How To Wear……(Styling Tips)

Brave the chill in a kilt.

November 5, 2018 by Addie 4 Comments

Worn right a kilt can be very flattering and chic – the ultimate trans-season piece. However, it’s easy to be put off by the quality on offer on the high street which isn’t always great. Then there’s all that tartan! Still, if you are prepared to channel your inner Braveheart, scroll down for tips on how to nail the look.

Kilts are traditionally made to measure however most kilt makers will also offer a limited range of ready-to-wear. While it’ll be more expensive, I would suggest going for the made to measure option if possible. My gorgeous skirt is by London-based label Susy Harper. It was made to measure so it fits perfectly and I got to choose the fabric (an added benefit for those not so keen on tartan!).

Nailing the look:

#1. We are aiming for chic and prim not skater girl so avoid the mini versions. Knee length or thereabouts is ideal.

#2. Traditional fabrics for kilts like wool or tweed are best for this look. Whether or not they are in tartan is up to you!

#3. Girls, this look calls for bare legs. Add thick socks (or fake tan!) if you must but absolutely no tights.

#4. Going casual? Pair with a chunky knit and some stomping (ankle) boots. If you need an extra layer add a chunky scarf or a leather jacket.

#5. For a more polished looked or for work, swap the chunky knit for a slim-fitted polo neck and the ankle boots for heeled pumps or Mary Janes (heels or flats). Slim-fitting knee-high boots will work well too. For an extra layer add a tailored knee length coat.

#6. Be prepared to invest* a little for quality, it is totally worth it.

*What you end up paying for a made to measure piece will ultimately depend on your choice of fabric, style, etc. but you should be able to get a premium quality kilted skirt at around the £150-£200 mark. The price range for men starts from around £300. There are also high end ready to wear options for those really looking to splash out (Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Opening Ceremony have all featured kilts in recent collections and fashionistas’ favourite Le Kilt has them all year round) but I don’t much see the point. Given the choice, I’ll go for a made to measure artisanal piece every time!

Need help sourcing good kilt makers? Drop me a comment and I’ll be happy to help you out with some names!

Thanks for reading.

Addie x

I am wearing:

Skirt (Suzy Harper)| Jumper (H&M)| Boots (Primark)| Bag (Givenchy) |Sunglasses (Céline)

Shorts in Autumn? With a bit of sun and a chunky knit, why not.

October 22, 2018 by Addie Leave a Comment

I can’t remember the last time Autumn started out this warm. My coats are all still packed away* and I’ve not once thought about tights (hurrah). I’ve not even used a proper jacket yet, just throwing a jumper, cardigan or knit blazer over dresses, skirts and all the Summer stuff that would normally have been packed away by now. This post carries on with the theme of the last one – soft tailoring and rediscovering old pieces. The tailored shorts are 80s vintage that I thrifted for less than a fiver a couple of years ago and the cardigan is a fairly knackered one that I’ve had for yonks. It’s buttonless so I was initially going to wear it open and slouchy but in the end I decided to add the belt for a more pulled together look. I think it worked quite well, don’t you?

Personally, I don’t see the need to go out buying anything for Autumn right now. Get more wear out of those Summer favourites while the weather lasts: throw an over-sized jumper over that dress or floaty skirt, add ankle boots, grab a brolly and your sunnies and make the most of it! And the best bit? This hot weather/cold weather clothes mash-up works even as it starts to get colder – just add tights and a chunky scarf.

Thanks for reading. Always great to hear from you so feel free to leave comments!

Addie x

I am wearing:

Cardigan (Matalan)|Shorts (Vintage)| Belt (Primark)| Boots (Maison Margiela) |Bag (Jean Paul Gaultier)

*Packed away at the dry cleaners! I hand in the coats at the beginning of Summer and don’t see them again until I pick them up in Winter. It’s a sweet system if you struggle for space like me but be warned that using your dry cleaners as an extension of your wardrobe can be risky: don’t lose your ticket and make sure you check to see if they have a dumping policy!

WARDROBE TREASURES: Transitioning into Autumn with soft tailoring (and an old vest!)

October 4, 2018 by Addie Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I love a good rummage in my wardrobe every once in a while. Usually on a space- saving clear-out mission but sometimes just for the fun of rediscovering something that I haven’t worn for a while. The last time I wore this Hysteric Glamour vest, it was with baggy jeans, a baseball cap and Converse hi-tops. Thankfully, the baggy jeans and baseball cap – along with my days of dressing like a teenage boy – are long gone but I’ve hung on to this foxy wee vest. The Gomme blazer is an old piece too and I still do wear it from time to time. Thanks to its cut and fabric (a patchwork of boucle, silk and wool) it’s not at all bulky and is a fab alternative to a cardigan and perfect for transitioning into Autumn.

It was a gorgeous sunny but cool day and I was going for a soft-tailored casual look which the graphic vest and trainers completed nicely. The high-waisted slouchy trousers are from H&M’s premium label and the trainers are Isabel Marant (although my Stan Smiths would have been just as fab).

Most of us probably think of tailoring as reserved for work/business meetings/job interviews. In my opinion it needn’t be! Soft tailored pieces might lend themselves more easily to off-duty wear, but it’s fairly easy to soften-up sharp tailored stuff. Just throw an over-sized fluffy jumper over those “work” trousers or pair your “work” blazer with some sports-luxe bottoms, add a box fresh pair of trainers and voila!

How divine are these H&M trousers?

So are you game? Let me know how you get on!

Thanks for reading,

Addie xx

I am wearing:

Ripped jeans. Is there a cut-off date?

September 13, 2018 by Addie Leave a Comment

Like most people I own the odd pair of “mildly” distressed jeans. However, I’ve not been anywhere near a pair of properly ripped jeans since the late 90s. Mainly, because of how dull the mass produced versions of today (with their identikit rips) are compared to the DIY original creations of back in the day. But also because, well, should a forty-something year-old still be wearing shredded jeans?! Anyway, pushing such misgivings aside, I decided to give this cropped pair from Primark a go. And I LOVE them. The denim’s decent, it’s cut well, low cost and super comfy. I also like that it’s stonewash – all very much in keeping with the 90s vibe! If like me, you are of a certain age and are similarly doubtful about carrying off extremely ripped jeans, go for grown-up but playful styling like I’ve done here. A plain t-shirt with booties will work well too.

So, I guess the answer to my question is NO. You shouldn’t have to stop wearing super ripped jeans just because you are older. My only tip would be to try and keep everything else grown-up and low key.

Thanks so much for reading – outfit details are at the end!

Addie x

I am wearing:

Jeans (Primark)| Shirt (Top Shop)| Shoes (Isabel Marant)| Bag (& Other Stories)| Sunglasses (Celine)