And... we're back! OR Roadtested: 15 denier knee-highs

Hello!  Yes, it's me!  At least, my laptop has come back to me with a brand new keyboard and touchpad, all for free!  (This is the last time I disparage Mac customer service and gripe about the interface being mildly user-unfriendly.)  Pictures are going on like a dream, the screen is lovely and big and bright... can you tell that my words are flowing more smoothly already? 

I took the pictures for this post a little while ago, but was unable to upload them until today.  Don't assume though, that it isn't still this cold in beloved Inklund.  The weather vacillates between chirpy and sunny and pelting with rain in the matter of tens of minutes.  Thanks, Inklund.  Thanks.

Anyway, at the time that I took the pictures for this post, I had just bought a box of 15 denier kneehighs from Marks and Sparks and wanted to test them out, so I wore them to a sort of class meeting with friends.  I'm a little bit confused by how I feel about them because while I like the way they look, let's see how they stack up in terms of use, shall we?

What:  15 denier "ladder resist" knee highs.  They look like a giant tube sock when you take them out of the box and have a dark nylon bit on the top.  You get 3 pairs in one box, so it's good value for money.

How they work:  Well, in terms of looks, you'll see that they pretty much deliver at promised.  They were comfortable, stayed up, and in my view looked quite lovely.  Also, the guys in the class were quite fascinated by them and tried them on like socks, leg hair notwithstanding.  (I paired them with Oxfords to avoid too much of a... uh... streetwalker vibe.)

In terms of ladder resist though... I have to say that I'm really unhappy but a giant hole appeared in the toe of one of them after I walked to class!  Thankfully, it was the toe, so I can still wear them.  I don't know if this was because my toenail was sharp and chafed it to bits or anything, but I was still really upset because Marks and Sparks tights are traditionally quite good and I was disappointed that they didn't hold up.

However, 15 denier really is very thin, and it could have been a fluke, so I'll have to test the other two pairs.  If they end up performing better, I'll put in an edit and let you know.

Will I be back for more?  Possibly yes, because they look cute, but I don't want to be wearing them out at the rate of a pair per wear.  So only if the other pairs are more tough.

FYI, they have boxes of 20 denier which might perform better.

Coat - Zara.  Cardigan - Present from mom.  Cami - Primark.

Oxford heels - Chatelet.  Shorts - DIY.  Earrings - Anjuly.  

Knee highs - M and S.  Necklace - Spitalfields.

In terms of the outfit, I know lots of people tell me this coat looks like a bathrobe, but it's so snuggly and warm that I don't care.  If not for the fact that it was white, I would wear it every day.  Given the weather, I don't see myself discarding my coats any time soon!  

Oh, the joys of consistent posting and big, bright pictures once more!  Blogging should go back to its usual schedule and thank you so much for continuing to read and comment, it really makes my day!

PS  I was thinking of doing a roadtest/review of all the tights I've ever worn and rating them according to the shops that sell them - would anyone be interested in a collective tight review?  I ask because when I wear my good tights, lots of people ask me where they're from and don't seem to know where to find good quality pairs.

I have always loved pencil skirts,cute little striped top and red tights

I have always loved pencil skirts, so it's a pity I don't wear them more often. They give anybody the most wonderful ladylike silhouette (even people with a gut like mine) and you just feel so demure and move so nicely the whole day. I searched high and low before finding the perfect pencil skirt back home and came back to my old school favourite - Marks and Sparks.

The thing about them is that they cut clothes for women. People who cut clothes for places like Topshop cut them for girls with no hips. I have spent many a sad day asphyxiating myself with their bodycon skirts in the changing room only to realise that I will never be able to wear bodycon. 

Anyway, I paired the skirt with my cute little striped top and red tights and was surprised at just how put together it looked. This is the easiest (and arguably cutest) outfit I've put together for 30 x 30 so far!

Coat - Primark. Top - Primark. Skirt - Marks and Sparks. 

Oxford heels - Paris (Chatelet). Tights - Tesco.

Bracelet - Pandora. Nails - Courtesy of Shriya.

Tights make the oufit, Necklace - Made by my mother.

Jersey top - Zara.  Black full skirt - Forever21.

Tights - Square 2.  Black flats - Mimosa.  Necklace - Made by my mother.

Dressing for concerts, quick tips

Dressing for concerts

I thought it would be funny to do a little tongue-in-cheek bit on how to dress for concerts based on my very unscientific observation. I am by no means an expert but I have picked up some tips from watching audiences all round the world so I thought I'd share them in case anyone is interested.

Loads of people ask this question on wiki answers or whatever, but some of the advice I've read is truly appalling including one website that said "Don't wear the band's t-shirt because you'll just look like a noob." PHWAAT?! Where are the thousands of pieces of merchandise being sold going then, you nimrod?

So, here are my quick tips, none of which are definitive, but all of which have been tried and tested.

1) Yes, please wear the band's t-shirt if you want. If you have one, why the hell wouldn't you? For one, it's a way to show support especially if you're a rabid enough fan to have purchased one, and for another, it creates a great sense of community when you see throngs of people streaming in one direction with shirts that all say one thing. It's just great fun and it's something you shouldn't miss out on if you really love a band.

2) It is quite acceptable to wear the t-shirt of another band as long as you follow certain guidelines:

a) You can wear the shirt of another band if their music is somehow adjacent or similar to the band playing. So you can wear a Judas Priest or Iron Maiden or Dream Theatre shirt to see Rush and feel quite pleased with yourself about it. Or, you could wear a Queen shirt to watch Keane or a HIM shirt to watch Sabbath.

b) You can wear the shirt of a band if it no longer exists and thus does not pose any threat to the band that is playing. So I've seen Pink Floyd and Bob Marley and The Beatles t-shirts at many many concerts that I've attended.

c) You shouldn't be wearing the shirt of a rival band unless you're looking to start trouble. For example, I wouldn't wear a Blur shirt to see Oasis (though honestly, I don't know that I would wear the shirt of either band in any case) or a Beatles shirt to see the Rolling Stones (although this is slightly more acceptable, see rule above).

d) You can wear an AC/DC shirt almost everywhere. 

e) You should not be wearing your Avril Lavigne shirt anywhere. Just please.

3) Outside of band t-shirts, there are only two other rules I follow. Dress comfortable. I know the mentality is that you have to look hot and glittery, but if you want to attend lots of gigs, I'd go with stylish comfort over giant hair, loads of jewellery and falsies. To be honest, everyone looks unkempt and sweaty at the end of it and that's part of the experience... Looking overdressed and having to stand aloof just isn't as fun.

People will tell you not to wear heels or slippers or flats or god knows what, but really that's up to you as long as you're comfortable. Bear in mind you might be standing for a very very long time, sometimes on grass, sometimes in the sun and you'll be moving around a lot. If it's going to get cold, bring a light layer. If it's going to be hot, don't layer too much. You get the idea.

So as long as you feel relaxed and agile in the clothes you wear, feel free to wear almost anything. If you're going to be uncomfortable just for the sake of looking glamourous and wear stilettos on grass or something, good luck.

AND

4) Dress safely. If you're going to a fairly tame concert, then anything goes, but I've been in places where people have nearly gotten smashed in the front of the audience and so I would advise some care.

For example, close toed shoes if you're worried about being stepped on, no dangly jewellery if there's any danger that someone could tug at you and hair in a high, safe style. After someone nearly ripped my hair out at Black Sabbath, I've developed a high, tight ponytail or two, equally out of the way pigtails. It's may not be as hawt as letting your hair flow free or whatever, but at least you'll have hair left. Also, try to avoid sharp accessories. I've been at concerts where I've nearly fallen or people around me have gotten into fights and it would have just been awful to get cut.

And finally, a small cross body bag is always helpful if you're going to be standing.

With those rambly tips in mind, here's what I wore to see Rush:

Earrings - F21. Shorts - DIY. Shirt - H&M. Checked men's shirt - H&M.

Tights - H and M. Boots - Dr Martens. Bracelets - Made by mother.

I cuffed my shorts for a cleaner line and more leg, and the only concession to dangling accessories were these amazing 70s-looking earrings which could be removed and stowed in my pocket if things got rough (they totally didn't). Also, I love this men's shirt... I think they're on sale at H&M right now at 2 for the price of 1 and Shriya and I each got one.

Dinner at eight, Back home, one of the things The D and I like to do is eat

Back home, one of the things The D and I like to do is eat.  (This explains my not-quite-svelte physique.)

I mean,  I don't think there's anyone who doesn't like to eat.  We have an unapologetic love affair with our food that most of the world greets with disbelief, and occasionally, disgust.  There are many eateries that stay open 24 hours and they're packed most of the time.  Most places don't close for the break between lunch and dinner because people keep right on going in between as well.  Going to dinner is a huge event, trumped only by the enthusiasm with which a 2am supper is greeted.  And don't even get me started on buffets.

So back home, we continually look out for good new places to try, and since The D is as sartorially um... inclined as I am, we like to get a bit fancy to do it.

When he came to visit, we made sure to hit up new places every.  Single.  Lunch and dinner.  I'm embarrassed to say that at least 50% of the schedule revolved around reservations.  Particularly exciting was the night we met up with five of my classmates/friends to try dinner at the much-hyped Jamie's Italian in the next city.

Top - Primark.  Jean leggings - New Look.  Oxfords - New Look.

Croc clutch - Secondhand vintage.  Earrings - F21.  Bracelet - Fie Japan.  

Rings - Diva.

I'd just bought this bright mustard top from Primark and I love how voluminous and relaxed the fit is.  Aki, a fellow blogger, suggested that there should be a specific category for outfits to eat in , I agree) and this definitely fits in that category.

Hold you now, I've been away for a little while on a sort of "holiday"

I've been away for a little while on a sort of "holiday", doing a little travelling around the country and entertaining a guest who has come to visit from far, far away.

"Summer" has not yet made itself truly felt, but today it was warm enough to go out with bare legs (and crazy tap shorts) and sunglasses.  So, my best buddy and I went hand-in-hand, to walk together amongst the golden flowers and softly scented lavender, laughing and joking, teasing each other as we stepped carefully through the tall grass.

Fat bumblebees drowsed in the flowers and thistledown drifted through the air.  Such days are so few and far between for us right now that even an occasional draught couldn't dampen my spirits.

Sequinned tap shorts - Factory outlet.  Sweater - Factory outlet.  Bag - Vintage.

Ring - Present from Dhany.  Scarf - New Look.  Sunnies - Charles and Keith.

Bracelets - Claire's.  Clogs - Swedish Hasbeens for H&M.

It's not particularly warm or sunny here, or great weather for picnics or sightseeing outdoors.  Yet, I feel like there's not much more I could ask for right now, apart from giving thanks that you are here, and that if only for a little while, I have the chance to hold your hand.

Mixing prints Full disclosure here: I have terrible fashion sense.

Full disclosure here: I have terrible fashion sense. 

Since I was a little kid, I would wear the most ridiculous things together, such as a neon orange oversized shirt and hot pink bicycle pants, not because I was fashion forward or bold, but because I simply didn't care how I looked when I was running around.

And I just didn't understand the first things about proportion, colour or cut.  My friends laughed at me all the time and it was a normal for other kids to do a double take when I emerged, ready for the day. 

It got so bad, my mother had to call me into the bedroom to give me a lesson on how to dress myself so she wouldn't look negligent and I wouldn't look like an orphan. 

But when I was thirteen I wore a beret and a mini skirt for a school-related outing and I was hooked on cute clothes.  It didn't necessarily mean I put them together well, but I still loved buying them and dressing up and the way they made me feel.

A part of me still has the most terrible dress sense, but I enjoy clothes so much that I don't care.

It's the reason why I started this blog, to look at how the way I dress is growing and changing and really having fun with it. 

So with my childhood fiascos in mind, I turned my attention to mixed prints. 

I would not, for the life of me, be able to tell you how to mix prints.  Magazines and shit say that you could start by putting similar themes with similar colour schemes together, like light blue florals and dark blue florals, so that you can ease into the craziness and get used to what is quite a bold look for some.

But someone who has worn neon orange with neon pink is past all that cautiousness now, so I dove straight in, simply by picking out random prints from my closet I thought would look cute together.

Owl blouse - Zara.  Floral skirt - My mother's.

Bag - Kathy Van Zeeland.  Earrings - Diva.  Cutout sandals - Dr Martens.

I loved the contrast of the little owls with the huge roses and I also loved how the neutral, earthy tone of one item set off the bold, almost screaming colours of the other.

Photos by Dhany

I threw my hair in a tousled bun with a wavy fringe and ran around like this all day.  It was practical, comfortable, and yet, I had so much fun with this outfit. 

Maybe this combination doesn't work for some people, but it felt great for me and I was having the best time.  And really, dressing up is more about feeling good in your own skin rather than what's trendy or what your friends think or what some fashion magazine tells you to do.

For someone like me who has horrible dress sense, that works just perfectly.