It feels so good to be in London for two days in between all my travels. If you missed yesterday’s new video click here, you will be able to see what I got up to in Monte Carlo and see all my outfits.
City dressing is one if not my favourite styles to dress for. I very much have a city style and love it in Spring when it’s warm enough to wear a thin jacket but still breezy enough for leather and layers. This look is the epitome of city layers but most importantly this look shows how diverse I am when it comes to what I buy and wear. Sometimes I crave an all black outfit and it’s so satisfying. Why does a black outfit make me feel so sassy??
I always encourage everyone around me to….
“wear what you want, when you want. Don’t let anyone tell you something isn’t on trend or suitable.”
As long as the item fits I think we should all wear what we like.
I didn’t plan on discussing this subject whilst getting dressed in the morning. However, looking back on how many compliments I received on this outfit and comparing them to the reactions that followed; I really wanted to talk about something that was on my mind.
Firstly, I would like to tell you something that may shock you. You of course can recognise the famous Hermes Kelly bag I am holding? This bag retails for approximately £6800. You may also recognise my shoes are Lauren Decade, retailing at approximately £800 and my Hermes CDC cuff, retailing at £845. This outfit appears and I guess is very “luxury”. I have been branded a “luxury blogger” by some of my followers, co bloggers and brands. It is a sector of the industry I have been placed into. I guess this is true but it is frustrating that I am now branded this and some people go into shock when I rave about my favourite restaurant “Toby’s Carvery” or my new swimsuit from a low end high-street store. Oh back to the shock factor. My dress is from Primark and cost me £12. I do not work with Primark and bought this myself. If I like something I will buy it. I do not care if it is £5, £500 0r £5000. If it’s £5000 maybe it’s not always an option but if I really want it I am always prepared to save until I get it. It’s how I am and how I always will be. Even though this dress is old I found pretty much exactly the same style. You can buy the jumper dress here and the lace under slip here. The lace under slip is identical to the one I have. They are both identical so you can create this look.
In my opinion there is a huge difference to me walking passed a store like Primark and picking up the odd thing like a unicorn robe or a black sweater and me working with Primark and being paid to promote something branding #ad. I think there is a difference and being paid to promote such brands wouldn’t feel right for me right now. I may sound confusing or may even sound like I am too good for stores like Primark and I do not mean this at all. I actually probably should not be sharing this information but what the hell, I am. My point is I will buy what I like, I will work with who ever I like but I will still keep some form of consistency.
I was stopped on the street all day long in Chelsea, asking where my dress was from. Every single person was in shock when I answered “Primark.” This dress is over two years old and the lace under slip is from Zara, two years ago. This article is NOT sponsored by any brand, I am simply stressing that I am happy to wear a bag that cost me £8k with a £12 dress. WHY IS THIS SO SHOCKING? The dress was 70% cotton, 30% man made which is border line okay. If I wear this dress over and over again I would for sure invest a few hundred pound into a silk cashmere one. This is my best tip when considering buying luxury ready to wear. Play with a low end just to make sure if it’s worth it. My second tip is do not be afraid to mix new clothes with charity shop clothes or high-street with high-end.
It’s smart, it’s creative and it’s unique.
From a blogger perspective I understand fully that concentrating on one side picking either “luxury” or “high-street” would make me excel more and grow more. I am aware that I appear confusing to brands and readers. There are some people who love high-street and immediately loose interest when I start sharing my head to toe CHANEL looks and £3k-£8k bags. Then when someone new discovers me wearing high-end pieces and then I bash out a NEWLOOK head to toe look, they loose interest. The same predicament applies to brands too. I may promote and wear luxury brands for months on end without a high-street feature and this attracts high-end brands approaching me. They are most of the time not best pleased when I wear low end. This will affect who works with me and how many fashion shows I get invited to. It sounds complicated but it is actually quite simple.
I know how to play the game. I am just not interested to play it.
I know I should pick one or the other from a business perspective but my blog started out as a hobby and a passion and I plan on keeping that way. Long term this will bring me longevity, peace of mind, fulfillment and enjoyment. Most of all I will know I have not sold my soul to the industry. I feel this honesty has done me so many favours. My blog was six years old last month. For six years, I have stayed true to myself and this honesty has not gone unnoticed. It makes me so so happy when my readers tell me how honest and genuine they think I am. I also get told this by PRs. You are all normal people just like me and it means the world to me that you notice the direction I am heading and how I am going to get there.
My blog is about my personal style, my lifestyle, sharing my styling experience and knowledge with you. If I am the kind of person that likes to mix high-street with high-end I am certain there are many more just like me. We might be in a grey zone but who cares, do you care?
Even if I had all the money in the world I would still eat at my favourite non-fancy restaurants, enjoy the simple things in life, still shop in places that sell £20 dresses and I will enjoy it. I am not sure if I am like this because I grew up in a struggling family (my dad was terminally ill all my life and we were always struggling) and I haven’t forgotten who I am or where I came from or it’s just my taste. No doubt a bit of both. I have worked hard to get where I am and I want to make my story inspirational. It doesn’t matter where you come from it’s about who you are, where you are going and how you get there. Just like the outfit you are wearing :0) In my opinion my struggles have made me strong, fiery and extremely ambitious. For me to reach this success in life and to be told I should not mix a Primark dress with a Hermes bag, I will give you one guess as to what I have to say……. BYE FELECIA!
Moral of this story. I am who I am, I am the blogger I want to be and I appreciate every single one of you that see my vision and understand how I am. If I wish to mix high-end and high-street I will and no one will make me feel bad about it. If you don’t wish to follow me, that is fine. If you brands don’t wish to work with me, that is always totes fine with me. It just makes the brands that choose me even more special and makes all of you more special.
If you would like me to write another article related to this one, leave a comment in the box below and I will fulfill your request. I am happy to talk about what I studied, how I made my way up from the bottom, the business behaviors I swear by and even how I save for luxury pieces and buy my luxury wardrobe.
LAURENCE DECADE BOOTS – HERE – HERE and HERE
Photos by Moeez Tali
This article was NOT sponsored.
59 comments
Hi Claire.
Really nice, valid points you make here. You always go much further in life being you than trying to fit into everyone else’s box.
I thoroughly enjoy your blog.
I hope that you are able to answer a query I have. Been looking through your posts but can’t seem to find an answer.
I’m going to London in a few days and will be buying my very first Chanel – my heart is set on the classic flap in Black I think.
Question is would you recommend caviar or lamb?
And also do you have a favourite Chanel store with the best selection/service?
Regards xx
I know that this may sound odd, but thank you! Thank you for just being yourself and sharing honestly what you feel. I truly appreciate that you stay true to what you feel is your personal “brand” whether it’s a high end head to toe or with high street (is that the right terminology? We don’t say that in the US) mixed in. Keep it up, love the look of your new blog!
I loved this Claire! I felt like you wrote with the same ease as having a conversation with a friend and that made me feel good to be a part of your community. I’d love another post about your advice for ‘business behaviors’ and generally what advice you have for young professionals. Love always xo
Stay true I love to see how cheaper items are paired with high end. Please share how you save for designer items.
Love this Claire, don’t ever change! I personally love the fact you mix both high end and designer and don’t lie about it. Lets be honest, you look bloody fabulous in both!!!
Be you • Do you
XxXx
Claire this is so refreshing, I wish more bloggers would open up like this. I love your ethos and your approach to dressing and mixing things up, I find it really inspiring. Would love to see more of this sort of thing as well as, your story of how you got here and all the knowledge you have on styling etc. Thank you for being an inspiration and giving normal people hope that we can be who we are and that is more than enough. Love you
I am so much older then you are and I am not a blogger, but I do know that you need to never apologize for who you are and how you achieved your success. We love you because you have a great personality, you are funny and you are honest and you have great taste.
There will always be critics and that is fine, just learn to move on and not let nasty words or comments derail your passion and talents.
Couldn’t agree more with this xx
Great post! It must be so frustrating to be judged by those in the fashion industry (and even those who aren’t!) when it’s comes to your personal style, when you’re not in a sponsorship scenario. I love your style BECAUSE of the way you mix high-end and high-street…sure, it would be nice to be able to afford the Chanel/Hermes items, as opposed to just the New Look and Primark, but it’s the way you put outfits together which inspires me every day. I think I’ve bought all of the pieces you listed from New Look , from your recent summer holiday haul YouTube vid, and you’re the reason I check Like to Know It, every single day.
I have never come across a blogger as down to earth and engaging as you -plus, you’re YouTube videos are hilarious, which helps!-and I hope you never change the way you style looks and entertain your followers.
A great read! You are such a down to earth person, I am glad you haven’t sold your soul to the industry! You see so many down to earth people who are bloggers but once they get well known they do seem to change! Get all their luxury items given to them or go on these amazing holidays just for promoting something, you then start to question what they are saying and whether they are being paid to say it! Very difficult being on instagram and seeing all this when I am around the same age as all these girls! I would love to know more how you afford to buy your luxury buys, your life at the moment and what you have done in the past that has made you fortunate enough to live this lifestyle and live in such a beautiful home.. x
I would love love love to see more articles like this. You are such an inspiration and would love to hear more about how you got where you are today! Xx
Me too
I just adore you 🙂
Hi Claire! I absolutely love this post! You are truly inspirational and I really love that you don’t care what others think least of all the industry! Thanks for being real, girl!
Such a great post. The whole blogosphere whilst great is both daunting and lonesome when you don’t fit into a box. So thank you for writing this. I love the fact that you mix things up…its why I watched you in the first place and continue to. Yes another post please x
Kudos to you, Claire! I love your mix of fashion. I can’t believe people would be so judgy about the price tag on an item or where it came from. You continue to do what you do and always stay true to yourself!
Love this post, Claire! One of the many reasons why I return month after month to read your content is because you give a true opinion. Your styling and the manner in which you wear items is what brings readers back. Yes, it’s fun to look at bags I wish I could afford but I love seeing HOW you’re wearing them so then I can replicate with a dupe from the high street. Primark or prada, you know how to be yourself and share that with your readers. Thanks for having guts to explain and just keep being yourself 🙂
Ruth // http://www.ruth-writes.co.uk
YES! Mixing high street with luxury accessories is definitely the reason I follow you. Such a relatable and real person, look forward to the next post!
Good on you claire.
When I was younger I always loved to pair an expensive pair of jeans with the cheepest white t shirt and felt /looked great. Keep it up and never let anyone tell you what to do!!
Hi Claire! I absolutely love your ethos and I’m totally the same! I really don’t understand why people find it shocking that you can put a killer outfit together from high street store mixing it with high end accessories! It’s not about where you buy the items from but how you style them! I love how down to earth you are and thank you for sharing a post like this! xx
Your honestly and ability to stay true to yourself is admirable 🙂 if I had a little more time in my life I’d love to run a blog with similar integrity! I am a massive fan of mixing high end with high street, a luxury bag or pair of shoes automatically heightens any well-put-together high street outfit
Big love
Claire I love the way you are. I love
Your outlook on fashion and style, I have some luxury pieces but not like you do and I enjoy watching you. Personal style has nothing to do with money it has to do with fashion sense. There are rich people who look horribly and normal people who look great so bravo for being you , just know you are appreciated .
I don’t see much point in expensive clothes, so I always mix high end and high street. the fact of the matter is that most “normal” non blogger fashionistas do it too. you cant expect people to go hungry so they can buy a four figure dress to wear to one event. now, a four figure hermes….may go hungry for that!! 🙂
Hi Claire
What an amazing story; thoroughly enjoyed it (and the outfit is amazing). Up until the middle of last year, I’d never followed vloggers until I stumbled across the lovely Lydia and through her, I found you! I’m 53 years of age and I adore yours and Lydia’s style; even though you are both almost half my age, I have definitely and will continue to take fashion tips from you both. I love the fact that you have totally different styles that I can pick up tips from and use myself and you have both changed my outlook on fashion etc. I adore the way you wear something real “high end” and then pair it with something “high street”, as you’ve done here……and what a result. If you took notice of brands/companies who didn’t agree with what you do, you wouldn’t be you and it’s certainly not done you any harm; in fact, it looks to me like you’re pretty much in demand. You keep doing what you’re doing…….we think you’re amazing!
I would definitely like to see more on this topic and about when you worked in Harrods etc.
Lorraine 🙂 x
Love this ! I am the same I don’t care if something only costs me a tenner or splashing out on a fancy dress bag or shoes if I like it I will buy it no matter where it’s from. In this day and age trends move so quickly it would be very hard to shell out on the latest trend at high end prices- the British high street is second to none in its choice and speed it keeps up with things.
I love when I see your posts and things are from new look or Zara I think bloody hell and next thing I’m at the online checkout !
❤️❤️❤️
Love this Claire – the fact that you mix both and are so honest is why I love to watch and read your blogs. Most of us I imagine couldn’t afford to wear head to toe high end constantly and I’m not sure I’d really want to if I could (I mean £££) but equally I love seeing the luxury pieces either for inspiration or simply admiration regardless of whether I would ever buy them. Keep doing you – couldn’t love that the dress is from Primark any more! x
Claire, you are truly inspiring and definitely someone I look up to. Your style has encouraged me to try new things that I never would have, and I must thank you for that! Your lifestyle has always been one that I aspire to achieve, and you inspire me to keep working hard for it. Thank you for always being so genuine.
Good for you Claire…I love seeing your posts, your photos and your videos (which are hilarious!). Without realising, you were my inspiration for a Dodo Bar Or dress I bought last summer…blue turquoise maxi…I saw it in Selfridges, couldn’t decide, so Google imaged it and found a picture of a lovely blonde wearing it. I screenshot the photo and decided to buy it, it’s still my favourite ever dress. Having followed you for many months now, I was looking through some old photos and found the one I’d saved of the dress, and it was you!! I also mix high end and high street, and I save for the expensive pieces and love them more for that. Keep doing what you do, being you and the brands will still want you. Following many different bloggers, trust me it’s boring when you see three or four on the same day wearing the same Rixo or Lily and Lionel dress that they’ve been sent to promote. Very boring. Do it your way you’re a gem! And by the way, Space NK did well out of me after your make-up vid!!
Loved this Claire, totally open and honest. Keep being true to yourself and keep them coming! X
I loved this blog post! Your down to earth nature even though you can afford luxury things and honesty are what makes me want to watch you! You just come across so real and still relatable through your personality even though I can’t afford any of the high end stuff I feel like you as a person are still like me! Your so funny as well and you never come across as trying to be something your not! Keep doing you because it’s great and to all the haters ‘bye felicia’
I love it when you write posts like this! The mix of high and low has always appealed to me and I’m so glad you’re standing strong in keeping the philosophy alive! && I’d love to hear about the business behaviors you swear by.
Xo!
Lindsey
Hi Claire. This i why i follow you. Your honesty. You are such an inspiration. Thanks Claire
OMG!!!! I Love Love Love This…….Frack the Haters. Be you….we Love You!
Love it girl! Stay who you are, true to yourself and keep your own style! That’s why I am following you and why I keep reading your blog. Mixing high end and cheaper brand makes you more creative, unique and not predictable.
xx
Nathalie
https://www.crayonsinmylouboutins.com
Love love love the outfit just as much as I love this post girl! I won’t lie I’m normally an avid YouTube watcher and blog picture luster but after reading this post I hope you do a lot more content over on the blog I really enjoyed this read and I have this mantra when it comes to fashion too. Keep going and stay true to yourself!
Kimberley x
Hey Claire,
Great read! Would love an article on how you got to where you are and what you studied etc 🙂
Cheers from NZ 🙂
Merryn
Came here from your Instagram. I’ll save the love letters for YouTube, but Claire, this is why you are the only one I subscribe to. I just about fell over when I read the dress was from Primark and cost so little, but only because you made it look so good! I’m not shocked that you would wear it at all. You simply elevated it with how you styled it, and this is what you do best. Yes, there is clearly a lot of materialism out there, and that’s fine…it drives an economy…but I appreciate your honesty and the education you provide in a fun and relaxed way. I mean, I now shop Reiss here in the States and know how to look for quality tailoring!
Love this post and how you stayed true to your beliefs … don’t see anything wrong with mixing it up and wearing what makes one happy…
Yasssssssssss girl ❤️
Hi Claire hmmmm? In North America we are taught to have a great haircut, a great purse and great shoes – everything else can be from what you would call a lower end high street – its all about how you style the pieces together – and if you look great than that is what is important- it would be a failure to be in head to toe luxury brand – because then the person has no sense of style, rather they are just buying pieces and wearing them. So I suppose that it is different in Europe – where one is expected to be wearing either all low end high street or all high end high street. So I am not sure what to say other than be yourself and yes please, go ahead and write about those other topics that you mentioned in the last sentence of your blog – that would be great.
yes please do an extra article about this topic!! love you and your style
So well said! This is the reason why you are one of my favourite bloggers. Zero bullshit & zero apologies for wearing whatever you like be it an Hermes bag or a Primark dress. I totally agree with your attitude to fashion. Yassss girl! X
Love it! Your followers follow you because you are who you are. You are genuine. I really appreciate that. I personally love luxury. However- I find bloggers who only do luxury to be off putting. It is unrealistic to most of the world. It’s exciting to see how you mix up high street and luxury. It’s inspirational. Some people may only be fortunate enough to acquire one luxury handbag in their life. Tell us how to style it!
I really love this outfit! I am the girl who will wear both luxury and high street in the same time, i don’t care, i feel good like this,i like my wardrobe, i am an amateur blogger, and i love this too, because i can do and post whatever i like/want.
I appreciate your honnesty, which is now very rare in this industry, you’re genuine, and seem to be very cool and fun!
http://paulynagore.blogspot.fr/
Well said Claire! I appreciate your mix of high and low end pieces and I love your style. Keep doing just what you are doing and maybe if we are all lucky others will take a clue from you and follow:-)
Refreshing to see and read. You are true to yourself and never apologise for that. Who made the rule that you have to wear this or that? crazy! wear what you want, buy what you want and I, for one find the information and inspiration fascinating and useful. I subscribe because I want to watch people who are real and not changing their mind on a brand because they are suddenly sponsored by them.
You’re so right babe and I’m exactly the same! Just wear what I like not looking at brands or prices… But do people seriously still do that? Ush. They need to grow up!
Have a nice day!
Plume d’Auré
http://www.plumedaure.com
You are just a legend I am so grateful that I have come across your blog/youtube. I am a die hard fan now and a complete groupie *cringe* but its true. I just really appreciate your honesty and your fresh take on mixing high end and high street. As a newbie blogger you really influence me to just be myself and keep this as a hobby and see where it goes? – if it goes anywhere!
Thanks Claire
Enjoyed reading this. I’ve made a similar decision for my blog. I knew the consequences but I didn’t want to sell out my values. Last year I decided to limit my shopping for various reasons, one of them being to be able to save up for higher cost pieces. So yea, I’d mix them too 😉 What’s the problem with that anyway? If a celebrety did it, everyone would applaud them.
Alex – Funky jungle
Hi Claire,
I really love everything that you stand for and appreciate that you have been able to remain true to who you are as your brand continues to grow. I’ve been an avid follower of your youtube channel for ages now so it was really nice to read this blog and see that you’re exactly the same here too.
It’s crazy to think that you need to segment yourself into one category to get ahead when there are a lot of people who like to have the “best of both worlds”. It can feel so unobtainable and just depressing sometimes when you watch bloggers promote luxury item, after luxury item (that was most likely given to them anyway) and talk about how wonderful it is! While this may be true, I know the majority of people out there can’t live that way. What you’re doing is promoting a much healthier balance and picture of your life and that of many others. It’s wonderful to see you find some great high-street finds (I LOVED the gingham red and white heals from New Look – but they don’t sent to Australia, which is SO upsetting!!!), with luxury items that you have worked hard for.
Your latest video on “how to save for luxury” resonated with me as that’s the same mindset I’ve always had! I’m still only starting my collection but I’ve always been realistic about where I am and where I’m going. While some bloggers have a platform that will excel them to that end goal much faster, I appreciate the honesty of your blog and youtube channel. At least it doesn’t make everyone else need to put unrealistic goals, pressures and expectations on themselves to have the latest and greatest all the time (one of the down sides of social media).
Anyway, just a message to say thank you. I’m not sure if you’re even going to see this but please keep up the great work! I am loving it!!!
Bec
BYE FELECIA!
I absolutely love this post and I think you reach out to more people than you even realise! Loads of us like to mix high end luxury with high street isn’t that the beauty of fashion now and shouldn’t we be celebrating that?
You go girl you’re killing it!
http://www.katiemariephillips.com
This was so eye opening and encouraging! Please do a video on what you studied and how you came from the bottom up, business behaviours etc. xx
This is why we love you soooo much ♥️♥️
You do you Claire. Yes, I know that sounds cheesy but we somehow always need to remind ourselves of this. It can be easy to tell ourselves that we “should” be a certain way or perhaps to look around at what others are doing and think that they have it “all figured out” when really it’s not the case. I ADORE your authenticity and I relate to you because you mix high and low. This is real life and not many people can afford luxury only so it’s so inspiring that you mix both. Love your work, your authentic truth and you inspire me to be perfectly imperfect (and coming from a Virgo perfectionist that’s saying a lot). Bisous! Geneviève from Montréal, Canada. xo
I really like that about you of mixing luxury and high-street. Thats whats making you so different from other bloggers. And it is so relatable! I also like luxury, but i cant afford head to toe luxury look and i think i also do not even want to. It so easy to go to some luxury store and buy all the things from head to toe there and you are done. But if you are mixing different brands, you have to be creative and you always look unique. You have great sense of style and you always give good tips in fashion. Please keep going and do not loose your track. Wish you all the best!
I actually really like your style! The mix of high-end and high-street is sooooooooo relatable! I don’t understand what people are on about?!!? Please never ever change, there’s a LOT of us who get you 100% because we are JUST like you!! xx
Love this mindset and I also live by it, especially recently (probably since I started getting into your channel)
BRAVA!!