Don't You Step On My Purple Suede, Err, Stuff

For part 2 of the purple-bordeaux-burgundy-oxblood-whatever series, I definitely wanted to give my suede shorts a little style-up - I bought them in the sales sometime early this year and, even though I love them, the poor babies have not made it outside the house yet.

The shorts would lend themselves well to 1970s styling, hence the hat and the big scarf. But the point was to pull together a current outfit featuring these Miss Selfridge shorts and make myself comfortable in it, to the point where I could imagine it as office-wear. 

Not sure if I succeeded but I'll give it that much, the shorts and the  tights would be great together as part of any total purple look.

Now, I realise the knitted halterneck top, with its two pinky lilac hues, seems a little too sweet or the wrong kind of matchy-matchy. Believe me, I did my wardrobe research, and found that none of the more now pieces clicked the way this top did. Empirical evidence over fashion fascism.

To make the shorts work in winter weather, all you need is a full length coat (worn open, and preferably with heaps of fur trims) and knee-high leather or suede platform boots, chunky and slightly worn in. The verdict: stripped of the fancy dress factor, the look might just cut it in an office somewhere - I'm just yet to find that office.

suede shorts and contrast lapel blazer: Miss Selfridge, knitted top: Mango,
suede wedges and wool hat: New Look, scarf: vintage

Stuff I Get Away With: Mustard And Cream

Meaning, stuff I get away with at work, where the expected range is shameless smartness to uber-boredom. It's strange I haven't thought of this title before, when the past three to four years have been exactly about that. Dumb foodie pun aside, I like to push the limits, let the creative juices flow, build on others' half-defined perceptions of what's smart, turn them upside down but in a way I'm still perceived as smart. That is, getting away with just about any outfit I happen to throw together. That is so much like me that I think I'm launching a new label / post category.

This is not about a mindless rejection of rules, mind you, or some obsession with picking at unquestioned norms on a daily basis. OK, I tend to avoid conflicts and overuse my adaptation skills in most areas of life, so when it comes to style and fashion, I have lots to compensate myself for. But there is more than that, a mission if you will, to stir things up and challenge the usual ways. It's quite an achievement to get a few eyes to pop without provoking shock or rejection. A daily mental exercise to get the balance just right. Or just wrong - but only just.

This outfit, for instance, is a blueprint for all sorts of dark sins. There's bold colour, skinny jeans, grungy layering, heart print, wedge trainers, a touch of punky distressed Union Jack, only half-balanced out by a somewhat formal jacket, a pussybow and the cream and black colour combo.

Depending on the risk, be prepared to adjust the results. You can carry a pair of spare shoes (flat brogues or loafers), but switching between a smug and an innocent face usually does the job.

Jeans: Asos, vintage wool lingerie trim top: charity shop, heart print pussybow blouse: New Look (Generation 915), Union Jack leather belt: River Island, wool jacket: Zara, leather wedge trainers: Ash

Dark Jewel In The Works

Things are getting a bit matchy-matchy in GreyCatte's Lair. That trend is about to resurface in the outside world after years of deliberate non-matching, but for now, I admit, it feels a bit forced.

Still, when you come across a lovely, dark jewel colour that you have just, almost accidentally, stocked up on, you've got to have the nerve and risk going over the top. And where better to apply it than to workwear?

Together, the tux-style blazer and the platform loafers look awfully polished for my taste, so instead of smart trousers, I opted for casual, artfully crinkled (never-ironed) jodhpurs.

And the quirky detail? The belt overload. I love a double belt so I threw two on - and one had to be dark green so the matchiness remains even if I remove the jacket. That part is nothing quirky if you ask me, just one of the nuances average people can't seem to get their heads around. All you creative style-conscious lot, never stop educating them, at least one small step at a time.

Blazer: New Look, heels: Miss Selfridge, jodhpurs: Topshop, shirt: no idea (a wardrobe staple nevertheless), brown belt: C&A, green belt: charity shop

Eighties Jeans, Seventies Style

I have had these straight leg jeans by Gap for a while. They are well cut, at least for a pair probably made in the 1980s, with the right sized back pockets placed at the right height.

What has so far stopped me from wearing them - besides the fact that they make me feel chunky from the waist down, which I'm not - are the high waist, the retro light mid-blue colour ('potty blue' as I call it), and the overly clean finish - just the reasons why I had to give them a go yesterday.

I still get a rash from the thought of wearing jeans the 1980s way, so I just gave the outfits a clean 1970s base style, and let the colour(s) do the job of making them look fresh enough for this season.

A safer choice would be a pair of flared jeans, whether bright or greyish blue retro hued mid-wash or indigo, it's up to you. The greater the flare, the stronger the 1970s theme. I decided it would be unfair not to stick with this pair as I didn't want to play it safe or to aim for a total 1970s look, not to mention the fact that these very jeans inspired the outfits.


LOOK ONE

jeans: Gap, shirt: Pacific Girl, belt: charity shop, wooden bracelet, bead and bone bracelet:
Mum's old stuff and a gift, fine velvet tie: found around the house, sunglasses: no idea, bag:
old family throwaway from the 1970s, leather and suede sandals: Zara

When searching for the right shoes, I suggest you choose heels, not wedges - again, the wider the flare, the chunkier the heels should be to get the balance right. Platforms are ideal for sandals, heeled loafers or boots, whichever you prefer. Here, you can be as seventies as you dare to be.

All items as before, velvet blazer: Gimbels

LOOK TWO

Wooden necklaces and bracelets were once big, so the hoarder in the family might have some of those hidden in a drawer. The same is the case of small 'disco bags', thrift shops and vintage style sections of stores are still teaming with those. Oversized clutches and similar style shoulder bags have already been back en vogue since last season.

Jeans, shirt, sunglasses and wooden bracelet as before. Wooden necklace: Mum's old stuff,
leather punchout belt: charity shop, oversized vintage clutch: Pelleterie Bucci,
jacket: Primark, heeled loafers: Zara (TRF)

The daywear jacket is a plain and timeless one, while the deep purple velvet piece is old kidswear I guess, in and out of style for the past century. If you happen to own one of those, remember Tom Ford's velvet suits and tuxes designed for Gucci around 1996 (pictured below), and hold on to yours.

Oooh, I love mirror dirrrt!

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.