Classic.

 Dress, Biker Jacket & Shoes - Topshop
Handbag - Vintage Chanel
Bracelet - Vintage Dior

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have an affinity for classics - classic movies, classic cars (they look much better than today's boxy things), and literary classics. This also applies to fashion, not only with my love of forties and fifties looks but also with my favour towards classic combinations. I have enjoyed trying to mix things up in my style and create something unique, but especially now I find myself drawn to the more perennial styles - there's something attractive about something that lasts so long. This outfit shows off a few classics: not only is this dress a slightly modern twist on timeless classic print of monochrome stripes, with a classic red lip, but it features vintage accessories from Chanel and Dior.While I am currently enamoured with the AW15 collections of Giambattista Valli, Reem Acra & Valentino, I have to admit that when it comes to favourite designers I once again revert to classic icons. I like to think that my personal style varies from classic to playful, and I like to try and combine modern, vintage and retro to create something unique.. but every so often I like to play the classy angle completely and this outfit was one of those times. Black suits everyone, flatters everyone, and allows luxe detail and prints to really shine. It is also perfectly foiled by another of my favourites - bright lipstick! And now I'm off to watch a Marilyn Monroe movie and try not to wish I was living in fifties America....

Tara India xo

"Florals for Spring - groundbreaking."

 Jacket, Skirt, Top & Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Versace
Jewellery - Vintage

Looking at this outfit all I could think of was Meryl Streep's cutting comment in The Devil Wears Prada, because the focus of this outfit is the flowers embroidered on my skirt - while florals are a favourite of mine, they are hardly anything new! A perennial classic at this time of year, I've now tried to make my florals a bit more interesting and I am steering away from anything too girly or too nondescript. My florals are going to pack a punch, just like the bright colours of this skirt. I have also kept the rest of the outfit fairly simple and fairly luxurious, sticking mostly to monochrome and adding my favourite bag along with some vintage bling. The silver sandals are another favourite which just make the look a bit more playful and a little less serious - I often feel like my outfits need more of a dash of fun! I'm hoping that with summer almost in sight I can start playing with my looks a bit more and stop having to consider practical, boring things like rain or the (icy) temperature!

Tara India xo

Pretty pastels.

 Dress & Shoes - Topshop
Coat - New Look

This outfit feels like a bit of a throwback, since I've actually worn it quite a few times before. I remember a few years ago I'd never go out in the same look, but that was back when I wasn't paying for food or utilities or daily life and could afford to spend my money on clothes all the time! Now I've grown up a bit, especially after going travelling and spending days in the same pair of baggy pants, and I've not only realised I can't keep blowing my money but that sometimes the comfort and appeal of an outfit means it deserves to be worn more than once. I found this outfit is a perennial spring classic - pastels plus lace is a perfect combination, and the coat is a lighter way to keep the chill off. Also, one of the best ways to make your outfit look perfectly put together is matching hemlines and I love the way this coat falls at the perfect length for most of my dresses even though it's not petite! I'm not intending to start wearing the same outfit over and over, or to post repeats (because this blog is all about my developing style and new favourites), but I don't think there is anything wrong with revisiting a favourite outfit or wearing something twice because it makes you feel good. God, I'm definitely growing up..

Tara India xo

Calm down, it's not summer yet!

 Jacket, Jumper, Skirt & Shoes - Topshop
Necklace - Swarovski

I feel like I have to disregard the fact that I am also British and complain about something that British people do every year, without fail - it's not moan about the weather, queue obsessively, or even claim that tea solves everything (which it does).. This time I'm talking about, and slightly baffled by, the intense excitement that comes as soon as there is a mild day. Suddenly everyone's stripped down, guys are topless, girls are wearing shorts and t-shirts, and I'm in a jumper and tights like calm down! I know after the long and grim winter the first sign of sun is exciting, but really?! Everyone seems to get totally carried away! On this particular day I even saw a few people attempting to sunbathe. I mean, I get it - I love summer, and I do get excited by the first clear blue sky, but come on - it's still only March, and it's still only about 10 degrees! I practically get goosebumps looking at people like this.. And people say I don't dress for the weather...

Tara India xo

Lightening up.

 Jumper & Necklace - H&M
Skirt - Vintage
Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Vintage Chanel

After what seems like months and months of winter weather (that isn't quite over yet either!) it has recently been warm enough for me to consider it Spring, and to go without a jacket for a little while! Of course, since it's Birmingham and I always expect wind or rain I'm nowhere near retiring the coats, but it does mean I can focus on the outfits beneath and potentially walk around without one for a few hours.. In this outfit I also finally managed to reach my goal of wearing lighter colours and starting to escape the comfort of the darker colour palette - the pale pink and grey tones I chose feel springlike, softer and also very comfortable. I am however still eagerly awaiting the days when I don't even have to take a coat, or the first day where I can go out without tights on!

Tara India xo

To spend, or not to spend?

 Jacket, Skirt, Top & Shoes - Topshop
Earrings - Vivienne Westwood

I'm pretty sure everyone who knows me will agree I am not very good at saving money - if I go out anywhere you can bet my bank card will come home crying. The only way seems to be avoidance (I'm currently avoiding Topshop) and staying in, or making plans like a Costa date which can't be too expensive! But lately it's got me thinking about the value of spending over saving: is it really worth living cheaply and hoarding money, or is it better to enjoy the moment and have a little less tucked away?

Of course, in this economic climate where prices seem inordinately high and jobs aren't exactly easy to come by, I'd never say that you should be maxing out credit cards or living in your overdraft because that's just not sensible at all. But it seems equally insensible to me to be living as if you have £10 to your name when really you've got plenty of savings. I suppose this is a matter of tempered enjoyment - life is way too short to be miserable, and personally I'm far too young to be stuck inside every day eating 17p baked beans. Plus I love clothes way too much to ever stop spending! I suppose I'm saying that if you know you've got enough money to cover the essentials (all the boring things like bills, food, rent etc) and you feel like spending the extra on something enjoyable - go for it! I'm a "poor student" as everyone likes to say, but because I know I work and earn money and I've saved what I can so far, I'm not going to stop myself spending a little on a few enjoyable, potentially frivolous things now and then! This week I've been out twice in the evening and had lunch out twice because spending time with my friends was more enjoyable than sitting at home. I also know people think I spend a lot of money, but really I never spend more than I can afford - I've never gone overdrawn, and I even paid for 5 months of travelling by myself. Which is what I mean when I say be sensible - there's no point living like Scrooge if you can afford some fun because life is too short and every moment should be enjoyed. And then again, don't just spend until you've got nothing left. Balance is the key.

Tara India xo

Blown away.

Top, Bralet, Skirt & Jacket - Topshop
Shoes - New Look
Bag - Vintage Chanel

One thing I seem to have forgotten in my eager race out of winter and into spring is that Birmingham (and probably the whole of the West Midlands) becomes a wind tunnel and I spend most of my time being buffeted around! And of course, being the practical soul that I am, I decided to try and fight through the gales in a cut out lace top... I think we all know I'm not very good at dressing for the weather. In my defence, I was attempting a day to night outfit and also had just bought it (and therefore couldn't stop thinking of when and how to wear it). I really love texture and details and this top called to me - plus it gave me a chance to wear this super cute bralet and actually show it off, for a naughty-but-nice vibe which was perfect for some slightly impromptu bar-hopping! I did at least choose a skirt that wouldn't have me pulling a Marilyn every five seconds.. The only regret I really have about this outfit is that once again I couldn't fulfil my promise (or desire?!) to start leaving my winter colour palette behind! Dark shades are so flattering and so easy to put together that I seem to be in some sort of goth cocoon, but I do remember how much I love brights and pastels and I am just waiting for the day when I wake up and don't put on anything black. I'm including tights in this because I live for the first few weeks of going bare-legged again, but considering the arctic winds sweeping through Birmingham I think it will be a while before I can even downgrade to only wearing one pair of tights at a time, let alone none at all!

Tara India xo

Relaxed.

 Coat - New Look
Jumper, Trousers & Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Longchamp

After such a personal post I'm back to showing you my OOTDs, albeit a more casual one today. This is about as relaxed as I get when it comes to dressing, and it was perfect for a quick costa date in town. I don't often wear trousers (or even jeans or leggings), except on duvet days at home, because I feel lazy in them? I find skirts and dresses are usually more flattering at least, but I do have a few pairs of tailored trousers which are a comfortable middle ground! These houndstooth slim trousers from Topshop are my favourites because they are monochrome and fairly easy to style, yet they are still quite eye-catching. In previous outfits I've dressed them up more, but on this occasion I enjoyed dressing them down with a light knit jumper (I'm obsessed with high necklines lately). I also added a nod to the oncoming springtime with my pastel coat, which lightens the look and makes it more interesting, as well as keeping me warm - although it can't save me from the springtime showers...

Tara India xo