mardi 19 février 2013

No-brainer

On this last slightly more clement past week-end with nothing to do except enjoy a japanese dinner, comforting french fries and steak lunch, trying out a few things from the new collection at h&m (and leaving the store with 2 I-can-wear-them-now tops), watching the New Lunar year parade in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, making the usual groceries run, all I wanted to wear was comfortable, simple and easy outfits. 

Now I don't know about you, but when thinking about no brainer outfits, jeans and sneakers come first on top of my mind. It's like even putting on flat boots with jeans is too much, wearing the most casual dress is tiresome and heels are not even a conceivable option.

So in a mix of laziness and contentment, I wriggled into my favorite H&M skinny jeans, added a nondescript warm knit under a layer of Heattech long sleeves tee, slid my feet in my derelict beloved Nike Blazers, let my hair carefree in braids, put on some Garnier BB cream, a dab of Amilab lip balm, an extra coat of mascara, rolled up one cashmere scarf around my neck, spritzed a bit of Eau de Gentiane Blanche, checked that I have the essentials in my tote and almost done.

Finally, came the choice of outerwear, also a no-brainer, as in such circumstances, what else than my favorite Isabel Marant boyfriend coat to cocoon myself into.

But I also decided to test-drive the newly acquired Sandro camel coat, found a few days ago second hand in a consignment store. This new addition comes with a detachable fur collar which I doubt I'll ever wear and a trendy zip closure but overall it has a classic enough cut to stand the test of trend time but as for standing the use, we'll see. Quality is very chancy when it comes to brands like Sandro.

I've been wanting a beige/ camel coat for a long time and as the end of winter gets nearer the desire for lighter colors grows stronger. As much as I appreciate the useful investment made when buying Uniqlo's down parka and my other older outerwear, and as much as I'm addicted to black and grey, I must concede that after more or less 5 months of black-grey-kaki rotation, I enthusiastically welcomed that change of palette.

Anyway, this little aparté to illustrate that at this point of "stylish" neglect laisser-faire, the only redeeming focus was the outerwear. Something well cut and a bit en vogue that says that even if I'm dressed like the teenager next-door, I do give a little damn not being taken for one.
  


Coat/manteau: Isabel marant - scarf/écharpe: COS - tote/cabas: Céline - jeans: h&m - sneakers/baskets: Nike (Blazer) x Comptoir des Cotonniers


coat/manteau: Sandro - knit /maille, scarf /écharpe: COS - jeans : h&m - sneakers/baskets: Nike (Blazer) x Comptoir des Cotonniers -tote bag/cabas: Céline

18 commentaires:

  1. you look super chic - and i LOVE your sneakers! and this is kind of the best schlepping-all-over-the-city-in-late-winter look ever. the Celine bag adds such an elegant touch :)

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    1. Thanks! I wish I could find the exact same pair of sneakers and I'm stalking eBay and co to that effect, that's how much I love them!

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  2. You do not look like a teenager in the slightest. And the coat is lovely - it really suits you. I think the colour definitely gives you that extra little lift that you felt you needed - that we all need. I have come home with a pair of Nikes today - I've been really enjoying my Converse and become a little obsessed with sneakers - I'm feeling the need to break from boots. I would love a camel coat but they are so hard to find. Well I can find them but the ones that fit me look too cheap and the ones which don't fit me (thank goodness) are too expensive anyway. Anyway, I love your look - with either coat.

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    1. Thanks Sue! I love Converse Chucks too and as temperatures should not rise soon, I think sneakers are quite nice and ideal for a casual mid season.
      As much as I love boots too, the perspective of wearing them also on week-ends just feels boring and ballet flats are not an option yet.

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  3. I love that coat! I tried some coats at Sandro this year when I was on my Great Coat Hunt (ha!) but had no luck, the were cut to straight for my body, and as good as they looked hanging open, there was no way I could zip them up without looking extremely unfortunate. As for sneakers, I'm obsessed and now searching for the perfect pair. I love the idea of New Balance but when I try them on my own feet they just look sort of boring and dorky rather than cool. Maybe Nike is the way to go, I should check it out... And thanks for stopping by!

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. Thanks! I know what you mean about how the cut of coat is essential. I don't mind a bit of oversize or mannish cut but it's a thin line between ill-fit and stylish.
      I'm (virtually) beating myself up for giving up grey NB I was offered for a babysitting stint years ago but I think I did it for the same reasons as you... I'm really into the Nike Blazers (even the name I like) or the Adidas Gazelle.

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  4. Casual-chic, perfected. I really like the zipper detail on the Sandro coat; hopefully the quality will prove itself to be great. I don't own any Sandro pieces, but I do admire the brand's designs.

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    1. Thanks Lucy! The zipper is indeed an original touch. I've been quite critical of Sandro, Maje and similar brands because the quality was in my opinion mediocre for such pricy items but I agree the design can be very interesting.

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  5. So lovely! Your Celine tote is a great addition and adds that right amount of polish. I've been donning a similar look, coat/jeans/sneakers, though it's already getting warm so I've been able to get away with lighter outerwear. I don't think I told you, but I found a black IM Uro jacket (the one I was obsessed with last year) for a really good price, and have been wearing it all the time. Kinda wish I had found the khaki though, but the black is still nice

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    1. Congrats on the black Uro jacket! I'd love to see your looks and the way you style it! They're always inspiring.
      I'm still hooked up on these summer 2012 IM jackets especially the Ulyse, I sadly missed one in my size a few days ago. I've avoided the IM stores but happily didn't see anything heart racing/ interesting when I checked a dept store corner a few days ago.
      Oh how I envy you your warmer climate. Today is yet another round of snow and the temperature is at the highest 2°C so all I've been wearing is a down parka. Not exciting at all.

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  6. That camel coat looks great on you! My no brainer outfit is pretty much the same, but I make myself wear heeled boots just to avoid getting too bored of myself, lol!

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    1. Thank you! You have more will power than I when it comes to heels! But yes, a bit of height totally makes the difference!

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  7. Totally chic and comfortable outfit. This is what I love about reading blogs like yours where I can relate to a practical outfit that's also stylish. I pop into Sandro the other day and am in love. Beautiful clothes!

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    1. What a nice compliment which I can only reciprocate! I've just made a quick round of Sandro and I agree, there's always something I like even if it doesn't mean I'll end up buying but it's a treat for the eyes.

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  8. Oh a Céline tote and Nike (Blazer) x Comptoir des Cotonniers...you are so chic!!!

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  9. I WANT THIS COAT !!!! I LOVE ! Do you want to sale it ?

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