Checks seem to be one of the major trends this season and I’m pretty happy about it. For someone that doesn’t wear a lot of print, checks are something I can really get into, like an entry-level print for the unaccustomed. There are some great window pane checks around and so much gingham, which I can’t get enough of and will definitely be wearing more of in the summer. Prince of Wales check is also a firm favourite, I’ve spotted some great blazers on the high street but I’m looking for one that takes it to the next level. Any sightings please let me know! I know Sézane had some nice ones last season but I was a bit slow out of the blocks.
To keep this look nice and clean I’ve stuck with navy blue head-to-toe. I have a lot of navy in my wardrobe, I find it very easy to wear, more so than black, sometimes. The top and trousers I’m wearing are both from ME+EM. I’ve mentioned the trousers before and they’ve been on my Instagram a lot but they really are the best fitting trousers I’ve come across in a long time. I’ve noticed that quite a few of you have been clicking through to them; if you’ve bought a pair, let me know how they fit?
Finally, I’ve got hold of a pair of these amazing earrings from Finery. I spotted them ages ago but only took the plunge last week when they came back on the site, and it was definitely worth the wait. I’ve worn them just once and have already been complimented on them many times.
Have you heard of a little British brand called Kirei? It’s pronounced ‘kee-ray’ and means beautiful in Japanese. They make incredible clothes, reminiscent of a couple of my favourite brands, Isabel Marant and Masscob. Aside from great designs they work with natural fibres, a prerequisite for me these days. They use embroidery and lace to elevate their simple, flattering shapes to create timeless clothes that I know will be in my wardrobe for years to come. Their new SS17 collection has just been released and it’s gorgeous.
I love the details on this shirt, the little tassels around the bottom and the embellishment along the edge of the placket. I can’t wait for the warmer days when I can wear it with a pair of denim shorts.
Chinti and Parker Star Slouchy Cashmere Sweater in Black* | Levi’s Vintage 501 Jeans | Sandro Veinarde Leather Biker Jacket in Black | Adidas Originals Stan Smith Trainers* | Jaeger Mini Oxford Cross-Body Bag in Black (sold out)* | 88&Cloudless Joy Mini-Star Necklace in Solid 9ct Gold* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | Kristen Elspeth Blade Ring in Gold* | Myia Bonner Mini Diamond Circle Stud Earrings in Gold | Retrosuperfuture Paloma Black Matte Sunglasses*
It may sound like a cliche but once you’ve worn cashmere it’s hard to go back. When it comes to knitwear, cashmere really is king. It’s incredibly soft, lightweight and ever so warm – it’s said to be three times warmer than sheep’s wool.
Cashmere comes from the finer undercoat fibres of the cashmere goat. It’s usually combed from the goats during their moulting season and is then separated from the course guard hairs that are moulted at the same time. Each goat is said to produce around 115g each year, meaning for just one sweater the wool of 3-4 goats is required. This is one of the reasons for its elevated cost. There are several grades of cashmere depending on the diameter of the hairs, the best, Grade A is 14-15.5 microns thick and, the worst, Grade C is around double that at 30 microns.
“…for just one sweater the wool of 3-4 goats is required.”
I’ve tested out a lot of high-street cashmere. Initially I’ve been impressed but a couple of wears and washes later and it no longer resembles the jumper I bought. It’s moulted onto everything I’ve touched, there are bobbles on high-friction areas and it’s shrunk. Don’t believe the hype, it’s just not worth it. If you’re ready to invest in cashmere look to the high-end brands that work with the most respected mills. One brand I can highly recommend is Chinti and Parker, a London based clothing brand that specialise in a ‘classic-with-a-twist essence’. They cater for those of us with a more minimalist aesthetic as well as those looking for designs with personality (they collaborated with Miffy last year and have another exciting collaboration coming soon).
Jaeger Wool Bomber in Black* | WoolOvers Cashmere Roll-Neck in Dove Grey* | ME+EM Day To Evening Tux Trousers in Black* | Air & Grace Copeland Trainers in Leopard Print* | A.P.C. Demi-Lune Shoulder Bag in Black | Timex Weekender Fairfield Watch in Khaki*
In my childhood the only reference to leopard print I can remember is of the characters on Eastenders. It was seen as tacky, a bit slutty, and not the sort of thing nice girls wore. Fast forward a few years and my associations are quite different, I think of cool Parisiens like Jeanne Damas and Emmanuelle Alt, wearing chic little ankle boots and faux fur coats with style.
“I think of cool Parisiens like Jeanne Damas and Emmanuelle Alt”
It is with great joy that I’ve finally joined the leopard print club, thanks to my new trainers from a lovely British brand called Air & Grace. My friend Julia from Stylonylon kindly introduced me to Claire Burrows (their founder) back in October. Claire’s lovely and she’s passionate about making beautiful shoes that are comfortable, comfortable enough to run around in all day. Given this is a common occurrence for me I’ve been putting them to the test, these little leopard print toes have been all over London in the last few weeks, and I’m still very happy to slip my feet into them.
Never one to go overboard, I kept the rest of my outfit minimal. The wool bomber is from Jaeger and such a great find. I’ve searched for a well cut black wool bomber for so long and I’ve only ever found very expensive ones that are out of my league. This one fits so well and is made with 100% soft wool.
If you buy one coat at this time of the year it has to be a trench coat. It’s the perfect transitional coat and a versatile one; wear it over a cashmere knit on chilly days and then swap it for a simple t-shirt when the temperature rises a few degrees. It’ll always looks chic with tailored black trousers or for a more casual look with dark jeans. I really like the simple design of this one from The White Company, no buckles or buttonholes, just a simple tie. I just need to be careful to keep it clean.
I’m also wearing a few of my favourite t-shirts. My Comme des Garçons PLAY t-shirt collection is starting to grow; I love their stripe t-shirts but this time I’ve gone for a short-sleeve white one. As with all their tees, I’d recommend going up a size.
Another collection that’s been growing are my jeans from Samsøe & Samsøe, they do a great straight-leg style.
These gorgeous images are from the COS SS17 womenswear campaign. They were shot be photographer Zoë Ghertner (who has previously shot for Hermès) in New York’s West Chelsea art district. The clothes in their simple palette of sage and olive green, copper, denim, dark blue, white and cream, and voluminous silhouettes fit the location so well, complimenting the neutral backgrounds. The monochrome outfits, styled by Jonanthan Kaye, give each a really strong presence (he has also styled some of the cover stories for The Gentlewoman). The soft light of the early morning gives a freshness to the images and a beautiful glow to model Charlee Fraser’s luminous skin.
A lot of people (myself included, at times) feel like London Fashion Week is an opportunity to get dressed up and snapped by one of the big street style photographers, hoping you’ll find yourself on WWD, Who What Wear or Net-a-Porter the next day. It’s exciting to see yourself on one of these sites but at what cost does it come? It’s never brought me any extra interest as my name has never been published and all I’ve walked away with is sore feet, freezing cold and, more importantly, snapped in something that isn’t my true style. I still made the mistake last season of wearing heels for a day and my feet were ruined for weeks.
Feeling comfortable and confident are essential for me during London Fashion Week. There’s nothing worse than worrying about where to find a plaster whilst running between shows. I live in flats most of the time, as I’m often running all over town when I’m out, and heels aren’t practical – I save them for special events and dinners out with the hubby. During London Fashion Week I (now) stick to flats, usually a pair of Common Projects as they don’t rub my feet. With trainers I like to wear a pair of tailored trousers, I like the mix of smart and casual. This pair, with their paper-bag waist, are the most flattering trousers I own. I have them in black, too. They are ever-so slimming. And, it probably comes as no surprise to see me in stripes. It’s a look I feel comfortable in and leaves me to focus on taking in the new collections, the reason I’m there in the first place.
Jaeger Wool Wrap Coat in Black* | Armor-Lux Tricolor Breton Top* | Samsøe & Samsøe Lisa Jeans* | Penmayne of London Willow Fedora in Midnight Blue* (Now Closed) | Jaeger Mini Oxford Cross-Body Bag in Black* | Woman by Common Projects Original Achilles Low | CFconcept Tusk Necklace in Gold | Rotary Men’s Legacy Automatic Watch (use my discount code ROTARYSTYLE to get 30% off)* | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold c/o Not On The High Street* | Kristen Elspeth Blade Ring, Axe Ring & Spear Ring*
I’m always looking for great essentials. Given all this chilly weather I’ve been in search of the perfect winter wardrobe essentials, building blocks that I can mix and match throughout the season, and beyond. During the cold months I tend to focus on finding great accessories and warm coats.
I first featured Penmayne of London’s stunning hats last winter when I was at Paris Fashion Week. I wore their Willow fedora in mink to a few events. I’ve always been a hat person and love discovering a new hat brand that puts beautiful craftsmanship above all else. I’ve owned quite a few fedoras but this one is by far my favourite, it has a great shape that holds (not floppy like some) and the brim is just the right width for me, not too slim, not too wide. Their hats are made to last and I know I will cherish mine for many years to come.
Jaeger is a great brand for wool coats, they’re well made, well tailored and feel good on. This long black one has been serving me well this winter. With it’s longer length I can tie it up and feel totally wrapped up. It’s been made with the softest inky black wool and looks great worn open or tied with its kimono-style waist belt.
COS Men’s Wool & Yak Sweater in Dark Grey | Side Party Hackney Buttoned Corduroy Skirt in Grey Blue* | Comme des Garçons PLAY Stripe Long-sleeve T-shirt (always low in stock online, I got mine at Dover Street Market) | Heist The Thirty Tights in Jet Black* | Jaeger Mini Oxford Cross-Body Bucket Bag in Black* | Woman by Common Projects Original Achilles Low Trainers in White | Saint James Mariner’s Cap in Navy | Kristen Elspeth Blade Ring, Axe Ring & Spear Ring* | Sophie Wallgren Marta Bracelet in Gold* (now closed) | Timex Weekender Fairfield Watch in Khaki Green Leather*
Even though I have quite a few sweaters of my own I’m always want to borrow Dan’s. There’s something so wonderful about the feel of an oversized sweater, especially when it’s not yours. However, it’s rare that I actually do borrow his though, as his collection is a lot smaller than mine and I feel pretty bad for taking them away from him.
I spotted this charcoal grey sweater in the men’s section of COS a few weeks ago and have been living in it, ever since. It’s super soft (a mix of wool and yak), very comfortable and just the right size that it doesn’t swamp me. I’ve been able to wear it with everything.
This year I’m focused on curating my perfect wardrobe. There’s so much I need to sell or give to charity, pieces that don’t bring me joy (I’m in a Marie Kondo frame of mind) and that have lingered too long in my wardrobe. I want to open my wardrobe and have the problem of not knowing what to wear because I want to wear it all. This last year I’ve spent more money on items I want to wear until the day they fall apart, like this Comme des Garçons PLAY t-shirt (just seen) and perfect white leather trainers by Common Projects. (If you’re planning to buy the t-shirt go up a size and down at least one size for the trainers.)
If you’re looking for a great pair of tights I cannot recommend Heist enough. Not only do they have the coolest branding and packaging but they are also the most comfortable tights I’ve ever worn. This is due to their unique seamless 3D knitted design and a waistband made using a luxury sportswear technique that means it doesn’t dig in or roll-up. Kudos to Heist, they really have nailed it.
This post was created in collaboration with Endource.
Baukjen Ashcroft Leather Detail Blazer | Hush Maria Silk Cami in Black | Karen Millen Wide-Leg Trousers in Black | Karen Millen Leopard Print Court Shoe | Baukjen Curved Clutch Bag in Black | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold
New Year’s Eve is less than 24 hours away so I feel it’s a good time to reflect on what has been a wonderful year for me. The best part of which was getting married to an incredible man who is hugely supportive of my alternative job which I’m sure he still doesn’t quite understand. I’m looking forward to us celebrating a decade together in April. How time flies! Maybe then I will get around to sharing the photos of our beautiful wedding with you.
I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some incredible brands and companies this year. The fact that they believe and trust in me to create something special for them has pushed me to work harder and take more risks, regularly leaving my comfort zone. I’ve met some wonderful people through these collaborations, some of which have gone on to become good friends. I’ve also found a group of great bloggers that I love spending time with, talented friends I trust, who give me great advice and truly inspire me.
Next year is already looking pretty exciting, I have a few trips booked, one of which is only a couple of weeks away, I just hope the Alps get some snow soon. I’m going to be sharing a lot more interior design content, since they have been popular over the last three months. I’m planning to up my game and may even share some posts that feature my home. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see more of.
All that’s left now is to put on my best party outfit and go celebrate another wonderful year and welcome in a new one.
This post was created in collaboration with Endource.
Next Velvet Top in Black | Whistles Wave Tassel Skirt in Black | Boden Party Heels in Black Suede
I hope you have lovely plans for celebrating Christmas Eve tonight. I’m off for a glass of champagne and a few canapés with some family friends. We go every year and it always gets me in the festive mood, the fire is always lit, their tree is as tall as the ceiling and perfectly decorated, and it’s good to catch up with everyone.
“it always gets me in the festive mood, the fire is always lit, their tree is as tall as the ceiling”
I’ve partnered up with Endource to share my favourite Christmas Eve look with you, a little bit of black velvet from Next, a skirt made for shimmying in from Whistles (it’s so hard to resist once you put it on) and some not too high heels from Boden. We got together at photographer Alex James‘ house on a chilly Monday morning not too long ago. I caught up with Endource’s lovely stylist Aja who had picked out a selection of clothes for me to choose from. And the awesome Lizzie Court did my hair and makeup, keeping me shine free throughout the shoot.
‘What’s Endource?’ I hear you say. It’s a website that takes the products I feature here on the blog and puts them into one big feed (one website page). From there you can add as many things as you like (buy a whole look) to your basket and pay for everything in one go – there’s no need to visit each site and pay separately for each item. You can find my new feed on Endource here. I will still be featuring direct links here though, just in case you prefer my usual way.
This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM.
ME+EM Forever Tux Jacket | ME+EM Day to Evening Tux Trouser | ME+EM Wrap Silk Blouse in Soft White | ME+EM AM to PM Chain Necklace | Whistles Cornel Suede Point Pumps in Black
I’ve always found dressing for the Christmas party season a bit challenging. There’s an expectation that you should wear something red or sparkly but my go-to is a tux. If it’s a smart do I’ll pair it with a silk blouse or cami and some standout heels. If it’s a more casual affair then I’ll wear it with a vintage t-shirt and a pair of white trainers. I know that’s a bit bah-humbug but I’d much rather feel comfortable and myself than trying to fit into a preconceived idea. If I’m feeling a bit more festive I’ll wear a pair of metallic heels and clutch, or a red lip.
“that’s a bit bah-humbug but I’d much rather feel comfortable”
This ME+EM tux fits me like a dream, so I feel particularly good in it. We managed to shoot it in that perfect hour when the sun was low in the sky, the same day that we shot this post. The trousers are true to size and are so flattering (I feel a size smaller in them). For the blazer I actually went down a size, it’s neat on the shoulders and a longer length which covers by bum and hips, great for when you’ve eaten all the mince pies. What I love most about owning a good black suit is that you have so many options, it’s such a versatile wardrobe essential. I know I’m going to be wearing the blazer with my Levi’s a lot and love wearing black trousers with a white t-shirt and trainers.
It was so lovely to shoot with my best bud, Christina from Chrissabella, she’s wearing the red version of the silk shirt I wore in Zurich.
This post was created in collaboration with ME+EM.
ME+EM Very Useful Cardi Coat in Grey Marl* | ME+EM Long Layering Tee in Soft White* | ME+EM High Rise Full Leather Legging in Black* | ME+EM 2-in-1 Cross Body Clutch in Claret | ME+EM AM To PM Chain Necklace | Seven Boot Lane Honey Ankle Boots in Black* | Ace & TatexIt’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Myia Bonner Mini Diamond Circle Stud Earrings in Gold
This year has been an important one for my blog. It’s been just over a year since I decided to start including personal style posts. It was a big step, I’m quite cerebral and think things through for a long time before acting on an idea. I didn’t feel ready to put myself in front of the camera but felt I was missing out on incredible opportunities because I wasn’t willing to. It all changed when I was photographed at Paris Fashion Week by Christian from The Styleograph and then by Daniel from Stockholm Streetstyle, two major street style photographers. I realised then that a photograph is as much about the photographer as the person in it.
A few months in and I started to find that there were some incredible brands that wanted to work with me. Lots of people have told me over the last year that it’s not all about your Instagram following, that interaction on your blog and social-media are more important, but it’s not until these opportunities came along that I believed them and started to realise that something else I’ve been told over and over again is also true, it’s about quality not quantity.
One of the brands you’ll have seen featured quite a lot over the last few months is ME+EM. It’s a brand that fits my style and ethos very well; they make timeless, versatile, low-luxe clothing in fabrics that feel great on. They took a risk on me (a small, fairly unknown blogger) when they first approached me but I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and have put everything into styling and creating content with them that I’m proud to put my name to.
Last weekend ME+EM asked me if I’d like join them at their Elizabeth Street pop-up store to style a couple of looks from their current collection. We took a stroll through the Elizabeth Street Christmas Market, a beautiful festive street market, and took a few photographs of the looks I had styled. I got to work with Dina Tsesarsky, a photographer that always manages to capture a side of me that I like. My lovely friend Christina was there, styling and shooting a couple of outfits for them, too. It was a wonderful day and a reminder of just how things have changed this year. I love what I do and don’t mind all the hours that I put into it when I get to do exactly what only a year ago I had merely dreamed of.
I have to admit that I love receiving presents as much as I love giving them, especially when you unwrap something that you have been thinking about buying for some time. My Christmas wish list is made up of all the things I’m currently in love with and know I will appreciate over the next year, not just the next month.
1. Isabel Marant Étoile Olga Cotton-Twill Wrap Skirt | 2. A.P.C. Demi-Lune Shoulder Bag in Black | 3. Taschen Peter Lindbergh – A Different Vision on Fashion Photography | 4. Isabel Marant Étoile Clifton Mohair-Blend Sweater in Grey | 5. HAY Large Dot Wash Bag | 6. Isabel Marant Étoile Checked Wool Scarf | 7. London Tea Club Crème Earl Grey Loose Black Tea (now closed) | 8. HAY Mirror Mirror Handheld Mirror | 9. Lucy Williams x Missoma Horn Hoops in Gold Vermeil | 10. Gucci Double G Buckle Leather Belt | 11. HAY Kaleido Large Metal Tray in Light Grey
I’m pretty obsessed with all things Isabel Marant Étoile and A.P.C. when it comes to my wardrobe; there’s a pretty high chance that if I open something from either of them that I’ll be thrilled but the pieces above are my current favourites. Likewise for the home, HAY has my heart, their designs are super simple and fit in our house really easily.
I’m always looking for shoot inspiration and Peter Lindbergh’s beautiful black and white images really capture my imagination. I’d love to spend an hour or two once a month pouring over his photography whilst enjoying a cup of my all time favourite tea, the London Tea Club Crème Earl Grey. I met their founder, Cecelia, in the summer and attended one of their tea ceremonies not long after. If you sign up to their club they will send you three teas to try each month.
The trend for tailored track pants is one that’s been hard to miss. Whilst brands like ME+EM spotted the trend a while ago it’s taken Chloe (who nailed the look in their SS17 collection) to bring it to the glossies and the legs of every other editor during fashion month. As always, with these things, it’s not a new trend but one that’s really been brought to the forefront this season with the wide-leg version, a chicer 70s inspired take on an otherwise quite sporty look.
Last year ME+EM released a beautiful red pair with white stripes down the side of the leg which I wish I’d bought or they’d brought back this season. Just as I felt ready to embrace the red this season they decided to go with a sharp black pair which is definitely more in keeping with my personal style. I’ve been wearing mine mostly with a crisp white shirt or simple sweater now it’s a little chillier out.
Keeping with the same minimalist theme as my earlier Men’s Gift Guide, this is my women’s one. I’ve put together a selection of well-made, timeless products that I think will make great gifts this Christmas.
1. Laurence King Publishing The New Garconne – How To Be A Modern Gentlewoman by Navaz Batliwalla | 2. Armor-Lux Tri-Color Breton Top | 3. Whistles Statement Disc Hoop Earring | 4. Comme des Garçons Floriental Eau de Parfum | 5. Rotary Legacy Women’s Watch | 6. Isabel Marant Étoile Marfa Mini Cross Body Bag in Black Suede | 7. Seventy Tree Circles Print | 8. Felice Dahl Första Pendant Necklace in Gold | 9. The Soap Co. Black Poppy & Wild Fig Hand Wash & Hand Lotion Gift Box | 10. Hush Cindy Silk Cami in Ecru | 11. Gucci Princetown Leather Slipper in Black | 12. Stelton Em Coffee Press
A classic Breton looks good on everyone and this one from Armor-Lux is made from super soft cotton that feels wonderful on (I know because I have a few). The Soap & Co. are on a mission to make products that are not only sustainable but can be used by all, each product has its name in Braille on the packaging. Buying jewellery can feel like a bit of a risk as it’s such a personal item but I think these Whistles earrings and Felice Dahl necklace will be crowd pleasers. I discovered Comme des Garçons Floriental only the other day when I asked someone what they were wearing, it smelt divine; it’s a unisex sent so great for men, too.
I love a bright sunny day in winter, it really perks me up. The air feels fresh and crisp, colours are brighter and my eyes feel like they open wider. These are the days I’m most productive in winter, I jump out of bed ready to go. I spend less time in the shower and I’m out the door quickly.
Clothes can have as much of a positive affect on me and my mood as the weather. This beautiful striped Custommade wrap coat immediately gives me more confidence and I feel so comfortable wearing it.
It’s weird the relationships we have with our clothes. They can make us feel confident and relaxed but equally can make us feel awkward and uncomfortable. There are items we imagine will change our lives if we owned them and others that we already own but don’t realise just how good they make us feel. You find yourself reaching for them every time you get dressed; you know the pieces, the ones you always find in the washing basket whenever you want to wear them. I’m always aiming to build on these pieces in my wardrobe.
I’ve been reading ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying’ by Marie Kondo on and off for the last couple of months (I’m still only halfway through). She suggests asking yourself if an item sparks joy. This really resonates with me; buying, keeping and looking after the pieces that spark joy is what it’s all about.
There’s a lot more focus on quality within the male retail sector, at least here in the UK anyway. I think this comes down to the fact that men don’t (on the whole) enjoy going out shopping as much as women, so the market is a lot more specific. Men will go shopping when they need to replace an item and tend to search for something that will last, so that they don’t have to repeat the process too soon.
1. J.Crew Wallace & Barnes Wool MA-1 Bomber Jacket in Navy | 2. Uniform Wares M37 Leather Strap Watch in Black/Grey | 3. Taschen Treehouses by Philip Jodidio | 4. The White Company Men’s Suede Mule Slippers in Dark Grey | 5. LSA Ono Glass Wine Decanter | 6. Aesop London Grooming Kit | 7. Tumi Larkin Erin Brief Bag | 8. Moleskine Ruled Notebook | 9. Leica C Compact Camera | 10. Converse Jack Purcell Signature Canvas Sneakers
I often hear men complaining about the fact that women have more variety but I think that’s just down to the fact that there’s a lot more fast fashion for women – cheaper products that are trend-led, tend to be made in sweatshops and don’t last very long.
There’s less noise to distract men and more quality essentials. I think that’s why I find it much easier to find good gifts for men come Christmas. I wish the J.Crew wool bomber came in my size, would never say no to some Aesop goodies and could spend hours looking at tree houses and dreaming of an escape to the Treehotel in Sweden.
I’ve put together a new Pinterest board for men’s gifts. No excuse for buying the men in your life a pair of socks this Christmas.
Belstaff Roadmaster Jacket in Navy Blue (vintage) | Baukjen Thompson Striped Shirt* | Paige Verdugo Skinny Jeans in Black* | Woman by Common Projects Original Achilles Low Trainers in White | Radley De Beauvoir Tote Bag in Black* | UNIQLO Cashmere Scarf in Light Grey | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | Dinny Hall Bijoux Star Stud in Gold* | Dinny Hall Bijou Pentagon Stud Earring in Gold* | Littionary Tiny Dot Stud Earrings in Yellow Gold
I like new clothes as much as the next person but I also love a good vintage find and we’re lucky to have so many great vintage shops in London.
In the summer I picked up this Belstaff Roadmaster wax jacket in one of my favourite haunts in Notting Hill, a little shop that’s been around for years and is a major treasure trove of vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, Retro Woman (there’s a Retro Man a few shops down). It’s one of the few vintage shops where I have to decide which piece I’m going to buy as I stumble out of the changing room, arms laden. Last time I was there I tried on pieces from Joseph, Equipment and Nicole Farhi, all reasonably priced and in good condition. They have a brilliant selection of sunglasses, too.
Goldsmith Vintage is the best place I’ve found in London for vintage Levi’s. It’s pretty much opposite Electric House.
Best Vintage Shops In London
Retro Woman | 20 Pembridge Road, London W11 3HL Beyond Retro Soho | 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7JY Beyond Retro Cheshire Street | 110-112 Cheshire Street, London E2 6EJ Goldsmith Vintage | 253 Portobello Road, London W11 1LR (great for Levi’s) Rokit | 42 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HZ
I’m often wear a shirt, jeans and white trainers; it’s my uniform on days when I don’t have time to think. You know the days I mean, when you’re up early, your brain hasn’t quite woken up and you wish you’d decided on an outfit the night before.
Charli is a great brand for essentials; like crisp white shirts, silk blouses, skinny jeans and (during the winter) really nice cashmere jumpers. If I’m going to be wearing pieces often they need to be well-made, I love the quality of Charli’s clothing. The white shirt is cut to a longer length so it’s great for layering under cosy knits. The skinny jeans are really stretchy so they’re super comfortable but hold their shape. I got them both from Jules B, a multi-brand website that stocks some great brands.
Barbour is a brand I’ve grown up with, it’s flitted in and out of my life for as long as I can remember. First it was the boys at school who wore the classic Bedale over blazers in the winter. Then, I remember the way the smell of wax would emanate off my dad’s jacket when he came to support me at lacrosse games every weekend in the winter. And when I was at university my friend Oli wore a Barbour on-stage as he performed with his band.
A Barbour jacket is one of those pieces I’ve always thought I would own at some point. I remember searching high and low for a vintage Barbour just as Alexa Chung made them popular again in 2011 but struggled to find one anywhere.
It was an exciting day for me when last week I received a beautiful invitation from Barbour asking me to join them at their London showroom. Their menswear team had designed a new collection for women, ‘Timeless Originals‘. The men’s Bedale has been so popular with women for so long that they decided to design a coat for women that merged the tailored cut across the shoulders of the women’s Beadnell with the less fitted shape of the men’s Bedale. The result is the Rain Bedale Wax Jacket. It’s tailored across the shoulder, has an a-line cut and a slightly cropped sleeve which reveals a longer ribbed cuff. The ‘Timeless Originals’ collection is made-up of iconic styles, redesigned with today’s needs and style in mind. It includes a collection of complimentary knitwear, trousers and shirts with two drops, one in autumn, entitled ‘Raindrop’, and another in winter, entitled ‘Snowdrop’.
The Baffle Wax Jacket is the most minimal design in the collection, a black waxed longline puffer jacket that, again, fits well across the shoulder. It’s the most on-trend jacket they’ve created for the collection. Puffers were big on the catwalk for AW16, featuring in many collections including those of Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Courrèges, and Marques’Almeida.
I had a wonderful afternoon with the Barbour team, shooting this look with Giles Smith, drinking hot chocolate in the showroom, and learning calligraphy in a private lesson with the talented calligrapher Lucy Edmonds, who founded Quill London.
This post was created in collaboration with Jaeger.
Jaeger Wool Wrap Coat in Black* | Jaeger Cashmere Slouchy Sweater in Charcoal* | Jaeger Wool Cigarette Trousers* | Jaeger Mini Oxford Cross-Body Bag in Black* | Whistles Cornel Suede Pointed Pumps in Nude | Susan Caplan Asymmetrical Ori Earrings in 18ct Gold Vermeil* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold*
In the last year, I’ve spent a lot more time in Marylebone, an area of London I had previously thought of as north of Oxford Street and home to Madame Tussauds. That was until we had brunch at The Providores (the Turkish eggs are incredible) for Dan’s birthday and I discovered that there’s a whole lot more to the area. It has the feel of a town high street, yet it’s in Central London. There are lots of nice cafés and restaurants, as well as some great shops, including Jaeger who recently opened a beautiful new store on the main road, Marylebone High Street. I thought I’d share a few of my favourites with you.
Shops in Marylebone
FASHION Jaeger 12 Marylebone High Street L.K.Bennett 94 Marylebone High Street Loft Designs By 36 Marylebone High Street Sandro 6 Marylebone High Street Theory 1 Marylebone High Street Whistles 1 Thayer Street
BEAUTY Aesop 69 Marylebone High Street Space NK 83a Marylebone High Street
At the start of the month, I was invited to the launch of The Tembo Collection, a wonderful event for an important cause. The Tembo Collection is a collaboration between Kelly Eastwood (AKA The London Chatter) and Auree Jewellery. They’ve created a collection of seven delicate solid gold and silver bracelets that were inspired by traditional Maasai bead jewellery. 100% of the profits from these bracelets goes to For Rangers, in conjunction with Tusk (a charity that was highlighted in the press by the support of both Prince William and Prince Harry). For Rangers is a charity raising money to support the rangers who risk their lives daily to protect Africa’s endangered species. Rhino poaching in Africa has been well documented, with well over 100 rhino killed each year. If this continues at the same rate it is estimated that by 2026 there will be no rhino left in the wild, some report as soon as 2020. Across Africa it’s estimated that 100 elephants a day are slaughtered by poachers, that’s one killed every 15 minutes.
Although it has been scientifically proven to have no medicinal properties rhino horn is still used in Vietnam, China and Laos as traditional medicine. And ivory still fetches a high price in the Far East, where it’s valued at $1,200 per kilo.
It is the rangers, supported by For Rangers, that put their lives in danger protecting the rhino and elephants. Globally, over a thousand rangers have been killed since 2003. These men are brave, they are up against poachers with high-caliber assault weapons, working at night with night-vision. They work in harsh conditions, often cold and uncomfortable; as well as dangerous ones, amongst elephants, lions, and buffalo.
“For Rangers is aiming to raise funds and awareness to ensure that rangers across Africa are adequately equipped with top-quality basic equipment, well paid, incentivised and trained.”
Kelly and Auree Jewellery invited twenty-two bloggers to Bronte, a stunning new Tom Dixon-designed restaurant on The Strand. Kelly talked about her reasons for wanting to do this collaboration and shared a very moving film about the rangers, that left me in tears. I’ve shared many of the facts above that were highlighted to me then. Kelly lives in London but is originally from Kenya, she still spends a great deal of time there, visiting her family, and has been supporting For Rangers for a while.
We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of poached eggs and avocado on toast, with tasty green juices. And, we were each given two bracelets from the collection, I have been wearing mine since. The little tusk on the catch is a reminder to me of the important cause they represent.
If you are thinking about Christmas presents and would like to buy someone something with meaning, that will actually make a difference, I think one of these beautiful bracelets would make a wonderful gift.
