Have a Fine Wale of a Time

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I'm loving this whole super-cable-broadband, got-lots-of-time-to-blog situation here… long may this live. 

On a few occasions on the blog, I've touched upon my woes with denim.  Or specifically with jeans.  I may be completely repeating myself here but did I ever tell you the story of when I first went to New York all by my lonesome self when I was 18 and decided that in the denim mecca of The Big Apple, I'd find the jeans that were meant to be.  I hadn't been able to get to grips with jeans beforehand in London despite several attempts but in New York, it would be different.  These jeans would come calling out to me with brigh neon lights with possibly a pair of shiny sneakers and a fat juicy hot dog trailing behind (can you tell that city cliches deeply affect me?)

So into the Broadway (I believe?) store of Levi's I went, hope a-brimming.  A young chap with *swoon* lots of floopy hair (I dug that back then…) came bounding up and something to the effect of this convo ensued… (bearing in mind, I know nothing about denim-speak or Levi's models so this isn't verbatim but it was definitely something to this effect…)

He: How can I help you miss?

Me: Well, uh, I'm looking for…err…a pair of jeans…

He:… ah well, you've come to the right place… we have… bootcut, slim, flared, skinny (replace these words with Levi's models as I don't actually know them properly…) *motioning to different parts of the really really high shelves*

Me: …. err… slim?  Not too tight?

He: Bootcut?  Slim?  Flared?  Skinny?

Me:… something in between?

He: What wash would you like?

Me: I'm still confused about those numbers you just called out…

He: Wash? 

Me: Size?

He: Bootcut?  Slim?  Flared?  Skinny?  

Me: Err… what about the err.. colour?

He: You mean the wash?

… and so and so forth… it was quite literally the most nonsensical conversation I've ever had with a sales assistant, all because he had a ton of denim knowledge and I had none.  In my head, I think I may have recalled Daisy Steiner from Spaced screeching "Oh why don't you just leave me ALONE?"  It wasn't the poor chap's fault…he just happened to be bundled with the lame-o who knew nothing about jeans.

Benetton_titel_gross Anyway, I'm about to reconcile my shady past with Levi's with a happy medium.  One that doesn't involve numbers or washes.  Opening Ceremony have thrown the gauntlet down for the most unlikely-yet-right-on collab prize by pairing up with Levi's (more about the collab here) for a co-branded range of fine-wale (the post title, geddit…) corduroy shirts, jackets, and shorts in a colour palette that made me think of happy clappy tween clothes, in a good way…  The peeps in New York were kind enough to let me loose on this spring-drenched range as a preview of the collection.  Little did they know that I'd also be doing an excorcist act on my past unhappy experiences with denim labels. 

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With this in mind, I escaped to the Kentish coast for the weekend and with me came an abundance of corduroy dipped in my favourite Crayola/gel-ink/felt tip pens that can't possibly be worn with a frown.  Well, maybe a Ryan McGinley-shot frown but for me, I kept on thinking about really smiley 90s kids/tweens clothing ads that I sucked in as I traipsed around Brent Cross Shopping Centre seeking out chenille knits and polo necks.       

If you scroll really fast, a rainbow will formulate. 

Actually that's a lie.  I'm not claiming a special effect of web 3.0 calibre will pop out at you. 

I just meant there are lots of COLOURS…

Obviously, I was limited in my outfit choices given I'm on to go with this stuff but this was afterall an excorcist act involving clothes, some really really cold sun and a pinch of the past.

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(OC x Levi's lilac jacket and dark blue shorts, vintage leather shorts, vintage floral body, Uniqlo tights, TUK creepers)

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(OC x Levi's lilac shirt and aqua jeans, Topshop velvet body, Uniqlo mint green footless tights, Uniqlo heat tech top, Heavy Machine shoes)

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(OC x Levi's pink cord jacket and shirt, Christopher Kane dress, Vivienne Westwood socks, SWANClothing sock garters, Irregular Choice brogues)

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(OC x Levi's mustard shirt and shorts, Emma Cook shirt, Uniqlo heat tech top underneath, Bebaroque tights, TUK creepers)

52 comments

  2. 1st – There is only one thing I find more difficult than wearing denim: curduroy. But this applies mainly to trousers; jackets seem much easier. 2nd – Just the other day I was thinking: When will we get some outfit pics again, Susie? And here they come… English country side is nearly a bit shocking, I so do associate you with a London balcony. Seaside and nail art… lovely combination! 3rd – Love all the rainbow colours!

  3. I love the colour of all your outfits! Its a breath of fresh air in all this grey and coldness brrr! I especially love the pink pastelly outfit – very cute 🙂

  4. Aah, I love the last two outfits! The pink one is so ridiculously cute I can hardly stand it (but mostly I adore it). I absolutely hate the feeling of jeans and trousers but would like to incorporate them more in my wardrobe because it’s difficult being creative with them and it seems like a fun challenge but I can never seem to find ones that fit or are interesting enough. Alas, I am not equipped with legs designed for trousers…
    (Also: yay Spaced)

  8. It looks like they ripped their ideas straight from an 1980’s Esprit or Benetton ad:/

  10. Beautiful colours and surroundings!
    Thought you and readers may be interested in The Fashion Network’s Blogging event featuring Leon Bailey Green and Drapers – it’s only a cheeker tenner to get in and includes insider knowledge about blogging and fashion marketing.
    If you’re interested have a look at the event – http://bit.ly/bSPRSH or visit our website – http://www.manchesterfashion.com/
    Thanks!

  12. Michelle: Just to be clear, the first image I posted with all those peeps posing IS an old Benetton ad….just to illustrate the fact that the colours reminded me of that… that isn’t an image to do with Levis/OC… the one below with the people floating in the sky is Ryan McGinley’s image for the collab…

  14. I really like the Emma Cook shirt in the last picture. She is a very talanted English designer, and you wear her well.
    x
    Genya

  15. Glorious! There’s nothing more cheerful than bright corduroy – it’s fun to look at AND fun to hear.

  18. Your little transcript made me smile! And I like all these references to Spaced I’ve been seeing on your blog recently- that is surely one of the best TV series ever (after Green Wing and alongside Black Books.)
    All the outfits you’ve showcased here are gorgeous. Hmm.. where to start? Basically I love the leather shorts, those delicious looking pink brogues and the patterned tights in the last outfit. I like the way you obviously think about colour and the shape of each outfit.
    Oh, and a belated thank you for putting me on your list of British bloggers!
    http://clothescamerasandcoffee.blogspot.com/

  19. thank you for this. you are amazing and i love all the colors. i was just telling myself that i need more color in my life but still black is my favorite. anyways you look great and love all the looks. perfect for spring/summer.

  20. Ugh! You are so stinking cute! I love your style always. Thanks for a little bit of sunshine today 🙂

  21. opening ceremony has pretty much stolen my soul….
    i love how they collaborate with all kinds of designers, from household names to the up-and-coming.
    i like the yellow shirt 🙂 great color.

  22. Your color matching was fantastic, I love the pink girly outfit and the one with vivid seafoamy green. Those pants are….I’m jealous.
    Also, I put my hair up like yours yesterday 😀

  23. the bebaroque tights were the cutest i’ve seen! i had to grab some myself. i love the styles you put together as well..so unique but you pull them off so well. thanks for showing us all these great designers!

  27. love all the colours and have never seen corduroy look so cool (you see I have a difficult relationship with that fabric)

  28. I think you have renewed my love for Corduroy! Love the pink jacket soo much. Also love how your Viv Westwood knee highs go perfectly with your brogues. Loving the ice cream colours!

  29. No one could be more perfect for those Heavy Machine shoes! Also, never in my life have I ever liked cordurory jackets; after 23 years, this is the first time i’ve ever seen it done right! 🙂

  32. you make me bananas in a good way!
    what is all this seashore cuteness? so great.
    i’m a denim-every-day-almost girl. and i’m loving that lavender jacket. i just blogged about Foxes the movie, and these pieces make me think of it. nice! and of course, sock garter yey!

  34. Wow! I absolutely adore how you style everything. Each and every outfit is amazing!

  36. Im often a big fan of your daily wear…this is just not the day. Even Heidi Klum has been on the DONT list once or twice, and I must say that all these outfits are “DONT WEAR” (sans the shoes). There is no excuse to look sloppy even under the delusion of Garbage Luxe.

  41. The first outfit is my fav, you combine leather and pink so well and actually made leather shorts look girly!

  43. Hello,
    i’m Mel who live in Macau (Via H.K)
    sorry abt that i dun write and speak fluent english!!
    bt i love ur style so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  45. i have a topshop body leotard thing too! my friend harry hates it and thinks its ugly…but i love it 🙂 xxx

  46. like it…cute…lovely except the final look, the yellow …i think i cant toler moster in my clothes…
    again visit me…
    thepinktinyelephant.blogspot.com

  47. i hink the that outfits are a little childhoods and the colours dosn`t drive me crasy like other people, i`m just saying, i like to say what i think on the moments and i`m not a fread to stay quiet.

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