Bonjour darlings, sorry for being MIA the past few days - my internet at home is playing up and i'm writing this from an internet cafe (with some pervy dude staring over my shoulder so i'm going to keep this as brief as possible), it should be sorted within the next two days so I can do a proper post and reply to all of your comments; I just didn't want you to think i'd disappeared off the face of the earth in the mean time. I realised that I haven't done an outfit post in a while so here I am wearing my brand new preppy purchases - don't they go perfectly together?
My lovely Mum surprised me with the incroyableTeen Vogue Handbook, which i'd been ranting about because I wanted it so badly and its not out in England until May (i'm super impatient) and it is even better than I thought it would be. Its packed full of invaluable advice and tips for anyone who wants to make it in any area of the fashion industry and I can't recommend it enough. In fact, I love it so much, I may just dedicate a whole post to it once i've finished reading it.
Okay i'm going to go because he is really freaky deaky, is staring and smells quite bad. Hopefully my next post will be written in more comfortable surroundings!
P.SPretty please continue to keep voting for me to win the 'Best Teen Blog' in the 2010 Web Blog Awards - you can vote once a day and voting closes on Sunday - t'would be much appreciated darlings.
Bonjour darlings, sorry for my lack of absence the past few days, I have been bed-bound (yet again) with the most awful of awful colds which I am still recovering from but I missed you guys (i get like twitches when I don't blog) so I thought i'd write something even if it's not my best.
It seems that whenever I am ill, there is always something (or many things) which cheer me up and this time was no exception. The first was the fact that yesterday I left the house for like the first time in a week to get some fresh air and somehow ended up in the shops (quelle surprise). Nothing cures a cold better than a bit of retail therapy. I found this gorgeous preppy white and navy cardigan in the guys section (we all know how much I love wearing guys clothes, it's the only reason I want a boyfriend) which just looks so comfy and warm and 'tennis at the country club' that I just had to get it.
I was already buzzing from my cardigan which was a bargain at (£10/$20) when I left the shop and was complaining to my mum about how I had desperately wanted a pair of brown flat leather brogues (I think Americans call them 'Oxford shoes') all season and hadn't been able to find them anywhere but needed them so much I felt like I was going to explode. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. My regular readers know that I am quite blessed when it comes to the fashion 'fate' situation and have had many 'it was meant to be' moments. This was just spooky. The very next shop I walked in to, the most perfect pair of brogues were staring at me. Only one pair left. In the right colour. In the right size. Like I said, destiny. The fashion gods were smiling down upon me as I grabbed them and handed over my money, grinning from ear to ear, if not a little freaked out at the size of the coincidence.
The second pick-me-up was the fact that I was nominated for another award from the lovely Fashion Jazz. I know I also have two others pending, but as the last post was an interview, I thought you'd be sick of hearing about me, but this one is a little different. You have to write about 10 things that make you happy, so I thought i'd share the sunshine, so to speak (it's currently raining here):
1) My friends - I have many accquaintences but can count the number of true friends on one hand, which is how it should be in my opinion. Those people know what I am feeling or thinking without any words being exchanged and can cheer me up with a look or a word.
2) My family- I love them very much, and whilst my extended family drive me insane, my relationship and life with my mum is quite literally the Gilmore Girls in England. Literally.
3) Shopping - the bright lights, the cheesy music you sing a long to but would never download, oh and did I mention the clothes? Pure heaven. They don't call it retail therapy for nothing.
4) Dancing - preferably when no one is watching. Occasionally with hairbrush in hand. 5) Music - I have no idea how I managed to function before the introcution of the ipod. We're inseperable.
6) Fashion - Since they uploaded them online, my guilty pleasure is watching runway shoes. I'm mesmerized.
7) Reading magazines - I like to sit and read them, uninterrupted from cover to cover.
8) Reading books - I love all sorts of literature - from Gatsby and Les Miserables to Confession of A Shopaholic. Pure escapism.
9) Blogging - where else can I rant like a mad woman and share my love of fashion with people who actually appreciate it, understand and feel the same?
10) Making others happy - I know it sounds terribly corny but it's true, nothing gives me more pleasure than knowing i've brightened up someone else's day even if I haven't been able to brighten up my own
The final bit of good news is the best of all and really cheered me up. You may remember a while back I enlisted some of your help to nominate me in however many categories you saw fit for the 2010 Web Blog Awards. Well, it was brought to my attention yesterday that I am a finalist in the 'Best Teen Blog Award' catergory. Firstly, I have to thank Tarryn for being the first one to nominate me and make this all possible and secondly to all of you who subsequently nominated me. Okay darlings, so here's where I really need all of your help. There's pretty stiff competition, they are all amazing and i'm up against Sea Of Shoes! I would really appreciate it if you guys could vote for me to win in my category here (only if you think I deserve it of course). You can vote once every day for one blog in every category and voting closes on Sunday 31st January - so bookmark it and get those multiple votes in!
Bonjour darlings, the last post received some really fantastic feedback and I'm so glad that it provoked such a reaction and got you all thinking and talking about the issue. Those sort of posts are my favourite as they give me an opportunity not only to practice my writing and journalistic skills but to get you all involved. Although I do love them and they always get the best reactions out of all of my posts, I don't want to become the sort of blogger who rants and writes about just anything. I like to be truly inspired to write and voice my opinion like you are motivated to read it and reply, and not just write for the sake of it which is why they tend to be more spread out than my other posts. As always, I take on board everything you guys tell me, its as much your blog as mine and I will definitely try to do more of the writing style posts as they get the best response.
One thing i've enjoyed about blogging is the feeling the effects of the 'blogging community'. You guys are all so supportive and I truly think of some of you as my good, (albeit virtual) friends. I've been nominated for another two awards from the lovely Miss Neira and Nina. Thank you so much guys, I will fill out the award duties in the next post. Another example of the blogging community is the fact that I was asked by the fantastic J'aime at Tino'Mino Squared, who I have watched blossom from day 1, to take part in an interview as part of her series of 5 up and coming blogger interviews. It was such an honour and so much fun to do that I'd love to share it with you guys so here it is:
21 Questions: English Rose
Q: First things first: As a child what did you enjoy? Movies, toys, games, what were your favourites? Do you feel that these particular things made you what you are now?
A: All that I am and everything I know I learned from Disney. Fact.
Q: Is there anything that you remembered from childhood, which was maybe your first flash of fashion?
A: I can remember clearly the first time I saw Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in that dress. The opening scene with the jewels and the croissant and thinking to myself that she was beauty and glamour personified. Apart from that, I remember raiding my dressing up box and my mum’s closet as a kid with my cousin and putting on heels and doing each other’s make up thinking we were all grown up. We were about 6. Bless.
Q: Is there anyone you look up to as a style icon?
A: Far too many for words. Some fictional, some real and each with completely different styles to each other and often to my own. I admire anyone who stays true to themselves, is not afraid to take the odd risk and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about them – famous or otherwise. The girl in bright colours walking down the street is just as much, if not more so, of an inspiration as a movie star who has a team of stylists. Some of my icons include Audrey Hepburn for her simplicity and effortless, timeless chic; Blair Waldorf for managing to be both risky and safely stylish at the same time and Coco Chanel for defying convention and the rules of society and dancing to the beat of her own drum. I believe in compliments; even if their style doesn’t match mine or I would never wear what they do, I still admire their confidence and still think they look good.
Q: Is there anything that you truly hated as children but adore now? (style/fashion wise)
A: Not that I can think of, I’ve always loved and appreciated fashion but I think I was a lot more close minded as a very small child; if I wouldn’t personally wear something then I probably wouldn’t like it. I couldn’t appreciate the role of individuality and different influences on style as much as I do now.
Q: What first inspired you to blog? Did you think and organise what your were going to put or did you just DIG IN? (If you did organise, what research did you do?)
A: I remember reading an article about the rise of fashion bloggers and checked out a few really famous ones such as Style Rookie and Sea of Shoes (funny though, I never look at them anymore) and thought ‘I could so do this’ – I love fashion, I love to write, I love to meet new people, I love the internet and I’m looking for a new hobby. Sounds perfect. I had no idea what direction the blog was going to go in (I’m not sure I still do – some days it’s my own style, some days its inspiration, other days it’s a diary, some days it’s purely about living in London and sometimes it’s more articles about fashion) I just knew it was something I really wanted to do and just took a leap of faith and let the rest take care of itself. The best things in life are spontaneous and unplanned. I had no idea whether anyone would ever read it and still have to pinch myself that lots of people have and better still that they like it!
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does fashion mean to you?
A: Definitely a 10 – I think about it far too much – when I’m in a lesson, at the bus stop, watching television. I never thought of myself as a ‘creative’ person in the typical sense of the word because I’m not into traditional ‘art’ like paintings and sculptures until I had a bit of a ‘light bulb moment’ and realised that fashion, at least to me, is art. It’s therapeutic, it’s all about interpretation, drawing out your own, intensely personal meaning in something that could be completely different to what the creator intended. One dress can literally make you gasp for breath or move you to tears. Fashion is my creative outlet; a way of expressing myself, creating a visual interpretation for what I feel or what simply can’t be expressed through words.
Q: Do you take yourself as a follower of trends, or more of an atheist to the fashion religion?
A: I think trends should serve the purpose of inspiring you and nothing more; they should never ever ever become your life. I strongly believe that you should only wear what suits you, what you feel comfortable and fantastic in and if it happens to be ‘in style’ at the moment then fantastic and if not then even better, follow your heart, play by your own rules and create a new trend in the process. Don’t be a sheep and leave it to someone else to dictate what you can and can’t do. Not every trend is for everyone – leather leggings, for example, don’t suit every shape, some trends are too masculine or feminine for your personality or style and trends often highlight your worst flaws. If you follow trends religiously not only do you end up literally throwing away money as trends rarely last more than two seasons but instead of trendy and confident, you look uncomfortable, ridiculous and become a fashion joke instead of a fashion icon. Personally, I like to be a bit original and unique and so unintentionally find myself creating trends. However once everyone starts copying me, my individuality gets threatened and I become what I fear most - ‘part of the crowd’ – that’s when I know it’s time for me to move on and wear something else. After all, in the words of that guru Paris Hilton - life’s too short to blend in.
Q: What would you say was your signature piece? What do you wear practically all the time?
A: I go through phases and it depends what mood I’m in – two years ago I had Converses in every colour of the rainbow, last year my outfit simply wasn’t complete without a pair of coloured tights and a big bow hairband a la Blair Waldorf. This year I’ve gone through another style transition and I’m experimenting a lot more with lots of different looks – I guess I’m quite big on accessories at the moment – big rings, statement necklaces etc. It will probably change again in a month...
Q: If you won 5,000 $/£/EuroWhat particular pieces would you spend it on?
A: Can I add another zero to this? I need far too much, a pair of Christian Louboutin glittery brougues, a tiffany's key necklace, a Chanel bicycle, monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag luggage, anything and everything from Marc Jacobs...
Q: If you could put yourself in any fashion category, what would you be? ( You can make one up)
Don’t ask me why I chose Bob. It’s such a funny name.Bob.Bob.Bobittybob.
Q: What are your ambitions? Are you taking the path of fashion, or another but still staying stylish?
A: At the moment I tell everyone I want to be a lawyer because I truly did once but my heart’s not in it anymore and my true vocation is to work in fashion. I knew I loved it but now I realise it’s more than love, I can’t give it up and just have it as a hobby. However I’m not quite sure what aspect I want to do yet because there are so many paths to take in the industry. I’m going to university to do a ‘serious’ degree, whilst I work it all out and to have a sensible back-up in case it doesn’t happen. Currently I’m deciding between a career in Fashion Journalism with the ultimate goal of becoming an editor for a publication such as Vogue or as an entrepreneur and have my own fashion empire. Either way world domination, one pair of stilettos at a time is on the cards...
Q: If you could move to a fashion capital, which one would it be?
A: Well I live in London and it doesn’t get more fashionably inspiring than that but I definitely plan to live in both Paris and New York at some point down the line because they are equally as chic, fabulous and oh-so-inspirational.
Q: What is your best investment?
A: I have so many. I have quite a collection of timelessly chic dresses that can be dressed up or down, will never go out of style and which I hope to have forever and pass down to my daughter someday. Now I just need fabulous events to wear them to. The reality of my life does not match up to my wardrobe.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10/15 years?
A: This is a dangerous question to ask to someone who is a big of a dreamer as myself. Ideally I will have a fashion empire or be super successful in my job, be on my way to being cemented as a style icon, married to a kind, romantic, and super stylish man, a couple of kids (not too soon, I want to take over the world first), living in a fabulous house with an insane collection of shoes, real estate and cars but most importantly I hope I am happy and healthy. If I’m the last two, I’ll be doing just fine.
Q: If you could ask a popular designer 1 question, who would it be, and what would it be?
A: Marc (Jacobs) darling, I know you are gay, but will you marry me?
Q: What music do you listen to? Favourite song/singer at the moment?
A: Music is such a huge part of me. I love a range of genres from a range of different time periods. I love finding new bands or artists that no one has ever heard of and I’m drawn to artists or song titles with unusual and fantastic names. And I love my musical theatre – I’m a show tunes geek. Some of the artists on my ‘most played’ playlist on itunes are Bob Dylan, Jack’s Mannequin, Belle & Sebastian, Regina Spektor, Paramore, Michael Buble, Imogen Heap, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Songs from Wicked and Hairspray and The Killers. I have Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ in my head at the moment. It won’t get out.
Q: If you could have another hairstyle, what would you pick? Maybe one that you like, but doesn’t suit you.
A: I would love to be able to play a bit more with colour but because I have raven black hair and cinnamon coloured skin it makes it a bit hard. I’d love to be a bit chameleon like and try blond or brunette or something crazy like pink but it would so not be a good look!
Q: High street, designer or both?
A: Well at the moment I only wear high street (like I have a choice) but only dream in designer. Seriously though, even if I did have a designer budget, I would still never completely turn my back on the High Street. You can get stunning looks, timelessly chic and super expensive looking pieces for 1/20 of the price. Shunning the High Street just because of the price doesn’t make you cool or stylishly superior it just makes you snobbish and stupid and careless with your money. That’s not to say I don’t love Chanel...
Q: Minimalist or outrageous?
A: Both take extreme confidence – to be minimalistic means you let yourself rather than the outfit do the talking and expressing and to be outrageous means you have to be comfortable enough in your own skin not to care what anyone else thinks. I tend to gravitate somewhere in the middle – some days I like to go simple and safe other days I have an obsession with standing out – even then I’m not as adventurous as I would love to be – I still colour within the style lines – just with the super colourful or patterned crayons...
Q: For an outing, how do you organise what to wear?
A: I have to plan long in advance otherwise I have a breakdown half an hour before and end up being late. I’m lucky that usually it’s a case of having too much that I could wear rather than not enough so I pull a few possible looks and get my mum to help me decide. I also weigh up style versus practicality (e.g. how warm it is and how high the heels are). Style always, always wins.
Q: And for your readers, what is your best fashion tip?
A: Don’t be afraid to take risks and stand out from the crowd. Always follow your heart. Don’t let anyone tell what you can or can’t do and who you should or shouldn’t be. Wear what you want, how you want to. Confidence is 99.9% of style – if you are comfortable and look like you don’t care what anyone else thinks you’d be surprised how chic you appear to the world. Even if you don’t feel confident – fake it ‘til you make it. Mostly importantly dress for yourself – not for your parents or your friends or your boyfriend and especially not for strangers who you will never see again. Only you can make yourself feel unfabulous – no one else has either the right or the ability to. Oh, and stay safe and chic =P
She is fabulous, so make sure you check out her blog. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed answering them!
Bonsoir lovelies, apologies for the lack of post activity in the last few days, you'll all be glad to know (I know I am) that my French exam is finally over so I can put away the verb tables and actually go back to enjoying life - it will take me a little while to respond to all of your wonderful comments on the last post though so bear with me.
I'm sure you've all heard about V magazine's 'Size Issue' and all of the controversy surrounding it. And you all know I can't resist a good old rant about a controversial issue - so here goes.
Let me start off by saying that I applaud diversity in any situation - change in attitudes, particularly in the fashion industry can only be a good thing. My issue with the issue (see what I did there? =P) is not the use of 'plus size' models, or 'healthy' as the issue calls them, in the industry or even their use in the magazine (for the sake of neutrality I will keep my views private), it's that for some reason I can't shake the feeling that instead of V magazine empowering 'big' girls it is actually exploiting them. Here's my reasoning: if they truly wanted to show a range of body types and celebrate women of all shapes and sizes, they would use plus size models all year round, not just in one issue. The whole thing just screams "gimmick" and "publicity stunt" to me and draws infinite parallels with Mark Fast's controversial SS10 London Fashion Week show and Vogue Italia's 'Black Issue'. Undoubtedly it has drawn international attention and acclaim to V Magazine and I am sure their sales will go through the roof. But are they going to be the only winners? And at what cost?
I can see with perfect clarity a curvaceous girl who will buy this issue and have her self esteem skyrocket as she sees women whose bodies not only look like hers, but who are undeniably beautiful. She will probably buy the next issue of V and feel her self esteem and body image once again plummet as she opens it and finds your standard unattainably-thin model staring back at her. Is it enough to have just one issue to cling to? One issue out of the hundreds of others on the newstands doesn't seem like a fair bet to me. The message I feel will be sent out is that "yes they are beautiful but no one wants to see that - we know it's wrong and unhealthy but to be honest, we want to make money and curves don't sell clothes or beauty products - real beauty looks like this and so should you..."
On the other hand, if plus size models aren't used at all, then nothing is certain to change. Maybe I'm expecting too much of the industry and things have to change gradually - one gimmick at a time? The success of models like Crystal Renn and Lara Stone are perhaps signs that that fashion body prototype is once again changing? The issue has also once again reopened the debate about body image in the industry. But that's just it; how many times have we all heard this conversation? Frankly i'm bored of it. As that wise old man Elvis Presley once said; "a little less conversation, a little more action please." Until designers start introuducing a wider range of body types on the catwalk and magazines start using a diverse number of models then the debate will go on.and on.and on...
I heard the editor of a British fashion/gossip magazine 'Grazia' talking on TV about how nothing would change until people like Karl Lagerfeld start using plus size models on the runway. That's a bit rich, I thought. The majority of women buy fashion magazines, not Chanel. They look at images, not runway shows. It's as if fashion publications and designers are playing a game of brinkmanship, each waiting for the other to crack first. In my opinion this game is far too dangerous and there is far too much a stake for this matter to be taken so trivially. And frankly, I really don't care who acts first. I understand that plus size models aren't for everyone and if models that size are as unappealing as super skinny models, then perhaps the solution for the industry is meeting somewhere in the middle? A slim, slender, toned, healthy girl with a few curves but no visible rib rack or 'fat rolls'- a comprimise.
If you don't want to buy the issue, you can see all of the photographs here. I don't think any one in their right mind, regardless of their views on size or how flattering the photographs are, will say that the models aren't beautiful, that they are obese or that they don't mirror the shape of the majority of women walking down the street.
So what do you think darlings, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the issue or any of the other issues that stems from it. What do you think of the pictures? Is the issue a gimmick or an honour? Do you think it will just be a one off or will it lead to actual change in the industry? Are you for or against the use of plus size models? Have any of you bought the issue? Do tell.
Bonjour darlings, time for your monthly British Vogue-inspired post; methinks they are becoming somewhat of an institution. The theme of the issue was based on the hugest upcoming trend for Spring/Summer 2010 which I personally adore of 'pretty'. What I drew out of the issue was that every one has a different concept of what 'pretty' means to them. At the beinning of the issue, the contributors all stated what prettty means to them. Some of my favourites included:
"Pretty to me means to be beautiful in an innocent and feminine way" - Andy Barter
"I am fine with flowers and music being pretty, but, when applied to women, I find it sounds demeaning. I think women should be empowered by fashion imagery." - Nick Knight
"Nostalgic, girly, comforting, decorative, somewhere between beautiful and nice" -Daniel Jackson
"Prettiness is innocence improved. It send two contradictory messages: 'look closer' and 'don't touch'. True prettiness has no make-up and doesn't wear a brand new frock; the pretty one is a girl who's becoming ambitious." - Maro Gorky
Me being me, I got to thinking what my personal definition of pretty was. The word pretty brings back insanely shameful memories of me at about 9 years old being quite upset after being told I was and looked 'pretty'. I am ashamed to admit that I used to find it a bit of an insulting adjective. 'Pretty' to me meant not bad, average, quite nice, plain, indifferent, mediocre, forgettable. Describing words that to this day I cannot stand to be used for anything I am, have or do. Instead I wanted to be perceived as beautiful, stunning, dynamic, striking, gorgeous, memorable. I am pleased to report that I have no such conceited delusions now and would happily slap my 9 year old self if ever I encountered her again. Being told you are pretty or that your outfit is pretty is a wonderful compliment and should be taken as such. Pretty to me now is delicate, romantic, innocent, modest, girly, subtle beauty and grace without being obvious, and forced. Pretty implies effortlessness - it exudes from within and not without. Sexy never leaves the bedroom, Pretty makes it home to meet the parents. And gets the ring. Pretty is a softer form of beauty - it is far less subjective. Everyone agrees that something or someone is 'pretty', not everyone agrees on what can be classified as beautiful.
But is there a difference between 'pretty' in terms of language and in terms of fashion? Do my descriptions of pretty apply equally as well to clothes? For the most part, I think they do. At the fashion weeks last year the catwalks were full of soft pastel hues, flowy chiffons and tulle, delicate lace, satin and ruffles, floral and frivolous patterns. It was overwhelmingly subtle, chic, elegant and oh-so-feminine. Sorry to disappoint the celebrity androids and slaves to fashion, but it appears the phase of black leggings, leather jackets, studded heels and spiky bags otherwise known as "Balmania", is finally coming to an end (and not a moment too soon in my opinion).Instead designers such as Fendi (see above), D&G, Stella McCartney, Erdem (see right), Lanvin, Prada, Marc Jacobs and Burberry staged a counter revolution and all channeled their inner 'pretty' look which has definitely filtered down into the High Street especially in stores such as H&M, New Look, Topshop and Zara and has made me even more excited for the sun to make a reappearance as the pretty trend could not be more perfect for Spring/Summer.
It also got me thinking about my own wardrobe. As you all know, I really do not advocate the follwoing of trends. I always believe that you should wear what you like, what suits you and what makes you feel comfortable and if it happens to be in fashion then fantastic and if not, even better. Although I do have my moments, my style on the whole is naturally incredibly girly and I am forever in pastels, skirts, dresses and of course, bows in abundance. I am one of those people who loves everything about being female (except for childbirth and period pains); the hair, cosmetics, fashion, shoes, perfume - I love it all. So what is the 'prettiest' thing in my wardrobe? As i'm sure you can imagine, there was quite a lot to choose from especially because most of the stuff I currently have out is winter wear but in the end I settled on this lavender blue chiffon dress which I got from H&M in New York this summer.
According to Vogue, pretty can be broken down into one of three types; Girly, Womanly and Avant-Garde. I disagree. 'Pretty', like every other adjective in the English language means something completely different to everyone and so it should. So what does 'pretty' mean to you darlings? What item in your wardrobe is the most 'pretty' of all? Are you a fan of the trend or do you prefer something with a little bit more edge?
Personally I can't wait to get my Vintage floral tea dresses and chiffon skirts out. Roll on spring so I can be 'pretty' once again.
Bonsoir darlings, I hope you are all well, thanks for all your lovely feedback on the new background, i'm still deciding whether the blue floral one is too much and I should go for the plain background with a single sunflower instead (ironic as in an 'unstereotypical' rose - it takes a bit more explaining than the blue one) your continued opinions would be much appreciated - i've put up the alternative background so we can take it to a vote - as always you guys will decide the fate of the blog.
As I am toying with the idea of a career in fashion journalism, I like to get as much experience as possible. I currently contribute to my far-too-awesome-for-words friend Barbara's magazine BFR Mag (I mean how many teenagers do you know that have their own fully functional, sold in shops, magazine?). For this month's issue we decided to do a debate on Ugg Boots, she was against and I was for. It was a bit of a challenge to say the least for me as I personally agree with far more of her points than my own but somehow I managed to put forward what I consider a convincing (ish) argument which I want to share with you guys, see where you lie:
Against - Barbara
For some time I have believed the comfort is a large element of looking cool. But, I think the Ugg boot has taken this statement wayyy too far. Yes I'm not denying the comfort factor of this bootie .... but please I don't think such a hideous shoe should leave the comfort of anyone's front room (even if it is necessary for you to have the warmth of a duvet on your feet at all times). Come on, you can't say they're "hip" or "rad" even the designers have recognised their ghastleyness - hence the name.
Yeah, it just pains me to see girls (and boys, who wear "Muggs", don't cha know?) who have made a fair effort with their outfit and then ruin it by popping some Uggs on. They hide the thinnest part of your leg so ultimately they make everyone's legs look a tad more chunky (unless you have Chanel Iman's legs and you probs can make uggly boots look hot!). The only exception I can think of for wearing Uggs is if you are doing really lazy dressing -and I don't mean when you wear Jack Wills tracksuits and have messy hair - that is not real lazy, but lazy to the extent of no imagination - I mean lazy dressing when you wear your pyjamas, headscarves, t-shirts people bought you from holiday, ponchos etc - real lazy. And then I think you can just about pull the look off. Just.
The one thing that also bugs me about Uggs is the price. It annoys me just a little bit when I see a girl wearing real Uggs and then like a really cheap, ropey, from dahn the market handbag and a laddered leggings. If this girl really wanted her boots, she could have gone to Marks + Sparks, got an identical pair for £15, asked her mum to embroider "ugg" on the back of her new boots (no one can tell the difference or even cares) and spent the left over £105 on a higher denier pair of tights and a coat or something.
Also, you can't justify wearing Uggs with "wellisawsarahjessicaparkerwearingthemingraziasoitmustbeok" - this is not a valid justification -ever. Wise celebrities (and style icons) are aware of the extent of their influence, eg: Kate Moss making the British public think it is acceptable for anyone to wear drainpipes and Jennifer Anniston making us think that that hair cut would make our face look like hers. Well, celebs wearing Uggs is the same - they're just having a laugh with you and being reassured that their status is still intact by having a glance over Uggs sales this annum.
So, to conclude. If you wear Uggs you are probs a) really lazy and possess no imagination, b) an avid fan of warmth and comfort, c) a Kings Road-er (or wannabe) or d) have a subscription to Grazia and are being brainwashed. I think I'd rather stick to my high tops and be a tad cold.
For - Moi
I think of Uggs as a loyal old friend; always there and providing you with exactly what you need and then some. They give your feet a nice, warm, reassuring hug against the cold winter. And to extend the metaphor just that little bit further, you (or at least no human with a moral compass) wouldn’t reject a good friend just because they weren’t the ‘best looking’ would you? For those of us whose sole purpose for existing is fashion; comfort and practicality rarely come at the top of our list when planning a stylish outfit and I have the blisters to prove it. Uggs offer us ‘fashion types’ that rare and beautiful thing – a compromise: a chance to be comfortable, practical and still stylish for those days when we just cannot be bothered (hey, we are human) or when our feet need a bit of TLC after weeks of abuse from stiletto wearing. Chavs* have their trainers, Emos have Vans, so it’s only fair that Fashionistas have Uggs.
Not only are they comfortable (and my goodness are they comfortable) but they are practical as hell in winter. Speaking from experience, ballet pumps have feet numb in seconds, Converses with holes in the side are SO not waterproof in the rain and snow and whilst Uggs admittedly aren’t the most waterproof shoe; they offer you far more protection against the unpredictable British winter than the aforementioned footwear. Even this, however, is a positive in disguise because at £5 for unbranded ones, you can replace them as often as you need to – can the same be said for converses at £40 a go? I think not.
All of this and they still allow for expressions of individuality. There is not one standard Ugg but; cardigan, grey, black, chocolate, chestnut, white and sandy. If you want to stand out no one is stopping you putting crazy leg warmers or customising them. Uggs can be paired with a variety of things to set you apart from the crowd – jeggings and Abercrombie hoodies for the Sloaney* look, tucked into Addidas tracksuits for that just-got-out-of-bed-dont-screw-with-me-bruv-look, or with jeans, a polo shirt and jumper for a preppy look. What more could you ask for? Even I have to draw the line at Muggs (hey, you can’t win every battle) but if you look at the evidence Uggs offer far more than your average black leather boot.
Uggs have bridged the century-old class and social divides that politicians failed to do. Uggs do not care if you are rich or poor; listen to hip hop or heavy metal. 90% aren’t the ‘real McCoy’ and no one really cares. But yet again, Uggs offer something for everyone. For the 10% who live in your own self-contained bubble where elitist snobbery is as necessary as breathing – the genuine article makes you just that little bit superior to your peers. No longer do you have to spend thousands on a flashy car, oh no my friend, the rise of the Ugg means that one single syllable is enough to claim your rightful place on the social ladder. Ugg. And how many of us can honestly admit to not secretly looking at the heels of the girl in front of us in the Starbucks line to see if she has that extra inch of fabric to make her 'one of us' or 'one of them'?
It is my genuine belief that those who hate Uggs have never actually worn them, because you know what they say – once you go caveman you never go back. And besides, whether you like them or not, Uggs couldn’t give a damn, they’re not going anywhere so you may as well do your feet a favour, buy yourself a pair and join us on the cosy side. Either that or have your toes fall off from frostbite. It’s your choice.
* For my non English Readers, 'Chavs' are essentially a cross between trailer trash and wanabee hiphop gangsters and the closest thing you guys have to 'Sloanes' are Park Ave Princesses
So darlings, what is your opinion of Uggs -' must have' or 'must avoid' trend? Don't forget to register your background vote!
Bonsoir darlings and a Happy New Year!!! Hope you all saw in the New Year in style and are not too hungover today. Any New Years Resolutions? As you can see i'm trying out a new background but i'm completely undecided and am not sure whether it is too much and the page should just be left simple or whether the whole 'english rose' idea compliments the blog. Your fabulous opinions, as always, would be mucho appreciated.
I mentioned that I had gone crazy in the sales and I have quite literally gone crazy. I think I may have single handedly revived the economy and ended the credit crunch with the amount I have bought over the past week. Although it must be said that I wasn't the only one - just take a look at the crowds outside of Selfridges (which I didn't have the stomach to brave). By the way, the photographs are continuous - thats really how long the queue was!
Thank goodness for shopping vouchers and money from relatives is all I can say because while I may like to think I am Paris Hilton my bank account so does not agree. You all know that I am a completely bankrupt teenager and so usually all my looks are on the cheap and I heavily rely on gifts, monetry and voucher donations to feed my shopping addiciton. I got some truly amazing bargains which I want to share with you all so here goes, apologies for the quality of the photographs some of them didn't come out right and do the items justice, take my words for it, they are all immensly stunning and I am so in love and proud of myself. Every time buyers remorse kicks in, I look at them and it's all worthwhile...
Faux Fur Coat - £80 ($160) to £40 ($80)
Hat £100 ($200) - I kid you not, who would pay that much for a hat - to £10 ($20)!! BEST buy ever!!
Bag £40 ($80) to £25 ($50)
Bag £50 ($100) to £25 ($50)
Bag £40 ($80) to £15 ($30)
Bag £30 ($60) to £15 ($30) (It's navy blue but the colour didn't come out properly)
Bag £45 ($90) to £15 ($30)
Dress £35 ($70) to £17 ($34)
Jacket (didn't come out properly but so beautiful) £50 ($100) to £15 ($30)
Dress (completely divine and so intricately detailed but yet again it didn't come out properly =[ ) £40 ($80) to £20 ($40)
Necklace £50 ($100) to £10 ($20)
Pinafore Dress £45 ($90) to £20 ($40)
Leather Boots £100 ($200) to £40 ($80)
Aren't they all beautiful and such great bargains - I literally could not believe the size of the savings! There's only one thing I love more than an amazing item and that's an amazing bargain!! How have all my fellow bargain hunter's done - got any nice pieces or were you all too exhausted to brave the crazy crowds (never get between a shopaholic and a pair of discounted shoes) and get your foot stepped on and elbowed in the face (I kid you not - but so worth it)
Bonjour darlings, sorry for being MIA the past few days - my internet at home is playing up and i'm writing this from an internet cafe (with some pervy dude staring over my shoulder so i'm going to keep this as brief as possible), it should be sorted within the next two days so I can do a proper post and reply to all of your comments; I just didn't want you to think i'd disappeared off the face of the earth in the mean time. I realised that I haven't done an outfit post in a while so here I am wearing my brand new preppy purchases - don't they go perfectly together?
My lovely Mum surprised me with the incroyable Teen Vogue Handbook, which i'd been ranting about because I wanted it so badly and its not out in England until May (i'm super impatient) and it is even better than I thought it would be. Its packed full of invaluable advice and tips for anyone who wants to make it in any area of the fashion industry and I can't recommend it enough. In fact, I love it so much, I may just dedicate a whole post to it once i've finished reading it.
