How To Wear……(Styling Tips)

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

March 21, 2017 by Addie Leave a Comment

“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.

My name is Addie and I am a brand collaboration addict.

December 16, 2016 by Addie 2 Comments

Detail – Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Tuxedo Jacket – 2012

I love a brand collaboration. A habit I picked up in Tokyo where it’s a well established phenomenon, I especially love a high street and designer hook-up. Puma, Uniqlo, Nike and Adidas have all been at it over the years but no-one does it quite like H&M. And I, my friends, am an H&M designer collaboration junkie. The rumours and anticipation leading up to launch, plus the manageable price points and one-off factor of the actual sale, have had me hooked since the first one with Karl Lagerfeld back in 2004. Admittedly, not all of the collaborations are born equal and my lust levels vary accordingly (last year’s Balmain collection just wasn’t for me despite all the hype. I’m not a fan of the “celebrity” collections either).

This post started out as a review of the latest collaboration with Kenzo. However, for “services to Addie’s wardrobe and to fashion in general“, I’ve decided to dedicate it to my top H&M designer collaborations so far*. (*Next one is with Erdem and from the lookbook it looks set to be one of my favourites yet.)

My tips for shopping an H&M designer collaboration are at the end of this post if you would like to join the fray when the next one comes around. In the meantime, well done H&M for spreading the (high-end) love!

#1. MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA (November 2012)

One of my best buys to date is from this 2012 collection. An utterly fabulous narrow-shouldered double breasted tuxedo jacket. With all the hallmarks of the label (which has since become just Maison Margiela without the “Martin”), it never fails to get compliments whenever I wear it!

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Tuxedo Jacket – 2012

#2. COMME des GARҪONS (November 2008)

I probably have the most pieces from this collection. This black trench coat – I love the Peter Pan collar, rounded shoulders and A-line cut – and gorgeous ruffled-sleeve blouse plus an assortment of polka-dotted knitwear and shirts. All still very much in use!

COMME des GARҪONS x H&M Trench Coat – 2008

COMME des GARҪONS x H&M Blouse – 2008

#3. STELLA McCARTNEY (November 2005)

I have literally worn this tailed “boyfriend” shirt to death. Well, it has been 11 years.

Stella McCartney x H&M Shirt – 2005

Stella McCartney x H&M Shirt – 2005

#4. KENZO (November 2016)

I got to this one late but still managed to nab this shopper and gorgeous silk blouse.

Kenzo x H&M Shopper – 2016

Kenzo x H&M Silk Blouse – 2016

Detail from Kenzo x H&M Silk Blouse – 2016

#5. KARL LAGERFELD (November 2004)

The first of the H&M designer collaborations, Lagerfeld’s entire collection sold out in hours. I got this stiff-collared, long-cuffed slim silhouetted cocktail shirt. As you can see from the state of that collar it has seen a lot of action over the 12 years!

Karl Lagerfeld x H&M Shirt – 2004

And the ones that got away…..

#6. Isabel Marant (November 2013) and #7 Lanvin (November 2010) – So gutted to have missed both of these due to other work commitments. Sigh.

marant-hm

So, ready for the next one? Here are my tips on how to shop an H&M Designer Collaboration:

One: Plan. It happens in November, so make a note in your diary and tune in to yours truly (who will be tracking events closely) and the fashion press for the exact date that the collection will drop.

Two: Camping outside the shops is not required. Don’t feel you have to queue up all night to nab the best pieces. I never have and still managed some decent finds over the years.

Three: Avoid the after-sale online madness. By all means shop the collection on line on the official H&M website – sometimes this will be your only option if you are not keen on facing the queues. But don’t be tempted to buy at over-inflated prices on eBay after the sale. It defeats the purpose of the whole exercise and frankly, you might as well just invest in a high-end piece.

Four: Don’t get carried away. Shop wisely and buy what you will actually wear. Think long term and don’t feel you have to buy lots of pieces. If you don’t love it, drop it.

And here are the other collaborators to complete the picture so far:

Viktor + Rolf (2006); Roberto Cavalli (2007) ; Matthew Williamson and Jimmy Choo (2009); Versace (2011 and 2012); Marni (2012) and Alexander Wang in 2014.

Trainers or Sneakers. Keep Them Box Fresh Because Age Matters

September 30, 2016 by Addie 2 Comments

There was a time not very long ago (alright, quite a bit ago!) when I would deliberately scruff up new trainers to make them look “worn in” before daring to wear them out for the first time. A time when wearing snow white trainers would have been considered a bit naff and definitely dodgy style-wise. Nowadays though, I am firmly within “that age bracket” that requires no less than box fresh. But when did this happen?!

A friend jokingly asked me about this last week which caused me to think about it and led to this post. So, here’s the thing, and at the risk of coming off a bit prescriptive and possibly ageist(?!), 35 would seem to be the cut-off age. Not really sure why. The wide range of grown-up/”fashion” trainers around today thanks to the likes of Acne Studios, Puma and its various collaborations, and the fashionista’s favourite Adidas Stan Smiths, etc. must have something to do with it. But, whatever the reason, get your handy bleach wipes at the ready if you are over 35 (boy or girl) and intent on continuing to wear trainers. Oh, and be sure to change your laces regularly too. And try and avoid the rain. Sorry, them’s just the rules. 🙂 Anyway, who can deny that a pair of scruffy old Stan Smiths just don’t look the same as a box fresh pair. Actually, they might as well be different trainers. Right?

My “gleaming white” Stan Smiths

These Puma High-Top beauties have never seen rain. No mean feat when you live in London!

What I’m wearing: Sweater (Hysteric Glamour)| Skirt (H&M)| White Trainers (Adidas)| Black Suede Trainers (Puma)| Clutch (Kenzo Paris)

Get Your (Oversized) Cotton Shirt On

September 5, 2016 by Addie 2 Comments

The humble shirt. Classic, versatile and completely underrated. And they don’t come more versatile than the over-sized cotton shirt: easy to wear, can be dressed up or down, worn in all seasons and in a dozen different ways. Ladies, if your wardrobe were a store cupboard, this would be the can of tuna!

Buying Tips: 1. Invest in the very best quality you can afford. In this post, I’m wearing Kit and Ace (black) and Acne Studios (white). The latter has seen many seasons and is still going strong. 2. Choose your colour carefully. White or black will work every time but a pale grey or light denim will work well too. Avoid patterns and stripes – we want a relaxed look not sleep wear! 3. Go a size or two larger than your normal size. I know that sounds like going against the laws of nature(!) but the looser the fit the better. 4. We are talking about a shirt not a “shirtdress”, so look for a decent collar, cuffs, etc. Basically, we want more shirt less dress. Styling Tips: Keep it simple. Pair with ankle-skimming skinny jeans (and flats) or slim-fitting trousers (and heels). For a more polished silhouette, iron crisply and wear it buttoned up, sleeves down with cuffs buttoned, over culottes (with statement flats or heels). Of course, you can always wear it on its own like I’ve done in this post.

And here are three more easy peasy ways to wear it…

ONE SHIRT, THREE WAYS:

Casual and tough

Laid back and all buttoned up

Go girly with straps!

Photos: Curtis Benjamin and U.W. Ugbenne

*Buying wisely: The shoes in this post are three, five, seven and fourteen(!) years old, respectively. Can you guess which?

My Style Artist

Fabulously Practical.

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

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My name is Addie and I am a brand collaboration addict.

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Trainers or Sneakers. Keep Them Box Fresh Because Age Matters

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Get Your (Oversized) Cotton Shirt On

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