I think most people now applaude Zooey Deschanel's style choices (I've never seen a name spelt quite like it though!). I love how quirky she is...all while keeping up with trends. The short, red dress is stunning, especially with the gorgeous, oversized bow. She even manages to add a quirky touch to the traditional, Grecian dress with a beautiful disc belt and matching bag. The ribbed, patterned, teal tights make a pretty summer dress into an cute, night-time outfit. Keep it quirky Zooooooey!
I love these shoes by Office. The colours are amazing and the style is sooo original...they shall be mine! I'm a little unsure of how I would wear them - the elastic, flip back would rule out opaque tights...I think. As soon as I saw this look I thought of Rachel Bilson - she shows how these colours should be worn - a beautiful, polished look.
I love the new campaign for French Connection Spring/Summer 2007. They have a great selection of tunic tops and dresses and I adore the styling of the website photographs - they seem to have moved away from the F.C.U.K. controversy of the last few years and created a much more stylised look.
I'm sure Topshop could make a bin-bag look stylish! The gorgeous showcase of their styles above shows the diversity of their products. I've sent for the items below and they should arrive tomorrow (you can see the smock, tie-top jacket in a previous post). I'm not sure if I'll keep all the items but return postage is free - so shopping with Topshop could reduce your shopping remorse! All 4 items would cost me £200 - which seems very reasonable for 2 jackets, 1 coat and 1 tunic-top - especially when you consider my dilema over the Bi La Li jacket. I'll let you know if I decide to keep them.
American Apparel have published this fantastic style grid. Every style available from their online store can be navigated to easily using this grid on their homepage. Click on a square - a small picture will pop up - you can then go to the product. I've posted about the fab featured styles section before and once again they've produced a tool that optimises the potential of their simple, yet stylish, wardrobe basics. Try the grid - I'm sure you'll love it.
I love Urban Outfitters! They've taken quirky kitsch to the High Street while still making it affordable. I don't really "do" high heels - they're special occasion shoes for me - so flats are my daily staple in footwear. I love the great selection of flats Urban Outfitters have on offer on their U.S. site - hopefully the U.K. site will catch up on stock soon. Heels take me to 6ft 2 - so if you're like me and feel a little self conscious (not to mention nervous) at such a height - check out these great flats.
Comptoir des Cotonniers is a great French store. Their clothes are beautifully cut and have stylish, yet simple lines. I love their current Spring/Summer add campaign "mères et filles" (mothers and daughters). It takes its inspiration from the female heroes of the 50s and 60s. Above you can see some of the stills/print adds from this collection - cast from sessions held throughout France. Clothes marketed across the generations - a piece of true advertising genius! It reminds me of an article I read on The Cool Hunter-
Grannies in designer denim, Gen Xs in the same skinny leg jeans as their toddlers. Welcome to the new era of fashion, where generations have collided and your real age has nothing to do with your fashion age.
This photograph from The Cool Hunter is a perfect illustration.
I don't have any information yet about this designer but I was completely drawn in by this website. Burfitt, and associate site Lovisa Burfitt showcase amazing clothes, photography and illustrations. I have emailed the designer to get some more information and will update you soon. All I know is that they are a Swedish company based in Paris. I love the illustration below by Lovisa - I feel the same way about Paris.
A.P.C. is a French run company with a great website. The photos above are taken from their Summer 2007 section and all clothing is available to buy form the store. I love the "Frenchness" of the looks - simple, cool...yet very chic.
I don't know what it is about Chloé - but they always seem to get it right. They produce original, quirky clothes that are still lusted after by all. I am a real fan of their ad campaigns - they add that extra touch of intrigue and glamour to every season.
I've posted about Le Train Bleu before but never really rated this jacket...until I actually saw someone wearing it...and it is now my number 1 most coveted item!! The Bi La Li Loose wrap jacket is available in red or cream and looks particularly fab with the collar turned up. I'm not sure the photos below do this coat justice. With shipping and currency conversion, the jacket comes to £295 - should I buy it?!?! I'll keep you posted.....
I couldn't write this blog without mentioning Topshop . They epitomise everything that is good about fashion - keeping up with all the trends and producing really affordable outfits. These photos are taken from their look-book section - the top two photos are from the "Breton" range, the lower photos from "San Francisco". The look-book shows how fashion forward the brand is - you can understand why Kate Moss has chosen to design for them. I particularly love the asymmetric, brown swing jacket and high-waisted trousers. Below are three tops that truly show how affordable and up-to-date Topshop is; each top is really simple and would look great with skinny jeans but....they all cost £12 or less and come in a huge range of colours!
Please, please check out the Office website - you'll find some of the most amazing, original shoes and boots on the internet. They have a very stylish website, with a great key looks section for each season. I'm drawn to these boots - despite their clumpy look. I think they'd look fab with a skirt and opaque tights. Check out their georgeous ankle boots section - one of the key looks for this season.
The one thing I love about winter time is getting to wear fabulous coats. I love the style of this Mackage Anabel Coat available from the U.S. store Le Train Bleu . The funnel collar is a great feature, as is the mix of fabrics and the scalloped front hem. I don't know why but I never feel comfortable in a coat without pockets, so these deep, mitten pockets truly finish off a great wardrobe staple. Shame it's $620 - but I think you could justify the cost if you divided it by the number of times you could potentially wear it (a classic girl equation!)
All Mighty Clothing is a U.S. based company that has come up with an ingenious idea - making clothes for pets and people! It sounds really cheesy (and very "I have a carry case for my dog - he comes everywhere with me you know!") but check out the website - it's really cool and kitsch.
Why, why, why is Chloe soooo expensive! I adore this clutch bag, available from Net-a-Porter , but at £449 I don't think I'll ever own one.....but I can still covet it from afar! I love how chunky this bag looks from the side and the leather looks blissfully soft. The bow detail in gold just adds a perfect, fashion finishing touch.
Please, please check out this store . British duo Alison Roberts & Antoni Burakowski met at St. Martins School of Art twenty years ago and have worked together ever since. They have created a fab, kitsch online store, with very original items. Above are screen shots from the shop and below are two of my favourite products. I love this Marie Antoinette inspired purse - I'm a huge fan of all thing "Marie", especially overstated glamour of the former French aristocracy (my boyfriend proposed at Marie Antoinette's House in Versailles, so there's extra sentimental meaning!). I adore the deer skirt, although I'm not sure how I would wear such a bold fashion piece. Please let me know what you think of the store.
In my eyes Drew Barrymore is very under-estimated in the style stakes. Here she shows a true diversity of style, all while wearing the same colour, black. Her use of accessories is simple, yet inventive - I love the chunky bracelets and amazing clutch bags. My favourite look is the Calvin Klein picture (below left) - a sophisticated, yet simple outfit, with hair up - her flawless make-up completing a very finished, polished look.
Just like the SEE by Chloe range, Paul & Joe have bought out their own, lower price Paul & Joe Sister collection. It's encouraging to see designers producing more affordable clothes and I'm glad to see that this range retains Paul & Joe's quirky, simple style. I'm a big fan of the wallpaper on the left - they way the flamingos match the skirt and boot cuffs - such attention to detail in the styling! Below is a great pintuck shirt, on sale at Urban Outfitters. I love the fab, floral pattern and rounded collar.
Emily Trotter, the designer of Lie Down I Think I Think I Love You bags, sent me a really kind email today. Here are some photos of her future boutique range of bags and I have to say they look fab! Once again Emily's originality shines through - I just love how the bags look so vintage yet so "now". Emily also sent me a little press release blurb about her company:
Lie down I think I love you designed by Emily Trotter.This mission statement makes me want to buy her bags even more (if that's possible!),
A backlash to the current ubiquitous mass produced product formed the desire to create accessories which value longevity and individuality over the disposable.
A love of all things vintage has a nostalgic influence on the brand. Each season a ‘make do and mend element’ is worked into the collection. This season is marked by the use of a different vintage self scarf incorporated into the body of the bag. A timeless quality created by croc prints, cream pony and waxed leathers in greens, browns and burnished metallics.
Sourcing leathers and fabrics from local companies, using local craftsmen, creates a ‘made in London’ ethos that is something to be proud of.
This season launches the lie down I think I love you boutique collection. A smaller more exclusive range, which updates colours though-out the season in limited edition runs.
I mentioned SEE by Chloe earlier and here is one of their fab print dresses/tops. I chose to post this after seeing the first image on Urban Outfitters - I just love the styling of the whole outfit! The model, the hair, the slight turn-up on the skinny jeans. Everything about it is just cool! This shows how styling can sell an outfit. In the photo on the right, it looks like a nice top - but on the model, I think it looks spectacular.The bib detail on the top is really quirky, making it a key piece. Also available from Browns .
You can always rely on Miss Selfridge to keep up with the trends and produce pieces at very affordable prices. I am really looking forward to when their spring/summer trends hit their online store . I love this boho, floaty, floor length dress - part of their festival chic range. Keep an eye on the website, you won't be disappointed.
I only discovered this designer a few weeks ago. She has a fantastic accessories website with really quirky, individual pieces. The two bird necklaces above remind me of the sort of trinkets that my grandmother collects and have a truly vintage look. Retailing at £40 they would bring originality to any outfit.
I'm loving the new retro vibe for Chloe's summer 2007 collection. I particularly love the use of huge, floppy bows and peter pan style, rounded collars. I think the contrast between the voluminous sleeves and tight cuffs is extremely flattering. This collection, by Paulo Melim Andersson (previously at Marni) was not loved by all - especially die hard Phoebe Philo fans - but I truly love the direction the label is going in. I could never afford an authentic Chloe piece but am grateful for the lower priced SEE by Chloe range. Check out the Chloe Boutique at Net-a-Porter .
This london-based label launched in Autumn 2006 and sell exclusively at Kurt Geiger . I love their vibrant colour mixes and quirky, eye-catching details. My particular favourite is the grey court shoe above (although I'm still debating whether or not to get the tan!). I think they'd look amazing with some fab opaque tights and a shift dress. They retail at £95, which I think is a pretty good price for such an original shoe. Check out some more great shoes from their range below.
Paul & Joe make some beautifully tailored clothes and until recently I was unaware of their beauty range . I spotted this fab make-up bag on HQhair . I just love this quirky, floral design - it reminds me of retro wallpaper. You can also download some very original, retro, desktop wallpapers from the Paul & Joe beauty site .
I've been debating whether or not to include photos of celebrity's...(is it cheesy, naff??) but I really think that Rachel Bilson is a true future style icon. When the O.C. first started everyone touted Mischa Barton as the real fashionista but I think Rachel has a truly unique style. I particularly love the very simple grey dress with the highlighting detail of the red belt (I think she even manages to pull off the white stilettos!). Even the oversized, horizontal striped coat (a fashion no-no for many) looks amazing on her. I love her "boho" casual style - especially her t-shirt above- an hommage to Kate Moss?
Tatty Devine is an amazing company, based in Brick Lane London with several stores across the city plus this fab online store . There are many key pieces that they are famous for, particularly their plectrum range featured below. I really love this these trapeze and swallow necklaces and treated myself to the swallow necklace this Christmas. If you get a chance, check out their website - you're guaranteed to find a truly unique item.
American Apparel
now has a British store and offers a fantasic feature. Go to their site and then to "Featured Styles". They take one of their basic pieces and show you several ways to wear it - fab idea!! (for both the men and the ladies)
This is an amazing grey clutch bag by "Lie Down I Think I Love You" (Fab name!) their website - Lie Down I Think I Love You - is still under construction but this bag is currently available from - ASOS and retails at £98. I love the beautiful, vintage scarf - incorporating it as part of the bag itself is such an original idea. Below is a larger bag offered by the designer.
For a change, this is one I could afford..but is out of stock! It was uploaded to the Topshop site this Thursday morning and was "unavailable". By the time I got home from work it had gone on sale and had already sold out! I love this very retro, vintage looking dress and will be checking back at Topshop to see if they re-stock it.
Here's the first bit of random fashion coolness I could never afford. Such an amazing jacket, great structure - just one drawback - Topshop will probably design an identical item and sell it for £40 (a far cry from Stella's £495 price tag!). If you are feeling very flush, the jacket is available from Net-a-Porter . If you are like me, pray that Topshop takes note and brings their version out a.s.a.p.!
