Cow Vintage X Northern Quarter

Earlier this week, I got the chance to check out the new COW store in the Northern Quarter, Manchester. If you haven't heard of COW, why haven't you?! No seriously, COW is the raddest vintage store that Manchester has to offer, and they have stores in Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield too so you Midlanders have no excuse not to visit.

Time-Travelling Diamond

Vintage bomber jacket (similar here) / DIY batik dress (similar here) / ASOS round sunglasses (similar here) / Office brogue boots (similar here)

Anyone who knows me vaguely well will be aware of my love of vintage clothing. Not only is buying vintage more friendly on the environmental front - always a positive if we can reduce our carbon footprints etc. - but I love the patina acquired by a well-loved vintage piece. Coupled with a hint of mustiness, it evokes the feeling that one is wearing a piece of history, albeit a rather little one.  And try as they might, none of your everyday clothing shops can truly replicate this. No, not even you, Urban Outfitters.

A Week at CSM

A good month or so overdue but what's a fashion blog without being a little behind schedule, ey? In that gorgeously sweltering month of July - can you feel those mournful undertones of longing now that autumn is just around the corner? - I spent a week at the fashion education temple that is Central Saint Martins.