isn't she lovely?

I noticed that I Am Fashion had a round-up of Kirsten Dunst's recent magazine covers, and it just got me thinking how cute she is. I went a wandering over to teenvogue where I saw these adorable pictures of her - I really love her had, and her jacket is from dior homme. Nothing like a girl looking stylish in men's clothes. I have no idea whether she has a stylist or not. Probably, but she doesn't look like a Rachel Zoe girl, does she?

leggings and me

I'm conflicted. Tis true. It's about leggings.

Leggings and me do not get along. Not that I really know this, because I have never actually tried a pair of leggings on. Ever. Not even when I was a small child. Everyone else is wearing them though, and, well, sometimes, they look good. Sometimes. My problem is the sheer ubiquity of them. It used to be a couple of years ago you would see a cute London girl with her denim mini and her black leggings, and it would be exciting; now just about every girl aged 14 and up (and up!) is wearing them with ballet flats and minis. And maybe since my eye is now "in", I vaguely think it is cute, but really, it is all just annoying; does everyone have to wear the same??? (Yes, it is fashion, that is what happens, I am just being naive!)

But this begs the further question; am I just denying myself the opportunity to look cute because I refuse to buy myself some leggings and rock the look? Is my petulance and stubborn streak stopping me from being cute? But if I capitulate and get me some, am compromising my fashion beliefs? Oh the moral quandary.

Marie Antoinette

I went home last night (I managed to blag a flight to Belfast through work) and got to hang out with my family, especially my sister. My sister is just about the only person I know who is as crazy about clothes as I am. We also have fairly similar senses of style; she just got me the cutest two minidresses from Primark (more on that later). Anyway, we agree on what we love most of the time, so she was the perfect person to take along to Marie Antoinette - I really couldn't think of another person I know who would enjoy a film which was mainly about pretty dresses and fabulous cakes. I read an article about the cakes for Marie Antoinette in, of all magazines, the bmi in-flight magazine, which was actually really interesting. And yes, they were beautiful, gorgeous, decadent and luxurious. There is a very fun montage scene that basically flashes between shoes, dresses, and cakes - all my favourite things!!

Anyway, I am glad that I took my sister. You really would have to be quite forgiving to like Marie Antoinette. It has a very definite Sophia Coppola feeling about it - not much dialogue, lots of montages, lots of scenes showing parties and dressing up. Oh, and of course a fab rocky soundtrack. I have no idea whether it was historically accurate, but it was certainly modern. And for me, thoroughly enjoyable. Also, I have a small resemblence to Kirsten Dunst (small mouth, small eyes, giggly, blonde, but no, I'm not gorgeous like she is!) and so watching her on film is slightly freaky. Can be heartening (I resemble that?) and depressing (no way will I ever look like that!). Still, there could be worse people to resemble. But it didn't make me want to make my hair 3 foot taller than my head.

So yes, I had fun watching the movie, but it really is one you go into knowing you are going to love. Otherwise, it's probably not for you.

my current inspiration

I went to see The Departed last week, and I admit that I am alone in being a tad underwhelmed by it. Too many people being shot in the last 20 minutes, and far too long by half. But, there was the joy of Madolyn's suit - a light grey pinstriped number with a waistcoast (vest for those American readers). I would love to wear that to the office with crisp white converse or vans. That would make my day instead of the crumpled M&S black trousers I pull on the dark every day.

I tried to find a pic of it online, but the best I could do was at IMDB who wouldn't let me save the picture. Meanies.

Sunday Morning

One of my plans for this blog is to have a more or less daily "what I'm wearing" photo option. Sounds grand, doesn't it? Having said that, since this morning I'm wearing my bright green American Apparel joggies with a vest that came free with Elle magazine, and a jumper from the witchery that never recovered from a collision with some sort of brown food group, that may not be the best plan. Oh, and I've rolled out of bed so I'm a four-eyed dork as well. But yesterday I was looking cute, I promise.

Instead, I'm going to turn to one of my favourite weekly moments in fashion: The Measure. The Measure appears in The Guardian magazine every Saturday, and it is constantly hilarious. It is also notoriously fickle. You would be mad to live your life by The Measure since you would be switching between skinny and straight leg jeans every 10 minutes. However, The Measure is deeply aware of this, and is therefore incredibly tongue in cheek. Anyway, here's this week's:

Going Up
Ankle Boots Love 'em or (more likely) hate 'em, they are officially the footwear of the season
Me: Oh so heartily agree. Lil Sis got a grey pair in New York, and she looks fab in them, but they still sort of give me the creeps. Although the ones which are more boot than shoe are much more appealing. Topshop are doing a very cool brown pair with interesting strapping for 75 quid. Haven't yet invested in this trend.
Dr Harris Our favourite skincare for the chapping winter. The lip balm is the best in town
Me: Who? (Oh no, am I admitting my ignorance of Doc Harris too publicly?)
Frederic Fekkai One member of the Measure says" 'This stuff has saved my hair! Thanks Fred!'
Me: I'm rubbish at hair products, and hair in general. I will never have cool hair it has to be said. On a more measurely front, I've realised that lots of it is based around women patting themselves on the back and saying "me too!". Or being like, "you know nothing you London-dwelling myopic fashionistas!". I know I've done both.
Arrested Development Meant to mention this so very long ago. Catch the last series now on TV before it disappears forever.
Me: Ah, the lovely Measure girls do like their TV and literature as well. Not so myopic after all. I myself have never watched Arrested Development. I keep hearing good things, but since I always forget to keep the TV guide part of the newspaper, it is a challenge to know when to turn it on.
Izzo/In The End Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Should be so wrong, but is actually totally and utterly brilliant
Rupert Everett Adding our voice to the clamour, his autobiography is our kinda lit-er-a-ture
Me: I have no idea what is going on with the hyphenation there. See, I've been reading the Measure for years, and theycan still outfox me.

Going Down
Un-eco friendly fashion Patent leather, rubber details, perspex - all over the place next season. Al Gore will not be pleased.
Me: The Guardian is known for being a lefty, green, sandal-wearing tree-hugging paper, with a regular ethical consumer column and regular features on how to have an eco-holiday. 89% of Guardian readers recycle, and 76% of Guardian readers just plain cycle. Ok, so I made those up, but you get the idea. This is a little nod to them.
Leggings with ankle boots Can you say, 'Fashion victim'? Can you say, 'Pigs' trotters'?
Me: Oooh, mean! Watch out for them in the Going Up in a few weeks time!
1990s fashion revival Oversized parkas, sweatshirts, smiley faces... Noel Gallager is not a style icon
Me: Me too! The first time I've been old enough to have gone through the original faze of something being "retro". I'm not sure I like it. Though I do want a parka - keep me warm on a cold evening, and being in fashion? Thank you. Although since my ideal would be one from The North Face it is definitely my practical side (it does exist!) shining through.
Diets Supersized clothes? Baggy tunics? Who cares if the models are thin - we're reaching for the Krispy Kremes!
Me: I'd just like to add on this point that(a)I adore Krispy Kremes and (b) the cover of The Guardian magazine was titled Super Thin Me: The Women Dying to be Skinny. At least for once the two are matching up.
Over-the-knee boots Designers, will you ever learn? Pretty Woman is, like Noel, not a style icon...
Me: ooooh, I did see a pair I liked though!!!


And there you have it - a breakdown of one of the more irreverant hit/miss columns published. I adore those sorts of columns and how they approach fashion. Silly, fun, and to be enjoyed.