Feathers and Sequins

Scandinavian for value

2009-11-08T16:26:00.002Z

Copenhagen StreetStyle this week gives us Rebecca, aged 15. Yes, 15. Why was I not this cool when I was 15? Why am I still not this cool almost 6 years later?! I think the main answer to this question is because I am not Scandinavian.

My hypothesis is thus: being Scandinavian automatically makes you 26 times cooler fashion-wise than everyone else.

Proof #1 is Rebecca here with her cosy big scarf, messy-chic hair, wonderful fringe, simple outfit and (as far as I can tell) no need for make-up. And also just Copenhagen StreetStyle in general, see below for examples.

(another annoyingly stylish 15 year old. Totally unfair.)

Proof #2 is FashionGirl on Stockholm Streetstyle who is my style icon. She dresses in a really simple way and yet always looks totally fashionable and original.

Proof #3 is Swedish label Acne. The coolest label going, and not ridiculously expensive either. Plus you won't end up looking like a fashion victim as Acne plays by its own rules instead of enforcing jeggings on the world. (Ditto Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair)

Hypothesis proved. The End. Case closed.

P.S. I'm totally treating myself to a shopping trip to Sweden once I'm finished in France....Monki here I come!

DIY Couture

2009-11-04T16:52:00.002Z

In these dark times of economic downturn, the ever-present threat of global warming and Cheryl Cole's world domination (sure she's cute, but she's EVERYWHERE now...even Loreal couldn't resist those dulcet Geordie tones) what we need is something to save us money, make us smile and be 100% stylish. Enter Maison Martin Margiela.

Want a new jacket? Easy, just re-use all those ballpoint pens you bought at the beginning of the semester when you were sure that this was going to be the year you actually did some work. A bit of sticky-back plastic here and a safety pin or two and voila, you've got yourself a pretty good replica of MMM's new look...

Remember when false eyelashes were cool? (Cheryl Cole even endorsed a pair...) Did you bulk in fear that World War Three was nigh and you didn't want to look uncool in your nuclear bunker? Need something to do with those spidery fiends? Look no further for inspiration than our dear friends at Maison Martin Margiela...

It's like Blue Peter for (super stylish) adults. Get out the glitter and safety scissors and begin creating!

Ode to Topshop

2009-10-31T18:09:00.002Z

Before I arrived in France I was under the impression that the French were very chic, and I was therefore excited about the prospect of buying French clothes and returning to England 87times more stylish than when I left...I was wrong.

I am living in the city of Le Havre in Normandy, it isn't the centre of the fashion universe but it is well known for having a lot of shops. Seriously, the main thing to do here is shop. And yet I have failed to buy anything more than a beige cardigan (from H&M...I could have bought it at home). I am in serious need of a pair of winter boots, but prices here are so expensive, and tastes so dissimmilar to my own, that I fear I will be parading about in ballet pumps as the snow begins to fall.

I miss Topshop. I've been stalking a jumper on the website for about a month now, and just when I was going to take the plunge it's disappeared. Just my luck. It's saving me money, but costing me style (and more importantly warmth). I'm planning an online trolley dash sometime this week, but what to buy...?

P.S. France is amazing for food. I am addicted to pain aux raisins. I will never fit in the Topshop clothes I end up buying.

France!

2009-10-15T15:45:00.002+01:00

Hello!
I'm in France!
I moved to Le Havre almost three weeks ago and I'm just getting my bearings.
Here is a nice photo of the coat near here to keep you going until I have time to write something fashiony...

Imagine...

2009-09-23T15:05:00.004+01:00

...you've got a really important business meeting that you're totally unprepared for. There's good reasons for your lack of preparations, mostly involving vodka, but you are petrified that you're going to crash and burn in the boardroom. The solution? Wear an outfit that is hypnotic. This creation from Basso&Brooke will draw the attention away from whatever rubbish you're spouting and leave your fellow suits mesmerised by your fabulous taste in clothing, and ability to match (shoes and jacket, very classy, very businesslike).

...your super-hot male friend asks you to help him to move house. You need to look alluring but also be able to move about - he has a load of junk that needs boxing up and moving out. Peter Pilotto has the solution, shorts and a shirt is a simple combination but will make you look cool and show that you really are there to help. Plus short-shorts show off your legs, although pumps might be better than these heels when you're helping to lug a piano up four flights of stairs.

...you've been invited to a "bad taste party" at uni. You don't actually want to look totally hideous because, well you would be completely ashamed. This is what Henry Holland is for. You'd have to be brave to wear this outfit on a normal night out, but under the guise of "bad taste" you can show off this wonderful ensemble.

...you've been asked out by a cowboy. In the 90s. I am so in love with this from Sienna Miller's Twenty8Twelve that I'm currently developing a time machine to ensure I do find myself in that situation.

...it's your first lecture at uni, you want to look cute and clever. I would suggest that you remember to dry your hair though, you don't want to catch a chill. I love how this outfit is demure and scholarly without being drab. And the socks/legwarmers match the coat - cute as!

...you just want to look super hot! Burberry Prorsum is all you need.

Like A Grecian Goddess

2009-09-22T20:31:00.001+01:00

Leighton Meester. Lovely.

Luella Love

2009-09-22T12:50:00.002+01:00

Finally the time as come to admit it, I am jealous of Alexa Chung.

She's breaking America without having to become a Barbie doll, has very good hair, a rock star boyfriend AND gets to wear Luella dresses still warm from the fashion show. The green-eyed monster has picked a worthy target.

In other news I am in love with the new Luella collection. The shapes are so classic and feminine, like the sort of outfits Betty Draper might wear to a fancy picnic.

The only thing that niggles me about Luella's clothing is that I think they would be shown off far better on a curvier body. The clothes have curves and the models don't, it just doesn't seem quite right. Maybe for her next collection Luella should "do a Mark Fast" and find some less bony beauties to fill out her dresses.

Here Comes The Bride

2009-09-22T12:26:00.003+01:00

Word on the street (or rather on the blogosphere) is that Zooey Deschanel has married her beau, Ben Gibbard from Seth Cohen's favourite band Death Cab For Cutie. I am very excited about this for two main reasons; firstly because I love Zooey in a serious girl-crush sort of way so am super happy for her, and secondly because I'm hoping wedding photos will appear of her in whatever amazing dress she tied the knot.

Zooey always wears beautiful classy outfits, I reckon she will have chosen a lovely vintage wedding dress possibly lace, possibly 1940s style, no veil. Actually that's what I'd wear to get married in, but I do like to think that Zooey and I would have similar tastes. Here's a couple of her red carpet choices, proof that the girl sure knows how to pick a dress!

Armour Amour

2009-09-17T10:47:00.005+01:00

Hannah Marshall understands the power of the little black dress. And the little black everything else for that matter. Her Autumn/Winter '09 collection is all about armour, basically meaning that the outfits look seriously fierce (as Tyra would say). The shoulder of the season is very involved, along with some very exciting poses from the models.

Much as I love the harsh angular feel of the clothes, I think I would want to soften the outfits up a bit with some wool or floaty fabrics.

It's Raining (snappily dressed) Men!

2009-09-16T19:47:00.005+01:00

I thought I'd share a couple of photos from my favourite Jak&Jil post ever. These are from backstage (or rather the pavement outside) the Thom Browne show.

Hopefully Clara Bow style lipstick for men won't be catching on any time soon - or any sort of lipstick for that matter - but I rather like the actual outfits on show here. The tailoring is lovely, I do like a man in fitted clothes. And shorts, I am a fan of men in shorts. Well, only if they have good legs that is, what can I say, I'm shallow.

What I really love about these photos is just how absurd high fashion looks when you take it out into natural light. Some of the other shots from Jak&Jil show more absurd polkadotty outfits, but even the more tame short-suits look incongruous when everyone around is wearing variations on the same stylish theme. The traffic-warden-yellow coats are somehow wonderful and awful all at the same time, which is for some unknown reason exactly what I love fashionwise!

The Hair's The Thing

2009-09-16T10:58:00.002+01:00

Raven hair for Agyness.....do we like?

A hat fit for Icarus

2009-09-15T19:13:00.006+01:00

When I'm looking to buy a hat top of my list of requirements is that by wearing it I could potentially blind someone close by. Luckily for me, Maria Francesca Pepe has designed a piece of headwear perfect for that very cause.

Although I am perplexed about the wearability factor of that particular piece, the rest of Pepe's collection is simple yet effective. I like clean lines, I like block colours and I like clothing with shape. This collection has all three. Inspiration is supposed to have come from 19th century French prostitutes, but I'm sure there must have been more ruffles involved back then. The seductive fabrics are due to Pepe's Italian roots, which is lucky really since the velvets and silks stop the cuts from being overly harsh.

I'm not so sure about the lilac lipstick - it's a bit Peaches Geldof for my liking - but the combination of the simple dress and geometric brooch makes for an interesting outfit. Effortlessly cool rather than being too showy.

This season is all about the shoulder, dahling. There's still a part of me that screams "Dynasty" everytime I see a shoulder pad, but as I personally am lacking in the shoulder-department I do feel myself drawn to the sillouette - just so long as big hair and dream sequences aren't coming back too!

C for Ciara...

Love My Bones

2009-09-13T22:24:00.004+01:00

I want this:

As seen on Yvan Rodic's non-facehunter blog. Nevermind ribcage t-shirts or even the full bodysuits kids wear at Hallowe'en, this has got to be the coolest way to show your gothic tendancies.

The bad news is the price. With a little help from Google, I've located this bracelet-ring conglomeration, it's by Delfina Delettrez and will set you back a cool € 17160.00.

Waistline Woes

2009-09-13T00:29:00.005+01:00

I am starting to worry about the return of the midriff. I realise the issue isn't up there with American healthcare or the state of the economy but all the same it's making me anxious. What are those of us who are less than lithe supposed to do with this style? And worse still, even if I become one of the skinny crowd my new French job clearly states NO crop tops. I am doomed to a perpetual fashion faux pas until the style blows over. At least I can take heart in the fact that my midriff cannot be expected to be on show during the winter months, it and I can take a break from the stress, sit back and eat cupcakes...

Cushnie et Ochs

Yigal Azrouël

The Long Awaited Return!

2009-09-11T20:24:00.004+01:00

Yes, I know. It's been six months. I didn't call, I didn't write and I am very very sorry. I am, however, back!

cue fireworks and balloons and streamers and a marching band and cheerleaders!!!

To begin the new era of feathers and sequins I give you....dressing as a couple!

The new collection by Davidelfin allows you to choose an outfit for yourself and a matching ensemble for your beau - pure genius.

I am especially enamoured with the use of this season's statement shoulder for the man rather than the woman, he looks a bit like he's sprouted fins, but in a cool way. He could swim the channel, and still appear debonair.

A Confession

2009-03-04T15:02:00.002Z

I am a bad bloggist. Normal service to be resumed anon.

except I am going to London this weekend so I can't post then...and Dublin the weekend after....and exams and essays and excuses...

White Collar Working That Look!

2009-01-21T21:45:00.003Z

I would like this Husam El Odeh necklace please. It's almost official enough to wear with a tshirt at job interviews instead of actually investing in a proper shirt. Not that I plan on getting a job any time soon, of course. Too many French words to learn (today's favourite is papillonner) and too much metaphysics to [attempt to] understand.

On an unrelated note, my I take this opportunity to apologise for my unfunny blog titles, I get carried away sometimes.

Bea Fashionable

2009-01-21T21:04:00.003Z

I have already professed my love for Sweden, and more specifically my love for Stockholm Street Style. It is this minor obsession with our Viking friends that caused me to discover Bea Szenfeld, a rather adorable designer. Although originally born in Poland, Bea moved to Sweden at eleven and learned her craft at both Cutters Academy in Gothenburg and Beckman’s College of Design in Stockholm. She started her own label in 2002, as well as her very own vintage line.

I saw this photograph and though "is that a blackbird on her hat?" which of course led me to google her name and discover her fashion label.

The above pictures are cited as "inspiration" and, to be perfectly honest, who couldn't love a designer who understands the importance of rabbits and their carrots?

The pieces are all wonderfully simple and remind me of period dramas and children's history books. Two very prominent fashion sources, I'll have you know.

Delving into the archived collections, the simplistic edge remains, as does the childish touch. I personally adore the paper dresses collection, although I do have slight reservations about how well they would preserve my modesty, and what would happen if it rained...

A Perfect Outfit

2009-01-18T22:30:00.003Z

I think this girl's outfit is perfect. Not too overdone, it looks comfy and stylish and I love her hair. The bloomers do slightly concern me, but I'm willing to overlook that since the outfit as a whole is so good.

I do love facehunter

Statement Shoes

2009-01-11T00:07:00.003Z

I am more and more coming to the conclusion that statement shoes are all that are needed to make an outfit pop. Nina Hjorth's creations are perfect for doing just that. Bright colours and quirky shapes are merged together into simple yet striking designs that are screaming out to me to be worn day-in-day-out. I especially like the interesting heel shapes, my personal favourites being the black pair below which remind me of lego.

Sometime I worry about when the time comes that I actually have money to spend on designer shoes, my wardrobe won't know what's hit it!

To Buy or Not To Buy

2009-01-10T23:56:00.003Z

Should I buy this from Topshop? I have a real weakness for tulip skirts and this one is seriously nice, and not overly costly. I'm planning outfit combinations already (mainly involving grey; a cardigan, a tshirt, a wifebeater would be good), but I get shopping guilt and I really need to think of justification for buying it.

Gory Bling

2009-01-10T23:44:00.002Z

Is it gruesome to want jewellery of amputated limbs? Not fleshy ones, obviously, but beautiful vintage porcelain.

I would very very much like to purchase some of this lovely M. Graves jewellery. My student loan did arrive into my bank account today...

Hail Cesar!

2009-01-07T19:52:00.007Z

The latest copy of Indie Magazine includes a rather delightful shoot with the rather delightful Cesar Casier, who may just be edging in on Cole Mohr in my affections. For one thing he's Belgian and has an adorable accent when speaking English, as demonstrated on the 'Elevator Pitch' video of him made by his modelling agency, Dominique Models, and God knows I love all things francophone. Also he is absolutely beautiful. If he ever does own his own restaurant I will most certainly be booking a table!

Knit one Purl one

2009-01-05T11:20:00.006Z

After her recent big breakthrough onto the fashion circuit, it would seem that Louise Goldin is the current queen of knitwear. She does things with wool that I didn't even think was possible - cycling shorts and sheer fabric as knitwear?! It defies logic, but really makes me want to invest in some knitting needles.

image from style.com

image from style.com

But now perhaps there are contenders to her woollen crown...

Sandra Backlund also creates amazing knitwear, although her knits tend to be chunky where Goldin's are futuristic. I can imagine Backlund's collection actually keeping me warm while also looking amazing.

I think Backlund's collection, like Goldin's, is very reminiscent of armour. If a war ever breaks out between knitting circles I think we can safely guess what they will be wearing.

For less heavy-duty knitwear, Mark Fast creates beautifully delicate woollen dresses, although perhaps for those more daring than myself as they do tend to be quite see-through. I particularly like the flapper-esque skirts, I can imagine they would add amusement to a night's dancing!

It's raining men

2009-01-04T18:34:00.003Z

Yesterday I was thinking, as I often do, about the state of men's style. It seems that too many men are content in wearing the most boring and/or unflattering outfits they possibly can, with no thought to flair or fashion. Of course, the stereotype I could use here is that of gay men, the flamboyant and fashion-conscious members of the less-fair sex, but I'm talking about finding a nice, well-dressed man who wouldn't know more about heels than I do.

Now, I think that perhaps facehunter has been listening to my pleas for some well-attired gentlemen as yesterday's post was Brick Lane Boys. The outfits weren't of my particular and very very specific taste for men, but my it was lovely to see some gents who had made a bit of effort.

I always think it's nice to see men dressing smartly. This guy's blazer is very dapper, and his hair is impressive, if not actually to my taste.

I was already planning a post on men's style before facehunter came up with his lovely choices, one of my pointless habits is scouring Topman for the best clothes - really I should have someone to buy for, although I would be entirely broke by now if I did! So here's a little taster into how I'd dress a nice boy...

As you can tell I have a serious cardigan obsession!

I suppose it must be quite difficult for men to be too fashion forward without also being mocked, but really the sort of men who mock are also the sort of men who look like boyband rejects. It's always appreciated when a man puts some effort into his outfit, although I suppose it should all look quite effortless! In all honesty it's much like the trials and tribulations of women's fashion but without the allure of high-heeled shoes.

image from facehunter

image from stockholm streetstyle

image from the sartorialist

...of course there are always the men who go all out, and look pretty darn amazing for doing so! I love this guy's moustache, and neck tie and wonderful quiff. He is quite the epitome of dapper.

image from facehunter

I want! I need!

2009-01-04T15:47:00.004Z

Just a quick post to tell you how much I want and need these boots by Manolo Blahnik for Christopher Kane

photo courtesy of Jak&Jil blog

I want and need them a lot. However white trash and tacky they look, I still would love and cherish them.

Wishlist #1

2009-01-03T22:29:00.005Z

It's that time of year again, the time to make some brilliant new additions to your wardrobe to brighten up the boring half of winter, the half without Christmas but with the most depressing day of the year; Valentine's Day. I digress.

Here is a lovely overview of things I want but cannot afford from Topshop...aaahhhh, Topshop, how I love and adore you...

Grey Boyfriend Blazer

I have been coveting this blazer ever since I saw it's black sibling. After deliberating over them both for a long time I think, should I ever decide to actually purchase one, grey is the better option. I can just see myself wearing it with a nice crisp white shirt and black leggings combo.

Lace Bodycon Dress

Bodycon is the most unforgiving fashion ever created, but I would gladly stick to a cabbage soup diet to fit in this lovely dress. I think I'd want to try and wear it in a non-feminine way, play down the lace a bit with some biker boots.

Black and Gold Heels

*sigh*

Pale Denim Skirt

I like the stonewash feel of this skirt, very white trash. I reckon you could probably dress this up or down for different looks. Probably I'd just end up wearing it every day until I spilt something on it.

Studded Black Boots

My current boots have a hole in the sole. This generally isn't very useful for footwear (and also sounds like the title of a bad country record), thus I need a new pair. These are a likely candidate as, if you squint a lot, they resemble a rather lovely pair made by Chloe.

Grey Bodycon Dress

Yes, yes bodycon again. I've tried this one on though, and it's lovely. It doesn't even make me look like a sack of potatoes, definitely score! I have a soft spot for strapless numbers, shoulders are sexy.

Cropped Sweatshirt

Very Fame.

Giraffe Bracelet

In all honesty I saw this and thought of my sister, if I ever buy it I'm sure I'll lend her it from time to time...

Off-Black Cardigan

My name is Ciara and I am a cardigan addict.

Belt

This one reminds me of a Chanel belt I saw Cheryl Cole wearing. One of her better outfits, I'll have you know, I'm not a massive Cheryl Cole fan usually.

Blue T-Shirt-Dress

Something classy to slob around in, just what every girl needs on a fat day. And any other day since this dress is such a wonderful shade of blue.

ILU Iloa

2009-01-03T20:20:00.003Z

I am utterly convinved that Scandinavians have the best fashion sense. Sweeping statement, I know, but I'm continually impressed by everyone featured on both Hel Looks and Stockholm Streetstyle.

A brand new reason for my love of all things Scandinavian is my discovery of the fashion label Iloa, by Finnish UIAH graduate Anu Salonen. Her designs are simple with clean lines and a childlike feel to them. The sort of clothing you could wear when you want to look cute slobbing around the house as well as out and about.

New Year's Fasholutions.

2009-01-02T20:33:00.005Z

It has been a rather long time since the last time I blogged. I would like to blame this on three main culprits (in chronological order); university exams, Christmas and flu.

And now it's 2009. A whole new year to fill with glossy magazines, shiny shoes and, with the current economic situation as it is, a lot more debt than originally expected. Just like countless others who kid themselves into thinking the new year really is a time for turning over a new leaf, I have made my resolutions and plan to stick to them for at least the next week.

I have, of course, made the obligatory resolutions of losing weight, drinking less (or at least spreading out the drinks over more time) and keeping on top of my university work, but on top of these I have also made a fashion resolution.

Last month I turned twenty. Sadly I still look twelve, which is where my resolution comes into play. I feel my wardrobe includes far too much colour. I shall no longer dress like a clown-lite. My fashion resolution for this year is to increase the amount of grown-up shades I wear. Greys and navys and beiges, and of course black and white, will all be making a more promenant appearance in my wardrobe.

This time next year when I will be twenty-one, living and working in France and a stone lighter with beautiful long shiny hair (well, a girl can hope anyway) I will also have a wardrobe which doesn't give off the impression that I've spent too much time paintballing and not enough time being a proper grown-up. Well, grown-upish anyhow.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying goodbye to colour for good. Obviously a splash of fuscia here or some cyan nail varnish there is essential to any wardrobe, but I'm looking to streamline my clothing choices this year; only buy things which I think I'll be wearing for a long while yet (thanks not only to my poor student status, but also to the credit crunch). And I really really do want to look my age for once, even if I can't always act it.

Happy New Year. Word on the grapevine is that 2009 is going to be the best yet...

Fashion through your Letterbox

2008-12-12T21:36:00.002Z

I am starting to get a real affection for simple outfits. Comfy wear for lazy days, because most of my days are lazy. What I need, therefore, is tshirts. And plenty of them.

This is why I am sorely tempted to sign up to T-Post; you sign up for a subscription and next thing you know t-shirts and flying through your letterbox. Well, one a month anyway. These t-shirts are based on news events (generally fun ones rather than serious), how better to keep your style totally uptodate!

Sadly, my student budget doesn't quite stretch to 26Euros a month just for t-shirts, but that doesn't stop me longing to expand my t-shirt collection - I do need something to go with my new sequinned leggings afterall (yes, I jumped on the bandwagon. Totally worth it though.)

On the fringe

2008-12-12T17:07:00.003Z

Before I say anything else, I have a confession to make. I don't currently own a digital camera. I mean, I think I have one somewhere but that somewhere is most probably back at home in Wakefield rather than here in Edinburgh. So, that explains the complete lack of style photos. That and my severe camera shyness, I really do believe that the camera adds 10lbs...and sometimes three chins, an impossibly wonky arm and cross eyes.

Anyway, my issue at the moment (other than exams and essays) is my hair. Yes, I do consider my hair to be an "issue", I honestly am that self-centred. When I started university last year my hair was short. And odd. Not a good odd either, if I'm being perfectly frank with you. It was even an odd colour and in incredibly bad condition due to excessive bleaching. Bad times, I tell you, bad times.

So I start university and in my flat is a girl with the most amazing long hair. Lightbulb goes off in my head: must. grow. hair. It's now like 15 months later and I personally would count my hair as being "kinda long". It's past my shoulders anyway. And far wavier than I ever remember it being.

My problems now are:
a) it's that annoying inbetween length where it looks sort of triangular when I wear it down
b) scraping my hair back isn't as flattering as I thought
c) do I need a fringe.

It is c) that I would like to deal with. Do I need a fringe? I suspect the answer is yes, however would bangs go with my glasses? Or should I just get better contact lenses that actually help my vision and go for a glasses-unfriendly fringe?

Answers on a postcard please. And if anyone knows how I can just make my hair look like Zooey Deschanel's, that would also be useful to know. Thank you.

she has a startled rabbit thing going on, but look at her hair!

Big Up Sweden

2008-12-08T14:05:00.002Z

Next September I am moving to France. I'm not sure where yet, in fact I really should apply for a job pretty sharpish, the deadline is January but I want to be ahead of the game. I already know how stylish the French fashionistas are - just look at Carine Roitfeld! - but what I'm really excited about is in another two and a half years when I (hopefully) finally realise my dream of living in Sweden.

I've got the plan all sorted, there's a scheme that employs English language assistants across Europe and pays from them to learn the language of their host country. So Sweden here I come.

Now, the reason I'm excited even though it's way far off in the future, is because I know I'll have to up my game in the style stakes. The Swedish always seem so well put together, without looking as though they've tried super hard. Or at least this is what I have garnered from reading streetstyle blogs. I should stop living my fashion life vicariously through the internet...

This outfit is so simple, and yet she manages to look chic and fashionable.

I am totally obsessed with this boy at the moment. He manages to look smart and yet not overdone, I think it's the boots which give his outfit less of a stiff and starched feel. Plus, I the oversized safety pin on his pocket is a really nice touch. Basically, I just want to meet him and ruffle up his hair.

Colour never seems all that important in the Stockholm streetstyle photographs, but sometimes I do think that colour is a bit overrated and overexposed...

This girl from garancedore.com is my favourite Stockholm streetstyle ever. She just looks so simple and yet so good!

There's a pastel shade to suit everyone

2008-11-26T22:39:00.002Z

I just rediscovered my favourite photograph ever!

I know Tim Walker is generally famous for his brilliant fashion shoots....but don't you just want a lilac cat?!

My New Favourite Designer...

2008-11-24T22:15:00.005Z

In a dream world, I know exactly what I would be wearing come this spring : the entire Thread Social collection.

One thing I especially look for in clothing is shape. Sure, colour and pattern are important but an amazing silhouette wins it for me every time. This is why I am always drawn to tulip skirts, shoulder pads and belts to cinch in my waist. Not always at the same time, obviously. But sometimes...

So, not only does the Spring 2009 collection for Thread Social have some of the most beautiful shaped outfits, with clean lines and smooth curves, but the choice of colour and pattern for the fabric does nothing to detract from the simplicity. The cut and general style of the pieces could be worn anywhere - dressed up to a party or accessorised with a simple cardi and flats for a nice day out. I'm a great believer in not saving clothes for "best".

I am particularly in love with the hues of blue (apologies for rhyming) as blue is my signature colour - I'm always trying to buy less blue though, which has left me with a wardrobe bereft of some of the better shades.

This particular dress is reversible - two cute outfits in one!

Like, totally fetch!

2008-11-23T15:39:00.002Z

One of my favourite ways of relaxing/procrastinating is online window shopping. I can spend hours perusing net-a-porter and wishing I had money, but now I think I may have found a new favourite window shopping website : far fetch. Today, because I'm too lazy to write a proper post, I thought I'd share some of my favourite footwear picks...

Suede boots by Andrea Pfister

Suede peeptoe shoes by Antonio Marras

Lace-up boots by Martin Margiela

Suede platform shoes by Casadei

Sequinned shoes by Miu Miu

Lace-up stilettoes by Ann Demeulemeester

Quilted boots by Viktor & Rolf

Ah....if only I had money...or a Fairy Godmother

Fun Fashion

2008-11-17T19:34:00.002Z

Colours are fun. It's a fashion fact. And one designer who certainly knows his fashion fun is Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. JC, as I shall refer to him for reasons involving speed and spelling, likes to play around with his collections instead of just producing bland boring clothes. Take his world-famous teddy bear coat from his Fall 1988 collection, for example, now that was cool. Not that I remember, I mean, I was born in winter 1988.

The latest collection by JC is sticking to his cur-ray-zee roots, with the theme being inspired by Lego and Disney. Luckily, this didn't entail the models wearing dodgy Lego-hairstyle wigs. Instead the collection was a bombardment of colour and fantasy. One dress comes complete with hair and tiara, on the dress that is, not for the model.

Also, you may recognise a couple of the pieces from Katy Perry's costume changes at the MTV awards...

Personally, I like JC's clothing because it seems unpretentious. The designs are fun and (for want of a better word) funky, which really is what fashion should be all about. Plus, Katy Perry looks amazing in his pieces. Although, she would look amazing in pretty much anything.

You really have to love the attention to detail with the lipstick marks.

I Want Mohr

2008-11-16T21:11:00.003Z

Now I hear rumour that Luke Worrall is engaged to Kelly Osbourne, and therefore potentially off the market forever, I feel a new fashion-crush is required. Step into the warm glow of my adoration Mr. Cole Mohr, beautiful male model du jour.

Mohr is originally from Houston, Texas, but I can forgive his redneck routes for those cheekbones! You may recognise him from the 2006 Dior Homme campaign for Hedi Slimane, or Marc Jacobs' 2008 campaign - he sports both the male and female collection! He's also graced the front cover of uber-cool Dansk magazine (I always do think they choose the most attractive male models) and both opened and closed the Comme des Garçons show at Paris fashion week this July.

Personally I have been converted the the Church of Cole through his spread in the latest issue of Bon magazine, an issue which also informed me that the Burberry Prorsum feather dress that has been seen everywhere recently (including on Helena Christensen for Dansk magazine) also comes in the form of a top.

His tattoos and hairstyle (currently kind of shaved head, kind of not) give him that edge on the competition - plus they look dead cool! - and I reckon/hope we'll be seeing much more of him...

Jean Muir

2008-11-13T21:29:00.004Z

Today I had a bit of spare time after my last (and only) lecture of the day. Usually I do a shift at Banardo's Vintage on Thursdays, but I've swapped my shift this week for a bit of a change from routine. Anyway, to fill my time I thought I'd pop into the Jean Muir exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland as it is just a minute away from both the lecture theatre I was in and my flat.

I was quite proud of myself having the initiative to do something vaguely cultural for once, and it was definitely a good choice on my behalf. It's only a small exhibition - just one room and not too much to read - but I really enjoyed it.

Jean Muir was an English fashion designer born of Scottish parents; she is known to have said that she held her Scottish ancestry in high regards. Indeed, all her knitwear collections were made in Scotland from the finest locally sourced cashmere and lambswool. She was a major player in the British design revolution of the 1960s, having founded her own label Jane & Jane in 1961, her pieces being renowned for their simplicity, although they were all intricately and intelligently created. Also, Muir's pieces were all created with the female form in mind and as such complement the natural curves and contours to create alluring feminine silhouettes.

Although she is most famously known for her love of navy blue, she also created many amazing colourful and patterned items, although she believed that too much pattern ruined the cloth and as such "less is more" can be used to describe some of her many collections

One of her most colourful and extraordinary collections was Autumn 1988 (the collection which would have been around the time of my birth, connections or what?!) which was created especially for the Australian Bicentennial and was inspired by the Great Barrier Reef. The clothes from this collection are absolutely amazing, even though the vibrant colours such as shocking pink are usually a little lurid for my taste, she managed to make them look chic and alluring.

Although there is not an extentive collection of Jean Muir's work on show at the museum, if you are ever in Edinburgh (before next March anyway) then I really do reccomend you go and have a look. Personally I was far too tempted to touch the pieces, and maybe even run away with one or two of the dresses. Luckily for my criminal record I resisted the temptation.

One of the things I found most interesting about the exhibition was the way that the styles that Muir showcased in her work as early as the 1960s still look very wearable today. Granted some of the hemlines were a little low for my liking, but this could just be due to my ridiculously short legs which make mini skirts essential to stop myself looking like a hobbit, but in general I would have been more than happy to have the opportunity to own some of her fabulous designs.

Hats Life!

2008-11-12T23:59:00.001Z

I am becoming obsessed by headwear. This evening I stumbled across some gorgeous hats by milliner, Stephen Jones. The muse for his latest collection is Covent Garden, and I think there is a real elegance to all the pieces, from the modern twist on a top hat, which I would love to team with a nice pair of skinny jeans, vintage t-shirt and that amazing tuxedo jacket with tails at Topshop. Hopefully the simplicity of the jeans/t-shirt combo would make the rest of the outfit look a little bit less crazy.

The tube sign hat I think would be most wearable as it doesn't appear as though it would too incumberant in day-to-day life. Plus, it's absolutely hilarious, and who doesn't love that in their fashion.

Finally, I would like to have some fancy occasion to go to in order to wear the musical notes fascinator. The juxtaposition of sophistication and pure fun is brilliant.Perhaps I can wangle myself an invite to one of those Hollywood parties...

P-A-R-T-Y

2008-11-12T16:16:00.000Z

How lovely life must be for the rich and beautiful. Whilst procrastinating away some of my afternoon on style.com I found myself lost in the party photographs. It must be a lovely existence to get invited to these fabulous events with free champagne. Plus, when else do you get the occasion to wear such amazing outfits? I don't think a floor length gown would do for a night out in Edinburgh, and even for some of the more low-key events the clothes they wear are far too beautiful for everyday occasions. Never mind the fact that I could never afford even one shoe.

The first party I found myself lost in (metaphorically only, sadly) was the event held for Baz Luhrmann at the Museum of Modern Art. I'm not a film aficionado so I did have to look him up, but it turns out he's a pretty cool director - his latest film, Australia, isn't out yet and still has a load of hype, which possibly also has something to do with the leading actors being Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.

Carey Mulligan has chosen a really understated dress, but she still manages to look amazing. I especially like the lacing detail on the dress. I think it's also pretty impressive that she pulls off an elfin haircut without looking like an Agyness Deyn wannabe.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is my favourite actress, and I think she dresses wonderfully too. I'm prosuming that this is fake fur, I really like the way she has chosen to belt it - especially since she has somehow managed to not let the extra padding of the gilet make her look in any way wide. Possibly this is just because she is tiny tiny...

After perusing through the Luhrmann party I found myself at the Glamour Party (once again, I do only mean through the medium of the internet, not actually in person). Natalie Portman looks effortlessly chic. I swear it was no time ago since she was bald...

And finally, Sarah Michelle-Gellar/Prince at a party for Juicy Couture, looking pretty fierce (as Tyra Banks might say)....what's she doing with herself these days? Apart from looking pretty I mean.

Etsy Love

2008-11-11T23:43:00.000Z

On my wishlist today....a hat that looks like a cupcake!

I can pass hour upon hour trawling the shops on Etsy wishing I could afford to buy something. Today I have found the most amazing hat ever - now in adult sizes!

look them up here

I am equally in love with the amazing headbands on LovMely.
Fancy headwear really brings an outfit from just being drab and boring

Plus, I do love feathers. They remind me of that AMAZING Burberry Prorsum dress that's been everywhere this season - Helena Christenson is wearing it on the cover of Dansk at the moment and she looks seriously hot.

My last Etsy find of the night is this bag

It's real alligator skin, as far as I can tell, but it's rather lovely anyway. Check the rest of the shop out here

The Other Ronson Girl

2008-11-10T18:56:00.000Z

We've all heard of Mark Ronson with his uber cool remixes and all around beautifulness, and of course his sister Samantha is a regular on all the gossip columns due to her relationship with Lindsay Lohan (she has seriously managed to mellow that girl out, so major kudos to her) but what about The Other Ronson, perhaps The Coolest Ronson. Yes, I'm talking about Samantha's fashion desginer twin sister, Charlotte.

After interning at Harper's Bazaar and Rolling Stone magazine, as well as working with designer Cynthia Rowley, Charlotte opened her own flagship store in 2002 in New York City, and now has another fourteen stores across Japan.

She cites both her sisters as her muses (I wonder when The Final Ronson will become famous...perhaps she is an actress, or an artist, or an acrobat....or something from a different letter of the alphabet...)

Tsumori Chisato

2008-11-09T19:56:00.000Z

I finally managed to get my hands on the latest issue of Indie Magazine last weekend while I was back home in sunny yorkshire. The feature at the back about breakups and heartbreak made me cry on the train back to Edinburgh, however there was something else in the issue that caused me to smile and smile - Tsumori Chisato.

The clothes are so cute! According to Indie, her inspiration is childrens' drawings which is what makes the prints so adorable. Looking through images of her Fall 2008 collection makes me want to be a fashion-dahling-astronaut, or at least buy myself a supercool-superhero cape and run around the cobbled streets of Edinburgh saving lives.

The aesthetics are simple but they are used to perfection. You can see in the shapes of the pieces how the children's drawing aspect has been encorporated, as the shapes do not accentuate the feminine figure but rather are big and flowing like children's clothing.

I can't imagine being able to wear these clothes without smiling, so it seems to me like this collection could be the perfect answer to the current recession - not to mention the deathly cold!

Leggings Love

2008-11-09T18:34:00.000Z

Whatever I wear, I look like I have just walked out of the eighties. I have now given up on trying to change, as it appears that I am destined to have Molly Ringwald as my style icon. Only I'm shorter and far less ginger (plus I would NEVER ruin a dress as badly as she did in Pretty in Pink).

Now I am resigned to my fate, I feel I am allowed to covet every single pair of leggings I see. I only wish I had the legs to do them justice...

I love how the shoes merge with the leggings in this Viktor & Rolf outfit, and the crazy juxtaposition with the jewel-coloured purse.

Monochrome again at Givenchy gives a really bold statement, personally this outfit evokes images of tacky angel-wing tattoos and seedy biker bars, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Although I'm not too keen on the shoes, I like peep-toe but peep-toes in the plural is a little but too much.

Somehow these leggings remind me of tattoos....just a little bit anyway. I think they'd look really good teamed with something sweet and innocent and probably white. Hm, it seems black and white is my theme of the day without me even realising it.

2008-09-29T16:26:00.000+01:00

I am currently experiencing a fashion melt-down. Having being bombarded by too many images of beautiful clothing I now have absolutely no idea which way is up and which is down.

My final lecture of the day finished at 4 o'clock so I have come home to my usual routine of facehunter, stylebubble, stilinberlin, style.com followed generally by a mish-mash of other websites of note (at the moment my new favourite is the cool hunter) which fills my daily quota of fashiony stuff. Today there was far too much for my brain to deal with and it has gone into overdrive. Do I want to blog about Susie Bubble's adorable outfit that was captured by facehunter (with added motorcycle, which I like to think is actually Susie's)? Or do I want to blog about how I agree with her post about Fendi? I saw the photos of the new collection on style.com last night and I totally fell in love, which is suprising since I am in no way a Fendi-fan.

Also, style.com today is very exciting and I feel somewhat compelled to tell you how in love I am with Gareth Pugh's new collection and how innovative I think it is to be mixing the medieval aspect of ruffs with some very futuristic outfits - even futuristic ruffs. The whole thing is slightly reminiscent of Victor&Rolf's violin ruffs, which I also adored...I am slightly tempted to go out and invest in some pretty neck-adornment. Still, my head also wants to share with you all my delight at seeing someone wearing my dream shoes on stilinberlin - I have wanted these Miu Miu wedges since the first time I saw them and I really don't care that they aren't 'this season' because they are quite simply beautiful.

So you see my predicament - what on earth should I be blogging about today?

Excuse me while I rant

2008-09-27T16:12:00.000+01:00

I would like to rant, please. Just a short rant, nothing too major. The topic is very similar to another recent post - the one about wearing cur-ray-zee clothes out and about in everyday life.

Last night I went to a society social at my university. It isn't the most social of socials as most people stick to their cliques, but that isn't my rant. Not today anyway. What I would like to complain about right now is the fact that nobody seems to take fashion seriously. As a serious interest, I mean, like classical music or modern art.

I mentioned something about wanting a pair of sequinned black skinny jeans from Topshop and this elicited a laugh. I wasn't joking, obviously as these jeans are amazing. Then I said that I'd rather like a (fake) fur hat - like the Russian ones. Once again, people laughed. I would really like it if people could take my comments on what clothes I am currently lusting after seriously, because I don't laugh at them for their interests.

Sticking with this rant, I would also like to know why people prosume that if one is interested in fashion one must also be vapid, insubstancial and a little bit dim. I will admit that I can be somewhat superficial, but I also am a culture snob - I like to make sure I have read/seen/heard the things that are expected of a well-rounded and cultured person. Plus, I like University Challenge (although, granted, that is partly to laugh at the students with beards. Especially the women.)

I am well aware that not everyone can share my interest in fashion, and that some will be bemused by my passion for Paris Vogue or StyleBubble, but I don't think that it is necessary to belittle my interest/hobby (there must be a less trainspotter-esque word for it, sadly it eludes me at the current moment).

Rant over.

Take a Bow

2008-09-27T16:10:00.001+01:00

You, my dear devoted reader, may recall my post about the delights of fascinators and simply headwear in general. I am now very happy to inform you that I appear to have pre-empted a new fashion trend. Note the very exciting hair decorations being worn by the models in Luella's Spring 2009 show, for example.

I mention Luella first because, and I do intend to boast here, just weeks before she unveiled the veils, so to speak, I invested in a UFO hairpiece and veiling. I like to think that this means that I am so cool that I am ahead of fashion, it is far more likely, however, that by pure chance my ecclectic taste has coincided with what is considered on trend. Either way I am very excited about wearing my new UFO out and about in Edinburgh.

This brings me to my question of the moment: is it possible to wear crazy headwear without looking like a prat? I ask this in all seriousness because here in Edinburgh a lot of folk do tend to be rather conservative about their atire (I use conservative with a small c but as many of the men do sport outfits somewhat similar to that of David Cameron I believe that a Conservative dress sense would be an equally apt description) When all around you are wearing bland, drab and "normal" clothing, putting something on your head and proclaiming it fashion would, on the whole, be considered mad, be it a watermelon or an oversized bow that you are balancing on your bonce.

Now, I am never one to be ashamed of my fashion, but neither do I appreciate the looks of "what on earth is that girl wearing?" so I have been trying to create low key outifts which can be given that extra punch by way of one of my headbands or scarves or the UFO. This sort of outfit is along the same sort of lines as wearing a prom dress for everyday atire - another feat which I am hoping to pull off this semester without looking totally OTT. I love fashion, but I have no wish to look like a fashion victim.

Perhaps one day I will go all out and dress Harajuku-esque...I do have a hair bow bought from that very Tokyo district...

Clash! Part 2

2008-09-27T16:09:00.000+01:00

I am well aware that I have just minutes ago posted about a clashing collection, but still I feel that I need to tell you about another. This time the look is oriental rather than tribal but still the clashing aesthetique is prevalent. I'm talking about Basso & Brooke's Spring 2009 collection shown in London Fashion Week.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, loud colours appear to be imminently becoming in vogue, and this particular collection encompasses all the hues you may wish to don this coming season, the twist being that they all appear together in burst of crazy colour.

Many of the pieces in this collection do seem to be rather shapeless - the dresses especially - and accentuate the waiflike structure of the models. I don't think that this is a fashion than should be copied by those of us who eat enough to be visible from a sideways view. In terms of fashion as an art form, however, it does not detract from the beauty of the fabric and cut of each dress.

For some of the more extravagant outfits I feel that someone with a bit more flesh would give a bit more (for want of a less ridiculous term) va-va-voom to the overall look.

The items I am coveting most fervently from this collection are the belts. I can just imagine how they could bring a bland outfit up to being (once again I am failing to think of a non-ridiculous term to convey my feelings) super-wicked-brilliant. The quirky shape and mix of colours and shapes reminds me of the stereotypical image of modern art, which makes me want to wear the belt with an ironic red beret (and perhaps a curly, pensive moustache).

All in all I'd say that clashing couture is a style from the catwalks that definitely needs to be brought into my everyday live...all I have to do is channel some of the sophistication to prevent the colours from giving me a kids-television-presenter look.

Clash!

2008-09-27T16:08:00.000+01:00

I used to be a big fan of clashing prints. I still do like to dabble in a bit of mix and match but I am more afraid of looking like an explosion in a paint factory than I was a couple of years ago. The Spring 2009 collection by Duro Olowu has the wow factor of clashing, yet at a closer look does not clash at all.

The patterns are loud, as are the colours, but instead of a crazy juxtaposition Duro Olowu manages to make the outfits look both co-ordinated and somewhat debonair.

Overall the look is more tribal than I tend to go for, but I feel that the pieces could easily be worn without being accompanied by clunky wooden jewellery and conversations about elephants and giraffes.

Although it may not always be evident by the way I dress, I am a big fan of simplicity. In this collection the fabric speaks for itself by way of the fantastic swirling patterns so the clothing does not have to be outrageous, but instead is subdued and sophisticated.

Oranges are the only fruit

2008-09-27T16:07:00.000+01:00

It seems that colour is back. For Spring 2009 we must ditch that gothic look we've been cultivating and replace it with hues which may make us look somewhat like an ice cream sundae. Happy colours to help us through the credit crunch, perhaps.

The stand-out shade making itself known from show to show is orange. Don't recoil in horror, I'm sure orange can be wearable...somehow.

Christopher Kane's latest collection is still allowing us some of the doom and gloom with a smattering of black pieces, but wearing a monkey on my chest (go look at the collection and you'll see what I mean) seems just as happy and fun as wearing bright bright colours, so I figure that depression really is out.

I Heart Topshop

2008-09-27T16:06:00.000+01:00

While I have been away I have found a new obsession. It's an expensive one, but fun all the same. I'm talking about Topshop.

Since I was working over the summer I actually had some money and therefore endeavoured to purchase a hell-of-a-lot of new clothing. I don't like the idea of buying everything from there, especially not snazzy outfits for going out as I am deathly afraid of ever bumping into someone wearing the same dress as me, however for cardigans and skirts and beautiful beautiful plaid shirts I cannot think of a better place to shop.

Before this summer I used to be somewhat sceptical about Topshop. It appeared to me to be the place to go for those girls with the blonde hair and the perma-tan. Those girls who dress to look hot for guys, rather than to feel good for themselves or because they love the clothes they're wearing. I'm now happy to admit that I am wrong. Well, to a certain extent anyway. Those girls still shop there, as do your plain-Jane types and pretty much anyone and everyone else. That is the beauty of Topshop - you can pick up something in the store and wear it in the way that you want. So with the same shirt you can look edgy or straight or kind of trashy.

My problem now is that I have returned to my poor student status and cannot afford the loveliness of Topshop and yet I still have the cravings. There are items that I covet but cannot have. It's a horrible feeling, and I realise how vain and shallow it makes me to feel this way, but I really really do want the boyfriend-blazer and the shiny black skinnies, not to mention the soft cardigans and big comfy jumpers. I am still drawn to the jewellery like a magpie, but sadly now I am a broke magpie and all I can do is look.

I'm crossing fingers and toes that I can find a job asap (I have even applied at the mecca that is Topshop) and can start again my purchasing. Less than over the summer though, I need beer money too now...ah, the student life!

My New Obsession

2008-09-27T16:04:00.001+01:00

It took me a few days to get around to buying Vogue this month but as soon as I did one little picture spiralled into a new obsession : Roksanda Ilincic. According to Vogue, the new collection was inspired by a trip to Brazil, and if that really is the case then I want to be on the next plane out there!

The shapes are amazing, it's all about big and bold and corners and colours and wow! I don't think it's very wearable in day-to-day living but I'd be happy to just sit and stare at the photos of the fall collection for hours on end. Collections like this one really prove that fashion is an art form, I've got the urge to print off the photos from the internet and stick them all over my house so I can let the wonderment seep into my subconscious.

Alright, alright, so I might be going a little bit over the top, but I honestly am in love with these clothes. The photos shown with this blog are of my personal favourite pieces, and yes I do realise one of them is fur. I am totally anti-fur but I'm going to pretend that this is fake fur (I could do some research and find out what fur it is really, but as we have already established I am a very lazy blogger) as it is such a

stunning outfit. In my opinion, the pink and black dress could be worn in everyday life (if I was one of those uber cool people that goes to uber cool parties in London/Paris/Milan/somewhere else hip'n'happening then I would happily wear the whole collection day in day out...sadly I live in Wakefield and probably couldn't even afford

one sleeve of one dress) and the one with the gold shoes feels very 80s to me. The good 80s fashion, not the lycra. And, while I'm mentioning the shoes may I just say - aren't they all fabulous?!

Ok, gushing over. Must breathe now...

Alice in Wonderband

2008-09-27T16:03:00.001+01:00

Today I found out that I was cooler than I originally thought. Walking home from town I was thinking about what to post about next and somehow my thoughts turned to headwear. Not hats, I don't suit hats. I mean headbands and headdresses and all that malarky - Bat For Lashes style shall we say. So, I get home and sit down to read The Guardian and there it is in The Measure - headgear is cool. Specifically Bat For Lashes. Now, there is no way that I can prove that I was thinking about crazy headbands before I read they were cool, I'm just going to have to hope that you believe I really do have the fashion know-how.

So, crazy headbands. At the moment my hair is a very annoying length; that point when you're letting your hair grow out and you realise that, at that current moment in time, your hair looks like a crazy hairdresser attacked you with shears generally used to make sheep bald. All in all, bad hair times. Bearing this in mind, I've decided that what I need is to jazz up my locks is, well, something to stop people looking too closely at my hair. And, to do this, there has to be something else on my head to look at. This is where crazy headwear comes in.

I'm thinking coloured hairbands, hippy style. Feathers might be a little bit too

much, but depending on the occasion I could go for that. I mean, Feathers and Sequins is where it's at afterall. A very simple and understated outfit can be made snazzy and super super cool with just the addition of the right headband. Nice and easy, don't you agree? Plus, you can always make your own so that you can be sure not to see someone else wearing the same one (whenever I spot people in the same top/skirt/hat/whatever as me they always look better than I do, it is extremely depressing).

Alice in Wonderland had the right idea, that little headband really made her look so much cooler. I'm not sure whether the headband was Lewis Carroll's idea or whether it was a Disney idea, but either way they had pure style.

I also have a rather large love of those hats that aren't really hats. My Mum is currently trying to think of the word for them, she's offered "fancies" but that doesn't sound quite right. What I mean is those hats you have to pin on your head, the ones with lace coming off them. From the 1940s I think - good era. Possibly the 1930s. Gosh, I'm very bad at this describing malarky today. If by some amazing chance you are on the same wavelength as me and understand what I mean then well done, and I really hope you agree that they are quite

wonderful hats. Or rather, non-hats.

Now, I do think that for the good of mankind (and to save the fashion police some work) I should make it very clear that I don't think you should all go out and buy hairbands that would be better suited to a soap wedding, all big plastic flowers and stuff like that. No, no, no. Neither do I think that bandanas should come back in fashion. I am simply of the opinion that perhaps your head is there to put pretty things on, not just to hold your brain.

Aggy Again

2008-09-27T16:02:00.001+01:00

I haven't decided yet what this post is about. I'm weighing up the pros and cons of discussing the fact that I love Grimmy (and Agyness for that matter) with the very important issue of Grimmy's hair. Put quite simply, I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between him and Miss. Dean - granted this is due to grainy quality and those crazy sumo suits but still, Grimmy what are you thinking?!

Maybe this is the point where I start talking about how I love Nick Grimshaw. I can't really give too many reasons, it isn't that he's been linked to at least one if not both of Pixie and Peaches Geldof, and it isn't (as already mentioned) that crazy Agyness-style blonde mess of hair. He just strikes me as a rather nice bloke with good fashion sense. And really, what else matters when it comes to men?!

Yeah, so. That's all really. I know, I know, there were no clever insights or even anything remotely resembling a point. In fact I don't think I even mentioned anything fashion-related. But really, who needs witty words when you have that video.

An Open Letter to Everyone

2008-09-27T16:00:00.001+01:00

Dear All,

Please stop having your hair cut into the same style as Agyness Dean.
It is not cool, hip, happening or alternative if everyone else looks exactly the same.
Get your own look.

Love Ciara

P.S. The same rule applies for Luella style flowery prints : Keep. Well. Away.

The Long and Short of it

2008-09-27T15:59:00.000+01:00

It doesn't matter how many times I read that it is vitally important to learn how to dress for your own body shape, I still find myself drawn to items and outfits suited to the tall and willowy types among us. The problem here being that I am five foot three and (due to excessive peanut butter eating at university) slightly on the doughy-side. I am currently rectifying the second issue, but still there is no way on earth that I will ever find myself growing those extra inches (as well as getting rid of some genetic curves and pretty much changing my body shape completely) to be able to wear the the clothes I crave.

I covet the wardrobes of Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe, Chloe Sevigny and even Keira Knightley (although not the hats) but deep down I know that I just couldn't emulate their style. And what makes the problem worse is that both my best friend at home and my flatmate at university are both tall and thin and could totally wear the clothes that I spend my time window-shopping for.

What I need is some short fashion icons, so I've been having a ponder and

seeing who I can come up with that doesn't have legs that go on forever. The Olsen twins are my height, they do make some serious fashion mistakes from time to time and end up looking like they were caught in an explosion in a charity shop, but generally they look pretty good. And pretty individual - especially to say there are two of them.

I saw a lovely photo of Rachel Bilson the other day; she was wearing a body-con dress and looked fantastic. Plus, she managed to bag Adam Brody (and let him go, but we won't dwell on that) so she must be doing something right, although she does often look a bit too all-American-girl-next-door for me. (Said photo would be shown here if it weren't for the fact that it keeps crashing my work computer.)

And how about Zooey Deschanel? She is a good three inches taller than me, so would that put her out of the running to be a style icon for me? Do I even need a style icon? Mainly I just need to program myself not to fall in love with clothes that would look so incredibly wrong on me. I wonder if any willowy girls have the opposite problem and tend to plan what to wear if they ever find themselves short and cury. If such a person exists and wishes to trade outfit ideas then they know where to find me...

Hubble Bubble Toil and...Chanel

2008-09-27T15:57:00.000+01:00

It may not be anywhere near Halloween right now, but it seems to me like witchcraft and wizardary are on the way up in the fashion stakes. Chanel have just announced Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, as the new face of their Coco Mademoiselle perfume, after a long and careful consideration as to whether she has the right look. She's young, she's rich, she's beautiful - and she's a bit posh, which doesn't go amiss - obviously she was going to be perfect for Chanel. There was the minor scandal of her partying with Jonny Borrell, but let's be honest here, what 18 year old doesn't let their hair down with a slightly sleasy rock star every now and again?

Having just signed a two-year contract with Chanel worth £3million, and with the rumoured £2million she earns for each film in the Harry Potter franchise, Emma definitely has the means to go flashing the cash. Perhaps she will stick to her magical roots and drop a few thousand pounds at Luella on the Fall Collection - you know the stuff I mean, the runway show began with a model wearing a fabulous witches hat and some pumpkin-orange tights. Not entirely appropriate for day-to-day wear but such headwear would make a big splash on the red carpet - just look at the media coverage that Sarah Jessica Parker got for *that* hairpiece at the SATC premiere.

Sadly, I think Emma may be too classy and elegant to rock the witches hat, but there are tamer pieces in the collection and, really, isn't Luella a more suitable and fun designer for an 18 year old to be wearing than Chanel? With this particular collection Luella brings together a folky look with her trademark dresses and the overall effect is one

that is quirky, youthful and fun. Agyness Deyn is a big Luella fan, I reckon Miss. Watson should take a leaf out of Aggy's book and mix it up a bit - and go party with some cooler rockers, or Nick Grimshaw. I can't imagine anything better than a party with Grimmy.

So, pretty much it seems to me that we should all take some fashion tips from the magical community for autumn, not that all of us can be the face of a fabulous advertising campaign and therefore able to afford the best, but authentic witches don't go to boutiques and neither shall we.

P.S. On the subject of wizardry, I saw a photo of Daniel Radcliffe the other day. His chin is all stubbily; not a good look. He isn't even 19 yet, someone buy that boy a razor!

Important News

2008-09-27T15:53:00.000+01:00

So, I have been using a different website for my blog (I know, I know, I should be more loyal), but sadly this website is shutting down so I'm back here on blogger. I plan on moving all my posts onto this blog, so expect a lot of new stuff (unless you were reading my blog before, in which case feel free to read everything again!)

Joker of the (Fashion) Pack

2008-06-14T22:06:00.001+01:00

I love Miu Miu. If I somehow had some money rather than being a perpetually poor student I would have a wardrobe filled with fabulous Miu Miu pieces. At the moment, in this parallel rich-Ciara world, I would be um-ing and err-ing about whether to invest in the new harlequin trend.

When I think of harlequin print clothes the whole idea just screams tacky and cheap, but some of Miu Miu's latest creations really contest that idea. Note, only some, not all.

When Leighton Meester was in Nylon recently they dressed her in a lovely harlequin dress, with the idea that this style would bring out her doll-like features (dolly-style outfits are a personal preference of mine) which totally worked. She looked adorable. And it was this outfit that originally made me think about revising my opinion on "tacky" harlequin clothing.

I think the reason this particular dress works is that the print isnt too ostentatious. Some of the other pieces that Miu Miu has created still scream "cheap!" at me. For instance the Lady Harlequin bubble tunic; the colours are garish and the style is very cut-price high street.

Harlequin seems like a hard print to be able to carry off well, it needs to be worn in a way that doesn't draw too much attention to it so people don't start associating your outfit with that of a court jester. Unless, of course, this is the look you're going for.

When harlequin makes it to the high street I don't think I'll be going out and making any purchases, the line between stylish and OTT is far too fine and I don't believe I would be able to carry off harlequin without looking like I'd just escaped from a medieval themed children's party.

Every Man Should Be Wearing : A Neckerchief

2008-06-12T12:07:00.000+01:00

I'm not entirely sure whether neckerchief is the correct word as it does seem to conjure up images of cowboys and scouts rather than edibly eligible men at the cutting edge of fashion. Anyway, I suppose it isn't the word that is important; it's how delicious this neck adornment can look on the right man. And, just so you know, that "right man" is not and never will be Russell Brand, funny as I think he is, the man seriously needs to invest in some style diversity, and a haircut.

Back to my point. Basically, I saw a photo of William Moseley (from The Chronicle of Narnia fame, henceforth to be referred to as "The Moseley") at the Glamour Magazine Awards and I thought he was looking rather scrumptious - even more than usual perhaps - and I attributed this to his lovely neckerchief/scarf.

In my opinion, the neckerchief is a fantastic dressing-up option for the man who lives in cardigans (not bought from TopMan) and buttoned up shirts. A smoking jacket would be a good investment too, but only for very special occasions. The neckerchief, although a wise purchase, can be volatile if worn in the wrony way. It is a smart, slightly quirky accessory but desperately needs to be worn with at least a hint of irony to avoid looking like a smug private-schooled-young-Conservative-rah. It's always the irony that makes the outfit. The Moseley know that.

Music to Get Dressed To : Yelle

2008-06-10T21:15:00.000+01:00

Julie Budet A.K.A Yelle is the last word in French electropop. She rose to fame in the noughties way by the power of myspace. The track that causing all the fuss was the very catchy Je Veux Tu Voir (originally titled Short Dick Cuizi) whose rather x-rated lyrics about TTC member Cuizinier shouldn't be repeated in polite conversation!

Not only does Yelle ooze style like only French women can, she does it with a fresh and quirky edge. Plus, in her video for A Cause Des Garçons she can be seen cavorting around with a dancing wardrobe, mobile phone and hairspray, which personally I think is the epitome of cool.

Give her a listen; improve your french.

Over-Exposed

2008-06-09T21:28:00.000+01:00

Originally it was my pick of the season but now, after the Pixie Gelfof Tatler cover, I'm sad to say that this Miu Miu outfit is now totally overexposed and overrated.

A few issues ago Vogue showed their looks of the season, including what appeared to be a lovely red mini-dress by Miu Miu. Upon closer inspection and a visit to net-a-porter I discovered this was actually an ensemble outfit. How novel, I thought. How expensive, I now think.

Recently I've seen Kelly Osbourne photographed in one piece of the ensemble - a red skit - as well as Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof in the full monty version in white. Sure, it's a beautiful and flattering outfit, but it's lacking the originality and therefore pizazz that it had way back when it was first unveiled on Kirsten Dunst in Miu Miu's own advertisements.

Don't get me wrong, I do love the dress. It's peppy and stylish with hints of prom all wrapped up in a daringly short outfit. Plus it's Miu Miu and that fact in itself is a total dealmaker.

These girls have access to ridiculous amounts of money and stylists, I think they should at least consult each other on what to wear so we, the common folk, can oooh and aaah and feel immensely jealous of more than just one outfit!

Skin As White As Snow

2008-05-14T12:15:00.000+01:00

Summer is upon us. Or at least the British version of summer, which still includes a large amount of rainy and grey days but with at least some chance of sun inbetween. It's this time of year when I suddenly remember that I don't really like summer. Yes, yes, I know, it's practically blasphemy to speak ill of the wonders of the hot hot sun but honestly I'm just not a fan.

For one thing I don't enjoy extreme heat, it just gives me headache and makes me tired, but I think the main problem is that my skin really is a whiter shade of pale. I've heard the expression "pale and interesting" but I don't think that I agree.

Being pale highlights all your flaws, and makes you stand out in a crowd of tanned limbs. I prefer pale to perma-tanned orange but I think there is a happy medium which would be perfect for the summer months - and perhaps if I were that shade I would dare to show my legs!

Now, I do realise that not all self-tans will turn you orange and of course there is moisturiser with just a hint of tan but these just don't seem to work on me. It looks as though I have painted my skin - I simply don't suit a fake tan, and since I am unable to get a natural tan (I always end up resembling an overgrown lobster) I fear I am stuck with being paler than Wednesday Addams.

So, what is left other than to embrace my whiteness and dazzle others with its purity...if I so dare. Plenty of famous beautiful women are also very pale skinned. Nobody can deny that Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson are beautiful but they're also as white as white can be. If they can be pale and beautiful then so can I. Plus, it should save me from skin cancer, which is definitely a positive.

I think it might take a few more steps until I subject the world to my legs, and I'm not quite sure how my legs would take to the outside world without the security of a pair of tights! Watch this space for extremely pale skin, coming to parks and gardens all around Yorkshire!

Can Flats Be Fabulous?

2008-05-12T19:40:00.000+01:00

I used to be totally addicted to high heeled shoes - the higher the better - but since moving to Edinburgh and finding myself confronted with street after street of cobbles I've found it nigh-on impossible to continue subjecting myself to such shoes. My balance isn't good enough when I'm sober nevermind after a couple of cocktails (or pints, depending on how ladylike I'm feeling).

Now my adoration of beautiful footwear is confined solely to daydreams. On the plus side this means that I'm no longer subjecting my feet to unmeasurable pain, but as someone who is somewhat on the short side I am still nostalgic for the days when I could just slip on a pair of stilettoes and lengthen my short legs and enable me to look people in the eye!

Although it's in vogue to wear flats at the moment, a footwear movement being championed by everyone from the ultra stylish Carla Bruni to, one of my personal favourites, Lily Allen, I'm still wary that it isn't really a night-time style for someone who is lacking in stature such as myself.

I concede that it's far easier to bust some groovy moves on the dance floor when not wearing sky-high heels but I still worry that perhaps my outfits would look better with some added height and leg length.

For daytime wear I've resigned myself that I just don't have the grace or balance to manage rushing about in heels. No matter how much sexier and more feminine they make me feel, I just can't stand the pain - which gives me a lot of respect for Victoria Beckham and her sky-high heels!

Perhaps one day when I'm a super successful well travelled city slicker journalist I'll somehow have gained the power to spend all day every day in a different pair of fabulous towering heels, but while I'm still a poor-yet-aspirational student my feet will remain adorned with slightly less fabulous flats...except on special occasions maybe, because one day I will conquer those cobbles!

Flats: Black Miu Miu, Gold Tory Burch
Heels: Pink Alexander McQueen, White Jimmy Choo

It Girl

2008-05-11T20:43:00.000+01:00

Being an It Girl is not what it used to be. These days we’re stuck with heiresses and socialites who may be able to afford fabulous clothes, but they don’t necessarily look fabulous wearing them.

The term It Girl was coined by Elinor Glyn, a romance novelist, after seeing the 1927 silent movie “It” which starred the beautiful Clara Bow.

Glyn described “It” as “that quality possessed by some which draws all others with its magnetic force” and I can totally see how Clara Bow exudes this quality from every pore.

This, as a fashion icon, makes her very hard to emulate as it wasn’t what she wore but rather the way in which she wore it which made her utterly stunning. Still, I think it’s possible (and, personal opinion, imperative!) to take some inspiration from her style.

Clara Bow managed to pull off different fashions of dressing, from androgynous shirts and braces, to pure Hollywood glamour, while still maintaining her personal, playful, “It Girl” style – and her trademark heart-shaped lipstick.

Furthermore, with nowadays floozy It Girls all succumbing to the Size Zero trend (not to mention awful fake tans, fake hair, fake breasts etc.), Clara Bow showed how curves are most definitely more sexy and should always being in vogue.

Pretty much Clara Bow is my idol, and that’s why I figured she would be my perfect opening post. Her life story is heart-breaking; totally unwanted by her mother, abused by her father and ultimately dying earlier than she should have done, and yet on an entirely shallow and superficial level she was perfect.