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Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Easy Pieces




For me, good quality basics with the Martini factor (remember this?) and a smattering of eye-catching accessories are where it's at. I don't work in a corporate environment, rarely wear head-to-toe tailoring and find casual glamour is my default setting. Effortlessly stylish separates, like a reliable work colleague, are easy to get along with during the day and good enough to take you over the road to the pub for a refreshing evening drink. So here are some of my favourite pieces for spring:

1. The tuxedo jacket - the one above is from la maison de chic separates, Comptoir des Cotonniers.

2. A jaunty blouse or shirt. Helps livens up a plain bottom half.



3. Liz Taylor earrings. Theses are classy not brassy and the quickest way to glam-up a pared-down outfit.



4. The luxury tee. That's Not My Age is a sucker for slinky jersey.



4. The maxi skirt - love this one from the Theyskens' Theory collection.



5. A pair of plimsolls. OK, after living in them for ooh, ever, I haven't worn Converse for years. Two reasons. I hit forty and found they were too flat and didn't provide enough support for my middle-aged feet. And then, David Cameron started wearing them. But the latest collaboration with Marimekko might be worth the physical/political pain.




6. The denim dress. This is from the new Spanish website, Medwinds which is worth checking out if, like That's Not My Age, you're a fan of quality basics. Though personally, I would ditch the platforms.



In fact, yesterday I wore my denim dress with navy cotton-knit tights and a pair of tan leather lace-ups...



7. The essential black trouser. My old Gap Capri pants have been working hard of late but I'm looking to upgrade to a longer length Cigarette-style. Here are a couple of hot favourites:




From DVF and Sportsmax. And hoorah! We're off to New York on Wednesday so I'm hoping a Brit-friendly-exchange-rate will lead me to the DVF pants, unless of course I happen upon a pair of fabulous leg-lengthening Theyskens first.


How do you do casual glamour? And wasn't Easy Pieces a Lloyd Cole album?



Tuxedo jacket, gingham blouse and leather lace-ups: Comptoir des Cotonniers
Earrings: Mikey
T-shirt: Eternitee
Theyskens' Theory: Net-a-Porter
Marimekko Converse: from Offspring and Converse (coming soon!)
Denim dres: Medwinds
DVF and Sportsmax trousers: Matches
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22 comments:

  1. Anonymous15 February 2011 at 09:30

    I love everything in that first photo. Even since schooldays I've just not been able to put casual looks together, I'm always overdressed or Nick Nolte lookalike

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  2. Sian15 February 2011 at 09:41

    Oh yes, it was. Maybe not his finest hour - but not dodgy enough to make me remove his poster which has been above my desk in various houses for 25 years now.

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  3. Vix15 February 2011 at 09:44

    Have a fabulous time in New York! I loved Converse in the eighties but find them far too flat post hip-op plus anything Call-Me-Dave wears is a fashion no-no. xxx

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  4. Veshoevius15 February 2011 at 10:01

    A luxury "looking" tee (I think Cos does great ones at an affordable price point) and a sharp jacket or blazer is how I like to do casual glamour and I love a tuxedo jacket!

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  5. Sensible Footwear15 February 2011 at 10:14

    I like CdC alot. That first pic is lovely.

    And I hear what you're saying re. Converse being too flat.

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  6. Heidi Adnum15 February 2011 at 10:30

    Love it all.

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  7. Susan B15 February 2011 at 14:03

    Love, love, love all of these looks! J'adore my Converse, but have custom orthotics for arch support that I slip inside, then I can walk around all day without my feet getting tired.

    That tee is tempting, but I just ordered a couple from Isabella Oliver...we'll see.

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  8. Susan B15 February 2011 at 14:04

    Oh, and good luck with the cigarette pants. I've been looking for some too but they all seem to be too wide at the ankle. Have a great time in NY!!

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  9. Anonymous15 February 2011 at 14:04

    That luxury tee is beautiful--I would love something like that. I definitely feel more at home in casual glamour. My uniform of choice: good jeans + quite top + biker jacket + Hermès accessories + pumps/clogs. That sums up my outfits 90% of the time.

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  10. That's Not My Age15 February 2011 at 16:18

    Sian - I'm impressed you still have the poster! I saw Lloyd Cole and the Commotions many years ago (must have been late 80s) at Hammersmith Apollo, London.

    Veshoevius - oh yes, you're right. Cos is good for luxury-looking jersey items.

    DP - I wear orthotics too but they don't really work inside my Converse. I'll keep you posted about the Cigarette pants.

    AA - Hérmes accessories and good jeans are my idea of casual glamour heaven.

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  11. Sharon 15 February 2011 at 16:56

    Hi my dear-I really love your picks here, the pieces from Comptoir des Cotonniers are just very casual chic and I love the black cigarette pants too! Have a great time in New York! xx

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  12. Anonymous15 February 2011 at 17:02

    i love your blog! (why did i not find it before? who knows...) adding it to my blog roll...
    lots of great selections in this post- i especially like the first photo, and also the cute brogues; i've been searching for the perfect pair for some time.

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  13. Holly Springett15 February 2011 at 20:27

    Love the tuxedo jacket in the first shot, understated but totally gorgeous! Always think CdC do luxe basics beautifully....

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  14. Tiffany15 February 2011 at 20:49

    Oh, that all looks gorgeous. I am particularly enamoured of that t-shirt. Sadly, any efforts I make always end up more towards the casual rather than the glamour end of the spectrum. I think one has to have a sort of insouciance to pull it off ... something I most definitely don't possess.

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  15. Semi Expat15 February 2011 at 22:09

    I love your posts on casual glamour - it's what I aspire to... Gorgeous espec. the top photo... Am on the look out for a Tuxedo jacket, most definitely. And have the most fabulous time in NY - can't wait to go there too with you, so to speak!! (Rag and Bone visit?) X

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  16. WendyB15 February 2011 at 23:41

    "And then, David Cameron started wearing them." -- that reason gave me a laugh!

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  17. Stephanie Loudmouth16 February 2011 at 01:40

    The earrings & tan lace-ups are to die for :)

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  18. Christina @ Fashion's Most Wanted16 February 2011 at 14:29

    I love the first look. It's not one I'm good at pulling off. I also would love some cigarette pants.

    Have a wonderful time in NY. I don't blame you for missing the fashion week mentalness! xx

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  19. Anonymous17 February 2011 at 00:11

    Oooh. Thanks for the tip off on those Marimekko sneakers. Round about April I always get a very profound obsession with sneakers - still dream of some pink and green Paul & Joe floral ones from, like, 8 years ago. x

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  20. janicebotterill17 February 2011 at 07:06

    those earrings make me wish my ears were still pierced...wearing jewellery has never been my thing but I seem to be having some kind of forty-plus crush on the pieces I see on others and in magazines - why is that?

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  21. CATHY DANIEL17 February 2011 at 14:59

    I just shove a good jacket on top of most things and it instantly moves it all up a notch. Will have to think about the Liz Taylor ear-rings though!

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  22. Fashionistable17 February 2011 at 15:46

    Great selection mam. I want some cigarette pants too. Hope you are having a brilliant time in NYC. Xxxx

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