Top Ten Best Wet Weather Buys

Zalando

It's been a little while since I have written a style advice post, but since there is no escaping the rain in the UK and my time has been pretty much been consumed with coming up with more stylish ways to dress on a wet and windy day's I thought I might as well share my top ten stylish wet weather buys, not flimsy pac mac's and light weight brollie's that see you struggling to shield yourself from everything our weather can chuck at you,but waterproof clothing that is made for the job and pretty stylish too. I was surprised at some of the places I unearthed my waterproof top ten,

#DIY #Style Rooted In Renegade #Fashion

Dress VB

 Great Style Is In The Details

 

I love that the creative process that is fashion can take a functional detail that is pretty bog standard and elevates it to a new dimension that captures our imagination and reminds us that when it was first invented it was a pretty incredible thing to start with, one such detail is the zip, it was invented by Swedish scientist Sundback in1913 and patented as the hookless fastener. For many years in fashion the zip remained hidden from view a thing of modesty and practically, then punk rock arrived and with it what was then seen as extreme diy fashion emerged as clothes were shredded, deconstructed and rearranged to shock.

Renegade Fashionistas 

 Once Vivienne Westwood took hold of this trend and launched her first label Seditionaries the zipper was no longer insignificant but edgy. Since then we have seen many interpretations of the humble zipper as it has been used by fashion and accessory designers in new ways to add edge, sensuality and creativity to their labels, most prominently was the addition of a visible zipper to body con dresses such as Victoria Beckhams successful line, however the zipper was actually first used this way by Italian fashion visionary Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973). The London 2012 Olympics provided the perfect hothouse for growing fashions which incorporated the zippers functional attributes with designer fusion lines popping up everywhere and the predictable but welcome return of the classic biker jacket, whilst on the horizon of this A/W 2012 season we have come full circle as punk rock fashions make a strong return, hooray!

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* photo credits -Trend Hunter

My Passport To Style | Owly Times

Owl Ring Vivienne Westwood 

Owl print top -Lagom

owl brooch Avalaya

I have been musing lately on the trend for owls and our obsession with them, first it was cats, then pandas and now owls. I get that we are a nation of animal lovers, but I feel our love of woodland creatures like the fox, has for most of us urban dwellers anyway, been nurtured more by visiting previous beautiful glossy Mulberry campaigns rather than perhaps bumping into these creatures on woodland walks with a crisp bite to the air and a bright blue sky overhead. Can you tell, I'm longing to escape the clutches of our very British soggy summer and return to our crisp autumn days again?

 Seeing as I like most of us have been suffering from the rather embarrassing symptoms of Harry Potter withdrawal since the last film was shown and all things magical came to an abrupt end, could this be a clue to owl mania?The  images of Harry Potter and Hedwig and the owlery was enough to have me planning a trip to mystical Moncaster castle in the hopes that I might be able to befriend an owl that looked vaguely like Hedwig! 

Then there is also the fact that baby owls look well, pretty cute with there huge round eyes and fluffy heads, anything with big eyes pandas our own species even and we're sold. So we have the mystical, the cute but the third point has to be my favourite and really fits with this A/W 2012 leaning towards gothic and punk. Owls are actually pretty fierce looking birds an aspect that silk scarf extraordinaire and Grazia award winner Ali Mapletoft of Age Of Reason (whose signature is a punk edge to her work) has illustrated to perfection in my opinion, she has created a very real looking owl, not a smudge of cuteness in sight and applied of the moment detailing such as the studs on the owls shoulder to create a sense of regal military fierceness which I adore. In fact I'm jumping on the Owl bandwagon right now! I am off to create a diy owl head band! Have you fallen under the spell of Owls yet and are you in camp cute or camp fierce?    

KAREN MILLEN LAUNCH #DESTINATIONDENIM

left to right, me, vipxo and Laura 

Last Saturday I was invited to preview Karen Millens surprise addition to her super sleek flock of clothing, a new jeans line (the event held at the Selfridges shop in the Trafford centre was hosted by beauty and fashion blogger vipxo) I say surprise, as I have always associated Karen Millen's label with her beautifully cut coats, jackets and dresses, in other words great tailoring, not casual wear.

rail of Karen Millen denim including metallic, floral,pastels,brights and python print

 It was nice to chill out and enjoy a glass of champagne and discuss all thing jeans with the other fashion bloggers who had come along to the event, whilst watching the staff model the new Karen Millen denim collection to perfection. Being of a slightly fuller leg, I am increasingly realising that as much as I like block colour jeans until I shift a few access pounds in that area,skinny print jeans are my new best friend. Pattern is great for breaking up big block of anything, trust me!

 I have a crush on python print at the moment, so I was happy to see plenty of python print in colours such as wine and mustard that will work well with any navy, black and red pieces in your wardrobe this autumn/winter 2012. I liked the weight of the denim too which was nice and light with not too much stretch, which, if you have read my profile you will know is baaad in my humble opinion, as you end up with baggy knee and bum area.

 Some of the jeans had a lovely wax finish which is become increasingly popular as it gives the illusion of leather and they also stock a pair with a metallic gold finish, prices start at £75.00. The sizes run up to a size sixteen, the larger sizes tend to fly out the door first, but obviously you can always order online. We all agreed that the floral jeans that looked like pretty coloured lights at night that had fused together were our favourite print in the range. Laura from Laura's Little Secrets picked up the last scarf in the floral print lucky her! Hanging out with the fun and friendly Karen Millen team at Selfridge's whilst munching on their delicious mint choc cake pops and getting the secret intel on vipxo not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.  

  

Nice bum!some of the mannequins got a bit frisky!

Florals Are Forever

Florals are forever, well at least they will still be around come A/W 2012, I breathed a sigh of relief as the thought of being plunged into drab clothing after a pretty rancid summer was just too much to bear! This zesty sporty combination from Preen is a great example of what's to come and is part of their A/W 2012 collection. The must have jacket to work these winter florals and bright 60's looks that will have us doing the twist and shout? Khaki. I think these three military jackets deserve a shout out. 

Rokit- genuine vintage army supply

House of Frasier - Pauls Boutique

   

Barbour classic safari

My Passport To Style | Gets Material

Hi Gals, me thinks that the recent thirst for heritage pieces such as tartan and plaid has been brought about by the Royal wedding in the UK and a emotional need for sturdy fashion that will stand the test of time! Thankfully tartan offers a heritage solution with a little more than just sturdiness about it!

 Whatever the reason If you can wear a dress that feels as cosy as a blanket and it still gives you an aura of regal bearing who can argue with that. Loving this tartan duo and  the somewhat unlikely but sweet pairing of Alexandra Mcxqueen and Sarah Parker. If your wanting to buy into heritage with a more modern feel then why not opt for a simple blanket cape or these ear muffs new in from http://www.muji.co.uk/ store, loving the fact that this cape by Muji UK, has not been overworked just a simple pin and armholes, the length is perfect and the colour of the tartan is flattering for all hair shades.  

My Passport to Style | Shares What It's Like To Contract Patchwork Fever!



New York Fashion week Oscar -De- La- Renata

Hi Gals, I was recently very ill with patchwork fever, the symptoms ( brought on by many hours of staring at vibrant 7o's inspired folk photo shoots in my favourite glossyy mags) are pretty, although rather nasty! It starts with your vision blurring the boundaries between print, texture and plain blocks of colours, till you become extremely dizzy with visions of hotch potch design. The next stage found me obsessing over how to transform a perfectly lovely patchwork quilt into a coat, I don't think the world is not quite ready for me looking Joseph like, at least not till pantomime seasons starts properly! The finale stage saw me feverishly cutting up every scrap of fabric in the house ready to patchwork into a creation and cloaked in the fall out of loose threads. 



So why not just give way and throw on a plethora of patch work layering as in the image above? The answer is clear in my case, at 5,6 I simply don't have the height to carry of such a large scale mish mash of colour and design, I would end up shrunk to Rumpelstiltskin like proportions, as well as considerably extending my girth, while vastly reducing my fashionable years.

So onto the recovery phase, how did I cure myself, easy, a quick trip to Etsy and the store While There Sleeping, where I found the these beautiful patchwork animals to coo over and reminded me that this trend works best on stuffed animals, beds and models on the runway.So next time you spy a patchwork master piece and start salivating think about what it took me to come back from the brink! 

footnote - fashionable years - like dog years only better!
 
images coutesy of broadwayworld.com, While They Are Sleeping and Oscar De La Renata

Shoe Sale Shopping | Don't You Love It When A Plan Comes Together?!

neon brogues - The Pessimiss

Hi Gals, I am planning my A/W 2011 wardrobe revolution at the moment and was happy as a girl in a champagne bath when I happened upon sale shoes from Clarks limited boutique collection, that are so comfy sales shopping will never be a chore and better still they fit with the monchrome and 60's looks that are set to be hot this A/W season, these buttery soft brogues (Brisk Walk) with studs will add a contempory edge to my gold tweed trousers and a simple black or cream polo.

Clarks delivered a double helping of shoe paradise when I chanced upon another pair of shoes from their Limited Boutique collection, Ski Lift in black, that will add sharpen up this black and white poka dot dress also from the Jaeger sale.They say third time lucky, well I have to say I felt extreemly lucky when I discovered these classic chelsea boots at Hobbs outlet sale, great with a simple shift dress and thick opaque tights, although I might choose yellow I can't decide.   

Clarkes Sale - Brisk Walk

Clarkes Sale - Ski Lift

Jaeger Sale- Polka ruffle tier dress

Chelsea boots- Hobbs Outlet Sale

60's inspired Shift- Jaeger Sale

The one that got away ?

I was nearly made it to 4th time lucky when I came across the most darling pink patent Mary Janes

 (Madeline Punch) also in the Hobbs Sale, but fate intervened and my computer crashed! My 5.5 are now winging there way to some pink, patent loving lady...  

Will You Be Shaking A Tail Feather Or Two This A/W 2011 ?

credits-Bold Bright & Beautiful

What do you make of the latest trend for feather wearing? Do you love it or loathe it? Do you think it's only for the brave at heart or can shy girls gain the advantage and use their peeping power to their advantage by sporting a large fan or big collar to hide behind, thus creating a mysterious aura ? Personally I think there is something very feminine about the flutter of marabou feathers on the hem of a dress or a purse and I'm loving the vibrant colours new feather headpieces and earrings are popping up in. (for more sumptious feather designs read on!)

Wardrobe Workout | Which Type Of Neckline Will Flatter You

Hi Gals,

it's been a while since I last held court at a Wardrobe Workout session and with the arrival of enough shirt collars and variations on necklines this A/W 2011 to sink the Titanic! I decided to dive right into helping you lovely ladies, navigate the choppy waters of which neckine is right for you. Most of us fall into two camps we either have a swan like neck or a neck which is shall we say less swan like (shorter), usually that means we are compensated by a curvy figure, so its not all bad news. Anyway the need to nail which neckline is right for you is paramount, get it wrong and your neck will look either scrawny or rugby player esque, get it right and you will look elegant and sophisticated, polished and well ladylike.

So if your swan like you can opt for the small high collars that are hot this A/W and follow Anne Hathaways lead above, here are some lovely examples below, peterpan, button up, high yoke -  

If your more like Kate and me, then you can wear a peter pan collar provided it is low set, you will need to try it on and you can also opt for any of the following styles, pussy bow, square and grandad - 

 All Topshop, any questions please email me. xxx

Audrey Tautou Modern Day Flapper Girl

This shot of Audrey Tautou shrouded in her beautiful cloak of mystery, looking stunning in this ivory vest and jet skirt like ensemble of geometric oversized sequins; a modern day flapper girl, that's my style analysis anyway and I'm sticking to it. There is something so mystical, yet so satisfying about geometric fashion and design ( that fits so well with Audreys style) made more dramatic from the history of where and when this type of design first became fashionable in the 20's with references of egyption achitecture.