Monday 8 February 2010

Rules of Fashion


Watching The September Issue last night left me thinking about the whole fashion industry. It's an industry quite unlike any other, with its own bizarre rules and pretensions and constant pressure to dissect designer's collections, decide on trends, sell them to the masses (or keep them for a few élite), but try not to lose originality on the way. And then start again from scratch in 6 months time. The whole thing is one, exciting, headache.

It was, nevertheless, hugely inspiring, and when it finished I had a good old rifle through my wardrobe to come up with an outfit that I might not normally wear. The result was this ensemble, which reminds me very much of English private schools with old fashioned uniform.


For me, it breaks numerous fashion rules. Immediately, theres the issue of 'double denim', haha. I've also always been quite dubious about skinny jeans and heels, I don't know why - I suppose that's just one of my own personal fashion rules. The other one is never take a theme too literally, and that went completely out of the window by involving the blazer and boater. But never mind eh! I think the whole shebang sort of works in a ridiculous kind of way!

Denim Shirt - Tommy Hilfiger via a Charity Shop
Jumper - Charity shop
Vintage velvet blazer - Charity shop
Jeans - New Look
Shoes - Clarks
Boater - My attic!

I'm still not 100% confident about the heels and skinny jeans idea, but I'm going to road test them at school today (edit: I chickened out!). Does anyone else have their own personal fashion rules?

Sadie xxx

P.S. I'll be back very soon with my latest creation!

41 comments:

Cherry said...

I just recently bought The September Issue on DVD and then I saw it was on TV last night, oops! It was very interesting and I agree it makes you think about the fashion industry a lot.

Secondhand Stella said...

Love this outfit! It is also a little bit "Madeline" when you add the hat.

I usually don't wear skinny jeans and heels either, but I should try it.

Maddie said...

This outfit is so pretty, it's got a Parisian vibe about it that I really like! and I've been contemplating finding a boater hat for a while now, I think i've been sold

I never wear skinny jeans and trainers myself, unless they're high tops. I generally dislike wearing jeans! I also would never wear leggings without anything over the top (i.e. covering my bottom)

patty said...

I think your outfit looks wonderful. I actually love how you paired those drainpipes with those shoes. Can't think of a personal rule right now. Perhaps 'You're never fully dressed without a smile?' :)

Anonymous said...

Sweet little outfit - great hat! Double denim is HUGE right now so you're right on the money there! As for personal fashion rules - i have an aversion to 'cap sleeve' t-shirts, they are SO unflattering and wearing a white bra under black tops. no no no!

Sam said...

You look so cute and you can pull of a skinny with those heels so well! And that hat! I've been looking for a hat like that for months already. Hopefully I'll find one, one day.

Label of Addiction said...

Your outfit is pretty cool. I like it. I definitely need this movie, too. Can't wait to see it :)

Lydia said...

I think the outfit is fine as it is. I like skinny jeans and heels ( just don't wear them cos I'm tall already and I can't bother suffering to become a giant eheh), and those shoes are particularly lovely with skinny jeans.

Liset said...

I watched the september issue a few weeks ago, it is indeed a strange industry. I like your outfit! The denim-denim 'rule' doesn't bother me at all :)

Claudia Kitten said...

I really like the outfit. I've never been a fan of skinny jeans and heels but i think it looks good.
Claudia xxx

Emma Lavelle said...

You look really cute. I didnt even notice the denim shirt, it looks really good under the jumper - and with that delightful straw boater!

My personal style rule is that I don't EVER wear trousers or jeans! I only own one pair of jeans and they have a huge hole in a place where you really don't want a hole to be! I live in dresses and skirts, and occasionally shorts and playsuits, with thick woolly ribbed tights in winter, white or grey tights in spring and little ankle sock in summer

xxx

sophiemakesthings said...

I think this outfit works so well! I know what you mean though about personal rules, I have the same one with double denim, and also no pattern with pattern etc! I am incredibly jealous of your straw boater- I reaally want one of these for summer! (just so I can wear it in my garden, drink tea and feel really cool) :)x

perfectionishuman said...

I think those shoes really do look good with those jeans.. there's something about the colours that compliments each other. I avoid skinny jeans/heels combos too... but there are slightly more "boot-y" ( That totally sounded right in my head.)

Jen said...

I love skinny jeans and heels but think it's a difficult one to pull off. You need really great legs... you've got it spot on here! Don't chicken out next time - go for it!

LOVE the boater, too. Hats are where I always lose my cool - I can never pull them off.

Helen said...

awww i love this outfit! i can never wear heels with skinny jeans either, i don't know why, but you look great here.

Anonymous said...

loving this outfit!

MISS LUCY... said...

Absolutely love it. The skinny jeans and heels look great. x

Faux Naif said...

i totally agree with you, i usually hate the skinny jeans + heels combo (i never wear it myself), but you look absolutely lovely! really, you're making me reconsider that particular rule, hehe...

Maria Confer said...

Love it Sadie. This is just the look I want to be wearing right now.

Lulu Letty

Wanderlust said...

I myself am a believer that double denim is a no-no, but I think this is a darling outfit! It has an air of English-private-school-mixed-with-Parisian-mixed-with-cute-little-boy-mixed-with-sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice.
My biggest rule is no black with brown. I wore a black top with brown leather t-straps to school one day and felt like hiding my footsies the entire day. :(

Edith Elin G.R. said...

I thinks that rule never care me so much But it always seems so temptet! I think u look so simple & cute!
kss
Elin

Chloë, Wardrobe Quarry said...

I love the hat, wearing heels with skinny jeans has allways been a thing to avoid for me aswell, although it works well in this outfit I think.

Lulu said...

love love those shoes with that outfit!

http://postcardsfromdreamland.blogspot.com/

le blog de leen said...

you look adorable with this hat :)

leen

Crafter-holic said...

Your style is great - I love the boater!
I watched the September Issue too and it wasn't how I expected it to be but I saw how The Devil Wears Prada was based on it (especially the main boss lady lol). The fashion world is a strange place indeed, but it inspired me to subscribe to Vogue so it did it's job!

Unknown said...

I just followed your chictopia link to your blog, and i'm glad i did- this is such a lovely and inspiring blog! I'm absolutely stunned by all the great sewing work and vintage pieces :)

I look forward to the next post! :)

Regards from Germany, Anna

m said...

I love so so so much the way you look with that outfit. The best, that hat, it makes it even more cool, fashionable and original. Congrats for the work you are doing without buying in any fashion shop

xx

Rachel said...

how does that manage to work?! i'm impressed!
i can't think of any off the top of my head, but i'm not a greta fan of jeans in general! i wish i was, they look good on everybody else! maybe i'll wean myself back onto them...

ooh! and the whole leggings without a long top over thing? brrr.
xxx

Catherine Shu said...

I thought of Madeline when I saw your outfit! My fashion rules that I've broken in the last couple of years -- no leggings and no ankle-length boots with skirts! It's hard to swim against the tide :-).
the renegade bean

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this outfit, and especially your hat!

Samantha said...

Those shoes go perfectly with the skinny jeans in my opinion!
Right now I can't wear bootcut jeans, leggings/jeggings as trousers or double denim! :)

Jean-a-roo said...

This whole look is just too darling.

Iris / London Fashion Diary said...

What a lovely outfit, the top is really uniform-like but then with the jeans and heels it looks really edgy-chic (if that makes sense haha)
& I love the September Issue, it really gives an insight into the world of fashion magazines :)
xxx

LilyRibbons said...

Hello. I have just found your blog and read almost all of it! I love your look and the fact you make some of your own clothes! I got a sewing machine for christmas too and have been trying some projets! I love this post, especially your skinnies with heels. Gorgeous. I could never pull it off but you do it beautifully!

Lil xx

http://lilyribbons.blogspot.com/

iliketweet said...

I love the exciting headache, keeps you on your feet at least! Your style is lovely, the boater is a top notch touch.

Love your blog, do feel free to look at mine :)

iliketweet.blogspot

x

lisanne said...

seriously i love the skinny jeans plus the lace up heels!
a casual take on heels

Amelia said...

What a chic take on a school uniform. I love everything about this. I've been breaking rules like don't wear black and brown or black and nacy for so long that I've practically forgotten they were "rules." They're all so silly, aren't they?

the sweet escape said...

those shoes are so pretty, i've been wanting to buy one of those but haven't got the time to do so yet
nice outfit btw¡¡
cheers from argentina

Anonymous said...

Wonderful outfit, that hat is just perfect. Your blog is so lovely!

Robynne said...

I know how you feel about the heels and skinny's together Sadie.. i feel the same haha. I didn't use a vintage camera! I WIsh!! I just photoshopped the shit out of them. Thanks for visiting my blog. Yours is so great!

Robynne @ Fashion on edge

Idée Géniale said...

Hi Sadie, I just want to let you know that I used one of these pics on my blog today. Hope you don't mind!