Alexander Wang x H&M...

We've blogged about the many H&M collaborations over the last couple of years...so why break the habit of a lifetime?! The latest collaboration also just so happens to be a venture with the amazing Alexander Wang...hysteria within the fash pack is at an ultimate high and understandably so!

Touted as high fashion meets sportswear, the range shouts his defining urban style blending functionality with chic refined fashion. Sounding pretty tricky to get your head around... 

Fear not I've been pouring over the many pictures and videos released and in true 3BM style have simplified the situation and come up with the main elements to manage your expectations...!

• High performance sportswear is the main theme from actual gym clothes to everyday looks - beware the models make everything look super cool!

• Along with black, black and more black with a flash of charcoal here and there!

• With the return of branding to the fashion world, there is a lot of WANG adorning everything, but of course executed in a fabulous way! 

• You may want not want to wait for your Wang sportswear to get down to the gym...with cropped styles, skin tight leggings and leather...you may want to get a head start!

H&M released an exclusive video a few days ago, presenting the range in a mock Video Game set-up. 'Superhuman' supermodels - Raquel Zimmermann, Joan Smalls, Natasha Poly and Isabeli Fontana undertake a number of challenges in extreme situations showcasing the fashionable yet hard wearing and active line. Well done H&M an amazing collab and executed with chic and edgy teasers...spot on Wang style!

Unbelievably it doesn't stop there as last week a huge party was held in New York to kick off the countdown to the launch - naturally it was rammed full of celebrities and the fashion elite! 

And as if Wang hasn't done enough, he replaced his perfunctory fashion bow for a lap of the sports track catwalk! I LOVE him!

If like me, you need more...check out the full video of the catwalk and snippets from the party itself...6th November - get it in the dairy NOW!

Bust A Backpack...

If the word rucksack brings memories flooding back of a mini version of yourself, trotting around the playground with your bag strapped firmly to your back stuffed full of sticker books, yikes pencils and your daily packet of frazzles...then fear not, you're not alone! It all kicked off with a 'My Little Pony' version, later upgraded to an Eastpak and eventually replaced by an Animal record bag! We've all been through the phases and I think we'd all agree we weren't too sad to see the back of them...BUT they're back!! 

Thankfully this time round it's less about practicality and lot more about style...think soft slouchy leathers, fringing, studding, texture all slung on one shoulder - take note, it's still not cool to wear it strapped tightly to both shoulders!!! 

If it's good enough for Cara D then it's good enough for both you and me! 

There are so many beautiful options out there, especially in the designer realm, however, as ever, we've been searching high and low for a range of backpacks that will fit all different budgets, occasions and situations! See below for our top 3BM picks...

Effortlessly cool with COS, £115

Animal meets studs...go awesome with Alexander Wang, £1105

The definition of boho chic with Topshop, £100

Cosy yet stylish with this shealing number from Whistles, £395

Cheap, cheerful and quilted with Zara, £39.99

Go simple yet fabulous with Stella McCartney, £680

High shine peek-a-boo fun with Free People, £168

And on that note, we're off sack shopping! Hmmm we wonder which will be the leader of the (back)pack...?

If You Like It Then You Shoulda Put A Uli On It...

As self-obsessed jewellery addicts we're always on the look out for the next killer collection or trend. Move aside real diamonds and pearls and step forward ... drum roll ... Uli - rubber and textile jewellery!

Uli jewellery pieces - necklaces, earrings and brooches - are super unusual in the fact that that they're all handmade using the latest screenprint textile technology. Made in Amsterdam using fabric and rubber, each design features printed strands of diamonds, pearls and chunky chains. 

I stumbled upon the brand the other week when I was in Fenwick - there in the jewellery section were bundles of these colour popping, rubbery necklaces all strung up. I was immediately drawn to them and instantly wanted to touch each one. Their rubber feel is quite addictive and so contrasting to everything else on sale in the store.  

I can imagine these beauties looking gorgeously standout against a LBD or ripped jeans and a plain tee. 

A new 3BM obsession and one for the lust list! 

WOW Wedges...

It's fair to say that all three of us have a slight shoe obsession. In fact our love of all things from sandal to stiletto should probably be more accurately described as a full blown serious addiction! This was ignited in all of us back when we would play games involving the dressing up hamper and Mummy Mouse's shoes (unfortunately she was a size 7 so we never actually grew into them - we just had constant bruises from all the stumbling!)

As we grew older there was the manic need and desire for Clark's Magic Steps shoes (complete with the secret lock and key in the sole) which over the years was replaced by a yearning for Christian Louboutins and studded Valentinos! Our view when it comes to shoes is beauty is pain, and HK mouse takes this to the absolute max with her towering Giuseppe Zanotti's...

Whilst considering outfits for my upcoming Tuscan getaway, I started to struggle when it came to the shoes currently in my wardrobe that could cover off all the occasions that I need to dress for. I don't want to be tottering around Florence all day with aching arches and sore soles but a super chic outfit is never quite complete with a pair of flats (no, I'm still not a total flats convert, even after my recent So Long Heels post!). At the end of our city break we head into the hills for one of my best friend's wedding, so there are many situations and combinations to consider and very little packing space!

After much thought, I came to the perfect solution - wedges. They're the perfect all rounder and the most comfortable version of a heel. Wedges still give that much needed height, tick the daytime casual box but can be dressed up for evening chic...an ideal solution!

Now for finding the perfect pair...not so easy!

I usually go on the hunt and end up lusting after the pair that cost most of my monthly income, then typically nothing ever lives up to them so I end up with nothing at all! But this time I'm in a very different situation...there's some impressive contenders out there in the designer world but I'm not quite head over heels with them...literally...

Beautiful Buttercup
Christian Louboutin, £475

Classic Chloe,

Chloe

Bold Balenciaga

Browns, £405

However when scouting out the high street alternatives, I found some real gems scoring high on the style stakes whilst also ticking all the boxes of comfort, texture, luxe, beauty...do we really need to tick anymore boxes?!

See our 3BM faves below...

Aztec Madness 
ASOS, £28

Muted Mules

Topshop, £68

 

 

Golden Goddess

Zara, £59.99

Print-tastic

Kurt Geiger, £99

Fashion the Mule

Zara, £79.99

Easy Espadrille

Kurt Geiger, £95

Strong Sassy Staple

Zara, £39.99

Sizzling Snake

Kurt Geiger, £110

I've already snapped up the Golden Goddess and Strong Sassy Staple pairs and I have a feelings I'm not going to be able to stop there....

Raunchy & Ripped...

...jeans of course!

A re-emerging trend that is literally tearing up the highstreets right now! When it comes to this look there are lots of questions to be asked before diving right in...

How ripped is too ripped? Discreetly distressed, square cut outs or knee slash shredded - there are many styles to choose from...

Skinny or boyfriend cut? If you're look is more casual opt for big and baggy. More sophisticated then go for slender, straight-up and tight fitting OR if you're in two minds go for both...

Dressed up or dressed down? Pair with killer strappy heels, a cashmere tee and a sharp blazer for a fierce n fabulous look or dress down with espadrilles and a effortlessly chic round-neck jumper. Both do it for me...

For some inspiration I turned to Pinterest and key street style portals to gather some picture porn. Always a good starting point I find when i'm umming and ahhing over whether to invest in a trend of not...

Sold? I was and to prove it here's my Topshop attempt at the trend in pictures. As you'll see i've opted for the skinny styled straight-up kind of look...

The jeans were a snip at just £40 - Jamie cut, high waisted. Super comfy and they fit like a glove too. Although I did, I found it difficult to stop at purchasing just one pair as they have them in an array of colours and different styles too including boyfriend slouchy ones. 

What you waiting for - Go. Rip. Create.

Watch out jeans!