You got it spotted

You know when you start accidentally accumulate a collection of something to the extent that any outsider would assume you to be obsessed with said thing? Well, over the years I seem to have quite unintentionally hoarded polka-dot cigarette trousers.
I remember the start of my apparent addiction clearly; aged thirteen and armed with a Topshop voucher (because back in the day this seemed to be the only thing people could think to buy me for my birthday) I spied them in the sale. A pair of slim fit maroon spotted trousers, only £10. So naturally they were mine. Little did I know that this would be the spark that begun a mild obsession.

From left to right: pink trousers, Topshop; black
trousers, H&M; maroon trousers, Topshop.

I find these sorts of bottoms to be greatly versatile, what with them working as officewear or dressed down as casual wear, able to be worn with layers, boots and a big coat in winter or with a pretty top and sandals in summer. Of course the best part about them is that they're a playful twist on your boring old plain trousers, adding just a dash more fun to an outfit.

Trousers, H&M; belt, Stradivarius;
blouse, Mango.

It was just in the past few months that I picked up the latest two pairs. These black ones were a steal at just £12.99 and so impossible to resist. The pink ones on the other hand, whose spots are velour just to add to the appeal, were a pricey £39. I'd lowkey had my eye on them all season and they even reached my Christmas wishlist in my iPhone notes, but I just couldn't bring myself to pay the full amount. Fortunately, however, I spotted them online after Christmas when I had finally surrendered to splurging in the sales, picking them up for a lovely £15. Good things come to those who wait, I guess.

Mango haul

The harsh reality of my life right now is that I am on a student budget. My days are a cycle of Sainbury's Basics baked beans, having a breakdown when I forget my bus pass and trying to calculate which is the alcohol option with the best low price:high percentage ratio. This results in any occasional indulge in retail therapy I dare to undertake always coming with a side order of guilt.
Upon receiving some Christmas money last month I was determined to save it, to support myself in my increasingly difficult attempts to not dip into my overdraft. However, just three days later I found myself instead sucked into the Mango Outlet website's limited-time 70% off everything sale. Last season most items listed may be, but here live some serious deals, the likes of which you will struggle find elsewhere. Here are the pieces I picked up on this wrongly-unsung side-site.

First up, this faux-leather coat (as if I need to own any more). I was undecided between this and another jacket of the same price, but its presently fairly uncommon style led me to cast my end vote. I later worried that it would make me look like that guy out of the Matrix who in that one scene wears a similar jacket (disclaimer: I have never seen the Matrix/its sequels), but it exceeded my expectations. It looks great when layered over a short dress or mini skirt and heeled boots.

I'm always on the lookout for cheap dresses I can wear on nights out/can use to layer with a plain outfit to jazz it up a little. My desires came into being with this metallic strappy number bought for just £10.80. For the remainder of winter (and because I don't go anywhere fancy enough to flaunt it on its own) I shall be wearing it over shirts and other longer-sleeved dresses.

Dress number two comes in the form of a much more day appropriate style. Whilst perhaps a little short on me, slightness in length has never stopped me before. Plus I can always wear tights. My favourite feature is the ruffle along the back of the collar, transitioning into a v-neck at the front.

A plain blouse naturally is an essential so I try and stock up where I can. Taking a slight deviation from the usual white or cream ones, this long-lined chiffon shirt is a pale lilac. Its versatility means it is perfect for tucking into jeans or a skirt as well as being stylish workwear. The corrugated folds down the front of the blouse and the high collarless neck gives it a little unique touch.

My final steal was a two-tone knitwear. Combining block colours of coral and a dusty pink, shades that are sparse in my wardrobe, this jumper is a different spin on your regular winter layers and certainly catches the eye, My one issue with it, is the split sides but if, like me, you're not particularly a fan this can be easily resolved by tucking it into a high-waisted belted skirt or layering it under a pinafore dress.

All five of these items came to just over £63, down from £220. In fact, all items came to less than the original price of the coat alone. Annoyingly, this experience of reduced-price outlet shopping has ensured that I may never be able to buy an item of clothing full-priced again. Worth it though.

Mini-haul: everything under £15

This week I am undergoing the biggest transition/event/truly terrifying experience of my life: starting university. In terms of committing myself to full-time education once more I wouldn't say I'm overly prepared. In terms of being able to step-up my outfit game every day, I would say I am marginally more prepared (just), thanks to the panic buy of cheap items of clothing I've indulged in lately. Here are just a few things I've racked up.

Wide-leg trousers, £11, ASOS.

I've been looking for a pair of simple, wide-leg trousers for a while now and these ones from the ASOS sale fit the bill. Down from £38, they're a steal at £11. Although made from an almost twill-like fabric, they seem durable and can be worn with crop tops and blouses or can be matched with jumpers and big woolen coats as the weather gets colder.

Blouse, £9.99, H&M.

It may just look like your typical off-white, crinkled chiffon blouse on the hanger but this is an absolute must-buy. It has everything going on - a crinkled hem, a ruffled neckline, split trumpet sleeves - but somehow at the same time looks simple, elegant and effortless. But the best thing about it? This blouse is miraculously only £9.99. Perhaps if H&M knew how popular it was going to be they would have hiked the price up a little but fortunately for us they did not.

Lastly on my scavenge for last-minute essentials (okay, wants) were a couple of pairs of simple pumps. Both in a block heel style which I'm really digging at the moment, these shoes are inexpensive and plain yet the perfect finisher to any outfit. If you're looking for a basic pair of black heels to complete a look or just to throw in the back of your wardrobe for whenever they may be needed, why let your bank suffer when it's a sure bet that no one can tell the difference between these and a pricier pair? Plus, at just a tenner, why not pick up a metallic alternative whilst you're at it?

Black heels, £12; silver pumps, £10, both Primark.

Denim days: no jeans allowed

 As everyone knows, denim is something that just never goes out of fashion, but this doesn't just have to include a trusty pair of jeans. If an style of clothing exists, someone somewhere will have tried to make it out of denim - baker boy hats, cowboy boots, you name it and trust me, you can purchase it in some corner of the internet. If you're after something a little more tame, though, here are some slightly more everyday looks.

Jumpsuit; mini bag, both ASOS.

I buy most of my clothes from the ASOS own-brand clearance sale, partly because I'm a cheapskate and partly because you can pick up some truly good-looking and good-quality and pieces at near-criminal prices.
This wide-leg jumpsuit with buckle fastening set me back a mere £13.50. I often wear it in my constant (ultimately failing) pursuit to look as if I've just stepped out of the '70s.

Zip-up dress, ASOS; blouse, H&M.

Another ASOS steal comes in the form of this pinafore-style dress, bought at just £10.50. I like to layer it over print skirts and dresses or a roll neck jumper, and its zip emulates an on-trend retro style. Plus it has pockets. Actual, real pockets, not just fake, decorative ones. Win-win.

Dress, Topshop; knitted sleeveless jumper, Oasis; belt,
Stradivarius; headphones, United Colors of Benetton.

The Topshop sale did me good with this one. Although admittedly a fairly basic mid-wash pinafore, this dress has endless potential; dress it up with bright lipstick and matching heels or single-handedly bring back double denim by throwing on a denim jacket or by layering a jean shirt underneath.

And speaking of denim jackets, no wardrobe is complete without one. There are few outfits one doesn't go with. Even a fancy dress can be given a bit of an edge by teaming it with your favourite reliable denim outerwear.

Jacket, BGD @ Urban Outfitters; shirt dress, Marks and
Spencer.

The Leopard Edit

I've never really had any clear style icons, instead opting to just wear clothes I see and like, regardless of whether they're in fashion or not. However, upon watching TV one dreary Tuesday afternoon I realised there is one woman who holds my fashion-heart: Janice from Friends. The reason? Her eternal love of leopard print.

So what could be more fitting for my first post than a tribute to our shared love of the big cat style? Here are some favourites from my own wardrobe.

Block heel pumps, Topshop.

Being quite tall as it is, I'm usually reluctant to wear heels but, at two inches and in a gorgeous print, these pumps I snapped up heavily-discounted in the Topshop sale are an exception. The block heel means they can be teamed with a casual outfit during the day yet they remain just jazzy enough to be worn on a night out.

Faux-fur coat, Mango; blouse, ASOS.

I have proudly owned this Mango coat for two years now and it still reigns as my favourite item of clothing. Anyone who knows me well has probably noticed that if the temperature outside is anything below approximately 22°C, I will be found clad in this trusty faux-fur piece of outerwear. Throw it over any outfit - it really does go with almost everything (or at least that's what I tell myself so I have an excuse to wear it as often as possible).

Belt, Stradvarius; denim skirt, Hearts & Bows @ Ark.

My first visit to a branch of Spanish brand Stradivarius proved successful after picking up an essential belt. Now any outfit can receive a dash of leopard and even the plainest of get-ups can be spruced up with ease.

Pencil skirt, Marks & Spencer; blouse, ASOS.

Believe it or not, a truly great place to find stylish steals is the M&S clearance rail. Among the cashmere cardigans and the knee-length shorts Marks do make some beautifully-cut pieces in enviable prints that, when styled correctly, can work for anyone of any age. I remember picking up this long-line pencil skirt for about a tenner a couple of years ago - it was perhaps the first component (and first warning sign) of my forthcoming leopard-print addiction.

Block heels, ASOS.

Last but not least, another pair of block heels. The skinny, closed style and the busy print of these shoes leads me to favour wearing them with tight jeans and a light-coloured loose shirt for a glam smart-casual look.

Alas, we can't own everything, but my leopard-print-lookout eye is forever active; pick up these styles on the high street now.

Animal print jacket, Zara, £59.99.

Ankle boots, New Look, £29.99.

Wool overcoat, River Island, £80.

Cateye sunglasses, Topshop, £20.