THE NEW MIX: THE SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER DIARIES

A whole new age of 'dress normal' and fun ways of recycling ancient wardrobe items.

I may have mentioned it before but it still holds - for me, September is the time of rebirth when it comes to wardrobe. It's more than the 'new season' state of mind you get when you start shopping for autumn/winter and can't wait to share your haul with the world. Just as important is the urge to find new ways to wear your old items while trying to adjust to an often unpredictable weather. I find myself more focused, actually wanting to work harder at it than in the lazy days of summer, receiving and giving more inspiration. And the result? A crazy mix of sharp and totally boho looks, working with the latest fashion and some of the oldest items I can find. (And find good old stuff I did this last summer while helping Mum clear out a wardrobe bulging with all sorts of crap.)

And now, there's this thing of dressing normal. I must say I was near horrified to see late Eigthies and early Nineties stuff coming back with a vengeance and a hype it did not deserve. Why, for one, '#DressNormal' as the latest craze could be a blogger's nightmare with its more-than-limited room for individuality. Secondly, I was there in the flesh, and I can tell you it wasn't that much fun. OK, I did enjoy grunge with the boots, mini skirts, round mirrored shades and the check shirts, but the original Mom jeans worn with oversized colourful sweatshirts and the also oversized denim jackets still give me the creeps. But then, dressing normal was just so normal, not a trend. And ever since then, let's admit, we have lived in comfy jeans, vests and sweatshirts, if only at home. So, the current 'dress normal' thing is nothing but the next challenge you have to meet, there's nothing for it, never say never, blah, blah, blah. 

So, get to work. Dig out the iconic stuff, Docs, Converse, other classic sneakers, try on old jeans if you have any, then proceed by stealing check shirts, white and grey marl branded tees and bomber jackets from the family attic. When you shop, pick the best current pieces to carry you right into the heart of the matter, like my River Island's Ashley slim boyfriend jeans and that snug New Look check shirt. Don't worry, they are so much more flattering than they used to be that it would be plain stupid to pass them up.

Find my live feeds on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, and selected looks on Lookbook.


DRESS NORMAL

jeans: River Island, white tee: Isabel Marant x H&M, plaid jacket: Gap,
trainers: Converse All Star, studded choker: New Look, leather necklace: a gift

varsity jacket, Hogwarts sweater: New Look, loafers: Dr Martens, poloneck: River Island,
zip jogger cardi: vintage, jeans: Mango

petite check shirt: New Look, jeans: River Island, blazer: Zara, trainers: Converse All Star

Homies tee: Reason, straight cord pants: H&M, leather-sleeve parka: New Look, 

key choker: Asos, pumps: Clarks

ripped jeans: Zara, iced blue shirt, grey-blue leather jacket: Mango, croc skaters: Topshop

cami: Asos, leather jacket: Mango, black jeans: River Island, check men's scarf: New Look

lace shoulder breton top, studded choker: New Look, chinos: Next,
neoprene bag, leather sandals: Asos, trilby: H&M

cat tee: Pull & Bear, biker skirt: New Look, sandals, key choker: Asos, sunnies: Primark

dogtooth jersey coat, black jeans: River Island, cami: Asos, skaters, sunnies: Topshop
Nineties jacket: vintage, pinspot blouse: Primark, jeans: River Island, monk shoes: New Look

bomber: H&M, blouse: Primark, jeans: River Island, monk shoes: New Look, sunnies: Topshop
shirt, belt: vintage, bow tie: Topshop, loafers: Dr. Martens Adrian, boyfriend jeans: Gap

THE NEW SMARTIES

floral bomber: market, LBD: H&M, backpack: New Look, skaters: Asos, necklace: River Island
MORE PICS HERE
textured tee: H&M, key choker: Asos, trousers: Mango, sandals: Clarks

jeans: River Island, pastel bomber: Asos, shell top New Look, sandals: Clarks
jeans: River Island, shirt: C&A, cross necklace: New Look, bag: vintage, sandals: Mango

tailored trousers,shirt: Topshop, blazer: Maison Martin Margiela, leather loafers: New Look
trousers: Topshop, sheer shirt: New Look, leather biker, brogues: Zara

kilt, leather jacket: Zara, shirt: Topshop, leather brogues: New Look

kimono: Sinequanone, biker jeans, one-shoulder vest: Mango, sandals: New Look
cat tee: Pull & Bear, trousers: Zara, green leather jacket: vintage, pointed shoes: New Look

jeans: Pull & Bear, knitted tee: vintage, key choker: Asos, trench: Zara, loafers: New Look
polkadot shirt: C&A, jeans: River Island, belt, umbrella: Topshop, blazer: Miss Selfridge,
chelsea wellies JuJu x Topshop

silver elbow patch sweater, leather brogues, clutch bag: New Look,
jeans: River Island, shirt: Uniqlo
white biker: New Yorker, pinstripe pants: Zara, sports luxe tee: New Look, leopard pumps: Asos

blazers: Maison Martin Margiela x H&M, Next, vintage boys'
men's check scarf: New Look, jeans: River Island, cami: Asos, skaters: Topshop

check coat, backpack, chain loafers: New Look, stripe shirt: H&M

kilt: Zara, check scarf: New Look, chain boots: Truffle, poloneck: Warehouse, biker gloves: H&M

shift dress: H&M, belt: vintage, check coat: New Look, chain boots: Truffle, poloneck: Primark

PRINT HEAVEN

leopard skirt, sports luxe tee, chain loafers: New Look, leather biker: Zara
check top: New Look, blazer: Mango, boyfriend jeans: Gap, pumps: Clarks

check coat, skirt: New Look, poloneck: Warehouse, chain boots: Truffle, sunnies: Topshop
check tunic shirt, cropped leather jacket: vintage, jeans: Mango, ankle boots:New Look

tee, bag: Asos, jeans: River Island, biker: Zara, scarf, ankle boots:New Look
coat: vintage, cami: Asos, jeans: River Island, scarf: New Look, skaters: Topshop

jacket, breton top: New Look, jeans: Terranova, leopard skaters: Asos, scarf: Polo Ralph Lauren
check top: New Look, sweater: Stradivarius, pumps: Hunter Curzon, jeans: Zara, sunnies: Primark

CHEEEERS