Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Orange is the new Black
Well that's the pick for Autumn 2014.
Although there were a number of warm colours shown in the Fall 2013/14 collections this year, orange seem to me to stand out the most. Mainly because it's not a dominant colour normally resonating with men's clothing. It's one of those colours that seems somewhat taboo to wear. A bit like pink was a few years ago.
Above are a few ideas I have put together in order to be Autumn 2014 ready.
D
Winter Watches
Blame the steadily declining weather, but I’m slowly falling into hibernation mode and with that comes more and more time spent inside catching up on movies both old and new. When it really is just too damn cold to do anything much at all, I’m all about bedding down with a good film, be it solo or tempting others to be more proactive than I and come join me on the sofa with the promise of tea/wine/chocolate (in that order) on arrival.
This week has been the first real sign that winter is upon us and with that I’ve been compiling a mental list of favourite movies for sloth-like Sundays and lazy dark nights. Preferably served with rain beating against the window, a fire nearby and a dog on your lap.
It’s A Wonderful Life | I’m new to this classic but it’s been my boyfriend’s Christmas family tradition for years. Makes you remember to appreciate the here and now rather than dwell on the shoulda-woulda-couldas. Dare you not to cry.
Chocoloat | Another favourite piece of movie comfort food. Johnny Depp, chocolate and an antiquated French town in need of rescuing – ticks all the boxes.
The Shawshank Redemption | A proper all-time great that will see you through a whole afternoon, all wrapped up with a heart-warming dose of redemption (the title is a bit of a giveaway on that one).
The Lives of Others | One of my all-time favourite films. German film set during the communist occupation of East Berlin that offers a glimpse at what life was like for those being monitored and the agents doing the monitoring.
Love Actually | It’s not Christmas till I’ve watched this at least once. Beats The Holiday hands down.
Goodbye First Love | Beautifully shot, bittersweet French film about first love and second love colliding.
You Can Count On Me | Heart-warming film about family-ties and sibling-bonds with Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney.
You Can Count On Me | Heart-warming film about family-ties and sibling-bonds with Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney.
Stepmom | Incredibly sad subject matter, it’s the cast that really does this one for me; Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts and Ed Harris, aka a dream team. Makes me cry like a baby every time.
Good Will Hunting | If you haven’t already seen this classic, watch it immediately. Matt Damon as an angry genius struggling to accept his potential under the help of mentor and psychologist Robin Williams.
Edward Scissorhands | I remember trying to watch this when I was about 6 before my mum ushered me out of the room. Maybe that’s why its always held some sort of allure. When I did eventually get round to watching it properly, it totally lived up to be the modern-day Fairytale I imagined it would be.
Manhattan | One of Woody Allen's neurotic best - and the cinematography is basically a love story to the eponymous city.
Baby Boom | My all-time favourite Diane Keaton goes from Manhattan career woman to rural Vermont and back again with baby in tow. Nostalgic, feel-good and more than a little camp, this always takes me right back to watching it on video when I was little.
Like Crazy | Incredibly real and moving tale of first love divided on other sides of the Atlantic. I defy anyone not to be able to relate in some way. Oh and the majority of the script is entirely ad lib to boot.
Adam | An unconventional romance between New York neighbours Adam and Beth. Sweet without being sickening.
The Horse Whisperer | Gets me every time. And enough camp fires and chemistry to metaphorically warm you up.
So there's mine - what are your favourite films for dark and miserable winter nights?
Let me know if you get round to watching any of the above for the first time - would love to hear your thoughts.
xx
Monday, November 25, 2013
Leather Forever
I couldn't really talk about wardrobe basics without at least one mention of a leather jacket, so I thought it was fitting to centre my final look for Stylebop.com around my ultimate can't-live-without-cliche.
I really do live in my leather jacket. From in the summer with denim shorts and tees, to the winter with loads of layers both underneath and over the top, I would be pretty lost without it. I find it makes anything and everything just look better and feel more in tune with me - especially useful when it comes to dresses, florals or anything that could veer towards twee. Plus it really is one of those items that just as you think you've found the perfect one, another comes along to test both you and your wallet's willpower. This one by Faith Connextion ups the ante with the braiding at the back and the all important quilting on the sleeves (a detail that just makes a good one in my books).
A little black flared skirt and cream polo neck complete the picture with New Balance (aka the comfiest sponge-soles to grace my feet) taking the girly pieces to a much more casual place.
Jacket // Faith Connextion at Stylebop.com
Top // Zara
Skirt // Jil Sander at Stylebop.com
Trainers // New Balance
Friday, November 22, 2013
Sharp or Street
Do you have a preference?
Whether you dress in a sharp designer suit or decide to go about town in street wear can depend on either a preference and/or the circumstance or situation. There are guys who will just always wear sharp clothing no matter what the circumstance or mood, and the same for guys who like to dress in street wear.
Street Wear
Street wear is a trend that has purely come about by what people are wearing on the streets. Generally it's street bloggers that push the trends, by randomly taking photos of people wearing something of their own style and blogging about it. Street wear or forms of it have actually been around for years, however with the increase of trend bloggers and of course celebrities like Justin Beiber Street Wear has become more of a now trend. Street Wear consists of everyday wear such as a shirt, some jeans shorts paired with perhaps some chucks, a beanie or caps.
Whether you dress in a sharp designer suit or decide to go about town in street wear can depend on either a preference and/or the circumstance or situation. There are guys who will just always wear sharp clothing no matter what the circumstance or mood, and the same for guys who like to dress in street wear.
Street Wear
Street wear is a trend that has purely come about by what people are wearing on the streets. Generally it's street bloggers that push the trends, by randomly taking photos of people wearing something of their own style and blogging about it. Street wear or forms of it have actually been around for years, however with the increase of trend bloggers and of course celebrities like Justin Beiber Street Wear has become more of a now trend. Street Wear consists of everyday wear such as a shirt, some jeans shorts paired with perhaps some chucks, a beanie or caps.
There are many other items that bring a street wear look together. Below is a mood board I have put together, care of Polyvore.com showcasing some of my favourite pieces of street wear.
Sharp Wear
The next trend I like to call Sharp Wear. It's a style or trend that doesn't necessarily have to cost a bomb. Sharp wear is a look that consist of suits best showcased by designers. Again forms of it have been around for years. A sharp look can come in many different pieces from jackets or coats, to suits, or shirts, however, the key is in the shape of the clothing, and in some cases the colour or pattern. Have a look around your work place some time at all the guys wearing suits or work wear and see if you can spot the difference between a guy who looks sharp and someone who just looks like they are wearing a blah ill fitting suit with a shirt. The term for it used to be "White collar" because it was literally that. Perhaps it still is called that.
Mixing and matching contrasts of colours and patterns with ties and shirts is a great way to pull off a sharp look. A slim fit suit perhaps with a light tartan pattern is another a great way.
Below is another mood board I put together showcasing some of my favourite pieces of sharp wear and of course the designers who created them.
Which is your favourite?
D.
Boy Girl Basics
Part two of my basics story for Stylebop.com is probably most akin to the sort of thing you'll find me in day after day. Having spent most of my youth in jodphurs and riding boots, desperate to partake in anything horse-related, I think that silhouette of skinnies and flat ankle boots is something I'll always feel at home in. And for me, black leather trousers are as much a 'basic' as jeans, especially in the colder months, so finding the right ones is a task worth pursuing. These ones by Joseph are as close to perfect as I've come so far; just stretchy enough, zips at the ankle and buttery soft.
My current love for camel coats is no secret (chronicled both here and here) and the classic, mannish shape of this Theory one makes it even more of a 'forever' piece. Anyone seen Love and Other Drugs? Yep, this coat makes me feel likes a (faux) 90s Anne Hathaway which is definitely a good thing. On a side not, I'm beginning to realise that red, or burgundy in this case, is the only colour I really wear. Unless we count denim as blue that is?
Coat // Theory via Stylebop.com
Trousers // Joseph via Stylebop.com
Clutch // Jil sander via Stylebop.com
Shirt // Club Monaco
Belt // Zara
Boots // Vintage
Trousers // Joseph via Stylebop.com
Clutch // Jil sander via Stylebop.com
Shirt // Club Monaco
Belt // Zara
Boots // Vintage
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Weekend Catch Up
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We took two days off work and ran away from London for a night at Babington House, the Cotswolds’ chapter of Soho House, last week which made for an extra long, spoiling weekend. And after a series of long days/weeks/months of magazine editing on Jamie’s behalf, we were more than ready for the mini getaway.
As wonderful as the set-up, grounds and service is, our food was the only aspect that was sadly a little disappointing – even more so when you consider the hefty price tags attached. But the fluffy beds, roaring fires and lovely atmosphere more than made up for a somewhat lacking dinner.
The rest of the weekend consisted of friend’s birthdays, cinema trips, baking experiments and plenty of boring but necessary life admin.
I ate…. An avocado-filled Byron burger and homemade lemon and cardamom cake baked by yours truly. I used this recipe and just added the zest and juice of half a lemon. It turned out really good and got the office seal of approval on Monday.
I drank…. The insanely good ginger tea at Babington’s Cowshed spa (dee-licious) and Grey Goose Le Fizz cocktails.
I went… To Babington House! Swimming in the bath-like indoor pool, sweating in the sauna, trying and failing to learn the ropes at chess and lots of red wine were all part of our cosy two days. I also spent a good couple of hours of lounging, quite literally, in a robe, drinking tea and catching up on magazines (you can probably tell from the pictures above that I was rarely without a cup of something hot.). Upmarket slobbing-out at its best.
I watched… Gravity in 3D. Go see for a vertigo-inducing (in a good way) spectacle that succeeds in wowing despite the oh-so-cheesy script.
I wore… Lots of grey, the warmer the better: a v-neck jumper and this knitted beanie. My Vans came in handy for hopping from the room to pool and back again too.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Is it a Revolution?
In this day and age, it's pleasing to see men everywhere are taking fashion more seriously.
Last week I discovered an article http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/9405600/Men-share-fashion-advice-online-too which spills the beans about an online advice forum for men by men.
It gives me a great sense of pride to see that our wee baby "metro-sexuality" (well not really mine) is maturing into a serious contender in this big bad world of fashion. Average Joe's are finally taking fashion into their stride without the taboo of thinking that people would automatically think they were gay just because they dressed well or "expressively".
A few years ago I blogged about an article on stuff.co.nz which indicated men purposely dressed badly so that people wouldn't think they were gay. Ref http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_7907.php - see previous blog http://stylemensfashion.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/it-becomes-clear.html. Now men are seeking and providing advice to each other through this online community http://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice. It's a global community that asks questions as simple as advice on winter clothing, tips on brands and how do I look? images for advice. Hmm look out mens fashion bloggers, we may be out of a job soon! The proof is definitely in the pudding though. Everywhere I look nowadays in Melbourne, men are certainly taking pride in their appearances, from head to toe.
To be honest, I attribute men having a deeper interest in their own fashion, to hit TV programs such as Downton Abbey and movies such as The Great Gadsby. Even fashion designers are using these programs for inspiration for their own collections. These are of course, the trend setters. You can even go into a hair salon now and ask for a Gadsby cut and the stylist will know exactly what you want.
Dolce & Gabbana put out a Fall 2012 collection inspired by early 20th Century and of course this Era was popularized by Downton Abby and The Great Gadsby.
(Image source: furnsider.com)
My question to you is.....is it a revolution?
D.
Last week I discovered an article http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/9405600/Men-share-fashion-advice-online-too which spills the beans about an online advice forum for men by men.
It gives me a great sense of pride to see that our wee baby "metro-sexuality" (well not really mine) is maturing into a serious contender in this big bad world of fashion. Average Joe's are finally taking fashion into their stride without the taboo of thinking that people would automatically think they were gay just because they dressed well or "expressively".
A few years ago I blogged about an article on stuff.co.nz which indicated men purposely dressed badly so that people wouldn't think they were gay. Ref http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_7907.php - see previous blog http://stylemensfashion.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/it-becomes-clear.html. Now men are seeking and providing advice to each other through this online community http://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice. It's a global community that asks questions as simple as advice on winter clothing, tips on brands and how do I look? images for advice. Hmm look out mens fashion bloggers, we may be out of a job soon! The proof is definitely in the pudding though. Everywhere I look nowadays in Melbourne, men are certainly taking pride in their appearances, from head to toe.
To be honest, I attribute men having a deeper interest in their own fashion, to hit TV programs such as Downton Abbey and movies such as The Great Gadsby. Even fashion designers are using these programs for inspiration for their own collections. These are of course, the trend setters. You can even go into a hair salon now and ask for a Gadsby cut and the stylist will know exactly what you want.
Dolce & Gabbana put out a Fall 2012 collection inspired by early 20th Century and of course this Era was popularized by Downton Abby and The Great Gadsby.
(Image source: furnsider.com)
My question to you is.....is it a revolution?
D.
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