Style and how to get it at House of Beth

There are so many hot trends this summer that it’s dizzying! With Aztec and tribal style prints on practically everything, neon’s and pastels, vintage styles and so on it’s an almost impossible task to pick just one. Despite all this there seems to be prevalent throughout all these trends one thing- that is ‘originality’. It’s our season to make it our own! Here are a few tips to help begin your journey to fashion freedom...

 Think about styles and eras in fashion that you love

Are you a vivacious vintage vixen who adores those figure hugging styles of the 1940s and 50s? Take a lead from time trailblazers such as Dita Von Tesse. Or are you more of a Rockabilly Rebel with an eye for those cropped fitted jackets with your leopard printed pins? Do you find both of these styles and more appealing?

Take that fabulous inspiration and pick out pieces that convey these styles to you. Have fun with it and amalgamate them with the everyday! Even the simplest of pearls can be so Marilyn Monroe!

A great example can be seen in House of Beth’s collection of Audrey Hepburn inspired clothing. Who could forget the iconic little black dress with big bouffant hair in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? There are different versions of the LBD and much more in the collection based on the great lady herself. 

From left to right: I love this Didier Ludot Dress, as it adds instant vintage Hollywood style. House of Beth’s Charlie and Robin Black Short Jacket will make for a sensationally classy outfit! Teamed even with a fitted t-shirt and skinny jeans! The Harrods Knightsbrige David Charles Dress and Jacket sums up Audrey’s style completely!

Get that Style!

Once you have an idea of what you want – The real fun starts! There are many different ways of getting your paws on some fabulous fashion. You will often find that the best places to search are often not the ‘so obvious’ ones. Ethical and second hand shops, both on your high street and online are perfect places to search through. House of Beth showcases both second hand and Ethical designers who create one off pieces individual to you. With such a diverse collection you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else that could over such a diverse range.  

Be a Fashion Magpie!

Items of clothing will appeal to you for a variety of different reasons. Whether it’s the fabrics that dress or top is made from or the cut and colour of it. Perhaps you spied a dress in a shop window one time that instantly evoked some long lost memory and you had to have it? Whatever the case don’t be shy about mixing and matching clothes and accessories that you love. You don’t have to aim to ‘fashionably colour clash’ like the models in big name fashion magazines; you should simply feel awesome as you step out of your front door!

For some truly memorable clothing check out the uber-cool lines available through the House of Beth website! You can discover some very fashionably diverse pieces in the High Street Diffusion Range, with some recognisable names alongside the more exclusive brands.  

From left to right:
Truly a treasure trove of goodies: I love the blue and white handmade suit for total retro chic! The fitted brown and red striped and buttoned top from Mango and the stunning pink studded jumper top. All could be superb key pieces for your independently styled wardrobe!


See you soon!


Hema

Ten ways to wear it! 

The Jewellery Edition
So you have collected, nay amassed a small mountain of semi-precious gems as well as the odd piece of bizarre costume jewellery and accessories. Or perhaps you have that one off piece’s that has been collected whilst back-packing through Peru or Thailand, or been picked up from your favourite online boutique; market stall finds that you just have not been able to part with! Many of us are a little Magpie-like when it comes to our accessories. 

Then there are the ‘favourites’, a few key pieces that we love to wear over and over. However after a while even the most beautiful necklace or set of bangles can become a little bit staid.  So how can we keep these pieces fresh? By stylishly recycling them of course! Your accessories have more style possibilities than first meets the eye! Especially when it comes to experimental style: The possibilities really are endless! Here are our top ten tips on ways to wear your favourite bits and pieces:

Wrapping and layering- long necklaces look amazing double wrapped around your neck, but why not try that long beaded necklaces wrapped around your wrist? It will give the illusion that you are wearing a set of elaborate bracelets. Layering a mix of bracelets is a key season trend so mix it up with other bracelets you have for a fun festival look!

Pinning- Brooches are back big time, especially with the re-emergence of vintage fashion. For a bit of old school glamour try pinning a retro style brooch on your bag, at your waist, of with a scarf. At the base of a Trilby hat is a great way to wear your pin back brooch! One of the most versatile styles of accessories jewellery around; it’s surprising what you can get away with. 

Bangles - As well as being on wrists why not try being a little eccentric with your bangles? Take that ultra-long beaded flapper style necklace and knot a bangle in it for an unusual and bohemian looking piece of statement jewellery! It’ll be a real conversation piece.  

On keys-have at odd Murano glass/Lamp work beaded earring left, after the other one went missing? Instead of throwing such a pretty bead away, why not try attaching it to a key ring? This would make a beautiful jewelled item that you will see all the time on your key chain, an ultra-easy way to brighten up every day.  

Bag charms- Bag decorations are a fantastic way to jazz up that plain colour block work bag. Just clip it on the strap of your bag or the link for a bit more personality for the corporate day. Like brooches, bag charms are a versatile style of personal adornment, some of the more elaborate ones can be added to a long chain for a statement necklace look too. 

Belt up!  A clever way to create the illusion of having a smaller waist is to use a brightly detailed necklace as a belt. The eye catching colours and shapes will attract the eye to the waist making it almost a avant garde show piece in its own right. Depending on the style of the outfit this idea can work wonders when worn loosely with a long gypsy style skirt, or as an added extra with that 1980’s inspired body con dress.

Hair Style - Have you got that old choker style necklace that just doesn’t do it anymore? Perhaps it’s lost a link? Don’t throw it away! Fascinators can be a wedding guest staple and this is the perfect opportunity to make your own! Take the centre piece of the choker and using bobby pins fasten in your hair for a more individual look!

Arm Cuffs-If you are like many petite women and have tiny wrists then the chances are that many bangles will not fit, feel uncomfortable and slip off your hands easily. Very annoying. Especially when you spot that gorgeously intricate silver tone bangle! So why not use it as an arm cuff? This would look very pretty especially with that lovely sleeveless Grecian style dress. There is no shame in going for that ‘Warrior princess’ style!

She’s a right scarf- A wonderfully versatile piece of clothing, the humble scarf really is the winner when it comes to experimenting. As a headscarf, hair bando, neck scarf tied loosely or tightly around the neck you can’t go wrong! How about wrapping your patterned silk scarf around your hair, add a brooch to go with it and create an arty vibe that keeps your neck cool this summer!

Waist not Want Not! Remember that old scarf that you were too in love with to give away? Along with a retro style chunky 80’s inspired metallic belt and some random clip on charms you could make an interesting piece of waist art! Try loosely braiding the two together and adding the charms for an eclectic/retro/stylish addition to your outfit. Try your ‘new belt’ around a t-shirt and over a boyfriend style cardigan!

See you soon!

Hema

Ethical Jewellery

 Ethical Jewellery

Want something a little bit different for that birthday gift? Or perhaps just for yourself?

Ethical Fashion is for you! Ethical and fair trade jewellery pieces can be found with such a diverse array of influences. We here at the House of Beth love the cultural inspiration from the exotic colours and shapes out there!   

House of Beth offers a range of jewellery from Ethical designers, Jennifer Sturrock’s strand necklaces are beautiful worn alone or stacked up for a more bohemian chic look, great over any earthy or pastel toned cardigan. Her three stranded loop necklace is a must to complete any summer look. 

A  Alicia specialises in jewellery made from a variety of ethically produced materials combined with vintage fabrics. This necklace in particular is a superb piece to go over a simple black or white vest top for a bold and bright impact this summer, perfect for that stroll along the beach before a sultry evening barbecue with friends.

Another House of Beth designer Justine Silverstone uses an array of beautiful stones to create her pieces. It’s impossible to resist the stunningly bright and happy colours of her pieces, delicate but at the same time bold. Justine’s designs are so very versatile and bring elegance to everyday living. The last thing on our minds when going out shopping or on the school run is accessorising, but with these pieces you can look fabulous without even trying.   

The intricate pieces from Arabel Lebrusan are made from recycled silver and gold. This stunning necklace would go well with anything, a wonderful daytime look teamed with simple t-shirt and jeans as well as an elegant addition to go with that sleek little black dress for those all-important dinner events.

Manumit's glass and silver jewellery is handmade Chilean jewellers. Their works goes towards helping to gain much needed business. The colours found in the jewellery stand out bright, bold and would add everyday glamour to any outfit. Team a pair of beaded earrings with a spaghetti topped vest with long gypsy style skirt for instant bohemian chic.

The beaded jewellery range that Manumit also specialise in is made in India by a group who works with deprived sections of society. The group works together to fight exploitation, poverty and illiteracy which I think you will agree is a battle well worth fighting!

Not only will you look fabulous in any one of the features pieces but also know that because of your actions someone somewhere is closer towards getting a fairer wage, better working conditions and the well-deserved recognition. The only way to go is ethical!