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

The September Issue: Autumn/Winter 2011 on the highstreet...

Hooray for September! Unlike most, I don't bemoan the end of summer, because the Autumn/Winter season is always my favourite time of year for fashion. I can barely contain my excitement when the shops start getting in their winter stock, when knitwear abounds, lush fabrics and deep hues as far as the eye can see. I'm talking squealing in Topshop and emitting an extended series of oohhs and aaahhs in River Island... so dignified!

River Island has really won me around in the last couple of years. It used to be a shop I rarely visited, but now it's practically my first stop. This autumn/winter they definitely have the 'disco-glam' corner of the market covered, which I suspect will be many peoples first port of call for Christmas and New Years party looks. Firstly I have to mention their AW11 ad campaign - I've spotted this in a number of magazines and it's just beautiful. Love, love, love that sleazy Helmut Newton style 70s glamour shot - it's so full of attitude. Makes me think of Jerry Hall, Roxy Music cover girls, vintage YSL - all the things that make my heart beat a little bit faster!

River Island AW11 Campaign

Their 'Hustle' (think Studio 54, Anjelica Huston, Halston) and 'Farrah' collections (Farrah Fawcett, Fleetwood Mac, American boho) are all about that 70s style, for night and daytime respectively.

Top Picks: Dark Red Slinky Maxi Dress Was £50, Now £20

Top Picks: Blue Print Culottes £32

New Look has a nice range of fun, youthful, budget-conscious daywear. They have plenty of flirty, thigh-skimming tea dresses, cute satchels and some very lovely grungy oversized knitwear to snuggle up in as it gets colder out! Their 'English Heritage' collection is probably my favourite. Girlish yet very wearable, including retro knits, quilted jackets, and quirky dresses (like their ditsy dog print pleated dress) it's sure to be a popular one.

Top Picks: Vintage Pleated Dress £29.99

Top Picks: Twisted Yarn Jumper £24.99

Ending on a high, Topshop's Lookbook for this autumn/winter is shaping up to be pretty wonderful, with their 'Prim & Polished', 'Bavaria' and 'Glam Underground' collections being particular highlights for me...

'Prim & Polished' lies somewhere between thrift-store twee and ladylike vintage. Novelty motif knits and ladylike skirts meet tassled leather loafers and felt berets. Think lots of bows, peter-pan collars... a kooky brand of British nostalgia caught somewhere between Miss Marple and a 1960s schoolgirl (not quite as bizarre as it might sound!)

Top picks: Swing Velvet Bow Coat £98

Top Picks: Leather Classic Lady Bag £80

'Bavaria' is "opulent but homespun" (thanks, Topshop.com!), which sounds just so appealing. Again,  a thrift-store feel, but an altogether more grown-up and sumptuous affair. With a heavy dose of eccentricity. Lots of paisley, faux-fur collars, floppy hats and oversized earrings - all rather Anita Pallenberg-esque.
The cream embroidered smock dress is my favourite piece -  dreamy, and with a very romantic, vintage look. Slightly pricier (but definitely a head-turner), is the black flower embellished dress, with its pleated skirt and abundance of beading detail, it's certainly worth it for a special occasion.

Top Picks: Cream Embroidered Smock Dress £50

Top Picks: Black Flower Embellished Dress £75

'Glam Underground', with its "all out glamour and rockstar appeal" is a great transitional collection amalgamating the 70s glam, androgyny and luxe-punk trends in swathes of black and gold to create a great early-autumn statement look before we have to bundle up under our heavy coats and rain boots.
I've already treated myself to the amazing 'Aim' shoe-boots. In black suede and textured leather they're pretty fabulous, if slightly impractical for trekking around town... 
I'm also very tempted by the 'battered sequin' sleeve t-shirt, which would look just great with an old pair of jeans, or maybe tucked into a midi-skirt.

Top Picks: 'Aim' Leather & Suede Shoe Boots £80

Top Picks: Battered Sequin Sleeve Tee £30

So whether you're after sequins and glamour or nostalgic bohemia this autumn, there's plenty out there on the high street, and no doubt more treats to come throughout this most exciting of seasons!

hx