It really was such an honour to host my first private style event with River Island this week. I had such a great time, the buzz in the room was amazing. We laughed, chatted, talked bodyshape, style and confidence, got excited and SHOPPED!
Thank you to those of you who came. It was such a pleasure to meet so many new faces and to share my top picks with you. I’ve had so many messages since asking what my suggestions were, so am sharing some of them with you here. Below is my edit of all the fabulousness that River Island currently as to offer.
How cool is the line up on my rail below? I wanted everything!!
First up, I talked about how huge bold bright colours are going to be for SS18. They were seen everywhere on the catwalks with everyone from Victoria Beckham to Givenchy sending out bold bright head to toe looks. I have to say I am delighted about this trend! It’s such a fun way to get you outside your comfort zone and try something new. RI have translated this brilliantly.
This top was on my rail. The quality is lovely and perfect for the transitional period where you might not feel like you want to invest in more knitwear but you’re not quite ready for summer tops. Fab sleeve detail and waist tie is made for a pear shape. Simply leave off the belt and wear loose if you want to skim over your tummy. I love the styling here of clashing an earring with it.
I also love this fab wrap top. I know it looks a bit scary as it’s cropped but worn with a pair of high waisted/mid rise jeans you are not going to be showing much flesh! Amazing on most body shapes but stay away if you don’t like your tummy area for obvious reasons.
This top comes in a range of bright colours and has a really lovely thickness to it. The wider straps give the look of a cami but are not so exposing. The V neck is great for elongating and the loose fit can be either left out, tucked in or blousoned over a skirt or jeans. Check out all the colour options and get creative with styling, using it to clash, pop or go head to toe colour.
Even stripes are going bold and bright. Wear them in every colour of the rainbow, and even wear a whole rainbow stripe.
Trench coats are seriously having a moment, and are a great piece to buy right now which can be worn very easily, casually day to day. Perfect transitional piece too as it’s lightweight. I can’t find the one I picked online but this is a good option:
Trenches of all kinds were everywhere on the catwalks. Balenciaga sent out a deconstructed wonder with mismatched panels. Reimagine the classic trench in different guises and colours. The classic stone colour may not necessarily suit you, so keep your mind open and think about investing in a trench that compliments your skin tone. You could work 2 trends together – brights and a trench with a piece like this…
I chatted about how I’m loving clashing colours too. This might be clashing brights, or pastels, or mixing up variations of patterns. Unusual colour combinations that buzz and pop together. I am LOVING pink and green at the moment. There is such a freshness to it and it’s just screaming springtime. Love this combination using the bright pink knit of dreams over the cross back cami. Keep your mind open and your imagination strong and really have some fun mixing and matching.
If I can work a hoodie in to a look I will…remember to check out menswear XS/S sizes for fab hoodies and oversized knitwear. A brilliant piece that you will want to wear again and again. Buy one in a colour that lifts you and wear proudly under a trench. School run style has never been so easy.
Next up we have pastels. MASSIVE for SS18. Think all the ice cream shades. Soft pinks, greens, blues, lemons and lilac. I talked about sticking with colours that suit you and wearing a trend in the best way for you. If a pastel/bright shade doesn’t suit you, try and wear it away from your face or incorporate it in to your looks as an accessory or pair of shoes. There was a really great pair of pale blue pastel cords on my rail. They aren’t online but keep an eye out for them in store! I loved them.
Team pastels together – Celine had the most beautiful combination of lilac and lemon in the softest subtlest shades. Be creative with mixing shades, or lift a pastel with a bright statement earring or pair of trousers.
I love this pastel pink knit. So soft and really nice details on the wide sleeves.
This shirt is handy for lots of different styling opportunities. Perfect with denim shorts or skirt and sandals in the summer but use now to layer under jumpers and work the pastel trend playing with colour combinations. The back has a lovely cross lattice detailing – perfect for summer days.
You will see polka dots everywhere for SS18. Keep monochromatic for a super chic classic style. Wear head to toe, add it in through an accessory or pop on this top for a fab fun vibe. Love it.
And while we’re on the subject of polkas. Can we just talk about how amazing this top is!!
It would be impossible to leave out checks, which continue to be huge for SS18. Rework existing checks in your wardrobe by teaming them with brights and pastels, or buy in to a more current look and opt for brighter checks in other colours than greys and beiges. Like this pink check coat. You can never have too many coats and jackets in my opinion and you can have so many fun styling opportunities with this one. Pastels, brights, knits, denim jacket layered under. The fun is endless.
Or clash over another check with this amazing trouser suit.
Love the white shoes above. I absolutely love the current white shoe, boot thing it gives me all the cool scandi girl vibes that I just can’t get enough of. Love these babies…
I could go on and on…but I will leave you with my choice of outfit which I absolutely loved wearing on the night and will continue to style all the different elements in different ways.
The jeans are just amazing. Totally love them. Mid rise, sightly cropped straight leg with a distressed edge. These are true to size I would say and fit like a dream.
The blazer speaks for itself and can be worn in so many ways. In the cold weather I will be layering it under a grey wool coat or wearing it over a red jumper for a colour clash dream.
Who knew River Island had so many cool logo tees? There are loads of cool options, but I think on the day I walked past the ‘feel good’ one and must have felt like it was going to give me all the positive vibes! Search online and filter by tees to check them all out. Alos check out the brilliant new charity campaign tees. Totally love this one.
For a bit of a clash, and a nod to Pantone’s ‘colour of the year’ ultra violet, I opted for a simple ultra violet court shoe. They are on sale and almost sold out but you may have luck in store.
So there it is. I had the best time ever. River Island has some amazing pieces currently and I had so much fun selecting my faves and sharing them with a bunch of wonderful women.
Spread your wings, fly high and remember always that fashion is for fun!
Libby xx
Libby Cook Personal Styling 