Sandro Lace Dress

I had been searching for my lace dress in the past couple of weeks. I tried on the Marc by Marc Jacobs lace dress I loved. It looked hideous on me! I think the lowered waist line had done it. The proportion of the dress makes me look shorter. I also think the dress could be nicer if it'd be short sleeved. Overall bold laced pattern could be too full on. Short or cap sleeves might tone it down a bit.

I like this Sandro version on me. Only the top panel is laced so it is quite versatile and more timeless. It is slightly fitted and high-waisted and the length sits just above my knees. So it makes me slimmer and taller which works for my body shape!

I apologise for the quality of the photos. It always seems suspicious to the sales people when they see someone taking photos of their merchandise. I had to be sneaky when taking the photos to avoid evil stares!

So I bought the dress! And I have put the dress with my Miu Miu heels and Burberry shealing boots to create two different looks.

Lace, Lace and Lace

Like leopard print coats, there are a plethora of lace dresses offered by every brand for AW10! And like leopard print coats, it is very important to get the right lace! It is all about the intricacy and pattern of the lace. This AW10 the lace pattern is bold and graphic which makes it more modern than the association of lingerie.

I absolutely love this Marc by Marc Jacobs black lace dress. The engineered pattern and the thick outline of the lace makes the dress edgy as well as feminine. However it costs £695. With my £150 budget a month it would take me 4 months to save up for it. I think by the time I have the money to buy it, it would be gone. Sob!

Photo source: Selfridges.com

Don't mind this Reiss version. It is sexy and feminine. I can accessorise it and dress it up or dress it down. It comes in the cream version as well. The cream version gives it a vintage edge which is quite nice. But the shape does not suit me well. I have size 6 upper body but size 8 buttom. The waisted A-line accentuates my bigger lower half. Don't really want that!


Photo Source: Reiss

This Sandro dress has laced bodice in contrast to woollen bottom. I like the juxtaposition of different textures. And it is a very versatile dress. I can wear it to work, to an evening dinner, or just going out shopping. It is reasonably priced at £170, whih is within my budget! Me likey!

Photo Source: Net-A-Porter.com

Lanvin for H&M Online

The Lanvin for H&M collection is now previewed on H&M website!!!! Can't wait!!!!!







Images source: HM.com

Lanvin for H&M

Mark it in your diary ladies! Lanvin for H&M will be hitting stores on 23 November!!!! I am stoked!

I saw the feature in the Grazia magazine on the tube to work this morning. Had to restrain myself for screaming with excitement as the stone faced London commuters would not have appreciated the wake up screaming very much. Especially not during tube strike and everyone was squashed on the limited tube service like sardines! I kept the joy to myself.

The collection offers 48 pieces of Lanvin's signature dresses, t-shirts, jewellery and more. Definitely have my eyes on the black puff-shoulder dress (£99.99). Gorgeous!!!! The one shoulder floral dress is amazing too. Or the black ribbon dress (£79.99). And will have to get one of the embellished t-shirts as well. I can anticipate an ugly battle as I fight my way through the crowd to reach those highly desirable pieces. Arggghhh can't wait!

The full collection can be seen online at hm.com on November 04.








Images from Grazia

Sneak peek - check out the cool Lanvin for H&M campaign!

Finding My Perfect Leopard Print Coat

A couple of months ago, I have made my wish list for AW10.
1. Hiking boots — tick
2. Fur gilet — tick
3. Lace dress — still looking
4. Leopard print coat — still looking

I am thrilled to be spot on the trends. These key pieces are everywhere! One in four girls you see on London streets is wearing an animal print coat, and one in five is wearing a fur gilet! Seeing them in mass is kind of de-valuing these items for me. I am not quite sure if I still wanted an animal print coat anymore for this winter.

I've always wanted a leopard print coat and I have been searching for one for a couple of years now. I think unless I have £2000 to buy a designer made, it would be really difficult as this is not a kind of coat that can be easily substituted with a High Street made.

For example, this Top Shop coat priced at £98. It has an acrylic plastic shine to it and the fabric is so synthetic that it can catch a fire if you go near a heater or fire place!


photo source: Topshop.com

And this Oasis coat is priced at £150. Slightly better than the Top Shop version. It has the natural fur texture and not too bulky. However the colour of the print is not right. It is not as obvious on the photo. But if you see it in real life, it is way too yellow and unnatural.


photo source: Selfridges.com


This Biba version is not too bad. It is priced at £165. The colour is natural and the texture is very soft. It is very comfortable and warm to wear. Except it is too thick and bulky. When I put it on, I felt like a big bear walking down the street and I felt shorter with it. Unless you are 6 feet tall, it is probably not the most ideal version either.


photo source: Biba exclusively for House of Fraser catalogue


Don't get me wrong. I am not encouraging slaughter of endangered animals in order to get their skin for vain. Even the designer versions would not be real leopard skin. My point is that with a coat that is defined by its print and texture, it is important to get it right. I'd rather spend a little be more on a leopard print coat that is more authentic and refined. A lot of things that we are able to find relatively cheaper and as good alternatives, but leopard print coat just isn't one of them!

A Gucci version may be at the extreme end of the spectrum. But I am sure there are also versions of leopard print coats that are priced in between Luxury brands and High Street brands. I just have to keep looking to find my perfect leopard print coat!

photo source: style.com

Wool Gilet

One of the items on my AW10 wish list is a fur gilet. Loved these two looks from Helmut Lang's AW10 collection.


photo source: Style.com

I found this lamb wool one from Top Shop. Very happy about it although it is not fur as I hoped to find. It is made of real wool and it did not cost me an arm and a leg!

I have mixed the gilet up with my existing wardrobe. The first look is with a vintage skirt and my
Burberry high heeled hiking boots. I like the juxtaposition of different textures. My tribute to Dries Van Noten.



And the second look is with skinny jeans and my will-be-much-utlilised Burberry boots again!


It is quite handy to wear a gilet. It keeps you warm and you can manouevre without much restriction. Definitely a good staple for winter!

Hiking Boots

After two months of agony I have finally owned a pair of these gorgeous Burberry shearling ankle boots! I had saved up enough money in August to buy a pair but then I had sensibly spent the money on a much needed arm chair instead.


photo source: Style.com

So I had to be good in September and October in order to save up enough money again to buy these shoes. Definitely an achievement for me not to spend money on clothes for two months! These boots go with anything, skinny jeans, pencil skirts, dresses or shorts. I have put together two looks with these boots with my wardrobe. Love my boots!

What Should I Wear This Winter?

There is a hint of winter chill in the air. The temperature has noticeably dropped a couple of degrees here in London. All fashion magazines have been featuring key looks for AW10 for a few months now. But not until it is cold enough the fashionistas cannot start wearing their newly purchased hiker boots or shearling parka. Now the time has come, girls and boys!

I have been going through my stored-away winter clothes today and pulled out pieces that I can put together to create looks that are relevant for this winter. I realised that the most economical way is to buy good quality clothes and recycle my wardrobe by mixing and matching with a couple of key pieces or accessories each season. All the pieces that I show below have been members of my wardrobe for a few years already.

1. 50's charm - waisted full skirts and prom dresses.


photo source: Vogue UK

I have this Marni dress that I absolutely love. It can help me to pull of this full skirt dress look for this winter.


2. Mannish trousers

photo source: Vogue UK

These front pleated Marni trousers are perfect mannish trousers. I will sure be wearing them a lot this winter. To emphasise the look I also borrowed my husband's white shirt to complete it. Usually I am not a shirt person but I actually like this shirt. It has a pleated placket down the front. I might sneakily take it over!

Compromise

For most people, myself included, life is about compromising and prioritising. I cannot have everything I want in life. I was planning to buy my Burberry ankle boots this month but we need an armchair for the living room. So I had to let go of my boots, needless to mention the pain of letting go (teary!) Who knows! They might still be available once I saved up again.

We bought this cute little 50's vintage armchair. I love it especially the two tones! It is not too big and just the right size for our small flat. I think I will be looking for an ottoman to make it more comfortable to sit on with the leggs up. In addition to that we also bought this wooden trolley originally from Germany. It has the glass table top and glassed doors as a display cabinet. Not sure what to use it as yet. We just love the weaving details. There is also a handle that you can push the trolley around!







Although I am still upset about the boots. However practically speaking it is impossible for me to walk around London in the 13 inch heels. They would probably end up sitting in the shoe box most of the time :(


Photo Source: Style.com

I think I have made the right decision.....

What's your shoe story?

Tonight is the opening night of the new shoe galleries in Selfridges. I am so excited! Apparently it is bigger than the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall (well...so it says on Selfridges FB page) and it has the biggest shoe collections in the world!

I really wanted to have the first peek tonight. But after 12 hours of working and non stop London rain all day, I had sensibly decided against it. It can wait for another day.

Here is a sneak peek from the Selfridges website for those girlies that cannot make it tonight either!

It will definitely be my regular hang out now. Heaven!







Photo Source: Selfridges.com

AW10 Wish List

It is always very exciting for me to plan what to buy for the next season. AW10 stocks are starting to flow onto the shopfloors now. I found August/September is usually a good time to buy for Autumn/Winter gears. If you wait till October all good coats or jackets would have been snapped up already. So better be quick ladies!

Here is a list of what I wish to have for AW10-

1. Burberry Shearling ankle boots.
High heeled hiker boots or biker boots are still stealing the lime light this winter. I have had my eyes on this Burberry pair since the AW10 Prorsum runway show. Hopefully I will be able to own a pair!



2. Lace Dress.
I like the juxtaposition of different textures or prints in one outfit. There are a variety of lacy looks from AW10 run way shows. I particularly like the white lace dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs. It would look nice with a pair of biker boots and a leather jacket!



3. Fur Gilet.
I have been looking for a fur gilet for a long time now. It is very difficult to find a decent one with a reasonable price tag. They are mostly out of my price range. Will keep looking. I might get lucky this winter! I like these two gilets from Helmut Lang.



4. Animal Print Coat.
Same story with the animal print coat. It is very difficult to find one with a reasonable price tag. There are always a lot of variations from high streets but they all look very artificial and cheap. Probably will have to look through vintage shops as well. Here is a beautiful animal print coat from Gucci.



Photo Source: Style.com

More From My Favourite AW10 Collections

In addition to the three favourite AW10 collections that I mentioned in the previous post, I also love the following pieces.

There's obvious 80's influence in Bottega Veneta's AW10 range. I am not a big fan of the leather power suiting, but do love the two looks below - smart and edgy.



Love the quirky chunky knitted coat from Prada and the wool coat with fur contrast from Miu Miu. If money was not a problem I would definitely buy both! I love coats and would move to Norway just so I get to wear a coat every day!



Dries Van Noten has been delivering consistantly good collections season after season. His clothes are timeless and they can't go wrong! I particularly love the juxtaposition of the animal print with the Baroque influenced print and the casual military fabric with suiting.

My Favourite AW10 Collections

I can notice the difference in my spending pattern since I started planning what to buy each season with the set monthly budget. I had only bought what I planned to buy for SS10, well...with only one tiny slip of buying two extra items as mentioned previously. Considering this was the first attempt to a better spending behaviour, I think I have done very well! And I will carry forward this responsible spending pattern to the next season, AW10.

As for SS10, I have put together my dream wardrobe for AW10.

My favourite runway collection from AW10 would have to be Rag & Bone.

I love the layering of the different textures - the tweed tailoring with the heavy knit, and with the military camouflage.



My second favourite collection would have to be Isabel Marant. Love the mid- calf turned up jeans matched with either the bomber jacket or the boxy coat. Very much French chic at ease without trying too hard.



This winter, shearling jackets and fur trims are going to be huge! Burberry is definitely one of the best representatives of this trend. Can't wait to get my hands on a pair of the Burberry shearling ankle boots!



All stores are starting to roll in their AW10 collections. It is definitely about time to start saving up before my favourite pieces hit the shop floor!

Photo Source: Style.Com