Browse our vibe guide to see some of the ways you can say good riddance to 2020!    

VIBE: COSY AND COMFORTABLE

After a year as draining as this, we all need a break. Spend the last day of 2020 by pampering yourself and doing exactly what you want. Wear your fluffy socks, light the scented candles, switch on the fairy lights and snuggle up on the sofa with your favourite chunky blanket. With all the build up to Christmas, come the New Year it’s not hard to feel exhausted or, worse, feeling low and anti-climactic. Dedicate the day to nothing but making yourself feel good. Whether this is eating your heart out with sweet treats or binge watching your favourite series, the only tip here is to simply enjoy yourself.  

VIBE: CULTURED CUISINE

Go out with a bang this New Year’s Eve and pop open the prosecco, a bottle of pop, or your favourite non-alcoholic alternative! No good celebration is complete without lavish food and bubbling drink. On the final day of the year, forget the calorie count, put on your chef’s hat, and eat like a royal. Spend the day baking, making and indulging your senses: brunch, lunch, dinner, supper and everything in-between. If you’re lucky to live in a household of foodies, why not get adventurous and play dish roulette: each person preparing a dish from a different cuisine or course.           

VIBE: THE ROARING TWENTIES

We all hoped that 2020 would be our contemporary Roaring Twenties, and oh how we were disappointed. It’s only fitting, therefore, that we celebrate the end of year with a Gatsby inspired night: grandiose, glam, glitz. Party the night away and dress to impress: dust off your favourite outfit, swap your slippers for dancing shoes, and spend the evening whirling away from all of your problems. Or, for a truly 2020 take, buy some boujee pyjamas and give our new best friend ‘leisurewear’ an ultra-luxe makeover. As with any Gatsby celebration, a steady flow of drink is a must, so why not use the evening to perfect your cocktail making and experiment with taste! Buy some gorgeous Champagne saucers to accompany your drinks and sip the night away in style.

VIBE: RELAXED AND REFLECTIVE

Take a breath. Allow your mind some space, give it some time to catch up and process the year. The next day is a fresh start: a new year, 12 more shiny months to navigate and make your own. Perhaps spend a few moments writing down some goals for the following year; or perhaps don’t. Perhaps spend a few moments writing down your favourite memories and things which have made you happy in the past year; or perhaps don’t. Despite consumerism telling us the New Year is a time for change and improvement, it is not. Remove that pressure from yourself because, in all honesty, it is not worth it. Take the opportunity instead to give yourself some time and attention and connect with your inner peace. 

VIBE: OLD SCHOOL

Turn up the music, turn down the lights and bring out the party food and fizzy pop. Remember when the school disco was the most hyped event on your social calendar? Channel that energy! Let loose just how you used to when you were a child – unapologetically. Once you’ve gotten tired, and the throwback music is giving you a slight headache, sit down, relax and rival your household with classic board games. This year, strip New Year’s Eve back to what it’s all about: partying, fun and celebration.    

VIBE: NOTHING AT ALL…

Beyond a day on the calendar, NYE is just a concept. With the year we have just had, we wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to celebrate. So, forget about NYE, treat it as an ordinary day, and spend it as you normally would. Who cares? It’s only a date!   

Words by Hannah Emery

The post How to Celebrate New Years in a Pandemic (Safely) appeared first on Voir Fashion.

As we continue and go on with our death to the jeans or anything restrictive tour our next stop the top indoor trend Matching sets. From colour blocking to the monochromatic fashion of the outside now, we have the matching set trend of the indoors. As we go into an additional three weeks, it is time to recognise this as our new normal and get into this trend.

It’s about matching print and colour.

Set: Oh Lydia Pink Power Undies (£19)

Slippers: UGG Fluff Yeah Logo Slide (£100)

Socks: Adidas White, Pink and Red Mid Cut Crew Socks (£13.00)

Mug: Yes Studio Mug, I Did Not (£ 7.16)

For a true matching set, the aim is for the outfit to look like it was initially cut from the same material and made into two garments. To get this level of matching you almost always have to purchase the clothing together, but you may get lucky and find a matching set in your closer

Matching with solid colours

Joggers: OFF WHITE Tie-dye track pants (£441)

Top: Pretty Little Thing Black Tie-dye rib racer vest (£12)

Bandana: ASOS DESIGN paisley print bandana in pink (£3.60)

Glasses: DIOR EYEWEAR Oversized square sunglasses(£287)

Necklace: Brandy Melville Gold baby nameplate necklace ($12)

Another way you can create your own matching set is by pairing print with a similar solid colour. If you own a printed top or bottom and you would like to get into the trend how about you match that printed top or bottom with a similar coloured bottom. The trick to getting the look you have to make sure the colour in the top has to be an exact match to the bottom and the solid colour garment has to be simple with no print.

Pyjamas or matching set.

Gown: MARJOLAINE Jaguar silk-satin dressing gown (£295)

Set: SHEIN Leopard Print Lace Trim Cami PJ Set. (£10.99)

Shoes: EGO Marilyn Faux Feather Pointed Toe Pyramid Heel Mule In Black Faux Suede (£19.99)

As you are beginning to notice the guide behind attaining the matching set is similar to the guide to your pyjama sets. So, the question is, Is it a loungewear matching set or Pyjama. Even before we were stuck inside the trend of silk or cotton looking pyjama sets was already out there. Take a look into your closet and find that silk pyjama with the matching robe and you will find that it is equally appropriate for the rest of your house as it is for the bedroom.

Vary the material.

Shorts: Public Desire relaxed jogger shorts co-ord (£17.99)

Top: 4th + Reckless knitted crop top with bust cup detail in white (£28)

Shoes: Alexander Mcqueen Tread Slick high-top sneakers (£490)

Necklace Orelia Chunky chain necklace (£22)

Earings: Orelia Oval Hoop Earrings (£18)

The last way you can create a matching set is to wear different garments of different material and fabric but the exact same colour. Although this is more into the monochrome fashion trend, it also resembles a matching set, and it makes it easier for you to join in.

Create your own matching set

If you do not want to purchase something new and you want to create a matching set of your own here is a way to do it. For sweats other than just matching the colour you can create a print on both sections of the sweatsuit by using tie-dye, but you have to be careful the print looks similar or continuous. You can also create an ombre effect by blending a colour into white using bleach, which may be a bit harder.

Words By Precious Njoki

Edits by Ella Winfield

Cover by Katie Janes

, , , , ,

The post Get The Look: Guide to Achieving the Indoor Matching Set Trend appeared first on Voir Fashion.

While the world comes to terms with the pandemic of the Corona Virus, we must keep safe and work together to prevent further spreading. Social media has been plagued with hand washing memes, and whilst it is good to bring the humour from an otherwise frightening epidemic, it is crucial for us to follow hand washing and other hygiene advice. NHS Medical Doctor, Dr Ejikeme has found that many of her patients have dry, itchy hands as a result of intense washing and use of hand sanitiser. We need to moisturise our hands regularly to avoid cuts and cracked skin as this may lead to infections.

Her top tips to prevent drying hands include:

• Wash instead of sanitising: If you can, wash hands with soap and water for 15-30 seconds instead of using hand sanitiser as it has a high alcohol content which is very drying on the skin.

• Don’t over-wash: Wash when necessary (after using the toilet and visiting public spaces, and before touching your face or others). Washing hands too frequently will dry them out.

• Water first, soap second: Make sure to wet hands first before soap to reduce irritation.

• Use hand cream- After washing, apply a hand cream to prevent the skin drying out and apply throughout the day.

• Super dry hands: If your hands are already dry, itchy or sore, apply a barrier cream (Vaseline or Lanolin) covering any areas of cracked skin.

• Please see more information on Dr Ejikeme and her West London clinic, Adonia Medical Clinic here.

Wash instead of sanitising: If you can, wash hands with soap and water for 15-30 seconds instead of using hand sanitiser as it has a high alcohol content which is very drying on the skin.

Don’t over-wash: Wash when necessary (after using the toilet and visiting public spaces, and before touching your face or others). Washing hands too frequently will dry them out.

Water first, soap second: Make sure to wet hands first before soap to reduce irritation.

Use hand cream- After washing, apply a hand cream to prevent the skin drying out and apply throughout the day.

Super dry hands: If your hands are already dry, itchy or sore, apply a barrier cream (Vaseline or Lanolin) covering any areas of cracked skin.

Please see more information on Dr Ejikeme and her West London clinic, Adonia Medical Clinic here.

Our Top 5 Hand Creams:

Best for sensitive skin:

1). The Body Shop Almond milk and honey calming and protecting hand cream

This hand cream is perfect for those of us dealing with sensitive skin as the nourishing almond milk helps bring moisture to dry hands, and the honey (full of antibacterial goodness) helps heal cracks. £5 for 30ml.

Best non-greasy formula:

2). Clarins hand and nail treatment cream

This rich lotion is packed full of essential ingredients like shea butter and sesame oil which offers quick relief to dry hands without leaving greasy residue behind. £23 for 100ml.

Best value:

3). Aveeno daily moisturising hand cream

Suitable for sensitive skin and clinically proven to help hands look healthier from the first use. Enriched with oatmeal to nourish skin. £3.99 for 75ml.

Best overall:

4). Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream

Rich with glycerin, this cream helps bind moisture to the skin and is long-lasting even after hand washing. Gives you soft skin without breaking the bank. £3.99 for 50ml.

Best high-end brand:

5). Liz Earle Superskin hand serum

Perfect for mature or dry skin, this serum is packed full of active ingredients like rosehip oil and cranberry seed to ensure skin is left plump, smooth and soft. £23.50 for 75ml.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Katie Janes

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The post How to Combat Dry Hands During the Current Climate appeared first on Voir Fashion.

When it comes to my appearance, I am the human personification of the phrase ‘all or nothing’. I’m either going out, (to work, for drinks, to shop) done to the nines- full outfit meticulously planned, with hair that ties the whole look together, and face contoured and highlighted to high heaven. Or, I’m staying at home, only leaving the confinements of my house to pop to Tesco in a hoodie 12 sizes too big for me, hair in that scruffy half up half down bun that comes hand in hand with being at home, and more often than not (depending on whether my skin has decided to break out), the whole ‘minimal effort’ look is topped off with a charcoal face mask.

Whilst I may have just unnecessarily outed myself, as the rest of you read this sexily lounging on your chaise lounge in your silky robes, with glamorous rollers pinned over your heads sipping champers, I can almost guarantee, (based on the evidence I have gathered from friends and colleagues) that I am the reality for at least 80% of you.

I’ll be the first to admit it, this whole being at home 24/7 is a struggle for an ‘all or nothing’ girl like me. Whilst I can quite easily nail the ‘nothing’ side of me (-literally roll out of bed, et voilà!), the ‘all’ side of me is really suffering. As much as I enjoy piecing outfits together, putting a face of makeup on and doing my hair, I just feel unnatural, uncomfortable and slightly strange sitting at my desk in my bedroom in my heeled boots, skirt and shirt combo, with my face and hair looking like I’m ready to hit the club. However, Issues also arise when you have the daily skype meetings with your boss- the mad rush to scrub the mask off your face, brush your hair and swap your hoodie for a slightly smarter top, as you try and maintain the image that you are not falling apart.

Whilst you can’t change a leopard’s spots, and in normal circumstances, I would look at people who get dressed to sit at home in confusion and slight disgust, it is clear that these unprecedented times call for unprecedented action. So, we have pulled together 3 looks that give you all the ultimate comfort of the XXXXL hoodie, scruffy hair and facemask, yet maintain a level of style and professionalism for your skype meetings, and your own mental sanity so you at least look like you’re keeping it together- you can thank us later!

Look 1:

Playsuit: Cream Missguided long sleeved teddy (£20)

Blazer: Weekday Jaden Blazer (£60)

Slippers: UGG fluff yeah leopard slides (£100)

Earrings: Topshop square resin earrings (£15)

Necklaces: Bohomoon gun necklace (£22), babygirl script choker (£22), Kristen choker (£20)

Nails: Skinny Dip Tort False Nails (£8)

Eyeliner: Dior On Stage Liner (£27.50)

Lips & Cheek: Glossier Cream gel blush (£15)

Notebook: Coconut Lane Classy Notebook (£4.50)

Look 2:

Pyjamas: Missguided Pink Satin wide leg pyjamas (£15)

Headband: TLM edit Emerald Green Silk Turban Headband (£24)

Slippers: Fendi FF Fur Sandals (£590)

Necklace: GUCCI Interlocking necklace in silver (£290)

Nails: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 590 verde pastello (£10)

Notebook: Red Bubble ‘Im Not Bossy Notebook (£9.10)

Mug: Imperial Rooms ceramic tea cup (£19.49)

Face Base: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (£35.60)

Look 3:

Trousers: Missy Empire Adele Cream I’m Real Slogan Joggers (£24)

Top: Zara Gathered Knit Top (£12.99)

Cardigan: Zara Oversized cardigan (£29.99)

Socks: Topshop Feminist Slogan Socks (£3.50)

Earrings: Mestilo Big Gold Sliver Square Hoop Earrings ($3.91)

Scrunchie: Anthropologie Pack of 3 Aja Scrunchies (£22)

Freckle Pen: Urban Outfitters Freck Beauty OG Freckle Pen (£17)

Mascara: Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara (£10.25)

Glasses: Quay Austrailia Don’t At Me Glasses (£45)

Laptop Case: Red Bubble ‘Well Behaved Women’ Laptop case (£18.94)

Words and edits by Ella Winfield

Cover by Katie Janes

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The post Isolation Style Guide for the All or Nothing Girl appeared first on Voir Fashion.

It’s day God-knows-what of working-from-home, the novelty of rolling out of bed into a makeshift home office at 8:58 is wearing off and the fatiguing prospect of staying at home for the indefinite future is causing you to lose track of what day of the week it is. The lack of structure and social life – group Facetimes just aren’t quite the same as the real thing. Isn’t this exactly what we all wanted, though, More hours in the day? If we’re going to be stuck inside for the foreseeable, now is the time to focus on being your best self. Skincare, haircare, working out etc. Here is Voir’s summary on how we plan to achieve a quarantine glow up as we make way into a hot girl summer.

PSA: it’s completely OK if you’re feeling anxious and if seeing people online treat isolation like a self-care/wellness retreat or who seem to be doing a million and one things at once is stressing you out. It’s also OK if you do just want to spend your time watching Netflix or YouTube videos if that makes you feel good in these weird times!

Reset Your Skincare Routine

We’re all guilty of having dozens of skincare and beauty products hibernating in the depths of our bathroom cupboards from a 10-step daily routine we started months ago and kept up for a week before slowly falling out of the habit. If you’ve been neglecting your skin, now is the perfect time to start paying it some extra attention – that face mask you’ve been saving for a special occasion, that night oil you forget to apply each night until you’re already too wrapped up in the warmth your duvet, that serum you don’t bother applying in the morning for fear of turning up to work looking like you’ve just run a half-marathon in 25-degree heat. If you don’t have any masks around you can also refer to the Voir’s article of homemade skincare(https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/from-cupboard-to-skin-homemade-skin-remedies) of natural organic products found in your home that can serve as skincare alternatives. Even if you’re not going anywhere, there’s nothing better than fresh feeling skin, and in however many weeks when we emerge from our quarantine, we’ll all be glowing.

Work Out At Home

Apparently, there’s something about being forced into confinement that’s giving everyone the itch to get up and move – everyone, even the people who haven’t so much as run 100 metres since school, seems to be downloading Couch to 5K or proudly sharing their home workouts on their Instagram stories. When you’re stuck inside, sat at a desk or curled up on the sofa for hours on end, there’s nothing better than exercise to break up your day and give your body and mind a shot of energy in the form of a run or a home workout. So, now’s the time to start that home fitness plan you’ve been putting off for weeks, or simply try one of the plethoras of free workout videos on YouTube and Instagram. Getting some fresh air is also one of the best ways to get a physical and mental refresh, so if you can, put on a podcast or your favourite playlist and step out for a (socially distanced) walk.

Try New Recipes

Feel good from the inside out and nourish your body by trying out some healthy new recipes. Dust off the old cookbook on your shelf or download a recipe app and find comfort in the joy of home-cooked food – the Deliciously Ella app (https://deliciouslyella.com) is a go-to (and affordable) favourite for easy, healthy plant-based recipes. Or, bake some indulgent treats that’ll give you a little something to look forward to each day.

Get Creative With Social Media

Not sure how to maintain a perfectly curated Instagram feed while quarantined? Get creative with the content you can create from the confines of your home – after all, there’s only so many throwback pictures we have backlogged in our photo rolls to post. Practice taking the perfect WFH OOTD selfie-and yes, that means changing out of your pyjamas and actually getting dressed – or stack your favourite necklaces and snap your layered (the latest Instagram jewellery trend). Organise your room to create a -worthy display of joy-inducing memories and pieces – whether it’s snapping a colour-coordinated bookshelf, your favourite aesthetically pleasing beauty products in the bathroom or simply a thoughtfully put-together collection of personal objects.

Practice Make-Up Tutorials

Since you most likely won’t be seeing anyone (besides whoever you’re living or isolating with) for a while, now is your chance to hone your makeup skills and get outside of your beauty comfort zone by experimenting with some bolder looks. YouTube offers a cornucopia of tutorials for a schooling in how to perfect that contouring or cut crease. If you are not sure where to start here is a list of makeup look to try. (https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/5-eye-looks-to-try-if-you-re-wfh)

Practice Mindfulness

We all know by now that meditation and yoga are great for combatting stress and anxiety and for focusing your energy on yourself rather than everything going on in the world around you, but there’s never been a better time to slow down and take some time to be more introspective. It can be hard to really remove yourself from the outside world at first, so find an online guided meditation or live stream yoga practice to help you get started. Even if it’s just devoting an hour or so of time a day to doing something that you enjoy away from any distractions – taking a bath, journaling, tackling the pile of books you’ve been meaning to read for months. Here are some examples of yoga meditation sessions that will help you find inner peace.

Clear Out Your Closet

There’s nothing more satisfying than a perfectly organised, uncluttered closet. Now is the time to Marie Kondo your wardrobe. Practice the art of Kon Mari (https://konmari.com) by throwing out anything that no longer inspires you when getting dressed (but of course, donate or resell rather than throwing away if you can). Go one step further and clean out your whole room, flat or house – after all, an organised space is an organised mind.

Words by Ruby McAuliffe

Graphics by Katie Janes

, , , , , , , ,

The post The Quarantine Glow-Up appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Fashion always has been, and always will be, a mirror of the world we live in.

Fast forward five weeks and two days since what we now know as ‘COVID-19’ was first reported from Wuhan as ‘a pneumonia of an unknown cause’, to China’s office of the World Health Organisation. It’s February 6th and fashion month begins as it normally does; with the creme de la creme of New York’s fashion scene kicking it off.

As the future of our 2020 Autumn/Winter wardrobes sashays down the catwalk, 7,140 miles away, Wuhan and the other cities in the Hubei province of China have been on lockdown for 2 weeks in an emergency effort by the Chinese authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 – the death toll in China has risen to 563, with more than 28,000 cases confirmed.

Lack of knowledge about the virus keeps the majority of the rest of the world’s population happily sedated from the impending panic. The word ‘Coronavirus’ to most of us is merely another distant problem across the world that we spare an empathetic thought to should we hear something about it – but are reassured by medical professionals on the news that ‘this is nothing for us to worry about’.

It is now the 14th of February and, on the surface, London Fashion Week follows suit and goes ahead as usual. However, as COVID-19 rapidly spreads from China to Thailand… to Japan… to South Korea… to the US… to Europe, it’s now inescapable impact becomes visibly noticeable with the sanitisation of the benches and rooms after every show and the face masks being worn by those in attendance being dubbed ‘fashion week’s must-have accessory’.

By the time Fashion Week reaches Milan on the 18th of February, followed by Paris on the 24th, COVID-19 has proven that it isn’t about to ‘blow over’ any time soon. The fashion industry reflects the wave of uncertainty, fear and confusion beyond the runway that, with this virus, began in China and has now spread right across the globe. The majority of the designers take a ‘the show must go on’ approach – typical to fashion – whereas other designers take a more vigilant approach.

Giorgio Armani cancels his public runway show in Milan and opts for an ‘isolated’ catwalk show. The eerie empty theatre setting without press or buyers was not a creative vision conducted in the name of art; but a considered safety precaution.

Following the final day of Milan’s fashion week dissolving into its country’s lockdown, the sobering reality had firmly set in. In Paris, masks are no longer the (almost) novelty fashion accessory they had been at the previous fashion weeks – but are now being handed out upon arrival at shows such as Dries Van Noten and Paco Rabanne. Five Chinese brands; Shiatzy Chen, Masha Ma, Uma Wang, Calvin Luo and Maison Mai cancelled their shows, as well as the French brand Agnes B’s cancelled their shows. LVMH, the luxury powerhouse that fathers the fashion houses of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Dior, Celine and Fendi cancelled its prestigious ‘LVMH Prize’ cocktail event.

COVID-19 had started to break down the well-oiled, resilient machine that is the fashion industry.

The new trend: Survival

The Chinese market makes up 1/3 of the luxury fashion market. With an unsurprising decline in current demand for luxury goods, stores, showrooms and factories have gone from being the beating heart of fashion to being shut for the foreseeable future and ‘Cruise’ or ‘Resort’ season being cancelled – the fashion industry as we know it has ground to a hauntingly abrupt halt.

However; only as we know it.

American designers such as Christian Siriano, Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, Rachel Comey, and Canadian designer Dov Charney have offered their studios and sewing teams in full force to make face masks due to the shortage.

LVMH’s factories that up until now have churned out luxury perfumes and cosmetics are now going to produce free sanitising gel for hospitals and authorities in France.

The British Fashion Council has called ‘all designers with production capacity’ to get in contact with the British government so they can begin the production of essential products.

The factories of Inditex – the world’s biggest fashion retailer and owner of High Street giants such as Zara and Bershka – have been made available to the Spanish government to create and donate surgical masks for medical workers and patients. Meanwhile, its textile manufacturing capacity has been handed over to the production of health materials.

Millions have been donated by Kering, the owner of the likes of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander Mcqueen, to China and Italy. Their efforts continue with the donation of their Balenciaga and Saint Laurent workshops to begin to manufacture masks.

Italy’s fashion elite; Donatella Versace, Prada, Armani, Sergio Rossi and Moncler have all made huge donations to scientific research and hospitals across the country.

The fashion industry has rapidly adapted itself; going from being a luxury to one that is necessary for the survival of the human race. Despite each individual part of the billion-dollar industry taking a more than severe hit, designers and fashion houses have repurposed themselves in our war against our invisible enemy.

Not so vapid after all

In the relatively short period of time between December 31st and today, the feeling of self-importance that is pre-disposed in human nature has swiftly evaporated. COVID-19 has forced humankind into survival mode, leaving the majority of the world’s population feeling helpless and hopeless.

With every individual and every industry trying to do their bit in this unprecedented war, the fashion industry has re-defined its purpose and its worth.

For an industry that is adored by many, yet to its critics could be seen as shallow and heavily based on face-value, the fashion industry as a collective has proved that – underneath the thick skin of glamour – at its core is a warm heart of human empathy and tenacity.

Like the rest of the world, the fashion industry has shown its determination and ability to adapt for survival, not just for itself, but for humankind. In these times of uncertainty, where the future of the world as we know it, let alone the fashion industry, is uncertain, one thing is definite; the show must and will eventually go on. We will not give up.

Your NHS needs you. https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Words by Ella Winfield

Graphics by Katie Janes

, , , , , , , , , ,

The post The Pandemic That Changed the Face of Fashion appeared first on Voir Fashion.