pushkin pants

Your pants are cool.
Wish I had the courage to wear them as you do.
Looks like you don't give one single shit at all.
Bloody good for you.

I haven't a thing to Wear

You know that feeling when you open your jam-packed wardrobe only to shake your tired head and stare into the sparse landscape of hanging garments that never quite justify your lust for cashmere and crocodile? And then, with a sigh so unsatisfied you could be considered truly melancholy you tell yourself, "Gosh. I haven't a thing to wear."

I would just like to say that fashion merchandising in this country is SHOT. Really, I couldn't buy a worthy piece if I tried, or had all the money in the world. There's just not enough choice. Where are the retail giants that populate Europe's high streets and New York's grand avenues? Where are the bargains and les soldes and the glittering window displays? All we have are measly selections of Europe's 'last season picks' and grumpy check out clerks who garble among each other while ringing up our purchases.

I suggest that in protest, every girl and avid retail therapy participant conduct one single day of their daily activities in want, but not in need, of the clothing they so aspire toward owning. By this I mean go Naked.

Liberatus

The twentieth century provided important usherances for women's fashion. Two World Wars and two waves of Feminism later, women's garments underwent drastic alteration - even by tailoring standards. Hemlines were raised for the War Effort, and calves and waists were exposed to reveal more of the body beneath.

Majken Da Gama - DAF Fashion Show 2010

The theme of this piece is 'Women's Liberation.' All students were given the same fabric and could manipulate the colour using only natural dyes. Majken took her inspiration from women's wear in the 16th, 18th and 21st centuries, combining pre-industrial styles and corsetry with contemporary flair.

Treasure Hunt at Beleza

every once in while Beleza hosts a treasure hunt for the vintage vultures among us. If you're lucky you may pick up a couture label or two, or some interesting jewellery pieces that once belonged in an old lady's trinket box.

with original clothing clothing by MONOKO and Mr. November

28 Januray 2011

Beleza Restaurant, Kloof Nek Road

complimentary cocktails and snacks

window dressing

As far as High Street fashion goes, TopShop is prime window space. I found these numbers on Top's current Sale.

 

  

   

breathless before the FALL

Fall/Winter 2010 Looks

Figure 1. these shoes seem to be cropping up everywhere. Paired here with two-toned socks and oversized knit over the ever-present nylon tights.

2. I chose this Look because of the bag - I have one similar which I found at a thrift sale in France. Red, leather, with buckles.

3. (the shoes again)

4. Seems the snow has proved an inspiration for lookbookers all over the world.

5. Chunky is gospel. Chunky necklace, chunky ring, chunky scarf, chunky boot.

                                                       6. 'Scenes from the Big Time, 1970.'

7. 'Oh Jolly'

net-a-porter

for the discerning shopper too fancy to scramble, scrounge and sift through rails in department stores, wait in queues or fight over clearance items in early January, Net-a-Porter is the internets favourite e-boutique. They also have some fabulous holiday offers, including the current post-Christmas Sale.

fashion showcase from Season Four.

I've noticed the outfits have become more and more lustful over the last few seasons. Season One's fashion was definitely more conservative and less flamboyant. Producers seem to have caught on that that the show is now an amplified voice in global style among a kaleidescope of blogging and fashion circles everywhere.

Right: Blair, as always, looks ravishing. Not sure I'm really so sold on Serena's pink harem pants though.

Left: I'm pretty keen on Serena's leather peep toes and the way they've been paired with her print dress. Blair, you have lovely skin tone.

Blair's. Dress.  Enough said. Busy adoring lavish print, cut and style. Cute hats in this one, too.

I've been working on sewing a mini skirt like Blair's in this picture. The fabric is of a similar style and length, finished with a black elastic waistband.

LWD.

little white dress found me while i was browsing through a rail chock-a-block with washed out numbers at a second hand clothing dealer. 'thrifting' is the most selective and budget-friendly way to shop. you need to have patience, though, and a good eye for a rare piece of the sublime floating amongst the flotsam and jetsam.

when i saw little white dress i thought of the following things.

• marilyn monroe and the subway grating
• tea and crumpets with wedgewood china
• homecoming in 1950.
• dates with handsome men
• filter cigarettes
• frock parties and similar occasions

shotgun fashion

clothing retail giant ZARA is scheduled to open its doors in South Africa and Australia in 2011. It is a high street brand that has even been hailed by Louis Vuitton fashion director Daniel Piette as "possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world."

my commentary: YES! this excites me.

blazed

i adore blazers. they can be worn casually, with skinny jeans, wedges, tunics or shirt dresses or to jazz up an evening ensemble. blazers are typically uniform garments, but this doesn't mean they can only be worn at yachting regattas, British boarding schools, boy scout initiation or in the airforce. if you're austin powers you can even wear a brightly coloured blazer for that 'swinging london' look. whatever the case, blazers are an essential item for any wardrobe.

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marc by marc jacobs, 'crosstown' jacket








 

this authentic leather bag is from back in the soviet days, and was used to carry around maps, documents, stationary and compasses. circa 1960.

portugese brown suede leather ankle boots, with heel. delicious.

kate wears a tweed blazer in her topshop '7 days of kate' launch.