NOTCOUTURE

NOTCOUTURE

I was introduced to this blog this morning. The snow was falling outside and the Christmas music was blaring inside. Was a rather magical morning, and this tidbit of info was the cherry on top. It would be an understatement to say that the writer and I share similar tastes... It would be even more of an understatement to say that their taste is impeccable! After only a glance at the home page, I wanted at least 5 things. Imagine how much I want (need) now that I've had a tad more time to browse through. Keep it up NOTCOUTURE! <3

Classics are Fantastic!

I'm having a classic moment... And thankfully, I'm not the only one. We've been seeing a lot of designers heading back to the basics over the last few seasons, and it's starting to hit the Ready to Wear department in a big way. From pleated trousers, to full-on suspenders, men have a lot more 'gentlemanly' options. My favourite trend that's coming back in a big way... BOW TIES! And not those lazy clip-on ones. I'm talking full on, tie-it-yourself bow ties.

I got these trousers about a month ago from a store right here in Vancouver. They're by Scotch & Soda, a design house out of Amsterdam. If you're going to go for the suspender look this fall, this is the way to do it. Sure, the clip-on variety work, but the old-school approach looks much more refined (the same can be said for bow ties).

I've been having a lot of difficulty hunting down some old-school bow ties. Finally, I stumbled upon an entire bin of them... And in a thrift store, nonetheless. This one is pure silk, and I got it for only $10.

If you're not one to thrift shop, check out this one by Tommy Hilfiger. The great thing about these simpler patterns is that they can be combined with a variety of looks. Try it with a plain shirt, or even a plaid one. Just be sure that the colours in your look compliment each other. There's no use in adding something as fun as a bow tie if it detracts from the look as a whole!

Now, tying a bow tie is no easy feat. Thank God for Youtube!!

Head Over Heels

Jean Paul Gaultier won me over with this collection (Spring 2011). I've always been a bystander with this particular designer, finding his outlandish ways to be too over the top (I have to say that I've always LOVED his Le Male fragrance though). As far as I'm concerned, however, this collection ranks Gaultier on my Top 10 List (more like a Top List as I'm terrible at picking and choosing). This collection had wonderful variety and colour, and of course, featured Gaultier's signature horizontal stripes!

This was the first look that caught my eye. The scarf is superb, and I love the use of camel colouring. Camel is making a HUGE comeback in fashion right now, and Gaultier took charge of the reigns with this look. I especially like the subtle detailing near the hem of the pants. This shows off a great way to be 'matchy-matchy' without being too 'matchy-matchy'. Break it up!

Here's an example of what to do if you want to be too matchy-matchy... I love the bag though!

As well as camel, it seems that overalls may be coming back into style. I have to say that I'm finding the non-denim variety to be much more appealing. In fact, I could see myself sporting these this season! Now if only I could find a pair...

I love love LOVE how the pattern on the jacket almost seems to extend from the pants. Such an elegant way to add some pattern to an outfit!

This entire outfit does it for me. Oversized everything is coming back, and having an overly lengthy shirt under a fitted jacket adds some personality to a look. It also makes it seem much more casual, and hip(ster).

I was always jealous of the over-the-shoulder look that so many tops for girls' featured. This is a great transition across the sexes. It's typically a more feminine look, but Gaultier did a fantastic job of making it more masculine. You could even wear this sweater as a scoop neck. I'm always up for some versatility in my wardrobe!

A Dash of Salt

Christopher Bailey defines what makes truly great fashion. Every collection that he puts forth is riddled with edge, while still keeping things traditional. It's no secret that Burberry puts forth some of the best jackets in the biz, and Prorsum keeps things young and playful. Yay! :)

I saw this jacket and nearly had a stroke! Everything from the oversized lapel, to the soft camel colour makes me die. I'm usually one to shy towards simplicity... Especially when it comes to zippers. In this case, however, my favourite part stems from the over-accentuated zippers, riddled all over the coat. Beauty!

The military look has been making a comeback for quite some time now, and Bailey made quite an effort to bring it to this collection, while still keeping things Burberry. I love the forest green with brown accents in the look to the left. And those sleeves on the blue jacket... Are those leather? Please, tell me they are!

This is my favourite 'inspired' look from the collection. While I may be entirely off base, it looks like Bailey took his inspiration directly from the medieval ages. The studded look is definitely becoming more prevalent, but I generally find myself disliking the pieces that are made. They tend to be too much, too soon. I adore the elegance that Christopher has brought to this usually 'hard' look. I would don that vest (to the right) in a New York Minute!

Fashion Revival

I am absolutely dying over the fashion revivals that have been going on. It's like the best trends from all of the ages are taking centre stage, and the ways that people are playing with these looks is phenomenal. This truly is the age of inspired fashion. Feel free to play with what has been created in the past, and make your look your own. Dress up by throwing a fitted vest over a plain tee, paired with a pair of slim fitting jeans. Add some edge with an 80's inspired leather bomber.

The three-piece suit truly is the gentlemen's greatest tool. No matter the guy, this is a great way to make yourself look refined and chic. Try throwing back your hair into a nice coiffure to put the cherry on top of the cake. This suit by Ralph Lauren is perfection. The five-buttoned vest adds a tad more chicness than the three-buttoned versions out there.

Turtlenecks have been ridiculed for the past decade... Finally, they're becoming socially acceptable--even demanded--once more. If you want to add some edge to this look, try a chunkier turleneck like the Dolce & Gabbana one to the right.

This leather bomber by Jean-Paul Gaultier is especially inspired. I love the short torso, with the large detailing at the bottom edge. Try to shy away from leather jackets that have pocket flaps. One is okay, but anymore than that and you'll look too bulky.

In With The Old. In With The New. Lacoste Spring '11

No other designer has as much fun with colour as Christophe Lemaire. Lacoste... Known for their 'every colour of the rainbow' polos, mixed the old with the new in New York this month.

The colour combo featured in this look is amazing. It is essential to pair a look this bold with other, simpler colours.... As is done perfectly with the white sandals and bracelets. Remember to show off those signature pieces!

Did I miss something? I knew that baggy pants were back.... But pleats? Seriously?? While I'll admit that these two gents look rather refined, I'll withhold on this look. Thanks!

What really caught my eye in this collection was how the timeline was played with. The look on the left looks like something taken straight from a futuristic movie, while the look on the right appears to be some '70s flower-power babe.

Black and white. Always has been a staple. Always will be. What we do with these neutrals, however, is ever-changing. I feel as though we've been transported back to Coco Chanel's Parisian studio with these two looks... Even the baggy trouser-wearing woman seems to be a shoutout to the rebelliousness that Coco promoted in her designs. J'adore!

This is what happens when you tell a male model to smile right before he walks down the runway. Lesson learned.

If I were to get my hands on this sweater, I would forever be happy. Well... At least until my next fashion-lust.

Jean on Jean / GStar Spring '11

Jean on jean. Jean overalls. Jean jackets. Jean, jean, jean! No one is able to use the same fabric in so many ways, quite as well as GStar. I've often found myself so obsessed with their (exquisite) jackets, that I don't take time to fully appreciate the pure artistry in the rest of what they do. It has been far too long since my last post, and there is no better way to come back (with a vengeance) than paying homage to one of my favourite designers. In this collection, Pierre Morriset took denim to the next level. He used the very street-ready material in every article of clothing from head-to-toe, and utilized a variety of colours to show the pure malleability of the fabric.

Belt it, belt it, and belt it some more. Remember a few years ago when we were all brain-washed with 'lower is better'. Well, what we think is chic is once again, being rewritten. This fall and in seasons to come, HIKE IT UP! For you ladies, get yourself a variety of belts. It's always great to have not only a few colours to choose from, but also a few widths. A skinny belt can be a great way to add a little flare to a pair of high-waisted denim shorts, and a chunkier belt can add some personality to a dress.

Probably one of the more difficult to pull off looks... White it out. An outfit this bold needs to be worn with confidence. Be prepared to be traffic stopping. Also be prepared to eat with a bib, or not at all!

Whoever thought that jeans would only get skinnier, you've been proven wrong. This season, be prepared to increase the wiggle room in your bottoms. The dropped-crotch pants are also going to be hitting the ready-to-wear lines more. And what I'm particularly digging... The baggy-meets-skinny jean (seen best on the left). What a fantastic way to mix up a look! Finally, your legs will be able to breath (a huge sigh of relief).

What would be a GStar show without some jackets. I die for the jacket on the left. One rule of thumb to always follow with a peacoat... Pop. That. Collar.

My favourite look of the collection. I have always thought that overalls were out for good. Respectfully I admit... I was wrong! Dead wrong, in fact. These buttoned-up, baggy-legged beauties make me want to dance on the table while belting out Kylie Minogue lyrics.