CORSET TOPS LAYERED

The culotte has come and gone, but always remain a welcome trend. I completely surrendered to the phenomenon and could practically  live in them. Wearing it with the corset top as seen during fashion month, takes it to the next level. It is worn just about every way imaginable,  and most successfully done in layered looks, combined with oversized shirts and dresses. The longer the sleeves of the shirt, the better. This look is left entirely to your imagination, leaving you free to move boundaries. I've even seen a shirt tied as a corset top worn over another bulky shirt, with the sleeves tied together to form a neat bow at the front. Let go of your comfort zone and experiment with the trend. I jumped with joy  in these pom pom lace up shoes.... adding some more fun with John Lennon inspired shades.

Culotte - Witchery

White Oversized Shirt - H&M

Corset Top - Country Road

Shoes - Asos

Blazer - Stuttafords, old

Sunglasses - Prada

HINT OF SUMMER

With a particularly harsh winter and continuous rain, it's hard to get an opportunity to snap a few pictures for style posts outdoors. When the sun shone for a brief while, I grabbed the opportunity to take up my position for a few snapshots of colour. Winter is somehow associated with deep and dark colours, but a flash of colour somehow alleviates the impact of cold weather. It's fun to always ad an unexpected element to your style, making it your own, and paving the way for followers who take inspiration from others. Besides, it ads a little energy to winter, announcing that summer will be back soon....I barely settled into position when the packing clouds burst down in rain again, causing me to run for cover. With that said, I am imprisoned indoors, planning some more energetic colour schemes....and maybe celebrating summer in a far away place.....No wonder in Indian tradition, Holy festival of colour is held by painting the town Red to celebrate spring! Now let's find the map, India is after all on my bucket list.......

Coat- Zara

Turtle Neck - Woolworths

Printed Pants - H & M

Shoes - Flexisole

NOSTALGIA

My very first recollection of having a love of shoes, was when I stood  in awe in front of my maternal grandmother's wardrobe, staring at her variety of shoes. I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty and hopped into a pair prancing around, telling my granny that one day when I'm big, I'm going to wear shoes just like that. Little did I know that whatever she wore at the time, would probably have been conceived as old fashioned or out of date the next year. I had no inkling to trends but just knew I wanted shoes like hers. Many years later, I looked at old photographs, and came across a pic with my grandmother wearing shoes just like these I am wearing today. No doubt, trends do have a cycle and every now and then the ones with classic lines, return to take you an a nostalgic journey. On line shopping has it's risks, and when I bought these, I initially ordered it in Suede as I have quite a soft spot for it's shear luxury. However, when they arrived, the store had sent me the wrong pair in patent leather. I was so smitten with them, that I downright decided to forgive them the overview as I was now going to finally fill granny's shoes! Do you sport your grandmother's style?

Coat - Belle Epoque

Pants - H & M

Shoes - All Black

Eifell Tower T - Robinson Department Store

Patent leather handbag - TomEva

Mirror Sunglasses - Ray Ban

HOW TO WEAR SCUBA

Scuba fabric is a trend that I received with some apprehension, being a little hesitant to wear anything that would cause a melt down if it caught fire, besides, I would be undermining my own policy of only promoting natural fibres. However, the first time I laid eyes on this top, t was an instant love affair, being funky, quirky and a little oddly shaped. Being  a girl of a certain age, one sometimes poses challenges to yourself to stray and experiment with things that are unusual. I still promote the concept of less is more, and would keep the accessories to the minimum when wearing something like this. The printed pants phenomenon lingers in my collection and do I find them to add the perfect finish to a top as quirky as this one. It's not exactly what I would wear to a meeting, but for a fun day out running errants or weekend wear, it's quite fun. Mixing up  items in two tones always seem to give a look the "X" factor. You no longer have to do a scuba diving course to sport the gear!

 

 

 

 

Scuba Top - Asos

Pants - H & M

Shoes - Asos

Handbag - Celine Boston Tote

 

 

TABOOS AND TRENDS

Yesterdays taboos are tomorrows trends. I was raised with the idea that White shoes are a taboo, and that the shoes should never be lighter than the seam. Sounds a little archaic to you? Well, it fact it is. There are a number of fashion dos and don'ts that we grew up with that now appear to be primitive and outdated. Here I am again, challenging convention, or perhaps simply ignoring outdated rules. My soles are much paler than the pants, I am wearing different prints together, and I feel ecstatic about the liberation. One more advantage of being a girl of a certain age.... 

Blazer - Charter Club

Pants - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Valentino Rock Studs

Top - H&M

Clutch bag - Jimmy Choo

HIGH ON HEELS

There is nothing that gives you a quicker lift than stepping into high heels.....and doing it in Black & White. I literally elevate myself into the height of a statuesque performance when I feel under dressed, by simply changing the shoes. The power of heels gives instant confidence, no matter how shabby or chic the rest. Today's outfit focuses not only on the elegance of heels, but concentrates on how simple and basic items can be turned into a statement look. The concept of monochrome is a trend that never dates, and which can be achieved with relative ease. We all possess something in Black & White, and all you have to do is to assemble it as if it was made to match. The beauty of dressing in monochrome tones is that you can virtually add anything in the same colour combination, adding up to the potency of the look. I just about unpacked everything in two tones, assembled it together on a flat surface, and voila, a whole new look. You need not spend a fortune on current trends to create this look either, now go on, start a monochrome challenge and let me know what you've made of it........

Blazer - Oasis

Pants - Studio W at Woolworths

Shoes - Topshop

Handbag - Chanel Boy Bag

Sunglasses - Prada

Shirt - H & M

MILAN FASHION WEEK-WEEKEND ESCAPE

No visit to a country like Italy is complete without at least seeing one historical city or village, allowing yourself to indulge in all things nice and delectable,  taking proper advantage of the fact that the concept of slow food originates from Lombardy. A trip to the upper city of Bergamo, or Citta Alta, is an absolute must, not only for the culinary delights, but also for it's tranquillity and panoramic scenery. Situated high up on  a hill, the old city can easily be reached by way of train from Milan, and then onwards by bus, dropping you off virtually on the doorstep of the magnificent walled city, perched high up on the hill. For the brave, you could stand in the cue to take the funicular that moves at a snail speed, or hop onto  a Vespa scooter, and drive up the hill, saving your feet for later...... 

I couldn't resist digging into the traditional Polenta and Osso Bucco dishes, a sinfully delicious meal served at most of the many local restaurants.  Time is of no essence here, and nobody seems rushed to do anything, with most inhabitants lingering at local bistros and restaurants, sipping on Chianti while doing some serious people watching. After considerable effort to locate all the venues for the different shows during fashion week, this was a good place to spend a Sunday afternoon, meandering the cobblestone streets, kicking up your heels-what a relief after 5 days on stilettos! My choice of outfit for the day was something that could take me from the sophisticated streets of Milan to the unpretentious cobblestones of Bergamo, and with a change of shoes, I was rather comfortable in my geometric print, ready to kick start the Vespa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top - Belle Epoque

Pants - H & M

Shoes - J Renee

Flat Pumps - Parfois

Handbag - Chanel 2.55

Sunglasses - Ray Bans

Earrings -Miglio

 

 

 

 

 

MILITARY JACKET

Although the 1st September  officially announces spring down South, the weather has not really allowed us to turn to summer clothes yet. I am yearning to slip into something cool and to sport a lighter image, ridding myself of the weight and bulk of heavy winter fabric, allowing myself to feel the softness of chiffon and cotton on my pale winter skin. We are slowly coming out of winter hibernation and feeling the increase in day temperatures, but not warm enough yet to shed the load. It was like a breath of fresh air when the early morning temperatures indicators allowed a lighter set of clothes this morning, hence the bare legs with lighter shades. So I introduced spring with a military style jacket which is one of my own collection of custom made items, and very useful for mid season days. The military style never really seems to be unfashionable or dated, and it allows you various option to either sport a rather casual image by simply wearing it with boyfriend jeans, or dressing it up with heels. I find particular comfort in boyfriend style jeans as the over sized style gives an instant appearance of having slimmed down, really shedding the winter bulk in minutes.

 

Now all that's required is to move onto lighter food, reducing the bulk of the fleshy parts that developed in response to taking comfort in the warmth of slow food and bucket loads of soup, pancakes with sugar and cinnamon. I'd say it's about time to liberate my eating habits from the joys of winter. I'm starting with a delicious salad that I found a recipe for on  Peony Lim's blog, a scrumptious  Ginger, Beetroot, Fennel and Pomegranate Asian Slaw.....to be found at www.peonylim.com/ginger-beetroot-fennel-and-pomegranate-asian-slaw/

 

Happy weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Jacket - Belle Epoque

Pants - H & M

Shoes - Next

Handbag - Louis Vuitton

 

FASHIONABLY UPHOLSTERED

Occasionally, we should change direction, do something out of the ordinary,  and wear something completely different from our signature style, allowing ourselves to experience the powerful effect of challenging convention. Whenever I wear an item made of upholstery material, I get the distinct feeling that I am being stared at, not because the textile is any different, but because the print is normally very loud and rather bold. Having received a number of compliments on my first project to design and have a blazer made from a piece of cloth more suitable to cover a lounge couch, I decided to experiment with this type of textile. Upholstery material that is not to thick, drapes beautifully and is ideally suited to a structured jacket or coat, and so this jacket was conceived, made from curtaining material. When you become open to change, you invent a new style. Had it not been for experiment and challenging convention,  the name Coco Chanel would probably have been unknown to us.......

 

 

Turtleneck Top - Primark

Pants - H & M

Shoes - Next

Blazer - Belle Epoque