garance

Source: The Sartorialist

Just a couple of things before I begin proceedings:

1. Let me get this off my chest: I love Garance. I'm assuming you love Garance. We all love Garance. What. A. Babe.

2. I'm not in the habit of re-blogging photos the day they've been posted because, well, I don't usually see a point. BUT, we all know how I like to ramble...

So, onto my point. Not only is one of my main sources of fash-spiration (I promise never to use that word again) wearing my favourite colour (green) and a coat that makes me want to forget my faux fur (joking - this wouldn't happen), but SHE'S WEARING LEOPARD PRINT JEANS. And they look GOOD. Until this moment I didn't actually realise this was possible... I almost feel like I don't know who I am anymore. 

I think I want leopard jeans? How about you guys - do you want leopard print jeans?

One last thought: Do you reckon her ankles are cold?

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an outfit

Top: Romwe.com // Gilet: Diesel Jeans // Earrings: DANNIJO 

Bag: Chloe // Skirt: Topshop // Boots: Balenciaga

Just a bit of Sunday evening outfit inspiration for you all. Alternative titles could have read "What I wish I was wearing but can't afford it" or "What I wish I was wearing... but it's not weather appropriate".* I decided, however, to go for something a little more blatant and a little less self indulgent... but I guess I went there anyway, huh?

But in all seriousness, some of my favourite outfit components feature here: a slouchy top (part of my style uniform... more on that at a later date), fur, black leather stuff, suitable bling and the ever lust-worthy Balenciaga cut-out boots. All brought together by a skirt that makes me think of something Marie Antoinette would have worn if she were around today and decided to slut it up a bit**. Which of course means that I need it in my life ASAP.

*Yes, England has finally jumped on the snow bandwagon.
**This view might be slightly influenced by the sugary sweet colours of the Sofia Coppola film.

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inspo: Baba on a bike

source

Catherine Baba pretty much encapsulates everything I want to be in life; a stylist living in Paris with the most amazing wardrobe of turbans, jewelery and kimonos. If only I could look that elegant on a bike whilst wearing heels.

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crystal

here // here // here 

Just a little sparkly inspiration to distract from the abundance of rain currently descending in England.
I have to admit that from the moment my eyes rested on the Prada crystal shoes I have not forgotten about them, and they subesequently have an extremely secure place on my list of dream shoes (along with cork Balenciagas and some variation of these by Louis Vuitton - preferably black). They're almost like a grown up version of the plastic shoes from my childhood dressing up box. Or Cinderella's slippers.
I need all three of these items in my life: the necklace for the days when I'm feeling more demure, the shoes for days of flouncing and prancing like a little girl; the hat for days where I want to go all out and transform my head into a chandelier. What a clever concept; you can see others through the hat, but they're too distracted by all the sparkle to bother looking at your face. 

underwater

I actually had a completely different 'Under The Sea' themed post planned (complete with a witty title and numerous references to 'The Little Mermaid'), but I found these pictures while doing research for that post I found this editorial and thought the pictures were too beautiful not to share.

Editorial: Vogue Nippon 2010 // Scans via TFS

These pictures definitely make me want to get my Ariel on by donning mermaid-esque clothing and frolicking in the sea. When I was younger I actually believed I could swim in a way that made me look like a mermaid: hindsight leads me to believe I looked more like I was drowning. True story.

As for my other under water post? We'll sea (sorry).

on summer dressing

Let me just put this out there: I prefer Winter to Summer. I like layers and fur (faux) and boots. I like hot chocolate and duvets. I like tea and biscuits. The reason I don't like Summer so much? Summer is too hot for all these things.

This might come as a bit of a shock after my post from last week, but let me explain: at this point almost every year I get nostalgic for the activities of summers past, and think about all wonderful outfits I'm going to wear. This carries on until the hot weather actually arrives (although usually only for a few days in Britain) and I panic and curse myself for not having anything to wear, and then panic shop and buy a black maxi dress.

So today, while thinking about what to blog about, I realised; my inability to dress for summer is through a lack of preparation. Or put in simpler terms, the fact that I never plan for a summer wardrobe.  Well not one that I feel comfortable wearing (lets face it, I'm never going to look like Alexa Chung in denim cut offs).When the summer months start looming I carry on buying items that work for me in the cooler weather (sequins, leather, layers etcetc) because I'm stupid it's all I know. Consequently, I overheat and complain.

This isn't going to happen this year! This year I am going to be prepared, and find a way to make my wardrobe summer appropriate! So, without further adieu, here is the start of my 'Summer Wardrobe Conversion Therapy':

Outfit One

Cropped Tee: Alice and Olivia // Clutch: Lulu Guinness // Printed Maxi Skirt:Zimmerman @ Matches // Necklace: Kate Spade //  Belt: Paul Smith @ ASOS // Sandals: Topshop

The Idea: Re-using what I've already got.

The Reality: I already have similar items to this in my wardrobe (though I can't tell you what I wouldn't do for the skirt. Seriously.), so this is just a case of reworking the maxi skirt with less layers and summer accessories. Also a good example of how to rework winter (read: black/darker) accessories into summer. Because I do love my black.

Outfit Two

T-shirt: Rag and Bone // Shorts: Levis // Kimono: H&M // Sunglasses: Linda Farrow 

Bag: Marc Jacobs // Platform Brogues: Topshop

The Idea: Making getting my legs out less scary.

The Reality: Realistically, I don't think my denim cutoff dreams are ever going to cease, so this is all about finding a thin layer to wear over the cutoffs to conceal anything I'm not quite ready to bare, which due to the aforementionedtea and biscuits is pretty much everything at the moment. Note to self: running is your friend.

That's all for now; a step in  the right direction. After all, isn't life so much more appealing when you're dressed for the occassion?

bejeweled

 Making Magique // Karla's Closet

Jewelled shoes are definitely something I would have previously passed off as extremely tacky, but these two images seem to have persuaded me otherwise. It's definitely something to do with the subdued leather backdrop; black would definitely be too severe.

Kurt Geiger seem to leading the knock-off parade on this one, although they're perhaps not quite as charming as the above: similar here & here.

two favourites

Elle UK x The Olsen Twins

I finally got my hands of Elle UK's April Issue today, after what has felt like years but in reality has only been a few days. On an unrelated note: I think that's what the internet does to us; everything is so available that being a few days behind leaves you feeling like you're lightyears away from what's 'internet famous' now.

I digress, here are a few snippets of my favourite bits, or in other words, most of the spread:

Pictures by me. Elle UK April 2012

I don't think my love of the Olsen's is any secret (see this post), and if I've made any secret of Elle UK being one of my favourite magazines then shoot me now let me just say this: IT'S ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MAGAZINES (if not my favourite, just to clarify). In fact I was so excited about these two things coming together that I haven't even read the interview (or any of the magazine) as I just needed to share my glee at getting my hands on the MK cover. I love her.  Despite a brief flirtation with Ashley at the beginning of the year, MK will always be my favourite.

So yes, SUPER HAPPY POLLY. I do hope you enjoy my camera pictures (too excited to scan). And I'm sure that the future me would urge you to go and and buy this issue as I will have found it super inspiring so I'm going to do this right now, so that I don't end up doing two posts on this:

Go buy this magazine.

Final thought: doesn't MK look like she's had a little lip work done on the cover image? I'm not one to gossip (ha), but doesn't it? I didn't notice until I took a picture of it... so maybe it's a camera distortion.

Okay, that's it for now. I'm going to drink hot chocolate and devour Elle before I get too excited and pee myself or something. I mean more of a metaphorical pee than a literally pee - don't worry, I am potty trained.

candy

Scans by me. Photographs Tim Walker for Vogue (I think).

Currently pondering whether dressing in candy colours will satiate the sweet cravings I'm having as a result of the obligatory January Detox thanks to these images I found in an ancient inspiration folder. Despite not being the greatest lover of pink, I am loving the shoes in the second scan and the bunny ears in the third.

slice of rainbow

Image via Fashion Gone Rogue

I died over the rainbow button bit on this dress/shirt/thing. Chloe Sevigny looks divine in this whole spread (which you can check out here),but this particular shot caught my eye due to the magical slice of a  rainbow on her chest (also the heavy dose of shiny happening below the waist also helped somewhat...). This is something I'm definitely considering DIYing, as it fits in perfectly with my New Years resolution to break out of my sartorial comfort zone and wear more lots of colour and prints in 2012. That is, instead of all black everything. A strip down my front, however, seems less scary than wearing a tie-dye maxi dress or something - I'm planning on taking my new relationship with colour slowly but surely.

I'm sure the fact that I'm even considering colour will please one of my good friends a ridiculous amount (you know who you are...!)!

historical

'MASTER PIECES' Editorial scanned by me from ELLE UK Sept 2009

I think like most of the world, around Christmas I feel the need to dress up, and start to wish that my wardrobe was capable of me engaging me in a more extravagant style of dressing. This particular editorial caught my eye purely based on the fact that it takes inspiration from historical sources, and therefore reminds me of the period drama films and TV series I love so much!

In other news.... SIX DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS! I get so excited at this time of year, and for me the next week is definitely going to involve a lot of festive activities with family and friends.

inspired

Loving:

Pale colours, pale skin, puffy skirts, English country-side, flowers, the outdoors in general, light hair, messy hair, green, embellishments, tea parties, feminine dressing & adding a little magic to outfits. AKA everything in these photos.

Just a collage of a few photos that I found in an old inspiration folder that's providing me with some inspiration all over again. No idea of the sources I'm afraid!

Just a random page from one of my sketchbooks. Featuring how I wish I could wear my eye makeup everyday, and one of my favourite pictures/quotes of Kylie Minogue.

Re: the quote: I think it's how we'd all like to live, no?

Feeling a little reflective today!
Something more substantial coming soon...!

polka dots

1. Jalouse Magazine, Sept '11

2. French Grazia

3. Marc Jacobs via Style.com

4. Topshop Tumblr

5. Audrey of Frassy

I think the most exciting thing about when a new trend arises is finding a way to make it look like it's not a trend. I mean, once something has filtered down into the masses it's pretty hard to make something look individual, right?

Alors...One of my favoured trends this season is polka dots, which believe me I never thought I'd say.*
Above are a few images of inspiration I've collected since the unveiling of the Marc Jacobs A/W '11 show, all of polka dots being a little less conventional... and therefore a little more inspiring (for me at least). Personal favourites are polka dot socks and layering the print a la Audrey (who always looks amazing - check her blog if you haven't!).

*They used to remind me of being a teen and wearing really ill-fitting fifties style dresses made out of extremely cheap fabric... in polka print. It really wasn't good

by night

'Mean Streets' Editorial, Vogue UK March '11

Images scanned by me.

Sequins + Leather + Print + Neon = Night Time Mischief

AKA what the wardrobe of an adult version of 'Skins' would look like.

This editorial has stayed in my mind since March, though it feels like I only saw it for the first time a month ago. I guess that's a mini ode to how fast this year seems to have gone. I don't know why it's taken me so long to share, but  it feels right, right now. An ode to the dark evenings if you like. Unfortunately most evenings I'm more likely to be sporting bed socks than sequins, but not tomorrow! It's the weekend, I'm going to enjoy myself and adorn myself with something cheaper similar. As I was bored, I came up with my interpretation of the look:

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Topshop 214 Magazine

Now, I'm gonna start by saying that I generally don't see myself as someone who is a slave to a particular brand. Despite having preferences, there isn't any one particular brand I would deem as a favourite and you'll never really see me in an outfit that's entirely from one highstreet shop.

Having said this (and I realise that I'm going back on myself a little here...) Topshop is the one brand/high street shop that if someone had a gun to my head, I would probably pick as my favourite.* It just fits my style aesthetic pretty damn well.

Alors... Needless to say when Topshop released their 214 magazine as a guide to the new season, I was pretty very excited, although slightly skeptical, as sometimes these freebie Magazines come across as exactly what they are: one big advertisement.

In my opinion, 214 Magazine cleverly avoids this, despite at it's heart being nothing more than a lookbook. The editorials are slick; the articles are insightful; the content is what people want (even though they may not realise: Hello Kaya Scodelario, I'd forgotten about you). They dig under the aesthetic and take a look at things that influence personal style. It's just generally well thought out and accessible to everyone.

So, without further adieu here are my favourite bits:

The perfect lip colour on the cover

 Taken from an article on vintage. Love.

The (somewhat) forgotten Kaya Scodelario (sorry!). 

Final page of print.

And just one more thing: I love it when magazines include pages such as the one above, because I think that it's easy to forget just how much work goes into a fashion show. I read these stats to a friend on the train (who isn't quite as interested in fashion) and she could hardly believe it. My reply was something along the lines of if this is what goes into a Topshop fashion show... imagine the stats for a Chanel show. Insane.

This also leads me a random conversation I had with a Maths student (bear with me) in Manchester last week. With the rise of blogging, street style and the high street, fashion is becoming so trend driven that it is at times, entirely disposable. With this being the case, at the rate this is happening it scares me that fashion could move away from being like pieces of art (I'm talking more at the designer end now), to being like a painted postcard an elderly aunt may send you from a random cruise destination. I.e. After a while you throw it away with minimal regret and consequently forget about it. This may seem extreme, but it's sad to think, right?*

Anyway, I've rambled enough for today. Happy Friday everyone!

Images, as ever, scanned by me. Taken from Topshops A/W '11 214 Magazine. Free in-store.

*I'm excluding designer from this, to nip another ramble in the bud before it starts!
*Yes I really did have this conversation with a Maths student. Doing a Masters nonetheless.

another note on denim shirts

This post may or may not contain [further] evidence that I'm falling back in love with the denim shirt...

Photo: Tumblr

I guess that's the beauty of fashion. Constant change, reassessment of style, trends and in this case, items I thought had been resigned to the back of my wardrobe.

On a side note... as much as I love Tumblr, it makes me kind of sad that the origins of some images (such as the one above) are lost to people like me, that need to cite them. Although, I'm sure I'll live!

a ramble on tattoos

Getting a tattoo is something that I've been considering since I was eighteen. Unlike my urge for getting one, however, ideas of what I would actually ink myself with are sporadic at best. And not in a 'maybe I should get more than one' kind of way. I mean, if I had actually gone and gotten a sparrow on my ankle at eighteen like I had wanted,  I would probably be saving up for laser surgery right now!

Despite my reluctance to take the plunge, I can't deny that it makes me happy knowing that tattoos are much less taboo now than they were even a few years ago. Not so long ago models with tattoos would struggle to be hired, now Freja Beha, with her twelve tattoos, is one of the fashion world's preferred models. Her tattoos add to her and make her stand out; without them, would she be as successful?

Around the time I realised a tattoo was something I wanted (admittedly whilst travelling... cliché much?) UK Vogue actually printed an article on the subject, which started an argument in my mind that has lasted the three years since I read it. I have managed to find a write up of due to some nifty 'googling'. Find it here.*

Needless to say I'm on the fence. I think some tattoos are beautiful, some... well... aren't. I think they're a great and unique way to showcase individuality (rather like a permanent way of 'dressing for your personality'... a permanent accessory if you like), but as it states in the Vogue article... there's something refreshing about virgin skin. But then scars are beautiful and show where a person has been and displays a personality quirk that may have otherwise remained hidden. But then even without 'meaning' they can look sooooooo cute like in the above picture, which I saw and promptly thought 'who wouldn't want a giraffe tattoo... I'm gonna pencil me an appointment right now!'  

Do you see my problem here? I'm too indecisive. 

After moving on from Sparrows to wanting some writing, I'm currently wanting something Hummingbird related on my thigh. This has been my number one tattoo area since seeing Zana's (of Garbage Dress) tattoo (here). I think placement is everything. Would a giraffe tattoo look anywhere near as good if it was on an arm? No, it wouldn't.

So in rapid conclusion, I guess it's something I'll do eventually... I'm always asking people about their tattoos (do you guys have any?) and discussing potential designs/placements/meanings. Until then I guess I'll just enjoy my virgin skin.

 

Image scanned by me, taken from Jalouse Magazine.

*I actually still have the article... tried to find the original article online but couldn't. If anyone's really bothered I could probably scan it!

clear burberry rain-mac: encore

Just a little update on the Burberry rain mac I posted about and compared to something one might find in a Primark bargain bin.

Found this in an issue of Jalouse Magazine I bought in France and subsequently forgot about... I love how it has been made to look kind of mystical and mysterious by some clever blurring and hazing (which is not because my scanner is shockingly bad).
And of course, because I'm a girl, my thought process did something like this:

mysterious = hard to get = amazing = must be mine!

So... Apologies Christopher Bailey, I take back the bargain bin comment! Unfortunately for me though, I still can't afford it. Maybe Primark will come out with a knock off? A girl can dream!

Photo scanned by me from Jalouse Magazine.