Orange Blush

British summertime is notoriously temperamental, so a cover-up of some sort is handy. I've been wearing this robe so much, as it is lightweight, dressy, and goes with most things in my wardrobe. The black and soft-pink brocade features a Japanese garden scene, with pagoda, bridge, birds, trees and a fan-wielding geisha. It hopefully avoids the gaudy tropes of tourist-market Orientalism...? Worn over a silk blouse that is caped, so extra aeration to the back is provided... you know, for when the sun comes out. The orange/blush colour-block shoes were a purchase on a whim; I bought them whilst wearing this outfit and they just happened to complement the blouse and robe perfectly. Note to self, silk creases like a bitch.

Vintage robe, Math Collective blouse, Issey Miyake Pleats Please trousers, Vanessa Wu shoes, ASOS bag, antique belt and vintage jewellery. 

Surreal, melting hand brooch will always be a favourite of mine. It has a cuff and ring detail; I like the idea of my jewellery wearing jewellery. 

Medieval Military

I bought this bodice a couple of years ago and despite being wool, on the few occasions I've worn it, I've opted to dress it up as evening-wear. It's from the 1970s and according to the seller came with matching high-waisted flares that attached to the bodice via the hook and eyes that line its hem (I wasn't too disappointed to hear that these were disintegrated beyond repair and disposed of by the seller). Bit of an odd choice for me; I'm not hugely fond of the 70s, the faded sage green colour isn't exactly prevalent in my wardrobe, and the structure is pretty rigid and shoulder-enhancing. But... I loved the beaded, medieval crest, and I have super narrow shoulders so welcomed the idea of a bit of balance to my hips. I'd just seen the Marc Jacobs SS15 show when I bought this, which fused femininity, sage green, military details and jet black hair to surprisingly pleasing effect, and obviously urged me to buy something slightly different for me (but not actual Marc Jacobs, sorry Marc). 

Vintage bodice and bag, Lanvin shoes, ASOS skirt, self-made belt.

The Lanvin shoes I first spotted way-back in 2009, and thanks to persistent ebaying, I managed to make them mine two or three years ago, brand new, and for a very good price. Never give up!  

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And dressed down with a white turtleneck (which oddly adds a sci-fi/jockey vibe to the already confusing mixture of medieval/military)

Vestment

I bought this baroque beaded vest a couple of summers ago, and usually wear it open with a crop top. But during the colder months, I realised I could get away with belting it and wearing it as a dress; I think this probably makes is less boho and lends a more refined edge, more in tune with my style. I believe it's from the late 60's, the longer length and ornate pattern touching on hippy style but retaining some tailored structure. Worn here with a white turtleneck (I lived in this all winter), topped off with an Edwardian paste star brooch. I wanted to add some patent accessories, opting for a decidedly retro hat-box bag by Liberty of London, and the shiniest and pointiest of shoes. It's a weirdly 1960s tinged, monochromatic-mod look for me, no?  

Vintage vest, H&M turtleneck, Liberty of London bag, Signature shoes. 

Patent shoes when they were box-fresh and dangerously pointy

Strawberry Suffragette

I wore this scarf far too much this past winter. Featuring probably the best print ever created - William Morris's 'Strawberry Thief' - and overlaid with a feminist statement proclaiming SUFFRAGETTE, I adore the print (obviously), the message, and the colourway of sage green, khaki green, and burnt orange. The earthy tones of a 1920's tooled leather bag, and tortoiseshell shoes (which have hardly left my feet recently) complete the look.   

Vintage coat, ASOS shoes, vintage bag, Marc x Marc Jacobs scarf, ASOS  trousers. 

Black and Blue

Nearly two years ago I saw raven-haired actress Olga Kurylenko in a powder blue Pucci dress and fell in love with what I saw. She looked stunning with her black hair contrasting against the palest of blue, sparking  within me a slight obsession with the combination. 

I'm yet to find my perfect powder blue dress but I have a lovely fur stole in said colour which I cannot wait to start wearing when the temperatures drop. Whilst the weather is still mild I've been rather attached to this laser-cut Bolongaro Trevor blouse in a lovely pale, almost slate, blue. The intricate cut-outs are pretty amazing and the front ruffle reminds me of those dodgy shirts men wore to prom/disco/weddings in the 1970's. Pops of true red really complement pale blue, something seen throughout the Temperley SS13 collection and those of Valentino and Erdem too (see below). The black and white lace up sandals are another summer obsession of mine. I so wish I'd bought them in silver too. In my next post I'll show you how I styled this blouse for a wedding outfit...coming up soon!

(silly face, sorry)

Blouse (Bolongaro Trevor), trousers (H&M), shoes (SixtySeven)

Olga Kurylenko in Pucci/ Elie Saab Couture SS 2013/ Street style from Elle.com 

Temperley SS 2013

Erdem Fall 2014 and Fall 2010

Valentino SS 2012

Guinevere Van Seenus by Steven Meisel, Vogue Italia January 08