And Accessorise With A Pig

No matter where I have worked so far, explicitly declared dress-down Fridays have always eluded me. Still, I can't help noticing how everyone breaks out the jeans to mark the beginning of the week-end, permitted or not by the dress code.

I am no exception - however, I don't worship the trinity of the Jean, the Tee and the Holy Sneaker, nor do I consider it as a classic dress-down option. Instead, I'll pick a pair of jeans - of the several dozens I appear to own - and dress it up. Heels, brogues, blouses, blazers, shirts and waistcoats, bows, ties, granny's brooches, anything that's smart, vintage or fun goes.

So this is the Friday outfit. The 1970s blouse is a vintage store find from only a few months back - a shame that the fully pleated front and back, the waist and neck ties, the frill, or the print, for that matter, don't come across in the pictures. I included a couple of snaps so you can get a closer look.

The skinny flare jeans are by River Island - snug enough to make you look slightly (or more than slightly) phhat for a UK size 6, but I love the beautiful retro 'Swedish blue' colour and the size + cut of the back pockets too much to care.

Looking at the mock 1970s style, I admit the outfit could do with a chunky gold necklace or a gold chain belt a la Issa a/w 2011, however, in real life, I felt there was already too much going on at the front of the blouse (for details, refer to my list of the things that don't come across). 

Oh, you might want to swap the oinker for a clutch bag, but that's you I'm afraid.

See you really soon.



1970s blouse: vintage store, skinny flares: River Island, shoes: Asos, trilby: H & M, pig: a gift

Hippie Rocker Reloaded

Just a few days ago I had some fun with this outfit post as, using some of my good old stuff, I decided to bring the springfest atmosphere closer to home and create a look I labelled as feeling like rock & roll and looking like a hippie. 

Yesterday, when I received Topshop's newsletter on new seasonal look the Gypsy Rocker, it just seemed like a great idea to recreate the featured look with items from coolest British high street brand Topshop, actually available in shops and online.

Here's my outfit, and below, the ones I styled with Topshop pieces, grab them and enjoy the spring!

All items: Topshop as at 30th April 2011

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.

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.