My friend Nina is the kind of girl that you would immediately associate with being a model. She not only has the height and the cheekbones for it, but her laidback sense of style and attitude just oozes photogenic vibes. Interestingly enough, she does actually regularly model - surprised? Her approach to style is simple - nothing too fussy, and yet it can't be anything less than cool.  And to be honest, she's got it all nailed.

Kat: Hey Nina! Tell me, where are your favourite places to shop for everyday pieces?
Nina:  I really like shopping in charity shops and carboot sales for everyday bits and bobs - I find that the weekly boot sale in Battersea always has some great items. I also really like shopping in Zara for pieces that are good for more 'clean-cut' outfits as their collections are always huge and varied, and the clothes are affordable.

Kat: Where do you tend to look for style inspiration?
Nina: I sometimes go through certain style phases after watching films (*cough cough* Clueless...) if I really like the overall theme, but I guess the place where I find inspiration the most is Instagram. My favourite account has got to be "frejawewer" - I love how eclectic and unique each of her posts are. 

Kat: And finally, what are three words to describe your overall style?
Nina: ...'Changeable homeless chic'. How's that?

It's safe to say that for me, flared jeans are quite a wardrobe staple. I can't stand people who peg them as a 'lame 70's throwback', because they are quite frankly one of the most flattering styles of jeans around. Whether that be the uber wide leg, the slim flare, or the kick flare, there is no denying that they are flattering, and a statement, at the same time.
Of-course, flared jeans did first appear in the era of disco: the 1970's. I, for one, am over the moon that seventies fashion has made a comeback in the last few years, as I'm quite a nerd for that era in time: disco (hello, Saturday Night Fever), hard rock, glam rock and punk (who doesn't love a bit of Led Zeppelin, Queen or Sex Pistols) and brash colours and patterns.
​If you love a bit of the flare, but aren't quite sure how to style them yet, here are a couple of my go-to looks.

Denim Jacket - Vintage (similar here)/ Jumper - Wah London x Asos / Jeans - Topshop (similar here) / Bag - Furla / Sunglasses - Rayban (Round) / Boots - Serbia

These flared jeans from Topshop have been a wardrobe staple for me since I was seventeen years old. The high waist and the slim flare starting from the mid calf are super leg lengthening and flatter any body shape. I'm only 5'2'' and I can even wear these flares with trainers! My favourite way to wear them is by pairing them with chunky ankle boots (hence these patchwork suede ones), a roll neck or high neck jumper (I love this pale lilac slogan one) and a casual jacket (hence the vintage denim jacket with faux fur collar). A great nod to the 1970's, and not too hard to style.

Shirt - Whistles (similar here) / Coat - Mango (similar here) / Scarf - Accesorize (similar here) / Ankle Boots - Office (similar here) / Bag - Furla / Sunglasses - Toyshades (at Topshop) / Jeans - Topshop (Dree, find in store)

​If you're still a little bit wary of the flare, and want a jean-style that is currently in fashion and super easy to style, then a cropped, or 'kick' flare is always a good option. This particular pair are from Topshop, the 'Dree' jeans, and they wear more like a cropped straight leg jean, which is great for those who are still a bit uncertain when it comes to flared jeans. 

Coat - Zara (similar here) / Jumper - &OtherStories (different colour online) / Flared Jeans - & Other Stories (similar here) / Boots - Serbia / Hat - Urban Outfitters / Sunglasses - Rayban (Round)

If you feel confident going all out with a pair of wide leg flares, I highly recommend styling them up with a pair of retro ankle boots, a fluted sleeve jumper and a hat. A great seventies inspired combination, which reminds me of some of Diane Keaton's iconic looks from that time. 

Jumper - Denner Cashmere / Leather Jacket - All Saints (Wyatt) / Bag - Furla / Trousers - Topshop / Ankle Boots - Russell & Bromley (similar here)

And last, but certainly not least, are these printed cropped flares. A statement in themselves, they're great if you love incorporating pattern into your wardrobe and if you love fun, retro styles. This particular pair are from Topshop, and I know that there are some similar styles still available in store. Due to the flattering cut of the trousers, they're actually suprisingly easier to style than they look. I've worn them with roll neck bodies and jumpers, v-neck fluted sleeve shirts, plain t-shirts, ankle boots, trainers, the lot - and the great thing is that they look great dressed up or down. 

1. These easy to style and flattering kick-flares from Whistles 
2. Bold and brash with these cord delights from Swedish Hasbeens  (also available in other colours)
3. Classic and leg lengthening with these from &OtherStories
4. Fun patterns with these from Topshop
5. Luxe velvet and retro with these from MiH via Asos

LFW Autumn/Winter 2017 was an eclectic mix of brash patterns and colours mixed with touches of heritage, punk, and a lot of Victoriana. Unfortunately, I didn't attend any of the events in person as I forgot to purchase tickets (even though I was offered discounted prices for some), however, I made sure to catch up on the shows via the LFW website, and the pictures did not disappoint. Here are my top ten looks from Fashion Week, including my number one designer of the season.

After viewing the page of Richard Malone, LFW A/W 17's 'one to watch', I was blown away by his kooky, sixties inspired outfits. My favourite was this one - the complimentary colour clash of blue and orange and the psychedelic floral pattern was a fun, retro inspired look.

I was in love with the 'Beetlejuice'-esq stripes that were included in so many of Marques'Almeida's looks - this one was my favourite, it reminded me of some of the best outfits worn by punk singers in the seventies, but with the feminine twist of the off-the-shoulder cut. Plus, those electric blue mules...

Anya Hindmarch is my favourite designer for playful, almost 'kitsch' accessories. This was my favourite outfit from her AW17 show - I couldn't resist the eye catching camel and blue tones and the fun-fur detailing. Her looks are never lacking in the fun department.

The Black PR runway show had some of the most eclectic 'working woman' outfits I have ever seen. This electric, metallic blue number was the perfect mix of the masculine-meets-feminine with the bright blue tones, over sized tailoring, and glitter pointed toe shoes. It felt almost like a flashback to the eighties, female empowerment (just with a lot less neon).

The Christopher Kane show was a great combination of western-woman-meets-uptown-girl. I immediately thought "I want this!" when I saw this outfit - a throwback to the print clashes of the 1970's paired with the more western star print and cowboy style shoes, this outfit was, in my opinion, one of the most memorable and wearable looks.

The Jasper Conran show featured many a luxurious piece, but none quite like this incredible cowhide coat. Cow print has been one of my new favourites this season as it adds a great high fashion touch to more monochrome looks, and is not seen as often as leopard print.

The Julia Seemann show was a great mix of nineties grunge meets Victoriana, and this more modern take on both of those trends combined was one of my absolute favourites. The lilac colour of the jumper was a great modern touch to the frills.

Molly Goddard has undisputedly taken the UK fashion scene by storm with her inventive and kooky designs. This was one of my favourite, more every-day-wearable, outfits - I am absolutely in love with the red leather pea coat.

I have been trying to inject a bit more colour into my wardrobe for the upcoming transition into Spring, and Paula Knorr's new collection provided a lot of inspiration. My favourite look was this colour blocking outfit. It was a brash nod to the sixties, and yet the simple pairing of a crew neck and flared trousers is so easy to wear and style for the day to day, and that's why I loved it.

Before LFW A/W17, I had never come across the label Toga, but God am I glad that I found them. This was my favourite collection of the season, one where I physically couldn't choose one outfit as a number one, so here I have compiled a collection of them. The classic British tartan touches and prints, the ever so slightly over sized tailoring, the billowy sleeves, the slim flares... It was a dream for my wardrobe! Out of all of the shows, I found that Toga's was not only the most wearable and practical, but was, in my opinion, the best curated show, and I look forward to seeing what they'll have on offer in the S/S18 show this Autumn.