Don't be one of the sheep: try a different seasonal statement.

In my teens, whilst my classmates favoured hot jeans and cute tops, I collected patterned knits, logo jumpers and corduroy trousers from Oxfam. This sounds a pretty cool choice considered in terms of today's zeitgeist  but it was more of an accident in 2004, because I was oblivious to being cool. Little did I know that ten years on, my off -centre choices would find their place in a changed style landscape. Statement jumpers are having a moment.

It makes sense then, that seasonal jumpers are also in demand, and they seem to be more sought after then ever this year. However, I have not been able to bring myself to part with any money for a jumper covered in Santa's face, simply because I would feel cheated only wearing it for a maximum of two weeks at the end of December. My sheep sensation however, is wintry but not too seasonally specific. If you invest in one with a more versatile quirk you can wear it all winter long and be the envy of your Reindeer or Elf covered friends.

While we're on the subject of awesome jumpers, I also love my green dog-tooth sweater, from Oxfam originals.

I'm glad I saved my sweater with its sheep trotting happily through a field, but there are other things I wish I'd kept, and didn't, such as a dark brown knit with a big orange flower woven in the centre. I have seen something similar in the resort collections in recent years, but I was clearly ahead of my time because I wore it on non-uniform day at the age of 16 and got bullied for it, while my peers were in their trendy Bench and Hooch tops. What would be cooler now though I wonder...

The moral of the story-there's no need to be a sheep. Embrace your individuality, because you could be quite cool without realizing it ;)

Catching up...with a new cardigan (Or two. Or three)

This is a retrospective post from October as I've been without internet in my new flat until recently.
As I write this, the autumn is now giving way to winter and it's colder every day, which means cardigans have been my soulmates about two months now. There were so many cardis to choose from in the new season offerings I could have wildly overindulged in Marks and Spencer, Topshop, and Hobbs. I have always loved October to December in the fashion calendar because it's good to have a decisive change in the high street after summer's collections dry up a bit; I thrill to the sight of a new colour palette, some substantial textures and the potential to invigorate my jumper collection. However, it did mean making some tough decisions about which to choose. For my staple, I opted for this loose knit oatmeal cardi from the A/W Indigo collection at Marks and Spencer and its neutral shade means it works with everything from a little dress to shirts and trouser combos. (I won't pretend this was all  the knitwear I, ahem, obtained, this season but I was quite good, all things considered).

The shirt is a Joules one my mum passed on as she didn't feel comfortable in it (she looked beautiful, but I was happy to get some wear out of it!). I love how well it goes with my wine coloured cord skirt, which was from Jack Wills end-of-winter season sale last year. You know what to do in January.

In some ways  I think autumn/winter is the trickiest season to dress for until it gets really cold, because October weather isn't always quite warm enough to do away with a coat and for some time it doesnt seem cold enough for a cosy knit either. When I photographed this one however, it was on a surprisingly chilly day and classically gorgeous autumn weather. Maybe it will be snowing before I do my next post!

Tiny tennis rackets

For a while now I've favoured unusual prints and patterns, particularly on my dresses. 

I came across this amazing dress in a charity shop (originally from Topshop boutique) and photgraphed it on one of the last days of warm weather in early October.  Apart from the fact that strapless underwear is required (hate) this is one of my favourite items and as the autumn sets in, I will be wearing it with opaque tights, a chunky cardi and some flat brogues.
Ahh, but it was really comfortable to slip into on hot days in summer! 

The elasticated waist and full skirt was a popular style when my mom was my age; she would make her own dresses with a simple elasticated waist and bandeau top. I will have a go at making my own when choir finishes up for this semester!

October sunshine!

Slipping into something Seventies

Poynton, the village where I grew up, is anonymously sandwiched between the brighter lights of Macclesfield and Manchester so its own accolades are often muted. However, Poynton is home to vintage emporium Recollections Antiques, and this shop is most certainly a rare gem. Owner Angie Saddington Smith has built up a veritable treasure trove of gorgeous collectables which delight everyone from antique enthusiasts to those in search of a vintage style fix, like me. 

She has also recently added a room of vintage clothes which made my heart race when I first happened upon it. Angie handpicks the items herself (I might try and get her to reveal her sources in an interview one of these days!) So, it was my great pleasure to model some of my favourite garments for Angie on a visit recently. 

 First, I chose this blue 70's style blouse which ties into a big feature bow at the neck, and wore it with a simple black pinafore. The pinafore invites both blouses and long sleeved tops. I'll be wearing it with a crisp white shirt and knee-high leather boots this autumn.

Poring over patterns!

Making a feature of the neckline is very "Seventies secretary!"

The Seventies vibes continued with this sweet maxi dress. It feels quite smart, as if a rather fashion-forward hostess would have slipped into it before meeting her guests for the evening, with canapes and a Bellini.  I actually felt very Margot Ledbetter in this dress - for anyone familiar with 70's hit TV show, The Good Life! 

I wore the dress a few times in the summer with some simple black sandals. In places like Sheffield, a city very positive about individual personal style, the reaction was not one of raised eyebrows, but some enthusiastic compliments. I think now that contemporary fashion embraces the maxi, my Abba tribute was less fancy dress and more "Mamma Mia"!

Angie and I had a lot of fun and I'm sure there are more shoots in the pipeline. Recollections is, in my opinion, South Manchester's best kept secret because its rare to find shabby chic or vintage emporiums with a real heart. I hope it's there for years to come, providing me with fabulous retro clothes.

Summer slips away

I know when Summer is over because it's too chilly to walk back from the swimming pool with my hair still damp.

I also know when Summer is over when I catch myself thinking of how, not long ago it was standard to spend weekends lying in the grass getting too hot, holding my book up to shield away the enthusiastic glare of the July sun.

So, I thought it apt that this first post, as Autumn is arriving with its unsettled skies, is about nostalgia for those weeks of glorious weather this Summer, when the parks were packed and the weather was easy.

Despite being a lot closer to my local swimming pool than rowing boats and secret caves, I channeled Enid Blyton's 50's teenage adventurer this summer by pairing these nylon shorts with innocent shirts and flirty swimwear for my days in the grass.

I love this Cath Kidston swimsuit with its gorgeous scooped back. The bathing shorts are from Oxfam Originals on Oldham street  in Manchester, and the lipstick is Chanel Rouge Coco in 19, Gabrielle.

I've always liked this classic high-waist bathing style; these shorts lean towards nautical and I love how girlish  and coy they are. Certainly no danger of your bum falling out of these, as with most shorts made nowadays!

 The nice thing about this swimsuit is that paired with the shorts and with a light cardi slung over the top, it is a pretty halter top, but now, as the autumn approaches, it makes me feel like it's forever summer when I go to the local pool on a nippy autumn evening.

I also love these shorts because they multi-task; my favourite silk blouse looks so cute tucked into them. Although I fear this blouse may not look as nice as it did a few weeks ago, because it got mixed up with the wrong washing pile - silk is strictly hand wash only, which is why these vintage garments can be quite high maintenance! Worth it though, I feel.

The blouse is M&S from the 70's, when it was still "St Michael" and I got it from Recollections Antiques in my home town of Poynton, which has a fabulous Vintage clothes room. I could happily live there - owner Angie Saddington Smith has an eye for 

amazing stuff.

Oh, for those summer days in the grass! And now I actually have to dry my hair before I leave the swimming pool at night.

'til next time-

The Little Chic.