Top: Gold Anchor Studs - A gift from my sister, Leopard Print Cardigan - Charity Shop
Bottom: Silver Star Studs - An emo shop, White Shirt - American Apparel
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Thursday, 12 July 2012
THE HIGH STREET FASHION TRAP
Today in H&M, wedged amongst the
many, many rails of sale clothes, I got to thinking about throw-away
high street fashion.
It's no secret that clothes
purchased on the high street lose the majority of their value as soon
as they're bought by the customer. It seems like a good idea at
the time, in the seductive atmosphere of the shop, because you feel like you really want a peplum top or some harem pants. But a few weeks down the line when everyone hates peplums and harems,
you're just left with some over priced garments that are now worth
nothing and you won't wear again, ever. The bottom line is...we are
obsessed with high street trends that change from month to month,
rendering the purchases of months past as worthless.
This is bad for several reasons.
Firstly, it's just pure wasteful. Secondly, our drive to have the
latest 'on trend' item is turning us in to slaves, literally
consuming whatever fad is thrown at us. Thirdly, as well as making us slaves, it's transforming us in to the spitting image of each
other, which is dull, to say the least. Finally, it's fuelling cheap
foreign labour and has already completely obliterated the British
sewing/textile trades.
So to save you from having to fall
in to this horrible high street fashion trap, I have concocted some
tips, so you won't have to be a slave to the shopping centre
ever again (p.s. peplum tops aren't a good idea, even if everyone
says they are).
1) DON'T GET SEDUCED
Avoid items that you're unsure
about, but you talk yourself in to buying because they're of the
moment.
2) DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE
Get to know your own style and
tastes. Understand what suits you, and develop it. It may involve
making some crappy fashion faux pas, (which may well end up being amazing) but that's part of it. This way you'll know which
trends to pursue and which to ignore.
3) INVEST, DON'T JUST BUY
If you're in to fashion, it's fun to
observe what designers are doing and watch how trends develop across
the seasons, but the high streets take on these changes is fickle and
cheap, so if you really like a trend, invest in an item that will
stand the test of time, not necessarily an expensive item, but one
that could be interpreted in different ways. To elaborate, take the
trend of Navajo (which seems to be going on forever?!) as example.
Instead of buying an all over Navajo print dress which is pretty
great now, but won't be in a year or two, buy a vest, shorts or
accessory featuring Navajo embellishments that will be transformed in
to a brand new look when this stubborn trend is finally put to bed.
4) CONSIDER WHICH BRANDS YOU BUY FROM
As an avid Ebayer (both seller and
buyer) I have noticed certain brands always do well on Ebay. Two that
instantly come to mind are Topshop and Urban Outfitters. In my
experience, you can often make a profit on items from these brands if
you sell them even second hand on Ebay. So, if you're in to Ebay, it
would make sense to consider how sell-able an item will be when you
buy it.
5) SIT BACK AND WAIT IT OUT
To be honest, most of these trends
come and go so quickly that just turning a blind eye for a bit, when
you're really broke, or can't be bothered with all the fussing, could
be the solution. Another trend that you'll want to buy in to will be
just around the corner anyway.
6) SWEET CHARITY
Charity shops are literally one of
the best ideas ever, I think. They provide a place to unload your old
high street mistakes and they supply people like me with a weird and
wonderful selection of oddities and stuff. If in doubt, just visit a
charity shop and find a few cheapo bits to refresh the items you
already have. Thus giving money to charity, not fuelling this crazed
high street consumer mess, and not spending as much cash.
7) BUY VINTAGE
Generally, clothes from 20 plus
years ago are much better made and have stood the test of time. They
are also extremely coveted by many. Therefore buying vintage can be
seen as an investment. It's like that thing they say about cars and
houses. Buying a car sucks your money, because it costs to keep it
and it loses money with age. Buying a house is a financial asset, and
it maintains/increases it's value over time.
Keep your vintage well, and you
could end up making a profit from it when it's day with you is done.
Lastly, and to emphasise the importance
of having your own sense of style...
Being inspired and influenced by
high street/catwalk/street trends is good, but don't be a
fashion puppet. I think it's important to develop your tastes and
follow your instincts, without taking it all too seriously. Fashion
is, after all, temporary. The beauty of it is it's ever evolving and
shifting nature. So be an observer, not a slave. Having a strong
sense of personal style is the key.
The End
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
LUST OF THE DAY: BLESS
Today I will mostly be lusting after these sunglasses by 'Bless'. They are just a real dream come true. I first discovered them in graphic design journal eye (December 2007/January 2008) and have been searching for something that resembles them since. The fact they can no longer be acquired only adds to my lusting.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
IT GIRL
 |
1) Eyelet Pinafore Dress ($500) 2) Vision Canvas High-Top Sneakers ($80) 3) Barton
Perreira Kevin Sunglasses ($440)
Monday, 2 July 2012
A MODERN MARIE
Sofia
Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette' is one of my favourite films of all time. It has
been criticised (mainly by boys) for being one dimensional with a plot that
lacks substance. I strongly disagree. Yes, there's a high focus on visual
detail and overall aesthetic, but it's based on historical events and I believe Coppola tells the story beautifully.
The
new romantic movement is regulary referenced throughout the film, in the
soundtrack (Bow Wow Wow, Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees) and in
the costumes. The character of Count Fersen (Marie's lover) wears a costume based on the attire of post-punk hero Adam Ant. Elsewhere, the costumes have an essence of 18th century, but the colours, fabrics and styling brings them to the 21st century
It's a complete feast for the ears and eyes. Coppola selected a beautiful sherbet pastel palette instead of the Burgundy, Navy and deep Green hues conventionally associated with the 18th century, as reinforced by faded paintings and costume dramas. The aim was to 'remove the crustation of sepia' and bring Marie's world to a modern audience. The result is an eccentric, bohemian wonderland. Marie, too, is likeable and very easy to relate to. A world apart from the idle 'let them eat cake' stereotype.
So,
on that note, here are some beautiful things i've found to transform your world (and your wardrobe) in to the floral, feminine, acid pastel baroque vision of the film, harnessing youth punk rebellion and new romantic charm...
Ahh...Just swooon...
2) Secret Heart Flowering Tea (Canton Tea Co, £7.00)
Tea that comes in a bud and then explodes in to a flower when put in hot water! WOW!
Cute and amazing,,,
4) Stila Custom Colour Adjust Self Adjusting Pink Blusher (Stila, £13.00)
This incredible blusher adjusts to the PH balance of your skin to create
a customised shade, and it's the perfect bubblegum pink to give vibrant
colour
5) Vintage Tulle Skirt by Rouge Pony (Rouge Pony at Etsy, £22.00)
Beautiful, wear with a cropped pastel t-shirt and pale pink hair
6) Loulou Loves You Claire Flower Headband (Loulou Loves You, £30.00)
The best! creator Lou Lou Androlia has made some incredible head pieces and lingerie, follow the link above, and more on her soon...
7) Vintage China (Sara Evans at Pavlova and Fox, Etsy)
Dreamy china to accompany the flower tea. Sara Evans' Etsy shop is filled with vintage china and antiques...
Learn about big hair here!
9) Jonathan Saunders Bright Paisley Short Sleeve Tee (Urban Outfitters, £80.00)
Jonathan Saunders doing acid pastel baroque...
10) Fantasy White Hair Dye (hairlights4u at EBay, £6.99)
Do a Marie and do your hair white...
Images from the film property of http://versailles.org.uk/marie_antoinette/the_film/ and www.galadarling.com)
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