Sugarhighlovestoned

It's February, it's pissing it down, I work in Arctic conditions it seems. There is no sunlight, it's too windy to wear any kind of hat apart from a bloody beanie. I'm starting to resemble the Michelin Man due to the sheer amount of layers I'm piling on.

 HOWEVER I've been desperately employing the medium of imagination in order to get through these gloomy days. Endless pictures of American hippies in the early 70's are majorly helping as well as fashpiration coming from www.sugarhighlovestoned.com Check out there little fashion films as well as lookbooks, serious clothes porn. 

Also I've had this belly dancing outfit for years which normally only gets summer outings, however to cheer myself I decided to wear the skirt as a cape. The sequinned waistband makes a great collar and over this coat make me look like a completely mental 70s fortune teller. Which I think deffo sums up my current vibe. Oh and you can't see in this picture but I have a massive spot right between my eyebrows.... I've solved this problem by sticking a bindi over it. Now that is problem solving skills! Onwards! On a stylistic voyage! 

How to... Wear a cape!

Do you dream of being a superhero? Perhaps Sherlock Holmes is more your thing, or maybe you are into fortune telling? All these dreams can be fulfilled via the power of the cape! However heed my warning DO NOT wear in extreme winds here is my cautionary tale. 

I was walking along to the theatre ( yeah, I know even I questioned my sanity walking to the theatre in cape. Prick) It was so windy and I was walking alone, next thing I know I'm engulfed in a cloud of purple velvet and cannot see a thing. I desperately try and grapple with the waves of fabric to no avail, bearing in mind it was half five on a Friday night, so at the same time I'm trying to dodge the public. Eventually I wonder blindly into a shop window to avoid pedestrians and finally managed to untangle my face and full sight was regained. Deeply uncool! 

Anyway aside from health and safety issues in my opinion there is nothing cooler than a cape, whether you are rocking it with a Victorian twist, or as a mental psychedelic babe then you will be loving life. I mean you can swish around pretending to fly, what's not to like? 

  

Perving on Stevie Nicks and her clothes Porn.

Oh the joys of the English wintertime! Goosebumps, to many layers, red faces and hands and skin blasted either by the cold or central heating. Joys. So after a decidedly dull day at work yesterday spent perving on pictures of Stevie Nicks.... dam you and your albility to wear a cape AND a top hat and not look like a prick. And Janis Joplin via Pinterest to keep myself from slipping ini the realms of despair. I decided in order to survive these desperate winter months to dress in a manner which plants me right back in California circa 1967! Well if it was chilly in California, details whatever?! That's the beautiful thing about putting on clothes every morning. Beyond keeping you warm they are a medium of which to express a feeling, project a vibe or evoke feeling of another time. Fantasy basically. And it worked, yeah I'm stood in Brighton in front of council flats, this is my reality, but in my mind I'm at some hippy festival in the late sixties. Deffo not going to spend the evening superimposing myself onto a picture of Woodstock. Not going I do that..... 

How to.... Wear frills.

Frills, the perpetual attire of children under the age of ten, harlequins, fussy secretaries and Austin Powers. Now all good looks if you ask me, however I know the rest of the world does not feel like this, I cannot think why?! Anyway I have again been delving deep into my stylistic skills and come up with this kind of sixties schoolgirl frilly shirted vibe. Which I think you might agree is pretty understated considering the degree of frill on this collar. I did resist dressing up as Jimi Hendrix as well as not going down the 70's librarian route. So all sensible and good. Lets embrace the frill and please don't judge me if I say I felt a little bit like Blair in Gossip Girl. 

I think I might make it a new theme of mine to have cutesy/scruffy/interior  photoshoot settings, can that be my style?! 

How to...... dress like a man.

So in the spirit of New Year I have decided to take a fashionistic adventure on behalf of you all. I will be trying out some very questionable looks and ideas to see how they stand up in practice, or just go down at your local Tesco's. Some will be ridiculous, some I hope to be practical and a couple I might just manage to look mildly cool.

So here goes, I did want to start with how to make a Christmas cracker paper hat look cool. But I decided that they suit every face shape anyway. Also I really hate them.

The look- Suit.

The suit, the choice of every man from the1920's onwards in was a standard piece of wear until it was decided that men could be oh so racy and embraced casual sports and work wear as everyday clothes. However the female versions leave rather a lot to be desired. So why I hunt for a actual male suit that fits my shoulders I have pieced together this little number from charity shops. The jacket is ex H&M but I paid a pound for it! And the trousers are 1990's Laura Ashley. However they are a size 8, I haven't worn a size 8 since I was seventeen and I have to say I don't remember it being so small. Haha.

Now I have to admit that when it comes to clothing for appropriate situations I am not really the right person to ask, however I'd rock this at work with a velvet drape coat over the top. Or really butch it up by tucking the trousers in some DM's and wearing a military beret. Love that vibe. However if it was really up to me I'd love to be able to get away wearing it without a shirt underneath and no shoes, but then that's just my photographic fantasy to be played out in black and white images while smoking a cigar. Just me then.

So go on Ladies (and gentleman) I think its time we all embraced our more traditional masculine side and rocked the suited vibe, its a classic.

Apologies for the shit Urban Outfitters style pictures. Due to a series lack of friends I had to take them on a camera attached to a rather dodgy tripod.

Change your look as often as your knickers.

Ok so I'm sitting in a dressing room at New Venture Theatre applying way to much make up, wearing a scimpy summer outfit. Nice. I would never ever, EVER show this much flesh in my real life, but a change is as good as a rest. That's the thing about style, it can change depending on boring stuff like the weather or a new piece. But everything in your entire life affects how you present yourself. Heartache and love, a new job, a new band a new discovery, whatever. The point is that that's great! Embrace it! Change your look as often as you change your knickers! Be affected. I realised that the last two weeks I have either dressed like a bloke kinda 30's does 80's or a bit of a 60's schoolgirl. My clothes are actually screaming I am so vulnerable and Girly. Or look how strong I am, go on I dare you, challenge me! And you know what? That's ok. It's gonna change again. 

Faux hipster ramblings.

What is it with 'hipster' term which keeps getting banded about?! Is hipster the new scenester? Does it just mean that you take an interest in art and creativity and you let that influence your entire life? Or are you a hipster if you just take a interest in style? Or perhaps it means you hang out in cute coffee shops and in 'alternative' clubs  How would I know? I mean I spend the majority of my time learning lines, writing, sewing and bothering people about giving me acting work. Well in between that and playing at working in a shop! Anyway today's look is a 1960's pirate princess kinda vibe as a work mate so kindly pointed out.  

Regression.

You know what I hate? Well I mean there are long list of things, sexism, mean people, meat, shit pop music but anyway today's hate is directed at the blues. Not the colour, the all consuming feeling of every thing being completely POINTLESS! However this is never the way it stays and while I stay locked up in my room trying to push my work forward and create actual career opportunities. I realised that listening to the entire back catalog of The Smiths and The Cure was probs not the way to cheer myself up, due to every fourteen year old in the western world having been through a similar phase. So to counter balance this behaviour I decided to stick stickers to things and and make friendship braclets. Oh and pretty much dress like a angst ridden school girl. Now some might call this self indulgent and some might say a regression. However sometimes we just have to focus on small little things that make us happy not all the big scary things we need to overcome. So give me a couple of days and I'll be back to leading a small revolution, I just need some more time to listen to Morissy and make hair accessories. Thanks.

I decided to do something different wih days outfit, here is a diss jointed account of the look....

Be Coated.

The positive thing about the change if season is re-discovering all the pieces you have neglected over the last months. There is something endlessly exciting to me about jackets and coats. They have the power to change an entire look and feel of an outfit. By adding more structure or a complete contrast of colour, or just a juxtaposing style to already predictable outfit. Not to be underestimated! This stunner of a jacket was a gift from a friend.... I know I have great friends! Really ups the ante of this late nineties vibe. I'm so in love with it. Sigh! So the morale of the story is, go crazy with your coats! Look out for cheapy charity shop treats, you may not wear them all the every day but with the winter approaching your going to need them ALL the time! And a change is as good as a rest. 

So underdressed, I'm not wearing a hat!

I went for drinks at a shitty pub last night, I would almost go as far to say that it was chavy. Anyway this is what I wore, now I realise this is not what most people would  consider a relaxed look. But the mood took me so hence this thirties vibe! The thing is that I would go to Asda dressed like this or to work, or just the pub, whatever! The point is fuck whatever is deemed appropriate or normal for those situations if you love it wear it. Anyway it's totally casual I'm not wearing a hat! 

Sneak peak.

This is an image from part of the shoot I did yesterday! Boom, shame this is just a image ripped of my phone not even one of the proper ones! Look closely and you can see this is a veiled beanie! You know how much we love a hybrid here at It's Hideous I love It and if you want to bag one yourself then head on down to Snoopers Attic. Which is the shop for some serious fashspiration!  

The boredom of the new season.

I'm afraid I have rather been whimping out of posting the last few days. Some times you just loose confidence in your choices. Anyway I decided to show you and buck up my ideas!  Today's assult consists of a nightie, with reproduction military jacket, scarf tied into a turban and black topshop platform boots. I keep getting that feeling of loving a look as I leave the house and by the time I've been wearing it an hour I want to hide away in shame!  I had only just got use to dressing for the heat and now it's chilled right down I'm totally lost again! 

Talking of the seasonal change I'm finding the aw13 trends about as exciting as a sack of potatoes. That's not even the worst of it, fashion magazines just succeed in angering me at the moment. They just seem to be producing features that are watered down, overdone ideas, I could weep with boredom. Saying that they are only showcasing the top designers work so in fact I will redirect my disgust at them. I'm going to go on the look out for a new season collection I actually like, I'll let you know when I do. So lets pave the way of individualism NOT force fed mass produced rubbish! 

I love it when I look comes together!

I bloody love it when a look comes together (Forgive me for using this word) organically! And that's what happened today I knew that I wanted to wear this dress, it was raining so I put my latest favourite hat on and this kimono goes with everything! And so this seventies does thirties oriental magic happened! So exciting when it develops like that!!! This outfit makes me so happy, in fact just prints I love and colours I adore make my day that little bit more bearable and if anything will get me through the hideousness of today's working day it will be nice clothes! 

I'm back with GLITTER!

Apologies, I know it's been a while, it's been a odd couple of weeks what with a trip to the countryside, a mad sewing spree of a new collection, finishing a little film as well as turning a year older! It's been odd! Anyway I'm back, older but not wiser in a 60's inspired Pastel delight. Look I had a clothing crisis ok?! It was a battle ground of homemade dresses that I've worn ten thousand times already this summer and undynamic mini skirt and blouse combinations! However there is one good thing to come of today's look. The silver GLITTER shoes! GLITTER SHOES! I'm not even that Girly but you can't not tell me that glitter is not the best thing ever. To top it off they were a pound from a car boot sale and they are actually meant for ballroom dancers. Now if these shoes are not an argument for opening your mind to alternative  places to shop as well as using items for a different use then I don't know what is.

How to walk down the street and feel proud of what you are wearing!

Just walked down London road which is a rougher street of Brighton to go food shopping with my granny trolley. A little like taking your life into your own hands when your wearing your latest creation made out of some seventies curtains! But here are some top tips for not giving a shit about what other people think of your clothes! 

If someone is staring, just assume they bloody love your attire and desperately wish the had chosen to wear something similar that day. If it really is a recognisable WTF look then they are probs wearing a track suit or just are to small minded to appreciate your amazing attire.

When someone shouts something they assume clever like "nice curtains" then they are a dick because some of the best fabrics have been furnishing fabrics from the last century and just because they have never been anywhere apart from their nans living room is not your fault. And if you happen to have a bit of flesh on show and some charming chap decides to shout nice legs or whatever then feel sorry for them. As they are either that sex starved to find that a turn on or just so unintelligent that they don't understand it's a actual LOOK.

For combatting everyday places like the corner shop or your walk to work it's best just to stick your headphones in and get on with it. Either that or call your mum and look that dam busy organising your incredibly busy trendy life that you must be mega important and influential to be dressed the way you are. And remember most people are too busy focusing on their little lives to notice. 

And always ALWAYS remember that if you love it then Fuck everyone else cos it must mean its the hottest thing if you have chosen to wear it that day. If you are making it a look then it's a look. Better than blending in with the rest of the humdrum public.

And if all else fails then lovely old ladies will either stare at you in shock! Bless them! Or smile at you and say they love your outfit as it reminds then of something they use to wear! 

Finally........ If you have evoked a reaction it means you have done something, created a wearable piece of art, or something new and exciting and I salute you! You visionary you! 

Aw13......

Had a sewing spree last night, trying to define some new pieces for a autum winter mini collection, so here is one of my prototypes (dresses for myself made under the excuse that they are a prototype) rocking it with school socks, platforms and a gorgeous 60's leather jacket. How I adore these muted colours! What will be your autum look?! 

Mirage of colour.

Look at this a blatant throw everything on in some mild late sixties manner. But I love it, I love this nightie like cheesecloth dress, this eighties felt hat, and mandarin style shirt. All great pieces, lush colours! Clothes should have humour, a massive sense of fun, be a pleasure to wear and a visual statement of what you are loving that day. If you focus on this then getting dressed can always be a complete sensory activity, not a chore. Go forward enjoy clothes!  

Men in vans. (Not trainers)

Seriously what is it about long socks that provoke men of all ages to stare and shout abuse/praise out of there unattractive white vans. Can you not see I'm rocking a youthful floral 60's look here?! It's disgusting that people feel they can reduce you as a human into something which is their sick objective. Anyway I'm not going to let close minded-ness ruin my fun. Remember it's 'fuck the rules if you love it wear it' 

Hello Sailor.

Hello neon 1960's sailor! That's a thing right? As I refuse to wash my hair, pointless as I back combed it within an inch if its life and there is no point in washing that out strait away, hence some camp looks lately. Anyway the mixture of this 80's Laura Ashley sailor top and this 60's blazer is a bloody dream of a combination. And I'm always one for cheating a look I.e using something from a different era completely to create a certain vibe by mixing it with different items, make up, accessories. So exciting to see a item pulled together in a different way. And also I can't possibly afford all the different things I want but I can capture the idea of what I'm looking for.

Flapper what?

Oh dear oh dear all in black, very odd. Also I matched my socks to my hair, that's new huh? Although I'm loving the contrast between my hair and this old h&m hat. What a treat. Anyway I bought a magazine this week to keep up with the rest of the world. Now don't get me wrong I adore seeing the new season collections but seriously this was a wet offer. We are fed so much drivel and led to believe that's all that out there. That's untrue! Sure we all need a helping inspirational hand sometimes. But we need to think for ourselves, dig deep and work out our own inventions, from our own incredible imaginations. Not some out of date bitchy fashion editor.