CAMPUS COUTURE

So it's that time again, back to university for the masses. I've unfortunately been there and done that so I don't quite have that reason to justify any desperate need for a whole new wardrobe. But I couldn't let you university-goers have all the fun.

My sister left today for her second term of university. She's currently in her first year so obviously her main focus rests on what to wear. I remember this dilemma all too well. Late nights that blur into early mornings that lead all too quickly into the mad rush to make your lecture/seminar on time. And during this whole fiasco we're supposed to look not just presentable but fashionable too? This is no small feat.

I know there's the standard uniform of leggings, jumper, uggs or maybe it's Nike blazers/air/some other trainer type right now, but this uniform of ease appeals very little to me. So let's talk about rectifying this issue of duplication. I think a good place to begin would be with Gossip Girl, a programme based on the fashion elite of the upper east side who just so happen to be in school, cue multiple inspiration shots.

Now, I'm not saying that everyone should don tartan kilts and blazers and the headband should probably remain Blair Waldorf's trademark, but there's something about the put-togetherness of their outfits, the polished finish, the air of sophistication they carry with them, the shiny hair, the dewy skin… - I really could go on - that we can all strive for, or at least long, to attain.

So lets begin.

Blair, the queen B, in her tailored skirt suits and ruffled shirts, her knee high socks and the colour blocking that defines her style, channelling the delicacy and elegance characteristic of Grace Kelly and the preppy, elfin quality of Audrey Hepburn. Going from a rather stuffy (but nonetheless fashionable) school girl into a refined lady with undeniable fashion gumption, Blair's fashion serves as a direct contrast to her scheming and often bitchy character. I can attest that at 9am Monday morning I probably wouldn't be able to reach that level of perfection, but I like the idea of looking like you give a damn, like you took time or at least looked in a mirror before stumbling out of the door.

 

 Serena embodies a sexiness that is almost palpable and is only accentuated through her clothing. The plunging necklines, the body hugging herve leger dresses, the killer heels all mixed with that bohemian edge of I-don't-care, serve to make Serena my favourite character. 

     

Throughout all the jet-setting, partying, supposed killing, back stabbing, man eating, and school days, Serena always looks totally at ease with herself. An avid lover of thigh skimming hemlines, trousers are obviously not her thing and this is a 'thing' I admire. Imagine how different life would be, freed from the confines of your pantaloons. Handstands might be off limits but nothing sums up care-free like a full-skirted twirl (and I don't know about you but I'd try anything to inspire some semblance of happiness for a mentally exhausting, I mean stimulating, 9am lecture!) Another characteristic of Serena's wardrobe that's worth a mention, is her penchant for semi-precious jewellery and lots of it at that. When all else fails stick to basics and load up on accessories, the more elaborate the better. Fashion is important but so is an extra 15 minutes in bed!

Moving on from Gossip Girl, another college-goer I'd like to highlight is Nora Clark from the dance film 'Step Up'. If I'm honest I couldn't remember her name but what I did remember was her functional yet fashionable wardrobe. (Needless to say I had no problem remembering Channing Tatum's character…) In my opinion Nora doesn't have any spectacular fashion moments in the film, even her finale outfit is an underwhelming mixture of mossy greens and browns. 

However, Nora's outfits are impeccably put together, enabling her to go from dance lesson, to lecture hall to after school canoodling (pause for obligatory Channing Tatum appreciation). You already know my thoughts on leggings (see previous post), however Nora's ensembles prove that leggings can be used tastefully. Her mid-length skirts billow beautifully over her mandatory spandex leggings as she flits from class to class, layering all-in-ones underneath ballet skirts exemplifying a delicacy rarely seen on campus. Uni dressing should be all about ease and comfort, plus dodgy air conditioning/heating, long walks to and from school plus the ever-changing British weather, make perfecting the skill of layering an imperative for every fashion conscious, comfort obsessive. 

And lastly my final two inspirations are probably best reserved for Monday mornings and the morning after the night before so I do warn, use with care! Cher Horowitz ('Clueless') and Elle Wood ('Legally Blonde') need no introduction and in my mind are true fashion gurus. 

Granted their styles are extreme, flamboyant, excessive and border on costume but my God, don't they look like they're having fun?! On those dreary days when you're hangover or you just can't be bothered, bear these two in mind and I guarantee you'll be instantly uplifted. If the world's getting me down, I over compensate with my outfit -bright red wedges just to go to the corner shop, my fuzzy pink jumper to walk the dog or my cadbury's purple overcoat to detract from a bad hair day. Maybe you don't want to walk out in a bright yellow plaid kilt and matching jacket combo a la Cher Horowitz but the essence of playfulness is something that should be commended. 

 

 There's even a scene where Cher and Dion actually mock each others outfits, highlighting the sometimes ridiculousness of fashion but also the fun that can be had with it. I don't suggest wearing a fluorescent pink pill box hat Elle style (I can imagine it being quite a distraction to the people sat behind you) but cheer up those crap days with a cheeky slogan tee or a rainbow hued coat. The day might be glum but your outfit doesn't have to be.

 (P.s There's somewhat of a 'Clueless' revival happening at the moment - not that it ever really went out of fashion - check it out @ModernClueless)

(None of the above photos are my own and I do not take credit for any of them.)

300: PART WAR STORY, PART FASHION HAVEN

Now I've always thought inspiration was everywhere but when my boyfriend convinced me to watch '300' with him, the last thing I expected was to be swooning over beautifully draped dresses and even more shockingly, the get-up of the main baddie Xerxes. 

(Spartan's: not just warriors but fashionistas too)

Of course I was immediately entranced by the mass six-pack clad army of men parading around the screen and I can't deny that I greatly appreciated their rather skimpy gladiator gear - who knew a cape could be so sexy? However, what really excited me was the wardrobe of Queen Gorgo. Her strength of character, defiance in the face of political instability and her unyielding dedication to her husband is cast in stark contrast to the wispy, delicate dresses that loosely adorn her body, creating an interesting dynamic. Queen Gorgo is staunchly and impeccably put together both in character and in wardrobe. Her body is to be appreciated and looked upon but the apparent fragility conveyed through her clothing, or at times, lack there-of, is not to be taken as weakness as Theron violently discovers. The swathes of fabric that surround her body create an angelic quality that only acts to mask her power.    

(Queen Gorgo)

I struggled to find many pictures depicting her dresses but it is well worth watching the film to see what I'm making such a fuss about! 

Now I'm not saying that I'll be emulating this look exactly. I don't think a bed sheet would really combat against these gale force winds too well! But I love the play between ferocity and coyness, sexiness and practicality, fabric and flesh, warrior and woman. I'd love to see how I could adapt this into my everyday dressing, plus you can't deny how beautiful the dresses are, the drapery hugs her body in the most flattering of ways, something every woman longs to achieve from their clothing. 

However, for me someone else stole the fashion spot-light - the tyrannical 'god' King Xerxes. The introductory scene of Xerxes displays him being carried on a gigantic golden platform by his army of slaves. The camera pans up revealing Xerxes to be entirely adorned in golden chains and rings. Move over Anna Dello-Russo, I have a new fashion crush!

(Xerxes - Total golden badass)

As I have admitted in previous posts, I am a complete magpie, anything sequinned or bejewelled immediately ticks my fashion box and Xerxes is an embodiment of gold and glitter. I thought that I'd seen every way and every place jewellery could be worn: ear chains, ear chains that link to eyebrows, ear piercings, lip piercings, body harnesses, anklets, bracelets, bicep chains, toe rings, hand rings, the list goes on. What captured my attention is the way in which the wardrobe team captured the essence of otherworldliness, wealth, power, pain and in my opinion total bad ass-ness just through the use of golden chain links. 

(Guinness World Record Holder Elaine Davidson)

(The fashion pin cushion)

We've all seen the Guinness World Record book with the pictures of 'most pierced man/woman' but the construction of Xerxes image is mixed with something undeniably fashionable. He is completely chained up, every inch of his body is covered with some form of golden jangly thing and this really speaks to me. Aren't we all constrained by some form of materialism? His image is a powerful one to me, he is both awe inspiring in his towering form yet totally limited. His human flesh and thus fragility remains and cannot be hidden behind or beneath his jewels and what they represent, mainly his attempt to gain complete power.  

I imagine reinterpreting my vision of him through metallic outfits off-set with armfuls and armfuls of various sized chains - I'll skip on the cheek piercings though!  

I hope the second part of the film offers up just as much fashion deliciousness as this one has. Watch this space for my future musings on ancient Greek dressing, I knew my Ancient History A-Level would come in handy one day… 

(None of the photos are my own unless stated) 

SCAT CAT!

I know I am not alone in writing about this subject but I couldn't resist sharing my perspective on the runt of the shoe litter. You know what I mean, the 'kitten heel'. 

(the return of the kitten heel)

Most people find them aesthetically unappealing. Which is fine. Fashion is after all based on physical appeal. However, my dislike of the kitten heel goes much deeper than any regular phobia. 

I was fourteen years old. I had been invited to a friend's fancy dress party. I had bought a white pair of kitten heels to match my costume (my gran's vintage 60's midriff bearing dress - the coolest thing I've probably ever worn). I decided that these shoes offered a slight lift without being cumbersome and I still felt that I was dressing my age - plus I now had a pair of shoes I could wear to stop my trousers dragging on the floor, great to get my mother off my back.

I wore said shoes to another friend's birthday meal and decided to race to the ice-cream machine - again, testament to my age - and I fell. Absolute mortification set in and I never wore bloody kitten heels EVER again. I am scarred. Unfortunately I never linked ice-cream with the trauma of this whole situation so alas I missed out on a terrific diet opportunity there… But my hatred of the kitten heel has remained stedfast. 

I won't lie, I did glance at the valentino studded kitten heels that adorned the hooves of every fashion pro around the world, but side on, I was quickly brought back to reality - plus the price tag! 

(the shoe that almost swayed me)

I've thought long and hard about this weirdly intermediate heel and it's inbetweeness unnerves me. You're not getting the height or the elongating powers that a 'real' heel gives you and you're not quite getting the manoeuvrability of a flat. It makes no sense! I can honestly say, the only way I'd possibly find myself slipping on a pair of these 'shoes', is if my trousers were awkwardly that little bit too long and there was a mass ban on all sewing machines, needle and thread, magic web, glue, cellotape and any other sticky substances. 

But don't pity the kitten heel shaped hole in my otherwise considerable shoe collection. What I lack in kitten heelness, I make up for in all other forms of shoe. In fact in recent months all I seem to be purchasing is shoes - much to my father's dismay. My philosophy(ies) on shoes are: firstly, you can never have too many; secondly, good shoes can make an outfit (concurrently bad shoes can destroy one) and thirdly even if the shoes don't fit they can never ruin your day like not being able to fit into your favourite jeans can. 

Heres a quick snap of my new best friends (No, I don't have names for them. Yet…)  

(Photo by me)

Clockwise from top left- 

(Everyday black ankle boots: Debenhams (a total necessity)

Black stilts/pumps: Topshop (totally unnecessary)

Pointed black wedges: River Island (my attempt at sophistication)

Leopard print pumps: Dune (anything leopard print = happiness)

Geometric rafia wedges: Carvela via TKmaxx (total bargain!)

Burgundy fringed boots: Emma Cook for Topshop via Ebay (LOVE)

Platform trainers: Superga via TKmaxx (90s throwback awesomeness)

I do not take credit for any photos used on this blog unless stated.