Tip top.

At the moment I am a strange mix of excited and petrified, thanks to the fact that it is only a week until I become an adult. Well, that accounts for the excited, but the petrified? Oh, that's because my first exam is that day too. Yes, some cruel twist of fate means I am going to be examined on my ability to talk fashion in Spanish. And some other, more depressing unknown subjects too (out of the environment, racism, terrorism and unemployment). It's a well-known fact among my teachers and friends that I hate speaking exams - I get incredibly nervous. So all in all, not what I was hoping for on my birthday.. And now every time I count down to my birthday, I count down to the exam as well! Today, the pressure and excitement really started to sink in. So forgive me if today's outfit isn't quite as put-together as you are used to..

Blazer - ASOS; Shirt & Shoes - New Look; Skirt & Cuff - H&M; Tights - Primark; Ring - Topshop; Collar Tips - Ebay.

Today's outfit consisted of some sharp, simple separates, pulled together with the detail. I am wearing this white, chiffony shirt for the first time and I love it. In this outfit it has been dressed up with the blazer for my take on some sleek, business-like tailoring, then the look has been softened by my colour block pleated skirt and some quirky patterned tights. From the waist up I am dressed quite androgynously, in a classic masculine combination of a blazer and a white shirt buttoned to the top, but waist down is more feminine and quirky, and the contrast is what makes this look interesting. I said the detail pulls it together, and it does - the block of purple adds interest, and the pleats add another level of texture that is very of-the-minute. 

My favourite detail however has to be my new collar tips! I have been seeing them on shirts in shops and on celebrities, and love the extra detail they add, but I was struggling to find any in stores or online that weren't permanently attached to a shirt. I love shirts, but I wanted the versatility of some collar tips I could add to any of the shirts and blouses with collars that I already own. So I went to the website that sells everything - ebay. And these gorgeous vintage style ones turned up - I adore the shell motif and stylized shape of them, and the way they take a plain shirt to a whole new sartorial level.

Love and kisses, Tara xox