A Hippy Hippy Shake

With festival season well on the way since Coachella, everything is about music and open-air fun, I decided to turn today's outfit into a relaxed spring festival look on a whim.

The only things to add now -if I were actually going out today- would be a Western style hat, and a bag, either one with endless fringes or, a mid-sized purple Cambridge Satchel.

Now, about the outfit... proud to say I have managed to feel like rock&roll and look like a hippie. Isn't that called glam rock? Whatever that is, let's not overthink it.

I'm so ready to kick dirt around, sit on the grass, have a picnic and a drink, and groove to some live music... so zen and chilled out that I don't even care who's playing. It's just another perfect afternoon.

Nude washed jeans: Mango, leather trainers: Converse All Star, leather belt: charity shop (brand Gemini Firenze) sunglasses: Toxic, bear keyring: C&A, embellished chiffon scarf: Accessorize

By the way, the blouse was probably hand made in the family, sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s. What's more, I have a fully matching (!) pleated (!!) midi (!!!) skirt I've got to show you someday this season. Will I have the nerve to ever wear that?

All items as before. Suede jacket: retro/vintage shop (brand Wonder Woman),

braided hairband: River Island

For this summer I have a couple of festival gigs pencilled in already, with heavy metal and gothic metal on the menu for now, so I will definitely let you know about my outfits.

Simply does it

The latest addition to my collection of dresses has been screaming non stop for an outing since I got it. Apparently, today was the day.

We spent the afternoon of my dearest's birthday wandering about town in the sunshine, visiting fave record stores, and grabbing a quick bite. We picked up a mountain of cakes (see far below) in the best confectionery, then headed back home with the loot.

What better way to celebrate a special date than with a bit of day glam? I skipped on the make-up and popped on the sunnies instead.

The photos don't do the dress justice, but the base colour is antique beige, with a triple stripe print in terracotta, mocha and navy, and the skirt has double pleats.

The dress is mostly 1940s inspired (a reminder of classic tea dresses and shirt dresses), with a touch of 1950s (when sleeveless was more common, but the skirt is definitely not as full), and I remember my aunties wearing similar midi-length ones in the early 1980s too.

Now, when wearing a statement dress, adding just about any jewellery is risky business, but if you have any good ideas in that department, let me know. A fine owl necklace maybe... next time.

Here's how I styled the dress today:

Belted dress: Pull & Bear, shoes: Faith, bag: Promod, sunglasses: Zara

1. SHOES: 1970S RETRO

I love retro and platform shoes, but haven't been very lucky to find really good ones out there for myself. These 1970s style beauties, however, are sort of perfect, in navy suede and leather, with chunky heels, so you I can tell they will be out and about a lot in the next few months. This time, I was sure I wanted platforms, but any fine wedge shoes or sandals will do the job.

Shoes: Faith

2. BAG: BOHO SHOPPER

Since today I needed stuff to carry around, I chose an embroidered shopper in navy, with choc brown braided leather handles for a bit of 1970s hippy chic, but classic or coloured satchels are the perfect alternative, especially in smaller sizes.

Shopper: Promod

3. COVER-UP: A FITTED CARDI

I put this camel cardi in the shopper for the way home, in another nod to the 1940s/1950s housewife feel of the dress. And why not? We have lived to see the time when it's OK to do double denim, so I say it should be just as fine to work double retro.

Dress and shoes, as before. Cardi: Mexx.

And now for the birthday feast!

Thou shalt clash your prints

Possibilities are endless when it comes to one of this season's key commandments, so you will surely see me working on that. 

Now, never underestimate the power of a floral bodycon dress from the early 1990s... come on, you've got that sort of stuff lying in the back of your wardrobe.

Mine is khaki, with tiny vintage rose print all over, and even though the fabric has some mohair in it, it's not too warm or anything - perfect for...

1. WORK: LADYLIKE MODERN

I found this python print khaki shirt/jacket in one of the deepest pits and thought it would be great to throw together a spring/summer Burberry sort of modern ladylike look with double belt and peeptoe wedges.

Floral dress and python print shirt, Terranova - the Italian high street brand had a moment in the 1990s, and was a great place to find great jeans and leather jackets back in the day. Belts and shoes, Dorothy Perkins.

2. STEPPING OUT: VINTAGE FEEL

Add a few bold colours, stripes, a small boxy bag, and shoes - this time I chose almost-flat leather loafers of the most traditional kind, but chunky heeled ones would work just as fine, not to mention the extra height.

Floral dress, as before. Jacket: Topshop, scarf: a gift, bag: Mango, shoes: Luisa Via.

3. LOUNGING AROUND

Relax, no one is watching. Should you need to pop down for some last-minute essentials before the week-end, you might want to avoid suspicious looks in your local shop. Just throw on a nude coloured biker, jump into minimalist brogues and don't bother to sacrifice the comfort of socks.

Floral dress, as before. Jacket: Miss Selfridge, shoes: New Look, socks: H&M, bag: New Look.

Hey there

Welcome to the party! I've always wanted to do my own outfit photo posting, but have been putting it off 'til the time is right. By now I know it will never be, so might as well take the plunge. 

Besides timing, there was always the issue of quality. No, I haven't purchased a Canon EOS along with all the accessories, haven't got a single step closer even to semi-professional photography, and no, I haven't miraculously found the perfect spots for natural and artificial lighting or the right background in my messy little pad.

Instead, I'm expecting to push myself to figure it all out as I go. You are welcome to contribute to, or laugh your butt off at, the development process. Just make sure you enjoy it, that's what I plan to do myself. But errrm, whatever you do, take it easy on me - many of the pics will be beyond repair, and I will be posting them regardless.

You've been warned. The party photo should be close to what you expect, but the below is what you may well get, except, you should see more of the outfits. Sooo, see you around. Cheers!

corset trousers: Warehouse, polka-dot blouse: Primark, jacket: vintage, knitted beanie hat: River Island, satin shirt: vintage