Archive for the ‘Spend Or Save’ Category

10 August 2010: 09:00

Spend or save: print platforms?

If you’re looking for a statement shoe, then these could be the ones for you. The Miu Miu bird print platform will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. Here at Westfield HQ we think they’re fabulous, but opinion is divided.

Animal print is everywhere for A/W 2010 and we don’t just mean leopard print. You’ll find plenty of animal motifs around too – sheep, cats, horses, puppy dogs and more. Miu Miu embraced the bird print and you’ll see it across the collection. These platform shoes are chunky yet cute, but they’ve sold quickly. If you have £395 to spend on these divine heels, you’ll need to hotfoot it to get your pair fast.

Miu Miu bird print platforms

Not quite in your price range? Fear not, high street favourite River Island has been inspired. Check out these cherry print platforms at a budget-friendly £54.99. You’ll still make a statement and attract attention in these brilliant chunky heels with a cute print and jewel embellishment, but you won’t need an overdraft to buy them.

River Island cherry print platform £54.99

Spend or save? Miu Miu or River Island?

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21 July 2010: 10:00

Spend or save: leopard print

Animal print is everywhere for Autumn/Winter 2010. The fash pack are going wild for a touch of leopard print in particular.

Check out Topshop’s new season collection and you’ll see everything from super-skinnies to blazers to peep-toe platforms in the distinctive print.

It was this large leopard-print bag that caught our eye in Topshop. It is a real beauty – a quality leather bag with leopard print outer to make you stand out from the crowd. Utterly fabulous and it can be yours for £90.

We clocked a very similar number by Alexander Wang – the Millie leopard bag. This premium designer bag is on many a fashionista’s wishlist or already on their handbag arm. It’s a great statement piece, but it’s practical too as it’s big enough for a laptop. It also has the premium designer price tag of £795.Leopard print bags

Would you choose the Alexander Wang bag (left) at £795 or the Topshop version (right) for £90?

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14 June 2010: 14:31

Spend or save? Wedge sandals

Wedges are the fashionista’s shoe of choice this summer. More comfortable than a killer heel but more sassy than a simple flat pump, wedges are just so wearable.

Plus, they’re perfect for the British summer. Much as we love a stiletto, sinking into sodden grass at a summer occassion really isn’t a good look. Bring on the wedge with its flat sole and stacked heel! You still get the benefits of a heel – the appearance of more defined, shapely legs – but without the pain.

This summer, look out for natural influences in the wedge. You’ll find raffia, leather and canvas uppers, plus wooden, rope and cork heels.

We spotted a gorgeous Christian Louboutin wedge on the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalk. Soft red leather with a simple buckle and espadrille styling – oh so wearable yet fabulous. So we couldn’t fail to take notice of this pair from Topshop. Red leather – check. Buckle detail – check. Espadrille styling – check. Wearable yet fabulous – check! But at £60, they’re a high street steal.
Topshop wedge

Topshop espadrille wedge, £60

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31 May 2010: 11:00

Spend or save: wellies

Our diaries are full of amazing outdoor events over the next few months. But as ever, the British summer is looking totally unpredictable. Sun or rain – who knows? So we’ve decided to be as prepared as the most organised of boy scouts.

Sunglasses and umbrella – check
Flirty mini and floaty maxi – check
Cute shorts and utility combats – check
Flip flops and wellies – check.

But when it comes to wellies, which kind do you go for?

We’re coveting Jimmy Choo’s fabulous new range for Hunter, but we’re questioning whether we could really expose such exquisite croc-print boots to the extremely harsh realities of festival portaloos.

The original Hunter welly is available in a variety of colours and there’s a new biker-style festival version with buckle detail to look out for (£145 at Office). It’s a classic style, mixing practicality with fashion.

More of a glamper than a back to nature style camper? There are plenty of choices around for you. For girls who like their boots cute and pretty, check out the floral and patterned versions at Accessorize and Barratts.

If you’re looking for something in between, we like the Office mid-length rubber boot with quilted texture and available in cream, berry and even pink.

Bring on the festival season. We’re ready for you, whatever the weather.
Wellington boots
Left to right: Red Hunter welly, Schuh £59.99; Blue Julu Jellies lace up boot, Barratts £25; Jimmy Choo for Hunter croc-print boot, £255; Leopard-print welly, Accessorize £25; Bonny quilted rubber boot, Office £25.

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21 May 2010: 16:38

Spend or save? Cat prints

When we first saw Miu Miu’s Spring Summer 2010 collection of ditzy prints, we fell for them instantly. Which to choose – cats or birds? The cute designs are just so gorgeous.

Available on dresses, trousers, shirts, wallets, clutchbags and even clogs, prices start from £295 for the wallet to £1295 for the dress.

So we couldn’t fail to sit up and take notice when Zara’s summer collection caught our eye. This gorgeous cat print dress is so Miu Miu-esque but an absolute steal at £19.99.

Get your paws on the Zara dress in store now.

Zara cat print dress

Zara cat print dress

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14 April 2010: 12:54

Steal Whitney Port’s Style

We recently spooted The City star Whitney Port out and about in a pair of fabulous Giuseppe Zanotti skyscraper heels. These gladiator style bejewelled lovelies would set you back a whopping £570, however, we’ve managed to track down a very similar looking pair on the high street that won’t break the bank! And would you believe it, but they’re from good ole M&S.

These fab replicas retail for the much more reasonable £49, which leaves with you plenty of dosh to splash out on the rest of your Whitney style outfit.

To copy Whitney’s style, you need to get those legs out so choose either some cute tailored shorts or a body-con skirt. Then all that’s left to complete the Whitney look is a fashionable frenemy like Olivia Palmermo and a fabulous job…

Which would you buy? The real deal Guiseppe Zanotti sandals (left) £549, or these M&S sandals (right) at £49

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12 April 2010: 12:27

Spend or Save? Sports Luxe

The Sports Luxe trend is big news this Spring/Summer with designers teaming soft jersey fabrics with denim and silk for a casual, glam look that not only looks good, but is comfortable too. And we all love a trend that’s comfortable here at Westfield HQ.

New York designer, Alexander Wang is high on our radar at the moment and the young designer has made some serious waves in the fashion world with his Sports Luxe look. His easy-to-wear designs are being snapped up by fashion lovers from New York to London and beyond.

The key to working the sports luxe look is by striking the perfect balance between athletic style and glamour chic – no sweat required for this look. Keep it fresh and soft by choosing muted shades like grey, caramel and beige. And you get extra fashion points for swapping your trainers for sky-high heels!

While the quality of Wang’s fabrics are divine, jackets in the collection start at £545, so you can imagine our surprise when we spotted these very similar jackets in Topshop starting at only £45! Team one of these lovelies with slouchy sweats and peep-toe high heel boots and you’ll have nailed the look – just don’t try running on a treadmill…


Clockwise: Alexander Wang denim and black jersey jacket £545, Topshop denim and black jersey jacket £48, Topshop denim and grey jersey jacket £45, Alexander Wang suede and grey jersey jacket £945.

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16 February 2010: 11:34

Spend Or Save? Stripes And Florals

Stripes and florals are two of our favourite things over here at Westfield HQ, so when we saw Stella McCartney’s flower striped dress, we fell instantly in love. It’s one of those perfect trans-seasonal pieces – great with tights now and even better with bare legs and ankle boots once those warmer days arrive. Admittedly at £545, it’s not the bargain of the century, but you do pay for quality.

Imagine our surprise then to find that Next had quickly jumped on the floral/striped bandwagon with their tribute to Stella’s dress. At £35, it’s certainly a lot cheaper but we’re not sure if it’s quite up to Stella’s version? What do you think? Which one would you prefer to buy?

Which wins your vote? The Stella McCartney dress on the left or the Next version on the right?

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