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| Snood, Primark; sweater, UniQlo; long vest (beneath), H&M; fingerless indoor gloves, Peacocks; leggings, UniQlo; thermal ski socks, ski shop; Snowjoggers, Amazon |
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Snowjogger joy
Continuing with this week's 'Bugger me, it's cold' theme, I'm avoiding inadvertent ice-skating on the way to work (inadvisable when you're with child, apparently) with my ski holiday favourite, The Snowjogger. It was with a childlike joy that I first stumbled across these beauties a few years ago, when searching for apres-ski footwear (trainers too cold, Uggs too slippy). I say childlike, because I remember the unadulterated glee upon wearing my first pair of moon boots when I was little. Somehow, padded, thick-soled footwear in wintry colours makes me feel like a cross between an astronaut and some sort of sci-fi superhero. Anyway, aside from giving me the chance to secretly turn myself into some fantasy comic book character, they're also very effective at keeping feet warm and dry in snowy, freezing conditions, while also preventing you from sliding all over the place like Bambi on ice. The fact that I teamed them with shiny, spandex leggings and day-glo pink thermal socks is merely coincidental and nothing to do with furthering my sci-fi fantasy. At all.
Monday 29 November 2010
Warm preppy
Not that Brits are obsessed with talking about the weather (did someone say national pastime?), but blimey-oh-Riley, my goosebumps have got goosebumps. Which means extra outfit consideration, as one wants to look good, but one also wants to be able to feel one's extremities, and dressing to keep warm can be a tricky affair indeed. As usual, I'm going to rely on the trusty trick of layering this week, and am hoping this will help me keep the chill out, while also hoping I don't over-layer and thus render myself Weeble-shaped (plenty of time for that once the bump starts growing).
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| Sweater and chiffon shirt, both Primark; trousers, H&M; boots, Dune |
Friday 26 November 2010
Faux yes
My Fabulous Friend is lending me one of her faux fur jackets for the black-tie wedding I'm going to in December - black tie + December = glam + cold. And there's nothing more warm-but-glam than fur, faux or otherwise (but for the sake of not upsetting any sensibilities, we are sticking with the faux option). Ridiculously, I still don't own a fur coat. I say ridiculously, as I've lusted after one ever since I moved to London and saw loads of lucky bods who'd picked one up for £3 or something insane at a cool charity shop (vintage, dahling). And yet I've still never managed to get my greedy little paws on one, despite possibly owning one of nearly every other conceivable type of coat in existence (see Subconscious hoarding).
And as I've already cracked and worn said friend's jacket before the event I had actually borrowed it for*, I thought it best that I should start researching my own inevitable purchase. And so here are a few contenders - and I'm actually rather partial to the Asos Maternity one from my Bumpy coats post, now I'm all set for bumpage myself. I'll let you know if I choose one.
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| George at Asda, £29 |
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| French Connection, £120 |
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| New Look, £54.99 |
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| Dorothy Perkins, £85 |
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| Fashion Union, £35 |
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| Matthew Williamson rabbit fur panel coat (I know, I know, rabbit fur), £2,050. Not an actual 'contender', no, but just so lovely I wanted to stare at it a while, sigh... |
Thursday 25 November 2010
Cold feet?
Brrrrrrr! Ok, it's officially winter. This week's temperature has totally dropped and if there's one thing that's guaranteed to make me miserable, it's cold feet. It's one of those things that stops you being able to focus on anything else, like being really hungry or thirsty when you've no money on you, needing the loo when you're out shopping or your new shoes rubbing on the way to work. Joyless.
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| Office, £90 |
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| Rocket Dog at Very, £85 |
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| New Look, £65 |
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| Matalan, £24 |
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| Evans, £45 |
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| Dorothy Perkins, £58.50 |
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Dressing for two...
Apologies for lack of post yesterday, but it was quite an important day. You see, I've been keeping a little secret from you for the past few weeks - I am carrying my very own Plus One! I'm 12 weeks' pregnant today and had my first scan yesterday, so had a few things on my mind other than blogging (I know, very selfish of me...). But, so as not to let the side down, a quick run through yesterday's outfit: nice and comfy loose-sweater-and-leggings affair, but with an on-trend camel Merino wool sweater (UniQlo) and my leather-look leggings (King's Rd) with heritage-style riding boots (Dune), trusty leopard print scarf (Avon) and a slick of red lippy for good measure (camel + red lips = fabulousness). Let's see if my 'comfy chic' wardrobe turns into just 'comfy' as the bump grows, or whether I can attempt to fly the style flag for as long as possible... Eek! I'm going to be a mummy!
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| There's someone in there! |
Monday 22 November 2010
Christmas wishlist
Walking past Liberty's of London on Friday night, I was entranced by the magical Christmassy window displays. They practically had me drooling with all the goodies showcased inside. And it made me think. Being a bit of an organised type, at Christmas I like to send an email round to the nearest and dearest with a list of a few things I'd like, so nobody has to worry about what to buy, and I don't have to worry about pretending to like something that's only going to collect dust. Usually, I add things I need to this list, and practical items I'd be buying myself anyway - moisturiser, books, electric toothbrush, etc. But when I stared through those Liberty windows, all sparkly and glittery and filled with all manner of fabulous designer trinkets, I thought, for one indulgent moment, 'Wouldn't it be nice to make a wishlist of shiny, fabulous, uber-expensive presents that I don't need at all, that I just wanted, for the sake of how deliciously lovely they were?' So make a list I did. What do you think my chances of opening any of them on Christmas morning are? Santa, if you're listening, I promise I've been a very good girl...
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| Louis Vuitton's aptly named Beauty pump in crocodile skin, £6,100 |
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| Kenneth Jay Lane 22k gold Star bracelet, £100 |
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| Roberto Cavalli printed silk georgette kaftan £1,085 |
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| Smythson Panama diary from the Damson collection, £118 |
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| Clive Christian No.1, the world's most expensive perfume, contained within a crystal bottle adorned with a white diamond, £2,700 for just 30ml! |
Friday 19 November 2010
Women-repellant fashion. Our turn...
Well, I thought it would be wrong not to give us girls the right to reply. Not that I want my blog to be used in a negative way to criticise people's clothing choices (I'd rather celebrate creativity, individuality, style and effort), but the men have given us their humble opinions, so, in the interests of a balanced argument, I asked you for your most hated items of clothing on men. And boy, did you answer...
SKINNY JEANS
- ‘Skinny jeans! Bad enough on skinny guys trying to look trendy and cool, another thing on men with rugby thighs.’ Emily B
- ‘Skinny jeans with the baggy arse bit and a belt holding on halfway down their boxers – WTF?’ Kerri-Ann H
- ‘Not very manly really.’ Catherine L
- ‘Skinny jeans... arghhhhh!’ Isabelle L
BAGGY, BUM-DISPLAYING JEANS
- ‘Jeans below the hips and hanging below their boxers... especially when they are loose boxers that aren't so white.’ Emily B
- ‘Jeans slung so low their boxers are on almost full display (please refer to the scene in Clueless where Alicia Silverstone laments the male clothing trends of the 90s).’ Jessica W
- ‘Super-baggy, bum-hanging-out jeans. No.’ Jemma L
- ‘Low-slung jeans. We really have no interest in your pants or arse cracks.’ Catherine L
THE OBSESSION WITH JEANS CONTINUES...
- ‘Jeans worn without a belt. Just sort of looks incomplete.’ Catherine L
‘Even worse if the jeans have a crease ironed into them...’ Susannah H
- ‘Bleached jeans! A huge no-no for me.’ Dorothy C
BASEBALL CAPS
- ‘Baseball caps with the sticker still displayed (a look I became aware of in NYC but have seen here too!)’ Jessica W
- ‘Hiding a bald patch, perhaps? Particularly bad worn backwards.’ Catherine L
FLEECES
- ‘Fleeces. Especially those man-made, zip-necked monstrosities that give you an electric shock whenever you go near. Rugby clubs do the classic example that I hate with the burning heat of hate.’ Isobel P
SPORTSWEAR
- ‘Trainers on any man over 30. Actually, any PE kit outside the gym is wrong.’ Catherine L
- ‘Footie top covering a BIG FAT BEER BELLY - Yummmmmy!!!!’ Dorothy C
- ‘Hideous, brightly coloured, sweat-inducing man-made fibre footie tops worn as leisure wear. Women are ashamed to be with you when you are wearing a sports top. Even when it’s worn on the day your team is playing and you’re wearing it to the pub, we understand why, but we are still ashamed.’ Anonymous
DEEP V-NECK T-SHIRTS
- ‘Deep V-neck T-shirts with nothing underneath to reveal a bit of man cleavage. Put it away!’ Anna S
- ‘Oh God, low V-neck T-shirts - ugh!’ Dorothy C
- ‘Too low V-neck T-shirts, please no.’ Kerri-Ann H
- ‘V-neck T-shirts. Horrendous.’ Catherine L
OTHER NOTABLE HATED ITEMS
- ‘Vests.’ Andrea V
- ‘Coloured shirts with white collars. Very “city boy”.’ Catherine L
- ‘Very pointy shoes!’ Kerri-Ann H
- ‘T-shirts tucked into jeans...’ Jessica W
- ‘Skinny scarves, a la Russell Brand. My husband bought one and I make it quite clear I can't abide it every time he wears it. I don't mind a man in touch with his feminine side, but that's taking it too far.’ Anna S
- ‘Cardigans. No man can wear one and call himself a real man.’ Catherine L
- ‘Socks with sandals! Such an eternal no-no.’ Susannah H
- ‘Trousers worn too high and belts pulled so tight they act as a tourniquet.’
So. There we have it. I couldn't possibly comment, of course (despite agreeing vehemently with a number of the above). Now let's stop obsessing over our menfolk and get back to being far more interested in our own wardrobes. And in the meantime, feast your eyes on the following. Even while showcasing something you may find inexcusable... you still would, wouldn't you?
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| Becks in a cardi |
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| Jude in skinnies |
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| Jamie Foxx in a vest |
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| R-Pattz in a baseball cap, V-neck and - do we glimpse baggy jeans, too? The man can do no wrong |
Thursday 18 November 2010
Winter knits
Getting the woollies out in winter can be a bit of a tricky one. On the one hand, when you can see your breath in front of you, all you want to do is find the nearest, chunkiest, snuggliest knit you own and wrap yourself up all warm and cosy in it. Problem is, wrapping up warm often results in turning yourself into a shapeless woolly mammoth, about three sizes larger than you actually are. Not a good look (albeit snug as a bug in a rug). My advice? Try the following:
- Tailored knits that give you shape (see the military cardigan, below)
- Wearing long cardies, jumpers and sweater dresses belted over skinny jeans/leggings/ tights
- If going for a chunky, patterned top half, keep the bottom half plain and slimline
- Belt knitted gilets, cardies and maxi dresses for definition
- Layer chunky waistcoats, tanks and gilets over thin knit sweaters and maxi dresses
- Go for a chic, cable-knit poncho over indigo skinnies or bootflare trousers
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| Main shot: Penneys AW10 campaign; Clockwise from top left: poncho, Phase Eight, £85; blanket cardigan, Asos, £150; Fairisle knitted gilet, Next, £60; military cardigan, Matalan, £18; Fairisle belted cardigan, River Island, £49.99; sweater dress, Monsoon, £55; knitted maxi dress, Next, £28 |
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Skirting the issue
Now, I'm not a big one for skirts. You won't find many pics on my blog of me sporting one. I don't know what it is, I just feel more comfortable in jeans, leggings and trousers. More me. I suppose it's become part of my signature look. Whether it's just that I feel more in control and less girlie, or that I just can't work the ladylike look so much, I don't know. But then, in the interests of mixing it up, I decided I ought to branch out a little more, and am today embracing the skirt. I've toughened it up a bit with my wedge ankle boots and a leopard print scarf for some edge, but I'm still feeling unsure - what do you think? Do you have an item of clothing that you feel you can't pull off? Answers on a postcard, please. Or, indeed, drop me a comment.
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| Sweater, Banana Republic; skirt, Zara; scarf, Avon; tights and boots, Primark |
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Hat weather
It's a little bit blowy out there... So instead of wrestling with a brolly that's doing its damndest to turn inside out and have me looking like an Irish wolfhound that's been dragged through a hedge backwards, I'm opting for some stylish headgear instead. I do love a hat, and am mainly partial to a fedora or a trilby. But I love the idea of really upping the style stakes in a vintage-style cloche just as much as I like slumming it in casual gear and a woolly baker-boy. And when those snowflakes start to drift down from the winter sky (let a girl daydream that London winters are just like Disney winters...), snuggling up and looking all ski-bunnyesque in a faux-fur number gives me my own Dr Zhivago moment. The less said about hat hair the better, though, really. That's when dry shampoo comes into its own...
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| Tweed trilby, New Look |
Felt Floppy Fedora - Catwalk Collection - French Connection
35 GBP - frenchconnection.com
French Connection hats »
35 GBP - frenchconnection.com
French Connection hats »
Monday 15 November 2010
Man-repellant fashion
Quite excited about my new pair of multi-way hiker-style wedge ankle boots, I was eyeing them admiringly in the mirror this week and decided to ask Hubby for his appraisal, as there's nothing like bolstering your love of an item with further protestations of how lovely it is from others. But alas, I was met with a considered pause, and then the following conversation ensued:
Him: 'Yeah. They're nice. You like them, you like those wedge things.'
Me: 'What?! Are you saying you don't like wedges then?'
Him (carefully, sensing danger): 'Not that I don't like them, but... (flounders) ...It's like those Roman sandal things you wear in the summer.'
Me: 'Gladiators.'
Him: 'Right. Those. You know, you like them... they're just... not... my favourites, I suppose...'
Me (incredulous): 'Right. What else don't you like?!'
But there was no time to go into that mine field (luckily for him), as I had to leave for work. So on my journey, I got to thinking about all the other fashion-forward footwear items that men seem to detest on women. And not just footwear, either. From Uggs to tulip skirts, our bewildered other halves just don't get our style choices a lot of the time. Whether they think they make us look masculine, fat, just plain odd or simply that they make us walk funny while wearing them, a quick straw poll reveals the following hit list of men-repellant fashion. It makes for sobering reading, girls...
- Uggs - "I can’t tell you how much I hate an UGG boot, even worse, fake ones. And if I hear ‘They’re really comfy’, I’ll kill a girl" Mark S
- "I don't have much of a problem with Uggs, it's just when people don't lift their feet properly when wearing them" Anonymous
-"They're slippers – ask any Australian. If you can’ t wear them outdoors in a
country that is largely desert, then it follows that they shouldn’t be worn outdoors in one that is under water for much of the year" Mark L
- Ballet pumps - "Really unflattering. Comfy, maybe, but they make you walk really hard in them whilst strutting round the office" Mark S
- Gladiators - "Not amazingly keen on those Roman-style lace up boots" Simon P
- Leggings - "I don't really like leggings, and even worse are those 'ghetto' inspired jean leggings - skinny girls look too skinny; fat birds look unmentionable" Anthony M
- "Jeggings, or whatever those atrocious things are called..." JB
- "Leggings have long occupied a large amount of my resentment" Laurie D
- "Leggings seem to be worryingly cyclical. The world is full of people who look like they’re wearing tights and forgot to put a skirt on. The level of VPL abandon they encourage is disturbing" Mark L
- Kitten heels - "What's the point? They're not flats, they're not heels, they look like something Margaret Thatcher would wear" Anonymous
- "I can’t begin to articulate my hatred of them. Particularly on larger girls, who look like they’re wearing normal heels that have just sunk 4 inches into the ground" Mark L
- Sky-high heels -"Taxi shoes - those shoes girls can stand in, but wouldn't contemplate walking in, ie, you've got to get a taxi everywhere in them" Anthony M
- "Platform heels should be avoided at all costs (unless you are actually are a lap dancer)" James P
Other comments:
- "Fluffy pink jogging pants any time of the day are wrong. Why? Because they're just about OK on my four-year-old, but not when you're over 18!" Dave A
- "Low rise jeans.... On 99% of British woman = muffin top" Anthony M
- "Just because you can fit the majority of your lower body into skinny jeans doesn’t mean that they 'fit'" Mark L
- "She keeps stealing my dressing gown! Why wear mine when she has her own, leaving me to freeze?! Don’t get me wrong, she looks great in a lot of my stuff (shirts, baggy trousers, etc), but they are mine!" Martin P
Right, gentlemen, interesting points, well made. So, you'd be sure to let the following ladies know just what you thought of their outfit choices, then?
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| Megan Fox in leggings |
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| Angelina Jolie in ballet pumps |
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| Halle Berry in gladiators |
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| Elle Macpherson in Uggs |
So, while my marvellously responsive panel of gents has given me some fascinating food for thought, I'd be interested to know if any women decided to throw out any of their men-repellant items after reading this post. Do tell! Thanks everyone for your insights.
Friday 12 November 2010
Man-repellant fashion, a teaser...
Well, the results of my highly scientific survey on man-repellant fashion are now in, and I shall analyse and write up the (frankly, quite opinionated) findings this weekend and post them Monday morning. They make for quite, er, interesting reading! Ladies, be prepared for 50% of your wardrobe to be vilified...
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| Uh oh - I seem to scandalously be wearing two items on most men's hit list! |
Thursday 11 November 2010
Out to lunch with Mum
I have my parents staying with me for a couple of days and it's lovely. I don't get to see them very often, so I'm making the most of it, and Mum and I went out for lunch and a massage today to treat ourselves. Naturally, I had to ask her if she wouldn't mind appearing on the blog with me, so here we are, all dressed up and ready to hit the horrible windy, rainy day. Luckily, a Greek mezze platter, tea and cake, a good old gossip and an indulgent back massage each made us forget all about the weather. Funny how that happens.
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| Mum's outfit: Trench, Burberry Prorsum (I'm sooo stealing it); scarf, Avon; gloves, Primark; top, M&S; jeans, George at Asda; boots, Clark's. My outfit: Hat, vintage; scarf, Peacocks; wrap cardigan, Zara; Tshirt dress, H&M; tights, Primark; boots, Office |
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Snood weather
There's definitely a chill in the air this week. I don't know whether it's just the wind or the temperature drop or both, but it's certainly making me want to wrap up. I bought a snood at the weekend (good old Primarni bargain, £4!) and I'm already chuffed with my purchase. Warm, snuggly and windproof, I like to hide my face in it while I'm standing on a breezy platform waiting for my morning train. Sometimes I even leave it on over a sweater if I'm sat in a drafty office. In fact, the word alone makes me feel snuggly: snood. Snooood. It even sounds cosy. Get one.
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| Snood, Primark; navy sweater and trousers, Zara; wedges, Primark |
Joy :: Accessories :: - Scarves :: Louche Bobble Knit Snood
10 GBP - joythestore.com
Knitted scarves »
10 GBP - joythestore.com
Knitted scarves »
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