Sights in the City

My thoughts over the week turn to the killings in Norway and the death of Amy Winehouse.  I am reminded of the saying, 'too much, too little, too late'. I am sure that many would like to go back a few days and make a difference to the outcomes of these tragedies but alas that is not gifted to us as human beings.

Not being one to spend too much time getting all depressed, I looked around the world of fashion to see if I could get some inspiration for something light-hearted to change my mood.  I struggled this week, instead I came across the story of a young girl from South London who was willing to pay a very high price to 'follow fashion'.

How much are we really willing to pay to 'follow fashion'? 

Why is it that at the sight of some celebrity doing or wearing something absolutely ridiculous we all get on the band wagon.  I am sure you are all thinking....no not me, but have your really checked yourself.

How many of you own high heeled shows? I guess quite a few but do you also pay more than just the price tag on the box.

Beautiful shoes....

Beautiful bunions

I can hear it now....... they are not that high... they are comfortable... its got a platform so its not really that high.....  Sorry that bunion looks fairly painful to me, and not the sort of thing you would highlight as your best asset.

You cannot possibly have missed the huge bling earring worn by many music celebs, many of whom are also acknowledged for their style and fashion.  So you don't own any bling ear rings, but what about a nice pair vintage ear rings?

Well as the young lady in Peckham found out, when she woke up one morning to find her lovely designer earrings on her pillow, it will cost more than the earring to put her ear right.

Still saying, not me...well do you have a tasteful tattoo?  Go on admit it, the one that is covered up with your usual work uniform...

Would you think that it was worth it if your beautiful, yet simple and artistic tattoo turned out like this?

For those of us who want stars in our eyes, is this really worth it.  That twinkle in your eye should be because you enjoy life, not because you want to buy life.

 

My advice is to you all, is whilst it is nice to have a moment of fame, don't let it be due to the fact you have injured yourself in pursuit of following fashion!

Sights in the City

The highlight of this week was going to see the final part of Harry Potter with my children, the 10 years since the first movie has just flown by.  After each movie, we always go and have something to eat in a restaurant nearby and watch the world go by for a while.  I had intended to reflect on how fashion had changed in the last 10 years, however, I couldnt get past the fact that despite my warnings, it seems people are just hell bent on the abusive wearing of leggings.

If you insist on wearing leggings or imitating the latest fashions in public there are a few rules not to break.

1. Choose your colour wisely, all colours are not created equally!

As can be seen, matching your other accessories with your leggings may expose more than just your curves.

2. Choose your size appropriately, just because it is in a stretchy fabric it is not an invitation to downsize.

If you stuff yourself into your clothing, no matter how much the material stretches it will eventually give up  and let you down.  So please choose your size!

3.  No matter what you choose to wear, there is a basic rule, which says your underwear needs to stay 'under' your clothes.  No matter how lovely those thongs look to your partner, the rest of the world does not need to see it.

Back-packing is an activity that involves wearing a bag on your back when you go for long walks in the countryside, it does not translate to fashion for the high street, so be careful what your are 'back-packing' when you bend down.

4. When choosing to imitate celebrity style, select wisely.  That look in your favourite music video that looks oh so sexy on Rihanna or Beyonce or even lady GaGa may not looks so good on you.  Some looks are created as fantasy, they are not to be recreated in anyone's reality and definately is not a day look.

Please...please...PLEASE....your are not Lady Gaga or Rihanna.  It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery, but not when you intend to leave the house without checking your mirror or taking your pills!

So ladies please try to keep to the simple rules and your fashion styles will serve you better, so to summarise, wear your size, keep your under garments 'under' your clothes and always check the mirror before leaving the house.

Have fun with Fashion!

I would like to thank the brave women in the photos for daring to be seen in public and also a fashion blogger who inspired this weeks blog.  She can be found at http://www.thechicfactory.com or on twitter @VivaLaBrandi.

Sights in the City

Today was a strange day, I attended my youngest son's graduation ceremony.  Along with his classmates he was graduating from primary school at the tender age of 11.  All the children were given the morning off school in order as their headteacher put it 'to beautify themselves'.  So my son who is a typical boy of his age gave in to demands and spent slightly longer than five minutes in the bath, and even managed to use some 'smelly stuff' before getting dressed in the obligatory suit and tie.

Once we arrived, I noticed that whilst the boys looked a little uncomfortable in their suits..pulling the tie loose when their mothers weren't looking; the girls on the other hand was a different sight.  The girls had indeed being 'beautifying' themselves, some with better outcomes than others.  There were 8 girls wearing the same dress, a few admittedly in different colours - so they were not pleased.  They had just experienced the first painful fashion lesson, you spend weeks picking your dress, your accessories etc and then turn up only to find that you are wearing the same dress as someone else and you have lost your moment to shine. Then there is lesson number 2, life is not fair, the slightly chubby boys were able to hide their little tummies behind their waistcoats, but the chubby girls had nowhere to hide theirs.

As I looked around the room, I could see that some of the scars of the day would not heal for a long time.  Those young people who were told how good they looked preened and will have had their confidence and style acknowledged by their peers and onlookers.  But there were those who got not comments, who no-one asked to be in a photo with them.  The young lady who wore the white dress and everyone could see her knickers; the young lady whose well endowed front spilled out of her dress and the child whose parents could not afford the 'prom frock' but had to make do with clean casuals; how will this effect them in later life.

So for some, I am sure they will remember having a good time with friends, but there will be others who will only remember embarrassment and being unhappy or worse still become some of the offenders that I will no doubt continue to write about in my blog.

On a slightly more lighter note, I can still report that the habit of wearing underwear as outer garments has not abated and can still be seen in the city.  Ladies do you not realise that although leggings are made from stretchy fabrics, you still need to buy your size.  If you take the opportunity to buy a small, when you really need a large then at the top it will be so stretched, you will be showing off more than just your curves.

Remember to check your rear view mirror before leaving the house

Size is not just a number it is an essential instruction - it lets you know that you won't fall out!

So have a lovely week and remember, check the mirror before you leave the house, and don't confuse personal style with personal fashion faux pas.

Sights in the City

Fashion fades, style is eternal... (Yves Saint Laurent)

This week I have noticed the increased number of adult women who are wearing babygrows...I think they call them playsuits or all in one leggings... NO...don't do it, babygrows look cute on babies.  If you must wear such items in an attempt to be Kate Moss or Lady GaGa please do it in your own home and on an evening when no-one is coming round.

During the summer months, many take the opportunity to try out the latest fashions in an attempt to be stylish.  Some of us get our copy of the most popular fashion magazines and try to copy the styles they say are in fashion or in 'vogue' if you prefer.  Some of us have a go at following the latest, hairstyle or clothing accessorie of the celebrity whose style we quite like.

In each of those cases that is where the mistakes are made and we confuse style with fashion.  Maxi dresses look cool, inviting and elegant in the photo of your favourite magazine, so you forget that you are only 5ft tall and the dress is so long even in your highest heels you are in danger of disappearing under it.  Those tight white jeans that looked so good on your favourite celebrity, cuts your tummy in half and the t-shirt you have chosen to wear...give it to your favourite child.

Style is something that takes into account your own unique attributes and is re-newed and developed as you grow, that is why a young stylish Audrey Hepburn matured into an older but still stylish version of herself.  So take heart and trust your mirror, it only lies when you decide to put on blinkers.

Sights in the City

On a lovely summers day, its nice to get outside....however in London the shades are not just to protect the eye from the sun, there are other sights on show that without those huge shades, everyone will see your reaction.  Now don't get me wrong...it's not that I do not appreciate creativity and innovation when it comes to self-expression, but surely there is common sense.  Just because something is sold in your size, that doesnt mean you should buy it, let alone wear it in public.  I will not get started on the 'thongs debate' but surely they should not be bought in all sizes.  If you need scaffolding on your derriere then thongs is not for you, irrespective of your size.

Anyway the thing that really gets me in a quandry, is what can you sensibly wear under that white linen trousers, floaty white linen dress or skirt.  I have seen a few sights over the years and truly most people have not got it right.  White knickers that cut your rump in half are outrageous, thongs which cut you across and down the middle are just 'dangerous' but the coloured underwear is just well...disrespectful. 

Now, I know that the clean, crisp white of linen looks good on the model in the photo, but what about that mirror you need to look into before you leave the house.

Is there anyone out there that knows the best way to fashionably wear those white line trousers?