she's addicted to clothes

I haven’t been posting, because I’ve been trying to come to terms with a tragic haircut. Apparently my request for a trim, accompanied by a photograph of a woman with long blonde hair, with long layers, similar to mine, and an expressed wish to carry on working the damage from my previous tragic haircut (the great bangs/fringe experiment of ‘11) translated to “chop off a shitload of hair, and return the bangs/fringe to an incredibly awkward length,” in her mind.

I’d wanted to get away from using the hot rollers so much, and eventually, oh happy day, get back to the plain ol’ long/straight style I’ve had for most of my life, but alas, it’s going to be a while, and I’ll probably be straight back into the heat styling abuse until time remedies the current unhappy situation.

Also, WHEN is any hairstylist going to finally take me seriously when I tell him or her that no, your hair serum is NOT going to be the one that miraculously fails to make my hair limp?

OK, I’ve vented now. Here’s the details:

Tee: Gap. This is the smaller of the two otherwise-identical shirts, and I really am glad I went out and bought multiples on this one.

Necklaces: Various, remixed.

Belt: Next, thrifted, remixed.

Skirt: Gap, remixed. Oh, so remixed. I’m pretty sure this is my most frequently worn skirt ever. Still going strong!

Tights: John Lewis. I’m giving these a whirl, because my beloved 100-denier velvet touch opaques from M&S are currently out of stock in my size, at both my local-ish M&S locations. They’re OK, but I don’t like them nearly as much. I think the M&S ones are my One True Opaque Black Tights.

Shoes: Remixed. I can’t help it! I love these! So pain-free!

Oh hai, citizens of the future. I stepped into a time machine on my way to a Nirvana concert, and ended up here like 20-ish years later.

Seriously, I did attend the very concert in the above link, and I wore something almost totally identical to this outfit right here, including the nerdy glasses and the straight hair. (The major difference is the lack of a Black Flag tee and Doc Martens oxfords, which I really need to replace. Also, I am not high this time.) They say you shouldn’t follow a trend the second time around, but to hell with Them: I never entirely stopped following this one. I always feel like myself when I dress like this.

Details:

Cardigan: Cynthia Rowley, remixed.

Necklace: Boots, remixed. Very luxe, eh?

Tee: H&M, probably remixed.

Belt: Dsquared, remixed.

Boyfriend shorts: H&M, remixed.

Cuffs, etc., remixed.

Tights: M&S, remixed.

Scuffed moccasins: Klacson, remixed. These need replacing, for sure.

So here I am, in the tulle skirt I have been trying to find for approximately, oh, FOREVER. I wasn’t actually picky about colour, as long as it wasn’t anything I’d consider unacceptably garish, but I was picky about lots of other things, like it had to be lined, and the lining had to stop somewhere pretty close to the hem. It had to be soft, drapey tulle, and it had to be free of any ornamentation. No ruffles, no lace, and especially no rhinestones or tiny faux pearls. That when I finally found it, it turned out to be grey is just a nice bonus for being so patient.

Given my compulsion to toughen up things that read as ultra-femme to me, all the leather and hardware was probably inevitable. I like very feminine clothes, but fear I might look a bit ridiculous in them, given my height and general angularity. I concede this is an idiotic proscriptive belief and I would love to jettison it on general principles, but once I get an idea into my head about what suits me and what doesn’t, it’s almost impossible to dislodge it. Given how cheerfully I give the finger to most of the likewise proscriptive dictates of so-called “age appropriate” dressing, it does puzzle me that I feel this way.

Also, I just totally love bad-ass rocker chick stuff, what can I say?

Details:

Necklace: Pilgrim. I LOVE this company’s stuff so much. I first stumbled upon them at our local outlet mall, and I’ve been slowly amassing a collection of it. Lots of sterling, and lots of high-quality costume jewellery, and as I’m coming more and more to favour small earrings (long ones get lost and/or tangled up in my hair, now that it’s long again) unless I’m wearing some of my “good” studs or smaller earrings, usually I’ve got a pair of their earrings in my ears. I feel weirdly naked without earrings at all, which is another one of those puzzling-to-me quirks of mine. (As usual, I mention things I like, not things for which I’m being compensated in any way for reviewing. Linking out of love!)

Leather moto: Aviatrix, remixed, and oh how happy I am that this was sufficient protection from the weather today! Even over…

Cashmere halter-style jumper: Vince, thrifted, remixed. The existence of a cashmere halter top makes me wonder when, exactly, you’d wear it without a jacket? Warm enough for a halter is possibly too warm for cashmere, and cold enough for cashmere is possibly too cold for bare arms, shoulders and back, at least if you’re me, and a total wimp about what your personal temperature comfort zone is.

Belt: All Saints. RAAAAR, I am just that tough! Or so the belt allows me to pretend.

Tulle skirt: Miss Selfridge clearance rack. All that effort, and I found it in a totally unlikely place for like seven quid. In GREY, no less! I spent months trying to thrift a tulle skirt, so even though I ended up finding it at a fast fashion shop, I at least feel as if I gave it my best shot.

Various, barely-seen leather/chain cuffs: Pilgrim and Fossil.

Tights: M&S.

Chelsea boots: Deichmann, remixed.

It’s been a long day, so just a quick post, mostly to keep momentum after last week’s hiatus.

This braided updo is proving useful in fighting the seemingly ever-present wind around here. I can’t be having with the whole topknot trend, but this is at least a change from my usual French twist.

Details:

Scarf: Urban Outfitters, remixed.

Jacket: Zara, remixed. I probably should’ve gone with something heavier today, but I’ve just about hit the wall with wool overcoats. It’s the middle of May, for pity’s sake.

Long-sleeve stripey tee: Monari. I’ve had a cull, and I’m replacing my worn- or stretched-out stripey shirts as I find them.

Denim skirt: Oasis, thrifted, remixed.

Tights: The usual M&S velvet 100-deniers, remixed.

Bag: All Saints.

Shoes: Remixed. I am wearing these things so much lately, but they’re so comfortable and they go with practically everything!

I just wasn’t very excited about my clothes last week, so I took a bit of an unplanned hiatus there. I was — briefly — excited about the weather, as we had two cracking days of sunshine and actual warmth, one of which I was even able to enjoy without a coat, but alas, back to boots and scarves today. It wasn’t hideous, but wow, I’d like at least a bit of springtime before summer arrives.

Still, I am here, I am definitely visible, and thus, I am joining in on this week’s Visible Monday, with many thanks, as always, to Patti for hosting, and being a constant source of inspiration — along with the other participants, of course! —  to make the effort to start the week off stylishly. (I do have to admit to feeling somewhat jealous at all the lucky souls being stylish in springy clothing, though!)

Details:

Sunglasses: Pucci. It doesn’t show, but they have a fabulous blue print on the stems.

Scarf: All Saints. At least it’s not wool! This is just a plain white cotton scarf, of course, but All Saints comes through with slightly off-beat shaping to keep it from being too boring. Also, I would like to note that among my vast collection of scarves, the All Saints ones seem to stay in place the best; seldom do I get wild flapping about, and we get a LOT of wind where I live, so they’re put to the test. I really think it’s something about the construction, and sometimes the fabric just seems to stick nicely to itself. And I got absolutely nothing for saying that; I just like to note when any given company pleases me.

Slash neck jumper: Monsoon, remixed. This is getting as much wear as I thought it would when I was on my seemingly endless hunt for it.

Skirt:  Premise. This is a company I’d never heard of, until I found this awesome skirt at TK Maxx. It’s incredibly well-made, and a quick Google search suggests it’s a real company, sort of in the mid-range ready-to-wear category, and not one of those vague names you suspect was just made up for the run of clothing that landed in the discounter. That’s appliqued, not a print, and it’s lined heavy cotton duck. It’s also too damn big in the waist, but can be worn on my hips, and thus as a knee-length skirt instead of a longish mini. In other words, I’m keeping it, because I love it, since I’m able to make it work. I do love my black and white graphics!

Leather cuff: Pilgrim.

Tights: M&S, remixed.

Leather shopper: M&S Autograph, picked up in the recent clearance. A winning round of Retail Chicken on this one; with all the black and grey I  wear, it’s going to come in handy.

Boots: Debenhams, remixed.

And then sometimes I like to pretend I’m a bad-ass rocker chick.

Details:

Choker: This is actually one of my regularly worn double-wrap leather cuffs. I wanted to wear a choker, or other short necklace with this blouse (it has a deliberately wonky neckline) but nothing I could see was really working for me. I happened to be putting on my bracelets at that point, and thought, huh, I wonder if this would fit around my neck? It did, and perfectly comfortably, too. Remixed.

Leather jacket: Aviatrix, remixed. This was nice and soft to begin with, but it’s breaking in beautifully, and getting softer all the time.

Silk blouse: All Saints. I need to get a better photo of this, when it isn’t covered with a jacket, because the wonky detailing is pretty sweet. 

Skinnies: Abercrombie & Fitch, thrifted, remixed. These are my miracle jeans, the only pair of skinnies that have ever fit my ass and thighs absolutely perfectly. I paid like four quid for them at Oxfam.

Shoes: Mystery shoes, remixed. I keep wearing these because they’re giving my poor pinky toes a rest and a chance to heal up a bit. Glad they’re in such a neutral colour!

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Another madly busy Thursday, so forgive me if I post an outfit and dash.

Details:

Jumper: Thrifted, no tags. 

Necklaces: Found objects on chains by Religion, remixed.

Belt: Vanzetti, remixed.

Shorts: S.C.O.U.T., remixed.

Chain bracelet and leather cuffs: Fossil and Pilgrim. This sort of butch bangle is my current favourite accessory, and shows no sign of losing that title soon.

Tights: M&S, remixed.

Shoes: Remixed. A better view of the same shoes I wore earlier this week. Still super comfortable!

Sandals! A mere denim jacket as outerwear! Sunshine! Yes, we got an honest-to-god spring day today, and I was nearly beside myself with glee. And I was also very glad I’d painted my toenails fairly recently, in the faint hope I’d be exposing my feet soon. Still a bit too chilly for me to wear a shorter skirt with bare legs, but I now have hope we’ll get there eventually.

Not a bad way to start May.

Details:

Denim Jacket: Gap, thrifted, remixed. Old Faithful is back! This is my third year on this particular denim jacket, and while I have a couple others, this is most definitely my favourite.

Necklace: East Outlet. Yes, I have jumped on the style blogger bib necklace bandwagon, like years after everybody else. I like the subtle, muted colours in this one; it doesn’t feel too showy or over-the-top to me.

Earrings: (Given that you can actually see them today, what with the Heidi ‘do) Monet, remixed.

Sweater vest: Toast, thrifted. I’ve just got a similar-coloured tank under this. It’s 50/50 alpaca and merino, and I was worried it might itch a bit. Seems good. I like the waist shaping, although you’re not seeing it much here, of course, due to the jacket.

Maxi skirt: Gap. I’ve had this one waiting forever, it seems. I found it at the end of last season on the clearance rack, and I’ve been eager to wear it, given that it’s a perfect length. I didn’t notice until today that what I thought were little dots in the pattern are actually alternating bands of stars and diamonds. What I really like about this skirt is that it’s double layered, so you get that lovely breeziness with the top layer, but unlike most double layer maxi skirts I’ve seen, the underskirt doesn’t cut off mid-thigh, which I hate. I mean, all power to you if you like that style, and I’m sure you rock it, but there’s something about it that displeases my eye —  it just looks jarring and off to me, somehow. I have much the same issue with high-low skirts where the back hem is radically longer than the front.

Sandals: Faith. These are a mere UK size 9, which Faith does in some styles, and I have surprisingly good luck fitting into those occasional 9s. And it’s not just because the sandals afford me more room; my other Faith successes are boots.

I call this look Middle-Aged Lady Works All Morning Then Runs Errands & Goes To The Outlet Village. Because that’s what I did today. Totally phoning it in, and because the weather looked as if it could go either way when I left the house, I played it safe, and made sure I wouldn’t freeze if it all went to hell.

Naturally, it was gorgeous, and I could’ve got away with something more springlike. Ah, well. At least I’m NOT wearing grey or black, right?

Details:

Suede blazer: Lakeland, thrifted, remixed. This is a great weight for this kind of weather, as it is capable of keeping a biting wind at bay, but isn’t too hot in somewhat warmer weather. There’s a reason I have so many leather/suede jackets. (I mean, aside from just loving them.)

Scarf: All Saints, remixed.

Long-sleeved tee: Gap, remixed. This is a waffle-weave Henley.

Belt: Errr, some German company whose name I can’t recall, but they make good belts. Remixed.

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind, remixed. Still very pleased with these.

Shoes: I have no idea, but they’re kind of brogue-like, with a buckle on the side, and kind of cowboy boot-style heels. I bought these so long ago I can’t recall where I got them, and then they languished, because I thought they’d hurt my feet. I was wrong; they’re super comfortable, and I’m only not pissed off at myself for letting them sit so long because now they’re basically still brand new, and not already wearing out! (Will get a better photo of them next time.)

So pollen punched me in the face mid-week, and the resulting puffy, red eyes and swollen face was just too much for me to bear contemplating getting in front of a camera. Not to mention I just felt like hell. I’m feeling better, and less puffy today, so I am showing myself (and my righteous pattern-mixing) to the world, and thus, linking up with Visible Monday. (Check it out!)

I’m still having trouble getting away from the neutrals, but I’m having fun with layering and playing with different silhouettes. Stipes and polka dots may be the easiest patterns to mix, particularly as neutrals, but it’s still good fun, and you can still get a fairly striking mix going on. Either that, or I’m taking matchy-matchy to extremes, but I like matchy-matchy, so there you go: I’m happy with it.

Have a great week, all!

Details:

Scarf: Linea, remixed. I was going to go all out, and mix a bigger floral scarf in, but the weather was fairly warm today, if windy, so I went with something lighter and smaller.

Jacket: Clements Ribeiro. I’ve picked up a couple of boxier jackets recently, to work on my Lagenlook project, and this is a first go with this one. I wore it under my People Tree coat, because it wasn’t that warm, but I can see this getting a lot of wear this summer.

Polka dot tee: Next.

Striped tee: Gap. Not remixed; my other one (seen in the People Tree link above) was a Large, and large on me it is. I love it as a big, slouchy pullover, and it’s great an upper layer, but not so much under things. Since they were on extreme clearance, I went back and picked up a Small for under-layering purposes. I STILL have plenty of room in this thing, so yeah, Gap’s wonky sizing strikes again.

Bag: Cath Kidston, remixed. Worn with the obnoxious label facing my body, not facing the street. God, I hate that, but I loved the bag so much when I bought it that I overlooked my usual violent objection to visible logos.

Skirt: H&M, remixed. I started out in my slouchy black trousers, but then remembered I had these tights, and I obeyed my matchy-matchy instincts.

Tights: Marks & Spencer. These are (mostly) cotton tights, and very awesome indeed.

Chelsea boots: Deichmann, remixed.