In print

Never had so many prints in my wardrobe.

It goes beyond the basic stripes, the occasionnal plaid, dots and leo. I love the abstract, the geometric forms, the batik, the play and mix of colors.

I'm not a bold person and use them sparingly but I just feel irresistibly drawn to them right now. 

The main reasons behind this graduated print invasion are to cheer up the grey humid days, extend the vacation in Bénin bliss and also about proudly showing my roots.

A small part of my ever-growing print collection: 

Here are a few stylish associations that I've saved on my computer and Pinterest board for inspiration.

I love this take on the loose tank top, midi skirt with sneakers look.

(Kisua)

Dress and sneakers, again: one of my favorite casual combination lifted up by the stunning batik print.

 (Gather and See) 

A bit more polished, this combination will inspire my summer work outfits.

(Kaight)

Another midi skirt inspiring look:

On mannequins: trench

After a couple of spring fashion purchases (boots and sweater), I decided to take a step back. New in collections are overwhelming, there's so much stuff I suddently feel that I want, my wishlist folder on my laptop grows with numerous downloaded pictures. 

One thing's for sure though, I need a new trench. 

My Zara, acquired a couple of years ago is falling apart at the seams so it will have to be replaced. It's one of the items I use up the most, worn both in spring and fall, to work and on week-ends. 

I'm not sure what my budget will be, certainly about the average Uniqlo - Zara outerwear price tag. The most I could eventually spend on would eventually be the Comptoir des Cotonniers (here), the feedback on their trench has been steadily positive over the years.  

While I'm figuring out budget and if I'm going for the usual classic classic knee length and beige color, I also spotted the new trend for trench coats featuring a longer length and a more fluid fabric. It definitely also has an elegant cachet and adds a certain softness making both outfits very catchy. 

(In Zara)

For your eyes only

Here are some of the first looks for late summer - early fall that caught my eyes in a few Paris stores (but most are available worldwide!).

Don't think I ever saw that much color and prints for the colder season. It's a welcome change, allowing to transition without drastically joining the dark side just yet! I have vague ideas of how I want to update my style and some of the looks displayed on mannequins sparked/confirmed known interests: 

• for instance I'd really like to add a few red /rust based easy to wear items like a blouse or a knit, 
• flat versatile footwear - like loafers and oxfords to wear not only with pants but with longer skirts/dresses, 
• I'd also like to incorporate more graphic patterrns in my closet - dots, checks, houndstooth along with classic stripes. 

In Monoprix:

I'm not sure if I can pull off large, red and polka dots pants but they're funky! I'd wear them with a cosy grey knit and slip-ons as accessorized on the mannequin. 

The silhouette just behind in cropped jeans and white tee is far more basic but shots of red are always effective to inject some energy in a look.

The draped diamond printed knee length dress with golden oxfords is a brilliant idea! 

In COS:

Stopped in my tracks for these silhouettes. 

The checked cardigan below could work well as a substitute for the classic beige trench. It's rather distinctive but the navy base would make it simple to coordinate: for the office with grey pants and boots or on a day-off with cropped jeans and loafers. 

Black and white, long black skirt and oxfords: what a lovely 90's throwback. I'd wear that total look as pictured, maybe add a black leather jacket and voilà. 

Grey, white and camel: still a winning combination!

 in Zara:

First hesitations coming up: camel or bordeaux? Both? None? Haha! This cocoon coat made my eyes go wide with envy early August but since then I saw so many other good coats, it's going to be -like every fall winter - a battle of will to limit my outerwear purchases!! 

in H&M:

I applaud the H&M creative team for trying to sell us their yellow clothes... It's a bit too flashy for my taste but the idea of associating vibrant with darker colors/houndstooth is noteworthy.

  

I've always loved jumpsuits despite their unpractical aspects. This one below is neutral (unlike the yellow above) enough to be dressed up or down, worn with loafers and a big cardi it would look so chic! 

I've noticed that the cropped flare jeans (here with the striped top and fake suede coat) is now mainstream with H&M offering a couple. I've tried one after seeing that post on Garance Doré and I'm still not sure if it's a good look on me, anyway in case of doubt I drop the idea. What do you think about that "new" cut? Have you tried it on? Bought one? The way it's styled here is not too bad either... 

Aside from these jeans, the wrapped kimono inspired black and blue Isabel Marant-ish jacket in the front caught my attention. It'd be a cool coverup piece for those late summer chilly mornings and evenings.

What have you seen in stores that you liked? Or do you plan to extend summer as long as you can and wait till the inevitable weather changes to put your head in the fashion game?  

Last days of summer

Countdown to fall is already starting even if it's still summer for another month!

Here are a couple of pictures that struck me lately, showing women dressed fashionably but you also get the sense that the goal is not to show off at all costs the stylist's ability at mix and match. It's not about pushing forward the model or the items she's wearing but a combination of both. That balance is quite rare to find in most fashion images for obvious marketing/advertising or (supposedly) artistic purposes and I find it disheartening.  

Anyway back to subject. What compelled me to save and share these images is that the looks are dressed down/ casual but also womanly, elegant and definitely not sloppy.
Yes, it's summer, it's hot, sunny (if you're lucky that is!) however don't want to forfeit style and "decorum" especially when in the city. I'd happily live in flip flops and shorts and not give a damn about it if not living in an urban environment. That's not the case so I liked how these two images show a few ideas that can easily be duplicated:

• Yes to a total look with loose airy clothes (no volume on top but slim below or vice-versa rule applied here) but the falsely nonchalant tucked/untuked styling trick avoids the shapeless, tent like issue.
• the gradation of chambray - darker and lighter - and hints of white is a subtle interpretation of the usual white and blue summer colors duo. 
• The oversized blouse unbutonned revealing a bit of shoulder and underneath tank top is both mannish and sexy. 

(Eileen Fischer)

• A café au lait tank top is equally a statement especially on darker skin, 
• wearing a pencil midi skirt that is not too thight and reaches below the knee adds a bit of retro glamour especially teamed with a hairstyle reminiscent of the 1920's, 
• but the trendy bucket bag clearly dates the look to summer 2015.
• Here again the colours are muted, earthy, sandy tones dominating and a white skirt with graphic accents simply brings the whole look to a new level of chic.
• I like how in both pictures, jewelry and accessories are almost absent. It's been one of my habits this summer keeping baubles to a strict minimum - even more than usual that is, so just earrings and that's about it! 

T NY magazine

Just the kind of quiet elegance that I long for.

Spring coverup

Designer Yvonne Koné in her Mads Norgaard coverall jacket

A denim work jacket is what I have in mind for spring like the one worn by Danish designer Yvonne Koné.

I've been quite attracted to the work version rather than the standard jacket (which I already have) - without the mildly useful 2 breast buttoned pockets but actual front pockets I can easily shove my hands/ iPhone/ metro card into.

I would like soft but not paper thin denim in a medium wash or raw indigo blue with an oversize longer cut - to cover part of my bum- and generous pockets.

Ideally, it would be this old Acne jacket...

Maria Van Nguyen (rodeo.net)

I'd counterbalance the utilitarian non-descript style of the jacket with my favorite combinations of basics: loose clothes, shots of color, a bit of Dutch wax/batik prints, a prim dress -to dress it up and flats. 

denim jacket par rougenoir utilisant tee shirt en lin

Wanted...

(Grace Bol in Harpers Bazaar UK - February 2015)

...This whole look.

It sums up several of my aesthetic tastes and pulls: minimal, sporty, feminine, grown up, light and neutral. I can't really see myself doing the (leather) pleated skirt thing because I don't find it flattering, it just adds more hips to my hips - not something I like no matter how lovely it looks on the model.
Still, this picture awakens my inspiration and come spring, I want to wear grey loose sweatshirt with knee length skirts preferably in batik or wax skirt.

colorama

Rather than specific items, this season I'm more attracted to color.

I'm not turning into a neon sign just yet mind you but my red bag gets more mileage these days, as well as my camel coat -sometimes I wear both at the same time (haha!) and I found myself trying on a light blue sweater at COS the other day thinking it would look great with all my grey clothes. Baby steps. 

Here are a few inspiration pictures that I gathered on my laptop over the past months.

Black tweed coat and kaki sweater, a Fall winter classic material teamed with this season's trendy  but in my opinion equally timeless military green. One of those "safe" color if you know what I mean. It's color but not much risk of going overboard or mismatching. I actually just saw a Black woman in the subway wearing a scarf in this shade of green over her grey anthracite coat and she looked fantastic -eye-catching and understated, my favorite criteria for a look. Now I want something green. 

 (Steven Alan)

Shala Monroque adds some twist to her camel coat with a bordeaux beanie. I'm so doing a copycat of this color combination... 

Keri Russell's simple casual look is updated by the printed bordeaux (again) scarf, kaki green (again) sweater and grey jeans mix.  So good.

And always fabulous in darker season, black and grey with accents of white lights up the whole outfit. Following Phoebe Philo's lead (and zillions of others), I've been wearing my white Stan Smith a lot, makes me feel like a cool kid. Regardless, whereas a black shoe would still make the look completely chic yet very binary, white sneakers add a bit of unexpected brightness.

Julianne Moore

Phoebe Philo

Friday the 13th

Si je gagne le jackpot au loto ou/et (soyons fou!) à Euro Millions ce soir... Déjà, vous aurez encore moins de mises à jour que d'habitude, bon, ok quelques shots sur Instagram depuis ma plage privée paradisiaque...

Ensuite, finis les coups d’œil inquiets sur l'app de mon compte en banque tout en cliquant sur la fonction calculatrice de l'iPhone et en déduisant le nombre de jours restant jusqu'à la paie!

Surtout, je me fais plaisir illico avec cette tenue estivale dont je rêve...

Bon vendredi 13 et puis finalement, dieu merci, c'est vendredi!

Sans titre #126 par rougenoir

If I ever win the French lottery or/and (let me be crazy!) the Euro Millions jackpot tonight... First, you'll get even less blog updates than usual, ok maybe I'll share a few shots on Instagram from my heavenly private beach...

Next, I'll be done with quick looks on my app's bank account while clicking on the iPhone's calculator and deducting the number of days left till pay day!

Above all, I'll indulge and get this summery outfit I've been dreaming of...

Wish you all a great Friday the 13th and anyway, thank god it's friday!

Le batik c'est chic!

Comme chaque été, voilà que ressurgissent mes envies de batik, de bazin (tissu africain en coton damassé) et calicot teintés de façon artisanale et manuellement en Afrique. 

Malheureusement, j'ai remarqué que ce genre de tissu est souvent associé en France en tout cas à une imagerie poussiéreuse de bobo baba-cool altermondialiste et beaucoup de boutiques de la place parisienne proposant des vêtements dans ce genre tissu conforte ce stéréotype avec des coupes informes, des robes-housses, des pantalons très larges style harem, des jolies blouses certes mais qui ne suffisent pas à sauver le tout d'une impression de déjà-vu, un peu repoussante. Bref, tout ça manque cruellement de fraicheur et d'originalité.

Heureusement, des marques et créateurs notamment d'Afrique de l'Ouest comme Maki Oh (là aussi) du Nigéria ou Osei Duro du Ghana montrent tout le potentiel élégant, moderne et urbain de ces tissus africains.

Voilà donc une sélection de looks estivaux sur lesquels j'ai craqué.

Like every summer, my fancy for batik, bazin (damask cotton) tinted handcrafted African fabrics pop up.

Quite sadly, I noticed that, in France at least, this kind of fabric is often tied to a passé boho hippie image and lots of Paris store proposing clothes in these materials fit the stereotype with large shapeless cuts, wide harem pants, cute blouses/tunics which still don't remove that repelling déjà-vu impression. In short, it lacks some freshness.

Fortunately, brands and designers especially from West-Africa like Maki Oh (also here) from Nigeria and Osei Duro from Ghana bring out all the elegant, modern and urban potential of these made in Africa fabrics.

So here's my selection of summer looks I'm crushing on.

Un débardeur en batik (Osei Duro), assorti d'un pendentif style Touareg, avec un pantalon gris, le tout agrémenté d'un chèche.
J'ajouterai mon petit sac Trio et mes sandales "Merry" Isabel Marant ou pour un style plus baroudeuse les "Gizeh" de Birkenstock...

Sleeveless batik top by Osei Duro accompanied by a Tuareg style necklace, with grey pants, and a scarf to embellish it all. I would add my small Trio bag and Isabel Marant "Merry" sandals or for more of an adventurer style, I'd put on the Birkenstock "Gizeh"...

(Mushmina)

Le total look en batik bleu indigo par Makih Oh? Un peu plus éloigné de ma zone de confort avec ce mélange d'imprimés mais pourquoi pas!?

En tout cas, j'aime la chemise tout autant que la jupe et je les vois parfaitement portés de façon dissociée. La chemise rentrée dans un jean slim et des sandales légèrement compensées. La jupe midi fendue, ultra glamour, avec un tshirt gris et mes Birkenstock "Madrid" pour calmer le jeu.

Head to toe blue indigo batik by Maki Oh? This mix of prints is a bit more out of my comfort zone but why not?! Anyway, I love the shirt as well as the skirt and can see them worn separated. The shirt tucked in slim jeans with low wedges. The super glamour midi slit up skirt, with a grey tshirt and "Madrid" Birkenstock to quiet down its sex-appeal. 

(The Fader)

Cette robe en batik par Osei Duro se suffit à elle-même. Le genre qu'on enfile sans se poser de question sur les accessoires, les chaussures, etc. Elle est tellement ravissante qu'il n'y a pas besoin d'en rajouter. Focus sur la robe et discrétion sur le reste.

 This batik dress by Osei Duro is enough. The kind one puts on without questions over acessories, shoes, etc. It's so pretty, no need to add more. Focus is on the dress and the rest remains discreet.

(Osei Duro)

Green zone

One of my favourite mid season cover-up is the military jacket.

Over the past couple of years, I've adopted a simple and low-cost model by h&m. I appreciate its utilitarian capacity and maybe within lies the reason of my attachment as the initial uniform outerwear is perfectly adapted to urban life.

Functional with a hidden hood- in case of sudden shower and multiple pockets that I often cram with city-dwellers essentials -iPhone, metro card, keys, even an umbrella (!) etc.

Also, the army green colour works well with pretty much any palette and styling it is super easy as shown by Caroline hereunder who styled hers with an all black outfit, skinny jeans and pretty ballerina flats: simple and effective!

Carolines Mode

La veste militaire est l'une de mes vestes préférées pour la mi-saison. 

Ces deux dernières années, j'ai adopté un modèle simple et pas cher de h&m. Ce que j'apprécie le plus dans ce type de veste c'est sa capacité utilitaire et c'est sans doute parce que cette veste initialement d'uniforme est parfaitement adaptée aux nécessités de la vie urbaine qu'elle me plait tant. 

Fonctionnelle avec une capuche intégrée et cachée dans le col - en cas de soudaine averse et de multiples poches que je fourre souvent de mon matériel de survie de citadine -iPhone, mouchoirs, clés, passe Navigo, voire un parapluie (!) etc.

De plus, le vert kaki fonctionne plutôt bien avec une large palette de couleurs et ce genre de veste est très simple à porter, comme le démontre Caroline avec son total-look noir ci-dessous, skinny jeans et jolies ballerines: simple et efficace!

Look of the day - For later

I saved these pictures for later. For when the light trench coat replaces winter outerwear and showing a bit of lower calf skin will not sound like a cold-weather "Survivor" stint.

I'm not entirely sold on the whole silhouette, especially at the cropped slightly boyfriend jeans teamed with socks and brogues which considering my "average" height might no be flattering  but I find this lady's whole look so endearing, it might inspire me something.  

Elle UK

Amy Poehler, I want your leather jacket

That title sums it up.

She looks so great with a touch of badass thanks to the jacket. 

It's of course not the first time that I've seen that classic Isabel Marant ("Sade") leather jacket but whereas seeing it on other celebrities  left me cold, I love Amy Poehler's casual and natural take on it. To me, her styling is what makes the jacket suddenly far more desirable: on her simple foundation outfit, the beauty of the jacket just stands out. 

Sadly however like most Isabel Marant's clothes, the jacket's way too expensive and I'm not even sure that it's still being produced and commercialized... Anyway, I'm supposed to be cooling off my spending habits... So maybe it's for the best...

Oh by the way, I can't wait for tonight's Golden Globes to watch her duet with Tina Fey... Will Tommy Lee Jones be there? 

(just jared)

Inspiration: look of the day

(Elle)

One of the biggest style reveal I've had these recent years is my love affair with brogues. They work for me and I feel good in them so I tend to incorporate them in as much outfits as I can. 

And like clockwork, every winter I crave a faux furry coat/jacket and this year is no exception. Here this outtake from Elle France brilliantly mixes both of my at the moment crushes. 

I really like how the suit calms down the ostentation of the faux fur and the jewelry -the chain necklace over the rollneck and pins on the lapel of the jacket- plays as well on the feminine and masculine codes.

The look: winter white dress

What sparked my fashion interest lately is a look seen on Totokaelo: a little white dress teamed with an all black outfit.

It's certainly because I'm usually in head to toe black or grey when it gets colder that this classic combination seems so appealing.  It doesn't stray too far from my comfort zone but the contrast of the white dress adds an edge to the whole look.

Totokaelo

This COS dress would have been perfect to test what I have in mind but alas my size is sold out at the moment so I'm still on the lookout for a fitted, not too large nor tight, sharp white dress.

Anything made you want to try out a new look and go shopping lately?

Flight

I haven't traveled a lot lately so getting ready to fly away doesn't come spontaneously:

I forgot to check the validity of my passport which expired therefore made me stress and run around town like a fool headless chicken, 

I don't know what to wear for the plane,

I, at least, know what I'll bring: swimming and running gear, some barely stored away summer clothes and Birks. I'm sure I'll forget something.

Oh and I just dashed to the supermarket to find a proper suitcase.

Anyway, I took to Polyvore to think about my conundrum: leaving 11 ° C Paris with a chance of rain and heading to tropical 30 ° C Cotonou. All the while remaining comfortable for the flight and chic enough for my self-esteem.

First optimistic combination - I didn't know then that temperatures would drop so significatively by friday over France - included a trench, simple tshirt, jeans and sneakers. I don't think that will be an option. I don't want to freeze for the sake of a good outfit. 

And before you ask, no I don't have a Trio. It's a virtual outfit so I fulfilled a fantasy.

A second more realistic approach, considering the weather forecast, now features a coat (miiine, my precious) and a warmer knit. The long sleeved cotton or linen shirt would be ideal on arrival for protection against evening mosquitoes and still light enough (I hope) to survive the heat.

Third and fourth looks, maybe slightly more "refined" ensembles would include dark grey jeans and ballet flats.

What do you think ? Any advice?

Look of the day

It's that time of the season in northern lands when one's bringing back outerwear for the first fresh days. I kind of have an addiction to coats, especially the ones I can wrap myself into. After all, it's certainly the item getting the most exposure and use for at least the next 6 months.

Christophe Lemaire's timeless and effortless signature style is always an inspiration and except for connoisseurs, his clothes are not identifiable on the spot. You just see a stylish woman in beautiful, well made clothes.

That's exactly what striked me seeing this pic of actress Marina Vacth. She made this Lemaire coat her own. I didn't recognize her coverup till later. I just admired the perfect cut, length, the mix of mascunility and casualness.

On the runway: Christophe Lemaire fall winter 2013-2014.

(Madame Figaro)

The real way: French actress Marina Vacth in her Christophe Lemaire coat during the latest PFW.

Tommy Ton

A good week

A few highlights and thoughts from this week:

• Good tasty lunches at restaurants have been my routine lately, I don't know how I'll get back to my regular lunch box;

• Have been enjoying so much the sunny and warm weather in Paris, I don't know how I'll adjust to the inevitable bad weather coming back eventually;

• I guess that's why I was "motivated" to try on some wonderful clothes and shoes by Dries van Noten and also a lovely Isabel Marant Etoile blouse and now I don't know how I'll get them out of my mind;

• met up with the lovely Miss Sophie and now I don't know exactly how or when but I have to go to NYC, to follow through our captivating talks;

• Had a 3 days week, it's sunday evening and I can't figure out how I'll go back to work tomorrow... Some ice cream while watching Parenthood might help.

 Have a nice (end) of week-end!

White summer

As much as I love my black and grey, one of my favorite summer staple is a white top. Not very original, I know. But its common adoption when the temperature rises is easily justified: it's fresh, light, can be either casual or chic, works with everything.

I've managed to gather a little collection over time, leaving me with a few options depending on the rise or fall of Celsius degrees, the level of style/effort I'm willing to put in an outfit: 

1) For those days when the mere thought of sleeves provokes a sweat break, nothing beats the cool and breezy camisole.

Carolines Mode

My version from h&m trend is a bit more on the vintage side with its tiny pleated ruffles, certainly inspired by some old Chloé collection.

2) Worn casually with jeans à la Keri Russell, untucked with shorts or tucked in a midi skirt, the possibilities of styling the white shirt are nearly infinite.  

You'll rarely find me wearing shirts in winter but I do love to wear this item when it's hotter. It adds a bit of structure to any outfit and somehow makes it look like an effort was made when dressing (must be all those buttons!). For this reason, I've collected a fair amount of sleeveless, batwing, silk, cotton, linen shirts.

(All the pretty birds, kerirussellsource)

Uniqlo (silk and linen) shirts get the highest rotation: They're well cut, stand the test of time and are versatile enough to work in both casual and formal occasions. 

3) The lacy romantic blouse: To inject a dose of sweetness in what would be an other wise plain outfit. Perfect for a date or just when feeling like upping my game style wise.

La Garçonne

Isabel Marant lacey tops

4) White t-shirts of course are the obvious companion to good old jeans/denim shorts, the ultimate summer relaxed outfit.

 

 

 Cameron Diaz (Just Jared)

For my white tees, since being introduced to linen, I haven't gone back to cotton. I prefer the rumpled, breathy and fresh fabric.
After a string of h&m, Zara and Co. purchases that barely lasted a summer, I've invested -during sales and at consignment discount price- in Isabel Marant Etoile linen tees and the difference is telling. Besides not being utterly transparent, they remain in shape and haven't gotten yellowish after more than 2 summers of wear & wash.

(Isabel Marant Etoile, Zara Basic linen tees)

With these white tops, I'm wearing lots of navy, black, grey and kaki. Very monochromatic or two-toned, top + (mainly solid) skirt/pants looks. 

Whereas I used to be (moderatly but still really) drawn to boho, colorful, printed looks, this summer, even more than last year, makes me realize how much I long for quiet, simple outfits. I still stray occasionally in the technicolor mixed territory whenever I feel like it but it doesn't happen on a daily basis like it used to, a few years ago.

Do you have a different approach to summer looks compared to other seasons? Do you stay to true to your style no matter the season?