L'eau La Bouche

Gorgeous editorial in French Revue De Modes #22 shot at the Sea Point Pavilion.

Photographer: Kristian Schuller

Stylist: Peggy Schuller

Hair & Make-up: Janine/GLOSS

Model: Charissa/ICE

Neons and Neutrals

Spring has sprung and as usual Cape Town’s decided to be fashionably late.  There might still be a chill in the air but that’ll give you just enough time to plan your wardrobe for the summer.  One of the styles I’m very excited about this season is the neon and neutral trend.  This look marries colour blocking with neutral colours and translates into a very elegant style with just a pop of personality.  This trend also happens to be convenient with all the gorgeous neutrals like tan, grey, taupe and beige we’ve been wearing throughout winter needing only to be adjusted to transform into a summer look.

Burberry

There are a few important rules to keep in mind when wearing this look. Proportion is key to acing this trend as too little neon can leave you feeling a bit bland while too much could transform you into an haute couture highlighter – we’d like to avoid that.  The neon colours are there to show off your personality so feel free to clash your colours for a more exciting look.  For those who find neon a little more daunting, the look can be subtle yet on trend with just a simple accessory or beauty product (lipstick or nail colour). 

The Floru Cambridge Satchel

Christopher Kane

With this trend, it’s also important to find the right shade to make you shine. Neon is not an easy colour to pull off but remember that there are many different shades of neon yellows, pinks, oranges, blues and greens to play around with.  Finally, a great way to soften the harshness of neon is to pair it with soft, floaty silhouettes and sheer fabrics.

Suvi Koponen Photographed by Javier Vallhonrat for Vogue UK

And for all the boys out there, don’t feel left out.  Neon loves you too. . .

Vans' Neon Pack

Top image: Helena Grier Rautenbach

Hope Street Fashion Market

It’s almost weekend, that wonderful time when we’re all happy to be off work and lazing about . . . until Saturday morning arrives.  If you’re anything like me, you’ll have spent all week dreaming of the weekend only to realise by Saturday morning that you’ve made no plans other than ‘sit on your couch and do nothing.’  Not to worry, I have something awesome for you to do on Saturday!

The Hope Street Market, a market I often go to for mojito marmalade, indulgent chocolates and great coffee, is changing things up this weekend with their Hope Street Fashion Market.  This Saturday will host two vintage inspired labels - Dear Dorothy and Mint.   Both labels will be displaying a host of neo-nostalgic pieces that are reminiscent of the past with their individual modern-melancholic styles.

Dear Dorothy

Both Dear Dorothy and Mint will be displaying their Spring/Summer collections, just what I crave towards the end of winter, a reminder that there’s a (warm) light at the end of the tunnel.  Whether vintage is your vibe or you’re just a vigilante who dabbles in the style, there’ll be loads of fashion goodies and great finds at the market this weekend.  I know my bank balance isn’t looking forward to it, but how many items could I possibly buy. . . right?

Mint

Be sure to catch the retro rascals this Saturday at the Hope Street Fashion Market.  Find the facebook event here.

P.S. Don’t actually call them “retro rascals,” I just made that up.

Oh Deer. . .

With spring just around the corner, I’m already fooling myself into thinking I don’t need that extra pair of tights underneath my jeans when I go out (I do, by the way).  I do like to keep hopeful and I’m always looking forward, especially when it comes to fashion and trends.  Prints, as we all (should) know are huge and will continue to be during spring, but another important print trend is the single, bold image.  This kind of print is a single graphic illustration on a t shirt, dress or bag rather than a repeat pattern over the whole area.

These kinds of prints are definitely more subjective as your personality will be the final decider on what kind of print you’d go for.  This could be a favourite band, a poetic word and image, an artsy line drawing, an abstract image or a funny copy.  Because there are so many different personality types, there are a lot of different graphic images out there for each or most markets.  A definite trend image this coming season, however, will be the deer.

Quick Silver

Yeah, I know, kind of arb, but the dear is an image that works nicely with the folksy-hipster trend that’s been making its way through fashion lately.  The sparrow, if you remember, has been a strong image in fashion for a while now appearing in repetitive print, large illustrations, accessories and even tattoos.  This coming season however, I predict that bird to have flown making way for the new ‘it’ animal – the dear old deer.

BetterStayTogether from DaWanda

For the boys too

If picked up quickly enough, this trend should extend into accessories like earrings, pendants and brooches.  Enjoy the quirky trend and please send me any images of deer prints you own or have spotted.

A Vintage Gift: Thrift

One of the many appeals of moving to Cape Town was the fact that I’d be able to find vintage and second-hand stores filled with inexpensive, unique fashion finds that no one else had.  Who wouldn’t want that?  Since moving here though, I’ve found many, many vintage and second hand clothing stores, the only thing missing? “Inexpensive.” 

Don’t get me wrong, the stores are genuine and so are their products, but I don’t have the bank balance that would allow me to pay that kind of money for pre-owned clothes.  Before you get too disheartened and assume you have to be as old as the vintage clothing before you can afford any of them, take a moment to have a look at Thrift. Warning: you’re going to love them.

Corduroy high waist pants (size 28) R120

 Thrift is a Cape Town based vintage clothing label who source, style and sell vintage garments and leather goods.  According to Gabrielle Kannemeyer, Thrift’s owner, the label is all about “Instilling energy and life back into lost and unwanted beautiful things. It’s a nostalgic and sentimental brand loved and worn by the treasure hunters, the dreamers.  We’re about clothing a new generation of old souls who are conscious about constant influx, about excess and overindulgence. “

Alice wearing grey Levi shorts (size 28) R120

Peach wearing rope-tied high waist shorts (size 28 - 30) R120

Polka dot button up shirt R80

Morgan wearing blue Levi shorts (size 30) R120& itsy bitsy crop top R40

Thrift believes that its consumers want beautiful things, not necessarily new things.  Their goal is to help people understand that “Beauty lies wrapped in history, providing inanimate things with a life of their own with the help of some love and imagination.”

Morgan wearing fox fur jacket Price yet to be negotiated (bid)

Alice wearing brown leather fringe waist coat (size large)R250

Peach Wearing faux fur jacket yet to be negotiated (bid)

Not only are their pieces absolutely gorgeous with crop tops, vintage jackets, sunglasses and high-waisted trousers but their prices are student-friendly! 

Mischka wearing crop turquoise knit R120

Morgan wearing weird blue jersey R120

Peach wearing triangle arrowy knit R100

If you’d like to get your hands on some of Thrift’s items, you can find them at the You & Me & Everyone We Know Market during the summer months.  They also sell via appointment and various pop up markets around Cape Town.  They don’t have premises from which to sell their garments from just yet, but keep an eye on their blog or add them on facebook for regular updates and prices.

Happy vintage shopping!

Today is not my kind of day in Cape Town.  It’s wet and cold and windy.  I don’t wanna do anything in weather like this.  The simplest task of walking outside will involve water falling on me, that’s just not natural.

So to brighten up my day, I’m going to completely ignore my windows, put my lights and heater on and pretend it’s sunny and warm.  In celebration of my imagined world, here are some striking sunglasses by the Australian Ksubi Spring/Summer 2011 Collection.

Look out for their interesting shapes, floral patterns and industrial materials.  I’d wear these creations any day, they’re definitely worthy of giving my wayfarers a well deserved break.

See more from their collection here.

P.S. Ksubi is pronounced "soobie."

Fashionably Freezing - Part I

Don’t fret people, just because it’s exceptionally unbelievably freaking insanely implausibly toe-curlingly damn cold doesn’t mean we have to dress like the Michelin man to be warm.  I know it sounds crazy, but there are ways to bundle up without bulking up.  This is the first in a series of advice on how to dress stylishly this winter starting from the outside in.

The first and most important step to take this winter is to invest in a good coat.  This will be your staple for the season so make sure it’s a classic shape that suits your body type and goes with and over everything.  Opt for neutral colours like black or charcoal that won’t clash with anything and buy the right size.  Women often freak out having to buy a size or two bigger than usual but your coat needs to go over layers so get over it and do it right.  I promise the check-out lady is looking at the price, not the size.

Coat trends for this season include high collars (fashionable and practical!), military, shearling trims, camel and capes.  Country Road has some great capes in store at the moment, Woolies has gone military mad and shearling trims can be found almost everywhere and on almost anything (loving it on boots).

Because your coat will cover most of your outfit when you’re outdoors, you could become bored or irritated with it, don’t worry – accessories are here for you.  Scarves, beanies, brooches and gloves are a great way to change your coat’s look.  Go el-cheapo on these items, it means more choice and less guilt - guilt that could be better spend on warm croissants and hot chocolate.

Stay tuned for more advice on winter dressing.  Jackets, boots, bottoms, accessories and layering tips coming soon!

Images: weheartit • Harpers Bazaar Spain • Lookbook • Style.com

5 Things You Should Stop Wearing

It’s difficult enough trying to figure out what’s still in fashion, what’s going out, what’s a trend and what’s a fad.  Because it can be hard to keep up with all the do’s of the season, here are some don’ts that should help relieve your morning dressing dramas (and my judgemental eyes).

Boob tubes

Boob tubes had their time but it’s over now, so stop it.  There’s no doubt they’re cool, comfortable and easy to wear in summer but the silhouette just isn’t in anymore.  No, it’s not just because it’s winter and you’d be silly to expose your shoulders in this weather.  It’s because the vintage, nostalgic and predominantly wistful feel to the season just doesn’t have room for the unflattering cut. If you are planning on going strapless though, opt for a sweetheart cut instead.

Chandelier Earrings

Don’t be depressed ladies, they had their time and it’ll be back soon, just not right now.  Once again, the silhouette is wrong for the season.  We’re not looking to overindulge this winter, we’re looking to entice.  Less flashy, quirkier earrings like small studs, bold buttons or brooch-like earrings are the more mysterious option for the season.   Think Audrey Hepburn. 

Gloss

As I’ve discovered, gloss is a b*tch to wear in Cape Town. With all the wind, your hair is almost guaranteed to stick to your lips and as a woman, I find it surprisingly hard to be suave with a moustache.  Gloss was huge three years ago and beyond, a quick and easy way to glam up a look without much effort or thought.  Now, eh, not so much. Matte matches the maturity of this season’s look so stock up on stains and lipsticks rather than gloss.

Rose Rings

I know, you’re shocked, “Florals are so in right now?!” They are and they’re gorgeous, but the rose ring thing was overdone. I totally fell for it too, they’re adorable and add an awesome splash of colour to your wardrobe but they don’t make the cut this season.  Don’t regret the purchase, they weren’t expensive and can sit at the back of your jewellery box till the next rose revolution.  Here are some rose-alternative options for the diehard fans.

1. Rose Ball Ring – Diva 

2. Summer Cluster Flower Ring – Accessorize 

3.  Flower and Pearl Look Stack Ring– Top Shop (they deliver to South Africa!)

Designer Sunglasses

Branding should never be the main reason behind any purchase.  Just because it says “Guess” or “Hugo Boss” on your sunglasses does not make it a good choice.  Both men and women find themselves being more adventurous with sunglasses and their colours today, opting for cheaper, no-name brands. It’s hard to keep up with the colour trends or your outfit changes when your entire eyewear budget has been blown on one designer pair so stock up with loads of colourful or neutral pairs in different shapes instead.  It’s also great for the forgetful types (one in my bag, one in my car, one at my mom’s, etc. . .)

P.S. Just in case you never got the memo, here are three things that were never in:

• Scrunchies 
• Crocs
• Nickelback 

Modernized Nostalgia

It’s my first winter in Cape Town and as far as I understand, every day should be like today – overcast, raining, windy and cold.  When I’m engulfed in weather like this my first instinct is to wear gray.  Although gray is an awesome colour that goes with everything, don’t let your winter be colourless.  Colour should be celebrated this winter and it comes to us in a reinvented vintage.  With the world ending, the economy crashing and natural disasters happening every other week, people are yearning for the simplicity of the good ol’ days.

In conjunction with the brilliant people at Pantone, these are my top three colour schemes for this winter: Burnished Nectar, Champagne Royale and Lipstick Topiary.

Burnished Nectar

Pink has been at the top of everyone’s colour list for the past few seasons and it’s not moving down anytime soon.  Windsor Wine, Pink Nectar and Burnished Lilac erupt in memories of my five year old self shuffling around my grandmother’s house in her heels and scarves.  The feminine colours have an elegantly grounded feel to them, making it easy to go girly or be boyish.

Champagne Royale

Gentian Violet, Port Royale and Champagne Beige exude nothing but royalty this winter.  Don’t be fooled by Royal Blue, purple is the imperial colour of the season and it demands the attention of your subjects.  Depending on your personality, dress top to toe in the regal colour or accent with accessories.  Either way, make sure to include your champagne, be it the colour or the drink.

Lipstick Topiary

Garden parties might not be ideal in this kind of weather, but hot tea and biscuits are always in season.  Lipstick Red, Garden Topiary and Gunmetal emanate attitude and are essential for any occasion.  For a safe look, accent a gray outfit with green accessories and a bit of red lipstick or go bold with gray only making an appearance as your jewellery.

Whether you decide to go for colour blocking or subtle accenting, enjoy winter this year with a bit more personality.

Images used for colour palettes sourced from We Heart It.