30 days of finding feminine: Day 12



Day 12

 OK, so although the premise of this thing was that I didn’t buy anything new -  It’s about just wearing what I have differently…

I’m having real trouble with the shoes.

 

My trouble us that I don’t have any ‘normal’ ones...

They’re all studded or laced or chunky heels, glittered, animal print, pony skin, fringed, wedge trainers, converse…

 

 

 They all shout for attention.

It’s because I sometimes build an outfit around a shoe, so it has to stand up for itself.

 They have to bring something to the table.

The whole idea behind this experiment is to be quietly feminine.
 The only shouting I should be hearing are guys…shouting for my attention.!

 

Anyway, I’m finding that the shoes I have are adding a fashion edge to my outfits that I can do without.

So I purchase 2 pairs of stilettos. One pair in black (Emmanuel alt would be proud) and one pair in white (there’s your LK Bennet… Blammo)

 

 

Now I can 'girlify' anything I choose...and not a stud, jem or buckle in sight.

 

 

Question is, what am I gonna do with these bad boys after this jig is up??...

Well, a girl can never have too many shoes they say…

 



 

All photographs by John Lawrence

 

 

 

 

30 days of finding feminine: Day 11

Day 11

Black slit sleeve chiffon shirt

Black leather pencil skirt

Black stiletto boot

Quilted clutch

As much as I’m not looking forward to this outfit today, I’m pleasantly surprised once I’ve got it on.

It certainly makes me feel ‘womanly’ whatever that is…and really quite powerful.

Despite the fact that I’m actually showing quite a lot of flesh (arms and legs at the same time? Ooo err missus!), I still feel covered up...Even though I’m clearly not.

Shirt - Miss Selfridge

Skirt - Topshop

Shoes - Miss Selfridge

I’m loving my head to toe 'noir' look.

I’ve been possessed by the spirit of Katherine Parker – Sigourney Weavers character in ‘Working Girl’ – all 80s power rich bitch dressing and big shoulders.

So I top it off with a red lip…and a perm.

All I’m missing is a big ‘ole bit of Versace jewellery (either some door knocker earrings or a lion head necklace.)

But that my friends would be breaking the rules...

Today I feel more like breaking some balls.!

All photographs by John Lawrence



30 days of finding feminine: Day 10

 Day 10

Black and white shirt

Black pencil skirt

White stilettos

I feel like I should be showing people where the fire exits are…



...or Maggie Gyllenhaals stand-in the film 'Secretary'.

Come to think of it, if this get up attracts anyone that has a touch of the James Spaders about them, I’ll come a-runnin.

….Although it won’t be too fast...

Not in this skirt.

Shirt - Miss Selfridge

Skirt - Topshop

Shoes - Office

I do find it interesting how I have to alter my behaviour and body language today as my movements are restricted by the shilloutte of my pencil skirt.

 I am a fast walker. Always have been...but not today.

Today I have to take 3 steps where I would usually take 1.

Hmm, maybe that’s why I haven’t worn a pencil skirt in about…15 years!!

Infact, I was probably still at school the last time one of these crossed my path.

 I dunno though. After a whole day of mincing around London like a geisha,

 I decide I kinda like it.

Maybe we can be friends...

 

All photographs by John Lawrence



...Intermission...featuring Katie P.

 

 

As a celebration of all the fashion shenanigans occurring in London this week...I feel a fashion intermission is definitely necessary.

So...

Happy London Fashion Week folks.

Love From Me and Katie P

(The Owl and the Pussycat.).....Just don't call us Patsy and Eddie....

 

  

 

What?...Did somebody say fashion??

 

 

 

30 days of finding feminine: Day 9

Day 9

White tux trousers

Black sleeveless t shirt

Black peeptoe stiletto shoe boot

 

Was going for a chic military vibe today...but one of those charity ‘personalities’ who roam the street shouts at me from across the road:

‘Hey, you look like a girl who knows how to rave…..’???

Interesting…. I thought I was just suffering from possible jubilee leftovers, not acid house reflux!?

Going to return some trousers at lunchtime and someone taps me on the shoulder.

It’s a guy.

‘I just had to come and speak to you…because you’re wearing those heels that make you look like you’re strutting on a catwalk’.

Trousers - Mango

I laugh, it’s a fair comment. I’ve developed a penchant for a stiletto during this experiment.

I smile and answer his questions politely.

‘How many inches are they?’
 

‘I have no idea’

‘They must be 3...No, 4 inches’

‘Maybe, I don’t measure them...’

‘You look like you’re used to walking in 4 inches, but I bet you’ve got 8 and 9 inch heels at home’…..

‘…Errrr…’

 

 

‘I can imagine you strutting your stuff in your 9 inch heels….’

Shoes - Miss Selfridge

RIGHT, TIME TO SHUT THIS CONVERSATION DOWN.
IT’S NOT MY INCHES I’M WORRIED ABOUT!!!

30 days of finding feminine: Day 8

Day 8

In the spirit of the bank holiday, I decide to dress for the occasion:

High waisted navy pinstripe trousers

Grey vest (note to self: must find another colour to wear on top…)

Red nails – research dictates that they can be seen to be quite ladylike

No jewellery

…Red, white (well grey) and  blue… How patriotic!!

As it seems I’m going for a demure vintage look, I match my lipstick to my nails…just like the ladies used to...

Vest - Zara     Trousers - vintage

Tonight I’m off to see Norah Jones at the Royal Festival Hall...This look feels appropriate.

And a much as I love the place, it is the perfect place to study the art of ‘anti fashion industry’ dressing.

It's an LK Bennett crowd…not a stiletto, wedge or flatform high heel in sight. Full of families running amok and couples everywhere.

Shoes - office

On the whole the ladies are all going for a Kate/Pippa Middleton look. Very classic…wrap dresses and flat shoes…possibly a leather jacket if they’re feeling frisky…

Is this what I'm supposed to be aspiring to? I wonder as some child clambers over my chair towards me – intent on getting me to give her all my attention. ‘Watch it’ I think. I’ve studied super nanny to degree standard.

This isn't me. Not the real version of myself that I would be happy with…Not now at least. But, in for a penny, in for a pound....

 

Obviously these people have more to worry about than what colour they are going to paint their nails and how to create a window scheme on a 50p budget that looks like it was designed by a creative genius.

But you know what?....I’ve decided that I quite like worrying about these things for the moment…

So this thing is definitely about dialling down the crazy, removing the 'razzle dazzle', not hiding behind my clothes and actually getting confident that me, Nicola St. Louis stripped bare is enough.

As the song says ‘How can they see with sequins in their eyes?’

God, I love a show tune!...