What a Menace.

Dennis the Menace- there have been stranger inspirations to come out of fashion. (Mrs. Doubtfire’s kitten heel with skin colour tights spring to mind) but come the cold, foggy autumnal days- striped jumpers, capes and ponchos will be your saving stylish grace. 

With the Bastille-esque spikey barnet, full brow and battered pair of lace-up boots - it appears 2013 is the year of the Dennis. There is nothing more satisfying than pulling over a comfy oversized knitted number; even better if holed at the sleeve, in these bitter months leading up to the festive season- but if you want that 'worn' feeling without the effort, then HOJ is the choice for you.

With Halloween creeping up, you will be well in vogue with the Freddy Krueger reference also. Add a fedora and you may as well but up on the catwalk, strutting it for Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent. Just remember the melting face look is not and will never be, hot right now. 

Shop the Menace look NOW at HOJ<<<

"Oh man, I luuuurve the cake!"

(Image courtesy of cookiescakesandbakes.wordpress.com)

The Great British Bake Off. Say no more. The whole country has gone multi-seed mental for Mary Berry and her macaroon infused innuendos- and even for old pervy Paul.  Now in its fourth series, the BBC2 show has become a national phenomenon and golden crusted treasure; staying in is the new going out, for baking has overtaken twirking as our favourite pastime. (Mary over Miley any day of the week, not just on a Tuesday.)

And what could you possibly wear to sit down and gorge yourself on a selection of scones, pastries and pies… a tea dress of course! Hardened up with a graphic print and black biker boots, the look has come a long way since Kate Nash, circa 2007. Less pastle, more vibrant and not just for the indie Cindy’s with the Lego haircut- for now we can all sling over a battered leather jacket and pop in a pair of chunky gold hoops without being judged- baked or not.

So sit back, put the kettle on, turn off the oven and let the brutal comments from the judges on the remaining contestants, apple strudel commence. X Factor who? 

Shop TEA now at HOJ! 

Totally rave, yah!

(Images courtesy of style.com)

Whatever you think of Henry Holland and his ‘posse’ (Pixie, Grimy, Alexa and Harry… say no more) you got to hand it to him, his AW13 collection was perhaps his best yet. This was mainly due to the cocktail glass motif that was weaved in throughout (the drop earrings and embroidered denims were sublime) and perhaps less the term ‘Rave Nana’ that was coined as the inspiration behind it.

However, the mix of abstract prints, fun knitwear, garish colours and punchy jewelled fabrics was something that could not be denied; the boy done good. With the term ‘Rave Nana’ being referenced to describe either a granddaughter raiding the wardrobe of an OAP in 1989 before trippin' to an acid house rave or the female in question, literally being a pill popping, eighty-eight year old. Either way, get involved!

This look is all about sticking to the traditional ‘grandma’ shape of pussy-bow blouses, balloon shoulders, sensible sweaters and full skirts but then puking over it with neon orange, swirls, vintage prints and hi-shine. Chuck a parka over and you're good to go. But just remember; Sunday lunch with your family the next day… and make sure your Nan's not left behind on the M62.
 
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Show a bit of skin...

(Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)

As the nights draw in and the temperature (apparently) drops, it’s time for your second skin to come out of hibernation and snuggle itself down over your bare torso. From the warm hues of the leopard and tiger print to its cold, heartless enemy, the reptile scale- the skin in general is having its style moment.

Thanks to Bet Lynch, Kat Slater and those D&G guys for keeping the spirit of the leopard alive and not kicking anymore. Being the easiest print to wear with a furry overcoat number, spiked ankle boots or on a handsome bag, it is a print that never fades. A tad tacky, a little cheap and a lot fabulous, it will keep you hot as Lynch’s fag this season. Tiger is saucy, zebra is a bit of alright too whilst all look marvellous with a bright rep lippy. And remember; animal print will never go out of fashion as the leopard simply never changes its spots.... or so they say.

Shop ANIMAL PRINT now at HOJ<<<

Nighthawk.

Forget the onesie (please god, let’s forget the onesie) for now it is all about the nightshirt making an appearance from the dark realms of your bedroom to the acceptable antics of day!

Who would have thought it; Michael Darling from Peter Pan being the inspiration behind the look? However, to make it fashion savvy enough to wear other than Christmas morning with your family (who are supposed to love you whatever you  look like) it must tick three specific boxes; be checked, knee length and buttoned all the way to the top- anything else would be well below par. So thank god HOJ has it all sewn up eh! In a variety of colour to match every laced boot and beanie in your wardrobe, the nightshirt is the item of the week. 

Now next up, long johns.... 

Shop the Nighthawk look NOW

Steal her Style: Lily Collins.

(Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com)

When Lily Collins rocked up at the Givenchy SS14 show on Sunday during Paris Fashion Week, there was a gasp from the FROW. For not only was she rocking this seasons cult Bambi jumper from the design house themselves, but she seemed to forgotten her trousers. With enough porcelain skin on show to appear sexy without going down the Katie Price route, it was finished off perfectly with a pair of simple ankle strappies and the lustful matching Givenchy purse; the look screamed, “This is my moment.”

The British actress let the neoprene print do the talking, and if like us you haven’t got £750 lying about going spare, then the HOJ bright graphic jumpers that have just dropped in store, are the ones for you. Starting at £30, they are the perfect pullover taking you from day to evening in a knitted tug. 

Perhaps not brave enough to just go out in your undies, then match your statement sweater with the incredibly priced, H&M pleather skirt and studded box clutch from Topshop, before strapping up with these monochrome Asos beauties. Finish with a wet look gel if you dare and pout those lips up with the ‘Paramount’ rich berry lipstick from Mac- we like to call it, Vixen Vibes. 

This look is FROW class- simple yet extremely effective. Kim Kardashian, take note… 

Shop at HOJ now!

(Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk) 

It's just, a little crush...

(Images courtesy of style.com) 

From all the daily requests you get on Facebook, it would be near impossible not to be aware of the phenomenon that is, Candy Crush!

Nope, thankfully not the game (seriously, get a life people) but the sweet-as-chocolate-boy hue that graced the AW13 catwalk. With the fashion pack moving on from candyfloss hair (when that bird from X Factor requested ‘pink’ to her hairdresser, you knew it was well and truly done) and has since moved on to become the colour of choice to wear.

We are talking sickly sweet, make the boys wink, PINK! Seen at Moschino Cheap & Chic, Miu Miu, Jonathan Saunders and Carven (that satin ruched number I need, no NEED) is all about femininity with a kick- smashing it,  full on, Chloe Moretz style. From tailored suits with punky-trimmed black and platform creepers, figure hugging and scowling, fluffy and fetish and witchy polka dot- it is the colour in which everyone can find a shade that suits.  

And if you can’t, well I’ll join the masses on the morning commute and crush some serious candy.

Shop CANDY at HOJ now! 

Introducing, Kane and the Camo.

(Images courtesy of style.com)

Gwen Stefani may have sung about clearing out Vivienne Westwood in a Galliano gown in 2004, but it’s safe to say in 2013, it is all about Christopher Kane.

If Christopher Bailey and his Burberry brigade are the hottest ticket in town when it comes to LFW (by ‘hot’ we mean Harry Styles and Suki-whatsherface…) then Christopher Kane is his younger, ballsier brother who is about to take the trench right of his back. Having been compared to Gianni Verace by Donatella (who he partnered with for Versus) his beautifully cut designs have enough guts and intrigue to keep the younger fashion pack happy and unconditionally supportive. With the Scot selling 51% of his stake in the brand to luxury holding company Kering, who also represent Stella McCartney, Gucci and Saint Laurent, simply means the world is now officially his pearly oyster

And this is why we love him. For AW13 Kane has single-handedly brought back the camo print in a BIG way. Forget the Destiny’s Child two-piece or All Saints’ combats of synthetic style from the 90’s – banish it from your mind- this time around it is about LUXE. Wear the print with a knitted sweater, a fur jacket and a pair of heels to bring the glam into cam. But if the print still brings back too many awful memories of dancing around your bedroom to the Vengaboys, then simply pick up the khaki hue and blend it in with metallics and denim. It really is the trend of the season. Trust.

Shop at House of Jam NOW. 

Marky Marc and the Tarty Bunch.

It's time to get your Jacobs on this season with an oversized tartan number that is literally, so hot right now. As seen on the catwalk at the Marc by Marc Jacobs AW13 show- the younger, fresher fusion clothing line from the American designer, it seems McTartan is back in a big way this Autumn. Be it a full-blown Westwood style suit, a tightly wrapped scarf over a leather bomber or this mohair beauty from HOJ- however you inject tartan into your everyday look is fine with us, just make sure you do. And at a smidgen of the designer price with that one-off, original vintage touch, it is time to form an orderly queue ladies. And if you can't do that- have a little jig instead. Just remember your undies. 

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