All posts tagged: asos

MASC/FEM

As a woman I am interested in the other meaning of sexy, not bodycon dresses but wide-leg trousers and structured blazers, the appeal of ‘not trying too hard’. In search of this alternative uniform I will occasionally dip my toes into men’s clothing, finding sometimes that I prefer the fit of a ‘male’ piece to a ‘female’ piece. Is this because menswear is more functional therefore more easy-going? Masculine tailoring has been drifting over into womenswear more and more and now designers have started blurring the lines by showcasing both collections together (Prada, Loewe) and sending men and women down the runway together. This gender-neutral take on clothing gives us more freedom in choosing how we dress, and lets us explore different definitions of words such as ‘sexy’. Designer Jonathan Anderson claims ‘it’s more about garments for garments’ sake. T-shirts, jeans, duffel coats, biker jackets – it all means the same thing, no matter if it’s a man or woman wearing it. They are a neutral zone.’ At the end of the day clothing has to make …

Cover-Up!

I’m currently loving everything by ASOS White. Described as ‘clean-lined’ and taking inspiration from ‘the art-room paintbox’, the day-time friendly collection strips back silhouettes to keep everything simple in crisp cotton, silk and organza. I love their approach to fuss-free tailoring and design, with the occasional pop of colour to catch your eye. A piece which especially caught my attention was this blue block printed coat. It helped that I was in the market for a light cover-up (as summer time in Britain is never quite what we hope for) but I just couldn’t resist. I’m not usually too crazy about print but I think this could work with just about anything: culottes, jeans, t shirt dresses, the list goes on… The fabric is very lightweight, similar to denim, so don’t let the fact that it’s slightly longer than your average summer jacket put you off. Cropped sleeves help to play with proportions and add to the ‘boxy’ feel. Who says long coats are just for winter? Shop ASOS White here.

Reflect

“Black and white are not colours,” is something my art teacher would despairingly repeat to the younger years on a regular basis. You might call this a technicality but when it comes to choosing a great pair of white trousers it pays to be pernickety. The wide-legged trouser has a rich history, however in recent years has kept more of a low-key profile, almost playing second fiddle to its skintight cousins. Taking a look back at the S/S15 catwalks, you didn’t have to be a genius to predict that this classic trouser would make its high street come back this season. I for one am making the most of the renewed attention to tailoring. Suggesting that us mere mortals can throw on a pair and it will propel us to new heights is absurd, but this trouser can make you feel pretty sophisticated and the cut is so flattering that it almost demands confidence. Zara have got it pretty right with this pair; a great waistband and a successful balance between structure and flow. They …

Head-To-Toe

My love affair with culottes continues, although this time they’ve been given a summer update in white.  Culottes are such a versatile item as they can be dressed up for a slick evening look or dressed down for a relaxed daytime vibe.  I’ve started really enjoying dressing in one colour head-to-toe and playing with tones and textures- their slight contrast keep the outfit light and fresh and stop it from being too clinical.