A true festival foe

It's that time of the year when hundreds of thousands of British people start counting down for festival season. Indeed the time is nigh, and the muddy fields are within sight.

Festivals are a huge deal to so many people, and for reasons far beyond what festivals used to represent. Festivals were once soley just an appreciation of music, attended by music lovers and for music lovers. But nowadays, mass marketing and dollar signs in the eyes of the producers have turned them into mass events which extend far further than the fields they take place in.

I honestly believe that the vast majority who go to festivals such as Reading or Glastonbury spend an equal amount of time on their festival outfits nowadays as they do scoping out what bands are playing on what stages. Of course this isn't a bad thing - because I've always been brought up to look my best for different occasions, but I think it's just peculiar how a whole fashion trend has emerged with these events. Being the hardy Englishmen and women that we are, we can brave the cold, wet, windy weather wearing bottom-scraping cut-off denim shorts teamed with a staple pair of Hunters. Because that's just what we do.

Well... I say we, but I personally don't actually like or attend festivals. The way I see it, they are an event version of Marmite; you either love them or loathe them. Okay so I wouldn't say I loathe them as such, it's just more that I can't deal with the almost guaranteed rain and thus muddy fields, sleeping in a tent and the inability to stay clean. I'd be more than happy to spend a weekend at a festival like Coachella where you can watch bands play wrapped in the warmth of Californian sun, but the cold and grimey associations of English festivals just don't do it for me.

Hunter wellies are no milestone gift

I've always had mixed emotions about milestone birthday presents. Yay, hurrah for turning eighteen, twenty-one or even fifty. But for me, the presents are an iffy subject. I, nor my sister, have never really been one for "keepsakes". Personally I think it's because I like to keep my space as minimal as possible - even though in actual fact it's already far too messy. And, I'll be honest, I'm far too anal to trust someone picking out an object that I will potentially keep on show perhaps forever more. What if it's really hideous and you feel obliged to keep it out in the open for everyone to see? I guess it's just you'll always have that hanging guilt if you were to ever rid yourself of it. 

I'm not saying I don't like well thought out keepsakes however, because I think they are such nostalgic ways to remember milestone points in your lives. For my sister's 21st back in April, I spent ages trying to think of the perfect little gift alongside many other general ones and I found this gorgeous Vera Wang compact mirror which was stored in a beautiful white leather envelope pouch. She, hopefully, really liked the gift and I think that will be a lovely way for her to remember her day.

With all this in mind, I actually had quite an interesting talk with one customer regarding her gift choice for her daughter's upcoming 21st. I'm more than used to customers walking in and trying to find a gift idea for a family member, friend and so on. So this woman wanted two perfumes for her daughter which were both fairly inexpensive so she could buy her this other beloved present her daughter was dreaming of. That sounds pretty reasonable, right? Maybe think again.

The "dream" gift was a pair of Hunter wellies for Reading festival. For her 21st. Clearly I've watched far too many American movies which idealise birthdays, gifts and the importance of turning 21. So in a year's time, or even fifty years time, when this girl has sprayed herself dry of her perfume and the wellies are caked in mud, or maybe even ruined, how exactly is this she going to remember her 21st? I'm not opposed to Hunter wellingtons being purchased as a gift idea, because I get that they are an expensive everyday purchase to make. It just seems like such a peculiar present idea for a 21st. 

I'm all for buying what the birthday girl/boy wants, but sometimes you've just got to take the reigns. My sister didn't ask for her mirror, just as I didn't ask for a watch for my 18th, but in hindsight I am so glad my parents bought it for me because I will always link it back to my birthday and even to the exact moment when I burst out into tears of happiness. The unexpected gifts you never specifically asked for, but now couldn't live without, are the priceless ones that create memories that will last a lifetime. I'll admit it, finally, at the grand old age of 19 that perhaps mother does always know best - well when it comes to certain things anyway.

Sarah Burton is a fashion God

While on the notion of Autumn/Winter...

I absolutely fell in love with Alexander McQueen's ready to wear Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. Surprisingly for me it was the flurry of luxourious winter white pieces that lured me in. White naturally juxtaposes autumnal colours; it brings purity to a maturing period of oranges, browns and copper tones. But it just worked, too well. The oversized fur stoles Burton designed partner perfectly with the beautifully constructed embellished fabrics. Everything about the collection is caped in inoffensive excess. The clothing bleeds luxury and you can't help but want to wear every piece you see. 

I think high street stores would be out of their minds not to take note of this creation...

Pictures from http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2012/ready-to-wear/alexander-mcqueen#

For the love of Autumn

I'm not really big on summer myself. I know, I know, you think I'm weird. But I'm pretty certain I'm not alone. Summer, for some, is a dreaded season. Hot weather, thus bare legs, minimal clothing... everything out there for the ever so scrutinising world to see. This, fortunately, isn't the reason for me not being the biggest fan - even though I truly am an english rose myself. 

I don't fear minimal clothing, I just dislike it. Call me conservative, call me whatever, but I like clothing. I like layers. They make me feel safe. Autumn and Winter spell an abundance of fashion options, whereas I find summer pretty repetitive. How many times can we alter denim shorts to make them as interesting as last year's collection, really? We've seen patterns printed on them, studs, freys, tye-dye. Seriously, what's next?

Winter used to be my favourite season. The very word, 'winter', itself conjures up images of chunky fairisle jumpers, my cat spread out in front of a warming fire and a Christmas spent like Wham's video, Last Christmas. I see warmth, love and happiness. Everyone is just that bit closer in winter, or at least I like to think so. I always think winter's my favourite month, but in retrospect unless I am wrapped up in a million layers, I shiver and moan. (In my defence I do think my skin is quite thin though, because I still feel the cold on a summer's day if I am caught under the shade for too long.)

So upon having this epitome, I discovered Autumn is the perfect season for me. I love Spring, but I guess the way the British summer season is so hit and miss, as in noone ever really knows when it's going to arrive or even if it's going to arrive, it's difficult to know what pieces to invest in. Personally I love light knits, but if summer approaches us as quick as in April then I know I'll get little to no use out of my spring wear. Oh, the problems we face. Autumn however is a totally different ball game. It's the season God has given us to prepare for Winter, the warm up some may think. Start stocking up on lip balms, moisturisers and deep conditioning treatments like it's going out of fashion, because you know the cold is coming. It creeps up on you like a shadow, but it'll wreck havoc with your skin and hair before you know it.

Autumn, in comparison to Winter, conjures up conkers, thick homemade soups with chunky fresh bread, crisp leaves and fireworks. It's such a warming season, and I think there's something quite beautiful about, what is effectively the maturing period of a year. Autumnal colours are ideal for everyone alike; you have options. If you're body conscious, browns and blacks cover lumps and bumps perfectly. And if you want to make a statement, golds and coppers add to the luxe feel.

Granted Autumn is an inbetween period situated between Spring/minimal clothing and Winter/heavy clothing, but it's the perfect season to start layering. Layering allows you to mix patterns, textures, shapes and pretty much anything you like. Go as bold as you want, or, stick to autumnal shades and add glamour to outfits with key accessories. The best thing about layering is that if you're hot, take some off and vice versa for being cold. There's no reason to not be a perfect temperature, and thus a happy human. 

I'm already on the look out for my key Autumn/Winter 2012 investement pieces. Top of my list are ideally a nice fur gilet (courtesy of Alexander McQueen's ready to wear show), fairisle and motif jumpers, riding boots, a fur stole (please!) and cable knit sweaters. I hate to wish life away because it goes far too fast as it is, but I look forward to the fashion that comes our way this Autumn/Winter. For now, I'm still waiting on summer. 

Hurry up please.

I love Cos, simply Cos I do

If you’re one of those people who falls in love with one particular piece of clothing on another which was purchased from H&M, but you always think it’s hard to find something really good but when you find it you’re in for a treat, then I have the answer for you. Providing you’re willing to pay a little bit more that is, but not too much, because quality and design comes at a price. Welcome Cos. Cos, you may be wondering, stands for Collection of Style. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Cos is in fact an independent brand from the H&M Group, as is Cheap Monday if you wanted to know.

The style of Cos clothing still oozes the clean-cut timelessness of Swedish design that Hennes purports in an affordable way. Cos relies on quality and comfort. If you want bold prints and wacky fashion focused designs that will be so passé come next month, this brand isn’t for you. The pieces they offer are timeless, sharp and modern. Think focusing on quality of fabric, construction and simplicity: these pieces can be worn indefinitely for they are well put together and of a high end look. 

Take a favourite piece of mine, this printed hem top which retails at €69. It's simple, it has character and above all it is extremely versatile. This top can be worked in so many different styles, with a blazer for formality, or paired with jeans, an oversized bag and sunglasses for a casual-smart daytime look.

Ask my mother, since the day I was given free reign with regards to clothing decisions, I've always been in her words "a clothing snob". I'm not the type to buy numerous amounts of cheap clothing with a sum of money, I would rather invest in one or two pieces at a time of timeless clothing that can be reworked again and again. And Cos works perfectly for my clothing decisions. I think we're all going to be seeing a lot more of this brand in times to come.

Royal Respect

I have been reading numerous stories about Kate Middleton lately, and being wary of magazines, I haven’t fully believed what they publish about her. But every story, no matter how exaggerated it becomes has a starting point.

First of all, put yourself in her position. She met Prince William at University and, luckily for them, due to press restrictions they had a very private university experience. They met and fell in love. It’s a fairytale story.

So now I ask why it is that people want to break her down. Not only is she continuously slandered as dressing “too safe” and dull, she is now facing a royal correspondent releasing a tell-all book which referred to her as having to work extra hard to do well in her studies at university in comparison to her peers. She was quite literally brought to fame, if you might call it that, overnight. A sudden transformation of being the girl next door to being on the front covers of every magazine with everyone feeling they own the right to scrutinise her every move. She’s our future queen and I find it quite uncomfortable to read how disrespectful some are of our royal family. Just because we have social media outlets nowadays isn’t an excuse to anonymously attack her online.

I equally find it difficult to establish what it is about Kate’s dress sense that people, notably designers, seem to dislike so much. She’s the epitome of dressing as a lady. A frequent comment is that she wears too many high street labels. Is that seriously the biggest problem we face? I think it’s refreshing that she is wearing clothes people can imitate and afford to buy, it keeps her down to earth and in touch with the nation. I actually envy the clothes she wears; she always manages to look elegant and beautiful whilst being appropriate for every event she attends. If my outfits resemble anything like hers when I’m her age, then I know I’ll be most content.

Mint green with envy?

For anyone who is yet to hear of the news, Chloe Green, daughter of Sir Phillip Green launched her own shoe line yesterday across Topshop. The trademark of the shoes is mint green soles, homage to her love of Louboutins. The price of the shoes is capped at £175; however it’s still quite a lot for a first collection some might argue. I had a look at the shoes online and you can tell a lot of effort has been put into them with intricate details and the use of fabrics. Soon after looking online I watched a Sky Living interview with her from last year before the collection was finalised which went something like this:

Interviewer: “Have you got help helping you design them or are you doing it all yourself?”

Chloe: “No I’m working with some of the Miss Selfridge team, uum, I don’t know, there’s no point in me starting from scratch when it’s all there really... (smiles)”

It’s not that I disagree with her using help, because let’s face it if my father had the contacts hers does I would do too, it’s just the manner in which it was said. A bit smug like, I felt. "Why bother from the beginning if I can help it?" it seemed she got at. So many designers really do start from scratch – including her favourite Christian Louboutin to name but one.

My only other criticism is the height of the heels. It’s just that not all of us walk around in ridiculously high heels every day. Even Kate Moss has said they are too high for her to wear. And if they’re too high for a supermodel, then they really must be something. They aren’t the shoes for those who suffer with Vertigo, to put it that way. 

Her Autum/Winter 2012 collection has been announced already and it is said that flat styles are to be introduced. Hurrah. How impressed are you with this collection? Have a look at three of the shoes below and air your views in the comment box.