MILAN WARDROBE POSTS

Yes, if you’ve wondering where I’ve been recently, well this and this should give you a good idea. This is our second-to-last day in Milan and the weather’s been scorching, the shows have been EXUBERANT, TOPS, FAB THANKYOU. I’ve been covering them for Buckstyle here so I won’t bore you with the details, but basically A/W 09′s long dark night of the soul seems to be over and the best brands are back on form. Burberry Prorsum, Alexander McQueen, Les Hommes, Giuliano Fujiwara, even DSquared2… all gave me a lot more hope for the future of fashion than the doom-mongers would suggest. We’re not even started on Paris yet, or London, or the trade shows.

Shirt Uniqlo, belt and shorts H&M. Socks Marks and Spencer, shoes Lanvin, bag Carolyn Massey. Bracelets, found and home-made. This is a beautiful stairway outside the Car Shoe presentation- I haven’t actually travelled back in time. Car Shoe are doing initials and personalised colourways on their shoes. Very Car Shoe.

Shirt Uniqlo, jacket Lanvin, denim shorts and belt by H&M, glasses by Oliver Peoples, pocket square from the East End Thrift Store, shoes by Church’s. Bit of string round my wrist from a pair of old tracksuit bottoms, plus a random bracelet I found in a charity shop (excuse the ultra-grainy picture). Me, later, outside the aptly named Cafe Elio, sans jacket.

Customised vest Primark, cardigan Uniqlo, scarf J. Lindeberg, shorts H&M, leggings underneath Material Boy. Necklace worn as bracelet Natalia Brilli, plus vintage silver bracelet I found. Wallet Paul & Joe, with my keys attached.

Shorts River Island, vintage shirt, jacket by Lanvin, shoes Church’s.

It’s just made me realise that I wear the same thing again and again…! I’ve missed out one or two outfits here because it was all in a rush. Paris outfits to come later in the week… paradoxically, time to put away the Lanvin methinks…

GOOD STUFF FROM MILANO!!

AMAZING- a Lego ancient Egyptian we found on the street after DSquared2

BRILLIANT- the window display in Moschino

INSPIRED- the fox in the window display at Moschino

WOOLRICH WOOLLEN MILLS- a printed backpack. DELIGHTFUL!!

Milan is full of lovely things, especially lovely clothes. In fact, the Woolrich/Beams presentation was one of the best of the week so far. I feel like I’m rabbiting on about workwear on this blog but it really is quite the bee’s knees.

Meanwhile….

MENSWEAR’S CANAPES OF THE WEEK
1. Mozarella, shaved parmesan, pepper and black bread squares at Prada
2. Cherry, fondant and jam tarts at Woolrich
3. Courgette tempura at Alexander McQueen
4. Chocolate cream pastry at Woolrich
5. Just big chunks of delicious parmesan at McQueen

MENSWEAR’S STREET STYLING IDEAS OF THE WEEK
1. Tie a shirt round your shorts, but have the sleeves at the back- instant Comme skirt ripoff, surprisingly wearable
2. Dangle your wallet or your keys from your belt loop! SS 10 is all about those dangly mountaineering details.
3. Several necklaces/random bracelets/brightly coloured bits of string tied round the wrist to create a layered effect. Totemic and meaningful…
4. Cut the sleeves off an old blazer, or crop them at the elbow. Voila! You can now say with pride that you’re directional, if such things are of any importance.
5. Self-paint everything you own, well perhaps not everything, but perhaps a lovely pair of loose-around-the-thigh denim shorts or turned-up denim trousers. Beloved old H&M has a brilliant pleat pair I want to attack on my return to Blighty.

TEN THINGS MENSWEAR WOULD LIKE TO OWN FROM THE SHOWS:

1. A pair of nelon shorts from Giuliano Fujiwara
2. The sleeveless, back-unzipping coat at Giuliano Fujiwara
3. Green suede hi-top sneaker-sandals from Sergio Rossi
4. A Burberry Prorsum bondage knit top (perhaps the triple-belt one)
5. Those Les Hommes drop-crotch pleated trousers
6. A DSquared2 plaid trenchcoat
7. McQueen’s painted suit jacket
8. This outfit from Marni
9. This studded bag from Marni
10. Nautical-print shorts from Woolrich Woolen Mills