a superfluous splurge ?

 

"I love how your shoes are all just slight variations of each other" my pal Sophie said to me as we departed Sheffield University's journalism department for the final time in June. Yes her statement has a dash of credence but if it took three years for her to conclude this then my definitive shoe style surely isn't palpable - surely? 

I bought these simply chic black Chelsea boots this weekend from River Island. The elastic gusset detail, combined with the sensible two inch heel, makes for a comfortable wear. They are edgy and sure to be the staple of my autumn wardrobe. Unabashedly I’m not used to "wearing in" shoes as I usually source my footwear from eBay. So as I tip tap away I’m endeavoring to mould the exquisite booties to my feet by sitting cross legged on my rug and flexing my toes every four minutes. I cannot stop gazing at them.  

Spot the difference:  

These Pierre Hardy for Gap ankle boots have been loyal, dance proof “partying” shoes for years of dizzying frolics. Yes they're also black, yes they also have the elastic side and yes they also have the chunky heel. But why change a winning formula ?  

colour my life with the chaos of trouble

1. MOTO Pink Jamie Skinny Jeans, £40, Topshop. 2. MOTO Red Seven Eighths Jeans, £38, Topshop. 3. Acid wash pink jeans, £32, Urban Outfitters. 4. Pink belted peg trousers, £29.50, Dorothy Perkins. 5. Peach belted peg trousers, £29.50, Dorothy Perkins. 6. MOTO Yellow Seven Eighths Capri Jeans, £38, Topshop. 7. MOTO Camel Twisted Seam Tapered Jeans, £40, Topshop. 8. Mint green jeans, £29.99, Uniqlo. 9. MOTO Cornflower Baxter, £40, Topshop. 10. Blue Cigarette Leg Crop Jeans, £38, GAP. 

I own two pairs of jeans and they haven't seen daylight since winter. I find jeans can be creatively constraining and, in times of park lolling, constraining for when those impulses to cartwheel kick in. But these jeans, with their bold hues, inject drama into man's longtime, loyal staple. The rusty pink MOTO Jamie jeans (1.) are at the top of my "Must.Want.Need" list and there is something suitably summery about the lustrous cropped styles. Perhaps these fresh designs will prompt a leg dressing overhaul.

 

A beautiful partnership

What torture you reap Mr. Garavani. By di rigueur you force me to a life of eating canned Tesco tuna for the unforeseeable future.

Just when the excitement of the Lanvin for H&M settled, Valentino goes and rains-no, storms all over Lanvin's hitherto headlining parade with a Gap collaboration to mark the high-street store's arrival to Italy.

The diffusion of these two celebrated fashion messiahs has bred seven articles, creating couture looks with a contemporary attitude.

Brimming with military-inspired garb, as well as Valentino's signature ruffles and bows, the unique silhouettes and fabrics of this collection with an over-arching Olive trend  are true to the Italian's feminine mantra.

Most coveted are creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's reinventions of the parka, with three-dimensional ruffles and a choice of varied lengths.

Other garments include a tiered skirt, cargo trousers with frilled pockets and a powdery grey bow t-shirt.

The limited edition Valentino for Gap will be available this Saturday, November 27 at Gap's flagship store in Oxford Street from 9.30am, and at Dover Street Market from 11am. 

So get pitching those tents on Friday troops, it's going to be a long but well-worthy wait.