Source:tumblr
classic v minimal
Source:J.Crew tumblr, unknown, garconstyle/scotch&soda
When I see these classic menswear items, some with a twist, it really seems to be that even in it’s attempt to pare down and be “minimal” womenswear still doesn’t get it. So many of the items falling into current minimal bandwagon, even though there a few design details, those that remain can still date the piece, particularly as silhouettes have been tweaked (to compensate?/to seem fresh?). That just seems to defeat the purpose. Maybe I’m arriving late to the conclusion that is obvious to everyone else already, but minimalism (as seen this and in recent seasons) doesn’t necessarily equate to being timeless. There’s no real reason it should but it’s an easy assumption to make, I guess because trends can also be seen as unnecessary bells & whistles added onto a classic. It’s a slowly growing feeling, but I’m almost prefer now to shop in menswear for basics (read sweaters, tshirts, scarves), firstly because it meets requirements faster and more easily, but also almost as an escape to the endless barage of trend and it items. It’s just too tiring to keep up sometimes, and I need the brainspace for other things.
(PS – I’m rather taken with the navy sweater above from scotch & soda, so much so, am thinking of ordering it or a similar one – anyone familiar with the quality?)
bring them back
I’d much rather see these ladies on the runway, and putting some oomph in an ad campaign. There’s just so much more personality, and there’s just no way you can get them confused. Just discussing this topic winds me up, so I’ll avoid ranting and let you watch in peace. See how many people you can spot. I’m still trying to figure out who’s who.
nyc_11_11
This year’s NYC trip was a very last minute booking, and so I had less time than usual to organise my pitstops. Unlike most people, I don’t go to NY to shop. Oh no. Rather, it’s effectively my annual pilgrimage around the best bars in town, and in some special cases, any where. I have a huge admiration for the people who excel at the craft, being rather a shoddy pretender myself. It’s terribly geeky, but I’ve spent ages contemplating the most effecient way in which to cover all the spots on my list without irritating the other half (a reluctantly keen drinker himself). We love eating as much as we are into drinks, so dinner planning was more like a primary school math test question “if pre dinner drinks at A is here, then dinner is at B, how much time will it take to get to C, in order to slot in another round. Or, maybe we should do D & A along with B, and leave E & C for sunday “
The trip’s now fast approaching, and I think I’ve just about sorted out a potential plan. If there is one place I must return to it’s Death & Co, then Mayahuel & Pegu Club. Also on the hit list are the bar at EMP (especially if I’m dining solo) and if there’s space yet, Lani Kai/Clover Club/Flatiron Lounge/Raines Law Room/Milk & Honey/Cienfuegos/Vandaag. With so little time, I’ve been torn between heading back to old favourites, and trying a new place. Still, there’s lots to look forward to!
As for packing, I’m only doing carry-on, and only want half my bag full (ok maybe I might do some shopping) so am leaning towards a weekend of jumpers & skirts combinations. I’m only away for about 4 days, so perhaps this is already too much:
1) kiwi brown mini
2) tan leather mini
3) grey oversize jumper
4) white knit jumper
5) dress & cardigan = multitasks as travel outfit & smart dinner/drinks dress
6) slouchy knee high flat boots
7) gym kit & sneakers = for the hours in which I’m up but NY isn’t
8 ) balenciaga anthra day
9) oversize scarf – navy/beige/silk red depending on f’cast
10) navy coat
11) gloves
12) uniqlo heattech tank & layering top depending on fcast
13) kindle, phone charger
14) sound blocking headphones & eye mask = essential for those red eye flights
That’s pretty much what I’ve been in the mood to wear for a while, so am guessing there’ll only be minor edits, removals mostly, over the next few days.
I’d love to hear of any travel tips!
mad old lady with the fur coat
This is probably one of my favourite movie scenes. Ever. There’s no dialogue, no music, just a monotonous buzz of the refrigerators. Do you even notice, with all the action taking place? And everyone who has seen it has their own theory on why she does it. What’s your take?
currently wearing 10/11
The winter chill has arrived and after an uncertain start, seems set to stay for a few months yet. The onset of autumn/winter has brought with it a desire for cozy knits – all I find myself wanting to wear on weekends is a jumper and mini skirt. I’ve even found an excellent grey boyfriend sized jumper that I can wear to work – hurrah! (particularly with the ongoing airconditioning battle between myself and the people several seats down — what_would_dogbert_do??)
I’m a skirt girl, that’s fairly obvious by now, but particularly mini skirts. As much as I like a flow-y, dramatically swooshy skirt, it’s just not as flattering. Besides, I do feel one has to give up on mini skirts after a certain age (no?), so why not wear them while appropriate. Personally, I prefer a tougher variation (leather mini, converse shoes) to the floatier look practised at the top, but hey. Also, rather than wearing it with a stiletto, I have a chunky black patent heel that works brilliantly. No wobbling, and it balances out the lack of skirt.
V-neck v round neck? Well I have one of both, so it’s difficult to say, but I do think it’s inversely proportionate to the length of the skirt. I quite like the shorter jumper so prevalent this season, but havn’t really found a cheap and good variation of it – my knitwear budget is quite strictly as low as possible, since every couple of years, the proportions and minor details change just enough to render old knitwear dated. It’s quite amazing, but it’s something that I’ve noticed, having thought umpteen times about replacing cardigans and sweaters that are still in good condition but just look dated. It’s perhaps something for another post, but a proportion shift in a simple round neck jumper can be very stark yet so difficult to pinpoint precisely. No point shelling out ridiculous amounts for something that doesn’t have an infinite shelf life.
Sources:tumblr/tumblr/whowhatwear
basics:black flats
Picking out a new pair of black everyday flats is becoming a sartorial chore. The fact is the Zara pair I’m currently using is neither chic nor comfortable and most embarrasingly, actually triggers some store alarms. It’s definitely in need of replacement, but it’s been a struggle to find something new, having axed the Vara pair from my list. I’m willing to invest in a new pair, but having made expensive mistakes before, want to find something that fits well.
colour: black / metallic
toe shape: round / , pointed / square
leather type: pliable / stiff, patent / cracked / suede
heel: gathered / round
edging: yes / no
additional features: cap toe / quilted leather / bow / brand embellishment / jewel decoration
These I’ll be using all the time off work – ie to dinner, lunch, travelling, shopping, everything. Hence it needs to be durable, comfortable, stylish all at once. Not such a tall order.
Black flats come in all shapes and sizes, but my non negotiables are pliable leather and pointed toe. I’m torn between a soft buttery leather which need no breaking in but stretch, or a tougher leather, more akin to the Vara flats, which hold their shape better but are probably tougher on the foot.
My one experience with a gathered heel was not pleasant at all, and I think, makes picking the right size difficult. As for embellishments, these should be minimal so as to go with as many outfits as possible.
As much as I like the classic Vara flats, they’re too girly for me, and I’ve heard, are rather hard to break in. At the moment I have my eye on a Tod’s pair, particularly the leather ballerinas, but am wondering if I should explore a pair of Chanel flats (non quilted or quilted with toe cap but in the same colour). Also, while black is the default option, I wouldn’t be averse to trying a metallic pair, similar to those Elizabeth and James ones.
Any recommendations?
a self imposed ban
Apologies for the gap in posting. I spent the last six weeks actively avoiding shopping, a self imposed clothing consumption ban. There wasn’t a particularly good reason for doing so – it was more a case of wondering whether I had the willpower to do it.
Given the fall collections are being rolled out, it was tempting to try and make exceptions for “the perfect” sweater or grey tshirt. However, staying the course made it abundantly clear that if the item in question sold out, there was always another similar item to be found, particularly in the age of choice, or that I didnt’really need it. This I knew already, but given fashion week/s were going on in parallel, it did bring home the point that just reading a review or scouring the blogs & tumblrs can be a mine field of temptation.
What was also increasingly clear is that both the exercise and the economic environment made the trade-off between spending decisions more important. “Do I save a bit and buy the 2nd favourite, even though its really not as nice, and I can save the difference by skimping somewhere else, say cutting out coffees.” It’s still a very grey area for me, and since it’s more a value judgement, can sometimes be irrational. It’s easy to eliminate the uncertain wants but for items I actually need, it’s much more difficult to weigh up the short term v long term trade offs. Eg black shift dress: 180quid acne or 45quid mango?
I do find it encouraging that there were no “I have no clothes to wear” days. In fact, quite the opposite, as I found myself trying to decide between favourites, and trying different combinations. Still, it did help solidify the purchases I had earlier identified. I’m quite glad to see that my list is largely the same as when I started, and the six weeks has helped figure out what is available, and narrow down exactly what to look for. Take the grey jumper – it’s rather ubiquitous, but yet so difficult to find one with the exact set of design points I want – it should be a particular shade of grey, slouchy but not too long, v neck, absolutely no additional unnecessary details (bobbles, cuff trimmings, buttons, combined knit patterns etc etc).
The ban is now technically over, but I’m not rushing out to oxford street credit card in hand. (Didn’t expect to, but you never know!). It’s actually reassuring not to have had any aha moments.. Certainly I could do better with spur of the moment purchases, but adhering to common sense has served me well so far. I’m less certain however about my relationship with blogging – reading and writing – as I wouldnt have done the challenge if there wasn’t a space to record it, but I find the constant exposure of new items, style references tends to encourage more purchasing.
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wino
I’ve spotted the burgundry/wine colour trouser trend really picking up across London, and have secretly become quite enamoured with it. It is however quite a difficult shade to match, except with cream/off white, and from a practical perspective seemed an unnecessary indulgence.
The polyvore set above was the result of an effort to create a sartorial hangover sufficient to put me off wine shades forever. Fortunately it served to remind me of a deep purple dress I picked up a few years ago, and have always been to reluctant to give away despite not wearing it often. Even better, this morning I realised my gold batik scarf was accented in very much a similar burgundy colour as the Equipment shirt.
It’s probably rather an obvious point, but I don’t “shop my closet” very often, and sometimes feel someone without my ingrained routine and combinations would spot far more potential than I do now. For example, my cream chiffon dress with a camel cardigan is an obvious pair but felt so new to me since I had previously only worn it with a grey or navy cover up. It’s my fall mission to remedy this and try to mix up items. After all there are a lot of individual pieces which I love which should suit each other assuming I’ve been even vaguely consistent in my shopping.
