SC

If you haven't heard already (which by now, you most definitely should have), Shifting Clothes is the online marketplace for pre-loved, handmade and vintage clothing. Anyone can sell on it - whether you're someone wanting to detox your wardrobe, or you own an established boutique with handmade or vintage clothing and accessories. Not only will there be an opportunity to buy and sell beautiful things, but there will also be a blog introducing you to new labels, vintage finds, inspirational images, upcoming artists, and interviews. Although I'll be carrying on with this blog I will also be blogging for SC, so make sure you visit the site, which goes live on the 15th March.

Clicking the picture will take you to the Shifting Clothes Facebook page. The more people that like it, the more publicity we will get before the launch, resulting in more choice to shop from. So what are you waiting for? Click the picture and get liking! 

CUSTOMISED

(Customised H&M playsuit, very old battered Pumas, random wooden cross necklace)

Ok so I know this isn’t an official outfit post, but I thought I’d share last night’s outfit with you whilst I wait for Mr. Postman to deliver my goodies. As I’ve somehow managed to spend almost £500 in the past 5 days (don’t ask what on, I couldn’t possible tell you until it all arrives) I needed some inexpensive, casual wear for nights out. I’ve been looking for slouchy, jersey playsuits for ages with no luck whatsoever, so when I saw this tank from H&M I thought why not do it myself? I say myself... I’ve never sewn in my life, but thanks to my lovely friend Kim I now have a couple of outfits sorted for under a tenner. Bargain.

TOO STRAPPED FOR STRAPS

ph. knight cat

Alexander Wang's perfectly formed suede Ingrid satchel, of course with his signature tendency to roughen things up in some way or another. In this case, it's straps. Loooots of straps. And I love. 

PS. Somehow I managed to bring my water damaged camera back to life, despite the photography technician telling me it's unfixable. I have fixed this camera twice now, maybe I should start a business? Anyway, good news all round as I can finally rekindle my love for outfit posts. So less of showing you what I can't buy and more of what I do.

BODKIN

ph. SS/11 @ Bodkin

As you may well know, I’m instantly drawn to simple, minimalist clothing and anything with a muted palette. Call me boring, but that’s just what I like. So when I try to find the perfect pocket tank or playsuit for under £100 with no luck, it just leaves me wondering why the majority of the high street lacks relaxed, understated essentials that focuses on fit, comfort and material rather than decoration. I end up spending hours traipsing the Internet, only to find another designer producing perfectly formed urban essentials.

This morning I initially planned to start my Design and Visual Culture project but stumbled across Bodkin, and while Vogue is teasing me with an imageless report for the Acne AW/11-12 show, I thought it would be silly not to blog about it. With comfort at its core, Bodkin is exactly what I’ve been looking for (despite the extra zero added to the price tag). Simple, perfectly formed and honoring that undone, day-to-night effortlessness I oh so love, with wry details that gives its simple shapes a subtle difference. How perfect are those silk playsuits?

WHAT WOMEN WANT

 ph. Vogue.com

Although I adore a number of designers’ collections year in, year out, 3.1 Phillip Lim is at the top of every fashion show list not only because of the name, but because of Lim’s relentless ability to get into every woman’s head. Like Mel Gibson in that film. Making clothing functional without sacrificing form is something that many designers seem to struggle with, but Lim makes it all seem so easy. He excels in effortless sportswear without ever appearing sloppy or mundane, and there is nothing without a luxurious detail to set it apart. Simple yet never forced, and never without some buttery-soft leather.

For AW/11-12, the cosy sportswear layers from Lim’s SS/11 collection have been revamped with juxtaposing fabrics, asymmetric hemlines, and a pop of bold colour, such as this gorgeous cobalt blue (one of very few colours I could actually see myself in). How does he manage to make everything look so sleek yet so effortless? Beats me. And aren’t those nails fantastic? Ah I would do anything to be given a chance to wear anything from his collection. Pure lust.

KOOPLE KRUSH

ph. The Killing Moon, unknown

Margaux and Warren, both effortlessly chic with their perfectly formed faces, impeccable dress sense and gorgeous French accents, are in no doubt the ultimate couple. Jealous, moi? (About as French as I get. Sigh.)

JUST MY LUCK

(Levi’s shorts, American Apparel tee, vintage belt and jacket, Topshop bag and wedges)

Whilst my boyfriend was working in Manchester, I went home to visit friends and family. I managed to bag a well-needed chop from my mother and a couple of photos from my friend Hadyn, although the visit was purely for company. Honest. I understand the photos aren’t very good - despite the gorgeous blue skies on Saturday, Sunday’s Welsh weather wasn’t particularly on my side, becoming greyer and wetter by the minute. Excuse the hair.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, adding a flash of red into what otherwise would be a reasonably boring outfit appears to be my thing at the moment, and pairing with black and anything animal print just seems to make perfect sense. A subtle way of adding some interest into an outfit, or just a pathetic attempt at wearing colour? Cut my hair too, do you like?

REINVENTION

(One Teaspoon, fashiontoast, Oracle Fox, knight cat, Free People, Jak & Jil, unknown)

Finally realised suppressing your own instincts solely because you think you should is absolutely ridiculous. New hair, less boundaries, more experimentation and lots more jewellery. February is the new January.

SS/11 ONE

J Brand Love Story flares

ASOS multi strap satchel

Reiss Garland sheer shirt

Topshop T-bar sandals

Chanel nail varnish in Khaki Rose

T by Alexander Wang pocket tank

Vintage Levi’s shorts (you can never have too many)

Topshop tortoiseshell sunglasses

The first step to my SS/11 wardrobe. Why the high street still haven’t got to grips with the fitting of the perfect skinny flare, despite having 40 years practice, I will never know. 

SILVER LINING

 (DIY vintage Adidas tank, Pamela Love ring, Links friendship bracelet and vintage leopard print scarf)
 

Firstly, I want to apologise for the lack of posts. A report deadline, which I of course left until the last minute, and a week in Manchester with no Internet clearly got in the way. I know I am female but I can be the first to admit multitasking is beyond me. 

Alas, my camera is still in a coma, I have no money until March, and I lost my favourite ever knuckle ring the other night. Although maybe there is such thing as a silver lining... I managed to grab my favourite Pamela Love ring for an absolute bargain. Stuff like that never happens to me. So what if I can't eat for a month?