2013: A Space Odyssey

The British March weather has offered little in the way of colour. Grey skies and an off white sleety mist have held the country in a state of perpetual gloom as spring approaches. The SS13 trends however, offer an antidote: in the form of quirky colourful eccentricity, of a rather other worldly kind. Cosmic colours, metallic sheens, and high gloss a plenty meant the SS13 look came over all Star Trek.
Not for the faint hearted, you might want to don a pair of sunnies before you take a look at the all new space age wonders.

The Blouse:
Get spaced out with a minimalist cut. Metallic, cut-away design and cropped are the key elements of the futuristic shirt. Alexander Wang championed these features with his SS13 collection. Keeping the colour palette monochrome, the aesthetic was sharp and bold.

The Skirt:
Jonathan Saunders taught us that the shinier the better this season, with his mirror-ball metallic collection. With paired down accessories, silky hair, nude tops and red lippy,  the look was sophisticated, happily avoiding any '70s disco cliches. Cut to the knee, the skirts ticked the pencil length box, showing that kooky can be glamorous.

The Accessories:

There is one rule for accessorising in space age style: keep it big, bold, and to a minimum. The most sought after earrings this spring would have to be Louise Gray's shoulder length statement pairs. Art turned Maths lesson turned fashion, these plastic whoppers are the defining accessories of the cosmic look. More spaced out than space style, they're sure to pack a punch with the lovers of playful fashion. 

The Hair:

And so to Markus Lupfer, the king of the cosmic, who showed the London crowd that glitter isn't just for showbiz. The razzle-dazzle hit the catwalk with his glitter coated ponytails, proving more high-end than West End. The look was both subtle and daring, but not easily replicable- perhaps not one for the office.

The Shoes:
And last, but by god not least, comes the finishing touch. Perfectly defining the futuristic feel is the Hackney based footwear brand Miista. Claiming to 'break the rules without causing a riot', the brands' SS13 collection is suitably anarchic in its rampant use of metallics, clunky shapes and cubist experimentation. The collection ranges from decidedly wearable brogues to the more quirky mirror-ball heels. The Miista look brings the spaced out back down to Earth, proving that the Odyssey of 2013 has something for everyone.

Photos from vogue.co.uk and miista.com.

Past Times

Call me a hipocrit, but a year ago, if someone had said '1970s' to me, I would have thought, yes, shapeless dresses, lot's of monotone browns and dirty greens, and some lurid patterns. Now I hear 1970s, and I think, yes, flowing dresses, sophisticated neutral brown tones, and perhaps still lurid patterns. To cut a long story short, I love the 1970s look. If I could live in my wide leg trousers, gilet, and floppy hat, I would. But then that wouldn't be very interesting, would it?

Chloe's AW10 collection was certainly the go to place for the camel flares vibe, but the SS11 took a sheer, toga style turn. However, there's certainly still the inspiration. It's full of beautiful flowing semi sheer maxis (items of infinite wonder), and like always, it's throwing together a whole array of neutral tones.

But if there was one collection to hit the glamourous 1970s nail on the head, it was Cerruti R-T-W SS11. Well some of it anyway. While half the collection was futuristic, contrasting prints, there were still some looks of a considerable brown/ floaty nature. Stunning jumpsuits, layered trousers, camel blazers...what a dream.

And for the other side of things, you know, the more realistic 70s look, I have to look to the menswear collections. Strange, perhaps, but Trussardi has offered some beautiful flying jacket, and now the furs are calling. It's all leather and hard wearing fabrics, so to whichever lucky people can get their hands on these jackets, they've got the longlasting beauty they ought to. Yes, it's a mans, but think of it open over a cable knit cardie, vest top and some cropped leggings or those 70s trousers you really want to wear? Oh and throw in some chunky loafers or clogs. Perfect.

Now then, go and treat yourself with a big floppy hat. It's a first class ticket to BIBA glamour, and who doesn't want that?

Remember to strut, I mean, allegedly you are wandering over to a wood pannelled drawing room for champagne with the London elite. Or at least, you have to or you'll trip over your huge trousers.

Photographs from http://www.vogue.co.uk/, and http://www.dazeddigital.com/

Earning the Wreath

Take one iconic British label, add one designer well known for minimalism, leave for a couple of months, and what do you get? A perfectly retro collection.

It was very hard, as a vintage enthusiast, not to get even slightly excited on seeing the Richard Nicoll and Fred Perry Laurel Wreath Collection for SS11. The casual cool of the brand gets updated this month with 50s tomboyish teddy girls, striking the well toed line between feminine elegance and classic style. With a return of the cotton pique shirt and the Harrington bomber jacket comes a remarkably retro aesthetic that once more pushes the brand further into tradition.

The collection was based on portraits of 1950s teddy girls by the legendary film director Ken Russel. By pinpointing those who had to fight post-war austerity, the product is simplicity at its best. Antique brooches and pearl cardigans sit alongside the masculine sporty Fred Perry stereotype, and will now only inspire me to do the same. Nicoll said of his collection, 'I like the idea that something as conservative and traditional as a cameo brooch could become subversive in the right hands .'

Right, that's it. Forget the floaty blouses. I'm rooting out the polo , brooches and chains. If I'm feeling particularly radical tomorrow I'll tie a shoe lace around my neck. In 3 days when the collections out, everyone will understand...

Photographs from http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Hats Off To The Turban

Does the winter chill mean that your head is feeling a little colder than usual? Then look no further than this seasons uber retro answer to keeping warm.

For those brave enough, the turban bags tonnes of style points, and on the scale of warmth, is the next best thing to a full blown fur cossack hat. They've already hit numerous runways, and inevitably Kate Moss has been pictured in a rather glossy number, yet they've still got the fresh, cool kudos.

If 'turban' is still sounding a bit too 'fortune teller', then a knitted version may hit the nail on the head. This orangey-red one from ASOS gives off that cool vibe, while still looking cosy and oh so wintry.

If, however, you are after the retro 'washer woman turned super model at the beach' look, then a head scarf may well be the answer. Tied further back from the face with a clear front knot, and appropriate 'up-do' for the hair, all that is needed are a pair of round frame glasses, a vintage bag, et voila, no time machine is needed. This look from Peter Som certainly pulls the look off, and to fantastic effect. And finally, if old hollywood glamour is what you're after, then look no further than influence from the 1920s. Black is the colour to wear, and fear not extra glitz, sequins, and even feathers. For when you want to impress, vintage is the answer, but finding one is the problem. For those of us who don't have the time, Carin Wester has a few glam ones in her latest collection, and Rokit Vintage has a more traditional, and accessoris-able version.

There are so many ways to jump on the turban-trend band wagon, even head bands for the less adventurous, but I know that mine will definately be worn with some horn rimmed glasses, lots of jewellery and gems, and a big (faux) fur, so that I can really be taken back to the talkies.

Photographs from http://www.asos.com, http://www.swingfashionista.com, http://www.carinwester.com/, http://www.rokit.co.uk/

Linking In

I was very happy last week when I snapped up a layered fringed chain necklace from Primark. But then I found out that Cornelia had taken metal chains to an entirely more adventurous level, and had decided to prove that I was being much too safe.

Suddenly, the clothes aren't important, but the chains worn with them do the work. With chainmail-esque designs reminiscent of Celtic embellishments, they are certainly worthy of some hype. They take fringing to a new level, and manage to even (gasp), make a plain dress or vest top look uber trendy. And the 'chain boleros'? Punky angel wings more like. How could you get more feminine-urban?

Photographs from http://www.corneliawebb.com/

Giving It The Sack

I must first make a rather embarassing admittance to having not blogged in a week or so and I must say, I am sorry. But let's move on from foot shuffling, looking-at-the-floor moments, to far better parts of life.

'Better parts of life' being defined as those wonerful accessories so natural to a woman that they could be considered an extension of our arm, and which shockingly have taken far too long to pop up in the natural selection process. For those among you still pondering on the riddle, the bag is the answer. The one thing I am in constant abundance of, and the thing for which I am afraid I may soon bear the title of 'crazy bag lady'. But only for bags would I bear that title.

And my, oh my what a delicious choice there is to pick from, as we all suddenly require that extra space for a) gloves, b) a nicer pair of gloves to quickly pull on when you're no longer in the 'don't care' zone, and c) that vitally important pillbox hat you were too afraid to wear at work.

With bags, there is no need to stick to 'rules'. There are always enough styles in fashion for the chic and savvy to find the bag for them, and size, in my humble opinion, has no importance. For example, I carry around with me the handbag of choice for the week, which I always tend to leave strangely half empty, yet fill up a shopper bag I unwillingly haul around alongside, so as to keep the 'cool' factor of the key bag of choice. There is no need to stick to solely one bag, so long as there is no issue of wearing them both in the same way, and having a disastrous clash or ending up looking like a dazed late night shopper on Oxford Street. Otherwise, remember how to wear your bag (that's whether to have it slung by your side, up in your elbow, over the shoulder etc.) and to keep the 'look' of your bag going. If you have an It bag, then walk like an It girl, if you have an 80s purse then mismatch your clothes for the vintage feel.

Never, must a bag 'just be a bag'. Where's the fun in that?

Possibly the most fun bag to wear is the traditional handbag, or 'purse' as it may be put. This version with a herringbone and gold style clasp shuts with a click, as if it needed to be more sophisticated. On top of the feeling it induces, of fantasticly prim formality, it fits right in with the 40s/50s looks seen on Prada and Louis Vuitton catwalks. And there isn't a better bag to wear with a glamourous fur coat, fur hat, and say, silk gloves for that extra just-dined-at-the-Ritz touch? (Bag, vintage)
If you feel that sticking to tradition isn't quite fun enough, then these bags by Ilaria Venturini Fendi for Yoox are perfect. Including enough colour to brighten up anyone's day, and a gold chain for the fashion edge, they would fit perfectly on the arm of a cable knit worn with an ankle length skirt. The best bit (well, maybe not quite the BEST bit), is that they are made of recycled Venetian blinds. And everyone knows that when somethings eco-friendly, it TOTALLY wipes any buying-guilt away. Perfect! (Bag, Yooxygen for Yoox)

If you want something a tad more vintage, and perhaps don't think that pastel florals go quite well enough with your tan loafers and parka, then this white and gold number is the one. As an over-the-shoulder bag only big enough for a purse and phone, it's perhaps not the most practical, but who cares about practicality? The straight angular shape adds that 80s touch for the edge, yet its simplicity means that it's perfect for capturing the androgenous trend. The camelion of bags. (Bag, vintage)

But possibly topping the list of bags, is the one that you can carry everywhere, that fits everything, and that somehow always looks good. That, is this bag. A beautiful shade, and leather, so the more it's used, the more worn it gets, and the better it looks. The handle is not too long, so you can artistically drape it by your side for fashion points, and then hook it over your shoulder when your arm is near to dropping off. And, for that extra 'pizaz', it just about goes with everything. Within reason. Capes, tick. Cable knit, tick. Short trousers, tick. Long woolen skirts, tick. Blazer, tick, tick, tick. What more can I say?

Unfortunately part 1 of the bag search must end, but no doubt more will come. Being a 'crazy bag lady' and all.

Photographs from http://www.dazeddigital.com/ and http://www.branded.net/

Best Foot Forward

I am in a situation of temporary crisis. With every outfit I painstakingly choose for the day ahead, I am without the fantastic heels to finish it off. Sure, there are the masculine loafers and leather boots that I used to be just happy with. But now? My legs are crying to be lifted, by loafers, by wedges, by anything! So it was time to find my pick of this seasons heels, and just hope to god that someday I would be able to afford any of them.

1. The Ultra Modern Wedge

I admit that I am not normally so attracted by something so sleek, but how could these be called anything but beautiful? Making animal print look luxe not brash, with a huge platform for added height and a standout stripe design, they are the perfect pair to do with the infamous fur coat (faux, please) and those off-black tights you have been dying to wear. Thank you, Charlotte Olympia.

2. The 70s Loafer
Yes, it's back. Is anyone really so suprised?

There couldn't be a better shoe to wear with ribbed socks and peg legs, and when the Chloe 70s look is so popular, the loafers just had to get their heel back. This mustard yellow pair from River Island are perfect for teaming with a camel blouse and high waisted trousers for that dinner party in NY circa 1976 chic (just think panneled wood walls and mirrors...)

3. The Military Heel

This season military is back (well, isn't it always?), and so what better to pair with your buttoned up coat and rolled down socks or cigarette trousers than a huge strapy, lacy heel. And what better than a right-on-trend shoe from a hip young designer. Eudon Choi, we salute you.

4. The Ankle Boot

When the open-toed stiletto sorely needed an update, the ankle boot was there. Warm enough for winter, and chic enough for day-to-night wear, it hits the practicality vs. fashion nail on the head. This Christian Louboutin pair are cut open at the front for an extra modern touch, yet sadly, at over £900 pounds a pop I think that they will remain safely on my wish list.

Photographs from www.vogue.co.uk, www.riverisland.com, youngbritishdesigners.com and www.barneys.com