Harmony and dissonance

Here bellow is grunge in all its glory codes: the plaid, baggy, slouchy clothes, dark colors with a touch of burgundy red, leather boots.

To be honest, I'm over the whole grunge "uniform" but its influence is still deeply rooted in my fashion imaginery and way to dress. There's often an hint of slouchiness in my outfits, it's never completely and perfectly done.

There's always a dissonance that brings my idea of harmony. Wether it's a shirt hanging instead of being quietly tucked in, a batik print, tough flat boots or a cheongsam dress.

Yes, I do pay attention to what I'm wearing and the contrasts in the architecture of an outfit are planed, resulting from my tastes, cultural background. 

Growing up listening to Nirvana's "Nevermind" in West Africa shaped up as much my way of dressing now as my Carribean roots and living in a multicutural city like Paris. 

Beyond trends, there are always some traits which outline a personality and that's what I try to cherish. 

It's so easy to get trapped in a fashionable yet anonymous uniform, what do you rely on to bring out your personality?
Is it about hair, make-up, accessories?
Do you have a peculiar attachment to an era's style? A fondness for an artist that is translated to your own style?

PS: I'm still obssessed by the Y's boots featured in this ed...

"Cosney Island'  from Jalouse September 2008 - Jalou Gallery

My Space

Another inspiring Jalouse ed.

Jalouse n° 107 février 2008
From Jalou Gallery

Block A

I threw away a lot of old magazines and  among them a series of Jalouse, a French magazine I used to buy frequently about 4 years ago. Though I lost interest in this mag, several eds produced over the years during which I was a frequent reader are among my favorites.

Here bellow is "Block A" from the september 2007 issue.

The styling is still amazing in a perfect for the first chilly Fall week-ends way.

A blazer over a shirt with cargo trousers and boots is a combination I 'll be, I think, forever attracted to.

Jalouse n° 103 - Septembre 2007 from the Jalou Gallery

Sorry dentist

I had never paid attention to L'Officiel magazine before that visit to the dentist years ago where while waiting for my wisdom teeth to be pulled out, I flipped through the september issue, stopped to this editorial and quietly put the mag in my bag. Ok, I stole it.

I had never done it before. Maybe it was this nerve wracking operation awaiting me or maybe I was long time due for some transgression, anyway I had to have it just for the sake of these pics.

Several years later, I find the styling of this ed to be still the classic urban look at its best.

All the pieces featured are popular items, the leather, plaid, tweed jacket, jeans, sneakers, wedge boots. I have most in my closet and the clothes associations shown are easy.

So why the fascination?

Maybe just because of that simplicity. Most of the eds I like are in the same vein. It's always the quiet classic styling my eyes are drawn up to and which actually make me purchase the magazines.

Surprisingly, I find them so much more inspiring than some over the top ed, piling up of the must-have clothes and accessories of the season, shot in a fantastic location.

From L'officiel september 2006 (Jalou Gallery)

Summer boots

After more than 6 months of tights, cashmere socks and boots, it's such a pleasure comes Spring to bare legs and toes that the last thing I want to wear is boots.  

That was before I stumbled upon the Bodkin lookbook.

I can't get over how cool these boots are. I don't know which brand they are, could be Golden Goose, JM Weston or Sartore. 

Perfectly beat up, buckles and flat. I can't keep my eyes off them. They'd be a great alternative to the Marant boots.

The clothes aren't too bad either...

Trend vs Mind

Printed shorts. It's everywhere: plaid, ikat, stripes, flowers, you name it, you have it.

It's just the kind of trend I'd like to follow but can't bring myself to it. 

Everytime I spot one I like, the same scenario creeps in my mind :

a) it's short-shorts (which you rarely find flatering)
b) it's (often a bit too) colored...
c) and printed
d) the sum of a), b) + c) = draws (too much) attention to the lower half of your body.
e) It's a trend. You will be over with it in a few weeks.
f) You're not going on vacations this Summer, so drop it.
g) Short-shorts in Paris? in the métro? Hmm, no.
h) Yeah, Summer only last a few weeks anyway... If we're lucky.

BUT aren't these just incredibly cute??

(all pics from J. Crew)

I'll wear that

Michael Kors SS 2011 by The Sartorialist

The casual pant suit at its best for the Summer with the longer than the jacket crinkled untucked shirt, loose trousers and relaxed fit jacket, complete with hand in the pocket nonchalant attitude. 

I'd pass on the too high for me wedges and the monochromatic, all white look which is a bit excessive especially for work, not to mention that I ride the métro.

Maybe I'll do a beige/white combo. 

Other than that I plan to replicate this exact silhouette to alternate it with my other office uniform.

Summer elegance

Gently getting back in blogging mode with a coup de coeur post for the Steven Alan Spring lookbook.

What attracted me is that carefree elegance radiating from these pics with the essentally monochromatic palette, the two-tone association, flowy not clingy clothes. 

Some would call this kind of styling boring. It's true the silhouettes are not avant-garde at all, everything is perfectly put together, there's not a hint of crazyness here.

If of course I can't help but notice the fashion extravangaza and sometimes fall for it, "blinded" by ce qui brille (shiny and bright things) nevertheless what make my eyes linger, focus and scan an outfit is that simple elegance, the balance between a practical -conservative silhouette and that (personal) touch: Be it a mix of colors or lack of it, the accessory statement, materials combination.

I think that lookbook nails "it" pretty well.

All from Steven Alan.

The Kids are alright

Zara Pont-Neuf window

On my way home a few days ago I skidded in front of the Zara window displaying tiny manequins in these basic and chic looks and took the above pic.
It then reminded me that I had saved other pics on my PC from the kids lookbook. So cute.
The styling is a source of inspiration for me, a grown woman.

Zara Kids lookbook

5 propositions

I spent idle moments on Polyvore imagining 5 Spring Summer outfits around the Etoile Roy knit.

Prop n° 1: A bit Riviera and Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Prop n° 2: Basic and casual look fit for the actual weather (maybe with an extra layer of themal)

Prop n° 3: "The bourge" as in bourgeoise, perfect lux accessories and understated look.

Prop n° 4: Late Spring, early Summer chic and casual city look.

Prop n° 5: The trendy look of the season, a mix of nude and bright colors.

Credits here or on Prop title.