I scream, you're outta your mind.

If it’s good enough to lick, it’s good enough to wear- that’s what they say, right?

Whether your favourite temptation of flavour is strawberry cheesecake, peach melba, banana split, minty chip or failsafe vanilla; it’s time to take inspiration from the delectable pastel taste of summer and childhood days gone by. Sitting on the pebbles of Brighton, chilling in London Fields with friends, floating through Brockwell lido or on a roof terrace in Clapton (I’ve heard it’s the place to be) nothing sums up ‘heat wave’ than a good old vintage Cornetto. Now it’s time for your clothes to incorporate the same feel good vibes.

Pastel is incredibly easy to wear as it works with every skin tone- the key is to go a shade or two lighter/darker to complement. Combining a stripe, a pleated skirt, a tie, a crop or faded denim playsuit can keep the look cute yet interesting, whist staying away from garish print and graphic formations to give it a scoop effect rather than twister-y taste. The ice cream hues are perfect when styling with the 1950's cat eye sunnies, rollers under full wrap headscarves, peep toe slingbacks and the must-have curvy behind. Well, with all that sugar to get through, it’s a blimmin’ good job… 

It's Getting Hot in Here: New In Store!

I am getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off ...(or buy new ones)

The sun is finally here and according to Mr weather man it's here to stay. As well as gearing up for what is set to be a scorcher this weekend we've also added some gorgeous new pieces to our store. 

The Dress 

This halter neck denim dress is easily one of our favorites to come in this season. The cute button down fastenings and waist tie add that extra bit of detailing to what is otherwise a very simple dress. Simplicity of course is beautiful and the halter neck shape gives this dress an understated feminine feel. Denim dresses look great with espadrilles but we're also teaming ours with our Jelly shoes and white DM sandals. 

The Tee 

Denim cut-offs and a tee, the go-to combo of the summer. It's easy, no faffing required and when everything else looks inexplicably wrong you know you can rely on your trusty Levis. Who said separates were challenging? We love this tee because of its candy stripe colours but also because of the adorable Granddad esque collar and metal studded buttons. Roll up your sleeves and get tucked in!

The Kimono 

A kimono is for life, not just for summer. However, like puppies at Christmas, there's nothing better than rocking one of our creations when the sun is shining. OK, so maybe a few things but you catch our drift. They've swiftly becoming our staple piece, mainly down to the fact that they're so easy to wear and of course, the beautiful designs and material we use. Perfect for throwing over anything, kimonos are the perfect way to spruce up that favourite combo of ours. 

The Vintage Piece

Finding a good piece of vintage can be a bit of a lucky dip sometimes, but we've struck gold and unearthed some beautiful 100% silk kimonos. We particularly fell in love with this rather special red number. It has gold and blue embroidery all over and two pockets on the front. BEAUT.

SHOP HOUSE OF JAM 

I Think I Need a Vacay: Our Holiday Essentials

Packing for your holiday can be stressful, especially if you're signed up to the good old one item of hand luggage only rule. Making sure you have everything you need and fitting it into one tiny weekend bag is a skill, in fact it's an art. Everyone knows the trick is to only pack what you're realistically going to wear. This means the backless gold jumpsuit with floor length tassels from River Island that's 2 sizes too small, that you bought 2 years ago, to wear once you'd lost a few pounds (but haven't) stays at home in your bottom drawer, where it belongs. We're a strong believer in the pack-by-day-plan technique, choosing one option for each day of your vacay, and one only! This requires conviction and foresight, two things that may go out the window when you're trying to squeeze 15 bikinis into the inside pocket of your case. 

Now we can't help you be a better person or packer, but we can list our favourite items that will be making it into our cases this summer for when we finally jet off into the sunshine. 

The Black One Piece

Get yourself a decent cossie this year. Bikini's are cool and all but suits have a certain je ne sais quoi that make bikini wearers look like they stepped fresh out of Teen Vogue. We're not talking special K vibes here, or those mumsie 90's throw backs American Apparel are rinsing this summer We're talking statement suits, solid bright colours and sexy cut outs. We love this one shouldered piece from ASOS, all black, asymmetrical shape and mesh inserts, perfect for when that base tan kicks in. 

The Pussy Cat Shades

There are two types of sunglasses people; there are those who get through sunnies quicker than they get through socks, then there are those who invest in some serious eye gear, carry protective cloth around with them and get really uncomfortable when you ask if you can try them on. The latter are the ones who have the best eye game, they're ones who might invest in a pair of these babies (see below). These Illesteva beauties, produced in collab with Zac Posen, are the perfect and much more glamourous alternative to the round spectacle frame specs which still seem to be doing the rounds this season. 

The HOUSEOFJAM Kimono 

Like we said earlier, you need to be economical with space when packing. Which is why including versatile pieces in your case leaves more room for all the things you hate to pack but have to i.e. your freakin massive hairdryer. The kimono is our fail safe all rounder, beach cover-up in the day and throw it over anything in the evening. They're the simplest way to liven up the levi cut-offs/vest combo, a look we which we pretty much live in, especially when we're on our hols. 

SHOP HOUSEOFJAM 

WE ❤ CLASHING FLORALS

It was a key trend last Spring now they're back for round 2 this summer, head to toe botanical prints might not sound like everyone's cup of tea but if you can pull it off then throw caution to the wind and go floral! 

According to some there are no rules in fashion, however we have a few and here are 3 we think help to avoid looking a little less Hyacinth Bucket and bit more Solange. 

1. BLOCK IT UP 

You can opt for head to toe and still break it up with maybe a vest or crop top underneath. Anchor your busy prints with a solid block of colour to give a bit more depth to your get up. 

2. STREAM LINED 

Keep silhouettes stream lined for a more lady like finish. As there should be a lot going on in terms of colour and print, keep it simple in terms of shape and cut. We're loving tailored shorts with cropped jackets as well as maxi length skirts with cropped tee's or vests. 

3. ANTI-MATCHYMATCHY  

Avoid being matchy matchy like the plague, there's nothing more contradictory or Laura Ashley than matchy matchy 'clashing' florals, it undermines the whole trend which in essence should be (even though we know its not) a spontaneous mix of bright, bold patterns that you just threw on and now happen to look amazing.

SHOP HOUSE OF JAM NOW! 

SHOP HOUSE OF JAM NOW! 

Up The Panty: High legged swimwear DO or DON'T?

High legged swimwear, it's crept it's way back in and now we have a choice to make, do we embrace the hype with open arms or stay loyal to our hipster briefs? The claim is they create a longer sexier line, define the waist and lengthen the leg but are they really that flattering? We think you have to have a few squats in the bank before you can truthfully answer yes to that question. Thing is, while a high leg panty might have looked heavenly on Baywatch, if you can pinch an inch, you're in trouble. If the Eric Prydz video taught us one thing, it's to book yourself in for a hollywood and get down to zumba before you dive thigh first into this one. 

The HL Ambassadors

1. Yasmin Bleeth in Baywatch (never Pammy) 

2. Cindy Crawford in... the 90's 

3. This bird from American Apparel 

4. Elle Macpherson in this ridiculous picture 

5. Salma Hayek in Dusk Til Dawn 

Graduate Fashion Week - The Winners

In a country where raw young talent it nurtured and encouraged, It's great to see how this years Graduate Fashion Week has been celebrated. Coverage of this years event is everywhere and so it should be. London has always been the epicenter for aspiring designers, it's punk inspired ethos creating a stable platform for young designers, enabling them to work their way up the ranks, turning their designs into actual brands. Remember 2012, the year London killed it at Fashion week? The year the focus was shifted from Paris, the year the likes of Meadham Kirchoff, Marios Schwab and Mary Katrantzou produced 'those' collections forcing fashion heavy weights to take notice, and see our capital as the 'key' fashion week? Well we reckon in a few years when this lot have made their way up the ladder, history will be repeating itself. The winners of this years GFW have definitely upped it a gear this year, with the bar being well and truly lifted. 

Gold Award Winner - Lauren Smith

Womenswear Award Winner - Hannah Williams 

Zandra Rhodes Textile Award - Kirandeep Bassan

Josephine Pettman 

Thea Saunders

♥ ♥ ♥ Guest Blogger - SUMMER SELECTA! ♥ ♥ ♥

Guest blogger, make-up artist HerRoyalMeredith, makes her summer selection from our new pieces in store this week... 

1. The Cropped Jacket 

LOVELOVELOVE this cute Balmain-esque embroidered number. You can never fail with a piece that defines the waist and accentuates the hips - cropped jackets are always a winner with me as they're best pals with the LBD and look just as good with cuts offs and a vest. This piece scores extra brownie points with it's over-sized 80's feel and cute button up detailing. 

SHOP JACKETS

 

2. The Kaftan Dress

God love a Kaftan. This is going to be my summer time savior, no doubt. Team with a pair of sky-highs you get that 70's glamour, lots of movement, billowing fabric and tassels flying everywhere, stick on a pair of flats and you've got the perfect beach cover up. Glasto's just around the corner and this beauty is going to see me through the highs, the lows and the loos. 

SHOP DRESSES

3. The Over-sized Shirt 

This shirt reminds me a little of Peter Pilotto's S/S '12, which remains one of my favourites. The dreamy graphic print and the bright blues, perfect for the summer, look great with the over-sized shape and roll up sleeves. I'd pair this my skinniest skinnies and highest heels.

SHOP SHIRTS

We ♥ Man-Repellers

Jelly Shoes...

These childhood classics are beyond cute and will remain in our hearts and on our feet forever. However, nostalgia and cuteness is lost on boys for 2 reasons:

1. Boys who wore jelly shoes at school were cannon fodder for the boys who wore kickers.

2. Boys can't hack blisters.

High-waisted Jeans...

We have no idea what their deal is with these, it will remain one of life's unsolved mysteries. They eliminate the threat of muffin top, suck up the stomach and bigs up the booty. We can pop, lock and drop without our panties peeking out a la Katie Price style, always a bonus, so whatever their problem is, we're past caring. HW4LYF!

Roll Necks...

We see Sade, they see their old maths teacher. We're not going to argue, when worn incorrectly

roll necks can look a little less chic and a lot more frump, but they feel too right to be wrong!

We Like Short Shorts!

Summer is finally here! We think... Perhaps... Let me check... Um... I think I see the sun...? No wait...  Anyway, it's going to be November before you know it so as far as your summer wardrobe is concerned, the time is NOW! Suck it up, ditch the tights and brave it with bare legs. While you're at it, swerve the heavy knitwear and get some sun/day light on those pasty limbs.

We've got some great high-waisted beauties to get you in the mood for summer, perfect for festivals and even better for lapping up some proper weather in sunnier climes. Here at House of Jam we like to think of ourselves as connoisseurs of the high waist, hand picking only the finest selection for you lovely people, and tweaking them to the perfect up to date, on trend, fit and shape This season, our short shorts are the new Palazzo pant, think less length, more booty....

Festival Fashwan

Whether you're into rolling around Stone Circle or parading along Las Ramblas, one things for certain, the most important thing at festivals (after having fun) is your wardrobe.

We picked 5 festivals we're off to this summer and a fail safe get-up to match...

Sonar 13th-15th June

Ditch the flat, opt for a block and DON'T forget your sunnies. Our Tie dye dress work wonders with a little bit of added height, these Aladdin gladiator boots from TOPSHOP are the perfect match. 

HOUSEOFJAM - TIE DIE DRESS

Aladdin Gladiator Sandals - TOPSHOP, 'Together Forever' rings - NICO NI, 'Feel My Pulse' MAC lipstick

Glastonbury 26th - 30th June

Don't cringe out in a pair of pink hunters, man up! A bit of mud never hurt anyone. Keep it simple with our fringed Kimono, cut offs and a lil'bumbag for all your essentials. Don't forget the baby wipes!

HOUSEOFJAM - KIMONO 

Jeepers Peepers Sunglasses @ ASOS, sequinned bumbag - ASOS, Ankle Boots - ALDO

LOVEBOX 19th-21st July

The highlight of the London people watchers year, flat surfaces and open spaces. Long as it's dry we're pro-heel, but keep it thick though, save sinking into soggy grass for Glasto. 

HOUSEOFJAM - SASHA CAPE DRESS

Sunglasses - ASOS, 'Avenger' Chelsea Boot - ASOS, Viva La Glam Lipstick - MAC

Secret Garden 25th - 28th July

Don't go too cray cray with the face paint, it'll be on the floor in 10 minutes and you won't be able to pick up the pieces. Get physical with a tub of MAC reflects transparent pink glitter and shimmer your way through til Monday.

HOUSEOFJAM - TIE DIE DRESS

Striped rucksack - ASOS, Glitter - MAC, Sunglasses - ASOS

Dimensions - 5th - 9th September

There's nothing luxe about sun burn and sweat, which is why getting dressed in 30 degree heat sometimes calls for simplicity and no frills. Our polka dot 2 piece is not only easy on the eye but easily slipped on and off....Handy. 

HOUSEOFJAM - POLKADOT TWO-PIECE 
Flatforms - ASOS, Lashes - Illamasqua, Earrings - TOPSHOP