Highlights from the AW19 Menswear Shows
It was a bit strange watching the AW19 shows from afar - especially in Australia, in the middle of a heatwave, wearing the lightest, loosest pieces possible. But then, Autumn/Winter styling is probably my favourite kind - the layers, the jumpers, the coats, the boots - so I was more than happy to catch up on all the shows online and to start sparking style inspiration for next season. There was a lot going on this time around and it can sometimes be hard to cut through all of the noise - but these are my highlights from the AW19 menswear shows.
AMI
AMI is a collection I look forward to every season - especially since Alexandre Mattiussi introduced womenswear in his AW18 collection. Refreshingly, AMI has a 'menswear for women' approach - taking the French brand's signature shapes and silhouettes and sizing them down for women so we can still access those incredible loose-fitting trousers it does so well, as well as the oversized coats and well-cut cashmere that should have a place in every good wardrobe.
It's a brand that, for me, gets better each season - and judging by the comments that slid into my DMs after featuring a few looks on my Stories, it seems fans of AMI agree. For AW19, it felt like things were turned up a notch, without straying from that signature laid-back Parisian aesthetic. It was the loose tailored pieces that stood out for me this season: the low-slung trousers, the oversized shirts with slightly-too-long sleeves worn on top of a turtleneck, the big coats with dropped shoulders, and the flat patent boots that can be worn with anything and everything.
Dries Van Noten
Sharp suiting, single-breasted coats, shirts and ties...Dries Van Noten AW19 is a collection for the modern gent. '80s blazers with power shoulders were given a 21st century update with looser, unstructured fits and worn with wide leg trousers. Other trousers came loose and cropped - or slimmer and ankle-skimming and the coat game was varied and strong - jackets were belted, macs were long and simple and there was a subtle injection of quilting that complemented (rather than overwhelmed, as it so often does) the looks.
Dries Van Noten showed us bum bags are going nowhere fast either. This season they're smaller, slightly smarter and a refreshing alternative to the bulky streetwear favourite.
Jacquemus
It's no secret that Jacquemus does great womenswear: the French brand creates the kind of pieces I long to fill my summer wardrobe with. And just two seasons in, its menswear offering is gaining ground too. As with a lot of his collections, Simon Porte Jacquemus looked to his South of France upbringing to inspire his AW19 pieces - specifically rural Montpellier and the traditional French workwear of the region.
I'm a huge fan of French workwear. Boxy shapes, sturdy durable fabrics - what's not to love? Jacquemus' offering of utilitarian large overshirts, loose-fitting trousers and bulky knitwear was one that I can see genuinely working In Real Life, especially given it came in land-echoing neutral tones of rust, off-white, browns and blues.
Louis Vuitton
I don't normally pay much attention to the Louis Vuitton shows. As much as I admire the brand for the incredible commercial success its had, the style has never really been me, so I tend to overlook it on social media and any online coverage. But with Virgil Abloh at the helm and the amount of column inches his name brings with it, it was impossible to ignore this time around.
But aside from hype, this is one Louis Vuitton collection I actually stopped to look at - for the pieces themselves. The opening colour palette of light grey spoke to me (obviously) as did the layered jackets and smartly-cut suit trousers. There were a few elements that weren't for me (namely the American flag-printed pieces) but I appreciate Abloh's take on this long-standing brand (and the fact he didn't go down the streetwear route everyone thought he would).
OAMC
At OAMC, Luke Meier gave us AW19's take on grunge - and it's one I'm completely on board with. Rather than a half-hearted rehash of Kurt Cobain's wardrobe, this interpretation of grunge was a subtle one, mixing tailoring and streetwear elements to create looks that steer clear of fancy dress. There was a lot of layering, which I love: wool waist length jackets worn over longer coats and matching trousers (see Louis Vuitton above, but more relaxed); turtlenecks worn under loose shirts and quilted jackets; and, of course, the iconic t-shirt over long sleeved shirt look.
It's also a collection you can easily emulate with existing pieces in your wardrobe, playing with layers of different lengths - keeping them within the same colour palette as Meier has done here so it's more fashion, less I just raided a charity shop and am wearing everything in sight.
Oliver Spencer
It may be because I witnessed it from afar, rather than attending it like I used to, but London Fashion Week Men's seemed a lot quieter this year. The schedule was smaller, a lot of my old favourites (Nigel Cabourn, YMC) weren't on the bill and it seemed very...subdued, especially compared to Paris, in particular.
But then Oliver Spencer came along, flying the flag for British fashion with his AW19 collection. The usual suspects were there: the velvet bomber jackets with matching trousers, the collar-less button-down jackets, the chunky roll neck jumpers. It's no bad thing - these are all pieces Spencer does exceptionally well, tweaking his collections slightly each season to prevent them from being stale or boring.
Images via Vogue.com
The Art of the Sack Dress
Wearing: COS Necklace, Uniqlo Dress, MM6 Maison Margiela Sandals, MM6 Maison Margiela Bag (in black)
I love a good sack dress. Ever since I overdid that infamous figure-hugging style during the bodycon era in my university years, the dresses in my wardrobe have gradually got looser, boxier, longer. I can probably count on one hand how many of my dresses now sit above the knee (and if they do, no doubt I'll be wearing them over a pair of trousers), and how many I need to think twice about wearing if I've got an unforgiving pasta belly.
I'm not complaining, I love that this is how my style has evolved. These 'sacks', as I affectionately like to call them, are among some of the favourite pieces in my wardrobe. They're comfortable, easy to throw on and you can look like you've made an effort by just throwing a necklace on. In the Australian heat, they're great for something light and airy but I'd wear them in cooler climes with a pair of trousers on underneath too.
This one from Uniqlo (fave) is the latest addition to my sack collection. I sized up for a slightly looser fit (I'm wearing a medium) and the royal blue colour is a great alternative to my ubiquitous black. Plus, anything that lets me eat out without wanting to undo my top button is a winner in my eyes.
How to Wear Black in Summer
Wearing: ASOS Sunglasses (similar), COS Top, Thomas Sabo Watch, COS Trousers, adidas Originals Trainers (similar)
It's been a while since I last touched this blog but with moving to a new city, starting a new job and filling any spare time with freelance writing work, there hasn't been much time to dedicate to this little space on the web.
Truth be told, I've also been re-evaluating what I want to do with this blog and where I see my content going. At one point, I thought of scrapping the whole thing altogether and creating a new site based on other topics, but then, I still do like that old-school outfit sharing on blogs - and with Instagram's headache-inducing algorithm, I'm starting to see the value in having my own space that I can control (well, let's be real, that Google can control).
So the outfit posts here will continue and I may create another online mag-style site, but that's still very much in the ideas phase.
For now, here's what I've been wearing lately. Unsurprisingly, it involves a lot of black - something I haven't been able to shake off (and won't) since arriving in a hot and sunny climate. The trick to avoiding overheating in dark colours, I've found, is sticking to loose fits and pieces that let the air in. Take the outfit above - loose pants, a loose top and a cut-out detail that doubles as a handy entry point for any welcome breezes.
And then there's this outfit - yes, the skirt is fitted around the waist, but that loose wrap style is an absolute god send when it comes to preventing sweaty-thigh syndrome when the temperature cranks up.
9 Australian Fashion Brands You Need to Know
Since coming to Australia earlier this year, I've been trying to embrace the local culture as much as possible (read: drinking lots of locally-produced wine, rather than spending my days in art galleries). Part of this has been discovering some of the incredible home-grown labels that have been steering me away from my staples of Uniqlo, Zara and COS. From minimalist swimwear labels to creators of easy slip dresses and the best sandals you'll ever meet, here are nine Australian fashion brands you need to know.
A new discovery for me, Sydney-based Alex and Trahanas creates simple but well-made linen pieces that are perfect for summer - think short sleeved shirts with matching shorts, and shirt dresses that could be thrown on over your bikini post-beach or dressed up with a bit of jewellery for dinner (speaking of which, the brand's jewellery collaboration with Louise Olsen provides the perfect accessories). Alex and Trahanas also sells Italian ceramics on its online store, so you can match your Italian linen tee with a Puglian espresso cup.
Shop Alex and Trahanas here.
Arthur Apparel first came on my radar before coming out to Australia and I'd fantasise about arriving and spending my days in the label's handmade pieces. Expect a lot of linen, oversized lightweight trench coats and roomy jumpsuits. The colour palette is one of neutrals too, with white, terracotta and black making up the bulk of the collections (music to my ears).
Shop Arthur Apparel here.
Assembly Label creates those easy, high-quality wardrobe staples that everyone needs yet can be seemingly so hard to find. For those of us who like our jeans straight-legged and unripped, our t-shirts plain and boxy and our swimwear well-fitted and devoid of thousands of straps and weird cut-out sections (I picked up a soft grey bikini in a sample sale recently and it's one of the best fitting pieces of swimwear I've tried in a long time), Assembly Label is a god-send. The brand does menswear too, and the stores are beautiful, calming spaces.
Shop Assembly Label here.
Not only does Bassike create well-constructed, laid-back basics, but this Aussie brand is also committed to sustainable manufacturing. Most of Bassike's pieces are loose-fitting and slightly sack-like (in a good way) and the collections range from simple tees, to relaxed tailoring and utilitarian trousers that you'll keep on wearing for seasons to come.
With each piece designed and made in Australia, Sydney-based Her Line is all about creating great clothing, locally. What started out in 2014 with swimwear, Her Line now has a ready to wear collection (and boasts a global cult following). It's that original swim offering that makes this brand so great though - founder Tuyen Nguyen favours pieces that flatter, frame and support the body, with designs that are pared-back and timeless.
Lucy Folk is another one I recently came across while living in Melbourne (although it appears I'm slow off the mark - the brand has fans in the likes of Leandra Medine and Pernille Teisbaek and has collaborations with colette Paris and more under its belt). Lucy Folk is renowned for its classic yet personality-filled jewellery and sunglasses, but also has some incredible dresses and kaftans for the ultimate in stylish beachwear. If you find yourself in Melbourne or Sydney, make sure to visit one of the brand's beautifully-curated stores.
With a name like 'Matin', it's little wonder this Sydney-based label has a touch of French style - particularly inspired by '70s icons Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. It's a subtle reference though, rather than a full-blown retro look, making this a label that is bohemian and refined in equal balance (no mean feat). If you like loose, slightly tailored pieces (I'm talking wide leg trousers that sit at the ankle and long slip dresses with sturdy square necks and thick straps), Matin is the brand you'll want to return to again and again.
It's a bold statement (especially here in Aus), but Matteau has to be my favourite swimwear brand. Its collections are made up of high-quality designs that are simple, timeless and built to last, meaning no flash-in-the-pan trends that you'll tire of by the time next summer rolls around and no pieces that will become threadbare after a few washes. Matteau also creates some great cover-ups that you'll want to wear at the beach and beyond - think loose, slightly tailored cropped trousers rather than the ubiquitous see-through kaftan.
My first encounter with ST.AGNI was at the brands' beautiful little store in Byron Bay, where I picked up a pair of tan leather Yuka slides (and almost haven't taken off since). ST. AGNI's simple but beautiful slides and sandals are the stuff of holiday wardrobe dreams (I've got my eye on a pair of woven loafers), while clothing mainly takes the form of breezy linens in neutral shades.
Images property of each brand
The TOAST Japanese Jacket
Whenever I go home to visit my parents (which, admittedly, has been a while what with now being on the other side of the world), there's almost always a TOAST catalogue lying around on the kitchen table. One of the first things I'll do on arrival is plonk myself down with a huge cup of tea and leaf through said catalogue as my mum and I point out our favourite pieces and build a fantasy wardrobe, complete with commentary on when and how we'd wear each piece.
TOAST is an incredible British brand I associate with quality and longevity, creating boxy, slightly mannish clothing that I love and always manages to transcend seasons (their homeware is beautiful too). So when the team asked me to get involved with the launch of their new Autumn collection and A Creative Practice campaign, it's safe to say it was one of the most exciting emails to land in my inbox for quite some time.
This season, TOAST has joined forces with six illustrators who have created six 'half done' postcards. These illustrators have started off the drawing, and TOAST is inviting customers and followers of the brand to complete them in any way they wish.
You'll find these postcards in that aforementioned catalogue, in stores or packed with orders and you can share your creation on Instagram using #acreativepractice, send them back to TOAST to be included in an in-store installation, or simply keep them for yourself (I'll be using mine to decorate my new flat and have actually loved the excuse to get out a pen and paper and do something creative that hasn't involved a computer screen and a keyboard). You can find out more about A Creative Practice and see other people's postcards here.
As for the Autumn/Winter collection, expect wool gabardine trousers, sturdy leather lace-up boots, cord jackets and matching trousers, button-down needlecord shirts and thick cashmere knits that will make you glad of the colder months (I'll be admiring from afar as I enter the Australian summer).
My pick though, is this Japanese Indigo Cotton Jacket. Featuring a mandarin collar and three knot buttons to the side, it's the kind of thing I can wear buttoned up and create a makeshift suit with navy trousers, like I've done here, or loose with boxy layers once it starts to warm up.
Shop the new TOAST collection here.
While this jacket was a gift from TOAST, all views and styling are my own.