Shopping Diary

I had an easy Sunday morning (and afternoon) in Williamsburg yesterday which began with buying Polaroid film (I just ran out of time before we left London) and then eating brunch at Relish (I had steak and eggs over easy, it was the best meal I've had in New York...it was so damn tasty!). On to shopping, ordinarily I just wander inside and out of shops perusing the rails as I go but this shopping adventure was a little more structured. Yes, I was exploring a new area which offered many a good retail experience but at the same time as I was exploring I was also working to a shopping list. On that list (which was only mental, next time I will write it in my notebook) I had hi tops, raw denim jeans and then the slightly more subjective and vague...interesting pieces. Here is how I got on:

YMC hit tops. If I get bored of the off white leather top I can swap it with a new canvas top as the shoe has a zip fastening to the sole. Two shoes in one!

All of my new purchases forming an outfit. The trousers stand out for me. They are just what I had in mind when i noted them on my shopping list. The jeans fit pefectly, I am an APC 31. Fingers crossed chafing is minimal! I wouldn't wear this outfit all together, it is just used here to illustrate my successful shopping experience in Williamsburg.

Minority top with zip front detailing. This was my interesting piece, so I could tick this one off my list!

My shopping highlights include:
About Glamour - Ridiculously cheap store which mixed designer vintage alongside unknown designers (by me atleast). I had heard that the staff within the Brooklyn stores were a little snooty but the girls here were so helpful and friendly, one of them had even lived in Archway. Anyway as usual I digress. This is my favourite store of New York so far.
Oak - Had a good selection of designers where I took advantage of the strong pound. There was YMC, Y3, Opening Ceremony, Surface to Air on offer alongside some great accessories from the likes of Commes des Garcons, alex and chloe...I could go on and on. In summary this store contained so many items which I was tempted to buy.
A.P.C - This is a surplus store where past seasons have slashed prices (60% off) which are housed in an old bank which has now become a cool shopping space. There was a grey, single breasted wool suit which was extremely tempting but I resisted temptation I bought what I had to buy, a pair of skinny raw denim jeans...all I have to do now is break them in a little, the fear of chaffing is quite a prominent one in my mind right now.

Oh, j'adore the jeans. Clearly the US is the place for jeans since I managed to get two pairs while I was over there too. Speaking of ME, don't forget to bring me present other than the t shirts I've asked for!

The top is very peculiar. I will reserve judgement for when I see it... which, by the way, may be this weekend as I am headed daahn saath. Make sure to have extra exciting things to tell me and enjoy your day of culture!

Style Diary: Travelling and First Day

The all important travel outfit. I am far from a seasoned traveller. The furthest I had ever been prior to New York was Crete which was a four hour journey, this was twice that long and comfort was the key. Before the trip I visited Uniqlo and picked up some great basics. Quite surpisingly the first part of this travel outfit diary is filled with colourful bargains from the store which is seemingly taking over London town and in particular Oxford Street (seriously how many Uniqlo stores can you fit in such a small space?) and prior to this I had never bought anything before. Excuse the below mugshot looking image. I'm not really a psycho killer, blame my crazy stare on jetlag or something.

The 'New York Here I Come' outfit

1 - Uniqlo grey ribbed top

2 - Unconditonal wrap trousers

3 - Omar Kashouri cardigan

4 - Battered old Converse. I am looking for some new hi tops on this trip

The 'New York Here I Am' outfit.

1 - Unconditonal t shirt with bibbed front

2 - Uniqlo red jeans. Red jeans? This has to be my most unusual purchase ever, but I like them. They have a good selection of colourful jeans and these add some colour to my otherwise monochrome focused palette.

4 - Uniqlo (yes Uniqlo again) blue cardigan. I thought I was over cardigans but they are so useful when layering and again this adds colour!

The first day in New York was spent wandering around downtown, concentrating on Soho and Nolita. It was a relatively quiet day because I was just getting used to my surroundings and if i'm being honest a little grumpy because I was tired. The shopping highlight for me was INA, a consignment store which had some interesting items, friendly 'stoned' staff and great music. I tried on a pair of Prada trousers which had stirrups. Unfortunately (or luckily) they were just too short for me, they fitted like a glove otherwise (althought I was a little perplexed by the stirrups). Off to Brooklyn today which has a host of great stores and Brunching options.

I landed in New York last night so I awoke this morning into a world that feels more like a film/tv set than anything else. It is my first time in New York (my first time outside of Europe if i'm being honest!) so I am just getting used to this new world. The best little anecdote that sums up my feelings thus far comes from a walk from the hotel down Fifth Avenue in search of a good breakfast (which we found, I had French toast with Canadian Ham) and I saw a church which looked familar. I then realised that it was the church shown in the Sex and the City episode where Carrie bumps into mr Big who she finds out takes his Mum to church every Sunday (I have seen every single episode multiple times because my flatmates have the box set and are obsessed!). As you can read I'm pretty excited and with good reason. There will be so much to write about and show you over the next 6 days. The shops I visit, the sights I see (good and bad) and I will also share with you my little travel outfit diary, which will begin with my travel outfit alongside the first 'I'm going to fly the British style flag' ensemble that will be posted later on today...but first I need to go out and explore this new yet strangely familar land!

Allowing time for your soul to appear

It might have been a miserable, grey Monday morning in January but looking out of the window this morning to see a quiet misty scene I could not help but think of the work of my favourite fashion photographers, Paolo Roversi. If only the Archway scene could have been a little more Area Homme like!

I have been seeking inspiration and flicking through fashion magazines and my scrapbook drawer one thing is clear: I can always turn to Paolo Roversi. These images may be old but this editorial has stand in memory more than anything else over the last few months and the reason for this is the mixture of clothes and Roversi's trademark photography. Roversi's trademark black and white photograpy using 8 by 10 inch Polaroids. When I grow up I want to be just like him.

As Nadar said many years ago, at the beginning of photography, 'Everyone can learn the technique of lighting. What is very difficult, and what you can’t teach is a feeling for the light, a sentiment of the light.'

Roversi is quoted as saying "When I take a picture using window light, I always think about what a long trip the light is making to reach my subject." I want to be this man.

His pictures are just wonderful... I first saw this shoot via Style Bubble back in October last year and I don't think I'm exagerrating when I say that it stayed with me more than any other shoots I saw last year. Added to the mental scrapbook even though the photographer's name was forgotten!

I do remember now that his photos were the best thing about that otherwise disappointing exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery... good choice Steve!

In my country we call them cosmonauts

Does anyone else look at these shoes and want to play dress up as an astronaut?

Dean 48 shoes by Swear

The only question I have is: where do you get one of those fish-bowl helmets?

Disaffected youth at their snappiest

Fred Perry is becoming known for its limited edition collaborations with a plethora of designers and artists alike. The mod look outfitter has worked with one and all from David David (more on this later) to Peter Jenson to Jessica Ogden. I was fortunate enough to see a preview of the coming collections and I liked what I saw. Highlights included the Raf Simons collaboration (unsurprisingly) where Simons created 12 styles reworking Fred Perry classics, such as combining a heavy weight polo shirt with trousers from the Raf Simons archive! Away from the show certain parts of the crowd who were sporting Fred Perry really inspired me. The Fred Perry aesthetic is definitely one I want to explore more. The palette is frequently solid, clean combining graphics and monotone shades.

Despite a number of tempting collaboration pieces (no more so than the David David polo shirts) I've not bought any Fred Perry since approximately 1998 when I purchased a white polo shirt with navy detailing. The gents within the crowd certainly looked good and have inspired me to explore the Fred Perry store in Covent Garden next time I'm in the area. Slim ties were paired with micro check shirts and well tailored macs. The early 80s seemed to be a huge influence, the tennis bomber was worn as were the tailored macs which were every inch New Wave!

Unfortunately as always I didn't have my camera so you will have to do with these images!

This is a look that I want to wear to work.

Cheating

So there I was, casually flicking through the A/W (I am NOT American, so it's not fall to me) catwalk pictures looking, as ever, for approximations of The Suit, along the way marvelling at how Jean Paul Gaultier could make me reconsider the bowler hat, sniggering slightly at ze tres French styleeengs of Emanuel Ungaro's models and being extremely underwhelmed by Paul Smith... anyway, back to The Suit.

Ann Demeulemeester was coming close:

Well ish... this does look a bit like a duvet cover I own.

This is a bit more like it. A bit too frilly though and where's the trousers, Ann? She clearly isn't taking this seriously.


How about Yves Saint Laurent then?

Ooh, nice. Not right, but lovely all the same. I don't like the length of the jacket, but otherwise this is pretty much top.

And then it happened. Out of nowhere this one hit me.

Oh my. Jesus, the colour is magnificent and those trousers are just perfect. And velvet?! How do they know my weakness??

I'm sorry The Suit, Gucci Suit and I are in love. Please forgive me.

All pictures courtesy of men.style.com

The fruits of salvaging your wardrobe

As you have read from the post below, I have recently spent a couple of hours organising the chaotic mess of the various clothing storage systems that I had within my room after months of neglect and rather than just acquiring the improved aesthetics and practical advantages I have been reunited with some former wardrobe staples! The best example of this have to be a pair of Sisley (which as a store can be hit and miss depending on the seasons) trousers which were bought back in 2002 which are in perfect condition and fit extremely well. Why had I forgotten them? Simply because although they fit well now I must admit they did become a little tight around the waist which meant they were tossed to the darkest depth of my little wardrobe. I didn't throw them out because I liked them and maybe deep down in my heart I knew that I would wear them again.

Now that I have rediscovered them they have been given a second lease of life and in the process given me ample opportunity to wear a pair of b store shoes (pictured) that were acquired months ago but have spent most of their time displayed on my storage shelf. Please take courage from my story. Tackle, organise and hunt within your own wardrobe. I assure you that you will find something that can be worn again, at least with some modification. Let us know how you get on and good luck!

Oh my god, I remember these! Are they really as old as 2002? Well done Steve, but carry on looking... I'm sure there's more hidden away...

p.s. Nice shoes!

Salvaging your wardrobe

For various reasons, I have sworn off buying new clothes (except tights as I have such bad luck with them... and possibly a bridesmaid's dress for my sister's wedding) for the next few months. Given that I'm not the biggest shopper around I foolishly didn't think this would be that hard but having said it out loud it's proving more difficult than I thought that it would be. The Topshop voucher in my wallet calls out to me and I now have surprisingly little to do at weekends since clothes shops are out of bounds. Thank the lord I write for a men's style blog or I'd never survive.

I digress. The knowledge that nothing new is going to appear in my wardrobe any time soon has forced me to reassess its contents. I thought that I'd encourage you to do the same.

Steve's wardrobe. I asked him to take a photo of it for me as it's usually in complete disarray and he TIDIED it!

First you'll need to clear some space and pull everything out – it’s amazing what can fall down the backs of cupboards and get forgotten. We found some great stuff the last time we cleaned Steve's room. You might as well take this time to do a bit of culling too- rediscovery is not always good. If something's horrible, shove it in a bag straight away to go to a charity shop (or if it’s horrible and designer, put it in a different bag to go to one of those consignment shops- you might as well make some cash out of expensive mistakes and you’ll probably never get around to ebaying them. If you're a Londoner try somewhere like the loft The Loft in Monmouth Street).

This is a tiny percentage of Steve's shirt collection. I really don't know where he's hidden the rest.

Now sort! I would probably sort initially into tops, bottoms and accessories, then into other categories later (knitwear, shirts, t shirts etc). Once you’ve sorted then you can start salvaging. Take, for example, a FCUK logo t shirt from about 5 years ago (Steve I’m looking at you here). You might think it’s naff on its own, but could it not be used purely for layering purposes? Hidden under a stylish shirt it has new life. Layering is the best friend of abandoned clothing... t shirts in bright colours that you've got second thoughts about can be subdued.

That shirt with the massive stain down the front could be ripped up and made (as I’ve mentioned in a previous post) into pocket squares with minimal DIY effort.

Take some time to play dress up and mess around with combinations of clothing. Maybe try channelling your own personal style icon... and once you're done, try to put it all away so that you can find everything more easily. It won't stay tidy for long, but you'll appreciate it for one morning at least.

I believe that this is Steve's tie drawer.

For more tips on maintaining your wardrobe (and for a generally good blog!) see this article from A Suitable Wardobe.

OK I admit it...I did tidy. I had to do something other than watch awful daytime TV (as a student it wasn't too bad but it's definitely got worse in recent years!) , re-read magazines and lie in bed trying not to be sick! I also had you chasing me for photos of my wardrobe and it was in a terrible state so I couldn't show it as it was. Speaking from experience I feel a lot better post-wardrobe organising and if that wasn't enough I have discovered long lost clothes (I will post about this point tomorrow), it is amazing what lurks in the depths of your wardrobe...even mine which as you can see from the picture is far too small. It is true, I do have a lot more shirts than the ones pictured in my wardrobe, approximately five of which are on the Hanger of Uncertainty, these are the shirts that I am unsure about, the ones that have been overlooked again and again, the ones that just don't interest me...but ultimately I can't part with them just yet. The items on the Hanger of Uncertainty have one month to inspire me one morning or evening, if they fail to do so and I can't use them in anyway (even when layering) then they will be placed into a bag and taken to one of the numerous local charity shops - all in all this bears strong similarities with Death Row. I have another wardrobe back in Kent which is in desperate need of a clearout. A great number of garmets are hung within those pine doors long past their throw away dates but there are too many memories to be completely objective and I know that this kind of thinking is the life support machine for a significant percentage of clothes within most wardrobes!

All wardrobe talk has made me think of my perfect clothes storage system. It would have to be Colombo-esque whilst being quite minimal yet extremely personal. I don't think Ikea offerings can satisfy me but In just don't have the funds for anything more so the searching and dreaming continues. I will keep with what I have (keeping it well organised and cleansed) whilst adding a clothes rail which will display my most treasured pieces.

Picture Postcard: Get well soon

Dear Steve,

I know you're feeling a bit like this at the moment...

but hopefully you'll be back to your old self in no time. Something like this was it?

Both pics courtesy of Square America. Click that link. I promise you will love it.

Lots of love,

EJ

p.s. thanks for not coming up and infecting me. Sounded nasty.