Bonkers means never having to say you're sorry

Imagine my surprise when opening up The Times fashion edition on Wednesday only to read about the block heel. This heel is having a moment... Actually for me it has been since June when I first saw the Chanel suede black-tipped slingback on a Block 5cm heel, then last week’s Orange Dior that I've previously mentioned. If this is to be believed, it's why, when stood in my dressing room, facing my Shoe Wall,  deciding what to wear for the most holy day of the year (Yom Kippur) for Shul, I turned to my mother and said “None of my shoes work!" It happened so fast - suddenly every shoe was wrong! It's hopefully only a passing phase - will let you know. I noticed in synagogue that most of you were still wearing the slapper shoe. Very, very high black platform and mostly patent, slightly rounded or pointed toe. Also, black mini skirts and black legs. And to my surprise, many slapper shoes can still found in Harrod’s shoe heaven. Well I suppose style and good taste isn't for everyone!

When did Mishmash become Bonkers? Or to put another way, when did the styling from English Vogue 2013 become style for summer 2016? Gucci, Prada, Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi, so far - what? Too many drugs. Have these designers forgotten that women have to wear these clothes? I really liked Gucci last season - it's freshness and vitality but Michele has obviously taken one too many, to really believe that what he showed this week is good. I know that's a bit harsh, but sometimes you can't believe the hype. Mui Mui, Oxfam and Dior (from 2014) seem to be overriding influences. I'm telling you, (if you can) never throw anything away. Next season you can wear it all together!

More by luck than design I tried on a flared jumper dress yesterday that for me was too short (a little above the knee), and as I can't zip up the PVC boots I put narrow trousers underneath it. I thought of it as the look that many Indian women wear with their saris and trousers. Little did I realise that the Bonkers Brigade would have cornered this look! I can't wait to see what Paris has to offer. One tip for next year - in Milan trousers are out. That means skirts, dresses and pantaloon, hardly a trouser to be seen anywhere.

What happened when a group of friends get together and out of 4 women, 3 are in various shades of dark green on the same day? It's not as if we call each other to discuss what we're wearing… Isn’t it a bit spooky?

And isn't it amazing how much I can tell you about shoes? In a conversation with a couple of friends it became clear to me that wanting to buy the right new shoes in this town means ordering them as soon as you see them in the magazine, because it seem to me that they don't buy them in stores for the London girls. Neither Prada, Mui Mui or Bottaga Veneta has bought either any runway or lead photo advertisement shoes this season. Which begs the question - Why? Why advertise something we can't buy? To me that's silly - isn't it to you?

Happy Shopping (if you can find what you want to buy…)

 

F  XX

Always check your Husband before he leaves with your best blouse on

Really?...

Yeezy does it!

American Fashion Week has just been - and a more derivative collection of schmatters I've never seen! Mui Mui to Dior - we've seen it all before (I'm a poet and didn't know it) (OK OK, Francine back to real news). Well, there was hardly any across the pond unless you think Posh Spice using skeletons again is News. Just deflects from the lack of originality in her designs!

Anna Wintour sat next to KKW at Kanye for Adidas. That must just thrill her! No wonder she donned her black glasses. The fact is that Kanye designs at his Yeezy show for Adidas are so far removed from "The Hood" that the anti-bling becomes more potent than the bling - Stealth Wealth! Like one Saturday - Ewan MacGregor came to Shul and we were trying to figure out who his wife was. Only one friend found her in her Stealth Wealth outfit. Beautifully cut black coat and no other accoutrements. No jewels, no bag - nothing but Stealth Wealth. Ummmm... is this the way to go?? And as if my question was answered, I open The Times and Michael Kors (he knows which way the wind is blowing) shows restraint - "earthy elegance." Stay tuned, we might have hit on something.

I've seen some more shows for you... This time British and the stealth thing hasn't hit Britain yet. Actually back-tracking a little, Ralph Lauren showed how to wear white palazzo pants with a striped blue shirt and red cardigan around the neck (how stealthy and radical! I can do this already from my wardrobe). London Fashion Week has never been my cup of tea but Top Shop hit the catwalk well. The “inspiration" for so many designers, as I've said before, I find quite alarming. Now it seems that a Shoe Designer (Miriam Nassir Zadeh) inn New York has accused Breakout Accessories label, Monsur Gavriel with what she calls “clear proof” of purchase of shoes in the exact style and colour in question by Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel in 2014 and 15, in NY. And has actually gone to the social media to complain of outright copying of a shoe design. It surprises me that this is the first time this has happened. They say that it's difficult to prove and I don't think that it will really make any difference, but an interesting development nevertheless. I'm telling you that Bicester last season Prada, Mui Mui, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior is all you need for next season fashion. Funny that!!

Last note - Men with Beards! My question is why? One man of my acquaintance has a short beard and every Saturday in Shul he greets me with a kiss and every Saturday I try to avoid this. His beard hurts my skin! Now I know I'm a delicate little flower but what is so wrong with a clean shave? Beards, stubble... are they really necessary? And I'd prefer not to have my face exfoliated every time I go near one. So let's not encourage this fashion - for the sake of our skin.

Happy Shopping

 

FXX

Be careful! This could be coming to a boutique near you very soon...

Very Trying

What a week! Busy like I've never known! They say always ask a busy person to do something and it will get done. How true! With a streaming cold I've been running around like a lunatic but have done everything. And the weather has been strange - hot one day cool the next then hot again!

My brown mascara has been noticed, as has my lack of black eyeshadow and lines. Interesting developments - I'm liking this look on me a lot. Am going to try with a strong lip soon see how that works...

Just realised that due to my busy week and a cold I've not been to the gym for nearly a week! Wow - good job my cold has prevented full on eating otherwise I'd be rolling down the street.

I was invited to view the new Bamford shop on South Audley Street so off I went. I parked outside the new Erdem shop, so naturally popped in. There they were. Lots of my big, Italian skirts and beautiful long dresses. May have to go back to try on... Then on to Bamford. Now, if you’re a constant reader of me then you'll remember I was invited to a breakfast at the Bamford studios earlier on this year. This time the manager, who came from Mui Mui, called me. He remembered my one inquiry about a blouse which I never even tried on (actually I did, in Dover Street - terrible fit!!!) And my name etc... Very impressive! That's how it's done, a personal connection and an ease of manners. Will I buy Bamford?! Maybe… Erdem - it may benefit by location…

Football! Yes I follow, but I must say now that I'm a pretty fair-weather follower (only if my club is doing well!) and my club is Chelsea… What a disastrous start to the season they're having. Poor Jose - what to do, as in life... Abandon ship? Soldier on? My question is actually what's gone wrong? As I'm not privy to the dressing room I've no idea but reading him in the Times this morning he's going to battle through. So should we all! Work the problem out and push on...

My big Italian skirt made its debut last weekend to huge applause! But my other big skirt (a Dior number) I took with me, to try the jewelled trainers with. You had to laugh. My Mother was crying, I looked so funny! Yes, if you 18-24 and stick-thin and trendy. Not if you an ever-so-slightly mature women who's not stick-thin. Well, at least I satisfied myself without bursting the bank. Remember it costs nothing to try !!!! 

Rain Rain go away! Please...

Happy Shopping 

F  XX

ERDEM front row - "No, it's OK - I'm waiting for my friends" 

Due to shrinkage...

The first Saturday in September, or Shabbat pre-Rosh Hashanna! Synagogue or Shull dressing. If this sounds strange to you, you're either not Jewish, not one of my friends, or (I suppose it's possible) you don't care what you wear! Then that begs the question - why read me That's for another blog. Back to the top. First Saturday dressing. Autumn is here, so no summer looks. I've cleansed my wardrobe of summer and I actually have an outfit on the holding rail.

The Financial Times arrived this morning with of course "How to Spend It" and the fashion - tweed! And what is on the holding rail? You guessed - a tweed coat, a herringbone coat, my big Italian skirt, and a tweed skirt. Take your pick. This is all part of the new Mishmash look I've been banging on about, but can I put it together to wear it in public? Hmmmm not so sure. I have other looks that can be worn but I'm drawn to this. It’s just a new departure for me and although you think I'm fearless, sometimes I'm chicken. (Francine, can't you just put on a dress and have done with it?!) I could, but then I might enjoy this new look more. Will report later…

Back from my dressing room. Big Italian skirt - No, tweed skirt - Yes Yes Yes! Triumph!! Got to go now - Shull calls.

Taffy and I went to pick up some alterations. A new heel height for winter means long long trousers must be shortened (only a little, but still a must). She is so loved by all. Well, most dogs are - its just that I'm biased. Dior on Sloane Street - they have a silver dog bowl and as she was the only dog yesterday, she happily drank out of her bowl!

Not that I'm in the market for a winter white Duster Coat, but if I was?... Where to begin?! And they had some kick-ass orange shoes. No No No walk away…

How hot was it today? 21 Degrees! Shame - it missed my summer clothes, I know all I'd have to do is open another wardrobe but one must be disciplined. I think I've finally lost it - talking to the weather as if it can be tamed…

The American Open. I'm a huge tennis fan and a champion of Andy Murray, I'm hoping that he can go all the way again and take the title, but I'd prefer that he stop playing at midnight - it plays havoc with my sleep patterns. Unfortunately Andy is now out...

Note to Self - do not buy the white jeans from Acne as I just washed my boyfriend jeans and boy! Did they shrink!! So winter white with guaranteed shrinkage will be a definite no-go!

Wrap up warmly!

Happy Shopping 

F  XX

Tweed - if only I could fit into those boots...

Family and Friends

The Anne Robinson Spending Secrets - very interesting… As expected spending time with family and loved ones is better than buying designer brands. I could have to told her that. Family and friends are always the best way to spend time and money.

Brown mascara, this is the way forward for the "no makeup" makeup look . OK, this may not be news to you but it is to me. The colour change makes such a difference! How come I never thought of it before? And I used to be a makeup artist! I've stopped using black eye liner, and using softer colours really works…

I read about some straight-legged white (winter white) Jeans at the shop Acme in Dover Street so I went in today to try them on. Hmmmm... not bad. Will have to try a few more makes on but they may just be the answer. 

Saw the wonderful Electra on Dover Street 3rd floor. I went in looking for one thing, of course ended up trying on totally different things, as alway! But maybe!... At least the length of the dresses and skirts were more to my liking - below the knee. This seems to be a problem, a lot of designers have hiked the hem lines up. Not a look for me. I went back to try on the winter white jeans in Acme - they were good but then she told me that washing can be a problem and not to wash too often due to shrinkage. Huh!! White jeans unwashable, "dry clean”. No that must be a joke. So they're still there.

 

As it absolutely poured down over the Bank Holiday I went to the cinema. I saw a really wonderful film - 45 Years. Yes it's a little slow but definitely worth the wait. The acting is immense! Charlotte Rampling gives a masterclass in restraint and Tom Courtney is also a giant on the screen. It deals with lives of maybe and regret!

So as Autumn has abruptly landed, if you've been good and sorted out your winter clothes, enjoy! Otherwise hurry up! (what have you been doing?) It's getting chilly…

Happy Shopping

 

F   XX

Is this what happens with friends and family?