Friday 27 February 2009
Wednesday 18 February 2009
New York Fashion week and 'Cutesy' fashion
It's hard to escape all the 'hubbub' around New York fashion week. I've been idly checking out style.com and other sites to look at pictures of the shows. As I've mentioned before I like to look to more affordable sources of clothing than the catwalk as I know I'll never be able to afford the pieces I see on it. But that never stops me from looking really, I guess it is daydreaming to look at such items and daydreams are always a guilty pleasure.
This leads me onto the main issue of this post. 'Cutesy fashion'. I know a lot of the catwalk shows I like are never going to be those considered as groundbreaking or innovative, I'm never likely to be seen drooling over Balmain or Rodarte. I guess thats just how taste goes, or perhaps it's more to do with following fashion which is something I don't really do. I like the clothes that I like regardless of whether it's in fashion or not.
Right, on to the show in question which was Erin Fetherston, see now I remember her collection for the American store Target and being rather annoyed that a British store hadn't done a collaboration. I even watched some of the items on US ebay but never bid. So I've been aware of her work for a while especially with celebrity wearers such as Zooey Deschanel flying the flag for her work. It was no surprise for me then, when I was quite enamoured with the show and liked the fact that she'd pushed her aesthetic into being a little more daring.
This leads me onto the main issue of this post. 'Cutesy fashion'. I know a lot of the catwalk shows I like are never going to be those considered as groundbreaking or innovative, I'm never likely to be seen drooling over Balmain or Rodarte. I guess thats just how taste goes, or perhaps it's more to do with following fashion which is something I don't really do. I like the clothes that I like regardless of whether it's in fashion or not.
Right, on to the show in question which was Erin Fetherston, see now I remember her collection for the American store Target and being rather annoyed that a British store hadn't done a collaboration. I even watched some of the items on US ebay but never bid. So I've been aware of her work for a while especially with celebrity wearers such as Zooey Deschanel flying the flag for her work. It was no surprise for me then, when I was quite enamoured with the show and liked the fact that she'd pushed her aesthetic into being a little more daring.
All images from Style.com
I don't think it's wrong to like 'cutesy' fashion and I know i'm by no means in the minority but I guess seeing all the other shows with their 'fierce' (I wish I could use that word, but it's just not me ha) pieces does just make me feel like an over grown child sometimes!
p.s. honourable mention to the Karen Walker show, it wasn't cutesy! I've always liked her work and she seems to be going from strength to strength
I love the hats and the structured skirts and I'm really liking the EGL styling with the platform mary janes and 'sexy' tights (EGL - elegant gothic lolita, I know these pieces aren't typical but I just feel there are echoes of it in the collection). Basically this collection feeds a lot of my tastes - peter pan collars - check, structured skater skirts - check, bows- check, white/sheer tights - check and mary janes and patent....yep -check!
But part of me always feel slightly a bit ashamed when I'm drooling over these kinds of clothes, possibly because I know they're looked down upon by more discerning fashion fans and perhaps because they're quite easy and relatively safe for me to wear. A flared skirt and a peter pan blouse are safe ground for me, but wet look leggings and structural heels are terrifying (perhaps for good reason, I don't think I should ever be seen in such things!). I'm also aware of how girlish these clothes are, they're not very womanly or grown up. I worry sometimes that I am retreating from the grown up world by wearing more whimsical childish clothes. After seeing the Fetherston show I can see that these kind of clothese can still be quite womanly, even sexy and I think some good heels are something I'm going to be investing in!
But part of me always feel slightly a bit ashamed when I'm drooling over these kinds of clothes, possibly because I know they're looked down upon by more discerning fashion fans and perhaps because they're quite easy and relatively safe for me to wear. A flared skirt and a peter pan blouse are safe ground for me, but wet look leggings and structural heels are terrifying (perhaps for good reason, I don't think I should ever be seen in such things!). I'm also aware of how girlish these clothes are, they're not very womanly or grown up. I worry sometimes that I am retreating from the grown up world by wearing more whimsical childish clothes. After seeing the Fetherston show I can see that these kind of clothese can still be quite womanly, even sexy and I think some good heels are something I'm going to be investing in!
I don't think it's wrong to like 'cutesy' fashion and I know i'm by no means in the minority but I guess seeing all the other shows with their 'fierce' (I wish I could use that word, but it's just not me ha) pieces does just make me feel like an over grown child sometimes!
p.s. honourable mention to the Karen Walker show, it wasn't cutesy! I've always liked her work and she seems to be going from strength to strength
Sunday 15 February 2009
Valentines Outfit
I know Valentines day is a bit lame, but I guess it's an excuse to dress nice and go and have something good to eat (Mexican = quite good, not amazing but oh well). This is my first proper outfit post. I feel rather unsure about posting pictures of one's self posing on the internet. It feels slightly narcissistic but I want to show the clothes so it will have to be done!
I am wearing my Styleshake dress! I have two now and I'm really pleased with them. I should possibly have it smaller at the waist but I don't like things too tight fitting and would rather wear a belt to cinch them in. I also have on a New Look bow hairband, Topshop heart bag and Marks and Spencers seamed tights (they're 40 denier with a kind of knitted seam). The shoes are cheap mary janes from Peacocks.
That is all for now!
Monday 9 February 2009
Men, Women and Clothes: Sense and Nonsense
I just watched this programme, 'Men, Women and Clothes: Sense and Nonsense' on bbc iplayer. It was recorded in the 1950's and is an astute and slightly scathing appraisal of the fashions of the last few centuries up to the present day (1950's). It's only 20 minutes long as has some great pieces in it (I liked the edwardian dress where you can only shuffle along!) and Doris Langley Moore, the presenter is awesome!
link here but hurry, it's only available until thursday night!
link here but hurry, it's only available until thursday night!
Friday 6 February 2009
Sonia Rykiel
My usual routine of checking online clothes shops nearly every morning rarely inspires me much. I always check Asos even though I've been told their quality is bad but if I do see a nice dress or skirt I know it will be ridiculously short! (sort it out Asos, I don't really like flashing my bum to everyone even though i'm sure it must happen on occasion...)
After being rather depressed at the acid wash and sacharine florals of Topshop and Miss Selfridge, I did my usual jump to Asos. This time I decided to look at the 'new in' designers and was rather surprised to see that they've just begun stocking Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. I've always been a casual admirer but after swooning over items in various Parisian department stores last year I became a bit more of a fan, her coats in particular looked gorgeous!
So after looking at what Asos had stocked I was a little deflated, none of it was really 'must have'. I decided to go to the mothership, soniarykiel.com where I found many more delights in the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel range. They'd been styled much better as well, Asos had a go but it wasn't quite down.
Here are some screengrabs from the Sonia Rykiel website (spring/summer 2009)
Muuuch better! I found the lace trimmed shift dress (above) at Matches, here. It's £268 :-(
Perhaps it's a little early to be thinking about Sunglasses but s/s09 ones on the Rykiel website are gorgeous! (couldn't find any stockist for these online, I'm sure they're pricey though!)
Bow shaped!
Pearl Rimmed!
Frilled!
If you want to have a look at what Asos are stocking, click here!
After being rather depressed at the acid wash and sacharine florals of Topshop and Miss Selfridge, I did my usual jump to Asos. This time I decided to look at the 'new in' designers and was rather surprised to see that they've just begun stocking Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. I've always been a casual admirer but after swooning over items in various Parisian department stores last year I became a bit more of a fan, her coats in particular looked gorgeous!
So after looking at what Asos had stocked I was a little deflated, none of it was really 'must have'. I decided to go to the mothership, soniarykiel.com where I found many more delights in the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel range. They'd been styled much better as well, Asos had a go but it wasn't quite down.
Here are some screengrabs from the Sonia Rykiel website (spring/summer 2009)
Muuuch better! I found the lace trimmed shift dress (above) at Matches, here. It's £268 :-(
Perhaps it's a little early to be thinking about Sunglasses but s/s09 ones on the Rykiel website are gorgeous! (couldn't find any stockist for these online, I'm sure they're pricey though!)
Bow shaped!
Pearl Rimmed!
Frilled!
All screen grabbed from the Sonia site.
If you want to have a look at what Asos are stocking, click here!
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