Fashion Et Moi

December 6, 2018

60s Yellow Mini Dress & A Reflection on Sixties Style

Mary Quant, eat your heart out. When it comes to sixties style, I don’t do things by halves.

A few weeks ago I was in Covent Garden and fell into Rokit Vintage. Hung on their specially curated ‘Rokit Gold’ rail was this yellow mini dress; a 60s dream; a little piece of me. I practically ran to the changing room and totally fell in love, which has not happened to a vintage dress and me for a long time. Cut with the perfect “not-too-mini-but-mini-enough” length and a slightly flared A-line skirt, it sculpted the body and fit like a dream. So, despite its slightly high price point (for vintage), I just could not leave it behind.

Back in the changing room, I had to envisage how I would style this bold piece. This is a vital ritual for me when making a purchase, vintage or otherwise. Featuring a dark brown collar trim and brown buttons down the front, I knew black tights and boots were out of the question. But, I didn’t want to wear brown tights so, knowing how much I like the look of yellow and burgundy together, I imagined some deep red ones would be a good alternative. I picked up this pair from Calzedonia, who, selling all the colours of the rainbow, have become my go-to for coloured tights. Made from a trusty 50 denier, they give a solid block colour that is perfect for creating that iconic sixties look.

I know some people aren’t so keen on tights but they can be a fun way to add interest to a look, while keeping your legs nice and toasty. I think they are great at this time of year too, adding a more subtle festive touch to an outfit without the usual sequins and sparkles.

While I know this look won’t be for everyone, I absolutely love it. I have become more and more confident about styling my 60s pieces in ways authentic to the decade. I just wouldn’t have done this dress justice if I hadn’t styled it in such a sixties way. Some might see this as too “fancy dress” and on the one hand they’re right. But on the other hand, isn’t that the whole fun of fashion? I love getting up in the morning, deciding who I fancy being that day and dressing accordingly. One day I’m dressed in colourful 60s vintage and the next (like today) I’ll be in tartan, fishnets and DMs. It’s all part of the fun and I love mixing it up.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and I’ll see you next week for some more festive related content, both party wear and a thought piece. X

November 30, 2018

An Easy Everyday Partywear Look

Tomorrow it’s the first day of December so I’m declaring party season officially open. I’m very traditional in the sense that I always see the beginning of December as the start of the festive period. Normally I don’t listen to Christmas songs or watch festive films until December, however, this year has been quite different. From singing along to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ in a bar in Sweden back in October (!!!) to having an early Christmas meal with my grandparents at the weekend (they’re off to Morocco for Christmas!), Christmas has been present a bit too early year. But that’s ok and now it certainly is ok to start talking about partywear.

Work Christmas parties, festivities with friends and the big day itself, tis the season to get dolled up. And as always the high street is completely awash with glitz and glamour. From dream & Other Stories velvet suits, going out dresses and a shimmery Ashish collab by Warehouse* to Mango’s textured separates and re-imagined LBDs at Arket, the choice is overwhelming and there really is something for everyone.

I absolutely loving getting all dressed up – sometimes it is lovely to treat yourself to something new for that special occasion. However, I would also always recommend first raiding your local vintage shop (because what can beat an 80s power sequin blouse?) or delving into your own wardrobe for your go-to party piece, which is what I did for this look.

I picked up this beautiful 70s silver lurex top in a flea market in Paris back in May for a mere 4€. With its crochet detailing down the sleeves and a sheer panel across the chest, it was quite literally a sparkly gem in a metaphorical haystack – a literal pile of clothes – and it’s one of my best vintage bargains. If you're thinking about picking up a new sparkly piece, I would recommend opting for a top as they're really versatile and are easy to rewear post-party season, dressed down with some jeans. Today, I paired it with my beloved 70s flares in the most festive red colour and finished the look with my By Far suede Becca boots.

I’d call this an everyday partywear look – something to ease us in to partywear dressing or a way to add a bit of sparkle to an everyday look. I would wear this to work and then out for drinks or to a festive dinner with friends – the loose yet flattering silhouette allows for mulled wine and food babies a plenty.

November 22, 2018

Tartan Kilt & Stomping Boots

We interrupt usual programming of sixties ankle boots and seventies flares to bring you tartan and stomping boots. It’s no secret that my favourite eras for fashion are the 60s and 70s but a decade that creeps into my styling every now and then is the 90s. As a child of the nineties (albeit only just – I was born on 6^th January 1990), it’s inevitable. And while platform shoes and slip dresses are some fantastic examples of 90s fashion, today I’m not talking about the Spice Girls era but rather about grunge.

Tartan checks, red and black colour palettes, leather jackets and stomping boots. It’s easy to inject the grunge movement into everyday styling but today, I’m wearing it all, absolutely loving it but not feeling too cliché.

I’ve had this red tartan kilt for years – it’s a vintage one from M&S (or St Michael to be correct) and I bring it out every autumn. Worn with a lace petticoat underneath, first and foremost for comfort (the wool is quite scratchy) and secondly because I love how the lace trim looks poking out of the bottom of the hem, adding a layer of grunge to the look.

I always pair the kilt with a black slim-fitting turtleneck top as it allows the tartan skirt to do the talking and I’m rarely without a trusty black polo neck throughout the colder months. I finished the look with leather, adding yet another layer – physically and figuratively – of grunge. The leather biker jacket is from The White Company and it was my mum’s. It’s the perfect fit and features that dream silver hardware and buckles at the waistline that I always wanted from my previous one.

Finally the boots…the boots that have been adorning our Instagram feed since the weather started to turn. I am rarely one to be swayed by clear influencer marketing, however on this occasion I was totally won. Having an ankle boot collection that previously consisted solely of block heels, I decided at the beginning of autumn that I needed to invest in a pair of flat, stomping boots that would be durable enough for the rainy British weather and a more comfortable option for those much-needed “non-heel days”. And these were the ones for me.

They are the Grenson Nanette boots and while they keep selling out, I managed to track down the last pair in my size on a random website. I’m absolutely delighted with them and I’m so happy that I took the plunge. They style really well in lots of different ways – with skirts, jeans and dresses – I sound like Monica justifying her expensive boots to Chandler, except these don’t kill your feet in the slightest. They have taken almost no time to break in, are super comfy and feel light as air to wear. If you can get your hands on a pair, I would highly recommend them.

November 8, 2018

Patchwork Cardigan

I thought I’d use today’s post for a little life update. I’ve been waiting for ages to share these images… I couldn’t before because this patchwork cardigan I’m wearing wasn’t available, until now. It’s a sample that I wore on a recent work trip to Cambridge with some lovely blogger ladies. It’s been six months now that I’ve been in my social media role at Jigsaw and I’ve learnt so much and met many great people in such a short space of time. This trip to Cambridge was a particular highlight – we went punting, explored the quintessential British city in the sunshine and dined like queens at the University Arms Hotel’s restaurant, Parker’s Tavern (you can read my piece on the trip over on the Jigsaw Blog).

Back to the outfit: this patchwork cardigan is one of my favourite pieces from Jigsaw’s AW18 collection. Knitted in a chunky rib and styled with a V-neckline, it is the perfect layering piece for winter, as well as looking great worn as a top as I did on this surprisingly warm autumn day.

What I love about this outfit is how all the colours work so well together. I tucked the cardi into this second hand Topshop Boutique silk skirt whose greyish blue colour goes perfectly with the blue hue in the patchwork cardigan. I accessorised with my Coach saddle bag as its burgundy colour pairs well with the cardigan’s purple tone sections. I finished off the look with my patent white ankle boots and matching white nails to add a fresh colour to this otherwise tonal look.

October 30, 2018

How To Wear Double Check

It’s no secret – or surprise – that check is once again a massive trend for AW18 and I am – as always – on board. While my style is predominantly inspired by the sixties and seventies, I have a soft spot for nineties grunge, punk checks and tartan so this outfit brings together many sartorial elements that I love. While a matching check suit is a powerful look, this trend inevitably encourages me to experiment and mix different checks together. I call this double check - you can have double denim so why not double check?

Let’s start with the blazer. It’s vintage, adorned in a gorgeous red tartan check and I bought it about five years ago from Beyond Retro. I didn’t wear it much at the time because I was conscious of the shoulders being too big. Fast forward five years and big shoulders is everything I could want from a statement blazer. The way our perceptions change of what looks good always fascinates me and that’s why I’m always so reluctant to give away (to charity) my hard-earned and sort-after vintage pieces. ‘One day, I will like that again,’ I tell myself, and usually I’m right. How glad I am that I did not give up on this blazer.

This skort, on the other hand, will be a forever favourite. Countless times and in countless ways you’ve seen it styled up on this blog and I’m not about to stop anytime soon. What can I say? It’s the skort that keeps on giving. Another vintage piece, it is patchwork suede mixed with subtle tartan check panels, which add some extra interest to this already statement piece. Paired with a black turtleneck jumper, you’ve got a classic sixties look (which I love, of course) but throw on this red tartan blazer on top and it’s the perfect kind of juxtaposition.

The secret to clashing different checks – and why these two pieces work so well together – is a common colour within the two prints. Ivy green is the colour in this look. Running subtly through the tartan of the blazer and being more stand out in both the patchwork and check elements of the skort means these two pieces work effortlessly together.

I finished the look with my new By Far boots. They are the Becca boots in black suede and I have, no joke, been lusting after these for over a year. But that purchase deserves an entire blog post to itself.