French Class

I wrote this piece for Nerve Magazine while I was Fashion Editor there during my second year of university. It was inspired by the observations and experiences of my friends and I during a trip to Paris this Summer.

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Paris: the fashion capital of the world. I do confess I was planning outfits months before departing for the stylish city with my group of friends in July this summer. But can you blame me when it’s this fashion forward city that founded Haute Culture? The dream was to blend in and become a temporary Parisian, just for a few days. But alas, this was never to be.

After arriving on the Sunday evening we marched down to the Metro. This was the first time we were spotted. My friend had a peep of midriff on show, between jeans and a purple and black striped cropped t-shirt. She was approached by a small elderly woman as we grasped on to the handrail who poked my friend in the stomach before claiming she was "showing too much - French men like the belly too much!" I had bought my friend the top for her birthday with the view of her wearing it on our trip, but failed to realise it would hinder our camouflage.

The next evening, after a day of exploring the capital in a July heat that required us to wear very little, we arrived at our accommodation when a young French man called out to us: "welcome to my country, I am a nice boy." We had been spotted again - four very BRITISH girls. It was these two incidents plus a number of other looks and stares during the day that made us realise we needed and wanted to change our ideas about how to dress in this city

The trouble is we Brit girls dress for the weather. As soon as the sun comes out so do our pale pins, hoping to turn them a little bit golden. We wouldn’t think twice about strutting our bare legs in the streets of London or adorning a cropped number on a night out. It’s hard to believe that just over the Channel, clothing ideologies are so different that we felt this out of place. Some may see this way of thinking as backwards, but to be honest I found it refreshing.

Instead the French let the clothes do the flirting for them in feminine longer dresses or tight denims mixed with sharp tailoring – topped off with loose locks and the manner of understated sexy. Fashion is no longer a one-dimensional thing. With so many eclectic styles over the world it's hard to believe that the sight of women in shorts was so rare. But after revealing everything possible near to being naked, perhaps it’s time we thought about covering up.

On our Paris trip we decided to respect and adapt, folding our skimpy shorts back into suitcases and bringing out other more demure options. We roasted in jeans and trousers for the rest of the trip. To a British eye, we looked ridiculously overdressed for the temperature, but we felt at ease. More to the point, we blended in. I was thrilled when I was asked to reach for something on a high shelf while shopping. I had been mistaken for a Parisian. Although, I exposed my identity when I gabbled an apology in English.

This idea fits well with the demure feel of the current fashion state. We have been lusting after longer hemlines for the past few seasons: the maxi, the midi and for the moment it is all about the feminine forties from which the pencil skirt is the pinnacle, (see Miu Miu, Jonathan Saunders and Marni) The silhouette sculpts alluring feminine curves, but hemlines lie conservatively on the knee. I know I am looking at trends intended for the Winter, but equally those pretty tea dresses by Marni would have been perfect for what eventually became my demure summer in Paris.

Au Revoir!

I hear those Sleigh Bells ringing

They may not be Christmas bells but I always have an exciting time when I listen to this band and their songs are always full of surprises.

The duo from Brooklyn released their debut album ‘Treats’ in May last year and have been gradually building their presence. Arguably their craziest song, 'Infinity Guitars', was used for the British trailer to the third series of 90210 which began in January 2011, perfectly accompanying the over exaggerated drama, scandals and tragedies of the Beverly Hills hotties!

This song has become the soundtrack my life at the moment, not that my life is, or will ever be as dramatic or glamorous as the 90210ion’s. I never wore a Gucci dress to high school nor will my hair ever possess the ability to curl perfectly like Naomi’s. I can dream. Yet, this song is so powerful and slick, it can make anyone feel cool.

The guitar and the strong drums are the backbone through the whole album; they are the two constants that hold our hands through this roller coaster of sound. But the sound is what make the Sleigh Bells so different and exciting. There are no more instruments, just a mixing bowl of sounds that shouldn’t work well together and are not musically correct. A screech, a saw and something that sounds like a game show buzzer. But somehow the duo put these sounds together to create enough melody for it to work.

The more lively tracks, 'Crown on the Ground' and 'Infinity Guitars', are bombarded with sounds that are deliberately distorted as if all the discordant sounds have strained and broken the speakers. This is something that some may hate about the music, but it is something that I have come to treasure about the Sleigh Bells when I stomp around my room to the irregular, untimely beats

Other less straining songs, like 'Rachel' contains only the slow electronic rhythms under AlexisKrauss's layered and choir-like voice add some breathing space to the album around the other monster tracks.

As I blog I am listening to the album on Spotify, and by doing this I have found a song that is not on the album but on the EP 'Tell Em.' Very exciting. The speakers where dutifully turned up for 'Holly' which rules on distortion, warping of Krauss's voice and guitar and had me checking that the logitechs had not liquefied.

Oh Sun, hurry hurry

In an attempt to get more use out of my wardrobe and actually wear the items that are hidden under my favorite, shorts, trousers and shirt, the night before last Tuesday morning I came across a last year spring buy.

In a stab to get the flirty feminine gingham that Christopher Kane had us gagging for in his S/S 10 collection I bought a black gingham casual bandeau dress from Primark last year. Not quite with the bra cups or the sexy cut outs and thigh splits of Kane's collection but I fell for the grown-up approach to gingham.


With all the spring collections wowing at me from my magazines, I felt I should follow and indulge in some flirty springy garb and bring out the gingham.

Above is what I wore. Clinging to the knits from winter, I wore my chunky from George, Asda over the dress so that the skirt popped out underneath, grey leggings and then my biker boots.

Alas, as the fashion gods wouldn't have it, my gingham re-release was swept away with one foot out of the door. Attacked by hundreds of rain as I trudged with my camera case off to a friend's halls to continue with the filming of our first TV package, I arrived with wet hair and slight mascara misplacement, a lot more grunge than soft and feminine.

I say roll on sun and spring. I am in serious danger of getting stifled by the winter knits and cardies. Although my room has had a dose of vibrant spring through the delivery of some lovely roses from my flatmate after I casually stated I needed some to put in a pretty Chenet bottle. Unfortunatly, I threw the bottle away before the delivery, so glass will do.

After the gingham mishap, a possible sign to move one, I look towards what I will be wearing when the sun does poke out from behind the clouds. The pleating 70's S/S trends have already started trickling down towards the more affordable and I have my eye on this top seen below in the March ASOS magazine. Love the way it peeps out of the cropped jumper with feminine folds. But it has to be right! I don't actually know what it looks like underneath as it is not available yet. Underneath the jumper I want it to be loose and flowing and perfect to be teamed with some short shorts and bug-eyed sunnies a la Jil Sander S/S.


And dance like this ...

Tights and Stripes

Having gotten frustrated with the lack of jest in my wardrobe and instead being usually engulfed in flat blacks, greys and blues, (boory bory boooor) last year I went out determined to bring back some pattens, if not just some colour to boost the view into the bland wardrobe.

This resulted in the purchase of some questionably cheap looking white loose trousers from Primark covered in small black misshaped spots which could be mistaken as leopard print. But believe me... it is NOT leopard print.

I also received some similar style trousers from my parents for Christmas from H&M which are deep purple with white Harlequin-esq marks.

Great... patten and colour are ticked off, but the hardest task seems to be able to find the confidence and items to accompany them.

I would love to admit that I am so confidence savvy that I am able to step out of my halls in Bournemouth in the head to toe patten trend that designer John Galliano for S/S11 says is OK...

...with a sheer draping waistcoat to mute the eclectic patterned blue and tangerine

Or in graphic prints plastered over Missoni's collection...

...but somehow I don't think Bournemouth is ready for quite such a collage of crazy acids and lines

My compromise is the combination of tights and stripes, the lovable Breton with monochrome patterned tights that have become so popular. Cute little hearts spread over legs or spots, or bows contrasting against the unified lines.

Below is a proportionate collage of what I wore...

...A loose Breton top from TopShop, underneath, peeping out, a long vest top from New Look, TopShop honeycomb patterned shorts to add to the whole theme, zigzag tights from Accessorise (compromising holes a plenty), and tough biker boots.

A dose of drama taken to class.

New Year, New Stuff!

OK, so is has been a criminal amount of time since I have written for my Blog and seeing as I am an aspiring fashion journalist, this just isn't on! Turning 20 last weekend has made me seriously get real about my future and where I am going. Not writing about fashion is not going to get me where I want to be.

So my excuses?

I have spend the last few months figuring out my Bourne identity. I am now half way through my first year at Bournemouth University studying Multimedia Journalism, conducting a variety of interviews, including talking to Elle magazines features director, struggled to find an original news story, reviewed Tinie Tempah, got to unit 25 of Teeline shorthand for journalists and completed a number of uncreative law and theory assignments.

During the Christmas holidays I became very frustrated with my work, writing instead about Naomi Campbell's drug addiction intrusion rather than the clothes draped around her. I had such a craving to write fashion, that I am now trying to balance writing what I want to write about with my assignments. Although, sometimes the two converge easily. Today I compiled a historical timeline and key moments of the high heel during an online journalism seminar.

So being my birthday not so long ago, a lot of new items have entered my life.


My lovely friend brought me these two exciting magazines, Lula and Oh Comely, which I am sure I will devour quickly. It will be a good change from my Vogue stubbornness. Although, another problem with my university life is that it caps the time spent on not only writing, but unfortunately reading aswell. Over my first term at Bournemouth, my Vogue pile grew to an embarrassing height, October, November, December and January waited. I have now got it down to only January, but with February's presence close. I will make sure I allow time to read these two beauties though. I promise!

This gorgeous book was a present from my parents. A book by fashion designer, Luella Bartley, on what encapsulates our original English style, the clothes, the icons and the ideology behind the English girl. It might be enough to get satisfaction from just looking at it, but it has already been flicked through thoroughly, primed for complete exposure.

I have always admired the quirky jewellery inspired by the Scrabble game, from full name necklaces to simple letters for rings. Always wanting a name necklace after lusting after Carrie's in Sex and the City, my simple but different white on black gift is perfect. (and doesn't give too much away about me)

After buying into a lot of Breton at late, it was refreshing to receive something stripy but different and more intense. The placement of line around the collar and buttons in contrast to the main body reminded me of an article in January Vogue about the way stripes can transform and shape the body. Championed especially by Prada, these manipulated stripes look fun on the dresses, tees and skirts, if not alluringly comical. Inspired by linear optic artworks I could readily walk out of my halls in such a miss mash of colour, direction and confusion...


Yet I could easily slip into this Jil Sander. Simple, classic and very versatile.

Lastly...
With the thought of turning 20 looming I decided with a little help from girlfriends and white wine, to do one last slightly crazy thing before the big day. So I went and got the top of my ear pierced! Being adamant that I would not get any more piercings than my two ears, this was a BIG THING! A rush of youth bundled into a tiny piece of metal, that I am reminded of with every accidental catch of a t-shirt or when I try to fall asleep on my left side.

Take a pinch of imagination and a dash of no-nonsense!

Elle magazine’s recently appointed Fashion Features Director tells of her ideal reporter and her admiration for fellow fashion writer, Robin Givhan.

Thirty-two-year-old Alice Wignall’s position at Elle is at the other end of the journalism spectrum to that of a reporter, yet she took little time to consider the necessary criteria for such a job.

Within her role at Elle, she appreciates the need to keep to deadlines, although she hasn't personally experienced the ‘news rush’ during her career.

‘Professionalism is very important,’ she says, ‘such as punctuality and responding to e-mails quickly.’

She also values the essential knowledge of the world combined with the initiative to express these opinions. Yet from a features perspective, she believes creativity can also make a good reporter.

‘They still need to be a good writer; stylish and funny.’ Perhaps a way in which all manner of journalists can unite in a need to please and entertain the reader.

Alice joined Elle’s team in June 2010 after freelance writing for the Guardian and working for a number of women’s magazines including Bliss and More.

Throughout her career, the Fashion Features Director has admired Robin Givhan, the 45-year-old fashion editor for The Washington Post. ‘She reports on fashion as a serious thing – not just pretty clothes,’ Alice explains. ‘She can relate it to culture and politics yet still keep it accessible.’

Yet, perhaps it is Givhan’s reputation for being radically blunt with her words that makes Alice think of her. Another element for a budding reporter to add carefully to their checklist – to be remembered.

Men, Einstein or Sweats?

Everyday we endeavour to get that effortless look, to appear to have just thrown something on but still look fabulous. But its hard, when we are bound to dress codes and clothing rules; sadly and ironically, it can take much time and struggle. There is the classic no red with pink and the double denim rule is tricky to perfect. Then there are those harem type items that have their own how to wear rule book. Its exhausting!

But the main problem is facing far too much choice. Being offered cheap and accessible mass produced clothing has resulted in our wardrobes becoming full and incomprehensible. Its no wonder we fall back on our favorite reliable pieces, wearing them again and again. But what about the rest? I have many beautiful clothes that deserve to be worn yet are overshadowed by ease. Can we ever take the effort out of effortless?

Taking lead from the men in our life could be the way in. Possibly not by substituting for a thoughtless jean and t-shirt/check shirt ensemble but instead adopting the psychology behind their clothing decisions. There will be no umming and arring, just a simple 'pick up the first thing you see' and put it on. However, I found it too hard to become so easily negligent after years of thought, and after all I find it hard to agree that this version of 'effortlessness' is a good thing when men only strive to step out in Hollister and Abercrombie.
Alternatively, after reading a piece in Vogue not all is lost with men. Could Einstein have the answer to not only modern physics but fashion as well? He wore the same thing everyday without thought and with ease. We should make it like cartoon characters and have one signature outfit. One dress or a pair of trousers that look so good you would never want to wear anything else but. If only it could be this simple in our celebrity filled world where clothes are disposable and it is deplorable to be seen in any item more than once. As a person I find this unnecessary, as a student, it is impossible. Ah! So now I know what to blame for my piled Primark filled wardrobe in an attempt to always look fresh. But hold on there, we could be on the right track. Quality seems surely better than quantity, so buy less clothes but spend more on them. They will look so much better than Primark mush and you end up with less clothing in the wardrobe to search through.

What if we do overcome this preliminary wardrobe quandary; still, how do we overcome the working look of effortless? Body cons may make my legs look great but when walking up a steep hill, fidgeting my hands towards the ground to pull the fabric down every few steps hardly screams graceful woman. But if we did give in to comfort and ease rather than perceived fashion, we would all be happily walking around in sweats and baggy jumpers. Although an unrealistic fantasy, it holds some truth as my confidence is often stemmed from the simple comfort of jeans and a jumper.

So lets take a look at the queen of effortless. The Moss knows how to dress well and always does it simply, never looks too forced. She uses denim well - we should all have the perfect pair of skinnies and hot pants for the easy, thrown on look. You don't always have to brush your hair to make it look good and her love of clashing looks is so desirable. Though designers love to dress her, she doesn't always look on trend - "clothes go in and out of fashion, but that's not style. Style has to be classic," says the Moss herself. I say choose clothes that you love and make you look great. From this point onwards, I will never think when looking in the mirror, is this now? Only does this look nice?

Kate Moss with opposing tough Christopher Kane leathers with a delicate floaty blouse

Yet it is hard to stay away from trend when it does look good. Perhaps the new season minimalist feel holds the answer to our clothing qualms in the morning. A reduced palette of colours with simple shapes - where can you go wrong? My first purchase into ladylike elegance is the highly coveted Topshop camel cape, my compensatory purchase as I grudgingly welcome the colder months. Yes it may be the last thing you think about putting on, in that so it doesn't solve the first layer problem but it will elegantly slip over my chunky winter knits and jumpers. So ample it will smooth over any lumps or bumps while the light timeless camel hue works with anything. So effortlessly chic, I can fling it over my shoulders, leaving the sleeves loose, running out the door without a last glance in the mirror to face the freeze.

Topshop camel cape

After all this is the epitome of effortless. Knowing that you look good without needing that check in the mirror, or that trip to powder your nose. Only a slight pinch of energy is needed to choose clothes that you know suit and fit you well. And of course have fun with your clothes, even if designers want us to grow up so fast!

Old is the new, new

Last Sunday I attended my first fashion show. The whole event was based around the idea of sustainability in fashion, making something out of old, or finding more resourceful methods for production. We saw an abundance of beautiful clothes some designed using scrap and waste material, recycled and fashioned into something fabulous or others like designer Elena Garcia who utilises Eco-friendly textiles in her work.

But one design caught my eye by Michelle Low-Holder. For her a/w 10 collection she created an all accessory assembly from the off cuts of previous seasons using historical recreated ribbon art. These sculptural art forms demonstrate how what some would toss as rubbish can be transformed into something as beautiful as the clothes they are cut from.

Michelle Low-Holder a/w

This idea got me thinking about our love of vintage clothes and recycling and how the two are not two different. Re-cycling is everywhere, its on my tellybox right now in a car that uses re-cycled fuel and in my garage in the large blue and white bags. With vintage we buy old clothes instead of new ones. They both make us feel good, yet in different ways.

But why is vintage so desirable? Taking time to separate our paper and plastic gives us a do good warm feeling but we get the bargain buzz from vintage. It is usually cheaper to buy than to purchase new clothes and it is reasuring to know that no one will possess the same. In a world where Primark rules what is cheap and fashionable on the high street it is refreshing to whitness more diverse fashions amongst the mass produced. Think the blank paintent chavtastic bags and simple trainer pumps that still swamp our streets.

I search for my vintage finds in charity shops and more recently at The Real McCoy vintage clothing store in Exeter. I could spend hours in there swamping myself in rich fabrics, old jackets and coats. This time coveted for a very on trend camel duffle coat going back forth in front of the mirror, undoing and doing it up again. But there is one problem. Vintage is rarely the right size and I reluctantly agreed with friends that the coat was too ridiculously big. This is where the high street conquers with its quick and accessible sizing, as I can rapidly loose patients when I can't find what I desire in vintage.

However, I have found a new Narnia-esq section in my wardrobe but this magical place is actually my mother's wardrobe. After a disastrous few attempts to prise together an outfit from my clothes I went and found a couple of gems from mums. A zingy tribal inspired black and orange casual jacket and a simple pair of black high waisted jeans. No, they may not be old enough to be labelled 'vintage' but to me they a way to inject a bit of unusual into my generic, common Topshop garb.

Aside from our love of vintage the idea of recycling can also be applied to our existing clothes. I love recovering an item that was once forgotten and left redundant to find that either the fashions have changed or my idea of what is fashionable has altered. For a more drastic approach to a tired wardrobe I have cut a jacket sleeveless and cropped a full length tee to produce new garments from old that have become less desirable over time. This idea was channeled through the fashion shows workshop but instead painting old items black (the ultimate in fashion chic.)


Perhaps this isn't the most practical answer to recycle our closets but it unleashed a creative way of thinking among the guests, whether they smothered the items in sexy black or opted for reduced vibrant pattens.

But as we recycle fashion, fashion takes its own initiative. Vintage has now evolved instead into vintage inspired clothing. You could argue that hypocritically fashion regards itself as maintaining new and innovative visions even when it continues to look behind. This season designers stepped back into the 50's to create the womanly shape, reigning in the waist while loosening the voluptuous skirts to bring back curves.

Louis Vuitton - And god created women!

My latest vintage vibe comes in the form of my new charity shop find. This season's bags have matured into simple boxy shapes in soft leathery hues. The best place to find these classics is the charity shops rather than the vintage inspired new bags from Topshop. Old is definitely the more elite in this case.


The new bag has the boxy shape in a rich dark leather finished with a simple gold clasp and its long handles allow it to fit comfortably under my arm. All I require now is the gloves and cape to match to make me a proper lady. At a meer £3 I rest my case for vintage.

Go Wild

Now an Autumn/winter trend keeps popping up in my fashion round ups and emails that I either click or flick past. But now I have decided to face it.

Dear leopard print, are you friend or foe?

I have never been an adoring fan of this bold print and my wardrobe does not cage any major items that adorn it. After years of reincarnations by the high street where the leopard has been spread and patched over anything possible, it looses its appeal by becoming the indicator of cheap not chic. However the catwalk has returned from the wild determined to prove that a leopard can change its spots, but can it change our perception?

Roberto Cavalli went all out and did it head to toe. With an abundance of layers finishing off with floaty harem pants he has created a modern specimen reminiscent of a warrior woman, but with heels. I love this modern take on leopard print, blurred and washed out - you don't even realise its all over.




Then there is this coat by Gucci...


A-line... chic... and very grown up - need I say more?

Dolce and Gabbana's take on this trend is a little more generic parading large high street friendly prints. Channeled through the continuation of last seasons corsets, this season's blouse and grown up bag trends. But the twist? Teaming with other printed midi skirts takes the emphasis off the audacious leopard and more towards a bold eclectic ensemble.


With all these gorgeous options I feel I may convert to walk on the wild side, but it all depends on what I can hunt down on the high street. How to let it into our wardrobe without it attacking our style? This is not camouflage piece - it will hardly slip in unnoticed. But it seems the high street is very much embracing the leopard.

River Island fur coat £79.99

This faux fur leopard print coat from River Island is the high street answer to the Gucci coat above but it does not appeal to me. I am put off by the large black buttons and the long dangling pompoms. It just doesn't have the same grown up chic effect.

Topshop blouse £35

I tried this Topshop blouse on while on a recent browse through the shop to see if I could be tempted. To my surprise I thought the blouse looked good, but I could not bring myself to buy this piece, nor any other items. I just cannot invest largely in such a mini trend.

Although, there are a couple of small leopard print pieces already in my wardrobe. A subtle, well worn pair of flat pumps and a not so loved floaty mini skirt. The kind of piece that you always wonder 'why did I buy that?' Maybe this is a sign that accessories are the way to go...

My well loved leopard babies from Asos

Dolce and Gabbana's lovely furry grown up bag

Topshop's furry panel cross body bag £30

Large leopard print fold over clutch, River Island £29.99

The obvious accessory buy into this trend is the bag. I predict there will be many bags licked by leopard and these are the ones that have filtered through so far. Always lusting after the bags in River Island makes me lean towards the clutch with a modern contrast between the metal clasp and print. But it is too fussy when all you need from a bag this season is ladylike simplicity .The Topshop does not quite cut it as an alternative to the fuzzy Dolce & Gabbana. It imitates the boxy structure but the fake looking leather ruins the lush cosy fur panel.

If fluffy but not leopard is what you are looking for then invest in this baby from ASOS...


... as fur is always fashionable

Robert Cavalli

Asos leopard print tights £8

Or I could get a touch of Roberto Cavalli by covering my legs in spots and clashing with other daring prints and create a truly opulent look. This seems to be this season's update on leopard print - flamboyance to accompany it. Or, rather is leopard print this season's update? When we are all stripping back and going minimal chic, the risky leopard seems like the remedy to the reduction. But is this daring big cat really suitable off the catwalk?

Now lets look at the more desirable little touches.

I glanced at a black blouse in Topshop with a collar embellished with leopard print. Subtle and simple and looked very chic. The perfect way to inject a little wild into the wardrobe if you, like me are scared of going full on.

I couldn't find a picture of the blouse but this is a similar styled one.

Now to the linings...

A lining in a piece can make it better. Think the luxury of a soft silk lined coat or the cosy quality of the inner shearling jacket. But not only can they feel good, they can look good. At Fendi, the ostentatious print decorated the inside of bags, left falling open to reveal.

Leopard linings at Fendi

Not sure if I would freely walk around with my bag open, but I am fond of the lining. A flash of of the plucky print every time you reach for you purse. The purrrrrfect understated answer to leopard print.

Even though I fear the print in large quantities, you have to admire its versatility. Take a look in any shop and you will find it packaged on leggings, linings and bags. But until I find a piece that I fall in love with the good old pumps will continue to be my paw into the trend.

Man up

Over the recent seasons I have observed and been involved in a clothing role reversal.
Are we possibly on the brink of a revolution?

Males out there - I will trade one of my dresses for one of your jeans and tee combo!

Maybe this is a bit of a ridiculas notion. And yet, at the same time it is not so absurd. While us girls slip comfortably into baggy jeans and shirts, men's t-shirts seem to be getting tighter and tighter. Thanks to Topman our boys are limited to a uniform of skin hugging V necks and blood halting skinnies. On a recent shopping spree, my boyfriend came speeding back to me after separating for Topshop and Topman exclaiming 'the shops want to turn me into a woman.' But I had to agree. It was a solemn shopping day for him.

It is an entertaining idea, but I seriously doubt we are going to ever witness men readily striding in skirts like they do in check shirts which have bred over them. Yet, on the other side of the story, we women are continually dressing more like men. I, myself am guilty of following this inversion trend. But my question is - do we wear the clothes better?

I'll digress...

Since women decided to dress feminine and more like women, they then began to dress more like men. But then for equality, and now for the right to be fashionable. Think power suits with chin stroking shoulders. My own man wardrobe has been growing gradually. First with the boyfriend blazer, then the boyfriend jeans and more recently my shopping habits have even spread to the men's section. Not male style for women, but actual male clothes for women.

The latest male edition to my wardrobe is the baseball jacket. I have never been a great fan of the American sports style. Bright, electric hues adorn the football fields thrashing around in a heat of athleticism. It just seems so big, butch and brash. But then I found this gem in the male section of Primark.

My new baseball.

My love affair with this jacket began with this photograph in the July Issue of Vogue. This ageless issue celebrates style at any age and here is model Edie Campbell pictured in a red and black leather baseball jacket. She looks so effortlessly cool, admitting 'not bothering works a lot better.' She wears clothes that are 'on loan from her boyfriend.' Is this the answer to wardrobe worries? Can we just wear what our fellow males do to get that 'i just threw this on' feel that they do everyday when we can spend hours tweaking a look to try and achieve the same.

Edie in all her casual chic with playful ears by Topshop.

I will be routing this easy, casual style with my new jacket. I'll admit its not quite as cool as Edie's but at a mere £10 I was quite proud of my find. The fact that I found it in the men's section doesn't matter. Its broad manly shape adds to the relaxed look but requires some tiny, tiny shorts to balance it out a la Edie.

Lets take a look at some other yummy jackets...

Once again from the men's section, this American College Baseball jacket in a rich Burgandy caught my eye. With contrasting panelling in similar colours to my own baby. My boyfriend asked if he could pull off this of jacket. I had to say no. It would take some guy with style tomake this work. But when it comes to us girls - this would be easy!
http://www.asos.com/American-College/American-College-Burgandy-Baseball-Jacket/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1143995&SearchQuery=baseball%20jacket&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Burgandy

Now looking at a woman's wear take on this style. Not as Americanised. Not as heavy weight. It doesn't have that 'off the man' feel. Although check out the suede paneling - gorge!
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Suede-Front-Baseball-Jacket/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1030075&SearchQuery=baseball%20jacket&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=GreyBrown

Take a look at this Isabel Marant Jacket, a feminine take on the male style jacket. Simple, clean lines and beautiful leather sleeves. It flows out elegantly, ridding the 'from a man' style. This is an example of not when men's clothes look better on women, but when our tailoring of their clothes just looks better.
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/77171?resType=single&keywords=baseball%20jacket

Now we are very accustomed to borrowing the odd hoody from our male friends for ease, but recently I have been toying with the idea of wearing men's boxers. No, not for weird sexual reasons and not those tight, bright novelty types. But some luxury ample ones would be perfect to layer under a long loose jumper, just peeping out the bottom. I don't know if I would ever have the 'balls' to actually wear these in public. They could be the answer to at-home sexy casual attire.

But for now, until I find the right ones these alternatives will satisfy my wonder...

These boxer-esque shorts from Topshop are great and practical (they have pockets). The rose tye dye effect is great to keep pushing the grunge trend.
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=20&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&categoryId=209768&parent_category_rn=208529&productId=1773625&langId=-1

Then I came across these VPL Deltois shorts. Take note of the boxer style panelling with seam detail but floaty feminine and fabulous. Again mens style but better!
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/99226

Ever since I witnessed a breath taking fashion moment during an episode of Sex and the City the idea of running around in a mans shirt seems irresistible. Cinched with a simple belt, this look is so simple and yet so chic. I even found myself sifting through my boyfriend's ever so minimal wardrobe in search of the perfect shirt. The response I got wasn't so fairytale; 'no -that's my interview shirt!' But I will not be deterred, as it was confirmed by one of my good male friends that we girls do look better in a man's shirt then men do.

But is there a way it which we will not have to beg, borrow and steal anymore?

Meet Equipment...
A line of menswear style women's shirts, revived for Spring/ Summer 2010 - excellent!

A beautiful crisp white shirt by Equipment with large breast pockets . Teamed with cut off high waisted denim shorts. Pure casual shirting wonder.