Shadows

Summer is always a season of colour, but today I'm sticking to the shadows, and limiting myself to a monochrome palette (apart from the dashing citrus fur clutch! A gorgeous present by Ostrich 2 Love. Thanks Diane x). I love shadows; they conceal and reveal. For the shade, I combined the urban with a touch of Victorian gothic. The former is instantly provided by trainers and sunnies: my go-sprightly along any city pavement classic Adidas Gazelle trainers and my super-black Thierry Lasry glasses. And the long, black silhouette, for a long(ish) shadow: a dramatic floor-length Dolce & Gabbana spiderweb piece over a vintage M&S slip. Costume jewellery packs a punch with a large cross of faux-pearls purchased in Whitby, a popular venue for a Gothic weekend! And the backdrop: the most arresting and arguably the biggest piece of street-art in Dulwich, (and all of two years old) Conor Harrington's bare-knuckle fighters, which featured in my blog  'Dulwich Festival 2014' post. 

Floral Fringe Fair 2015

West Sussex was saying it with flowers for its annual Floral Fringe Fair. On the invitation of friends, we spent the last weekend of May in the county helping out at their vintage stall, with Knepp Castle as a most charming backdrop. Vintage cars and vintage dresses were de rigueur so I dressed for the occasion in my busily floral silk '30s dress, bought at Annie's Vintage in Islington's Camden Passage, a primrose-yellow '50s quilted bed jacket, and fabulously 'out-there' sunglasses from Paraphernalia. To shake it up were my vividly-coloured African beads, and a modern shaggy bag from The Dulwich Trader. Early in the day, my 1980s suede heels were swiftly replaced by  trusty Aigle boots. Last year, for this May event, I wore the '50s Hardy Amies floral suit.
Amongst this sea of green, there were pops of eye-catching colour, such as these graphic, stripy deckchairs - a favourite of my daughter's, who was also channelling the vintage vibe and mostly borrowed (from my wardrobe), especially the handmade reversible jacket from  Montreal.
All the vintage goodies photographed were sourced by Diane and Simon, of Cafe Murano in Hurstpierpoint, whose 'great food and great coffee' feature in Best of Sussex.
P.S. Been keeping a low profile recently in the whole blogging department, because it's the season of GCSEs. I may not be 16, but I definitely have nuclear fission sussed, and I could tell you a thing or two about the Middle Ages...

Those orange jeans

You can't beat a good pair of jeans, especially if they're in stand-out orange! These vintage Versace's are actually borrowed from my daughter, yet they fit wonderfully, and the colour, bright and bold, is just what this British weather needs. I'm not one for mixing casual with formal, but I was otherwise persuaded, and the grey and orange compliment each other beautifully. The blazer, by MaxMara, is part of a suit, seen in 'Suited for a Hampshire Wedding'. Accessoried with a stingray bag, from Paraphernalia, a pair of plastic heels by Vivienne Westwood for Melissa, and Dior sunnies, of course...