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Buy it now: Floopy sweaters



COS undyed cashmere sweater

After writing about ‘floopy Birkins‘ (tbh I’m still not sure if this was a typo and meant to say ‘floppy’ but I like ‘floopy‘). I just clocked this floopy, droopy sweater from COS* (above).

Slouchy floopy sweaters are not as easy to come by as you think. It’s not always enough to just size up. Sometimes that means the neck is too wide and the sleeves are too long. A properly floopy sweater needs to be deliberately cut wide and ideally have a thick ribbed hem so you can tuck it in with enough extra to hang generously and ‘effortlessly’ (guess what – it’s never effortless) over the waistband. And sleeves that are roomy enough to push up with plentiful folds, especially when layered over a shirt. (more…)



Trend report: what to wear for AW22



Craig McDean British Vogue Aug 2022

As you know by now, my trend reports are utterly self-indulgent and reflect what’s ‘new’ through my own personal ‘gentlewoman style’ lens. So I’m glad to say that fifty shades of cappuccino, a Ralph Lauren revival, chunky gold chains and classic bags (with a twist) are all trending for AW22. Of course, the 90s is a major influence on fashion and culture. (more…)



Streetwear retail grows up



Aime Leon Dore London cafe

Something interesting is happening in the world of streetwear. It’s fixing up, shedding its scrappy roots and going all out for growth. Latest development? In the space of a few weeks, two of its most culty brands have opened retail stores that cement their influence and ambition for mass expansion.

On June 17th, Hypebeast unveiled an impressive new seven-storey HQ-slash-store-slash-event-space in NYC’s Chinatown. Two weeks earlier, Aimé Leon Dore (above and below) opened its London store in the heart of Soho, a two-storey retail destination incorporating a marble-floored café and a VIP private lounge. A sneaker’s throw from Supreme and Stussy, Aimé Leon Dore is a far more refined proposition than these rough and ready rivals. Its branding is more preppie-adjacent than skater kid, yet it speaks to the same youthful demographic. (more…)