A Slip of a Thing

When Victoria Beckham arrived at the men's Wimbledon final in a slip I have to admit I wasn't entirely convinced.

Yes, it was a Louis Vuitton slip, part of its autumn winter lingerie/nightwear inspired collection, but it was still a slip. Very pretty but definitely not for me. I would hardly consider such an item suitable for the boudoir let alone a bar.

But the more I look at the Louis Vuitton collection the more I am drawn to it.

But how to make it wearable in real life?

Because I will absolutely not be copying any of these looks, even though I like their flavour.

I think I have discovered the solution - the camisole. A nod to the underwear trend without being too suggestive. Plus I think a little plain black camisole over jeans is super elegant. There is just something very appealing about an exposed clavicle and shoulder with just the whisper of a strap.

Equipment

I am very tempted. What about you? Tempted to make underwear outerwear this season?

By Malene Birger

Jigsaw

Mason by Michelle Mason

Tibi

Topshop

(Images via Style.com, Net a Porter, Topshop, Jigsaw)

Up in Arm(les)s

(Image via Jigsaw)

I am quite drawn to this coat by Jigsaw, but really, how practical can a winter coat without sleeves actually be?

Teal or No Teal

(Image via Jigsaw)

Wow! It is getting warm. And all I want to do is wear super lightweight floaty tops. My favourite is this little teal treat from Jigsaw. I feel cool just looking at it.

It's Chino Time

(Image via Jigsaw)

For the most part I find chinos quite dull. But in dusky pink? Sigh! Simply heaven!

The Jig is Up

Could all men be "encouraged" to shop at Jigsaw menswear?

That would really make me happy.

(Images via Jigsaw)

Two Tone

As I recall I was a little bit scathing about the Breton stripe last year.

I suggested that I was over it. That it was passé. Summer dressing by numbers with little imagination.

But I would like to come grovelling back. Because really, what could be more perfect, more wearable for a spring or summer's day?

I might be helped to this opinion by the fact that my Gap Breton stripe is starting to show the less attractive signs of being well loved and the thought of being without fills me with utter dread.

Plus I am out of Islington now. Spiritual home to the Breton, trench, jean and sandal. So it hopefully won't feel quite so overplayed here.

But even if it is, I will just have to shake my head and say well, it's obviously going to be popular because it is just so wonderful.

(Images via Jigsaw, Reiss, Whsitles)

At Your Service

(Image via Jigsaw)

I don't know whether it is becoming older, or just becoming more grumpy, but the thing I hold above any other when it comes to shopping is not price or quality or trends, it is service.

And while I don't earn the salary that I did when I was in London, and should really go back to shopping at slightly more affordable shops I have to admit that I would rather buy less (and certainly of higher quality) for the main reason that the service is infinitely better.

Even when I was in my early twenties and couldn't even think about shopping anywhere more expensive than Topshop, I hated shopping there because I always felt my presence was such a burden on the poor sales assistants who would really rather you buggered off so they could continue discussing their social lives and planning what hideously on trend and intimidating outfit they would assemble for their next working day.

The first time I ever stumbled on really good service was in a little boutique in Santa Cruz. I wanted a pair of jeans and was filing through the rails in a half hearted manner until the lady working there offered her help. She dispatched me to a fitting room (a huge room with plenty of space, a thick velvet curtain that wouldn't have revealed any of my naked person to prying eyes, even if I had wanted it to, and great lighting) and brought pair upon pair of jeans for me to try. I bought a pair that barely left my person for the coming years, and I might even have shed a tear for them when they finally gave up the ghost. I spent more money than I ever have before or since on jeans and I did so mostly because of the service. Yes, the jeans were great, but the experience was even better.

I have been on the look out for a similar experience ever since and have never quite found it until recently, in Jigsaw where I have been helped by a lovely girl with the most amazing style and delightful manner. I can't even express the pleasure of shopping with someone who loves fashion as much as I do. Who gets properly excited about it and who really wants to find the right things for you. And for it not to be all about selling but to help you get the best possible things you can.

So when I go to the wedding in a few weeks wearing some of the bits that she helped me pick out I will know that I couldn't be happier with what I am wearing and that I couldn't be happier with where I am shopping. Yay!

Cover all Bases

I am wearing my lovely Temperley dress to my even lovelier friend Amelia's wedding in South Africa in a few weeks.

And I have almost everything that I need to go with it.

The dress is cream with an orangey red decoration on it.

I'm going to be wearing my nude suede Clarks heels and a pair of gold and coral earrings, but what of the cover up in case it is cold and the bag?

I think I have three options (and probably more if I carry on looking, but I think I will solve dilemma one to start with).

One:

Sweet little coral coloured Hobbs cardigan and coral patent clutch.

I fear this may be too matchy matchy.

Two:

Oatmeal coloured cardigan and rust coloured scarf from Jigsaw with a cream woven clutch or gold clutch that I already own.

I think this may be my favourite option if the orange of the scarf and the orange red of the dress work together.

Or the same cardigan in a rose red, with a rose coloured scarf and heavenly rose red woven clutch, all again from Jigsaw.

Which would clash a bit but could potentially be a good clash... Maybe...?

But is probably just an excuse to buy this clutch which I LOVE.

(Images via Jigsaw)

So, fabulous fans, what do you think? One, Two or Three? Or keep looking. Please let me know in the comments. I'd be very grateful.

All Hands to the Pump

I really have a crush on these flat strappy pumps from Kurt Geiger. I think I might want them quite badly. Particularly the Neopolitan shade pair below.

It might be ever so slightly anaemic, but I think I would like to pair them with this heavenly dress from Jigsaw. I am very nearly at that point where I am ready to bid adieu to winter woolens and opaque tights for something more light and breezy.

(Images via Kurt Geiger, Jigsaw)

Fly by the Seat of Your Pants

My place of employ goes in for dress down Fridays. And while I have partaken of the joys of denim once or twice I have to confess that I have something of a mental block about dressing down at work. Annie and I used to prefer dress up Fridays. Which is very much a concept that I can subscribe to.

But where I am now the only way is casual. And I do see the appeal of being comfortable at work. Particularly at mine where I am up and down stairs and basically doing manual labour with all the heavy lifting.

And so I'm thinking compromise. Maybe not jeans, maybe a nice pair of trousers that I can dress up or down as necessary. The pair of work trousers that I bought from Wallis are so ugly I can barely look them in the face. But what about one of these pairs? Cute with a smartish top and a pair of white Converse or Superga plimsolls.

I know that would be the sensible option. So why am I craving this heavenly pair from Karen Millen. Equally cute with a plimsoll, but maybe not quite so practical, huh?

(Images via Jigsaw, Hobbs, Karen Millen)

Bumper Crop

I LOVE this jacket. It makes me want to squeal. I want to wear it with jeans and a little white vest top and flip flops. Or even with a denim mini (if I magically come by legs that I want to show off).

Would that be ok with everyone?



(Images via Jigsaw)