I Want What She Got!

At what is apparently the biggest free festival in Europe today, Matthew Street in Liverpool, it was like a catwalk of fashion contradictions.

Liverpool girls are known for the effort they go to to look their best and amongst the fancy dress (Fred Flintstone and Tony the Tiger…to name a few!) and almost drag queen glamour, there were some great outfits.

A particular favourite of mine was a cute denim playsuit like the one above from 18 and East http://www.18andeast.com/  Maybe not to be worn in the way I saw it, over just a flowered bra (unless you’re very brave, or warm) but such a simple casual look that’s perfect for any festival.

Just leave some time to negotiate the port-a-loo…

In order to shelter from a thundery storm yesterday, I had the good fortune to run into Cafe de Pels on one of the 9 Streets. Looking like it had come straight out of a 1930s war movie, not only did the cafe have some of the nicest coffee I’ve had, but some of the most interesting customers.

My favourites were a stylish gent in a striped shirt and his lovely wife who wore a chic navy wrap dress. My efforts to find this dress in the stores of Amsterdam have so far been in vain, but John Lewis have something very similar on their website fot just £65.

 http://www.johnlewis.com/332127/Product.aspx

 I’ll be getting myself straight to the store once I get back!

While roaming around various thrift and vintage stores yesterday, I came across the fabulous Out of The Closet.

http://outofthecloset.org/

Who knew the most colourful and flamboyant of all US second hand stores had leaped across the Atlantic and set up camp on Jodenbreestraat. Amongst the mass of stock I found a velvet rabbit fur evening dress that really stood out- not a million miles away from the one above, only in emerald green.

Definitely something that Norma Desmond would love!

On a wander through Jordan and the Nine Streets yesterday, I saw a girl in a fabulous Suzi Quatro shirt- paired with slim jeans and a leather jacket. For the rest of the day, I couldn’t get this tee out of my mind-and couldn’t rest til I tracked it down. So here it is, can’t wait to get my hands on one.

You can find it, and a huge choice of cool shirts at:

https://www.fullbreach77.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=230

The classic 1920s chic of Marion Cotillard is definately a look I aspire to. Drop waists and beading are the key to effortless glamour. As fans of F Scott Fitzgerald wait with baited breath to see the loyalty of the new Great Gatsby adaptation, I can’t help but get excited at the decendant outfits that surely await us.

Modcloth is a website that I have recently rediscovered. It’s fun and accessable with cute names for every item, not to mention the fabulous individuality of everything- whoever chooses the pieces is a genius. Everything is just beautiful!

For a dress similar to Marion’s above, this delicate slip caught my eye:

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/a-friend-in-beads-dress

And for the perfect pair of red shoes to finish the look you have to take a look at this site:

http://www.redshoesheaven.co.uk/

All shoes, all red- what a fantastic idea!

Not as plain as the original- but pretty stunning and on sale!

http://www.asos.com/Rare/Rare-Bustier-In-Gold-Sequins/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1834105&SearchQuery=bustier%20top&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Gold

How about some cropped leggings to really show those stunning pins. They might be from everyone’s favourite place to get a sandwich, but M & S have done well with these cute Capris

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Ankle-Length-Stretch-Leggings/dp/B008G7Q774?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_6&nodeId=42967030&sr=1-6&qid=1343503972&pf_rd_r=0WC6T8SMNYBW90E2R96K&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=215485807&pf_rd_s=center-3

And to finish off the look- your very own leather biker from the lovely people at Topshop. Just add T-Birds logo and you’re ready for the Hand Jive

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=1531900&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=leather&pageSize=20

I’m having a 1950s day and what better way to celebrate it than watching the classic Grease. The lovely Olivia Newton-John looking stunning as bad Sandy. Maybe not the most practical daytime outfit- but who needs easy movement for the night!

If you’re looking for something to bring out your bad side or even something to make the boy’s jaws drop- here are my suggestions for that bad Sandra Dee vibe…

Tell me about it-stud