A story about a hat

One day shy of Ascot and I still needed a hat. What I really needed/wanted was a cloche and not just any cloche; I needed an authentic, 1920's, black, velvet (if possible), cute as a button, cloche. I was not settling for any type of flower fascinator with a spray of feathers, I wanted a cloche and I wouldn’t rest until I found one.

With that, I set out to scourer the dark, grey streets of London town. I visited every thrift, charity, vintage, second hand shop and market in my beloved city, alas, none of the above was found. With one day left to find this elusive commodity, I had just about lost all hope when it finally appeared. There it was in all its glory, I had found it. A stones throw from my office, displayed in the window of a tiny little second hand shop was a black, authentic, 1920's cloche (not felt but beggars can't be chooser right?). I snatched it immediately from the window display (this stealth move is often frowned upon by shop assistants) and took it to the point of purchase.

After a little inspection, the shop owner, let's call her ‘Olga’, declared that "On second thoughts, accessories from the 1920's are extremely rare and I'm not quite sure I want to part with it (inspects condition once again, pauses for effect) actually it's not for sale at all". At this point, I swallowed slowly and became very still. All of a sudden I began to sweat and then panic slightly - "But you must sell it to me, I must have it, I must have that cloche, if I can't have it I will have to change my entire outfit again, head to toe, 24hours prior to the event, that can't happen to me, I don't have the time or the strength for that, you must help me!". I fear at this point the middle aged, eccentric shop owner, wearing a smokers coat and an embellished turban of sorts began to fear for her safety. I’m guessing she decided the best way to deal with this crazy consumer was to negotiate. Olga decided she would hire the cloche to me for a swift 10er if I left her a £50 deposit. Was I in a costume shop? I decided Olga would hire the cloche to me for a quiet 10er and I would leave her only a £20 deposit (I needed that extra 30quid for pimms and champagne). Priorities ladies.

I then left Olga and her smokers coat, super chuffed; believing I had some how won “The Great Battle Of The Cloche” and set off for a fabulous day at the races. Deluded, I tell you, deluded.

Negative Ghost-Rider... the pattern is full

Due to the pure awesomeness of the weather here in London this week I have begun the summer search for the perfect sunglasses. Quite similar to the winter coat hunt really, considering it becomes quite a high use seasonal item you really do have to be super happy with your choice, bearing in mind that in 6 months you will detest the item due to its everyday requirement and general over use.

I believe eye wear choice can tell you a lot about a person. Glasses belong in the same category as belts, wallets and shoes, a quick glance south of the shins and I can generally pin personality type, job description and post code – so much for living in a classless society.

There are 2 categories of sunglasses:
1) Cheap, on trend, breakable and easy to replace
2) Prescription ergo expensive ergo break your heart when you sit on them

I unfortunately belong to the latter of the 2 groups and therefore spend a good month (generally May) contemplating size, shape, colour (lens & frame) and price. I’m not fussy when it comes to label however tend to shy away from massive D&G style branding & sparkle on the arms. Eeek.

Due to my prescription requirement I’m limited when it comes to frame and style. The outer rim must be strong and the manufacturing sturdy to hold the thicker than usual lens and the shape can not be too rounded or “wrapped” or my optometrist will refuse to fit the lens. This unfortunately was my problem in the summer of 2007 leaving me with my tortoise shell, over sized, pre baby, Nicole Richie themed sunglasses. The Rachel Zoe days were so yesterday.

I’m just dying (how very dramatic & not at all accurate) to find the perfect pair of aviators (aren't we all?) and was advised yesterday that the best place to find them is in the kids range of Ray Ban. Apparently they are smaller, catering for children’s faces and sturdier catering for children’s clumsiness – perfect. Only problem is aviators are impossible to fit prescription lenses to (rim too thin and shape too tricky) – not so perfect, considering I’d prefer to see the approaching bus, giving me time to step out of its way before it actually hits me.

Yesterday saw me donning my mates vintage R.B aviators circa 1987, complete with warranty and classic old school case, love love love them, the only problem being I can’t see a bloody thing when I wear them – quite a big problem really. I could opt for contact lenses all in the name of fashion but tend to get a severe case of ‘red eye’ after a few hours of wear, prompting parental questions such as “are you smoking pot?” “should we be worried about you Francis?” – also quite a problem. I could simply let the aviator dream go and continue the search for the perfect summer accessory; however, its just such a drag, try on, take off, try on, take off etc etc and so forth…..

Maybe I’ll take a gamble and buy online this year, it’s a risky purchase considering glasses are such a personal statement but considering the sun seems to only make guest appearances here in the UK, a bad, expensive sunglass purchase has nothing on wearing an unfortunate non returnable winter coat for 7 long, cold months.

Hot off the bakerloo line

In keeping with my "everyday london discoveries" byline (is that what its called?) I discovered a 5 pound discount in the LondonLite this afternoon. I was; however, slightly disappointed that the small print disclosed that the discount was for menswear only but with current trends screaming boyfriend blazers, boyfriend trousers, boyfriend blar blar blar* why not let your fingers do the walking and log onto asos enter LITE08 as the discount code at checkout and until 4pm tomorrow 5 pounds off applies to all menswear orders placed over 50 quid.

If you don't fancy a boyfriend blazer for yourself why not splash out on your very hip and cool dad or your 'needs a stylist real bad' brother, spoil your best male mate or the hot guy you fancy from accounts (so cliche) but have never had courage to talk too - actually that may be a bit weird.

Just thought I would share today's London discovery and spread the online retail joy that is asos.com.

* p.s.what happens if you're feeling a little down and out because you currently don't have a boyfriend? I bet the copy writers down at arcadia group don't give a flying saucepan about that do they? Insensitive really.

Let there be sun

Mother Nature (aka Nasty Pastie) is telling me that it's going to be 19 degrees on Saturday.

I therefore plan on looking like this

If it's not 19 degrees and I therefore don't look like this, Mother Nature and I will no longer have any type of relationship. We will officially fall out. It will be over. Period.

Seek & you will find

Before I moved to London I didn't really ever have the need for a coat let alone spent any time considering coat specifics i.e. winter coat, spring coat, summer coat, in between coat, evening coat, water proof coat, easy to travel with/all seasons coat............... this is the stuff that migraines are made of I tell you.

Now that the London sun seems to be making a genuine effort to stick around longer than 5 minute intervals I have begun to think about the all important wardrobe essential known to us locals as 'The Transition Coat'. This indispensable piece of outerwear is required in between the very unpredictable seasons we experience here in Greater Britain.

The safe option is always the standard beige trench (safe, smart but also done) so in keeping with the Military/Nautical theme that I and the rest of London seemed to be a channelling of late I’m looking for the perfect Spring Pea Coat. Over the years I have purchased so many ‘just not right’ transition coats so SS08 will see me holding off until the prefect one makes itself available to me.

The fabric and colour are the most important elements when on the hunt for this seasonal specific item. I’m looking for a heavy drill, not too heavy as to encourage heat but not too light that it creases as soon I hit the underground. I’m thinking a nice Royal Blue over the popular Navy shade – just to shake it up (crazy I know) as Winter saw me donning quite a bit of Navy, ode to my sailor obsession.

The lovely Rhianna of Liebemarlene teased me with my dream pea coat a few weeks back, I was hoping and praying she would put it in her Ebay store, alas, she kept it for herself (a somewhat selfish but wise fashion decision on her behalf). The always over rated Alexa Chung also sported a sweet coat at the launch for The Elle Style Awards a couple of months back and then there are the Moschino “I can only dream” about coats, however, since they are RTW AW08-09 they seem to be a little heavy on the fabric & embellishment front. Note: the frills & bows - be still my beating heart.

I’m convincing myself patience is a virtue with this purchase I just hope the ever elusive transition season stays around long enough for me to seek, find and wear. Here’s hoping.

Just for the smell of it

Last night I wandered past Hoss on Regent Street, a very sweet, pretty, high street chain (one of two) I had no intention of purchasing but the smell of the store was just too hard to fight. From the dirty, polluted street path of Oxford Circus I was drawn in by the sweet aroma of what I can only describe as raspberries, cream and marshmallows. The combination of this yummy smell, the pretty display of art deco mirrors and the super lovely assistants who wore ribbons in their hair were just too much to resist on what was a glorious Thursday Spring evening.

All of a sudden, out of no where I was immediately overcome with an uncontrollable consumeristic (did I just make that word up?) urge, I just had to buy something, anything, what could I get my hands on? what could i have? I needed to take a piece of this loveliness home with me. I then spied a super cute navy and coral spotted cricket jumper, it was the deal breaker. It was surrounded by an array of what seemed like hundreds of other spotted combinations - racing red and yellow, grape and bottle green, dusty pink and chocolate it was just so beautiful and somewhat French - I was super chuffed with my find.

Although, when I returned home with my new purchase it all seemed to change, the jumper sucked, it was boring, nothing special and kind of plain - why? Maybe because its new home didn’t smell like raspberries, maybe because my room is kind of dusty, my wardrobe old (and only has 3 sides) my carpet an off shade of mustard and my duvet due for dry cleaning - cue ‘I hate London standards of living’ moment.

I got to thinking, why do items always seem more alluring in the shop? What is it about the retail environment that enhances our senses, draws us in, makes our hearts beat faster and injects us with the "I have to have it or I'll die serum”? Is it the trick lighting? The skinny mirrors? The often loud, terribly hip background music? or does the item simply look nicer when it is complemented by its mates? Or maybe its like dating - the thrill of the chase, once we have it in our hot little hands we lose interest and don’t want it anymore.

Needless to say the spotty cricket jumper is returning to its original home, where it belongs and where it will be happy amongst all the other spotty cricket jumpers - thank goodness return policies exist and our statutory rights are not being affected.

The Commute

The commute can be a killer in this city, there's no way of beating it so you may as well just join it, as a result London Transport and I seem to have become quite good friends over the past couple of years. At one point I was so desperate to earn more pounds to buy more shoes that I took a job that required a tube an over land train and 3 buses, quite extreme I know. Although some Londoners consider gym shoes appropriate commuting foot attire (Oh Dear God - Don't Do It!) I choose to stylishly sashay the streets of London in an array of pretty and super practical ballet flats. I keep all my heels under my desk (much to the amusement of my male colleagues) and elegantly slip the 'bus flats' off and stand a good 4 inches taller for the 8 hour working day. Works for me.

This little collection of ‘bus flats’ makes my heart pitter patter and all can be found on your desk top at the wonderful wonderland that is Net-A-Porter.....

Go on click your way to comfort and style and NEVER wear gym shoes out of the gym. Period.

Does this come in Emerald Green?

Flatting in London is tough. Space is limited, hot water runs out (in winter), lights short circuit, doors fall off their hinges and land lords seriously suck. I currently live in the basement flat (which may have been the servant’s quarters in the yesteryear) of a lovely 1956 Mansion block. I live with 2 uber stylish Aussie girls in a terribly posh suburb of West London. Our flat is small, dark, underground, televisionless, sometimes damp & chilly but terribly hip. We love it and it’s kind of cheap- for London standards anyway.

Tink who has been a friend for more than 10 years lives in Bedroom Number 1 with yours truly residing in number 2 and Chloe in the quieter of the 3 rooms. Tink recently returned from yet another trip home to Australia to visit her lovely (also Australian) boyfriend – on her arrival back to London Town her suitcase seemed to burst in some kind of volcanic manner with all the colours of the rainbow. With an obvious summer frame of mind (wishful thinking) Tink went into over drive purchasing stacks of florals and sunny weather inspired prints. Her room seemed a sea of canary yellow, beautiful fuchsia pinks, the brightest of reds and lots of lots of yummy sorbet coloured greens.

Her closet looks so gorgeous now it’s all hung and somewhat organised, it reminds me of one of those quaint vintage stores that display all their clothes in actual bedroom furniture; however, Tink favours high end labels over the much loved, dusty, second hand garments that grace my coat hangers.

I've diagnosed Tink with a syndrome I like to call “Does this come in other colours?” you may be familiar with this condition and may even suffer from it yourself, an example of this follows:

When a pair of cute sandals recently presented themselves on an overseas holiday Tink initially picked them up in a lemony patent colour (perfect for Spring), however, also fancied the same shoe in electric blue, she simply, no questions asked, no reservations, parted with the cash for both pairs.

This has become quite a pattern for Tink and something that may need to be addressed when considering saving for ones future nest egg. Recently she returned from a spree at Charles and Keith at Singapore airport with a preppy pair of black patent Mary Jane’s with the cutest cream coloured piping, only to then stumble across the exact same pair in the reverse; cream with black piping – “I’ll have both thanks” a definite victim of the “DTCIOC” syndrome.

Tink has come from a long line of stylish women with a Nanny who hands down her antique diamonds and vintage Oroton glow mesh purses and a mother who wears full skirts with tulle petticoats and favours classic labels like Covers and Harry Who (huge hit with fashion savvy Australian Mothers). I think if reincarnation really did exist I would come back as the 4th generation Tink (A-Bell) Heiress – what a stylish life I would lead…... and I'd have 2 of everything.

The Boys Line Up

I seem to be gathering quite a high contingent of male readers - who would have thought?

A theme that seems to be popping up often is "Where can we go in London for Vintage one off items?" I have a few haunts up my sleeve, however, I wanted to open the poll and see if any of my ridiculously fashionable audience have any secret vintage/second hand spots they could throw my way?

Drop me a comment below or send me an email and I'll put together a top 5 list.

Reading in the bath

The boyfriend buys me books, lots of very cool, pretty covered, fashion related books. They are usually a surprise and he tends to present me with this fashionable reading material on Friday evenings when we meet for our after work cocktail ritual in the ever lovely Covent Garden.

My favourite was this gorgeous Vintage Fashion coffee table book - it talks about collecting and wearing and runs from the "Belle Epoque" 1900's - through to the unfortunate 1980's. My favourite part is the list in the back of the book, the author has compiled a who's who of vintage fashion museums and collections all over the world. Very Handy.

And this lovely pocket sized copy of The Fashion Book, it is so cute and in alphabetical order lists all the greats from designers to models to photographers and editors alike. The cover is a little wrinkled/water damaged because I read it cover to cover in the tub. Gael is very sweet and the most personal touch was where he drew an asterisk under the G section and added me as “Society Fashionista”. Very Cute. *

* Note the use of my real name - keep it under your Beret.

………and most recently when I mentioned that I wanted to “market” my blog a little more, I received this:

Interesting...

Easy Rider

Considering I conjured up a top 5 "Best Leather Jacket Wearing/Purchasing/Caring Rules" list (try saying that after 3 French Martinis) I figured it only appropriate I adhere to them.

This evening for dinner with the boyfriend (Tapas, Sangria and Spanish Lessons) I coordinated my beige, thrifted leather jacket over a very pretty, black, cotton, lace dress. Leather counteracting Lace - I think it worked. Let me know what your thoughts.

Feliz fin de semana!!!

You're The One That I Want

The leather jacket can be tricky. The “what’s hot” trend, cut & style changes almost monthly and don’t even get me started on colour; Black too biker? Brown too common? Blue/Pink/Green too 1982?

It’s a tough look to pull off and needs to always be balanced appropriately or one runs the risk of giving out the “I just arrived on the back of my dirty, bearded, foul mouthed boyfriends Harley”. Unless this is the look you are after (each to their own) I’ve put together a kind of “How to.......” list:

Mud Rules For Successful Leather Jacket Wearing

1) Try to limit other leather items to shoes (less is more) and handbags only – not sure the Oliver Newton John leather trousers from her Sandra Dee days will work with your new leather jacket, oversized leather clutch and knee high leather boots. Screams OTT!

2) If purchasing a brand new and therefore pricy leather jacket be sure to choose carefully – go for a classic (some may say safe or even boring) style and colour (i.e. Chocolate Brown Blazer) rather than splashing half your pay packet on the cut and shade of the moment. On the other hand If you find the perfect ‘bomber’ for a £10er at Portobello Road go for it, if bombers are out next week you can easily recover.

3) If you must have a black biker leather, balance the look with a soft dress underneath. Choose frills, lace, pastels or florals to counteract the toughness a biker brings to an outfit.

4) If possible purchase leather abroad – some of the best leather comes out of South America especially Argentina. My recommendation is to never skimp on the manufacturing cost, this means buy in a cheap country but go for the most expensive one there. If you are traveling on the pound all the better.

5) Always spray your jacket with leather protector – people tend to think protector spray is for footwear only, I use it on all leather handbags and jackets. Especially here in London with the emotional weather we seem to have to deal with daily.

Happy Leather Jacket Wearing.