A lesson learned, a lesson shared..

Just like every woman should have a black leather jacket in their wardrobe, every woman need a trench coat. I had been looking for the perfect trench since I was 15 (not that easy finding a classy grown-up trench in size xxs) when I during the spring of 2009 encountered a rather splendid one (size xs-s) from Benetton. I could not believe my luck and bought it asap. However, I did a stupid, oh so stupid, thing last fall, when I washed it in my brand new laundry machine (naughty naughty). Indeed the trench ended up being the size I longed for and was looking for at 15, but at 24 the same size did not actually fit that well anymore. I looked like a stuffed doll. So yet again, I was trench-less. I was on the hunt and pretty miserable until I found this gorgeous one from Gant. I am meeting the autumn with a smile, and I will do my best not to shrink any more favourite garments in the future. A lesson learned, a lesson shared.

Have you ever treated your clothes badly, or destroyed a favourite item?

"Beauty magazines only make you feel ugly"?

"Beauty magazines only make you feel ugly" is a saying most of us have heard. True or not, beauty magazines is a great source of inspiration for most uf us, when it comes to fashion, health and beauty. I love getting a sneak peak into the wardrobe of true fashionistas, and to get tips about the latest trends and the newest hot brands. However, there is in my opinion very variable how good a beauty magazine actually are, and after years of trial and failure I have finally found my favourites.

My beloved Elle UK.

Elle UK is like a jar of candy every time I open it. Lots of pictures and not too many "serious" articles. Because let us be honest, we do not buy fashion magazines to read about serious stuff (if we wanted that, we would by a newspaper instead). The pictures are beautiful and in overflow, the front page is always gorgeous, and the tips you get is actually worth noticing. Elle is also the magazine that usually are the first one out with a runway edit (very important for inspiration) in addition to always being spot on with the trends.

Some may say that there is too much advertising in the magazines. My response to that is: You are missing out on the very best part of the fashion magazine experience. I always spend at least 15 minutes flipping through and studying the advertisements who appears infront of the editors letter, before I emabark on the rest. The reason? If you study the fashion pictures and campaigns released by the brands by hard, you can easily get a little bit of extra fashion pow-wow. For example, I studied the new Donna Karan New York campaign, and I noticed that the models were wearing this icy blue nail polish, together with the camel /brownish and rough clothes, it gave them quite an edge. Next time I went to "Tammy's nails" (this very cute nail saloon in Portsmouth, who gives you the best manicure for only 10 £) I asked if I could get my nails done in that icy blue shade. I turned some heads on the street, some old ladies wrinkled their noses, but I felt utterly fashionable, and a little bit daring. I almost got the same rush as when I was working my socks in sandals in Honfleur - France- and the other visitors at the resturant could'nt stop staring at my feet - and their food went cold.

So read the ads, they are not just rubbish, they are inspiration.

Elle also does great Collection issues, they cost a little more, but they look quite fancy, and you get even more gossip and glory form the catwalks.

My Norwegian favourite - Costume.

Whenever I am in Norway, my favourite is Costume. Written by fashionable women for fashionable women. They do not waste my time with too much silly stuff, and provides loads of pictures, information about where to get it and what it costs, and reports about where you can buy the best vintage, the best outlets and so on. And they stear clear of all the relationship stories/ sex tips that so many magazines turn to, just to sell a little bit more (as everybody know, put "how to get better at this and that" on the front page, and you will sell a 1000 more copies). Last time I checked Costume was all about clothes, I really,really hope they will keep it that way. If they do, they will at least keep me interested.

The Collection issue of Elle a/w 2010.

When I was little I learned that if I did not have anything nice to say, I should not say anything at all. And I honestly try to live by that rule. However, I am a girl, and everyone knows how girls can be. So here is a little bit about the lesser great things in the beauty/fashion magazines.

I was not used to this particular part of the beauty magazines from Norway, so I was quite shocked when I first realised that the last 20 pages or so in the UK fashion magazines are ads for plastic surgeons and different ways of dieting. I think that is absolutely horrendous. It is sort of like saying "OOh, look at all these gorgeous models, look at their full lips, their perfect breasts and toned abs - and then BAM! You are never going to look that way unless you suck out all your fat through a tube, inject loads of chemical substances in your body or eat nothing but water and seeds. Haha!".

That young girls feel somewhat unsufficient after reading a magazine is bad enough, hopefully they get by know how much photoshopping there actually is going on out there. But to put pages and pages of ads for plastic surgeons in magazines that are read by girls that probably are as young as 15? What kind of message is that sending? Plastic surgery is completely normal, everybody does it?

I really hope that this particular trend does not hit Norway. It is a great shame that the fashion magazines in this way displays that they care more about selling ad space, than the message they are actually sending their often young and insecure readers. Right here, I will slap my favourite, Elle UK, over the wrist and say "shame on you". ( But these kinds of ads is sadly more the norm than a rarity in the UK).

***

However, keep on reading magazines, enjoy them with a Chai Latte or a steaming hot Americano, and for Christ sake, enjoy that piece of chocolate as well. Have'nt you heard that every girl should get her chocolate and coffee? Because we're worth it.

I have a confession to make...

I have a confession to make...I am a shopaholic. Always has been, always will be.

I could blame it on the fact that while I was working in fashion, I had both the access and the opportunity to binge on lovely items at reduced prices. Or I could blame it on the fact that working in fashion meant that I could not stay away from clothes even if I wanted to (that would have meant I had to call in sick, which is completely against my high working morale). So this continously exposed me to new arrivals, new seasons and new trends, and I of course, wanted them all. My shopping budget on clothes alone could in earlier days, when I lived at home with my parents, and earned money I had noe idea what to do with, feed a little African country.

However, I will not blame my addiction to clothes on any of those statements above,as I have loved clothes since the time I learned what clothes was, approximately aged 2.

Probably did not working within a fabolous boutique exactly help. However, it is my solid opinion that if you do not love fashion, you should not be selling it either. Hence, my rightful place were in a boutique surrounded by the things I love.

So how bad is it? As a former Marketing student, I know all the tricks, but I still fall for them every time I am out shopping. Two pair for one you say? 10% off you say? Ahhh....that...err...takes off 1, 20 £ on the price..jeeeez. I just saved the equivalent of 12 NOK. Oh, so that's the colour I should be wearing (even though it makes my skin look green)? That mascara actually makes your eyelashes grow? That lipstick will make my boobs bigger? Oh, I will definitevely have that!! What about a bum minimising pair of gloves?Yes, sir!

We have all been there, thinking that a particular garment will change our lives for the better, believing that there is some hocus pocus behind the designer cuts that in a magical way will shine its light over our lives, and make us into whatever we aspire to be. That is the magic of shopping. You may not agree with me, but if you think about, the truth is that whenever you buy yourself something new, you are - in some way or another - trying to improve yourself for the better. You don't just buy an outfit, you buy a lifestyle and an image.

This notion is what making shops, and designers, earn money. They create an illusion of a possible lifestyle and an image, which normal people like us will pay a lot just to get a little piece of.

This is also why every season, you can see something new on the catwalk. This year it was Mad Men and the 50s. The brands wants to sell you that nostalgia, and if you do not have (or had) a classy grandma just your own size, you will have to run to the stores and buy these things. There is no point in selling you what you allready got.

That's why the denim from s/s 2010, has turned into camel a/w 2010. No way you could confuse those two.

If you look at commercials, they will always try to sell you the image of what you do not have. An example would be that in the US where the divorce rates are through the roof, all the commercials are full of happy families. In China, where collectivism has been the norm, but the youth stride for individual recognition and success, the commercials displays happy individuals making it on their own.

You have just attended Marketing for beginners.

So where was I? Oh yes, I am a shopaholic. Probably they will not make movies about me, as I am not as hopeless and lost as Becky Bloomwood. Currently a student, my spendings limit themselves (and I kind of got tired of hiding the bags from the man in the house). But I do shop. However, sometimes I try to steer clear of the shops, as I am aware of all the false cravings they create in people. No matter how strong I try to be when I walk into Gant, French Connection or Ralph Lauren, I know that I within minutes will become weak, and feel that it is absolutely essential for my future wellbeing that I buy exactly that pair of shoes, or that coat ( I loooooove coats and jackets).

So sometimes I just stay by my computer, and browse through pictures and websites for my daily fashion rush. Luckily, I am not into online shopping just yet.

Phase Eight

Few things (except for the actual night) makes me feel more like a child on Christmas Eve than those occasions when I discover either a new brand I like, a new store I like, or when I suddenly discover that a store near me are selling one of my favourite brands. And last Friday, I experienced them all in one, just like a Kinder egg, three suprises in one package. I have previously complained about the scarcity of decent shops in Portsomuth, my residence for the time being. Of course, we have Gunwharf Quays, which is an outlet center, where you can find stores like Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Guess, Ted Baker, Karen Millen and Levi's. However, an outlet center means that the things you can find is mostly last years lines, or items they are not able to get rid off in the more fashionable flagship stores in London. It sometimes make me feel like I am having a fashion deja vu. And of course, we have the usual high street stores like Topshop, New Look, Oasis and H&M. But you know the feeling, have you seen one of them, it sometimes make you feel like you have seen them all..

What I have been missing is something a little bit more exclusive, if only just to get me inspired or cheer me up on the windy, rainy days which there are far too many of here in the UK.

Knight & Lee is located in the shopping area of Southsea, and only a couple of minutes walk from my apartment. Previously I have been a bit reluctant to check it out, since I have thought the whole store oozed of "grown-uppy" or "old-lady-like". But on this earlier mentioned Friday, I could suddenly see that the mannequins in the window were wearing Ted Baker, a/w 2010, and I ran up the stairs to the clothing area as fast as my little legs could take me. And what a nice surprise.A big area of Ted Baker, and I even discovered this gorgeous new brand - Phase Eight - who does various items in the most lovely fabrics and the softest colours. I am happy, allthough my wallet are not..

Rose details are back this autumn, and I fell for this little rosey piece.

Silk and jersey scard.

100 % silk blouse in a lovely rose colour.

Nothing beats a big bow.

Flared knitted skirt, it reminded me a little bit of the one from Tiger of Sweden which I currently lust for.

Knitted everyday dress.

Camel dress with flower details.

Camel tunic jumper. This is an absolute must-have.

Did you see anything you liked?

Topshop a/w 2010

I have been browsing through the stores on the high street to find out where to get the a/w 2010 look for a little bit less and which stores who does this seasons trends the best. Topshop is definitely a runner up for the title, as they have both the colour scale and the shapes in place. Topshop is opting for green, burgundy, brown and camel this fall, together with the standard autumn favourites black and grey, adding jewellery in gold and bronze with coral, pink or orange details.Here is a little something for inspiration...

The ultimate military cape, 95 £.

Sheepskin aviator jacket, 325 £.

Oversized boyfriend coat in wool, 95 £.

Knitted lace jumper, 35 £.

Knitted batwing shrug, 35 £.

Lace trim scarf, 16 £.

Tapered trouser, 35 £.

Leather shoulder bag in burgundy, 38 £.

Black leather satchel, 55 £.

Golden bracelet, 12,50 £.

Cascade earrings, 8 £.

Heart and rose ring, 5 £.

Earrings, 8,50 £.

Pointy kittens, 55 £.

Flats, 50 £.

Karma Chameleon

Poncho - H&M, cardigan with buttons on the sleeves - Zara, earrings & bag - Topshop.

I am trying out two trends in one, the new camel and the poncho, with this large chunk of fabric from H&M. Verdict: I love the colour, camel makes you feel very posh and expensive all of the sudden. However, I think I did the right thing buying an item like this on the high street, and not in an expensive designer shop, as I have the feeling I will get very tired of being dressed in this kind of big and shapeless cloth after a/w 2010. It is a big, and rather heavy garment, perfect for those chilly autumn days that are approaching us faster than Thomas, the little blue train. Just throw it over whatever you are wearing and you are good to go. With that in mind, it is worth noticing that every season there is some trends that the men of the household does not really get. There is always those things girls really, really love, like the high waist skirts and the jumpsuit, which in return the boyfriends really, really hate. I have a suspicion of that in my household, that poncho is not the favourite item of the moment (quote" I did'nt know we were going to Mexico any time soon?"). However, I raise my head high (as you should as well) and am wearing my poncho with confidence this fall. It is camel, after all.

Poncho - H&M (199 Nok, or 14,99 £)

The 90's - Our darkest fashion moments..

Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, anno 1995. Quotes:"Oh, as if!", "WHATEVER".

Does any of you remember the 90's? Well, I do. Reluctantly and vaguely. It was not a great fashion decade for me, or anyone else, if I may say so. And yes, I know that the 90's style in some degree have had a comeback in the world of fashion. However, lucky for us, the details we now see are little bit more understated than what we experienced the last time around.

So to recap, do you remember what you wore during the 90's? No? Too young perhaps? During the 1990's my age span was between 5 and 15, so my outfits varied from pink and purple Minni Mouse tights picked out by my mother, to dreadful neon tops that showed off my navel, which no mother in the world would pick out for someone whom they cared about. My fashion icons went from being Care Bears and Punky (anyone remember that little brat who lived with her grandfather/ random old man?) to the Spice Girls and Beverly Hills 90210 (and no, not the new version). 

When I was 12 and 13, all I dreamt about was getting a pair of Levi's jeans and a Fruit of the Loom hoodie. The obligatory outfit consisted of Adidas sweatsuits, checked stretchpants, and white or black trainers from Nike.

As time went by and 1995 came to an end, the 90's as I really remember it began. And hence the picture of Alicia Silverstone in Cluless, above. Short skirts, schoolgirl style, and girl power.. I am thanking higher powers every day that the digital camera still was an illusion, social networks - like Facebook did not exist (the founders still in kindergarden), and internet, perhaps even computers, were not a common household item. So fortunately my early fashion endeavors are somewhat narrowly documented on the digital arena - hallelujah!

These monsters were on every fashionable foot - imagine that..

You can imagine my surprise, when visiting Brighton a cold and windy day last December, I met this "ghost of shoes past". The Buffalo shoes, they deserve their own chapter in the story of which fads that became big hits in the 90's which should'nt have, could'nt have, and would'nt hopefully attract anyones affection nowadays. Those bumpy tractor shoes, paired with flared Miss Sixty's, Toba&Co's, Crocker or Camera stretch pants (anything from JC really) that were so long that you kept on stepping on them all the time, resulting in a lot of ripped,teared and dirty trousers...It does not create the best fashion memory does it? Who would imagine they still sold those things? Well, now you know. Hopefully you are as shocked as I am.

Mockery aside, I loved Buffalo when they were in (please note the past tense here- loved, not loves). I had three pairs, one of them were even baby-pink. I have lost the count on how many flared Miss Sixty's I have owned through the years, my guess is that it was enough of them too. So my statement outfit from the 90's: Baby pink Buffalo's, Miss Sixty jeans, and a tinytiny black top or a neonpink wraparound on the more joyeaux occasions. Warning: kids, do not try this at home.

However, no matter how ashamed we are of what we used to wear, the truth is that these clothes has a nostalgic glow, reminding us of how we felt like the first time we really, really tried to pull off something fashionable. The first outfits we chose for ourselves, the first time we tried to copy a style from a magazine, some clothes even recall the memory of our first kiss.

The clothes we used to wear, be it a sweater from Fila or jeans from Lois, have all played a part in our lives. They were present when we started college, they were present on our first party, and they have all been with us when our fashion sense, somewhat stumbling, developed into what it is today.

To understand today's trends, it is important to understand the trends of the past. And even though a part of me recent saying it, the fads and mischiefs of the 90's, will always make me nostalgic, bringing out my dearest and happiest fashion memories.

***

And probably, that is what the designers aim to do, when they are trying to bring some of that nostalgia back.

Ponytails, not only for little girls..

The ponytail is back,just in case you - unlike me, has been aware of it ever being gone. The ponytail has been a "bad hair day" life saver for me as long as I can remember. But surely restricted to those bad hair days, or the days I had to hurry a bit during my morning routine. During the spring and summer, braids was the hair must of the moment. However, I never managed to get the braids to work with my thin, nordic hair, no matter how hard I tried and how gorgeusly effortless seemingly everybody else pulled it off. So it is a great comfort for me seeing ponytails take over the throne as the hair-do of the moment. Loose and romantic or strict and proper - you choose.

Classic and inspired by Mad Men at Louis Vuitton.

70's girl.

Loose and romantic at Nicole Farhi.

Strict and proper at respectively Jil Sander and Stella McCartney.

Celebrities have endorsed the ponytail, even on the red carpet. So it might not be such an unthinkable idea to actually sport the ponytail even on the bigger occasions this autumn..

Jessica Biel with a loose and romantic version.

Jennifer Aniston, classic elegance.

Autumn/Winter 2010 - classy lady..

The woman is in focus at Louis Vuitton, Aviator jackets at Burberry and classical camel coats at Chloe.

The autumn is upon us and it is indeed my favourite fashion season. You can say what you want about summer fashion, it is the autumn who gives you classical pieces that will last for years and years to come. This year the designers have thrown the circus gear aside, and what they give us instead is some of the best collections I have seen in ages. Classical pieces and earthy, warm colours dominates the catwalks. Simple minimalism and nostalic 50s and 70s shapes combined with a newfound appreciation of the female body. Phoebe Philo at Celine sets the mood while she continues to inspire with her new and exciting purism. Chloe is the Queen of the colour of the season - Camel. And oh,so desirable it is. This year we want it all, the ladylike trousers, the wonderful superwoman capes and all the simple shapes that makes sequinned dresses and Lady Gaga appear as a bad dream that is really easy to forget (Fashion editors will have it that Balmainia is dead, however, I am not that sure. Bad taste is rather sticky).

Camel at Chloe.

Aviator jackets and sheepskin at Burberry Prorsum.

1950s ladies at Rochas.

After season after season with harems pants, boyfriend pants and other things that does not exactly flatter the female body, the woman is finally in focus. The new tapered trousers and the grown up trousers with either classical or flared leg is a welcomed must have. Fashion editors are talking about the return of "the woman", as such the models at Louis Vuitton and Prada actually had breasts, and they flaunted them as well. Camel has always looked expensive, and personally I love what this sober colour can do with an outfit. I loved the simple lines shown at Stella McCartney, Stella's design has matured and look more desireable than ever. I especially loved the grey coat (below) that opened her a/w 2010 show. Burberry Prorsum keeps on reworking their own classics, last year it was their signature trench, this year it is the aviator jacket who gets a rebirth. Classical cool has reached a new level.

The coat of the season at Stella McCartney.

The grown up trousers at Chloe.

Rumours will have that the it-bag is back, and from who else than Celine. This little brown envelope will look just as good in 20 years, and my guess is that it will be on the wishlist for many a fashionable lady.

The it-bag is back, and it is from Celine.

So which items are absolute must haves this autumn? I opt for the cape, the grown up trousers, a camel coat and an aviator jacket. Other things mentioned is full length skirts, chunky knit and lace. However, chunky knit is probably the one thing you know will be a must have every autumn, so I would not necessarily call it news.

I am taking a little trip back to Norway in September, and as a fan of recycling I have allready decided which items I will dig out of my closet and bring back to the UK :My brown leather aviator jacket from Mentor and my grey wool grown up trousers from Tiger of Sweden. Once again my saying has proven helpful: Never throw away the most classic pieces, or the weirdest ones, these are the ones that you for sure will be happy you kept at one point. The one thing I will most definitely buy is the cape. Long, short, it does'nt matter. How often are you allowed to dress up like a superhero and be fashionable at the same time? I am hoping for supernatural powers, or at least Batmans confidence.

This seasons must-have- the cape.

This seasons tapered trousers.

Now, what will you be wearing this autumn?