Category: High Street
Trick or Treat?
(picture from pinterest)
The perfect party skirt has to be the jewel in the crown this party-hopping season, acting like a human Christmas tree, catching the sparkle and reflecting back the smiles and giddy moments. In the haute spot is Burberry with their mermaid inspired work of art – enough to make the most bah-humbug joy-squasher gimlet eyed with misty desire..
Also working in the skirt corner is the ability to mix the well-heeled refined with the everyday low: tactile jumpers or denim or even t-shirts on top….contrasting the glittering below..cocktail mixes of opposites that create a long drink of inherently cool pleasure..
Sequins just too eighties? How about the pared back elegance that is metallic leather? Easily teamed with white when the sun comes out again, this Maje skirt will even carry you on a silver ray of light all the way through to summer..
And don’t forget the high street – if red wine and dancing on the tables are your party tricks of choice, maybe fake is the way to go..
But faux or real, trick or treat..the choice is yours..
Laters, Kate x
Toast x
The new Toast Lookbook is a world of languid self-possession with sleepy knowing eyes.
The pastel colours inform the story..
The dark silhouette packs a punch.
Simple, durable, classy classics..
They’re also having a fabulous Archive Sale – but be warned, things go fast..
Laters, Kate x
Free Wheeling..
Oh the yin and yang of life..Did you know Kate Spade’s done a collaboration with Gap?
Children’s gap..
But is a bag size aware??
What size is XXL?
And how much can gloves stretch?
There’s always the fast approaching present list to think of..(or not)
And she’s not forgotten the boys – all of which Charlie and Bella would happily wear..
…But not till I’ve tried them on first…
Laters, Kate x
Sneaky Blinders..
The weather here in London is like a PMT suffering raging beast..blue skies one minute..a cascading torrent the next, whipped up by strong winds and mashed up leaves. Coats and shoes are being seriously put to the test and any well worn with holes of love are the equivalent of leaky boats. Some emergency purchasing is required – and I’m thinking black leather skaters..a nod to the summer but with strong foundations for the autumn storms.
The white soles also have a surprising appeal..I remember looking at the AW14 catwalks thinking white soles? hmmmmm..but the appeal has chrystalised…mi piace..
Of course, I’ll buy them……and next week we’ll have snow….
Laters, Kate x
Different Eyes..
Laters, Kate x
Cinderella Shoes..
On the lust list this autumn..the grace of a gazelle..the wit of the Edinburgh Fringe..
And the pocket pleasing price of £65…what’s not to love?
Laters, Kate x
My Right Charlie..
Inevitably, in Edinburgh we went shopping – not so much for me mind you, but for the kids..and in particular Charlie..
Our first stop was Zara – Eagle-eyed Bella spotted a dress there..and given she’s a girl that never wears dresses it was nothing short of a miracle and a slam dunk purchase; Grandma said she’s buy it for her birthday in October but she was allowed to wear it to the party. Then she spotted a sky blue cardigan and matching hat..I succumbed in a hazy cloud of steam train nostalgia……she looked like something straight out of the Railway Children..
Then Charlie piped up…’But I want a fluffy cardigan too’ ‘Do you really?’ I asked, ‘Shall we check out the boys department?’..’But I want that one’ he said, pointing to a girl’s navy blue version…so I thought, why not?
And he looked so fab! It’s not like he’s effeminate – I couldn’t care if he was – but the truth is he makes these choices (necklaces, rings..and neon pink toe nails this summer complete with gems!) and is still masculine which is part of what really makes me smile..it’s his ability to happily go beyond societies invisible boundaries and just not care.
We walked into another shop – and Charlie made a bee-line for a pink faux fur coat with grey leopard print…there are many times in life where you really have to think about what you want for your kids. My golden rules is I want them to have the confidence, freedom – composure even, to be themselves and follow their own path no matter what..
So I told him to try it on…and hand on heart – he looked edible (I have no picture – I had no batterie left. It’s a regret) – but more men need/should wear faux fur – yet I knew there was an invisible line that would be crossed if we purchased it, and I had to make sure he was up for it – the last thing you want is for your child to be ridiculed, particularly for being such a sparkling treasure….I pointed out the coat had a hood – and the hood had bears ears..was he happy with that? He seriously considered the matter and then said he felt the ears were a bit childish…
Was I relieved? No – because he did look inherently cool – I would’ve bought the coat for him; his little sips of rebellion are like a glowing light. My only real worry is that I have to celebrate this flamboyance now. I’m realistic: Peer pressure and life will do it’s best to temper and conform his eccentricities. My wide-eyed five year old may proudly wear a fluffy girl’s cardigan or a fur coat that my worldly-wise ten year old son might not..
So for now, I’ll revel in the confidence he has to be himself – I’ll treasure his energy: smart and unique with a chameleon mind and no pigeon-holed attitude that I just wish I could bottle forever.
The truth is I can only hope with all my heart he continues to have fun: I can’t care if he sings like a bird of paradise or becomes defiantly average because ultimately it’ll all be his choice…but I’ll always have the memories of the day in Edinburgh when he tried on a girls pink faux fur coat with grey leopard print..and we both clapped with glee…
It makes you think: Just imagine what the world would be like if we weren’t all so afraid…
Laters, Kate x
Parkas x
(photo tumblr)
If I had to chose one item of clothing to represent modern London, it wouldn’t be the timeless belted Burberry Mac ..but the utilitarian street-chic Parka..
And it’s the one item of clothing you don’t have to spend a fortune on..because the truth of it is that the High Street does it far better than the designers who can’t help trying to guild the lilly when the appeal is the simplicity of three..
Army green..
Big sheepskin collar..
And a pull tie at the bottom..not to use..but just because it’s right.
Most of these are from ASOS who are having a truly GREAT parka sale – I can’t think of a more perfect item to be in a sale at this time of year..
Laters, Kate x
Bargain Hunting..
The wonderful Toast are having a brilliant sale..particularly their ‘Archive‘ section – true bargains..if it’s in your size, snap it up..I got my denim Chore coat at more then half price and I’m delighted with it..Not sure it was the wisest thing to take to Greece, but I couldn’t bear to leave it behind..and coming back to the UK could be cold, couldn’t it?
Laters, Kate x
Rose Tinted x
(Women welders from World War II)
There are some clothes that my mother hates…but I love – Utility wear comes under that heading. I suspect it’s a generation thing..my Grandmother hated brass beds associating them with poverty, the Husband’s mother hates our wooden floorboards preferring her perceived luxury of fitted carpets. Then there’s the ongoing discussions between the benefits of a free-standing kitchen rather than a fitted one. We definitely see things with different eyes depending on our subliminal associations.
I love a good Chore coat, like this one from Toast. But my mother would see small, grubby, repetitive work with a touch of coarse. Clothes reduced to their bare essentials with aprons and housecoats abandoned for their practical purposes because the undercurrent of domestic containment is just too strong.
But for me there’s an intrinsic quality – I embrace the practicality, the structured comfort, the soft detailing, the wholesome vintage charm. Instead of servitude and drudgery it represents a time when we took pride in making things from scratch..when it seemed there was more space to breathe.
(Also from Toast)
(By Sisters by Sibling SS14)
Of course, you could just see them as brilliant coats, perfect for layering in this bridging the weather time till the lazy days of summer truly hit…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 