Vichy

Posted on January 24, 2014

Vichy Gingham Playsuit for a day out in Manly, Australia

Australia/ Dresses/ Romantique/ Trousers/ Wardrobe

My first weeks back in London have been super busy , I hardly had time to shift through our holiday photos, which already seems like a distant memory!

Even more reason to take time to look through the pictures and reminisce. One of our most memorable days out was a trip to Manly, a lively beach surburb North of Sydney. Just like Bondi, it’s a popular spot for backpackers, offering lots of cafes, restaurants, shops and bars. Manly has a ferry connection to the city, making it an ideal base for tourists. From the main beach, a stunning beach walk leads you to the sheltered Shelly’s beach. Shelly’s is the first choice for snorkelers, for it’s clear blue waters and surrounding rocks, housing lots of Australia’s sea creatures.

For the overcast but warm and humid day, I wore:

Gingham Vichy playsuit by Max Mara
Cashmere pink cardigan from TK Maxx
Pink / white striped espadrilles from Bally
Red sunglasses from Versace
Mini bag from Moschino

On the picturesque beach path from Manly to Shelly beach, you will most likely come across the Australian Water dragon, who is at home here. It looks like a mini-dragon and belongs to the family of lizards. Notices are hung up everywhere around the beach walk reminding visitors that you will be fined with up to 6 months in prison on attempt to “take a dragon”. Thanks for pointing that out, I’m not Daenerys Stormborn from “Game of Thrones”. It’s more likely you find me pinching a kitten than a water dragon!

All cat lovers will enjoy my cat ring from Les Nereides

Manly was named by Capt Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there, stating that “their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place”.

Posted on November 11, 2013

Berlin Streetstyle: The Printed 60s Statement Coat

Berlin/ Coats/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

I am wearing: Gingham / Vichy coat from Max & Co, red bag from Picard, jeans from Stefanel, moccasins from AGL.

The Coat is the most important piece of the winter wardrobe (and one of the reasons it’s been featured heavily on our blog this season .

After all, the coat is the first item that people see of us – if the coat is cheap and scruffy, no one is interested in what you wear underneath. A good quality coat, just like the handbag, is an investment well worth the money.

This year, I decided to treat myself to a quirky 60s print coat in a straight cut. The deep rich purple colour with the playful red dots / gingham checks are a breath of fresh air compared to the classic, black coats I own mostly. While I enjoy the simplicity of a well tailored, black coat, I do sometimes long for a brighter coloured, cute take of the winter basic.

Rebel photographed me in Berlin at the famous Oberbaumbruecke at the trendy Berlin area of Kreuzberg.

Never compromise on quality when shopping for a coat.

The Oberbaumbruecke in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Hipster Haven Kreuzberg has rich cultural flair as many Turkish immigrants call Kreuzberg home.

Posted on March 30, 2013

Graphic Square plaid dress

Dresses/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Blue checked dress Max & Co SS2013

Easter in London has been unseasonably cold and chilly. Rain, sleet, snow, sunshine and dark clouds, all within one hour seems to be a normal weather pattern this spring. So I gave in and decided to wear my spring dresses with a layer of long sleeved thermos underneath (aren’t we all sick of our winter wardrobe?)

Vichy and gingham checked prints are a Romantique wardrobe staple so I’m loving this season’s graphic square print trend as seen at Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. Just like breton stripes, checks always look fresh and youthful.

Red or Blue? Dress from Max & Co 2013

I had a hard time deciding whether to take the blue dress or the red one. After a lot of time pondering, trying it on again and again and an exasperated mum and shop assistant, I went for the blue dress! What do you think?

Miu Miu’s gorgeous Vichy checked 2010 collection

Cold Easter day in Wimbledon

The grey skies will turn blue very soon I hope!

Posted on July 30, 2012

Seaside Vichy Style

London/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Brighton is a very picturesque seaside town just 50 minutes from London. It used to be my home for 18 months when I first came to the UK, I met good friends there and it marked the beginning of my time in England.

For the day out, I’m wearing gingham Vichy trousers from gant, my trusted wedges espadrilles and a stripey boxed cardigan from Primark to protect against the chilly Brighton wind.

Vichy / gingham style tip: gingham doesn’t have to be tiny as it’s traditionally found. Lacoste and Trovata both expanded the size of the gingham pattern for a bold, graphic effect. The taller you are, the more over sized pattern you can wear – even the giant gingham can be worn my most.

Bold patterns look best with mono coloured companions. This classic stripey box jacket is understated enough for a nice pattern clash that doesn’t look clowny

My large wayfarer cat eye sun glasses in sorbet pink are from Miu Miu. Perfect to complement the 50s trend!

Meeting the friendly locals

Posted on July 8, 2012

Retro Vichy Capri Pants

Romantique

Retro, Retro, Retro and no end in sight! Louis Vuitton showed 40s checked menswear, babydoll dresses and princess coats on the runway for Autumn 2012. Moschino played with 50s lace, pencil skirts and cropped capri pants for their autumn 2013 collection.

Cropped Capri pants, whose name derives from the Italian island of Capri, become popular in the late 50s. They are playful and sexy, show off your shoes and never go out of fashion. In fact, they are an all year round staple for Italians, hence the name “Italian length” – which means the trousers end just above your ankle.

Combine the capri pants classically like Brigitte Bardot did with ballet pumps: I’m wearing black and white vichy checked capri pants with Pretty Ballerinas and a Stefanel trenchcoat.

Go Retro full blast and combine capri pants with 50s kitten heels. I’m wearing a silk blouse with Peter Pan collar from H&M, Bouclé box jacket from TK Maxx, kitten heels from Logan. Retro sunglasses from Chloé.

Posted on May 26, 2012

3 Ways to rock Vichy / Gingham Chic

Dresses/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Temperatures finally shot up to 29 degrees this week in London! And how we deserved it after weeks of miserable rain!

Time to dig out my retro Vichy Gingham dresses, shorts & shirts!

I can never get enough of this summer essential, it’s an all time classic and you can style it cute or tough!

1. Wear Vichy / Gingham for work!

Above and below: My blue-white Gant shift gingham dress is classic enough for work. No excuse to not be fashionable at work!

2. Wear Vichy and Gingham girly like Brigitte Bardot!

Girly and cute is this 50s A-line skirt dress from Miu Miu, worn by Kirsten Dunst. Pair it with ballet pumps and a straw bag, irresitable!

3. Rough it up 50s style!

Go rock ‘n tough 50s with a Vichy checked blouse from Guess SS 12. Seen in British Glamour May 2012.

Posted on August 24, 2011

Two trends in one: Vichy jumpsuit

Romantique/ Wardrobe

How cute is this casual yet stylish outfit by Charlotte Casiraghi?

Bang on trend Vichy (Gingham) checked jumpsuit with frilly detail. I love the combination with the oversized straw bag and flat sandals. Parfait!

I can never get enough of Vichy checked clothes (see my previous post on this trend) and the below gem is irresistible. Combine the jumpsuit with tights and carry this trend over into autumn.

Red-white checked jumpsuit from New Look

I’m wearing a jumpsuit by Max Mara

Posted on August 18, 2011

Streetstyle London 18 Aug

Rebel Alexa/ Wardrobe

Casual elegance: She does everything right: Metal coloured bronze ballet flats, Vichy checked skirt, pink cardigan and Louis Vuitton bag. We loved this outfit and think the handbag was genuine.

Posted on July 26, 2011

The Brigitte Bardot Vichy Look

Blazer / Jackets/ Dresses/ Romantique/ Shirts/ Skirts/ Wardrobe

I love wearing the French Vichy pattern (in the UK called Gingham) which gets it’s name from the French town of Vichy . The Vichy pattern is a checked pattern in the colours blue and red and their pastel cousins. For me, it represents a rural charm, fresh air, tousled hair and Brigitte Bardot, who made the look famous. She wore a classic powder pink dress on her wedding day to Jacques Charrier.

Above: I wear a Vichy checked jumpsuit from Max Mara (and, you would have guessed, Pretty Ballerinas). Below: Kepping it classic in white and pink (Gant shirt). Rebel wears a Vichy Blazer from TK Maxx. French Supermodel Laetitia Casta wearing a Vichy patterend dress.

Ich liebe Klamotten mit Vichy Mustern. Das Vichy Muster besteht aus Karos in blau, rot oder pastellfarben und hat seinen Namen aus der franzoesischen Stadt Vichy. Ich verbinde mit dem Look frische Luft, laendlichen Charm, verwuschelte Locken und Brigitte Bardot, die diesen Look wieder in Mode brachte. Zu ihrer Hochzeit mit Jacques Charrier trug sie ein hell rosanes Vichykarokleid.