Tag: Asos

Decluttering, Changing Old Habits & Trying Out The Capsule Wardrobe

It was around last autumn that I had started to majorly downsize my wardrobe and had began thinking about creating a capsule wardrobe, which I talked about here. At the time the thought of clearing out the majority of my clothes to focus on the limited amount of items that I actually wore and refine that selection to create a ‘capsule wardrobe’, was both scary and exciting. Even once I’d got into the swing of mix and matching certain pieces on repeat, I still had a large selection of clothes that I’d been hoarding (but never wore) incase I ‘got bored’ or ‘needed something different’. As the weeks and months passed, I realised those were two scenarios that never actually occurred and although I was quite content with my new outlook on style and how I now dressed/shopped, I still wasn’t quite ready to let go of my safety blanket – which was basically all of the clothes that I was keeping for the sake of keeping them.

Trying To Start Anew

Although I was no longer adding to my unworn clothing collection, the clothes were still there. There were plenty of clear outs (I actually lost count) but it was the last and biggest one that was the hardest. I knew I didn’t want to take all of that stuff to my new house but a part of me didn’t want to part with most of it either. So for a good while, there it sat, bagged up, between homes, unsure of where it was going. It annoyed me, it got in my way, it definitely pissed me off but for some reason I just couldn’t part with it…until eventually I actually forgot what was in some of the bags and so then I knew, it was definitely time to let it go. It still sounds a lot easier than it actually was – I mean, it’s just clothes after all – but I’m so glad that I eventually did it.

Where I’m At Now

Fourteen months later and I’m finally at the place I had only been able to dream about a year ago. It sounds extreme but at the time, I had discovered a few things that really made me want to change my clothes shopping habits (something I’ll go into more in a future post) and I also started to realise that I really wasn’t finding fulfilment from all the things I owned and that the clutter I had created was just causing a distraction, not to mention slowing me down when it came to something as simple as getting ready in the morning (I definitely do better with a lot less choice). Fourteen months later I moved into our house with one suitcase of clothes plus a coat and a few jackets (that I bagged up separately) and I’m currently the happiest I’ve been with my style and my wardrobe in a long time.

…And The Capsule Wardrobe

As for the capsule wardrobe, I don’t strictly have one. I’m much more of a go with the flow person and if I really love something I’m not going to stop myself from buying it just because it doesn’t stick to a certain number of items. I do however like to stick to certain colour pallets. I’ve moved away from bold prints and bright colours, instead favouriting more ‘grown up’, muted tones but that’s not to say that it isn’t possible to have a brightly coloured capsule wardrobe or even just a pop of colour when you fancy it (as I had lots of fun trying to create an example of here). Limiting what I let into my wardrobe has just helped me to discover that I now prefer to dress much more relaxed and casual and I feel most comfortable in more minimal, simple pieces. I also think that if you’re like me and maybe don’t like to stay completely within the rules but can be helped by a little guidance, just planning a capsule wardrobe can be a great way to help you realise the things you actually really want in your wardrobe and it can also be a great way to help you to refine your style.

The Verdict

Without rambling on too much longer (I could honestly talk about this topic for hours), in a nutshell, decluttering has been a long and slow process but one I’m definitely glad I started. It’s helped me think differently about how I shop and yet buying less, opting for better quality when possible and owning less has actually left me feeling much happier about the way I dress and the pieces I own. I guess I can now say I really understand the meaning of ‘less is more’.

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Thank you to the fabulous kind hearted soul that is Onyi for taking these fabulous photos for me and thank you to those of you who actually read this post to the end because I know it was a long one.

You can read more about my decluttering journey here.

Samio x

October 10, 2016
Something For Everyday – The Burnt Orange Blazer

I have been on the hunt for the perfect blazer for the longest time ever! Okay, slight over exaggeration there but I have seriously searched high and low for what feels like months and I’m glad to now say, I have finally found what I was after, although not necessarily what I’d been looking for…In my mind I’d originally had the idea of a black or grey blazer that would be great for day to day but when browsing online and hunting in a few shops, I wasn’t really finding the type of thing that fit with my current (super casual) everyday style. It was just by chance that I stumbled upon this burnt orange colour blazer and to my own surprise, I instantly feel in love with it.

The first time wearing my new blazer I of course had to throw it on with my all time favourite Asos Farleigh jeans and a pair of Converse. It was the perfect outfit for a Saturday afternoon as Damien and I headed out for lunch and a few drink before meeting friends later for a BBQ.

This blazer definitely gets the thumbs up for the high wearability factor as I’m already finding myself reaching for it each time I head out. I also love that it’s a great Autumnal shade, which makes it a great transition piece as the seasons change.

Blazer – Asos | T-shirt – Asos | Jeans – Asos | Bag – Whistles| Trainers – Converse (in black)

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Samio x

September 7, 2016
Weekday Jeans

Hello! I have to start by saying, it’s been a while. Yes I have very much neglected my little space on the internet over these past few weeks, which is something that has frustrated me at times but I think my reasons have been somewhat justifiable, as work has been really busy at the moment and when I’ve not been shooting, there’s been lots of long days and late evening spent at our house doing D.I.Y and finally we’re starting to see things take shape and it’s slowly starting to come together. Although we still have a lot to do (it’s definitely been the biggest project of our lives so far), we hope to finally be getting in our house very soon and I cannot wait!

Anyway, onto the outfit post and I finally made a couple of summery(ish) additions to my wardrobe. I absolutely love these Weekday jeans that I got from Asos. I tend to struggle finding the right fit with jeans and usually just live in the same couple of pairs on repeat. Not only do I love the fit and style of these jeans but I also love the fact that they are made from leftover materials…I also decided it was finally time to purchase a pair of sandals after spending the majority of my summer so far in Converse. I’m not usually much of a sandal person but I actually really like these and I’m pleased to say that they are pretty comfortable too. Let’s just hope the good weather continues so that I can get plenty of wear out of them.

Sandals – Asos | Jeans – Weekday | Jumper – Asos (similar here) | Denim Jacket – Pieces (similar here) | Bag – Whistles

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Samio x

August 29, 2016
Not So Summery, Summer Days

Hello August, you came around fast! Is it just me or are the months actually flying by? So much so that we’ve approached the last full month of summer and I’m yet to buy any summer clothes…What is all that about!?

Clearing out my wardrobe did give me the opportunity to retrieve ‘lost’, barely worn summer type pieces, like this long, white, sleeveless roll neck from Free People, however I’m still yet to wear an actual summer dress this season!

Jeans have been my go to this summer, as bar the few super sunny days that we have had, the UK has been a bit of a let down weather wise. I guess I can’t complain, as overall the weather here hasn’t been horrendous, it just hasn’t been consistently amazing either, which is something I should be used to by now.

I guess you can’t go wrong with denim though and when you opt for a light blue shade of denim, like with these Topshop skinny jeans, it instantly gives a more summery vibe to your outfit…Teamed with these faux suede heeled sandals from Asos, I think I’ve found the perfect combination for those not so summery, summer days.

Jeans – Topshop (similar here) | Top – Free People (similar here) | Bag – Matt & Nat | Heels – Asos

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Samio x

August 1, 2016
5 Things I’ve Discovered Since Downsizing My Wardrobe

It’s actually possible to get ready in under 10 minutes

I’ve always been one to faff. I’m that annoying friend who says they are about to leave the house, when really they are still sifting through a selection of clothes, manically deciding what to wear…Or at least I was. One of the best things about downsizing my wardrobe is that it has given me more time! I don’t find getting ready a stressful task anymore, whatever the occasion. Less stuff, means less to choose from, which inevitably means less faffing from me!

Quality is far better than quantity

This one may seem pretty obvious but I definitely used to be someone who preferred spending less and owning more. This is something that changed a while ago, but I’d still easily be drawn in by something just because it was a ‘bargain’. Fast forward to now, and call me boring, but I find myself thinking purchases over a lot more and try to invest in pieces that will last longer when I can. I also find that I tend to favour the pieces I put more thought into purchasing too, and so I end up wanting to wear them time and time again.

You can be content with a smaller wardrobe

When I was younger I always had dreams of having my own walk in wardrobe…That dream still stands however now, I envision that space much more sparsely filled and with a selection of pieces that I truly love. I’ve been amazed with how much happier I’ve become with my outfits (even the super basic ones) and the pieces I wear on day to day basis. It’s not that I care less about clothes (I still totally love them), it’s just that I worry a lot less about them now that I have a lot less to choose from and find myself content with the pieces I own, instead of always longing for something new.

You don’t need every type of garment in your wardrobe

We’re constantly told about fashion ‘must haves’ and things that we absolutely need for this and for that that, but the reality is that if we bought into all of it, we’d actually have a wardrobe ready to burst…Oh wait, that was me!

I’ve always had quite an eclectic taste and so shopping for me meant buying random pieces that I liked on whim. Over time this meant that I really did have almost every type of garment in my wardrobe and lots of pieces that I wasn’t willing to get rid of ‘just incase’ the right occasion should arrive. But since finally letting go and clearing a lot of that stuff out, I haven’t actually missed any of it and not once has an occasion come around where I’ve thought ‘Oh I wish I’d kept that’. It’s also helped me to refine my style and think about what I truly want to wear and will actually wear on a regular basis.

It’s okay to be an outfit repeater

For a lot of people I’m sure this one is pretty much a given but I used to be someone who hated wearing the same look twice, especially when it came to occasion wear. Nights out would always require the ultimate planning as I’d spend hours browsing online for something new to wear for the occasion. Now I realise that it doesn’t actually matter if you have a particular garment or outfit that you like to wear on repeat for a certain occasion. There are ways to change your look without changing your entire outfit, such as styling prices differently, adding accessories and changing up your hair and makeup. Of course I still find it’s occasionally nice to go for something new or slightly more special from time to time but I’ve learnt that it’s better not to worry about it too much and like they say if it’s not broke, why try to fix it.

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Samio x

July 22, 2016
Wardrobe Additions

I’ve made two new wardrobe additions recently and of course they were well thought out ones and items I know I’m going to be wearing on repeat! I already mentioned how obsessed I am with the fit of the Asos Farleigh jeans. I’d wished for some time that they would do my favourite style in jet black, as opposed to the washed black that they’ve had online for a while. Luckily for me, Asos recently answered my prayers, as these jet black slim fit Mom jeans recently came in stock and as a piece I’d been wishing for, for quite some time, I instantly nabbed them.

I doubt I need to say that in the week that I’ve had these jeans I’ve already been getting plenty of wear out of them and you can expect to see them on rotation, along with my other pair in the dark blue denim.

A second new addition are these black Converse. Technically these were a gift from the boyfriend but I picked them out non the less and although they were a reluctantly accepted gift at the time, I’m actually now really glad I have them. I’m still not convinced I actually need two pairs of Converse but I do have to admit that these make for a nice alternative to my grey ones when I want to switch things up…and it’s quite clear to see, I do enjoy going for the all black look from time to time.

Crop Top – American Apparel (similar here) | Jeans – Asos | Bag – Matt & Nat | Trainers – Converse

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Samio x

July 18, 2016
The Perfect Slim Fit Mom Jeans

There was a time when the thought of wearing the same item on repeat would have horrified me. No matter how much I liked or felt good in an item, I always found it difficult to go back to wearing the same thing too often, which seems silly to me now as I love owning pieces that I can get a huge amount of wear out of…Times have certainly changed and for me a regular go to garment in my wardrobe are my slim fit mom jeans from Asos.

I hadn’t realised when I purchased them how big of a role they’d play in creating different outfits in my wardrobe and now time and time again, I find myself pulling these jeans out for so may different occasions. I’ve always struggled to find the perfect slim fit high waisted jeans that fit my body shape right and now that I seem to have found the perfect pair, I practically live in them.

I love how the relaxed fit is casual and cool, whilst being super comfy. I also love that whilst being a great everyday piece, these jeans can so easily been dressed up with a pair of heels and the right jacket…For me wearability is key when it comes to me making new additions to my wardrobe and these jeans certainly tick that box.

T-Shirt – Cos | Bag – Matt & Nat (in blue here) | Jewellery – Pernille Corydon | Jeans – Asos

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Samio x

July 7, 2016
Perfect Pieces To Finish Off An Outfit

Often I find that the right shoes and accessories can help to finish off an outfit perfectly and recently I’ve had a few new additions that I’m absolutely loving…

I’d been on the hunt for a pair of mules for quite some time but finding the perfect ones was actually a harder task than I had anticipated. I’d tried so many on that just weren’t right and I really wanted to be 100% happy with the ones that I eventually went for. In the end Clarks saved the day as they kindly let me pick out a pair of shoes and whilst browsing through their new collection of women’s sandals I spotted this fabulous snake print pair.

Although this is the first appearance of these shoes on my blog, I’ve actually been getting so much wear out of them. They are my comfiest pair of heels by far and not once have they made my feet sore or felt uncomfortable to walk in, which I’m sure you’ll know is a rarity with heels.

Cami Top – Glamorous | Jeans – Asos | Cardigan – (similar here) | Bag – Radley London (similar here) | Shoes – Clarks | Earrings – Pernille Corydon | Rings – Velvet Head | Sunglasses – Vintage

Something else I’ve been loving is my new jewellery. I’m usually a gold person and for quite a while I’d only really been wearing one set of earrings, which I’d pretty much lived in. I’d been wanting some simple rings that I could wear everyday too and when I was asked if I’d like to pick out some of the silver pieces from Velvet Head, after browsing the collection I instantly feel in love. I went for two quite simple rings that I could wear together or on different fingers and one slightly more statement ring that has a synthetic white opal. I love how pretty the three rings look together and it’s nice to have rings that I can’t wear all the time without having to worry about them discolouring my fingers like a lot of dress jewellery does.

Of course once I had silver rings, I needed silver earrings too. A friend from Copenhagen had recently introduced me to the jewellery designer Pernille Corydon, after I had fallen in love with a pair of earrings I’d seen her wearing…I love the simplicity yet uniqueness of these open coin earrings. I’ve been wearing them everyday and I love them.

Samio x

May 16, 2016
Easy Stylers – Slim Fit Mom Jeans & Converse

Shirt – Asos | Jeans – Asos | Bag – Old (similar here) | Shades – Vintage Christian Dior | Trainers – Converse

Yesterday I had a the afternoon free and so I met up with my friend, Chloe. I’d initially gone to look in a boutique that sold a brand of bags I had been eyeing up for quite some time and was hoping to purchase. But after umming and arring for a long while and even going back to the boutique a second time, after we’d gone for lunch, I left empty handed. Chloe on the other hand ended up purchasing one of their gorgeous little purses…It wasn’t that I too hadn’t been won over by the selection of bags and purses on offer, in fact it was quite the opposite, as I hadn’t expect to be so spoilt for choice. This made decision making all the harder and it made me rethink about the initial bag I’d gone there to hopefully buy.

Nevertheless, we had fun browsing round the little boutique and now it’s given me time to sleep on it and I’m actually glad I didn’t make an impulse decision and by one of the other bags that I’d spotted. Although the bag in question was rather dreamy, after fully thinking it through I had to admit to myself that the colour maybe wasn’t quite right in terms of what will match with the majority of my current wardrobe, as I am going for a very mix & match vibe at the moment with the pieces I own…It’s funny, a while ago I would have said browsing is no fun without purchasing anything and I probably would have regretted not buying the bag. Now however I’m starting to see the benefits of thinking through my purchases and acquiring pieces that I can easily style and actually love to wear on a regular basis.

Speaking of pieces that I love to wear and are easy to style, yesterday I wore my new-ish Converse. They are the first pair of converse I’ve ever owned, can you believe it? I don’t know where I’ve been all these years. They are practical for day to day and I love how they go with just about anything. I’m also currently loving these Asos slim fit mom jeans. I have been getting so much wear out of them and they are easily becoming my favourite ‘go to’ jeans.

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Samio x

April 20, 2016
Day Date Attire

I’ve been super busy as of late and so my blog has been a little neglected. Sometimes I struggle to balance modelling with blogging, especially with all the travelling it requires, being away from home and going back and forth to London quite often. I also spent this past week in London finishing an on going project I’ve been working on with the Imperial War Museum and the Goethe Institute, which I’ve spoken about in a previous post here. It’s been lots of fun but it’s left very little time to blog.

Now I’m back home again but only for a number of days before I head off on another trip and so hopefully I can fit some much needed blogging in before I head off again. For this post I thought I’d share an outfit which I wore a couple of weeks ago…

I bought this long shirt dress at the start of the year from Whistles and I’m so glad I did.I love how versatile this piece is and each time I wear it, I try to style it in a different way. On this occassion I wore it with these cute studded Asos shoes and my trusty biker jacket for a day date with Damien when we headed out for lunch and a few drinks.

Dress – Whistles | Biker Jacket – (similar here) | Bag – Radley London (similar here) | Shoes – Asos

Samio x

April 15, 2016