January Haul: Bought in January, Made In…?

Hello dear readers,

After the strong words I had with myself last week it’s business as usual today. Sort off…

Firstly, I thought I’d get things back on track with a short and sweet January Haul type post; including a couple of Christmas Prezzies, Sales Buys, Vintage Pieces and a F***ing amazing tour jacket…

As much as it’s a bit soulless to receive cash and vouchers for Christmas, I rarely know what I want till I see it; I couldn’t possibly write a list for Santa at the start of December because I’d change my mind by the time my advent calendar windows are all opened. But there are some pieces that I’ve always wanted or I always need; leather trousers and Lepel underwear respectively, for example.

Leather Trousers, ASOS

Leopard Print Devore Cape, Military Boots, River Island

Cream Cable Knit Jumper, Jack Wills

Blue Cable Knit Jumper. Farah

Black Lace Bra, Lepel

Vintage 60′s Black Bag, Judy’s Vintage Fair

Siouxsie & the Banshees Leather Tour Jacket, A Gift

Lepel if you haven’t heard of it, is a boutique lingerie brand made in a factory in Nottingham, England. (NB: Nottingham is famous for it vast 19th/20th century lace production). They also make the most comfortable, perfectly fitting, gorgeous underwear I’ve ever worn; and at around £20-£25 for a bra, is on the less expensive side what most of us spend on a good quality bra right?

So this underwear manufacturer is able to sell great quality underwear at a reasonable price. (I’ve been wearing their ‘Fiore’ bras for a few years now and have them in 7 different colours). I’m lead to believe that making products in Britain /Ireland costs too much and so companies outsource manufacturing. Which brings me round to my second point, it disturbs me just how much of the new clothes I buy aren’t made locally…

I started thinking about it when I saw a report from Rochdale, Lancashire on Sky News. It said that the area was suffering from 72% unemployment. If I use Rochdale as an quick example, Wikipedia names well over 100 mills that have known to have existed in Rochdale; 45 of which were textile mills; indeed Rochdale and much of Greater Manchester and Lancashire were known during the industrial revolution for cotton/woollen/textile production. During the 20th century it fell into a deep decline and eventually came to a halt.

There does however seem to be a re-spinning of the mill wheel so to speak, Mary Portas’ ‘The Bottom Line’ (shown on Ch4) highlighted the issue and the Manchester Evening news reported this story last November, it claims that 200,000 jobs could be created in 5 years if plans to re-establish textile manufacturing in the area transpire. But until companies begin to start sourcing components, and manufacturing produce locally, then I can’t see how these kind of problems can be resolved.

But should I care and just how big an issue is it? Not everything is made outside Britain/Ireland surely? I checked the labels in all my new clothes, here’s a list of their origin of manufacture:

ASOS Leather Trousers: Made in India, River Island Boots: Made in Brazil, River Island Cape: Made in China, Jack Wills Jumper: Made in China, Farah Jumper: Made in China, Vintage BLL Leather Tour Jacket: Unknown, Lepel Bra: Made in England, Vintage 60′s Leather bag: Made in England…

So as far we know, 2 out of the 8 pieces of clothing I have bought/received in the last month were made in Britain, and none were made in Ireland. Should we support British/Irish manufacturing? And even if we want to, do we have a choice?

If we want something on trend and cheap we pretty much know it’s not going to be made in Europe, but a Lambswool or Merino jumper that costs the best part of £100/€100, should we expect it to come from a local manufacturer for that price? I’d like to believe that I’d support local producers, (it’s pretty easy food-wise) but based on the above list, it seems I can only viably do it with clothes if I buy vintage.

When I read that both jumpers were made in China, I was surprised and for some reason I felt short changed, but why? Is buying local produce even a quality issue? Are products that are made in Britain/Ireland a better quality and thus they cost more, or it is purely the manufacturing costs that causes the price increase? Is buying local merely a moral issue then, and would places like Rochdale see an increase in employment if we all insist on buying local, the Manchester Evening News seems to think so.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post: Country Tweed & Urban Heels

Hello All,

You know, I was just looking back through a few past posts and I’ve only just realised how much I comment on the weather; it really is a lot.

It’s probably something to do with the fact that our Northern European climate and its unpredictable weather dictates exactly what we wear… Maybe my references to it are just an excuse when I write style posts as to why I’m wearing what I’m wearing. i.e. when I sat down to write this post, the first thing I typed was something along the lies of bright sunny autumn days. A description which easily explains why I’m wearing layers, which are necessary for those kind of days.

The boots and coat are set to be my October staples; the jumper I’ve had since last year, it’s a really loose knit so isn’t warm enough for the depths of winter, but it’s perfect for now.

Tweed Coat Zara

Vest Top River Island

Scarf Louis Vuitton

Cardigan Burberry

Trousers Karen Millen

Bag & Boots Kurt Geiger

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Juno Temple for ASOS Magazine

Hello all,

I hope you’re good!

Juno Temple is on the cover of this month’s ASOS magazine. In a mix of winter coats; a fur-trimmed oversized hooded Parka, Marni‘s Houndstooth crombi-style coat with jewelled collars and a longline brown military maxi coat, styled up with sharp leather and cool prints. The cover shot in the House of Holland striped Raglan dress being particularly special.

Juno Temple gives an positive, breezy insight into how a girl from Somerset manages to make Hollywood feel like home. ‘It was an adventure. I’ve always thought that an adventure is something that, if it tickles your toes a little bit, then you should go with it. And I like it out here… I never thought I’d say this, because I love rain, but actually waking up to sunshine does wonders for your brain.”

Her attitude to shopping is pretty rad to; “I’m a really good shopper, I don’t question things, If I like something, then I’m taking it home. It just come to a moment where it’s 20 bucks in a thrift store for a one-of-a-kind thing. You should relish those moments of finding amazing pieces. I just don’t think people should walk away from those things.“

But, as far as her career is concerned, whether she’s playing the flirtatious Lola Quincey opposite Benedict Cumberbatch, in Atonement, or starring as the ‘Dirty Girl’ in the film of the same name, it is this she is most passionate about. “I love it, I don’t want to stop, ever. I’m going to fight for it as long as possible”.

If you haven’t seen Dirty Girl yet, it’s worth a watch if you like a quirky, independent movies that are coming of age, road movies set in the 80′s. Clip…

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post: Studded Leopard Print Slipper Shoes

Hey All,

I’ve waited long enough to get a pair and having finally chosen and ordered a pair they arrived last week, my flat slipper shoes. They couldn’t be more OTT if they had heels. Pony skin: check; Leopard print: check; all over spike studs, check, check check. I got them on line at Sheinside.com long with the leather trim blazer.

Keeping the outfit to a black/fawn colour pallet I carried this Kurt Geiger Perspex XL Pouch, it has a wrist strap and the inside purse is attached to the outside at the seams. It reminds me of that 70′s furniture, made from thick brown glass and highly polished chrome, nicely retro.

Leopard Print Studded Slipper Shoes, SheInside.com

White Vest, American Apparel

Faux Leather Leggings, River Island

Leather-Trimmed Blazer, SheInside.com

Sheer Bag, Kurt Geiger

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post – Monochromatic Fanatic

Hello,

I had a lovely weekend. Lots of work and lots of hanging out with my lil’ sis, who is possibly the coolest person I know. Naturally she thinks blogging isn’t cool, so I did the photos for this style post sans sis. After last weeks’ colour-heavy post, I thought the only way to counterbalance that was to make like Charlie Chaplin and go Black & White.

The outfit is a complete high-street honey-trap. There isn’t a bit of designer or vintage added to the mix. It’s all high street, and it’s all now.

Refreshing?

Jacket and faux leather trousers, River Island

Contrast sleeveless shirt, Penneys / Primark

Boots, Korky’s

Yours,

Whisty Xx

European Street Style

Hey All,

Just to let you know that Company Magazine have posted a great European Street Style feature on their website. They’ve picked bloggers from countries that have entered the competition and posted them into a style gallery. There are some amazing bloggers on there. I am truly honoured to be among such stylish ladies.

Here’s a screen grab of the two outfits of mine they’ve posted.

TRANSCRIPTION: Top; “looks tastier than a pint of Guinness in this velvet print maxi and cute black Trilby)       Bottom; “nods the 70′s in her floppy hat and knee boots, brought bang up to date with leopard scarf and leather trousers.”

But seriously if you need some fresh inspiration I highly recommend this post.

Yours

Whisty Xx

A Style Post – Going Against the Green

OR: Happy Birthday Whisty. You are Two.

Hi All,

On this day in history, 2009 whisty.wordpress.com was born. I loved it as much then as I do now and over the last 24 months, I have posted a mere, 523 posts but, more importantly I’ve received, 2,253 comments. And it is without a doubt the comments I receive, that make the blog so rewarding. So thank you, all.

So… a style post it is. The third post in a row I’m in a hat… The boots are about 5 years old, and until two weeks ago they were pretty much destroyed. I bought some brown boot polish in Dunnes and gave them a well needed shot in the… um arm. The Fisherman’s jumper, however is brand new. (River Island). It’s in a really loose knit-stitch and stretches and moves as you wear it; sort of sagging to a much looser jumper by the end of the day. (It goes back to shape when you take it off though).

All outfit Details at HerApparel.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post – Sid Vicious Inspired

Hey All.

It’s been a great week, blogging every day (or thereabouts). Some posts were more of a challenge than others, Thursday’s vintage post for example took a lot of time; I wanted to make sure I had as much information as possible. The last post of the week however, took no research, I just pulled on a pair of trousers – i.e. it’s a simple style post.

I finally succumbed to the wintry weather earlier this week and pulled out my winter coat. I was heading out for a walk and decided to go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I love that part of Dublin, it’s so old and historic and beautiful on once side.  But I also love the other side of the N81 as well, around D8, with its cobbled streets and abandoned buildings.

I’m not usually one for 80′s style but when I saw this leopard-print (with a twist) shirt in Age Action, there is no way I could resist.

Coat, Only

Vintage shirt, Once Removed Vintage

Leather Tie, Vintage

Studded Leather Belt, Thrifted

Faux Leather Trousers, Bershka

Boots, KG bu Kurt Geiger

Bag, River Island

More photos and all outfit details at HerApparel.

Xx

Clothes v’s Cars

Dear Readers,

Happy post-bank holiday!

One thing bout being really into clothes is that, as with any obsession, it proves to be the perfect distraction and a constant point of conversation. It also means that I have friends that are equally passionate about other things, like cars for example.

That means I get to ‘borrow’ cars as cool as this one, to take photos with. Don’t be fooled by the sunshine on this photo, it was raining two seconds previous to it being taken.  Hence the fur coat. We had a bit of a drive around afterwards and went to watch a live band doing 60′s covers in a pub. There were a load of little kids running about outside with painted faces who couldn’t have been more excited about the car when we got there. It was so cute to see them coming up and staring at it, saying “wow”. It seems in a clash of clothes v’s cars, cars win, hands down.

More photos and all outfit details at HerApparel as usual.

Xx

Dear Readers,

How’s things?S;up

Full Leather Outfit? That shouldn’t work!

Yesterday I had one of those YouTube evenings where you just start watching something and you click on the next clip then the next. After an hour you realise that you have been brought along on the most random tangent from what you started watching. Through whatever tags people who were uploading clips had chosen, I ended up watching the Elvis Presley 68 Comeback Special. Check him out, (image below) head to toe leather and I want those leather cuffs please. As far as I was concerned, head to toe leather should be the reserve of biker chicks and super heroes, right? But no one could look better that Elvis in a pair of leather jeans and matching jacket.

The outfit came about when producers of the TV special approached costume designer Bill Belew and asked him what he thought Elvis should wear. He said that at the time everyone was wearing blue jeans and denim jackets; he decided that to change that slightly and swap denim for leather. It certainly gave Elvis the wow factor that was enough to boost his career and catapult the King back into the realms of super stardom where he belongs.

I love the look on the woman’s face, bottom right in the pic, she is just in absolute awe of the man and she can only see him from behind! Fabulous. Ah, if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em and jump up and down on the sofa while you’re at it! Above is my sartorial ode to Elvis. More pics here at Her Apparel.

Elvis Image courtesy of NBC Television.