Thought for the Day: Clémence Poésy

Boxy (most probably Chanel) jacket, black skinny jeans & the perfect pair of ankle boots. Does Clémence Poésy ever get it wrong?

The Icon: Tomboy

I know I have written about Argentinean stylist Marina Muñoz's style before, but this is just pure outfit perfection. I never cease to be impressed by the way she so effortlessly exudes that elusive tomboy ease with a confidence I can only hope to emulate in my day to day dressing. Inspired by classic tomboy icons such as Jane Birkin and Charlotte Rampling, as well as photographer August Sander's portraits, Marina is a one of a kind style maverick. You can only imagine how happy I was to discover she was Vogue.fr's most recently featured Une fille un style...

Gaucho Gipsy Ethnic Chic, quatre mots indissociables qui me décrivent parfaitement. Tout ce que je possède est d'abord un choix personnel, un choix que je fais au hasard de mes rencontres, mes voyages, la musique que j'écoute, les livres que je lis. Ce sont ces choix qui font mon style. - Marina Muñoz

(photograph: Street Peeper)

Summer Essentials: The Oxford Shirt

After careful consideration I think my next purchase will be a blue Oxford Shirt. Plain, simple and the epitome of tomboy chic, it will go with everything in my wardrobe and can be dressed up or down. I'll wear mine tucked into black cigarette pants, or my Acne flares for a comfortable yet pulled together look. How do you wear yours?

(Photographs: j.lindberg via the knight cat)

Gentlewoman

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that simplicity, for me, is key. These images from La Garconne perfectly illustrate how to throw on an outfit made entirely out of basics without any fear of looking boring. In fact, it is the almost invisible nature of the clothes which really catches my eye, creating that nonchalant-thrown together look that is just perfect for autumnal dressing. Both practical and chic.

Ode to Isabel

So yesterday I was strolling through the Marais on my way for my favourite lunchtime treat at Breizh Cafe when who should I bump into but the most sought after of French designers and one of my ultimate style icons, Isabel Marant. She gave me as a smile of recognition as she clocked my jacket... the exact same one she was wearing! Marant is one of my favourite designers for a number of reasons but namely because she is so indifferent to 'fashion' despite being one of the most desirable designers of our generation. My love affair with her designs started upon seeing her Fall-2007-Ready-to-Wear on vogue.fr, something I am still constantly returning to for references. These looks are as relevant today in fashion as they were three years ago. Her designs embody the essence of Gallic insouciance... low-key basics which have become steadfast classics. The label's philosophy has slowly become embedded in fashion's conscience, encompassing the of the moment trend for real clothes for real women. Indeed, Marant designs for herself, forming a very personal relationship with each and every garment... she is even her own fittings model. Most of all, I love the fact that her pieces sit perfectly within my wardrobe of slouchy basics from lower end stores such as Zara and Cos, serving to enhance them and adding that distinct something which takes my outfit to the next level. As Marant herself says, the Isabel Marant girl embodies 'discretion, style and attitude. But, above all, comfort.' What more could a girl want?

Dressing Down

As I was doing the fashion week blog rounds, I stumbled across this post on Vanessa Jackman's street style blog and was reminded of my love for stylist Marina Muñoz's elegant and boyish way of dressing. She has been a fashion inspiration of mine for a long time ever since one of my friends emailed me a link to a feature on her over at Jak & Jil blog with the subject heading 'YOU'. I love her philosophy to dressing, the way she plays with the details - a string belt mixed with basic white jeans and a navy jacket from the little boys section. I really admire the way Muñoz incorporates feminine pieces into a skeleton wardrobe consisting largely of menswear - she doesn't need to sacrifice comfort in order to remain grown-up and graceful.

I find that if something looks good on me, I tend to stick to it like men's shirts, hats, trousers and simple shift dresses. - Marina Muñoz

(Image Credits: Hanneli, Citizen Couture, Vanessa Jackman & Turned Out)

Masculin Féminin

If you've been following my blog, you'll have probably noticed that I'm a self proclaimed tomboy. To me there is nothing more appealing than a woman dressed in a man's clothes. Ever since I was little, I would always be the girl dressed in the denim romper climbing trees and role playing Star Wars with my partner in crime (I assumed the role of Han Solo, he Luke Skywalker.) Whether it be down to my boyish figure (read: flat chested and gangly) or my attempts to break the mould in an all girls' school, my style has always bordered on the side boyish. My look has definitely evolved since my school days and now I've discovered that dressing with a tomboy edge needn't mean sacrificing femininity - my peter pan collared dresses are toughened up with mannish brogues or lace up ankle boots and my off duty uniform of white shirt, cropped trousers and penny loafers are made more feminine with a bow tied in my hair à la Brigitte Bardot. Despite the fashion forecast for this season being all about the new womanly silhouette, I'd still rather be in the boyish camp, embracing the new trouser shapes and array of capes on offer. After all, who wouldn't want to be associated with a band of women that includes such style icons as Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon, Annie Hall, Alexa Chung and Katherine Hepburn?

(Images from thefashionspot & my tumblr)

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