Lemaire

In the mood for Lemaire AW22



Suzi De Givenchy in Lemaire AW22

I’m beginning to hate my puffer jacket. I just want to wear something insulating and protective but unrestricting, something like the many wonderful examples of outerwear shown at Lemaire AW22 last month.

Described as “an urban horde of modern-day hunter-gatherers,” the collection nailed Lemaire’s versatile trademarks – trench coats, soft overcoats, deconstructed blazers – for the 24-hour city girl (or boy). Accompanying the utility-luxe silhouettes and layered styling were equally desirable accessories. Cross-body bags to create graphic demarcation, knitted balaclavas (still around for 2022) and bougie leather water bottle holders. (more…)



Shop the post: the sensible sale edit



Aime Leon Dore aw21

UPDATED: Some pieces are sold out, others have an extra 20% off…

Let’s face it, January is good for only one thing and that is the sales. I’m a very boring strategic sale shopper and use it to zero in on elevated wardrobe staples that will last. For me right now, that’s knitwear, outerwear and work wear.

Quite a few items I’ve featured on recent shopping posts are now on sale as well as perennial DRG favourites, including the Lemaire trench*, Rue de Verneuil totes* and Gabriela Hearst Merion boots*.

On the work wear front, I’ve heard that people are shopping for tailoring again (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…)



Dude, where’s my mask?



Lemaire vegetable tanned molded Taco bag

The accessory of 2020 may have been the Covid mask, but a close second was the mini hands-free bag. I was very lucky to receive a Porter Yoshida & Co Force bag* (below) for Christmas; a compact crossbody bag with adjustable strap that can be worn inside or outside your jacket.

It’s what I currently use for my walks or coffee runs as it fits my mask (in a clear Ziploc), phone, earphones, keys and cash without bulking out. If I wanted to, I could fit in a mini umbrella as well. (more…)