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 

Summer TRENDS X Summer PIECES

Botanical Prints 

Miranda Priestly would kill me for saying this but, this season florals are back, surprise! This time round they've taken a much bolder form, think high spec Japanese wallpaper crossed with Pat Butcher's curtains. Thing is, with this trend, you can take it any which way you want; go big and bright or tiny and understated, everyone's a winner. We love our cute button up tea dress with it's bright red blooms and little berries, there's even a little bird on there somewhere. 

That 70's show 

It's a tad cliche to describe a trend through the decade it was prevalent, it's also the most accurate. The 70's exudes that easy elegance that isn't quite there in many of the decades that followed. Shout out to Hedi Slimane, who in his first collection for YSL showcased a selection of tailored trouser suits and wide brimmed hats, cutting out the cruddy hippy vibes and referencing the much more elegant, mature side of the flower power fashion years. This candy striped mini dress with its pussy bow detailing is our nod to easy 70's elegance. 

The Minimalist

Perfect for summer, this no nonsense approach to dressing is one of our favourite trends this summer. Simple lines, no fuss, easy. Just stick on your favourite pair of trainers/ jellies/heels and you’re good to go. Having spent all winter being a maximalist converting to minimalism might take a bit of getting used to. Just take it one step at a time and when you feel the urge to reach for a belt, think again! Our gingham mini in the perfect summer party dress, team it with a pair of heeled chunky boots for a more grungy feel. 

Keep it Cropped

As you may know, here at House of Jam HQ, crop tops are our FAVE. They have swiftly become a staple basic in our spring/summer wardrobe, the go-to piece when nothing else seems to looks right. Even though some people don't seem to have the stomach for it, you don't need Beyonce abs to pull it off. It's not even your abs being showcased, its more a sneak preview than full blown flesh baring. The crop top works hand in hand with another fave our ours, anything high waisted. Team with elegant tailoring or a trusty a-line pencil skirt to accentuate narrowest part of your waist. 

Statement Shirt 

Bold prints and bright colours are everywhere, and we're loving the simplicity of a good shirt to convey both. Head to toe print and colour can sometimes be too much, which is why this season we've got in the habit of opting for the statement shirt, thrown over a pair of black skinnies. Et voila! They go with practically everything and we have some absolute beauties in store. 

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 

♥ ♥ ♥ 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