The Row

Why we all love The Row AW20



The Row AW20 New York Fashion Week

The one show that dominated my NYFW social feeds? The Row AW20. One wag described it as “the same collection I’ve been seeing for the last six seasons.” No matter; its predictable self-assured minimalism and quiet tailoring offer something of a sartorial salve in troubled times. And after all, anti-fashion is the new Fashion. (Or something.) Highlights were the floor-nuzzling trench coats, collarless boxy jackets and full-legged pants. Plus more rollnecks layered under unadulterated shirting (also trending this season, fyi). (more…)



Trend Report: What to wear for SS20



Arket pink trench

While many say that commercial ‘seasons’ are redundant, I still get new season vibes just before Fashion Week. I think it makes me focused on the newness out there, plus the days are getting longer and I just want to let the light in my life, dammit!

However, new season to me rarely means a total ‘in then out’ about turn from the previous season. That kind of thinking has become outmoded lately anyway, as desirability has become “decoupled from consumption and coupled with knowledge, a story, belonging, and transformative potential to make us better humans.” Instead, this new season edit is an excuse to fill any gaps with updates rather than total novelty. Here’s what’s on my radar for SS20…

1/ UNDONE TRENCH. Trench coats for spring? Clearly not ground-breaking, but I like the new relaxed, slouchy macs and trenches, designed less for harsh weather and more for wearing undone whilst sipping a matcha latte al fresco. (more…)



Birkenstocks, Tevas and other wellness-wear are the new athleisure



Birkenstock Il Pellicano

I never got on board with athleisure. Firstly, I hate formal exercise and secondly, I can’t stand leggings. Or any stretchy, clingy, overly form-fitting garb. So I let Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and their ilk pass me by. (Nike is different. Don’t ask me why.)

But there’s another health-style hybrid that’s snuck up on me and this one seems to have more appeal. It’s wellness-wear. So the stuff you wear for meditation, or hanging out apres-asanas on your yoga retreat. (more…)



Are expensive jeans worth it?



Toogood denim

Jeans. So utilitarian. So egalitarian. Yet so bloody difficult to nail! Are expensive jeans worth it? Should you pay more then £100 for a pair? Surely denim is considered a workwear fabric, ergo it should be cheap as chips. Yes, but no.

There’s denim and then there’s denim. Japanese denim is beautiful – dense, dark, rigid but made in Japan so relatively expensive. Stretch denim to me is not really denim. (It’s usually cheap and prone to sagging, and don’t get me started on jeggings.) And modern mass produced denim is nothing compared to vintage denim. (more…)