simply the best
Margaret Howell SS 2013
Dressing for warm leather for me has always meant putting on as little items of clothing as possible. That means each item of clothing has to be able to stand on its own - it has to have a strong identity, it has to look smart, it can't look like it's waiting to be accessorised.
This is especially tricky when it comes to simple clothing, where there are no obvious flourishes to make a sophisticated statement - no pleats or ruffles, no bold colours, no dazzling prints, no intricate embroidery, no complicated shapes.
I am drawn to these looks from Margaret Howell's spring/summer lookbook because they exemplify how basic pieces like a little capsleeve tee can be made in a way that creates a distinct but subtle silhouette. The lines are boxy and clean, but there's also looseness so everything isn't uptight and strict. These are practical, airy looks that work well in warm weather, with a relaxed vibe that never looks sloppy.
I am especially drawn to the dress, and have decided to use it to test out a new shopping method: for more expensive items, or ones that aren't a necessity, I will set some money each week until I hit the price of the desired item, before I buy it.
It's part of my aim to become more fiscally responsible and better at budgeting, and also a way of giving myself time to really decide if I truly desire something. If it sells out by then, no regrets; I don't lack for clothes I love.
Of course I still believe in the instinctive, immediate, utterly perfect buy, but those are one in a hundred. Everything else can do with a bit of extra time. Would be interesting to see how this works out.
Pictures from Margaret Howell
Comments
i am realizing that most of my favorite staples are all very, very simple with a luxe detail or two. it's a good thing, given my taste for sometimes more outré jewelry!
I'm definitely trying to be more fiscally responsible this year - we'll see when mid-year comes if I'm successful.
I get what you mean when you describe simple clothing. I have a few A.P.C. dresses that fit the bill and I hope they bring those back!
Pret a Porter P: It's been hard budgeting, seeing as Chinese New Year meant extra outlay of money for travel and extra expenses but I'm determined to stick to this financial exercise to see where it takes me.
Amanda: :) The shoes are very cute...I love the sturdy shoes she always shows.
Would love to see how your plan to be more fiscally responsible turns out! I love reading about people sharing this stuff because it really keeps me motivated as well.
jamie-lee: i think the dress is already sold out online, although i've emailed the shop to ask, haha. It's definitely logistically challenging, to set aside money - I'm literally putting money in a jar for this one since it's not a huge sum of money. For bigger ticket items I reckon I'd be transferring money into my "do not touch" savings account and just keeping track of the balance.
joy: I like how you can always count on her to repeat certain things - I hate the idea that I only have one season to buy something.
Eileen: I have to agree that some of her clothes are probably difficult to pull off, and it doesn't help that we can't try her stuff before ordering!
Ammu: Exactly! There is plain, and then there is plain.
The shopping method you described sounds like something I should probably try... Impulse buys rarely turn out well and with a credit car and countless online stores it is way too easy to give in.
i'm much better at not-shopping now, which means when i see a nice piece like you've done here, i can just start saving for it. it's so rewarding, because when you get the piece, you know you like it and you get a bit of a kick out of knowing you've not used credit. (maybe that's just me?)
I'm trying to be responsible about money more than anything else and figured since I am unlikely to ever stop buying clothes completely, I could at least place some restrictions on how much I can spend at any time!
Nyssa Jayne: I agree, I think it's sad that most things only exist for one season, or in the case of designer handbags, end up with horrible price increases.
I like avoiding using credits cards as well! It just makes me feel better knowing that I haven't spend beyond my means.
Sue: I agree, sometimes something resurfaces and I find that the magic is gone, which is why most of the time I prefer not to buy something immediately unless I have that rare feeling of utter certainty.
I went to the MHL store in Tokyo awhile back, loved most of the items but the dress shape didn't work for me. I do like the relaxed yet bit structured silouette she is great a creating though.