Where I Come from that’s Fighting Talk

Chères Readers,

Now and again there are people who really try to bring you down and mess you around, sometimes we let them, sometimes we don’t and sometimes we don’t even know that, that’s what they’re doing… I’ve finally reached the end of a pretty tough week. By last night I was emotionally and physically exhausted, but it seems I’ve had enough now, that’s it. I woke up this morning raring to go, on many levels…

So today’s style post is different from the usual. I’ve always said I’ve the attention span of a goldfish and that might go some way to explaining my slightly eccentric and pretty eclectic dress sense. This post was inspired by the Rihanna Rude Boy video and the sports-influenced spreads in the latest L’Officiel magazine. (available at Easons O’Connell Street). Naturally the fact that I’ve had a  pretty harsh week means I’ve gone with a Boxing ring graphic, I’m a fighter… well trying to be!

More Images and all outfit details at HerApparel

Xx

Zara gets Clogged up

Since the last post on clogs, I’ve been asked lots of times when clogs are landing in-store. The answer is various dates over the next two months. I was in Zara on King Street, (Dublin) yesterday, however, and it seems that the Spanish store has got there first. And with about 20 different styles in brown and black ranging from around €80 – €120. Here are a few that I managed to get snaps of. I’d probably go for one of the style that has a rubber sole, you can’t beat a bit of extra grippage!

On anther note, I reeeeealy have to have these (below). I always think compared to traditional black, brown is a more summery colour for shoes and these peep toe wedges with brogue detailing and laces will be mine!

Clipitty Clog.

As far as new season trends go, I invariably rejoice at the versatility and imagination of the designer collections. Picturing myself in high street versions as soon as Penny’s (Primark) or Topshop can get the looks in store. I will however admit, that much like a newly-released pop-song, there is always one trend that starts as a ‘grower’. This year, it was the clog. Chanel’s country-philic SS10 rtw show was the final catalyst, moving the humble surgeons shoe away from operating theatres (and Dutch windmills – see below) and into the 2010 fashion-conscience.

Personally, I am hoping that I’m not as shallow as to warm to the frankly clunky, clog, only after seeing Alexa Chung in a pair for the latest UK Vogue cover. In fact it’s probably a culmination of seeing the shoe there as well as on numerous pages inside the monthly glossies, that’s made the shoe more appealing. I.e. in the true sense of the ‘grower’ pop-song, the more you hear it the more you like it; the more I seen the clog, the more I like it. I’ve decided, after rekindling my love for the heel in general last weekend, that I shall probably indulge in a pair and probably one of these styles:

I say one of these styles, what I mean is one of the non-designer versions. Both the Miss Selfridge / Topshop ones are great, the Jeffrey Campbell’s look nearly exactly like the Chanel ones and thus I’m craving them. Then there’s the Hobbs ones that look like they would be great for running around the city in. I shall have to wait and see which I can get my fickle fashion fingers on! Clockwise from bottom left: Lottie clog mules £65 Topshop; Charlie clog, €95 Jeffrey Campbell; Slingback clog, £75 Asos.com, NW3 Wydles fringed clog, £119 Hobbs; Purple leather clog, £270 Christian Dior; Tassel mule, Alexander Wang; Slip on Clog £460, Yves Saint Laurent; Bow sandal clog, €70 Miss Selfridge; Centre image, Chanel SS1o runway, via style.com.

I’m sorry to say that clogs always remind me of this adorable children’s song too. (Written by Dicks & Rudge)

Verse:

A mouse lived in a windmill in old Amsterdam
A windmill with a mouse in and he wasn’t grousin’
He sang every morning, “How lucky I am,
Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam!”

Chorus:
I saw a mouse!
Where?
There on the stair!
Where on the stair?
Right there!
A little mouse with clogs on
Well I declare!
Going clip-clippety-clop on the stair
Oh yeah

AWear SS10 Collection – Girls Rule O.K.

Now February is here, the bleakest time in high street fashion, the January sales, are now officially over. There may be a few straggling rails of clothes that haven’t quite managed to limp out of store, but the SS10 collections are definitely, firmly in place. Hoorah.

A|wear is no different and they showcased their lastest collection yesterday. Their new season has three elements; frilly pretty, pastels interspersed with denims and slouchy knits; an urban / utility element and a tropical / neon element that will be stores in time for high summer.

The pretty ‘Dakota‘ collection, (pictures left and below) is the main body of the collection. With its feminine pieces, in soft pastels it has a very on-trend feel. The denim and faux suede pieces serve to toughen a look slightly but I think mixing some elements from the utility collection would be more convincing.

I know this may be jumping the gun slightly seeing as it is only February, but A|wear’s high Summer collection (pics below) is a neon, tropical-print cacophony of frilly, floaty, sunshine-suited pieces.  I’m just delighted to see that for the next 6 months or so, it’s absolutely the on-trend thing to go all-out feminine and girly. From pretty pink to vibrant lilacs and blue in all shades, ladieswear hasn’t been as ladylike since the ‘Bo-ho’ boom. But it’s definitely a different look, with this slightly harder edge; think sheer and floaty floor-lengths rather than stiff embroidered cottons. Think bold bright prints instead of paisley and, of course, the more layers the better.

Alexa Chung, Pepe SS2010 Campaign

Ah, who cares whether Alexa Chung was axed or she quit from her MTV US show ‘It’s on with Alexa Chung‘. I certainly couldn’t give two hoots. As far as the Transatlantic trendsetter is concerned, all I care about is;

1. The fact that I want that flippin’ Mulberry ‘Alexa‘ bag more than I have ever wanted a bag before in my life; I saw it in Brown Thomas last week and could only marvel at its magnificence. Upon clutching it in my grabby mitts, the sales assistant asked me if I needed “assistance” (!) I told her, ruefully that I was only playing dress up with it…

2. She’s a bit on the skinny side since the move (please don’t lose any more dear girl); but 3. and most importantly, I love that she still manages to look so ridiculously fabulous after four years on the top of the style stakes.

Take her new ad campaign for Pepe jeans par example. These candid / behind the scenes shots (whether real or staged) show just how utterly fantastic the Chung is, especially in this first pic.

Take a Bow. Pretty Inspiring.

Because tutus, polka dots and little shorts aren’t girlie enough, it seems inspiration on this chilly / snowy / slushy Monday morning comes in the form of bows. Namely on these gorgeous dresses by Chelsea Rebelle; the first is from their AW09 collection, the second, with the white bows, is from their SS10 collection. I even like the shape of the dresses; the Balenciaga one is a similar shape but with one big bow on the back. Still utterly pretty. So because I have no idea where to buy Chelsea Rebelle (you have to email them… whatevs) and defo can’t afford Balenciaga, high street finds it is. No so bad, I’m leaning towards bows that are appliquéd not printed and they need to be big a bit scruffy and slightly heavy. I’m thinking Luella *sniffs* with a twist. I’m also going to make sure I chose quirky and chic to make sure that they don’t look too tacky.

Image courtesy of Kingdom of Style

I’m loving jumpers / sweaters / cardis with bows on, how cute would they look with little shirts for winter? The jumpsuit is pretty cute but the thoughts of wearing something so flimsy when it’s so cold outside just make me shiver!

Clockwise from top left: Topshop, Matalan, Topshop and Marc by Marc Jacobs at Matchesfashion.com

I reckon that bows on accessories are also cute; sheer bow tights, plastic bow ring; headband are all less than £10. The prize for multiple trends in one goes to these mock-stock, polka-dot, bow tights… absolutely gorgeous… and £32!!! I dread to think what the € would be. For a pair of tights that could ladder when you out them on! Shocking.

Clockwise from top left: Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Wolford at House of Fraser, New Look

Passion for Shorts in Winter.

Even though it’s insanely cold, with perfect timing I have inadvertently decided that I am into shorts. I’ve already bought two pairs with my Christmas vouchers and I want more. Topshop are kindly allowing me to indulge, their grey denim ones with polka dot hearts (see left) are just fab. Ridiculous as it my be to wear shorts in winter, I figure, at least you can layer them up. I’m thinking tights and/or long socks and heavy boots.

Not to mention the top half, if you go bulky on top with chunky knits / (faux) fur or embellished coats, shorts help create a slim silhouette on the bottom half. (If you get my drift). So what else can I do but indulge and buy plenty of tights to go with my new fashion obsession. NB: I am also in love with polka dots and gold nail varnish – fingernails only though, with blue toes it looks a bit grim. A fabulously foresighted friend of mine bought me few shades from Virgin Vie cosmetics for Christmas and gold was one of them. (So thanks Lis!) More pics at Her Apparel.

Rocking in Socks (and Sandals).

I bought a fab pair of studded, black-suede platform sandals (€21) from Penney’s and at the same time I bought some plain white ankle socks… so I put them on together a la Burberry Prorsum SS10.

For as long as I can remember wearing socks with sandals was about as unfashionable as it gets. Way before bubble perms or shellsuits, before wearing fur or nylon trousers became passé, the only people who wore socks avec sandals, (is it weird that I keep typing SADals?) were Religion teachers and retired old men who now live on the Costa Del Sol.

Well today they seemed to me, like a pretty on-trend gang that I wanted to be a part of. I teamed my snazzy new foot rig-out with a vintage Jeff Banks dress from the late 60′s and gave it a whirl… I really like the look, the socks dress down the seriously fierce heels, making them totally wearable for daytime. They make the look softer and more feminine and therefore ultimately more flattering. I think the look also works so well because the sandals have quite high ankle straps, it wouldn’t work as well if the straps were lower down; the higher straps are needed to break up the block colour of the socks. The best part is that they are so comfy and for me, that alone is enough of a reason to advocate this quirky look.