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Let's talk fashion.
'So what becomes of you my love, when they have finally stripped you of the handbags and the gladrags' - Stereophonics, Handbags and Gladrags
A couple of years ago I was the kind of girl who just took whatever was clean out of the cupboard and put it on.
I'm not that girl anymore.
I don't have many clothes now, but I suppose I've re-defined my style. Turning 33 was the moment for me. I realised I was getting older and that the torn jeans and baggy tee look wasn't really doing it for me anymore. Plus, nothing like aging to make you get yourself together real fast.
I'd say my style now is classic with a twist. I have great shoulders, from all that working out, so I wear sweaters and fitted shirts that show off my collarbones. I have an hourglass figure that lends itself to tops that are fitted in the waist. Conversely, I recently love babydoll tops that fall from just under the bust. This week I've been wearing what seems like only two things - my Biba hipster jeans with a babydoll dress from Sissy Boy. It has super-long sleeves that come right over my wrists and it's so tactile. I love it.
My other favourites this winter were a black wrap-dress from Sissy Boy with a Biba bright tanktop underneath, and a knit dress from s'Oliver, (sadly too big now). I can't find skirts that are right for me, they're all a little too short (very long legs here) but I had a couple from H&M, which, when worn with boots and tights were awesome.
This winter I had two coats, a pillarbox red classic coat from Principles, and a down-filled short jacket from Gap. I love red in winter, it gives a flash of colour against the endless grey.
For spring and summer I've settled on black and white. Black and white linen tailored wide leg trousers. Two short-sleeved silky tees, also black and white, and, rather frivolously, two tunics from SPS Superstar. One is babydoll and has cross over spaghetti straps in an African print and the other is sort of kaftan inspired and ties at the back in white with Delft blue. So, some colour for summer, and not a polo/golf shirt in sight. Polo shirts look so much better on men anyway.
Now I'm considering my summer coat. A classic trench, with a bit of a twist. I think in taupe, maybe like this?
And who should I thank for fashion inspiration? The Sartorialist and Mary Jo Matsumoto.
A new discovery via Dietgirl is What I Wore Today. For a glimpse of how to understand colour, visit Hue.
Links to my favourite brands: Biba, Promiss, Sissy Boy, Mexx, Esprit, Principles, SPS Superstar and for sports, Deha.
Girls, this is your turn to comment.
What have you been wearing this winter and what are your summer style plans?
I'm also tired of wearing the same things and have this great scheme in mind to change my fashion sense and get a new wardrobe... but easier said than done. It's really hard finding clothes that fit me properly. Spent 4 hours shopping yesterday and the only thing I got was a bag. I'm starting to think I need to order tailor made clothes!
My hourglass figure is a distant memory after three kids and a retired thyroid - but I'm working on it ;)
I really like Cora Kemperman. Every once in a while I go to Amsterdam to visit her shop. It's festive and cheerfull and slightly weird and funny. Other than that I'm pretty much a classic, simple with strong bright colours type.
thank you for the mention, i am flattered! there is a link to your site today over at http://www.trustyourstyle.com - any chance you'd like to swap links? i'm working on my links page.
re: spring/summer, i'm planning to wear lots of simple silk dresses and tops in bright colored silk textiles that i'm designing. i also love white with everything, so white shorts, white jeans...need to figure out the shoes next...plus i think i'm going to take my hair from dark to a light silvery blond--very shocking :-)
We need picutres ASH! Because it sounds like you could be my new fashion adviser! I will this year as lasxt year only wear skirts and dresses in spring and summer. I buy to many and when I ban the trousers I can justify it!
Wnated to add that I feel inspired by 'some girls wander'
http://theblackapple.typepad.com/somegirlswander/
to be just a little bit different and maybe just a bit more me. I always feel a bit compromised by my very dutch need to be on my bike every day!
Mijk: love that website! She is always awesome though. I read her craft blog before and had no idea she was doing her clothes as well. I think needing to be on your bike everyday is an enviable need, not one you should feel compromised by :)
Aha, now if we were the same size we could swap :) I used to live in a hostel and we were forever swapping clothes and it was fabulous. I've read about women having swapping parties where everyone brings their clothes they don't want anymore and you swap with everyone else. I think it only works if you're all the same kind of size though. I have no skirts for summer yet!
mary jo: thank you so much for the link! I think your summer clothes sound wonderful - looking forward to seeing what you produce. I looked at shoes this week. Is it my imagination or are they all ghastly? I saw lots of 70s inspired sandals that I remember my aunt wearing the first time around, lots of ballerinas and nothing that I thought 'wow, those are beautiful!' You'll have to share what you come up with shoe-wise. You may have inspired me with the hair. Perhaps I should be chasing the Marilyn look this summer.
Marjolein: Cora Kemperman is so cool! We should meet up to shop :)
Nicky: Principles Petite! :)