'What a strange power there is in clothing.'
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Don't you find harsh tailoring imbues all sorts of masculine powers? Whenever i wear my oxford shirt or brogues i feel suddenly a little bit more powerful, i stand up straighter, i'm even a little cocky. All stereotypes of course, but the point is, clothes can be transformative. That's hardly an original statement, granted, but it has to be said nonetheless. Just as heels confer not only height, but confidence, and a feathered couture cape is filled with fantasy and whimsical dreams, or the glitz and glamour seeming to drip off you as you port a paste jewellery confection.
My search for the perfect black blazer is much publicised, and i am resigning myself to the fact that i'll have to get my designer friend to make one for me. I am too particular in what i want, and she is so talented. To not get her help would be a waste, wouldn't it? I want something slightly fitted, but still very loose, hitting at my hip bone or a tiny bit lower, with big gold buttons. Although the gold buttons are a value added extra.
This blazer, once it ends its journey tucked into my wardrobe will be a transformative piece for me. I already know it. It is going to be the basis of Fabulous Future Me's closet, altering in the manner of a pair of really incredible heels that just wow and shock all onlookers. A blazer is simple, yes, and to some boring. But to me the blazer represents the height of french chic, but an attainable height, an accessible piece that can transform the wardrobe of all, be it a young girl who loves to write and dreams of chanel to a gorgeous parisienne it girl bedecked in rings and exuding that soft glow of coolness that is captured so well in cobrasnake photos.
Anyway, just because dreaming is my middle name, here are a few little polyvore outfits for Fabulous Future Me, and of course, the places she would wear them to.
Number 1
FFM feels incredibly french with her silk skirt, flowy cotton top, 2.55 and fitted blazer. It certainly helps that she's in Paris. What's she doing there? Oh you know, just a little thing they call fashion week. She's there for one glorious week, spending the days drifting around the shows, sitting front row at Nina Ricci cheering her good friend Olivier on (oh yes, FFM and Olivier will be BFFs of course) and the nights sipping away at champagne and chatting to karl lagerfeld. She manages to squeeze some shopping in, she always does, and fleeting visits to Versailles to see the mirrors, the Louvre to see Winged Victory (to this day her favourite statue) and long walks across bridges and along banks. She's almost sad to go home. But there's always next season. A bientot!
[mcQ blazer, vanessa bruno top, pierre hardy for gap shoes, roberto cavalli skirt, la garconne leather vest, chanel 2.55]
Number 2
FFM is sitting at her desk in the offices of Vogue, tapping away at her computer. After all, this feature article on the power of haute couture won't write itself. Sturdy heels, a flippy skirt, fun bracelets and a big bag to carry all her notes in. Oh, and a chic blazer that makes her feel more powerful and gives her that little bit of extra confidence to strut into the vogue offices to hand in her copy. Usually she just cowers outside until she thinks all the stylists have gone out for their lunch and then she runs in, brandishing her copy like a burning torch. Today, wearing this fabulous blazer, she feels just that much more self-assured. And she couldn't believe it, when she was leaving the offices one of the assistant stylists sidled up to her with a meek smile on her face asking where she got that lovely blazer from.
[mcQ blazer, sonia rykiel shoes, vanessa bruno top, lanvin belt, burberry skirt, forever 21 bangles, la garconne bag]
Number 3
FFM feels positively fierce as she walks into the bar. And that's a new feeling for FFM, but then, who wouldn't feel like taking on the world in a micro mini, chunky ankle boots and a fitted blazer? She'd like to think that this fabulousness came about through sheer luck, but the fact of the matter is that she's there to meet someone... her ex. And when she sees him, unshaved and unkempt in that dirty old army jacket he insisted on wearing every time they went out she can't help but grin to herself. Margiela or Mash? there's no contest here.
[McQ blazer, givenchy muse, opening ceremony cardigan, maison martin margiela mini (try saying that 12 times fast), topshop beanie, rings eclectic ring, emma cook for topshop boots]
Number 4
When the boy asked FFM to accompany her to his latest film's premiere she was instantly thrilled, and then moments after that incredibly anxious. What would she wear? She would have to look effortlessly chic, which of course meant spending hours in the confines of her closet searching for something perfect. After much searching she unearthed this lacy mini dress (very now she noted with some satisfaction to herself), cute red stilettos, and a clutch bag. She saw the black car pull up in front of her house, threw on some bangles and grabbed her trusty blazer. Would she embarrass the boy? Not in this out fit. Flashbulb ready? Yes. Chic? Yes. Effortless? Well, FFM pleads the fifth.
[McQ blazer, balenciaga clutch, stella mccartney dress, alexander mcqueen earrings, forever 21 bangles, alexander mcqueen shoes]
Number 5
Ah the horror of the drinks party. Sometimes they want you dressed down, sometimes up, sometimes in dresses, others in suits. FFM knows whatever she does her editor will find something wrong with what she's wearing, so she just throw on a skirt, ruffled blouse, cinch in the waist and add a pair of crazy sandals. And her blazer of course. FFM arrives a little late, but so does everyone else, and as she grasps her first martini of the night she sees her editor lock eyes on her. She takes a gulp and prepares her for the barrage. 'You look very nice tonight. Love your blazer.' FFM blinks. What? Had she misheard? Her editor is grinning at her an raising her glass. FFM smiles, run with it. Cheers!
[McQ blazer, chanlel 2.55, lanvin blouse, alexander wang skirt, alaia belt, forever 21 bangles, gucci sandals]
Here is a special gift for the tea drinking english rose. Her blog is very sweet, and so what better to give her than a reclining marie antoinette surrounding by beautiful pastries and a maid to slip on her shoes. Frivolous frippery and much love to you, my dear! And of course lots of love to you all and thankyou for all your darling comments!
hope you have/had a marvelous halloween and a great weekend.
pinch and a punch for the first day of the month.
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