Earning My Style Stripes

"Driving fast on the highway

I just want success to come my way

In that manner

But life isn't that simple

If it was, everything would feel reasonless

We have to earn our stripes to become zebras"

~ Peter Robert Hamilton

Some people hate to see summer come to an end, while some people long for the onset of cosy knitwear season. I love sweater weather, and I don't believe you can ever have too many great sweaters in your closet.

I'd had my eye on the violet version of this Kitri jumper of dreams for a while, but when push came to shove, I opted for the black, more pared-back version, as I knew it would go with absolutely everything. A mohair/wool blend knit, it features a contrasting, somewhat skewed stripe print that is a very modern take on the classic Breton style. Add to that an unexpected splash of violet at the cuff, a super-soft fluffy texture, an oversized fit, and you have a very cool sweater that takes cosy to a whole new level.

In keeping with the monotone colour, I styled my statement knit with black skinny jeans, and then dressed it all up with a sequinned patchwork pouch bag (glitzy drawstring pouches are the chicest bags for the upcoming Christmas party season, you'll see them everywhere) and the coolest black studded boots in Christendom. The end result is a simple, stylish look that can take me from day to night with absolute ease.

Get The Look:

Jumper: KITRI 'Karla' black mohair striped jumper

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low Rise Crop Skinny Jeans in silencia (similar here and here)

Boots: Christian Louboutin 'Ariella' Studded Boots (similar here)

Bag: Zara Evening Sequin Patchwork Pouch Bag

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Oh My Yes

“Ancient steel rails, long without burdens, cradled now in new concrete, perform a snake-like dance.

Undulating close to neighboring buildings, they offer seductive photo ops with every turn.

Here, where walking feels like low flight, sunlight dances on the Hudson

to the murmuring accompaniment of a thousand international voices,

while river winds give wildflowers softly flowing motion

and whisper rustling secrets through the trees”

~ Jeffrey Ben Berman

The search for the perfect t-shirt never ends! I have a few really good ones now, but I have to say, this cropped one with its quirky graphic message is right up there. Oh my yes! AMO (named after the Latin word for love) are now as well known for their LA-made t-shirts as they are for their much sought after jeans that are designed by and for women who want their clothing to work with their figure, their style, and their way of life.

I styled my tee with the Rixo London skirt all the fashionistas are crazy for. ‘Georgia’ has featured in almost all of the brands collections, and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to bag one for myself! Better late than never though. With weightless silk, fluid movement, and a captivating 70s Mini Star print, this skirt is nothing short of a Bohemian dream.

A pair of Michael Kors crackled metallic flats, and a Manley embellished bag finishes off this perfect ‘cool girl’ look.

Get The Look:

Top: Amo ‘Oh My Yes’ Tee in vintage white

Skirt: Rixo London ‘Georgia’ Midi Skirt in mini star (similar here and here)

Bag: Manley 'Parker' Bag in wine python (similar here and here)

Shoes: Michael Kors Collection ‘Darla’ Crackled Metallic Leather Mule in silver

Photos: Jason Connery and Fifibaggins ©

Location: The Highline, New York

Layla

"What'll you do when you get lonely?

And nobody's waiting by your side?

You've been running and hiding much too long.

You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla,

You've got me on my knees, Layla.

I'm begging, darling please, Layla.

Darling won't you ease my worried mind"

~ Eric Clapton

Even with a closet full of clothes, it's sometimes easy to feel like you have nothing to wear, so I love when I can pull an outfit together with minimalist effort. That's exactly what you get with this great dress by Manley.

The 'Layla' mini has become a staple in Manley designs, reappearing in collections season after season in different colourways, varying lengths, and even as beautiful blouses, to the delight of all Manley fans.

I love it's simplicity, and already have a couple of the blouses in black and orange, and dresses in vibrant blue and rich burgundy. I wear them everywhere. It's easy to dress 'Layla' up or down, making it perfect for almost any occasion, be it weddings, schmancy restaurants, or fun laid-back evenings with friends in the pub. It's a timeless piece, a very modern take on the classic shirt dress; easy, effortless, classic and chic.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley 'Layla' Dress in powder pink (different colourways available here here and here)

Bag: Manley 'Parker' Bag in wine Python

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige
Sunglasses: Target Cat's Eye Sunglasses (similar here here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

The Vampire's Wife

“On the second day I brought her a flower

She was more beautiful than any woman I'd seen

I said, 'Do you know where the wild roses grow

So sweet and scarlet and free?'

On the second day he came with a single rose

Said: 'Will you give me your loss and your sorrow?'

I nodded my head, as I laid on the bed

He said, 'If I show you the roses will you follow?’”

~ Nick Cave

Taking its name from her husband Nick Cave’s abandoned book project about the relationship between the muse and the creative process, The Vampire’s Wife is the brainchild of former model and actress Susie Cave (nee Bick) and her friend and business partner Alex Adamson. Part of a new generation of Designers who do things on their own terms, Susie doesn’t do seasonal collections. Instead, new pieces appear online and in store as and when she designs them.

Offering an off-beat twist on retro glamour, a Vampire’s Wife dress has an other-worldly feel about it. It takes you somewhere else, sometime else. Classic and contemporary at the same time, the pretty prairie style dresses are infused with a bewitching, gothic glamour. Demure, yet not, they ooze sex appeal in an unassuming way. The perfect dress for those nights when you want to make an impression without trying too hard.

In the current climate of #MeToo and Time’s Up, what women choose to wear has never been more prevalent, and The Vampire’s Wife’s restrained designs and modest cuts, feel strangely timely. “They are not about empowerment as such, as they are predicated on the idea that women are already powerful,” Cave says of her designs.

Get The Look:

Dress: The Vampire’s Wife Forget Me Not Mini Cate Dress

Shoes: Jimmy Choo ’Anouk’ Shoes in black

Bag: Celine Mini Boogie Bag in sparkly black (I've had this for many years; similar available preowned here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

My Manley

“Talking about fashions

So fashionably,

Cosmetics, stylistics, designing and beautification

And my heart too with the fashion girls,

Seeing them,

Looking so lovely and cute,

Dreamy and kissable”

~ Bijay Kant Dubey

Lovers of Irish fashion label Manley use the hashtag #mymanley whenever they post a photo of themselves wearing the brand on social media. I can use it with added gusto now, as this gorgeous dress is MY Manley, in the truest sense of the word!

Emma Manley made this dress for me. It is a bespoke piece, based on the iconic Manley leather tees that I adore, and it is the most beautiful thing. The dress is made from soft perforated leather that moves and flows like fabric. The top panels are unstudded, and cut from leather that has not been perforated, so it sits slightly more firmly. My little black dress is covered with gold, silver, and bronze studs, that jingle and jangle and make music with every movement. It has a boxy fit (flattering for all shapes and sizes), and it’s mini length shows off long tanned legs. It is, hands down, the coolest dress in my wardrobe.

It’s a dress that can be dressed up or down with zero effort, so the styling potential is endless. I’ve worn it to a very schmancy Do paired with towering heels and a vintage clutch, I’ve worn it to our local pub with a pair of old trainers and a cross-body Manley bag, I’ve worn it out to dinner with flat brogues and a cute satchel; I felt like a million dollars every single time.

It’s a forever dress, one that is absolutely timeless, and quite literally the dress of dreams.

Get The Looks:

Dress: Bespoke Manley Leather Dress in black (contact Emma for bespoke pieces. Similar here, here and here)

Shoes: Alexander Wang 'Natasha' Shoes in Leopard print (similar here and here)

Bag: Michael by Michael Kors ‘Berkley’ Clutch in black (available on eBay here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©