Back to Black

If I could dress up like this every day, I would!

In winter black is always the new black for me! I am also partial to rich chocolate brown, deep reds or bright colours, cream or beige tones just wash me out so if I see something I like in a choice of colours black usually wins the day.  Here are a few things that have caught my eye on my internet wanderings, I always opt for good quality classics that will look good and last for years, all the following items are makes that I have tried and tested...

Boots from Ecco

I love to wear a boot with a high heel, I am of average height 5 '6 but I find my deportment instantly improves with a heel, which makes me feel more elegant not to mention the leg lengthening qualities. I also like to walk for miles so I need to marry comfort, height and style, sometimes this is not easy to achieve but a few years ago whilst walking past the shop Ecco during a visit to my home town, a store I had previously overlooked as most of  the shoes and boots looked very sensible and I avoid sensible shoes like the plague.  I purchased a lovely pair of black, plain, high heeled ankle boots, which had caught my eye in the window. They are without a doubt the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and I have walked for miles in them, three years later although they have been re heeled and soled they are as good as new.  This season these Victorian style ankle boots are tinkling my bell.

Tory Burch

I love Tory Burch Tunics in the summer so I am lusting after this cashmere twist for winter which you can dress up or down, this neckline is so flattering.

Of course with an all black outfit you need some colour to break it up, coloured silk, patterned or cashmere scarves usually work for me.  Jewellery wise I favour bold, statement pieces and I love vintage. I am loving Michal Golan Jewellery.  I bought a piece a couple of months back, they did not have the piece in stock so they made it up for me, their service was excellent and when the piece arrived (swiftly) the quality was superb and the price extremely reasonable...I will be purchasing some more for myself and for Christmas gifts.

From the Turkish Bazaar collection.

From the Multi Bright Collection

 "A lady always wears gloves" so my Mother tells me, she even wears them in the summer for driving.  Not only do they keep your hands warm but they can also help protect you from nasty winter viruses. I think smart leather one's round off a winter outfit beautifully, especially the longer one's which look fabulous with a swing coat or three quarter length sleeves.

Long Italian cashmere lined black leather gloves from Forzieri

Dents have even brought out a touch technology version, so you don't even have to take them off whilst using a phone or tablet. Available here.

French Chic

Ines de la Fressange, every inch the chic Parisienne, in patriotic mode.

Just a short post today, I am leaving the shores of La Belle France tomorrow and returning to Britain for a week, I am busy ironing, packing etc. My laptop and camera will be accompanying me...

For The Gentleman Who Has Everything

From Lock & Co

MG's birthday is coming up soon and I am thinking of what to buy him for a birthday gift, he is quite difficult to buy for as normally he tends to order gadgets and things he wants from the internet, ideally he would want a sporty number, with an engine and four wheels but my finances wont stretch that far.  The other thing he loves is hats, MG cannot walk past a hat shop without going in, he has a hat for almost all occasions, yet he does not possess a classic Victorian smoking cap...

From Lock & Co

I have been looking around on the internet and have come up with these one's so far, I think MG would probably prefer a new one, I am rather liking the first one from Lock and Co, I think a tassel is quite important! Although they are quite expensive, alternatively I could make him one but God knows what it would turn out like as my sewing and embroidery skills are practically nil.

Vintage Smoking caps from Bentleys

Gentlemen's smoking caps first became popular in Britain in the 1850's, during the Crimean war they were worn mainly by the officers to keep the smell of smoke from their hair as they smoked Turkish cigars and cigarettes and drank Brandy in the officers mess.  Influenced by the East and the exotic the soldiers brought them back to Britain probably as souvenirs.  The smoking caps are a cross between a pill box hat and a Turkish fez usually decorated with Turkish and Russian silks and braids.  Wives and Fiancées left at home would often embroider and embellish the caps in their leisure hours, ready for their loved one's on their return.

 

More From Bentleys

Back home in Britain after the Crimean war, the Victorian Gentry changed their dress several times a day to suit the occasion, Gentlemen would retire to the library or smoking room, after dinner, to smoke cigars, imbibe Brandy and discuss the business affairs of the day and would change into their exotic smoking caps, worn with a smoking jacket, that resembled a luxurious dressing gown, usually made from Persian silks, velvet, paisley and with quilted lapels.  They most likely adopted this habit to keep warm in draughty rooms and to keep the smoke from their evening clothes.

This new fashion for smoking clothing and lounging wear soon spread and was adopted in Gentlemen's clubs and became fashionable amongst the artistic and bohemian communities who were influenced by Oriental exoticism.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Today we mainly see smoking caps in costume dramas, usually worn by eccentric older Gentlemen. I think they are fabulous and I would love to see them make a come back, I am definitely going to get MG one, he looks great in hats and if he does not like it, I will wear it myself, it would look great worn at a jaunty angle teamed with a dinner suit. 

Norman Parkinson, looking very dapper in his smoking cap teamed with a checked suit

Vintage Inspired Fashion

We have swapped the majestic snow capped mountains of the Pyrenees, for the gentle shores of the Mediterranean, where we are spending Christmas with Belle Mere, I hoped to bring you some fabulous photographs of the beautiful Christmas lights in Sanary, however, yesterday when I was just getting into my snapping stride, the battery on my camera ran out.  Grr, I hate it when that happens and today it has done nothing but pour with rain, so I have stayed in reading all Belle Meres wonderful magazines and stuffing myself with chocolate. 

I love the vintage feel of this fashion shoot from Gala Magazine 15th December 2010, discovered at Belle Meres, whilst idly flicking.  Photographed by Elisabeth Novick and styled by Florence Beaufre.  Please excuse the picture quality, as there is no scanner here I had to snap them directly from the magazine.

I hope it stops raining tomorrow, I need to go into town to get some last minute bits and bobs and I really want to photograph all the beautiful sparkling lights.

You Shall Go To The Ball

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Queen Charlotte's Ball, London 1959

It's the party season, time to get the little black dresses and the sparkly numbers out, however what about the beautiful evening gowns?  I have a few but sadly they remain undisturbed in garment covers in the wardrobe, the poor things, they have not seen the light of day for years.  High octane do's and balls seem to be the preserve of the jet set and the young, I remember the days in my late teens and early twenties when come the party season, out came the silk, taffeta and the slinky numbers, friends were gathered, tables organised and much mischief, dancing and merriment was had by all, there is nothing quite like misbehaving in a beautiful gown and we did lots of misbehaving, oh heady days!

 Lillan Bassman

 Lillian Bassman

 Lillian Bassman

Lillian Bassman

Lillian Bassman

Lillian Bassman

Steichen

 Steichen

 Steichen

John French

John French

Norman Parkinson

Louise Dahl-Wolfe

Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz

 Tim Walker

 Cecil Beaton

 Man Ray

Snow Queens and their Lairs

The UK is gripped in an early Winter Freeze and now the weather is starting to close in here, Christmas is just round the corner, everyone wants to get on with things at this busy time of year but the weather is hampering matters, it's a shame these wintry conditions could not of held off for a few weeks and given everyone a long awaited White Christmas, I hope those affected are bearing up and keeping warm.  

From Dr Zhivago

From Dustjacket Attic

Fortnum and Mason

The Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg

Anne Margaret in Tommy

Ice Hotel

The Snow Queen

Helena Normark

Tilda Swinton, as requested!

From here

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend