Stella McCartney and embracing dodgy knit wear

This marvelous creation is a scarf-hood hybrid of gigantic proportions by Stella McCartney A/W 07 (I know again with me and A/W 07 again). My mum bought it me that Christmas as 'something sensible to keep you warm' and 'you love polar bears' both correct actually, but this is not really the most practical of items. Perhaps if I was of model proportions it wouldn't come down to my knees! But I kind of like its hugeness, and I certainly love its polar bears!!

This collection has got to be one of my favorite from Stella so here's some of the pieces I would love to own...

I did actually own these boots and the black version with the knitted tops, for all of about 10 minutes. I was so excited to get them on sale but so disappointed to get them. I have never tried on such painful shoes in my life, they were literally making my foot spasm they were so tight. Hence they were sent swiftly back. I've never tried any other Stella shoes since!

If I had a spare £4000 I would buy one of these totally kitch Judith Lieber bags to match!

What we do have Stella to thank for is the making dodgy knit wear cool again, so apres ski!

Which is funny as due to the snow this week I have been wearing some random 70 / 80's clothes dug out of my mums wardrobe - I have no practical clothing it seems!

I love this ancient Burberry sweater, especially with my modern snood, this black M&S beanie (I would have preferred it with a pom-pom) and these lovely Vivienne Westwood gloves.

I found these jeans in the summer, they are vintage Wranglers with a proper high waist - no body wants low jeans when its so cold! I also have been living in these little snow boots, so that's it my perfect winter dog walking attire!

Whilst we are on knit wear I am in love with the super cool creations from Sibling, menswear but hey it would be selfish not to share! In fact a perfect gift for the boyf - then you can pinch it right back on Boxing day, under the poor shivering girlfriend routine ;-)

http://www.siblinglondon.com/
http://slamxhype.com/fashion/sibling-knitwear/

Hope you are all keeping snug (or enjoying not being frozen to my readers far away in sunnier climates),

I would love to know if any one else starts 'borrowing' clothes when the mercury drops? Or is it just me that cannot bear to part with cash for sensible clothing when there is something shiny in Chanel I can get instead?

Pearl x

Lady Gaga wears Holly Russell

Back in August Holly Russell won The Best of Manchester Fashion award which was exhibited a the Urbis, Manchester. The collection was stunning and so I was delighted to see Lady Gaga wearing the full length gown.

If you missed the exhibition (or the posts covering it) check out these:

http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/08/best-of-manchester-fashion-award-erm.html

http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/08/best-of-manchester-fashion-award-part-2.html

Into the Blizzard!

So this is me before I embark on a mission in what was soon to turn into a total blizzard! Trusty vintage Russian hat, Burberry snood, Chanel coat and bag, Topshop jeans and Clarkes biker/Chelsea boots. I love this hat sooo much!!! I was stomping off to go pick up my own Christmas present I had reserved, so it was far to important to miss!

These are my two favourite inspiration pictures at the moment, I will be adding my brooch to my hat as soon as it come back from being repaired (is it just me or have I been waiting years for it).

Also gotta love the long skirts! And who wouldn't want Chanel skies!!

Sirius and Baby were not convinced by Bella's sartorial choice.

Hope you are all having fun in the snow,

Have a fab weekend,

Pearl xx

Drink Problem?

(sorry I can't find reference for this image)

Just as I fall for you, you stab me in the heart...

... oh alright I am being a bit dramatic but I am rather heart broken...

My day started off fantastically with the arrival of my Burberry SNOOD!!!! Yay, it really is so soft and warm. I much prefer it to the long double over snoods (or circle scarfs) as it tucks in your coat neatly and you can keep it on all day.

If you care to imagine it with an outfit similar to the one below (but I look like a wild thing today so I don't have an actual outfit post). It all started with the Burberry boots, I love them. I managed to stomp my way around town all day shopping in them, they aren't actually that high due to the wedge, though uneven pavements have to be approached with caution! They do need insoles though as the soles are really hard - note to Christopher Bailey shoes need padded soles, especially shoes this expensive.

Well since I am on the subject, I really think I will be wearing these boots into Spring too. Wouldn't they look perfect with a pastel chiffon skirt, something like Gwen is wearing here!

Ah but I digress, also in the top photo are my new BROWN leather shorts. I've been hunting for brown leather for ages as sometimes black is just to, well, black. So joy at finding these in my new love Zara (did you know it is supposed to be pronounced THara as it is Spanish). I was enjoying a good wander in Zara, trying not to be seduced by the perfect displays (did you know that all the displays for every store are laid out in head office so they are perfect prior to being recreated in store). I love how the mix and match items are right there for you, with no effort required to look totally chic (sorry what the hell is wrong with me and all this trivia!). So, I was all ready to pay for my shorts (this is the last trivia, and no Zara are not paying me, the tag states the leather used is from meat production animals raised on farms, not animals from 'battery farms' or slaughtered solely for their hides).

When I spot this monstrosity of a display:

Photo taken sneakily with my phone. These boots are exact rip offs of my Chanel's!!!

I was just gobsmacked. I mean I know Zara's whole purpose is to provide the high street equivalent of the designer stuff. I think that their tweed jackets are the best Chanel inspired ones around. But there is a bloody strong line between 'inspired' and 'rip off'.

Zara make loads of amazing clothes and accessories like my studded suede boots, that are inspired by the general trends on the runway but not direct rip offs!! So, I am at a total loss, I just cannot shop somewhere that condones this. Yet as you know I love the rest of the store.

Gah, ok am I being overly dramatic? I know that not everyone can afford designer shoes, but seriously would you want the rip off version? I have always preferred the low key high street or vintage when I couldn't afford designer, I just would rather not have any than a cheap imitation.

The thing that hurts most is that these are my favourite shoes in the world, I paid A LOT for them and it took some time to save up, but it was so worth it for something so perfect for my wardrobe and so unique. Now do I have to see everyone wearing the cheap versions, as of course Chanel only make things in limited numbers so it is highly unlikely you see anyone in the same thing! Ok so it is not as bad as blaintant counterfeiting but surely it is just as equal to theift to the designer! This subject has been raised on a few other blogs especially with Camilla Skovgaard - who I adore - and her shoes getting ripped off (http://www.imelda.com.au/well_shod_well_imformed/2009/07/get-the-look-but-at-what-cost.html).

It makes you wonder where the line should be drawn, basically it is theift of the design, so surely it should be just as illegal as counterfeiting? I read a really interesting comment in a real / faux fur debate, the commenter said that she feels buying cheap 'throw-away' fashion would make her feel more guilty than an animal being killed due to the conditions that people making them were subject to. It really makes you stop and think doesn't it? Are these crimes of fashion.

Would love your thoughts on this everyone!

To quote my BFF 'Is nothing sacred'.

Pearl xx

P.S. Link for those of you who missed the Burberry post:

http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/11/dear-christopher-bailey.html

P.P.S To Jill Dot - these are the Burberry wedge boots that I would wear with a gown!

An ode to Carrie again: Sequin beret, faux fur & vintage Chanel backpack

Following on from this post: http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/12/ode-to-grey-marl-and-faux-fur-la-carrie.html the general consensus from the comments was that I need a sequin beret too! I knew I had one from last year, mine is black though, and I went to dig it out. So thanks to Wendy B and Make Do, here it is! I am wearing it with another vintage faux fur coat in a dark chocolate brown/black. Since I was on a role rummaging about in closets I thought I would help my mum out and go through her closet too. This is her Chanel pearl brooch and her Chanel 80's vintage backpack! How amazing is this bag!! It is a 2.55 but with backpack straps! I am keeping an eye out for one myself. Since my mum is as big a bag hound as I am for shoes, I am loaning this bag for a while. So, I will do another post on it and some other Chanel bag styles. Thanks mum xx

Do you borrow things from your family? I always wanted a sister to share stuff with!

Hope you guys are having a good week,

Pearl x

Would you like to win a vintage Chanel handbag for Christmas?

Would you like to win this vintage Chanel handbag by any chance?

Yep so would I! It is really hard finding mint condition white vintage Chanel bags but the lovely Julianna over at Rare Vintage is holding a competition to win this very bag!!!

So stop drooling over your keyboard and hop on over:
http://rarevintage.blogspot.com/2009/11/giving-thanks-enter-to-win-vintage.html

For any new readers if you would like to know more about vintage Chanel (featuring some of Rare Vintage too) check out my recent post on the history of the Chanel 2.55 bag:
http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/11/chanel-255-handbag-history-facts-and.html

Good luck to everyone that enters,
Have a great weekend,
Pearl xx