Sporty Whites

I haven't worked on my blog in a while, due to busy busy-ness, as a result I completely forgot that I had already done an article on white shoes. They are truly my obsession right now, which is why I have put together another post on the subject. Luckily the shoes I am featuring are different.

My Cos love, began a couple of years ago and is a constant, with it's oversized, slouchy, minimalistic aesthetic. I have only recently converted to their footwear, much like the clothing it is minimalistic with clean lines. The brogues will be the perfect accompaniment to dresses, shorts and playsuits.

Vagabond, is a contemporary brand, that has been slowly gaining popularity via stockist Urban Outfitter. It's not a brand where you will love all of the products, but you definitely pick out a couple of key pieces. For me it was all about these trainer, come sandal, come flatform shoe. They are so completely sports chic, need I say more.

A blast from the past, Ju Ju sandals...I am not sure I actually owned a pair of Juju sandals when I was younger, but I did rock many a pair of jellies, pre-teen. As Rachel Zoe would say "I die", I will definitely be donning these later on this year.

Another style that I did in the 00s are the Topshop heeled sneakers. I love that they are both sporty and street. With these I wearing body con dresses, baggy t-shirts and flippy skirts.

Here is a little montague/wish list for my sporty looks with white footwear.

I have bored you with white footwear long enough...the next post will be on something new!!! Promise...

Slouchy Jacquard Jacket

So there are small signs that I am getting older...the latest is my love of this jacquard design slouchy jacket. It is mid thigh length, and is both collar and button - less. I would probably add a belt every now and again when I want to try a more structured look. I don't really like the styling on the Zara website, I would do a white t-shirt and a baggy pair of jeans, sort of like Ashley Olsen's signature look. As the outerwear is quite dark, I would lighten everything.

It's White Right Now!

When I think of white footwear, I think of  the stiletto, donned in the 80s by many as the must have of the decade. I have never been keen to dabble with the neutral footwear but this all changed as I have slowly embraced the recurring sports wear trend for summer. Take any outfit and add white shoes and suddenly you have sports chic.

There has been a sea of pale shoes in the high street, and I have ummed and ahhed at the options choosing the following three styles as my favs. I really want to buy these bad boys, in order 1) White sandals £35, Topshop 2) White studded platforms £50, Topshop and 3) White loafers £35, Office.

Accessories for the new season

Over the last couple of years I have developed a really bad accessory obsession. I've become a bit of a snob when it comes to bags especially; only leather will do. Designer labels are also a big draw for me with their superior quality and butter soft uppers. Or perhaps it's just the advertising that has sucked me in. Either way I can't help but dream about the luxury leather goods.

Unfortunately my pay packet doesn't generally stretch to the good stuff, so I also dip into the highstreet and vintage for quality pieces like this small leather bag, which I got from Topshop. The make is Etui Bags, and they introduce themselves as "Vintage Inspired Handmade leather Bags". There is a concession at the flagship store with products ranging from around £18 through to £150; my bag was £29. The colour is very unusal and inky green colour which I love because it works well with everything. The cross over bag is my evening accessory of choice for SS13.

 

My second accessory purchase, is a Anya Hindmarch black leather loose pouch. I had one previously in black hi-shine leather with escalloped edges but it got really scrappy so I wanted to update it. The new pouch has a ribbed outer leather upper which makes it quite hardwearing, although I have scratched it already. The inside is also lined in a gorgueous mint leather and the embossed gold Brand logo. It's all in the detail as far as I am concerned. The purse was a little bit more expensive than I expected, but I have been working hard so I wanted to treat myself. A classic for many years to come.





 

And on my F**K it list...the Alexander Wang black leather Rocco bag. Pure Genius!!!

 

 

Holly Fulton AW13

Holly Fulton has patiently been earning her stripes in the fashion industry having set up her namesake label a few years ago. Always one to watch, the designer continues to put a new spin on contemporary fashion using print work and simple silohuettes. Her pieces are fashion forward but easy to wear.

Her AW13/14 the collection felt more grown up, the colours were muted with day dresses and classic seperates. Holly cited Beatrice Dalle as her muse, which included the designer recreating small details such as a gap in the front teeth of her models. Again her collection had a distinct punk rebellion theme with collaged leather jackets and photocopy skirts. Softer pieces were roughened up with jewelled items and burnt details. Imagine all of this, orchestrated to a Debbie Harry soundtrack.

Here are the looks that rocked, unfortunately my pictures from the show are quite blurry so these come complements of Vogue!!!

Clements & Ribeiro

I have been completely overwhelmed with work and life that I am only just getting around to writing about two of the shows I went to at London Fashion Week AW13/14. I had a great time, and even spotted the illustrious Scott Schulman a.k.a The Satoralist.

My first show was Clements and Ribeiro, it was quite packed so I ended up standing on a chair in the corner. The Creative directors Suzanne and Inacio brought together a punk infused collection mixing their trademark florals and glamour with a rock 'n' roll edge which seems to be a new trend coming through for 2013. The shoes of choice where winklepickers, which are quite tricky to pull off, but nevertheless where spot on for this show.

Here are some of my favourite looks:

Eighties and Nineties

This has been a long time coming, I have my London Fashion Week blog post to write, but in the mean time I want to talk about the resurgence of the 80s and 90s in fashion. Not even just in fashion actually, but across all areas of culture.

Look at the music that is happening right now, there are melodic references to decades pasts and music production to support this. I am listening to Haim, big time at the moment and you can not deny their nineties tinged heart break anthems. They cite the likes of TLC and En Vogue as heros.

Moving on from music comes art with the likes of David Bowie educating us about outfits gone by. He is something of a legend so I am super happy to let him be my muse. Can not wait to see this exhibition.

Back to fashion, my favourite pass time, here are some of just a few brands who are reliving the good times. So to begin with the outrageous Rihanna (well everyone enjoys thinking of her that way) and her collaboration with River Island. The presentation is like an episode of Sex and the City, in season 1/2 before the fashion got big. I kind've loved the collection, but don't see myself running around London bra-less and knickerless to hide any lines which will most likely be on show in one of these slinky dresses.

 

Anyone living in London, or a cool cosmopolitan city will know about Boy London, yeah you know what I'm talking about, the black on white iconography on street wear silhouettes and accessories. You aint no one to you've rocked a truckers hat with 'BOY' emblazoned on it. Straight from the eighties, the brand reminicises about the days of disco. I kind've feel I should stay away from this trend, but the more I see it, the more I want a voluminous t-shirt to call my own.

 A complete guilty pleasure; The Carrie Diaries centres on Carrie Bradshaw pre her SATC days, it is such a teen drama but I can't help but watch, especially when you take into account the ingenious eighties fashion. People may cringe, but amidst the tafetta and puffball skirts there are some inspired pieces; and why did people stop wearing stilettos? Hello eighties, glad you're back again, sport's wear and scrunchies, of course you can't go wrong.

Finally the Dries Von Noten's, SS13 collection and its ode to grunge. Think Nirvana and Kurt Cobain's check shirts. They have of course had a luxe make over premium fabrications paired with floral seperates. If I had an extra bit of change in my pocket I would spend it all on Dries von Noten.

Don't look back in anger I heard you say (Oasis lyrics)...look back for inspiration for this season's trends.