The Fall

November 10, 2014 ~ juliabegbie ~ Leave a comment

I can’t wait – DSI Stella Gibson is back! (Thursday, 9pm on BBC2.) Maybe we’ll finally solve the big howdunnit of Season One: how did she get all those silk shirts into that tiny suitcase?

I’m assuming that you have a silk shirt or two? If not, the situation needs remedying. No other garment says ‘woman-to-reckon-with’ quite like a silk shirt: sensuous, tactile, feminine, structured, luxurious. Tantalising and a wee bit intimidating at the same time, and even better with a subtle hint of décolletage as demonstrated by Gillian Anderson who is just gorgeous at 46! Great hair, great figure, great wardrobe, great role.

Season One of The Fall inspired me to re-visit my makeup, with a consultation on ‘smoky eyes’ at my local Bobbi Brown counter.

In anticipation of Season Two, here is my tribute to DSI Stella Gibson – in the form of a selection of some of the best silk shirts on the market at the moment. Get them now, before the Gibson effect kicks in again.

First of all the budget options:

Top left: And Other Stories, top right: And Other Stories

Bottom left: ASOS, bottom right: Zara

There are usually bargains galore at The Outnet, below:

And if your budget is a bit more police commissioner than police constable:

Top left: Net a Porter has pages of silk blouses, top right: Pinstripeandpearls, bottom left: Pure

Making Good Better…

October 26, 2014October 26, 2014 ~ juliabegbie ~ Leave a comment

Which business do you wish you had founded? Google? Facebook? Right now I’d probably plump for Rococco Chocolates. But close to the top of my list you will always find The White Company: I love everything that Chrissie Rucker sells.

And now she has made good better by hiving off the most simple, classic items of clothing into a style edit entitled General Store.

The range includes jeans, cashmere, and the elegant white shirt (£70) shown above. All items are absolute classics, great staples. That’s not to say that the main range doesn’t include classics, but this edit does have particular timeless appeal.

On the subject of white shirts, I had great success last year with this multipack from Marks and Spencer

These shirts are from the men’s range, and you need to try them on in store to be sure of the fit (I bought the smallest collar size) but at £30 for 3 you can’t really go wrong!

What is your approach to ‘boyfriend’ dressing? Do you have any menswear recommendations for the girls?

Renaissance Trainers

October 26, 2014October 26, 2014 ~ juliabegbie ~ Leave a comment

Do you remember back in January when Karl Lagerfeld sent Cara Delevigne down the catwalk in a Chanel wedding dress and trainers?

from www.ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com

In my opinion this was the ultimate stamp of approval for the trainer’s elevation from gym to boardroom. All summer we have been tempted by bold, bright colour from New Balance, Nike, etc. – and if the Nike store I visited in Edinburgh had had a 9.5 (that’s ‘Nike’ for UK7) in the purple/green I fancied, I might be wearing them as I type. But, now I can see that the fates conspired to keep my pennies safe for what really must be the ultimate shoe…here she is (and yes, I think that she is a girl) Nike Air Max Thea in black. Comfortable, stylish, smart, sharp – what more could you ask for? I seem to be gravitating to greys and black at the moment, and this shoe is great with smart black slacks or skinny jeans.

Out of respect for convention – don’t forget I am a sheep – I’ve never worn trainers to a wedding or funeral, but I do wear them to work regularly and I see no reason not to wear these to all but the smartest events I might have to attend. Definitely not mutton if styled as part of a monochromatic and minimalistic outfit – in fact with my mum’s lovely silver hair, now there’s a thought!

Culottes are having a moment, aren’t they!

October 22, 2014October 26, 2014 ~ juliabegbie ~ Leave a comment

InnerMutton likes culottes, both practical and smart they fit nicely into our style uniform, and now they are trendy too.

I particularly like this sharply tailored pair from Marni via Net a Porter…

marni culottes

obviously high-quality cloth and a great cut that creates a strong, sculptural profile. And teamed with some chunky loafers or brogues (a story for another day!), or high courts for evening wear, these are a classic item to add to your winter wardrobe.

Sadly I don’t have a Marni budget, nor can I stretch to Acne Studios’ version…

acne culottes

which at £400 (and also via Net-A-Porter) are only a tad cheaper, so I’ve been on the hunt for something similar.

Much of what is on the market is shorter – around the knee – and to my eye looks a bit like an ill-fitting summer skirt. I was temporarily diverted by leatherette…but then I remembered this is InnerMutton and not InnerGestapo, so I moved along.

So, for now I am sticking with this pair from Topshop… topshop

They don’t have quite the same stiff A-line shape but at £40 they are one tenth of the price of the next nearest contender. They are from the Tall range hence the extra length in the leg. And as with all product presented here, something I’d be happy to send my granny out in!

I think that there will be more to say on this subject as ‘culotte’ searches are turning up more and more product daily – so watch this space.