Well, it appears that fashions love affair with the 50s might be dwindling as the 60s popped up all over the Autumn Winter Catwalks.

To be fair, they’re not quite ready to let go, as it’s not a go go boots and psychedelia version of the 60s, but a more genteel, lady like transition period, where pin curls gave way to beehives, but skirt lengths stayed stayed low.

Yesterday I had a little dabble with the decade. It’s not my favourite decade, but curls and rolls are still beyond me as I recover from my weekend in a tent and seeing as the weather has decided it’s Autumn already it seemed an appropriate time to try out some Autumn fashions (though I firmly believe that come late September we will see blazing sunshine. Trust me, it’s coming)

My take, today, is less about Autumnal tweeds, as there’s still SOME warmth in the air, so I went for a heavyweight cotton midi skirt and a lightweight knit tucked in. The shapes are quite Louis Vuitton, but the colours are all mine today!

❤ Earrings - Vintage 60s ❤ Jumper - Oasis via eBay ❤ Skirt - Laura Ashley via a Charity Shop ❤
❤ Belt - Primark ❤ Shoes - Clarks via eBay ❤

I do like the lady like midi length skirts that are heading back for Autumn, most of my wardrobe is that length anyway, and whilst the boxier 60s styles don’t appeal to me in the slightest there is something appealingly elegant  about this look.

Hair wise, I went for a small beehive. Anything much bigger on me requires padding, and the whole point of today was to keep effort to a minimum. Besides, I’m thinking elegant first lady, not Amy Winehouse stumbling through Camden. I gently backcombed the roots and smoothed the front over, tying it into a low ponytail at the back and hiding the band by wrapping hair around it.

I also abandoned lipstick for the day, focusing on the eyes for that 60s vibe. I think this is another low key look, as mascara and eyeliner stays where it’s put, but lippy needs reapplying.

What DIDN’T stay where it was put, however, were my eyelashes. These are Revlon lashes, which I very much like. They sent me some back in December, and, having never tried them before, I am now a convert. This time around, however, they sent me some “precision lash glue” and so far I am less than impressed. I tried it Saturday night, and had to peel them off within 2 hours as they were coming loose. Putting this down to attempting to apply them in a tent I tried again today, and again they are peeling within hours. The thin brush applicator seems easier to use than those fiddly little tubes, but so far the performance is less than desirable. Possibly I’m not using enough as the applicator is TOO precise, I shall persevere, I’m off out on Saturday, and I will let you know how I got on!

What do you think about the Ladylike 60s vibe?

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In the 20s and 30s it was considered a little “extreme” to paint your entire fingernail.

The “moon” manicure or reverse French Manicure was far more common. Often with the tip of the nail also left unpainted.

For the past few seasons it’s been kicking around on the contemporary catwalks too, and of course Dita Von Teese has been sporting this vintage look for a while.

I am utterly convinced that I read in a beauty manual belonging to my Mother (so probably from the 60s or 70s) that you should leave the moon bare to allow the nail to “breathe”. This would have been somewhere around 20 years ago, though, so tracking down whatever book this is now would be nigh on impossible and you’ll just have to take my word for it.

It always seemed like  a bit of a faff to me, I’m more than capable of messing up a regular manicure, without the added difficulty of trying to get perfect moons. However, in the interests of research I decided to give it a try. I went hunting for hole reinforcers to use as guides, but my totally useless local stationers didn’t appear to have any (what if I’d had some holes that urgently needed reinforcing?) so instead I bought little dots.

I decided to paint the moons a pinky beige and use my bright pink Nails Inc polish for the rest of the nail. I can confirm that it was a total faff, especially trying to do my right hand. I actually quite like the effect though, so I might try it again. From a distance it looks pretty good, but close up it’s a little messy. Like I’m fond of saying, though, practice will surely make perfect.

On a couple of nails I peeled off a little of the bottom coat of polish removing the stickers and I’m a bit disappointed with the contrast, the beige polish is too close to my natural nail colour, next time I might try using a lighter shade, or even just an extra coat of this one.

What do you think of the moon manicure? Faff or fun?

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I hate Clogs.

I’m sorry but these are just ugly.

I had a pair in the late 90s and having seen pictures of myself in them has made me realise I looked a lot like a golf club and should really never be seen in a pair again. I thought I’d get used to them after a while when they came back in for this Summer, but I really haven’t.

I’m not averse to a wooden sole though. I find them quite comfortable, after a bit of wear they shape nicely to your feet and once you get used to the “rolling” motion you have to use to walk they’re easy to walk around in too.

Open toes and a more delicately shaped sole is a more elegant way to wear this trend. So if you fancy dipping your toe in the world of the wooden sole, here’s a few alternatives.

I’ll have to start by mentioning the ubiquitous Swedish Hasbeens. They’re kinda pretty, but £149? Really?

Swedish Hasbeens £149 ASOS

Thankfully it’s not hard to avoid being ripped off for a popular name and find a similar style for a lot less if you look around. Here’s 2 to start with

Moheda Sofie £60 Sarenza

Barcelona £75 Maguba

But I can give you 3 even prettier alternatives to the clog.

Grettle in the Wood £60 Office

I love the cut out detail and the buckle on these Office shoes. I SERIOUSLY love these.

Opal Patent Sandals £55 Topshop

These are pretty patent leather with an espadrille detail insole. 2 shoes in one!

Miss L Fire Del Rio £50 Shudoo

Embroidered rose buds, delicate heel. Perfect. And even better, currently on sale.

Are you a fan of the Clog trend?

header by Dave-F

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