Focus on Melbourne: Shoes

As some of you may know, last month I travelled to Melbourne. It is my spiritual and style home. I long to get back there like Marion Cotillard's character Mal longs to get back to 'reality' in Inception. And, in the same way as I always feel like I have left a part of me there, I always try and take something of it with me. 

This time, it's two footwear trends that can be observed on any of the girls stalking the fashionable areas of town. Of course, for Australians, it was mid-summer in February so consider them a season ahead and consider this your heads up for our summertime. 

Up first is the wood sole. Forget clogs (I will). These shoes are a perfect marriage between vintage and contemporary styles - the wooden sole sits nicely alongside vintage attire and the leather straps compliment more modern style. And I like them because they hold your foot in place - it's not flapping around. That's a big one for me. 

The below are from Mollini (£64) an Australian company but watch this space for something similar in the UK. 

Second up is the trickier to pull off Jello Gladiator Sandal. I used to wear these to the beach when I was little (but those were pink...and sparkly...ahem). Moving on... don't glaze over just yet. I do understand that a flat shoe like this is only for the willow-limbed. I am desperate for a pair and tried some on today. These come in all heel heights so there is no excuse. I daresay that this last trend is doused in man-repellent but hey, I'm married now! And anyway, just tell the boys that they're all wearing them in Melbourne. 

These are from Windsor Smith, £49 (Australia) but a similar style is available in Topshop here in the UK. And pretty comfy too. 

Final word: If you are concerned with avoiding wearing leather you might be comforted to know that Topshop have options in PVC. 

Everything begins here

Things you need to know about Everything Begins...

- they sell lots of nice things

-  they sell nice bags

- they have reduced their nice bags...

I can't do everything for you so go and have a look for yourself. These are on my wishlist, which are your favourites? 

Mimi Leather Shoulder bag - Faye £207.38 from Everything Begins

Mimi Peggy Leather satchel £165.90, also from Everything Begins

The sun shines brightly in my window today...

Can we finally celebrate the arrival of summer? Please? 

The weather this weekend promises long-awaited sunshine but after a dismal summer of rain it is hard to believe that it might be here. In the absence of any real, warm sunlight (and faith that it really ever exists) I think my subconscious is directing me towards other injections of warmth. 

Chanel's buttercup yellow shades are definitely on the Sunny Disposition wishlist...

...and Thakoon's latest collaboration with make-up brand Nars has produced this warm shade called Amchoor. Available at Liberty for £14.

Lace in Favour

Lace, broderie anglaise, applique - all looks du jour on high streets and catwalks alike at the moment. Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer collection is all over the fashion magazines (10 major covers worldwide). Prada's at it too, Lana del Ray was recently decked out in the look in Mario Testino's cover shoot for British Vogue this month. It's a look that has become part of internet sensation's signature style. Her look is Veronica Lake-Lolita and her style slams vintage up against ghetto glamour. Lana del Ray is always feminine, always coquettish (she is not averse to a see through buttoned-up). I think that it is the secret to keeping the look away from fusty.

The great thing about the look is that it's affordable for anyone to recreate. Regulars will know that I always favour vintage - it's a much more rewarding shopping experience - and for this style I would head to a mainstream vintage store like Beyond Retro where 50s and 60s clothes are easy on the wallet. The Shop on Cheshire Street (Brick Lane) is a great, if small vintage emporium. Holloway Road's 21st Century Retro might also be worth a visit - I love this woven, jewelled raffia bag - it's just the thing.

Above: Vintage Enid Collins bag is £65 available at 21st Century Retro

If vintage feels just too much like hassle, or if you cannot divorce it from old lady style, then the high street doesn't disappoint either. I have recently bought a Next lace top with unlined back and peplum waist (two trends in one piece). It comes in navy, fuschia or jade and is a rather reasonable £24. Topshop are in on the act too. Below, their effort is at a less friendly £175 and harks from their Limited Edition collection.

Going Up (in price): are these Philips glasses by a-morir (Kerin Rose). $250 is a lot to spend on such style specific glasses but I just had to include them because they ooze Lana del Rey. You can buy these from the website direct or from Liberty. Perfect pastels and gorgeously garlanded.

Bring out the gimp

I am so enjoying wearing this Amma Gyan leather jewellery - a gift from a friend who is very in tune with my lust for quirky handwear. Loyal readers and friends will know that I am a massive fan of Mor Jewellery (in Ganton Street, London). I love Mor for its uniqueness, for fusing textiles and metalwork and it's general spot-on-ness and Amma Gyan, with her use of moulded leather and metal, fits nicely into the same oeuvre.

I very much doubt that it was in Amma's mind when she designed it but I see in these Dot Rings a knowing wink to the ball gag (as modelled by Betty Page below and made infamous in Pulp Fiction). Maybe it's that it was chosen by a dear friend, or the fact that it feels just a little on the naughty side, but it makes me smile when I see it and I look forward to wearing it for years to come.

x

Baby you can drive my car

The character Penelope Pitstop is all about leather, the matching car, clothes and luggage and 60s glamour. And what better muse could you find to inspire the A/W11 collection from Louis Vuitton - a label with all these values at its core?

Also drawing heavily on the quality and palette typical in vintage car upholstery, my new best friend, Burak Uyan also uses strong shaping and beautiful stitching in the boots below.

There is something very mechanic fantasy about the thought of a brutish vintage car enthusiast having to manipulate and persuade thick leather around corners and stitching it authoritatively over the structures of a car to such elegant ends. Despite the strength required to craft these pretties, you can feel the sensitivity required to do so. As such you can see that these boots have probably had the same treatment in production.

Imagine Dita von Teese stepping out of a chauffeur driven, vintage Rolls Royce in a pair. Sheer vintage-lover heaven. Pure purrr.

Style Bubble Party

Blogging deity Susie Lau held a little soiree at the Furla store on Regent Street this evening and I went along to see the jelly-shoe style bags she is currently sporting on her blog Style Bubble in situ. Here is the lady herself (left) with vintage clothes entrepreneur Hazel Holtham of Rag and Bow (organiser of The Affordable Vintage Fair).

I was so excited to see such an influential voice in the flesh and moreover to see what she was wearing. Susie had layered up nicely sporting pyjama style trousers that she spoke about in her Elle supplement magazine last month. I loved how her bright pink jelly bag (in the bottom left hand corner of the photo) picked out the colour on her trousers.

Below the glossy, citrus coloured bags.

Who knew you could even fit a small dog in one!

To get your name on the list, Susie had challenged readers to send in a picture of the contents of their handbags. Above was my shot. In my lovely Mulberry are: Le Labo's Iris perfume, Mason and Pearson hairbrush, emergency peacock earrings, Chanel compact, iPhone, Oyster, house keys.

Bright Blue Accessories

A little while ago I posted about the merits of bright blue clothes (in 'Why So IKBlue' if you're interested) and how everyone is stocking it at the moment. And now I am magpying towards it again. I can't resist. Here are my favorites from the high street...

I love it when someone's personality really peeps out when they wear something as quirky as a turban. Turbans are obviously not new in fashion but they are a real class act. This one is from River Island and is just £9.99

Above is a very reasonably priced (£18.99) blue glass ring from Whistles. Wear it with contrasting bright nail varnish for full effect.

If you are too timid to go all out and wear this eye-popping bright as an outfit, then tip your hat to the trend by waisting a dress with a double belt like this one from Reiss £45.
Above: These are easy-height heels from Zara which would brighten up any outfit. Not super comfy but hey, I think that's just me. Yours for just £49.99

Kid in a Sweet Shop

Heston Bluementhal's Fat Duck desert Kid in a Sweet Shop is served in a scrumptious candy stripe paper bag which taps into the nostalgia of penny-sweet treats of our childhoods. And it feels like there are also lots of confectionary references in accessories at the moment too.

I'll be wearing Essie's candy-coloured nail varnishes (below) with this COS grey jersey dress with wadded skirt (£49) and eagerly awaiting the release of Antipast/Cacharel collaborative confection collection of socks to complete the look. Sweet.

Eye Love You

Photographer, Lisa Eisner, captures the passion and romance of a 1960s Mills and Boon cover, in campaign shots of super cool singer Devandra Banhart and his gorgeous girlfriend Rebecca Schwartz for Oliver Peoples Resort 2011 collection. What I love about it? Stylish photos in palm and flesh tones and sunlit split ends.

Trend: The Statement Necklace

I am great believer in making an outfit work hard and what better way than to accessorise with a statement necklace. I love getting away with wearing a really simple black outfit with a distracting bold piece of jewellery.

The Anton Heunis and Mawi pieces below are both eye-wateringly expensive but I have noticed a real trend for necklaces just like these that combine different styles.

Above: Anton Heunis with a chunky chain and fussy settings

Above: Mawi heap it on with three rows of jewels, gems and chain

I was thrilled to discover the Oh Sew Vintage label at a vintage fair recently (see below). It's designer, Emma Golding, incorporates all manner of vintage fabrics, beading and broaches into gorgeous, one-off pieces at much more pocket-friendly prices. Who needs to take out a second mortgage on a Lanvin necklace when you could get one of these pieces for around the £40 mark?

Above: Oh Sew Vintage

Foot Fetish

My feet hurt like the Little Mermaid’s.

Solution: Buy custom-fit inner-soles.

Result: Renewed interest in all shoes.

I have been shopping around looking for comfortable, supportive shoes that don’t scream geography teacher. I want beautiful shoes that I can wear all day. There are two labels that I always go to for reassurance that those two must-haves are not mutually exclusive: Chie Mihara and Tracey Neuls.

In fact, these are Chie Mihara’s guiding principles of design too. Her credentials include having worked at an orthopedic shoe shop, ‘learning about foot anatomy and common foot problems.’ I bought a pair of her shoes for when I was out personal shopping with clients so I could spend all day on my feet whilst looking credible.

Below are my favourites from her current line. Shop or browse online at her lovely website Chie Mihara.

Tracey Neuls is another designer that I admire enormously. I was drawn into her Marylebone Lane shop by a gorgeous display of shoes hung with ribbons from the ceiling and have since been a closet fan always aspiring to own a pair of her distinctive creations. The shoes are beautifully crafted and I have always cursed a missed opportunity to buy a hand-painted pair of low heals there.

Below is my favourite pair from her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. Pony skin. Would look enviable with a vintage tea dress...

Those Mermaids amongst us are also thrilled with the popularity of brogues. I love these white Church Brogues from Matches. Geeky but super good, especially with coloured socks or tights.

P.S. If you are interested in getting some custom-fit inner-soles I recommend Footbalance.

P.P.S. If you have a style-conscious man in your life, he could do worse than a pair of Chie Mihara's collection of men's shoes. Very Sartorialist.

To be fair

I love vintage fairs, antique markets, charity shops and car boot sales. You can, if you are strong-willed, leave empty handed but more often than not you find a gem that is not only beautiful and original but also a bargain. I always advocate going as early as possible because I can't face missing out. A nine o'clock wake up this morning was rewarded two-fold.

Straight off the stall and onto my arm was a vintage Mulberry Somerset bag at a snip of the price you'd pay at the shop

.

Second up, a matching black leather and brass-cased 1970s men's watch. Too drool for school.

Up for a rummage? I recommend the following sites to check upcoming events.

Hertfordshire Vintage Fairs

Hammersmith Town Hall vintage fair

Chiswick car boot, W4 3UN, London (first Sunday of every month)

Affordable Vintage Fair - York Hall, Bethnal Green (next on 27th Feb)

The Vintage Furniture Flea - York Hall, Bethnal Green (on 27th March)

Simply entitled: Drool

Should I?

Something of a spectacle

I recently picked up a knock-off pair of Rayban’s Cathy Clubmasters a festival – instantly falling in love with that Annie Hall look that, as a general rule, I can’t stand. With a pair a of full eyebrows I think it is tempting to go for a ‘covering-a-myriad-of-sins’ approach but I like the way that my unruly eyebrows spring up over the top of them giving a kind of the bookish look that Diane Keaton’s character embodies. It reminds me of something that that tomboyish Tennessee William’s character Scout Finch might have worn as a mid-teen.

I also fell in love with this Marios Schwabb pair for the same reasons but at £295 I feel that they were rather frivolously advertised by Vogue over the summer as ‘what to wear to a festival’. Aspirational certainly, but you wouldn’t catch me weeping into the folds of an inflatable mattress bemoaning the fact that someone had just knelt on my beloved lenses.

WANT.

Zara Online

This is really exciting. Much has been written about Zara opening it's online store, and finally it's here! You can now browse and buy affordable and super-fashionable smart wardrobe staples from the comfort of your own. Below are my choiciest bits of the current offering.

Not sure they've got all the gremlins out of the system but it's the first days so I'll cut them some slack.

www.zara.com

...something old, something new...

Shopping for an outfit for a wedding can be really tricky. Here are a few of my hot tips for getting it right.

New: just discovered a beautiful boutique called May in Notting Hill. Unique, classic pieces ideal for girl who wants to flatter her curves at a formal, city wedding. These are sharp, tailored pieces that are bold and stylish.www.mayshop.co.uk (see below). They even do shoes and bags so you could get the whole outfit here.

Vintage: Avoid the humiliation of turning up in the same thing as someone else by going vintage. Step away from busy Portobello Road into Still, a quiet oasis of clean, lovingly presented and reasonably priced vintage fashion. Owner Sophie is very knowledgeable about her stock and the history of each piece and is a joy to talk to. She has also developed her own line that combines the best of vintage shapes with really individual stitching and dying. Either line is great for a wedding in the country or where you want to impress the women folk by wearing something enviably unique. Lancaster Road, Notting Hill.

Borrow: If you find yourself in the situation where you have multiple weddings why not borrow something. Clothes swaps are an option but you might also consider hiring something from www.girlmeetsdress.com. Browse by size, by label and even pick up hats and bags. It's really easy. You order, try, return within a day and then, once you are happy, order it for the big occasion. GMD will even let you borrow from 2-7 nights. This is a great way to wear a Lanvin, Chloe or Alexander McQueen but paying a fraction of the price. I love this jade Stella McCartney dress (below) for hire at £299 but there are more pocket friendly pieces like this purple, belted Proenza Schouler dress for £69.

Re-wear: If you buy wisely, you can easily wear an outfit more than once if you style it cleverly. Why not go to Mor Jewelry (12 Ganton Street, London, W1F 7QS) to buy a one off statement piece of jeweler at a reasonable price. Semi-precious stone earrings will cost between £40-£60, gorgeous necklaces reminiscent of Connie Nielsen's jewellry in Gladiator for £80-£140. You'll need to save up for this treat but I speak from experience when I say that I am asked where my jeweler is from every time. 12 Ganton Street,W1F 7QS. Very dramatic pieces.