It's the Little Things

While the mass trends (I'm looking at you, Chanel Supermarche) are fun, I find it's normally the smaller touches and subtle details that I end up adopting each season. They let you feel like you're trying something different, without mixing it up to the point you forget what you actually like, versus what the catwalks have told you you should like.  
So, I thought I'd flag up some of my favourite styling details from the A/W 14 catwalks that I for one, plan on adopting, or at least attempting, immediately. 

1. Do as Whistles do, and roll over your waistband. O.K it might not work on everything, but these apron-style waists are super flattering and make everything look just that little bit more relaxed (always a good thing).

2.  Phoebe says re-think the old tunic-over-trousers combo and so we do. I dread to think what this actual Celine look would like on anyone other than a 6 ft model, but love the overall effect of the matching, knitted tunic and trousers. Keep it all one colour and streamlined to save from looking like you forgot to take your nightie off.

3. If in doubt, keep it slinky and simple. It's no secret I am a fan of all things monochrome, especially when it comes to sleek separates like these at Narciso Rodriguez. The simple palette lets tiny touches likes the satin trim say it all. 

4. "De-sex" a slip dress with a trench coat. Really loved how Michael Kors made a silk slip dress feel almost sensible with the help of a long camel coat. Loafers and minimal makeup also work to keep it super casual. 

5. Statement doesn't have to be scary. I can always appreciate a 'trophy piece" (if not the phrase), but normally on other people rather than myself... By pairing this kilt with a classic pea coat and plain silk top, Mary Katrantzou made me rethink what 'statement' means. On a side note, the whole of Katrantzou's non-print focused collection was just amazingness incarnate.

6. Belt up. I've never been into the cinching thing, but Isabel Marant is the master of re-appropriating trends we swore we'd never try (two words: wedge trainers), and suddenly wrapping a belt round a jacket or coat is more covetable than ever. 

7. Fray that denim. King and queen of the stuff, Marques Almeida proved frayed denim is no one trick pony. Forgo the seams and fray your cuffs, hems and edges instead.

 

8. Put a polo neck under jacket about everything. Nothing new, but not one to forget and perfect for this transitional time of year. Barbara Bui shows us how its done.

9.  Go low. Ditch the bra and go for an even deeper v-neck as demonstrated by Haider Ackermann. Keep the V narrow and as prim as possible to save from any misdemeanors....

10. Untuck a white shirt. I love the effect of this simple cotton shirt untucked and poking out from under a jumper at Philip Lim. Super cool and as far from try hard as you can get. And everyone has a white shirt right?

Top 10 looks from MFW

 It's Milan's turn for my break down of favourite looks, and this time I actually stuck to the self-imposed limit of 10.  But fear not, I will no doubt be going back to my rebellious ways when it comes to Paris, my folder for which is already overflowing. Thank you in advance Marc, Riccardo and Claire.

While I anticipate and admire the work of Miuccia Prada and co, I sometimes struggle to find inspiration on a personal level from Milan, especially as the Italian aesthetic tends to veer towards very 'done', which as you know isn't exactly very 'me'. Bu the great thing about Milan is I often get pleasantly surprised by brands I might not immediately assimilate with.  Take Sportmax for example - a label I wouldn't automatically get excited about and yet it proved my stand out show of MFW. Plus there's something about Milan that makes me want to sharpen up and magically have the ability to wear high, high heels all day long and don white without spilling on it.

Neither aspirations will be happening any time soon but its nice to pretend, and the below looks are good for doing just that.

Sportmax was probably my favourite show of Milan - loved the loose silhouettes, black spots and so naff-they're-great pom pom mules. Any excuse to wear something akin to silk pyjamas too. 

Such beautiful, slinky dresses by Roberto Cavalli - like 'bejazzled' 70s crochet tunics. Would kill for an occasion to wear one these beauties.

The nipped-in little jacket and pencil skirt should feel stuffy but in the hands of Consuelo Castiglioni at Marni, the combination feels relaxed and generally doable. Quite the feat.

Sucker for metallic Ziggy Stardust trousers - the key is to keeping everything else to minimum as demonstrated by Costumer National.

Oh to be tall, willowy and able to carry off this Gucci dress. I personally find that neckline the sexiest of all too. Really liked the label's sportier turn this season. And I do like a bit of lurex....

Yeah we all know about the pink coat thing - it was more the trouser length and shoes that won me over on the top Jil Sander look.  And if I had the abs for it, I'd 100% work a cropped top under tailoring thing...  (Think I'll leave that to those braver than I for now though.)

Last but not least, a look from Iceberg that's one of those easy things you'd wear tomorrow with the added bonus of clean lines and a diagonal lepel.

Top 10 looks from LFW

In the same vein as my New York round-up, I've pulled together a few favourites from London's catwalks - and yet again I went over and ended up with 13. Not very good at this am I. That's part of the joy of having your own blog I guess - the boss says its o.k to have 13 when the title says 10! 

Running a bit behind with this but will try and get Milan up ASAP before Paris. Fearing 10 (o.k 13) may well have to become 20 for the final chapter, already so much goodness coming out of the French capital....

Love a shirt-skirt as a you know, so this Ashish look struck a cord. The Coke-meets-raglan tee was pretty damn cool too. 

I loved the emphasis of skin on show at J.W.Anderson - this top isn't really a top at all, more a small flannel on strings which the picture doesn't really do justice too! The homely, domesticated feel to this look also feels really covetable - the simple black flat mule is clearly something to invest in next summer as well.

One of the most anticipated shows of LFW, Christopher Kane didn't disappoint (does he ever) with his petal-themed collection that drew on school textbooks and the science of flowers. While I loved the collection in its entirety, the simplicity of these delicate dresses are right up my street.

Can't you just imagine lounging around some fantastical Morroccan villa pool in this (preferably Hotel Beldi-one of the many places on my 2014 hit list)? This felt like one of the coolest, understated looks to emerge from Topshop's very flirtatious offering for S/S 14. Again with the flat slides too.

I always look forward to Simone Rocha (I remember cramming into her tiny off-schedule shows many seasons ago and falling for her PVC-meets-lace creations) and this oversized slip dress was the look that immediately resonated with me.  I really like the idea of wearing baggy, vintage satin slips with lace-up brogues or even trainers next summer.

No matter how 'a la mode' they might be, I'm not sure I will ever delve into pastels. However in terms of silhouette, I really liked Burberry's sheer slinky skirts and elegant sweaters. For someone who feels lost without a jacket or coat whatever the weather, the emphasis on summer coats was a nice direction too.

Black leather pinafore, cutaway turtle-neck and Birkenstock-style sandals tick all the boxes at Whistles. 

Again with the pastels, but I do like the tonal wide stripes and somehow the smokey eyes and slicked hair balance out any saccharine sweetness that comes from the matchy-mathcy combo. Those elongated t-shirt sleeves and flippy knee-length hemline are definitely details to recreate too. 

This is again one of those looks I don't love as a whole, but pick it apart and there's plenty of inspiration to be had. Namely the satin Bermudas, the sandals and the boxy suede jacket. Get rid of the shirt basically and you've got a goodie. 

Pyjama-dressing at its most elegant by Eudon Choi - loved the Japanese twist on the look too.There was also a beautiful backless jumpsuit but the front-on image didn't really do it justice.

So at first glance you might think the Meadham Kirchhoff show is as far from my aesthetic as you can get. But I actually loved it and as with many of the London shows, after appreciating it for the visionary and inspiring show that it was, you can actually start to dissect it and discover incredibly wearable and beautiful separates. This skirt is case in point - so gorgeous and ornate, I can imagine it feeling incredible on. Loved the New Romantic feel to the collection and the girlish antiquity lots of the looks had too.