Men and Sweaters:

Winter. Dudes. Sweaters.

Mark Strong

Daniel Craig

 David Tennant

Theo James

 Bob Marley

Keanu Reeves

Dan Stevens

 Tom Cruise

 and in Monochrome too...

Donnie Yen

Andrew Garfield

"E"

James Dean

Hullo, my name is Michael Caine, you may call me Michael Caine...

and let's wrap it up with:

Tom H.

Adieu Bill Cunningham

*not my photo

The Sartorialist, Street Peeper, Tommy Ton, Garance Doré and many many more, these are names of fashion street bloggers where we might get an idea of the style du jour. But where do you think it all began? It’s from this man - the begetter, the progenitor of street fashion photography named Bill Cunningham who passed away on Saturday. Photographing stylish and fashionable ones candidly and featuring  them on his New York Times column “On The Street" since the 70’s, New York’s foremost lifestyle gentleman is no more.

Of Bill Cunningham fashion matriarch Anna Wintour herself uttered, "It’s one snap, two snaps or he ignores you, which is death.” Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) openly acknowledges obtaining the idea of street fashion photography from Cunningham and from that everyone else that is in the street fashion blog cottage industry followed.

Living his life in irony is what impressed me most about him. Famous people coveted for his imprimatur yet for most of his life he lived in a non-apartment quarters where the bathroom was in the hallway on one of the top floors of Carnegie Hall for 60 years! Using only a bicycle as his means of transportation all over the boroughs for his style hunting, he vehemently insisted on living like this until pressure mounted when the trust of Carnegie Hall implored him to move to an all expenses paid, loftier, more luxurious apartment in Manhattan. He once quipped that he wasn't interested in celebrity, sure he always had front row seats on all the shows in every fashion week at every city that mattered; but his disdain for dullness and pretense in his world was obvious. It was reported that Cunningham sometimes tore up his payment checks for work he did for top selling magazines and said, "Money is cheapest thing, liberty and freedom is the most expensive." What he simply loved to do was click away for the photos in the lifestyle/fashion pages of the NYT for the following day and this he did tenaciously.

In case you are wondering who this guy and how far-reaching his mark and influence is in your life, think of this, if you are a girl living in an archipelago somewhere in Southeast Asia who HAS to get that non-prescription geek eyeglasses accessory because you think it goes well with your high-waist cut-off jeans and your Gladiator sandals after seeing Alexa Chung wear it in a picture, it is because Bill Cunningham placed that inception of chronicling the in-style fashion in the streets way, way back in 1978, and now in the selfie generation, you must look fab peradventure a street fashion blogger might click away within your space. And so goes the full circle of Bill Cunningham. Capisce?

*not my photo

Audrey and Loafers

not my photo, obviously.

Well, there's that Audrey with her headscarf and loafers. How about that Fred Astaire at the background? This must be in Funny Face-land. Love me some old school monochromes.

Naomi, Cannes 2015

In my humble opinion, Naomi is winning this year at Cannes. Oui?

(photo taken somewhere in the Net)

Audrey in 1955

photo from Reddit

Don't do Valentines Day hype but look at Audrey, she just makes you appreciate it, doesn't she?

When I am Old, I Shall Not Wear Purple...

Photo from stylefromtokyo

Is this at a sound stage? Or from Ikea? no matter, Gran's got game!

Your Man's Tees

I am on an apparel kick right now. Wanted to share how I have come to enjoy the hubby's T-shirts which he doesn't wear anymore. I do love the feel of cotton and looseness it gives, very casual, very comfortable!

XL Gap cotton Tee

Large Lacoste cotton Tee

try it, it's fun, cheap and re-cycled. *wink

Collars:

 Collars are cool...

The inverse triangle

The Peter Pan

Street Fashion Find: 1.

photo from The Sartorialist

Check this cool ensemble with the wool jumpers, large ribbon and blazers. Very Katherine Hepburn but still Audrey because the girl has long hair and the notable ribbon has a very feminine touch! 

This exudes femininity and confidence, it's very classic yet very now. There are all sorts coolness about this outfit; I am willing to bet hard that's it's comfortable and apropos for the season! 

Disclaimer: photo taken by Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) which I altered for a vintage effect a'la Instagram. K? Don't sweat it...

Blog Find: Style From Tokyo

photo by Rei Shito

Found a new street fashion blog site named: Style from Tokyo with a proficient photographer named Rei Shito at the helm.

So far, my go-to sites are that of Garance Doré's and The Sartorialist  in street wear so I can have a sense of the beat in the global avenues. I think I will enjoy this blog because I have always admired the Japanese's ferocity in conveying fashion. 

Let's admit it, even before the advent of anime as vogue inspiration, the Japanese have always been vanguards of style and individuality. It's more admirable that even the Japanese John and Jane Q dresses to impress not necessarily me or you but their sense of originality and independence. 

The girls pictured above are employees of a Men's store in Tokyo whose bow-tied shirts, turned up khakis and utilitarian shoes proves my point about Tokyo's style!

Just a Suggestion...

Shouldn't girls spend their bonding time this way?

Fashion trailblazer Garance Doré spends some chic time with her petites amies, shooting them in their pretty clothes, doing make up, playing dress up, having lunch, drinks and dessert; laughing, being girls, being ladies, emoting warm fuzzy feelings through this video.

Please, please, I hope it's all nice like this even behind their backs...

Very Fall

Ok so, it's way in the middle of fall and the thing that makes me happy with the most about the season is this pair of peasant boots I acquired for the weather. I am making every excuse to wear it even in church (egad!) and though it doesn't take much to make fun with fashion, comfort is still key!

I have been vetting the boots in all manner of terrain; and here I am in a cabin-like place amidst a national park, and even if it's not trekking shoes, it performed just fine and what's more, my Lé Miz look was showcased. Ahh, priorities...

Window Dressing:

Window dressing so feminine to sweet in St. Augustine...

I adored how this was adorned and had this vision <s>through processing </s>. These window shows are a delight for strolling all over town and once again, it reminds me of the finer things in life. Don't get me I don't covet it to sinfulness; rather to me it's more like - if we can make the things we have or see "finer," then, we possess the finer things in life. Yeh?

Funky Shoes, Purple Leaf and An Eerie Castle :

WEEK OF MARCH 18, 2012:

The Funky Shoes:

Theme: Shoes Monday. Votes: 16. 

These are indeed the funkiest shoes I own. I do not mean to be vulgar when I wear it, I just appreciate good workmanship and style.

The Purple Leaf:

Theme: Leaf On Thursday. Votes: 28.

This Purple Agave Lipstick Plant  gave me the highest votes up to the time of it's post and maybe even to date! I like it but I didn't expect this kind of reception for it! mahvelous!

The Eerie Castle:

Theme: Monochrome Monday. Votes: 19.

This photo I processed to make it look as vintage as possible, in fact, medieval. Like the age and architecture of the castle! Edinburgh Castle to be exact. To me it's as if, a period piece film is about to unfold with this pic! ;-)

Semi-occasional Street Fashion Blogger: Set 1

Sometimes when I am able and when folks are obliging, I take a photo of people with notable clothes on the streets. With this set of street fashion photos I feature mostly fall/winter clothes that are stylish, practical and fun! 

 (London)

*heart that sweater, love the rustic laced-up boots and how this gorgeous lady accessorized!

(London)

A visiting student in London, I liked the readiness in her fashion sense. 

(London)

2 friends taking a break at the steps of St. Paul's. How about them burnt orange boots!

(Edinburgh)

This plaid pea coat/jacket is a departure from the usual warm weather clothes out there. Love this lady's turn up sheep-skin lined boots!

(London)

Her trousers which could pass as riding pants with the riding boots and white shirt were cool to see in London itself. A land of equestrians and jodpurs.

(London)

What is not to take note about this outfit? Colors, colors!

- Thanks ladies for helping to make the streets interesting and not boring at all!

Spring/Summer Collected Collections:

First off, let me say that I am by no means a fashion expert; all I know is I love and appreciate well designed dresses, shoes, bags and accessories; whether they be from consignment stores or department stores, if there's beauty in it - I will acknowledge it. 

So it goes that as I was cruising through the net to I find what I like in the spring/summer collections put out by different designers located in both sides of the Atlantic - pastel, nudes and bold friendly patterns with white backdrop are the trend that caught my fancy. 

1. Ralph Lauren spearheaded the pastel trend for the spring/summer color it seems and accessorized it with 1920's flair in hat, tasseled bag and soft scarf. Notice the nude-colored shoes...

2. Nina Ricci: Pink with a blend of multi-colored crystals on the neckline for an accent. The white belt adds to the softness and the femininity of the ensemble.

3. Calvin Klein: this vision of neutrality and softness will be a hit for the sensible woman. The whole dress expresses conservatism and strength, but the hemlines and the fabric conveys vulnerability as well. Love the consummation of the nudes in this whole piece.

4.Vera Wang: this beautiful piece by Vera Wang plays with the fabric prints harmoniously. Bold, yet the lines are lady-like.

5.Donna Karan: Ms. Karan got the lemon and lime award for the season's collection. Which his not bad considering citruses do perk and freshen you up. And this is just what this dress and blazer does to me, ocular-ly speaking that is. 

6. Carolina Herrera: This is the piece de resistance of the entire S/S collection not just for the House of Carolina Herrera but for all of it. The combination is universal and ageless, as women in their 20's to even 50's if they so choose, can avail of this look. The ensemble is practical, once again feminine and very cool.
Ms. Herrera did this year what Diane Von Furstenberg did for me with last year's S/S collection terms of wearable fashion and ultimate style!

You know, You could wear this with nude platform heels too!

Goodbye Tote, you gotta go? Me oh my oh!

While perusing through late last fall's spring/summer collection I spotted these hand bags which debuted at the House of Chloe.

They appealed to me because they looked beautiful and fun but will they be practical? For someone like me who has been spoiled by the tote, hobo and the satchel style bags for their multi purposes and style, I am not sure.

In the age when a woman on the go has to have at least 2 gadgets (cell phone and tablet), a pill box, make up kits, hand sanitizers, miniature sized lotion, perfume, envelope-sized wallet, shades, car keys, pen, tiny umbrella and perhaps a wrap or Pashmina, these pretty little bags will want so much in performance.

However, I will not dismiss the power of cuteness and trend. While the tiny bag is not as functional as it's predecessors, consumers like us will still desire one for very leisurely appointments where we don't expect as much use as we would novelty and style in a bag.

All the Sea's a Runway

Check out Chanel's runway set up for the Spring-Summer collection for 2012!

What a great design idea indeed and as we can see just from this picture, it appears that soft sea colors like, salmon pink, light coral blues and white are the hues that dominate the collection...

O' Christmas Tree?

 

 Believe it or not, this frock reminded me of a Christmas tree! The one with an edge of course. I like the "pyramid-ic" form from top to bottom - reminiscent of a pine tree (morphology-wise), the tassels remind me of Christmas tree ornaments and the silky, shiny, shimmer on the dress makes up for the lights! 

I would like to own one so I can wear it around the house this season, and when guests ask where the tree in my house is? (because I don't have one), I will simply point to myself. Me thinks it pure fun!

photo from the cinderella project

3 Fall Travel Essentials:

I imagine that if I were to venture out to a metropolis which has the propensity for drop dead, low temperatures like say, Edinburgh, Scotland or London, UK, this time of the month; I would have the following items:

 

A tan, double-breasted, button-front trench coat from London Fog, there is something about a woman wearing a trench coat to me. It conveys confidence, readiness and a sense of adventure; like a female version of the predominant sleuths of our time - Sherlock Holmes, Colombo. Chic and smart!

Feminine-looking rain boots like this one from Hunter (Arolla). I would argue though that this might be big on the calf size for me (having chicken-thin legs) but alas, this is perhaps the only slim looking ones that I would ever be able to find among the plethora of rain boots all over the internet and retail stores. This one is useful as well as stylish.

A newsboy cap. For sure it will drizzle one time of the day in a place like London et al. and you'd want to be ready for such occasions. A cousin who lives there reminded me one time that I could possibly experience all seasons in one day in London. To that I will say, if it rains I'll have a cap and if it doesn't, I'll have an accessory! 

Then of course, there are those items which you shouldn't leave home without anyway, like lip balms, hand sanitizer, small bottle lotion and so on, and so on... but that's common sense though, don 'it?