Making the distinction: want/need

Fashion desires come and go, you might get caught up in the association a brand gives, the boutique they are displayed in, or seeing the brand on the right kind of people.

My weakness has always been Isabel Marant, I guess I'm drawn to the carefree image her clothes project, and it's French. I've been caught up in a fleeting moment of infatuation with these boots.

Even if I know I could make them work in many ways still I don't think they are really going in the same direction as I have lately... I rely on my shoes to often be the edge in my look... all back yes, but my shoes usually add something.

There are also other factors involved why this lust should not occur IM only goes down to a size 36 and I am a 35/35.5 with no stock in London I can't try them on... so I would have to buy them sight unseen.

Please tell me I'm making the right decision?

How do you make the distinction between what you want and what you need?

Ensemble: Acne skirt

It's getting cold so I'm glad I got these wool tights from Wolford which has completely saved me this winter.

I love this Acne skirt I already feel it was a great buy, I love that it's not just an ordinary skirt, and the small details like the longer back makes me very happy.

Click on the images for clarity.

Wearing:

Rick Owens blistered lamb leather jacket

Grey COS T under jacket

Saskia Diez thin gold necklace

Acne 'Mini 2' skirt

Balenciaga printed leather boots

Wolford wool tights

Cream cashmere shawl J for James

Inspired impulse

I love winter for the freedom it brings to wear all black, it fills me with inspiration.

I just placed an order for this black pouch, I am such a sucker for simple well crafted items, and I envision wearing this as a clutch.

It is rather large 20 X 26 but I find the idea of carrying a simple black pouch around very alluring.

Check out the shop they have a lot of good pieces, it's French of course:

http://vdc-boutique.blogspot.com/

Ensemble: simplicity

Black is my safety blanket I never seem to get sick of the colour, which I tend to with others I find it so very beautiful, poetic even.

I find myself wearing this look, or variations of it all the time.

I feel truly myself and comfortable in it, my new Balenciaga boots just fit perfectly into the look and seem to seamlessly fit with everything else in my wardrobe.

I am currently searching for a long black coat, I would like it to be a bit on the large side so I can really wrap myself in it, I find there is something very elegant about a long coat...

wearing;

Muji wool jumper

Cheap Monday black jeans

Balenciaga F/W 03 boots

Saskia Diez thin gold necklace

Current inspiration

This look sums up everything I am into right now, jumpers with skirts, simplicity with edge.

I would love to get my hands on a skirt like that.

The constant search for the perfect black wool round neck jumper... sigh

F/W 03 Balenciaga boots.

I have what yo would call a difficult relationship with high heels, I am quite picky in that I don't like heels that scream 'sex' which most do to me, I might buy a pair in a second of madness then later realise I'm not comfortable projecting that image.

I do however have a soft spot for Nicolas Ghesquière earlier collections at Balenciaga, the way he mixed conceptualism

with street credibility into a fusion of chic timeless pieces... it still moves me.

I love that the boots are not the typical sexy shoe even if the heel is really high,

a slight problem is that they're so tight and

I have to struggle to get them on after wearing flats for so long

it's quite a challenge to wear these.

But I am really happy that I found them,

it feels like wearing a tiny piece of fashion history.

Updating the classics

I know what I like and what I over time have figured out are classics in my wardrobe, what helps define my look.

The black mini skirt is one of my building bricks, I like simple no fuss clothing with that added detail that makes basics special.

Which is why my heart fluttered with joy when I lied my eyes on this skirt by Acne, it is simply perfect by the looks of it, made by one piece so the back is slightly longer than the front. Elegant with that slight edge, this just shows that certain things are worth waiting for.

I picture it with a slightly boxy black round neck wool jumper.

I can't wait to receive it.

Shopping and style has not been on my mind as of late even though I do browse too often through online stores, there just isn't a lot out there that I think is worth buying, in general I find clothing looking quite uninspiring lately. Is it just me or is the recession really forcing designers to just produce safe BCBG clothing?

Recent purchase: Comme Des Garçons jacket

I have been looking at this Comme des Garçons blazer on Yoox for a while now and seeing as the price went down

I just placed an order for it.

After wearing my Isabel Marant coat everyday since I bought it,

I've realised that grey goes seamlessly into my wardrobe, and I feel this blazer would get

quite a bit of wear once the weather starts to get warmer.

As I had to order a small and I'm usually an XS I hope it fits, will post pictures

once I have tried it and it fits.

Edit: received it and the whole cut and style is wrong for me,

very 80's so it's going back.

Ensemble

This is a look that I adore, my new cashmere shawl in a soft shade of creme just adds depth to this look, I wear my Isabel Marant coat over of course.

Sorry I haven't been blogging, I have just been wearing the same over and over and life has simply been too busy to be blogging.

I am looking for great jumpers, that is something I am longing for, I haven't been shopping for ages, I have not felt like it nor do I feel like I really need anything.

wearing;

cream cashmere stole J for James

Zara dress

Wolford tights

Balenciaga printed leather boots

Identifying the artist?

As I browse the net, I save images I find inspiring, I love these art pieces whose artist's name eluded me.

Does anyone know the artist of these pieces? I would be so, so very grateful.

The details: Saskia Diez fine gold necklace

I have been craving this Saskia Diez necklace for over a year now, and finally got it a week ago... for me it's a test to see how much I really want something.

I love how delicate and feminine it is, barely there.

Inspiration of the day

(click for higher res)

Feeling uninspired by what is going on in fashion right now, I look back to these old Paris Vogue pages, I love the dark, grown up mood and how personal the pictures look I much prefer this old layout.

Out with the old in with the new

I have been after a wallet for a while, to replace my old Bottega wallet, which I quite simply do not like anymore, I liked this Comme des Garçons wallet I saw at Dover Street Market last week, and I just placed an order for it.

My style in motion

Clothing gets new life when it's moving, I do like movement in my clothes, which I think

this clip illustrates.

Bear with me as I have never made a movie before. ;)

ensemble:

white H&M shirt

Isabel Marant Étoile trousers

Ann Demeulemeester lace up shoes

isabel Marant coat

Pamela Love talon cuff

thin gold necklace

need

This is brilliant!

Topshop, must get my hands on it.

EDIT: It arrived and it's sadly going back, I had such high hopes for this but it absolutely drowns me... in a very oversized Hoxton way... I'm not going down that way, the search for a knitted cosy jumper continues. Sigh.

Ensemble for evening

I think keeping a laid back feel to an outfit is much harder in the evening.

I love this Zara dress, it has a very Isabel Marant feel to it...

Wearing into the night:

Ann Demeulemeester lace up sandals

Zara dress

Pamela Love gold claw bracelet

gold Roman coin necklace

Inspiration du jour

I adore white blouses, and I love the way Emmanuelle Alt wears hers, it's all in the contradiction: masculine/feminine, dainty yet strong.

I believe it's the same blouse as I was wearing (thanks to a reader who noticed it).

It just shows that you can find great pieces at any price point.

Ensemble: white blouse

(click on image for details)

I picked this white Zara blouse up a couple of weeks ago, and as you may know by now I adore white blouses, they are all so fragile though so when I find something good I always feel I need to stock up, this one has these small epaulettes which gives it that slight military feel which I love...

I feel this is a classic look for me, I always go back to it.

I started wearing the Bliss Lau body chain underneath it but decided to put it on top later on... I think I prefer it underneath as it's more subtle.

Ensemble:

White Zara silk shirt

Tsubi skinny zips

Balenciaga printed leather boots

Pamela Love claw bracelet

Bliss Lau brass body chain

Ensemble: A.P.C. plaid shirt

(click for larger picture)

My most recent purchase is this A.P.C. plaid shirt... what can I say? I succumbed in the end.

I feel it's a welcome addition to my largely monochrome wardrobe.

I love how my wardrobe is coming together for the new season, it still feels very quite like 'me', only slightly adjusted... I think I like the look.

I seem to have been shopping quite a bit lately, I always do at the start of a new season... as I look at things with fresh eyes, I shape my wardrobe for the coming season.

I like to think I am done for a while now, I have bought some key pieces and also some I would not have considered a few months back, time to start wearing the items.

Ensemble

A.P.C plaid cotton shirt

COS black wool blend skirt with pockets

Martin Margiela suede ankle boots

Isabel Marant coat

Various gold jewellery

The art of wardrobe building

I'm afraid I don't remember where I got this from, but I posted it in my previous blog, I like to have it here too, as a constant reminder, an inspiration.

Lust: YMC jumper + musings

I often find myself browsing the selection at La Garçonne for inspiration, I like the way they style the models it's all very low key, and I find ideas of elements I can incorporate into my own look.

I spotted this jumper from YMC (now unfortunately sold out) perfectly loose with a slightly wider neck which makes it feminine, a huge plus is that it has pockets, it's just that that extra element.

I'd love to wear something like this into the new season, I am always attracted to seemingly simple pieces, that are done well, items that one can easily wear over and over yet have a design detail which you love.

I think style is about figuring out what you are really attracted to... this always interests me, what is the perfect length of a sleeve? These are often rules one can find in Gentleman's dressing but for women who just buy cheap and quick... this art form has (almost) become lost.

The whole thought process might seem dated, and I am happy we have the freedom that we do have... yet, I am longing for something more.

Ensemble: tailored to perfection

(click for details)

I've had the arms on this jacket tailored at the Balenciaga boutique; which took a week and cost me £65. It makes such a difference from all the time spent tucking in the arms, being overtly aware of it to suddenly being able to move them freely. I adore the jacket and it is so nice to have items in your wardrobe you can slip on and then simply forget about.

I can't seem to take my new Balenciaga boots off, I feel like Sailor in 'Wild at heart' but instead of a snakeskin leather jacket, these are my 'reptile looking boots' - they are just so bloody suave.

I have not felt right when wearing the white t-shirt/skinny jeans/leather jacket look for a while, it has almost become cliché at this point, but I feel the colour of the boots stops the look from venturing into 'done to death'.

I am still figuring out ways to wear leather jackets that still feels fresh to me.

Ensemble:

Balenciaga leather jacket

American Vintage white t shirt

Tsubi black skinny zips

Balenciaga printed leather boots

Gold Roman coin necklace

The silhouette

Balenciaga.

Latest acquisition: Balenciaga boots.

You didn't think it was a bag did you? ;)

As you may know by now I am a big fan of classics with a twist, I saw these a week ago at the Mount Street boutique, the classic Chelsea boot in printed leather.

The colour is what instantly drew me in, so interesting and hard to capture, it's a mixture of olive/brown with Balenciaga's signature sharp lines at the seams making the boot a tad futuristic. And so cool.

I know these will become a staple, I can't wait to wear these with everything for autumn.

I really seem to be drawn to the same colours over and over.

Balenciaga

I ventured down to the Balenciaga boutique to pick up my leather jacket. Annoyingly it had not come back from alterations yet but the trip was not wasted as I ended up with something I have been debating whether or not to get.

I do love this season at Balenciaga, what is in store is a mixture of blouses, sarouel trousers, leather and cocoon style coats, it is a very Parisian collection, pieces that are easily blend into your existing look yet transform you...

Balenciaga under Nicolas Ghesquière is simply irresistible to me.

Why is it that some designers has this power over you?

Ensemble: Levi's shorts

(click for details)

I seem to be wearing variations of the same look over and over, I have always admired consistency, there are just certain things I'm attracted to, and that I feel comfortable in.

Like black vintage Levi's, this time they are shorts, I find sometimes a skirt can 'force' you to sit in a certain way not too expose too much, I miss the freedom which trousers give, so these shorts are a great alternative.

Now I only need to find them in a trouser shape and my collection will be complete. ;)

Wearing;

Chanel boucle tweed jacket

Martin Margiela low suede boots

COS white t-shirt

Levi's vintage shorts

Various gold jewellery

Obsession du jour: Blue Velvet

At once I saw this look coming down the Chloé runway, something shifted, I am already a huge fan of the sarouel shape, but this is different, more grown up, more chic. It conveys images of drinking good red wine, good conversations while being surrounded by old books... am I just dreaming of Paris again?

This much is clear... I want (need) a pair of velvet trousers, ideally dark navy or black, they should fit loosely at the hips, not too big, tapered at the ankle, without the velvet being too shiny.

I am looking for something mid range as I can't be sure if this is something I will love forever...

I really, really hope this look makes it to the high street so I can try them out.

David Lynch's Blue Velvet comes to mind, and Bobby Vinton's blue velvet seems an appropriate song.

Do you often have a perfect item in your mind?

Always.Never

always

1 Gold jewellery, I feel they add something personal to my looks, my Pamela Love brass claw bracelet which feels decadent yet edgy and unashamedly sexy.

2 Flats, I love flats, I believe in mixing things up and I often find flats refreshing when composing outfits , and they are comfortable!

3 White blouses, I don't know why I have an obsession with white blouses, they feel so modern yet with a nod to the past, I feel like a modern poet when I wear them.

4 Statement jackets, which helps to elevate my look, my jackets are my armour, I love my jackets and have spent a small fortune on them.

5 Loose washed out t-shirts.

never

1 Primark.

2 The 'Erin Wasson' look.

3 The typical 'London look' which usually consist of vintage, floral, creepers, Dr.Martens... is not all bad though I do like it when it's done well, but when you see everyone doing it you learn that even that is a kind of uniform.

4 Tu-Tu skirts. WTF?

5 Anything from Alexander Wang.

Inspiration du jour + my view

These images pretty much sums up what I am feeling for the new season...

I feel I am slowly heading in a new direction.

Keywords: Chic, bohemian, art with a hint of rock.

Hmm... style is so interesting to me, it's almost like food, you love certain ingredients, yet you're not sure how they would compliment each other or how you would fusion them to create a perfect harmony.

As I often wear a lot of dark colours I sometime look in the mirror and think, 'Too rock!' there must be a balance, I like contradiction in my dressing, a delicate blouse underneath an aged wrinkly leather jacket from Rick Owens, gold jewellery throw in different finishes and materials such as patent leather, your body is your canvas.

Which is why I can't stand the Erin Wasson clones out there, it lacks depth, it has been done and it does not add anything new.

It looks ridiculous!

Sorry, I had to get that last bit off my chest.

In fact, I am not really sorry I have just been in Britain for too long ad it feels like the right thing to say.

Ensemble: Acne boucle print dress.

(click for details)

I received my Acne dress today, and I absolutely love it.

The print sort of remind me of wet concrete, perhaps that's why I was attracted to it... 

I guess I can wear dresses and still feel like 'me'. 

And why have I not realised this sooner?

Ensemble:

Acne boucle print dress

Martin Margiela short suede boots

Pamela Love talon bracelet in brass gold

Erica Weiner gold raptor necklace

Balenciaga grey bag