Marks & Spencer Autograph Leopard Print Boots and Some Issey Miyake

Hi everyone!! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, I had planned to stay in Saturday afternoon after publishing my last post which said I didn't have anything planned, however mid writing that said post my eldest son asked if I fancied an afternoon up West and as I hadn't seen the Christmas lights I thought why not? Well returning home that evening, my bank balance was noticeably lighter, what with getting his Christmas present- a Michael Kors watch no less which he is contributing more than half to and I also treated myself to a totally gorgeous, couldn't leave the shop without it, Dune Mongolian wool shawl/scarf which left my neck naked when I put it down and walked out of the shop without it, trying to be good. 

I very rarely buy anything brand new from shops, I would say my wardrobe is 95% thrifted from charity shops so it generally takes something special from the High Street for me to part with double figure funds. I've been after one of these type of shawl/scarves every winter that goes by and as soon as I'd left the store I couldn't stop thinking about it and high tailed it back and got the sales assistant to cut the tags off so I could wear it straight away!! So that's really an early Christmas present to myself which I am so pleased with and I'll be showing it off on a post later!!

Back to my outfit post which also contains a new buy-these Autograph ponyskin leopardprint wedge boots from Marks & Spencer which I got a couple of weeks ago when they were doing 20% off- I had spied them online and the same day I was in town they had one pair in my size left on the shelf, so yes, another High Street purchase but at least I didn't pay full price!! I am also wearing my beloved vintage thrift find wool waterfall cardi-jacket by Issey Miyake which was another Salvation Army charity shop find for only £2.50 a few years ago. I love this, it makes an appearance every winter season and I also wear it over my black leather biker jacket as an extra layer:

I'm wearing my light wash thrifted Levi's jeans which are a firm favourite for me this season and here is a close up of the boots- I'm generally not a lover of high heels, but these have an insolia built in sole and are really quite comfortable as they have been designed to redistribute your weight from the balls of your feet and I just love the pointy heel and of course the ponyskin leopardprint!!

My clothes and accessory budget for this month is well and truly smashed and I really need to try and not see anything else that I love- I have been extremely tempted by Michelle at MyFashionable40s who recently got a gorgeous woolly fleece from Uniqlo which is a perfect winter style piece to have, but I just sadly can't justify buying it at the moment, not with the Car Tax due at the end of the week too ;-( 

Still, I need to start busting out what's already in my wardrobe and on a future post I'll be showing you a really fabulous thrift find from the Summer, stay tuned!!

I am linking this post to the lovely Claire Justine for Creative Monday do be sure to check out her blog if you haven't already, she's been nominated by Candis magazine for her lifestyle blog which is really well deserved!! Wishing you all a really great week ahead, whatever you are up to!!

Thrift Inspiration........TheLittleBlackJacket.chanel.com-plus MyStyle by the decade

Firstly, a big HIYA to all my readers and followers!! I have been very noticeably absent for a number of life consuming reasons, but I seem to be back on an even keel and I'd like to resume blogging life if possible!!

I was suitably inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's and Carine Roitfeld's exhibition which has taken place already in Tokyo and is due to open in New York on 8 June: The Little Black Jacket, with the book to follow later this year. There were109 fashion and famous personalities taking part by wearing the iconic Chanel little black jacket in their own way, with Karl and Carine taking the photos in his Paris photographic studio within six days with the results being shown in the forthcoming exhibitions and the lavish coffee table book:

The exhibition will be visiting London later this year with the book coming out on sale too-I will definitely make my way to see this, cannot wait!!

Anyhow, it inspired me to show off some of my collection of Little Black Jackets- I had a count up and have 10 in total!! Here are my favourites which span the decades, from the 1970s right upto the 2010s-you can never have too many, no??

This first one is my most recent and current in style purchase-by COS, I purchased it from the British Heart Foundation on Sunday for only £6.99 and I love the flared 3/4 sleeves and zipper detail-a very minimalist and deconstructed style:

2010s-COS jacket

This next jacket is a boot sale find from last year, bought for only £3 and it is one of my absolute favourites-none other than Valentino, with the trademark lace detail around the lapels and neckline in a classic tuxedo style:



00s Valentino

Next, another favourite is this Thierry Mugler sculptured little black jacket, so tailored and form fitted, bought from my local Sue Ryder charity shop a couple of years ago now for £12:

                                            

90s Mugler

This next jacket was a special find a few years ago now in my local Salvation Army for only £2.50, a gorgeously cut fluid wool jacket by Issey Miyake from his Plantation line-classic 80s styling with batwing sleeves:

                                                                

 80s Issey Miyake

Lastly another favourite find is this wonderful unlabelled Janice Wainwright 70s jacket, with her distinctive applique and art deco styling in black wool crepe:

70s Janice Wainwright

So you can see I have a weakness for Little Black Jackets (as well as denim, but thats another blog post story!!)

What is your fashion weakness, I'd love to know what your indulgences are!!!

PS-Although I have not been commenting I have still been enjoying reading your blogs and will hopefully be over to leave a comment or two! Wishing you all a great week ahead!!

Issey Miyake-No accessories required

Finally, after having this amazing suit in my wardrobe for nearly 3 years unworn now, I decided that it should be worn and certainly shown, as it really is a favourite of mine.

I found this Issey Miyake 2 piece suit at the boot sale and tried to get it for £25, but the lady wanted £30-she won, I couldn't lose it over a £5!!

Its pure wool and I think its lately nineties. Very timeless and now maxi skirts are back in trend after a long absence, I thought I would shop my own wardrobe for this style and start wearing it.

The detailing and cut is typical Issey and I could also wear these pieces as separates. I also thought minimal accessories would suit the total outfit too.

What trend can you shop your wardrobe for this summer?

Viva La Thrifting!!!

Thrifting is something I've done for years now and the thrill and anticipation is still there, regardless of whether I come home with a bargain or not. I enjoy the journey-that is, the day or afternoon, of trekking from one charity shop to another (or through the stalls at the boot sale), listening to other folk picking up their bargains or listening to the music playing in the shop. Its real 'me' time, where I can hope to catch a bargain but if not, c'est la vie, there is always next time.

It was my love of thrifting that initiated the blog-as well as my love of Ossie Clark, as I often read in awe the gorgeous WendyBs blog, until I decided to go for it and do my own.

Well, its soo fabulous when you find 'the perfect bargain'. Its very rare to capture something that really takes your breath away and gets you running to the till, in case the shop girl takes it away from you, declaring that actually, its not for sale after all, LOL!!

In the week, feeling rather down, I decided to go thrifting in my local town after work, as I just wanted some time to myself. I started at my beloved Salvation Army, nothing doing, so trekked over to the 3 others further in town. Still feeling like I didn't want to come home, I mooched into the high street shops and back into the Salvation Army. There it was, waiting for me-'my perfect find'.

A 1980s vintage wool Issey Miyake 'Plantation' deconstructed top/jacket!! As soon as I picked it up and saw the cut, design and quality, I knew I had to have it. I didn't even try it on, I just sprinted to the till, paid up and headed home!!

Issey Miyake is a Japanese 'Modern Master' along with Hanae Mori, Rei Kawakubo (Comme Des Garcons) and Yohji Yamamoto, who each have left mesmerising impressions on international style with their groundbreaking work, proving that Asia is full of inspiration and unique styles over the last 60 years.

Its very hard to capture the cut and drapes as the black doesn't photo that well, but the last picture gives a better idea of how it fits. It truly is a stunning item and one which I will covet and treasure for years to come. Funnily enough, after taking it after after the photo shoot, I left it unbuttoned and it looks gorgeous as a jacket too, so a really great item and I view as a real piece of art. Topshop have some tops online now that are very similiar to the draping of mine, so it shows how timeless this top really is. It also gives me back the belief that there are true gems to be found thrifting if you look hard enough.

My first 'eureka' thrift find was an immaculate Ossie Clark maxi dress for £7 in my local Sue Ryder about 4-5 years ago, which I sold to raise some money to pay off debts. I do regret it, but it was meant to be at the time, I suppose.
What has been your best find-be it thrifting, online, ebay or from a high street shop or designer item-what is that item that made you go all weak at the knees and desperate to have in your wardrobe?