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