fashion Archives - Megan Taylor

WHY YOU NEED A TRIP TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

Hello Autumn, is that you I see? 🍂Autumn has crept up after the long hot summer and I am really excited about it. To me, Autumn conjures up thoughts of exciting layered fashion, Strictly Come Dancing, hot chocolate and long walks in the woods followed by cosy cuddles by the wood burning fire. With the kids going back to school, adults back to work and the roads and trains being busier in the mornings, it has got me thinking…I need a long weekend away 😉 As a bit of a suburban dweller it has taken me a few years but I believe I have aced the art of a long weekend in the countryside. Let me tell you why you too need a trip to the countryside…oh and also the fashion items you will want to take with you.

This post is sponsored by the wonderful Celtic & Co. Shop their clothes here.

RUN THE MOUNTAINS

Wether you walk or run, go and seek some adventure. Relaxing is so much more rewarding after working. My parents’ house is surrounded by mountains. They are right in the middle of the Brecon Beacons so we are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking our spot. Liam and I tend to run the Skirrid, Derry or the Sugar Loaf. Once you reach the peak and see the epic views you will feel accomplished and literally on top of the world. Once you have conquered your mountain or field or even the block you will be filed with fresh air and ready to justify a pub lunch.

LAZY PUB LUNCHES

Long lazy pub lunches are so much better in the countryside. The pubs feel so much cosier, especially in Autumn/Winter. There are often log fires and cosy little nooks to sit in with your loved one. What I also adore about the country pubs is that 99.9% of them I have visited have allowed dogs. I know not everyone is a dog person but I feel they add to the relaxed care free vibe. I am vegetarian and spent my childhood avoiding pub lunches with my family because they were so bad at catering for veggies. With time that has completely changed, you can’t get away from sweet potato fries and halloumi and for that I am forever thankful.

WHY YOU NEED A TRIP TO THE COUNTRYSIDE | Megan Taylor

• TRACKIES • SLIPPERS • CARDIGAN •

QUIRKY CAFES

Continuing on the food conversation, I am here with my love of cafes. I love stumbling across quirky little cafes around small towns. They all tend to be little independents which makes you feel like you are supporting the community. Abergavenny in South Wales is filled with them, my favourite being The Chapel. The food is fresh and exciting and they even serve alcohol to go alongside your cake…perfecting at it’s finest. I am in Abergavenny this weekend for the Abergavenny Food Festival and can’t wait to eat all the cheese.

SIT BY THE FIRE

My parents have a lovely wood burning fire and we light it the second we arrive. If we aren’t going out for the day we light it first thing in the morning giving full on Little Women vibes (one of my favourite books). The sound and heat of a roaring fire with a cosy old movie on in the background is absolute heaven for me. I do however have to fight my dog Coco to the hotspot in front of the fire.

• CARDIGAN •

FORAGING AND FARMER’S MARKETS

As I said earlier, I am off to a food festival this weekend which we do most years. The opportunity to discover new food and nibble goodies whilst talking to the owners is something that I am loving doing more as I have got older. When I was younger I hated my parents taking forever between each stand but I am now that person. If you go out for a walk make sure you bring a bag, you never know what you may find. Liam and I have been known to come back with berries, mushrooms and even apples to cook up a storm with.

CUDDLE

If you are in the countryside with a loved one then a cuddle is definitely in order. Pop on your cosy clothes and snuggle up together for extra bonus romantic points. I adore these lounge pants (remind me of Rachel from Friends ‘Apartment Pants’) and slippers for perfect lounging attire.

Are you a fan of being in the countryside or would you rather be in the City?

WHAT TO PACK

The weather can be obviously be a bit skitty. One minute it is raining and cold, the next sunny and warm. The most important factor for me was to have a pair of boots for walks and slippers for the minute you walk in the front door. This cardigan was my saviour last time we went to Wales, it was warm-ish so I was in a dress and flip flops but when we were walking around town there was a strong breeze. I popped this cardigan on and I was super cosy. I am not your best friend when I am cold 😉 . Oh, also, I got Coco a matching jumper to my cardigan for ultimate cuteness. I also adore these lounge pants because even though they are merino they don’t itch, even in the slightest! Also, after 3 days of lounging about the house in them, they didn’t get saggy knees, that’s a sure sign of an amazing pair of trackies.

• BOOTS • SCARF • DOG JUMPER •

John Lewis AND/OR

Last week I was invited to one of the best fashion parties I have ever been to…and it was held in a shop! It was at John Lewis on Oxford Street. Liam and I were ushered in through the side door entrance and dropped off in front of the AND/OR sign to have our photos taken. The next day I found my cheesy mug shot on Getty Images. I have been on Getty Images a lot before but as an anonymous model from photoshoots, not as a named blogger. You may cringe but I was pretty chuffed that the photographer even remembered my name haha. The event held by John Lewis was to launch their cool LA inspired own brand collection called AND/OR. The collaborative collection between John Lewis and West Coast cool duo Calvin Rucker has resulted in an affordable fashionable look for the fashion conscious ranging from £22 for a t’shirt to £250 for the softest, creamiest leather jacket you can get your hands on.
(What I am Wearing In The Header Pic: AND/OR Jumper • AND/OR Avalon Jeans)

(Photo: David M Benett @ Getty Images)
(Wearing: AND/OR Avalon Jeans)

CUSTOMISE YOUR CLOTHES

A super exciting bonus to this collection is that John Lewis on Oxford Street has opened a Denim Workshop which is open daily from 12 noon until store close from 6th April – 19th April (apart from Easter Sunday). The service is FREE to AND/OR customers and only a small fee to personalise non AND/OR products. I am definitely skipping on down there next week with my jeans to get them personalised. Check my image above of all the amazing patches you can have attached. It is such an incredible service which is normally a process saved for big press and blogger events, so to see a store providing this is really exciting.

THE EVENT

Huddled in the AND/OR section of John Lewis store we were all on show for everyone to look on and wonder what all the fuss and party was all about. The event was attended by some exciting celebrities including the ever so gorgeous Gemma Chan who I have been loving in Humans…seriously, how can someone be that pretty?!!! Mollie King from the Saturdays was resident DJ for the latter half of the event playing some of my favourite sing along pop/dance music. The changing rooms housed a photobooth/Giff-booth which Liam and I played around with and got some lovely photos…I should have inputted them in this blog whoops! With the flowing alcohol you had a chance to shop the collection in an inebriated state, I am hoping for the sake of the cool collection that they made a fortune that evening hehe.

THE DRINK

The LA inspired nibbles and cocktails were readily flowing, along with yummy bubbly from Skinny Prosecco. I loved the touch of straws in open bottles. Not only does this save the environment with no washing up and plastic cups but it also looks super cute when photographed with the branded lipstick friendly straws. The mojitos were wonderfully lethal!

SHOP ☆ AND/OR

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What is your favourite item from the collection?

An Interview With Fittings Division

Back when I first graduated as a dancer I stumbled across Fittings Division with no idea of what a fittings model was and no idea of what my future fittings life was set to become. Without anything to lose I thought I would apply to their agency and was very quickly emailed back with an invitation to come into the office to be measured. Back then it was just brother and sister team, Alex and Gemma running the office in Great Titchfield Street, I even think their mum was in the office. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and after being measured they were certain I would get work very easily. A couple of days later I was booked in for a mornings fitting at Firetrap and an afternoon at Puma. I was shocked at how quickly I got work. I was even more shocked at the great pay for doing a relatively easy job (although once you work a full day at a high fashion brand standing in stacked high heels for nine hours you will realise that it can be incredibly tiring). Fittings work has led me to do in-house fashion shows for some hugely famous high fashion designers, photo shoots, e-commerce and even showroom work in Paris for numerous fashion companies. Eight years later I am still working with Fittings Division and they haven’t changed even a little bit, they are still as friendly as when they first started their agency over ten years ago.
Two office changes later and Fittings Division are now based in Brick Lane in an uber trendy office with huge light up FD initials propped up on their windowsill…you haven’t made it until you own these light up letters (where are mine??). With a few more staff to help run their popular agency they are definitely heading up the now very busy fittings market. After my viral blog post on The Secret Life Of A Fittings Model was published in the Daily Mail I knew people were very interested in the fittings world so I thought I had better interview them and ask some of your most asked questions.

BACKGROUND

What made you start a fittings model agency?
After working in the fashion and modelling industry for years I realised there was a big gap in the market for a specialist fittings agency.

Who works in the office?
There are 5 of us in the office . Me, Gemma (owner), Alex (owner), Donna (head booker), Brenda (Accounts) and now Ellen who looks after all our social media platforms.

What is an average day of a fittings model agent?
It can start really early. If a model falls ill during the night they may inform us at 5am that they cannot make their fit session that day, it is then our responsibility to find the client a cover model usually before 9am. Once in the office we firstly ensure that all last minute bookings have been covered, from then on it is a continuous stream of bookings via email and phone that come in from our clients, so managing a large and very busy diary system is a big part of the job. Two days a week we hold all day castings for all new sizes/faces we then make cards for the new potentials. Promoting our agency and new models to all new clients is also a daily job.

Do your fittings models ever get booked for campaigns or to walk in shows because of their fittings work?
Absolutely. We have countless e-commerce, showroom, photographic and catwalk clients all of whom have decided to use the same model they fit on to help with continuity.

WHAT IS A FITTINGS MODELS?

What is a fittings model?
Fit models are the human equivalent to a mannequin. They provide useful and constructive advice to designers during the garment production process.

What kinds of jobs are there for fittings models?
It is really diverse, we have some models who fit daily and some who fit just once a week. You could be fitting for a high street brand for two hours one day, then flown to Paris for a weeks fitting with a famous designer the next. We also have models who fit for shoes, underwear, swimwear & maternity clients.

What is your most popular model size booked by clients?
We often say that we can never have enough size 12’s and that is probably still the case. We have a lot of girls come through the door that are size 8 or 10 but we would really like to build on our plus sizes. Being in proportion is very important for a fittings model.

Is there equal pay in the industry for men and women?
Yes definitely.

Is there an age cap on fittings modelling or even a starting age?
We see models from around 20 years old up to 50.

Does fittings work pay well?
It depends on the amount of hours you do but yes it can pay extremely well. We have many models who are full time fitting models.

TOP TIPS

How should someone get into fittings modelling?
They should definitely read up on what it is first to make sure that it is something they really think they can do. Take a look at the You Tube video at the bottom of this interview to give you an idea of what fittings work entails. After that it’s a simple case of applying and being seen by an agency.

Do potential fittings models need a model portfolio?
No, but do bear in mind that quality photos make a massive difference. If you haven’t got a portfolio then get a friend to take some decent pictures with a plain white background. A picture of you in a park on a swing or with mates at a party just isn’t going to work.

What items must every fittings model own?
Nude underwear, a padded bra, a thong, a head band, some high heels, a dressing gown and a plain black pair of leggings and a vest top and for the boys – boxers, tight fitting pants, smart shoes or trainers (if you are working for a fitness brand). These are just some of the things you may be asked to bring to a fit session.

What qualities makes for a successful fittings model?
Great measurements, good proportion, personality, good hygiene and perfect timekeeping.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are inspired to become a fittings model or have more questions for them head on over to their website or follow Fittings Division on their social media channels.
Website • Blog • Instagram • Twitter

{L-R – Donna, Gemma, Ellen, Alex, Leon (dog)}

The Cashmere Hoodie

Ok…so I lured you in under false pretences. This is not actually a cashmere hoodie but an £8 hoodie that feels exactly like an expensive cashmere hoodie. I am in love and I have to tell you about my new found hoodie obsession. If you were to feel it for yourself you wouldn’t believe where it is from.

PRIMARK

Surprisingly this hoodie is from Primark. Even though I have been wearing this hoodie out and about it is actually part of their nightwear range. When you touch the fabric it is hard to believe it is only £8, yet when you step foot in Primark you kind of expect it to be about that price. I feel like it is a great buy and I may need to go and get another one just so I can rotate it in my clothes washing routine.

HOW TO WEAR IT

This hoodie is quite thin so I have found that it is great to layer up during the cold snap that we are experiencing yet will easily transition into the spring and summer when we wont need to layer it. Stick a leather jacket on top for a cool look or wear it before and after your gym class for a cosy vibe. Primark even sell tracksuit bottoms in the same fabric. I wouldn’t suggest venturing out of the house in the full set for fear of looking a little too much like you are out in your PJs.

SHOP ☆ GREY HOODIES

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OOTD {November 25th}

I am beginning a new fashion series on my blog which I hope you will all like and be inspired by. I am aiming to put up a blog post once a week which features an OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) which showcase fashion items I have loved during the week. This week I am featuring what has kept me warm over a very chilly weekend break in Wales.

Jacket

If you can’t afford the saught after shearling aviator jacket from Acne then this jacket from Zara is a must have for you. It is near identical. Literally sooo identical that I am not sure how Zara got away with it? Unfortunately for Acne, their loss is my gain and a near £1800 saving.

Hat

A couple of friends at bootcamp had these festive alcohol bobble hats on and I immediately fell in love with them, especially once I realised they had cute alcoholic puns. Gin-gle Bells and Proseco Ho Ho.

I am aiming to keep up with these short and sweet OOTD fashion posts for you to help inspire your seasonal fashion picks.

Treat Yourself This Black Friday

Some people in the UK are showing signs of getting angry that us Brits have started celebrating an American tradition. I personally do not understand why you would be angry at something that is giving us money off a pleasurable experience? Well…for those who fancy a little Black Friday treat for themselves I have rounded up some amazing deals that you can shop right now.

MONOCHROME

BRIGHTS

Just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean we have to stick to colours that look like the dead leaves on the floor (see my last blog post). I am a big lover of everything from Wildfox because their clothes are insanely soft and luxurious. Now that the Black Friday sales have started I am definitely going to be purchasing a huge load of their goodies.

HANDBAGS

A fancy handbag or clutch can add a dash of playfulness and colour to even a simple T-Shirt and jeans combo.

What will you treat yourself to this Black Friday?

Playful Fashion OOTD

As the days are getting darker and more and more rain seems to be falling, I have began to add a hint of colourful playfulness to my outfits. I have realised that I tend to wear all black everything for model castings. Mostly because it is easy to decided what to wear but I recently realised that I kind of looked like a cat burglar. It is with this that I have decided to start adding a little pop of colour and playfulness to my outfits. Whenever I wear one of my tops that I have included in this post someone compliments me on it. It is a great conversation starter for sure.

I may not have spoken French since I flunked my French GCSEs but I am a sucker for a Bretton style top, especially this simple vest from H&M.

Who doesn’t love a flamingo?

Flamingos have been popping up all over the high street. This one is from H&M. I also know for a fact that a high fashion company have flamingos in their collection for AW17! So invest in some flamingos now ahead of the fash pack.

This Mickey Mouse Tshirt is from Topshop and is gorgeously bright. Very simply paired with a pair of black jeans, you have the perfect weekend outfit.

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Have you got any exciting colour pop outfits you can recommend?

High Street Haul August 2016

My most popular blogs and vlogs are my high street fashion hauls. You all seem to love the items I buy from Zara so this haul is dedicated to my fellow Zara adorers. I recently had a test shoot with the talented photographer Vaughan Treyvellan. A test shoot is basically an opportunity for a model to update their portfolio with images that are there to help them get booked on the next job or simply get the model called into a casting in the first place. I have been working on shoots and filming a lot lately which has meant that my portfolio is predominately jobbing photos, which are great but are obviously there to promote the product rather than me, myself.
When a model has a test shoot booked in they need to take along a load of clothes to shoot in. I love this opportunity. I get to embrace my inner stylist inspired by my interview with Clare Frith. I go into any shop I like and treat it as my dream wardrobe. I pick up absolutely everything and anything that takes my fancy and buy it all!! No lie!! I then stuff it all in a suitcase and head to my photoshoot. The hard part is trying not to hurt your bank balance by keeping every single item that you buy. Below you will see a few of the items that I did end up keeping.

☆☆☆

CHANEL VIBES
I adore this jacket as it has a touch of smart Chanel-esque vibe to it but is also a bit of a statement at the same time The jacket is super tactile and you will simply have to fondle the embroidered flowers that are loosely attached. Considering the amount of work that has gone into making this jacket I would say it is a complete bargain.

High Street Haul | August 2-16 | Megan Taylor

{Jacket : Zara} {Top : Zara} {Jeans : Topshop}

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PUSSY BOW ELEGANCE
This coat makes me incredibly happy and actually a bit giddy about Christmas. Under this coat I’m imagining a short black dress, black high heels and pearl earrings for my Christmas theatre trip. This coat will immediately dress up any outfit.

{Coat : Zara} {Heels : New Look}

☆☆☆

#MYCALVINS
Calvin Klein have gone crazy for social media campaigns lately and it seems everyone and their mum are obsessing over their Calvin’s like it’s the 90s all over again. This “outfit” would be perfect for a night in with Netflix. …that reminds me I have an epic Netflix Picks list for you currently being lined up.

{Shirt : H&M} {Knickers : Calvin Klein}

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FLAMINGO FUN
This t’shirt is made for jumping with joy. I have worn this t’shirt a couple of times and am constantly asked where I bought it from. You would never believe it was a cheapy tee from H&M…go and buy one before they run out.

{TShirt : H&M} {Jacket : Zara} {Jeans : Topshop} {Trainers : Converse}

Blogosphere Magazine Event – Goodie Bag Reveal

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to Blogosphere’s cover reveal party for issue 9 and I had a wonderful time. In a little hidden away spot in Soho we entered into a long winding location full of rooms with different entertainment. The goodie bag was rather epic so I have filmed a video showing you everything that was in it.

☆☆☆

What Was In The Goodie Bag

Blogosphere Magzine
Yes To Facial Wipes
The London Tea Company – Pure Camomile
Snact
Lee Stafford – Coco Loco Genius Lotion
Aeos – Refreshing Hydrating Mist
Inika – Ultimate Lip Balm
UBU – Foundation Brush
Evolve – Satin Leg Gloss
You Beauty Box

☆☆☆

Blogosphere Magazine Event - Goodie Bag Reveal

High Street Fashion Haul SS16

I have been shopping quite a lot lately so I thought I would compile all of my purchases into one blog/vlog post. I have added all my clothes from Zara, Topshop, Bandy Melville, Next and Dorothy Perkins. All of the outfits are perfect for this weird inbetween-y weather we are experiencing in the UK. Literally one day it is 30° and the next 5° and raining…argh…what to wear?? I actually think the shoes choices is the most difficult. I have shared all the links to where my clothes are from below. The video link is at the bottom. I hope you enjoy it xx

Zara
Blue Striped Off Shoulder Dress
Oversized Light Blue Shirt
Tropical printed Dress

Topshop
Black Printed Dress
Patch Embellished Lucas Jeans

Brandy Melville
New York Tshirt
White Knit Jumper

Next
Straw Hat

Dorothy Perkins
Palm Springs Tshirt

Zara Spring Fashion Haul

I have been an adoring fan of Zara for more years than I can remember. Zara is place where you can buy clothes that represent what the high fashion designers are creating and celebs are wearing but at an affordable price. There is a smart but cool vibe to every garment they sell. Whenever anyone asks me where I got my outfit from, my answer 99% of the time is Zara! Below I have modelled my latest Zara Clothing Haul for you with loads of Spring 2016 looks to wear for any occasion. At the bottom you will also find my Zara Spring Fashion Haul Look book Video.

{ Blue Printed Coat . Mulberry Bag }
I love this look because it is oozes a cool effort-less vibe which can take you from office to bar.

{ Floral Jacket }

{ Blue Striped Dress }
For those warm days this dress is perfect for hanging out by the beach or in the lanes in Brighton.

{ Long Navy Dress }
This dress would be perfect for a garden party and has a great essence of easy cool.

Buy The Look

Floral Jacket
Black Crepe Trousers
Ray Ban Sunglasses
Blue Striped Dress
Long Navy Dress
Red Belt (similar)
Blue Printed Coat
Black Jeans
Converse
Mulberry Bag

WILD GEESE PHOTOSHOOT

This week I was lucky enough to be booked on a photo shoot for a new loungewear brand called Wild Geese. The shoot was a mixture of e commerce and lifestyle images for the campaign and website. We shot in a beautiful loft type studio in Kennington called Studio Boardroom which rumour has it is the location for a big budget movie being filmed there soon. We started the day off sharing our life stories whilst munching on croissants, yoghurt, fruit and drinking cups of tea whilst the studio was being set up. I then moved into the make up chair for a natural dewy make up look. (The make up brands we used are in the ‘Shop The Blog’ link at the bottom of the page).
After my hour of beautifying, it was time to shoot the collection. We started with the lifestyle images set in a kitchen with croissants, magazines and coffee. We then moved onto a set up with a gorgeous free standing bath complete with ornate white feet. One day I want this bath in my house. We then shot the whole collection for the e commerce shop. This involved shooting every garment front, side and back. Some e commerce shoots require you to stand still in a really stiff position which can be quite boring for both the model and the clients looking at the pictures. For Wild Geese I got to pose a little bit, helping the clothes come to life and hopefully make people want to buy the clothes even more ☺.
At 4pm the big six nations rugby game began so we put the England V Wales game on on the iPad to have in the background. Whilst the last shot was being set up in a glamorous Great Gatsby style, the gorgeous client then opened a bottle of fizz to perk us all up after a long day of shooting. The last shot was more seductive than the “girl next door” theme of the day. I think I pulled it off but I am in general much more confident playing around being smiley.
At 6pm we wrapped the shoot, packed up and went our separate ways back home to put our feet up. It was so lovely working with such a nice chilled team and being the clients first collection was very exciting. The owner Lauren even wrote on Wild Geese’s Instagram, “What a great day! Thank you so much @itsmegantaylor Wild Geese looks exactly how I hoped it would. X” (It is always lovely to have feedback from a client). The clothes were all gorgeous and I definitely want every item that I wore. My favourite was the silky cotton Santorini PJ bottoms. Make sure you keep an eye out for them once they launch in April. In the mean time follow them on Instagram @wildgeeselondon

Below is a mini behind the scenes video of our shoot.

What I Got For Christmas 2015

I love that every January all the You Tubers show us what they got for Christmas.
Now I have my own You Tube channel, I thought it was about time I did my own “What I Got For Christmas” video.
The video link is at the bottom of this blog post.
I hope you enjoy it.
What are your favourite gifts you received this Christmas?

Urban Outfitter Champagne Glasses (Out Of Stock)
Lucy Bakes Cookbook
Victoria’s Secret PJ’s
B&Q Copper Candle
Baby G Watch
Keith Brymer Jones Mug
Me & Em Pink Gloves
White Company Hat (Out Of Stock)

Instagram: @itsmegantaylor
Twitter: @itsmegantaylor

WHERE TO EAT, DRINK AND STAY IN HAMBURG

Last weekend a group of us went to Hamburg to get in the festive spirit.
I have always wanted to go somewhere like Germany to experience the Christmas markets and Hamburg definitely lived up to my expectations.

Where we stayed: Radisson Blu, Hamburg
Where we ate dinner: Hans Im Glueck
Where we ate brunch: Alex Pavillion
Where we ran: Alster Lake

The weather was appropriately cold and I dutifully wore five layers of clothes.
As a vegetarian I really struggled to find food I liked yet I guess this was to be expected in Germany.
The sweet treats were however scrumptious.

Top Christmas Markets In Hamburg:
1. Winterwald
This was my favourite market as there were far less tourists.
Hidden in the back streets you really felt as if you had stumbled across a hidden gem.
We sat and drunk Glug spiked with Rum in the Christmas tree garden.
The only problem was that we didn’t find this market until half an hour before we had to leave for the airport.

2. City Hall Market
This is the biggest and most popular Christmas market in Hamburg, sitting outside the Town Hall.
I would strongly advise only going to this market in the daytime and during the week not at the weekend.
We went on Friday afternoon and it was lovely and quiet but on the Saturday evening you could barely move.
There is a Christmas decoration shop at the far end of the market which is well worth queuing to go in.
The shop is filled with millions of decorations and twinkly lights. Decoration range from €1 to €100s.
Top Tip: Make sure you see Father Christmas fly over the market everyday at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.

What I wore:{Roll Neck Body: Topshop}
Everyone needs the black funnel neck body from Topshop.
It was a great base layer to keep me warm and stop and chilly breeze sneaking up my top.
It makes any outfit look a little more sophisticated.

{Scarf: Zara (similar) . Coat: Zara (similar) . Jeans: Topshop .
Boots: Vagabond . Gloves: Marks and Spencer}

{Roll neck Jumper: Zara (similar)}
I bought this roll neck knit jumper from Zara a few years ago. It is huge and incredibly warm.

{Hauptkirche St. Petri, Hamburg}
I love going to churches in foreign countries and lighting a candle for lost loved ones.
This church had an incredible candle display where you melted an area to stick your candle to.

{Neuer Wall, Hamburg}
A street lined with very expensive shops and decorated impeccably.
{Hat: Zara}

My hubby wore:
{Shirt: Gap . Jumper: French Connection (similar)}

Venice & Burano OOTD

Last week Liam and I went to Venice for a long weekend break to celebrate his birthday.
We stayed in a lovely hotel called Hotel A La Commedia and drank far more Aperol Spritz than I care to remember.
The weather was about 19°c, very different from England right now with our stormy rain.
I took my thermal Uniqlo jumpers that I mentioned in my Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm blog post and didn’t need a coat.
Take a look at my You Tube channel or the link at the bottom of this post for a little Outfit Of The Day style video of my trip.
If you haven’t been to Venice, I highly recommend it and make sure you take a trip to Burano. Burano is like a little fairy toy town, full of gorgeous brightly coloured houses and mini canals.

Venice OOTD
Pinafore – Zara (Last year)
Jumper – Uniqlo
Fleece lined Super Cosy tights – Primark
Boots – Vagabond
Handbag – Mulberry

{Poser}

{This particular Aperol pit stop was at Caffe Florian}

Burano OOTD
Jeans – H & M
Trainers – Converse
Trainer socks – H & M
Jumper – Project Social T
Top – H & M ( Last Year)
Hat – Zara

{We were in Burano on Halloween. This hat was the only costume I had with me}

{This pink house was my favourite}

{one of our favourite spots was at the edge of the island looking out over the sea}

‘A Night Out In…Venice’ blog post will be on here soon.

The Secret Life Of A Fittings Model…part one

The Secret Life Of A Fittings Model…part one

When I am not modelling or acting I have a weird secret job that no one outside the industry really understands. I am a fittings model.
It is a weird world. I get paid to try on clothes. Simple as that.
Below I have listed a few funny home truths that you tend to experience in this secret part of the fashion industry that you may not know much about.

{side note: I have been fitting for ten years now and I absolutely love my fittings jobs and everyone I have and do fit for.
This is not a negative article, simply a few fun facts. I will not be naming names xx}

{Google Images}

Fittings Model:
A model that has clothes fitted on them. You are the perfect size for a specific company.

Garment Technician:
The people that make the clothes fit you.

1. You will be stabbed numerous times
It is inevitable that you will be continuously stabbed and scratched with pins and safety pins.
Garment technicians are very rushed with their time and through no fault of their own they often forget you are a human.
Don’t blame them though, they have a busy schedule and probably thought, for a brief moment that you were just the mannequin.
When fitting trousers, it is common for the trouser leg to be pinned all the way down the back of the leg to achieve the right fit.
Once, whilst fitting a white pair of jeans I was pinned all the way down the leg. I took said trousers off, sliced (scratched) my legs and bled all over the trousers, whoopsy.

2. You may get a free haircut
I was once having a coat fitted on me and the hood was too tight over head. The garment tech then cut into the hood to make it looser.
I then watched a small chunk of my hair fall in slow motion to the floor.
I cried inside for a month.

3. You will share your lunch with everyone
When in a fitting, you have to be very open to sharing small spaces with those fitting on you.
The close proximity you will encounter is similar to that on a crowded rush hour tube at Oxford Circus in the peak of the summer holidays.
If you or the garment technician had tuna or onion soup for lunch, the other will definitely be eating those scented particles with you for the rest of the fitting.
Be kind to your colleagues and stick to plain rice and lettuce.

4. A million people are going to see you in no more than a thong
You can not have any inhibitions.
You will, without a doubt only have your thong to cover your modesty 50% of the time.
When fitting high fashion lines, you are likely to fit in just a thong, no bra.
A lot of the collection (in the early stages) will be made in thin see-through fabric.
Did I forget to mention you will also be in a room of at least 8 people.
These people will be examining the clothing you are wearing but you feel as if they are just staring at your nipples.

5. You will wear the most unsexy underwear
Never ever let your man see you in your fittings underwear.
Model underwear is and always will be a nude thong or panties and a nude bra.
You will feel and very much look like an elderly Bridget Jones.
**Top Tip: Do not buy expensive underwear.
It is common to have your underwear drawn on with a sharpie or tippex and/or sliced with scissors.
If you have a denim fitting session your knickers will turn blue. Even your bath turns blue when you have your evening soak.

6. Your changing facilities will not represent the personal shopping suite at Victoria’s Secret
I have fitted for about 30 different fashion houses and can only recollect two of those having carpetted flooring.
Among those companies, only five of them had a permanent fittings changing room.
My favourite companies to work for are those that have a fluffy dressing gown and slippers for their model.
These companies are the angels of the fittings world.

7. You will know how many millimetres big or small you are EVERYWHERE
You will be regularly measured to within a millimetre and you will slowly learn these measurements by heart.
You will know if your boobs are too high or your hips 1cm too wide or even that one shoulder is higher than the other.
You will learn not to care…just remember you are being paid a lot of money to try on clothes!

8. You will never feel less like a model
As a fit model you are meant to be a representative to all the women nationwide.
The “models” who are on the catwalk are there to show the designers garments in their best light by not clinging to the body but draping as if on a human clothes hanger.
You will regularly hear, “well on the model (not meaning you) it was much looser”, “on the actual models” …etc etc etc, blah blah blah.

9. You will conflict the seasons
It is very common that you will fit winter coats in the peak of summer and bikinis on the snowiest days of the winter months.
I am not sure what is better, trying on coats and feeling as if you may faint from the heat, or turning blue from trying on swimwear in December?

10. Your feet will burn with pain
You will often be booked for an eight hour fitting.
Your feet will 100% feel as if they are broken and will only recover at 8:55 the next morning before you walk in the office for the next day of tootsie torture.
I am still yet to discover the perfect pair of comfortable black heels. If you have found them, please let me know.

There is so much more for me to share with you so keep tuned to my blog…maybe click the subscribe button in the side bar or give me a follow on Instagram & Twitter @itsmegantaylor

Recommended London Fittings Modelling Agents
Fittings Division
Fit 4 Fashion

Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm

Although I love this time of year, I really do not like being cold. Over the years I have discovered many staples that I keep on using. Below I have shared what I believe to be the best ‘Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm’.

1. UniQlo Jumper £14.99
I can’t get enough of these UniQlo jumpers. In fact I now have five of them in an assortment of colours.
I buy the “extra warm” variety which keep me cosy throughout the coldest winter months.
They can be worn as a base layer or you can wear them on their own. I will be pairing mine with pinafores this winter.

2. Topshop Coat £89.00
A little faux fur never hurt anyone.
I adore this white Topshop coat. It can be worn in the day but would look great over a party dress to keep you warm on nights out.

3. ASOS Duffle Coat £75.00
It can be lovely and romantic under an umbrella, hearing the rain above you. Yet on an average day umbrellas can be a bit of a logistical nightmare with their wetness once you are indoors, putting them up and down and getting one good enough not to blow inside out. For this reason, I am a huge fan of hooded coats. I adore this ASOS duffle coat. It looks smart enough to wear to work yet has a hood to protect you from the unsettled autumnal weather.

4. ASOS Jumper £22.00
I tend to wear breton all year round. The sailor style looks really clean and refreshing. I feel the white blocks of colour are a great pop of colour to a earthy toned season.

5. Marks and Spencer Dressing Gown £45.00
This dressing gown is my favourite purchase of the year, honestly!
Welcome to the softest most cosy item you shall ever own. Once you are wearing yours everyone will want to give you a cuddle.
**be warned, this gown makes leaving the house very difficult**

6. Topshop Pinafore £39.00
I am loving pinafore’s this year. The whole Raggy Doll look is adorable and a very comfortable style to wear. The deep red of this Topshop pinafore is perfect for the autumn and winter months ahead. I have seen red pinafores in loads of high street stores this month including Topshop, Primark, New Look, ASOS and Urban Outfitters.

7. Topshop Baxter jeans £40.00
Black jeans are a must have all year round.
I love my Topshop jeans. They are well made, cheap and stretchy…therefore very comfortable.
**wardrobe staple**

8. Vagabond Boots £80.00
I have a great love for my Vagabond booties. I have the flat Chelsea boot style Vagabond’s and the very chunky healed version which I wear to castings.
Vagabond boots are great for the winter. I have had my two pairs for two years and still look brand new even though I wear them almost everyday.

9. Zara Scarf £17.99
Zara are wonderful for many fashion pieces but their scarfs are, I believe, the best on the highstreet. I buy these scarves each year in different colours. They are very soft and importantly they don’t leave fluff on your black coats. The scarves are incredibly large and can be doubled as a blanket when you are out and about. I always take mine to the theatre or cinema as a blanket as I always get sleepy and chilly in the theatre and cinema…am I the only one?

Hope you like my fashion picks for Autumn. Let me know if there are any more warm items I must stock up on.

My 5 Autumn Loves

When I was younger I didn’t much care for autumn. I found it depressing that the summer was over. This was mostly because it meant the end of the school holidays. As an adult I have discovered all the excitement of autumn and must admit I now find it one of my favourite times of the year.

Below I have listed my 5 autumn loves, explaining why this time of the year is so wonderful.

1. Candlelight and fires
I adore those evenings when it is super chilly outside but you have nowhere to be. I love sitting on the sofa in front of the fire with candles all around the house…and Strictly Come Dancing on the TV.

2. Anticipation
There is so much to look forward to. There’s Halloween, fireworks night, Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve to plan for.
Eeeek…very very very excited for all of the above.

3. The food
Hot soups and warm baked cookies are my comfort foods of choice at this time of year. A big bowl of soup and a crusty loaf on the side is a perfect lunch when out and about. My favourite place to get soup when I’m in town is Pret. Their vegetarian soups are always yummy. I keep an eye on this page each day to see if they are selling a soup that I fancy.
I also feel this time of the year is a key baking time. A freshly baked biscuit is wonderful with a big mug of tea. Why not try out my Chocolate Dipped Orange Zest Biscuits for that festive flavour.

4. Bright and crisp mornings
How incredibly gorgeous are those bright mornings to wake up to! I love it when the sun is shining bright, there are no clouds in the sky but the air is super chilly. These mornings are actually my favourite to work out in. I love going for a run or going to Bootcamp in this weather. The mix of sunshine and endorphins is always a winner to me.

5. The fashion
A gorgeous coat, jeans, Chelsea boots, thin layered jumpers and BIG sunglasses are my favourite go-to outfit of the season.
My main aim is to prevent being cold so I can run around in the leaves like a big child whilst keeping warm.
(Keep an eye out for my next blog post on my ‘Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm’).

What do you love about autumn?