The Coat Edit | Zafira

I’m back baby!

So, it’s been a while since my last post and I feel like I’ve started a lot of posts like that but life just gets in the way.

Anyway I’m back for good this time and for this post, I’ve compiled some of my favourite coats to wear since the temperature has dropped all of a sudden. As I’m writing this actually, it’s been snowing for the last couple of hours so I know this post is very apt for right now.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen a few of these before but here are a few of my favourite coats to wear at the minute.

THE BIG FAT COSY ONE

It feels fitting to put this first because 1.it’s my most recent coat and purchase in general and 2. it’s probably the biggest coat I’ve ever owned.

I desperately needed something oversized and warm because the rest of my coats (as you’ll see) are lovely but in terms of practicality, they’re not the best for this time of year where we’re hit with wind storms and snow.

This is from M&S which I feel like in my head I’ve somehow classed as a middle aged lady store and the place I’d once go to buy my school uniform but recently, some stuff at M&S has topped things I’ve seen at places like Zara and H&M. The quality is amazing and the pricing too which shocked me a little because this coat was priced a lot cheaper than the Zara version of this that everyone seems to own.

This coat style is perfect because it’s in trend every year. I’ve been trying to buy things that I know I’ll wear for a long time and that I know will last and this coat definitely will.

You can buy this here.

THE LONG LEATHER TRENCH

This might just be my favourite coat ever … And I bought it for £9.99 at TK Maxx.

It’s from the brand JCL which I’ve never heard from but the RRP was around £80 so with it obviously being the deal of a lifetime, I picked up and I think it was my best purchase of 2020 or maybe of all time.

I get so many compliments wearing this and I just feel so amazing wearing it. It feels modestly sultry? And the way it blows in the wind when I’m walking is the ego boost I need everyday.

I love styling this with really feminine outfits such as a dress like the pictures above or doing an all black outfit also feels super cool.

It’s the best coat to add a little something to your outfits. I could just be wearing a pair of jeans and a plan white shirt and this coat would top the outfit off like a cherry on top of a sundae.

Also, this coat plus my Vagabond Edwina boots are a combination one could only dream about.

This coat isn’t available anymore but here are some extra cute alternatives:

PLT Oversized Faux Leather Trench

buy here

Misspap Missé Leather Look Longline Trench Coat

buy here

THE BASIC TRENCH

I don’t think you can say you have a decent coat collection without having at least one camel brown trench coat in it.

This is actually a very very old trench from Mango that I bought during my first year of uni and I love how slouchy and big it is. I’d like to say I dress quite modestly so when it comes to coats, I do like something that covers me up pretty well and this definitely does that.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know I just started painting a ridiculous amount of flowers all of this. My goal was to have it done by November but uni life got in the way (as always) and I’ve put it on the back burner for a bit. Hopefully, it’ll be done by spring if we’re lucky to get one in the UK and it will be the perfect spring trench.

Make sure you follow my Instagram to see the behind scenes of this coat and other projects.

This isn’t available anymore, but here are some very similar alternatives:

ASOS Noisy May Drop Shoulder Trench Coat

buy here

Stradivarius Long Flowing Trench Coat

buy here

Monki Hilde Trench Coat

buy here

THE smart ONE

I’m going to be honest, I forget this coat exists sometimes and I beat myself up anytime I rediscover it in my coat wardrobe again because it’s such a good coat.

This is a vintage Ralph Lauren Checkered wool-blend blazer coat that I picked up many years ago at the Thrift Shop near Piccadilly Gardens. I think it only cost around £12 which is so amazing for this style and quality of coat.

I remember it originally had shoulder pads so I knew this was old. I had to take those out though being a broad shoulder gal and then had it dry cleaned and then she was ready for the streets.

It’s a such a great formal coat, like for interviews and events. Sometimes it even makes me feel like a mom or a Julia Roberts character from the 80s or 90s and there’s something so uplifting about that.

Here are some great replicas/alternatives for this lovely coat:

ZARA Quilted Checkered Overshirt

buy here

Abercrombie & Fitch Wool Blend Blazer

buy here

ZARA Wool Blend Blazer with Elbow Patches

buy here

THE TWEED ONE

This might just be my most worn coat ever. It’s been through so much, it’s been washed a good 30 times in it’s short time with me but I love it so much. It’s become a sort of comfort blanket at this point and I adore it.

My mum however, hates this coat lol. It has so many pockets so whenever I’m running errands, those pockets are filled to the brim and she says I look so boxy and chubby but for me it’s so incredibly convenient to have that many pockets.

I love the colours, it has a bit of brown so it’s super ideal for this time of year and goes very well with these brown trousers I’ve been living in recently.

This was one of many lockdown purchases so it isn’t available anymore, but here’s some very similar coats:

Mango Tweed Jacket

buy here

Sister Jane Tweed Jacket

buy here

That’s all the coats I have for you today but if you want to see anymore clothing edits please let me know.

Thanks for reading!

What I Wore This Week | Zafira

Hey!

So it’s been a while, like a real while. I think my last blog post was in November which is shocking because I’m usually semi-consistent with posting on here.

But sometimes, life gets a little too much, I’m in my final year of uni plus just the general effects of living through a p-word in your early 20s when you’re supposed to be out living your best life kinda hits you sometimes.

However, I’ve finally found my motivation and a good balance between everything going on in my life and I’m back with some exciting stuff.

Today I want to start off a new series called ‘What I Wore This Week’. Over on my Instagram, a lot of you were into my OOTD posts on my stories so I thought I’d make it into an official thing by compiling them on here into a blog post with some better quality pictures.

There’s nothing I love more than getting overdressed for a day of doing nothing but wearing my mask, washing my hands, and staying inside.

Here are 5 of my outfits from last week!

(also i’ve edited these like i’m in a catalog from the 90s/00s, enjoy)

MONDAY

I’m the biggest advocate of wearing skirts at home purely because of how flowy and freeing they feel. It’s way too cold to be wearing skirts out in this weather for me so wearing them around the house makes me feel like I’m putting them to use.

This shockingly is actually a midi skirt, but on my 5ft 2 (maybe 3) body, it’s become a full-length skirt. I’ve paired it with a simple black velvet top and my favourite cardigan from Zara. It’s very Chanel-esque which is probably why I adore it so much.

If I were to be leaving the house, I’d most certainly be wearing these heeled boots from ASOS that I would normally be wearing on the daily. They’re extremely comfy for heeled boots, I feel like I could walk miles in these.

TUESDAY

I feel like Tuesdays are always such a meh day. I can’t remember the last time I had a fun Tuesday. Because of this, I kept my outfit pretty casual and cosy since it's either raining, windy or snowing outside pretty much every day recently.

Zara has completely wowed me in the cardigan and jumper region as of lately. They have such an incredible range featuring so many House of Sunny inspired pieces.

This cropped blue fluffy cardigan is worn at least once a week. Considering it’s cropped, it’s super warm. The fur is detachable which I love and it’s just so pretty. It’s a complete embodiment of early 00s fashion.

I’ve paired this with a simple black turtleneck and to further achieve that early 00s look, my Juicy Couture velour bottoms. These bottoms are one of the best investments I made in 2020. They’re so warm, I can’t seem to leave my house without them on. And the best part is that the pockets have zippers. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much security and practicality in a pair of women’s trousers before.

WEDNESDAY

Something about Wednesday’s just absolutely drains the life out of me. It’s hump day, I feel extra lazy so I usually gravitate to a simpler outfit like this.

These are all my time favourite corduroy trousers I picked up at Monki a while ago and they’re one of the best pair of pants I think I’ve ever bought due to how soft they are and how well they’ve worn over time.

I love this shade of red too, I don’t wear a lot of red often because I feel too bold but this is definitely more of a burgundy and with a black turtleneck, I feel like the Parisian Instagram influencer we’re all secretly dying to be.

THURSDAY

To pick myself up after Wednesday’s slump of a day, on Thursday I wore a dress I had made a few months ago.

There’s something so incredibly pretty about this vintage toile de jouy material. I want everything in my house upholstered in this material and I think eventually, I would love to make some more pieces with this material.

I love a puffy sleeve on a simple dress, it’s so easy to style and always looks effortlessly put together.

I’ve paired this with some jeans from the Gap because I’m on a mission to bring back jeans with dresses like it’s 2006 again.

(P.S I’ve made an Instagram for stuff I’ve made and will maybe sell soon! You can follow me here.)

FRIDAY

Yay it’s Friday! (the days are meaningless this means nothing) Obviously, I have to be a little extra and funky to prepare for the oh so very wild weekend ahead.

This jacket from Sava London is so stunning. It’s beautifully crafted and I adore wearing it. It’s part of their Kantha collection where the pieces have this traditional stitching all over them.

I love this method because my grandma would stitch blankets with so many different designs with the Kantha stitch so wearing this jacket feels so special and nostalgic.

I’ve paired it with my favourtie favourite brown leather trousers from Zara. They are admittedly a little too big for me but I love them nonetheless.

That’s all I have for this week! Thanks for reading and if you like these kinds of posts them let me know.

Back to Uni Lookbook | Zafira

Hi!

It’s sadly that time of year again where we all go back to school or college or university after a beautiful summer off (in this case, a corona infected, socially distanced, stay inside all day kinda summer off). For me, this will be last time I’ll have a summer off like this because I graduate next summer which is quite terrifying knowing I’ll be joining the real world very soon.

I thought I’d share some fun outfits I’ll be wearing either in my webinars or in my four hours of actual seminars that I have in a week! I hope that these looks help inspire you try some looks for this new academic year or for work or just in general.

the boiler suit that will change your life

If you’ve either been friends with me or followed me for some time now you will know that this masterpiece of a boiler suit is the most worn and adored thing in my entire wardrobe. Like, actually. I know I say I love this or adore this when it comes to clothes in general, but this boiler suit has been worn so much and was the best £35 I think I’ll ever spend.

This is a Levi’s boiler suit that I was beyond lucky to find in TK Maxx for less than a third of its original price. I wear it when I run errands, when I go out for brunch, when I’m doing a DIY job around the house (for the aesthetics), to my university lectures, just everywhere and anywhere I go. It’s the easiest thing to wear and style. It’s a whole outfit that takes less than 5 seconds to put on.

Imagine this, you’ve got a 9am lecture, you’re running late because you spent all night binge watching New Girl on Netflix so you’ve ended up waking up late and the last thing you want to waste your very limited time on is what you should wear. So what do you do? You throw on a boiler suit and run out the door. All your what to wear problems are solved in a matter of seconds and you look cute for the day.

Have I sold you on buying a boiler suit yet?

This sadly isn’t available anymore but here are a few similar alternatives:

• Nasty Gal Relaxed Boiler suit

• H&M Denim Boiler suit

• Tommy Hilfiger Denim Jumpsuit

the v neck jumper & comfy printed trousers & funky boots

If you’re a big jumper fan like myself, you definitely need to get your hands on a v neck jumper because they are one of the easiest ways to smarten up your look for the day. I think they also really help take your outfit from looking slouchy and casual like a regular round necked jumper would do and make it look that little bit more formal.

This lovely pastel blue one is from Mango and it is the softest thing I think I’ve ever felt. I’ve paired this with these super cute floral printed trousers I got from the Zara summer sale. Printed trousers are your new best friend because you can style them easily with any kind of plain top or jumper and you’re ready to go. I’m also wearing what looks like those Zara pearl boots that everyone and their mum was buying last year, however, these are just the Primark ones because I didn’t manage to grab a pair of the Zara ones in time. I know, it’s the saddest story you’ve ever heard.

This outfit feels very spring/summer-y but because you’re wearing a jumper and boots, I think you’ll be able to get away with it during these early days of autumn.

BUY THE LOOK

• You can buy the jumper here.

• These trousers aren’t available anymore sadly but get your hands on any printed trousers you like and find comfy.

• The pearl boots are also not available but here are some very cute alternatives:

  • Stradivarius Buckle and Pearl Boots

  • Pretty Little Thing Black Pearl Detail Boots

another jumpsuit?

Any one piece outfit is great for uni which is why I threw in another jumpsuit in here.

This is a Bershka pinafore style jumpsuit with this really nice retro style checkered print which are in such autumnal colours. This is a lot more formal and work-chic than the rest of the outfits in this lookbook but I think this looks super flattering on. I’m wearing a plain black, frilly sleeved jumper from Ralph Lauren underneath since the days are getting a bit chillier here in Manchester but you could away with so many things underneath this. A crop top, t-shirts, anything you want.

I’m also wearing these beautiful black heeled boots I got a few weeks ago from Asos that you’ll see in nearly all of these looks.

BUY THE LOOK

• Here’s a very similar alternative to the jumpsuit.

• Boots

brown skirts are life changing

The star of this extremely autumnal look is obviously this amazing brown corduroy vintage skirt. I found this baby at Cow a few weeks ago and it’s technically not vintage, it’s just old Brandy Melville but I think this has major vintage vibes. I love how well this shade of brown compliments not only my skin tone but my green leather jacket (old River Island).

Something about this look screams “I’m a uni student” to me and I’m obsessed with it. It’s such a simple look that can pulled off by anyone and everyone.

BUY THE LOOK

• ASOS has an great alternative to this skirt.

• This jacket is from a few summers ago but here’s a similar one.

• Boots

coloniser-esque white collared shirts and slip dresses are an excellent combo

I love that these collars have come back into fashion because I think they’re absolutely stunning. Collars like this give me very Christopher Columbus/white man colonising countries that don’t belong to him vibes but I think they’re so pretty. It makes me feel powerful almost as a brown woman throwing this shirt on as a part of my outfit.

This shirt paired with your slip dresses from the summer? An iconic and unbeatable combination of pure greatness. I love how this looks paired with my green gingham slip dress from Cow.

BUY THE LOOK

• White Shirt

• Cow has so many styles of these Ralph Lauren re-work slip dresses, you can check them out here and find one that you like.

I hope you liked this lookbook! If you want to see more uni/everyday outfits I usually do an outfit of the day over on my Instagram stories a couple of times a week so make sure you follow me to keep updates with those. There’s a link to all my socials at the end of this post.

Thanks for reading,

A Socially Distanced Summer Lookbook | Zafira

Hey!

Before I get into today’s post, I wanted to share a list of links of petitions and charities you can sign and donate to. It feels very selfish of me to write and post normally without addressing what’s going on in the world so at the end of this post you’ll find some links and ways to help what’s currently going on :)

And just like that, it’s summer once again. I had no idea it was even June until we were like a whole week in that’s how out of sorts I am. One thing I completely adore not only about everyday but especially summer is getting dressed. I love being able to wear dresses without having to layer seven different things to keep warm, I love being able to wear my Mary Janes without socks and I also love but will probably eventually start to miss not having to wear a coat on top on every single outfit. It’s the prettiest time of year.

So, I love doing lookbooks and my friends and family are amazing at helping me get the pictures I need but with social distancing and the whole '“we’re in the middle of mass pandemic and you can’t go near anyone” thing going on, doing this lookbook tested all levels of patience and creativity. I decided the only reasonable and exciting way I could do this lookbook and make it somewhat cool was by photoshopping myself into everywhere I would want to be this summer and that’s exactly what I did.

I’ve been working on this for a few weeks now and I hope you enjoy it because it was actually a lot of fun to do.

Here’s a few summer looks I will most likely be wearing around the house I don’t have a social life anymore:

a cute co-ord

I think co-ords have taken over this summer and I will gladly let them.

There is no easier outfit to put together than a co-ord. They’re so easy to style and come in such an arraignment of patterns, materials and prints. I’ve been seeing so many floating around on Instagram and the high street but this particular set from Zara caught my eye and of course, my debit card’s.

It honestly looked a little too pyjama-esque on the model but the Zara sale hit the internet and I gave in and bought the shirt and trousers and hoped for the best and I’m so glad I did because I love how this looks. It feels very classy almost, very chic and looks like something you’d wear to a picnic in the middle of the countryside in France which is certainly the vibes I’m going for this summer.

The set has this almost quilted feel to it and I think it’s probably one of the most well made things I’ve ever bought from Zara. The trousers especially, I love the tab detail on the back. I think these pieces will also look great on their own too, I can imagine wearing the shirt with plain blue jeans and the trousers with a white shirt.

In this look I’ve styled the set with my favourite Mary Janes from Asos.

Buy the shirt.

Buy the trousers.

Buy the shoes.

something causal to make it seem like i can dress casual

I think by now, everyone around me thinks I’m incapable of dressing casual. You will never see me in sweats, I never do a pair of jeans and t-shirt but this look has been a staple in my wardrobe since I was probably around 15/16 and will always be an exception.

I have so many of these short sleeved sweater/knitted tops. I think they’re perfect for summer days where it’s a bit chillier because they’ll still keep you warm but not too warm. This retro looking one is from Pop Boutique and I think I probably own every short sleeved sweater top they sell now because they’re so good and versatile. I wear them with jeans, with cullotes and I love using them for layering when it gets colder with sleeveless dresses and pinafores.

I’ve styled this top with my lovely jeans from the Gap which I am aware isn’t called the Gap but I’ve become too comfortable calling it the Gap. These are my perfect summer jeans. I hate skinny jeans now with a passion, they look good but the effort and stress of putting them on is not an enjoyable experience, especially in summer. These slightly cropped flared jeans however are the comfiest pair of jeans I’ve ever owned. I had no idea jeans from the Gap were so pricey either but I got these for 70% off from a Gap store that was closing down so I’m quite happy with them.

I’m also wearing my classic black Converse that I wear all year round.

The top sadly isn’t available, but here’s a cute alternative.

Buy the jeans.

the black dress

So I know a black dress isn’t very summer appropriate but I think this is such a pretty summer evening/date dress.

I think originally something that threw me off this dress was the material because it looked like it would crease a lot and very easily which it does but because the overall style of the dress consists of pleats and creases such as in the sleeves and in the top and mid area it isn’t as big of an issue as I thought it would be. I think this sort of material is so ideal for the summer because it’s so thin and lightweight and overall a very cooling material.

This dress originally had a very high rounded neck but I decided to do a little DIY job and change it to a square one since I think it looks a lot more flattering on me and it gives me a chance to wear some cute necklaces like the pearl one I’m wearing in the photographs.

I’ve styled this look with a beaded bag that are very trendy these days, this one is actually handmade from Bangladesh.

Here’s a similar alternative to the dress.

the ‘i wish i was florence welch’ look?

I feel maxi skirts aren’t as cool as they used to be when I was like 12 but I’m still a big fan of them.

This skirt is from Zara but I got it at brand new at Oxfam for £4.99 and it’s probably the best £4.99 I’ve ever spent. It’s made from such a light weight material and is extra flowy when you get hit with a gust of wind which is what I personally look for when buying long skirts.

I’ve paired this skirt with a simple black top and a cropped cardigan from Urban Outfitters. I love cropped cardigans. I think that if I didn’t have any self restraint I would buy them in every colour possible.

I’m also wearing my pink Mary Jane style shoes which I adore wearing all the time.

Buy the cardigan.

the red jumpsuit i dream about every night

I’m a massive jumpsuit/boilersuit girl. I think they’re easily one of the best inventions of all time and I would wear one everyday for the rest of life if I didn’t have a vast wardrobe of other clothes.

Every time I would go onto Instagram these past three months, I would see an ad for this jumpsuit and obviously, I fell in love with it straight away. It’s such a beautiful piece of clothing which is why for my birthday present to myself this year, I decided I would splurge and treat myself.

When I say I’m in love with this jumpsuit, I genuinely mean I’m in love.

I think it’s such an incredibly flattering item. Boilersuit/jumpsuits tend to stereotypically have quite a loose and masculine fit to them but this is definitely a more body hugging piece that hugs you in all the right places. The bottoms are flared too which is so great and this colour is so different than anything I’d usually wear and super bold. I love love love it.

Buy the jumpsuit.

the checkered dress from my childhood

This dress is what inspired me to do this lookbook because I’ve been spending my days at home in this thing. It’s the most idyllic summer dress to me.

It reminds me a lot of so many tops and dresses I used to wear growing up in a similar print and colour scheme to this. It always felt very classic and retro and most importantly, very country chic which till this day is what I aspire to exude.

I’m always looking for pieces that I can wear all year round and surprisingly, this is one of them. I bought this from an Oliver Bonas sale at the end of last summer and honestly wore this dress through the autumn and winter and even on Christmas day. Sleeveless dress are a gem when it comes to layering because you can layer anything under them. A shirt, a jumper, a turtleneck, your options are endless. I would love wearing this with a white jumper or turtleneck underneath in the winter but now that it’s warmer, I can just throw on a cardigan and run out the door in this.

Even though I wore this dress during the colder months, I definitely think it’s made for the summer. Just look how perfect it fits into my fake picnic. Once again, I’ve paired this look with my cropped cardigan from Urban Outfitters and my pink Mary Janes as well as another beaded bag handmade from Bangladesh.

Buy the cardigan.

Please try to donate to some of these charities or sign the links on my Linktree!: https://linktr.ee/zafiraahmed

Thanks for reading!

The White Shirt Edit | Zafira

Hey!

So it’s been a little bit of a while since I’ve posted anything but I really wanted to take this whole isolation situation as an opportunity to sort out my site and so I did and here I am on this lovely new layout!

It’s also been a chance for me to figure out what sort of things I want to actually post on here and one of my favourite things to do is talk about clothes. I think the best place to start with all of that is with the basics and nothing is more basic and simple than a white shirt. A staple in not only a man’s life but a woman’s too.

I think a white shirt will always come across with some level of formality. It’s something you’d consider wearing to interviews or to work but for me, it’s become a such a necessity in my everyday wardrobe.

Here are 3 of my absolute favourite white shirts that I’ve been wearing religiously or were before we were all put in isolation (sometimes i still wear them around the house sometimes to make myself feel alive):

1. a good old tailored, well fitted white shirt

We have to start with one of the most versatile items in not only my wardrobe but everybody else’s too. A simple, well fitted, tailored, body hugging crisp white shirt. My shirts never look crisp mainly because I like the whole slouchy look or at least that’s what I tell people when in actual fact I just hate ironing shirts.

This is just a plain white Vivienne Westwood shirt that I was incredibly lucky to find sitting in TK Maxx one day and was one of the best purchases I could have made and was honestly quite the steal.

When it comes to styling this shirt, your options are truly endless. Here I’m wearing them with my flared jeans from the Gap for a more casual look but you could wear this shirt with any bottom combination. Whether that’s a pair of flowy culottes, a midi skirt or even a mini skirt. But my favourite thing to do with this shirt has to be pairing it with dresses or jumpsuits as an undershirt. Anything with a spaghetti strap is your best friend because you can easily throw on a shirt under it for a more put together look.

One thing I’ve figured out whilst owning this beauty is that the key with making a shirt look more casual or formal has to do with how many buttons you do up. The more buttons you do up, the more formal you’ll look and vice versa. So for a smarter look I’ll usually stick with one button undone like I’ve done in the photographs, but for a more casual look I’ll undo a few more and throw on a black vest underneath.

You buy this here but I definitely recommend having a wander around TK Maxx when the world’s back to normal to save yourself like a £150.

2. a white organza puffy shirt

When I bought this I had no intention of wearing as much as I do. This shirt is more of on over-shirt/jacket sort of situation which I feel like is such an important addition to one’s wardrobe.

A shirt like this is the perfect way to dress up literally anything. In these photographs I have it over a basic velvet green jumpsuit and it’s instantly turned something plain and casual into an outfit that looks like I’ve put a lot of effort into. I love doing a little tie knot with this shirt because I got in a size bigger than my usual so I could get extra puffiness in my sleeves and have a looser fit too.

I love wearing this dress over plain white cotton dresses in the spring/summer and then over a turtleneck or sleeveless sweater in the winter. It’s definitely something in my wardrobe I can make work all year around.

You can buy this here.

3. a shirt with bigger sleeves than the last and just generally oversized

I don’t know how anyone can claim they have a semi decent wardrobe without at least one or two oversized white shirts you’ve most likely stolen from your dad’s wardrobe. This shirt kind of has that vibe which is what drew me to it but with a touch of femininity making it probably one of the best things you could ever buy.

I think this just might be the most worn thing in my entire wardrobe. The versatility of this shirt is insane. Insanely good.

It’s got that whole big sleeve situation going on which I am smitten with and on top of all that, it’s cropped which I’ve slowly become to love in not only shirts but in tops in general. One thing I hate when it comes to loose or oversized shirts is when you tuck them into your pants and they bunch up weirdly. It frustrates me in ways in cannot put into words but a with a cropped shirt like this, I will never have to suffer with that ever again.

I wear this in so many different ways. I wear it a lot with jeans because it’s just so so so easy to style. It’s become my go to ‘I’m late because I spent too long thinking about what I wanna wear’ outfit because of this.

I’m also a big fan of wearing it as overshirt/jacket like my organza shirt over dresses and jumpsuits and it always looks so effortlessly chic.

This sadly is pretty old and not available anymore but here’s a similar alternative.

Thanks for reading,

I Went To London Fashion Week! (kind of) | Zafira

Hey!

So, if you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram this past week you will know that I went to London Fashion Week! Well, I didn’t exactly go. It was more of a stand outside the event spaces in the rain and hope some well dressed people go in and out so you can take some pretty pictures of their outfits kinda thing.

Even though I was stood in the rain for two days, the entire experience was so incredibly good. I loved seeing everyone all dressed up and the range of people that were there. It was definitely an experience that I’d remember forever.

I took a lot of photographs so feel free to have a little browse :)

Thanks for checking these out, I’ll be posting my film shots in my February on Film sometime in the next few days so make sure you follow me over on my socials to know when it’s up!

The Hair Accessory Edit | Zafira

Hey!

It’s 2003, my mum is getting me ready for my first day of nursery. She’s searching through my musical bright pink jewellery box and pulls out about 6 different bright coloured hair accessories to put into my fresh bowl cut trimmed by my Grandma. I look in the mirror before I leave and what do I see? Nothing but a style icon in front of me.

That’s the moment my hair accessory obsession stemmed.

Over a decade later (yikes) and my love for all things I can somehow put onto my head of thick black hair is ever growing and as big as ever. I cannot and will not leave the house with a good hair accessory.

A lot of what I’ve been wearing recently and a lot of what’s featured in this post is actually from Primark. They have a vast range of not only hair accessories but accessories in general for such an affordable price. It’s become my favourite place to shop for little bits and bobs.

Here are a handful of my favourite hair accessories:

TULLE SCRUNCHIES

A scrunchie is a timeless hair piece. They’ve been around longer than I have, probably longer than my parents have and after all this time, they’re still one of the most popular hair accessories.

On one of my many strolls through Primark, I came upon these beautiful tulle scrunchies. I love tulle so much, I think it’s quite feminine and delicate and these scrunchies are the perfect way to add those qualities to your look.

HAIR CLIPS

I have no idea how I cut down my vast collection of clips into only 2 pairs but these are probably my most worn hair accessories ever.

My first pair came in a pack of 4 from Primark and are such a simple yet necessary accessory in my day to day life. Ever since I got my hair cut a few months ago (this is still very much a sensitive topic) and got a slight fringe put in, I am always looking for ways to clip it back in a non 3 year old looking way and these are perfect. I like how subtle these are too.

My second pair I got a while ago from Monki. They’re a pair of crocodile clips with pretty diamonds on. The only reason I bought these was to actually match my earrings in the picture. They go together so well even though my earrings are from Lovisa. They add the perfect dash of bling to any look and match literally every item in my wardrobe.

HAIRBANDS

This might be my favourite section of this post…

I think a headband is one of the easiest hair accessories to style and pair with outfits and also is the best way to keep your hair out of your face without having to tie your hair up.

Headbands are very similar to scrunchies, in the sense that when you buy one, you just can’t stop.

The first blue floral headband I’ve had for nearly 10 years now. I can’t even tell you where it’s from but my favourite way to wear it is with some pretty blue eye shadow and this Ralph Lauren blouse from Topshop.

My second fave headband is from Primark and I got this in the sale for £1 and I think it might be the best £1 I’ve ever spent. I wear this at home all the time. When I’m doing a face mask, working, tidying, it’s one of those fabric ones without the actual hard band in the middle so it’s comfortable to wear. I also love using this headband to add a little something to plainer outfits too such as with a black turtleneck and jeans.

My last headband is also from Primark and I love wearing this to weddings because it goes with my Asian clothes so so so well. I wore it last summer for my uncle’s wedding and it matched my top and skirt like a dream. It’s such an easy way to glam up any look and Primark has so many headbands like this in at the moment for ridiculously cheap.

I hope this given you a bit of inspo on how to wear/style hair accessories or maybe a little push into wearing them.

Thanks for reading!

The Up-Cycle Project: The Perfect Errand Bag, the V Neck Dress of My Dreams and a Furry Surprise | Zafira

Hey!

So, it’s been a while. It’s so been so long in fact that we’ve rejoiced a new year and are already somehow halfway through January. I hope you all had the loveliest start to your new year and are slowly but surely getting out of that post-holiday slump.

Anyway, I made a few New Years resolutions and shared them on a post over on Instagram and one of them was to stop shopping and make more of my own clothes.

This is definitely one of those things that are easier said than done because making your own clothes requires many skills and a whole lot of practice. However, much like photography, I can 10000% say that clothes are a passion of mine and in order to understand the process a bit more, I have to start right from the very beginning.

My mum is the most talented tailor to have ever graced this Earth. She’s made me the curtains in my room, quilts and a bunch of clothes so I’m taking a few tips and tricks from her and obviously, some handy dandy YouTube tutorials to educate myself on my new found hobby.

What is up-cycling you may ask? Up-cycling is where you take products and turn them into something else. I know that a lot of vintage/thrift stores do this such as Cow and Blue Rinse so I wanted to see for myself what sorts of things I could make out of neglected clothes.

V Neck Black Dress

I think we should probably start with my absolute favourite thing in my wardrobe right now which is this black v neck dress.

You’re either 1, too focused on my amazing top underneath to care or 2, asking why this boring old thing is my favourite out of all the contents of my wardrobe. This is top stunning, I dream about it every night and I will be wearing this every day for the rest of my life but I’m planning to do a whole other post about this top and some more stuff very soon!

So back to the dress, I think something like this is fundamental in a person’s wardrobe. Especially if you’re trying to be a bit more conscious about stopping shopping. A dress like this can be worn and styled in so many different ways. I get incredibly excited thinking about the endless possibilities.

I thought this would be a lot more difficult to make but it really wasn’t. I began by sketching out my V neck on the front and back. I did make the V a lot deeper in the back so measuring all of that and making sure it was somewhat even was a little bit of a challenge since numbers and I do not get along. I made the dress slightly shorter by decreasing material from what is now the straps of the dress and then finally hemmed all the raw edges.

You can see here that I’ve styled it with this top with big sleeves which is basically a piece of art (again, I’ll get into everything about this beauty in another post) but I would wear this with pretty much anything you can put on the top half of your body. A plain white tee, a turtleneck, a blouse, a white shirt, like I said, endless possibilities.

The perfect ‘i’m just heading out to run some errands’ bag.

Honestly, I’m not much of a bag person. I either carry my tote bag with my favourite painting of all time on which is ‘Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose’ by John Singer Sargent or my basic but ever so handy Kanken black backpack.

When it comes to bags, I’m more on the practical side versus it looking pretty on my shoulder. Two things I always carry around with me are my camera and a water bottle so I knew when making this bag, it would have to be a decent size and not miniature like a Jacquemus Le Chiquito Mini Bag.

This bag is definitely a little on the smaller side than what I’m used to but I can still fit all my essentials in here and I love coordinating this bag with my ever so famous and my all time favourite pink shoes.

I think you’ll be surprised to know that this bag was once a woven mini skirt. I picked up the skirt a while ago in TK Maxx for a solid £4.99. My goodness do I love TK Maxx.

the original skirt

I really do wish I took better before shots of the skirt but here’s a little shot from my story archives.

As you can see, it’s a fitted, woven mini skirt with fringe detailing at the bottom. I can’t really say I’m much of a mini skirt wearer but this was most definitely a very cute skirt.

I have a rule where I will get rid of anything I haven’t worn in over two months. Whether that’s donating it or selling it over on my Depop. However, I did not want to part ways with this gem and I am glad I kept it and made it into something I use all the time.

The making process was fairly simple. I didn’t have to sew as much since it was a skirt but I sewed the bottom where the fringe is, cut about an inch or so off the top to keep for the straps and added a zip.

A little something extra…

I wasn’t sure I wanted to put this in with this post since it isn’t an up cycle item but it’s just too cute to leave out.

the ‘i only made this so i would have something to nap on when i go out’ bag

I never thought true love was real until I made this.

I love anything soft, most people do but this, this is like next level soft. Imagine carrying around a chinchilla with you, this bag is exactly like that.

I got the material for this bag at my new favourite shop, Abakhan, and I knew after one slight stroke that this was the material I needed. It’s so so so nice.

I think the making process of this was great, I had a lot of fun making this one.

I used one of my totes as a guideline when cutting the material. I did decrease around half an inch to an inch because I didn’t want it the same size as tote but something a bit smaller. I also made it wider horizontally which is something I prefer in bags.

I wish I lived in a less wet city or else this would be my go to accessory every single day.

I’m so excited to be starting a new series and project, thanks for reading as always!

Lots of love,

The Cowboy Boot Edit | Zafira

Hi!

I’ve been trying to stop myself from buying cowboy boots for months now but the more we delve into autumn, the more brands are releasing more and more varieties of the beloved cowboy boot. It’s pretty hard to stay away.

A cowboy boot is a great way to add a little unique touch to your outfits and can turn any basic outfit into something a little more interesting.

In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite cowboy boots on the market place at the moment. They range from very expensive (they were too beautiful to leave out) to some very affordable cowboy boots to have in your collection this autumn.

1.INCH 2 - HIGH WESTERN BOOTS

We’re starting off with an amazing brand called Inch 2. These boots are £512 which honestly make me feel a little dizzy but they’re so wonderfully crafted. Inch 2 is a brand that I found recently on Instagram and I’m so smitten with them. They create the most stunning shoes, boots and bags and if I wasn’t broke student, I’d buy everything from them.

This type of boot is great if you’ve got long legs because it’s quite a high boot. The heel adds a little feminine touch and the colour is perfect for not only autumn, but for so many outfits. They’ve styled the model in the pictures with a cute floral dress and I’d probably do the same. I love a good pair of cowboy boots with a pretty floral dress, maybe even an oversized v neck jumper or an oversized wool cardigan on top too.

2. BROTHER VELLIES

I think Brother Vellies are who really started me on this insane obsession with cowboy boots. They do the whole ‘I’m a modern day cowgirl’ so so so well and in such a different way. I couldn’t pick just one pair from their brand so here’s a couple of the best things you could ever put on your feet. I love the mix between the animal print and doodles, it’s very cute. If one pair of these boots didn’t cost around £900, you’d be seeing me in a different pair of these everyday.

One thing that’s always stood out with Brother Vellies is their photography. If you check out their Instagram, you can see more cool photographs of their products. It looks very effortless and casual which is so different than other brands where they try and go very over the top. Also can we talk about how insanely good every model is styled on there?

3. MANGO

Delving into our usual high street and into the more affordable (kinda) stuff, Mango have been playing the cowboy boot game better than anyone else. Their range of cowboy boots for a high street store is beyond words. I can see these boots lasting a life time and being a classic piece in so many people’s wardrobes.

Let’s start off with these two boots on top which are so beautifully made. The first is a similar design to the Brother Vellies Doodle boot but way way cheaper. It’s a really good dupe and also great if you’re not ready to put a £900 dent in your bank account. The second pair are a pair that will never go out of a trend. It’s a very classic cut and style of boot.

• Cowboy Leather Boots with Doodles: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/cowboy-leather-boots

• Goodyear Welted Leather Black Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/goodyear-welted-leather-boots

It was so difficult trying to narrow down 4 pairs of boots from Mango because there are so many styles, colours and cuts. These two are a little different from the previous two because they’re definitely a lot more casual and suitable for everyday attire.

The first black pair are a perfect autumn boot and are a more subtle take on a cowboy boot. You could pull these off with a dress or even a pair of jeans. They’re super versatile and are a great staple boot, The second pair are a little more daring. I love the contrast of black and white because they remind me of cows which is indeed, very cowboy. The prettiest aspect of this boot is 1000% the the square toe. It’s unique and makes the boot, in my opinion, look so much cooler.

• Leather Cowboy Ankle Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/leather-cowboy-ankle-boots

• Leather White and Black Cowboy Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/leather-cowboy-ankle-boots

4. ZARA

What would a fashion based post be on here without including Zara?

Zara has a pretty versatile mix of cowboy boots in this season ranging from a classic black booty to something quite dazzling and funky.

Let’s start off with the lady in red. I actually tried these on in store and had a little epiphany about how happy my life would be if I bought a pair (i didn’t buy a pair and now i’m sad and miserable) and they’re also the reason why this post exists! I think these are such a pretty shade of red, a very daring shade but so wonderful. I also love the steel toe cap, it’s such a nice touch to the boot.

The second pair are insanely good. They’re on the verge of being very tacky but I think the classic black with white stitching on the toe of the boot really help to balance it out. These are also probably the hardest style, I’m not even sure how I would style them. I think I’d probably just put them on display because they’re pretty beautiful.

P.S they also have these in black and white!

This last black pair are again, another classic cut. This is a very safe but amazing option if you want to try out the whole cowboy boot thing but not go over the top. I love how plain these are and I can see these being a staple and basic item in many wardrobes this autumn.

• Red Leather Cowboy Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/leather-cowboy-heel-ankle-boots-with-metal-trim

• Green and Metallic Leather Cowboy Ankle Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/multi-piece-leather-ankle-boots-with-cowboy-heel

• Black Cowboy Heel Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/cowboy-heel-boots

5. & OTHER STORIES

When it comes to classic, timeless pieces, & Other Stories is always a good choice. This black cowboy boot is such a sophisticated, smart cut and would be perfect for work. I like that this cut is in between ankle and knee and especially love how pointed the toe is. I think this will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s wardrobe.

My second choice of boot however reminds me a lot of cheese. I can’t tell if I really hate it or really like them but I think they’re kind of stunning. I wish I was brave enough to wear bright colours like orange because these boots are actually really cool. I think it’d be interesting to pair these with either with an all white outfit or even maybe with some blue denim.

• Black Cowboy Boots: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/ankleboots/product.square-toe-leather-cowboy-boots-black

• Orange and White Cowboy Boots: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/product.duo-toned-leather-cowboy-boots-orange-white

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more posts like this then let me know :)

Lots of love,

My Current Favourite Outfits | Lookbook | Zafira

Hey!

I love clothes a lot. Maybe a little too much. Considering all of this, I don’t talk about fashion and style on here enough which is wild because it’s such a massive part of my life. So I’ve decided to make a lot more fashion related posts starting with this one!

I feel like this is such a weird time of year because it’s kind of summer but it’s also kind of autumn. It’s so hard finding and putting together good transitional outfits for this time of year that are a good balance of keeping you warm but also keeping you cool but also fit into both seasons really well. It’s a tiny bit of struggle.

However, after a lot of trial and error, I’ve concocted some pretty outfits that I love wearing at the minute!

OUTFIT NO.1

There’s a little bit of cowboy craze going on in the fashion world at the minute and these jeans from River Island that I found for £10 in TK Maxx fit into the whole cowboy thing so well! They’re amazing. I love the button detailing up the leg so much. They’re such a unique find and my favourite thing to do is pair them with this white organza plumetis shirt from Zara. I have to admit, at first this shirt was a little too fashion blogger-y, even for me, but I love pairing this shirt with some blue jeans to make it a little more casual. When it gets a little more chillier I’m so excited to pair this shirt with a black turtleneck underneath. It’s such an amazing piece that adds a little dressier tone to whatever you’re wearing.

Also a massive plus, these pants make me look like I’m 6ft tall (I’m like 5ft tall irl).

I’ve accessorised this outfit with my usual go to Zara boots that are featured in every lookbook as well as a chunky pearl clip from Primark! I love that clips have become a trend because as a kid, my mum used to never let me leave the house without a couple of clips finishing off whatever brightly coloured ensemble she had picked out for me that day. This pearly clip is definitely a lot more grown up and looks a lot more expensive than it was. I’m also wearing my forever favourite gold hoop earrings from & Other Stories.

BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:

• Shirt - https://www.zara.com/uk/en/organza-puff-sleeve-blouse

• Jeans - I had the hardest time finding a dupe for these jeans because they’re a little (very) out of season at the minute but if I find a decent pair I’ll come back and add a link in the future. My best bet is to check some thrift stores or even TK Maxx but like I said, they’re a very unique pair of jeans.

• Gold Hoops -https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/jewellery/earrings/hoops/product.glossy-trumpet-mini-hoops-gold

OUTFIT NO.2

This outfit is a little more casual than I’m used to but I’ve had a very calm and chill end to my summer and my outfits reflect that a lot.

This is something I’d wear if I was just out in town, running errands or maybe even meeting up with some friends. This shirt is actually thrifted and it’s an amazing slouchy shirt that’s so easy to throw on. I’ve never really been a fan of very tight fitting clothes so this shirt is great. A red stripy shirt is definitely a must in everyone’s wardrobe. So so so easy to style and it looks good on everybody.

I’ve paired the shirt with the same jeans I always wear from H&M. These are a pair of straight leg jeans that I got in a size too big and they are the comfiest. I’ve been madly in love with denim this summer and have been finding literally any excuse to incorporate it into every outfit.

I don’t think I’ve featured my Kanken over on here yet but it’s the best bag ever. I use it for uni pretty much everyday but also when I’m out and about. It fits everything I need such as my laptop and cameras and matches my outfits which is a massive plus.

• BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:

• Shirt - I had no idea how difficult it was to find a decent red striped button up shirt for women online, I only found one result like the one I’m wearing which you can get here: https://www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk/womens-red-and-white-bengal-stripe-fitted-shirt but thrift shops are usually filled with the best red striped shirts!

• Jeans - I don’t think this exact style is available anymore but these are pretty much the same https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0400285006.html

• Bag - https://www.fjallraven.co.uk/fjallraven-unisex-kanken-black

OUTFIT NO.3

I have no idea why this outfit was so difficult to photograph but it really was. Anyway, this skirt is beautiful. I usually avoid wearing browns and beige tones because I always feel like they wash me out a little but this is the perfect balance between orange and brown. I found this suede skirt in We Are Cow earlier this summer and immediately imagined myself wearing this on a autumn day with a black turtleneck and like leaves falling from trees behind me. It is such an amazing transitional piece too because of the colour and material. Amazing. This might be one of my favourite purchases this year.

I’ve paired this skirt with a basic button up top from Monki which has done me dirty in these pictures and not sat well on me at all lol but it’s fine. These tops are such a staple in my wardrobe at the minute because they’re the most exemplary basic tops ever. I’m also wearing another clip from Primark, this time it’s a plain brown vintage-y looking one and of course, my gold hoops.

BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:

• Top - https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/tops/product.cropped-button-up-top-white

• Skirt - like I said this skirt is from We Are Cow so unfortunately they don’t have loads of these skirts lying around but here’s a two great dupes: https://www.marksandspencer.com/suede-a-line-midi-skirt/ & https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/skirts/midi-skirts/product.pleated-suede-midi-skirt

OUTFIT NO.4

Nothing screams summer more than a white cotton dress. I wore the crap out of this dress this summer. Any time I’d be going anywhere, I used to throw it on because it is the easiest thing to wear. This dress is from Zara and I think I’ll be wearing this in every season because I love it so much.

I love pairing this dress with this very fancy shmancy looking cardigan which is also from Zara. It reminds me a lot of this Gucci cardigan and I adore it. I love the pearl buttons and the contrast between the black and white pipe lining on the edges. It’s also pretty thick so it will definitely keep you warm when it starts to get a little chillier.

I’ve accessorised this dress with the most popular headband on Instagram ever which is from Topshop and once again, my beloved gold hoops.

BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:

• Dress - I bought this quite a while ago but here’s a cute alternative to it: https://www.prettylittlething.com/white-broderie-analgise-smock-dress

• Cardigan - This is no longer available at Zara and I can’t find any dupes (minus the Gucci one) but if I do find one, I’ll come back and link it here.

• Headband - https://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/hair-accessories-464/pearl-padded-headband

Thanks for reading! I’ll be posting looooooads of outfit pictures over on my Instagram since I’m back at uni and have a reason to get dressed everyday. Also, if you want to see more fashion/style based posts like this then let me know!

Lots of love,

The Ultimate Guide to Clearing Out Your Wardrobe | Zafira

I will admit, I have a lot of clothes and finding the perfect system to organise them has taken me a while but I think I’ve finally got the hang of it. I get a looooooot of questions anytime I post that I’m organising my wardrobe over on my Instagram stories so I thought I’d answer them all on here and add a few tips on how I keep my wardrobe organised and tidy.

1. HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR WARDROBE SPACE

waiting for everyone to get triggered by my mismatching hangers hehe

I have a wardrobe that’s definitely on the smaller side and I always get questions on how I fit everything in it since I have a pretty hefty amount of clothes. A few years ago, I found that the best method to fitting everything into my wardrobe was by organising my wardrobe seasonally. Now, yes, I am very aware of the extremely bipolar weather in the UK so a good 70% of the time, the weather isn’t what it should be during a certain time of year but I like to keep a basic gist of what I would wear during the current season. For example:

• Autumn: Light knit jumpers, shirts, thinner coats & jackets, midi skirts, turtle necks etc.

• Winter: Heavy knit jumpers, bigger coats, thicker pants etc.

• Summer: Cardigans, light weight jackets, culottes, jumpsuits, thinner material dresses etc.

• Spring: Lighter coats & jackets, usually more thicker material dresses & light knit etc.

So you’re probably like, “where do you put your out of season clothes?” and the answer is pretty simple. In storage.

Your two new best friends after this post will be these big plastic storage bins and vacuum storage bags. You can get them in so many different sizes so they’re perfect for sliding under your bed, or or in drawers or if it’s something you’re not going to wear for a while then even the attic. It’s the best way for me to still have a range of clothes but not clutter and overfill my wardrobe. I get mine either from Ikea or Amazon, check some out here:

• Storage Boxes

• Vacuum Bags

2. EMPTY YOUR ENTIRE WARDROBE

The first thing to do when organising your wardrobe is to begin by emptying everything in it. I think it really helps when you can visually see how much you own and makes it easier to decide what you want to keep or get rid of. A key tip to remember when doing this is to clear your wardrobe on a day when half your wardrobe isn’t in the wash. There’s nothing more devastating than thinking you’ve cleared your wardrobe and it looking all pretty and tidy just to realise you have a billion more pieces to fit in somehow.

3. create piles to organise what you want to keep or sell

When all my clothes are out of my wardrobe, I like to sort them into 3 piles different piles: keep, sell/donate & throw away. I have a rule where if I haven’t worn something in over 2 months, I have to get rid of it. This helps with filtering out clothes I don’t want and also makes more space for new purchases. If you’re someone like me and like to shop frequently, this is such a good rule to have because it allows you to add new pieces to your wardrobe without completely over filling it.

A few months ago, my cousin told me that she was keeping track of what she was wearing by keeping note of her outfits on her calendar app. Ever since she told me this it’s honestly changed by life. I can easily see what I have been wearing and it 100% has helped with clearing out my wardrobe too because I can see what isn’t being worn.

When it comes getting rid of clothes I no longer want, I will either donate them to closest charity shop or sell over on Depop.(follow me!) I’ve been using Depop for yeeaaaars now and I adore it. I sell everything on there and it’s played a massive role in helping keeping my wardrobe clear.

4. ASK FOR HELP/OPINIONS FROM OTHERS

I think a lot of people forget about asking others for help but there’s nothing more fun clearing out your wardrobe with your friends. It’s very very useful to get a second or third opinion especially if you’re on the border about keeping something or not.

5. ORGANISE PRACTICALLY NOT FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES

When you organise your wardrobe, of course you want it to look pretty in the end and want it to look like all those Pinterest pictures when the clothes are in rainbow order and all your clothes fade into the next piece and look very cute. However, when it comes to practicality, this method kinda sucks. Unless you’re a super duper organised person and always put everything back in it’s place straight after you’ve used it then I can promise you that this isn’t the method for you.

I’ve tried so many different methods over the years but the best one that’s worked for me is organising my clothes into what article of clothing they are. So I usually go from jackets/coats to Asian dresses to cardigans to jumpers to dresses to shirts and then to tops. Kind of a random order but this is what works for me at the minute. I also keep items I wear frequently towards the front of my wardrobe so they’re easier to get such as the jacket I’m wearing currently. Play around with different methods until you find one that fits in perfectly with you and your lifestyle.

6. STOP SHOPPING SO MUCH IN GENERAL

Ultimately, the ideal way to keep your wardrobe clear is by shopping less which is much easier said than done. However with everything that’s going on now with fast fashion, I think it’s really important to try and make somewhat of an effort to stop impulsively shopping and buying things we don’t need just to then throw away when we no longer want it.

I try to remind myself that empty hangers don’t equal more reasons to shop and that I already have plenty of clothes to fit my everyday needs. I’m also trying to up-cycle a bunch of older pieces into things I would wear today. (blog post coming soon!)

Thanks for reading and good luck with clearing out your wardrobe!

Lots of love,

Parisian Inspired Lookbook | Zafira

Hi everyone!

So, if you know me well then you'd know that I adore clothes. I don't really have a set style or look but one style/look I find myself coming back to time and time again is the Parisian look.

Maybe it's because I have this overwhelming love and obsession for pretty much anything French like every time I imagine myself in my 40/50s, I can vividly see myself sat in the French countryside with a thick French accent sat in my head to toe designer outfit.

Anyway lol, I guess the only way I could describe Parisian style is elegant, chic and effortless. You don't want to look like you're trying too hard (but secretly you are). I think it's a pretty universal style and is a style you can definitely personalise into whatever you want.

I had so much fun shooting these photographs with my friends and putting the outfits together. I haven't included a lot of accessories such as bags and stuff just because I pretty much carry my Kanken backpack everywhere. I haven't quite advanced in the accesories world yet.

The boots I'm wearing in literally every pic are my everyday Zara boots. I think they go well with every look and I actually do wear them every day. They're unfortunately not available anymore but here's a pair that are very similar.

LOOK NO.1: RED SUEDE

When I think of suede, I think of camel browns and creamy whites but when I saw this beauty in Zara, I fell in love. Something about this shade of red reminds me of Parisian fashion. This is an amazing everyday dress that you can easily dress up. Here I'm wearing it with a pair of leggings, ankle boots and a pair of small hoops (that you can barely see soz) and I think that this made a perfect, easy day outfit. If you wanted to change it up for a more dressier and evening/night time sort of look then you could switch out the ankle boots for a pair of over the knee boots and wear a pair of statement earrings. Dresses like this are such a staple for any wardrobe because they are super easy to style.

• Dress: 

  https://www.zara.com/uk/en/buttoned-faux-suede-dress-p07901157.html?v1=8086578&v2=1180558

• Knee high boots that would go great with this dress: 

  https://www.zara.com/uk/en/flat-over-the-knee-boots-p16060301.html?v1=8267676&v2=1180430

• Maybe a bag like this?: 

  https://www.rouje.com/e-shop/chaussures/gaia-black-bag.html

LOOK NO. 2: PRINTED BLOUSE & MIDI SKIRT

I don't want to go too much into detail with this outfit because I've mentioned it a lot over on my Instagram and previous posts but I think a midi skirt is such an essential in anybody's wardrobe. Whether you're a Parisian wannabe like myself or not, a midi skirt will definitely change your life for the good. In this look, I've paired it with this velvet printed blouse for some texture and it's created this beautiful chic look. I can already imagine myself posing near the Eiffel tower in this outfit.

This skirt is from Zara and is sadly not available anymore but here's some similar ones:

• https://www.asos.com/bershka/bershka-pleat-check-midi-skirt/

• https://www.asos.com/max-co/max-co-gingham-pleated-midi-skirt/

This shirt is also from Zara but the men's section, it is also sadly not available either. I can't find any similar ones either but if I do, I'll update this area or post about it on my Instragram.

LOOK NO. 3: THE ONLY BLACK DRESS YOU'LL EVER NEED

One day I was in Zara (i'm at Zara everyday) and I was having a little browse through the sale sections and I gazed upon what eventually turned out to be one of many great purchases of 2019. A dress like this could possibly replace your best friend, in fact, it could probably replace anything in your life that needs replacing. It's just such a good dress. I'd say this is more of an evening/night/event type of dress but I also wear this to uni a lot so it's quite versatile. You might look like you're trying to be the next Morticia Adams or even look like you're ready for a funeral but it's a look. A look that needs to embraced.

The dress has a lot of texture to it which I love. It has a velvet collar, a velvet button strap and lots of velvet polka dots all over. I like the see-through-ness of it and how lightweight the material is because it makes it so flowy. It's an all-around beautiful dress and makes me feel like a pretty woman. You could pair this with a pair of black heels if you're trying to be fancy or a pair of ankle boots like me. Maybe even a couple of gold hair barrettes? 

The dress is from Zara and isn't available anymore but here's a very similar one that they're selling at the minute: 

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-dress-with-contrast-lace-trims-p08741031.html?v1=8489194&v2=1180405

LOOK NO. 4: GREEN VELVET 

I've never been a green wearer but this jumpsuit from UO makes me want to be a green wearer. This velvet jumpsuit was kind of an impulse buy but it's such an easy to wear piece of clothing so in my eyes, my purchase has been justified. Here I've paired it with a white t-shirt because it's -6 degrees everyday and my oversized suede, shearling lined coat from Headlock Vintage. I also put in a couple hair barrettes from Blue Rinse Vintage because I think green and gold go together so so so well. This is such an effortless outfit, perfect for when you're about and about. It's especially perfect for colder days. You could also wear this for formal events if you pair it with some heels and maybe even a blazer.

I know a lot of stuff isn't available that I've posted about but it's because I bought everything during the sales, here's a good alternative the UO green jumpsuit: 

https://www.asos.com/monki/monki-dungaree-jumpsuit-in-dark-green-velvet/

The gold hair barrettes are also not available online and I can't find anything similar to them but any gold hair barrette would work great with this look.

LOOK NO. 5: CORDUROY

I said I was well and truly over corduroy last year but then I saw a picture on Instagram of my French Parisian queen Jeanne Damas in corduroy so naturally, I went out and bought myself a pair of corduroy trousers.

In terms of practicality, corduroy trousers are amazing for the cold, they block out all cold wind and they're super comfy. I found it quite difficult however finding a pair that were flattering enough and fit well. This pair from Monki fit so well that I don't have to even wear a belt which for me is so shocking. I wear belts with all my trousers. I am wearing one in the pictures though but just to look pretty. This has slowly but surely become my go to look for winter days. A black turtle neck, corduroy pants and a pair of ankle boots. I also threw my coat from Headlock Vintage on top too because like I mentioned earlier, it's about -6 degrees everyday in Manchester.

Corduroy trousers: 

https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/trousers-shorts/product.slim-fit-corduroy-trousers-red.0628768006.html

I hope you liked this post! If you want to see more stuff like this then let me know.

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70's Inspired Winter Lookbook | Zafira

Hi!

There's something about the 70s that just makes me fall in love over and over again. I love so many things about it but most importantly, I love love

love

the sense of style and fashion around that time. So much in fact that it's heavily inspired my winter wardrobe for this year.

Dressing for winter can be quite the struggle. The weather is ever changing and unpredictable, it's freezing outside but then heaters are being blasted indoors so finding a balance between all of those factors can be difficult whilst still looking semi presentable to face the world.

I feel like I get stuck into this loop of wearing jumpers and jeans but I've tried really hard this time round to get out of it. 

Here are some outfits that I've been wearing a lot this winter and some tips to help you keep warm!

1. THE MIDI SKIRT (that's too long because I'm short)

You know what I've realised? Midi skirts are actually quite intimidating and kind of scary. You have to be quite careful with how you style them or else you can end up looking a bit like a 90 year old librarian which personally, isn't quite my style. I was determined to find one from a thrift or charity shop but I couldn't find any that looked as flattering as this Zara one.

It fits perfectly around the waist and I can get away with tucking a cheeky jumper in there without it looking frumpy. I love the pleating and it's actually a decent length considering it is a bit too long. I'll either wear a turtle neck, a slighting oversized jumper or just a velvet t-shirt with the skirt. I also love wearing this skirt with these cute heeled boots that are from Zara too.

I feel like midi skirts are a very 'mom' thing from the 70s but when styled perfectly, you can totally be that cool mom every kid wanted.

Because it's freezing, a coat is necessity. If you follow me on Instagram you've probably seen this leopard print coat a thousand times by now. It's such a nice and long and it keeps me warm.

Jewellery is something I'm trying to get myself back into. As a child and even a young teen, I loved jewellery and felt the need to be blinged out no matter what the occasion was. As I've gotten older, I find myself more into the minimal jewellery side of things which you can see here. 

I'm wearing a simple dainty diamond necklace that I've had forever and some small hoops from Primark. I'm also wearing my Hugo Boss watch that you can see further down.

Here's a few links to similar versions of my leopard print coat:

• ASOS Leopard Printed Coat

• Another ASOS Leopard Printed Coat

• MissGuided Leopard Printed Coat

I wear these boots everyday they are actually life changing.

2. FLARED PANTS

Ever since the summer, I've been completely in love with various shades of blue/green. Right now, this Tiffany blue colour makes my heart skip a beat. These flared pants are from Zara and are amazing. They are super pretty on windy days.

This shade of blue is what I associate with the 70s a lot and flared pants too. Maybe not as flared as these but I guess this is kind of a modern and more flattering update on the iconic flared pants of the 70s.

I like to wear this with a black turtle neck on extremely cold days but if it isn't -20 degrees where you live then it also looks really great with a graphic t-shirt. Again I'm wearing my leopard print coat and my Zara boots.

You're probably thinking that these are too thin for the winter but pants like this are the perfect layering tool. I can get away with wearing pretty much anything under these, a pair of jeans, my pyjama pants or if I'm feeling a bit more mature, then a pair of thick thermal leggings. Because of my how flowy they are, you can't even tell it's great.

If I'm feeling super adventurous, then I'll even wear matching blue eye shadow. 

3. CASUAL YELLOW 

This outfit is a bit more dressed down and good for a very low-key day. Yellow is very bright. I would never think that it would be a colour that I would ever wear but here I am in a vibrant yellow cardigan that I can't seem to ever take off.

The printed high neck top is actually an old play suit from Motel Rocks but since I'm not much of a play suit wearer, I like to wear it as a top. It's an amazing layering piece (except from when you need to use the toilet and have to completely strip). It screams the 70s to me. It had flared sleeves too but I took them off since it was a bit too much and got in the way a lot whenever I was doing anything involving my arms (literally everything i was doing).

The cardigan ,which has been one of my favourite items in my wardrobe this year, is from Monki.

. It's so so so thick and it coordinates with the play suit perfectly. I bought this in a large so it's massively oversized but it just makes it feel so much cosier.

I'm trying to channel my inner Blair Waldorf and I've decided that headbands need to make a return in my life so I've paired one with this outfit. This one is from Primark.

I usually like to wear this outfit with my black pleated culottes which I'm sure a lot of you own. Like the blue flared pants, they're a pretty good layering piece. But I also like to wear this outfit with my blue and thick black belt.

For shoes, you could get away with wearing anything really, a pair of vans or converses to dress down or a pair of cute boots.

Thanks for reading and let me know if you want to see more this type of blog post on here!

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Staycation Lookbook | Zafira

Hi!

If you've been following me on Instagram you'll know that last weekend, I spent a few days in the beautiful town of Penmaenmawr in Wales with my family. I won't get too into my experience there since I'm saving that for my Wales on Film blog post which is coming very soon! 

I don't know whether it's global warming or what but the weather we've had in the UK has been beyond sweltering. It's amazing and when we went our extended little weekend away the weather was still pretty hot, it literally felt as if we were abroad.

Since I was only in Wales for a couple of days, I tried not to pack too much because I knew that 50% of my time would be at the beach and the other 50% would be climbing and walking and hiking mountains so I wanted to pack some very versatile and comfy outfits perfect for our activity filled days.

OUTFIT NO.1

For the beach, I found that a flowy dress with something like this white thrifted jumper or even an oversized jacket or cardigan on top worked best for me. We usually spent time at the beach in the mornings or late evenings to watch the sunset so it was still a bit windy. For this outfit, I'm wearing a white knitted jumper over a navy blue stripey dress which just happens to be the best purchase I've ever made. I wore my hat that I've been wearing all year to just top it off and shade my face.

• Jumper - Thrifted You can buy a similar one here: http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0650714001.html

• Dress - Mango I got this quite a while ago and unfortunately it isn't available anymore but here are some very similar ones:

• https://www.shein.co.uk/Button-Keyhole-Back-Self-Belt-Vertical-Striped-Dress

• http://www.4you2.org.uk/designer-navy-blue-striped-dress

• Hat- New Look

OUTFIT NO.2

This is the sort of thing I'd wear if I knew we'd be walking a lot. It's quite casual but no one is really going to be judging what you're wearing when you're 1000 metres up in the air. I tried to stick to things I knew I'd be comfortable in for a long period of time. I stuck to a pair of loose jeans with a short sleeved t-shirt or something loose or baggy on top like an oversized shirt with my pink jacket if needed and my Vans.

• Jacket - Miss Selfridge This is unfortunately no longer available but here is one that's pretty much identical: https://www.missguided.co.uk/pink-oversized-denim-jacket

• Short Sleeved Sweater Top - Pop Boutique This is no longer in store but they have the same style but with a variety of patterns, have a browse here: https://www.pop-boutique.com/ladies-vintage-clothing/vintage-knitwear.html

• Belt - H&M

• Jeans - H&M

• Trainers - Vans

• Sunglasses - Primark (available in-store)

OUTFIT NO.3

For my last outfit worn in Wales, I went with something a bit dressier. I turned 18 on our little weekend away so I wanted to dress up a bit. I went with this tassel-y dress which I complete adore. The material is thin so it's perfect for hot days and it has big flowy sleeves which are good too. I actually got this from my auntie's shop in Ashton called Resham Collection where she sells a lot of Asian clothing but when I went in a few weeks ago this instantly caught my eye. It looks like something that would be sold at Zara so obviously I had to buy it. I paired this with some tassel earrings and my Vans since we were out walking around Wales and they are the most comfortable shoes I own.

• Earrings - Primark (available in-store)

• Sunglasses - Primark (available in-store)

• Dress - Resham Collection (available in-store)

• Trainers - Vans

I'll be posting more about my staycation very soon!

Lots of love,

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What's in My Bag? | Zafira

Hi!

I think that one of the very first YouTube beauty guru-esque videos I watched was a 'What's in My Bag' and I think I've been dying to do one ever since. A couple of months ago, I was kindly gifted the most beautiful satchel from MAHI Leather and ever since then, I've been using it pretty much everyday.

This has been my life saver since mid November. It fits everything I could possibly need for a busy day at college or even shooting. This is the Harvard Satchel in black. I decided on black because I knew that it would match my outfits a lot better than brown. It has a small compartment at the front where I dump stuff that I need easy access to so my bus pass, keys etc. It has a small zipped compartment at the back which I use occasionally but it's mainly full of receipts. Inside, there's so much space I'm sure I could fit a small child in there. It has two big compartments and then a little zipped compartment which I use for some back up film rolls, SD cards and anything else along those lines.

Here's a shot of it on film, I think it truly helps to fulfill the whole photographer aesthetic I'm aiming for. (and it matches my Doc Martens so well!)

Here's a few things I carry on a daily basis...

1. Lip balm

I don't think I ever leave the house without lip balm, even if I don't have a bag with me I'll usually slip one in my pocket. This is the watermelon flavoured lip balm from Oliver Bonas. It's smells so good, like if summer had a scent, this would totally be it. It's has such a good consistency and looks super adorable. It's my perfect lip balm.

I can only find the pomegranate one online so you can buy that here:

https://www.oliverbonas.com/gift/pomegranate-lip-balm-50676

2. Film Camera

I'm trying to get into the habit of carrying a camera around to capture memories, moments and anything cool and exciting really. I've been in love with this baby for so long now I can never seem to leave the house without it anymore. This is the Canon 300 and it most likely has a roll of the Fujifilm Superia 200 in it. I adore film. I finish college in a few weeks and I've just been trying to capture moments with my friends and they're just somewhat more special when I take them on film.

3. Lipsticks (usually about 20 shoved into the front pocket)

I don't really touch up on my makeup throughout the day but the one thing I will end up re-applying a couple of times a day is lipstick. I drink coffee a lot and my lipstick usually rubs off on the coffee cups so I'll always have a nice selection of lipsticks to re-apply. Here I have NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in Rome and Budapest, Barry M Lip Paint in Genie which I don't even think I've worn yet and then an old Nina Ricci lipstick that is ancient but the colour is too pretty to throw away.

4. Mirror & Keys

This vintage mirror was actually given to me for free at a car boot sale. it's really pretty and I just love vintage items. I carry a mirror because I can't stop staring at myself and my keys are quite self explanatory. I need to them to get in and out of my house.

5. Purse

This bright mustard purse was a completely random purchase. I needed a purse so I went to TK Maxx and this Visconti purse caught my eye and I impulsively ended up buying it. I'm usually not a bright colour wearing person but something about this purse really captured my gaze.

6. Body Mist

I enjoy smelling nice so I'll have a couple of random body mists or sprays in my bag. I'm not a huge fan of carrying perfume bottles around just because they're so bulky and I'm always scared they're going to end up breaking and spilling all over my work. This So...? body mist in Fresh Floral is just a very cheap body mist I picked up in Superdrug to throw into my bag. Considering it cost under £2, it smells amazing and so clean and fresh which is something I'm always looking for in a scent.

7. Bobby Pins

The bottom of my bag consists of so many of these. No matter how hard I try to be organised and put them into little bags or pouches, they always end up escaping somehow.

8. SD Card & USB Stick

I think most students carry USB sticks with them, it's just very handy when saving work. Since I do photography as a subject at college, an SD card is a necessity but also great when I'm out and about shooting. Just like the bobby pins, there's usually so many just piling up at the bottom of my bag.

8. Pencil Case

As a photography, English Language and English Literature student, there is never not a moment where I don't need a pen or some sort of writing/drawing material. I got this pencil case a couple of years ago in Wilkos.

9. Hand Cream

I think I wash my hands more than anyone ever should. I wash my hands before and after everything I do and they always end up feeling pretty dry. This is the Zoella Wonder Hand Mosturising Hand Cream and it's okay. I was using one that I picked up at TK Maxx which was my absolute fave but that ran out a few days ago and this is just my back up for now.

10. A Book (sometimes several)

I used to be a huge book worm but these days, I can't seem to find the time or patience to read. However, there are moments when I feel like reading and it's just very handy to have a book in my bag just so I'm not completely bored. I wanted to start reading more of the cult classics and I thought 1984 was a pretty good place to start. Since I'm a literature student, I'm usually carrying books that we're studying alongside whatever I'm reading in my own time too.

11. Sunglasses

I'm aware that currently in the UK, the mini Beast from the East has hit us and it's covered in snow outside, but sunglasses are such a perfect accessory for any and every outfit. It's just handy to have them in case the sun decides to come out of hiding or to complete my look for that particular day. These are some very cheap sunnies from Primark that I've had for years.

12. Glasses

So I'm a bit blind. I've been wearing glasses on and off since I was 3 and they're a necessity because I'm short sighted and can usually never see anything.  These have a very grandma vibe which is something I'm quite liking at the minute. These are from Specsavers.

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