gentlewoman style

New year, old style



Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style

I love this Sunday Times Style shoot I clocked last week, which looks like it was Xeroxed straight from the pages of an early 90s Elle. Everything from the soft focus ‘corporate girl about town’ vibe to the casting (Louise de Chevigny channelling Ines de la Fressange) and the gamine styling reminds me of Yasmin Le Bon-era French Elle – all that’s missing is the Filofax.

Particular highlights: the mini tan Hermes Birkin (I will be substituting with my Mulberry Small Maple tote), the boxy blazers, the Cartier watch and – of course – the hair. (more…)



(Back) on my radar: Jigsaw AW21



Jigsaw AW21 trousers

I found myself in Jigsaw a few days ago and was very impressed with the new direction. I’ve not been in for quite some time and to be honest it had dropped clean off my radar.

The coats, knits* and trousers are especially strong (more…)



Function first: Hermès Birkin 3-in-1



Hermes Birkin 3-in-1 bag

The iconic Hermès Birkin has had a pragmatic update – and I prefer it.

The Birkin 3-in-1 is a capacious boxy leather vessel in its raw state, but with the added canvas pocket-flap, takes on its usual recognisable form. Use the pocket-flap portion on its own and it serves as a slender but good-sized clutch. Yours for $14,400… (more…)



Death to minimalism?



The Row SS22

I’ve finished digesting all the SS22 collections and I think we can safely say we’re over the 2010s obsession with #oldceline-style ‘minimalism’.

I say ‘we’, but I don’t mean me.

Personally, I’m still here for what I call gentlewoman style; aka timeless pieces that straddle what we like to consider ‘masculine’ (tailoring, functionality) and ‘feminine’ (decoration, softness) dressing. I will never get bored of my baggy chinos and boyfriend 501s, Dries snakeskin boots, Equipment shirts and merino crew necks.

Professionally, yes it’s more exciting to write about the elaborate, hedonistic and whimsical and I’m tempted to bust out my Prada lip-print mules and Sergio Rossi raspberry moiré-silk heels. Schiaparelli was undeniably a Fashion Month highlight, as was Dries van Noten’s kaleidoscopic colour-fest. But it’s also fine by me if people (read: under 30s) would rather switch the Arket blazers and Acne knits for first wave reality TV garb à la The Simple Life-era low-rise jeans and triangle bandeau tops. (Uggs on the other hand? Not even Telfar* can tempt me to go there.) (more…)