Tulle, Leather and Rubbish Weather

 

My next post is all about high-end/high street mixing and matching. But, as this outfit (worn on Easter Sunday – this post is a little later than planned!) does it so well, it had to have a post of its own, even though the weather that day was not exactly the best for blog photos! The star of the show is obviously this fab tulle skirt from H&M which I toughened-up for an edgier look. A Commes des Garcons tee and small Miu Miu crossbody bag add a bit of casual luxe while a Primark leather bomber (yes PRIMARK, believe it) and Billi Bi boots stop it all from getting too twee. I rocked this outfit to church that morning, Easter lunch with friends in the afternoon and even to A&E later that evening. This skirt is a keeper. 🙂  More on mixing and matching it all up in next post!  xx #itdoesnthavetobreakthebank

 

Swedish Hasbeens Peep (out) Toes. When shoes don’t love you back!

 

It’s warming up – time for Spring/Summer shoes.  Before I invest in a new pair, I like to go through what I’ve got first, sorting what to keep and what to ditch. And as usual, I can’t quite decide what to do with my Swedish Hasbeens peep-toe clogs. Bought 5 years ago as an alternative to off-duty flats and trainers, I’ve only ever managed to wear them a handful of times.  Not because I don’t want to or for want of trying. Simply that when I wear them,  my toes not so much “peep” as make a bid for freedom. The big and index toes poke right out and the remaining toes, with no where else to go, are left squashed against the hardest leather this side of the wild west. Not a good look (especially when said toes are not one’s best feature!) and incredibly uncomfortable to boot. I’ve tried everything to stop this ridiculous toe slippage: toe socks (yes they are a thing, from Japan where else) and a variety of gel pads and cushions but nothing works. So, I’ve had to conclude that I must have the wrong sort of toes for these shoes.  Yet, I can’t bring myself to ditch them. Instead every Summer, I go through this silly ritual and rue my rubbish toes, envious of others happily stomping about in theirs. Perhaps they are blessed with just the right toes. Or maybe they have a higher pain threshold. If you have neither and have narrow feet and toes like mine, you are best off avoiding these. Because, you can forget about trying to break these shoes in, these babies will break you. Now, if I could only bring myself to get rid of the damn things.  Do you have similar Hasbeens stories? Let’s hear them!

Addie x

 

 

 

 

 

Sneaker Pimps. Cheating on my Stan Smiths with Bart (The Imitation Game part deux!)

Isabel Marant blatantly ripped-off Stan Smiths!” At my local deli the other morning, I overheard a group of friends arguing over trainers, specifically Adidas Stan Smiths and Isabel Marant Bart Sneakers.  What they were saying was a little OTT but essentially true and it’s a view shared by many since the Bart Sneaker was launched in 2015.

Spot the difference?

A few things struck me: 1. It was far too early in the morning for a heated debate of any kind. 2. So, the Marant trainers are a tribute to Stan Smiths. So what? Imitation (don’t mean fakes) makes the world of fashion go round and I’m all for it (The imitation game – a fashionista’s dilemma).  3. The irony. Isabel Marant trainers and boots have got to be the most copied on the planet. Can you name one major sportswear brand that hasn’t got a version of the wedge sneaker?

MyStyleArtist review: Anyway, as I happen to have a pair of each*, I thought I’d post a mini review for those thinking of getting one or the other (or both!). They obviously look very similar but they actually feel quite different to wear. Stan Smiths are sturdier and chunkier which gives the Bart the edge if you are after a more polished/chic look. But that doesn’t take anything away from the easy relaxed cool of Stan Smiths.  I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you need both. 🙂 But if you decide to then there’s definitely room for both in any wardrobe.  Remember, whether you have one or the other or both, up the style stakes by keeping them GLEAMING WHITE:  Trainers or Sneakers. Keep Them Box Fresh Because Age matters

Addie x

Two-timing my Stan Smiths with the Bart Sneaker

 

Others enjoying the Bart

All good in Stan Smiths

 

*I seem to be in the grip of a trainer addiction. It started 5 years ago after my daughter was born and now I just can’t …………stop.

The imitation game: A fashionista’s dilemma

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The trickling down of trends from catwalk to High Street is a key part of the fashion industry – and of course trends are often influenced in the other direction too. Either way, the expectation is that when we shop, we will choose one or the other: the high end piece or its high street version. So far, so sensible.  So then, is it ever justifiable to buy both? For months I’d been drooling over the utterly kick-ass punk inspired Isabel Marant “Rolling” zebra print ankle boots (A/W 16), hoping to get hold of a pair at a less painful price later in the season.  (A strategy that was not without risk and which meant that I had to keep a keen eye on stock availability!)

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Isabel Marant A/W 16

Then a few weeks ago, I spotted the Carvela “Snorkle” – an obvious “tribute” to the Marant Rolling – in black.  Now, the Rolling also had a black version, but the hyper embellishment which elevated the zebra just didn’t do the same for the black. And more importantly, over embellished black boots are in fact not that versatile to wear.  (If you’ve followed this blog for a while you will know how keen I am on practical styling and buying wisely  – for a refresher see my 5 commandments!).  But the Carvela, being far less embellished didn’t have this problem. So, in short I bought them. And a few days later I bought the Marant as well.

Why? Well the Marant boots are simply gorgeous, a keeper that I will treasure and wear for years.  The Carvela version look great on, are very well made and, because they didn’t cost as much, can be worn on rainy days and for generally stomping around when I might have worried about ruining the Marant.  So my friends, it turns out that there are indeed times when it is ALMOST essential to buy BOTH. Go on. You know it makes sense. 🙂

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Isabel Marant “Rolling” zebra print calf hair, suede and leather ankle boots

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Carvela “Snorkle” black suede ankle boots

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Isabel Marant A/W 16