2012 Fall designer looks I want to recreate.

I've been very uninspired the last few weeks. The fact of the matter is, I've reach that seasonal (or trans-seasonal) point when it's too soon to whole-heartedly indulge in layering, leather, and fur. As it happens, I've just been going back to a safe combination of black jeans, t-shirt, collared shirt, and oxford shoes.

During my 4 hour tutorial this morning, instead of dumbing down designer apparel for a lower-priced market, which was what we were supposed to do, I was discreetly going through the Fall collections from Paris Fashion Week on style.com on my laptop (nodding every now and then to show I was listening to the lecturer). Fortunately, temperatures are FINALLY dropping Down Under, as indicated by my wearing of opaque tights today, and Fashion Weeks came to pass. And so I really can't wait to be recreating designer looks by Charlotte Ronson, Paul Smith, Dsquared2, Isabel Marent and Frankie Morello this season! Super duper excited!

Sources: fashionising.com, style.com

Marie Claire Turkey April 2011

Feminine with a masculine elements, so cleverly styled, with the women's body in mind. Cest magnifique!

Obsession Du Jour: Wide-brim floppy hats and Bow-ties

There are two fashion items I keep a look out for, as of these few weeks; wide floppy hats, and bow-ties. (I won't necessarily wear them together) Floppy hats being a polished choice for headgear this winter, and bow-ties, just because I love adding masculine edges to any outfit and the late "borrowed from the boys" trend. Let's draw inspiration from runways, street styles, past editorials, and some trendy celebrities.

Sources: style caster, hidden gems, fashionising, man repeller, style.com

Jason Wu Fall 2011

Jason Wu, best known for providing clothes for the first lady, Michelle Obama, makes a collection that is androgynous chic infused with proportionate sized feminity. In other words, prim, polished and pretty mixed with a bit of tomboy, with added embelishments and lace for the rich and regal effect. In two words, female dandy (a reinterpretation).

Source: fashiongonerogue

Male Muse: Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is my hero. His life and aesthetics continues to fascinate me. He was the arbiter of culture, refinement and wit. He was quite the handsome package, being one of the famous examples of a dandy, sort of like a metrosexual, well before the 20th Century. (See my past post on dandyism, "The handy dandy, Dandy")

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."

"I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying."
"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much."
"You can never be overdressed or overeducated."
"Women are made to be loved not understood."
"Quotation is a serviceable substitute for wit."
"Youth is wasted on the young."
"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable."
"Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping."

"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."
"I beg your pardon I didn't recognise you - I've changed a lot."
"If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want.”

Boyfriend Coats

Yesterday after my first proper shopping experience in Seoul, it was confirmed once again my tendancy to seek for masculine-feminine clothing. Almost half of my wardrobe seem to be borrowed from the boys. I'm talking about oversized cardigans, lace up boots,oversized button ups, just to name a few. After hours of browsing through mostly "girly" clothes that were too sweet for my fashion taste, I bought yet another menswear-inspired item: the boyfriend coat, but wait, in a subdued canary yellow. There's something delightful about slipping into a semi-oversized outerwear that is also surprisingly practical, as it allows all sorts of layering. It's also thrillingly versatile because I could pull off two distinctive looks. Un, a unisex outfit with a masculine hat. Deux, the I-stole-my-boyfriend's-coat aesthetic, contrasting it with feminine pieces like a wool mini skirt and a blouse. (But what are the chances of my boyfriend having a yellow coat?) All in all, it'll be perfect for my January in New York. Exhibiting masculine touches (lapels, double-breasted shape, boxy, large pockets) - yet fit for the feminine frame, boyfriend coats are winter-wonderful!

I wish I could upload a photograph of my new coat, but I had left my adapter at home, back in Sydney. This is a very similar one in cut and style.

Inspiration: Travel Wardrobe

So I have just begun to pack my travel wardrobe. I will be flying out in a few days, but I know myself too well, and if I don't start packing anytime soon, it'll be nightmare later. I'm thinking, neutrals like black, white, grey, khaki, denim and little hints of colour. I will leave most of my accessories at home, and buy local treasures. Warmth and comfort, and at the same time looking chic is the key. I'm hoping I will master the art of layering from the locals by the time I come back.

Source: stockholmstreetstyle