Maybe i'm an Armani girl!

Hi guys,
I've just seen pictures from the Emporio Armani A/W11 show, and my first thought was, maybe i'm an Armani girl. For it was a complete black out: black as far as the eye could see (with ocassional flashes of a crisp arctic white) The collection really could have been designed with my personal taste in mind:



Here's the inspiration: "In the style of a film noir, beauty is concealed behind a pair of dark glasses and under a hat tilted over the forehead to suggest a hidden mystery. This enigma is heightened by the perception of a life without frontiers, according to a plot that follows an aesthetic journey between different worlds. A precisely defined vision, treated ironically to give an effortless and contemporary image. A stylish take on international espionage, travelling through time and distance, referencing the beat of great nightclubs and the silence of famous hotels."

I loved the layers of black and the mix of the fabrics: the sharp fitting trousers teamed with the knitted scarf/cape and the shiny patent boots was a particular favourite, and an outfit i'm bound to take inspiration from next winter. My favourite piece from the collection was the raw edged sleeveless dress: it looked amazing against the models pale skin and with her vibrant flash of red hair.

I know it's more classic than fashion forward, but I really love this collection: it's the first one i've seen for ages where I could integrate every single piece into my wardrobe right now and wear it to death. Maybe, deep down, what I really want is to be a film noir spy!

Love, Tor xx

Daily Wear: Back to Black

Whenever I have a wardrobe crisis or I don't know what to wear I turn back to my trusty black. Its my favourite colour to wear, I love the contrast it makes with my hair, and I know it isn't really, but it feels slimming to me.

Today I am playing with proportions. I have a naturally pronounced hourglass figure (big boobs and big hips and bum but with a narrower waist) but I find it really hard to dress, especially when I spend most of my time trying to minimise my bust! However today I decided to play with my bodies natural proportions: this dress is from French Connection (I got it from Bicester last week) and has a wide cinched in waist and heavy sleeves which emphasise my hourglass. I further emphasised my waist by adding my pony belt (I got this from Primark from £3 - I'm really impressed as it looks like much better quality than that!) Finally I added two necklaces in an attempt to elongate my upper torso.

Do you have a part of your body you love to show off? Or is there a part of you your always trying to minimise which prevents you from trying new things? I find other peoples relationships with their bodies fascinating!

Anyway, I think i've bigged up what is actually a really plain and simple looking outfit, so i'll finish it off with the sentence that would have done instead of all the fluff: this is what i'm wearing today!

Love, Tor xx

Bringing back black!

Despite my continual effort to introduce new colours to my wardrobe, we all know my mantra: "I'll wear any colour as long as it's black!" Remember that fateful picture of my wash day?

I rest my case! Every season the fashion editors pronounce another colour as "The New Black" but actually there's no such thing: thats why beloved black is their constant source of reference. You never hear anyone going on about the "New Red" do you? I rest my case, m'laud!

So when the website "basically black" was brought to my attention, my initial thought was what a damn good idea! Imagine never having to trawl through the pages of asos again falling in love with their vibrant patterned dresses, only to wish there was also a black version! Everything on this site definitely comes in black already!

The word basically immediately conjured pictures of basics - sensible shirts and t shirts; great for our mums, but not so great for fashion conscious young things like us! But actually I was completely wrong. You can buy your basics and they're great quality(we all need them, even if we resent the expense!) but you can also get glamourous dresses, coats, and sparkly sparkly bags (oh how I love sequins and black - i'm suprised i'm still typing straight!)

I know its shockingly simple but I think i'm slightly obsessed with that last dress; perfect for going to dinner or drinks straight after work (dahhling!) it looks uber flattering and more excitingly than that, its cashmere; nothing feels more wonderful than cashmere on your skin, except perhaps knowing it was a bargain, which this certainly is!

My quest for the perfect boyfriend blazer was not sucessful on this website (I know i'm obsessed, but their jacket selection sadly leads a lot to be desired!) but the next time my already fairly extensive collection of black dresses for work, play, and everything else I can think of to wear a black dress to, runs low, I know exactly where i'll be turning.

In fact, maybe i'll add that waffle dress to my birthday list (only 3 weeks to go!) Poor old Mike; I keep adding so much stuff I don't know what will explode first - his head or his wallet!

Love Tor x

Wash day blues, or should that be blacks?

Hi All,

You know your wardrobe contains too many black clothes when your weekly wash looks like this:
Note: the few pink items are in fact pajamas, and the checked shirt is my boyfriends!

Eeeek! As colour blocking becomes the new buzz word in magazines the nation over: Time for a colour injection methinks!?

Love Tor x

I demand some answers!!!

Thanks for the questions guys! And now (as the bad cop in a dodgy straight-to-tv movie might say) it's time for some answers:

From KD: How did you and Becky meet?How long have you known each other?

Becky and I would both agree that we should've met alot sooner than we did!

Beckys now ex boyfriend Tristan and I took a class called "the comedy of the absurd" together in my second year at uni in 2003/4. He and I became friends during/after the class and I was aware of Becky as being around but our joint shyness meant that we never actually spoke. Then when I went back to uni to do my MA last year I bumped into Becky and Tristan in the street. She admired the leopard print fur i'd just made a purchase of. We arranged to meet later in the week. Several cups of tea later and the blog and a wonderful friendship was born. (did that sound cheesy? Damn you cheesiness!)

From Dressed and Pressed: What's your favourite colour?

Hmmm, interesting question missy! You see what should be a simple one word response throws up a lot of debate; my favourite colour to wear (or at least the one I wear most and am drawn to when I shop) is black. Black as night, black as coal, as the Rolling Stones would say! However in handbag type accessories I am like a school child when it comes to baby pink; I have a baby pink vera wang make up bag, pink hello kitty ipod, pink hello kitty oyster card wallet, pink hello kitty usb stick....you get the idea.

In terms of colours I am drawn to in fabrics for non wearing reasons I like red, teal, mustard and turquoise blue. All together if possible! Well, the colours got to come in somewhere.....

AmieDavid01 asked: If you had to wear the National Costume of any country which one would it be?

This is my favourite question! You really don't see enough National dress nowadays do you? and after I had a think about it, I realised that apart from London's pearly kings and queens perhaps, this isn't a concept that really applies to us Brits.

Initially my answer to this question was "Scotland". I love tartan and Vivienne Westwood, so it seemed like a natural progression. However, during a quick google search for "national dress" I stumbled across this image and totally changed my mind!

This is the National dress of Karpathos, Greece. How beautiful does this young woman look?? (oh dear, how much like my dad did I sound just then!?) I love the elabourate gold piece and the coloured robes and even the little red patent shoes. This, dear friends, is my national dress of choice!

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Our final question comes from FashionJunkie via email and it is: what should I wear to my xmas lunch tomorrow? I want to look nice but not like I have made too much effort etc

It's a good job i'm not a meglomaniac FashionJunkie, because you're supposed to be asking questions about me!!

Office parties are so hard to get it right for arent they? Lunches are even harder! My standard play is safe option for any even is a black dress. But in this instance I would go for a black dress with sleeves; 3/4 sleeves so you could show off a bangle or two would be even better!

As for everything else, maybe go for a Parisian look? Fresh faced (so dont over do the make up!) with a black dress, black tights and ballet pumps. Accessorise with simple bracelet or bangle, stud earrings and a cute headband. You could either go for something simple with a tiny bow or use this as your statement piece and wear something colourful or oversized.

Mostly fashionjunkie, have fun! After you've eaten your overcooked turkey and drank half a bottle of cheap house wine, i'm sure you'll forget you were ever worrying about it!

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Thanks for the questions and the interest everyone. I hope I told you everything you wanted to know!

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Lots of love,

Tor xxx

I'll wear it in any colour, as long as it's black

Athough I make occassional timid forays into the weird and wonderful world of clothing made in (gasp for effect) colour, my wardrobe consists of mostly black things. In fact my 3 favourite things in the whole world are: my black leather bomber jacket, my black skinny jeans, and my black satin puffball prom dress. I also have a Betsy Johnson handbag I got for Christmas that I would risk my life for in a burning house, but that's a very dark brown. Anyway, reader, you get the point. I love black.

Frankly, colour scares me. This Christmas when everyone was searching for the perfect purple dress,(because everyone went crazy for the violets and plums shown at Lanvin) I was still looking for the perfect black one.

Dress from the AW07 range at Harvey Nicholls

You see, the problem with colours is that they come and go. Whereas black, like a truly dependable friend, will never go out of Vogue. I like to see my wardrobe as a box of chocolates (hey, i'm a candy addict!) Sometimes I fancy a truffle, and sometimes I fancy a strawberry soft centre. And it's fun to mix these things up a bit. But whatever filling i'm in the mood for, the one thing I will always want is chocolate.

So I wear my colour with trepidation. Enter stage left: the accessory. Yes, you too can always wear the most up to date trends, and still not have to throw away your favourite dress. Behold, my homage to the purple trend at my aunties wedding in Novmber:

My favourite black puffball dress is turned into a new season trend with the help of a fancy hat and a cheap scarf. Fashion without having to leave my comfort zone: one of my favourite things.

So, what prompts this colour driven angst I hear you cry? Well, that would be the news that this Spring/Summer we will all be wearing vibrant canary yellow and garish pop art hot pink:

When pink attacks...

Clockwise from top left: 3.1 by Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Catherine Malandrino, Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen (Image Kindly borrowed from handbag.com)

Now as wonderful as these models look, in yellow, I do have major issues with the new yellow/hot pink trends.Firstly, not 2 of the most flattering colours in the world. (especially with my complexion, dahhling!) Secondly, 2 colours i'm just not sure I can get away with teaming with my beloved black (unless I want to look like a bumblebee or an 80s reject: and not the cool kind)

What to do? Oh, woe is me!

It's at times like this I thank God for that most wonderful of inventions: denim. Enter my cute skinny light denim jeans teams with a simple black or white top and yellow/pink shoes delete depending on mood) with acres of the same coloured jewellery. If you're similarly colour opposed (it's a choice, not a desease) then here are some attention grabbing coloured accessories to start off your new season collection:

Pink leather foldover wallet. Topshop £15
Yellow braces. Topshop. £10
Bottega Veneta Woven leather belt £255. Netaporter.com
Marni Disc necklace £316. Netaporter.com

Jade Jagger Pink Kiss Necklace. £95 Netaporter.com

...........Crisis averted. Vive le black! x