Autumn/winter

I don't want to say it, however it looks as if summer is drawing to a close. I recently visited london twice this summer and in the space of two weeks, I went from wearing bare legs, and sunglasses to grasping my umbrella and wrapping my legs in warm tights- and wearing a jumper!

So, during my second visit, I decided to try on some winter wish list, which I must admit, did get me rather excited for the months to come...

Cable knits

Cable knits. They look so comfortable, cosy and the definition of "fall/winter" in a item of clothing. However, I have never actually came across the comfortable and cosy cable knit jumper yet. I have been on the search for one for years, buying from the high street- worn once then put in the wardrobe to never be worn again- too itchy, too chunky and lacking a flattering shape. 

I  eventually tired of searching for the perfect cable knit- gave up really…

And then, my favourite brand , APC are selling a cable knit jumper and also Margaret Howell- Things must come to those who wait! 

I recently visited London, and did see and feel the jumper by Margaret Howell it felt quite soft, however, I did not try it on, as I would have most likely fell in love, and need to purchase… 

I will most likely induldge , and purchase one of these two- I already own items from both brands, and they are made of good quality, and do flatter me well so it just depends on: Roll neck vs Crew neck? 

Summer

Summer by katiewoodyward featuring a stripe top

A P C stripe top
barneys.com

Shorts
apc.fr

Black velvet shoes
$50 - nolaboutique.co.uk

Le 2 55 de 2005, le modèle Chanel CHANEL sur VestiaireDeCopines.com
vestiairedecopines.com

Summer evening

Summer evening by katiewoodyward featuring patent shoes

Navy top
$280 - apc.fr

A P C denim mini skirt
net-a-porter.com

Patent shoes
apc.fr

Le 2 55 de 2005, le modèle Chanel CHANEL sur VestiaireDeCopines.com
vestiairedecopines.com

Margaret Howell

.

Today I had my first shopping experience in Margaret Howell, well more of a glimpse - it was an outlet store in york. However, it was still pretty productive with a few items catching my eye!

Firstly I walked in and thought, uh- a bit dull. And then, I flicked through the racks and saw a blue dress with the cutest collar! I reached out and it was amazingly soft. It was two sizes too big and long- nearly "granny" long, however the shop assistant offered me a belt to pull it in and up a bit.

I then wandered over to the tables and saw the cutest white short sleeved sweater! I did a mini squeal in delight and then hurried to the changing rooms to try on these finds.

My sister was accompanying me, so she tried the white top on firstly while I tried the dress.

I found the dress nice, however not suitable to my everyday environment, where such clothing is not appreciated (north East England).

Then my sister came out of her changing room wearing the white top, her apc denim skirt and wedges and I kind of died inside. It was so 60's! I needed it, and unfortunately due to price matters still do. It was reduced from the original in store price of £555 to £195

 Sweater(I have shown it in black) SS13, Dress AW12

pre-fall evening

pre-fall evening by katiewoodyward featuring a black crossbody purse

A P C a p c dress
net-a-porter.com

The Row black crossbody purse
neimanmarcus.com

Sandales à talon
$410 - apc.fr

Has fashion got lost?

My sister and I were discussing the other evening, our frustrations about how much fashion has changed in the past few years, but not for the better.
I  feel that amazing fashion got created in 2011, and this fashion got lost. Amazing collections were created with devine pieces, which I still would love to wear now, have been forgotten and we are now in an era of fashion that is too abrasive.
When I wander around the high street I am attacked by garish patterns, colours, styles- it all looks as if the aim is to emulate a toddler who got lost at a festival, with the jelly shoes, dungarees, frilly ankle socks and TINY denim shorts.
And then I browse through my once favourite designers- Celine; it is a mess of huge squiggles, colours that look like the unwanted colours in a crayon set and some unwearable, peculiar jewellery…
Stella McCartney has lost her elegance, as I flick through her FW14 slideshow on style.com and Austin powers comes to mind- that awful burgundy suit, and then I look at the chunky oxford shoes, and the thought comes into my head of "those are some godawful shoes".
I feel as if fashion has lost its wearibilty of making women feel elegant, feminine, and sexy. Perhaps this is the new found feminism of dressing in garish costume, however I do not find this a way of liberating who women are.
I look through old photos taken by Richard avedon and i just love the styling- women look beautiful! I come across Jacqueline Kennedy on my pinterest and just lust after her wardrobe! The aline skirts which flatter the best part of a womens thigh, without revealing too much- just enough to feel liberated that we are women, and are strong enough to be able to bear some leg, regardless of others opinions.
 I believe that sex appeal comes from wondering what is under the clothing, without it being thrusted in your face. But on that note, there is the other side where many of the collections the women are dressed in masculine clothing, that cover, which puts sex appeal into the negatives.
Style feels as if it is losing its battle for feminism, we don't need to dress like men to feel liberated, nor do we need to feel the need to show as much flesh as possible, to feel that we are strong as it is "our choice to wear what we want".
I am by no means disrespecting these talented designers, I just wish they could return back to their old ways, but still create new pieces, and still evolve as designers.