Tales Of London: Part 1: Lulu Guinness

Okay, so while traipsing around the Seven Dials area of London on Christmas Eve (lost), I passed by what I think, in retrospect, was Poste Mistress (UKers, feel free to correct me if this implausible) and stopped and nearly creamed over some Lulu Guinness "Vera" heels very similar to these:

(Photo via Shoewawa)

The ones I saw were a different color -- the color has escaped me in my hazy dream sequence -- and maybe seemed to have a more stiletto-y, less pump-y heel, but all I saw were the gorgeous silver lips. Heaven! Twas for the best that the shop was closed, because the exchange rate was KIL.LING.

Still my Lulu Guinness lust will continue, albeit from afar...

Doggie Bags

Yay! I'm back! Actually I've been back a few days now (couldn't you feel that magic in the air and kick in your step? That was me.) But, I was plagued with horrendous food poisoning of some sort which I'm convinced was caused not by the haggis of Scotland but by a certain (read: the only) Cuban place on Smith Street. Not good. Anyway, just as I recover, I'm confronted by this monstrosity today at one of the cheap, slutty shops on 14th Street:




There are so many fucking wrong things in this photo, I don't even know where to start. But just in case you weren't clear, those AREN'T stuffed animals tethered to mannequins, which would be foul enough. They're DOGGIE PURSES! Is this what's in with the Hannah Montana set (that and faking your dad's death for tickets)? But it's even more disturbing that this shop is geared toward teens up to adults, at least in size, though certainly not in mentality.

Just a few other things wrong here, in case you're still transfixed by the horrifying puppy sacks:

+ Christmas lights wrapped around one mannequin's leg
+ leg warmers
+ Konichiwa shirt
+ dogs

If that one French bulldog-looking pup down in the front could talk he'd be like FOR GOD'S SAKE, GET ME THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! BUY ME AND BURN ME! JUST GET ME OUT OF THIS FASHION SNAKE PIT!!


Horrendo.

The real measure of a man is in the hands of your tailor

One of my New Years resolutions is to buy more less (I used to be the ultimate consumer personified) but what I buy will be quality. Less is more. This should ring true in every man's wardrobe. The need for hundreds and hundred of garments is superfluous to style- style blossoms in a concise, well thought out wardrobe. my disorganised wardrobe is a graveyard of impulse buys, faded and worn out favourites with the occasional long lasting piece and it is precisely the latter which I want to grow. Of course I'm not ruling out all impulse buying (life would be so dull!) but I have set myself a target and my reward will be the ultimate clothing investment...a bespoke suit. This is the ultimate sartorial choice with obvious advantage, the fit of course is perfect, flattering your good points and disguising any less liked elements of your figure. However one of the most attractive advantages for me is the level of control that it gives you, the consumer.

On bespoke tailoring Hardy Amies remarked 'It is often forgotten that we execute orders: we do not sell clothes. If you went into the Boutique you would buy a suit, but if you walk upstairs you order a suit. At the fittings you will be able to express your desires as to the position and finish of many details. The whole process should be a harmonious co-operation between designer, tailor and customer, with the salesperson as a sort of referee'. Following this quote I have visions of a surreal wrestling match (of course no use of the tailoring scissors is allowed) between the tailor and customer with the salesperson complete with whistle in mouth. My strange mind aside, I am excited by the prospect of having a degree of influence an input, on the creation of a garment that should last a long time. The whole piece should be a reflection of your style, from the initial pattern down to the button detailing.

I enjoy reading the perspective of the tailor on the English Cut which is complimented with insightful articles for example for those of you who want to know more about what bespoke is or for those of you who feel bespoke is out of your reach. This certainly isn't the cheapest sartorial option (expect to pay around £2000 for a two piece suit) but I am a strong believer that it is the best clothing investment that one can make, it should be a staple in every stylising man's wardrobe or at least on their wish list (how long is your wish list?)

There will be subsequent posts about my blossoming love for bespoke but right now I want to declare my overwhelming desire to scrimp, save (and maybe even steal) for a two button, light grey bespoke suit. Within two years or so I want to walk away from Savile Row after my final fitting knowing that my suit is almost ready for me...

Don't believe a word of it folks- he's rubbish at saving money. I predict he'll continue losing it in Reiss, COS etc every few weeks, then just raid the inheritance in a year's time.

No place like home

Until the last year or so I simply would not entertain the notion of buying a pair of coloured shoes, ie the shoes were either black (the preferred choice) or brown or white/cream (if they were trainers)...I was much more simple back then maybe.

I am beginning to find style inspiration from extremely unlikely sources and it seems that I'm not the only one. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz might be inspiration for a number of girls growing up (not pointing fingers but I'm sure EJ had a desire to be Judy Garland) but it seems her choice of red footwear which were bright red (thanks to the technicolour film that was used) has made me green with envy. You may recall that I liked the idea of wearing a pair of bright red formal shoes with a grey suit (as shown by Mjolk) and now I have seen the Facehunter pipping me to the post and wearing his patent red boots with a mocking nonchalance (but well, the best I've seen him turned out!) alongside very similar muted tones which I myself had in mind.

If you, like me and the Facehunter, have been inspired by those 1939 ruby slippers there are plenty of offerings to choose from; Swear currently have a reduced option (which is extremely low in stock) but I prefer another pair and these can be found at b store. Why not add some colour to your feet?

I will leave you with my favourite quote from the film uttered by the Wizard of Oz himself "Frightened? Child, you're talking to a man who's laughed in the face of death, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe... I was petrified."

EJ - Well surely if you're going to channel Dorothy then you need to get those red glitter shoes we saw in the window of Topman? I can't find them on their website, although these ones are tackilious. I never really wanted to be Dorothy... maybe the cowardly lion instead. (p.s. you are still the campest straight guy I know). But seriously, I love the red shoes. I wonder if the saying about girls who wear red shoes applies for men too?

Steve - Good Morning EJ. Those Red metallic lace ups are a little too metallic for me but they certainly are Dorothy alike and thanks for reminding me about those Topman ones, they were pretty awesome. I definitely think that if the old saying is indeed true then it is universal. In response to your little remark about my perceived campness...I am proud to be the campest straight guy you know, that is quite the accolade. I will call you later as it seems you have run out of credit....someone needs to get a contract! Happy Saturday everyone!

Balzac and the Lanvin Hi Top

"The brute covers himself, the rich man and the fop adorn themselves, the elegant man dresses!"

Words from one the greatest fiction writers of all time - Honore de Balzac

What are your thoughts on this statement? I'm not too sure if the brute does cover himself, I've seen many a brute seemingly reluctant or unable to cover themselves! I'm not even too sure which bracket I'd put myself in. Of course most of us strive to be elegant but there are occasions where adorning oneself is preferable. Surely the Lanvin Hi tops which everyone covets so much (even the ladies - hands off our shoes I say!) blur the boundaries between adornment and elegance? I'm not too sure that Balzac was aware that Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver would create something that damaged his observation.

In all seriousness though I don't think that the divide between elegance and adornment is that clear. Of course there are numerous examples of each that can be found throughout the archives of the Sartorialist, Facehunter and friends but there are equally examples of combinations of the two.

Apologies for the strange post. I am tired and this might have made me mad. I promise more interesting posts will follow and I won't mention these hi tops again. I am currently working on a number of Bespoke articles after being inspired by the recent Esquire. Off to bed with me. Tomorrow I will supplement this post with examples.

I think that the difference between elegance and adornment is one of depth- adornment for me suggests something specific (a nice brooch perhaps.. something sparkly and expensive, hence the snipe at rich men), whereas elegance is more all-encompassing, something embued in everything the wearer wears, does and is. I think the difference to focus on, however, is between dressing and adorning... once again I think that the word dressing suggests a real care and thoughtfulness behind what one puts on (as opposed, specifically, to covering which is just shoving on whatever can disguise your nudity) while adornments may be nice in themselves, but the rest of the outfit may not be as thought through. I suppose the trick is to dress well, then adorn yourself as you see fit.

I must say, I bloody love that picture. It reminds me of photos of convicts (for some reason they had to show their hand in photos back in the bad old days), while his open shirt reminds me of The Death of Chatterton.

Beautiful Actress: Sun Li 孙俪

Name: Betty Sun Li 孙俪
Profession: Actress and dancer
Date of birth: 1982-Sept-26
Horoscope: Libra
Place of birth: Shanghai, China
Height: 165cm
Weight: 45kg
Chinese zodiac: Dog
Blood type: O

First Fashion Purchase of '08

Thanks to J.Crew's "up to 50% off" final sale extravaganza (as opposed to all their other sale extravaganzas that regularly show up in my inbox), I made my first purchase of the new year!



J.Crew sparkle tartan "Madeline" blouse, $19.99 (was $78). UPDATE: It's ridiculously big and boxy. I'm going to have use my as-yet-untested dart-making skillz to alter it, as it's unreturnable. Boo! Hiss!

And just for kicks (get it?? harrr), the last fashion purchase of '07:



Saucony "Jazz" sneaks, $14.99 (for certain colors).