Wardrobe Voyeurism

The most frequent email I get from blog readers goes along the lines of "please post pictures of your shoes/your wardrobe/your room." Voyeurism is an undeniably powerful force, and it goes a long way in explaining the popularity of most personal style blogs. I'm certainly not above it... I love getting that little glimpse into people's style and lives through the online portals which are their blogs.

I'm always surprised how many people email me asking to see more of my 'fashion life,' considering how generally impersonal this blog is (I can only imagine how many emails the famous personal style bloggers must get each day, from people wanting to see more). I feel quite self conscious doing this sort of thing, but I thought'd I'd try something new, so here goes..


Above - the fragrances I like. Dior Homme by Dior Homme, Prada Amber Pour Homme, Prada Infusion d'Homme, Six Scents x Gareth Pugh, Hermès Orange Vert, Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa, Acqua di Parma Arancia di Capri.

I don't have one 'signature scent' which I wear frequently; I always think that must get quite oppressive after a while, not only for yourself but for people around you too. I actually wear fragrances rarely... mostly I just like having them, which is a bit pathetic. I've never had to buy a full size Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa, because every time I've bought a cheapo Acqua di Parma bath soap I've managed to wrangle several, free mini sample bottles of the Intensa!

Most requested next...shoes!

Back row: all Raf Simons
Middle row: Raf Simons, Miu Miu, Balenciaga x2
Front row: Prada x 2, Lanvin

By the standards of most style bloggers, this is a small number of shoes.. but by normal standards I guess it's quite a lot. I had some reservations about posting this, because my parents read this blog, and they'll probably freeze my bank account immediately if they see all those shoes!

I'm not going to detail everything in my wardrobe, because that would be tedious for everyone involved. This is what I'm planning to wear this winter:

Rick Owens DRKSHDW bomber jacket:

Black things always look a bit dodge in photos, but this is really good on. Putting on a Rick Owens jacket instantly makes you about 10x cooler, which is a much needed boost for me..

Kostym by Cheap Monday padded jacket:

As well as jeans, Cheap Monday have some great, inexpensive clothes. I got this jacket a few winters ago, and I think it's quite brilliant. It's really warm, and it looks more expensive than it was! It has this cool tooth tag inside, which actually just broke off and is waiting to be reattached, but anyway..

This winter, I'll also wear my APC tartan check jacket from 2008:

And my spring/summer 2009 Rick Owens gradient leather jacket. It's not really a cold weather jacket, but it cost so much I'll bloody well have to freeze in it to continue to get my money's worth..

Jil Sander fall/winter 2010 shirt:

This was the only piece from all of the men's FW10 collections that I *really* wanted. There's something about it which is just perfect.. Raf Simons' genius touch as ever.

Recently got this Prada shirt on eBay (un-used, with tags) for a great price, because it's from about five years ago I think. Prada shirts are amazing quality, they fit really well, and they have these brilliant, quirky prints..


Also love this one which I've had for ages with little devils:

H&M shirt that thinks it's Prada..

Bought this reversible Jil Sander t-shirt on eBay recently for £20. It's quite interesting...I have no idea what season it's from, or whether it's from before or after Raf Simons took over...

On the inside, it says STAY ON THE WILD SIDE in furry flock print:

I wonder if it might be a manufacturing reject or something, because it is very mixed up. When you turn it inside out, the label is on the inside, but all the stitching is exposed. When you turn it the right way out, the label sticks out on the outside. I wonder if they meant to print the inside onto the back instead..

This winter, also going to wear my Raf Simons spring/summer 2002 sweater:

And my Alexander McQueen fall/winter 2006 sweater (which was an amazing bargain in the Selfridges sale):

I only buy a few 'designer' things each season. I don't believe in 'one season only' so I always re-wear things time and time again. It's absurd when people will only wear designer clothes during their 'in' season, not least because they tend to be such good quality they really demand to be worn over and over again, unlike less expensive clothes which often don't last.

The bulk of my wardrobe is made up of Uniqlo merino sweaters (£24), Uniqlo flannel shirts (£24.99) and H&M t-shirts (£3). I usually wear Topman or Cheap Monday jeans (£35) and Topman slim fit trousers. Designer trousers don't fit anyway, unless you're model height and size.

Finally, believe it or not, someone once asked what the funniest thing is in my wardrobe. I actually have three contenders, because I went through a bizarre phase in 2007 of buying truly ridiculous Prada accessories (all heavily discounted in the sales, I should add... because obviously nobody else wanted to buy them!).

Prada spring/summer 2007 'patent cotton' shiny fisherman's hat..

Worn approximately 0 times!

Prada fall/winter 2007 'washing up gloves' (wear these sometimes) and FW07 mohair blend 'Smurf' hat:

Speaking of 'statement' runway pieces... I tried on the Raf Simons fall/winter 2010 white puffer-parka in Selfridges yesterday. It is a really amazing piece, which closed Raf's FW10 show. There are no two ways about it, it is totally badass, and it is a quintessential Raf Simons piece, with beautiful quality and construction, and a mind-blowing futuristic vibe. It reminds me of something from one of his earlier collections. Very rarely do I encounter clothes which actually have some sort of aura which makes me think, damn that's cool! Unfortunately, when I tried it on I looked like a snowman, because I'm too short to pull it off. Given the very high price tag, though, this could have been a blessing in disguise. There is only one for sale in London, in Selfridges, in a size 48.. so if it's your dream piece, hurry there now!