Staples in 3s

(This will be regular installment, done in 3s.)

The journey to glamour is a long one and the best way to consolidate a classic closet is to build it slowly. Step but step, piece by piece. One huge shopping spree, while every girls childhood dream, is not very pragmatic in the reccessed, reccesive, reccesing global economy. Rather, a more sensible way (but not quite so head rushing) is taking out a few pennies from the piggy bank at the end of each month to treat yourself to something classic and lasting. There are some truly basic and relatively inexpensive but tres chic articles that I have found indispensible to my wardrobe.

1. The black polo neck top - in good quality wool, long or short sleeved. Popularised by Jackie O, and Audrey Hepburn, this is one item of clothing that brings it all together, effortlessnessly. Paired with cropped skinny pants in black or khaki (and heels or flats), its the easiest elegance you can achieve. A set of one strand pearls worn over the top turns the whole fit into an unfussy but very elegant evening ensemble...or even a bolder loud coloured chunky clay necklace to match sexy heels can give it that extra umph if you're a fast car, red nails kinda gal. A white poloneck top doesn't achieve quite the same instant elegance for some reason, but has it's own charm when paired with dark pants and a dark coat or blazer.

2. Cropped black pants - in a cotton and lycra mix. This look has been revisited and recycled in many ways over the years. Most recently, Madame Airforce One herself, Michelle Obeezy has taken quite liking to this steezy, but again its nothing new, cropped pants were a fashion favourite of old hollywood. The cropped pant is a smart alternative to denim for a more casual look, and for most shapes, a flattering alternative to the regular wide legged black slacks or those monstrous polyester boot cut hipsters that were so popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. I cringe at the memory! Team cropped black pants with just about anything for a smart or casual feel. My favourite accompaniments are black cropped pants with:

- a silk or chiffon neck tie blouse and ballet flats,
- a black poloneck with camel or black heels,
- a graphic tee with plimsoles, a starched white shirt with drop earrings and a simple updo,
- and easy pastel coloured camisole and ballet flats or platfform heels.
- a grey or tan (or any colour for that matter) cable sweater and deck shoes

Notez bien, Santa, I also fancy me some cropped pants in khaki, navy blue, and a dull over-washed look red. Yes, please drop those into the imaginary shopping cart!

3. The black shift dress. (I'll be writing about the wonderfully magical powers of the shift dress in general on Chichi's closet, often alongside the deep and unsolved mysteries of the pearl earring. And I assure you, there is reason for my obsession with both.) It is a truly timeless silhouette. This is what it looks like: "A shift dress is a simple, short, above-the-knee dress. The bust is fitted with darts, and the skirt is either cut straight or with a narrow A-line. The dress doesn't provide any definition to the waist, and the neckline is usually a fairly high scoop neck or boatneck. A shift dress is typically sleeveless, although short-sleeve and long-sleeve versions are also popular. A shift dress can be created in a variety of styles." The straightness of the dress fits tightly at the hips but loosely at the waist, so it is commonly worn with a belt to provide waist definition. It is one of those dresses that is flattering for every shape, depending on how its worn. I have seen and love a black cotton sleeveless version in the summer accessorised by a bright plum coloured belt that sinch-in the waist, with a matching plum clutch and magenta peeptoe heels; or a short sleeved version paired with a red or camel coloured coat and black woolen tights to wear in winter with a pair or knee high tan coloured boots. You can glam it up in the evening by wearing a mohair white cardigan, some micro hoop earrings and a pair of sexy black heels, hair slicked back into a simple ponytail- a look that says 'Sexy? Me? Always Dahhhhling.'

The best kind of wardrobe isn't filled with trendy items that will be out of season within months, but with timeless pieces, quality pieces. Its entirely possible to buy ayy of te above without neccesarily scrimping and saving your already stretched salary, or taking out a loan from Bank of Mum and Dad (although we do like these when they are interest free). Build, step by step, piece by piece. Investing in key pieces at slow pace is taking the leisurely road to destination glam-moi!

Slouching Solange

Its a taken Solange years of experimentation and 'I am not my hair' issues to get to this point, but it was well worth the internal struggle. She's definitely tapping into the style goddess that I know is hidden within every woman.

    Solange in London Town looking effortlessly chic.






The Gap, Zucca, Bruce II do really easy stylish slouch pants like the ones on the left. Instantly update your own wardrobe with a pair of either silky harem style slouch pants or low crotch structured linen, cropped. Cropped pants are truly versatile and look just as chic when teamed with heels, flip flops or ballet flats.




Throw on a white tee boyfriend blazer to get that easy menswear inspired look which is still on trend. (Above)  Team up your slouchies with with a delicate satin or chiffon blouse and a pair of wedges or heels.

More stylin slouchies from Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Badgely Mischka....

The September Issue

Oh to be Anna Wintour! To sit in the front row of a JPG show in Jackie O Shades, cool and indifferent as you as you like...and then as a waifery, heavy-footed brunette trudges down the glossy MDF elevated strip, to be able to dip your head, look down your nose over your Diors, and for that to be the indication that 'tex mex' fringes are officially back in...THAT IS POWER! But for you to be able to tell Prada to 're-think' their designs or to be able to get Mr YSL himself flustered over a disparaging reaction to a collection, then you know that the world sits in a sweet ball right in your Chanel bronzed cheek.

I have watched R.J Cutlers greatest gift to the fashion apprecianado, 'The September Issue' all of four times, (and, in fact I'm in the middle of my fifth viewing) and never fail to be inspired by the most ambitious, comprehensive issue ever of the style bible. It covers the preparations by Anna and her 'army of editors' for the 2007 Vogue fall issue, put out in September of the same year. As usual, Anna (or Ahhhna as she's referred to by her staff) is portrayed as the poker-faced, frosty 'Devil Wears Prada' character, not only fixated on Vogue output and but directly influencing global trends.

Now, I've seen all of that pale, unflattering, the 'Anna is above it all' reviews of Anna's character in this doco, but I have to say there is something orgasmic about a kick ass woman going for hers, flying above the assumptions, expectations and status quo of the male dominated fashion industry and saying 'eff you world, I say what goes.' While I don't always agree with her standards of what is en vogue, and cringe as I may at some of the Vogue spreads (See Lady Gaga, Feb '11), she still rocks my boat, butters my bread, blows my trumpet through her sheer determination and dedication to the magazine, to her craft and to her own self actualization as the loudest voice, the very pulse of trend.

It features Hamish Bowles, Oscar de la Renta, Patrick DeMarchelier, JPG, Mario Testino, and Anna's number two Grace Coddington, art director par excellence, and is definitely viewers digest for anyone who is anyone who knows anyone who loves fashion.

Flight-y Fashion: How to travel in style

How many times have you been through airports across the world and seen women, and men inappropriately dressed? Wearing uber high heels, extra tight denim, too short shorts and too low tanks? In addition to liquid restrictions, airports need to introduce cleavage restrictions. When we can measure the diameter of your nips through your top you need to be considered a security risk. That being said, I am always equally distressed by women who believe that its ok to travel in their husbands tracksuits. It absolutely is not! So how do you travel...and still look good?

The biggest style tip for travelling, in my book, is comfort. Flying is such a cumbersome business, rather like house cleaning. If it's done in the wrong attire it can lead to seriously hazardous levels of blood pressure, which we all know leads to crows feet, which is simply unacceptable if self induced. It always amuses me to see a woman with a four year old child is wearing four inch heels, and skinnies that are much too tight and much too low-waisted, dragging a 10kg carry-on around a busy airport, in the hope of having a pleasant airport shopping experience. And pity her as I might want to, it irks me...what could possess her to be so ambitious, bombastic even to believe she would NOT look a hot mess a the end of her journey? The only city to which it is permissible to fly to in heels is never never land.

Flat shoes, flat shoes, flat shoes. I can't stress it enough. Flat is comfortable, and comfortable is practical. And mind you when I say flat, I don't mean the really cute kitten heels which are almost flat, not the glassy loafers which are flat but pinch too tight. Flat and comfortable. The type you could do your housework in. This does not mean they need to look like the type of shoes you could do your house work in. A pair if clean white plimsolls or dark loafers, if paired with a pair of black leggings, a pale colored stretch tee and a dark boyfriend cardigan, together with a pair of flat studs, loosely pony-tailed hair and an infinity scarf can look darling...and its a getup almost designed for economy long haul. Its on trend, and comfy...it's accidental chic. 

For the slightly more conservative traveler like myself...a pair of flexi-deck shoes, or driving loafers is perfect - flexible soles that say 'even a thousand feet above the fashion district, I'm still concerned about my grooming.' These can be paired with jeans, certainly not skinny ones because those are made for grinning and bearing. Rather, a loose, easy pair in a dark color, black or navy, paired with a light cardigan in a tone that matches your shoes, or hand bag. To take it up a notch on the chic-o-meter, throw on some pearl studs. Remember flat shoes, loose pants, a loose easy top and sweater. NB While I absolutely love them, I am yet to see crocs look cute on anyone above the age of 10. Frankly, I feel the same about Uggs in the summer.

When it comes to luggage, I'm most concerned with the handbag, the carry on and what's in it. I'm all for Longchamps but crucially their common Le Pliage is not compartmentalised which is an aboslute must! Any brand will do, but an airport hand bag should always be a slightly bigger tote or slouch bag. You need the room in there for your spray on rose water to hydrate, your lip and hand moisturizer, your toothbrush, your tube of mini toothpaste, your camera, your compact and all those other prissy little lady things. Like I mentioned it also needs to be compartmentalized so that your hand lotion doesn't leak onto your passport...and result in your being detained at JFK for travelling on a false travel document. Your passport should have its own leather wallet. Its truly worth the investment, it means you're not always fuddling in your Mary Poppins bag for it, and it doesn't eventually pop out with doggy ears and chocolate cookie stains. Kena Kai and Royce do some lovely colored leather travel wallets (even crocodile embossed, if you so prefer), and Tumi and Andrew Phillips do some plain economy black ones at different prices.

Carry ons. Oh dear...how do approach this without appearing to admonish the hundreds of women I see at airports with their monogrammed shoulder strap carry-ons? although I have been victim, in a past incarnation of both owning and carrying a monogrammed shoulder strap carry-on, I've always felt that with the amount of walking that's actually involved in flying, a wheeled trolley is always the more sensible bet...unless your soft beautiful leather LV Malletier contains only a sweater and a book. Otherwise, you end up with sore shoulders, in addition to the fatigue and jet-lag which takes an entire week of luxury spa therapy to repair (money that could be spent of a nice pair of Tod's driving shoes, see above). The usual brands, Delsey, Samsonite, Tumi, Victrinox...those will last years and years, and every classy traveler will recognize them, even without the loud monograms! For the more flash traveler, LV (preferably without the loud mongram), Bric's and Mandarina Duck and Hartmann.   

The point is...you can absolutely achieve style while travelling...but your primary concern should be comfort. 

After all, that is one of the true secrets of style...fashion meeting comfort and utility. So, wise words from a wannabe fashion guru...wear flat shoes: avoid crows feet!

Fashion, Royally. PT 1.

I spent Friday morning glued to the tube, trying to catch every detail of the Royal Wedding. The BBC did a stellar job of detailing the protocols, identifying the aristos, and generally informing us of the historical significance of each ritual...blah blah...but when I wanted to know who Lady or Dame so and so was wearing, which let's face it, apart from the actual 'I do' is the real story here, and E! true to their fashion obsession was the channel to zap to.

The main attraction was Kate's dress was stunning, simple, young but elegant and eminently suitable for a Royal wedding. In her own words she wanted the dress to "combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. The chantilly lace long and sleeves and high neck gave it both its feminine delicate, and regal quality, and the cinched waist and ballgown skirt showed off her tiny waist beautifully, and tastefully. The ivory silk tulle veil was long, sheer, and modern, and embroidered by Royal School of Needlework . It was held in place by a Cartier  tiara, lent to Middleton by the Queen. The 6ft train gave it the drama it required without it stealing the attention from the details of the dress.  " Nicely done Catherine, nicely done! (Images borrowed from Press Association, AFP, Getty's, Reuters and Daily Mail)

 

The dress was reminiscent of Grace Kelly's gown at her marriage to which was designed by the MGM's costume department.

After weeks of waiting to find out who she would be wearing...the revelation that she had gone with a British fashion house wasn't particularly surprising...and that it was the late Alexander McQueen both endeared her to the British public and fashion appreciandos alike. It was the genius of Sarah Burton that made this the most talked about royal wedding dress in the last twenty years.

Amongst the notable appearances were Tara Palmer Tomkinson who wore a regal Kingfisher off shoulder electric blue dress and a pointed hat to match. Potentially, this is a seriously chic getu...and then the gloves...and then the shoes...and then the purse. She looks a little like X-Men's Mystique attending an award ceremony.

Victoria Beckham received mixed reviews in her unlikely funereal black sheath by her own label. The pillbox hat by Philip Treacy was tres chic, but I'd have liked to see a little more colour in the rest of that getup. The Loubotin shoes were way too high and her makeup much too dark for a spring day wedding. Her husband, by contrast, personified the English gentleman in a bespoke Ralph Lauren number. 

Of the older lot, Princess Michael of Kent looked every bit the elegant royal, as usual, in an Andrea Odicini teal skirt and an amazing Sophia Loren picture hat. And Lady Sophia Windsor a true picture of elegance in an Armani Prive cocktail dress and matching coat.

The wedding party itself looked the absolute embodiment royalty, the boys regimental and the girls cute as buttons. Until we actually saw Kate, Pippa, her sister, was in danger of stealing the show in a (surprisingly) ivory cowl neck satin crepe gown but Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. It was demure and feminine, and modest enough not to upstage Kate the perfect choice for a maid of honour. 

The girls wore custom white satin gazar dresses with pale gold sashes, designed by Nicki MacFarlane...and the boys well they were dressed like page boys! 

All in all, this wedding rekindled true Brit style, conservative-chic.

Chichi's Closet Now Open for Business

After complimenting my tan Brics tote and olive gator loafers, a friend teased, 'you should have worked in fashion.' I was, naturally, flattered at this tribute to what she saw as my chicly ways, but love clothes as I do, a career in fashion is not something that had really ever occurred to me. Firstly, while deliberate, I've never thought of my personal style as being particularly adventurous, and secondly, echoes of my mother's voice in my head saying that type of career wouldn't really 'require much brains' would have steered me well out of that lane of aspirations. At various points, admittedly, I have thought of being and doing things that were related to fashion...producing a tv serial on beautiful African jewelery, or even a discovery channel segment on African textile industries. In exceptional moments while growing up I did fantasize about the perks of being Anna Wintour's super-brain mignon or feature writing for some other high fashion glossy, but the idea that these types of work could be considered fluffy or meaningless perhaps robbed me of the gumption to truly pursue them. I've always thought that anything I'd do should be life changing, transformational and at least in part, cerebral. So this odd combination of my love for fashion and the need to do something inspiring could never have led me in that direction.

'You could have been a personal shopper.' my friend then quipped and I, in response, snorted...'well, maybe had your own store.' Now that's an idea. Me own a clothing store? No, no, it would have to be a boutique! I suppose it makes sense - my very own giant closet with tiffany blue wooden paneled walls, low hanging crystal cut chandeliers, a zebra skin rug, and decadent scarlet velvet chaises, damask stenciled changing rooms, a mirror coffee table with a black leather lampshade on it, and a copy of 'A Guide to Elegance', and the last five issues of Vogue? To be able to disarm anybody who walked through my doors with the possibility of glamor. To put on the dog, and show the world that the great unwashed, too, can achieve style on a relatively low ticket? Inspire greatness through my rows and rows of shelf, housing delicate cherry taffeta cocktail dresses, and heavy woolen houndstooth shifts, D'Orsay shoes, raw silk hand painted head wraps, Jackie O cockleshell sunnies, and string upon string upon string of pearls? Oh, how pearls thrill me! Could it be, that I could one day usher a young woman into my little shop, and let her see for herself just how a nude ballet slipper, a distressed camel book bag, or a cashmere cowl neck can change a life? Could I do the impossible and perform  mass baptism into the world of style by preaching the value of a starched white stiff collared shirt combined with pearl studs?

I am finding, increasingly that I had been wrong, that fashion does offer that revolutionary potential...a clean tailored suit can be an image changed, a confidence buffed, a self belief deepened, a lifestyle altered. But true transformation through fashion is a vocation that requires dedication to detail and a devotion to the agency of change. So I will dedicate myself, through this blog, through my imaginary boutique to learning, and informing and sharing the details and secrets of style. And I hope to share what I know and learn with anyone else who's life has been changed by something as simple as a second hand bejeweled brooch. Chichi's Closet is now open for business.