Fashion and Technology

LFW has recently come to an end and living in another country would naturally make it hard for me to attend but never have I felt a disconnect with anything going on in LFW or anything else fashion related for that matter - and that is all thanks to the rise of technology in fashion. Today's post is all about how the lines between technology and fashion are blurring and how beneficial technology really can be in the fashion industry.

Bloggers
This is an obvious one. Fashion blogging only has become popular in the past few years and it is definitely the biggest way I learn about trends, get outfit inspirations and really learn what is happening in the fashion industry right now. It was become such a big part of the fashion industry that all throughout LFW you can see bloggers right up in the front of runway shows alongside celebrities!

Social Media
Every brand is all over every social media platform - This is also a recent development in technology but it is such an amazing way to connect with your customers and promote your brand. I for one stalk Asos' social media like crazy and with millions of likes/follows on all of their social media they're able to really promote their brand.

Polyvore
Polyvore is a great community based website where users can express their own style. On here you can mix and match products to create fashion collages called sets. It's also a great place to just browse existing products and shop them. I also personally use it to create wishlists or collections of items that inspire me etc.. Below's an example of what can be done on the site.

Set found here

Visual Search Software
This software is something I've recently discovered - I've tried this new app called Style Thief. It uses findSimilar software by Cortexica - a company dedicated to image recognition and visual search technology. With this app, you can basically snap a photo or use an existing photo of an outfit and find similar clothes online. I think it's a great idea - it's not the first time I see an outfit online and just wish I had it. Below are some of my results! I tried out the app with one of my outfits as well as two outfits of other blogs that I follow.

Above you can see my favourite picks from my results. When uploading an image you can choose what item of clothing it is you're looking for as well as whether you want it to be more dependant on colour or texture. You can then sort your results and when you find a result you're happy with, you can go on the website it's found on and buy it, view other colours and even view similar items from the brand. My only critique would have to be that when uploading a photo with a colourful and busy background, the results may pick up colours from the background. So try and minimise busy backgrounds as much as possible or crop them out if you can. But apart from that, the software works great and is a fantastic idea. Be sure to check out this visual software out for yourself!

Links:
Cortexica
Style Thief App

Outfit Favourites: September

Here are some outfits of various bloggers I've been loving this past month! Big fans of all of these and love looking at them for inspiration so be sure to check them out. I'd love to see some outfits you've been loving and be sure to let me know which are your favourites!

Autumn Winter Lookbook / London's Closet

LFW Day 2 / LLYMLRS

NYFW Day 3 / Feral Creature

LFW Day 5 / Pages By Megan

Back to School Pt 2 / Georgia Luisa Meramo

OOTD: Lace Crop Top + Maxi Skirt

Similar Skirt / Similar Crop top / Similar Necklace

Here's what I wore for lunch today. I just picked up this maxi skirt a few days ago from New Look (souldn't find it online but surely it's still in stock in stores) It's not too bright and is a gorgeous burnt orange colour and I paired with a crop top also from New Look and this gold necklace I got from Primark. And naturally, I'm wearing my trusty sliders under that maxi skirt! 

Autumn Wishlist

1. Slingback Boots 2. Knitted Cropped Jumper 3. Chunky Jumper 4. Checked Coat 5. High Waisted Jeans 6. Checked Cape

Okay so it's going to be a while until it's properly Autumn in Malta and I can finally wear a coat but thought I'd put together some things I've been eyeing recently for when it does actually get colder here. I included a jumper that's obviously a staple for Autumn, this gorgeous checked coat and a checked cape as well as these ripped knee high waisted jeans. My favourite piece would definitely have to be these western inspired slingback boots. Sadly, I already own too many black boots otherwise would've gotten this already! Lastly, I've pretty much gone crazy for the crop top trend at the moment and I think this knitted cropped jumper is a great way to stick to the crop top trend in Autumn layered with a cardigan or a jacket on top.

So those were a snippet of items I've been lusting over for Autumn! Which are your favourites?

OOTD: Lace Kimono & Skort

Primark Kimono / H&M Necklace / Similar Cami / Skort / Similar Sliders

Here's an OOTD that I wore to lunch yesterday. Wore a simple cami top with my floral print skort and my usual sliders. I recently went to the Netherlands (check out my posts about it here and here!) and picked up this lace kimono from Primark and this multilayered necklace from H&M.

The Netherlands Day 3-7

The next two days were spent in Nijmegen. Everyone biked throughout the city (except for me who's completely incapable of riding a bike ugh) and had our usual city tour. On our second day we had a dutch language workshop and ended our night with an EU night - where both Maltese and Dutch students exchanged food and drinks from their country. Had a blast!

The next day we travelled to Tilburg; it was pretty late when we arrived so we just unpacked, were welcomed by our hosts, went out for dinner and partied afterwards. On Saturday, we spent the day at Den Bosch, a small nearby town where we mainly did a bit of shopping and had a city rally to see all of the attractions. Then our last and final day was spent at De Haag which is where the international court of justice is found. Above you can see a photo of me and my friend in front of the Peace Palace which was absolutely stunning! We then spent our night having dinner in Chinatown and travelled back home for a chill night before returning to Malta in the morning.

And that was the end of my holiday! Really missing it already :/ Can't wait to travel again!

To see my previous post on this holiday click here.

OOTD: Lace Peplum & Cami

Similar Dress / Lace Top / Similar Shoes / Black Moon Necklace / Similar Hat

Here's an OOTD that I actually wore over a week ago and never got round to posting. It was still very hot in Malta so this hat wasn't the best idea but I just couldn't help myself. So I wore a simple black cami dress with this lace peplum cami i got from Asos. Paired it with this new hat and bag I got from Stradivarius recently and a pair of black sliders. Last item is this black moon necklace that I've been wearing to death since I got it here.

The Netherlands Day 1-2

So I kind of dropped off the face of the earth for a little bit here; but just came back from my trip to the Netherlands and I'm so excited to share my experience with you all! It's been a jam packed 7 days visiting 5 cities so I'll try not to ramble on.

Our first day started bright and early and we arrived in Amsterdam during lunch time. We first visited this beautiful windmill called Molen van Sloten which included a guided tour and we then proceeded to the city centre of Amsterdam. This was probably the city I was looking forward to the most and it was pretty good. Did it live up the hype? Yes and no. It is definitely a beautiful city with incredible architecture though I wished I had more time to visit some art galleries as it had quite a few interesting ones. The last notable thing we did on our first day was a scavenger hunt in the city centre which really helped us see all the sights in Amsterdam and learn a little bit on the way too.

We started our second day in the city centre again. We had some free time roaming the city and shopping and then the group collected together to go on a boat tour along the canals of the city. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip; I'd definitely recommend it. We ended our day and then went out to explore the nightlife the city is so well known for! It did not disappoint :)

OOTD: Lace Bralet & Midi Skirt

 Lace Bralet / Similar Skirt / Similar Cardigan / Necklace / Similar shoes

So here's an outfit I wore out to dinner a couple of days ago. I paired this topshop lace bralet with a black midi skirt from Stradivarius and Topshop sliders. I like to think it's getting slightly cooler here in Malta so I threw on this maxi cardigan over (big mistake) and topped the outfit off with this Black Moon necklace.

At the moment i'm in the midst of trying to pack for a trip to the Netherlands (how do I pack everything I need in just a carry on?!) So I'll be away from the blog for a while but will be back to posting in about a week! Till then you can check out my instagram; i'll try post a few photos while I'm there. Cya in a week!

Trend & Wishlist: Kimono

I've loved the Kimono trend as soon as it started and It's such an easy way to inject a pop of colour into an otherwise simple outfit. Luckily for me, Malta's still pretty hot and will be all throughout September so it's the perfect time to invest in and wear a kimono! They can easily be worn throughout the colder months too layered under a coat or a jacket. So here are a few pieces I've been eyeing for a while; all very different from each other prints wise and all hopefully will find their way to my wardrobe sometime soon. (trying really hard to not just stick to monochrome pieces)
Which are your favourite?

1. Marble Kimono 2. Fantasy Print Longline Kimono 3. Asos Africa Print Kimono 4. Grid Print Kimono 5. Floral Tassle Kimono 6. Liquorish Printed Kimono

Black Moon Shop Haul

Amethyst Moon Rock Necklace / Flower of Life Chain Choker / Healing Quartz Adjustable Ring

A while back I ordered a few pieces from Black Moon Shop and I have been obsessed ever since. The shop sells a wide selection of gems, crystals, moon & stars and other exotic jewelry and for a cheap price. The first crystal necklace is a lot of fun especially to layer with other necklaces and the dainty choker is probably my favourite from the lot and I have been wearing it constantly since it arrived. Lastly, the ring is gorgeous and makes me feel like a badass everytime I wear it. Great stuff! That's all for now, be sure to check out this shop!

Why you should get a pixie cut

So you're thinking about plunging into the pixie cut world? I'm here to give you a run down on why you should. It might be a scary decision at first but I went for it about 2 years ago (cutting about 20cm off at the time) and absolutely loved it. Here's a few reasons why pixie cuts are awesome:

1. Low Maintenance
Good god how I miss not having to do anything for my hair to look good. It would literally take me 5 minutes to slap on some gel and I'm ready to leave the house. That, and it looked better the longer I stayed without washing it. Pixie cuts really are the laziest of all cuts. I liked that.

2. You instantly look super stylish
This was mainly the reason I initially went for the pixie cut. Pixie cuts are a bold statement and make whatever outfit look instantly stylish. T-shirt and jeans? Boring. T-shirt and jeans and a pixie cut? Fashionista.

3. You can wear lots of makeup and not look trashy
I never really wear a lot of makeup anyways but I can say this from the 1 or 2 times I wore full makeup that you can go makeup crazy and still look elegant.

4. Same goes for accessories!
This is one I miss the most. I used to go insane with my accessories and still look chic. FYI Big earrings and a pixie cut are a match made in heaven. (ahem Jessie J)

5. Having your hair so short feels amazing (especially somewhere hot like Malta)
This one's a given but thought I'd include it anyways. If you live somewhere hot like Malta, a pixie cut is a great idea. You'll feel great when everyone around you looks like sweaty messes and your hair still looks perfect.

6. There's a lot you can do with it
Honestly I did a lot more with my short hair than I ever have with long hair. Styling short hair is the easiest thing to do. I would either just gel my fringe down, part it to the side, gel all my hair back, do a little quiff; and all this in 5-10 minutes.

7. Calm down, it'll grow back!
The growing out process might be annoying for some but it's really not that bad. Enjoy your pixie while you have it and if you decide you need a change like I did, it will grow back faster than you think.