The SS14 Lookbooks That Sum Up How I'd Like To Dress

Yet again, I'm hankering after an aesthetic I'll never have. Old habits die hard I guess, my latest batch of inspiration comes courtesy of a few SS14 lookbooks and there's not a hope in hell I'll ever come close to this vision of gorgeousness. Instead I'm going to look to them for a few different reasons, the styling, the mood (hopefully I can get some pebble beach snaps) and of course the actual pieces themselves. Even though it's unlikely I'll be able to buy much from these images, sometimes they throw up a few possibilities for what I already have (Won Hundred is a good example of this). I'm really excited for Summer this year, I have a good feeling about the weather and I'm hoping to get out of my slight rut and make some changes. This is the kind of wardrobe I'd like to help me along the way.

To Be Adored

For some reason To Be Adored (formerly tba) has been off my radar for a while and it wasn't until these photos popped up on my Twitter feed, that I realised the new direction the brand had taken. There's still those girly details and organza fabrics but also a few pieces that are less flouncy, some even sporting quirky prints. The double-layered dress on the right really caught my eye, it's a shape I'm tempted by at the moment and I love it in a simple stripe. I'm definitely going to be on the site a lot more often now.

Toast

Toast can be a bit hit and miss for me, I never feel as if I'd be tall and Tilda Swinton enough for some of the dresses and trousers. However after trying on a few frocks at the Never Underdressed shoot recently, I was pleasantly surprised. The lookbooks are always perfectly dreamy and prove that basics don't have to be boring.

Tara Starlet

Now for a bit of a retro colour riot. I'm a major fan of the 50s silhouette especially during the Summer months when I like to ramp up the kitsch factor a little more. Fortunately Tara Starlet has produced enough matching sets to keep me happy plus a gingham skirt that can't fail to raise a smile. I have an outfit coming up that channels this aesthetic perfectly and it's a nice change from some of the curve-disguising bits I'm also fond of.

The Reformation

Now although I'm in the wrong continent for this brand (I've learnt the hard way about customs), it doesn't stop me wishing for their perfectly formed dresses. Some of my favourite sort of designs are improvements for what's already out there and The Reformation is inspired by vintage through and through. I've never liked so many photos on Instagram at once.

Won Hundred

This wouldn't be a true lookbook round-up without a Scandi brand and Won Hundred has been one of my favourites to admire from afar for a long time. The lookbook has given me a few styling ideas for some of the basic tees and jumpers I have lying around plus I'd like to add some crazy things like culottes to push my style boundaries further. There's now a generous selection on ASOS and Urban Outfitters, so I don't have to risk sending things back across the North Sea in case my minimalist dreams go horribly wrong.

YMC

Not to be confused with a certain song by the Village People, YMC is definitely a lot more successful in the fabric department. The dip-dyed dress stopped me in my tracks when I saw it in a window a few weeks ago and each individual piece always boasts something unique, whether it's a certain yarn or back detail. I've managed to pick up a few bargains on ASOS before and am currently stalking this little number for the Summer months.
Which lookbook is your favourite? I'm also excited for the new Coco Fennell collection after seeing a sneak peek on her Instagram.