March welcomes the launch of an exciting new collaboration between UNIQLO and Paris fashion brand Lemaire. Offering an array of mix and match pieces to act as staple pieces in your 2016 Spring/Summer wardrobe, I was absolutely delighted when they extended the opportunity for me to try some of the items before they officially launched. Not only would it give me the opportunity to get ahead of the game before the weather starts improving – fingers crossed) but it would also allow for me to produce an exciting lookbook – styling items of my choice and getting creative.
The range itself consists of a number of simple, relaxed pieces with a floaty feel and a focus on feminine silhouettes. Nothing is too ‘out there’ or over the top, but at the same time, there’s something uniquely pretty about each item. I think this is largely down to the colour palette they have opted for, featuring a base of expressive colours including ash grey, vivid whites, ginger and honey. There are a number of ‘half toned’ pieces, which again portray the evidently successful ‘effortless’ look that sold out the first collection by Lemaire last season.
Their partnership with Uniqlo is no doubt going to be another success, reiterated even more so when I received the items I chose and discovered how incredible the quality is. Uniqlo, despite being a high street brand, really offer something different in terms of affordable and accessible fashion – as their attention to detail consistently seems to be superb. I have a white stripe dress from them that is a go-to item and even now, I still get compliments on it. Despite being under £30, it hasn’t lost it’s soft texture (even though I’ve put it through a few testing washes) and there are no signs of wear and tear. Although they offer simple pieces, they are long lasting and deserve a place in every woman’s wardrobe.
Anyway, without further ado – lets move onto the actual look book. Props to you if you’re still with me after that waffly introduction.
The first outfit in question was based around this gorgeous Black Long Tailored Jacket, which was very roomy yet flattering (this aspect always deserves a gold star in my eyes). A black jacket of this kind is definitely a staple in every wardrobe – as it can be worked into the perfect ‘GET ME THAT JOB’ interview outfit or even the ideal ‘GET ME THAT MAN’ date. Well, you get the idea.
I own a couple of simple black jackets but each have cut me off in the wrong place (just above the bum) which can result in looking a little too ‘try hard businesswoman’. This is the ideal length – and covers the top bits of my legs (which aren’t a favourite part of mine, I will admit) so I can quite happily wear these with jeans – or in this case, black pleather trousers. I’ve seen Kendall Jenner sporting a rather daring (but amazing) blazer and lace bralet look in recent months, so I was kind of basing the styling on this. Only I wasn’t brave enough to show you the black lace bit on camera. It’s under there though, I promise.
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Next up was a very Spring-esque look – largely down to the honey and white colour palette, which I absolutely love. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the cotton mesh polo sweater in the beginning however it’s actually very wearable and far more flattering on, then on the hanger.
It’s great for that WHAT DO I WEAR transitional period that is impending – as are these tailored white trousers, which give the illusion of longer legs due to the straight-up-straight-down design. Usually I shy away from anything other than my stretch skinnies, but these are actually fab – and make me feel quite professional and ready to conquer the world. Well, one step at a time anyway.
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Outfit number three is a little more daring. A bit Kim K – or so I like to pretend.
These white culottes are completely out of my comfort zone but I actually kind of love them. They are so easy to wear and so comfortable, yet they don’t make me look the forty-stone whale I was envisioning. Nipping you in at the waist with an elasticated band means that it really shows off a feminine silhouette and looks clean and tailored.
The cashmere blended white body is also incredibly soft and comfortable (as you can imagine) and is so easy to dress up or dress down. I am heading off to Thailand in June and I can imagine this being a very good addition to pack in my backpack (I can’t believe I’m going to be attempting to fit everything into a backpack – eek). Whether you opt for casual denim shorts, or something more formal (even under the black tailored jacket at the start of my lookbook), it’s most definitely a staple piece.
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So there you have it – my three styled looks for the Uniqlo Lemaire SS16 collaboration. As you can see, everything is very wearable and accessible – and makes for a very classy feminine option for the upcoming season. I’m so excited to have had a sneak preview of whats on offer – choosing my favourites, however if you’d like to take a look at the full range you can do so here.
The collection will be available first at Uniqlo.com on March 3rd at 11pm (I’m sure there’s going to be a surge – so you might be in for a late night if you fancy getting your hands on a piece) however it will also be launching in selected stores on March 18th – so keep your eye out for this!
Do you have a favourite from the collection? What do you think of my styling above?
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