Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I wear a uniform

I wear a uniform.

I am not a nurse, a bus driver, a policeman or a firefighter.

But I wear a uniform.

This is my uniform.





I cant recall where I found this photo, but make no mistake, this IS my uniform.

I vary the accessories - the shoes, the necklace, the bag, the bracelets, maybe a scarf but essentially the base is always the same....

Stark white, 

Black (or navy), 

Loose top (or tank) or sweater covering my bum,

Nothing tucked in

Sometimes the pants are slightly wider

Very little colour & usually in the accessories

Very little print & usually in the accessories

The uniform is my casual daywear. I have another uniform for work & another for going out (separate posts on those later).

If you have a uniform, the chances are that:

1. You are older (dont ask me to define this!!)

2. You have a strong sense of (fashion) self, meaning you understand your body shape & colouring & dress accordingly.

3. You've been through fads & trends in your earlier years

4. You favour ease in getting dressed, meaning you generally have whatever you need to wear, accessible in your wardrobe

5. You feel comfortable in your uniform so you can get on with your life - you arent self conscious in your clothes

6. You have many duplicated pieces & they all get worn because you know what shapes & colours work for you.
If your duplicates arent getting worn, there is a chance your "uniform" is accidental/random/not deliberate - or you may simply be in a rut - see me later on this.


I am not the only one with a uniform.
Check out the following babes...


                                                          The Queen has a uniform


The Late Princess Diana had a summer uniform

                                  & a winter uniform

& an evening uniform.

 


Sienna Miller has a (boho country) uniform (although she is deliberately
changing it in the last 12 months or so)


                          Eva Mendes has a very distinctive summer 
                                                           uniform of floral dresses



                       Jessica Alba has a very consistent uniform of jeans,
                                                                  top, jacket & scarf



                         Jennifer Aniston has a uniform of jeans, dark jacket & neutral solid tops.                                



As the weather lightens, she removes the jacket & softens the top


Or she may wear cargos or a spot of colour. 
But the uniform remains the same.



The only bad thing the uniform can be accused of is that its boring.  But no-one that has a uniform & works it well would agree with this.

The uniform saves you money - because all your pieces are interchangeable & you can get more mileage from everything (cost per wear goes down).

The uniform saves you time.

Do you have a uniform?

Is there a celebrity whose style you admire? Chances are they have a uniform. Google their clothes & see if their uniform could be your uniform.

If you cant figure out what their uniform is, just ask me!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Winter's ultimate superhero - the cape



Capes were huge on the AW2012 runways. 
If you have one, dig it out now. 
If you dont, there are ways of faking it. 
Read on....


Runway cape


L to R: Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana


Giambatistta Valli, Alexis Mabille Couture,  Stephane Rolland 


Elie Saab Couture Spring 2013

Giambatistta Valli Couture Spring 2013


Chanel Couture Spring 2013 - not actually a cape, but referencing a cape


Snappy cape





Surprisingly sedate leather cape for Kate Moss




Brocade & arty capes


Brocade is huge for winter - both for capes & other garments.


Ferragamo, 3.1 Philip Lim & Alexander McQueen




Evening cape





Donna Karan main line


Knit cape


Texture rules


Cosy & practical


Veronique Leroy - How to make an impression without trying



Colour my world







Speaks for itself




Add the colour to the accessories



White is right



with those Givenchy boots


Bridal



Traditional Camel & Taupe


The only requirement: Make sure you know whether you have cool tones (pick taupe) or warm tones (pick camel).


Oh wow!


Miroslava Duma

Dolce & Gabbana


Trench inspired cape




Lovin' camel cape with pale pink













Superhero style






Faking it


Haider Ackermann AW 2012 - keep the cuts sleek, & loose with minimal closures


Kimmy in J Crew - wear a jacket over your shoulders & voila, instant cape


Elizabeth Olsen with a large wrap which is looking like a cape


Throw the coat over your shoulders & instant cape



Feet capes

Unforgettable stuff south of the ankles by Alexander Wang,




And the girl that started it all.....


at the 1961 Inauguration Ball

and more recently, 

in Tom Ford at the 2012 Oscars

and her friends that followed her....

L to R: Calvin Klein, Naeem Khan, Tom Ford


L to R: Altuzarra, Dolce & Gabbana & Naeem Khan