My Fashion Life

I’ve been lusting after a classic black, caviar Chanel bag for some time now. Whenever I come across someone carrying one, I feel a twinge of envy and admiration. The luxurious look of the quilted lambskin and the signature linked chain and logo just epitomize the style, class and glamour that Coco, herself, embodied.

Even though I can feasibly buy one of these bags, it’s hard for me to rationalize plunking down a few thousand dollars on a handbag, no matter how fabulous and timeless it is. At the same time, I don’t think I will feel fashionably fulfilled until I have my hands on one.

Part leg warmer, part gladiator sandal, part flip-flop, these sandals by Cocobelle are a bit of a fashion dilemma. The evolved design is sure to turn some heads ( though not necessarily in a good way).

Although the jersey and rubber shoes are probably outrageously comfortable - kind of like walking around in those footy PJ’s we used to wear as kids …we’re not sure that too many people (minus the likes of Kate Moss or the Olsen Twins) could pull them off.

Innovation and redefinition is clearly key to fashion and style, but sometimes we wonder if sporting designs like this scream that we’re trying too hard to be different?

No matter what, both Sarah Jessica Parker and Mary-Kate Olsen always set the fashion world abuzz with their outfit choices, and never seem to apologize for their mis-steps. Case in point? The latest get-ups that the two were photographed wearing.

At the oh-so-huge Sex and the City premiere on Monday, Ms. Carrie Bradshaw took the floral trend to new heights (literally) by arriving in an all green ensemble, complete with floral bouquet stemming from her chapeau.

And on the other side of the pond, the Olsen twin was spotted in what looks like a green suede jacket with fur trim, suede moccasins and a chinchilla fur bag that she could easily fit into – in the dead of Spring no less.

I spend most of my time consuming an unhealthy amount of fashion information both online and in print, so I try to break things up a bit by keeping up to date on techy stuff too. While doing my blog rounds on Friday, both worlds collided when I saw this keyboard shopping bag. My first thought was, “interesting”…second thought, “would I actually carry one?”

The Keybag, which also comes in black, is designed by Portuguese designer João Sabino.

Like the cupcake clutch, I do love the concept. However 80% of my day is spent banging away at a keyboard, so could I see myself carrying one around too? Not so much.

Scrunchies died a long time before that classic episode of SATC when Carrie and Berger argue about the 80’s hair accessory and its place in fashion history. Or so I thought…

The last time I saw a scrunchy for purchase must’ve been circa early 90’s when there was no other option to put your hair up with besides the banana clip. However, while browsing Free People for some cute summer gear, I decided to scope out new hair accessories and came across their collection of…you guessed it, scrunchies.

Free People have modernized the scrunchy by making it a lot more sleek and trendy- using thin, colourful burnout fabric with a cool boho-feel.

With this new iteration of scrunchy, there’s definitely been some improvements made, but still, I don’t think I’d ever be able to muster up the courage to wear one again. It gives me chills just thinking about it.

Leiber have created the cutest, sweetest clutch. Handcrafted, the limited edition Strawberry Cupcake miniaudiere is made entirely from beads and topped with rose and light pink Austrian crystals. Being that it’s everything I hate in a purse: gaudy and loud, I really want to hate it.

But every time I look at it, I reluctantly get this warm feeling in my tummy! It may be tiny, but it definitely isn’t cheap. Retailing at $4,295 it must be the most expensive cupcake every made.

So first came jewel-tones, next came colour-blocking, and then ombre and tie-dye…and now comes patchwork? It seems as though the fashion world has been repressed in black and neutrals for some time and is desperate to add levity and boldness to what can sometimes become an otherwise depressing palette (especially when the uni of city girls is typically black on black).

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Personally I can’t say I’m the greatest fan of Amy Winehouse’s style. She’s adopted the sultry, signature look of the sixties and somehow made it grimey. Am I in the minority? Judging from the video above in which Suzy Menkes analyses Amy’s look, I might possibly be. Karl Lagerfeld is a fan of the star, and the catwalks have undoubtedly been awash with “big hair and dark eyes.” But honestly I’m baffled by her appeal. Please tell me…do you think Amy Winehouse is a style icon at all?