I can't say that I wear a lot of tailored pieces and even if I do, it never looks like I'm wearing something tailored. Nobody is ever going to say "Ooooh Susie, you look SHARP!" That's sharp as in, on the ball, professional and ready to get a job done. However, this doesn't mean I don't have secret yearnings to look sharp. The allure of tailored pieces that fit like a glove that become the building blocks of a wardrobe hasn't entirely escaped me, despite the fact that I scrunch my nose up at the so-called 'wardrobe essentials' that people like to harp on and on about. It might be the influence of the boyf who dreams of owning a bit of bespoke/Savile Row tailoring so much so I can almost see dream bubbles floating above his head whilst he's asleep.
Still, if I was ever going to be going down the tailored root I'd hope that there would still be something a bit "off" about it. That's not to take away anything from Alex & Eli's wonderful A/W 09 collection below. The skirt being a wee bit longer, the jackets cropped a bit shorter and the heavily texturised wools in the collection makes the tailored pieces all the more appealing for me. I was already intrigued by Alex & Eli aka Anna Zeman and Aja Singer (both Parsons graduates, one of which I met backstage at the Rodarte show where she is interning…) and their cream and mint green loosely tailored S/S 09 collection. With this new collection though, I think they've hit their mix and match suiting stride. At the very least, they've convinced a tailored suiting skeptic such as myself that I too could possibly look sharp. Mind you, give me one of these ensembles and I'd probably wear some neon lace socks, some customised heels and an embroidered organza t-shirt with the neat jacket and skirt… that's as sharp as it gets for me I'm afraid…
I love how it’s almost puritanical and positively sexual at the same time in the way it conceals and reveals.
/Cillian.
I know exactly what you mean- things are best when something is just a little wrong. Looks like Alex & Eli might be women’s answer to Thom Brown?
Ooh! Me likey! The first skirt suit in particular…gorgeous!
xx
Their construction is impeccable. I got to see some of the spring stuff up close and it was SO SO GOOD.
Oh I like. I love the gold toned blazer and skirt and that last one with the pink blazer is fun too!
Nobody is ever going to say “Ooooh Susie, you look SHARP!”
Looks like you need some bespoke Susie! Have you thought about taking something to a tailor? It’s a shame not many of the Savile Row chaps really cater for women… it’s either a plain business suit or off to Hardy Aimes, which is a bit, hmm. Im sure if you had some stuff adjusted it would look amazing.
love the first look!!!!
You’re definitely sharp susie! And yeah, that first one is lush 🙂 x
The fifth photo is awesome and I love the trousers! I enjoy the fact taht you write so much in each post, Thank you 😀
Love that 2 toned skirt!
xoxo
Looks a bit of monochromatic in style. Having dark colors dominating the design of the clothes makes it look “odd”. I’m not saying it looks odd, it depends to whom who carries it. The shoe were pretty high, slashing.
I love the clothes but its the shoes that have really got me drooling.
fun post. love the pipe pants. cool 😀
oh its so pretty!!!! the clothes are absolute exuberance!!!
not only that but the sharp models and blurred background is stunning!
for me tailored is a small luxury that should always come in perfect fit. style it as you wish, it will still be tailored. (mind you, “tailored” is a word I would group with “establishment” and that’s unfair in a way…)
That pantsuit makes me swoon.
nice shape in that looks!!!!! luvv at all!
Those are great shoes..Hey,are those shoes have a license to kill?!lol..;D
Nice post..Lovely outfit also.=)
Hope to see more from you.
i’m starting to get a bit more into tailored pieces although i usually find that i feel like i’m either dressed as a waitress or just look like i’m going for an interview.
& i have the same with my boy he is OBSESSED with the idea of a bespoke saville row suit…
Mathilde xxx
Sounds like Steve’s love for tailoring is warming up to you!
You could surely rock tailored pieces and we’ll prolly see a bit of your touch to it like a certain quirkiness and killer accessories!
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look: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1109862
that skirt with that open back top is SOOOOOO killer! amazing how something so simple, and pretty much basic, can look so chic. imagine all the ways you could wear it! LOVE IT!
leave it to you susie to do a totally fresh and fantastic post on tailored silhouettes while keeping the edge! i’ll take one of each, please. especially love the cut-out ‘blazer’ vest styled with those shimmery slim culottes.
so inspiring!
Oh, who is this mysterious “boyf” Susie?? Could it be the smartly-dressed towheaded young man in the Opening Ceremony for Uniqlo post? I may be a bit behind the wagon on this one, but pray tell, which one is your young man??
Geneva…it’s not that mysterious…I think it’s pretty much wide knowledge that Style Salvage Steve http://stylesalvage.blogspot.com is the boyf…. I just like referring to Steve as the boyf…
When we were at Rendezvous this collection was deffinitely a stand out to me too. I actually think they were probably my favourites there. Did you get to try any of the stuff on in the end?