Leather Love

Hello again! I know I haven't posted in a while and to be honest it's because I didn't really know where to take my blog after the first post, it was on such a specific topic that I feel really strongly about that I then began to consider basing my blog completely on petite fashion. I'm still unsure but have decided to keep posting and all suggestions welcome.

Anyways, I can't believe it's November! This year has literally flown by, I'm not ready for Christmas yet. But I am ready to dive into my winter wardrobe, eeeek. October was so up and down weather wise none that of us could fully commit to our furs and knits, as soon as it hit November 1st I realised I don't own nearly enough clothes to compete with Ireland's crappy (for want of a better word) weather.

When it comes to shopping I'm a bargain hunter, I spend hours lusting over clothes that I can't afford and then some more hours scanning the internet for more affordable dupes.

   

                                              ZARA - £35.99                            TOPSHOP BOUTIQUE - £295

Every winter wardrobe should include a leather jacket and it goes without saying if you invest in a good one it will last you years like the Biker above from Topshop boutique, priced at £295. But when I look at that price tag thoughts of all the £20 tee's and £50 dresses I could spend that money on instead come to mind and I just can't justify paying it (I sound like my mum). So instead I went in search for a more affordable alternative, that is when I came across this almost identical Zara dupe and fell in love! It's 8 times cheaper than the Topshop jacket at only 35.99 but the catch is that it is from Zara kids range, though I can honestly say it's quite big fitting. I'm usually a size 6 and I bought the age 11-12, so I'd say the age 13-14 would fit a size 8/small 10 easily.

You can shop the Topshop Boutique jacket here and the Zara dupe here.

Style with this oversized tee and leather leggings for stylish but casual winter look.

Topshop £20

Hot-Mess Clothing £32

Joanna X

I am fed up hearing the words “If only you were taller”.

I have been modeling since the age of 17 and if I had £1 for every time I heard that phrase then I wouldn’t need to work again. I understand it’s meant as a sort of compliment, but my height is something I sadly cannot change (no matter how much I have willed my legs to grow in the past) so I have decided the only thing I can do is become comfortable in myself. I fully appreciate that the 5’8 + girls we see taking to the catwalks each season are the best candidates for the job, after all the description of a ‘model’ is literally to act as a human clothes hanger, so their long limbs and broad shoulders carry the clothes in the best possible manner, I want to be clear that I do understand this.

However, fashion is the fastest evolving industry in the world, the public’s perception of ‘the perfect body image’ is becoming ever more inclusive, and thankfully we are now beginning to celebrate every body type, so one thing I cannot comprehend is when top brands such as Topshop, ASOS, Miss Selfridge to name a few, offer excellent petite ranges, why don’t they use petite models? I feel it’s only fair to their customers that they should see a true portrayal of what the clothes will look like on them?

For example, if a size 8 model was used in a plus size campaign, there would no doubt be outrage, and rightly so. So why use a 5ft8+ girl to advertise clothes for girls of 5ft4 and under? Surely this is only logical? I find I am often deterred from ordering clothes online as I can’t gauge the fit of the garment from the model on the screen.
The reason behind this post, is to stress the point that I have seen countless beautiful girls fall under the radar and struggle to book jobs due to their height. I believe it’s time for that to change, I personally plan to no longer apologise to photographers/stylists/agents for my small stature & would really rather not stand on boxes to reach the other girls’ level, I’m finally happy with my view from down here! There is room for every body type in the industry and if there is a want for petite clothing then there should also be a want for petite models.

Above are a few models who have broke the mold, including my personal favourite; the ever iconic Twiggy, her 5'6 self is known as the most famous model of the 60's.

Left- Devon Aoki, standing at just 5'5 Devon replaced supermodel Naomi Campbell as face of Versace in 1998 and went on to model for fashion houses such as Chanel, Moschino and Fendi to name a few.

Right- Eva Pigford (now better known as Eva Marcille) again measuring up as just 5'5, Eva won season three of America's Next Top Model and continued to model for the likes of Cover Girl and DKNY.

P.S, I'm so shocked/excited by the number of views I've had since posting my blog last night. If you like the content then please subscribe/follow, thank you! X