This is actually one of my many variations on the Dicker boots/black skinny jeans/blouse ensembles that I wear whenever I can. When the weather gets chilly I go for a jumper (as seen here) instead, but after seeing the first rays of sunshine I opt for one of my blouses. Take this floral one, a vintage find from back when I was living in Paris that I truly adore. Albeit a bit see-through, it feels sleek and is oversized in the exact way I like. I love wearing the top part unbuttoned and the bottom tucked into my jeans.
Unfortunately I have no idea where the shirt is from. As I said, it is one of my successful impulse buys from a vintage shop and the piece doesn’t have label in it anymore… Still, this look is easy to create: all you have to find is a blouse made of a soft material that hangs a little loose on the body. Unbutton the top two buttons, cuff the ends of your sleeve, tuck the bottom part into your jeans and you have added some instant casualness to your outfit.
Although it sounds perhaps a bit corny, but when this video of Lucy Chadwick for the Zara Lookbook 2011 (shot by the guy behind The Selby) came out, it defined my ideas on style and how I wanted my life to look like. I was about eighteen when the video came out and I actually remember the day… replaying it over and over again.
Her elegance, style and casualness were the first things that captivated me. Her slightly messy hair, the shirt half untucked. A chic outfit combined with granddad slippers – it was all music to my ears. Even the second outfit when she treads around her town house I love – besides the Converse which are simply not my cup of tea. From the baggy jeansto the oversized burgundy turtleneck jumper the outfits seem perfectly balanced. Also, the idea of making a life in the creative sector and having it made, was something I could at that age only look up to.
I even pondered about getting a longhaired boyfriend with a fuzzy, ginger beard. That one didn’t really work out though.
‘Before she even adds the quirky finds she might discover at a vide-grenier, the Frenchwoman will start with a basic palette of neutrals, either black or navy or beige or camel, and then she add splashes of colour with scarves and jewellery, shoes or boots or gloves. She might wear all black, but add a hot pink cardigan as a form of colour blocking. Still, she practices the concept of less is more and because she chooses her basics carefully they last a long time and it seems as if she owns more clothes than she really does.
As for an American woman, this system of dressing can actually be easily replicated. First, choose your classic looks carefully and invest in quality fabrics and design. And since these well-made basics are generally not inexpensive, don’t spend the money on any of these classic wardrobe components until you find the one that fits you perfectly. You want them to last for a long time.
Here’s what you’ll need:
The classic white shirt (at least one) The pencil skirt (black, navy, camel, white) The perfect-fitting jeans Several T-shirts or tank tops in black, navy, and white The classic little black dress A jacket in your favourite neutral shade Great-fitting trousers in quality material A cashmere sweater (in your favourite neutral shade) A cardigan (in your favourite neutral shade or a complimentary shade) The classic trench coat’
So far I have not come across my perfect ever so classic white shirt. As for brands, I personally find Vanessa Bruno and A.P.C. to be best fitting with my body shape; feminine and qualitative yet often fabricated out of sturdy materials, but basic and never too tailored. Although these are my go-to brands, it is often best to try different brands and find what works best for your body shape, but remember that too many frills will always make you look aged and stuffy and that too tailored or tight is never a good idea, period. Underneath you will see three styles I have selected – but please keep in mind that buying on impulse is similar to buying too much or buying bluntly without trying something on. It is better to carefully select something that fits with your own figure – and your own budget.
All people that transport themselves regularly by plane and bus: take note – when travelling it is easy to get a little too comfortable and opt for sweatpants or a tracksuit, but frankly this is not the most graceful way to sit through a large amount of kilometres. Is there a way in which we can combine looking nice and being comfortable?
Since I am scheduled for a 16-hour flight next week I am contemplating on what to wear. Going from an Oceanic climate into a Tropical one verges thought and reason on what to pack and mostly on what to wear on flight. As well-informed fashionista’s would usually blurt out to layer up and bring a big scarf for comfort on the plane, I am mostly doubting between colour combinations and the notion of summer clothing in general. Showing skin is not an engraved habit for me and even when I was still living in Madrid I always had to be fully dressed for work during weekdays, often sweating in a non-airconditioned classroom during summertime (the horror!). As for my upcoming flight; I have taken inspiration from the Olsen Twins on the picture seen above: a black jumper consisting of thin and light wool, black slacks, and a stand out accessory in the form of a pair of comfy tan Tods and a big black scarf wrapped around me to keep warm on cold plain nights. For my carry-on luggage I stay true to my Le Pliage bag by Longchamp. See you soon!
Also, allow American sweetheart Anthony Bourdain to share with you his tips and tricks on travelling in style. Travelling and experiencing new things while maintaining an humorous approach always wins in my book. Read the articlehere.
Most likely to be the cheapest style tip that I have ever shared on my blog, but currently I am completely smitten with a pair of flat, navy Espadrilles. Since the Dutch weather is as unpredictable as ever, I live in complete anguish when sporting my Chanel espadrilles, which means that any alternative that are instantly casual, easy to combine and I am able to get them outside while not fearing for their durability are undoubtedly welcome. And besides the dozen of arguments I could bring up that would justify spending about ten bucks on a pair – aren’t they just cute and down to earth at the same time? On the picture above Jane Birkin can be seen wearing a classic navy pair.
For me, finding inspiration requires effort and, to contrary belief, is not easily found. A lot of modern day fashionista’s do not inspire me directly; I am not a big fan of a pop of colour that seems to be the trend nowadays nor would I randomly purchase a brand before reading extensively about it/close inspection/days of fighting redemption and asserting. I am simply not the right soul for fast fashion and tend to avoid the most excessive sightings of it.
That does not imply I am not a fan of flipping through magazines, or browsing around for inspiration. As for my fashion icons I tend to fall back on icons of days long gone and I would consider the sixties as one of my main sources for such inspiration. There is something about the way Serge Gainsbourg sports white Repetto brogues with jeans and a Mariniere, same for the straight shape of the A-line dresses Yves Saint Laurent invented and made popular around the same time. Also, I find it impossible to keep my eye off this Gainsbourg/Hardy combo seen above. I love the idea of cutting out all frivolous elements while maintaining a beautiful silhouette such as both are sporting, emphasizing both their interesting faces and slim postures. They are a picture proof that simple lines are all you need in clothes to make your face and charm work for you.
Also, I love the style of the jumper Serge is wearing. I currently own two similar pairs (in navy and black cashmere) and after seeing this picture am imagining myself how good they’d look with a pair of grey tapered trousers… A welcoming change from the black pair I usually pull out for a day at the office.
What is it that Francoise Hardy has that is so laidback yet d hard to decipher? Although her sultry face is partly covered by thick, silky bangs and most of her waifish figure is hidden by oversized boyish garments, for me she is the epitome of subtle grace. Perhaps it is the following quote by Yohji Yamamoto that made me think of her in a suiting way: For me, a woman who is absorbed in her work, who does not care about gaining one’s favour, strong yet subtle at the same time, is essentially more seductive. The more she hides and abandons her femininity, the more it emerges from the very heart of her existence.
Even though she is named among Twiggy and Charlotte Rampling as one of the IT-girls of the sixties, her looks have never been a strong focus point of her career. As a woman who is caught up in the act of making music, producing and generally working hard she has never given any outspoken interviews or defining quotes, but preferred to stay in the background to let her dark and sullen guitar-driven music add charm to her elusive appearance. As for her style and dressing habits she takes a similar approach. Hardy is often seen in boyish woollen jumpers, styled with neutral coloured tapered trousers and flat shoes (think Repetto’s), topped off by her statement Burberry trench and trademark thick fringe.
Even though at times I tend to flirt with summer dresses and black tapered trousers, comfortable is for me the ultimate way of how I like to dress. Nothing special, yet every item is of quality and will last me a long time. As silly as it sounds, I like the feeling of ‘feeling home’ in one’s clothes and if I don’t I feel quite uncomfortable. If a wardrobe consists out of only basic pieces, it is surely able to last for the big picture.
Also, a question that has been on my mind for a while: when did it happen that people started blogging for an audience instead of the good old type of blogging, which was an outlet, or more of a online journal for thoughts and articles that were only there to be read, spark a discussion and entertain their reader in a non-suggestive, non-profitable way? Most blogs nowadays tend to overdo, in terms of fashion (who wears 3 different hues of neon in one outfit? Answer: people that get paid for it), articles (bland sponsoring in an article does not equal an article) and persona’s (silly posts regarding events that actually contain less facts or information than a Christmas greeting card). Reading all of this over and over again has demotivated my blogging habits a bit. On a more positive note, there still happen to be blogs out there that contain interesting opinions, clean and well-picked outfit combinations and that are non-profit. Over time they just get more and more difficult to come across; the field is currently so big that pictures tend to get more interest than articles.
I wonder whether in the future this will also take its toll on (fashion) journalism, where we tend to see articles getting shorter and less profound. Let’s hope that with new magazines (such as The Gentlewoman) and online magazines with more reflective articles the scene will liven up a little again.
Some recommendations to cover a couple of senses, since I am busy with work, applying to universities and planning out my life in general. Reading, listening to music and visiting museums and cultural events tend to relax my brain and have me see matters in a more logical and clear manner.
To listen
–This John Hopkin’s The Art of Chill is perfect on a spring evening with a glass of wine, an afternoon picnic in the park or just in the tram on one’s way to work for all the regular Joe’s among us (…like me!).
To see
Also, these pictures of Sofia Coppola are a treat to the eye, as she is an inspiration on defining style and staying true to one’s self.
This New York Times articleshows the author’s favourite streets in twelve cities in Europe. A witty read with breathtaking visuals of some of the finest places in Europe (I agree with the choice of Madrid).
For my fellow Amstellodamoises; the Matisse ‘Oase’ exhibition in theStedelijk Museum is a beautiful and tasteful selection of some of Matisse’s most colourful paintings, set up in a manner reminiscent of the last Matisse exhibition in the MoMa. Go early to avoid crowds and children on a school trip.
To read
If you’re just as much as a voyeur like me (alas, I admit) then these Vanity Fair ‘My Stuff’ articles are a pleasant read.
I’ve finished The Marriage Plotby Jeffrey Eugenides not too long ago and found the story modern, refreshing and a realistic take on the double-layered intertwining relationships that people have.
I am currently obsessed with Haruki Murakami’sIQ84; the chilly writing and obscure plot make me want to finish it in an instant.
Life certainly catches up with you when you least expect it. After having been in a rut for the last couple of days due to wanting to completely overthrow my life I have settled down again a bit and can focus again on the day-to-day passing of things. Anyhow, I have tidied and re-arranged my wardrobe and have noticed that I still own too many pieces of clothing, half of them which I really do not need. Whether it is sentimental, or rather aesthetic I just happen to clog them in my wardrobe, making it look unnecessarily full. I plan on selling heaps over the summer, but here is where lack of time chimes in unfortunately.
So, to come back on the topic of my wardrobe; I have lately only invested in three basics, all of those three basics to be honest. First piece is a navy blazer by A.P.C., which I’ve found online and would be a staple piece in my wardrobe. Second object of purchase is a black cashmere jumper, which is an upgrade of my wool black jumper that is falling apart. Third purchase is a pair of black Chanel trousers which I’ve found online for quite a steal and is perfect for smart wear and also my first pair of smart trousers.
Since all three items happen to be basics that I actually wear for work I wonder if I should count them in my five items I want to buy for spring. Since I prefer being a bit strict I will, leaving me with two other items I can invest in if I feel the need.
