Saint James Archives - Style&Minimalism

New Boyfriend (Jeans)

**Samsøe & Samsøe** Kahlia Coat in Navy* | **Armor-Lux** Mariniere Top in Navy/White* | **The White Company** Brompton Jeans in Indigo* | **Converse** Chuck Taylor II Plimsolls | **A.P.C.** Demi-Lune Bag in Black | **Abbott Lyon** Silver Chain Kensington Watch* | **Saint James** Mariner’s Cap in Navy | **88&Cloudless** Gold Star Necklace*

I’ve discovered the softest, comfiest boyfriend jeans from The White Company. When you choose to wear a pair of boyfriend jeans comfort is usually on your mind. I’ve tried quite a few in my time but none feel as soft as these. They also come in a pale wash, white and grey; no points for guessing where I’ll be buying my boyfriend jeans from now on.

I’ve spent much of the last few months in stripes, what can I say, I’m a bit of an addict. I would really recommend Armor-Lux if you’re looking for a good Breton top, also known as a mariniere in France. They are well-made, soft and traditional in style, and they have a huge range of styles. They’re unisex so choose wisely when ordering, mine’s a size 3.

I’ll be sharing more spring looks soon, now it’s officially spring.

Borrowed From The Boys

**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.

Timeless Originals with Barbour

This post was created in collaboration with Barbour.

**Barbour** Baffle Wax Jacket* | **Barbour** Stratus X-Back Crew Neck Sweater* | **H&M** Silk Camisole | **Paige** Miki Straight-Leg Jeans in Keiran Destructed* | **Seven Boot Lane** Honey Ankle Boots in Black* | **Saint James** Marine Cap | **Ace & Tate** x **It’s Nice That** Sunglasses* | **Felice Dahl** Första Ring in Gold*

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.

LFW AW16: Day 3

This post was created in collaboration with La Redoute

**Saint James** Mariner Cap | **Carven x La Redoute** Tailored Coat in Khaki* | **La Redoute** Soft Grey Embroidered Cotton Blouse* | **La Redoute** Les Petits Pris A-Line Mini Skirt* | **La Redoute** Mademoiselle R Chunky Sole Brogue* | **EA Burns** Forge Necklace in Gold (Brand closed) | **CF Concept** Tusk Necklace in Gold

For LFW Day 3 this season I wore a full look from La Redoute, whilst I took over their Instagram for the day (I hope you followed along). I have always loved French women’s style, they always look effortlessly stylish and I’ve tried my best to do the same for this look. I wore a khaki tailored coat from from La Redoute’s recent collaboration with luxury French fashion house, Carven. Evoking a little of my favourite French designer Isabel Marant, I chose a cream boho blouse with a high ruffle collar, delicate embroidery and wide bell sleeves. The flatforms were a great decision for Fashion Week, they gave me a few essential centimetres whilst also being very comfortable. I actually ended up wearing them a couple of times during LFW.

LFW AW16: Day 1

**Saint James** Mariner Cap | **Samsøe & Samsøe** Top | **Maison Scotch** Pleated Culotte Pants* | **La Redoute** Chunky Sole Brogue* | **Brandts Jewellery** Daisy Ring | **Gemporia** Arezzo D’oro Gold & Diamond Ring* | **CF Concept** Tusk Necklace in Gold | **Nixon** The Time Teller Watch*

I’m so sorry I haven’t been posting as regularly as usual. I’ve been on two trips, had London Fashion Week (LFW) and a broken hard-drive, all in the space of a month. I do, however, have lots of content to share with you.

First up is my outfit for LFW Day 1, I went for an almost all navy look with a touch of nude. I know from experience that this is not the time to start embracing 10 cm high heels so I wore these cool flatforms from French brand La Redoute. The first day of LFW is always the busiest one for me so I needed a pair of shoes that would still be comfortable whilst I dashed around Soho.

It was not the warmest of days so I opted for a warm high-neck sweater from Danish favourite Samsøe & Samsøe and some incredible pleated, cropped trousers from Maison Scotch. They remind me of the Yohji Yamamoto ones that Herb Ritts photographed David Bowie wearing back in the 80s.

Oi, Oi, Sailor!

**Samsøe & Samsøe** Kahlia Coat* | **Samsøe & Samsøe** Eta Sweater* | **The White T-Shirt Co.** Long Sleeve Round Neck T-Shirt* | **Isabel Marant Étoile** Davan Boyfriend Jeans | **Saint James** Mariner Cap | **Jimmy Choo** Rebel in Leopard Print | **Adidas Originals** Stan Smith Trainers c/o **MonShowroom*** | **Jenny Sweetnam** Drop Ring/Necklace*

Isabel Marant manage to inspire at least one new trend every season, for AW15 it’s definitely been about the mariner cap, their Evie cap from the Étoile diffusion line has nearly sold out everywhere. Not willing to pay the price to have one sent over from the States I opted to buy mine from the classic Breton brand Saint James, quite possibly the inspiration for Marant’s version.

I’ve styled my mariner cap with a new pair of Isabel Marant Étoile boyfriend jeans which have a contrasting dark denim strip down the side, a denim take on a tuxedo trouser. I’m also wearing a classic navy blue coat from Danish brand Samsøe & Samsøe, who also made my pale grey jumper. And the plain white tee is by a brand that specialise in organic cotton t-shirts, The White T-Shirt Co. (more on them later).