SHE TRAVELLED THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE CLOTHING SHOPS
Dress - Barefoot Blonde
Top - Topshop
Trousers - Pretty Little Thing
I am always very flattered when I get messages complimenting my outfits and people asking where I buy my clothes from. However typically when people message, every single clothing shop I've ever set foot inside or ordered online from seems to disappear from my brain, so I thought compiling a physical list would help both you and I keep track of my favourite shops!
Throughout the years my fashion has evolved pretty drastically, from being 14 and wearing bow ties and button up party shirts, to being 18 and dressing in some (little too revealing) low cut tops and very short shorts, we are now at the 'boho-preppy' phase of my life. I am a lover of patterns, colours and very 'summer in Tuscany' inspired outfits, which is what usually inspires a lot of my purchases.
When I'm shopping, I typically look for a mix of basics that I can pair with lots of different things, and some pieces that are really 'wow'! When shopping for these stand out pieces I am always considering how they will photograph, I find pastels and lighter colours tend to wash my skin tone out, as well not looking great through the lens.
I also consider how these pieces will travel, clothes that don't wrinkle and easy to look after are great, it means less work for me. I can't pack an excessive amount of items, so a nice mix of some basics including a couple of plain (black, white or beige) tops and some shorts/jeans that can be universally worn are great. I am a big lover of mixing and matching items to help create different looks, something that is a necessity for me when I'm travelling!
This post includes my favourites and go to shops that I would typically look at when finding new fits for trips and at home. I will continue to update this list if anymore shops pop into mind or I find a new love for places to shop!
Top - Barefoot Blonde
Shorts - Nasty Gal
Top - Arnhem Clothing
Trousers - Forever New
TOPS
I am a SUCKER for cute tops and they are by far my favourite part of clothes shopping. Anything off the shoulder, one shoulder or bandeau are my absolute go to's during summer and for winter I like classic turtle necks and simple knitted jumpers as season staples. My summer wardrobe consists of lots of tops that show off my narrow shoulders and collar bones, as I like those aspects of my body I like a lot!
I find amazing tops at pretty much every shop I look at, however these are my all time favourites:
Sundae Muse is a new love of mine that I recently discovered through Instagram ads. I've done a couple of shops there since discovering them and will definitely be doing a couple more. They are an Aussie brand so their stuff is very 'boho' and pretty. I've ordered everything from tops, dresses, skirts and shorts and have loved them all! The prices aren't too bad and the shipping to the UK is only around £12 + no customs fees for me as of yet.
Mura Boutique is another Australian boutique that had me absolutely drooling over their clothing. Their stuff is more on the expensive side, however they are definitely investment pieces that I see myself wearing for the next few years. The only downside was paying for customs to get the clothing into the UK, however other than that - AMAZING!
I've worked with Barefoot Blonde a couple of times previously and just adore their clothes. They are based in Australia and create stunning pieces that are very versatile, light and comfortable. Each collection typically have a dozen or so pieces all with the same pattern in different styles, which means you have a lot a of options to pick something that you really like.
Arnhem clothing is another Aussie based company that I absolutely adore. Their pieces are so stunning and very '1983 in Northern Italy' vibe, so of course I love them. It is on the more expensive side, however like the other brands, they are investment pieces that will last you many years!
I only recently started shopping at Stradivarius, however absolutely love their stuff. It's a lot more preppy and chic than the first couple of options, however I am definitely a fan of their vibe in the colder months. Some of my favourite pieces I've picked up from Stradivarius is a one shoulder white top, which is super universal and easy to wear with a lot of different pieces, and a pair of grey plaid trousers which are super flattering on my body.
ASOS is one of my all rounder go to's. The site has a tonne of different brands and I can find both staples and unique pieces on there, while not paying an absolute fortune for them. I could easily spend hours on their site and often find one to many things in my basket!
I recently discovered the most amazing pairs of jeans and denim shorts that fit perfectly for my wide hips and smaller waist and you HAVE to get them if you struggle to find good, comfy jeans/shorts. Here is a link to the hourglass jeans and here is a link to the denim shorts.
Reclaimed Vintage is another love of mine that I always recommend to my friends. Their items are stocked on ASOS and upon lots of scrolling, I realised how much I liked their pieces. A lot of their items are super unique with interesting patterns, textures and styles, which I like for one off pieces. My off the shoulder long sleeve floral top that I love dearly is from Reclaimed Vintage as well as STUNNING one shoulder tie top that has a Japanese inspired pattern on the fabric.
Motel Rocks could take all my money easily. Their stuff is stunning and I love their cute little summer tops, plus they have some drop dead gorgeous going out clothing. It's a little pricey for what it is, however I think their clothes are good quality and once in a while I'll splurge to purchase some things I've been eyeing up.
I've put Pull & Bear and Bershka into the same section because to me they feel pretty similar styles and price points. Both are hit or miss depending on the season, however I think they stock great staples that you can pair with lots of different things. I think Bershka has some great basics like cute crop tops and shorts, while Pull & Bear have some super cute accessories - I got some great black boots, sunnies and black denim jacket from them.
If you're looking for some elegant going out clothing, I would highly recommend Vesper. Their tops and dresses are amazing quality and really beautiful. I own one of their square neck crop tops and it is unreal, plus the fabric doesn't wrinkle at all - big bonus for travelling!
Here is a link to the Vesper top I own!
Top - Mura Boutique
Trousers - ASOS
Top - Mura Boutique
Trousers - ASOS
Top - Reclaimed Vintage
Trousers - Forever New
Top - ASOS
Shorts - Nasty Gal
SHORTS AND JEANS
As someone with a small waist and wide hips and thighs, shopping for bottoms is more of a chore than anything else. Shorts and jeans either don't fit past my thighs or they are way to big around my waist and skirts end up being super short on me because of my height! It's the bane of my existence.
I like to have a few staple shorts/jeans that I can wear on rotation and that will go with a lot of different outfits, usually the shorts are light and breathable so they are great for summer. I'm not a huge fan of denim shorts (however I love the ASOS pair I just bought) so usually something cotton is ideal!
All the regular shops I shop at have a great range of comfy summer styles, but finding jeans and jean shorts that are flattering can be a struggle. I recently discovered the most amazing pairs of jeans and denim shorts that fit perfectly for my wide hips and smaller waist and you HAVE to get them if you struggle to find good, comfy jeans/shorts. Here is a link to the hourglass jeans and here is a link to the denim shorts.
Shorts - Nasty Gal
Top - Pull & Bear
Shorts - Nasty Gal
Top - Stradivarius
Trousers - Pretty Little Thing
Bikini top - Monki
Jeans - Pretty Little Thing
Jumper & Jacket - Pretty Little Thing
SKIRTS AND DRESSES
I don't own that many skirts and dresses and over the years I've definitely become more of a shorts person than anything else, however I do like wearing them on occasion! As I mentioned, a lot of mini skirts and dresses end up being a little too short on my 5'10 body, and dealing with trying to pull the bottom down every couple of seconds is annoying. Maxi skirts are definitely a go to for travelling and photos and I have a nice selection I rotate through.
Nobody's Child has some super cute pieces and I really like a lot of their stuff. I've got a couple of their tops and a skirt of theirs, too, which I love. They are eco conscious and really lovely quality, I definitely will be purchasing more of their stuff in the future!
Glassons was a favourite of mine while growing up in Aus and it's another shop that I wish didn't charge a small fortune for their shipping (with additional custom fees added on). Their stuff is so simple and pretty, and in particular I love their wrap skirts! They are so versatile and perfect for travelling, plus the linen material makes it super breathable for the summer months.
My 22nd birthday was in lockdown, however I still wanted to feel pretty and special so I bought this gorgeous pink dress from Missguided that I ended up getting dozens of compliments on when I posted photos on my feed! Unfortunately the dress isn't on their site anymore, however there are some cute options, whether you're looking for something more casual or a little bit more dressed up!
Skirt - Glassons
Top - Bershka
Dress - Missguided
Skirt - Sportsgirl
Top - Sportsgirl
Dress - Barefoot Blonde
SWIMWEAR
Living in England I don't get much use out of swimwear for the majority of the year, however I do love some cute bikinis during the summer months while I'm travelling. I typically go for high rise bikini bottoms and one pieces with low backs, these are just what make me feel the best and most confident!
Camp Cove is a Sydney based company who make ethical swimwear that is just so dreamy! Over the years I have owned a couple of their one pieces and just adore the style and patterns.
Cleonie is another small Australian brand who make beautiful swimwear. I own one of their low back one pieces with this abstract fruit style on it! Definitely a fan.
My Monki set of swimmers was a quick impulse buy before my trip to Corfu, and I absolute love the set! The top has underwire which I like and the bottoms are high waisted and comfortable to wear.
I've bought a couple of things from & Other Stories, both clothing and swimmers, and just love their overall style! It's very girlie and boho, which is right up my street.
One piece - Cleonie
Top - & Other Stories
Bottoms - Monki