I like saying the word Onagono…not because it’s ethical or anything!

orjod4.jpg

Over the weekend, I explored a facet of fashion that I hadn‚Äôt before touched ever.  A facet of fashion that supposedly we are all meant to be very much aware of, in these troubled times.  It‚Äôs ethical fashion of course.  I‚Äôm not about to get preachy (to the person who used to lecture me about what went into my chicken drummers, I didn‚Äôt appreciate the same tirade EVERY lunchtime‚Ķ. I fully enjoyed my chicken drummers and ate them with gusto‚Ķ) and lather this post up with gushy hopes about turning my back on fashion that is not organic or fair-trade.  I‚Äôm not even going to tell you that one day I‚Äôm going to be a fully ethical fashion consumer because, in all honesty, I just don‚Äôt think this is something that is feasible in the way fashion is produced, and I doubt it will fully change in my lifetime.  However, what I am saying is that the choices in ethical fashion are broadening in such a way that they would most certainly tempt the average fashion consumer and get them to be more aware of the whole ethical thang.

I was asked to self-style a shoot for the ethical magazine New Consumer (much more later about the horrors and embarrassment of modelling) and through that, a pair of Onagono jodhpurs made out of 100% organic cotton as approved by SKAL (whatever that means‚Ķ.) came my way.  These are part of Onagono‚Äôs new SS08 range which is also their first full collection as they were previously primarily designing T-shirts.  Looking at the collection as a whole, it‚Äôs clear that efforts are being made to push the boat out a little and make an interesting use out of organic materials. 

Ok, so you might cry ‚ÄòEwww‚Ķ jodhpurs‚Ķare like‚Ķ.so over‚Ķso last season.‚Äô  In all honest truth though, I never thought of jodhpurs as a seasonal wonder as I had similar shaped pants in my wardrobe prior to the Balenciaga AW07-8 collection and fashion stores in Hong Kong were rife with pants with added hippage and puffiness (incidentally, I never called my puffy thighed trousers ‚Äòjodhpurs‚Äô because I knew ‚Äòjodhpurs‚Äô to be quite tight fitting horse riding attire but that‚Äôs a whole other issue of confusion‚Ķ).  Therefore I will just refer to these as my puffy-hipped trousers.  The cotton material and drawstring waistband makes these proper comfy but then it’s all contrasted with the exaggerated rounded hips and tight tapered legs.  I especially love the buttons running up the sides of the hips and the calves.  The combination of material and shape makes these ripe for pairing with sharp tailoring and even sharper heels.  Ethical saintliness aside, there are great fitting trousers that will probably fast become an ideal ‚Äòdress-up/smarten-up‚Äô tool.

To add a rather sour note though…
P.S. To the lovely CM who very kindly left some sage bit of advice regarding my complete lack of inelegance.  I‚Äôm sorry that you‚Äôll see that I‚Äôm wearing a Lanvin jacket and shoes in this pic because I know you are so very pained that I make Lanvin look ‚Äòcheap and tatty‚Äô.  I‚Äôm very sorry that I haven‚Äôt brushed my hair nor have I got on any make-up ‚Äì perhaps you could come and give me a lesson or two.  I especially apologise for my general repugnance to you.  I‚Äôm just full of apologies today that I don‚Äôt even know how to forgive myself.  I will sit in a corner now and reflect upon how to make myself the absolute picture of elegance for you and thus gain your total affection.  Please bear with me whilst I do that. 

Back to ethical stuff.  Yeah‚Ķ.go team ethical clothing‚Ķ.go go go!      

65 comments

  1. Love love love those jodhpurs! They look tight enough at the bottom too, which a lot of the one’s I’ve tried aren’t.
    Do you know how much they are and when they’re available?
    ps CM’s comment is disgusting. Even if someone really DID hold those views, why would they feel the need to express them so publically? Jealousy I’d say.

  3. As bored as I am with green/ethical marketing, much of which doesn’t hold up under close examination, those pants look AWESOME on you. I’d say more, but I have an appointment to go beat CM with a riding crop.

  4. truthfully, i think ‘elegant’ is boring. or at least the way people use it to describe style.
    it basically means wearing “classic” simple clothes in boring, simple colours, everyday, each day, forever. it means having boring perfectly coifed hair, nails, shoes. it seems to mean following imaginary stupid dressing rules that existed in the 1950s, ie. dont mix brown and black. it means never taking any risks, wearing new trends or anything at all avant garde. to me it just epitomises the boring ness that is chanel suits, dead straight hair and sensible heels, all with a smug air of self satisfaction. anyone can do that… theres no trick to it besides following “rules” to the nose. (thats the context in which people use ‘elegance’. that or being stupidly skinny, tall and with good posture. neither are particularly impressive).
    you, susie, do what so many of us try and fail. i do love “timeless” style, but even more i love fashion. i love trends. i love innovation and being daring and taking risks and pushing boundaries. (well i love it when you do it). i am a fashion victim and i love anything outrageous, ridiculous, over the top and a little bit insane. and i love it when you manage to pull these creations off. it shows a sense of confidence, courage, creativity and most of all, a passion clothes and aesthetics and everything that goes with it.
    there are way more important things to style than ‘elegance’; innovation, making people think, simply pulling of a look that is unexpected, etc etc. i think some people have a very limited definition of why fashion exists.

  6. Today I find your blog. I ask something in Rasputin post, introducing a little bit of myself. I don’t know how this blog works, I’ve got mine, in italian languages.
    I would like only to let you know that I’ll use yours to practise my English and to follow your personalized fashion rules.

  7. I would love those pants if they were less puffy at the hips, (or if my hips were less puffy to start with). Seriously. I love the buttons on the leg, and the colour…wish I could pull them off as well as you can.

  9. SB, you are one of the few to pull off “puffy-hipped trousers” successfully. And, dare I say it…elegantly, because I happen to know that at the end of the day, you are a terribly sweet, kind girl with a very large heart.
    And that’s the most elegant thing of all.

  10. first of all, you look great in those pants and it goes without saying that i adore your style. (you ARE a stylish lady, you know 🙂
    i agree with a lot of the things you said in your original reply to CM (in the Alber’s Muses post), like the fact that fashion has many facets besides elegance and that there is a limited definition of elegance. i also like that you are a real person, with a real life…not busying yourself with trying to portray the image of elegance. however, i read your reply to CM in the Alber’s Muses post and i realized that there is a more important issue at hand than elegance or style: your confidence. frankly, having insecurities is not a disability or natural state like dyslexia or a physical impairment as you said. no one is born with insecurities. even if you are predisposed to a more self-doubting nature, you have it within you to do something about it. if you accept the fact that you have insecurities, then you prevent yourself from reaching your highest potential.
    we can we are all capable of becoming self-confident (that’s self-confident, not to be confused with elegant!) beings. confidence is something we can work towards, by believing in ourselves, by surrounding ourselves with people who support us (like your wonderful boyfriend!), by taking the steps to change what we can (your body is fine! the only reason body-insecurity would be legitimate is if you were not maintaining your health with proper nutrition and exercise…but if that were the case, then YOU have the power to change it, to get yourself to a gym and eat better!), by finding something that we’re good at and trying our best! i think that the longer you keep doing this blog and the more you work in the fashion industry, the more confident you’ll feel. all of us here all respect you, and the numbers just keep on increasing every day. the more good work you do, the more you’ll be surrounded by people who love you and appreciate what you do…and by then who can be bothered by the “proper” industry folk? chin up, susie!

  11. thanks for putting some focus onto ethical clothing.Edun is normally the first thing I think about when I think of ethical clothing.

  13. Those jodphpurs looks so so much better than the horrible Gap ones, the fact that they are made with ethical materials are even better.
    And Susie, there is no way you’re making the Lanvin jacket looks cheap and tatty, I love what you wear with it. Surely there no rules on the ‘correct’ way of wearing designer labels.

  14. Those are lovely trousers Susie, and I must say: the best jodhpurs I’ve seen so far! Very well fitting. I’ve never though I could pull off such things though. I may go and try a pair on somewhere, just in case.
    I also have to ask why more and more people are making cruel and completely unnecessary comments to Susie? It feels like a school playground sometimes…! Why should you have to make someone feel inferiour to you?!
    I really do agree with you on this too Susie. I DON’T have any elegance at all, and I wouldn’t want it any other way! My boyfriend laughs that my footfalls are heavier than his, despite him being 6″2, and me being 5″7 and quite slim! I don’t feel the need to brush my hair a lot, nor do I wish to cake on a face of makeup every morning.
    Elegance really isn’t everything.

  16. Good points by L. The LBD and oh-so-tasteful strand of pearls have their place, but they are so unmemorable. I’d rather see people experimenting and having fun whenever they can instead of following these dull, played-out rules. And let’s all get over the “elegant” Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Jebus! That is not the be-all and end-all of how a woman needs to look and it gets thrown around as an example of exquisite taste all too often. Especially considering the main character was a hooker and another character was a shockingly racist stereotype. You go on dressing however you want, Susie. There’s a million other less imaginative people, including myself, who have the LBD thing covered for you.

  18. susie, it’s really inspiring to see you incorporating ecofashion into your wardrobe. it’s people like you who will open the market for sustainable living.
    🙂

  19. CM clearly has her own idea of elegance, that resembles something like upper class circa 1950.
    I do agree that some people are born elegant, that’s why if they are born elegant, they do not need to brush their hair and paint their faces.
    Susie, i may not relate or even like most of your outfits, but you certainly never look “cheap” or “tatty’ you strike me as a quite elegant and delicate young women.

  20. I love your honesty re: ethical clothing (and also eating chicken). I feel the same way about it . . .it doesn’t seem feasible to go completely green, but then again it’s not at the top of my mind.
    Also if I met CM in a dark alley I’d beat her up for you. She doesn’t sound very tough.

  21. i love your blog too, and really admire your courage for putting yourself out there. keep up the inspirings posts! i do visit almost everyday even though i don’t comment all the time.

  22. can’t wait to hear about the new consumer shoot! and what does organic cotton mean exactly, like the cotton hasn’t been treated with chemicals or pesticides? Does this still mean clothes are produced through sweat shops? I agree, it would be impossible to avoid clothes if they were unethical and shopping for totally ethical stuff would be so painful!
    and I’m horrified by CMs comment, why was there a need to attack you like that, and might I add with no vaid point whatsoever. why do horrible commenters always act like you’ve defined your blog as ‘perfection, 100% fashionable haute couture, always right, i have no life.’ It’s not like this is your whole life, it’s just something that’s fun to share ideas and interact with the fashion world. To say things like that when you’re putting your honest ideas out there, open to scruity from strangers, is awful and you must know from all your aclaim and readership that you have extrordinary style and you are the most amazing person, pumping style into the world! There is no one else who could do what you do!

  23. Susie, u are so f**king great.
    CM, you must be getting such cheap satisfaction that your name or initials are being mentioned so many times in Susie’s blog. Surely you are much too elegant to be reading her blog in the first place? When I read your post, 2 words sprang to mind: Jealous Bitch.
    Team Susie! Team Susie! Team Susie! Team Susie! Team Susie!

  24. Hmmmm: Well Susie, when you voluntarily post your opinions, thoughts and photos of your outfits you do make yourself a bit of a public figure. When you make space available for others to comment on your opinions, thoughts and photos, you must reasonably expect that others will comment and that not everyone will comment favorably. Having invited such commentary it seems somewhat lacking in grace to respond with sarcasm to an unfavorable comment. Why not simply ignore it? ‘twould cost you nothing, whereas the sarcastic response immediately casts a tone brittle defensiveness over your blog.
    Some of your concoctions (outfits) I like, while others . . .. Well I’ll withhold my opinion, as I don’t want to become the next target of StyleBubble ire.

  25. So much happens on this blog it’s like trying to read ten newspapers at once…I read CM’s comments, then your post, and then CM’s comments again (and Steve’s chivalry – always nice). Without wading into the relative merits of the discussion I’ll simply say that the tone of her post, even for your blog, was astounding. I know people have in the past, and probably will continue to do so in the future, said all manner of ridiculous things to you through this largely anonymous forum. Certainly by putting our ideas up here for everyone to see we invite criticism. But criticism is one thing – outright baseless accusations are entirely another. At least when people lose their minds over what you are wearing they are referencing something real. CM’s comments verged on psycho-analytical attack.
    One might argue that your posts contain a fair amount of the inner workings of your mind – your fears, your apprehensions, and so on. I believe this is what draws so many people here. That should not give people free license to fling about theories recklessly. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that a modicum of respect is a minimum.
    As for ethical fashion – I am bothered that something as vitally important as how we treat the planet only seems to reach people as a trend. Global warming, and now eco fashions. Is it really appropriate for the proper care of the earth to be considered “trendy?” I suppose whatever gets people out of their SUVs…

  26. Karen – she responded because CM’s comments were harsh and baseless, and because it is her right. As for inviting criticism, I refer to my response above, but also say it again – it is not too much to expect a certain level of respect in these posts. CM wouldn’t say this to Suzie to her face.

  27. I totally want those jodhpurs! Too bad their not on the site. I’m going to agree with you that jodhpurs can last for more than a season. Unlike you, though, before Balenciaga I had no idea what they were. I’m probably going to make my own, since they’re not likely to show up in (affordable) stores at this point.
    http://www.fashiones-de-mi.blogspot.com

  28. I’ve come to believe that elegance is completely overrated. “Elegant” photoshoots aren’t fun to look at – the clothes are boring and usually something I’ve seen a hundred times before. When I see an “elegant” but simple collection I never find new ideas for how to wear things, only basic clothes made more expensive with luxurious materials. That’s why I love your blog – you give me new ideas about how to style my clothes and inspire me to be more creative in getting dressed!
    And I think you probably could pull off that proverbial garbage bag that “elegance” name droppers are always talking about. Post idea, perhaps?

  29. haha I loved the P.S on this post. stick it to her! Someone must have pee’d in her cornflakes that morning because that is just completely rude. I’m sure you have more style and creativity in you’re little finger than she will ever understand. She is proabably one of those people that wear a whole chanel suit and just becuase of the label they think they look classy. Right on! don’t stand for her nonsense!
    Your style is elegant, amazing and one of a kind 🙂

  30. I love the jodhpurs. They usually look horrible in most people, but you pull them off so well. And the sandals are a dream.
    PS, who wants to be elegant? Some old lady, maybe. I want to have fun with fashion(and I’m supposing you too).

  31. The great thing about these jodhpurs is that they are very budget friendly too…. I will do a reminder post about these when they are available….
    Thom W: I’m quite wary of ‘eco warriors’ who preach for the sake of being ‘current’ too…. but I think everyone taking a baby step or two even if it isn’t ultiately significant is better than nothing I suppose…
    Now, for CM-related replies…. I thank you all for offering up a) your definition of elegance and b) your support either against the idea of elegance or my embodying it. It’s funny how most of you get that I’m presenting a style in progress, and not the finished, polished product. I really do thank you for that.
    The point is that I like elegance fine. I just don’t like it forced upon me in the way that CM did in that comment which made me doubt myself even more so than I do normally….
    Karen, your comment is very valid and yes, I realise that by posting pics of myself, I’m supposedly ‘asking for it’. However, I’ve had many negative comments which I ignore grittingly ranging from ‘You have a lumpy face’, ‘You’re fat’ to ‘Oh my god you have horrid style.’ As Thom Wong said, the point is there is no actual NEED for comments like that and you wouldn’t say such a thing to my face right? By wearing my outfits out in public, am I not too ‘asking for it’? Only in a real face to face situation, of course it’s unacceptable to taunt someone yet somehow, online it is? I’d like to hear your opinion on that…
    Moreover, I felt compelled to respond to CM’s comment because I felt violently strong about her comment that by her definition, style and elegance are one at the same thing which they’re not! Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, I concede but actually, I am inviting CM to back him/herself up too…. if she/he really feels that I need make-up/hair tips, then why not take her advice? I actually wasn’t being sarcastic there. I’m open to criticism as much as the next person.
    If I tainted the point of this post which IS to highlight these fabby jodhpurs which I’m gonna really over-wear I fear…. then for that again, I apologise.
    Dreamecho: Your positivity is refreshing and I only wish I had it. Like I said though, self confidence has crippled much of my life and though I get by better these days, other days I shudder…. it’s something that I grasp at.
    Touching upon another subject, some people have mentioned that this isn’t a blog of a perfect person, someone who is offering up a picture of perfection with regards to style or personality. They are completely right. It is worrying me that readers are taking Style Bubble out of context and holding it higher than it is…. because I will always falter and not meet expectations in that case….

  32. Whoa! Talk about trippy… I just received my first negative comment on my blog and I am stuggling with whether or not I should I approve the comment and reply or whether I should just ignore it. Well done for standing up for yourself. What really pisses me off is that you have never pretended to be anything other than what you are and quite often you openly say that you’re a dag. I guess I am just confused more than anything. If she doesn’t like your blog she should bugger off and leave us real Susie supporters in peace.
    By the way the pants are fab. And your style is spectacular. Never ever apologise or feel badly about the way you dress. You’re freakin fabulous…

  33. Wow…talk about a personal attack! There are very few people who can trully “master” elegance…and I think CM is disillusioned in thinking that perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup make a person elegant. On the contrary I’ve always believed elegance has more to do with a person’s persona/”how they carry themselves” (as my mother would say) and less to do with their appearance.
    …and with that being the case it seems a bit hypocritical really for CM to be reading the riot act on elegance when he or she is clearly not demonstrating elegance themselves…
    [Quote:] “Even when you wear Lanvin, you still manage to make it look cheap and tatty.”
    I don’t think elegant openly people bitch about others either…enough said…

  34. I coined the term ‘toxic commentators’ for those people who can’t seem to find anything nice to say. I’ve had a couple in the past fortnight, nad they do seem driven by this fervent desire to prove that they just KNOW more then we do. Sigh. I wish they’d go bore people elsewhere…LLG xx
    ps you look cute in the jodphurs and, frankly, better than some of the models I’ve dressed in said items. Anyway you’re young, and thw whole point of being young is that you are allowed to experiment with your clothes. I’d look ike a tit if I dressed down Lanvin – but then again I’m in my 30’s – each to theis own style I say.

  35. Hmmm…on another note…I’m not really feelin the pants. I think the shaping is too out of proportion for everyday wearing, they draw attention to a place that most women wish to hide…plus, I can imagine there might possibly be a bit of wind resistance also when walking…?? lol…[sorry I couldn’t resist]…

  36. I really do admire you susie, even though your style is so different from mine. What I like the most of your outfits is how one can feel the love you have for clothes, how you have fun putting them together. I am quite jealous of that passion you have, and would trade all the elegance on the world for it!

  37. Ive been meaning to ask, where aer your big knit chains from? I am dying for one and dont have time to make one myself.

  38. i have to applaud Thom Wong’s comment – very sensible.
    hope you’ll ignore readers like CM in the future, Susie. some people leave their cordiality and manners behind when they browse online. The most inelegant aspect of all is a snotty attitude. Your blog has brought an enthusiasm and exuberance to fashion that makes it exciting for people who don’t necessarily live in London or New York or Paris, and who don’t have money for Lanvin. That is refreshing, and it is also a crucial point of why people love you and your blog.
    also, where’s your red chain-link fabric scarf from?? everytime I see it, I want it even more! (you have a blue one too i think)?
    to CM if she’s reading:
    Yves Klein once said “The painter has only to create one masterpiece, himself, constantly.”
    in fact, true artists are always a work in progress. if you think you’ve reached a polished point of perfection in elegance, style, fashion, etc., that may perhaps reflect a certain dismal lack of something on your part.

  39. the ps was great, i laughed out loud. a little obnox it was, but i think that’s why i laughed so hard. lol.

  41. those jodphurs are hot. on me, no. I would look deranged. you somehow make them real and right.
    and the other comment was slightly hilarious. crazy people hating blogs so passionately for such seemingly innocuous reasons never fail to irritate and amuse me in equal measure.
    love,
    Alex.

  42. I have never really been a fan of johdpurs/hippy-pants myself but I think they are growing on me, & just for the record there are a truckload of people who disagree with the elegance(or your supposed lack there of) argument. I love most of the outfits you post of your clothes, because you make the clothes look different through your layering etc., you make them your own. You definetly wear your clothes and not the other way around.

  43. You look great in the puffy thighed pants, Bubble. In fact you look great in anything and it is precisely because YOU are organic not enough time to explain this here).
    I think it is very good to do clothes (any) shopping with ethical considerations in mind. I’m actually more concerned about the slave labor issues (GAP was singled out for being an ethical midget for this a while back).
    Capitalism sucks, but it is what we have and the way to work it is though the market place, so if everyone shopped ethically we would have the world we want.

  44. i love your styling. you make many magazines look drab and predictable. Keep it coming! I love your BLog

  45. I’m feeling the jodhpurs.
    I don’t know if I could ever get myself to wear only organic clothing either. Is it possible?

  46. Yes, yes, yes! The only way for ethical fashion/green living to become a reality is for it to be easliy translated into our lives.
    And you look chic and effortless–you require no additions or corrections.

  47. Susie:
    You specifically asked for my response so here you go:
    First, I didn’t use the words “asking for it” which I find to be a rather loaded term.
    As to your question: ‚ÄúBy wearing my outfits out in public, am I not too ‘asking for it’?‚Äù
    The difference between an internet blog with space specifically provided for anyone in the world to comment — and you walking down the street in an outfit is just that: The blog invites and allows for comments. Unless you walk down the street asking each person you pass for comment, then no, by wearing your outfit out in public you are not ‚Äúasking for it.‚Äù
    As to ‚ÄúNEED‚Äù for comments — Need speaks to essentials, and really, NONE of this is essential. But, when comments are invited, it‚Äôs understood that people have different opinions and different ways of expressing themselves. That‚Äôs evident if you walk down the street or if you read online commentary.
    Sure as ‚ÄúThom‚Äù said, you have the ‚Äúright‚Äù to respond — it‚Äôs just that I think the tone of the response from the owner of the blog worked to encourage a lower level of discourse, one meaner than it was by virtue CM‚Äôs commentary. Geesh, someone even brandished the ‚ÄúB‚Äù word.
    You say you “felt compelled” to respond because you ”felt violently strong” that “style and elegance [aren’t] one at the same”
    I’m no mind reader, but my instincts suggest to me that perhaps what really happened is that CM’s comments got to you in a moment of relative vulnerability and perhaps . . . just perhaps . . . you tapped that send button before cooling off.
    Is it your right to do so? Well sure. It’s your blog you can write anything you want. But would a more tempered response, or even no response have shown grace and avoided the subsequent plummet of discourse? In my opinion, yes.
    If you truly and ‚Äúviolently‚Äù feel that elegance and style are not the same, why not engage CW and the group on that question? It‚Äôs a somewhat interesting fashion topic, certainly within what appears to be the scope of your blog, and chances are, would have accomplished your goal subtly and with grace as I daresay your taunter wouldn’t have mustered an intelligent response. Instead you parried CW at the personal meanie level which she arguably introduced.
    I love fashion as much as the next person. I also love words and concepts as much, if not more than the next person; but in the larger scheme of things does the question of style=elegance merit “violently strong” energy?
    It’s only FASHION, people. No one is dying over this . . . That is, no one except garment factory sweatshop workers, or the grasses trampled to oblivion by Cashmere goats in China, . . . or . . . or . . . Hmmmm РРРthe ethical considerations of fashion.

  48. Those are CRAZY interesting.
    Pardon me for asking, but why are your eyes always closed? They must be so pretty!

  49. haha, i think that’s a very good question, noel. i was wondering that myself.

  50. Karen, I do think that my response was aa tempered one, the one I left on the Alber’s Muse was a irrate one. It’s tempered in so much that the comment was indeed highlighted with I dare say, a wee bit of humour because I found it funny that I was incidentally wearing Lanvin for the outfit and of course pondering over when CM would think me cheap and tatty for doing so. I also happened to be sans make-up and preened hair. So really, I sort of played myself right into CM’s hands. If didn’t write that PS., I would probably be in turn confirming CM’s worse suspicions which is that I’m an utter decrepid slob….. which I don’t really think I am…. sarcasm, like I said is a low point for me and I don’t resort to it with malice often and if you saw how many hate mails, negative comments I have gotten through the course of this blog, I think I’ve been very thick skinned and silent….
    Yes, I love a difference of opinion on the blog but it did hurt more that CM mentioned about the connection with reality. It is pretty much the same as CM coming up to me at LFW and saying all of that to my face in which case, I have the right to defend myself right? or
    A post will formulate from this mini debate but in a different strand that I don’t think has been discussed on the blog…. should be interesting.
    Oh and Karen, I think within these comments and also Alber Muses’ commentary, it seems a LOT has been said on the subject of elegance and seeing as I have a deep lack of it, I don’t think I could justify a post dedicated to the subject anyway so it seems to consesquences of my wee petty P.S. note has been to incite up the subject in the same way as any dedicated logical discussion would have done. I will close the discussion because I do feel I’m ill equipped to discuss it as the only thing I can say is that I disagree with elegance equating style.
    I have to shower and wash my rat-arse hair now for work…. what an inelegant life I lead….; ) Responses later….!

  51. WTF? I’ve been away from this blog for a few days and so much has happened. I’ve only skimmed through the comments, but a funny side note to this is, when I first loaded the page, I skimmed down it, without reading to see what I had miss. I saw your D Skirt post and thought to myself, wow, Susie looks great, so classy.
    Case in point.

  53. L: It’s great that ppl can admit to be fashion victims and I’ll come right out and have no shame in saying that I am too! Yay!
    Jen: I actually like the fact it’s very puffiness…not because I have very small hips but just that I don’t really mind highlighting the hip area.
    Suzanna: I think I let my big heart lapse yesterday with my sarcastic P.S. note…. some things I really can’t swallow….
    ai: Oh good lord… I hope not!
    Miss Woo: Your’s and CM’s comment has inspired a post!
    buttonsandstars: It is also my boyf who encourages my lack of preened-ness…
    WendyB: When the LBD thing is done well, of course I take my hat off to them (such as yourself…). It’s not that I abhor elegance but I think it needs to be reined in, with its definition.
    Lady C: We shall see how much more sustainable fashion I incorporate…I’m no saint….
    Selina: The cotton is produced yes, without pesticides but where and how the clothes are made are a mystery…must investigate more. Thank you for seeing that I am imperfect…. a key thing that I define my style by…. that there are imperfections and mistakes….
    Leek: Hehe…. it’s not really about setting up a Team Susie but more like an argument about whether elegance is imperative in style…..
    Thom Wong: A modicum of respect is what I’d envision on this blog. I’ve read constructive criticism and I try to take it onboard. A personal attack is something else though…
    Hannah: They should turn up on the site soonish!
    Stephanie: Hmmm… mind is working overtime about htat….
    Lady Smaggle: I would leave it there and see what other readers think…. I never delete comments….! Thank you indeedio!
    Zee: See, I recognise your opinion – not everyone will like those pants…. and that’s cool by me…. you said why you didn’t like them and I respect that!
    Libertygirl: I never did like know-it-alls at school…
    MJ: The scarf is from Benetton… it’s quite old actually! Can be easily self-knitted though!
    Sarah Chow: A blinder of a quote….. I will be reluctant to retaliate in the way that I did. Something came over me. The fears and botherings of how this blog has developed all erupted in that P.S…… for that I am apologetic…
    Lady C: Oh my lord I want the whole ensemble!
    Alex: Deranged in a good way can so be worked!
    Jill: Thank you… it’s odd to think that my clothes wear me as I put my dear beloved clothes through so much toil!
    J: We can all hope for a more ethical way of living but reality is harsh…
    Secretisa: Supposedly, it is but you might have to compromise on aesthetics…
    Noel & K: When I look directly, red eye ensues which means a bit of Photoshopping… lazy me!

  54. 1) Fashion is a medium of self expression.
    2) People dress in the way they would like themselves to be perceived. This is why Fashion is often related to music, literature, movies etc. The kind of objects, culture, people you are inspired by is particular to yourself. The way you inteprete it is different too.
    I say live and let live! Why? It’s just clothes. It’s a personal marketing tool, and sometimes more than just that.
    Well, I think elegance is great! but just not for me. The Sartorialist has been providing us with a steady stream of images which illustrates just that.
    On the other hand, Facehunter portrays a different sort of style.
    Fashion is not exhaustive.

  55. hmm…am I the only one who can see this? – CM’s message seemed like a complete wind up to get a reaction out of you and all your readers. He/She succeeded and is having a right laugh at your expense. SB I have noticed you are very defensive when somemone critcises your style yet like Karen said a guestbook is for commenting on good or bad. In this Myspace/Net generation, the net has given you and others a voice and a platform to express/rant and dare I say be quite influential, so you have to take the crap that comes with it, its the net, simple really. Also why is everyone equating elegance with boring 50s New Look stuff? Current Lanvin/Ferreti and Nathan Jenden is elegant but its certainly not boring –

  56. The jodhpurs are great-looking, but how are the puffy hips structured- is it stiffer in that pocket/hip area? Cause I agree with the commenter who said it might look odd if there were wind resistance..just a thought.
    As for CM: I think Susie was well within her rights as the author of the blog, to reply on the post itself. CM’s comment on the post about elegance was unnecessarily rude and personal even if he/she did try to couch it in more flowery language than the usual troll, not to mention completely wrong IMO. Getting worn by her clothes isn’t something that Susie does, but pushing the envelope is. Given that ‘elegant’ isn’t something she’s necessarily aiming at being or looking like, what’s the problem?

  57. Dez: I don’t think any of us are really privy to what went through CM’s head as he/she typed. Replying to that seemed well in order not just because it was rather rude, but the idea touched a nerve for a lot of people. And as for being defensive..I think Susie’s usually pretty nice when people snark about her outfits and appearance, but a little defensiveness isn’t out of order at all considering that she is, after all, putting her face and clothes out here for us to see.
    As for elegance itself, I personally don’t always associate it with 50s New Look whatnots (personally, I don’t think Ferretti is that interesting) but there’s a lot more in this world to play around with when it comes to getting dressed. Deciding what you want to look like is your prerogative- it isn’t someone else’s business to tell Susie how to wear her clothes.

  58. Well Karen, there are comments and comments, CM’s comments were abusive, she was just not disagreeing with Susie’s idea of style, that’s to be expected in a fashion blog, she was making a a negative judgement about Susie as a person based in her idea of style. To me that’s serious and deserves a response.
    When someone comments in a blog, isn’t that person also allowing us to disagree with her and give a response? Or just because it’s not our blog we can say whatever comes to our mind without consequences?
    You cannot “engage” someone in a discussion like you proposed Karen, if that person started by being offensive.

  59. Ooh what a snobby bitch. CM reminds me of the cQ girls saying how people who ‘cant handle’ vintage dresses and skinny jeans go to Jane Norman. for god’s sake if you wanted to dress that way you would.

  60. Well, CM left a comment to make you feel bad, but I see karma has kicked in…the comments making CM feel bad are 50+…heh heh

  62. I’ve been reading your blog for a little while and was just going to leave a comment saying how much I love your style when I noticed all this “elegant” hubbub.
    I love your style because it is daring and playful. You seem to have a genuine joy in putting pieces together, and that is beautiful.
    That said, I could never pull it off. Lately I’ve been admiring Agyness Deyn’s look, but again, not for me. I’m a classic girl with a funky twist. If I put together a look like yours, I would have worn wide legs instead of jodpurs and never would have thought of the scarf. And that’s the sort of look that works in my area. Pulled together but not bold or unique. I don’t think that would make either of our outfit interpretations better or worse. It just makes us us.

  63. I tried the Zara jodhpurs on, but they were just incredibly unflattering on my figure, although I’m quite a stick. On you, though, they look great! Black is so much better than beige anyway.

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