Ah Fashion Week. The Bi-Yearly pinnacle of the industry and one big occasion for your diaries. Whether you’re a blogger, buyer, designer, editor or just adore everything and anything fashion, it’s kind of a big deal. From reading blogs at the start of high school, through to starting my own, I’ve watched in awe as the fashion seasons pass, trends come and go and bloggers take over the streets. It’s been mesmerising watching the rise of bloggers, so much so that I’ve always dreamed of attending at fashion week, soaking up the atmosphere and absorbing all the insane street styles. I’ve always thought that Fashion Week was kind of what everything accumulated to when you’re a fashion blogger, the time to shine, schmooze your arse off and have a bloody good time. I didn’t really know what to expect, nor did I venture in with pre conceptions, just an open mind and a naive and silly choice of shoes. Here’s my reflections from my first fashion week and here’s hoping you find it useful, interesting, relatable or just entertaining!
“Nailing the perfect, fashion week ensemble is bloody hard. I still have no idea what my ‘style’ is. I just wear what I like and what I feel comfortable in ( apart from shoes, I always end up picking uncomfortable shoes because, well, I love them.) Don’t fear others judgement and don’t compare yourself to others. Do you and do it well!”
“Firstly, the struggle of dressing for fashion week is real.”
It sounds so ridiculously conceited, but I got back home the day before fashion week, no idea what to wear and tearing my hair out. The thing is, I’m a lover of spontenaity – I like to loosely plan outfits and then fully put something together in the spur of the moment, so that I can dress according to my mood, the weather and the general vibe I’m feeling that day! This is the first hurdle; people spend days, weeks, months even, pre planning their outfits and herein lied my problem, because I’m just not a pre planning kinda gal. Luckily, the babes at Very Exclusive were on hand to let me take this INCREDIBLE Needle and Thread jacket for a whirl – it was love at first site and added something fresh and unplanned to my look for Day 2 at LFW. Especially when you’re as inexperienced as me at Fashion Week, you can really let the whole ‘I’ve got to look amazing, but feel like myself but look like the BEST version of me all at the same time’ really get on top of you! I wrote here about how easy it is in this industry to compare yourself to others. I was adamant I wouldn’t do this and as long as I focussed on feeling good, staying true to myself and dressing for myself – I’d be fine. I’m paired back, a little bit basic and love classic pieces. Street style and paparazzi material? Probably not, but that’s okay. Don’t go out of your comfort zone for the sake of a big Canon.
“It’s a huge contrast and mix of incredible, luxurious ‘pinch me’ moments and just the down right, unglamorous “
I’m definitely not speaking for everyone here, but I’m assuming that if you’re a really well established blogger, celebrity or socialite, then fashion week is going to be a hell of a lot more glam than your average Joe Prim. I’m not going to paint a facade and I’m definitely not afraid to tell you the more gritty details and reality of fashion week from my point of view. But I feel like that needs a whole new post, so if you’d like to see a comedic post or video about the perhaps, less glam aspects of FW, let me know because that would be hilarious and very interesting to put together! Although I have explained the highs and lows in my Vlog, which is coming to my channel soon, so head over and have a cheeky subscribe if you haven’t already! Reality check aside, I am still in love with Fashion Week and find the whole time so intriguing, inspiring and interesting! Personally, from actually experiencing it this year instead of watching from the sidelines (Twitter 😉 ) I feel like I’ve learnt so much more about what goes into fashion week and why it’s such an important time. You’ve got the parties, the champs on tamp and constant blow drys, but you also have the aching feet, changing on the streets (yes I kind of did) and sometimes, the isolation and feeling of not fitting in.
“Find yourself a fashion week buddy”
Buddy’s were great on school trips, endless banter and if you got lost you weren’t alone. Same applies to fashion week and MY GOD it would have been daunting if I didn’t have my girls with me! My fave Aussie, Emma was in town for FW and I’m now having severe separation symptoms! I spent all 3 of my FW days with her and I can’t tell you how much fun she made them! We laughed, moaned, ate and drank (and then tried to recover Sunday morning). On Saturday we met up with Tanya and Kristy for a red wine, fuelled dinner and it was the best! It’s sometimes difficult to make friends when you perhaps don’t see them much or even haven’t met them yet (here’s looking at you Insta friends!) ! A LOT of my working life is spent by myself, so it’s so refreshing to have a group of girls you can relate to and trust. Over the past year I’ve really formed some great friendships through blogging which makes me super happy! Having a Fashion Week buddy will not only mean you can feel more at ease in new situations, but you have someone to laugh with, help choose a wine (V. Important!) take pictures and put up with your moaning because your shoes are destroying your feet!
SHOP THE OUTFIT
Watch my Fashion Week Vlogs!
I REALLY hoped you like my little reflection of my first Fashion Week – I’d love to know your thoughts, if you’ve been or if you’d love to go! I cannot wait to show you the vlog of my time this year so make sure you’re subscribed!
As always you can tweet me @stylepetalblog, catch up on all my posts over on BLOGLOVIN or see my latest beauty and fashion buys and vlogs over on my YouTube channel!
Photography by Ben Kapur
‘Help choose a good wine’ Haha! Maybe that’s not always a good thing…
Love you lots! xx
Haha I know it’s pretty dangerous! Thanks for making it the best loves! xx
I’m yet to experience Fashion Week myself but it’s on my bucket list! You looked great and everything you said is so true, it’s so important to stay true to your own style (although it is fun to experiment now and again!)
Sinéad ♥ Check out my re-launched blog HERE
Ahh thank you lovely! So glad you agree! Oh and definitely is fun to switch it up now and again! X
Loove love love that jacket! I can’t wait to watch your vlog!
Oh yes, I love how you styled this floral bomber jacket! Super cute! xx, Paula, http://www.paulahandrickblog.com
Thanks so much lovely! X
FW sounds like a stressful week yet full of great moments! Love your outfit, especially those leather leggings xx
http://www.hairwonderfulday.com
Definitely pretty stressful but also worth it! Thanks lovely! I’m obsessed with them! x
Really love the floral bomber and pants!!
xx,
Areli’s April
Areli’s April on Bloglovin
Thanks so much! x
Oooh I really love your frilly shirt, you look amazing! xx
Tash | natashatodd.co.uk
Thank you – was a last minute Zara purchase! x
That’s so awesome that you got to attend Fashion Week! Love that floral bomber jacket, too
Xo
Jeanie
http://www.thefashionlotus.com
Thank you! Was fun and lovely to meet some new girls! x
It was so much fun to watch yours & Emma’s snaps from FW, hon. I love you both so much!! I am super lucky Ems lives pretty much “round the corner” from me and we get to hang out because she’s such a big sweetheart!! <3
I am actually absolutely clueless as to what a FW looks like if you are a blogger.
If you don't mind me asking hon, what was a regular day like? Did you get to go to any shows?
I am asking purely because I have no idea what I would do/expect if I were to go to a FW.
Will keep my eyes peeled for your YT updates, beauty :*
xox Nadia
http://www.mielandmint.com
Ahh thank you loves – so glad you enjoyed them, we had so much fun! I don’t know what I was expecting from Fashion week really in the first place, was definitely so much fun though! It was a bit of a mix of a few shows, lots of lounges/pit stop events, etc! I think it’s probably different for everyone! x
i’ve always wondered what it was like attending a fashion week. ours in Vancouver is really low-key, but I’d love to do NY or Milan one day.
Leslie
http://www.alifewellconsumed.com
I’d love to do New York! It was great fun but can definitely be a bit overwhelming too! x
Lovely floral bomber jacket! which makes you a pretty and gorgeous.
kotiom
Thank you lovely x
Love the ruffle top paired with the bomber jacket darling!
Nicky x
http://www.nickyinsideout.com
Thanks so much loves! x
Firstly I love this outfit! I have never done LFW and to be honest I’d be scared to as I’m not a trendy sort of person and I would feel like I don’t fit in so. It does look like a lot of fun but also like you say very tiring and not all glamour like some think it is,
So glad you like it! Oh that’s definitely what put me off slightly, sometimes the atmosphere can be a bit judgemental and I did feel like a major out cast haha! Was definitely a lot of fun though! x
Such a lovely look! Love your style!
http://chicglamstyle.com
Aww thank you so much lovely! x
wow, that bomber jacket is so so gorgeous!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Isn’t it! So eye catching! x
This jacket was fabulous! You looked great for your first Fashion week, I hope that you enjoyed it!
Xx
Laura
http://www.initialsla.com
Ahh thanks so much lovely! I had a lot of fun thank you! x
I still haven’t done fashion week properly. I am hoping by next year that I might get an invite somewhere lol.
I really love this jacket from Needle & Thread. It’s beautiful!
X Hayley
http://mydebeauvoirdiaries.com/
Girl we should plan something for September!! Would be so much fun! xx
Beautiful outfit! I’ve never done a Fashion Week but thank you so much for telling about your experience. I find it so fascinating to watch from afar but think I wouldn’t be cut out for it to be honest 😀
Love, kerstin
http://www.missgetaway.com/
You’re so welcome! I definitely didn’t feel like I was cut out for it either haha! Was a lot of fun though! x
Girl I completely hear you about the stress of finding the right outfit – it’s easy to put so much stress on yourself! I didn’t do too much this year as I’m finding myself feeling less interested each season, would love to grab lunch/coffee if I’m there next season lady!
Hayley xo
http://www.frockmeimfamous.com
So glad you agree haha – didn’t want it to be just me complaining haha! Definitely need to relax and just do me next season and try not to get caught up with everything! To be honest I just liked going to meet up with my faves, we barely even did much fashion week malarky haha! For sure need to have a little brunch hun! xx
Congrats for your first fashion week. It was my first too. Having a fashion week buddy is super important to enjoy the moment and takes some amazing pictures!
Thanks so much lovely! Literally made it so much more enjoyable having my girls! x
Yes girl! You’re totally killing it and i so feel you on the outfit planning. Love needle and thread and that frilly top paired with the coated trousers hits a perfect balance of feminine and edgy
http://www.thewhimsicalwildling.com/
Thank you so much beaut! Haha that’s exactly what my style is so I’m glad you said that! I need to combine to two to feel comfortable! x
This is awesome. Your first fashion week. Enjoy the moments gals.
Lovely legging and boots.
-Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2017/02/27/oscars2017/
Thanks lovely! x
You look great and it sounds like a fun experience!
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
This is so interesting to read as it would be a dream for me to go myself one day! Your outfit is gorgeous also!
SHAKIRA / SHAKIRA SACKS
That jacket is to die for!
Thank you! x
Ooh girl this is seriously one of the best fashion week looks I have seen in awhile – you look brilliant!
xx
Ahh no way – thank you so much! x
I haven’t been to a fashion week before, but I so agree that you should go with a buddy! I love this beautiful embroidered jacket!
Lindsey
http://www.seamlesssea.com
Definitely made my experience 10000x better with a buddy haha! x
Your jacket is amazing!!
— Brittney
http://www.missxbo.com
Thanks so much! x
Obsessed at how you paired such girly pieces with a edgy leather pants! and ahhhh that pop of shine on your bag! Love this outfit on you, dear!
Natalie
http://passportout.asia
So glad you love it! I’m obsessed with pairing girly and badass haha! x
This is such a fresh look – so is your blog! – and I loveeee the ruffle top. Super cute! I’d love to make it to Fashion Week next year – fingers crossed!
http://www.millieonhearts.com
xx
Ahh thank you so much girl – means a lot – Im so glad you love, Zara are killing it with the shirts at the moment! x
After all is said and done it sounds and looks like your first Fashion Week was a smashing success!
Babe!!! Omg!! I love this!!! I know how you feel!! It was my first one last year and was very scary! Haha so many amazing tips and glad to know other people feel the same! I think u always look amazing!!! Xxxx Ash http://www.missgunner.com
omg how pretty is this blogpost! I love it so much, the photos are nice 🙂
Ohh thank you so much! x
I totally feel you on just packing a general concept, then being more spontaneous when actually getting dressed when you go on trips! I have the hardest time packing for trips due to the fact that I dress for my mood!
It looks like you had an amazing time!
-Mackenzie
http://www.kenzywho.com
Glad I’m not the only one, I’m exactly the same! x
I’m loving you bomber Jacket babe and how you styled it!
xx
Nadya
Thank you lovely! x
Love this look! So many great details and thanks for sharing your fashion week experience! xx, Erin – http://www.stylebythepeople.com
Thank you, so glad you love! x
So cute ! Love your hair !
http://wear-owska.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much lovely! x
Loved reading your reflections, babe!!! It was such a fun few days and I can’t wait to do it all over again in September! Loved being your fashion week buddy!!! 🙂 xxxxxxx
https://theemasphere.com/styling-pink-grey
Thanks hun – oh my gosh me too – so excited! xx
♥
Love the look!
But especially the post – thanks for sharing, girl!
xxx, Eva
http://www.dark-rebel.com
Thanks so much lovely! x
Congratulations!! Xxx
http://www.sweetpoppy.dudeklatero.com