Losing it

Since reading this post over on iCiNG I have been mulling over the topic of losing your hair. I was racking my brains all over Christmas for some good bald/balding icons, only to kick myself for my stupidity when I caught a bit of The King and I on TV. Yul Brynner is surely the most obvious choice?
And while he is probably best known for his completely bald look (above) as sported in the King and I, I think he looked quite dashing in his younger days when he still kept a bit on top.

The supreme neatness of the hair he does have is vital to the look. And this just set the ball rolling. There are so many balders (not yet baldies, you see?) out there to admire! The trick to it, as always, is excellent grooming.

This is perfectly illustrated here by Mr Astaire. While he does have his hair reasonably long it is slicked down and back at all times with no attempt to hide the arches of his hairline. His skin is clear and healthy looking and, as usual, he is clean shaven.

I've noticed quite a few indie boys trying to disguise a receding hairline by growing a long sweep of hair to use as a fringe. I hate to break it to you boys, but I'm beginning to feel that this the the modern equivilant of the comb-over... you're fooling no one my dears. I did consider finding a picture to illustrate this point but I thought that would be a little bit too mean. Maybe your new influence, if you don't like the swept back look should be Brandon Flowers?

His hair is short here and ever so slightly pushed forward. I'd be interested to see what he will do once it REALLY starts going though. I was also going to use Jude Law as a muse here but, if I'm honest, he creeps me out nowadays.

Thanking you

Just wanted to say Thank You to all my readers for all your support and comments, it really makes my day! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Photo styled by Laura Fulmine @ Sarah Kaye

Celebrations!

It's New Year's eve, wow, as I've said before, this year has flown by for me but nevertheless I'm really looking forward to 2010! I think it's going to be a great year for South Africa especially with the World Cup Soccer taking place here, can't wait! Well, for the games that is, not for the crowds and traffic!;) Have a great evening tonight wherever you are, happy celebrating!

Images via Toast

Bluebirds are so natural...

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and are gearing up for your new year celebrations (be that expensive or cheap, hangover guranteed or a quiet night in). I am now back in London where I belong after having a quiet Christmas with the family by the seaside and eating far, far too much. This festive season is all about excess but the January belt tightening is on it's way (oh dear) but fortunately we have the sales and the fashion weeks not too far away.

After my recent blog post you might have concluded that I would be out savouring the sales all day every day fighting over the rails and piles of so called bargains but that just hasn't been the case. I hate shopping in crowded shops, during the sale madness the clothes are scattered across the rails and floors and fellow consumers take on a more panic stricken animal attitude, either fearful eyes and a look of terror or they come out fighting, elbowing their way to the reductions. Sales can be a scene of desperation, style at times is forgotten. Some people enjoy shopping in this madness, sifting through all of the rubbish just to find that nugget of a bargain but not this consumer.

My first full day in London was spent wandering around Selfridges with EJ and the girlfriend, where last year I was fortunate enough to find some great things but this time I just wasn't in the mood. I'm sure there were some great bargains among the racks and rack of clothes but from my half hearted glances I didn't see anything, only the very fortunate or those who put in the most work succeed in arenas like the Selfridges sale. My mind was made up to vist b Store and the Shop at Blue Bird the following morning. In the interim I did venture into Liberty's and was seduced by some of the reductions, for example a Maison Martin Margiela navy suit jacket which despite the substantial price cut was still a little out of my grasp. A couple of APC items were tempting but my will power was strong enough to dissuade me buying things that I didn't really want or need.

Now onto more happier and successful tales and the wonders that were to be found within the Shop at Bluebird. Adam Green once chirped 'Bluebirds are so natural' in his song 'Bluebird' and it the shop felt very natural to me. It felt so far away from my previous shopping experience at Selfridges which left me questioning the whole sale thing. I walked out of the shop at Bluebird with a huge smile on my face, I had a bagged myself a white Givenchy shirt for £55 and a pair of wrap trousers from Unconditional for £125 but had also enjoyed myself within the shop, which is well presented and has attentive and extremely pleasant staff! There was so much to choose from, ranging from Raf Simons tapered trousers and that metallic shirt, Omar Kashoura cardigans and shirts (check out the scary myspace music) alongside rails of countless items that were great!

The sale purchases teamed up with a pair of old but quite rare converse (black with red trim).

The Unconditional trousers are unlike anything I have in my wardrobe. Wrap fly, tapered bottom, they are a play on proportions and so damn comfortable.

If you like me are dissuaded from most sales I would recommend visiting the Shop at Bluebird which was fruitful for me alongside ventures inside b Store and Concrete.

Let us know about your own success stories or nightmares with the recent sales.

Capture the day

Beautiful wedding photography and inspiration by Meg Smith...

All images via Meg Smith Photography

New Years Eve Wear 101

Because New Years Eve is but two nights away, I'll offer a small bit right here and now about dressing the part for the occasion. It should be noted though, that in the lookbook of my life, every day is reason to decorate oneself in head-to-toe sequins.

...

Though I suppose on New Years Eve I could offer the prospect of perhaps adding bullets, ballons, spikes and studs. See what I mean? $62 at Shop Nasty Gal

...See what I mean? She don't mess around, sister. $424 at Pixie Market a la Sass & Bide

Now that we've gotten through that rough patch (ba da ba, chhh!) let the shining begin! (Anyone? Anyone?) Tough crowd. 

Because I love you guys so hard, I took the liberty of creating my own version of the Canadian tuxedo, referred to as the New Yearz with a Z tuxedo going forward as there is no denim involved in this particular tuxedo but rather an uncomfortable influx of sequins.
In any case, behold:

A button up blouse a la Elizabeth and James paired with sequined harems by way of Alice + Olivia. You heard that right, Repellers. I said sequined harems and I meant it. Both available at Shopbop.

Those of you on the more experimental side may want to take a peek into Net-a-Porter's closet.

Who knows, you may leave with a feathered merkin (for the uninitiated: a merkin is a pubic wig. Pubic wig, I tell ya. Pubic,) stapled to a sequined mini skirt and really, who would say no to a merkin.  
Lady Aldridge, I hope you're reading. $495 at NET-A-PORTER.

Now, that was a lot to absorb. You may be scratching your head. That in turn may force you to start thinking about what you will wear on said head. I've got you covered.

Goodbye "Happy New Year" crown, hello sequined turband! Well, not a sequined turband per se, but the possibility is there and the price is nice. Its been reduced from $65 to $20. So, a $20 headband that may double as a sequined turban. Could you ask for more? No, the answer to that is a big fat no. $19.50 at The Outnet.

At Shop the Far Out, I found a tight mini skirt sans pubic wig that you may want to slip into come Friday night should you want to fornicate. Despite its sparkly nature, it truly may in fact kick start the mating process.

Easy access zipper, eh? eh? I just hope you're not wearing your hairy panties...though if you've gotten vajazzled, I toterly understand. New Years Eve is a sparkle shit show, after all.  
$98 at Shop The Far Out

If however, painting sequins to your body just ain't yo'thang, I understand. Find here, the Alpha Male of Man Repelling fashions.

If you're not into using restrooms, this is an ideal place to store your bowel movements. And at $58, it's steal of the century. Get yours here.

If you decide to take that plunge and lose contact with the contents of your nether region a la drop crotch pantaloonys, you will need this ring.

Because, you know, everyone should kiss something at Midnight. $44 at Shop Nasty Gal.

And finally, you may be wondering what I'll be wearing...
Here she is: sweet Stella in all her glory.

Palazzo-panted unitard a la Stella McCartney from The Outnet.
And for outerwear: a silver Rag & Bone blazer tuxedo blazer, duh.

I know what you're wondering but you are wrong, I will in fact wear my head out come NYE.

Cheers to us, fellow Repellows and here's to one more year of celibacy, sartorial freedom, and Proenza Schouler.