McArthurGlen | The Trend Clash Challenge
As we step into Spring and start to shedding our layers, brighten up the wardrobe and our pull together our summer capsule collection, now is the time to start thinking about refreshing your outfits and where better to do it than at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets.
To celebrate the launch of SS14 trends and collections at the six McArthurGlen UK outlets I was set the Trend Clash challenge, along with five fellow fashion bloggers. It was a great style challenge with one simple concept; McArthurGlen gifted us two fabulous products each from new collections available at the outlets. Each one is from a different trend and we had to style those two items in a unique, but wearable way.
McArthurGlen: The Trend Clash Challenge
McArthurGlen Designer Outlets stock over 250 fashion brands including Reiss, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger, Nicole Farhi and my two pieces came from Ted Baker and French Connection, two of my favourite stores.
My first piece literaly made me smile as soon as I opened the package. Regular readers are probably aware that I love a printed trouser. It is my new addicton and I wear them almost every day in different prints and colours. So when I saw the French Connection Grey Misty Fern Trousers I was over the moon with fashion happiness!
These beauties have a side zip which means the waist sits flat and fits really well and at the ankle there are also zips so you can have a straight leg or flare out over a boot or heel if you like. They are so comfortable, I just can’t describe how great they are to wear and I have had a lot of compliments from wearing them. The Misty Fern print looks a little like a forest, caught in twiglight with light flowing between the trees – they’re textured too and are a great mixture of polyester and cotton so they are quite cool yet feel smart.
SS14 trends are all about looking smart and feeling powerful and what better way than with a really great print. Print can be a scary trend to take on, but I think by wearing it on a trouser it is less of a bold move and you can have a subtle look that you can team with block colours, team with heels for added feminity.
I have three key looks with the French Connection Grey Misty Fern trousers. First up a look for a relaxed Friday in the office. I took on print on print with this long sleeved printed tee from Esprit, with some merlot suede heels from New Look to complete the look.
Then for the weekend and coffee and cake with the girls I sported a fuschia pink tee that has been in my wardrobe for some time as a staple, teamed with my Glassons cropped leather jacket and my favourite Clarks Kendra Accent boots in mulberry.
I added a quick change of jacket to have an alternative look; with this cobalt blue blazer from Zara. I recommend teaming bold block colours with a black and white print this season. It’s a fresh look and a great way of combining two trends.
Now talking of bright colours, my second piece from McArthurGlen is the Hazelle jacket from Ted Baker. When I opened the box I literally went “Wow!”. As I was almost blinded by the neon orange jacquard jacket. It does make a statement, it will make people stare, but it is also a fabulously fitted jacket that will wow your office. As Simon Doonan, creative ambassador of Barneys New York recently said in the Sunday Times Style magazine, when it comes to the office, “you need a conbination of personal style and what the job requires”. This jacket is just that, smart enough for the office but your personal take on the hot SS14 trend of neon brights.
I must admit this is not a jacket I would pick up on a shopping trip., I’d probably be looking for its shy, retiring sister in a more muted colourway. But I do love the cut of it, the style and when teamed with the right pieces it does work.
I teamed the Hazelle jacket with a black studded shell top from French Connection and Mint Velvet black zipped jeans, with my faithful Clarks Kendra boots again. Obviously the neon orange is going to be toned down a bit by complementing it with black and this looks packs a punch in the colour department without being overboard.
Now as I said, I so love a printed trouser. So next up I sported my new favourites from Atterly Road, Wishbone Tia tailored trousers. They are a loose fit and that doesnt necessarily compliment well with such a fitted jacket. But I think as long as you wear the jacket open then this can be a great look for a weekend girly shopping trip.
To balance out all these trousers and jeans, I then slipped on my favourite jumper dress of the moment. A navy merino jumper dress from Tea & Toast a New Zealand brand. The jacket adds a great cover up element and smartens what can be quite a casual dress.
Finally I did the ultimate Trend Clash and wore both the French Connection printed trousers with the Ted Baker neon jacket… too much? I think so but then neon never has been good against my skin tone!
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet villages are dotted around the country from Ashford in Kent to Cheshire Oaks, via Bridgend, York and the East Midlands. Stocking an amazing array of brands with on trend pieces. Get your SS14 wardrobe ready, without spending mega money.
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Isha Khan April 14, 2014 at 9:18 pm
I love the simplicity of this outfit. What a beautiful dress .Thanks for sharing a beautiful Dresses .everything looks so comfy!
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