Random Want - Antonio Berardi

In the 90's Antonio Berardi was one of the darlings of the UK fashion scene. I can remember having his creations ripped from Vogue stuck to my wall as a teenager, but with a move to Milan he seemed to slip from prominence only to happily return to the attention of the fashion press a couple of years ago - perhaps it was as the body con trend took off once again...he is after all a master of the well cut dress. 

These four creations are all from his Resort 11 collection - it's the primness with the attention to construction that makes these so lust worthy. I would love to try theme on...I wonder if my boobs would fit ? This is sadly the last hurdle when it comes to designer dresses for me, unless they are by Dame Viv. 

Vintage Dancing Dress - More Detail

A while ago I posted about a great charity shop find - this lovely black swingy dress that cost about three quid. At the time I couldn't get the detail in the picture, but I dug it out the other day and took a few more snaps that show the lace on the top. I really really really want to give this dress the outing it deserves, but I only go to the pub. Any invites or ideas for suitable dressy venues would be appreciated - hah!

Vintage Dress - Charity shop, Jarrow

Just Add Shoes

I couldn't believe my luck when I found these Martin Margiela shoes in Century 21 a couple of years ago - they were under $100 (and in my size, although sometimes even that small obstacle doesn't stop me). 

I love the half mesh / half silver design and the way your toe nail polish shows through ever so faintly on the mesh side. Like all Margiela shoes they have a wonderful heel on them - high enough to elongate the leg but not cripple you. I think I'm gushing slightly. I do have a soft spot for a Margiela. They are definitely a girlie shoe - most guys I know are a bit grossed out by them.

T-Shirt - Topshop 

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - MMM 22

Jacket - Kate Moss for Topshop

The Last Of The Summer (Whines...)

In the last two days in London people have been busting out the coats. And opaque tights are back on the legs of any woman with a hem line above the knee. Thought I better get the last few hours out of the summer dresses in the wardrobe before it's too late. 

Dress - Topshop

Belt - Moschino from eBay 

Shoes - Newkid

Spot The Fake

I would never buy a fake from a street stall or market (or kid myself into thinking I'd bought a genuine LV handbag on eBay for £40), but when I see obvious fakes in charity shops I sometimes can't help but buy them. 

One of my dream expectations in life is to one day find a Birkin in a charity shop (I can remember reading a piece back in the 90's on a society wife in US Vogue who found two, yes TWO for $80 each in a thrift store, which is more than a bit unfair, a) because she found two and b) because she was married to a billionaire. 

Well, I have yet to find a Birkin - but I did find this fake Hermes Constance - that could in now way be confused with the real deal, but hey, and then last week at a village fete I picked up this fake Chanel for £1. 

Top - American Apparel 

Trousers - ASOS

Ballet Pumps - Bloch

Fake Chanel bag (top) - Village Fete 

Fake Hermes bag (bottom) - Charity shop in Newcastle

Colour Block

This colour combination is rocking my world. All I need are super clumpy red shoes and I'm away. The Marni A/W 10 collection wasn't as mind blowing as usual, but this outfit has stuck in my mind. Once September arrives this will be my colour template.


Photo from Style.com


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

80's dressing by someone who lived through it...

The only item in my wardrobe currently really exciting me it this horrendously 80's jacket that I picked up in Oxfam a couple of weeks ago. With skinny jeans it creates an extreme silhouette - a human / dart hybrid that I thoroughly approve of. And I love the print too. It   came with a matching skirt that alas has a hole the size of a teacup on the front...it was a miracle the moths had not eaten this too. 

I am reduced to wearing glasses for the moment because a LIGHT FELL ON MY EYE / HEAD whilst I was sleeping. I had a lovely shiner, but that's gone down now. It has left me wondering - how do people with glasses cope? Onions = hurt to chop, Rain = impairs vision, Opening the Oven = you see nothing. Contact lenses are the best invention ever. 

Jacket - Oxfam 

T-shirt - Zara

Jeans - Uniqlo

Shoes - Marc Jacobs S/S 98

Last Week In Pictures

I'm loving all my iPhone photo apps, I've added at least 500 images over the last two weeks mostly like this. Oops. 

New shoes by Charlotte Olympia from Yoox.com (above) and my old army boots that I stomped around in age 15 (found in a box full of my shoes dating back to my teens in an attic) - they are about 3 sizes too big for me, I wore a lot of thick socks back then.

The print on a blazer I picked up in a charity shop - I love it. It has the most 80's power shoulder look ever. 

Wedge boots from Topshop (£20 in sale) contrasted with my Mum's home made quilt. 

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Actual Shoe of the Week - Ann Demeulemeester Wedge Sandals

The shoes I ordered a couple of weeks ago are finally in my possession after a series of missed DHL men and failed pick ups from the DHL service centre. Getting stuff delivered in the countryside sucks. I can't wait to wear my new Ann Demeulemeester boots. They are ugly beautiful in the extreme. 

The Business of Buying Shoes

When I tried these shoes on in New York it was a hot summer day a few years ago and I had just arrived from London. I had gone to the hotel, dropped off my bag and headed out to Manolo Blahnik. I usually just go to NY for a weekend (not even a long one) so I've become pretty adept at shopping with severe time constraints. If you want to see friends and get some new booty you have to be quick off the mark. This time I forgot that I was still wearing a pair of manky old flight socks and as I pulled my shoes off I realised they had dyed my feet navy blue. The shame. Still, a shopper must remain calm, so I ignored the incident in a very British way and went about the job in hand of finding the right Manolo for me. 

Jacket - Kate Moss for Topshop 

T-Shirt - Acne 

Jeans - Topshop 

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik

The Jaws of Death

I know I'd probably never wear it, but I am in love with the studded aviator cap from Topshop. It's what Amelia Earhart would wear if she found alive and well today, possibly shacking up with the hot young things out in Australia who are about to film Mad Max once again (remake? sequel?). Yup, it's awesome (the hat, not the film). 

Photo from Topshop.com 

Friday Inspiration

Like the rest of the world, I love Garance Dore's blog and her photos of the amazing and stylish women she meets. This is probably my favourite of all time. Hair, bomber jacket, leather pants (I die) and shoes. All perfect. 

Photo from Garance Dore 

The Rules of Fashion

I bought these trousers well over two years ago and have never worn them...until now.

I am not one of those people who follows the wardrobe rule that if you haven't worn something in six months you should chuck it. 

Shirt - H&M 

Trousers - Topshop 

Shoes - Christian Louboutin 

Pop...? Or just me exploding?

I hate the way all the magazines these days can't publish an issue in which they don't heavily feature the phrase "colour pop" in some way, shape or form. To begin with it was fun - "I love the way the bag makes a conservative outfit pop", but now I want to scream when I see it - fashion cliche or what? If I read this dreaded phrase I imagine a cold and lonely (possibly starving) fashion editor sat in a room on deadline hurling tired fashion expressions onto a screen and hoping they stick. 

So, these heels do not make the outfit pop. No Siree. 

Lace T-Shirt - New Look

T-Shirt - Abercrombie & Fitch 

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Fabio Rusconi

Stormy Skies

After my little Christopher Kane love-in the other day it seemed only right to plump for the man himself today. The only down side with his t-shirts? Dry clean only. 

T-shirt - Christopher Kane

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - NW3 by Hobbs

More Of The Same

Once I have found something in my wardrobe the chances are I will wear it a few times before I move on to my new flavour of the month / week / day. These trousers and sandals are getting another outing (the sandals look lovely, but the blisters on the toe where the disc ends are sheer murder) until I find a new favourite. 

Jacket - Topshop 

Long Sleeved T-Shirt - American Apparel 

Trousers - Topshop 

Shoes - Marni