beauty recently *gasps*

In Topshop (quite a fair while back) I found this slightly cropped blue checked light slouchy top. It was £10 in the sale I believe, and I have got so much wear out of it that I probably would have paid full price. Another sale item was this monochrome jersey gingham pencil midi skirt from New Look which I paid a mere £3 for. This is from the teen/kids section but it fits me so all is good.

Also from New Look came the chunky 'cleated sole' sandals that have featured in almost all of my outfit posts recently. They were £24.99 which isn't bad for this type of shoe, and the price is justified with how versatile they are anyways. As well as the shoes, I finally got my mitts on some 'Mom Shorts' after seeing Megan style them so well, and these cost me £19.99
In H&M I came across this light boxy mint green polka dot shirt for only £12.99 and practically threw it onto the till. I know they did have a pastel pink gingham version so I may have to go back and get myself that one too. Also from H&M came the necklace and the neon yellow 'aviator' style sunglasses, each totalling £1-£2 in the clearance.

More recently I went to London and had a spare half an hour nearby Westfield and so I had a quick look in Forever 21, and came out with 3 accessories items. I got another pair of sunglasses, these are all over black with two gold details and are fairly oversized. These were only £4.90 and I am hoping the sun arrives soon so I can wear them. I also got this star necklace for £2 and the pack of earrings for £2.50 - Forever 21 accessories are so affordable.

A bit of a rambly one today, but expect to be seeing a bit more of that in the upcoming week or two as I am going to do some major shopping with friends at the weekend, not that I need anything else...