Some Like It Posts

Every week I read a gazillion million bajillion trillion (mainly fashion) blogs. Yes really! Here are some Posts of Note:

• The Iron Chic shows a very interesting, ususal and historial perspective on Anorexia in the post Skinny and Sweet.
• Sunday Inspiration is what we have come to expect from The Fish Tank, but her mood board style is still a refreshing change to normal fashion blog posts.
• Anyone interested in making some dosh via the power of EBAY should not miss out on “So you wanna be a buyer?” posted on Flying Saucer.
• Trend de la Creme is always a delight to read and this post on ‘Issey Miyake makes Delicious Cupcakes‘ is NO exception. Marvel at her marvellous mind.
• (Into) the Fray explores fashion, race and the media in ‘Style Idol – Thandie Newton’. It really will give you something to ponder on over the weekend.

Sarah Jessica Parker! Do as I say, not as I do!

Being a female A-Lister is hard. Much harder than if you were male. We the public (with the help of the media) speculate, judge and criticise celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, and Victoria Beckham for going under the knife. Allegedly, they are contributing factors to the unattainable ideal of modern beauty.

And yet in spite of this, when a famous woman bucks against this trend and ages as mother nature intended it, she is subject to the most venomous abuse.

Hadley Freeman brought this to my attention in yesterday’s Guardian where she wrote:

‘In yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, a film critic decreed that Parker “looks like a skeletal transvestite”. Maxim in the US recently named her “the unsexiest woman in the world”, while Piers Morgan, that great arbiter of beauty, called her “ghastly … I’ve seen better looking winos underneath the arches at Charing Cross”.’

Sarah Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw is 43. And yes, she probably looks her age. But what is wrong with that? George Clooney is 47 and he also looks his age, but he is not villainized for it. In fact it’s CELEBRATED, people commonly acknowledge that ‘he just keep getting better’.

And I can’t help but wonder, why the double standard?

I don’t have the answer, but I would like you to chew on this thought. Cast your mind back to school. Then, not bowing to peer pressure was considered a good thing, it demonstrated strength of character. Saying ‘NO’ to smoking, drinking, drugs, sex was the right thing to do. Flash-forward to the present and its equivalent peer pressure: looking slim, youthful and pert. Sarah Jessica Parker has dared to be that individual at school who says ‘NO’. She has ignored this ridiculous ‘eternal youth’ demand that society has created for women. And what do we do? Do we congratulate her on her bravery? Admire her confidence and praise the example she has set? No. In true schoolyard style, we attack her for it like a pack of adolescent bullies. And quite frankly, it makes me sick.

Edith

To-ourist is their name. Fun T-shirts is their game.

I feel I must say, even at the risk of you all thinking I’m bonkers, that I LOVE these tops. Now, before you roll your eyes and banish this blog from your sights forever, hear me out…

Although officially menswear, these designs by To-ourist lend themselves well to the tricky unisex category. The ’school jumper’ sweater (£88) would look great on the fellas with trainers and a nice man-bag. And for the laydeez, the leopard print t-shirt (£55) would be fandabbydozy teamed with a mini-skirt, blazer and some clunky boots. Now, I know we’ve seen similar stuff from the likes of nu-raver cassette playa, but To-ourist, whilst nodding at that same graphic direction in its aesthetic, is infinitely more wearable. HUZZAH!

Edith

To-ourist was founded in 2006 by Brian Grathii, a graduate from London College of Communication. All of his products are hand made in England and the graphics are applied using a unique process called OBM which is resistant to cracking, chipping and fading (apparently). Check out the website for stockist details and further info.

Pucci, Pucci, Pucci, Pucci

Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Know what ya doing, doing to me?
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Pucci, Pucci, Pucci, Pucci
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa

Remember when the Kaiser Chiefs were cool? Remember when Pucci was cool? Nuh-huh, me neither.

Still, I was vaguely interested when I heard about the new Pucci Sunglasses collection. Some of the range is a bit too obviously Pucci (go figure) for my liking. But then I saw these, which I think could be fantastic on the right person (man or woman). Granted, they could also look disgusting on the wrong person. And, although I envisioned my sunglasses for this season being round and quite Elton John like or maybe even narrow and rectangular like YSL next season, I am thinking about reconsidering. Because, sometimes, you just have face facts. When you go looking for something specific you can NEVER find it. The best buys always crop up where you’d least expect it. And I would have bet my bottom dollar that place wouldn’t have been Pucci.

Edith

Which came first? Ethical fashion or plain ugly?

I keep reading that ethical fashion is about to get really good. This pleases me. I like a lot of people these days want to buy ethically. I refuse to do so at the compromise of good design though. And there in lies the problem. Because, at the moment sustainable fashion seems to be synonymous with naff cotton smock tops. And quite frankly, I’ve seen enough of them to last two life times. Seriously, is there a reason for this baaaaad design? Like, some technical reason? Like if you produce environmentally friendly cotton, it is only possible to stitch it into sacks? I’m fairly sure none of my fashion lecturers mentioned it in class, but I can’t think of any other reason that the clothes in this sector are still so boring. Sure, People Tree tries, but if we’re honest; it is still a bit shit, isn’t it? Howies is great for basics, but there isn’t anything that’s going to make you slip off your chair in pure delight. And Stella, well, who can afford to dress in McCartney all the time? (If you can afford to you must be rich, do you want to go out with me?)

If you are now reading this, squirming with anticipation thinking I am about to enlighten you with some new fangled brand that will change all of this… You are wrong. However, I have stumbled across something ‘ethical’ that I think has the potential to be a slow-burning soul mate kinda fashion love (as opposed to a quick fumble down a back alley kinda fashion lust). For example: You know those shoes that you HAD to HAVE or you would DIE but then you wore them twice and forgot about them? It’s not like that. But, remember the skirt that you didn’t hate but you weren’t really feelin but your friend convinced you to buy it anyway and it turns out she was right because you have lived in it ever since? You with me?! It’s like that!

Elizabeth Lau has launched a summer collection of eco knits and cardigans, made from a mix of biodegradable bamboo fibres and cotton. *Jazz hands*

Now see, they don’t have me whipped up into the kinda frenzy where I’d knock out a granny to grab the last one, but; I can see them working in so many ways with oh so many things I already own. You can see it to, can’t you? Jeans, skirts, dresses… It just makes sense.Check out the website to find stockist details. Prices start from £135. That may seem steep, but you’ll be able to tell your grand kids you were there, at the start of the sustainable revolution. And you just can’t put a price on that kinda pride.

Edith

The death of the ‘IT Bag’ means I may finally be able to afford one…

Thanks to Oxfam. Pray tell you say?

Well, if reports are true, luxury bag sales will soon be slowing (Mintel recently forecast an 18 per cent fall in handbag sales, which has been the fastest-growing accessories sector of recent years). People are like soooo over them. When I say people, I of course do not include myself in this generalisation. Because the only people that are actually over them are the people who can afford them. Rich bastardos!

Which is wear Oxfam comes in. You see they are having a ‘handbag bonanza’ (read on-line sale). It starts at 12noon on the 6th June and ends on the 8th of June. If rumours are to be believed there are over 400 second-hand handbags for sale with prices starting at £5.99. Now of course, there are bound to be some well dodge pieces that need treating with the same caution you would a landmine (this is charity, after all), BUT I have been assured that designer labels such as Mulberry and top end brands like Russell & Bromley and Knomo are also included.

Intrigued? I know I am. Only time will tell if it going to live up to my massively over-inflated expectations (come on Prada, cooommmmmeeeeee on Prada. If there is a Prada bag in the ‘bonanza’ and I can afford it, I swear a little bit of wee might come out!).

In the mean time, if you need something to keep you out of fashion mischief, Oxfam launch their new on-line store tomorrow (28th May). It will have over 75,000 items (YES, 75,000!) in stock, which not only includes ‘vintage’ but items from the boutique collection. So, with a few clicks you can help tackle world poverty and global warming. It’s EBAY meets Oprah! Pure frickin genius.

Edith

The North-South divide

A little spuggy, originally from the North-East of England, I migrated south to London (via Gloucestershire) seven years a go. Being a Northerner living amongst Southerners, I often think about this great ‘divide‘ that I hear people talk about and wonder what it actually translates to. Most of the time I come to one of two conclusions: 1. Who cares? And 2. Why do people think I am Irish?

However, having returned yesterday from a week up North, I have some observations and theories on this topic fresh in my mind (fashion observations mind you, no deep and meaningful comparisons about health, house prices or earnings to be found here!). So, without further a do, here they are:

1. Northern people wear far fewer clothes. No shit Sherlock, I hear you say! It is perhaps an obvious statement, but why unlike their Southern counterparts, has the trend of layering never caught on in these parts? It is ironic as it is FAR colder and therefore the opposite would be expected to be true. However, historically, the North of England was poorer than the south, which means we can assume that fewer clothes were purchased in the region during the good old days. Now, this is no longer the case in the bad new days, but was the precedent for dress code set? When the means to buy more clothes came, people didn’t wear them together for warmth. They continued as those before them had, hardened to the adverse weather conditions, and just had more wardrobe choice. You can see evidence of this every Friday and Saturday night, when hundreds of thousands of men, woman, lads and lasses descend on the pubs and clubs, all of them without jackets. I remember shortly after turning 18 I went to Club Millennium in the Borough wearing just gold bikini bottoms, a gold backless top and gold stilettos (I’m spinning around had just been released if you need an explanation). Now on this occasion I will concede that I did take a small burgundy coloured leather jacket reminiscent of this one Posh and Becks wore, but only on the insistence of my Mam who was concerned about the effect the pouring rain would have on my outfit. My point is, it was usual for me (and still is for everyone else) to go out into winter blizzards wearing just a very mini-skirt, a small top, strappy sandals and no tights or no coat (I’m dry-retching at the bone-chilling thought of it now). There is no doubt in my mind, that should I not have left home for pastures new, the thought of wearing any form of outerwear for a night out would never have occurred to me. Turning blue in the taxi/bus queue is just what one does in the North. On relocating to the South, I discovered the wonder of the ‘cloakroom’ (you don’t tend to find them up North) and I have never since ventured out unsuitably attired for the season, although I still consider it when back home, but these days I am too much of a “Southern softie” much to the amusement of my parents.
2. Northern people wear sports kits as fashion (TOON ARMY, TOON ARMY!). That just doesn’t happen down South; the men veer towards to a long sleeved shirt and the women to Reiss instead. What can we attribute this difference to? Well, as we are all frequently reminded, the North is renown for being friendly and more community orientated. This trusting mindset is probably how the football kit became popularised as everyday wear (and even smart evening wear in some cases). It shows which ‘community’ you align yourself with and who your ‘friends’ are. If you want to be really analytical here, you could draw parallels with the employment opportunities traditionally available down the pits and in the factories where uniforms were standard, and conclude that work uniforms were just traded for social ones… (I just fucking blow myself away sometimes). Anyway, back home I placed myself with the Geordies rather than the Mackems. I spent many an afternoon/evening in the pub wearing my Newcastle shirt mainly wondering why people kept shouting “She-Ra She-Ra!” to me. I honestly thought why do they keep referring to He-Man’s girlfriend? Do I look like her? I suspect I would be quite good at fighting crime. Took me quite some time to realise they meant Alan Shearer the football player and it was actually a greeting as opposed to a statement. On moving down South, it was apparent that sportswear is not appropriate social wear (unless a match is on the box), especially for women. If you wear it in the South, people actually assume you play sport and know the offside rule and stuff. My football shirt has since been banished to the bottom on my wardrobe never to see the light of day again along with my willingness to strike up random conversations with strangers.
3. Northern people make more effort with their appearance on a night out. Women spend hours getting ready, full on beauty rituals are the norm and include washing their hair (even when they washed it that morning), a facial, manicure, pedicure, and applying fake tan and body shimmer. The men, shower, shave, and apply pong. But, the most noticeable difference is the style of clothes. Obviously, there is less off them, but they are also ‘dressier’ to use my Nana’s word. Unlike the people in the South, Northern peoples wardrobes are clearly split into sections: work, weekend and ‘going out’. The latter of these tend to be body-conscious, mainly monochrome (with splashes of red, pink and blue) and accompanied by fully co-ordinated accessories and make-up in the case of the women. There is a huge amount of effort made. This is because most people’s lives up North are geared towards their Friday and Saturday nights out. Which is different to the South, where popular evenings out often fall on weekdays. How does this effect the way people dress though? Well, more people in the North are employed locally or drive to the ‘office’. In the South folks often commute on public transport. This would go a long way to explaining why up North peoples’ appearance on a night out is a stark contrast to those down South. They are able to return home and spend some time preening before going ‘doon the toon’. Back home, it was normal for me to get in from work and spend up to three hours getting ready. I would shave my bikini line every time I went out! That equates to every Friday and Saturday and most Sundays btw (utter madness. And I wasn’t a floozy who was out to get some some either, in case you are wondering. It’s just what one did). In London, I meet my friends for drinks straight from work, often on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If I can be arsed to slick on some lip gloss and spray some deodorant before going, I consider myself to have made an effort and them damn lucky to have seen it! My family think I am shameful.

So you see, people may try and convince you that the North-South divide is about politics, industry and the living wage, but as I think I have proved, it is not. It is clearly about sartorial differences, perhaps originally caused by some of these aforementioned things, but that are now defining cultural trends of the individual regions. The North = revealing, uniformity and glamour. The South = layering, variation and understatement. As someone who has embraced the two ways of living/dressing I can honestly say both are equally fabulous and equally unfathomable to the opposite regional onlooker. That’s what makes each of them great and worth celebrating rather than berating.

Edith

Weddings. And what to wear to them.

Ohhhh, it’s coming to that time of year again. Save-the-date cards are landing on the mat and blogs all around the world are telling you what to wear to weddings. Well, Some Like It Fashion is no exception, we are *jumping* on that bandwagon. Hell yeah! Make room!

I’m going to be honest with you though, this wedding malarkey fills me with panic. Not because of the event itself of course. What is not to like about weddings? A girl in a pretty dress, several in comically awful ones, free food, plenty of booze, cheesy music and dads dancing. Seriously, what is not to like? No no no no NO. The reason I get anxious is not because of the event, but the amount of time, money and energy that I will be required to spend leading up to the ‘big day’. Very few weddings happen locally, so you need to organise travel, accommodation and in my case, a cat sitter. Then there is the gift, which means going to look at the register (inevitably too late so you end up buying the shittiest combination of gifts ever, something like 4 teaspoons, 2 glass tumblers and 2 hand towels). And then finally, after all that – what in the name of sweet Jesus are you going to wear?

These days of course, there is an added complication to think about as well. We are required to interpret invites as if we were Mystic Meg to figure out how to dress appropriately (The Coveted cover this excellently btw) for the occasion. As you know wedding attire etiquette is not what it once was. There was a time when we knew what was expected of us: dress, heels, hat, gloves and a smart handbag and the men wore ties (not just around their heads like Rambo at the end of the night). But this is often deemed a little OTT these days. The new ‘dress down’ policy offers more flexibility with outfits, but that’s not always a good thing. It does mean we can be a little bit more ‘fashion’, but we have to be careful not to compete with the bride for attention and remember that food, drink and dancing is going to impact on our appearance at the end of the night. And to make matters worse, there is a VERY strong chance that as you and your outfit descend into drunkenville the whole thing will be documented on facebook. Allowances for this must be made.

So, what to wear? WHAT TO WEAR? If you don’t want to blend into the bland ocean of Monsoon dresses at this summer’s weddings, but at the same time need a little inspiration, decide which shopper you are and then read on, my friend:

1. I have time to search for the cheapest suitable outfit possible, ideally one that I can return should the hem somehow mysteriously fall down after being worn only once…
2. I have time to search for an outfit and a bit of dosh, but it needs to be something I will wear again afterwards.
3. I just want to throw money at the problem and make it go away!

1: I have time to search for the cheapest suitable outfit possible, ideally one that I can return should the hem somehow mysteriously fall down after being worn only once…

With the exception of the cuff and headband, this outfit is entirely high street and therefore quite bargainous. I ain’t going to lie to you, you could find cheaper if you are brave enough to tackle a Primark. I ain’t. This Luella style yellow dress is from Red Herring and can be purchased in Debenhams. Team this with a boyfriend style blazer, simple stud earrings and black shoes so that is doesn’t seem twee (those pictured are from Topshop). Because the dress is so froufrou, the accessories need to be simple. An in your face fascinator (the norm for most wedding guests) would be too much, so an Alice band is the perfect solution. This one is Miu Miu and you can buy it on-line from Start boutique in London. Finally, a flash of contrasting colour is added in the form of a purple cuff by Fendi from Net-a-Porter. Obviously, there are high street versions of this Alice band and bracelet, so if the piggy bank is empty, check out Accessorize or even New Look for an abundance of options.

Tip: do not be tempted to go too matchy-matchy. You are not posh spice! (Are you? Please be reading this, Vicky, pleaaaase). Break up a colour scheme by adding a small flash of a contrasting colour.

2: I have time to search for an outfit and a bit of dosh, but it needs to be something I will wear again afterwards.

This outfit is a refreshing change to what you see at most weddings as women tend to veer away from trousers. Don’t be put off, it is completely appropriate. These pieces work fantastically as separates and will be great additions to your wardrobe. The silk top is David Szeto and is available from Matches. He’s a pricey piece, but the lobster print is beautiful and unique. The black high waisted trousers are from Debenhams and will transport you effortlessly from the ceremony to dinner to dancing. The shoes are from Reiss and the earrings are Urban Outfitters, they will work with so many other outfits in addition to this it’s ridiculous. The soft peach hue of the Vanessa Bruno demi- sheer jacket compliments the printed top and the bright blue bag by Topshop makes the whole outfit pop giving it a ‘fashion’ edge.

Tip: Go easy on the jewellery. You are not in the A-Team. Earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and a ring is far too much. Go for a two at the most. If the neckline is quite busy (like above) chose earrings over a necklace.

3: I just want to throw money at the problem and make it go away!

If you want to do all of your purchasing on the interwebby and have a credit card burning a hole in your pocket, this is the perfect outfit for you. Everything (bar the silk flowers) is from Net-a-Porter. This orange dress by Vanessa Bruno is a beautiful tone and perfect for summer shin-digs. The cut is tres flattering (and it will be comfortable even after a 3 course meal and knee slides on the dance floor). The fabric of the dress is almost casual, so team it with a nice tailored jacket like this one from Vivienne Westwood to smarten it up. Simple black shoes like these from Marc Jacobs and this black clutch from Christian Louboutin tie the whole look together. A bit of bling in the form of a long Vivienne Westwood orb compliments perfectly. Finally, some silk flowers in the hair are a lovely alternative to a hat. These two are from V V Rouleaux and can be pinned into hair, or, if your hair is short, stitch them onto a piece of ribbon and tie around your head as you would a head scarf.

TIP: Spend more money on accessories, they won’t date as fast and it is true what they say: they do make cheaper clothes look expensive.

So, there you have it. Dressing for weddings, in (quite a large) facebook worthy nutshell.

Edith

Kate Moss for Topshop. Cock right off!

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say what I think many of you are thinking…

Kate Moss’s collections for Tophop are SHIT. Especially the latest one which launched yesterday. They aren’t even collections (and I am qualified to say that because I studied fashion design at uni, so ner!). Just random clothes hung together, a bit like a nice charity shop that just happens to have several of each item (perhaps because they chanced on some dead-stock you think to yourself?). There is no concept, no obvious colour palettes, little in the way of repeat details, and the fabrics, well, to be fair, they are what to be expected for that price point. It is just a mish-mash of clothes that you have a vague recollection of seeing the supermodel wearing at some point over the past few years.

What we (and Philip Green) need to remember is that, just because you have the ability to make anything look good, some style, and you can make Jo Public willing to sell their Gran just to own the latest shoite you were pictured in, this does not mean you should be heralded as a designer. I mean, my sis has this knack of making any old polyester market tat look fantastic, but I wouldn’t recommend for one second that Harold Tillman hand over the keys to Jaeger design studio and say ‘there you go luv, knock yourself out!’.

I do understand what Sir Philip Green was thinking (my Nan would say he was just seeing pound signs in front of his eyes and *tut*). But the fact that these ‘collections’ are based on what Moss herself has worn and not what she wants to wear in the future illustrates my point beautifully. She has no credible talent in this area. No vision. Arguably, she is able to recognise a good thing when she sees it, she does have an eye and could be an excellent stylist. But she is not a designer. Kate’s collections are reminiscent of what Topshop was doing years ago, you know, when it was dirt cheap, safe and a bit rubbish (but the high street was limited back then so we had no choice but to go there for our ‘Friday night on the tiles’ outfit). Well, people, this is no longer the case, So I beg you, I URGE you in fact. STOP THIS MADNESS! Don’t buy this pathetic excuse for a collection, and lets restore Ms Moss to her rightful position in society: The beautiful, crack-lovin (allegedly) laydee that we all know and *heart*.

Edith

Images from the fashion police

Generation (Fashion) X

I used to think that today’s fashion industry was constantly evolving, changing and adapting to survive (after all, Drapers is always banging on about tough trading conditions). I believed that where the elderly of past generations had become caricatures of themselves, we were somehow removed from this same fate.

That was until a couple of weeks ago, when I saw a gang of school kids decked out in Kickers, Nike Air Max, Adidas sportswear and Elizabeth Duke jewellery. These are the very same items and brands that were ‘hip’ when I was a bairn! (Also, out of interest do you remember Fruit of the Loom, The Sweatershop, Kangol, Caterpillar, and Kappa – particularly the tracksuit bottoms with poppas down the sides? Shocking!). Obviously, myself and most of my class mates grew out of this ‘phrase’ at sixth form where we moved onto strapless, two-tone polyester boob-tube style dresses, denim skirts and questionable knee high boots (well it was the 90s) before reaching today’s current fashion destination (via some dodgy satin combats / vest combos and sacks and leggings). And I assumed that this was the natural course that fashion had settled on, like the seemingly random path a river takes that can not be duplicated. But then I see today’s school kids, if not wearing exactly the same as we were, are pretty bloody close and it has shaken my fashion beliefs to the very core. I mean, I will be the first to admit that I am not up with what the teenage kids are wearing these days, but I assumed that they were wearing their trousers and jeans below the crotch with only a belt to stop them falling down completely and doing stuff like sticking combs in their hair for decoration rather that practical hair brushing use. Something different and absurd and fun that I didn’t understand. This is was i-d magazine had lead me to believe at least. I certainly did not expect them to be wearing Kickers! KICKERS! The same brand of shoe that I begged my Mam to order from the Freemans catalogue in 1995 for the bargain price of £1.62 per week! Who would have thunk it?

I have often heard people say that our generation will not be the same as the previous and unlike our parents and grandparents whose style certainly nods at their heyday, we won’t be susceptible to the fashion time warp. We, in the time of fast fashion, ever changing trends and mass consumer spending culture are supposed to be immune to such a fate and destined to be ‘trendy’ until the day we die.

Well, where I may once have agreed with this statement (out of pride I guess, what self respecting Fashionista wants to admit that there will come a day when trends hold no interest or authority in their wardrobe making decisions?), I now have to say I think that it is utter bollocks.

Like many things, ‘fashion’ is not immune to ‘the circle of life‘ (And it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, till we find our place, on the path unwinding, in the circle, the circle of liiiiiiiife). We may be a generation of ‘fast’ consumer culture but as we grow older we are still susceptible to the same feelings and experiences observed by our parents, and their parents before them. We will become more self-assured, confident, happy, wise, comfortable, but also bitter, frustrated and a daily mail subscriber. This in-turn impacts upon our tastes and sartorial style and we deviate far less from our signature look until eventually we NEVER leave it. It is not a generational thing, it is an age thing.

So, unfortunately, though we may not want to admit it, this decade is defining our future style, when we grow old (dis)gracefully. People like Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Patrica Field and Rachel Zoe have left their notch on fashion’s bedpost.

Sooooo, what looks from this decade do we think we will we be rocking into our old age? Skinny jeans? Boyfriend blazers? Huge bags and sunglasses? Clashing colours and prints? Are we going to be a old generation of wrinkly Olsen-look-a-likes?! Whoever becomes our style ‘definition’, here’s hoping that some of the noughties less desirable looks (exposed muffin tops and Crocs) stay where they belong, firmly in the present. After all, no-one wants to see Grandma hobbling around in plastic coloured clogs with her belly out.

Edith