Ladylike

 

 

M@$$iV3 vIntigE L@yDeE

A post to celebrate last night's return of Downton Abbey, perhaps? Not that I've had the chance to see it yet, what with getting in from London Fashion Week with a head-splitting migraine last night. Fear not, that was probably the only bad thing that happened over the weekend, the rest of which was pretty darn spectacular...

As someone who is proud to advocate dressing up with a conscious effort against consumerism and torture of the Earth/its furry and feathered inhabitants - most of my clothes bought secondhand from charity shops and car boot sales - I do feel a little hypocritical doing this post. However, who doesn't like trying something different, a little bit of dressing up just for a day? Especially when you have an exact idea of how you want to look but frustratingly don't usually have the means to buy the right items to recreate the exact image that's in your head (although of course, this could rightly be referred to as, *ahem*, 'first world problems'). 

Let me assure you, as I had already awkwardly explained to a reporter whilst doing a TV interview at Somerset House (let's hope that one doesn't surface any time soon) that the fur is as faux as can be - no possums harmed in the making of this lil' coat. It was one of three pieces I borrowed for the shoot from the Apartment, Abi's latest venture which you will hear about very soon if you haven't already! Along with the bag and cloche hat - a piece that I've been longing to own ever since I started watching Downton and pinning vintage photos from Camden market into my scrapbook - it made a perfect wannabe 1920s ensemble. Okay, so the ladies of the past may have frowned and tutted at the length of my skirt (can just imagine a disdained Maggie Smith muttering bitterly whilst darting scornful daggers at my knees), but neither was I aiming to be dressed exactly like them...

Big thanks to the wonderful Carrie for helping me out with the photos, and Abi for the samples and endless gestures of goodwill throughout LFW.

~

Faux fur coat, Pinko

Patent handbag, Dune

Kitty cloche hat, Hobbs

(all from The Apartment)

Cream lace Mary dress, c/o Monki

Flats, vintage

Autumn Whispers

 

 

 

 

 

Morning in the Château

I was going to leave this post until later, because from now on things will get busier than ever for me, but I really could not wait another minute to share with you my experience of staying in a real château in the middle of nowhere the French countryside. This was one last surprise from my parents on our drive home from Spain - I knew that we were staying the night but not that it was in, well, a CASTLE. Arriving at dusk, with an aristocratic-looking dog running out to greet us, with swallows flying in and out freely and settling like noiseless delicate shadows in high-up ceiling nooks, stepping onto the grand staircase (dragging my not-so-grand suitcase) and arriving in our room to find an antique trunk at the foot of our bed... well, the Downton theme tune may or may not have been playing at the back of my mind as the above events unfolded (say nothin', say NOTHIN'). To add to the magic, we were the only visitors there.

 It certainly didn't seem real at first, but when I woke up I was glad to assure myself that the trunk was still there, therefore the castle wasn't made up either. Excellent. I couldn't wish for a better way to step into autumn than this.

Until next year, Europe! You have been unbelievable this summer.

~

Cream silk blouse, vintage via A Most Marvellous Place to Shop

Camel skirt and bag, thrifted vintage Karen Millen

Jacket, Karl Lagerfeld via T.K.Maxx

Skeleton key necklace, vintage

Shoes, Dr. Martens

Photos by my extraordinary sister.