It now being more or less mid-April, I realise that SS15 can hardly really be described as the 'new' season anymore. But I thought the fact that it's been over two years (and one amateur, career-crisis-induced rebrand) since my last post would distract from the seasonal mistiming of this article. At any rate I was clutching at straws for a vaguely pun-ish post title, and if this has come at the expense of me pointing out my own appalling laziness then so be it.
I'll press on. Now I've established that the new season is well and truly here, perhaps anyone who has yet to spring into it would be interested in my sartorial advice for the remaining weeks of Spring. Though of course when it comes to style, the best thing to do is always your own thing, I think that some of the latest trends are certainly worth subscribing to - and besides, however much one strives for originality, one will always be constrained by the collections on offer by the vicissitudinous, trend-led high street. Here are a few suggestions.
LINEN
 |
| Zara, £69.99 |
 |
| play it cool with blue - Gant, £175 |
 |
| channel last season's trend for check prints with this Prince of Wales option - Officine Generale, £480 |
Lightweight, and therefore perfect for the improving English weather conditions, linen is a staple material for any Spring wardrobe. A slim, destructured, transitional linen blazer will serve you well in the office or on the beach (well, maybe not the beach just yet). Dress up with suit separates and smart loafers, or dress down with tee shirts, denim, and - dare I say it - crisp white trainers.
Pinspiration:
 |
| a linen blazer can tone down an otherwise risque double denim look |
 |
| nice mix of textures and patterns, as well as the classic pastel combo of light blue and pink |
PINK
Often dismissed as too feminine or garish, pink is in fact a colour which, when treated with respect, can demonstrate both elegance and sartorial bravery. And what's wrong with getting in touch with your feminine side any way? But be cautious, especially if you have light skin - tone down with darker tones (suggest navy) to maintain the contrast between clothes and skin tone. It's worth investing in pastel blue shirts to go with, suggest oxford or linen (available cheaply at uniqlo).
 |
| River Island lookbook |
 |
| Tom Ford |
 |
| Pinspiration - a daring combination of bold, brave colours |
 |
| Katie Eary channeled pink with the season's trend for the psychedelic 70s |
ANKLES
It's perhaps still a little early for shorts, but - as you can see above - it's certainly not inappropriate to begin by rolling up trousers at the ankles and going sockless. Cropped jeans and trousers were a big hit at Asos and Topman over the last year, and the trend looks set to continue, with various big names sending models down the catwalk with ankles on display. The sockless look is particularly alluring nowadays given that the fashion world's hatred of trainers is gradually dissipating. A simple pair of plain white trainers are no longer merely comfortable. Now, they're covetable as well. I recommend buying from quality Scandinavian brands such as Mads Norgaard, or Garment Project leather trainers from Urban Outfitters. Loafers are also a good choice.
 |
| pinspiration |
 |
| formal pinspiration |
 |
| Gucci |
 |
| Gucci SS15 |
.jpg) |
| H&M (imagine the trousers being folded up) |
(DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these photos. Sources: Pinterest, fashionbeans.com or indicated brands. Please don't sue me!)
Seeing as this must be my third belated post in a row now, I feel it is only fair to offer my faithful readers some explanation as to why I've been so inactive. I'd love to say I've been busy expanding my creative horizons through meticulous study of the latest upmarket trends, or that I've been occupied with the creation of an exciting new range of animal themed bow ties; however, the fact remains that I've been doing school stuff. Yes, I've fallen victim to the horrors of revision, and, as my A level's judgement day draws ever nearer, I don't see myself escaping the pull of typical, nervous pre-exam cramming. Which, to my deepest sadness, means even less blogging. Sorry all.
Anyway, in keeping with the theme of bad excuses, a particularly exciting essay on the impact of European relations in the period 1979 to 2007 has inhibited me from preparing a proper blog. So I've gone for (yet another) classic what's hot list. You know the drill: I show you a bunch of exciting, unique and quirky items, in return I give my wealthier readers the opportunity to buy me them by way of thanks (let never it be said that I am not a kind blogger!).
To make in some part up for my disgraceful lack of blogging over the last weeks, I've tried to throw in a few items which are a little more unusual. And I've tried my best to avoid Topman, H&M and River Island for a change - no easy task, believe me! So here you go. I'll try to do a proper outfit post next time. Also, don't think I've forgotten my prom suit promise; as soon as I've stuck some diamantes on the shirt, photos will be posted!
Creeper sneakers! As much as I usually detest anything with 'sneakers' in its name, I have to admit that I can actually see the advantages to these. As a tall guy, I'm forever tormented by a limit to fairly flat soled shoes. I have a pair of beautiful 1 inch flatform creepers which I've worn about once in my life, tragically. These beauties, to me, represent the solution. Also, thinking about it, I seem to be forever driving places in trainers (about the only thing I use them for) then hurriedly changing into nicer shoes when I arrive. Creeper sneakers could solve this problem as well.
(TUK footwear, £60 each)
(Vivienne Westwood salt and pepper leather jacket, £675)
(Golden Goose studded leather Gilet £626.93)
Leather leather everywhere and not a myth left from the ghetto....No other Bowie fans here? Never mind. You don't need to like David Bowie to love leather. And what's not to love about these two gorgeous leather jackets (alright, one's technically a gilet). I don't know about you, but diagonal zips and studs really turn me on.
(£58)
(£56)
(£58)
These shirts are the embodiment of snazziness. I'd never heard of Ezra Wine until I stumbled across a small collection of his shirts and jumpers on asos. I'm already a fan. Fantastically, the shirts I've selected here are all reduced from about £140 to about £60.
