Two very easy winter styling updates to consider if you fancy some newness without a mega cash outlay.
First, a thin leather belt. Thanks to Phoebe Philo, The Row and Louis Vuitton, the big boxy tailored coat is where the smart money is right now, but instead of buttoned, it’s worn wrapped and belted with a one-inch leather belt. (more…)
“Rachel Cusk and Zadie Smith have become, in effect, literary brands — once their names are removed from the context of a book’s cover and placed on a hat or a tote bag.” Terry Nguyen, New York Times.
The merch machine refuses to die. In fact, I would argue it’s only just getting started. The New York Times recently published this article on literary merch, explaining the relatively new popularity of #litcore caps (and totes and tees) that show allegiance to revered writers while telegraphing the wearer’s (perceived) intellectual superiority. The Guardian calls this “consuming culture as a performative act”, while comedian Dan Rosen simply calls it “liberal cringe” (ouch #guilty).
It’s also rampant in media, with mainstream and niche publications going all out on taste signallers. (more…)
I’m a bit sick of celebs and Insta clickbait dominating fashion. Some of my favourite fashion month shows were perhaps not Internet-breakingly epic, but were just great for wearable wardrobe candy and ace styling inspo. Yes, fashion week is for Big Ideas but there’s also room for consistent beauty.
I loved the quietly dramatic staging and focused rigour of Saint Laurent. The precisely cut jumpsuits, trousers and patch pocket shirts! The singular colour palette! The gloves, red lip and those aviators! (Don’t we all have a pair somewhere? And a bullet of Rouge Pur Couture?) This collection hammered home the house codes so clearly and confidently, all that was missing was maybe Paloma Picasso and Betty Catroux on the runway. (more…)
UPDATE: THE COLLECTION JUST DROPPED. SHOP THE BEST PIECES BELOW.
Update on Peter Do x Banana Republic.
The collab got a soft launch on the Peter Do Paris runway (above and below) last week and it’s looking pretty good.
There are 28 pieces, of which this trench looks like a best-seller, along with the patch pocket silk shirt and camel trouser suit. The pleated coat dress-y number looks like the showstopper, while the pleated skirt-and-trouser layered ensemble has its own post-punk appeal. (more…)
