Trend Repeat

Everyone is blabbering on about Autumn/Winter 2010/11 fashion.  What's more, during this blabbering they are completely disregarding summer (I know it's optimistic but it's August so I'm hoping for more sun) and wishing it away so they can wear long boots, wool coats, shearling etc.  Yes, it looks good, but you know what?  It's been done.

Victoriana, womanly cuts, A-line, fur...  I love fashion but I sure wish people wouldn't go on and on about things being all exciting and wonderful when in fact they are rather similar to last year.  Sorry, I sound bitter, I'm not.  In fact, I love fashion, but is anyone else getting deja vu?

Beauty's going all copycat on us too.  Time to drag out that red lipstick again!  Vogue's rundown of how to wear the look worries me.  " Draw on a deep Cupid's bow.  Take the colour slightly beyond your natural lip line."  Beyond your natural and drawn on reminds me of a clown or a five year old playing dress up.  I'm very blonde, very pale and have teeny rosebud lips... Anyone that knows something about beauty care to offer me some advice on how this is supposed to work?


Dolce and Gabanna Image from Vogue

Eye Candy

I always thought that in serious fashion, such as Vogue, people wouldn't swoon over the male models as I did at Fashion Week this year.  Turns out I was wrong...thank you to Vogue's Twitter-er for making my drooling seem more acceptable.  In fact, a whole Vogue online article is dedicated to the lovely male models in fashion.

It seems this week is built for eye candy...especially with the return of Skins.  Not only does that mean Freddie, but it means Cook as well.  The debate about which is better seems to be at an all time high....my personal opinion?  Freddie.  Anytime.  He may not be such a bad boy on the show (and who doesn't love a bad boy) but I'm sure Luke Pasqualino can be as naughty as the rest of them in real life.

Long live fashion.  Long live Skins.

Oh I almost forget...with nearly bang on 2 hours until Skins Series 4 begins here's a preview to whet your appetite.

The Blazer: Just because Vogue says it's "out..."

If you know me at all you'll probably know my style doesn't really change with the season, more just with the weather.  That's why, when catching up with the last few months of Vogue, I read this in the December issue:

Miss V: "Christian Louboutin, in a chic navy blazer (I want one for myself - any advice?), talked about driving tests."
Fashion Editor's response: "Note, blazers: fine on Christian, otherwise over."

I laughed at the bluntness, and also the slight obnoxious tone.  If Miss V wants to wear a blazer, bloody let her wear one! I love fashion, I really do, but sometimes the fickleness annoys me.I'm pretty sure Vogues Fashion Editor was probably wearing a blazer only a month ago...And I'm positive the celebs still are. 

It's almost as bad as those that say they don't follow the trends, putting clothing out of sight until nobody else is wearing them....because let's be honest, you wouldn't have had them in the first place if brand buyers hadn't handpicked them because they were in fashion.

Check out these pictures from Grazia Daily, all taken at various events over the last month.  I won't be giving mine up, in fact I went out in it just last weekend.  When I get bored then it'll go to the back of the closet.  Take a tip from the celebs and get your blazers back out.  They are, after all, the perfect shoulder coverage for winter.

Miranda Kerr, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman and Agyness Deyn looking splendid in their blazers

For the love of God STOP HIDING VOGUE

Living at home, as I may have mentioned, is not all that wonderful.  My main problem is the fact someone keeps hiding my monthly pleasure...Vogue.  Anyone that lived with me at university knows full well that when that magazine drops outside my door I am always ecstatic.

It is not that fashion is my life...though I must admit that style often leads over practicality when it comes to my attire, for instance by beloved Asteria's have no grip and so I almost fall over continuously...it is the beauty that is Vogue.  I just found this months shoved haphazardly behind the knife rack.  The month before it was hidden on the sideboard, the month before that it was under the Daily Mail (God help me!) and the month before that they sent my copy to someone else as it was supposedly "undelivered".

It appears Vogue is just not meant to reach me, but I did my best and uncovered each and every copy...including shouting at someone and making them find the "undelivered" copy that was supposedly not available, they were all gone.  I don't know how they did it, I like to think they printed one just for me.

Stop it.  Stop it.  Stop it.  Let me relive the joy of university when each month I'd hear a tap on my door. Hello Mr Postman (Post-girl...also known as Nicola...Vogue came through the flat letterbox and she usually delivered it to my room!) how lovely that cover is.  It's the cover that always does it.

This month is the yearly glamour issue.  "Wonderful".  Check out the cover...

 
Damn you knife rack for hiding this from me.  I'll be having words with my father.  I'll move out just for this reason if it continues.

An inability to sew equals an inability to make do and mend...naturally

The 'new' big thing...also known as the thing that has been around for decades...is Make Do and Mend.  I saw 'new' because now people are cashing in on it.  Vogue's latest November issue, focusing entirely on their monthly feature 'More Dash than Cash', discusses heavily the trend for knitting, quilting, making our own and customising/altering what we already have.

Several features particularly interested me.  Firstly, the use of updating Victorian patterns using modern fabrics and methods or simply updating the look with accessories.  I constantly turn to history for inspiration.  As do other people...whether it be in the form of film, music, photography or fashion.

Secondly, I was interested to see the use of domestic household objects to create clothing.  Clothing in this case is used fairly loosely.  Whilst this was obviously to highlight the creativty that can come from spending nothing or very little I don't see myself going out in an outfit made of yellow rubber gloves any time soon.  This is less fashion statement and more fashion victim in my option.  Conceptually though it was quite interesting to me.  Read the issue and you'll see some outfits actually aren't that obviously made of these materials.  As I have taken poor quality pictures with my phone to allow me instant access I figured the more obvious the better.  Check out Vogue TV for a good flick through the pages or, better yet, splash out and purchase a copy.  Stereotypical or not...I love Vogue.

It's not just Vogue tapping into this trend though.  Brands such as Cath Kidston are in on it too.  Sew, the follow up to her book Made, is to be released on October 16th.  "Cath Kidston has now put together a treasure trove of fabulous simple projects for stitchers to get their needles into - bags, clothes, soft toys - and all designed to be made with her popular printed fabrics."  Clever, clever Cath Kidston...showing us how wonderful things look in your fabrics.  Not as if you're getting money from the book and the subsequent fabric purchased?  Of course not.  Genius.

Cath Kidston actually featured in the Daily Mail's supplement this weekend, giving basic outlines that most likely feature in this book.  They are good.  Simple yet effective...to the point that I thought maybe even I could manage it.  The problem is though that I can't really sew.  In fact, today at work whilst using the overlocker I pretty much managed to terrorise a piece of organza.  The poor thing was haggered and frayed by the end.  The lovely Becky, my mentor, merely laughed and (as it was the end of my working day) sent me home.  Maybe she won't be as pleased to have me 9-5 from tomorrow when she realises that I probably won't get any better any time soon.

My sewing machine skills are lacking merely, I believe, because of my impatience.  When I sew I am either like a snail or so fast I nearly cut my finger off.  Becky is convinced this is going to happen and watches through the gaps between her fingers...which are over her eyes whenever it gets close.  I need to get some extra control skills so I can find that middle ground.  That is the plan.  Then...sadly for you all...I'll buy some fabric off cuts and you'll all get quilts/pillows for Christmas.  And then your birthdays also.  Sadly for my aunty I'll be needing my sewing machine back...yes Aunty Anne I know you've had it for about four years but it's time it comes home.  Though god knows where I'll put it...maybe I could just come to yours and use it?

Boots: Pretty Woman vs Pretty in Punk

As the end of summer draws ever nearer every woman begins to invest in a winter wardrobe.  In my case this inevitably means a new pair of boots called Asteria from Topshop.  I can't exactly afford designer boots at present but I fell in love with these high street beauties and that was that.  Until my Gran, over a cup of tea, quired: "Have you worn your new boots yet?"

I assured her that I had and she responded: "Oh right, it's only you know everyones wearing those thigh high boots now are you sure you made the right choice?"  Well, when your Gran in her 80's questions your fashion choice it's an odd experience, it doesn't matter that she keeps up with fashion trends.  You see this is due to the latest photograph of Victoria Beckham at New York Fashion Week.  Vogue has highlighted this rather risque trend but I can't help but notice a big contrast between this and the "tomboy" look.  If even Vogue can't make a choice between those seemingly Pretty Woman inspired numbers and biker boots with studs how are we supposed to?

The celebs are in the same predicament, so I suggest merely going with whichever you feel most comfortable in.  I may bridge over to the sexier side and purchase some over the knee riding boots, but it's doubtful you'll catch me in a skin tight heeled version.  As much as I love fashion I refuse to be dictated to....especially when I can't help but love my highstreet ankle skimmers.

 Victoria Beckham and Shakira slip into thigh highs at New York Fashion Week and the MTV Awards this week:

Whitney Port and Amber Valletta go for the less is more approach at the MTV Awards and the Kids Choice Awards last weekend:

All images taken from Grazia Online