Archive for January, 2010

29th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Trends

Okay, ladies.

We know you’re all fashion forward and fabulous and you love creating on trend looks with your lovely Oli purchases. That’s why we’ve decided to put the fate of fashion into your hands with the Oli Style Selector. We’ll show you three outfits and you let us know which you like the best. Basically, you tell us which looks are floating your boat at the moment and we’ll do our best to bring you more fab fashion to fit your style.

To shop for any of the outfits below, just click on the picture below. You can tell us what you think about the Style Selector on Twitter by tweeting us @Oli_Blog.

First up… Nautical

Take a look at the four outfits below and choose your favourite on the poll.

Which of the outfits in this week's Style Selector is your favourite?

View Results

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Look one

Look one

Look two

Look two

Look three

Look three

Look four

Look four


28th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in celeb style

We’ve just heard the news that Ugly Betty has been cancelled after four brilliant seasons… Sob! The world of fashion TV will never be the same again.

Good to see that even this bombshell hasn’t derailed our favourite quirky, colourful character’s sense of style. America Ferrera wraps up to beat the January chill with a nod to nautical colours and detailing with her red shoes, blue tights and cute navy buttoned coat. We love the way she adds trademark kookiness by mixing it up with a statement handbag.

America Ferrera prepares herself for scenes where her character in Ugly Betty trips over marbles

Ugly Betty is in its fourth season in America but has yet to air in the UK, we can’t wait for our fix of new Mode action but we’ll be sad to see Betty leave our screens for good. At least we still have a while to steal her style!


27th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in As seen in the press

Stop the press…

We’ve got a taster of the latest Oli pieces to be featured in our fave magazines. From Grazia to Look Magazine, those fashionista journalists are loving some of the outfits on Oli.co.uk at the moment! We’ve even had celebs stepping out in our outfits, like Samia Smith in this fab peacock tunic dress, £20.

Samia Smith as seen in Look Magazine

Samia Smith as seen in Look Magazine

Peacock tunic, £14

Peacock tunic, £14

We were also featured in the Chiconomics section of Grazia with a Max C belt for £18 – an instant wardrobe update. Fabulous, the Sunday Mirror magazine, featured one of our Oli customer favourites: this gorgeous AX Paris black lace dress, £30.

Lace dress, £30

Lace dress, £30

We love knowing that we’re bang on trend without splashing too much cash and even the UK’s fashion editors agree that’s the way forward!


26th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Latest fashion news

Not that we ever need an excuse to splurge, but today dawned bright with not one, but two wonderful reasons to treat ourselves!

1. The recession is officially over!

Okay, it might only be by a teeny amount that we’ve scraped by but the country is officially getting back on its feet, hurrah! Never a better excuse to spend money on lovely new outfits – if anyone asks, you’re helping the economy recover…

2. Payday!

It’s the end of the month and that means for lots of us, the wonderful monthly joy that is payday. Forget the bills, the supermarket or fixing the car/heating/cat (delete as applicable!) – for at least a few minutes, you can bask in the glow of having a topped-up account again. Embrace the glow. Seize the moment. Go shopping! Get the latest looks right now from Oli without moving from your seat.

Payday + end of recession = treats

Now that’s the kind of maths we like. Genius!


25th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Trends

So, that’s Monday out of the way, phew. Hope you all had fab weekends!

It’s crazy how today’s just flown by. Mondays in the Oli office are always crazy (in a good way!) – researching the latest trends, digesting the latest celeb style news and of course, catching up on the weekend gossip! One of the trends that’s absolutely everywhere at the moment and that’s set to run right through spring is nude tones and neutral hues.

Don’t worry – we’re not suggesting you strip off in the name of fashion! Nude is the hottest shade to hit the catwalk in ages and is set to stick around for a goodwhile. From blush to beige, subtle pinks to creamy latte hues, the only colour to be seen in this season is a non-colour.

We’ve put together some of our favourite nude pieces to help you work this trend. It’s easy to wear and the multitude of nude shades you’re sure to find one to suit you. Try teaming loose nude knits with jeggings or opt for dresses in flowing fabrics and neutral colours. A quick way to update your look is to add a nude bag or some jewellery that fits the trend – a perfect quick fashion fix!

New trend - nudes

New trend - nudes


21st Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Trends

You know that feeling you get when your latest Oli purchase pops through your letterbox? That little tingle of excitement about your new outfit? Well, imagine that, multiplied by… well, lots. That’s the feeling we get every week when our new lines arrive – we just can’t wait to share them with you!

This week we’ve got lots of great transitional pieces – those kind of outfits that are perfect for seeing you through the last of winter whilst still nodding toward the upcoming SS10 collections. Have a look at our newest selection of dresses, tops, accessories and jewellery and treat yourself.

We love this Culture butterfly cowl neck tunic – the pop of colour is just the thing to perk up wintry mornings!

Culture butterfly tunic

Culture butterfly tunic


20th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Brand news, Latest fashion news

The Environmental Justice Foundation works to end forced child labour and pesticides in cotton production. Their ‘pick your cotton carefully’ campaign sees the EJF team up with a host of fashion talent to produce a range of organic cotton tees with a conscience.

With designs from Luella, Christian Lacroix, Betty Jackson and Alice Temperley and with £10 from each tee going directly to the EJF, these tees not only look good but you’ll feel great about wearing them too. I know I’ll be getting the Temperley one – it’ll look super cute for spring with jeggings and flats!

Alice Temperley for EJF

Alice Temperley for EJF

Luella for EJF

Luella for EJF

Lacroix for EJF

Lacroix for EJF

Betty Jackson for EJF

Betty Jackson for EJF



19th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in celeb style

Last night’s Brit awards launch party was just as much about the outfits as it was about the music. A sharp contrast to the Glamour of the Golden Globes, this party was all about being edgy, sassy and letting your inner rock chick shine through.

The nominations were star-studded, with La Roux, Florence and the Machine and Pixie Lott being just a few of our fave fashionistas in the running for a Brit award. But it was host Fearne Cotton who stole the show for us. Fearne made an on-trend style statement in a bright blue belted tunic, the perfect transitional season outfit. She teamed it with sheer patterned tights and shoe boots to toughen up the girlie tunic and her patterned tights added a quirky touch.

The Brit Awards 76d3 Brit awards launch party style crush

So, thanks to the lovely Fearne, tunics are officially our new style crush – versatile enough to dress down with pumps and leggings for the day time, or match with a statement belt and fab heels for evenings. Why not try out your favourite tunic outfits in our Look Book? Just browse the site and select ‘add to Look Book’ on the items you’d like to match together.

Tunics - our new style crush

Tunics - our new style crush


18th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Latest fashion news, celeb style

The Golden Globes saw the Hollywood A-list out in force last night, gracing the red carpet in their finery. Of course we were excited to see who’d won what, but we were more excited about who wore what!

Chloe Sevigny tried a trend that’s set to be big in 2010 – gorgeous feminine details, ruffles and sheer fabric. Drew Barrymore looked amazing in another huge look for spring – nudes.

Chloe Sevigny in feminine ruffles

Chloe Sevigny in feminine ruffles

Drew Barrymore works the red carpet in nudes

Drew Barrymore works the red carpet in nudes

An evening gown might be ideal for a Hollywood awards ceremony, but not really what you want to wear on a rainy Monday in January… Lucikly, we’re here with you style solution – red carpet inspiration but much easier to wear! Adding soft details to your outfit like this ruffle-neck top by Ted Baker will bring your look bang up to date. Or try nude hue in flowing fabric, like this Rare dress.

Ted Baker ruffle neck top, £80

Ted Baker ruffle neck top, £80

Rare satin neck top, £25

Rare satin neck top, £25

Whose outfit was a winner for you, and who did you think were more Z-list than A-list? Tell us on Twitter: @Oli_Blog


15th Jan 2010, by Gemma, filed in Trends, celeb style

DVD rental services must be earning a fortune this month, with most of us giving up on partying. Instead, we’re snuggled as far under the duvet as possible,  determined not to leave the house unless absolutely necessary (and yes, running out of chocolate and magazines is a necessary reason to brave the big freeze!).

If you do make it out of your slippers (super stylish Bedroom Athletics ones, of course), it might feel as though everyone’s hibernating at the moment. But that doesn’t mean your style sense has to… Luckily, layering is huge right now. We’ve seen Agyness Deyn out and about in leather work boots, super-skinny black jeans and a cosy cape: if it’s good enough for Agy, it’s good enough for us!

Team your knits with leather accessories and skinny denim for a look that’s on-trend and snug. Here are some of our fave pieces that finish off the layered look beautifully:

Layer upon layer of loveliness

Oli cape cardigan, £38

Diesel leather gloves £75

Diesel leather gloves, £75

Oli snood, £15

Oli snood, £15

An excuse to get wrapped up warm in the name of fashion – it sounds too good to be true!

Have a fab weekend!