sept/oct scrapbook..extended

Warning: lazy, self - indulgent post ahead. A plethora of inspiring images specifically posted to inspire yours truly..cue evil laugh.. For the first time in my life (other than weekends, summer, Christmas holidays, bankholidays etc etc), having just embarked on my college education, I can get up and choose to wear what ever I want. Yes, for the previous 14 or so years, I was trapped in the shackles of a school uniform doing everything in my power (most of which I'd rather forget) to try and inject some personality into my dull, tedious attire. Now, when I rise in the morning there's a whole spectrum of oppurtunity..well..within the confines of my closet, which like most people, I imagine, I wish was stocked to a greater degree. Anyway, these are some images that are inspiring me at the moment. And wahey they are suitably seasonal too!

Note: Valentine's cutesy print and lemon and lime retro handbags.(Left) Chain belt, grandpa check and slouchy trousers (Right)

Note: Ladylike chic is not always old fashioned and austere, but rather elegant and mildly mysterious. A beautiful coat and handbag go along way too.

Note: Florence is a goddess albeit a quirky, somewhat offbeat, crazy one. If you die your hair any colour this season go for burning russet like Ms. Welch. Note too her preferred shade of plummy wine lipstick and use of lace and pattern.

Note: A long skirt can be fabulous. Charles Anastase's s/s 2010 is further proof of how wondrous a longer length can look. Certainly the first stop in intelligent dressing.

Note: Why are some people so classically stylish? Tailoring and simple detail like a corsage or a leather belt answer the latter proving that glamour can be fuss free.

Note: Amazing feminine tailoring (left) : lightly pleated skirt with gorgeous draping top. Shiny marbled clutch, red lipstick, hairband and oceanic coloured bow top: vintage inspired loveliness(right).

Note: When no more inspiration can be found, Susie will have the answer.(left) Boots, check, cardigan and angular sunglasses equals an effortlessly cool look. (right)


Note: Old knits and smoking, casual overcoat and gentle breeze.




Note: Alexa may have a sometimes irritating demeanour, but when it comes to possessing a wearable and quirky wardrobe there's no better woman for it. Trench, loafers and denim are proven perfect items for autumn.

Note: Unusual rings, hippy fringe and barefaced a la Joni Mitchell and Brigitte Bardot's loose wooly sweater, riding boots and Chanel chain bag.

credits: the sartorialist, facehunter, stylebubble, garance dore, the selby

london

I know Milan fashion week is well and truly underway now, but have been meaning to blog about London all week - later is better than not at all! I don't usually do these type of posts but there is nothing like some fresh fashion to rejuvinate the fashion brain cells.


So in love with this collection. Intelligent, gorgeous clothes that gloriously combine the cutting edge with something of a vintage/antique touch. The notion of the Victorian crinoline seems to run through out - hoola - hooped hemmed skirts and multi - layered dresses that hark back to said era. There's random dashes of bright colour mixed with delicate tulle and girly frills, a dress made of cellophane, an enormous dress of hessian like material, dungarees..Anastase knows how to get one thinking about clothes..



This collection is something of a sweet 60s' caricature - nauseating pastels and Peter Pan collars, patent bows and boxy handbags. It's surprisingly fuss free for Luella, but I can't help but adore the clean lines, that sweet shop palette and the cartoon perfection of the garments.

Everyone's talking about this one. Not usually overly enthused by Burberry but this collection is quite lovely. Romantic Grecian draping, angelic mini dresses, ruching, tulle and soft pretty colours - peppermint, candy pink, lavender, sky blue, creamy golds - all provide for a decidedly youthful and somewhat dreamy collection.

There's a whole lot of check going on in Kane's latest collection, but check not in the grungy sense of the word rather more picnic cloth prairie innocence rather than street or college student. This is, indeed, an exercise in the use of a continuous print with checks appearing throughout and floaty summer dresses of clever construction as the central focus of the collection. Masculine tailoring and buttoned up shirts provide some interesting variety.

Who can resist the jovial brilliance of Louise Gray's collection? Playful, vibrant, bold, good humoured - something like a child's birthday party..but maybe a bit too zany and trippy to be exactly that. Completely unpretentious, these are cheerful clothes that must be worn with a spring in your step and that pre - requisite: a smile.

Truth be told, I wasn't too impressed with the fluro plastic tube tops and grubby army denims, but the funky prints overrule here especially the faint and dainty Japanese prints. Kinda in love with some of the shoes too and I can't resist a parka..

I will never cease to fawn over the combination of a blazer and a buttoned up shirt. Paul Smith's version is particularly quirky complete with ties and scarfs and pocket squares. There's plenty prints here also.. ditsy florals and checkered cardigans, multicoloured bands of colour, indeed, it's unexpectedly cool in places.

coping with obsession in recession*

When my sister was throwing out a bunch of old clothes recently, I salvaged a pretty dodgy black lace skirt from the pile..(I hope she won't mind me calling it 'pretty dodgy'..) It didn't remain intact for long though and was quickly acquainted with my scissors. Now, my sewing skills are extremely basic, underline that..extremely..but, my obsession with hair accessories is so great I am willing to take out the ol' needle and thread and give it an awl go. Taking one old silver headband, one garland of pearls courtesy of a corsage, a few random diamonds that came with a dress and a length of the aforementioned black lace. Fold the black lace into leaf shapes, sew together, attach pearl garland, sew on diamonds and finally, position on headband and sew in place! Yeah..not exactly the art of Haute Couture but inot too bad for a cost saving hair accessory!

*geez what a snappy title..haha not really.

indian summer

This morning when I awoke I had the full intention of doing quite the autumnal post..indeed, I was worried that it might be verging on the wintry. However, such plans were quashed when I threw back the curtains to discover halcyon blue skies and sun! Yes, the sun was shining spectacularly for the second consecutive day; no mean feat considering the summer months consisted of a seemingly endless expanse of grey sky. I knew my blog post today would have to reflect this sudden onslaught of sunshine and perhaps too, reflect on such a lovely summer (despite the weather) that is just about to come to a close. ( I know it's September but the summer won't be over for me until I begin university!)

reading in the sun

a casual floral sun dress (left) and the dress I got for my birthday back in June

this waistcoat belonged to my mother 'back in the day'. I brought it with me to Oxegen but the rain meant it spent the day I wore it hidden beneath my raincoat.

sandals and juice

I bought this oversized denim shirt on an extremely successful shopping trip, you know the kind where you find everything exactly as you have been daydreaming them, back in July. The bag on the right was permanently fixed to my shoulder..

concert tickets

me and my hair things.. that peacock clip was bought in Pennys but I love it! i constantly wore that cream flower too..unleashing that inner hippy/whimsical spirit, don'cha know!

style

" 'It was Sophie's idea', Nathan explained further, 'and she's right. People look drab on the street. They all look alike, walking around in uniform. Clothes like these have individuality. Style. That's why it's fun when people stare at us.' ...'Dress is important. It's part of being human. It might as well be a thing of beauty, something you can take real pleasure in doing. And maybe in the process give other people pleasure.' "

- Chapter 3, 'Sophie's Choice', William Styron

click to enlarge (all images The Sartorialist)