Street Style Fur Hats

Melbourne has once again treated it's citizen to a spat of unpredictable weather, with a change of 6 degrees centigrade within 15 minutes and the coldest weather in about 5 months. It will only be a matter of time till I'm rugging up and shrouding myself in layers of warm woolen clothing and thermal underwear. Although I have long folds of dark brown hair that I could easily fix to wear as a scarf, I long for the extra comfort of faux fur and soft textures to comfort my forehead. I'm really after a good duffel coat in navy, black or forest green to wear for university when it's cool at 6am in the morning and also a scarf but if something comes forth from Asos or Topshop I may be inclined to embrace my inner-Russian.

I find it difficult enough to find a decent vintage-styled cardigan, let alone two but I suppose when trawling the streets of some snow-bound country there is a greater need for that sort of thing. I think that a side-fringe looks a little more becoming when worn under a tight hat in this still and her ombre toned hair makes for an even sweeter addition. I love the folk nature of the outfit- must be the combination of leather suitcase, brogues and knitted cardigans culminated in the one place and with a wind-swept look of innocence on the woman's face.

You wouldn't believe the difficulty there is to find a decent tartan duffel coat on the Etsy market, but I am resilient and there will be a moment when I hold the piece like that of a hunter mounting a new taxidermy head on their mantle. On that note I would like to point out that any fur hats or products that I choose to wear will be explicitly fake. I find it abhorrent that someone could harm sweet animals such as rabbits for fashion. On a more gentle note I like the appeal of slightly chapped lips, light skin and strawberry blond hair in contrast to the slightly soberer tones of Winter.

Since the Prada 2011 Summer/ Spring I have had a hidden craving when it comes to fur trends and a  striped effect, most notably those associated with raccoon tails in a Davy Crockett manner. While Bohemian chic isn't something I personally aspire towards with my own style, I like the way the scarf intermingles with paisley tones and is topped off with a little brimmed hat and soft curves of hair. Just goes to show that the finer details of accessories can really add a lot of style to an outfit when collaborated together in a similar manner.

Last but certainly not least, a stirring tribute to the Disney character Pocahontas but it seems her mammalian friend couldn't be with her... in the flesh as it were. I wish I looked as good with the wind pushing hair gently across my face but it seems there are many things I have yet to learn about the glorious arts of being photogenic. I'm still personally choosing between simplistic style and chic and all out visual bombardment as far as my personal style is concerned. Tavi inspires me, but photographs such as this and Alexa Chung make me long for a type of effortless cool auora.

Jil Sander Navy Summer 2012

It seems my love for well-structured pieces with sharp colours and admiration of Alexa Chung's hair has lead me to the Jil Sander Navy Summer 2012 collection- there's a distinct withdrawn nature about it for a Summer collection and features materials I'm more accustomed to associate with Autumn/ Winter collection. Like any good collection for the new season whether that be Summer or Winter (depending on location of label) there are thick and chunky brogues as well as the use of mid-calf socks a trend that is becoming more evident and popular with the presentation of models for collections.

Elements of the Autumn and Winter collection are also apparent in the strong structured pleated skirt I've come to know from other collections such as J.W. Anderson Pre-Fall as well as the new Kenzo collection. I just love the bold design of the dress, including the inverted 'T' shape darts for the pleats of the skirt and the perfect red hemline lending the piece well to be used as something for colour blocking. The use of matching beige platform brogues with their own small red rubber also cleverly mimics the pattern of the skirt. I love the way navy and black is used in this collection as two interchangeable shades of the same ilk.

As well as strong structured dresses and skirts with pleats and collars abound, there's large outdoor coats used as drapery pieces with a contrasting softer side to them- I love the way they cloak the stick-thin models. It was interesting to see different shades of red, brown and navy used with other muted and neutral tones but the collection was very simplistic and minimalist in its approach. That's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes down to buying good quality clothing for all occasions but without the warmth and comfort of padding in a coat, what use are they for the Summer season other than something to wear at night? However unfair I may be, the use of the coats in combination with soft leather bags and chunky platform lace-ups does add an air of sophistication about the outfits and they are beautifully put together.

I love the metallic sheen about this soft pink/ dusty grey material and there is a lovely strong structure about it from the bust down which creates pleats, but I can't help but think the collar and what appears to be a zipper down the middle lets down the structure and material. For something of this colour and with the capped sleeves I expected something more refined and evening to wear- not collars and a small little dart down the middle. I think I'd prefer the skirt of the dress as its own separate piece and maybe a better look at the collar, although all the models chosen have shoulder length hair it's never good to have that interfere with the detail of the dresses and pieces shown for the collection.

I'm still in love with pleats as well as collars in contrasting collars for shirts so naturally this ensemble is my favourite of the collection- the shoes as well as matching black socks create this ambiguity of when one piece ends and the other begins and the continuation of black from the collar and bag is clever but very subtle. I'm not often a big fan of vertical stripes involving white and black but there's something very chic and understated about the blouse shown above, it can lend itself well to a number of outfits and has great versatility about it. The skirt is one of the few pieces I would seek to buy online apart from the shoes and coats- I don't have a lot of pink in my wardrobe and this soft shade could be worn with a sheer blouse and some killer heels for a night out but also looks sweet enough to be worn during the day.

The dramatic use of a red coat with an entirely black ensemble? Wonderful- I love the small pouch at the waist of the model, for those travel savvy it would make a great keeper for your important documents or simply if your out shopping and want somewhere to hold your necessary plastic credit cards. You can be assured when buying from a label like Jil Sander some of the highest quality leather will be used for the small bag, and if my eyes don't deceive me is that a ribbed romper suit worn by the model? The all too familiar conflict when styling outfits for collection as opposed to showing them piece by piece is that the finer details and aspects of something worn under a large coat can be hidden under a coat at the centre of attention of the piece.

I love the small and barely noticeable discomfort of the model when wearing this school boy inspired ensemble, although tailored for a woman's body, Jil Sandler were clever enough to include a bulkier and wider collar, black tie with tie clip and charm and even tailored shorts. I also know the perfect little satchel from Olympia Le-Tan to include with the white collar style of these clothes offset by the lovable but very dorky red brogues with white laces. They remind me of bowling shoes  but with a platform edge and they add a splash of colour to the otherwise bland and straight-forward outfit styled above.

Jil Sander is known for her minimalist design, neat and ribbon decorated hems and has been as described as delivering class with edge. As my taste matures and I seek more refined pieces and drawn back prints it's good to know a brand that focuses on chic refinement and simple design- I love the small black bow tie across the waist to soften the two striped bands along the hem. A vintage Chanel jacket wouldn't go astray with this ensemble either whether it's fake or not wouldn't really matter.

It seems that classic designs are finally growing on me with the black coat and patterned sheer skirt catching my eye with the dorky platforms in black- they just seem so comical in comparison to the skinny little pale legs of the model. Still, I love the pallet of colours and the square blocking print used on the skirt as well as the pleats; I can't get enough of pleated skirts and dresses and I'll probably wear them until they are well and truly out of style once more. I love the loose structure of both skirt and coat though, the tight and form-fitting has always been a personal nemesis of mine so I naturally favour the casual and flowing lines the fashion world is so eagerly addressing.

Get a load of that large big black bag, definitely not something you want to carry around when slumming but I quite like the large and rectangular structure in comparison to the small shoulder strap aesthetically. In the practical world this bag would never fly with me and I wouldn't dare look at it in a shop but the side profile shown with the draping coat and the smart platform shoes in black sort of brings it all together in this surreal world of spies and danger as well as travelling with few possessions.

The hero of this piece is the wet-look or "lame" and shiny metallic gold material of the skirt- can you imagine the type of havoc you could wreak at a formal occasion with the right camisole top and some vintage gloves? I don't own many fantastic looking tops in their own right but I'm sure Miu Miu or Prada will have a gorgeous shirt with Peter Pan Collar in magnificent detail to go with this skirt. It would be wonderful to be able to dress up like this everyday but my mother will scarcely let me wear my American Apparel skirt when I go out to the city with her. For someone as anti-social as myself, my dress sense or the clothes I long to wear really call for some amazing occasion of celebrating with friends.

My favourite of all the coats featured in the collection is the cheery red colour, able to breath life into a khaki and beige ensemble and brighten up anyone's gloomy day.
 I'd love to see what young Alexa Chung would do with such a piece in her wardrobe which isn't that hard to imagine considering the short shoulder length hair of all the models used for this collection. Perhaps on my holiday to Canada next year I'll strike it lucky and buy a gorgeous coat from a brand name store for a wonderful price and get to swank around town with my mother and her friends.

Kenzo Pre-Fall 2012

I've never been much of a fan of Summer, and seeing pre-fall collections from the likes of Chloe and Kenzo is driving me nuts! I love the chameleon coordination of dress and shoes- it's a very polished vintage style incorporating a dress with sharp collar as well as matching coat and even hat under one arm and gorgeous silk printed boots. Of everything from this first outfit, I love the boots the most. They'd look great with a plain wool cape and add colour and whimsy to any neutral outfit. A leather skirt with pleats would also be a winning combination in my book.

In the real world, yellow never looks as good as this but I suppose if you have the money to splash around, why not buy an entire wardrobe from Kenzo in canary yellow? I love printed and unique looking pants, while the shirt and pants are in the exact same print, the bomber jacket made to look like shaggy mohair has contrasting brown suede sleeves as well as dark brown/ black cuffs. I'm absolutely craving a bomber jacket right now, just to insure against the cold coming up and I wouldn't mind grabbing a pair of those chunky brogues with mustard yellow suede. The dark mustard yellow of the accessories such as the bag chain and shoes surprisingly matches the entire ensemble and quite well.
 

The dark blue and white pattern of the pants and matching reminds me a lot of Ming dynasty vases- it seems fitting I discover this mock oriental design on Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon! Although the top and pants are made of the same material and pattern, the pants are tight fitting whereas the top is loose at the back and has chic elbow patches made in the opposite colours. I love elbow patches, it's very hard to see them done properly on garments on vintage and modern clothes alike.

The casual and cosy looking hooded jumper with loose hanging sleeves as well as thick colours reminds me a lot of a similar pattern from the New Zealand label Twenty Seven Names collection. There's definitely more diamonds and shapes incorporated into this pattern though and when comparing the two brands, Kenzo wins out every time for its longevity and prestige in the fashion world.

I can't wait till Winter when I'll splash out on a big woolen cape of a loose fitting coat. Currently I'm searching like a woman possessed for those types of clothes on Etsy at vintage prices and with feminine charm but if I had the money I wouldn't mind getting my hands on this Emerald green coat with contrasting dark blue buttons and colour blocking inserts. This would look great with a flannelet shirt underneath of maybe a tartan printed blouse or skirt. Ah, Winter and layering clothes. How I miss it so sorely.

Vintage Fur Jackets

With the indifference of the Melbourne Summer leaving me wearing jeans, a long sleeve shirt and a comfy sweatshirt, I feel that a fur coat is more appropriate than a pair of swimming bathers; sad to say really since a lot of people hang out for Summer. I enjoy the holiday but the weather can sometimes be murder. Given the choice, I always prefer to be able to turn on a heater or wear a few extra layers than have to strip down and sit in front of a fan or air conditioner panting like a sick dog.
I've been after a lovely fur jacket for a while but I'm trying to balance my love of vintage pieces with my principals of not killing animals for fashion and well... it's not possible really. The fur jackets featured within this post include raccoon fur, rabbit and fox that has been dyed into wild colours. The most harmless may be Mongolian lamb hair but I still have my doubts- it must be my Chinese heritage that distrusts the gongs.

The positive side of cheetah and leopard prints is that there is no way possible that it's genuine fur and any mad PETA supporters will surely avoid splashing paint on you, unless its for dramatic effect and to make a point. It's still a large and showy vintage piece but with the contrast of light honey gold and black you can dress it up or down but I wouldn't mind wearing a plain black dress or skirt and blouse combination with the jacket, letting it be the centre of attention. All of these photographs and jackets are from the same online seller but there seems to be a very high mark-up for quality vintage pieces, something I do tut at but cannot starve by taking my business elsewhere.

My favourite fur jacket was already sold long before I had ever clapped eyes on it but I was instantly captivated by the name given to the vintage treasure, 'Poison Ivy'. It's real raccoon fur which is a shame since they are such cute little creatures but it's been dyed a shade bordering on teal and what might be considered blue with tints of black in a long and predictable trailing pattern. I childishly believe that if it doesn't look like natural fur then it isn't but where else would I find such soft and touchable hairs and the wild and colourful pattern creating a parade of colour before my very eyes?

This is the Mongolian lamb hair jacket dyed a brilliant but devilish shade of red, but at first glance you wouldn't have guessed the identity of the animal which so kindly sacrificed its own warmth for fashion. I love the way it engulfs an entire body, a substitute for proper interaction and being held with a furry wrath of its own that could almost be alive. The simple addition of thick boots with a killer heel and platform wedge as well as matching red lipstick was all that was needed for this model to convince me that buying this jacket was a necessary element of life and that I needed it as much as I needed oxygen to survive- had this jacket too not been sold already. I know I have previously complained about not being supplied with a sold archive but it's also a let down to see lovely pieces online I can't buy because someone's got more cash than me and beat me to it.

I'm most likely going to cave in and buy a cheap leopard printed cardigan in the style of Opening Ceremony since I can't deal with competition and I'm trying to avoid bulky things to add space into my wardrobe. The knit I'm thinking of is a similar shade to what you can see from this fur jacket and the positives is that it won't be as hard to find and won't have been made from preying on the suffering of a cute little animal. Still, I have been left feeling a little inspired by the use of Sterling silver necklaces featuring bones to form crosses as well as outrageously short black dresses and thick heeled shoes/ boots.

Chloe Pre-Fall 2012

Since I live in Melbourne, the city that inspired the Crowded House hit, 'Four Seasons One Day' today I could really use with a little rugging up and a nice big coat of scarf to snuggling into. While I was previously pining over one of my boyfriend's jumpers, perhaps something a bit more stylish such as the new Chloe Pre-Fall collection for 2012 is just what the doctor ordered. However, this is just a sneak preview of what is to come and what goodies we can enjoy. Unfortunately since I'm in the Southern Hemisphere a lot of the most famous fashion houses host their runway collections in the opposite season and everything is topsy turvy. If living in this city with its messed up weather has taught me is that when it gets cold, layering is an art and the large coats of the Chloe collection would be a wonderful thing to take shelter in when its turns cold and there's a bitter chill in the air. 

 

While the colour pallet is seeming subdued I do like the structure and puffed out jackets shown best by these side-profile photographs. There's also a bit more of an emphasise on the patterns, woolen materials and deep pockets to shield your hands from the cold and eliminating a need for gloves. I'm interested to know whether the high neck collar and tight sleeve around the wrist are from a blouse underneath of the coat itself- a high neck which is snug fro a coat would also be a lovely addition in the garment design to keep warm. This white and patterned coat would look very good with a chain scarf knitted from Yookoo and her online Etsy store.

Even bigger and cosier than the predeceasing white jumper is this large and patterned coat featuring white and light brown. The contrast against the dark hair of the model has got me sold and you could easily team this piece up with a slick pair of riding pants from American Apparel or neat pleated slacks. The colour is quite different from the Central Business District attire in Melbourne where the dress code is black all year round. I'll definitely be hanging out to see the price tag of this gorgeous coat- I may even get it before my trip to Canada at the start of 2013.

It's a hard task to find a leather skirt that isn't tight-fitting but I love the combination of one of the seasons' hottest trends, pleats and thick leather. With a high-waisted skirt, large pleats and a hem that ends at the knee you get some sensational folds and pleating. It really shows off the gorgeous tan coloured leather and the use of leather mid-calf black boots doesn't take a lot of emphasise away from the skirt but still manages to channel a cool and chic cowboy look.

I love the structure of these herringbone printed pants- their a loose combination of harem style and flairs with a gathered hem that fans out at the ankles. While it engulfs the ankles and prevents your shoes from being seen you have to be careful to make sure it doesn't skim the ground and wear and tare as you walk. Maybe something suitable for sitting in the front row of a fashion runway show; I bet Alexa Chung could team up a Mulberry bag and a cute vintage looking blouse to get the full school girl charm going.