40s and 50s fashion...quite new

Being a HUGE fan of vintage fashion, Tara Starlet is a haven for me! I first saw it in Topshop Oxford Circus on the lower floor...I instantly fell in love with its great prints, that are more than authentic, and the very charming pattern of their clothes. I was so taken in by a swinging, navy blue 40s dress with a lace collar, that I forgot my credit card limit and just bought it! I never regreted it...thing is, it develops into an addiction, where I want to own EVERY SINGLE PIECE of the collection! Do you know these moments, when you get pictures of a specific piece of clothing in your head and you just have to have it? Right...well, I love thrifting vintage stores, but living in an area where they are practically non-existent, it makes it a bit hard...but even when living in London, you don't always find, what you are looking for...so the brilliant thing about Tara Starlet is, that she always has the thing, I'm looking for! Crucial!
Right now, it's capri pants in the style of Helen Bishop from Mad Men

Then I go to Tara, and whoops, what do I find...exactly what I'm looking for:

 

It's basically the same for playsuits...I'm going to a festival in a couple weeks, and I was wondering about Festival Fashion, as probably many of you do right now. I saw Dita's looks at the Coachella earlier this year, and wow! We all know that woman can dress! So I will opt for a nice playsuit (although she herself wore a dress), pair it up with my new sailor hat (just like Dita did)...I'm just not sure on the shoes yet, because I don't wanna ruin my wedges...But there's still time for a decision...back to the playsuit:

Dita's version above, and here's what I am favouring:

 

Don't you just love 'em?! The only hard thing is to decide which one to pick...my favourite is the black and white polka dot with the yellow lining! Although the white red buttoned-through polka dot might come in as a close second..we shall see.


Other things, for which I love Tara:

Sequins!!

Back in the day, I really diskliked anything with sequins on it...it always looked cheap and slutty to me. But that was in the early days of the new millenium, when most sequined items in stores actually looked cheap and slutty...BUT even longer ago, sequins managed to have a different effect: they made you look GLAMOROUS. I discovered my love for sequined items only quite recently when working in London and one of my colleagues wore this amazing sequined top! White, with thin blue stripes all over and long sleeves. To say it in her words, it was "amaze"! Then, days later, I spotted a similar one on Jane Aldridge's blog Sea of Shoes. It resembles the one of my colleague a lot! Ever since, I've been looking all over ebay for a similar one, but it's kinda hard to find, especially on a low budget! And then you never know about the fit...sequins are tricky! They don't stretch...so wish my luck!

But here are some inspirations of other, nice sequined items in the meantime..:

available from The Cat's Pajamas on ebay

buy it from this ebay vintage dealer

get this from Bohemian Closet on ebay

and at last, Guys & Dolls Vintage on ebay

Street Style Watch: Color pops!

Not to say, that the weather's bad and we need something to cheer us up...but in my opinion, you can never have enough color in your life. And just little bits and pieces here and there make an outfit even more stand out than the current color blocking trend that's going on. So, if you're just wearing some highlighting, bright accessories like socks or a scarf it still gives your look an instant lift up! Or take a whole piece of clothing like some bright pink pants, and whooosh! Take some inspiration from this for when you're getting dressed tomorrow morning.

Credits: Pictures are taken from The Sartorialist, The Nyanzi Report, Net-a-porter's Facebook page and The Facehunter

SEASON'S MUST HAVES

Although we are already in the middle of Spring/Summer 2011, I decided to compile a list of the top items to own this season. Not that I could afford any of the items, but one is still allowed dream, am I right?!
So, if you're like me, enjoy the looks and maybe you will come up with some similar version yourself...just got to Topshop, Zara or Asos to find a very similar look (...except for my FAVOURITE item of the season, the PRADA fur stole...you just can't fake it).

from top left: Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Jil Sander, Charlotte Olympia, Miu Miu, Miu Miu, Church's, Charles Anastase and DIOR
One would assume I am mildly obsessed with Miu Miu this season, which is not all true...actually Dior really got me this season, I ADORE every single piece of footwear made by John  Galliano, but since it is mostly the same style, I decided to focus more on diversity here. If you're going for more of a fantasy, not-of-this-earth-look, as always, McQueen is the label to go. I wouldn't dare walking in these precious pieces of art, being too afraid that I'd ruin them. For a bit of Dorothy-Feeling, go to Miu Miu. Although they're not red, they're just as fabulous! If your style is more masculine, Church's and Jil Sander have shoes that might be interesting to you. It doesn't matter, if you choose a classic penny loafer or a timeless brogue with a twist, this season is all about masculinity! You want it? They got it!
To represent the giant wedges-trend this season, I chose Charles Anastase. Here you can see a version with a sole completely made of wood, whereas cork and bass are more often used. Whichever one you wear, I'm sure you look great, since a wedge makes everyones legs look amaaaaazing!

from bottom right: Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney Falabella, Marni, Linda Farrow Luxe, Jil Sander, Prada, Burberry Prorsum, Miu Miu, Alexander Wang and Jerome Dreyfuss

 The 50s and 60s are still a big deal this season! To get the accurate look, Linda Farrow Luxe offers these great snakeskin cat-eyes that make you look like a 50s vixen! If you're going for a more up-to-date-inspired-by-vintage look, Alexander Wang, in association with Linda Farrow, designed some spikey lenses! To keep in line with the whole Mad Men theme, the Miu Miu polka-dot belt will match up well with those petticoated skirts!
And for the bags...well, there's a whole wide range out there, if you like black patent-leather, Vivienne made a bag just for you...or if you wanna stick to your vegan attitude but still look fabulous: there's always Stella McCartney, and I especially like the print on this version of the Falabella. 
Go grocery shopping with Jil Sander and the ol' plastic bag is history! This one's all leather! Make them gawk!

Isabel Marant, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander, Charles Anastase, Christian Dior, Giles; Holly Fulton, Louis Vuitton, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Z Spoke

Burberry Prorsum, Bella Freud, Balmain, Christopher Kane, Michael Kors, Versace

Mary Katrantzou, Clements Ribeiro, D&G, Diane von Furstenberg, Erdem, Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders; Michael Kors, Milly, Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, Versus, Erdem, Proenza Schouler

Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Emilio Pucci, Moschino, Preen; Emilio Pucci, Jonathan Saunders, Jason Wu, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler