Tuesday 18 December 2012

The Suburbs

Vogue Italia, source

Will I ever get tired of beehives and fluffy knits set against a backdrop of American suburbs? Unlikely.

Sunday 16 December 2012

Our Era

All images Our Era

Isn't it inherently human to want what other people have? I'm sure this started as some kind of primeval need to acquire the best resources for oneself, but in the age of the Internet it just fans the flames of the-grass-is-always-greener envy. I wish I was blessed with naturally wavy hair and olive skin to the same extent that, I'm sure, others desire my naturally straight, frizz-free locks and milky complexion. While we're wishing for stuff that won't ever happen, I also wish that, instead of my haphazard and geeky English style sensibilities, I had a Scandinavian approach to getting dressed - embodied by Johanna och Jennifer. Not only do Johanna and Jennifer look impossibly cool in their huge bomber jackets, clompy boots and beanies, they manage to dress for the weather, a task that consistently eludes me. They have just opened their own online store, Our Era. These images are taken from the lookbook of their latest venture and provide more stalkspiration for Scandophiles (?) like me. 

Thursday 6 December 2012

Love letter

United Colors of Bennetton jumper, eBay

A lot of the clothes I want have been selling out recently. I am going to blame these travesties on the recent Mecury retrograde. Most definitely not my own indecision. Weeks on, I am still grieving from being outbid on this out-of-this-world 'B for Beth' jumper. Perfect for aiding seminar tutors with no memory for names, spelling things with others in letterman clothes and for generally pretending that its still okay that I dress like a toddler. I will sob myself to sleep until I can find someone willing to knit me an identical one.

Monday 3 December 2012

Snug life

Texture

Acne 'Meg' shoes / Haider Ackerman polo neck / 3.1 Phillip Lim leather skirt / Topshop faux fur coat

The polo neck is the single warmest and comfiest garment I have ever had the pleasure to put on my back. I am thinking of devoting an entire future post - no scratch that, blog - to them and their myriad wonderful functions. Love bite cover? Sure, if that's what you need, they don't ask questions. If you like to be toasty a polo neck is your best friend. And in winter everyone needs a toasty jumper to turn to on a cold, dark morning. Dressing in extreme temperatures is often dressing solely for practicality; as my boyfriend says, very hypocritically, the fashion police don't operate under 8 and above 22 degrees Celsius. While this may or may not be true, who doesn't want a lovely coat to make leaving your duvet slightly more bearable? I especially like this Topshop one - at present it's as close to a Meadham Kirchhoff I will get and it would contrast great with a cosy knitted polo neck, and my own personal wardrobe staple, a leather skirt. Snug as a bug in a rug!

Friday 30 November 2012

Drizzle kicks

Vogue Netherlands November 2012 source

In the past few days it has suddenly felt a lot like winter. I wish I could identify with the winter-wonderland images that keep cropping up all over the place in the run-up to Christmas, but, living in the North West, the leaves are not crisp, the trees do not sparkle with frost nor has there been so much as a fleck of snow. Instead, winter brings dark evenings and biting cold, accompanied by an icy Irish Sea wind. And lashings of rain, how could I forget the rain? Vogue Netherlands, however, shows a more realistic depiction of the Great British Weather. It also provides the perfect backdrop for showing the cosiest clothes of the season; I'd like to think that a good cosy road-test is the survival of a Northern winter. Quilting, cable knits and maybe my favourite Celine outfit ever: I wish I could look this good walking my dog up and down Southport beach.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Nymph hair

Balenciaga s/s '13, via Vogue Italia

Don't expect the abundance of Balenciaga posts to stop any time soon, since the more I look at the most recent Balenciaga collection the more I fall in love, particularly with the details. The chunky, knuckleduster-like rings and delicate necklaces, all in gold, block-heeled lace-ups, hand-held vanity case bags and the whimsical nymph-like hair bands. The models' effortless yet elegant hair is providing some much needed hairspiration.

Friday 9 November 2012

Teenage goth


I have suddenly been overcome by an overwhelming urge to wear a spike choker. Naturally with it's teenage goth partner-in-crime, the chunky, buckled boot, perfect for angsty teenage stomping around.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Au revoir Nicolas!

Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, s/s '98, Tumblr

Mmmm, all monochrome and roll necks and nonchalant jacket throwing and simple sandals. From Nicolas Ghesquiere's first collection to mark his final collection last month.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Things that are great

Vogue UK December 1993 via Rag Pony / Diane Kruger via vogue.co.uk / Stella McCartney s/s '13 via vogue.co.uk / Proenza Schouler a/w '12 campaign via Tumblr / Margaret Howell via margarethowell.co.uk / Calvin Klein s/s '13 via vogue.co.uk

On my mind:
The perfect leather jacket, cherry red nails, black white and camel, puritan dresses, polo necks, leather skirts, leather leather leather, clean lines and satin Mary Janes at Calvin Klein, pork-pie collars and pinafores, loafers, Margaret Howell berets, peek-a-boo polka dots at Stella, Chelsea boots, pencil skirts and oversized jummies.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Fashion maths

Topshop Boutique via topshop.com

Leather + pinafore = my dreams come true. Perfect for toughening up an inoffensive pair of ballet flats and white shirt, or with some Dr Marten loafers, a huge denim jacket and a look of disdain. Topshop Boutique pinafore, you will be mine.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Spring lovelies





Prada / Balenciaga / Miu Miu / Ashish / Simone Rocha s/s '13, all via vogue.co.uk

Some of my favourite looks from the recent fashion month. I particularly enjoyed the abundance of fur coats courtesy of Ms Prada, whether buttoned up to the neckline at her namesake label, or nonchalantly thrown over the shoulders at Miu Miu. Stripes obviously reign supreme next season, kudos if they clash, but my standout stripe has to be this navy understated pinstripe set at Balenciaga. Patrick Bateman would approve. I am a firm believer in roomy clothes, often finding myself buying one or two sizes above what actually fits me, both for comfort and aesthetics. Miu Miu took this and ran with it, offering plentiful slightly-too-big skirts contrasted with teeny-tiny crop tops (no one likes to look homeless) and, the Holy Grail, oversized coats. For spring, Ashish clearly looked to Deb of Napoleon Dynamite as his muse. Uncool Reebok trainers and scrunchies are a blast from the past for those who, like me, are a child the 90s. Reminiscent of school trips and Christmas discos, Ashish paired it with slinky sequins and scruffy hair to keep it modern. Matted hair and short fringes were the cherry on the spring/summer cake, which appealed to the same sensibilities which inspired my love of the oversized: anything that requires minimal effort and can be passed off as fash-un is fine by me. The same applies with Miu Miu's un-ironed dresses. There is a 'trend' I will never tire of. Simone Rocha was, by far, my favourite collection of this season, along with her two previous collections. It was a feast of texture, with high necks, sheer dresses, buttery leather, flashes of punchy neon lace and perspex accessories, brought back down to earth with oversized bikers, brogues and crisp white shirts. Perfection. We're barely into our jumpers but bring on the spring.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Chloë


Chloë Sevigny, Miu Miu s/s '96 via


I very much prefer these to the current Chloë/Miu Miu ads. Sheer, thigh-high split skirts, statement collars, white leather accessories and pool shoes Christopher Kane would be proud of.

Saturday 7 July 2012

Resort

Valentino, Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, 3.1 Philip Lim resort 2013 collections

Remember the resort presentations? So yesterday right? Well after wallowing in self-pity and listening to a lot of New Order, girlfriend just caught up with Planet Fashun and it sure does keep on spinning without ya! Here are a few of my favourite resort looks!
1. Valentino
Rich woman at the polo in an '80s movie alert! I would wear this suit with huge 90s black boots and pretend I'm a fashion time traveller.
2. Stella McCartney
Head-to-toe leopard? I vote hell yes. Every part of the Stella McCartney collection was utterly wonderful. I want to marry it and have lots of little collections with it.
3. Proenza Schouler
Every Christmas I have a cheese sandwich. Humble cheddar with it's good friend Branston pickle between two slices of classic white bread. With an apple on the side. It is so nice after weeks of rich and elaborate food. Proenza Schouler have given us a cheese sandwich. After a summer of sorbet colours and a pattern-tastic upcoming winter it is a welcome return to simplicity. But make no mistakes my friends, this is not 'boring': the devil is in the details. The flash of electric blue, the fresh ankle flick trousers and minimalist sandals keep the combination modern.
4. 3.1 Philip Lim
I love a good overall. Half of my wardrobe is dungarees and since childhood pinafores have held a place in my heart. I also enjoy monochrome. Black and white are just so, like, opposite. Phillip Lim made all my dreams come true!

Saturday 19 May 2012

Paisley print

Topshop Boutique paisley print silk joggers and tee

Why Topshop why? For a mere £130 and the price of a pack of Sharpies I could have myself a Jil Sander-alike. Just when I had my finances under control you throw this curveball my way!

Friday 18 May 2012

Total Betty

Mad Men Season 1, Ep. 13, 'The Wheel'

I am currently living a hermit lifestyle due to university exams. In my downtime I have tardily hopped onto the Mad Men bandwagon. Much like my obsession with Homeland (I watched it in a weekend...), I am rattling through the series faster than Don Draper gets through extra-marital affairs. Meanwhile, his better half (for now) Betty is where it's sartorially at. With her collection of cat-eye sunglasses and wardrobe full of dirndl skirts and shrunken sweaters, all in pastel hues, naturally, Betty Draper is the girl of the moment. She would squeal at delight at Prada and Rochas' s/s collections, and, well, Jil Sander's spring woman is her. I choose the discourse of the masters to express my love for her.

Outfits to envy,
Girlfriend can shoot a gun too.
Betty D. haiku.

Hands up who watches Mad Men and wants to be Betty or Joan?

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Lea Seydoux, i-D summer 2012

Is that you Léa Seydoux?

Sunday 13 May 2012

Acting shady

Topshop / Miu Miu / Asos

I don't know which shades to buy. Guido problems.

Friday 11 May 2012

Van Der Horst

Maarten Van Der Horst for Topshop shirt dress

As much as I wish I could pair this with some Federicos (very American retiree in Hawaii) and skip off on my merry way, unfortunately the English weather up north dictates that I must not discard my 50 deniers quite yet!

Thursday 10 May 2012

Marni s/s '12

This Marni suit looks like the love child of The Graduate and Frenchie from Grease, conceived to the sounds of some early Beatles. I would wear this whilst lounging by the pool in my suburban LA home, smoking a cigarette and marvelling at my new refridgerator. Meanwhile, back in the real world, I am searching for a matching print suit that's as great as this one.

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Full metal jacket

Simone Rocha a/w '12, simonerocha.com / Topshop Tumblr

Need me an oversized silver leather jacket. For days when I want to feel like an astronaut.

Sunday 6 May 2012

Cool uniform

NW3 dress via Asos / Grey Coat Hospital shirt via John Lewis / Dr Martens via Topshop / American Apparel socks

It is this time of year, lighter mornings, longer evenings, that I will eternally associate with school summer dresses. That first Monday morning after the Easter holidays when the laundry fairies leave a freshly tumbled, freshly ironed cotton dress at the end of the bed to be thrown on after shedding the school uniform skin of winter - black, knitted tights and a big, in my case, red jumper. Before the days of shortening, ripping and subverting hated school uniform there was getting excited to wear a seersucker gingham dress and matching frilled ankle socks. However, this was only to realise that this excitement was a little premature, on chilly April morning walks to school when goosebumps pervaded.
I have spent a considerable amount of time perusing the John Lewis.com school uniform department, finding the perfect pinafore dress and countless charming summer dresses which had me wishing that they were made in big-enough-to-know-better size. NW3 knocked together this equally delightful adult summer dress, so for the very reasonable (if you are not a poor student) price of 99 English pounds, you can indulge in some school uniform nostalgia. Now, I wonder if I could swap my chocolate spread sandwiches and my yo-yo for my boyfriend's friends' old Grey Coat school shirts...?

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Tumblr / Versace ss '00, Pop s/s '12 / Kristen McMenamy Vogue Italia September '92 / Erna Einarsdottir CSM a/w '12 / Arizona Muse Self Service a/w '11

Things on my mind: palm tree print, cat eye sunglasses, metallic leather, crop tops and high waists, all black in the summer, mint green, yin and yang jewellery, sunflowers, gingham, the merits of trousers, the 1960s.

Sunday 1 April 2012

White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits

Topshop dress, socks / Casio watch / Office boots

This was what I wore today for running errands and making tasty culinary treats! Forgive me for the super awkward posing in the third photo: I just wanted to show off my super cute bow socks! The dress makes me feel like a 1950s housewife (especially so when baking), while the boots make me feel like a Spice Girl. Zig a zig ah.

Thursday 29 March 2012

First base

My mum's old baseball jacket / AA crop top

Sometimes at home we have a day of frenzied 'we have to tidy this house!' chaos, where suddenly the organised clutter becomes too much and if it doesn't get sorted this very instant then the house will implode. We recently had one of these spring cleans, with many black bin liners heading for the charity shop and much rose-tinted eBaying (I had to repeatedly tell my mother that no, no one will pay money for a grubby pair of trainers with holes in, even if they are Nike). It was from this that I salvaged a couple of lovely things, including this LA Dodgers baseball jacket! A souvenir from my Dad's trip to the States for my mum, it's pretty bang on trend, right? I always associate baseball with the 1950s (I think many an hour studying reading between the lines of Death of a Salesman and the American Dream in English!) and this seems to hit the 'vintage Americana' vibe at Prada and Proenza right on the head! Let's play ball!

Monday 26 March 2012

Stellar McCartney

Stella McCartney a/w '12
 
Stella knocks it out of the park once again.