Category: men
Wow!
Maybe it’s because they don’t have boobs. Maybe it’s because their clothes are more of a uniform with less choice. Maybe it’s because layering is something they’ve always done. But heck, when men get it right, they smoke.
(All pics Pinterest)
I want some of what they got.
Laters, Kate x
Centre Half: Scarf
Friday marks midsummer. Try telling that to the clouds, the rain, the wind and the temperature. It’s the pay back and karma for last summer. But it still hurts. Maybe that’s why I’m loving the colour, the fluidity and the fun of men wearing silk scarves.
(All pics pinterest)
It just brightens the day.
Laters, Kate x
Tunnel Vision x
There is nothing worse than saying someone is likeable, but not enough to care. It’s what I though when I first saw duck boots – practical, but not for the streets of London. Now I’ve changed my mind.
It’s an ugly name but surprisingly apt and they’ve been sneaking into peripheral vision for a while: Instagram pictures from NY, at the airport, on the slopes..even in an episode of Fortitude last night during a boxset binge (and if they’re the go-to shoe for those extreme conditions they must be doing something right).
They get a further tick for being unisex (well, at least some of the brands are) which is an itch itself that really needs to be scratched – tell me why can’t there be shoes with just the choice of wide or narrow to accommodate the whole population rather than only ever appealing 50%? The division of the sexes is too often a marketing ploy to separate us..and our hard earned money. I believe changing this simple thing would be a huge step forward (literally) in equality and world peace…
(All pics from Pinterest)
On a lighter note, when you really think about it, duck boots are the living proof that the skinnie will never die. Deep.
Laters, Kate x
David Nott x
Just a petite post today as I nurse a self-inflicted sore head and run to the kids sports day with umbrella, galoshes and small inflatable boat at the ready…I love the radio, particularly radio 4 – but sometimes it surpasses itself to create solid gold in the air. The Desert Island Disc on June 5 was one such inspirational moment. If you get a quiet half hour, grab a cup of tea and a tissue and listen to it here….if you don’t have a quiet half hour – find one – you’ll thank me. Promise.
Laters, Kate x
It’s Mabes babes..
And so the yearly hunt for towelling beachwear starts..
(Personally I now blame Sean Connery, not lycra for it’s demise.)
But I know it’s just waiting to have it’s cool moment again.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel..new on the block is Mabes, a British label purely obsessed with towelling shirts.
From double pocketed chunky large buttoned plain classics..
To retro prints with an edge.
For guys, girls and even little ones…and the prices are sensible (£35 for kids to £74 for adults). So that’s Charlie and The Husband sorted.
(All pictures Mabes and Pinterest)
Now I just need this dress in a white, light towelling please..
Laters, Kate x
Man-spiration..
There’s no way to select life with silver tongs – no matter how much you want something, it doesn’t always happen. But you can always react to it. For instance, the Husband’s work has been a turdstool since forever, with it being even more ridiculous in the last few months and no sign of change. I did suggest we saw this as an opportunity to throw life on it’s head and middle-class caution to the wind and head off in a camper van to the deep, dark unknown.
He said, ‘Seriously Kate…’
And I said,’Yes, seriously..the window of opportunity to take the kids out of school is closing and if we don’t do it soon, we might never be able to..’
‘No, I meant, seriously Kate, who’s mid-life crisis is this?’
So I haven’t got the keys to the camper van just yet, but that hasn’t stopped the constant thoughts of simplicity providing a goldfish loop of white noise in my brain space, whether it’s interiors, clothes, people or life.
Maybe that’s why these outfits are so appealing – they’re not big, brash and laden with special effects.
(All pictures from Pinterest and Browns)
Just clear and present. Simple.
Laters, Kate x
Cover Story x
They’re fitting our two storey steel frame today and cutting off our electricity, gas and water, which also equals no internet. So I think to myself..do you think that would worry these characters?
Hell no!
Laters, Kate x
PS It’s OK Mum – they’ve promised to have some back on by this evening…
Craig Green x
It’s taken a while to track down the designer of this coat..
Not surprising: It’s from an SS15 menswear collection…and is a rather nice – rare? example of an element of power women have in fashion…we have the most choice clothes-wise, nothing is forbidden or taboo..and then, when a talented, new menswear designer does turn up…we snuffle him up as well..
Wise women that we are…
This is all the work of 27 year old Central Saint Martins graduate Craig Green who debuted his first solo runway show in London..where the unthinkable happened..tears and cheers from the notoriously fickle fashion pack..and women running after him waving their gold-plated credit cards..
It’s easy to see the appeal..his work conjures up such contradictions as mesonic and pagan, protective yet vulnerable..layers versus movement..
But I just like it when functional clothes are plundered – fencing uniforms, riding clothes, army uniforms..let’s face it, any uniform..and the fact that it’s padded. I also revel in the joy that women know exactly what they like, and have no qualms stealing it as their own..
I just wish I had one…
Laters, Kate x
Neuter not Neutral x
Have you heard about Selfridge’s new Agender Project? Starting in March, instead of separate departments for men and women, the shop will stock three floors of unisex clothing for browsing by both. So is neuter the new cultural shift and a serious re-thinking of fashion? Or the prophetic skid marks of car crash about to happen? Or just someone with an unerring nose for hype indulging in the need for a good, loud scream?
Selfridges says ‘We want to take our customers on a journey where they can shop and dress without limits or stereotypes.’ It can be argued there’s always been androgyny..and the men’s fall runway highlighted a further blurring of the gender lines. It was only a couple of weeks ago I was listening to a discussion on Radio 4 about a new brand of neuter pants by Play Out – a sort of boxer for boys and girls – I would’ve blogged about it, but I actually found the designs desperately ugly in a post-eighties germanic way that really shouldn’t see the light of day again. But it’s definitely a subject making waves..
(All photos Tommy Ton from Style.com)
I wonder how they’ll manage the button debate – (to the right? Or to the left? Or maybe a coalition??) – not that it’s ever stopped me nicking The Husbands clothes. But then women into men has always been so much easier – if I look in my wardrobe I’ve shoes, jeans, shirts and jumpers all from the mens departments because I prefer the heavier, straighter cut. Men into women? Why not? I love a bit of flower with my masculinity..
Whether or not this is an anathema to the wonderful diversity of gender expression and just another step towards global greyness and generalisation, it’s going to be interesting..but the truth is, it’s just an eight week project..maybe just enough to get people thinking..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 