Something's Bugging Me

So, I need to get something off my chest. It's a blogging gripe- stay with me kids- that has seeped into Instagram- seemingly on the daily. Even if you're an observer and not a creator (*pompous word alert) you can't fail to have noticed it too. What am I banging on about? Let's cut to the chase here- the thing that is pissing me off is that.....bloggers will not stop asking questions. Now, admittedly this may sound very minor on the general life scale of global warming, terrorism, rising knife crime and the surreal alarmingness of an abnormally dumb orange person running America; but if you are dipping your toe into IG on the regular it may well be bothering the hell out of you too. Essentially, the questions DO.NOT.STOP.COMING. 'What would you like to see?' is the most frequent one (and many variants thereof). And it enrages me. Market research (for that is what it is) is fundamentally the enemy of creativity. I used to work at a glossy fashion magazine- and yes- it was almost exactly like The Devil Wears Prada. (But much much worse). We were constantly indoctrinated with weird maxims to try and make our output more 'suitable'. And one of these has always stuck with me, namely- never ever give the public what they want- give them what they didn't know they wanted. I still totally believe in that premise. Do you think that Alessandro Michele sits around the Gucci office going 'Ok, let's ask a sample group of five thousand customers whether they want a blue printed loafer with pineapples all over it next season, or a pink one with cherries?'. No he does not. He goes with what he feels. He lets his imagination flow. Run wild. Which is why Kering's profits (Gucci's parent company) were up 120% in 2017 and Gucci's sales alone were worth six billion euros. (Hey Google, how you doin').

Now, I totally understand why a YouTuber might wanna know what their audience would be more interested in seeing- a haul or vlog let's say- (although, I think even the cat's mother knows that Zara hauls smash it out the park every time) because, well, it's bloody annoying putting blood, sweat and tears into a video that no-one watches. I get it. But chasing views (or likes on The Gram) is a reductive business. A nice hashtag has popped on IG recently- #postwhatyoulove- and I'm down with that. Not everything can be targeted, and researched and perfectly tailored to appeal to your 'audience'. Literally, stop the insanity. Throw in a curve ball, have the courage of your creative convictions and for the love of God and all that is holy- please stop asking me questions. My brain is over fried with fashion images, new-ins and well, life just generally. I've got nothing for you. Go and pump some poor other bugger for ideas. Actually, don't do that either. Just go with what you feel. It works for Alessandro. 

SHOP THE LOOK

Silk Shirt- Bogdar // Alternative- Here

Cycling Shorts- Topshop // Alternative- Here

Fendi Baguette- My Mum's // Alternative- Here

Necklace- Cinco // Alternative- Here

A Shorts Story

If it's one thing I never thought I'd be wearing it's white shorts. I haven't ever felt thin enough to venture into such- shall we say- 'Hey Look At Me!' territory before; but this year I've lost some weight and I'm going for it. (Not to say you have to be 'thin' to wear anything you god damn want to- and what even is thin anyway? I'm guessing everyone has a different definition). I picked up these shorts in Topshop with low expectations (mostly coz of the aforementioned), but when I got them home and tried them on I was pleasantly surprised. I've teamed them here with a simple men's black shirt (I prefer the fit) to counter balance the 'high exposure' factor. Would you wear short shorts? Let me know x

SHOP THE LOOK

Shirt- H&M // Alternative- Here

Shorts- Topshop // Alternative- Here

Mules- H&M // Alternative- Here

Basket- Topshop // Alternative- Here

Necklace- Cinco Store // Alternative- Here

Sunnies- Cendre // Alternative- Here

White Jeans For Winter? Groundbreaking

There comes a moment in every girl's life when resisting your inner Liz Hurley becomes futile. And that moment has arrived for me- yes- I'm embracing the white jean. The depths of Winter might seem an odd time to turn to the palest and most impractical piece of clothing on my floordrobe, but on the other hand, why not? I picked up these skinnies from H&M (where else), but there's some excellent white jeans out there RN including these Topshop ones and these ultimate dreams by Balenciaga.

Winter vibes for this look are coming care of my fave Chelsea boots from And Other Stories (can't recommend them enough), and this new in knit from Zara. Are you feeling white jeans? How you styling them? Lemmie know x

SHOP THE LOOK

Knit- Zara // Alternative- Here

White Jeans- H&M // Alternative- Here

Trench- Zara // Alternative- Here

Chelsea Boots- And Other Stories // Alternative- Here

Bag- APC // Alternative- Here

Necklace- Cinco Store // Alternative- Here

Earrings- Jane Koenig // Alternative- Here

Black Beauty

Truth be told, I went a little batshit cray on Black Friday. For me, it's really the only time of the year that I can actually afford to buy my one true love- handbags. And I went in HAAM. So, I can therefore now proudly present my brand new baby- the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag. I'd actually been thinking about this cutie for a while, but when I saw LuisaViaRoma were doing a very welcome 30% off I happily leapt. My main concern was that I wouldn't be able to get a lot in it, but actually the size is perf, and you can wear it three (count 'em) ways. (The red is also pretty spesh). I also managed to nab the last one of this amaaazing Ganniesque H&M red knit- it was sold out last time I checked, but H&M tend to do restocks at fairly regular intervals, so it's worth keeping an eye out. There's actually quite a few good red sweaters out there RN if you can't track it down- including this, this and this. Did you land anything good in Black Friday? Lemmie know x

SHOP THE LOOK

Knit- H&M // Alternative- Here

Black Cords- H&M // Alternative - Here

Circle Bag- Mansur Gavriel // Alternative- Here

The Death Of The Trainer? Not So Much

Earlier this year, Pandora Sykes- whom I adore and worship- declared the trainer to be dead. To be honest, I could totally see where she was coming from. In pure fashion terms, the Stan Smith, the Superstar and even the Old Skool had all been very much gobbled up by the mainstream, and had seemingly had their moment. Me personally? I'm a sneakerhead, and will always be so. Thankfully, Scandi gals weren't having any of this death thing- they embraced kicks again- and where Scandis go, everyone else follows (even Pandora agrees), and so, at the moment I'm eagerly coveting a list as long as my arm (the Balenciaga Triple S, Eytys Angel, Stella's Eclipse, Acne's Manhattan and Louis Vuitton's new offering for S/S18); but my latest additions to my collection are on my feet as we speak- the Clean 360  from Axel Arigato. If you like your kicks simplified but bold, these are your babies. (You can also shop Axel Arigato here and here). What are your current fave kicks, and which ones are on your wishlist? Let me know x

SHOP THE POST

Trench- Zara // Similar- Here

Check Trousers- H&M // Similar - Here

Tee- H&M // Similar- Here

Trainers- Axel Arigato // Similar- Here

Bag- Zara // Similar- Here

Cordially Yours

I'm so, so happy cord is a thing right now- and if you're of the same mindset- you need to act fast as the key pieces are getting snapped up. The H&M suit I'm wearing is pretty much sold out everywhere (I stumbled upon mine in store- if you do happen to find it anywhere, then size down- I'm wearing an 8). Luckily, Mango have dropped their latest Committed Collection (which is, as always, sick), and they have some excellent corduroy pieces (yessss) including this blazer and these pants. (I also love love love this jacket and trouser combo). There are also some beaut higher-end versions around, most notably, this Acne number (matching pants here), which you've probably seen on Amanda Shadforth and drooled over. Is cord doing it for you this A/W? Are you ready to unleash your inner Annie Hall? Lemmie know x

SHOP THE LOOK

Cord Blazer- H&M // Similar- Here & Here

Cord Trousers- H&M// Similar- Here & Here

Jumper- H&M // Similar- Here & Here

Boots- H&M // Similar- Here & Here

I Don't Have A Boyfriend, But I Do Have Balenciaga

As tragic and deeply impoverished as my love life is, I ain't bovvered, coz I always have handbags. So, say hello to my new lil' baby/boyfriend-substitute- the Balenciaga Bazar Pouch. I love that it's not chic (in the basic sense of the word) and that most people will probably think 'what the sweet Jesus is she carrying around that stripey rectangle for?'. I also like that is clashes with almost everything and that it doesn't NOT text me back. Result. If you're thinking that it's cute but you might like another slightly lower-key colour-way then try this or this. (Dupe-wise....jump on this or this). Let me know if you're feeling the Bazar stripes (and also if you know any cute single guys with tattoos- thannnnnnx) xx

SHOP THE LOOK

Clutch - Balenciaga via Farfetch // Alternative- Here 

Blazer- Zara // Alternative- Here

Trench- Zara // Alternative- Here

Jeans- Topshop // Alternative- Here

HONEYBELLE X HOUSE OF SUNNY

I've been a long time fan of House Of Sunny. Their pared down aesthetic with a high-fashion twist is totally up my street; so I was buzzing when they recently hit me up to style some pieces from their amazing Vol 09 Collection. I went for the Stripp Tunic Top and the matching Side Popper Pants. Both pieces are a dream. The fabric is weighty and drapes in the right way and basically makes you feel as cool AF. So few brands embrace both a boyish sensibility and more unusual feminine details, but House Of Sunny definitely have the formula down. Are you a fan of the label? Let me know, catch you soon x

SHOP THE LOOK

Tunic Top- House Of Sunny // Alternative- Here

Popper Pants- House Of Sunny // Alternative- Here

Bag- Mango // Alternative- Here

Shoes- Mango // Alternative- Here

Return Of The Mac

All of a sudden I'm in love with trench coats. I dunno where it came from (probably Balenciaga, as most things do with me), but I had the overwhelming urge to buy one last weekend. Luckily, Topshop were there to help. I picked up this flowing beaut, (although I really like this one too). Much as I hate the 'T' word- a classic mac really is the perfect piece to transition through to S/S 17. (Guards! Seize her! She said transition!). I've paired it here with some relaxed basics- Topshop Mom Jeans (check out these Boutique Boyfriends too) and a grey sweatshirt (but a hoodie goes just as well, if not better). Are you ready for the return of the mac? Let me know x

SHOP THE LOOK

Trench Coat- Topshop // Similar- Here & Here

Jeans- Topshop // Similar- Here & Here

Vans- Office // Also- ASOS

Bag- APC // More Colours- Here & Here // Alternative- Here

Fur Goodness Sake

I'm more than a little late to the whole 'teddy bear jacket' party, but when I saw this furry bit of heaven on mega-babe Charlotte Martin I rushed to M&S to see if I could nab one. Luckily there was a Size 10 (on sale no less) and soon enough, we were as one. Unfortunately, I can't furnish you with a link (soz) as it now seems to have disappeared from their website, but this and this are ledge alternatives. Have you jumped on the whole fur jacket thing? Let me know, catch you soon x

SHOP THE LOOK

Jacket- Marks & Spencer // Similar- here and here

Trousers- H&M // Similar- here and here

Vans- Office // Socks- Nike // Similar- here

Tee- Ralph Lauren // Similar- here and here

Necklace- ASOS // Similar- here and here