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Showing posts with label online. Show all posts

Girl & Graaf



"Lifestyle is one of those terms that is often used but never quantified. We think we understand what it means (the stuff that you do in your life, right?) but lifestyle is so much more than the sum of its parts. For Lauren Davidson and Simon De Graaf, lifestyle is the heart and soul of their existence. Partners in business and in love, Davidson and De Graaf have channelled their passion for discovery, travel and the home into their most recent venture, the newly launched online store Girl & Graaf."

I wrote a little profile on online store Girl & Graaf for Broadsheet and I've subsequently fallen in love with cotton pyjama sets and soap that smells like cotton. You can read the profile here but also check out the store. They've also got a really cute instagram account. It's all about gram.

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man watching

the sartorialist, of course. who else?

Clearly I'm having a bit of a thing with menswear at the moment. Not just wearing it, but also taking inspiration from it. It started after a girl at work handed the Esquire guide to style to me for perusal and I was struck. Nothing like this really exists for women - not if you think about it. This guide is a no-nonsense exploration of all the quintessential things for men. How to tie a tie, exploring different suits and fabrics (when is seersucker right? what should you wear to black tie themed events?) exposing the meanings of different handkerchief folds... It's fabulous. Women don't get such a serious how-to, not when it comes to fashion. We have to deal with jokey guides that thrust endless amounts of LBDs onto us. I would much prefer a style guide that explores shirt lengths, rolled sleeves or no, different jean cuts, how to wear shoes in, how to tie a scarf, how to pack a bag etc etc. Wouldn't that be something? 

So it started there. Then lin posted this quote from Josh Charles - my teenage crush circa Dead Poets society and, later, S.W.A.T (don't judge) - where he talked about feeling comfortable in clothes as the ultimate. Are we the same person? Then Mr Porter kept thrusting beautiful editorials with attractive men into my inbox, and I was struck by how amazing - and yet how simple - they all looked in chinos, sweaters and desert boots. Their Journal tab is incredible, and, need I say, begs the question why Net a Porter doesn't do something just like it. I know they have the magazine, but it's not as good as the Mr Porter journal, with its different themed features. "The Classic", where favourites like the Cable Knit sweater or the Burberry Trench Coat are explored throughout history, or my favourite, "The Knack", where all those tricky things about, well, being a man, are broken down. How to be a good dinner guest? Consider it done. These are life skills, and I'm not going to apologise for swotting up on those articles with reckless abandon. The NAP mag is great, but it's got nothing on the Mr Porter journal. 

So what is it, exactly, about menswear that is so inspiring? It must be, because there are women like Elle UK's Donna Wallace who dress completely head to ankle (not shoes, though) in items from the boys department. For me personally it's been about quality. I think, like Christina Brinkley pointed out, menswear is often about the highest quality materials, the best fit and the most comfort. Womenswear often sells poor quality things that don't fit well for exorbitant prices. Comfort is often the lowest on a long list of priorities. Also, menswear is about creating a point of interest in small details. Details such as the sliver of ankle between a too-cuffed pair of jeans and the top of a pair of boots. A tiny bit of grey marle tee shirt hanging out over a belt. Simple colour combinations in interesting textures. Excellent, excellent layering. Sometimes I think womenswear focusses on the big reveal when actually the tiny, almost insignificant touches are the most magical. Long time readers of this blog will know I feel strongly about that. It is truly a skill, but it's one that stylish men have in spades. Who else could make an outfit with a single square of fabric, folded neatly and tucked into a pocket? 

Menswear has given us countless wardrobe innovations. Shirts. Slacks. Hats. Suits. Sportswear. Brogues. Parkas. Vests. It's hard to contemplate the modern woman's wardrobe without it - mine included. But something I'm going to be doing more of is dissecting the menswear looks on the Sartorialist, rather than merely paying attention to the attractive of the men featured (woops, my bad). Likewise to Mr Porter. There's something very inspirational, yet under the radar that's going on at both of these sites. I'm still not quire sure what it is. I don't think I'm going to start shopping only in the menswear departments (unless it means only shopping at acne for the rest of my life, because the acne mens department is better than the womens hands down any day). But little things like showing a sliver of shirt underneath a cardigan, or cuffing my pants too high? They just might be my point of difference.

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bring the heat

You may remember that about 5 months ago now I did a series of sets using only clothes and accessories from the Australian online store My Chameleon. It's one of my favourite online stores for the high level of service, the intelligent selection of brands and the way each item seems to complement the others. It's a real treat to shop somewhere where there is a clear sense of style and focus. My Chameleon is one of those places. The lovely ladies over at My Chameleon have asked me to do another series of sets, this time featuring all their new season stock. It wasn't easy - I limited myself to 7 sets (one for each day, natch), and had to leave a few of my favourite items on the website at the moment off - Rachel Comey Matchsticks shirt, Gary Bigeni Dewi dress and Bodkin Alpha dress, I'm sorry, I still love you - but I hope you like what I came up with! Some dressed up, but mostly casual, this is Capture the Castle x My Chameleon's take on Summer. Just add heat.

Monday 
 



Tuesday


Wednesday



Thursday


Friday



Saturday


Sunday


ps. don't forget to enter my Maille giveaway!
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Shopbop Giveaway



One of my most treasured items in my wardrobe is my Opening Ceremony swingcoat. It was a steal from one of the infamous lands end sales, and has served me so well throughout a couple of winters and more. I've worn it belted and loose, with a parka underneath and a scarf wrapped around, with boots and ballet flats, with long jersey skirts and cropped pants. It's the most blissful melange of colours that run the gamut from burgundy red to french navy via burnt orange and chocolate brown. It's like Autumn but distilled into coat form, which is, in a word, awesome. And it makes me so happy to wear it. Despite the fact it's not typically "minimal" or "classic" and it most certainly wouldn't fit into that kind of so frenchy so chic wardrobe that I want to have, I think that doesn't matter. Something I've realised recently is that I have to just stop worrying about what I'm supposed to wear or what I think I should wear and just wear the things that I love and make me happy.

So, in the spirit of making you happy, I am excited to say that the people at Shopbop have given me a $100 gift voucher to pass along to a reader of Capture the Castle. You could snag some Opening Ceremony goodness for yourself - like something from their various collaborations, think leopard print coolness from Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, or California Skater-Chic from Rodarte for Opening Ceremony. Don't forget the shoes either! Opening Ceremony Shoes are the coolest things on the block, all those lace up boots and platform heels are the perfect accesory to a downtown outfit. They remind me of wandering New York in the winter, having breakfast at the Breslin in the Ace Hotel and seeing all these impossibly hip girls walking in and out of the Opening Ceremony store there. There's something about a girl in a lace up boot.

Alright, enough of that. All you have to do is leave a comment here with a link to your favourite item on shopbop (so I can stalk your future purchases) and your email address (so I can contact you if you win!). For additional entries you can retweet or tweet about the giveaway - just be sure to @reply me (@hannahroserose) so I know you've done it, or follow me on bloglovin' (just comment so I know!). That's it. Have as many entries as you want and I'll randomise the lot in a week to get a winner. Off you go!

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EDIT: CLOSED. DRAWING WINNER SHORTLY!
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swagger



I woke up this morning and knew exactly what I wanted to wear. No hesitations, no fussing, no deliberations in front of my closet, frantically pulling things out and surveying them in the light (as if that would make any kind of difference). No. This morning I had my exact "first day of the new semester at uni" outfit in mind. Except that I didn't own any of it. Actually, that's not true, I owned most of it. I had the oatmeal sweater and sand-coloured tee shirt for baggy neutral layers up top, the clingy black jersey midi-skirt, the suede ankle boot with a low heel fantastic for walking all over campus. Just not that glorious Isabel Marant burgundy wool coat. I actually went to my wardrobe ready to pick it out in the hopes that it had just materialised. I'm desperate to wear it. I have a million hundred outfits planned and they all revolve around it. I don't think I've ever fallen this hard, this fast for an item of clothing before. Even Minty Wang wasn't quite love at first sight - it was more like love at first Stevie. I think it might have something to do with the way that La Garconne styles their lookbooks. That comfortable, worn in slouch is the kind of look I aim for everyday. It made me so happy this morning when a great friend that I hadn't seen in ages commented that my brothers and me had a bit of "swagger". Not "swagger" in the Ke$ha kind of "kick 'em to the curb" way, but "swagger" in the hands thrusted in the pockets, boots kicked in, baggy coat kind of swagger. It's normally a bad sign for me when I start dreaming up outfits to go with a prospective purchase. I mean, that happened for the Carly Hunter Shearling Vest and look where that got me.

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this is madness

my pick of the sales!


I always find it really hard to enjoy my job in retail during sale time. Just that one little word - clearance - makes me want to burn all my black clothing and hide in a corner, rocking back and forth. It's the hardest, most trying thing ever working the first day of clearance. The floor is in a mess, there are customers everywhere and they all need your help and everyone is stressed out. You want to clean, you want to serve, you want to sell, you want to do everything, but you can't. It's such a relief to swipe out at the end of the day and go home and think about anything - anything - other than sales. On the other hand, it's quite lovely to shop in sales. Maybe not on the first day of clearance and stocktake, but every day after that it's quite fun. I love finding bargains. Give Mychameleon's sale a go if you have a spare internet second. They've got labels like Arnsdorf, Benah, Bodkin, Therese Rawsthorne, Mont St Michel and more reduced by 40% and more, as well as some goodies from past seasons still left over. Let me, who is on a shopping ban because it is 11 days (11 days!!) from my trip and I have nary a penny in my account, know about any purchases so I can vicariously living through you. Cheerio!

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c-c-c-chameleon

Today on twitter I was surprised to know that Lucinda had not heard of My Chameleon before. But how? It's so fantastic! One of the best online stores out there, My Chameleon gathers everything that is good about fashion under the one roof/site, and their buyers have impeccable taste. Think - Gary Bigeni drapey dresses, Arnsdorf sheer shirts and of course, my favourite Benah bags - as well as a smattering of well-chosen international labels (Bodkin, Sophomore, Opening Ceremony yes please!). It reminds me somewhat of bloodorange, my favourite boutique, in terms of aesthetic. The girl is effortlessly cool, and though she may know about fashion she isn't a slave to it. I always feel like the My Chameleon girl is interested in more things than just fashion, and she's not afraid to say it loud with that perfectly simple Therese Rawsthorne Ensemble cotton shirt. 

So, in the interest of online window shopping, procrastination and all things internet-fun, here's five days worth of looks with clothes, shoes, bags and accessories taken entirely from the My Chameleon website. I've used some pieces twice, in the spirit of capsule wardrobes and all that. I wouldn't be too upset if I owned all those things, but for now I think I might settle for that gorgeous Arnsdorf wrap coat, on sale on their website. It is stunning, and such a beautiful camel colour. Love!

Monday - work

Arnsdorf crystal canvas coat dress, T.R Ensemble blueberry pocket shirt, Gary Bigeni danko sweater, Camilla Skovgaard Astrakan bootie, Benah kodi belt, Gary Bigeni stam skirt, Van Rycke Onde Positive cord wrap bracelet, Van Rycke silver bead cord bracelet, Arnsdorf suede envelope clutch

Tuesday - Play
 Therese Rawsthorne Shearling Zip Jacket, Therese Rawsthorne Oatmeal Gathered Sweater, Costalots Diego sunglasses, Arnsdorf light wash slim jeans, Lauren Manoogian Hombre hand-knitted sweater, Camila Skovgaard Astrakan bootie, Van Rycke Onde Positive wrap cord bracelet, Van Rycke Silver bead cord bracelet, Benah mini Kodi bag in olive leather

Wednesday - night out
 Arnsdorf crystal canvas coat dress, Gary Bigeni Boy dress, Costalots Translucent rose sunglasses, Van Rycke Gold disc necklace, Benah kodi cuff in tan, Dieppo Restrepo penny loafers, Benah mini Kodi bag in red suede 

Thursday - brunch
 Bodkin perennial military jacket, Arnsdorf neoprene edged tank, Van Rycke gold disc necklace, Le Mont Saint Michel boxy marl sweater, Arnsdorf Quartz canvas skirt, Benah kodi belt, Benah cashmere basket weave snood, Opening Ceremony Astrakan pump, Costalots translucenet rose sunglasses, Arnsdorf suede envelope clutch

Friday - casual
 Therese Rawsthorne shearling zip jacket, Le Mont Saint Michel boxy marl sweater, Costalots diego sunglasses, Lauren Manoogian hombre hand loomed sweater, Tigerlily chameleon leather shorts, Opening Ceremony Astrakan pumps, Van Rycke onde positive wrap cord bracelet, Van Rycke silver bead cord bracelet, Benah cashmere basket weave snood, Benah mini kodi bag in olive


I would wear every single one of these outfits, except maybe the leather shorts in the last one. Not quite a shorts gal, unfortunately. But boxy midi skirts and wrap coats? Sign me up, please.

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window shopping

 
 

a snapshot of part of my most recent window shopping extravaganza - a $7961 (ouch!) bad boy with that most perilous of retailers, lagarconne


One of my favourite things - of all time, ever - to do is to trawl through my favourite online stores, put everything i want into the shopping basket, glance at the total, and then exit. Oh you know, I just "spent" $4000. No big. I was talking about this the other day with Talisa. Is it weird that I do this? Am I alone? She comforted me and told me that she likes to do it too. What's up with that? Is this the new window shopping? In the days where a lot of women - especially those living in countries where there is a big mark up on luxury goods - buy their clothes online, is the thrill of 'shopping' now to be found in perusing a site, adding to the shopping bag, and then casually exiting the browser before 'payment'? I mean you can't do that in a real store. Well, you can, but you'd get a few looks. If I went into Lands End and just casually picked up $4000 worth of merchandise, strolled around the store, then put it back and left I would look like a bit of a knob. But because of the anonymity of online you can do that - and more - with online retailers. I've once gone so far as the "put your credit card details here" part. I was never going to purchase all $2500 of clothes and accessories in my shopping bag, I didn't have anywhere even remotely near that amount of money in my bank account. So why did I do it?

Part of it is, of course, that imaginative factor. It's fun to picture your new and improved wardrobe filled with fantastic finds - like the Acne silk parka or the Rag and Bone kirby crew knit. It serves the same purpose in the same way that Polyvore does. Maybe I won't ever have these nice things, but boy is it fun to hope. But even more than that, it's about how shopping has changed. I haven't been properly 'shopping' in ages. I just don' have the time anymore. Sure, I've popped into The Corner Shop or Belinda on my way home from work the other day, and I dashed into Incu to grab my Alexander Wang knit. But last year, hell, even last month, I used to trawl through department stores and the big chains like Country Road and Witchery like it was a spectator sport. The reason I haven't been 'shopping' - window shopping, just to see what's around - recently is partly because of my new work and uni timetable I just don't have any spare time anymore, and if I do it's taken up with seeing friends who I shamefully neglect or doing uni work. It's simpler and easier, and well, a little bit more fun to just lie in my pyjamas on my bed with a bagel and a cup of tea and scroll through beautiful websites instead. It's less painful on my feet, and with the advent of zoom technology and 360 degree views, it's just as much, if not more fun than 'real shopping'. But I think the material point here is that 'real shopping' has changed. It's no longer about spending hours in stores, seeing what's new and what's just arrived. It can't be - not when stores have their own blogs, websites, twitters and facebooks.

So what is modern shopping? I'm not sure yet. I still love little boutiques and well-edited department stores too much to proclaim their death in favour of the online, where you can't try stuff on. But I think that the new window shopping is here to stay.. Tonight I might give net a porter a go...

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