findSimilar Checks out the Tartan Trend!

Summer may be starting to feel like a distant memory, but there is one thing we won’t be leaving behind this autumn- and that is our love (and need) for prints and patterns in our wardrobes! The descent into winter often results in us removing any traces of colour that aren’t a shade of brown or black (with the exception of cream and grey of course) from our wardrobes. Our clothes seem to get a bit less bold, a bit more monochrome, and let’s face it a bit more boring. But a key trend this autumn that’s taking over the fashion world is a way to brighten our outfits on a dull, grey (and let’s face it most likely rainy) day, and that is with the return of Tartan and Check prints! Everyone’s wearing them- from Cara Delavigne to Kate Middleton, and we can see why…

We saw them all over the catwalk last year now we’re seeing them again; Glamour magazine quite accurately described the constant resurgence of the tartan and check print trend as an ‘enduring love affair’, and that it is! And this autumn it appears to be a more committed love than ever, with designers such as Tommy Hilfiger being unafraid to pair checks with checks from head to toe, as we saw on the runway with a soft grey and red checked boyfriend coat, teamed with a matching skirt and a monochrome checked waistcoat. However If you’re not quite ready for a pair of tartan trousers like Cara, or a still waiting to wear that Emilia Wickstead inspired checked co-ord, then you can simply brighten up your outfit with a checked bag or a variety of tartan accessories. You can be bold and bright with a red tartan scarf, or be subtle and demure while still improving any outfit, from your work ensemble to the jeans/ top you wear to the shops, with a Stella Macartney or Marc by Marc Jacobs inspired tartan jacket or coat.

Now before I leave you to go and raid the stores to add some tartan touches to your autumn/winter wardrobe, I need to give a quick thank you and moment of appreciation to Cher Horowitz and this 90s inspired, timeless trend.

______________________  Shop our Tartan Picks ______________________

Bag Envy - Blame your Brain!

You're walking down the street, minding your own business when BAM, it catches your eye on another woman's arm - it's love at first sight, and you NEED it. You get out your phone and Google it, and suddenly realise you've got Pinterest boards devoted to it's beauty. 

"I Need You!" Your heart is screaming, but your mind is reminding you of the consequences..

I'm talking about handbags. Maybe for you it's shoes, or jewellery, but for us, it's the IT bag. New research has shown that we can't blame ourselves for being willing to do anything to get our hands on that bag; it's a chemical reaction.

At last, the news we've been waiting for - a study has proved that once we fall for something, be it a pair of shoes, a car, a bag or even a house, we will do (or pay) almost anything to get our hands on it - and it's beyond our physical control.

Advertisements from fashion brands have used emotional appeals to get us to value their products and brands, but now we know why they work.

Researchers have found that our willingness to fork out for something that we have fallen in lust with is down to a chemical reaction; there is a chemical that handles our 'value trade-offs' (that thought way, way in the back of your mind asking if it's really worth your hard earned cash!) that is activated once we develop a loyalty towards an item or a brand. Once this chemical is released, we start to believe this product, or brand is worth more than a similar product from a different brand.

So, next time you get the raised eyebrow (or worse - credit card removal) for lusting after a fabulous bag, just let them know that it's NOT your fault - it's a scientific function, blame your brain...