24 May, 2013

Best buy: The Hanro vest

Trending for spring: boyfriend shorts, sheer-panelled skirts, barely-there bandeau tops… Um, not in my world they’re not. On rotation in my wardrobe right now is the same thing I’ve been wearing since last September – an endless cycle of jumbo cardigans and polo necks, underpinned by a lifetime’s supply of Hanro vests. Where would I be without my Hanros?

My go-to Hanro is the ‘1601‘ in black or white, made famous by Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut, but otherwise worn by thousands as a pretty spaghetti-strapped vest that works under any weight or sheerness of top. I wear mine under T-shirts, jumpers, silk shirts and sheer blouses. And if it does get properly balmy, you can wear one on its own too.

The adjustable-strapped V-neck vests (and short sleeve tops, my other Hanro addiction – seen on Kate Moss, above) are made in Switzerland from mercerised cotton, wool and silk. Some are trimmed with filigree embroidery still produced in Swiss factories. They’re not cheap – the 1601 costs £29 for the cotton version – but they’re beautifully made and absolutely last. Cost-per-wear wise, they’re a very good investment.

[Images: Kate Moss by Corrine Day for Vogue]

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Brands, Design, Shopping best buys, Hanro, Kate Moss, shopping, underwear

21 May, 2013

A ToyWatch for the festival season

Here’s something different from ToyWatch and I like it a lot. It’s a watch-friendship bracelet hybrid and all I can think is, why hasn’t this been done before?

The watch face is clean and classic, a nice contrast to the busy South American-inspired patterns of the woven friendship bracelet. These are pitched ‘for the festival season’ but I can’t imagine them going anywhere near a muddy field, can you? Much more suited for lazy days in the park with a Pimms, or a clubby long weekend in Ibiza.

Anyway, they sell for £125 and are stocked at Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols and ToyWatch… (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 7 Comments Brands, Design, Shopping, Trends accessories, design, shopping, ss13, ToyWatch, watches

9 May, 2013

What’s in your man bag?

Who knew that men cared about what’s in other men’s man bags?* Well, it seems Mr Porter cares. This week there’s a feature on stylish, influential men and their ‘everyday carry‘ (kind of). Naturally, I’m all over it. Of course, it helps that Mr Porter has photographed the feature in typical house style – that means styled to perfection, with the latest desirable tech and grooming goodies in place. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Design, Menswear, Online shopping, Shopping, Trends accessories, APC, Everyday Carry, Kate Spade, man bags, Mr Porter, shopping, Valextra

8 May, 2013

Buy it now: Chanel Les Beiges

This Chanel Les Beiges sample has been sitting in its box for weeks because I was too scared to use it. I’ve never used bronzers because I don’t know where to position them, but I finally couldn’t resist this sand-hued compact (a first for Chanel) and went for the plunge.

Verdict: Peter Philips has triumphed again with this elegant Healthy Glow Sheer Powder (with SPF15) which has barely perceptible golden specks that very subtly catch the light (I used shade 30). I’ve found the best way to use this is to be confident with the brush; swish it in a swooping figure-of-three type action along the side of the face from brow to chin, then a bit over the forehead and nose. The results are so impressive – a natural, outdoorsy ‘wellness’ effect.

I think this is going to be my hero product for the summer although the only downside is it’s quite heavily scented so that’s something to get used to. It’s selling fast but Selfridges currently has all the shades.