Playlist: Creeps

  

Songs as follows: 

Falling Away From Me - Korn

Tell Me What to Swallow - Crystal Castles 

The Wolf - Fever Ray

Gauze - Deftones

Cartographist - Purity Ring 

Well, I like really hauntingly beautiful things that are a little creepy - fashion-wise, photography-wise, art-wise, book-wise, and most definitely music-wise. Here are some songs I've really loved lately, and have been listening to religiously. They're really great, if you like something that'll put shivers down your spine or make you feel like you're descending into a black hole or something. Sounds delightful, doesn't it?

Looking Beyond Your Skater Skirt

Pieces are from the following shops - Clockwise, from top right: Topshop/Monki/Topshop/River Island/Topshop/New Look/Forever 21/Topshop/Boohoo.com

    Now, I have nothing against a good skater skirt. They're damn versatile, and these days, you'll find them in every colour of the rainbow. But, nothing exasperates me more than girls taking the skater skirt and sleeveless cropped turtle neck as a formula for complete and utter success.  It sort of drains me, to see 5/6 girls wearing the same outfit in different colours. Don't get me wrong - of course, you all look stunning, but doesn't anyone find it a bit boring? I'm not one to dress up and go out places (computer lyf), but just say I decided to, one day, I would probably go mad. Isn't dressing up beforehand 80% of the fun? I would certainly think so. 

   

Of course I understand the concept of time moving in trends; Last year we were all adorned in bandage skirts and baggy vest tops (including myself - cringe). But, hey, there's no harm in looking around and appreciating some other options! In a nutshell: Have fun with your clothes. I've come up with a few of my favourites, at the moment:

  

 If I were going out somewhere, I'm 90% sure I would be dressed in some way vampy. Sheer fabrics, velvet and lace trimmings scream luxury, and give an otherwise plain, black outfit new life. Think sheer maxi skirts (they were everywhere a while ago, I still love them), and dresses that either cling or flow; it works both ways.  

   

Disco pants are always another good option, and are a piece I have yet to invest in. It seems that they have run their course, but why not make a comeback?! They'll go with just about any top: a bralet with a baggy jacket over, or an old, ratty band shirt. 

Summer is coming, and with summer comes the pretty, fitted summer dresses. Many may consider the summer dress to be rather girl-ish, but they can really be changed in an instant by the choice of shoes, accessories, etc. If you take your prim little dress and pair it with the badass Chelsea boots pictured above, it'll have a completely new lease on life. Guaranteed. 

  

..Which leads my on to my next point: Shoes are everything. Life as we know it. It doesn't matter what the hell kind of outfit you have on if your shoes are awesome - That completely contradicts what I have said in this entire post, but I am a believer in shoes. Especially big, black clunky type.

The last thing you need for your outfit? Well, any species crop top will work: Button-up. Baggy. Bralet. Long sleeved. I even have a Nike one. I find them to be quite flattering, and they're great for layering, too. The great news is, if you're really skint, you can make one yourself from an old t-shirt. It'll look rad.

The Rise of Alt Female Rappers?

Clockwise, from left: Kreayshawn, Yo-Landi Vi$$er, Iggy Azealia, Brooke Candy, Azealia Banks

It only seemed to occur to me today that there has been somewhat of a powerful, unstoppable surge of female rappers in the past year or so. Y'know what the best part of it is, though? They're doing whatever they want. They're wearing whatever they want. They're absolutely fabulous. About two years ago, I would have scoffed at rapping. 'It's totally not my thing,' I would have said snootily. But, if these women are what you call rappers, I love rap.. y'all. (Just so you know, I've linked my favourite song by the rapper in their names, which are in bold. Yeah.)

If  you've had 'One big room, full of bad *beeeeep*s' floating around your head, then  no doubt you have witnessed the (wonderful) wrath of Kreayshawn. Kreayshawn raps in a sort of effortless, half-bothered voice that, I think, is rather favourable. I'm not going to try to develop on that, because the one sentence I have strung together on it so far sounds very silly. Instead I'll move onto something I'm a little more familiar with: Her dress sense - very casual, rapper-esque, but jumbled. And man, does it work! There's lots of 90s, cartoon characters, and hoop earrings in there.

I've talked about Yo-Landi Vi$$er before (here), and to put it in its simplest terms, I love her. Yo-Landi is part of Die Antwoord, and I'm not gonna lie, she's a bit chipmunk-sounding. But it's totally awesome, I mean it! It's what makes the group work, she's got a sort of aggression to her voice too, so it's suuuper unique. Her style is completely out-there awesome, too, which you can see just by looking at her hair, really.. Her all-pale white look is really breathtaking, especially when combined with gritty facial expressions, and crude, cheeky slogan shirts. Brilliant. 

Iggy Azalea is stunning, so it's no surprise that this Aussie doubles as a model. Her general style is very classy, mixed with the typical attire of some big names in the music business. Think skimpy, skin-tight  Versace and Dolce and Gabbana - wowza! Iggy's got a really sassy, snappy voice that has the perfect balance of grit and glamour (you're jealous of my descriptions, I can tell...). 

The most 'alternative' of the rappers I have named is Brooke Candy - Hell, my first Brooke encounter was on a Grimes music video, and she was featured on the Dazed and Confused Facebook page when I realised she actually rapped. I'm still, err, adjusting to her, as she's very different. Her floor-length weave and buffalo shoes are fantabulous, but frankly her music videos scare me. Expect a lot of.. skin? I won't discuss this anymore. Brooke's backing tracks are beautifully quirky, and her voice is full of intimidation and sass. Watch this space, I say!

Last but certainly not least is Azealia Banks, and I'm sorry, but if you haven't heard one of the incessant replays of 212 on the radio, you have been living under a rock. Azealia raps so fast, it's increible! She sings a little in her songs too, and that is also incredible. Coincidence: So is her dress sense! Banks will wear anything, but my personal favourite look of hers is the cyber-goth, with demonia platforms and a big furry coat on.

Are there any rappers out there that you really love at the moment?