PINK COATS
Recently, I declared on Twitter that if one more person mentioned a pink coat I would throw up. It has to be one of the trendiest items of the season. It has popped up in countless magazine editorials and has featured heavily on the pages of many a fashion blog. But, I've finally come across one I like.
Recently, I declared on Twitter that if one more person mentioned a pink coat I would throw up. It has to be one of the trendiest items of the season. It has popped up in countless magazine editorials and has featured heavily on the pages of many a fashion blog. It's bold and daring and completely counter-intuitive. Pink is for spring, right, not winter.
But, that's sort of what makes it great. Getting dressed should be fun and nothing sucks more in the middle of winter than putting on a dull coat everyday. So enters the statement coat to save the day. Personally I prefer the plaid, pinstriped, and fluffy options... but for a moment I'm going to tip my hat in the direction of the pink coat because there is something wonderful about it. The fact that it makes absolutely no sense is exactly why it works.
Irina, from A Portable Package, wore hers at fashion week over a double denim ensemble. Perfectly nonchalant, she has popped her collar and pushed up her sleeves, and made the coat resemble a dressing gown. I like that it's a bit crumpled and disheveled. The red bag is unexpected and those plastic mules are heavenly.
So, just for today I'll admit I might have been wrong about the whole barfing thing. I'm joining the masses in admiration for the pink coat.
// MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF FOR TOPSHOP //
Few designers have the ability to transport their customers to another dimension. But when you enter the Meadham Kirchhoff world you step into a fantasy - a surreal candy coloured universe that's covered in bows and frosting.
I was hooked on the brand from the moment I saw their SS12 collection. The balloons, the dancers, the literal pastel coloured explosion that took place in front of me was theatrical and moving. The designers fuse humour with luxury and youth in a way that no one else is doing. How exciting then that they've decided to partner with the mothership of all high street stores and make a collection that's a bit more wallet friendly. This is their fourth collaboration with Topshop and it's one that will surely make a big impact. The pieces stay authentic to the brand's main line with patent rain coats and frills galore. Prices start at just four quid for a pair of socks and creep up to a hefty 750 for the Mongolian jacket.
As usual my favourite pieces from the range are the simpler ones. I love the little printed t-shirts, especially the pink one as it conjures up memories of my affiliation for My Little Pony. The animal print jumper has also caught my eye. In my ideal world though I'd be indulging in a bit of the striped fur action - it's pretty stinking dreamy. Keep your eyes peeled, this collection hits select shops on November 21st and shouldn't be missed.
Photos c/o Topshop.
Little Bags
It's embarrassing to admit this but, for the last few years my go-to bag of choice has been a free canvas tote I picked up from a press day. I'm not going to lie, it's gross. Old and faded, it's the antithesis to grown-up-chic.
It's not that I don't have any other bags. I've got a bunch of little clutches and an array of roomy leather totes. But they all feel a bit dated and they aren't at all what I want to carry. As it turns out, clutches suck because it's actually nice to use your hands every once in a while. Plus, all I really carry around are my keys, wallet and phone - which makes lugging around a massive bag pretty silly because all that empty space means items get lost.
As a result off all this disenchantment I've started a world-wide search for the perfect little everyday bag. The requirements are as follows: it should be small, have a long strap so that it can be worn across the body and be discreet in design.
There are a lot of options. The most lust-worthy is the Delvaux Madame Mini. This bag is heavenly and pretty much perfection incarnate. Alternatively, there is the Celine Classic Medium in Box Cassis - I've drooled over this beauty from afar many times. Both are the epitome of luxury and would no doubt be the sort of item I'd pass down to my future daughter (or son). Other options I've come across include the Louis Vuitton Vivienne (although I think the branding may be a bit too brash), the Givenchy Obsedia and the Saint Laurent Lulu. All are beautiful and timeless. Then again, there is always the obvious choice of a Chanel Boy Bag, but I'm afraid this one has become a bit too trendy for its own good.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that each of those aforementioned bags costs more than my monthly rent and that just seems a bit ridiculous, no? So, in the interest of having a roof over my head, I'm considering more realistic options. I've found two choices that stand out most to me. First is the Sophie Hulme Mini Envelope Bag. This is a pretty sweet option and I'm kind of loving the deep burgundy colour. There's also the Little Liffner LBB bag which looks pretty good and classic from the photos. I'm also drawn to these two options because they're made by small lesser known designers and I'm all for supporting new talent.
It's hard to know which the best one is though or which would slide most easily into my life. But one thing I know for certain, I'm hoping to find one under the Christmas tree with a big red bow tied around it.
What are your thoughts? Do you carry a little bag? Have you found the perfect one? Please, enlighten me with your wisdom.
turtlenecks
Yesterday I waged a day long war with a turtleneck.
As a result, I'm here today to give you some advice. If you decide to wear a turtleneck make sure the neck opening is loose enough to comfortably fit your head through. If it's not it will undoubtedly be too tight around your neck and you'll spend the entire day pulling and stretching the fabric in a feeble attempt to breathe. That's what I did yesterday and it sucked. So consider this a warning: wear turtlenecks with caution - they can be evil little monsters.
Charlie May ss14
Sportswear infused fabrics collided with super lux leathers and silks at Charlie May's Spring 2014 show.
There wasn't an outfit I didn't love but my favourite part was the impossibly simple v-neck shirt that was elegantly tucked into a pair of trousers - producing the most beautiful draping. I also loved the straight skirts with front slits and the short little fitted dress that looked like a wall with cracked paint. Legs were bare and all the looks were finished with white laceless flats, made as part of a collaboration with Hudson. These babies will undoubtedly be replacing my Converse in a couple of months when they're released.
Congratulations Charlie on another amazing season.
Photos by Jennifer Inglis
Charlie May ss14
I am big time obsessed with Pinterest. Besides blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram... it provides a whole other realm of stalking capabilities. You can get an intimate look into people's worlds that you'd otherwise never get to see.
So happy was I, then, when I happened upon Charlie May's board of inspiration for her Spring 2014 collection earlier in the summer. It was still months until London Fashion Week when she'd show her new line but, there I was, in the comfort of my own home getting a peek into what she was thinking about.
The images struck a chord with me. Crashing waves, dripping paint, old Calvin Klein ads. Oversized knitwear, bare midriffs, concrete walls and the Spice Girls. Charlie's inspiration is varied and undoubtedly rooted in her childhood spent in Devon. I'll admit, I can waste a lot of time scrolling through Charlie's boards. They are a treasure trove of raw beauty and I thought they'd perfectly prelude a post on her spring collection that is coming up tomorrow. Go ahead and click on the photos below to make them big.
// OH ZARA, YOU MELT MY HEART //
You might already know that I have a serious love/hate relationship with Zara. With that said, it might seem strange that I check their website almost everyday. I know it's dumb but, I have a weird obsession.
I can't help it though, the site is just so good. And, I've got to tell you, it just got even better with the release of the November look book. It is positively yummy. The knit jumpsuit looks like the most comfortable thing in the entire world to wear and the checked coat looks achingly similar to a certain little Stella McCartney one. The light grey slouchy turtleneck is exactly what I've been dreaming of. Plus, if I wore the black parka paired with skinny jeans I would look exactly like Emmanuelle Alt does when she's warding off the street style photographers at the Tuileries.
I'm sure if I went into the store though I'd discover that the knits aren't quite as soft as they look in the photos. The coats probably don't have buttons (which drives me cray-cray) and nothing will drape quite as well as it does on the models.
As a result, Zara, I will continue to admire you from afar.
MEN IN SKIRTS
A man in a skirt can be a very good look. I'm not sure how a man comes to wear his first skirt though... is it a monumental life changing moment? A friend of mine wore a skirt on a trip to Antwerp once and I remember him telling me that people were literally scowling at him on the street. Surely some cities are more willing to embrace the look than others. All this to say, I pretty much love everything about this guys look.
Unfortunately I've only ever really seen it at Scottish weddings and fashion week. Why is it that a man wearing a skirt is still such a cliche in North America and Europe? Marc Jacobs comes to mind as one of the most notable men to have sported the skirt. But even so, most men aren't following suit.
Surely it isn't the easiest look to pull off or the simplest item to come by. You won't find skirts in the mens section of any high street shops, that's for sure. Even the LN-CC, which is one of the most progressive boutiques, doesn't stock any men's skirts. They do have one Ann Deeulemeester apron but it's already sold out.
A man in a skirt can be a very good look. I'm not sure how a man comes to wear his first skirt though... is it a monumental life changing moment? A friend of mine wore a skirt on a trip to Antwerp once and I remember him telling me that people were literally scowling at him on the street. Surely some cities are more willing to embrace the look than others. All this to say, I pretty much love everything about this guys look. The red leather biker jacket paired with the matching plaid jumper. The massively oversized black scarf. I'd wear this outfit head-to-toe. Minus the beard of course.
So where do you weigh in on the skirt issue? If you're a guy, would you wear one? If you're a girl, would you go for a guy that did or be happy if your man decided to wear one?
Black
Black is clearly where it's at and I can firmly report that it's the only colour I want to be wearing.
Maybe it's the fact that I've finally returned home after a month of traveling in warmer climates, but I'm being forced to reconcile with the gods of Autumn. Yesterday I wore closed-toed shoes for the first time in months and, as a result, I shed a single solitary tear.
I want to wear black leather in abundance. I want to wear it draped and tied into bows. I want it to swoosh around my feet as I walk. I'm dreaming about black in all it's variations. I want to wear it on it's own and maybe, just maybe, paired with cream.
That's it! Of course, for Halloween I will dress as an Oreo.
Jelly Fish
Clearly I'm fighting the arrival of autumn.
It has been raining non-stop today and it's freezing cold outside. But, I just got back from California where it was absolutely boiling and tomorrow I'm headed off to the south of France for a long weekend. By keeping myself in warm climates I'm warding off the arrival of knitwear and closed toed shoes.
Maybe this is why I've been so drawn to jelly fish lately?
It's a strange thing to be fascinated by but I realized recently that one of my Pinterest boards had become completed inundated by the transparent little monsters. I love the variation in their colour from creamy white to icy blue and bright fluorescents. They look like little aliens floating through space. It's hard to imagine they can grow larger than the size of a person. How cool and creepy would it be to swim next to one? For now, I think I'll just admire them from afar.
// FLUFFY SWEATERS & MICHAEL KORS //
Ah, I am one of those people that dreads the transition into autumn. There is nothing I love more than bare skin and the feeling of sunshine. But I'm using my street style photos from London Fashion Week to urge me into that snuggly winter feeling.
This photo, in particular, is one that I keep coming back to. It's a look I'd like to replicate right down to the bracelet that has been (purposely?) placed on top of the knit. I love the light fluffy jumper with its faded blue colour and ribbed detailing. The nude clutch with nails that match and layers of gold jewelry are perfection.
Yes, I'm willing to admit it: if I had this outfit in my wardrobe I would welcome in the chillier temperatures that are descending.
Pink & Black
Lately I've been gravitating towards all black outfits. Maybe it's the gradual transition out of summer? Anyway, I threw in a bit of contrast with this nude pink leather jacket and a leopard print clutch. This is my version of transitional dressing.
Whenever I'm in the south of France one of my favourite places to go is Saint Paul de Vence. It's a tiny medieval town nestled on the top of a hill. It's filled with tons of art galleries and a selection of little restaurants. Each time we visit, we have lunch at an outdoor terrace and try to celebrity spot from the tourists walking by.
Lately I've been gravitating towards all black outfits. Maybe it's the gradual transition out of summer? Anyway, I threw in a bit of contrast with this nude pink leather jacket and a leopard print clutch. This is my version of transitional dressing.
Wearing: Charlie May jacket, Zara t-shirt and skirt, Next shoes and Lilifi bag.
// CHANEL //
While we're on the topic of Chanel let's delve into the wonder that was the Spring 2014 show.
Uncle Karl taught us a few key things about next season. First, don't leave the house unless you've got at least two bags on. You can opt for a backpack (attach multiple carabiners and ropes) paired with a mini cross-body for your phone. Or, grab two little quilted numbers firmly by your hand for a multicoloured look. Wrap a barely-there belt around the outside of your jacket. Continue to show off your midriff (start on the crunches now) and layer on lots of chunky plastic bangles. Wear a pair of ribbed socks with your heels. Rock a slew of rainbow colours in one look. Pair your lace with your tweed. And, most importantly, tie your jumper around your waist back-to-front - a literal twist on the iconic '90s look.
SANDRA HAGELSTAM
When I spotted Sandra at London Fashion Week I was instantly drawn to her classic black and white outfit.
Only, there was something fresh and unexpected about it. Maybe it's the fluffy jumper or her houndstooth skirt. More likely than that though, it's her drool worthy draw-droppingly perfect tiny Chanel boy bag that pushes her outfit over into the realms of perfection.
One for me too please.
LIGHT PINK
I don't know how you feel but I'm tired of hearing about pink.
If one more person mentions a pink coat I swear I'm going to punch them in the face. It wasn't until after I had left the flat this morning that I looked down and realized I was wearing that god-awful shade that everyone won't stop talking about. Oops. I guess I've subconsciously fallen for the trend.
For some reason I'm drawn to derelict backgrounds for photos. I love the mishmash of blues on these shabby doors. The paint is peeling and grey dirty is creeping in. Never mind, I much prefer that to the pristine.
I'm currently hanging out in the south of France soaking in the fleeting summer. Refusing to wear jeans or put on socks, the hot weather is a welcome break for the icy weather that was creeping in back home. Casual basics is my look du jour and I'm especially loving this new jumper I snatched up from River Island when I was in London. It's slightly asymmetric with exposed seams and super long arms - perfect for helping me transition to autumn.
Wearing: River Island jumper, H&M shorts, Next shoes, Rayban sunglasses.
