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!

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!

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.

Mixing some taupe and brown into today’s sludge mix! Also, going full-bore on the whole Lagenlook thing. And I think I’m just getting started with that. Drape and layers, what’s not to love, if you’re me? (Or have the same drape and layer fixation.) Don’t get me wrong — I still love nicely fitted clothing, but I really am loving both the look and the fluid feel of stuff like this.

Very happy with this one.

Details:

Cardi/duster: Planet, thrifted, remixed. Another awesome thing about Lagenlook? Great way to make thrifted gems that are technically too big work. Like this one. It’s a bit too big in the shoulders, and quite a bit too big in the hips (surprise, surprise) but over a few layers, and intended to be loose and airy, it works well.

Scarf: All Saints.

Blouse: Gudrun Sjoden, thrifted. Speaking of too big; this is an XL, and according to the Gudrun Sjoden size guide, I should be wearing a small in generously-cut stuff, and a medium otherwise. However, given how I layered this, and given that I lived through the 80s, I have a really high tolerance for enormously oversized oversized shirts. I saw Stop Making Sense many, many times. In the cinema. I am having a very hard time resisting the urge to go nuts at the website.

Skirt: Marks & Spencer, thrifted, remixed. This is the double-layered skirt with the slits that let the darker, heavy voile-like underskirt show through. Another reason to love the layers: does nicely in hiding elastic waistbands, which I normally abhor.

Tights: M&S, remixed.

Boots: Hush Puppies, remixed.

Very high thrift percentage on this outfit, which makes me very happy.

There are times when I think I should probably just say to hell with it, and get rid of all my clothes that aren’t black, white, or grey, because it seems as if that’s all I’ve been wearing for a while now, and I’m yet to get bored with it. Every night, I think I should wear some colour the next day, and then the next day rolls around, and I try, really I do, and then I kind of go into this anxiety spiral about OMG WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR, and then I give up and pull out something black, white, or grey, and suddenly it all seems easier. And that’s when I crossly tell myself that I should just give up on the colour already — even though I do, in fact, love colour — and fully embrace my monochromatic being.

Then I spot one of my Desigual dresses, and think, oh hell no. Not giving those up. I’m just going to accept that I’m apparently in a very, very long monochrome phase, and wait it out. To be fair, it could be that I just need some reasonably consistent spring weather to get me back into the colour groove. In the meantime, I’ll just be here in my comfort zone, waiting it out.

Details:

Jacket: People Tree. Thrifted, new with tags, and ethically made, which is like the feel-good trifecta. This is my slightly-warmer-weather replacement for my heavy grey wool/cashmere blend Jaeger coat. I realised over the course of this seemingly endless winter just how bloody useful that coat is, and I was pretty pleased to find this, and figure out how to use it in much the same way. I don’t think the crappy photo is showing it very well, but it’s a collarless empire waist coat with three big buttons up top, and then open down to the hem. I’d describe the material as super heavyweight sweatshirt-style fabric. Super comfortable, and a very good weight for the sort of low/mid-50s F weather we’ve been having.

Scarf: All Saints. TK Maxx got another shipment of All Saints in, and I’ve acquired a few lighter-weight scarves (black, grey, white, cream, or a mixture of all of the above) at a hugely discounted price from AS’s usual obscenely expensive one. (Seriously, they can, with a straight face, charge in the neighbourhood of £100 for a viscose scarf. Hahahaha, right.)

Long-sleeve tee: Gap. Could there POSSIBLY be a more me garment? Faded black and grey STRIPES. It’s also at least a size, and probably two, too big, which is also me, with the oversized-and-drapey thing I’ve been working of late.

Pants: Uh, Gap calls these jean leggings, or something like that, but really, they’re just heavy ponte and cut like skinnies. Remixed.

Chelsea boots: Deichmann. These are totally different from my Faith Chelsea boots, I swear! These have no pleats along the uppers, and a buckle on the side.