To Bowl or Not To Bowl?

Bowler hat from a stall in Brick Lane

Fearne switches it up with a pretty dress and androgynous boots

The bowler adds quirkiness to Micha's figure hugging ensemble

Top Cat rocks the look effortlessly with a matching waistcoat. Love it.

So it turns out Charlie Chaplin and I have similar taste in style – who would have thought? No moustache – just that we are both a fan of the bowler hat. I’ve been meaning to get one for a while. Mischa Barton and Fearne Cotton make it seem effortless – you throw the hat on with a plain outfit and instantly you have an edge. And as edgy as I can be, I weren’t sure if the hat really suited my look – but on a trip to Brick Lane this weekend, the irresistible price of £20 lured me in to a classic black bowler with a red side feather.

I’m still deciding whether or not to keep the feather… it does make me feel a bit like I could hang out with Top Cat and his gang if I really wanted to. I guess that’s what makes it different though. And to be honest, its slightly kookier than my average choice but I can just see it now, with a pleated maxi skirt, biker jacket and wedge boots - hello winter chic.

We like that woollen halo and the quirky saint that its wearers become. It’s perfect for the winter as it approaches, but keeps the sun out in the mean time. Quote of the week: We love to bowl!

Fashion Icon Alert: Solange Knowles

Fashion icon alert: And she goes by the name of Solange Knowles. Although hidden behind her sister in the music biz, when it comes to fashion, this woman wins hands down. The waistline braids, the Ankara tribal prints, the multicoloured head ties, we urge to greet her with the term ‘Mama Africa’ – and we’re sure she’d reply.

Ditch the silky straight and go for an afro, or even a fade one hair cut, why not? And she rocks it like no other, cool yet neat and quirky. Arguably she’s an unobvious choice when initiating the ‘style icon’ title. Instantly Rihanna comes to mind or Victoria Beckham, but where their style is so thought out, Solange’s look is effortless.

Putting a Fro against our extension obsessed world is a big step to take and indeed she is not the first - along with her big head ties she could give Erykah Badu a run for her money – but her style says more.

That structured Ankara blazer that she wore for the FashizBlack photoshoot (above) was love at first sight – her monochrome Peter Pan collar ensemble with a dash of leopard print reflects her elegance - and the braided Mohican she achieved in that block coloured outfit (above) shows that ANYTHING is possible.

I love that a plain vest top and leather skinny’s can come alive with the addition of a tribal turban. No fringe, no side curls, just beauty. And putting afrocentric aside for a moment, she is no stranger to the 70’s trend, rocking a pair of palazzo pants like it’s her vocation.

Having a clean-cut fashion sense doesn’t always cut it, and Mrs Knowles depicts this to a tee. We like the crazy prints, we love a bright lip, and we adore the natural look. To me, Solange Knowles is fashionista of the moment. All hail Mama Africa!

Fashion's androgynous face

Miss Monae: Queen of the Tailoring

Miss Chung: No stranger to a good pair of braces

Miss Deyn: Know's how to rock some Dr Martens

His top button was loose and hers was done up, something we have now come to accept. We don’t see it as reversed roles, just that she’s a bit kooky. When did fashion become so androgynous? From bowler hats to brogues, from tuxedo blazers to neckties, he can borrow our clothes and we can borrow his. Madness.

Females no longer feel the need to hold on to that instant sex appeal. At lunch with the girls yesterday, all of them had their blouses buttoned to the top. Cleavage covered, curves discrete and hello tailoring. Having an edge these days says more. It speaks volumes.

Arguably there has always been a bit of androgyny in fashion – models remain boobless and fade one haircuts receive a congratulating head nod. But for so many to embrace this look, it shows that we now look to style icons such as Agyness Deyn and Janelle Monae rather than Paris Hilton and… Barbie.

Alexa Chung can be crowned the queen of androgynous fashion - one dungaree ahead of the game and a brogue too many. She shows however that the masculine look is not unattractive but chic. A female does not have to declare to the ends of the earth that she is female with a corset based body con dress. The swag is in the mystery.

Undoubtedly I will still reach for a body con skirt now and then, a crop top here and there and a waist-defining belt will always be amongst my essentials. Though the fact that ladies no longer feel the need to flaunt their assets so obviously, is a fact to celebrate. Quote of the week? Androgyny is the way forward…

The Flatform

I embraced the chunky heel, clogs, even the stiletto (in its time) but the ‘flat form’ is a trend that needs to be nipped in the bud. I don’t usually like to totally out rule a shoe (aside from crocs) but in this case I had to make an exception.

Introducing the flatform: a ballet flat combined with a platform wedge. For comfort purposes we applaud the designer – the female gender will know longer have to painfully arch their feet all night long, hurrah! She will however seem as if she’s about to float somewhere with the shoe’s uncanny resemblance of a boat. Point blank, I think they are ugly.

Topshop’s selling them ASOS is selling them, truthfully they are destined to grow on me and this is why I don’t like to critique. The likelihood is that next week’s blog post will have pictures of me sporting a cobalt blue pair, saying how much I love them.

With the likes of Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Derek Lam promoting the trend alongside their Spring/Summer ensembles, it is likely to catch on. To those that can rock them nicely, I salute you, though it will be a while till I can picture myself in these interesting shoes fit for a clown.

Following trends isn’t always the route to take, and though I have some temptation to stomp the night away, (literally) for now my normal platforms will see me through…

I Remember "Casual"...

Victoria Beckham on a "Casual day". Love this look.

Alexa Chung on a "Casual day". Vintage Chic.

Ashley Olsen on a "Casual day". Queen of the wide leg trouser.

En route to the lecture and something comes to mind. Why the girl opposite me wears a chiffon blouse, chino’s and brogues and her friend wears a floral shift dress, feather earrings and peep toe wedges.

My Levi’s are self-explanatory – they say ‘I’m going to lecture’ no if’s, no but’s, no maybe’s.

Life indeed is a catwalk though a catwalk of effortless style. These outfits aren’t planned, they just happen. To be fashionable doesn’t necessarily mean you must look smart or wear clothes of high expense yet still she wears silk to lecture. I am not one to criticise however. Along with my Levi’s I wear a beaded crop top and navy tailored blazer - I am a victim of the ‘dress to impress’ philosophy.

To be honest, ‘casual’ passed us by when it became stylish to fasten your top button on a shirt, and the blazer became a piece of everyday clothing. Now, a minute is required to guess whether a woman in a blazer is going to the shops or a business meeting. Then the introduction of the high waisted, wide leg trouser (rocked to perfection by Ashley Olsen) screams out ‘court hearing’ despite this being an outfit for an ordinary stroll around town.

‘Casual’ will always exist to some extent as denim falls into this category – a fabric that will forever be timeless. Though now heels and flouncy dresses seem less formal in our eyes… or that could just be me. Heels are arguably at the peak of discussion, why wedge’s can pass as ‘casual’ though platforms cannot … though what happens when wedges go out of style? Platforms will then become casual…?

At a time where midi skirts, 70’s jumpsuits and bowler hats are flying off the shelves (and into people’s wardrobes), I figure the best bet is to embrace the ‘non casual culture’. I won’t totally abandon my jeans and flats of course, but the nice feel of a gold button cashmere sweater and a fine pair of Jimmy Choo’s pressed against my feet before lecture does not sound bad at all. It is what it is.

The Turban Trend

Turban made with a Scarf from H&M

Kourtney Kardashian with a classy velvet number

Solange adds an African twist to hers

Sarah-Jessica Parker nails the look in Sex and the City 2

As I slipped on my harem pants, white blouse and strappy sandals, I realised I was in need of a fashion fixture to revive my outfit. I turned to the turban - not my usual resolution to a problem but it was a trend that I just had to embrace.

The look is cultural, cute and requires a brave soul to pull it off. With the likes of Kourntney Kardashian, Solange Knowles and Sarah-Jessica Parker sporting the trend, the look is hot for this season. Admittedly I am quite late to the trend - certain trials that made me look like I was auditioning for a part in Aladdin had put me off. After trying on a number of different ones, from velvet to cashmere, I decided to create my own. I used my floral scarf – tied it at the front, then pulled the two bits of fabric to the back of my head, and tucked it in. Simple, chic and a statement look.

I admire the lengths that fashion has now gone to… never in a million years would I have ever pictured myself in a turban, but one thing that I’ve learnt is to never say never when it comes to style. To fit in with the upcoming summer trends, the turban looks best rocked with block colours or floral prints. Quote of the week: Sam loves turbans…

London Fashion Weekend

Flashing lights, mystery silhouettes and the female public drawn to dramatic silence – the ultimate signs that London Fashion Weekend had begun.

And there I sat with my camera clasped in my right hand, eyes jittering with only two rows separating me from the Swarovski that glided down the catwalk (front row dreams drawing near). Presenter Zara Martin’s nude bandeau ensemble set the pace for the hot designs that were to follow – and at a flick of a light the show had commenced.

Swan Vesta’s Black Swan theme explored tutu’s in all different forms, confirming that the ballerina lifestyle is one to seek next season. Designer, Bora Aksu’s subtle tones and nude snippets showed femininity with a futuristic edge - using eccentric shapes and ruffle detailing to enhance certain assets. But overall it was Mark Fast that held the crown with his flamboyant Spring/Summer 11 collection.

For a girl who loves fringing, I was in my element. Tresses of fringing draped down sheer maxi gowns with added crochet patterns revealing small peeps of skin. Come to think of it, exposed flesh played a huge part in his line though in a tasteful sense of course (summer is the only season that allows you to bare all).

Fast’s final pieces of Swarovski diamond encrusted dresses revealed a luxurious, rather pricey summer ahead though for me to rock the trend, my customising skills would have to lead the way - as real diamonds only reside in my dreams. My favourite piece was a black crochet dress with muticoloured tassels that fell just below the waist. Its ethnic appeal was the main attraction, as well as the urge to shake in it if you had it on, or that could just be me...

Before I knew it however, the depressing moment had come, when the, the music fades, the lights go down and in this case, disappointment was to follow. For the first time at one of these fashion events, I left empty handed. There was no denying that they had enough to sell with 50 plus rooms of designer fashion, though the clothes were… dare I say it … average.

Nothing was really out of the ordinary in my opinion. The vintage lover would have been pleased as most of the rooms were filled with vintage and even clothes that weren’t, had that ‘worn a few times’ look. I like a bit f vintage now and then but the clothes they were selling really didn’t shout out my name. The things that did catch my eye were £300.00 and above and the most unique items that I saw were by shoe designer Finsk whose stuff is already for sale on ASOS – so nothing really new there.

Ultimately, it was sad times on the shopping part, and good times on the fashion show. I guess us shopaholics must be restricted now and then. Whether I will go next year is a question itself. Probably not if I'm honest… London Fashion WEEK will be my next escapade…

All I need now is an invite…