'Tis The Season

After a not-at-all festive and rather draining couple of months of job applications and interviews taking up most of my time, I've decided I'm long overdue a return with a holly-jolly-Christmas edition of Smarten Up before the year is out. With an eye still firmly fixed on matters of style, I'm thinking about those festive dressing traditions and that warm glow of nostalgia that make this my favourite time of year, and of knitted treats, staying warm, and possibly even retaining a shred of style...

It's that time of the year again....!

Living in England, snow is never a certainty and you're probably more likely to have a blustery, washed out Christmas day, but on the few seasons when we've had a white Christmas, it's always been a pretty magical thing for me. One of my fondest memories is of being out in the snow watching friends merrily sledging away with my first love (my then-boyfriend) sharing a scarf (ahh... knitwear, enabling romance since time-immemorial). So my first piece of advice is to get yourself an extra-long scarf and wrap it around the neck of your beloved for some instant winter warmth. Worth a shot.... and if all else fails at least you'll look good.

ASOS Long Basic Scarf: £12
(In red, the ultimate Christmas colour too...)

More on the theme of knitwear (a subject I could wax lyrical about frankly), I'd say a winter jumper is an essential. Novelty motifs only if you must, but I'd prefer and Aran or Fairisle knit, or possibly a nordic ski-style for their classic appeal.

The Classic Aran Knit, a wardrobe staple

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Fairisle Sweater - one to pinch from the nearest stylish chap

So now we've got the knits covered, what are we going to do to keep those toes toasty in the snow?
As one of those people with an outrageous lack of physical co-ordination, snow and ice are pretty much the enemy of my dignity. I learned the hard way the year before last that a) I'm incapable of staying vertical on ice and b) I owned NO sensible footwear. It is highly possible that b) was the primary influencing factor on a)...  So I invested in some wellies. Something I am not proud of and that pains me somewhat. It had to be Hunters. I'm an investment shopper and hey, if it's good enough for HRH, then it's good enough for me.

Hunter Tall Wellingtons: £75
image source: bootpick.wordpress.com

Plain black always for me, or - if you fancy - farmer-esque khaki green for classic country sloane chic. But NEVER any novelty colours/glitter finishes if you're over the age of 8. Unless you want to look like Coleen Rooney or someone from TOWIE of course...

Another thing that always evokes wintery style for me is plaid (or tartan if you prefer), which - fear not - needn't be in the form of a kilt. A plaid shirt is great with jeans and an oversized cardigan, or for just a nod to the style a tartan scarf is perfect. My favourite varities for the season are the classic royal Stewart, dress Stewart or dress Gordon families.

Royal Stewart Tartan Scarf

Dress Stewart Tartan Scarf

Dress Gordon Tartan Scarf

Accessorising can be pretty and practical at this time of year. Mittens are my favourite for keeping your hands warm and also adding a pop of colour or texture to a winter's day outfit...

Topshop Tobacco Faux Fur Trim Mittens: £16 now £10

90s Christmas style icon Macauly Culkin as Kevin McAllister shows us how it's done with his traditional festive accessories... Red Scarf, adorable Reindeer-knit bobble hat, plaid-hooded coat... it's everything you want at this time of year. What's not to like?

And what do we wear on the big day itself? In my experience it usually starts with your favourite festive dress (maybe a bit of velvet or something sequinned) and then goes slowly downhill with the addition of your new Christmas slippers, a paper crown courtesy of your dinner table crackers and all sorts of novelty bits and bobs you collect along the way. It really doesn't matter so long as you're not dressed like these fine folks...

So may your days be merry and bright... with a touch of festive style.

Happy Holidays!
Until next time...

h x

Polyvore Moodboard: Baroque & Roll

Baroque & Roll by smarten-up

Embracing the velvet-love a little bit more with a glam-grunge inspired moodboard...
oh Winter fashion, how I love thee!

hx

Velvet Crush

One of the best things about Autumn/Winter is the range of fabrics and textures that seem to recur every year, almost in the same way as our festive traditions. When fairy lights and garlands are adorning our streets and homes, sequins, faux furs and (my personal favourite) velvet all make an appearance once the nights draw in. Rich colours and luxurious fabrics are rife at this time of the year, helping to brighten the cold, gloomy days.

Velvet is just so enchanting - it is inherently dramatic and catches the light in such interesting ways, and comes in many different finishes. It does, however, too often get a bad rap - possibly due to the shiny, Lycra-infused varieties aligned with stuffy, unflattering evening dresses for the over 50s, or sometimes for its crushed incarnation, as the year-round outfit of the more romantic brand of Goths.

Queen Elizabeth II - Typically regal robes of velvet and ermine

Velvet is in fact a classic fabric with a long history, dating back to around the medieval period. Due to the expensive production process (pre-Industrial era), it was a highly expensive and exclusive fabric. It came to represent nobility and luxury, so much so that in 1399, Richard II's will requested that he should be buried clothed in velvet. What a demand!

But let's not be morbid - you don't have to wait until you're six feet under to swathe yourself in this most fabulous of fabrics! Topshop is pretty much THE place for on-trend velvet pieces right now, and thus makes up much of my shopping list for this blog.
Without further ado, here are some of my favourite ways to wear velvet...



All In The Details…
If you're not keen on the idea of a full-on velvet ensemble, it also works well as an accessory or embellishment, adding texture and a touch of tradition to simple styles.

*A small black velvet ribbon tied at the neck of a collared shirt. Perfect for the boy-girl trend too.

Take a tip from the ever-stylish Ms Chung and add a touch of drama to a simple shirt

*Velvet trims on a winter coat – for instant, vintage ‘princess’ styling...

Topshop Premium Velvet Bow Coat: £98

Topshop Mustard Velvet Tie Coat: £75

One Key Piece…
For a a girlish 60s look, a glam-rock 70s look or even a 90s grunge revival, a velvet statement piece can tick all the boxes...


*A girlish dress – a-line, smock or skater-style all work perfectly in velvet.

60s Girlish: Boutique by Jaeger @ ASOS: £138

70s Glam: Topshop Midnight Blue Velvet Playsuit: £55

90s Grunge: Topshop Burgundy Skater Dress: £30

*Tops, Tunics, Smocks, etc... An ideal way to integrate one item into your outfit. Works well with dark denim, leather and plenty more staples. I love the creepy, Wednesday Addams-vibes of this Topshop tunic top. Embellished with tiny crucifixes and a schoolgirlish lace collar, it's bizarre but beautiful.

Topshop Cross Velvet Tunic: £68

On Your Feet…
Velvet shoes are everywhere right now, and there’s a plethora of styles to choose from. Ok, so maybe they’re not the most practical of footwear fabrics for splashing about in puddles, but they do add a certain touch of luxe drama to an outfit with ease! From neat, slipper-style pumps to statement creepers. Topshop’s lace-up velvet ankle boots and brogues are a great way to integrate this fabric into your wardrobe, and are perfect for casual or evening styles.

Topshop Valeria Velvet Ballet Pumps: £18

Topshop Artwork Green Velvet Ankle Boots: £75

Topshop Karma Eva Burgundy Velvet Brothel Creepers: £55

And if all those treats haven't got you in the mood for some sumptuous seasonal dressing up, I don't know what will!

hx

Tumbl Beginnings...

Any Tumblr-types out there, do feel free to pop on over and visit Smarten Up's supplementary sister site:

http://smarten-up.tumblr.com

A less verbose, more visual little sister to this very blog... The Maggie to my Lisa Simpson if you will.

Fret not though, I'm not giving up on the written word just yet. Just expect a more ad-hoc jumble of miscellanea to entertain your eyes.

"A place for everything, and everything in it's place", as they say...

h x

Style Scrapbook: Fabulous Forties - Miu Miu, The Aviator and the new 40s silhouette

Forties fashion has too often been associated with a somewhat fancy-dress style wartime nostalgia look. From the overly twee 'cupcakes and tea dresses' revival, to the dour and dowdy 'rationing-book-chic' tailoring in heavy tweedy fabrics cut close and built to last in order to save pennies.

The latest 40s inspired trend however, led by the fabulous Miu Miu, is something altogether more luxurious. More Hollywood siren than austere British land-girls.
You might be able to tell from previous posts that I am quite smitten with AW11 Miu Miu. For the collection in a nutshell, think statuesque boxy shoulders, sleek pencil skirts, peplums, intricate applique adornments and quite possibly the most breathtaking array of star-spangled footwear ever to grace the catwalk. With a colour palette ranging from lush crimson, dreamy mustard and camel, to dramatic navy - all accented with glitter-coated chunky heels - it is wearable art of the most captivating, fantastical sort.

Just take a look at Bruce Weber's dreamy, hazy, romantic shots of Hailee Steinfeld. Her selection as poster girl for this campaign is a masterstroke, juxtaposing a classically beautiful young actress with a delicate, youthful air against what would typically be seen as a mature, sophisticated style.

Hailee Steinfeld in Shoe Heaven!

The 40s look - which would seem traditionally high-maintenance and perhaps a little formal - seems to work well right now, fitting in beautifully alongside the more glamorous evening-wear side of the 70s trend. Studio 54-era Jerry Hall's platinum blonde waves were pure old-Hollywood glamour, and Bianca Jagger's dramatic androgynous suits were more than a little Katherine Hepburn.

Jerry Hall

t

Bianca Jagger

Speaking of Ms Hepburn, for a wearable take on 40s style, the outfits designed for Cate Blanchett's portrayal of this legendary icon in Scorsese's epic The Aviator seem like a perfect lookbook for this season, in on-trend mustard, burgundy and rust colours.

Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator

Evening Wear 40s Style

Thoroughly Modern Vintage Style: Brogues, Palazzos, Blouse

The high street already has a good few statement pieces on offer, from the Warehouse burgundy swallow-print dress mentioned in an earlier post to this ah-mazing Topshop Lily of the Valley print dress, which I am very impatiently waiting for to pop up instore!

Topshop Lily Of The Valley Dress: HURRY UP! I NEED YOU IN MY LIFE!

Autumn/Winter is the perfect time to inject a little glamour to your wardrobe and brighten up the dull days. Just don't forget that classic red lipstick for the ultimate 40s finishing touch!

hx

Snakeskin, python-print, and all things reptilian...

The snakeskin trend in fashion and accessories - I must admit - has taken me a little by surprise. There always seems to be a bit of snakeskin/reptilian and mock-crock material present in terms of accessories (classic shoes and handbags territory here), but in the last month or so an abundance of python-print goods have hit the shops in every department. In terms of animalistic fashion, it's hard to imagine there could ever really been a serious contender to the reign of leopard skin. But snakeskin and reptilian prints seem to have slithered their way from the catwalk and onto the highstreet, and really appear to be taking off.

Perhaps this growing popularity is down to the versatile colour pallette they offer. The more natural prints opt for neutral tones of cream, beige, mustard and tan. Whereas the more spacey, glam rock adaptations come in a spectrum of colours and finishes from metallic to glossy. More likely though, its the fact that they bridge perfectly between a range of this season's popular looks, from the prim, eccentric 60s lady look (clutch/handbags and courts), to the 70s glamour (kneeboots, handbags) and luxe-punk (ankle boots) styles. In terms of cost-per-wear, a snakeskin piece is a safe bet!

So with this in mind, I'm now on the hunt for the perfect pair of snakeskin ankle boots... Thusfar to no avail. Maybe I'm being too picky... I blame Dries Van Noten, whose beautiful beautiful AW11 ankle boots are just perfect in every way (except for perhaps the price tag).

Dries Van Noten AW11 Snakeskin Ankle Boots. The boots that dreams are made of...

I'm dreaming about teaming them up with opaque tights and a 60s style shift dress for easy autumnal chic.
So far, Zara's DVN lookalikes have come close, but they seem to sit more like a mid-calf boot than a 60s-esque ankle boot (the littlest details make all the difference!), so for now the hunt continues... although the more I look at them the more tempted I am!

Zara Snake Ankle Boots - £89.99 (photo credit: http://heycrazy.wordpress.com/)

The Zara boots are great lookalikes, and come in two lovely shades. An golden/amber hue (as above), but I think I prefer the pale, silvery/taupe colourway, simply in terms of wearability. I think they'd go with a lot more of my clothes and they have a slightly more 60s feel in my opinion...

Zara Snakeskin Ankle Boots £89.99 (photo credit: www.locksandtrinkets.com)

So the hunt will go on for the perfect snakeskin ankle boots (any suggestions greatly welcomed!), although I wonder if maybe I've already found them...

hx

Boy Meets Girl - The Masculine Footwear Trend Rolls On...

I'm not particularly a fan of androgynous fashion or sharp, masculine tailoring but there is something decidedly wonderful about pinching a few select items from the guys to lend an outfit a boyish edge. ...And after knitwear, shoes have to be my number one steal.
Brogues, loafers, smoking/lounge slippers and chelsea boots have been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, but this year there is a real dominance of boyish footwear on the catwalks and the highstreet. These are just a few of the fine examples I've spotted so far, and a nod to a few of the icons who've sported these styles...

Brogues

The quintessential mens footwear type, a pair of tan leather brogues has become a wardrobe essential in recent years. I love pairing mine with ankle-grazer jeans and a breton top, or perhaps with a simple a-line dress and 3/4 length classic mac. My 2-3 year old Topshop mannish brogues are still serving me well and I'm onto my second pair of their more girly jazz-shoe influenced 'Kisco'. Once you get a pair of brogues, you can't help but be converted.
This season Moda In Pelle have a perfect pair called 'Elyza' - a classic brogue shape in a lovely warm tan. Pair with a ditsy floral tea dress and cable knit cardigan for 1940s charm.

Moda In Pelle Elyza Brogue: £49.95

For a more striking and unusual option, Ravel's 'Hugh' brogues in brown and cream leather have a fabulous Jay Gatsby/Brideshead Revisited vibe, and hark back to the style and sophistication of the Jazz Age.

Ravel Hugh Brogue: £50 (www.Viva La Diva.com)

Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby: A romantic take on menswear, with a pristine pair of brogues

Taking brogues to extremes are Schuh's 'Zola' brogues - part brogue, part creeper, part DM, they make a serious style statement! With their exaggerated, cartoonish style, they could be taking tips from those 70s style icons the Mr.Men...

Schuh Zola Brogue: £78

Mr Men - Iconic 1970s Brogue Wearers
(shoes: model's own)

Smoking Slippers

Slippers/smoking pumps are the new kids on the footwear block - they are very similar to a loafer in their simple, smart style, but they tend to have a softer, sleeker shape, more pointed toe and a lower vamp. Topshop has a wide selection this season, from the chic and sophisticated to the bright and fun: 

Topshop Slippers (L-R): Klover £52, Kosy Tan Suede £50, Kosy Green Suede £50, Klass £52

MJ: Slipper-Wearing Pop Royalty (socks optional)

Schuh's Kaori Snaffle Pumps are really rather beautiful, and come in black suede or this delectable leopard print. Very Alexa Chung.

Schuh Kaori Snaffle Pump: £50

Loafers

Loafers and deck shoes have had a real resurgence in the last year or two. An 80s sloane/preppy staple, exemplified by Gucci in various shades of leather and suede, usually with a snaffle detail (snaffle: possibly the greatest pice of sartorial terminology ever?)...

Vintage Gucci Loafers: City Boy Chic, 80s Style.

Loafers have now moved into the mainstream, and have transcended the style tribes. No longer just the reserve of the prim and proper, there are some seriously edgy loafers out there. Perhaps none more so than this amazing pair of studded Louboutin 'Rollerball' loafers, as sported by everyone's favourite dapper hip-hop chap - the Louis Vuitton Don himself - Kanye West.

Kanye West's Louboutin loafers: I have serious shoe envy.

Chelsea Boots

Originating as a Victorian riding boot, this style was revived by Mod boys in the 1960s as a nod to truly British heritage style. The Chelsea boot is this season's ankle boot of choice for girls.

60s Footwear of Choice: The Chelsea Boot and it's edgier twin, the Winklepicker

In tan or black, leather or suede, with or without a heel, this classic style adds a touch of tradition to any ensemble. Again, it seems to be Topshop who have the monopoly on this style, with a huge range of Chelsea-boot inspired styles.
My favourite is the Aldgate Tan Leather Chelsea Boot, with its chunky heel and equestrian-inspired strap and buckle detail, it's an instant classic.

Topshop Aldgate Chelsea Boot: £75

h x