“Brace yourself, winter is coming.”

Could you imagine living in the North like the Stark family from Game of Thrones? While I am furiously enjoying the HBO show at the moment, I think I’ll just stick to summer. Unfortunately, winter ís coming, so I’ll have to stay warm. That is why I bought myself a humongous thickly knitted scarf from Tommy Hilfiger and a cute hat from Ted Baker. Still in search of the perfect woolen pick-me-up? Here are five items to keep you warm during winter!

Long sleeve top, €38 / ASOS aviator jacket, €105 / Leather gloves, €115 / John Rocha black hat, €20 / Scapa boots

What is your favourite winter item?

Back to basics: the trench coat

I’m continuing this new short series, inspired by a book I bought in London by Antonio Mancinelli, known from Vogue and Marie Claire. This “Fashion Box” is a book about the iconic fashion pieces every woman should have in their closet and how they were made famous.

The trench coat is one of the stateliest pieces of fashion in any man or woman’s wardrobe.  For men, it amplifies their masculine aura and for women it exaggerates their female shapes thanks to its belt.
It was originally designed during the First World War. It’s goal was to replace the heavy weighted greatcoats for French and British military officers and be waterproofed, while remaining lightweight.
Today, there’s still a debate over who was the first to manufacture these types of coats, but in fashion industry Burberry is perhaps the most recognized and renowned for their trench coats.

The most recognizable traits of the coat are the wide lapels, a flap for windier weather and a belt in the waist. With most trench coats, the wrists and shoulders have buttoned straps, as do the pockets. The most popular colors for trench coats are various shades of beige, khaki or even black.

Even after the periods of war, they stayed fashionable in everyday life. The trench coat was a associated with a firm, businesslike personality, which was idea for all businessmen out there.
In 1975, filmmaker Billy Wilder brought out his new movie “Witness for the Prosecution”. Marlene Dietrich starred in the movie almost always sporting a trench coat.

Trench coats are often linked together with someone dangerous or someone who means business. The coat is worn by many main characters in various media: the protagonists from the Matrix, Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca, Inspector Clouseau or even the angel Castiel from Supernatural.

Needless to say how much I adore the trench coat. It’s lightweight version perfect for fall weather and a woolen coat could be worn for even the coldest days of winter. It gives a very particular, distinct look which I love. The coat is very neutral and can be worn by everyone and everything!

The trench coat I’m wearing at the moment. I love the detail in the back.

Do you own a trench coat? What do or don’t you like about it?

A little piece of yourself

Yesterday I read an interesting article on The Independent about how customization nowadays becomes more and more desired. It is true that in a world where everything is so easily accessible, customizing your purchase will take it to a higher level. Making an item personal gives the nostalgia: while everything is created in bulk, having an item built to your pleasing makes it feel as if it were handed to you by the designer himself or making it stand out in a world of mass-production.

I think the biggest hype for name tagging your belongings would be the famous “Carrie” necklace from Sex and the City. Fashionista’s stared longingly at their tv-screens and thus sites like My Name Necklace or Elmin Jewellery  had their orders rolling in. And who doesn’t want her name to hang around her neck? In the meantime, Lauren Conrad had her double-finger ring made with her name on it. Cue a new hype.

But you know, it is true what the article says. Personalized items have more value to us than a fleeting it-design of the moment. Even just a little more backstory to the product makes it stick in our minds. For example, webshop owners who leave handwritten “thank you”-notes with their shipped orders or a small boutique owner who talks your through the process of making your own customized pair of boots. Don’t these little things make your purchase that much more valuable to you? Just like when a jock receives his first varsity jacket with his initials on it.

I myself haven’t got any personalized items, yet. Of course, I have my cellphone and tablet covers to make things more personal, it’s not quite the same. I love this long-standing trend and I think it’s worth saving some pennies for.
Anyway, I think you should read the article, if you have the time for it.

Do you have any personalized items? What did you think of the article?

The history behind Balmain

Fashion house Balmain is easily in my top 5 of favourite fashion brands. I feel they get the feminine touch we all look for in clothes, but delivers it with a tougher edge. Do you know where it originated? Let me tell you.

Pierre Balmain was born in a town in France in 1914. His father, who was owner of a drapery business, died when Balmain was still young, while his mother owned a boutique. He himself went off to study architecture, but was eventually more entranced with designing dresses.  He quit to design under the wing of Edward Molyneux and Lucien Lelong. In 1945 he finally then opened his own fashion house to mark his stamp on the fashion industry. A couple of years later he opened stores throughout the United States. He tailored the rich and famous such as Birgit Bardot and the Queen of Thailand. He could handle simple and elegant skirts, as well as spectacular evening gowns, which made him very desired by the crowd. “Dressmaking is the architecture of movement” is perhaps his most famous quote, relating to his unfinished studies.

After Balmain’s death in 1982, the brand lost much of its original grandeur. Head designers then were Eric Mortensen and later Oscar de la Renta. In spite of their efforts, it wasn’t until Christophe Decarnin became head designer in 2005, who gave the brand an adrenaline shot back into the game.

His daring and ultra-chic looks earned him a lot attention on red carpets and runways. Everyone will remember the asymmetrical jeans jacket, I presume? Or the studded sandals? These iconic pieces have become connected to the Balmain name. Recently, in 2011, one of Decarnin’s deputies took over: Olivier Rousteing. With the same catchy and bold designs, he continues to keep the Balmain-name high and prominent.

What are your thoughs on this renowned fashion house?

About bodytypes: rectangular shape

Fashion is about expressing yourself, showing yourself to the world, taking care of yourself or just simply creativity. It’s wearing what you like and feeling good about it. Still, for me, a crucial detail to making an outfit work, is taking your body type into account. I’ve already written a part about the pear shape here. Today I will be talking about the more opposite body shape: the rectangle body type.

Rectangle or straight type

Women who have a more straight shaped body are known for easily sporting an androgynous look. Your width is fairly the same throughout all of your body. Straight hips, straight waist and a smaller bosom are key for your figure. Good news for you: you can pull of a wide range of clothes, as long as you don’t widen your waist.

Fake it till you make it

Play a trick of perception by adding curves to your body! Flared jeans, poofy skirts or even flowy tops will do the job, as long as you keep your waist clean and cinched. Always remember that belts are your best friend! It’ll do the trick by defining your waist, while keeping the volume to create curves. Layering is a nice way to create some volume, but don’t overdo it as it can create a more bulky effect. Think of nipped jackets or A-line skirts. Stiff fabrics are a big “No” to have in your closet.

Well placed details

When choosing jeans or skirts, look for details around the hips such as pockets or stitches or more towards the bottom like zippers or tapered out leg. Don’t go too wide, as it can put the balance off. The best skirts for you are tulip-skirts, full circle cut skirts and voluminous A-line skirts. Don’t go too heavy with ruffles, to avoid throwing off the balance.

Choose tops with some interesting necklines and cleavage, as it narrows down your waist. A push-up bra would also be a good investment. Peplums, wrap dresses, accents on your shoulders or arms or belted cardigans are a definite must for your figure, as they compliment your upper body while keeping the waist slim. Prints on your upper body are also flattering for your body and also makes your look more interesting. Jackets that go down just to your hip-bone are the most flattering for your look.

Next time I’ll discuss the apple figure!

What body shape do you have? What are you tips and tricks?

The cult that is Lagerfeld

Have you heard of Karlism? No? I hadn’t either until I stumbled upon it via Karl Lagerfeld’s Twitter.
Karlism consists of daring quotes of Karl Lagerfeld and his view on fashion. They are all archived on his website here.
I love Karl’s quotes, they’re so striking and he’s amazing for just telling his opinion. I gathered those that I liked the most to show you. The last one definitely stands out for me, because I think he’s dead on. I’ve met my share of people who followed what other people did. Or some who wanted to do just as well or even better than someone else, because they couldn’t stand it. Those people are still very dull and superficial and I don’t envy them. Jealousy is a terrible, but also a human trait. It’s something I try to work on daily.
When I was younger, say 14 years old, I’d be jealous and tried to fit in frequently. Then at some point in that following year I grew up. So I was tall and lanky and had a weird face, but so what? I stopped doing like everyone else would and didn’t mind standing out in a crowd anymore. And to be honest, that was the best decision I could ever make.

Which quote do you find inspiring and why?

OOTD: NYFW Day 7

While shooting streetstyle pics at the New York Fashion Week, professional photographer Vince Marchese surprised me by taking my pictures. Thanks Vince!
I wore a tunic, which bought in a small boutique in Rome. This shows that you can find hidden pearls where you wouldn’t expect them.

Glasses: Chanel / Belt: bebe / Watch: Storm / Bag: Björn Borg / Shoes: Hot Ice