B Sides

Shop the post: a spring wish list



Balenciaga Le City moka calf suede

The clocks just went forward, so even though it’s still freezing, it’s officially spring in my world. To mark the occasion, here are a handful of new-on-my-radar fashion and lifestyle bits …

White jeans. I’ve outgrown all my Arket Rose Cropped jeans and they don’t seem to make them any more. I’m wearing Arket Snow* as a placeholder; they’re a nice straight cut in 100% cotton but could be a heavier weight denim and a tad wider in the ankle. (I got mine shorted at Blackhorse Lane in Berwick Street. Highly recommended as they did the job in half an hour while I waited and the service is always super-friendly. ) The alternative is B Sides Plein relaxed straight jeans in Claire, which is more of an ecru. I discovered the blue colourway via Alison Loehnis’s Instagram and while I like the 501-like fit, I’m not mad about the contrast stitching on the ecru colourway. The search continues…

Bode shoes. I can’t wait for Bermuda shorts season as well as white jeans, I’m after a smart pair of white Bermudas* which I plan to wear with semi-formal footwear. Bode fits the bill in four ways. A T-bar ‘School Shoe’*, a ‘Verbena Shoe’, plus an opera pump (I’ve discussed these before) and the delightfully named “Theatre Shoe’ (below). I’d be happy with any or all, accessorised with black merino wool socks.
Bode Theatre Shoe

The Balenciaga Le City bag has been given a Pierpaolo Piccioli refresh. I wasn’t interested in the Le City the first time round; it was far too ubiquitous which put me off. The new moka (this season’s bitter chocolate) calf suede* version, below, has a timeless appeal though, which looks like it will weather beautifully. And bitter chocolate paired with white jeans feels fresher than an obvious black bag. All that said, I’m reminded I have a 2000-era apple red suede Balenciaga bag from the early Ghesquière years. I thought I’d sold it since I never have occasion to use it for fear of rain spots (#Londonproblems). But drier days are in sight and it would add a Celine-esque dollop of colour to my spring neutrals.
Balenciaga Le City bag

A ridiculously long belt. I’ve been after an unfeasibly long belt for ages. MHL has finally come up with the goods (below).
MHL belt

A simple but substantial tee. Recommended by Juliana Salazar, I like that this Still Here tee is cropped (so about right for my height), a bit boxy and comes in a range of colours (top and below).
Still Here tee
Still Here red tee

A no-budge brow gel. I’m almost out of brow gel so I’m considering this offering from new-to-Harvey-Nichols, Bob Beauté* (below). As well as hold (without flakes or stiffness), it promises to boost growth and density. We’ll see!
Bob Beauté Brow Gel

Oddments ceramics. A stone’s throw from Harvey Nichols, I also discovered the whimsical Oddments ceramic homewares by Supergroup (aka Ian McIntyre and John Booth) for The Conran Shop in Sloane Square. This pen (or snack!) tray would add an appropriate level of spring optimism to a dull desk or coffee table.
Supergroup ceramic pen tray

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl; Bode; Balenciaga; MHL/Margaret Howell; Still Here x 2; Bob Beauté; Oddments/Disneyrollergirl
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Buy it now: Spring blues



B sides Fey jeans in Leo dark sun fade

Three new spring discoveries to share.

I’ve yet to try B Sides jeans but I think now may be the time to make it happen. The new collection features two relaxed-fit styles designed to look like you’ve had them for years. Fey (above) in Leo dark sun fade is a straight-cut, slightly loose-thigh jean with a long rise, while Elissa (inspired by stylist Elissa Santisi) in Klein (below) is a wide-leg, slouchy fit that also sits on the natural waist. Buy here and here. Both styles are 100% cotton and made in the USA. (more…)



Bringing back the blazer and jeans



Paris Vogue

Who’d have thunk it: blazers are about to make a post-Covid come back.

It’s been widely noted that the novelty of WFH sweats has worn off and some of us like a bit of corporate-lite cos-play. For those going back to offices, even if it’s part time, they want to dress the part. And for the never-going-back-to-the-office brigade, a tailored blazer is still the easiest thing to throw on for impromptu Teams calls. I guess old habits die hard.

The best route for this then is ye olde blazer and jeans combo and fortunately it’s an easy one to shop your closet. Here’s three ways to wear… (more…)