Navy + White

Ever since I bought this coat I've been wearing lots of navy and white combonations. It's such a nice, crisp combination, without the stuffiness or schoolgirl feel of black and white. The white t-shirt is something I picked up from cos recently. Frankly I like it better than the other hundred white tops in my wardrobe because it makes by breasts look great.

Smock

My quest for the perfect Bill Cunningham-esque denim painters smock has been long running. Recently I was again prompted by Claudia's button up version and this guy photographed by Anne Bernecker, to trawl through ebay for the perfect match. My criteria goes something like this; loose fitting, button up, deep pockets, collar (but not too much collar), unfussy. The JW Anderson for Topshop shirt came close, but the two-tone put me off. Other options come in the form of the above jacket from Weekday and Cornish fisherman's smocks (who knew there was such a thing??) but neither really cut the mustard. I guess the search continues...

Band of Outsiders

Forgive me for being a little slow on this one, but I really love the band of outsiders spring polaroid campaign. Frank Ocean, sun drenched LA, blue skies and raincoats. Plus the desk shot reminds me of this.

Blueprint

Recently I stumbled upon this excellent blog à l’allure garçonnière; who in this particularly excellent post talks about personal style blogging and considers the idea that maybe too many blogs follow the 'this is what i wore' blueprint. If anything, this extract is worth a read;

those who call themselves “feminist fashion bloggers” (but maybe that’s just because I call myself one). In reality, it may be more appropriate to describe the aforementioned as “feminists who have fashion blogs” – since they never ever write criticisms of fashion culture from a feminist perspective. Does wearing a barrette with a female power symbol really make you a “feminist fashion blogger” when you don’t care about what kind of labour was involved in making your H&M sweater available for 20 bucks?  

At first I felt that this was very applicable to me. But then I thought a little more about the 'this is what I wore' nature of personal style blogging. I actually do think that there can be something implicitly feminist about this formula. Seeing what women wear everyday to work or school or university, what they wear to on their bikes in the morning, or how they dress when they go to the supermarket is refreshing and empowering. Furthermore, documenting fashion via bodies and faces in all shapes, sizes and colours challenges the glossy, narrow version of femininity that is presented (or rammed down our throats) by mainstream fashion media.

'Democratisation of fashion' is a concept usually lazily used to refer to fashion bloggers appearing in magazines, attending shows and perhaps to some small degree influencing trends. But there is also an opportunity for bloggers to bring an alternative to airbrushed, cis, white, thin, able-bodied and young faces into the mainstream. The extent to which this has actually happen though is a whole other argument, for which I would refer you to this thought catalog post by Kate George.

Layers

Wool Trousers - Cheap Monday, Sandals - Office, Leather Jacket - MMM for H&M, Long trench coat & Mohair jumper - H&M

I've decided that since I can't beat the weather I may as well embrace it. Sandals over multiple pairs of socks? check. Thick wool trousers, mohair jumpers and flasher trench coats? yes please. I've even gone so far as chopping off my hair to avoid any further 'tangly scarf hair syndrome'. Sure I wouldn't mind sunny days and bare legs but until then I am determined not to let this unseasonably cold weather get me down

Sunday Stuff

Things I like this weekend; Cacti in the Barbican Conservatory, Chloe Sevigny, this near perfect streetstyle photo from Elle which I can't get out of my head, Kiko Mizuhara, Cheap Monday sunglasses.

This moodboard has a distinctly blue hue to it.

Seconds

Until now it's been a while since I've bought stuff at charity shops. Whereas I used to buy a sizeable portion of by wardrobe second hand, apart from the odd scarf, bag, or t-shirt here and there, it's been slim pickings for me recently. That was until these boots. They are everything I could need in this weather; sturdy, comfortable, warm. They remind me of these shoes (r.i.p), which I adored until they let me down in a big way when they broke in Paris. Fingers crossed these will last longer!

I also picked up this dress, which isn't very photogenic, but has a really nice print and I'm really excited about wearing come the weekend.