Think anyone will notice...?

Men in London tend to fit into two categories: business men, or the young student type. The second category gets away with wearing whatever they want. But, business men normally follow a certain set of rules... you know: suits, shiny shoes, briefcases, metal watches, cuff links.

Normally. But not today. When I noticed the shiny rubber crocs in front of me waiting for their morning coffee I was surprised to see that they were on the feet of a well dressed grey pinstripe suit. That's odd, I thought. I wonder if he'll get away with that in the office?

I don't know if he was lucky enough to make it through his whole day in his plastic gardening shoes or not, but I do know that I understand wanting to wear socially unacceptable things in public every now and again.

If I had my way I would keep my snowflake flannel pjs on all day!

And I know my mom has been known to wear her slippers out in public (although that is not entirely premeditated). But, every now and again you need little comforts to make it through the day... even if that comes in the tiny form of wearing crocs with your business suit on a Thursday morning (sometimes the weekend just can't come around quick enough, right?).

So, what would you wear if you had your way?

Err, cute little girl...?

I just can't help but feel a bit at odds with this picture.

Aren't pink bows meant to be placed on the heads of cute little five year olds girls...?

Mono-colour...

I'm just curious... at what age does one decide dressing entirely in one colour is a good idea?

I know it can be a good idea, but it's not a good idea in this instance.

Even the shoes are maroon... surely that is a bit overboard?

I just can't help but wonder if her entire wardrobe is full of hangers that have jackets and trousers in identical colours (green, navy, maroon, lavender, yellow...) with matching loafers underneath? If so that surely would be a sight to see. If there were a matching underwear drawer it would be even better!

The 'leg warmer' look...

Neutral and toned down with fringed boots and a sweater dress.

Full on eighties neon.

The Verdict

I don't really get the whole 'leg warmers' look. I get the whole eighties revival... grunge, leather, denim, all Alice Delal-esque and Alexander Wang 'model-off-duty'. It's cool.

Leg warmers though? They aren't practical. They aren't flattering. They make your leg look like it's cut into little multi-coloured segments. Long socks are cool, they can poke out from under your boots, that's fine. But, putting some ridiculous bit of tubing around the bottom half of your calf is just pointless, and ugly.

Redemption?

Unless your a ballerina - bin them.

Lady in red (shoes)...

I saw this lady from across the road.

'Wowza,' I thought, 'those are some seriously red shoes.'

Where is she going in those red shoes? She looks pretty conservatively dressed from the ankles up, she even has a little brown leather bag. Maybe she didn't realize she put on those shoes this morning? What kind of job do you work at in the city of Westminster that lets you wear red patent platform heels? And on a Thursday morning? I'm still a bit perplexed by this woman's red shoes, and I'm still a bit curious where she is off to at 9am in such a pair of shoes...

the september issue...

I know I am a bit late on the whole 'September Issue' craze. I finally got around to watching it tonight, and really liked it. It's slightly painful at times - that grimace that seems to be almost permanently strewn across the 'popes' face. Nevertheless, Anna Wintour is hilarious and truly entertaining to watch. I love that she is described as not being accessible to people she doesn't need to be accessible to. It's really interesting to watch her talk about how her siblings are all involved in jobs that are more 'meaningful' than her own, and to see her daughter who refuses to be involved in the self-absorbed world of fashion and rather wants to be a lawyer (even though in one scene she is sat next to Karl Lagerfeld laughing and looking at jackets... best of both worlds, eh love?).

Grace Coddington has been heralded as the true talent behind the magazine since the movies release. She really is amazing. Lovely to watch. She's entirely different on camera than Anna. She seems to stop and sink in her surroundings, saying that she doesn't close her eyes in the car to make sure she doesn't miss any inspirational moments. Her photos are beautiful, and the pain she expresses in having her hard work whittled out of the magazine only to be replaced by celebrity images is touching. It makes me want to be more passionate about the endeavors I undertake.

My favourite moments in the film:

'My eyes are starving for beauty.' - Andre Leon Talley

'How can she think we're leaving these out?... That's the craziest thing I've heard' - Grace

44 minutes in: Grace walks by rails full of feathered garments that people are gawking over and coughs (signaling that even though feathers may be beautiful they aren't all that practical)

Anna telling the photographer that jumps in the shoot that he needs to go the gym

Grace telling him he doesn't & stopping them from airbrushing out his tummy

'It looks good on the rack...?'

I started getting and keeping American Vogue September issues in 2005. I somehow missed the 2009 edition. Apparently it was pretty low selling. But, nevertheless I only just realized I didn't get it the other day. I am a bit disappointed that I've got a gap in my collection.

Photographer whose belly Anna was unhappy about

American Vogue September 2007

I wish my tea breaks were a little more like this...

American Vogue September 2007

Compilation of Grace's modeling days

Photo courtesy of http://modelina.com

Perfect shoes...

I have fallen in love with these new Toms suede shoes.

If you haven't had a pair of these puppies, you really should, they are the comfiest little things. And, now they are making them in suede with fluffy warm lining?! I have been dreaming about such a thing - the comfort of my cotton ones but with the warmth that can see me through the Fall... they seriously read my mind! These are perfection.

And, how great are these? The 'Veronica Slouch' boot by Frye - I think they are also pretty perfect, and how useful? Oh, I would wear you everyday...

Alas, there are far too many beautiful things in the world and not nearly enough money for them all... I know it's only October but, Santa can you hear my cries?

Mis-matched and a little miserable...

The Verdict

Really? Really?

Guys, come on now. I feel like we need to go over some ground rules for ugg boots. Let me start by saying that I have them too - so I am not vehemently opposed to them. I love mine.

But, if its warm enough to have bare legs, then you don't need to wear ugg boots. Got it? Okay, enough now - I don't want to see this sin happening again.

Second, seriously what is up with that skirt? It looks like somebody took a bunch of napkins and sewed them together in some sort of ragged fashion.

And, lets top if off with a white fleece zip up... yah, because that will bring the look together.

Redemption

I really just see three options here:

1. Keep the fleece and stay at home on your sofa (if you have swine flu).

2. Keep the skirt but put on a fitted jumper/roll neck tucked in with some black tights and heels. That skirt is way too full for flats... you need some height, love. Alright, and you've got tiny little pins poking out there so lets make the most of them.

3. Keep the boots but tone down the rest of the outfit - like jeans and a jumper. I get wearing ugg boots as a transitional item (ie. from the bus to your work) - but honestly, if you are lugging around a whole other outfit (in this case a top/shoes) in your manky M&S black bag then its time to step it up... because this really isn't acceptable. How would she feel if she ran into her ex right about now?

As a side note - how dreary is this photo? It's all grey. And the poor thing is walking with her head down (maybe in search of pennies, i get it, it's the recession after all). But honestly, we should all take a bit more pride in ourselves and walk with our heads held high... I've been inspired by the new Joan Collins show about glamour (as cheesy as it may be) - we've got to up the antE ladies.

Labels...

The Verdict

Living in a town with two universities and lots of international/private schools you get a lot of international students, which add an infusion of much needed variety into the style and fashion of this city. Having said this, however, there are somethings I will never get: like why arab guys insist on wearing armani/gucci/designer craziness... in the form of rindstones, gold lame, and labels oozing off their oddly discoloured jeans.

So, I saw this guys on my way home from work - and he is a perfect example of the aforementioned poor dress sense.

I understand why you might wear a black puffy nylon down jacket and sports shorts if you had just come from the gym (and it was -10 outside). Unfortunately, I doubt this is the case here. The leather loafers and the Gucci baseball cap are just a hilarious combination by someone who is clearly trying (and failing) to look casually cool - why wear the Gucci hat if you weren't?

Basically - it's too random and too try hard.

Redemption?

Don't ever, ever, where a gucci baseball hat. I have never seen someone who looks cool or stylish wearing one. If you must wear a baseball hat, at least go for a traditional american sports team of some sort. If its actually cold wear some trousers, don't overcompensate with a giant coat. And finally don't pretend to "not make an effort" when choosing your outfit, when you blatantly and clearly care, a lot.

A bit of glamour...

I noticed this girl today at the train station. I thought she looked adorable.

The faux-leopard coat, bow in her hair, and white tights - who wears white tights over the age of five? I really thought she looked so sweet and almost like she was supplanted into the station from some other far more glamorous life.

I love how everything around her looks a bit chaotic and rushed -and she is just there, in her fabulous outfit holding her boy's hand.

Maybe I should get a leopard coat and add some glamour to my life...?

p.s. some people have mentioned to me that the coat looks cheap, but i don't think the cost of it matters here. she is young and looks happy with herself - i think the confidence to pull it off and not pairing it with something tacky helps it to work.

Matching...

Blue cardi, white shirt, black trousers... these two must have called each other and planned their outfits before leaving...

They didn't even notice they were matching, but I thought they looked pretty sweet next to each other waiting for the tube in identical outfits.

Lookin good grandma...

So this little granny looks a little silly, right?

Stella and Karl would have disagreed though:

Chanel Autumn/Winter 2007.

Stella McCartney Autumn/Winter 2007

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating the pink puppy dog jumper... but style inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places. And this really does show that high-fashion filters down...

It came...

The bag came in the Thursday delivery!

This is the one I got, but in a sort of forrest green colour. I thought the leather on the black looked a little shinny. The green one is more matte, which I think is nicer.

So, I'm very excited because I have my school bag drama sorted!

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice!

School bag drama...

So, I am in need of a new school bag. You see, it's complicated:

A backpack is probably the most practical. But how ugly, right? Also, this isn't America - people don't dress like they are going on a hiking trip in their day-to-day lives (you know what I mean, running shoes, cargo khakis, fleece... anything of the northface/l.l. bean variety). Hence the fact... as practical, durable, rain-proof, and easy on the back it may be - a backpack is just not acceptable.

These are the requirements: it needs to fit my laptop, it needs to fit over my shoulder with a coat on (therefore - no short straps), and it needs to be somewhat impenetrable by water (this is England you know, and I don't need to have all my papers soggy). These requirements rule out a whole host of bags... including all of the ones I currently own: either too big, too small, too awkward with a laptop, too short of strap, easy access to thefts on the tube... etc... etc.

The most obvious choice - that is also economically viable is this little baby:

It has a long strap, is water resistant, has a top zip, fits a laptop. It really ticks all the boxes. It also only costs 50 quid. The only problem is it looses seriously points on style and originality. I've already got two of these bags (sadly, in different sizes that don't work for this occasion). And, I've had one since I was 18... annnnd, seriously 1/5 girls of the university/school age has this bag. It's too overdone, and it's too widespread... and, it just feels wrong spending 50 quid on something I already have and don't even really want (regardless of how practical it may be or how much I love the ones I already have).

So, the next logical place to look might be a satchel bag. They are practical - they go across your body - they really are the quintessential school bag.

Satchel bags come in a whole host of varieties... there are a whole host of colours, styles and they range dramatically in price. For example, the little one pictured above retails at around 400 quid I think (but is on sale at Bicester Village if anyone is interested)... or you can pick a cloth one up for about a fiver.

The sad thing is they can be quite masculine and are so 'school'-y. Besides, a certain significant other already has the best Mulberry one on offer (the Barnaby) so anyone I get is just going to pale in comparison - and we sort of already dress like twins enough as it is. Anyway. So that rules out the conventional leather satchel.

So I had fallen in love with a certain Mulberry Shimmy.... like deeply in love. I thought it would be perfect. It fits a laptop, it has a long strap (in addition to a short one), it super cool looking and beautiful... it was pretty much a match made in heaven Or so I thought...

Something magical happened today. I went into an Alexander Mcqueen shop and I fell in love, yes, that's right, in love, with a new bag! I don't know what it's called, and I can't find it online...

I wasn't too sure about the fabric though. It was sort of patent leather and quite funky. But, apparently they are getting another delivery on Thursday and may, they just may, get it in other colours and in a more conventional leather.

Guys, this is very exciting news. Not only is it much cheaper than the shimmy but it fits all the criteria of my school bag! My long and strenuous bag search may be coming to an end...

I want to make sure I make the right decision though. I am on a new self-crusade to stop hoarding so much retail-psycho-shopping crap and just buy things I really love and will keep for a long time. So...

If you have any advice on a bag that might work for a school bag that I have overlooked, please let me know. Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed that my bag comes in the delivery on Thursday...

Spotted: Fancy Dress

I totally get fancy dress. It's okay to be a bit outlandish because you're dressing up.

White fishnets with white patent leather boots and a dress that is so short you can see your bum is not okay though.