On the Hunt

Thanks to fashionambition for introducing me to Susannah Hunter's insanely beautiful handiwork. If you happen to have £770 burning a hole in your pocket, pls. go purchase this bag and post about it to make me sick with jealousy...

Susannah Hunter Shopper, handmade leather bag, silver fittings, velvet lining, inside pocket

To a "T"

I realize it seems I’m always coming back to my big boobs and short waist but I think, given the context of this blog, they are relevant facts. Now, neither in its own right is a particular misery. (I know many of you would suggest that big boobs are never a misery and I’m sure the majority of men would agree…) A short-ish waist is not a problem on a toothpick. Large breasts have their plus points – and are quite delightful on a number of frames. Put them together on a small, curvy girl and you’ve got some shopping challenges. Not that I’m the kind of girl who shies away from challenge. Hell, I court challenge. Challenge and I have a thing going.

Yesterday I promised I would write (a la technical stylist with a show on Bravo) about the way to wear a most classic piece: the white T. If you are really tall, medium-boned with an athletic frame, smallish breasts and a flat stomach, chances are I’m not talking to you. Having said that, I invite women of this description (all 6 of you) to write in and tell me how it’s hard for you too :-) However, let’s say you are not so tall, not so flat, not so medium. Them lumps and bumps just seem to glow when dressed in white, non? Then add pallor to the mix and it's a party...

I am of the belief, as I’ve mentioned many times – and have photographically sampled styles outside the “safe” zone for my shape – that everyone can work every trend (some better than others natch) to some degree. You wanna wear the high waist, there’s a pair of pants that will enable this. Strappy ankle straps on thick legs, there’s a trick. However, for my money, the white T has always presented with issues:

• Thin fabric = TMI
• Short style = waist lumps (even on a slim waist)
• Seriously lowcut = pornographic
• Too tight = sausage casing effect
• Too loose = boxy and chubbifying
• Stiff fabric = too loose in the waist and shoulders / too tight in the chest

You can see how so many of us have our work cut out. Alas, the T is NEVER one size fits all, so even as I make suggestions you will have to take them with a grain of salt and use this post simply as a guideline, as an opportunity to think about your own shape that much more mathematically (not that you gorgeous readers aren’t perfect as you are).

The most universally flattering cut, IMO, is:

• A thin (but not see-through) cotton with a tiny bit of lycra (or very good denier)
• A scoop neck – for some that scoop will be more on the crew side of the equation, for those with awesome decollete (that isn’t tres voluptuous) go scoopier
• A cap-sleeve that isn’t too short – idea is to bring the sleeve to the slimmest part of your arm (The sleeve must not be too tight but, lord, don’t let it be loose a la 1978…)
• Waist skimming – almost too tight but not
• Hemmed at the hipbone

Now this is one variation on a piece of infinite varieties. (I hate it when, having blathered on ad nauseum, I can’t even scratch the surface!)

So let me leave you with this: Regardless of your shape, the white T is a classic, sexy garment – not an afterthought. The eye is drawn first to the tits, then to the shoulders. It’s got to fit in both of these places (depending on your shape and comfort zone, you can work this loose-ish or tight-ish but the proportion has to work on your frame). Moreover, the proportional relationship between these body parts must be balanced by the cut of the T.

Work this and you will be unstoppable. Trust me.

Shoe 2: The Practical One

This one is from 9West ($100.00). Wearing these is absolutely comfortable (and hopefully not too hideous-sensible). I'm imagining them with my summer mini skirts and dresses and bare legs. A cute look for walking to work, whereupon I'll change into something else. I mean, they're not going to work with everything, but they're cuter than runners (that velcro strap is patent baby blue) and they are leather. In pic 2, I've shown them with those American Apparel above-the-knee socks (mid thigh) because I think the textures are interesting together.

I wasn't specifically looking for a walking shoe, but was pleasantly surprised to see the wide range of options at 9West. I can't tell you how hard it was to choose between these and a pair of acid meets sunshine yellow flats. They were cooler - and really did justice to the new neon accessory trend. And they totally would have acted as a neutral in my wardrobe. Alas, they just weren't quite as comfortable, and when all is said and done, that's what this shoe is about.

But there's more...

Last week saw the purchase of a few great wardrobe essentials which manage, I hope, to turn basic on its edge slightly.

In addition to that Yaya maxi-sweater, I also found this merino/cashmere blend fitted, cropped turtleneck in a slate-y jewel-toned blue. Paired with new, spring shoes (some nondescript brand I've never heard of and can't remember the name of) - which were on sale for $40.00 - I hope I've got a youthful, but luxe, thing happening here. The sweater (Karoo by Mark Eisen)was $300.00 on sale for $79.00. Oh, and those are the H & M wide jeans I was going on about a couple of weeks ago...

Shopping Stone

There are days when you go out and the stars align and all the clothes are fabulous - and they're even sort of on sale - and by the time you're finished you're wondering if you have enough space in the closet and the drawers for the new haul.

For better or worse, I've been having more than my fair share of these days lately, though I really can't say why. Perhaps it's the "shopping as research" angle that's propelling me to view things differently. It's not clothing, I tell myself, so much as art / photo material / experimentation / fodder. Or maybe it's astrological. Apparently Jupiter is in my house of shopping this year.

I mentioned, in my last post, I recently hit American Apparel for those ubiquitous fetish leggings, overpriced IMO at $46.00. On Friday, when I went to a fancy restaurant with my husband for an end-of-vacation lunch (he took the day off), one of the (twenty-something) servers advised that my outfit had inspired her to go and get some latex-y, plastic leggings of her own. As she was an angular, whippet thin, 5'10" blonde, I was duly flattered.

I wore the aforementioned leggings with a fantastic new oatmeal cashmere / merino blend Yaya Aflalo maxi-sweater I snapped at my best-kept secret (which may be closing?!?!?!). Four stores of merch had been routed through to this single discount location and I was like a kid in a - rather pricey - candy store. This purchase was $130.00 down from $550.00. (I know, I'm like a genius with the sales.)

Here are a couple of gratuitous photos of the look:

A Little Bit Rock & Roll

The good news to which I alluded a couple of weeks ago is a new job (same organization, different division, somewhat new function) so I've taken a week off to clear my head before starting on Monday. Note: Only crazy people vacation during the coldest winter in 40 years, when they live in Canada and when they aren't hopping a flight to, say, St. Barths. Add to the mix that I have been valiantly struggling with a winter virus - presque fini! - and my kid was home for two days, also sick, and this little hol. doesn't seem like the best bang for my leisure buck. Of course, silver lining, I have had ample opportunity to read the blogs.

M went back to school a couple of days ago - her idea - upon realizing that the alternative was not so much webkinzworld.com as napping with the blinds shut. Which liberated me to go on a little "K's on vacation" lunch and shopping jaunt. The shop I hit, I only had energy for one, was American Apparel, a place about which I am highly conflicted. In general, I think the clothes are cheap, the staff negligent, the corporate policy dubious, the figurehead appalling and the ad campaign offensive.

What can I say, I'm an unprincipaled woman who embraces contradiction.

In truth, the reason I made the trip (it's in my neighbourhood, across from the cute lunch place, so really not such a stretch) is because I've been somewhat influenced by the rapturous reviews of bloggers everwhere of late. Admittedly, most of those bloggers are 15 years younger than me and they live in Europe, but I've got to say that I like what they're doing with those retro leggings and pull-up socks.

Cut to me, in a brightly lit changing cubby with a canvas drape that doesn't close, preening in a pair of black matte, high-waisted lamé leggings, singing Love Is a Battlefield (quietly). You know, there's something compelling, as I stand at the cusp of middle age, about a tight pair of rocker pants channeling Pat Benatar or Patti Smith or some other anthem chick originally christened Patricia (by her presumably pious mother), whom I remember hearing on hit am radio circa 1979.

Reader, I bought them. Lord knows what I will wear them with, though the blogs will no doubt show me the way. Call it a sad case of me going Crazy on You :-)

Hell in a Handbag

I loved that what's in your handbag meme I saw going around a few weeks ago... While I do want to believe the majority of tagees simply carry gum, cell phones, compact arts and crafts projects, PDAs, keys and lipbalm, I'd like to know where they're stashing the tampons, unpaid bills (still in half-opened envelope), umbrellas, full-on mountains of makeup, tubes of handcream, and mushed up muffin leftovers in a greasy napkin. Honestly, is that just me?

I like to call myself a minimalist and, if you saw my colour-coded closet, you might agree. But the handbag is the last frontier of the tchotchke, the thing containing the thing you might need at any moment, the portable analog of that crap-drawer you have in your office that you're constantly throwing stuff into and pulling stuff out of 'cuz you need it. Really.

Having apprised you of my bag-as-container philosophy, I should give you a head's up about how I feel about the bag as status object. In short, I think every woman should follow her heart's desire in accordance with her budget, but I'm not into spending 3 grand on a patch of leather with a logo. For me, the fun is in the find and in the relative uniqueness of my purchase.

Bags are a super way to approach vintage, for example, if you're not quite sure about how you feel about reusing old stuff. When well-preserved, leather is very durable and it ages beautifully. And, in truth, if you're set on that Chanel quiltie, you're going to find it for half a fortune on consignment. Also, the likelihood that anyone's going to have your specific snake clutch or patchwork hobo circa 1972 is slim. Which makes it that much more undefinably chic.

Soon, I'll do a post of my own purse collection. Till then, I thought I'd show a few bags (or affordable brands) I enjoy.

For the Stylish Vegan In You

I really like Matt & Nat, a brand out of Montreal that's readily available in TO. The shapes are lovely, the pleather frequently indistinguishable from leather. My mother raves about the M&N bag we bought for her on a recent visit, which gets loads of compliments in Charlotte, where she lives.

The blueberry Japanese Paper bag (bottom) is the one my mother owns...

Roots used to have better design, but the leather is quality

Banana Republic does very nice lady bags - with room for all the crap

M0851 is not inexpensive - but it's phenomenally gorgeous

I Knew if I Just Looked Long Enough...

... I'd find a pair of wide-legged, high-waisted trouser jeans. I just didn't think it would be at H & M.

Note: I am not that person who hangs at H & M, snapping up delicious, fiscally-prudent finds like skinny teen. My overriding opinion of the chain is that they should use a bit more fabric -on everything. I also find the bulk of it kind of disposable - if extremely au courant - in a way that doesn't work for me. Point is, I'm not the demographic. So imagine my delight and surprise (another one of those overused phrases of mine), to discover a workmate was wearing these:

When she told me she'd just bought them for $29.00, I knew a shopping venture was nigh.

Now, in truth, they aren't that high-waisted. Which is fine, as far as I'm concerned, 'cuz I'm not that long-waisted. Their moderate rise (though the label says low-rise, it's not true) is perfect for my shape (short and curvy) and the price is right.

Furthermore, look at all that fabric - this must be where they've been stashing it all :-)

PS - With all the money I saved, I somehow managed to buy a top ($29.00) too:

This photo is only to highlight the shape and does not do it justice. For starters, I bought it in a totally different pattern (a slate background with lilac and black leopard print) which I can't seem to find online. Also, it looks fab with tits, something the model above does not possess.

Once the pants are hemmed, I'll take a picture of the combo for y'all to see.

Basically, me...

Susie B. began her latest post by advising that she's not about dispensing style advice. But, as no one's actually asking me for advice, I feel I can be quite free in illustrating the basic underpinnings of my own wardrobe:

From the ground up

For me, as you may know by now, it all starts with the lingerie. I'm probably at my most individual on this layer of dress. From pink and baby blue leopard print to yellow florals to corset style balconettes, I like to know that I'm not phoning it in. I also love the constructive power of well-made undergarments. They make the rest of my clothes look that much better, which gives me confidence. Here are a couple of styles I wear:





Freya Matisse (left)
Freya Lola (right)







I've become one of those jeans freaks...

So what if it's Wednesday. If you wear dark, well-fitted denim while floating a "trouser" vibe, it's amazing what liberties you can take. I always dress it up with luxe accessories, cashmere and chic jackets. Then I pretend I work as a creative at an advertising agency. Looks I like:





Sass & Bide Misfit Slim (left)
Genetic Denim Mutated Twisted Seam (right)

Boots are de rigeur. Low wedges aren't bad either.

On a daily basis, throughout the winter, I fall back on my La Canadienne's to keep my feet toasty and dry - and to navigate the icy terrain.

However, when the snow is at bay, I love pointy-toed, sabrina heel boots like these:






Anne Klein, Ginger Boot










And this is the style of shoe I tend to wear:







Fly London, Tyne Shoe

Slim T / Long Cami

You know, James Pearse, Club Monaco, Jacob do a zillion varieties of a piece that functions (for me) as a perfect layering garment. I like to wear muted jewel tones (greens, blues, burgundies) as well as black - but I steer clear of white because I am the palest girl that ever lived and white tends to make me look dead.

Just call me "sweater girl"

There is no low micronaire I don't love to bits. Ca Va de Soi, Line, Theory, Laundry, Bloomingdales on sale, Holt Renfrew house brand (when you can find it) - I can't get enough of the slim, fitted sweater, as the base layer for a jacket (or other sweater) on top. I also love floaty, top layers that span the gap between structured jacket and cozy cardi...









Temperley London











The deconstructed jacket (which is often a sweater masquerading)







Hamish Morrow (right)
Rick Owens Lilies (left)





Wouldn't it be fun if other bloggers decided to work this idea? I'd love to know what constitutes a basic wardrobe for, let's say, Lady (over at Lacquer) or Rumi at Fashion Toast or Curella at Curella Says...

Basic Training

Just read a super enjoyable post by Susie, style genius. It was in response to the routine comments she gets from fans / novice fashion dolls driven witless by her innovative ways and motivated to get all Bubble-icious. Thing is, there's nothing very basic about Susie's style. It's a veritable collision of Asian influence, British eccentric, youthful and that special something that cannot be defined.

No doubt, there is very little obvious intersection between Susie's style and mine. Where she is daring, I am safe. Where she's a DIY tour-de-force, I outsource. There's that little matter of (I reckon) 15 years between us. We're just different girls. Having said this, I read her blog religiously. I love it, and not because I love everything she throws together, not because I could ever imagine myself walking out the door dressed that way. I love it because, in her work, I feel the sheer joy of the creative spirit. She is no imposter, and yet a populist. Her blog says to me: Go out and do your thing. Do it all out.

So I completely understand why her readers itch for instruction, though she's the first to say that's not what she's about. Her latest post however , the one to which I've linked above, is a concession to the inspired. It provides an extensive photo breakdown, with commentary, of the many daily go-tos that sustain the Bubble wardrobe.

And as an homage - and fun exercise - I intend to provide in a near future post, my own list of basics. Can't guarantee they'll come with pictures because I appear to have a miserable cold and can barely stand to be looked at, much less photographed. Please stay tuned.