Item of the week news and archive

Item of the week: the oversized blazer

What it is: The blazer is a garment with a number of differing origin stories, however the term itself was said to have been coined by a Cambridge university rowing club back in the early 1800s. Over its lifetime, the blazer has remained as a wardrobe staple for both men and women, often appealing to the latter as a sign of both femininity and...

19 hours ago

Fashion

Item of the week: the over-the-knee boot

What it is: The over-the-knee boot is essentially as the name suggests, over the knee, although there are many ways this can be interpreted. While the style is currently associated with female power and sex appeal, its roots stem from the creation of men’s riding boots in the 15th century, only being redefined as a woman’s fashion footwear...

22 Jun 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the basic white tank

What it is: The white tank top may be the most basic of wardrobe staples but its background is rooted in cultural movements and important developments in the sporting world. The name ‘tank top’ derives from the historical word for swimming pools, which were once known as ‘tanks’, and is linked to the costumes worn by the first women to compete...

15 Jun 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the miniature handbag

What it is: The tiny handbag has, unexpectedly, become a driving force in the accessories arena, making moves on the red carpet and runways, alike. Over recent years, designers have increasingly hopped on the bandwagon of accessories simply designed for amusement – take Balenciaga’s Ikea bags – with a few ultimately contributing to the...

8 Jun 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the polo shirt

What it is: The polo shirt is typically a short sleeve top consisting of a collar and neckline with two or three buttons. The style that is widely known today was initially designed in the early 1900s by French tennis player Jean René Lacoste, nicknamed ‘le Crocodile’. It was Lacoste who introduced the three button, short sleeve shirt style to...

1 Jun 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the hot pink hue

What it is: A particular colour shade that has been making its mark in fashion for the coming season is none other than hot pink. The colour pink itself holds significance in both culture and history, first coming into fashion in the mid-1700s, when it was worn by both male and female aristocrats as a symbol of luxury. While not initially...

25 May 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the little black dress

What it is: The little black dress, or the LBD, is often considered one of the most influential garments in fashion’s history, widely known for its simplicity, accessibility and timeless appeal. It is regularly regarded to have risen into the limelight during the 1920’s, with many fashion historians crediting Coco Chanel as the pioneer behind...

18 May 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the shearling aviator

What it is: Aviator jackets, like much of menswear, have derived from military uniforms, with this particular style originally created for pilots in the first half of the 20th century. Typically, the aviator, also known as the flight jacket, consists of a waist length cut, with features like button closures and elasticated cuffs and hems...

11 May 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the floral maxi dress

What it is: The floral maxi dress is a trend that is continuously evolving, making it an item that never actually falls out of fashion. Particular styles that were prominent on the runways for AW22 included oversized, blocky flowers or more delicate florals, often merged with paisley prints. Each pattern exhibited a different take on the floral...

4 May 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the fluffy slides

What it is: The slide is typically an open toe sandal that allows the wearer to simply slide into the shoe, as the name suggests. While the style has been a popular footwear trend for a few seasons now, presenting shoppers with a simple, seasonless design, alternative iterations have been making their way onto the market, most notably complete...

27 Apr 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the loose fit jeans

What it is: Baggy jeans were a pivotal part of 90s fashion, playing a role in a string of subcultures, most notably hip-hop, as the trouser style of choice. The loose fit generally points to jeans that are relaxed in the seat, knee and thigh areas, with a roomy cut that is often very comfortable to wear. For that decade, the look became...

20 Apr 2022

Fashion

Item of the week: the knit dress

What it is: The knit dress presents an array of options that can attract just about any shopper looking for the perfect, cosy wardrobe addition for the autumn/winter season. To start with, knit silhouette styles cannot be defined as one form. Some take the appearance of an oversized sweater while others have a more body-hugging fit, taking the...

13 Apr 2022