Where's Wally?

 

Michael Bastian’s collection for Gant is ticking all the boxes for things I want right now; chunky knitwear, crazy trousers, knitted hats and big scarves.  Also a general attitude of ‘yes I know there is quite a wide variety of patterns going on in this outfit but it works”, okay so that’s quite a lot for one outfit to say but I think you can probably see where I am coming from.

The red and cream stripe jumper reminds me of a similar jumper I bought when I was about 17.  My friends called it my “Where’s Wally” jumper but I was not deterred; in fact I loved it even more. 

Michael Bastian’s AW12 collection for Gant is inspired by his college days as a preppy student in Boston, with a bit of mod thrown in for good measure.  Washed and shrunken Shetland wool, twill and flannel add to the preppy theme which I am finding myself increasing drawn to.  They refer to the red and white striped jumper as “Where’s Waldo” which upsets me greatly, as it still does when people refer to Opal Fruits as Starburst. 

If you want a piece of Bastian’s preppy charm you can find it in Selfridges and Gant flagship stores.  Sadly I no longer have my jumper, I think I donated it during an ill-advised wardrobe purge along with a puff ball skirt and sketchers but I’m glad to see that someone found Wally again because he still has a place in my heart.  

 

 

Grown Up Purchases

The Radley logo always reminds me of what I consider my first grown up purchase.  The teenage me, bumbling around Bluewater, the little store tucked away on the upper floor always felt like an actual grown up shop.  My first ‘grown up’ purchase from there was a purse, incidently, why does your purse get bigger the older you get?  I recently been trying to feel young again by downsizing.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the North London accessories brand and their new AW12 collection is as tempting as always.  As a fan of big, throw everything in bags, the “Baker Street” and “Holloway” are perfect for carting about anything you could ever need.  This year though, the diva in me finds myself drawn to their “Goldington”.  Small but perfectly formed, this clutch will dress up jeans and a blazer for day and then storm the dancefloor with heels and an LBD by night.

Laura Bailey rocks it with a summery dress but I think this bag will be a keeper all the way through the party season.