TEAM ZOELLA JUNE 17, 2021

Hot Weather Heroes for When It’s too Hot for Clothes

The Tesco fridges are ransacked of Pornstar Martini cans, your skin is constantly sticky with SPF and the faint 'it's coming home' chants can be heard far and wide from pubs up and down the country- yep, you guessed it, the heatwave is HERE!

The Tesco fridges are ransacked of Pornstar Martini cans, your skin is constantly sticky with SPF and the faint ‘it’s coming home’ chants can be heard far and wide from pubs up and down the country- yep, you guessed it, the heatwave is HERE! After possibly the longest winter of all time in which you’d be forgiven for entirely forgetting what a full dose of Vitamin D felt like, the sun is out and it feels bloomin’ fantastic. There’s nothing like a forecast of pure sunshine and good vibes to make you realise the U.K. ain’t half bad after all, and you best believe we’ll be soaking up every last bit of sunshine and pub garden Pimms we can get our paws on. 

In these desperate times cotton, linen and easy breezy fabrics are your BFFs.

We know what you’re thinking- what could there possibly be to complain about in this sun soaked scenario? We hear you, and the answer: getting dressed. Everything is hot, so very hot, and if wearing nada was a possibility it would probably still be too warm. In these desperate times cotton, linen and easy breezy fabrics are your BFFs, along with white t-shirts you can be 200% sure your inevitable sweat marks aren’t showing through and smock dresses that essentially feel like a ginormous tent billowing in the wind. Dressing practically for these unusually pleasant conditions is the priority, but there’s also no time like a heatwave to rock a bold print you might normally shy away from or to expose a little extra skin (if you feel comfortable) to lap up the rays and add some colour to those limbs. 

Add a bucket hat and your fave sunnies and you’re officially picnic/beach/beer garden/mini golf ready!

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TEAM ZOELLA JUNE 10, 2021

Colourful Knits and Crochet Pieces To Brighten Up Your Summer Wardrobe

The warm weather is now upon us and with that comes fun and fresh trends that may feel a little 'out there', but crochet is here to stay for summer '21 and we're here to tell you it's worth your time...

Okay hear us out. When you think of crochet, the image that springs to mind might be of a holey, ill fitting piece that your grandma proudly created but has been sat at the back of your wardrobe for 3 plus years, but it doesn’t have to be this way! The warm weather is now upon us and with that comes fun and fresh trends that may feel a little ‘out there’, but crochet is here to stay for summer ’21 and we’re here to tell you it’s worth your time…

Festivals and travel might be off the cards or still feel totally foreign this year, but nothing screams Coachella more than a crochet co-ord, and regardless of our attendance to said coveted festival you best believe our summer outfits will be on par with the Extraness of the stateside event. 

Crochet is far from dowdy, and the likes of Kylie Jenner are proving so, recently seen rocking a Natalia Fedner knit dress on a tropical getaway that screamed effortless sex appeal and va va voom. The boho style is perfect teamed with messy, undone hair, oversized earrings and paired back accessories, letting your outfit do all the talking at whichever social occasions you’re flitting between during this season of fun, fun, fun. 

Sweater vests took Instagram by storm over the winter and crochet feels like the warm weather extension of this, allowing you to layer thin knits and playful designs for some extra warmth and style points whilst looking trés cool doing so.

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TEAM ZOELLA JUNE 3, 2021

Puff Sleeve Styles To Continue Your Cottagecore Obsession

Whilst last summer you were wafting around the house twiddling your thumbs and wondering how many takeaways was too many takeaways, this time around you can waft OUTSIDE, with friends, and look fabulous doing so!

Let’s be real, Cottagecore never really left the special place it found in our heart’s back in 2020, but the trend really does show no signs of slowing does as whimsical puff sleeves are IN right now. Whilst last summer you were wafting around the house twiddling your thumbs and wondering how many takeaways was too many takeaways, this time around you can waft OUTSIDE, with friends, and look fabulous doing so! 

Dreamy pastels are normally never far away when it comes to puff sleeves, as their romantic, feminine feel is a match made in heaven with the likes of an Easter egg colour palette- add in some gingham and you’re really onto a winner! Having said that, brands such as Rixo who favour a more statement colour wheel also nail puff sleeve drama too, proving the trend need not be exclusively for those who drool at the sight of pastel pink everything upon entering the shops. 

Serving peak bottomless brunch realness, keep scrolling for the creme de la creme of puff sleeve offerings!

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TEAM ZOELLA MAY 30, 2021

Weekly Wants: Pieces We Are Loving From & Other Stories

Dream wardrobe incoming: one scroll of the & Other Stories website and boom, your basket is full, you have 5 packages en route and your bank manager is on the phone wondering what the f*ck is going on.

Dream wardrobe incoming: one scroll of the & Other Stories website and boom, your basket is full, you have 5 packages en route and your bank manager is on the phone wondering what the f*ck is going on. Their irresistible combination of design influences from Paris, L.A and Stockholm means they nail new-in, on-trend yet classic styles every time, and you can shop safe in the knowledge that you can’t go far wrong where & Other Stories is concerned. 

This week the team are running you through their favourite ‘add to basket’ picks as the dreaminess of June 21st approaches and hugs, kisses, parties and picnics become the new, ‘new normal’. Insert all the heart eye emojis.

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TEAM ZOELLA MAY 27, 2021

Get Your 5 a Day With These Fruity ‘Fits

Appearing in bold and statement prints or smaller micro nods to the trend, the variety of ways to rock fruit print mean the possibilities for summer outfits are truly endless.

The summer months bring colour and freshness to your evening dinner plate, and the same can be said for your wardrobe too! As the weather warms up (please universe) and fake tan gets topped up with a real one, the urge to embrace bold, primary colours increases along with the fun and flirty vision that’s forced into hiding during the season of jumpers and boots. And what screams Italian vineyard or English orchard during a heatwave more than the humble fruit print?! Appearing in bold and statement prints or smaller micro nods to the trend, the variety of ways to rock fruit print mean the possibilities for summer outfits are truly endless. 

What screams Italian vineyard or English orchard during a heatwave more than the humble fruit print?!

Dream brands such as Realisation Par and Revolve have this trend nailed to a tee, with their classic itty bitty dresses offering the perfect base for a youthful and playful look that screams hot girl summer to the max. The trend has trickled down to some of our high street faves this season too however, with good ol’ Zara, Mango and ASOS offering chic, simple and effortless interpretations of the trend that embody what it is to dress for the hot, sticky weather we are so desperately craving. Lemon and cherry prints are perhaps the most popular fruit features to be found in the shops right now, having us dreaming of a Sicilian getaway or stroll through downtown L.A. We can dream, right?! 

Which pieces are going straight into your basket?

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TEAM ZOELLA MAY 20, 2021

Four Cute AF Jewellery Trends For The Season Ahead

Jewellery: the fun, flirty, low commitment fashion purchase that can take a look from classic to current as quick as you can press 'continue to checkout'.

Jewellery: the fun, flirty, low commitment fashion purchase that can take a look from classic to current as quick as you can press ‘continue to checkout’. It’s these non essential purchases that are a style lovers dream- the items we might not have been able to justify during the past 12 months but that really make you feel like you’ve got your sh*t together when you put them on.

Resin and clay rings are next inline as Instagram’s current must-have accessory.

Making kitsch beaded jewellery that looked like it jumped right out of our 12 year old self’s dressing up box took the world by storm during quarantine as a fun and funky pastime, and the rainbow trend shows no sign of stopping now too. Resin and clay rings are next inline as Instagram’s current must-have accessory, with these chunky babes continuing the momentum of the bright and bold trend that is a maximalist dresser’s dream. Etsy, Instagram and Depop take the crown here as the go-to destination to shop the trend, and their affordability makes boasting a collection of interchangeable statement pieces all the more achievable.

Other notable trends include pearls (Bridgerton and other period dramas we thank you), seaside inspired jewels (still seeking a slice of escapism? Us too) and bangles (hello 90s disco), and the variety of styles means there really is something for everyone here! 

Which trend will you be rocking during hot girl summer?

Rings

Pearls

Sea Themed Jewellery 

Bangles

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TEAM ZOELLA MAY 13, 2021

Low Key to Dressy Co-ords That Will Never Fail You

Whether it's a trip to big Tesco (a 10/10 day out) or a bottomless brunch with the girls, there are co-ords from dressed down to dazzling that fit every occasion.

Although jeans and a nice top is a pretty fail-safe go-to, sometimes finding the perfect outfit combination requires a little too much concentration when you’re running out the door and an espresso martini is calling your name. Enter: the humble co-ord. A perfect two piece, a pre mixed cocktail if you will, the one you can always rely on when time is short and the style stakes are high. Whether it’s a trip to big Tesco (a 10/10 day out) or a bottomless brunch with the girls, there are co-ords from dressed down to dazzling that fit every occasion. 

A perfect two piece, a pre mixed cocktail if you will, the one you can always rely on when time is short and the style stakes are high.

And not every two piece need give off Cher Horowitz plaid skirt and blazer vibes, oh no, you can absolutely achieve chic 2021 realness in all of these dreamy combos. Notable mentions go to the Zara silk style tie dye trouser and shirt situation, and Kitri Studio’s feather trousers and PJ top which exude effortless sexiness in one fell swoop. If casual is your thing (socialising is tiring okay) then the matching loungewear options are endless too- the co-ord really does offer as many varying looks as Mr Styles’ famous ‘do. Heart eyes

Which two piece do you have your eye on?

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TEAM ZOELLA MAY 6, 2021

Ugly but Stylish Dad Sandals We’ll Be Wearing In Summer ’21

In true Dad style, the chunky, often thick strapped shoe is comfortable, practical and everything you need for day trips, staycations and simply carrying your Asda shop up the hill on the way home- we stan the versatility!

Did someone say Marmite fashion coming through? Ohh yes they did! You either love it or you hate it when it comes to some fashion trends (cycling shorts and low rise jeans we’re looking at you) but Dad sandals ain’t budging for the summer season ahead and this week’s edit has the best of the bunch …

It’s Louis Theroux made cool, it’s everything in the world that really shouldn’t be stylish but just is.

Think Dad at the BBQ taking pride of place flipping burgers, Dad on a camping trip carefully assembling the tent poles in order, or Dad on a day trip with the AA road map in hand and sandwiches expertly refrigerated in the cool box. It’s Louis Theroux made cool, it’s everything in the world that really shouldn’t be stylish but just is. And in true Dad style, the chunky, often thick strapped shoe is comfortable, practical and everything you need for day trips, staycations and simply carrying your Asda shop up the hill on the way home- we stan the versatility! 

Chanel offers the creme de la creme of chunky sandals, but if you don’t want to be stuck eating beans on toast for the rest of eternity then keep scrolling for the best high street dupes …

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