An Ode to the Tartan trouser

I recently wrote about my soft spot for big ugly shoes. Well, on a similar 'necessities' theme I thought I'd divulge my affinity for all things checked and tartan. For the last couple of years I've been loosely on the search for the perfect pair of tartan/checked trousers after I spotted this image on tumblr:

Original Tumblr inspiration image

(L): Asos / (R): Topshop

Its funny how style and tastes evolve as I'm now not quite as mad about the Tumblr ones as I once was. I found my first pair in Topshop last year and then my new ones from ASOS were originally spotted in the ASOS magazine feature about Brit Marling a few weeks ago. They're quite a loose fit but they're considerably more comfortable than the Topshop ones - I couldn't wear those to a big meal or a day of lectures! I popped into River Island a few days ago and spotted another pair (thankfully I restrained myself and didn't buy them but they are fab). I'm reluctant to include a photo of them as the website picture does them no justice at all. In reality they're a deeper red and have really nice black detailing. These Topshop boutique ones are also lovely and, like my ASOS checked trousers, are available as a full suit. Obviously I'm aiming to dress these kind of trousers down a bit so I'm not really interested in matching jackets but these could look amazing as something a bit more alternative to a formal event or as work wear. I'll probably leave them as I've got a couple of other pairs of printed trousers and I have to be realistic about my student budget.

Topshop suit trouser 

Last year looking for a pair of tartan trousers was like looking for a needle in a haystack. But after Fall collections from the likes of YSL, the high street is inundated with them. Mango, Zara, and River Island are notable for their punk inspired collections this autumn. However, I think you have to be careful with tartan trousers as for many people they incite images of badly dressed punks and old ladies - definitely avoid the ones with copious amounts of zips, safety pins, and straps! If you aren't feeling the trousers then I think there are many alternative ways to work tartan and checks into your winter wardrobe.

Saint Laurent F/W13 - Image credit: style.com

Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent (still struggling with the name change a bit!) collection,  with its juxtaposition of gentle feminine fabrics and textures against metal and leather, was fantastic. Usually the term 'grunge inspired' incites an eye-roll from me but I do see elements of it in this collection. (It could be argued that high fashion can never be grunge, but thats a blog post for a rainy day.) It got me thinking of different examples of how to work tartan and checks. I liked how delicate black lace slips were paired with tough black boots and oversized checked shirts and cardigans. You can also find plenty of tartan tea dresses on the high street which are great if your tastes are more on the gentle and delicate side.

Nicolas Ghesquiere Departing from Balenciaga

I've been super busy with uni work and will be for a bit yet but wanted to just acknowledge (though pretty late on this one!) the departure of Nicolas Ghesquiere from Balenciaga after 15 years. Throughout my younger teenager years when I was just getting interested in fashion properly and discovering various fashion designers, labels and their styles, Balenciaga was one that always markedly stood out. I'm writing this as though its an obituary and its not of course! I look forwards to seeing what his next move is and what direction Balenciaga take after his departure.

Just a select few of my favourite Ghesquiere Balenciaga designs. The last one is from my all time favourite collection of his, spring 2011. Been trying to work a similar look recently (with jeans instead of the shorts...):

Fall 2006 RTW

Spring 2008 RTW

Spring 2011 RTW

Image 1 / Image 2 / Image 3 / Image 4

A/W Trends #1: Coats

This weirdly humid but horribly rainy weather that has been  on a constant for the last week or so is getting me in the mood for autumn and uni starting again. I was going to do one big blog post on A/W trends but I'm going to split it into several individual posts instead. Coats are like my thing so naturally they get to go first. A coat graces nearly every single outfit I wear in late autumn and winter so I like it to be perfect and usually get a new one every year (or every two years if it was a particular expensive affair).

1970s Luxe

Matthew Williamson, Mulberry, Moschino Cheap & Chic

'Fuzz' sums this trend up better than 'fur' and to me is very 70s inspired. I could image walking down the street in a coat similar to the Matthew Williamson one with orange bell bottoms and platforms with 'Get It On' by T-Rex blasting in the background. I also highly recommend taking a look at Mulberry's latest ad campaign inspired by 'Where the Wild Things Are', I think it is great.

Tiger In the Jungle Bomber Jacket - Topshop - £250

English Heritage

Ralph Lauren, Daks, Vivienne Westwood

English heritage made an appearance in quite a few A/W 2012-13 collections. Forget quilted jackets and Jack Wills, this is all about fine tailoring - dog tooth, tweed and argyll. These kind of coats would look amazing with brogues and statement knitwear, in a similar style to Ralph Lauren.

Military

McQ, Altuzarra, MaxMara

The military coat surfaces every year but slightly different each time. This year the focus appears to be on khaki (such as that seen at Burberry Prorsum, McQ by Alexander McQueen and MaxMara) or sharp black jackets with brass buttons.

Military Coat - Zara - £89.99

Mannish

Matthew Williamson, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Paul Smith

This is one of my favourite coat trends and the one that I'll probably try and buy into once autumn comes around. I really like the look with a fitted suit underneath similar to what Paul Smith has done above. However, for those that aren't confident fully embracing the masculine trend this winter then a mannish coat paired with a feminine dress would look great, or if you do decide to go for the suit then pair it up with heels.

Grandfather Coat - Urban Outfitters - £185

Oversized

3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander, Acne

Celine, Balenciaga, Celine

This trend featured so heavily in the fall collections that I had to include more than just a select few designer pieces. For the most part, this is kind of entwined with the 'mannish' trend because of the oversized tailoring of the coats but Jil Sander and Celine managed to put a feminine edge on these masculine shapes by using feminine colours. A few years ago I had a coat from Topshop that would have fit this trend perfectly - I regret getting rid of it now!

Boyfriend Coat by Unique - Topshop -£250

Lily & Lionel Scarves

I am not a scarf person at all, unless we're talking cosy winter scarves but that's a completely different story. I always reach for jewellery to accessorise my outfits though my mum has always been one to reach for a printed scarf. Her wardrobe is bursting with a fabulous collection of scarves she has sourced from as far as Egyptian markets and as near as H&M. Girls at sixth form used to accessorise their uniforms with scarves and when inevitably told to remove them, they adorned handbags. The much coveted Alexander McQueen skull scarf and classic Hermes scarves have never really attracted me either, I guess I'm just not a scarf person!

...thats until I saw this offering from Lily and Lionel via the Liberty Facebook page:

Eastborne Gift Shop Scarf - £135

Eastborne Postcards Scarf - £135

Punch & Judy Scarf - £135

It's something about the photo print that catches my eye with this brand. While they're certainly not within the range of a student budget I couldn't resist showing you them as I think they're simply perfect for the patriotic Jubilee spirit that the nation seems to be swept up with at the moment, and if the British seaside isn't your thing they have a selection that includes London and Parisian scenes.

Top 5 Blogger Items

I've been inspired by the post over at one of my favourite blogs, Fashion Editor at Large, concerning the 'blogger' trend. I've been reading fashion blogs since I was about 14 or 15 and I've always noticed that the world of blogging is quite insular in this sense - trends spread like wildfire within the blogosphere and only ever occasionally leak out. For example, if I ever see Litas in real life, I'm genuinely quite surprised yet it seems virtually everyone has a pair in the blogging world.

Bethan Holt cited what she saw as the top 10 most blogged about items. Here are my five items:

1) Jeffrey Campbell Litas

If I was to pick just one item to reflect blogger trends it would be the coveted Jeffrey Campbell Litas. They've been around for a couple of years now but they're still as popular as ever. I spotted them in the window of Urban Outfitters on Oxford Street as few months ago and I virtually ran in to try them on and true to word, they are ridiculously comfortable.

2) Brothel Creepers

Brothel Creepers have long been the preserve of 1950s Teddy Boys and the alternative Ska/Rockabilly movement. However, now affectionately dubbed 'creepers' they have become a firm blogger favourite, particularly those made by Underground. This is a blogger trend I have seen most frequently out on the streets as well and one I've wholeheartedly embraced with my studded creepers from Ark. I'm going to do a very uncool 'I was there before they were cool' moment now and point to my Office 'Pelvis Creepers' that I bought in 2008. They're stiletto heeled creepers and as you can see, I've worn them to death and they're a bit beaten up and old now as a result. However, admittedly I only bought them then as I'd seen them on various blogs so consider them a vintage blogger trend!

3) Floral Trousers

arabellag.com

glitzngrime.com

Floral pants have spread across the blogging world after Mary Katrantzou's crazy floral S/S12 collection. These H&M ones in particular are a popular choice. I've picked them up and put them back many times as I felt they cut off at an odd point but looking at Arabella and Sheree wear them so wonderfully, I'm wishing I had just bought them!

4) UNIF Hellbounds

christeric.com

thestyleplaylist.blogspot.com

This is a bandwagon I wish I was on so badly. As soon as I laid eyes on them on UNIF's blog, I knew I had to have them. They're everything I look for in a shoe: clunky and scary high. They've since released them in a variety of colours since and in some respects they are the new 'lita', not for the faint hearted though.

5) Disco Pants

I feel a bit controversial for saying this on a blog but... I don't like American Apparel's Disco Pants. I'm not sure what it is about them, but they are very 1980s in a bad way to me. Also, they just scare me a bit because they're SO tight. I know many people say they nip you in in a good way but I'm just not feeling them (or the price). However, I've seen some bloggers work them amazingly well so each to their own! If I was going to attempt this trend I'd probably opt for the riding pants.

(Image 1: credit / Image 2: credit / Image 3: credit / Image 4: mine / Image 5: mine / Image 6: credit / Image 7: credit / Image 8: credit / Image 9: credit / Image 10: credit / Image 11: credit)

V&A Ballgowns Exhibition

On the 19th May 2012, the V&A museum in London is opening it's doors to an exhibtion exploring British glamour since 1950 through the medium of ballgowns. The exhibition is going to feature over 60 pieces spanning from the 1950s to the present. The pieces will be a combination of evening wear and catwalk dresses from designers such as Jonathan Saunders, Erdem and Alexander Mcqueen. Rather fittingly to co-incide with the Diamond Jubilee, the exhibition will also feature dresses worn by the Queen and other female members of the Royal Family.

A 2008 Erdem dress is fronting the exhibition

In honour of the exhibition, Vogue recently did a run-down of their favourite ball gowns. They also looked outside of British design and embraced the spectacular creations of designers like Valentino and Oscar De La Renta.

Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, 1954

Princess Elizabeth circa 1947

Versace

Gemma Atherton in Valentino

This exhibition got me thinking about what I love about ball gowns. The dress is the most revered item for a designer to exhibit their talent upon and often the dress can take the centre of attention, such as the hotly talked about McQueen dress from last summer's Royal Wedding. For me, the more outrageous the better and in my eyes John Galliano is king of the ball gowns. A talent displayed in his many couture collections for Dior.

John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture

The late Alexander McQueen produced similarly memorable designs and thankfully Sarah Burton has continued this legacy.

Taken from the 'Savage Beauty' exhibition

Alexander McQueen S/S11

The exhibition is curated by Oriole Cullen and Sonnet Stanfill and will be open from 19th May 2012 - 6th January 2013. Visit the V&A website for more information.

Summer Staples

As a student I can hardly afford to buy clothes on a whim and therefore I tend to consider purchases carefully, thinking about how much wear I would actually get out of X item of clothing and do I have own anything that would actually go with it?

Anyway, for those on a budget this season I've tried to put together a few staple items that adhere to the trends but don't require you to keep buying clothes all summer long. I'm not suggesting you buy these specific items/do the suggested DIY's but I've written about them just to give ideas of how to work S/S12 trends into your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

DIP DYE

Moto Dip Dye High Waist Hot Pant - £34

I'd probably stud these beyond recognition but worn with a simple black or cream shirt, with no tights and these would look great. To dress down a bit on holiday you could pop them on over your bikini or wear with a simple crop. The key to something like this is to make them the most interesting part of your outfit.

PASTELS

ASOS Pastel Shirt - £30

I've never been a pastel person, I'm horribly pale which means any gentle pastel colours wash me out. However, it's a key trend for this summer so if you've got the right complexion for it, do it! I've gone for this chiffon mint shirt because it's a item that can be taken through to winter with some heavier accessories and some knitwear.

STRIKING FLORALS

H&M Dress - £49.99

I really wanted to include trousers for the 'Striking Florals' staple but they hard to work unless you have A LOT of clothes (which I don't) so I'd probably work Katrantzou style florals into my wardrobe in dress form. Motel, Zara and H&M are doing some of the best dresses I've seen on the high street this Spring.

METALLICS

(image credit)

Metallics are big this spring, particularly in clothing but on a student budget I think the best way to do it is through bold jewellery instead. For example, I'm seeing these gold/silver neck cuffs everywhere at the moment and they look great under the collar of a shirt. I think that metallic trousers would look great this season but by next season you're going to be left with them thinking 'Am I really ever going to wear these again?'

GRUNGE

Flannel Shirt - Cow - £14

Rather predictably my favourite trend this spring. When I think of 'grunge' I think of the 90s, Nirvana and oversized checked shirts, which is exactly how I'm embracing the trend. The bigger the better with the checked shirt, a men's vintage shirt would be ideal worn over leggings and docs. (I know, I've just done the dirty deed and suggested wearing leggings as trousers on their own but as a general rule, if it covers your crotch, it's okay!) You could also combine the trends with this one - for example, a lot of stores are doing pastel items adorned with studs, zips and spikes at the moment. Or simply get onto Ebay, order a pack of studs and go to town on an old tatty denim shirt! I found this great DIY on 'a pair and a spare'.

Recent purchases

Finally getting round to posting some of my recent purchases. I'll start with the vintage offerings:

I've always been more a high street person than a vintage person but as a student I've been slowly learning to embrace vintage shopping. I find the best thing to do if to go into a vintage shop with a loose trend in mind (eg. Katrantzou style florals) and look for pieces that work into that well, it is much cheaper than the high street and a great deal more fun. I got this reworked checked shirt dress from Cow vintage in Sheffield. I've been after a checked shirt for ages but for some reason they simply don't suit me so this was a good solution. It's turned out to be a fantastic gig dress where I tend to team it with a necklace under the oxford collar, black tights and docs.

When Hugo took me into Beyond Retro on Great Marlborough St in London I was adamant I wasn't going to buy anything as I'm horribly skint at the moment (student, so go figure...). However, this shirt instantly caught my eye, partly because it's striped, but primarily because of the utterly amazing back! The front is a bit 1980s for my tastes and if the back cut-out wasn't there then I probably would have left it. However, I knew if I left it behind then I would never come across anything like it again so I succumbed and bought it. I received complements every time I've worn it but I've also received some "you look like a referee love" slurs. Now the sailor/nautical references I can accept but since when has a referee ever been sighted in a shirt with a fabulous back cut-out? (Perhaps its time...) It's a shame some can't appreciate this shirt!

The short-lived burst of hot weather at the end of March ignited my search for sun dresses and I found this Leopard printed delight in the Oxford Circus branch of Topshop. I haven't had the chance to wear it yet as the sun promptly went away. Its going to turn into a waste of a purchase if I don't wear it soon and I hate it when that happens so I think I'll probably team it with tights and a cardigan/jacket for the time being.

Continuting the Leopard theme, (albeit in a different sense) I saw someone wearing this shirt a few weeks back and loved it. The stud detailing on the collar is the main attraction and the literal leopard print is lovely! Fits really nicely as well, a lot of my shirts gape a bit at the chest, despite being the right size in the shoulders and arms, and it's not a good look so I've started to size up in favour of this not happening. Although I am chuffed with this purchase, another shirt initially caught my eye.. a chiffon white shirt with a studded collar. However, it was price at £60 which is simply out of the question on a shoe string!

Nothing much to say about these earrings really. Studs, chains and half price - perfect!

I posted a week or two back about my ill-foresaken search for sunglasses that finally ended in success with this pair from Urban Outfitters. They are not what I expected to end up with but they suit me so I didn't question.