The Cambridge Satchel Company's Brand Evolution: S/S14 Looks Bright

Today I received some of the shiny new images from the S/S14 collection by the Cambridge Satchel Company, which has gone from strength to strength since its formation around a kitchen table back in 2008. This latest range shows just how determined the brand is to achieve longevity and not just be part of a short-term satchel trend. No wonder it's just had a cash injection of over £12 million from Index Ventures. Peach Pink and Bellflower Blue are going to be it-colours for the season, mark my words.

 [Images via Cambridge Satchel Company S/S14 launch and Google+ profile].

These longer strap options won't hang around for long this season.

 I would snap up this navy clutch in an instant.

Candy clutches (and traditional black) are sure to be successful.

Whilst I'm yet to get my hands on one of these bags, I can definitely see the appeal of their latest evolution into clutches, two-tone variants and long shoulder strap numbers. The key to keeping the brand fresh is to offer something desirable and different, as well as the same reliable models that the public knows them for. 

 Two tone works well in both of these colour ways.

Even small adjustments, such as panels made from leopard print or tartan fabric, Vivienne Westwood designed prints or iconic Harris Tweed, show that there is more than one ideal CSC customer and they will all be catered for. I've seen the Accessories Editor of Elle carrying a neon number at London Fashion Week, but I've also seen grandmas, students and mums buying into the brand as well. 

 There's nothing like a bit of punk spirit from a British brand.

Admittedly the designers could have easily become stuck in a rut of continually reinventing the wheel and trying not to shake up tradition, knowing how well the standard styles were selling, but instead they've tried new innovations and colour combinations regularly. Fluoro, double colour and metallic options have all proved popular, suggesting there's no let-up in satchel fever, and the company's products are stocked in over 100 countries. 

 These fluoro music bags would certainly brighten up a dull music lesson...

Taking a look at the latest styles, I have a feeling that Bellflower Blue is going to look great with S/S14 outfits, whilst the patent croc print clutches are real investment pieces for smarter occasions. The Cambridge Satchel Company has come a long way from its humble kitchen table beginnings, and I'll be eagerly anticipating its next move.

Cuban Fashion: Tight, Bright and Sometimes Blindingly White

This month's travelling took me to Cuba, for a week of sunshine, museum visits and surprisingly nice beer. Whilst not everything was plain sailing, particularly as I was robbed on my first day in Havana, I did have plenty of time to check out Cuban style and try to define the looks that locals tend to go for. Here are the Havana fashion notes I came up with.

 

A street seller sporting a denim shirt.

• Showing how totally unaffected they are by the heat, locals wear loads of denim and quite often will be seen in warm hoodies or cardigans. Meanwhile you'll be struggling to cool yourself down in skimpy layers and looking for the nearest bar with air con - all part of the experience! 
• Despite the unrelenting heat, lycra and polyester make frequent appearances in the wardrobes of Cuban women. They favour skin-tight clothing and are not ashamed to show off their figures, whether they're a size 6 with a glaring thigh gap or size 20 with a little more to love. You're most likely to find leggings in candy pink or turquoise teamed with stretchy vest tops and boob tubes - think Jane Norman and Primark in the UK.
• In markets you'll see plenty of leather bags, sandals and belts, not just in tan but in a wide range of colours. If you've got money to burn then they make great souvenirs (or presents for yourself).

 

A striped headscarf makes an appearance.

• Headscarves are worn by both men and women and they tend to be very colourful and patterned. Hats are popular too, but headscarves are a better choice for surviving the often strong tropical winds that blow through the city and avoiding a ruined hairdo.
• Sweat doesn't seem to be a problem here - however synthetic the uniforms of officials, you're lucky to spot one moistened brow, let alone an emergency requiring copious amounts of Right Guard. However, if you're from the UK, you'll be the one doing enough sweating for everyone, so it's essential to invest in mattifying moisturiser, lightweight layers of clothing in cotton and linen, a decent deodorant and plenty of sun cream, which should be applied regularly.
• Unlike my visit to Thailand, where locals proudly showed off designer labels and recognisable brand names emblazoned on their t-shirts, from Jack Daniel's to Prada, Cuba is clearly less exposed to designer culture. Clothing may have slogans or intricate designs, but it won't necessarily have a brand attached; many items are plain or carry a simple pattern. As a visitor, you should be mindful of the animosity between Cuba and the USA and try to avoid packing items covered in blatant US slogans or logos, such as the US flag (plus you don't want to draw attention to your tourist status!). 

[Image via Coolhunting.com]. 

The scrunchie makes a comeback here...

•   Women wearing uniforms add a touch of personality through their tights, which can be anything from lace print to fishnet or leopard print; the only rule is that the tights have to be black. Another area of self-expression is their nails, where crazy colour combinations and patterns reign supreme, and their hair, which can be adorned with 90s-era accessories like flower-shaped clips and scrunchies in bold hues.
• Some ladies ditch the skin-tight bright outfits in favour of a blinding all-white ensemble in cotton, with tiered maxi dresses or wide skirts and lacy white vest tops, finished off with white pumps or sandals and a co-ordinating parasol. This type of clothing is widely available on market stalls and in the small shops lining Obispo.
• Wearing white for fashion is not to be confused with a national protest movement known as the Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco), campaigning for the release of 75 political prisoners held by the government after voicing their views about human rights. The women wear white to Mass each Sunday and walk through the streets to promote their cause.

So, that's pretty much Havana style in a nutshell. If you've ever been to Cuba and you want to add anything to the list, let me know by leaving a comment below. I'd love to hear your tips!

Aquascutum: No Return of the Mac

 An early example of Aquascutum's classic trench coat in action.

[Image via the Financial Times].

The Autumn/Winter 2012 collection from Aquascutum.

This week we've lost one of Britain's most recognised heritage brands, as Aquascutum collapsed after a rich history of trading to the public since 1851. The company was known for its trench coat, which was actually worn in wartime trenches (yep, unsurprisingly that's how the name was developed), but soon the rich and famous were known for wrapping up in the same style, albeit with less mortal peril involved in a trip to the shops. 

After years of being known as a staple wardrobe choice but without the edge of new and contemporary fashion that major rival Burberry had, it's now been revealed that 115 people are to lose their jobs in the Corby factory which lovingly produced Aquascutum stock. The brand prided itself on being made in Britain, which is why it's particularly sad that its future looks so bleak, as it just emphasises why so many retailers end up outsourcing their production to a far-flung country in order to stay afloat. Whereas Aquascutum refused to fall in line with the trend, the cost of keeping everything authentically British will have made it an uphill struggle. In recent years we've also seen the resurgence of fellow UK brand Barbour, now the obvious outerwear choice for both the landed gentry and the average celebrity It-girl at a festival, but this success (or frightening ubiquity) hasn't spread to poor old Aquascutum, despite being run by Harold Tillman - a.k.a. the Chairman of the British Fashion Council,and later a head honcho of Jaeger, Belinda Earl. 

It's funny how the decline of the company also seems so typically British in its own way, as if it was a pensioner stoically refusing to change and adapt to modern life or to go into a self-promotional overdrive in order to survive. "Oh, I'm alright, don't worry about me, I'll muddle along," it would say as it secretly wondered how on earth it would get out of this mess, but being too proud and polite to ask for help. I do think that, given enough time and a group of enthusiasts, Aquascutum could have had its own gentle revival, without the unsubtle youth modelling a la Burberry, but with a campaign that did for the English chap what Tommy Hilfiger did for American preppy clans, or what Alexander McQueen did for wonderfully Scottish tartan. 

It is disappointing that Tillman and his team, followed by Belinda Earl of the Jaeger Group, could not rescue the company, but I can fully understand that it is tricky to devise a strategy that keeps such a traditional brand's bare values in sight without destroying them in order to create something new. Perhaps Aquascutum just didn't want a Madonna-style reinvention, complete with leotards and stupid buzzwords. But, putting pride aside, it is incredibly disappointing that we'll be unlikely to see this iconic name still afloat when trench warfare is poignantly remembered in 2014 to mark a century since the outbreak of WWI. It seems that this company will be staying firmly in the past.

Raf Simons for Dior: By Numbers

 

[Image via New York Times].

So, the news has finally broken that John Galliano's successor at Christian Dior will be Raf Simons. Although this was not totally unexpected, as many fashion insiders had assumed that Simons would be the natural replacement, especially once he left Jil Sander to allow its eponymous creator to take over, but then there's always room for surprises. Who knew whether LVMH would play it safe, at a time when there were so many contenders in line to take the throne? I do feel that they have made the right decision and that Simons will be able to modernise Dior without making it lose its identity. Here's a look at the takeover, and the successor's background, in numbers:

1 - the amount of compensation in Euros, payed to each of the two victims of John Galliano's anti-Semitic verbal attacks.

6 - the number of couturiers that the house of Christian Dior has had, including Raf Simons.

12 - the quantity of pieces in Simons' collection for Fred Perry in 2008. 

14 - years John Galliano spent at the helm of Dior.

21 - the age at which Yves Saint Laurent took over at Dior.

44 - Simons' age.

66 - years that the house of Dior has existed.

1995 - the year Simons started as a menswear designer.

1947-1957 - Raf Simons' favourite Dior period.

2005 - the year he became Creative Director of Jil Sander.

2500 - the number of mourners at Christian Dior's funeral in 1957.

I think this is going to be a really positive move for Simons, especially after his move from Jil Sander. Whilst many people may be annoyed to not see Marc Jacobs taking up the position at Dior, I feel that Jacobs is already juggling enough with his work for Louis Vuitton and his own collections (the main line and Marc by Marc Jacobs, not to mention several perfumes). In contrast, Simons is ready to adapt to Dior's needs and he'll be able to devote himself to the brand. I'm sure that he will make an excellent Artistic Director and he will bring something new to the table, without the pomp and circumstance of Galliano - not to mention the scandal. Here's to the future, with Raf at the helm.

The World's Oldest Dress - Petrie Museum

[All photos my own.] 

A beaded dress from 2800BC.

Last week I was at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, assisting with a blogger event on the theme of #InspireTravel. I didn't expect to find many fashion connections, but suddenly in front of me was this amazing beaded outfit, which my colleague described as Madonna-esque. You can see what she means - those paltry chest coverings leave little to the imagination and the structure of the piece makes it look like an early attempt at fishnets. However it's an incredibly small mannequin that was used to pass off the pre-Madonna look, and that makes things slightly worrying. This would have been worn by a very young teenager or child who needed to secure a husband. And you thought high street childrenswear shops selling push-up bras was scary?

 An ivory comb - because even ancient women liked to look good.

It's crazy to think how long beauty rituals have been going. Acts like brushing your hair or teeth, and applying make-up, have been a part of human existence for essentially as long as civilised societies have formed. You could say that we've evolved very little in the sense that many of our carefully prepared cosmetic regimes are still as important as they were thousands of years ago, albeit without applying chemicals directly to our face - arsenic face powder, anyone? - just as Botox and specialised peels instead.

The world's oldest garment, c.3000-2300BC.

Apologies for the bad photo, but flash photography isn't allowed due to the delicate nature of this shirt. It's the oldest known example of a (relatively intact) piece of clothing in the world, which I found utterly fascinating. You could easily think that it was a peasant costume from a recent period drama, and not something that was sewn thousands of years before the Roman and Greek Empires even existed. 

How can something look so normal when it's so dated? I guess there are practical fashion considerations that really are timeless, such as the need for sleeves and also enough movement for the arms to be able to carry out full movement. The use of linen as a durable and breathable material, chosen for its effectiveness throughout the seasons. It's amazing to think that the needs of a person in a hot country are still met today by the simple linen shirt, which has never found itself as one of the modern world's throwaway garments. This is definitely the triumph of slow fashion.

The Petrie Museum isn't just full of clothing for trendspotters; it's a fascinating museum that showcases the finds of Flinders Petrie, a leading Egyptologist, and his team. Will it inspire people to travel to Egypt? Definitely. But if you can't afford a holiday then this is the next best thing.

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

Malet Place/Gower Street, University College London

London

WC1E 6BT.

MFW A/W2012: Bittersweet Beauty from Raf Simons at Jil Sander

 [All images: Fashion Gone Rogue]. 

As I write this, I'm struggling to describe this collection. For designer Raf Simons this was his swansong at Jil Sander, where he has hung up his scissors and handed over to the lady herself. There are many rumours about Simons being in the frame for John Galliano's job at Dior, and this show proved that he would be more than capable of taking the reins. It was a masterclass in how to take a bolt of fabric and make it work as hard as you possibly can, beautifully framing the models and alternately revealing and concealing certain areas. 

Simons should be incredibly proud of what he has achieved here, which is perhaps most obvious in the drapery of this delicately pink coat. The material has a waterfall finish that is simplistic but really works, and the lack of jewellery means that there are no distractions. This coat does the talking.

The 1940s and 50s feel was evident in sleek pieces such as this combination of nude bodiced top and high-waisted trousers, creating a silhouette that played with proportions. There's a distinct feeling that you don't have to try too hard in this outfit, which is especially strong when the fashion world is so currently obsessed with kookiness and the kaleidoscope dressing of Nicki Minaj. The woman who chooses to wear this over a loud neon ensemble or comedy flares is saying that she can do things differently.

 

 A pure shot of 1950s glamour, this is like the grown up older sister to Prada's S/S12 sherbet-obsessed girl. The cut-out panel sounds tacky in theory but is actually quite sophisticated. Perhaps on a woman with the average British figure, this would be verging on cleavage overkill, but I don't think that was the look that Simons intended. I am secretly hoping that a celeb will get their hands on it and make it slutty, just to watch the Daily Mail go up in arms about it.

Another dose of sheer panel action, but this time on a looser cut dress with blocks of fabric. Again, the people at Jil Sander are certainly not aiming at women with real and often uncontrollable breasts (it's certainly not designed for running for a bus), but this is a sedate take on eveningwear. Although it's a polished look, you don't have to try too hard with this shape or colour - just a slash of red lipstick and heels is all it takes.

 

This dress reminded me of those 1950s science fiction books that used to imagine what life would be like in the 21st century, when we'd all have robot friends and flying cars. It's an idealised version of the future, where everything is smooth and minimalist and incredibly efficient. The accompanying cocoon coat is equally impressive and gives a nod to all things space-age.

 

A lesson in how to do the fetish/dominatrix look without getting propositioned by strangers on the street, this dress is cut for curves. I can see it working on Kate Winslet, who would enjoy the failsafe black but has shown her daring side in pieces such as Stella McCartney's infamous sheer spot dress.

 

 Yes, I know this one could look slightly dodgy if you imagine it was made with bin bags and not expensive synthetic material, but there's something playful about the trashiness of the look. Rightfully this should look cheap and the model should appear slightly hungover, possibly with remnants of kebab stuck to her heels, but in Jil Sander mode then she is silent, poised and deadly. The fussiness of the cut is in contrast to the clean lines that much of the collection promotes, and yet this somehow works.

Full-length coats are often sneered at, and I am one of the sneerers, but in the depths of winter they can be incredibly useful. When they're cut like this pink number with the pale yellow lining and wide collar, you can't help but be tempted by the idea. There's also the potential of hiding a garish outfit underneath, which you later reveal when you're in less respectable company.

In conclusion, this was an amazing final show by Raf Simons for Jil Sander, and it's no wonder that the crowds provided a standing ovation at the end. I look forward to seeing these pieces make their way into high street imitations, heralding a return to minimalism and expensive-looking cuts.

LFW A/W2012: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Sticks to the Classics

 [Images collaged from Style.com photography].

In a time of economic instability, Olympic fever and the occasionally bizarre and nonsensical 21st century craze (I'm looking at you, Justin Bieber fans), it's sometimes reassuring to return to old ideas. With Vivienne Westwood's Red Label show for Autumn/Winter 2012 there was a distinct sense of deja vu - plenty of familiar shapes and patterns made an appearance and were lapped up by a willing audience. 

Westwood may well have been thinking, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' when she showed the three looks above, which all carry her signature style of clever pintucks, nipped-in waists and romantic flounces tied up with ribbon. Her failsafe creations will still prove popular, as many people - myself included - would kill to dress their curves in this way, but it was perhaps less revolutionary and theatrical than many of her previous collections.

For me, although Westwood has always been interchangeable with Britishness and tradition, she's also stood for outcasts, underdogs and rebels (and not just because she used to be Malcolm McLaren's partner). 

The three looks above are all ways that she has channelled some of that energy into this collection, though she is playing it safer than usual by sticking to standard body proportions, no pintucks or draping and no colour clashes. The rugby shirt on the left is only mildly different from one that you might see on a rugby player, and that's because she's chosen to use her own patches. The jumpsuit is a gorgeous pattern, but not hard to imagine working on an everyday woman. I love the fact that she has integrated more pedestrian ideas and given them the Westwood stamp, but it felt a little disappointing not to see them presented with a little more irony.

The most playful element of the collection was a hint of granny chic and the English eccentric, whether that meant the outfit on the left (which would blend into the set of Coronation Street in the 1960s) or the slight lean towards Worzel Gummidge (childhood fictional character who happened to be a scarecrow) in the central ensemble of oversized hat and layers of men's clothing with backcombed hair. The dress on the right is really bold but it does remind me of 1990s curtains and soft furnishings, with its jazzy angular structures. 

I'm not regarding these looks as negative or naff; I am fully ready to embrace the naffness, Dame Viv, really I am. I quite like the rejection of the new and the clear recycling of old ideas and stereotypes. I also enjoyed the earlier classic looks and the adoption of the very British rugby shirt. But perhaps what this show lost was a much-needed fraction of the utterly bonkers which I have come to expect and depend on. I know that Red Label is different to Anglomania and Gold Label, but it didn't have the edge this time. It will have strong commercial appeal and many copycats, but perhaps not raise as many eyebrows as normal.

I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues: COS Dress

[All images my own. Please ask before reproducing].

Apologies for the not-so-happy face. I was having one of those days where you try and smile and you end up looking like you have trapped wind, so I decided it was better to look vaguely serious instead. Anyway, I was a bit more excited than I appear here, because this is my new dress from COS which arrived on New Year's Eve. I didn't wear it out that night as I was going for the careless-night-of-freedom look rather than fashion-conscious-person-who-will-drink-responsibly-thanks. The reason I chose this dress was because it reminded me so much of Miu Miu's S/S12 collection, with the little collar and the intense print. I wore it with a studded black and silver belt from a charity shop.

As you can see, it's quite long, so there's a definite vintage feel. I love the print because it's so dark and messy, in contrast to the very prim and proper shape. I might have to take it up an inch or two, as I'm only 5"7 and I tend to look a bit on the small side with things that are cut on the calf, but this is definitely a purchase that I'll wear again and again for smart occasions. 

Dress, 50EUR in sale, COS online.

Vintage Fashion Dilemma - should you buy authentic or shop on the high street?

Ever since my last post on a visit to Beyond Retro, I've been thinking about vintage clothes and different people's attitudes to them. Some of my friends love the style from the 1950s but would never dream of looking for something that was that old, worrying more about where the item had been and if someone had died in it (yep, if you've ever been vintage or charity shop shopping then you'll be familiar with that sort of comment). Personally I'm happy to think of things as pre-owned and pre-loved, and if someone else has had amazing adventures in my jumper before I did then that's pretty damn good. I do know that not everyone has the same opinion about all things old, so I thought I'd get to grips with some of the stereotypes surrounding retro fashion:

• THE VINTAGE SNOB - she only likes it if it's been picked up from one of the best niche markets and it comes with a long back-story. If you try and fob her off with Topshop's latest take on the Peter Pan collar then she'll have a hissy fit. It must be genuine and it must be a little bit out there. If it comes complete with moth damage then she'll see it as part of the price you pay for the real thing. Her most over-used phrase is: "It's vintage, daaaahling,".
  
• THE JUMBLE SALE JUNKIE - she scours jumble sales and car boot fairs in the hope of bypassing the insane prices for vintage clothing pieces that are essentially just someone's unwanted goods from the 1970s. If something cost her £3 then she'll love it that little bit more. She's into customising and is happy to repair her purchases to get them in good nick.
• THE CHARITY SHOP VOLUNTEER - one of the main reasons for her stint in the shop (aside from giving back to the community, blah blah) is to get first dibs on the stock. Yep, I've been one of these in the past, and now I look at current volunteers and mutter, "You don't know how lucky you are..." as I scour the rails for the perfect tea dress that might have escaped the dreaded rag pile for textiles recycling.
  
• THE SECOND HAND PHOBIC - she'd run a mile from anything that might look used. Charity shops give her goosebumps, and not in a good way. She'd have to wash something ten times before it vaguely smelt of anything other than grannies, and even then she'd be paranoid that someone would judge her. It's all about shiny newness and screw the upcycling, because you can always buy another one.
• THE RETRO COPYCAT - why waste time trawling through vintage fairs when you can pop down the shops and see what Primark's take on the shift dress is? The benefit of styles that come back round again is that you can take the idea but make it modern, with forgiving fabrics and easy care wash labels. None of that dry-clean-only rubbish. If you can get it for under £30 on the high street then it's a bonus.

If you do want to look for a vintage bargain near you then I've posted on quite a few shops in the past, from London to Edinburgh, and I'd also recommend Judy's Affordable Fashion Fair, which travels round the UK and is a great way to shop cheaply - they sometimes do special sales where you can buy goods by the kilo.

Happy shopping!

High Hopes, High Waist - Miso's new jeans

[Images via Republic online].
I already have a thing about my Topshop high-waisted shorts, but Miso at Republic have gone one better with these Highwaisted Skinny Jeans. Not only are they a really intense blue (none of that pale and interesting baggy stonewashed look, circa 1990), but they're also a flattering cut that works well on curves, as the high waist tucks in a belly and emphasises the hips without them looking matronly. This is particularly relevant to me, as my office-based job has (unsurprisingly) made exercise more off-limits, and I'm fighting a losing battle with some very tempting chocolate bars at the moment. I can't wait to try these jeans on and not have to worry about squeezing myself into low-rise cuts, which often produce muffin-top.

I also like that the buttons are copper-coloured and really simplistic. Nothing fussy going on here, so you've got plenty of possibilities for creating an outfit. Personally I'd be torn between a lace vest top or a crisp white shirt, tied 50s-style at the bottom. The shape already gives a major nod to vintage trends, so it's time to embrace the silhouette when you're pairing these up. Either add volume to your top or continue with sleek lines, and you're onto a winner.

Miso jeans, £29.99, Republic

Hell for Leather

It's not often I post outfit shots, as you know, but these faux leather trousers needed their own shot because they look so flat on a hanger. When I saw them in H&M I was keen (I've been looking for a good pair for ages) but I was worried that my legs would look like over-stuffed sausages. Fortunately the synthetic fabric is very forgiving - perhaps more so than genuine leather - and I feel pretty confident in them because they are genuinely flattering.

Pro points: Comfy, warm in winter, understated enough to work with basics (not trashy), cut on the waist, zip pocket detail that makes them seem edgy rather than slutty.
Negative points: A little too hot if you're out and about (I was burning up wearing them on the Underground), they tend to give a little too much at the knee and the fabric goes thin, which might lead to splitting in the future. I'm unsure as to how I can stop this happening because I don't exactly have lots of faux leather knocking around the house. My solution will probably be to either buy another pair in the sales or look out for anything made in a similar finish from somewhere like Primark, which I can then cut up and patch on as necessary.

Faux leather trousers, £24.99, H&M.
Worn with vest top by River Island.

Vintage Style Gets Mobile: London to Brighton

[All images my own].
The other week (before my home internet died and I was forced to resort to blogging in my lunch hour) I went to see the annual London to Brighton vintage car and bike rally. Basically if you own a vintage vehicle, you can register to take part, though usually some of the really old and knackered ones don't make it the whole way - this year there were 5o who didn't make the finishing line. It's always a fun event and I couldn't resist fashion-spotting at the same time. Here's my first candidate, appropriately dressed for the dodgy weather in a wax jacket and matching hat.

This car gets extra points for effort as they have retro luggage on the roof. You might notice that a lot of the participants wore hats, and I don't know how the bare-headed ones did it, as it was freezing.

Here's a look at one of the cars up close. It's been kept really well and restored to its former glory, with leather upholstery.

Another vehicle shot, this time looking very much like Cruella DeVil's four wheels in 101 Dalmatians. The driver wisely decided not to go for any fur, but instead went for all black to match the exterior.

It's the blokes that make the real effort at this event, as you can see above. Several cars had co-ordinating drivers and passengers, which looked great and added to the flamboyance of the day. It felt so different from a normal Sunday outing. These two even have goggles to complete the look.

Best costume has to go to the moustachioed pair in sheepskin jackets. In order to keep their scarves flying backwards permanently, they had small strips of wire (yes, really), and I even though they were wearing wings at first. The facial fuzz was the icing on the cake.

Retro vs. modern transport - the old cars clearly look much sharper and more interesting, even if they go at half the speed of our chunky buses.

The ultimate accessory for a vintage rally participant has to be a wicker basket, as seen here. Useful for storing your lunch in, and it's classy too.

I loved seeing how much effort people had gone to when preparing for the London to Brighton run, and it was really entertaining to watch. Next year I'm going to try and get in touch with one of the drivers (some of them were solo and looked a bit lonely in the cold) and hitch a lift. 1940s tea dress and victory rolls in my hair would be obligatory, obvs.

Workwear Dilemma: There is no dress code!

Today I started my new job (though obviously won't be discussing the company, as this is my personal blog, and I always think it's important to keep my professional life separate). The people seem nice, the desk is wonderfully shiny, but I am utterly baffled by the sartorial side of things. Why? Because there are no regulations on dress code. Although we deal with the public, this involves using the internet and social media rather than face-to-face encounters, so most of the staff have decided that they'd rather opt for something a little more casual than your standard 'career woman/man' look.

Obviously comfort is a key factor, and it should take precedence over style if you really want to be relaxed, but I find that there's something psychologically positive about making an effort before you head to the office. You just feel official and organised in knee high boots; you always get a buzz from applying red lipstick. You feel like someone with a vocation, rather than just a role. I didn't quite understand how some of the team members could stroll in with hoodies, 'cosy' shoes and jeans, but clearly it's not affecting their performance so they must be doing something right, and maybe I am too preoccupied with stereotypical ideas about employment and regulations.

The question is: will I be sloping into work in six weeks' time in my pyjamas, having been a little too inspired by the lack of regulations? And will anyone be able to criticise it? I'll let you know, should it come to that. In the mean time, I'm still enjoying the composition of an outfit and I've got about half a wardrobe full of 'smart' clothes that need to get an airing, so I'll stick with making an effort, thanks.

Motel Does Indeed Rock

[All images via Motel Rocks].
I have a thing about searching for the perfect bralette. Being curvy myself and not suited to some of these flat-chested trends (I look terrible in 1920s dresses, for example), the humble bra-style top is definitely on my style radar. It's feminine and flattering, but without putting everything on show. As you can see, Motel have come up trumps with this Lolita bralette (£22), which is available in a range of colours and has this fantastically sexy multiple strap detail on the back.

Here's the Lolita top in mustard. With a plain front, it's easy to pair with a number of different options, from high waisted skirts to floral harems. The black heels they've used are a great example of how to add glamour to this look and keep things vintage-inspired; think 40s and 50s prints and maybe put your hair in a victory roll.

For a more modern option, the Winnie playsuit with a gorgeous yellow floral kick (called Black Placement Rose) is a great investment at £42. It's wearable and the shape is kind to those of us who aren't blessed with womanly hips - the nipped in waist does the hard work for you. I'm going to put it on my Christmas list and hope that Santa is feeling particularly stylish this year.

www.motelrocks.com