Stuck in a rut ?
Have you ever wondered why brands constantly need to revamp, why they change models, designers or packaging. They do it to move with the times, to stay in touch and address new competion.
Reinvention of your own style, the way you address or present yourself is your own individual branding. Let’s face it who doesn’t want to be modern, interesting and attractive.
The power of reinvention
Life and youth pass so quickly but your sense of chic needn’t do the same. Far from fading into the background, many women have actually become bolder with age, growing more confident and sure of their individual taste.
Letting go
Even casually going about my daily life, I don’t want to look boring or stuck in a rut but I still have to go out, Sure I like to stay in touch with trends & fashion but sooner or later I will need to let go …
Letting the jewellery and sunglasses do the talking an everyday jumpsuit from M&S.
Staying on trend but reflecting your life style. Adidas sneakers (£8Portobello market) cargo pants and the investment bag.
Reality please
If age has taught me anything, it’s that if I owned 50 pairs of shoes it wouldn’t be enough. If I owned every Dior book bag I would still want next seasons print & colour.
BUT there must be a time when fashion trends slow down. Your lifestyle and bank balance cannot accommodate your next must have purchase. I have no more room, even worse I’m not buying for where I am now. Like many I’m at home more, my daily routine starts with a swim or a run ….not commuting to the City. I haven’t purchased heels for over a year on my last check I had 23 pairs I think that’s enough.
What makes a classic item of clothing ?
Throughout your life time your wardrobe will go through many revolving trends. Classic clothes evolve, they transcend a particular place or decade. They are about style that endures because it works in the presumed frivolity of fashion.
These are my picks they are my fall backs, favourite basic items that every season I rotate, update and replace if necessary. Timeless, feminine and always appropriate.
Wardrobe staples
White crisp shirt.
Classic black dress.
Black trouser suit.
Cashmere roll.
Denim jeans.
Trench coat.
Classic tee (plain or stripe)
Three different trench coats. Cotton, wool & suede.
Updating the classics
Burberry trench
Espionage, drama and intrigue, originally created for British officers in World War One. Fully waterproof, wool lined and a cotton resistant gabardine. From Bogart to Hepburn it’s versatility and popularity has never faded.
Revised and update..
Every season the trench arrives updated in colour, length, pattern and design. Models and actresses from Meryl Streep to Kate Moss keep its desirability reworked and current.
@Burberry images
Cashmere roll
I love a black roll neck especially with white or cream. A gorgeous background for elegant jewellery the versatility for dressing with jeans or cargo pants. The timeless neck hugger adds easy chic elegance just add some stunning sunglasses. The below investment buy a Prada treat on my Instagram blog.
Crisp white shirt
Cotten, linen, Oxford you name it …button down, collar up…long sleeve, short etc. . How can you go wrong, every season the reinvention of the basic staple, below long with a belt or an alternative to a jacket. The one golden rule make sure it’s clean and ironed especially under a jacket.
Elle ,WWD
Three different shirts, the main picture is from the men’s department with a stiff collar to highlight the jewellery.
Suits
A good quality black suit brought wisely will be an investment that truly pays for itself. Cost per wear it provides a backdrop to beautiful blouses, t-shirts, vests etc. Suits can be business like, dynamic, understated or seductive the style and cut essentially make or break your whole look. The suit jacket in the middle features a leather collar and cropped slacks..note the short sleeves which allow the blouse cuffs to shine. I’m only just over five foot it’s perfect.
Update the classic with a modern twist, definitely not boring. Add interest and your own Elvis style.
Classic tee
Apologies for the self indulgent selection but staying true to your own style makes you who you are. From basic plain t-shirts or a stripe in the bottom row to some of my favourite music shirts.
Star style tee
All fashionista worth their individual cool style rock their tees. Sometimes it’s a way of sending a message, showing your support or beliefs, always cool and on trend.
(Vogue Elle Hearst)
Stand out T-shirt
Peter Lindberg
July 2021 the limited release of iconic fashion images for charity. The update on a classic looks classy and fresh.
Euro shirt 2021
England reach a football final, my match viewing outfit.
Denim delight
The all American staple that goes with everything dressed up with a Tuxedo jacket or down with a classic white tee. Comfortable, durable they go with just about anything. Go grunge or classic ..go blue, black or a classic white. High rise, low sling, skinny, bootcut the best thing about denim is its transformative quality.
How to wear jeans
Denim days
Dark denim with a clean wash for the commute or dress down office days. Worn distressed frayed are more casual for the weekend or nights out.
Style
There are so many shapes, cuts, lengths it’s easy to get confused or lost. The best thing to do is grab an assortment of styles. Consider your shoes or boots for length I own about 12 pairs and they are all different in shape and size. My favourite are loose, baggy and on the hips but my skinny cut have elastic and with a pair of heels they look sleeker and more elegant.
50, 60,70 & 80
Nobody does denim like Jennifer Aniston, cropped roll, low rise or bootcut. These images ( Elle ) I used because of the variation in the footwear she has styled them with and always with a belt.
Sharon Stones loves white jeans, they give a cool vibe, not many over 60s can get away with the middle style but with sneakers she nails it. (Instyle , WWD)
Although Jerry favours the skinny fit dressed casual or with a blazer she rocks all colours. (Grazia,Elle)
Skinny, wide flair and straight cut, these wonderful stylish women have worn jeans all their lifetimes And still they look stunning. All different, all individual they grab attention, look interesting and current. Helen Mirren will usually wear a high rise skinny. Diane Keaton can wear just about anything and trail blazes her own way. Jane Fonda high waist straight and bootcut.
(Vogue, Elle, HB)
Birkin shapes, sizes & colours
Every season Hermes introduced an update on its classic Birkins and Kelly’s. The bags are collector items, sort after with waiting lists, wanted by every fashionista in every country. The popularity of this iconic brand and its functional accessories has increased over the past twenty years. The vintage originals are priceless, a good investment in any style or finish.
What’s great about classic accessories is that they rarely date.
‘It’ bags
Every season a new ‘it’ bag is launched, it then becomes tied to a moment in time. It’s seen on the arm of every celebrity then copied by the high street and quickly becomes ‘so last season’ & unwanted. Kate Moss has carried various versions over 25 years.
(Instyle,Elle)
You are better off with a quality classic than a logo imitation of a gimmick alternative. I collect Birkin and Kelly’s because of the simplicity, function and timelessness of the design. The history craftsmanship and quality never date. My love of collecting bags is discussed further in the menu above.
lunch, biking around Portobello road or running with my dog…we are our own greatest critic. Sometimes we need to let go, always chasing the next trend.
Doing it with a smile, I’m enjoying the reinvention of life in the slower lane…and it shows.
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