Every year sparks in me a need to change my style. After moult thinking, considerations, modelling and optioning, I usually find a new something I like. This is usually immediately followed by me calling/facebooking/skyping with my sister Sara to reveal that – guess what – “I decided to embrace a new style”. To which she usually just laughs…and although I feel hurt by her suboptimal sisterly support, I also know – damn it!- she’s kind of entitled to doubt. Over the past years, I kept boasting about my imminent style “revolutions” but they all ended up being merely an evolution (at best). Yes, I am very brave.
Now, my revolution DID truly happen 7 years ago when I thankfully ditched my too colourful and unflattering tops, knee length funnily shaped bell skirts, pink (yes it took me some years to finally exorcise that infamous girl curse)…in short a schizophrenic OTT* style to finally embrace what is truly me: easy (to wear that is), simple (as in cool black dress / not t-shirt and shapeless jeans) and a “je ne sais quoi” (which is exactly why I am always on the look out for updating my style).
But this year it is different. Really different. I promise, Sara.
It would be of little surprise to those familiar with this blog that I am completely in love with Scandinavian designers (By Malene Birger, Acne, Camilla Skovgaard, Day Birger & Mikkelsen to name a few) and find in COS a highstreet option to live it to the full (my love affair that is).
I often think of a COS store as my dream wardrobe as I covet every single piece in there (yes I could have said Chanel or something more cheu-cheu but let’s be honest I don’t know the Chanel collection as much as I know COS’. Wish I did though).
So, COS. I like that they offer a multitude of variations of what a monochrome / color block dress could be with right the little detail that made me resletessly collecting (and wearing) them.
My mum thinks they are all the same and just shakes her head when I try to explain the difference between my 15 black dresses. Seriously, they are different: a little black dress with a zip or one with string, a V Neck or scoop collar…. ARE different.
But despite all this love, I never indulged into anything quirky (and there are LOADS of quirky stuff in a COS store – I guess it comes with the Scandinavian DNA), you know, the stuff you fancy on a hanger but think “oh oh now how, when and where would I wear that?”. Why? Firstly, because quirky is not mentioned in my style trilogy (remember, simple, easy and “je ne sais quoi”). Secondly, I am not quirky. A bit different sometimes yes, but not quirky.
BUT since this fall, a new quirky detail started my journey to the dark side. ohhhhooooooo…
What am I talking about? The Peter Pan collar.
My first “collared”purchase was a Latte A shaped jersey dress (of course) with a black collar. Status: completely wearable, even to a work (with black jacket and high ankle boots).
Then, I ventured into a second collared acquisition: a black sheer-mid-calve-buttoned-back dress with a creme collar. Status: not worn yet…maybe it is the sheer element…or the odd length…or need to have slimmer arms…the bottom line is I haven’t worn it. Yet.
The fact that it is still hanging in my closet with the labels on did not encourage me into pursuing in that direction. That was until a couple of week-ends ago.
As we were browsing through the COS store in Westfield (yes it was raining), my mum -believe it or not- picked a grey and purple “collared” dress and said “I think this one would be great for you”. Once I got over the initial shock and ruled off the possibility she might only be joking, I ran to the dressing room (exception to my rule of never trying anything in-store) and tried it on. It was PER-FECT. A Bit quirky but perfect.
Fuelled by this success, I swiftly decided that my “style transformation” would be simply to be -a bit – more daring and embrace the odd quirkiness when I fancy it.
As soon as this thought was voiced (to my hubby), I could see all the stuff that I segregated into the denial corner of my mind: bright pink fluid jodhpur trousers (pink is back!), leather dresses (although some might not call this quirkiness…..), and what for me is the ultimate quirkiness – fun socks with shoes or sandals (my always fabulously dressed friend Akiko just brought me some from Japan after relentlessly complimenting her about her fab socks – smart girl 
).
I can only say one further thing : Socks and Shoes here I come !
So evolution or revolution? The next weeks will say and I am looking forward to posting some picture of how that ends up looking like. Very excited !
What do you think? are you already a shoe+fun socks adapt? do you think it will be too much?
bisous bisous
PS- Picture courtesy of Tabio.com, my favourite tights (and now socks) destination !
PS2 – Which means those are NOT my legs on the picture but those of a lovely 19 yo blogger. Just to manage expectations that’s all
