Absolutely Nothing To Wear : A crash course in Capes

Seeing as I have a tiny bit of an addiction to the caped variety of cover-up, I’ve been having a little look online to see what’s there. So just in case you too have a penchant for ponchos, I thought it was only fair to share.

There are literally HUNDREDS more if you have the time to spend looking online or, better still, actually go out and look in real life shops. These are just a few of my personal picks from some of my most trusted web based retailers. I strongly recommend looking through Ebay too – I found 2 of my all time favourite capes on there for a fraction of the retail price.

1. Cream Poncho, ROKIT, £60

Burberry Brit Duffle Cape £595, NET-A-PORTER

3. Sonia Rykiel Cape, £500, NET-A-PORTER

4. Cape, ROKIT, £65

5. Reversible Cape by Ganni, £100, ASOS

6. Contrast Trim Cape, £16 (originally £80), ASOS

7. Circle Cape Poncho, black or navy, £160, Tallulah and Hope

8. And I know this isn’t strictly a cape but I love it all the same.

Sherlock Cape Mac, £180, by Dressmonster from ASOS

Hair Cuts : Is Grey the New Black?

I’m going grey. They’ve started catching the light when I look in the mirror and I’m not sure I like it. I always said it wouldn’t bother me when it happened but it turns out I was wrong, I’m not sure I’m ready for silvery locks quite yet.

So, what do I do? Do I attempt a self colour when the children are in bed – I have one I bought in France which came recommended – or do I make a day of it. I’m thinking this might be something worth making an occasion of. It could be my perfect reason to escape for an entire day and sit in a chair, alone, quietly.

I’ve never had my hair coloured and I’m terrified of making a huge mistake. I may well end up with something much worse than my current combination of dark brown with a hint of silver.

For now I shall remain grey and confused and enjoy this cartoon instead.

Haircut Strip by Zebedee Helm

Fashion copycats – flattering or infuriating?

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I’m not sure the same applies when we’re talking about fashion and more so when we’re talking about fashion amongst friends.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with wearing the same things as other people. I will do everything I can to remain as individual as possible, which is why although I love clothes and catwalks, I try not to follow trends to the very last letter. I’ve worked with my fair share of high street and luxury brands and when part of the press office, you are expected to practice what you preach – that is wear the wares you’re peddling. When you’re working in luxury this is just fine. I have absolutely no problem at all with that. Apart from when your “employer” sends bloomers down the runway – that didn’t make for an easy season. But when you’re working for, lets say the more commercial brands, the chances of you showing up for work wearing the exact same dress as 50% of your colleagues, is horribly high.

There were way too many times I found myself queuing up in the work cafeteria for my tuna salad sandwich – there are already far too many things wrong with that sentence – only to see my very outfit being worn by all kinds of chattering colleagues. Didn’t like that at all. It made me want to run home and change, or rush for the sample cupboard, or just leave the building altogether.

Now I know this wasn’t copycat dressing, it was all purely coincidental and not really terribly surprising bearing in mind we all worked for the same brand. What I’m curious about are those instances when you find something you love and then someone – most often this someone is very near and dear – goes out and buys the EXACT SAME THING. Do you applaud them for having your impeccable taste or berate them for not having a taste of their own?

Obviously this hasn’t happened to me. It happened to a friend who actually goes shopping, leaves the house and sees people. I don’t care who buys my ASOS t-shirt because, chances are, I won’t be bumping in to them in the village shop. But if I do…..well I’d probably just invite them round for a cup of tea. Like fashion minds are rare to find when living in the sticks.

Photograph courtesy of Pierre Cardin SS11 : for the simple reason, it’s just too good not to use.

ASOS – uh oh

Until yesterday I was an ASOS virgin. I’ve had a look, lots of times, but never actually bought anything. And now I’m hooked. There are all kinds of things I didn’t even know I wanted.

I started with a plain black “boyfriend” t-shirt. It’s long and slim with a perfect neckline and rolled short sleeves. I’ve been back online today and ordered it in Navy. It shall be at the centre of my uniform for the rest of the Summer and possibly beyond.

I’ve also fallen in love with a Sherlock Holmes-esque parka and a “chiffon” (read polyester) kimono jacket and a “Chanel” box jacket and I’ve even put a pair of peg leg trousers in my basket…..surely there’s a better name for them?

I’ve browsed through all the brogues and clicked on a pair of Chelsea boots more than once – could this be my biker boot upgrade? I’ve got my eye on a Fox print t-shirt, which I fear may be a little too young for me, and I’m considering yet another cape. I love capes.

All I need to do is click a few buttons and it might all be mine by Monday. It’s too easy. I better just have another look through and check I’ve not missed anything…..

When it rains it pours

What on earth are we supposed to be wearing in this weather. How can any vaguely fashion conscious being worth their salt, be expected to dress seasonally when the weather has the mind of an Autumn day.

I had to go to London today. If I hadn’t had to go anywhere, the rain wouldn’t have bothered me or my choice of clothes. When in the comfort of the Shires, I don’t have to worry about not being able to get a taxi, or wet overcoats swooshing past me on the tube or buses splashing through enormous puddles or umbrellas taking my eye out. I just have to worry about how the dog’s going to go out and pee without dragging mud through the kitchen. It can rain all it likes, I don’t care but I do care when it falls on the days I make my trips to London. Not just because of the reasons above, but also because these are the days I make every effort to really try and look nice. To remember how I used to look and dress in the olden days. I save some (all) of my favourite clothes for these days and to have them rained on and accessorised with frizzy hair and wet shoes is frankly tiresome. The very worst bit was that because of the severe lack of taxis on this most wet of days, I had to rush all over the place on my own two soggy feet and didn’t have time to make my high street pilgrimage to Cos and Uniqlo (for the last Jil Sander collection) which is quite honestly, the only reason I bother coming. Thanks rain. Thanks a bunch.

So what did I wear today for the August rain? I wore black….layers and layers of black and all topped off with my two tone brogues. At least Gene would have been proud.