Glam Rock

This weekend, we headed out to catch the latest creepy thing of a movie in the beautiful spring sunshine. I decided to pull together a light, relaxed outfit based on a pair of striped glam coloured jeans by River Island, one that would look sufficiently springy but feel warm enough in the cool breeze while I'm outside.

One look at me, and my friends asked whether we were going to a rock concert - which made me rather proud of the non-fashion darlings. It's no bad thing to provoke some reaction, especially the right reaction... it's all in the education. 

But those who react to one's outfit also inspire the stylist. So, in addition to the relaxed look for the trip to the movies, I tested a few more options I would have if I were actually going to a gig or a spring festival. 

Jeans: River Island, leather brogues: New Look, sparkly cat motif tee:
Zara (TRF), stripe snood: River Island, leather blazer: Mango, brogues: New Look

Jeans: River Island, top: Kate Moss for Topshop, Trilby: H&M, leather brogues: New Look 

Plain silk vest: Hennes collection, printed silk top: Gap, cropped velvet military
jacket: New Look, necklace: Pull & Bear, scarf (worn on wrist): vintage

Sunday Grungy Sunday

Sundays often start like that. A long, long lie-in after a longish night with guests, then a hearty breakfast, a bit of housework such as hanging the washing to dry, making lunch, and lying back on the couch reading ELLE. A perfect afternoon in old jeans, a 1980s style jumper from New Look, and a scarf.

All that equals no dressing up, and no room for any home glam (negligees, dressing gowns, silk PJs, turbans, scarlet lips, you get the idea), but no tracksuits either, mind you. That is the grunge of things chez moi, over a typical week-end.

Snuggling up with the glossy well before it gets dark takes your mind off having to go to work only too soon. But what do you do when the realisation hits - you're out of bread, and there is no choice but to get out into the cold?

Jumper: New Look, mustard wash green jeans: Mango, scarf: charity shop, suede wedge trainers: Topshop

Throw on a puffa and head straight out? Or start the usual routine of finding something to wear from scratch? Today, neither seemed appropriate. I wanted to keep the grungy feel and the jumper, but making sure the outfit is somewhere in the realm of citywear. Here's the result...

On the way back, I'll reward myself with box of blueberries, a bar of chocolate and a well-earned coffee.

Jumper: New Look, wool pencil skirt: no idea (Mum's maybe?), spot print silk shell blouse: Zara, emerald patent bag: Mango, patent leather embossed boots: Darcy, Dr. Martens Diva collection

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.