Keep the Faith

Northern Soul has been in the press a lot recently. There's a film coming out. There was an anniversary. There was a Culture Show special.

And by 'eck there was some style.

I love footage of Northern Soul dancers, and their amazing outfits. I have a great deal of respect for people who really commit to a look and this is really quite a look.

Have a gander at these amazing photos by Brian Cannon from Northern Soul: A Photographic Journey

(Images via Northern Soul)

Smells Like Post-Teen Spirit

I bought a copy of Elle the other day. There was a model on it wearing a Nirvana t-shirt. The girl half my age behind the counter gasped "Oh my god, I love Nirvana!" You know, like she'd discovered them.

I'm sure she thought I was far too old and unhip to have even the slightest clue. I raised my eyebrows and said "Oh yeah?" noncommittally. Inside my head I was screaming "I was there! You weren't even born! This isn't your thing! It's my thing!"

Of course it isn't. I haven't listened to them in years and years. But I still feel very proprietorial. They were the first band that I felt that my very existence was linked to. You know, middle class girls at a convent school in the darkest reaches of middle class Sussex. Obvs. We knew what teen spirit smelled like in our own modest way. Seriously...

It was our first taste of obsession, and we had to make everything in our lives (or at least our wardrobes) demonstrate our allegiance. And the easiest way to do that was via the glory of the plaid shirt.

It brings to mind that scene in Clueless when Cher enquires "So this flannel shirt deal... Is that a nod to the crispy Seattle weather, or are you just trying to stay warm in front of the refrigerator?" We were just fortunate that our school (the prison on the hill, natch) was chilly enough to merit the toasty making qualities of a thick plaid shirt.

Now, I have no desire to start dressing like this, which is how the Nirvana/check shirt is showing its face this season.

I am an old person. I am not Cara Delevingne. I will definitely leave that to the yoof.

But there is something so super appealing about a check shirt for winter. Cosy and forgiving and a very slight tip of a head to the trend so you don't feel completely past it.

Here are some of my favourites. I would be tempted to wear them tucked into a mid-calf high waisted black pencil skirt, my Belstaff biker boots and a chunky cardigan. Bliss!

 A.P.C

 Jigsaw

 Wrangler

Zara

                              (Images via Lookbook, Flamingo Pink, Red, Jigsaw, Asos)

The Thigh's the Limit

I saw a lady this morning on my way into work wearing a pair of over-the-knee high-heeled platform boots. She looked very sexy. You know, kinda inappropriately sexy for the day, and for a work-based situation.

And generally when I think of over-the-knee boots I think of this.

To be honest.

In fact, I imagine that is why said boots are now called over-the-knee rather than the decidedly racy thigh-high. Which was much more salacious, wouldn't you agree? Much more suggestive. Over-the-knee, in comparison, sounds positively demure.

Not to suggest that the lady I saw looked like a happy hooker. (For one thing her boots were much nicer.) I'm sure her morals and choice of employment were unquestionable. In fact beyond her face and hands there was absolutely no flesh showing whatsoever. But even so the look was inherently sexy. They just can't help it, those naughty boots.

Now a funny thing has happened with boots over the last few years. It used to be all about the knee high, then the ankle muscled in and became the king of the castle, and in my mind it's rule has never been rescinded.

However, with variety being the spice of life and all I would quite like to mix it up a bit.

The boring old knee high boot doesn't excite me, and the shoe boot is really just a sweet little imposter, I'm sorry to break it to you darlings, but you aren't really boots.

So there is really only one option. What can that possibly be?! I hear you say. Well hold on to your hats because I really am suggesting the over-the-knee-er as a viable alternative.

I know that Jameela Jamil is flashing rather a lot of thigh here, and obviously that is still rather saucy. But wack on a pair of opaques and I think this flat Russell & Bromley pair are rather fetching.

But shall I tell you what I particularly love about the possibility of rocking a pair? While with thigh showing or with a very short skirt the look still screams sex, with the ladylike look and especially with a full mid-length skirt the silhouette manages to balance the prim and the suggestible. Which I think is a rather nice interplay. The risk of looking a little too grown up or dowdy is instantly negated by the sexiness of the boot. So for those worried about being kerb-crawled but want to give it a go wear your boot high and your skirt longer and observers will have to imagine just how far up they go. Sexiness in the mind is far more intriguing than having it all out there. Wouldn't you agree?

(Images via Entertainment Wise,  Net a Porter)

Nicholas Kirkwood - The Next Instalment

I apologise, loyal readers. Combining my love of puns and my love of Nicholas Kirkwood shoes means that I have really scraped the barrel of Nicholas Kirkwood-based puns over the years. So we've had the inevitable - In the Nick of Time, and In Good Nick, the silly - You're Nicked!, the tenuous - Knock on Wood (Kirkwood - geddit?!) and the ridiculous - Captain Kirkwood.

And even through all this you have stuck by me. I thank you.

So for once I will hush up my foolish punnage and just let you behold the wonder of his shoes. Enjoy!

(Images via Nicholas Kirkwood)

Cold Comfort

 Altuzzara

Lordy, it done got cold! 

I am up in London for a few weeks and packed a suitcase, hedging my bets on what I might need. I ummed and ahhed about which coat to bring, and settled on a very lightweight one taking the view that it could accommodate both the milder weather we've been having and the threat of a cold snap with a thick cardigan nestled beneath . It is the end of October after all.

I thought I had been awfully clever as it has been balmy, balmy, balmy, but half way through my stay and last night the temperature plummeted. By ten degrees. It wasn't mucking about. Now I am cold. Cold and fantasising about coats.

 Azzadine Alaia

Which honestly is no bad thing. I have a cardigan draped around my shoulders, and as long as I am suitably prepared I quite like cold weather. Mostly because of layering. My sartorial heaven.

 Bottega Veneta

We all know that the big coat stories this season are the colour pink and the over-sized cocoon shape with a sprinkling of mannish Crombie stylings. But I have to confess I'm not buying it. My shape suits a bit of fit and flare, and there are quite a few feminine styles that have piqued my interest.

Bottega Veneta

So here are some of the delights on my (never to be realised) wish list.

 Bottega Veneta

The ones I am most drawn to are the feminine but minimal, belted styles in a muted black, grey, navy palette. When times is tough I think the watchwords have to be classic and long-lasting. Now the pink coat is definitely a treat to pep you up on grey mornings but a coat, at least when you are my age, should aim to be hanging round with you for a good few years, not just a season. It's a big purchase, and not one that you make every year, so I think it is advisable to play the long game and buy something you'll hopefully love for years.

 Bottega Veneta

But what about you, lovely readers, what is tickling your fancy in the outerwear department?

 Carven

  Carven

Chalayan

 Chloe

 DKNY

 Dolce & Gabbana

 Gucci

 Gucci

 Haider Ackermann

 Isabel Marant

 Jil Sander

  Jil Sander

  Jil Sander

  Jil Sander

 Joseph

 Marc by Marc Jacobs

 MaxMara

 Nina Ricci

  Nina Ricci

 Sophie Hulme

 Theyskens' Theory

(Images via Matches, Net a Porter)