simple-fall-uniform
By On In Outfit533 Comments

Presenting one of my simple fall uniforms. It will come as no surprise that my striped shirts are still in frequent rotation. I wonder when and if I’ll grow tired of them. I have yet to acquire a classic breton striped shirt from Saint James, but it’s definitely on my list for when the time comes that one of my current shirts needs to be replaced. The rest of the outfit mostly consists of old loves, such as a navy Isabel Marant peacoat (I told you about my rather extensive coat collection, right? I could never be a minimalist), a pair of Zara chelsea boots which are unfortunately not as comfortable as I had hoped them to be when I bought them last year, and my beloved Balenciaga city bag.

The only new addition to my wardrobe is a pair of blue jeans that fits me perfectly. Now, I absolutely loathe trying on jeans or pants in stores (fitting room mirrors are the devil) but I made an exception during my last visit to Amsterdam because I ripped yet another pair of old jeans and I was desperate to find a suitable replacement. Turns out that these are a nice change from my usual black jeans while staying within the range of my preferred dark colour palette.

Left to right, top to bottom: Boots: Royal Republiq (€135,95), Jeans: Weekday (€45), Coat: Etoile Isabel Marant (old), Shirt: Saint James (€56), Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Coco Rivoli ($36), Bag: Balenciaga city (€1395)

care-label-natural-fibres-101
By On In Care & maintenance550 Comments

I don’t shop very frequently but when I do, I often wonder if I’m the only one that goes straight for the tags to check the materials before I try something on. To me, one of the most important things to look for in a new wardrobe investment, besides the fit, price etc., is the use of natural fibres. Not only is natural fiber clothing generally more sustainable, it’s also a better investment in the long run. Let’s talk about the most common natural fibers, their pros and cons and how to take care of them in a nutshell:

Cotton

Cotton is the most popular and common fabric used today. It’s a soft, single-cell fiber, that grows from the epidermis of the seeds of the cotton plant. The fibers are spun into threads and are typically used to create soft, breathable textile. The fabric quality depends strongly on the length of the fiber. The longer the fibre the stronger and more expensive the fabric. However, when you’re on a budget, cotton clothing is definitely a good choice as it’s relatively affordable and can still be very well-made.

Pros: Comfortable and durable. It breathes well. Easy to clean.
Cons: Very absorbent. Shrinks easily.
How to wash: Machine-wash in warm water with all-purpose detergent.

Linen

Linen is spun from fibers of flax stems. The production process is similar to that of cotton, but flax fibers are longer and rougher. It takes quite a few steps to create a flexible wire from the stiff fibers and that explains the price. I own two linen t-shirts from Isabel Marant which are brilliant. They don’t wrinkle as much as expected and they drape exceptionally well. But truth be told, my overall experiences with linen are not that positive. Wrinkled clothing drives me crazy and ironing is not my favourite hobby.

Pros: Very strong and breathable. Will keep you cool during hot summers.
Cons: Wrinkles and shrinks easily. Poor elasticity.
How to wash: Machine-wash on gentle or hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent.

Wool

A natural, animal-derived fabric. Wool has scales that stick together, which makes it easy to spin. During the spinning process the fibres are twisted into a long, continuous thread, or yarn. Wool comes in various types, depending on the source of the raw material. Common types are: merino (merino sheep), mohair (angora goat), angora (angora rabbit) and alpaca (alpaca lama). Although usually not considered a type of wool, I’m a huge fan of cashmere (goat). Wool is often mixed with other fabrics to improve strength and endurance.

Pros: Soft and warm. Dirt and water resistant. Can take up to 30% of its own weight in moist without feeling wet.
Cons: High maintenance. Can be itchy. Prone to pilling.
How to wash: Dry-clean or hand-wash in cold water with mild detergent. Air-dry flat.

Silk

A delicate and luxurious material made from the cocoon of the silkworm; a process that many people find very troublesome. Extracting raw silk starts by cultivating the silkworms on mulberry leaves. Once the worms start pupating in their cocoons, these are dissolved in boiling water in order for individual long fibres to be extracted and fed into the spinning reel. Luckily there’s also such a thing as ‘wild silk’, where only the cocoon is used after the butterfly has fledged. Chiffon and crepe are examples of silk fabrics.

Pros: Feels and looks luxurious. Smooth and warm. Easily adjusts to different temperatures.
Cons: Very delicate and difficult to clean. Not always animal friendly.
How to wash: Dry-clean (preferred) or hand-wash in cold water with mild detergent. Air-dry flat.

Synthetic fibres

Although there’s nothing natural about synthetic fibres (obviously), it should be mentioned that they can also serve a purpose. When combined with natural materials, even the smallest amount of synthetic fibres can contribute to a better fitter and overall longevity. I wouldn’t neccesarily recommend clothing made of 100% synthetic fabric as it’s most likely being used to replace natural fibres to cut down costs. I do however like strange materials such as lyocell (tencel) which is neither synthetic nor natural, but a form of rayon which consists of regenerated cellulose fiber made from dissolving pulp (bleached wood pulp). It’s considered very environmentally friendly.

To end this post, I’m aware that even natural fabrics can be linked to numerous environmental issues, such as genetically modified cotton (for more info see: the true cost).  It’s definitely a subject that I would like to explore further in the near future. That said, I do believe that investing in natural fabrics is a good idea when you’re working towards a small well-edited wardrobe. Pieces of clothing of exceptional fabric quality should last you a very long time.

What are your preferred fabrics?

diamonds-by-the-yard-bracelet-tiffany-co
By On In Shopping400 Comments

I hadn’t worn my silver diamonds-by-the-yard bracelet for months, because I needed to get it cleaned. So I brought it to Tiffany & Co a couple of weeks ago, not only for a thorough cleaning session but also to have it shortened a little because I already lost it once at work when it got caught on my coat. Several heart attacks later, I finally found it under my desk with a broken clasp. It is one of the first gifts that I bought for myself in order to celebrate something. Because why not treat yourself every once in a while?

I love it when things that I bought in the past are reminders of certain accomplishments or events. Like the aforementioned bracelet; I bought it when I was first offered my job at the museum. It was only for a couple of months at that time, but it was everything I had been working up to at that point after years of studying. As a matter of fact, six months prior I had finished my last temporary freelance job and I was getting pretty anxious because finding a job in the cultural sector is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

From that point on, I allowed myself to buy something nice every time my contract was renewed. The Balenciaga bag and boots, the Céline trio bag are all the result of hard work. And sure, they’re also part of my 5 piece French wardrobe adventure which allows me to invest in a few quality pieces every season, but linking a purchase to an important or happy event makes it even more special. Every time I look down to my wrist and I see that bracelet, I feel the same sense of excitement that I felt when I landed that job.

Have you ever bought something to remind yourself of a special occasion?

kiehls-daily-reviving-concentrate
By On In Beauty2,872 Comments

Can we talk about skin care for a brief moment? I believe 100% that skin care is more important than makeup, and its infinitely easier to find more information on natural skin care than which chemicals magically react right with our bodies to keep our skin healthy. Because the better your skin looks, the less makeup you need. And also, I’m lazy as hell and I really like to look somewhat alive when I go outside with a bare face. So even though my latest purchase, Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, may be considered a luxury by some people, I do not feel guilty when I’m spending a pretty penny on skin care products. I’m not afraid to admit that my bathroom basically resembles a Kiehl’s store with a few other classics here and there.

Admittedly, at first I was mostly attracted by the clean and apothecary-like packaging (what can I say, I’m a sucker for pretty packaging), but to my surprise it did major wonders on my skin as well. After my visit at the dermatologist laser for pigmentation was the best solution. Then I’ve been a diehard fan of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate for years now, so I obviously had to try this as well. It does not disappoint. It’s a light-weight oil that makes your face feel insanely soft and gives it a radiant glow. “It might also help you ease the tension on your skin after laser removal,” says a laser removal tattoo dermatologist. And if you do decide to put on some makeup, it goes on much smoother and nicer. But don’t take my word for it, because I’m too scared to plaster my face all over the internet, and try it yourself. Kiehl’s is always very generous with giving out samples!

What are you favourite skin care products?