Lost and found inspiration

My inspiration for many things went missing for a long time. The things I enjoyed the most, making things and fashion, felt bland. I wore the same things and barely made anything new. I did get rid of a lot of things and with a very brutal purge of items in my closet, I started feeling lighter and even a tinge of inspiration.

I started feeling drawn towards patterns. The bolder and more colorful, the better. I wanted to find something really over-the-top. I got my wish!

I struck gold at the CAFTCAD movie wardrobe sale. I came home with a jacket, two tops and a large piece of fabric.

Value Village was good to me too, I found the amazing skirt on the left!

I won't be wearing all these things as they are, but I want to try my hand at making something new. I haven't decided if I dare to try sewing a skirt out of the fabric I found, but let's see if I feel brave enough!

I figure if nothing else, I can make some new sofa cushions!

What do you think of my crazy patterned finds?

Second hand

I've made some amazing finds recently. Like I mentioned, lace if one of those trends I would like to try out. As it so happened, I found this top from a second hand expedition recently. It's a good way for me to try out wearing lace, without making a significant investment. And, as an added benefit, I get to try out the upcoming 90's trend too (yeah, the 90's are coming)

At least for me Kookai is very 90's as a brand. I associate it to that time period and used to be a fan. Is it just me? Anyone else?

So, after $5 and some cleanup, I'm good to go.

What do you think? (not just of the top, but the photos too. I've complained before how hard taking photos of clothing is. Any comments or tips?)

Friday Inspiration

This lady pretty much sums up what I wrote about a few days ago

Photo form Moi Contre la Vie

The photo's from LFW and looks effortless yet very put together. Very nice!

What to wear now

So, I read a lot of fashion related materials. If I were an trendy person, this is what I would wear right now:

1. Printed pants, especially floral

Seriously, the printed pants have been around for a while now, but you still have time to be fashionable if you act now. Get floral pants a.s.a.p!
Runner up: patterned or colourful pants. Not the hight of trendiness any longer, but you'll still look stylish. Extra bonus points if your pants resemble pyjama pants or are pale mint green.

Photo from Stockholm Streetstyle

2. Neon

Keep it to a minimal though. It came with a bang and goes easily overboard. Get a neon purse or a belt. On a budget? nail polish or a piece of jewelry, like a bangle.
Runner up: bright colours in tiny splashes

3. Scarf prints

Best bet would be a button down shirt, preferably slightly sheer. (Didn't this try to break in a few years ago, but didn't get much further than a few dresses?)

Runner up: old school scarves

4. Peplum

Get a top with a peplum hem, wear it with everything.
Runner up: scalloped hems and other details

5. Metallic cuffs

This would be best around your neck, but if that isn't your thing, around your ankles. Wrists work too if that's all you can find, as long as you're wearing one on each.
Runner up: friendship bracelets (yes, still)

Also, keep in mind colour blocking and mixing prints.

One step ahead? Tone on tone outfits.

Photo Chloe S/S2012 from here

P.S. don't forget, your pants need to be either skinny and too short or optionally wide and too long!

Great white

Oh, mighty white t-shirt, why are you hiding from me? Seriously, it's such a basic yet versatile piece and somehow near impossible to find.

Ok, let me clarify. You can find tons of white t-shirts, most stores carry them. But a GREAT white (insert 'Jaws' intro here) T-shirt... That's the holy grail of.... T-shirts. Fine, I know I'm sounding overly dramatic here, but I'm really having a tough time with this one. I've tried a number of different ones, some very inexpensive, others a tad more pricey, but I've yet to find that specific style or brand I can count on.

Photo from Chictopia

The problem for me is usually a combination of lenght and thickness of the material. I'm relatively tall, so a lot of them end up being too short. Another issue tends to be the material. White t-shirt (or white *anything* for that matter) can be a disaster waiting to happen. I need a shirt that's thick enough so I don't have to worry if anything underneath is showing through.

I know this is a long ramble about something really basic. Is this just an issue for me? Any suggestions for places to find great T-shirts?