Richard of York gave battle …
August 30, 2011 § Leave a comment
Bright colours are going to be hot again for Autumn/Winter, mark my words – a splash of orange or purple is exactly what we need as we slip into grey September. Dorothy Perkins have absolutely recognised this with their ‘Colourama’ range. The solid but subdued palette – think mustard and cerulean – is exactly what the new season calls for, and even better, there’s money to be saved – buy today and you’ll get free delivery on orders over £40, and you’ll also be sent a code for 10% off your next purchase.
Now brace yourselves – I’m going to wax lyrical again about stunning clothes I can’t afford. The above coat, for example, and the perfection that is the innocence of the cut and slight bow detail coupled with the glamour and sex appeal of the pillar box red. Personally, I’d really love it in a knee-length version, for an extra dose of innocence and warmth and child-at-Christmas. It’s Moschino Cheap and Chic, and from that you can deduce that although it’s unendingly chic, it isn’t all that cheap. For a quick red fix, head instead to lipstick – MAC’s Ruby Woo is the ultimate classic in this department, and equally flattering on pale and dark skin tones.
Speaking of colour hits, Current/Elliott are a new favourite window shopping brand. These Marigold Yellow Skinny Jeans are bottled sunshine, and perfect with a nice dark grey marl (as shown) or a bit of colour blocking (how about this Dorothy Perkins top?).
And take a look at this mellow pastel-y version! Not so flattering on those paler of us, but still absolutely scrumptious. Red? Too out-there. Blue? Too boring. Pink? Too girly. Yellow? My heart be still.
New Look are currently running a version in a very similar colour.
More cropped pastels, available in yellow or pink – and on sale!
And a bit of mustard – I really want them with a good burgundy top. A very similar option is available at New Look.
While we’re having a yellow denim love-in, these trashier shorts are awesome (so long as, and sorry to rain on everyone’s parade, you’re approx. 15 to 25, still in possession of nice thighs and don’t need to look super-responsible. Or maybe so long as you want to really shock the other mothers doing the school run.)
The trend as shoes. These’d add a really nice kick to a sensible suit (pun totally intended).
Feel the rainbow, lovelies.
Window shopping
August 27, 2011 § 2 Comments
My new obsession infatuation is my-wardrobe.com. Yeah, I know, hardly revolutionary – the high end fashion boutique was launched way way back in the mists of time (2006). But I just recently signed up to their email newsletter, and boy are they good – each one has contained some totally delicious little gem that I want right now.
‘Coveting’ is the word I’d choose for how I feel about these boots. They’re the Whiskey Parley Chelsea Zip Ankle Boot by Sam Edelman, and I’m super-pleased because whiskey is also the word I chose to describe their colour before I even looked at the name. Woo, go me! Perhaps it’s a sign I should own them?
The catch is that they’re £168. The even bigger catch is that that’s a really reasonable price compared to most of the designer pieces of wearable art sold on the site. So yes, my addiction might pose a problem in the future.
I’m not going to get the boots; it’s unjustifiable, as I already own a pair of Chelsea boots. Actually, I already own an old pair of real riding boots because I’m a cheapskate, but still … I’m not going to get them. You should.
The company’s most recent email suggests YMC’s new season Olive Casual Parka as an accompaniment, and the colour combination is actually divine. £338 is a lot to drop on a coat to match your also-quite-expensive shoes, though, so how about an alternative? Campbell Cooper have one of those traditionally British wax jackets in olive green, and it’s only £35 – perfect. Believe me, you’ll get used to the smell; I find it quite endearing.
I’d trade my gas and electricity for this dress, too. No seriously, I’m actually considering doing that. Slightly dishevelled, but with a Rubens print for intellectual appeal; it’d look great with her leather jacket. And it’s Vivienne Westwood, which is enough in itself, to be honest. Love her so much.
Go on – what are you drooling over this season that’s out of your price range? Let’s console each other.
Jaeger Workwear
June 11, 2011 § 2 Comments
Jaeger, who sell great quality clothes with prices to match, currently have a much-needed up to 60% off.
I’m not going to lie, some of their styles are more hit than miss (I’m not convinced on the unflattering, little girl-y Chambray dress), but others are real gems – especially the work-appropriate numbers.
My favourites:
Finally, if you do nothing else, take a look at their jackets and blazers. With sleek, modernist lines, they are the absolute last word in a subtler style of power dressing.
Happy shopping,
Lola
A Fashionable Tip
June 7, 2011 § Leave a comment
Collar tips are about to have a moment. “What?” I hear you cry. “Something that serves no clear purpose? Now, in our Most Dreadful economic climate? Surely not?” Fashion, my friends, cares not about such trivial matters.
In fact, the collar tip is perfect for right now. A little bit (or a lot) country in an ironic indie sort of way, it’s also a little bit mod, and that reference to the early 60s brings with it the mood of a world in the midst of change – swap racial equality movements for Arab revolutions, and feel like you’re part of something big.
It would make sense to mix eras up a little, and wear your collar adornments with brothel creepers for a Teddy Boy feel, or winklepickers, a la the modernist movement that brought about the mods. But if you like your looks less themed, adding collar tips to an ordinary white shirt and coupling with a work suit for a day at the office, or skinny jeans and pumps for a more casual setting, gives the look a nod in an exciting, subtly subversive kind of way. I’m an especially big fan of the suit idea – what better way to say ‘Right now I might be your average office-worker, but you can’t make me conform Mr Bossman.’ Love a good bit of everyday rebellion.
If you don’t want to shell out for the above Balenciaga originals, who’s stunning and simple contemporary lines are endlessly appropriate given the mod title, but which also cost £185 from Browns Fashion, there are multiple options available:
ASOS, available in Europe and the US, have four versions, all £10, from clean, angular styles (great paired with a denim shirt, as they here) to winged pairs with a more distinctly Western feel (in which case the denim shirt might be overdoing it a tad). They also do a £30 ready-tipped shirt, if you aren’t so concerned about you collar tips’ versatility.
A flowered version is also available at Dawanda, which you’ll come to realise is one of my favourite websites. Similar to Etsy, but with a more Europe/world-wide feel, as opposed to an Anglophone focus, I’ve purchased from there several times and the service has been prompt and reliable. These collar tips are only 4.50 euros (around £3.50 or $6.50) plus 2.50 postage to Europe, or 3 euros to elsewhere. The feminine floral aspect would soften a unisex shirt and trousers combination perfectly.
To go the whole boots-with-spurs hog and cultivate a look suitable for your honkytonk bar of choice, take a look at the more traditional versions available from sites such as this one (I’m sure you have your own places over in the US).
Alternatively, if your fingers are tingling with creative energy, you could make your own – you will, however, need to be the kind of person who has random DIY paraphernalia hanging around their house. Or the kind of person who could steal said paraphernalia from their boyfriend’s flat/super-organised friend/dad’s shed. The HonestlyWTF blog have a fantastic tutorial up (actually, they’re brilliant in general – check out their DIY turban).
Topshop and Urban Outfitters are yet to get in on the act, folks – it’s time to be ahead of the curve, and be a Dedicated Follower of Fashion.