some street style...
a few things i've been seeing around a lot lately.
gold doc martins. i haven't been seeing gold docs that often, but i have been seeing black ones. i noticed a woman that must have been in her 60s wearing a pair yesterday... and i was pretty impressed. that's pretty hardcore.
fur... it is seriously everywhere. faux or real - either way, it is taking over.
spring fever is definitely in the air. it is only february and the temperature is still pretty icy but a lot of people seem to be ready to pull out their spring gear in defiance. i love seeing floaty florals poking out from underneath winter coats...
this on the other hand i don't like so much. it is a serious pet peeve of mine. no boots and cropped jeans please ladies. it looks stupid.
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colourful coats. black still dominates but i keep seeing people in bright coats... and they seem to be getting brighter.
i know her outfit is pretty low key but i still like it. black skinny jeans, green leather jacket, satchel bag, lace up brogues, bright blue scarf, and that hair. i love it.
these two guys are too adorable. i love the one on the lefts soft grey lace up shoes and classic black coat. the guy on the right is channeling such a retro vibe with his coiffed up hair, jean jacket, polo shirt buttoned all the way up and grey cardigan. love it.
what are people wearing on the streets of your neighborhood?
haircut... why must you haunt me?
i am finally getting my haircut. it is going to happen on friday in covent garden at 4:30pm. i have put it off for eight months... and i can seriously attest to the fact that everyday i look at my head and think 'what is wrong with you brown scraggly mop?! get it together already, we've got places to go and people to see... and this is not acceptable!!' but it does not seem to want to... so a haircut is in order. jill from street style london was sweet enough to book us both an appointment. i'm totally excited to meet her and just hope that my pre-cut hair doesn't manage to scare her away! basically, i am seriously looking forward to friday afternoon.
last time i got my hair cut i took in a photo of alexa chung and asked to have it cut in a similar fashion. remember the 'new look' advertisement that she featured in? that was when the hair obsession first started. it just looks so naturally cool... i am sure it takes some effort. but regardless... i still like it, and i'm still falling for the whole 'it just happens to look like this when i fall out of bed in the morning' - in hope that i will be lucky enough to also have my hair look like that when i fall out of bed in the morning.
so that is it. friday puts an end to the ghost of haircuts past willing me to give in and pay the 50quid to tame the mop growing ever more wild on top of my head.
(plus, hopefully this way my husband will stop telling me i look like a 'lion'...)
whispers of holidays...
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i am a little in love with the february j.crew catalog. the photos whisper the sweetness of holidays: flowers, bare legs, beaches, strolls in foreign cities while holding hands. warmth, relaxation, and free time... i am dreaming of such things.
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ruffles, nudes, rolled shorts, sequins, checks, summer hats, waves, sand...
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brogues, loafers, rolled up jeans, feathery cardigans, foreign cities...
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desert shoes, lace camis, nude socks, sea green, techno florals...
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i adore these little rolled up pink shorts and the scarf tied around her neck. i am equally in love with the denim ones worn with a black waist coat. this is pretty much what i would like to be wearing once it is warm enough. j.crew totally succeeds at selling me their 'lifestyle' through the images in their catalogs... i totally want to be as effortlessly laid back and cool as the girls in the photos!
i am a little torn between the reality of the current english weather (more in line with yesterdays darker post) and hoping that spring will come quickly. i am afraid this is probably going to be a problem throughout all of february. but, even if it's just a dream these outfits are just what i would want to wear on holiday right now...
channeling Changeling
Changeling came out in 2008 but I have only just watched it tonight. The filming is beautiful, the acting superb and the story is seriously moving. Angelina Jolie is a great actress in the film and her outfits are gorgeous. It made me want to crawl back to 1928 and adorn myself in pretty little hats, dark red lips, fur coats, lace dressing gowns, and florals. A lot of those things wouldn't be too out of place in February 2010.
Maybe I can work it into my wardrobe somehow.
Hats are worn by everyone in almost every scene... wish it was more common today.
Soft waves, long ribbed cardigans, pink stained lips and ditzy florals.
Fur, brooches, leather clutches, and mary janes.
Beautiful green lace dressing gown.
The story is dramatic and moving and so are the outfits. Highly recommended - both for the story and the fashion.
Plus, Angelina Jolie looks gorgeous and has very pale skin - which is making me feel a little better about mine while I am stuck inside secretly wishing for warmth and sunshine.
if you aint doing nothing lets fly away...
Although snow is still sporadically falling and the temperatures keep threatening to stick below freezing the new collections are starting to hit stores and it is impossible to resist their lure. While talk of holidays and the dream of white sand beaches is starting to creep into conversation the reality is that are all still grounded in our cold climates, for now at least.
Emerald perfectly shows how to mix new pieces with your winter favourites in order to create a totally chic and modern look that will let you show off your great finds without freezing your tush off.
I really like the soft neutrals in her skirt, snood, and bag paired against the black in all her other items. It toughens up the otherwise grown up and dressy skirt and makes it look perfect for a chilly Sunday.
The little picture. The details on the skirt make it so special. The fabric is divine and has a lovely little sheen to it. Little slit pockets with fringe and ribbon are so sweet. It totally reminds me of the Chanel Spring 2010 RTW looks where neutrals and gold were shown.
Climbing back in through the window.
I totally love Emerald's whole look. She demonstrates perfectly how to mix and match new items with ones you've already got. This way you make a transitional outfit that nods to the spring trends without looking like you are trying too hard. There is nothing worse than being too cold and looking like a muppet because you are adamant that you will wear that new item regardless of how inappropriate it is for the weather. So if you aren't able to fly away to a sunny location on holiday, and instead you are stuck in the cold, just follow Emerald's lead and you'll look ahead of the trends and totally chic.
Emerald wears:
Comptoir des Contonniers leather jacket
Jigsaw Tweed Mushroom Skirt
Jack Wills snood
Marks & Spencer shoes
now for a little dizzee rascal in emerald's honour.
a pop of colour...
it's cold, it's dark, it is (after all) still january...
but the women in the UK are busting out their brightest colours in honor of the sunshine and the spring weather that is surely on its way.
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personally i am a black, navy, or grey kind of coat girl. these ladies are pairing their bright pop coloured coats over neutral basics (predominately black). it is any easy way to boost your outfit without having to make too much effort, and i have to admit it is a pretty nice to see some colours on the street as opposed to the flatness of black against everyone's back.
have you noticed this pop coloured coat look or was it just a freak micro-trend that took over my town today? it seriously was bizarre how many women were wearing bright coats. i had three walk past me in pink ones all within 1 minute. maybe there was a coloured coat flash sale somewhere and i just missed the memo?
it's all about the little picture...
haute couture is all about exclusivity. sublime beauty and extravagance of the sort that most of us will never come close to. i have to admit though, if my entire understanding of couture was founded solely on the looks from the chanel spring 2010 collection i think i'd happily sit this one out and stay with the common folk...
according to vogue, this is the first time lagerfeld has done a whole collection without any black or navy. even though it has a slightly space age vibe with lots of silver and metallics don't describe the looks at 'futuristic', because apparently after the show he said 'I hate that. I don't believe in avant-garde clothes for a future that will never happen. Fashion is always now.'
okay... so let's just see how 'now' this collection really is.
alright, so lagerfeld is a fashion god, the king of all kings and the epitome of chic. but knee length shorts suits?! really?! lesson learnt i am hoping - even karl can't make knee length shorts look hot. change the colour to camel and they would blend right in to the uniform of a summer camp counselor... pleats and all. sorry, but screaming kids along with arts and crafts doesn't ring the exclusivity bell for me nor does it reign supreme in the world of high fashion.
now i am sure that pastel cocoon is made out of the most desirable and lush fabric... it probably took a thousand hours to hand craft. i get that, it looks utterly beautiful... until you notice the shape. it looks like an egg that she is hatching out of. the more i look at it the more confused i am - is it stiff? how is it keeping that monstrous shape? on the other hand, that silky dress underneath does look promising.
alright already... something i can handle. boring as it might be compared to some of the other space aged looks- this i like. the shape and cut are perfect, the fabric looks divine, and i am loving the detailing around the neck. yes please uncle karl, something i can support.
i know it isn't all about being super sexy and strutting your stuff in a provocative way... but are the men of the fashion industry trying to get back at us for something?! do they want us to look like bloated marshmallows? this dress is obviously gorgeous. the detail around the neck is beautiful. but honestly what is happening around her mid section? have i totally missed something? do people actually want to look like that?
as if the others weren't bad enough... this had to come strutting down. again, i am sure it is made out of bucket loads of the most expensive fabric imaginable... but it does not look good on her. there is something pretty whimsical about it though... i wouldn't mind something similar filtering down to my price level, only in a slightly diffused way.
ok, enough about the bubble belly trend that seems to be emerging. i am equally put off by this look. long skirts seem to be making a come back, and i think that's pretty awesome. however, this fingertip length jacket with long ruched skirt look is pretty awful. i really just don't get this... she looks unhappily statuesque.
if you are put off by the previous look though you can always opt for another version of the knee length short-suit in a pastel blue... hmm? does that take your fancy or inspire you? seriously change the colour to khaki green and i looks perfect for a safari - it even has the classic jumbo pockets that you can fill with all your adventurous items.
basically ladies (and gents?), i don't feel particularly moved by this collection. i'm not about to suit up in my (non-futuristic) space aged silver gloves, wear head to toe in one pastel colour, pull on my bubble belly dress, or slip into a knee length short suit anytime in the near future.
i guess i'm not meant to though... i'm not couture, and that's that. the more i look at the photos though the more mesmerized i am by the overall look. the whole romantic rococo outlandish thing... but i still don't actually like any of the outfits specifically, and more importantly if i had a spare 20grand sitting around i don't think i'd be choosing one of these outfits to spend it on.
i don't think the extravagance or the exclusivity is in the big picture though... i think it is in the details. from my point of view the big picture is sort of shapeless and unattractive, nothing that i would ever want to wear. the details though? now that is an entirely different story...
entirely captivating and utterly gorgeous. the sort of things dreams are made of... in other words: haute couture.
(all photos from style.com)
change of layout...?
i've changed my layout to wide with bigger photos... what do people think? am a little unsure because my photo quality is not insanely great. but let me know what you think. keep or back to the old way?
xx
p.s. spotted this chick sporting this insanely long pointed hood the other night... am thinking she was off to some sort of wizardly elfin convention?
these are a few of my favourite things...
i woke up with this song in my head.... only my favourite things aren't raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens (although brown paper packages tied up in strings can be pretty exciting). so i thought i would present to you some things that would currently make my list.
madewell black jersey biker jacket - i got this for christmas after seriously making the biggest fuss ever over it. i didn't think i was going to get it and was initially a little put off over how short the back is, but i actually adore it. and i can't wait until it gets freaking warm enough to wear it.
stretchy leather stud headband from gap - gap?! i know, right, since when does gap do amazing little studded headbands? i love it, and it was only like $5.
alternative earth white burnout t-shirt - the best t-shirt ever.
white(ish) plimsoles from payless shoes - i don't know why exactly but i love these shoes. i might just be the only person who thinks they are wonderful... and i have so many other cooler and more expensive shoes (these were $7)... but i just love these.
jigsaw cashmere boyfriend cardigan with thumbholes. seriously the coziest thing.
i've heard a lot of people talking about glasses lately. like old retro reading glasses - well i don't need glasses, but i totally love these cheetah print glasses from UO that are entirely just for fun. but personally i think fabulous nonetheless.
p.s. i have realized that i have actually not had a hair cut in 8 months. EIGHT MONTHS!! yah, that's pretty insane. i don't think i have ever gone that long since i was like, 3? anyway, this goes to show that i am horribly cheap and put things off for as long as possible. any ideas on what to get done??
men's trends...
i'm a bit curious about men's trends... do they slowly creep behind popular women's wear until some guys, who like a look enough, get up the guts to try it out for themselves? i am not entirely sure if in general that is how it works - but i do think that is how it worked with the snood.
maybe it's just that us girls tend to be way more runway conscious and hop to the new things by the bucket load whereas men are more reticent to, say... stick a strange knitted loop around their neck?
the snood has been back on the scene for a few years though and it is only recently that i've started to see guys wearing them. personally i love them and i think they are great for guys too.
i am also eternally perplexed by what any of us wore before the ultimate return of the check shirt...? i think i would be a little lost without mine... and i know that most of the men in my life would be as well.
so, it sort of seems like some of the things that guys are loving these days (snoods, check shirts, fingerless gloves etc) are the very same things i am loving... probably minus the floral dresses!
but, all this to say - this is rich and i love his look.
any thoughts on men's trends or do you prefer to stick to what the girls are wearing?
how to: survive a rainy day in london...
(#1 Boots)
Rain is here to stay... in London at least. The season is just beginning to come upon us, and sadly it will destroy our hair, our shoes, and our choices in clothing for the months to come.
I am rubbish at dressing for the rain. It is one thing if you just have to pop down the road to the shops, but if you've got to (which I do) cycle in the rain, march around london in the rain, sit on the tube (after just coming out of) the rain... basically live your life in and out of the rain, it can get a little complicated. The simplest thing: the ability to stay dry - can turn into the most difficult and painful experience if you aren't well prepared.
So, a little how to guide... predominately based around all the things I normally forget.
#1 is boots. Boots will save your life in the rain, but the choice of which pair is so complicated. Wellies are good but, if you have to spend a lot of time inside, wearing big clunky plastic boots can be a bit of a pain. These leather boots that Meera is wearing are great. Wet jeans, wet feet, cold toes... all not an issue. Plus, they are totally cute. Grey shoes are huge at the moment and I love the worker lace up look they have. The little straps around them are so cool too, and completely remind me of this idea posted on london street style.
(#2. Appropriate clothing/accessories)
Okay, this is a hard one. The rain doesn't have to dictate entirely what you wear... but if you are freezing, soaking wet, your short skirt blowing up every which way you are going to look a little daft.
I ran into Meera while out having some cupcakes at the Primrose Bakery in Covent Garden. She is so sweet and was a little embarassed to have her photo taken but luckily complied. She is dressed perfectly for the rain... so lets take some tips from her... scarf and gloves means cozy neck and warm hands while holding the umbrella out. Toasty little jacket and jeans. No foofy bag that will get ruined or make it difficult to hold your umbrella....
(#3. Umbrella)
Which brings us to the doozy of all recommendations on how to survive the rain: don't forget your umbrella! That really is the most important thing... it is awful to be walking around with no umbrella, getting soaking wet little a total and utter twitt while everyone else around you is high and dry. Okay, so always remember your umbrella.
(#4. A backup plan)
If you do forget your umbrella make sure you have a back up plan. A leopard print scarf will work a treat in keeping your head dry.
(#5. A hood)
Always a good idea for when you have to just pop out for a minute or when you realize you accidentally left your umbrella in the pub...
(#6. A good mood)
Finally, don't let the rain get you down. No one likes a grump, and if you are going to let the rain get the better of you, you'll be miserable a lot. Keep your spirits up and look on the bright side. A flowery umbrella and a yellow coat will definitely help... and remember spring is just around the corner!
oh, youngsters these days....
ok, let's be honest: sweats are rarely done well.
no lie, they are truly a necessity... but not a way of looking cool. alright, we have all seen photos of Paris Hilton rocking this fabulous look. ludicrously overpriced sweats have, at times, been all the rage.... i get it. juicy couture started an insane trend that saw the most covetable item every girl sought being velour tracksuits. i'm not above reproach here ladies, i had a teal one... but i'm not proud of it.
ok... enough of my general anxiety regarding overpriced sweats.
this boy looks lame.
he's not even sagging... the crotch is just that low for the sake of it. i think grey sweats like that are ugly, and i think when they have an extended crotch that reaches well below your knees making you do a penguin-waddle in order to keep up with your friends.... well, let's be honest, it's even uglier.
p.s. has anyone seen nacho libre? it is actually my favourite movie and jack black says sweats in the most hilarious way. check out the trailer to see... he says it at the 50second mark (after which is another good example of how not to wear sweats).
is it just me...
or does everyone with short hair feel mocked by the world right about now?
why didn't anyone tell me that i would be desperate for long hair as soon as i saw these photos from alexander wang?? they just look so gorgeous and effortlessly chic.
ok, ok. reality check. i would have had to have been growing my hair for the past five years for it to get that long... on second thought, it probably never would get that long, and if it did would look like a serious ratty mess and be too thin to even make such a luscious braid.
these photos of the models from the wang spring/summer 2010 runway show seem to be everywhere, and people with long hair seem to be everywhere too... mocking me. why is it none of them are doing the braid themselves?? has no one told them about the wang braid...??!?
p.s. what is it with everyone wearing red these days? seriously everyone is wearing red. is there some secret 'lets all wear red in january' party going on (that i clearly wasn't invited to)? i normally only wear red the week that surrounds christmas... i know, i am boring.
drip drop... drip drop....
Heavy snow was forecast and instead rain is falling.... I guess the upside is it looks more like Spring is on its way?
I never thought I would put a photo of myself up on here... but lately I have been thinking 'if everyone else can do it, why can't I?' Well... let's be honest, there are a number of reasons (boring outfits, shoddy photos, etc etc etc). Today I have manned up though. I would be ever so grateful to hear any of your thoughts on this new addition of 'me' to the blog...
Wearing:
Hunter 'Lady N' Wellington Boots
Alexander McQueen Flapper Shoulder Bag
Malchick & Devotcha Native American Skull T-Shirt
Lord & Taylor Cashmere Beanie
I am a little in love with this t-shirt. I got it for $5 in the UO after Christmas sales... along with 14 other t-shirts and 2 dresses (
seriously
$5! you can't even get a coffee in the UK for $5).
Also, you can see my little camera in that second photo... oh my oh my, I am desperate for
. If you have any advice on cameras I would love to hear it... not that I will be able to get a new one anytime soon... my birthday is coming up in April though.... a girl can always dream, right?
currently listening to:
currently reading: Isaiah Berlin 'The Proper Study of Mankind'
'The nature of things does not madden us, only ill will does.'
p.s. a big thank you to jill at
for mentioning me in her recent post on london fashion. i absolutely adore her blog.
things i've been seeing a lot....
red. leopard print. patterns. long hair (which i am totally jealous of... why did i have to cut mine all off last spring?! now i can't do the wang braid!!)
i am loving this girls jacket, the big sleeves, the purple wrists sticking out, her leopard print clutch... yummy yum.