Déjà vu

After wearing the black one yesterday, I thought I'd bring out the white version of this top. Its the same top, and the same sihouette created from my skirt, but quite a different look from yesterdays version. Its a shame the lace is cut so low, as much of my bra is seen, and it sort of spoils the bottom of the lace section. Oh but I just had a brainwave....how about layering a coloured vest underneath the lace section...? I'll have to give it a go later. I checked the blog archives and found that I haven't worn my green fringe jacket for over a month, oh the shame! It occurred to me the other day that the reason I don't wear it much is because of its gold buttons (which I added myself). I have mentioned before how pedantic I am when it comes to mixing metals, so when wearing a 'silver' outfit (as in silver jewellery/hardwear on my belts, shoes, bags etc), I just would not be able to bring myself to wear the jacket, with its gold buttons. So I removed the gold buttons, replaced them with the original green ones, and now I am free to wear it with whichever metal I damn well choose! Today being a dry day I also took the opportunity to give these suede shoes another shot. I wasn't totally happy with the first outfit I put together with them (admittedly, I was just desperate to take them out asap, without much thought to the outfit). I'll be trying them with trousers next. 

Coat (Therapy), leather gloves (M&S), vintage belt, bag (Lulu Guinness), shoes (Miu Miu), blazer (John Lewis), top (Miss Selfridge), skirt (American Apparel).  

Tiny little pressed flowers in my earrings, they'd go well with this dress of mine. 

Fringe Benefits

There's something great about wearing fringed things. The movement makes you swing about like an idiot (well, me at least). Wearing my fringe dress may have been a bit fancy for the day time, so I restricted myself to just fringing up top. This top is rather longer than the photos show, in fact most of it is hidden, but I like to belt it and have some fringey bits hanging over the belt and cinched waist. The velvet skirt adds another texture to the outfit, something I rarely think about in an outift, as I'm more of a pattern girl than a texture girl. The handbag is one I lusted after for a while, and when I finally got it I never used it much. I think the colours restrict the number of outfits I can wear it with, but I do love it. The shape is so ladylike, and the inside is a gorgeous red. It did just occur to me that the reverse side of it is plain black, so maybe I could get away with carrying it the wrong way round with more outfits? No-one would ever know! (execpt maybe you guys reading this)...so yeah thats it, not a lot to say today...oh maybe I'll just mention one of the necklaces. The longer one with dangly bits is from the V&A, based on a piece in their collection. I forget what era/cultural reference it is based on, but I like it because it looks like mini Faberge eggs hanging down from it, a little Russian reference I immediately jumped on.  

Black vintage jacket, antique lace shawl, shoe boots (KG), handbag (Lulu Guinness), red pom pom gloves (Jarrolds), vintage velvet skirt, vintage belt, fringe top (H&M), roll-neck (H&M).  

Reclaiming the Bow Tie

Bows are nice. Bows are also girly. Little girls and grown up girls alike have been adorning their hair, shoes, bags and clothes with bows for yonks. Gentlemen on the other hand typically only adorn their necks with bows, on formal occasions (and, depending on their dandyness, not-so-formal occasions too). The bow tie, however, is a male orientated accessory, despite being girly in form. So why let the boys have all the fun?! They look good on girls too! Above, we see Ruby Keeler, Ginger Rogers and Bebe Daniels incorporating a bow tie into their outfits, damn they look cute! The screen shots are all from 42nd Street, a film worth seeing for the costumes alone. Below are examples of bow ties in womens fashion, from the Armani Privé a/w couture show. Here the bow is exaggerated into extreme proportions. It's a bit too much for me, so I'll stick to the more traditional size...

Above images from style.com

I layered a sheer shirt over my stripy shirt, as I wanted some colour in the outfit and like the effect it creates over the stripes. I also added a double breasted waistcoat, despite my concerns about looking like a Las Vegas waitress or too costumey. I thought about wearing some brogues, but it seemed a bit too obvious to me, the masculine influences in my outfit can only go so far. So I opted for my buckled shoes instead, which I love, as they remind of something a New Romantic or Siouxsie Sioux would have worn in the 80's. Finally, I added a fun handbag, cause thats what wearing bows is all about, a bit of fun!

Black coat (Mango), leather gloves (Oasis), handbag (Lulu Guinness), shoes (Office), blazer (John Lewis), waistcoat (New Look), striped shirt (Zara), blue sheer shirt (charity shop), skirt (Topshop), bow tie (ask my dad).