At the Pier

Last weekend was a strange one. I was only in London (for an entire day) on Saturday and due to a lot of errands I had planned for the day, my recreational time was severely limited. Luckily, I was in central London (a very sunny Central London might I add!) for one of the projects planned for the day, so the day didn't turn out to be too shabby.

The obligations of the day required me to wear something comfortable and French-inspired. At the same time, I had to ensure I didn't melt down in this once-in-a-blue-moon heat wave in London. Nothing says comfort and France more than my simple H&M striped top with gold buttons. Instead of pairing this frequently worn top with my usual black capris, I went for a red pair that I had never worn (mainly because I had put on a bit of weight and they wouldn't fit properly, lawl!). The result was a nautical look, hence why we chose to shoot the outfit at the pier in between London Bridge and Charing Cross.

Finishing off the look are a plain pair of black flats as well as a minimal (and gorgeous!) black clutch I thrifted from a local charity shop. I swear Zara had something similar in brown this season. So simple, so me.

As usual, garment details and lookbook.nu hype button can be found at the end of the post.

Quick housekeeping: I opened a new blog called 'Boffism Fitness' in which I'm going to share the fitness-loving side of myself. You can find this new venture of mine over here. 

OUTFIT | Top: H&M - Trousers: Peacocks - Flats: Primark - Clutch: Thrifted

Style Icon: Margaret Thatcher

I'm currently sitting in the Eurostar Business Lounge in St. Pancras, facing a newspaper stand literally full of photos of the lady that's currently on everyone's lips. I think it's nearly impossible to ask yourself 'who is Margaret Thatcher?' without getting a prompt, informed reply these days.

Irrespective of her arguable political choices, the former British Priminister is considered to have been of considerable influence in a number of different fields. I'll obviously limit myself on observing her style choices, especially since I know there was a great deal of effort put into the way she looked. If you watch The Iron Lady, a brilliant movie starring Meryl Streep as the first woman Priminister in Britain, you'll understand how her entourage needed to make sure that Mrs. Thatcher 'looked and sounded' like the Priminister she was.

The first outfit which caught my eye was this combination of a blue pleated midi-skirt paired with a matching blazer and a light patterned blouse. I have to admit I've always shied away from putting two same coloured pieces together, yet there's no use denying the final look makes sense. I chose to mirror Mrs. Thatcher's elegant yet comfortable black kitten heels not only to be as faithful to the original as possible, but also due to my eternal love for them. If you want to make the outfit look less granny, you can opt for a shorter pleated skirt.

This photo is in black and white so I couldn't really play with the colour scheme this time. Instead I decided to explore the way a pussybow blouse was layered beneath a basic yet nicely silhouetted peacoat. I noticed that I find myself wondering how I can wear a plain peacoat in a more interesting manner and I think I finally found a good option. The hanging bow detail can be used to align different colours, contrast different patterns as well as putting two textures against each other. The idea is very simple yet the possibilities it gives are numerous.

Finally, I also wanted to include a set with a blazer and pencil skirt 'suit'. I refrained from working on another all blue outfit so I decided to use the silhouette as my main point of inspiration. The key to achieving this look is wearing two garments that are relatively quite long in a matching colour. In my set, I chose to add a plaid blazer that is largely based on blue with a simple, clean-cut blue pencil skirt. Margaret Thatcher wore pearls very often and I think their elegance complemented her style perfectly. So I went ahead and added some here as well.

I'm off to Brussels in a couple of minutes and I decided I'm going to vlog my stay there. You should subscribe to my YouTube channel to make sure you don't miss it when I upload it!

They call it Power Dressing

Back when Prince William married Kate Middleton, I may have been too distracted with the feathers I wore on my head to realise that the bride's dress was covered in detailing that reflected centuries of British legacy. Amongst the symbolic inclusions were shamrocks, roses, thistles and daffodils and let's not forget that the designer, the fabric and even the seamstresses that worked on it were British. Talk about Team GB!

This form of interplay between power, national identity, politics and clothing is no stranger to the British Royal Family. In fact, a forthcoming exhibition at Buckingham Palace, entitled In Fine Style, showcases a series of Stuart and Tudor paintings of former British monarchs, focussing on their sartorial details and peculiarities.

As Anna Reynolds, the curator of this Royal Collection, confirms, the fashion of these paintings evidently reveals the nature of the relationship between the monarch and its subjects. Reynolds goes on to add that the Royal Family understood that fashion and public image could be exploited effectively as a political tool. Wow, we're speaking about hundreds of years ago! They were a cunning bunch weren't they?

Let's take Queen Elizabeth I as an example. She was, after all, a frontrunner of the Royal Power Dressing movement. Style was one of the Queen's favourite methods of propaganda. At the young age of 13, Elizabeth lamented her appearance - somewhat plain and bookish - in a portrait by William Scots. However, by the time Elizabeth sat on the throne, at age 25, she had gone through a fair share of tumults: a beheaded mother, religious persecution, execution of Lady Jane and various other - verging on the macabre - acts. In addition, QE1's first decade as monarch was a difficult one. In between dealing with the country's debt, having no consort or successor, threats and plots from Mary Queen of Scots and parliamentary problems, poor Liz barely had any time to breathe! Elizabeth knew that she had to portray herself as a strong, iconic figure and she relied on her clothing to do so!

Her perfect understanding of the link between fashion and power cannot be better exemplified than in Phoenix, a portrait by Nicholas Hilliard, where her grandeur and embellishment find it hard to fit within the picture's frame!

A quick look at the painting and you could write volumes about the symbolism threaded in its sartorial details. We could start off with the monarch's large frame, her prominent sleeves and padded shoulders and the use of the red Rose of the Lancaster line as an appetiser. Then we move to the phoenix pendant - symbolising the way Elizabeth herself rose from the ashes and the way the throne would rise again without a direct successor - as a main course. For dessert? Her pearls, a symbol of her legendary virginity. The overall picture is overwhelmingly majestic - and almost condescending if you ask me - and reflected perfectly the image the very much admired monarch wanted to convey.

Elizabeth, or Gloriana as she was later known, insisted on the use of flattering lighting and colours when having her portraits done. She didn't want to be shadowed in any way, so much so that a law was passed to forbid anyone from sartorially 'upstaging' the Queen! If anyone dared dress more fashionably than their monarch, they'd be sentenced to three months in prison. What a diva!

If you happen to be around London around the 10th of May, you might want to visit In Fine Style: the Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. I know I'm going!

How I Style: A Denim Shirt

Ever since I posted my wishlist of basic items, I've received a few requests to write about how I style wardrobe staples. In a little discussion I had on my Facebook Page, the denim shirt was mentioned as a possible subject and since it was rather popular with you readers, I decided to start off with it.

Denim is in this season. The more, the merrier. With designers choosing to include chambray - which is, essentially, a form of lightweight denim - in their designs, denim is making a huge comeback this Spring and Summer. There's never been a better excuse to purchase a denim shirt.

I confess that one of my biggest packing mistakes when I moved to London was to leave my denim shirt behind. I've pretty much lived in it for around three years. How on earth did I forget it? Anyway.

Complaints aside. The point of this entry is to show you some combinations featuring a basic denim shirt. I always recommend getting one in a slightly oversized fit - maybe from the men's section? - so that you can make the most of it. I like to use denim shirts as a layering piece, as a lightweight denim jacket or on their own with some fancy lower body garments. I tend to pair denim shirts with red, black, white or yellow.

DENIM AND PRINTED SHORTS

Or any printed form of lower garment really! I would recommend creating a bit of contrast between your denim shirt and your choice of pants. I came across this pair of floral printed shorts and I thought it would be fitting to pair them with this light-coloured denim shirt. As you can tell, this set is very Summery - sandals and all - so it's ideal for those days where we're transitioning into warmer weather without it being too scorching for a denim shirt. Some of the denim shirts out in the stores right now are particularly lightweight, so you'll be able to bear them in the early days of Summer. If not, you can always roll up your sleeves or cut them off. That's how we roll ladies.

DENIM SHIRT AND PENCIL SKIRT

Just in case you were wondering whether I always try my best to fit in a pencil skirt whenever I do a styling post, the answer is a big fat 'yes'. I can't help myself! Pencil skirts have proved to be very versatile: they can be dressed up for a chic look or else dressed down for something more fresh and urban. In this case, adding a denim shirt to a red pencil skirt doesn't only result in a nice contrast, it also gives the outfit a slight pin-up feel. If you want to channel your inner fifties diva, you can always tie a knot at the bottom of your denim number instead of buttoning all your shirt. Add a pair of cat-eye sunglasses and you're good to go.

DENIM SHIRT AS DENIM JACKET

This is how I'm most likely to be seen sporting a denim shirt: as an alternative to a denim jacket. Firstly, because, alas, I'm still hunting down the perfect denim jacket and secondly because sometimes it's just too warm to wear a jacket. I particularly fancy layering a denim shirt over a light-coloured top - or a striped one that includes some white - and then choosing black for the rest. So, black skinny jeans, black tote, black pumps and maybe even a pair of black shades. I wouldn't mind some bright red lips with this combination either.

As you can see, denim shirts are more wearable than many might initially think. I might do a similar post about denim shirts for the boys, let me know if you're interested!

How To Wear Mono Polka Dots and Pearls

So yesterday I tucked myself into bed after spending an entire day working on an article in which - surprise, surprise - I ended up dwelling quite extensively on the Chanel Spring / Summer 2013 RTW collection. As I tend to do whenever I spend a great deal of time mulling over the latest from the Chanel front, I lulled myself to sleep uttering 'Karl Lagerfeld is a genius, Karl Lagerfeld is a genius' as if it were some dark medieval chant. Classy.

Anyway, what was on my mind as I rest my head on the pillow was the way Karl paired monochrome polka dots with pearl accessories. Yes, nothing major, I know. Yet lately I've found myself repeating the monochrome and metallic combination until it kind of became a new corner in my comfort zone, so I was instantaneously drawn to this alternative option. Here's how I went about re-interpreting the mix into outfits I would personally wear.

KEEPING IT CASUAL

My first option is the most casual of the three I'm about to propose. Ever since I got myself a pair of Topshop Jamie Jeans, there's been no looking back, hence why I included them in this combination too. Where have they been my entire life? Seriously, best jeans fit ever. Anyway, drooling party over. I can see myself wearing this look on a daily basis because it's not too formal yet quite dressed up. It can easily do breakfast, brunch, happy hour, shopping, even work maybe. If the weather is chilly, you can pretty much layer on any coat you prefer. I would go for the trusty coat I showed you in yesterday's outfit post here.

SPRING BREAK

As usual, I started imagining what my wardrobe is going to look like this Spring and well, this is a taste of it. I'm very much of a shorts person - mental note: go jogging or else no shorts - and I'm particularly fond of tailored shorts. There was once a very much less than worthy young woman who told me that only 'sluts' - yes I used 'sluts' on my blog lawl - wear shorts, and this is how I show that even shorts can be worn in a much 'classier' way. I need to buy a peach lipstick like the one above for when the weather warms up a bit. *looks outside and realises this is not happening anytime soon*

THE POLKA COAT

Ladies and gentlemen, I can't even begin to list the things I would do to own that coat. Some of them are quite indecent too. Outerwear is such a fun element to play with in the colder months, especially if like me, you tend to leave it on when you're indoors too. These black bodycon midi-dresses should be in every woman's wardrobe because they're versatile and timeless. I would wear something like this to a fashion event or even to a fashion-related job interview. It's sure to leave a mark, right?

This was probably my 700th post about polka dots. Good Lord.

Trend Report: January 2012

Dear Readers,

What a long day! And I'm not done with it yet! After publishing my blog sale album late last night, I responded to your emails - and please remind me if I haven't answered back yet! - then I headed out for a shoot for one of my upcoming articles. I still have some stuff to finish tonight but overall this was a really good day :)

Oh, and this was also a very pleasant month! Here are the three style elements I've enjoyed last month, and the three I've tried to avoid.

I've been into:

1. Hats: The January sales were what  mostly helped me to step up my hat collection. I just can't get enough. I love them all. 

2. Cap Shoes: I've posted about cap shoes yesterday. I'm still hunting for the perfect pair!

3. Brown Liner: Why did I ignore pretty much every make up artist I've worked with when they told me brown liner suits me better than black? I love it.

And, just like last month, I've avoided:

1. Animal Print: I've only bought a phone cover, so nothing too damaging!

2. Metallics: I seem the only one to be over metallics at the moment.

3. Bright Colours: Even though I must try and get them back into my life. Spring is round the corner.

I hope you all had a great month! February is birthday month for me so I'm rather excited about it. Bring it!

-B

Let's run away to Paris!

Dear Readers,

Whenever I feel claustrophobic in my country - which is happening even more than usual as of late - I remember that I'll be moving out soon, and it's all okay again. Today was one of those days, so instead of complaining and thinking 'why do I live here?', I spent the day on Tumblr, looking at pictures of Paris.

For today's post, I gave a challenge myself. I told myself, 'try and translate three Paris landmarks into outfits'. It was on.

The Eiffel Tower

Looking at the Eiffel Tower, I couldn't help but notice that the symbol of Paris is wider at the bottom, just like a flared skirt. Hence why I chose this amazing brocade grey dress, which I paired with green pumps inspired by the greenery at the tower's feet. You obviously need to accessorise such an outfit, but a pointed spike thing would be too unicorn-like. Instead, I opted for a fur stole (because we can't get enough of that can we?), some plain black gloves, pearls and most importantly, that cloche hat!

The Louvre Pyramid

My ideal Louvre inspired outfit would have included a sheer shirt with a triangular print, but alas, I found none of those on Polyvore. So instead, I focussed on sheer pieces, glass, structure and key accessories. It doesn't take a genius to understand that, in essence, the glass pyramid is very structured. That fact inspired my choice of trousers, black chinos, that I'd roll up and pair with patent, pointed (ie. structured too!) Chelsea boots. The accessories for the outfit are either made of glass (look at that bracelet!) or triangular in shape (ahem, gorgeous earrings!). To complete the look, I inserted a muted blazer that gives some colour, yet does not compromise the monochrome mood of the outfit.

The Champs-Elysees

This is where my apartment is going to be, just saying. Look at that picture, doesn't it have glamour and lights written all over it? No? Then look again! Even though I'm rather tired of seeing gold pieces at the moment, I couldn't help but choose that dress. It reminds me of all those lights on the Champs! The dress is a huge statement piece, so everything else should  be relatively simpler. I honestly believe that the picture of the Champs looks so attractive because it portrays a contrast between light and dark shades. The shoes, the bag, and the tights are like the night sky which emphasise the beauty of the gold accents so perfectly! And in true Parisian style, I had to add the YSL arty ring.

Counting down the days until the big move.

-B

And they called it 'The Miracle Dress'

Dear Readers,

Let's be honest, everyone likes reading about miracles. Some read to praise the heavens and others skim through to denounce them. As far as I'm concerned, I enjoy reading (and writing) about fashion miracles.

And no, it's not Chanel-related this time.

Stella McCartney is behind what literally everyone has dubbed 'The Miracle Dress'. This dress, mentioned and written about one too many times, has been the subject of literally almost 80% of my fashion subscriptions in recent weeks. It was either Versace for H&M or 'The Miracle Dress'. I needed to investigate.

Kate Winslet in The Miracle Dress

Dear Readers, meet McCarney's Bi-Colour 'Octavia Dress', a dress that can make you 2 sizes slimmer from the very first second you wear it. No wonder celebs have been dying to wear this dress, ignoring the blasphemous belief that 'two celebs should not be seen wearing the same dress'. 

I guess that it was Kate Winslet's wearing of the dress that set the ball rolling. Ever since then, this dress has stole the spotlight. I don't want to be my old hyperbolic self, but I think some also want McCartney to win a Nobel Prize for this dress. 

And here's Nicole too

So what's the secret behind this figure-hugging yet flattering dress that has been seen on the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Gloria Estefan and Penelope Cruz? It's pretty simple really. First off, the fabric is tight. So fitted it instantly tucks everything in. Secondly, the dress has also been designed with a girtle, which from what I've read, seems to be rather comfortable.

However, I am personally convinced that the black side panels are what really deserve credit for this miracle. They work like an optical illusion, creating an hourglass figure, a very tiny waist and an elongated body overall. Oh, and the back of the dress is black too! That black is a flattering colour is known to everyone. That it can be used to this extent is, well, pure genius.

Dear Readers, I don't mean to be nasty, but this dress costs way too much for most of the 7 billion people inhabiting this planet. Yet, don't worry, I have some alternatives for you. Below, is an almost identical dress from ASOS, complete with black panels and all. There are only two differences. First, the price tag. Secondly, the ASOS dress does not have a black back, but I still think it will work just fine! Click here to buy the dress. I know you want to.

and wait for it...IT'S ON SALE!

During my high-street hunt over the internet, I also found another similar dress at ASOS over here. This dress has a V neckline, which as some of you might know, always makes bodies look longer and slimmer. Cheapest one I found was on Boohoo, but it's not in black and white. It has sequins though! 

And in my usual prophet-like fashion, I conclude this post with a little foreshadowing: Expect other designers to take on this whole miracle dress thing.

-B

The Boffism Guide to Double Denim.

Dear Readers,

Please look at the picture below. What's wrong with it?

The Horror, the Horror!!!!!!

Everything really. Britney and Justin look like they played 'Ex-Disney-Kids wear all the denim in da house'. Needless to say, I'm not a big fan of this game. You shouldn't play it, even if you're not a Disney Kid. NO!

This picture has been haunting my memory for ages, so when I heard that 'double denim' looks were back in town, I immediately shuddered with fear. I imagined entire groups of people wearing head-to-toe denim. They took over the world. They invaded Denmark until it became a new denim-invaded country called 'Denimark'.

But then, Spencer Hastings, that incredibly stylish character from Pretty Little Liars, came along to alleviate my poor soul. Like an angel, Spencer showed me that there was a way out of this horror. In her double denim attire, the youngest Hastings daughter made me realise that the look can actually work.

Spencer Hastings <3

So, the newly converted double-denim side of me decided to experiment with this trend. I came to the conclusion that this is one hard nut to crack, definitely much harder than colour-blocking and pattern-mixing. So, caution dear readers, caution.

Both girls and boys can rock this trend if you follow a few easy tips. For example, one of the most basic things to do is to restrain yourself from including more than two denim items. Three is  a disaster. Four is apocalyptic. You get my point, two items is the rule.

Always vary the washes of your denim items. Basically choose two completely different washes/hues of denim like black and light blue, or else opt for two denim pieces that are two or three shades apart. This difference in colour creates a contrast that helps you avoid the 'cowboy look' that gives nightmares to so many of us each day. Speaking about cowboys, it is imperative to stay away from any 'Western' details like cowboy boots, or Western-inspired belts if you're in a bi-denim mood.

The last golden rule is to break up the look: you must break up the harshness of the all-denim combo. How to do that? Easy. If you're a lady, then pop in some girly accessories, something in lace, or chunky earrings. These elements will distract attention from all the denim in your outfit. Give people something else to look at basically. Both girls and guys have another option. You can break up the look by introducing a block colour. You could, for instance, wear a bright red t-shirt beneath a denim shirt and over a darker pair of denim shorts.

Moving on to some example sets now. In Set 1, I chose two completely different washes: black and blue. I decided to break it up using a bright red turban. People always look at turbans, I swear. To break it up just a tad bit more, I slipped in a floral clutch which I so would like to own!

Set 1

Example two is a daring combination that's more adequate for a night of partying and dancing. This time, I opted for two blue shades of denim, which are about 2 hues away from each other. The American Flag on the shorts helped to break up the look, but I felt like I needed to add something else to the outfit. A pair of chunky, very Rihanna-like gold earrings solved the problem. I can so see myself wearing this.

Set 2

Do you like double-denim? Or is it still a huge faux-pas for you? I think I've changed teams, I might be in love with this trend.

I apologise for this sucky post. I feel so tired but I wanted to blog anyway because I love you all :)

-B

Mix, don't Match?

Dear Readers,

I read about 23 fashion newsletters per day, which adds up to approximately 140 newsletters per week. This week, at least 60 of those newsletters focussed on pattern mixing.

I'm not a person who's usually hesitant to embrace a bold trend like pattern mixing, but for once, even Lara Boffa found it difficult to understand the inner workings of this trend. I did a lot of trial and error work, and I think that I've finally grasped the basics of pattern mixing. However, I still have a lot to learn about this trend and I feel like I'm not being bold enough as I would expect myself to be. Pattern mixing is fun and fresh, but so incredibly frustrating to master. Anyway, these are a few of the things I've learnt after hours (literally) of experimentation.

The less, the merrier

This is a case in point. I think that overdoing it is a big no-no. Don't get too enthusiastic about mixing patterns. I think that limiting yourself to two different prints is enough. As I said, I'm walking down the road of caution with this trend, so I'm not for having 345 patterns in one outfit. Two is enough.

Vary the weight

Not your physical weight obviously. I'm referring to the print's weight. If one of your items has a very heavy statement print, then combine it with a more muted printed item. For example, if your skirt has a huge flower print - so huge you could actually be mistaken for a giant bush - then don't choose another patterned statement piece to go with it.  Look at the set I found on Polyvore below. I think the entire outfit works well because one of the two patterned elements is smaller and less 'in your face' than the other. Keep this rule in mind: one dominant, one muted.

Find a common denominator

Even the two most different people can live in harmony if they find something in common with each other. That's the golden rule for pattern mixing as well. Prints seem to work better together if they have a common denominator. That common denominator is usually a specific colour or a colour family (ie. different shades of the same hue).

In this Polyvore set above I chose a grey and white striped top and paired it with a bolder black and white polka dot skirt. Black and grey are not the same colour obviously, but they do stem from the same colour family. I always recommend to keep accessories simple if you're pattern mixing, you don't want to have too much going on. In this set. I chose silver shoes and accessories because I think they look slightly simpler than gold pieces! Kudos to my sister for inspiring this set :)

Throw in a neutral colour

This is the tip that was most frequently mentioned in the articles I read recently. Neutral colours rock, they have this divine ability to water things down when things are too fiery. Rawr! Personally, this is a recommendation I fully embrace. When things start to tilt towards the 'too statement' side of the scale, then pop in a neutral colour like black, white, beige or grey.

Both prints in this set make a statement, and even though they both have a strong element of red in them, they needed to be 'calmed down'. Then the Black Flat Sisters and Mr. Handsome Black Bag came to save the day. And they all lived happily ever after, in spite of their differences. The End.

In my world, stripes are a 'neutral pattern'

I think that I'll never get over stripes, they're the answer to the 'What the F am I gonna wear today' question when I wake up looking like Shrek. If only they solved all of my life's problems in that way. Since I'm naturally inclined to throw on a striped piece every time I open my closet, I admit that I experimented with stripes mostly. And you know what? I'm glad I did because I found out that stripes (white + colour stripes) are neutral. They matched everything I paired them with: polka dots, florals, aztec and the list goes on. So, I guess that stripes are can help you tame this trend a little bit better though I do have to admit that I'm still opting out of the stripes + animal print combo.

Experiment as if your life depended on it

The above suggestions are things I learnt from experimenting with things I already had in my wardrobe. However, I suggest you all try to find what works out for you! Go to your room, put some playful music on, and start trying to mix prints and patterns!  My almost scientific experimentation of the trend made me realise that for me, the best pattern mixing look involves stripes and florals. However, I'm sure you're going to come up with some interesting combinations yourselves and I can't wait to hear all about them :)

Striped Blazer, Floral Scarf and Neutrals in Rainy Brussels <3

If you have any other suggestions please let me know! As I said, I'm still trying to master this look so any help is more than welcome!

-B

The Boffism Guide to Doing It Like A Dude

Dear Readers,

I don't mean to shock you with this statement but I have to declare that Jessie J isn't the only one who likes to 'do it like a dude'. I like it too. However, whilst dear old Jessie enjoys grabbing her crutch, drinking beer and rolling money like a pimp, I like to dress like a dude.

Androgyny, from 'andro-' meaning 'man' and 'gyn' meaning 'woman', denotes the tendency of mixing strong masculine and feminine traits. Androgyny has taken the fashion industry by storm, there's no denying that! 'Boyfriend looks' are set to be one of the dominant trends of A/W 2011-2012 as I described in my post about upcoming A/W trends.

Why I like it.
I like boys, a lot. I don't like including masculine details because I'm into girls, although there's nothing wrong with that, obviously! Anyway, there are other reasons why I like to do this, including the following:

• Androgyny makes a statement. Why fit in when you can stand out?
• Men's clothes are incredibly structured and I'm a sucker for structure and clean lines. Hello, boyfriend blazers!
• Warning: paradox ahead. I believe that a woman is more feminine when she's in touch with her masculine side. I understand that this might confuse many of you, but I strongly support this assertion. I'm convinced that a woman looks sexier in an edgy masculine tuxedo rather than in a red dress with a plunging neckline. This belief of mine also explains why I thank God for blessing me with a small chest: I have a better canvas for androgyny.

It takes two to tango

Excuse the cliché, but I just couldn't help myself. What do I mean by the tango expression? Simple. I'm not encouraging you to dress like a boy head to toe. The trick is to water down those harsh masculine details with softer feminine touches like a bright red lip, hoop earrings, lace details, sheer materials, pearls, a skirt or a statement ring. Look at Kirsten Dunst in the picture below. She wears a masculine inspired tuxedo and pairs it with a pair of high heels and large hoop earrings. The key is to include elements from both genders until they even each other out. Voilà!

Go shopping at men's stores

Whilst you can find plenty of male-inspired pieces in women's stores nowadays, you have to make an extra effort and explore the uncharted territories of men's clothing shops. Yes, be brave women! I know this can be a bit difficult at first. Shop assistants might look awkwardly at you when you try on something from the men's section, but you'll get used to it. Just think that those shop assistants are incredibly ugly by nature, they're not looking nastily at you! Go on, if you want to slay the dragon you have to go and hunt it down in its own cave.

Tips from a Seasoned Androgyny Lover 

I have a few tips that I can pass on to Androgyny newbies and to anyone who wants to experiment with this trend. There are a few go-to clothing items that instantly make your outfit more masculine. First up - and rather obvious - is the boyfriend blazer. All decent stores have boyfriend blazers and they come in all colours and sizes. Check out the stunning ASOS boyfriend blazer I've posted below! Many also like replacing their skinny jeans with a pair of boyfriend jeans, but personally, I avoid these jeans. I think they're very unflattering and I don't think I can pull them off. You're free to try them for yourself though!

The right type of accessories can increase the masculinity of your outfit drastically. Take braces for example. Paired with a simple white t-shirt and a pair of light-wash denim skinnies, braces can give an extra 'boyfriend' spice to your outfit. I also like to wear bow-ties with blouses or else I like to tie a piece of black ribbon to my blouse collars for that extra masculine touch. 

Another thing you could easily do is to ditch your girly ballerina flats for a pair of brogues, and guess what, they're comfortable anyway! I don't know why, but brogues remind me of naughty school boys so I tend to wear brogues if I want to androgynise a look (yes, I invented that verb. Blogger's licence). Are you going to wear a blouse? Then fasten all of your buttons, all the way up! Do it! That's the easiest injection of masculinity...no cleavage allowed. Personally, ladies with heavier chests should avoid doing this, because it looks wrong, very wrong. I'd rather have you flaunt what your mama gave you than trying to hide it.

Chinos also give a masculine flair to an outfit, even though they accentuate feminine curves impeccably. I included a pair of bright green chinos in the example set above. The 'masculine' elements are the chinos and the pair of brown brogues. In order to tone the harshness down, I chose a flowered vest, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses (nothing screams WOMAN like cat-eye sunnies) and a red bandana for your hair. Oh, and the Chinos' bright colour is more feminine than masculine, in my opinion. The above set is a playful combination of the pin-up look and tailored masculine cuts. I personally adore this. 

Androgyny rocks my socks. I like to get the best of both worlds. Suck on that Miley.

-B

Sometimes, the solution is a detachable collar.

Dear Readers,

I was diagnosed with the 'closet full of clothes, nothing to wear' syndrome at the the tender age of 15. It's such a horrible condition and the treatment is so heartbreaking.

You know how things roll. You have hundreds of tops and blouses in your wardrobe, but somehow, you have nothing to wear. You try things on but they seem to be missing that certain something. They don't have that special detail.

If you know what I'm talking about, then ladies, I invite you to invest in a detachable collar. Sometimes they're also called 'collar necklaces' or something along those lines. As a fussy lover of vintage details, I can vouch for these little miracle makers. They provide that extra detail that we would like to have on plain t-shirts and blouses. Detachable collars instantly change the outfit they're paired with. The come in lace, pearls, leather and a number of other materials.

If you're wondering where to get one for your own, then here comes the low-down. Start by looking in jewellery stores like 'Accessorize'. As I said, many times these collars come in the form of necklaces so it makes sense to look in a jewellery section or store. You can also try visiting your local haberdashery and see whether they stock them there. Haberdasheries tend to sell them because many seamstresses purchase them to attach to a dress or top they've  made. I personally visited my local haberdashery and it had a very interesting variety of collars on sale. However, don't forget, you will need to attach the collar to a little bit of string if you get it from the haberdashery's!

Since I'm a hard-working blogger, I found you a couple of detachable collars from ASOS. Prices vary, and some of them are on sale at the moment. Click on the picture to be directed to its respective ASOS page for details and prices.

I'll show you the detachable collar I bought yesterday later on today in a recent purchases post. I'm going to get a few more so I'll keep you posted on those as well :)

-B