--AUTUMN SPIRIT--

Temperatures are plummeting here in London, and I'm finally getting into the autumn frame of mind! (Took long enough). Got a lot of work tonight (haven't been home before 8 on any day this week) so just a quick post of photos which capture the atmosphere I'm feeling right now. Almost the weekend now! I'm planning to head out and buy some essential items which my wardrobe's been lacking for all too long-anyone else have anything exciting prospects for this weekend?

(hivennn.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; coldam.com; fashiongonerogue.com; therewasrain.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; therewasrain.com; linadimoda.freshnet.se; pastafrola.net; sandmer.se; etc-alltherest.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--EASY EVENING DRESSING--

My overall dressing style is definitely more towards the casual end of the spectrum. When I go out of an evening, unless it's a special occasion I'll just stick to some leggings or jeans, maybe heels, usually just a normal top because, as I realised just the other day, the only formal tops I own are white shirts. (Note to self: invest in much black clothing and some nice vest tops). So, although in my heart I hanker after floor length wonders, my idea of evening dressing is more like the outfits below. Net-a-porter kindly decided to drop a whole host of monochromatic clothing items in my inbox this morning-see, it is possible to wear black and white without looking like a waitress or concert performer!

Left:
Top-Jason Wu
Skirt-Miu Miu
Clutch-Miu Miu

Middle:
Top-Miu Miu
Shorts-Jil Sander
Pumps-Lanvin

Right:
Top-Aubin & Wills
Shorts-Aubin & Wills
Clutch-Bottega Veneta

(net-a-porter.com)

--BLUSTERY BEACHES--

I think it's a combination of my British upbringing and my parents' love of the outdoors, but I absolutely adore going to the beach during the off season, when it's cold and windy and the wind cuts right through you like a sheet of ice. A few years ago we were in Devon in October, and we went to a beach which lies straight as an arrow for a good 3km or so, with a long ridge of sand dunes running all the way along parallel to the sea. Even at high tide there's a band of flat, perfect sand between the sea and the foot of the dunes. You can only access the beach by car right at the far end; otherwise you have to walk about 2km through sand dunes and grass to get to the beach. When we went it was deserted because of the low clouds that skulked low over the sea, and the wind blew sand everywhere and whipped your hair in your face and stung your eyes.

Beautiful.

(fashiongonerogue.com; models.com; fashiontoast.com; lefashionimage.blogspot.com; turnedout.tv; fashiongonerogue)

--IN TANDEM--

Some streetstyle photography is right up there alongside genuine editorial work with regards to execution and ideas. While it must look a bit weird to see someone crouching down in the middle of the street with a camera stuck to their face, the images that are produced as a result of spontaneity and an eye for detail are often beautiful and brilliant. It just so happened that I had a few photos in the same vein stacked up in one of my many picture folders.

HARRY POTTER IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS WOOO!

(thecherryblossomgirl.com; jakandjil.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com)

--GO THE ALL BLACKS--

I need to stock up on black tees and cardigans from H and M so I can work this look into my everyday style. My lack of a black leather jacket suddenly seems like a massive flaw in my attempt to sophisticatise my wardrobe. (I've worn trackies to school 2 days out of 3 this week...).

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; ifyouseekstyle.blogspot.com; mrnewton.net; carolinesmode.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com; vanillascented.freshnet.se; nyheter24.freshnet.se; vogue.co.uk)

--STYLIN' IT UP--

I don't do internet shopping. The only thing I've ever bought online has been my River Island aviator jacket, and that was because they only had massive sizes left in the shops. I've never browsed online, found something I like the look of and idly purchased it in the hope it'll fit/look nice on someone who isn't 7 feet tall and thin as a whippet. (Especially shoes-shoes are so important to get right, and you just can't tell by looking if they'll be comfy or not! (Or maybe that's just me and my massively fat feet).

BUT, I still like perusing online fashion sites when I occasionally have the time, just because the styling is so genius. Net-a-porter, Asos, Zara (especially Zara!)...if you're ever stuck in a style rut, 5 minutes online will get you out guaranteed. Below, I'm loving the hats/shorts-for-winter/long-short combinations going on courtesy of Asos. And what are your must-visit sites for impeccable styling?

(asos.com)

--NIPPED IN--

In some cases it's possible to read too much into things (4 months studying Death of a Salesman, anyone?), but I really think it would be hard to overestimate the effect Mad Men/Lara Stone have had on clothing styles of late. Obviously, despite the publishing world's best efforts, women are not walking around with 50s-style prom-dress skirts a la Louis Vuitton/Prada. But I think there has been a real resurgence lately of a more sophisticated dressing-one which is flattering for people over the age of 25. It explains the rise in editorials such as the ones pictures below-sexy secretary styles all over the shop-and it's why, when we saw all the heavily studded S/S '11 catwalks (Burberry, why? Just why?) our hearts sank just a little. Or maybe that was just me...?

(fashiongonerogue.com)

--UNSUNG HERO--

With all this talk of camel coats, I find it unspeakable (except here I am, speaking it) that no-one has cited Tintin as the ultimate camel-sporting icon. The colour may vary slightly from book to book, but the Stella McCartney-esque 'look, no buttons!' style remains constant. As do the uber-attractive brown pantaloons.

(3.bp.blogspot.com; forbiddenplanet.co.uk)

--FRIDA--

Frida is one of those models who you want to be bezzies with. She exudes energy and charm in all the photos you see of her, and it comes across in her editorials. Third photo down just makes me laugh so much-she looks like a pen gremlin. (Plus she gets major OCD points for a) owning one of those rainbow pen sets, which I've always wanted but have never got round to buying and b) keeping them all in colour order. If people have pen sets which aren't in the right order I will take all the pens out and replace them as they should be).

(gobackstage.blogspot.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com)

--BOY MEETS GIRL--

Sorry I haven't posted this week-I've been rather busy with work, attempting to sleep and narrowly avoiding paralysis/death, so blogging has had to take a little step back.

I thought I would take a moment to appreciate the co-ed editorial. Why is it that editorials are so often single-sex? Fashion is all about selling sex (according to those cynical commentators who tut-tut about every slippage of side boob-Goddd, people, it's, like, aaaart?) so from a purely theoretical standpoint, why do combinations such as the ones seen below not appear in print more often? Plus, from an aesthetic point of view, you can achieve a lot more in terms of storyline, silhouette, variety, contrast/similarity etc.-things which every photographer should be striving to achieve in one way or another.

(I realise the above paragraph contained a few too many rhetorical questions. What can I say, it makes me sound intellectual and meaningful. In the same intellectual and meaningful vein-how excited are you guys for Harry Potter?!?! Like it's not even funny, I can't wait. I actually can't. A friend (well, she used to be my friend, before jealousy ruined our relationship for ever. LOL jk...actually, thinking about it...) went to the premiere yesterday and apparently it was amazing and how do they expect us to wait? (Haha, another rhetorical question, wow I need my weekend). Meanwhile let's all lol over this genius video.)

This was such a jokes editorial. Frida seems like a total babe. 

(fashiongonerogue.com)