Boy Girl Basics

Part two of my basics story for Stylebop.com is probably most akin to the sort of thing you'll find me in day after day. Having spent most of my youth in jodphurs and riding boots, desperate to partake in anything horse-related, I think that silhouette of skinnies and flat ankle boots is something I'll always feel at home in. And for me, black leather trousers are as much a 'basic' as jeans, especially in the colder months, so finding the right ones is a task worth pursuing. These ones by Joseph are as close to perfect as I've come so far; just stretchy enough, zips at the ankle and buttery soft.

My current love for camel coats is no secret (chronicled both here and here) and the classic, mannish shape of this Theory one makes it even more of a 'forever' piece. Anyone seen Love and Other Drugs?  Yep, this coat makes me feel likes a (faux) 90s Anne Hathaway which is definitely a good thing. On a side not, I'm beginning to realise that red, or burgundy in this case, is the only colour I really wear. Unless we count denim as blue that is? 

Coat // Theory via Stylebop.com
Trousers // Joseph via Stylebop.com
Clutch // Jil sander via Stylebop.com
Shirt // Club Monaco
Belt // Zara
Boots // Vintage

Ph. by James Wright

White Walling

I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to the cold - I've been known to shiver in 23 degree shade - so I have to admit, my legs have been firmly wrapped under jeans and leather trousers ever since the mercury dropped below 15 and bare skin was no longer an option. 

This weekend however, I made an exception (if only for this epic skirt by ALC) to shoot my first of three looks for Stylebop.com. I've joined forces with the luxury e-tailer to style up some looks around the theme of basics, or those kinds of pieces I'd be lost without season after season. Forget seasonal, frivolous purchases, these are the foundation for everything.

Case in point, a good chunky knit and a black leather skirt, both of which are on constant rotation in my wardrobe and there's always room for updates on these never-quite-enough essentials. 

I always feel a leather skirt, especially one as sexy as this (the biker details make all the difference), feels a bit less conspicuous when teamed with a jumper that's so cosy it's the sartorial equivalent of a hot water bottle. However, even with the thermal topping, this sort of get-up is much better suited to indoor pursuits with a radiator in close proximity if you ask me. Even this skirt couldn't sex-up goose bumps.

Skirt // ALC at Stylebop

Sweater // Vanessa Bruno Athe at Stylebop

Boots // Zara

Clutch // Sophie Hulme at Stylebop

 Ph. by James Wright
Post sponsored by Stylebop.com

Park Life

After a miserable day on Saturday spent cradling a cup of tea forlornly waiting for the rain to stop (it never did), Sunday proved to be one of those perfect, Wintery days where it's so sunny it almost makes you think the cold weather ain't so bad after all.

So as tempting as it was to stay under the the duvet all day long, we forced ourselves out of the door and into Hyde Park for a walk - if only to validate spending the rest of the day on the sofa. As you might of guessed from my previous post, a camel coat has been top of my list since we've delved firmly into sweater weather and the hunt is finally over thanks to Vestiare Collective. If you haven't used Vestiare before, its a resale site for designer and luxury fashion with both second-hand and new items up for grabs. There's no bidding like eBay so you can purchase your item straight away and everything's quality controlled so you know you're getting exactly what's stated. Plus, as it was originally founded in Paris (but has since opened an office in London), there's always plenty of French favourites from the likes of Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, Iro, Sandro and Maje. 

This robe like coat is by Bash, and at �160 was a bit of a bargain when you consider Topshop and Zara's outerwear offerings sell for about the same. And maybe the one perk of being quite petite is that long coats really are just that. This one really does feel like I'm wearing a dressing down out and about.  But for someone who values comfort above all else, that's no bad thing. 

Coat // Bash via Vestiare Collective

Scarf // Urban Outfitters (think its now sold out but similar here and here)

Jeans // HnM

Boots // Sandro

Polo neck // Uniqlo

Sunglasses // Rayban 

All photos by James Wright

Breaking the Monotony

The temperature's really dropped in London these last few days and as a result, I'm starting to slightly dread the uniform of jeans, boots and layers of eskimo proportions that I inevitably fall into come winter.

In an attempt to ward off said monotony, I thought I'd invest in some boots that not only feel suitably heavy-duty, but give you something nice to look add from inside that furry hood/balaclava/scarf bundle/delete as applicable. So after months of admiring from afar, I threw caution to the wind and marched myself down to Sandro with intent. I left considerably poorer but without the slightest regret (you know that means it's a good buy when there's no till-guilt) and a pair of the Atlanta boots in hand.

Didn't quite expect to be marching back to Sandro two days later wielding one broken boot with a snapped chain. Still, they dutifully replaced them with a new pair so here's hoping they remain in tact from here on out.... 

You'll no doubt seeing lots more of these guys over the next few months (potential breakages aside).

Boots // Sandro (similar here)

Jeans // old Zara (similar here)

Jumper // Zara (similar here)

Coat // old Mango (similar here)

Bag // Gucci 

Beanie // Carharrtt

 

Top two picture via my Instagram @lucywilliams02/ Ph. by James Wright

I Bamboo You

You might have seen me on Instagram quite a few weeks ago sporting some big eyes and roller-clad hair for a project with Gucci. That was all I could reveal at the time but after launching this week, I can share what I was up to with you all.

Gucci very kindly asked me to be involved with a short film project they were producing with Clara Paget as the leading lady to celebrate Gucci's bamboo bag, an icon of the accessory world that's been gracing many a glamorous arm since 1947. I of course jumped at the chance and subsequently spent a day filming in London's Bermondsey with an incredibly talented bunch of friendly people that made me feel totally at ease on set. While blogging has meant I've slowly had to become more at ease in front of the camera (definitely a work in progress), filming was a whole new ball game but I ended up really enjoying trying my hand at a medium that's still somewhat new to me. And while it's undoubtedly lots of fun, having worked as a fashion assistant for several years, I still find it a little strange being on the other side of things on big shoots and always find myself feeling like I should be steaming or packing suitcases. Old habits die hard I suppose!

So myself, Chloe Hayward and Lead Wood were transformed into 'Gucci mean girls' and basically spent the the day strutting around South London teasing Clara with our Bamboo wares, the result of which you can now watch below. 

Note: The version I have seems to be a bit grainy and pixelated so if you have trouble viewing it, you can watch it in better quality on Grazia here until I get it sorted. Sorry - working on it as we speak! 

To celebrate the release of the project earlier this week, there was a delicious dinner at the beautiful art deco Cafe Royal on Regent's Street. It was one of those nights you end up chatting so much you barely register you have a phone (pretty refreshing to be honest seeing as it tends to morph into a 3rd hand most of the time) but I managed to to snap a couple of quick pics of what I was wore to event. Thank you snazzy bathroom mirror for your part in that.

Vintage velvet jacket // Zara belt // HnM leather pants // Gucci bag // Zara camisole

Thank you Gucci for a wonderful experience and a great night on Wednesday.I feel so lucky to have been a part of it all. 

xx

Easy Like Sunday

One of my favourite things to wear right now is the checked trouser that thinks it's pyjamas. Perfect for those of us at our happiest under a duvet and yet easily made out-of-the-house appropriate when teamed with anything other than slippers (New Balance or Birks for me). Add a polo neck and orthopedic sandals and you have probably the comfiest combination of clothes bar flannel button-downs for one of those weekends when all you really want to do is hibernate. 

Trousers // Cheap Monday via Urban Outfitters

Polo Neck // Zara

Leather Jacket // H&M (now sold out but other good ones from Whistles and Acne)

Sandals // Birkenstocks

White Denim

I finally got my hands on the perfect white jean jacket, a feat I'm pretty happy about even if it is just as we seem to be tipping into Autumn with dark nights and rainy days not exactly screaming white denim.  Still, it had a good outing at the Welsh coast this weekend, with baggy Breton stripes making for a fairly apt, albeit predictable, nod to nautical for a breezy walk on my favourite beach in front of our house. Getting back into black skinnies and Chelsea boots really makes it feel like a new season is upon us.

I found my vintage Levi's jacket on eBay but this ASOS one gets full marks for boxiness, length and the odd artful rip.

 

Don't forget I now have a Facebook page - follow to get a first look at new blog posts and extra bits and pieces of inspiration and shopping ideas throughout the day. You can follow me here: Facebook.com/fashionmenowblog

Ph. by James Wright

Shortaralls

Meet my favorite thing to wear this summer. 

Easy, comfy and oversized, why did we ever stop wearing dungarees? Plus, they immediately make you feel like Joey Potter which I personally am all for.

I like mine over a simple triangle bra or failing that, a plain white tank top. The baggier the better.

Ph. by James Wright

Below are said shorteralls out and about in the real world (if you can call Wilderness that) shot by Vogue.com (top) and Frances Davidson for Harpers Bazaar (bottom) last weekend.