Allo Love

I’ve been lusting after these ever since I saw them parading down the catwalk during Lisp‘s show at CTFW. They were sold out at Aldo, and, because they were over £50 on ASOS, would’ve been double the price with import tax.

Amen for travelling friends. They will be on my ruby-toed pods come October.

My first espadrille wedge. Who woulda thunk?

Aztec is the new black.

On Tuesday night I attended the launch of photographer Andrew Brauteseth‘s Liberty Art exhibition at Dear Me – a well-wined affair filled with well-shod folk. Andrew’s premiere piece, an adaptation of Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, was a dramatic backdrop for the stylish Capetonians in attendance.

For some reason I had been thinking about this new t-shirt of my brother’s all day – a dusty looking black round neck RVCA tee with a subtle Aztec print all down the front. Now, my brother is as pathetic as I am when it comes to clothes. Our mother raised us to be little clothes horses, meaning we are hard-pressed to lend things out, much less to each other. We are both collectors, both covetous as all hell, and both, because of our shared living arrangement, sartorially devious. While he was at gym I slipped into the tee, threw on my puff sleeved velvet bolero, indigo skinnies, a statement neckpiece and my Topshop platforms, and clunked out of the homestead at high speed. Success!

I neglected to remember that he would have to pick me up later that night. Needless to say, you should have seen his face, and then, again, when he smugly reassured me that he had bought the last one in the store (he doesn’t know that I have another trick up my non-RVCA sleeve…)

Since then I have decided, and I’m going to say it out loud:

Aztec is the new black. Actually, I originally said that Aztec is the new Breton, but I think we’ll all agree that that was premature, plus it was on Twitter, so it doesn’t really count in any case. Aztec is sure to be a fad, but it’s one of the few that has really won me over.

I spent some time browsing for Aztec-inspired things online, and it only served to fuel my underhanded plan to nab my own RVCA tee. Sorry, brother, but this clothing business is a cutthroat affair.

All Saints sequinned Aztec minis (yes please)

Etro scarf

Printed ASOS frock

Theodora & Callum necklace

Preen blouse

House of Harlow earrings, which I blogged about recently here.

Dress by ASOS

Accessorize bag

Topman scarf

Etro dress

Hello, Lover

My friend Gabi just returned from an absolute pillage in London. She says she spent the entire duration of her stay on Oxford Street, and quite frankly, I’m a little scared to view her purchases. The girl got style, and I’m not sure I can handle the envy.

There are three little things that might take the edge off, though. Gabi knew how desperately I wanted a pair of collar tips and generously consented to a small ASOS delivery to her address in London, which she would then bring back for me. Of course, me being me, I got entirely seduced and landed up taking a chance and ordering three things substantially larger than those teensy tips.

So large, and so brazen, in fact, that she was forced to leave one behind! That’s what you get for being a wanton sneak, I suppose. Visits to London are invariably beset with “oh can you stop at Marks and Sparks for me’s” and “won’t you pop in at the post office’s”, when all you really want to do is take up residence at Topshop with a Frio in your left hand and your right, free to roam.

In any case, this glorious flutter of a kimono blouse and my very first playsuit are officially in the country, with the piece de resistance, the golden tassel bag, following suit shortly.

Some of you may remember my anti-playsuit crusade some time ago, where I ranted about them not being fit for grown women, and making one look like some kind of a Brownies cult member, etcetera.

I am forced to eat my words (this does not happen often, just ask my friend Olivia). I have come round to the idea, and I couldn’t quite resist the cut-out detail on the back, nor the feminine 70’s inspired shape. Here’s hoping it looks as slinky on!

Collar Kit

 

I spotted these retro collar tips in the latest ASOS magazine, and they led me on a little collarific journey past leather Peter Pans, lacy bow ties and embellished velvets. The collar tips are my favourite – they lend a real air of Dallas-style suaveness.

They’re the ideal size for postage, wouldn’t you say? Or for stashing in one’s luggage en route to Cape Town, for a blinding reveal upon arrival… London friends take note!

Peach Fuzz

Shoes have never really been my thing.

I used to say that they were peripheral to my outfit – that I would prefer if they simply blended in and did their subtle best to not call attention to themselves. This would mean that they would draw attention away from my prance of extraordinary accessories – hats, brooches, scarves, ascots, you name it. When my mom fawned over shoe shop displays I’d give them a cursory glance and head straight for the nearest accessories counter.

My, how things have changed. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my job now entails a fair amount of desk work, making heel-wearing quite a wondrous and unpunishing reality. Best thing is that I get to admire then on my feet all day, in between cappuccinos, blog reading and emails. And then the mini strut to and from car, or to and from cappuccino haunt: just long enough to turn a few heads, just short enough to remain pleasant. I now spend a lot of time admiring shoes – online, in store windows, on the feet of others. I have a particular penchant for boots with Cuban heels, but anything with a slightly rock edge will also do.

This peachy parade of chunky-heeled beauties is tempting the hell outta me over at the ASOS clearance sale. They are all less than £40 a pair! With rumours of exorbitant customs taxes swirling sly-eyed around the office, I am on the hunt for someone en route to London with space in their luggage for just two little pairs… the tan T-bars and the piglet-pink pair, too.

21 days

That’s the short period of time separating me from my first trip to London and – hold me back – my first encounter with Portobello, Oxford Circus and Spitalfields. If I wasn’t so busy I’d be bouncing off the walls. At least once I day I announce very loudly to whomever cares to listen that I am going to London and Istanbul very, very soon! People are still being tolerant. I give it a week before the eye-rolling commences.

Winter clearance sales are in full swing, and I’ve been doing some browsing. Top of my list is some kind of cape, anything velvet, some excellent tights and a couple of pairs of envy-inducing bootlings. Watch out. I’m gonna come back laden!

These are some of the beauties taking up space in the glorious ASOS Winter clearance sale (you may need to break out the ol’ credit card on this one).

Fall Time

I’m dreaming about boots.

Not the leather, up-the-leg, riding kind. The shearling lined, stack heeled, lace up kind. The kind that evades us entirely in South Africa.

London – I’m a’comin’ for ya.

Here’s a round up of some of the Autumn-ready run arounds I have my eye on, courtesy of ASOS and Topshop.

And the ones that aren’t exactly boots, or exactly Autumnal either, but which cannot be ignored…

Leatherette

What is it with a leather skirt?

That modern emblem of rebellion, sex and sultriness. The slightest hint of sleaze. A million volts of electricity. A flash of firm white thigh as the legs uncross and then cross again. So many iconic bad girls have worn leather skirts. Madonna, Courtney Love, Debbie Harry, Cherie Currie. Rock goddesses, all. In possession of that animal potency and dark mystique that all iconic front women have. It’s not like you could imagine someone less hardcore wearing a leather skirt to its full effect. A Jessica Simpson, or a Nelly Furtado. Too clean, too coiffed and manicured. Leather takes lust. It takes wild eyes, skinny hips and a full mouth.

When I invested in a leather skirt online late last year, I had no idea of the hold that would develop. That it’d be the only thing I ever felt like wearing. Or that I would notice mens’ eyes seaming my lower half as I crossed the room, like something primal was stirred and the word and feel of it – ‘leather’ – had been beamed into their brains.

We’ve seen quite a lot of this lust for leather developing over the last little while – minis, maxis, swing skirts and pleats in grey, tan, chocolate and the classic, blackest black. A while back I did a post on Helmut Lang’s interesting marrying of leather with wool and other fabrics, and now we’re seeing leather in other unusual forms. Collars, scarves, sleeves and leggings are being fashioned from leather. I like the diversification of the fabric – the way it’s transitioned from something traditionally hard-wearing, practical and warm to being a big part of luxe feminine wear.

And it’s set to be big throughout Autumn and Winter, so start scouring vintage havens and malls alike for something leather to call your own! My leather skirt is from ASOS and it rocks. But some of the most authentically Blondie-esque leather and suede skirts I have ever seen were vintage. Well worn, soft, and, more than likely, historic to the previous owner.

And that’s what us fashion diehards are all after, isn’t it? Pieces that describe decades in our lives; that symbolise hot nights, long weeks, true love. I feel sure I’ll look back at this time, when I was young and daring enough and full of it, and see my leather skirt as an emblem of youth, desire and ambition.

Warm Up

Next month I am going to London for the first time, and with that in mind I am saving like a maniac for the shopping frenzy that my BFF Katy and I are going unleash upon the city.

And, as one does, I am already browsing… and the grand browse starts with ASOS! Yes, I know they ship to South Africa, but for some reason I am sold on the idea of pre-ordering stuff, so that when I arrive, I do so to a little parcel of London-ready lovelies, fresh ‘n new for my first overseas shopping jaunt. My plan is to take as little clothing with as possible (a near-impossible feat for me) so that I can return with tons. Vintage markets, watch out!

Inspired by the lusty splashes of primary red blooming in street style at the moment, I started hunting for red anything. But I got sidetracked when I laid eyes on the gold leather paperbag-waist shorts below… and the little selection thus morphed into a collection of warm-toned Autumn-ready beauties. Leather, silk, pleating and volume working together to create ladylike but playful looks that are beckoning to me transcontinentally.

47 sleeps.