Being Stopped by the Mix-Up

London streetstyle might by varied and eclectic compared to a lot of places but obviously, having lived here practically my whole life, the shock/surprise factor doesn’t really figure in.  I really rarely get stopped in my tracks by an outfit. 

However, in Borders Charing Cross Road, whilst I was frantic with worry because I thought I had lost my phone and charger and I was storming into the store wondering where I had left it (turns out it was in my bag…doh!), a girl was just leaving the store in an unusual combo of…

…really heavily acid washed oversized denim jacket (even more acidic than the one shown here)…

…ruffly white lacey blouse that was similarly oversized…

…tight tight PVC (not latex/rubber so they were really REALLY shiny)…

…white and black spectator heels which I suspect are sex-shop originated…

…a black jagged haircut a la Lanvin models aw07-8 that wasn’t a wig but her actual haircut…

…arrestingly large blue eyes…

Ok, so the hair and eyes have really nothing to do with the outfit but of course in the case of most people’s personal style, your looks do contribute somewhat to the overall effect. 

Anyway, I did literally stop in my tracks.  The combination of all the textures.  The juxaposition of tacky, old-fashioned and the sleaze with added sex-factor from the what I was guessing were 5 inch stiletto shoes was pulled off stunningly.  When people remark that London girls know how to mix it up style-wise, I don’t think they had THIS kind of mix-up in mind.  Unfortunately, what with her leaving and me in a quandry about my phone, there was no snap and this collage only demonstrates a smidge of the arresting effect of her outfit…  I guess there’s still a great deal to admire about London… even through my jaded/weary eyes.