Straw hats

Straw hats have a raw simplicity to

them that is carelessly, flippantly,

naturally right for the mood of the

moment.

From old straw boaters to crumpled and

with loads of character, these hats are perfect for the

beach , the city or the carousel in Monte Martre!

Bearded Boys

You have had to have nticed those barbed bandits on the

street of late.
Not since the 70's , when Burt Reynolds, Mic Fleetwood

and just about any one on the streets from San Francisco

to Sydney wore there growth with pride, have beards

been so everywhere.
When I was in Paris recently , if a guy didn't have a beard,

he had probably not yet reached puberty.
So don't grow a mo, or sexy side burns.

Forget the taste collector or whatever that small triangle

of bumb-fluff under ones' lip was called ,that was so 2006.

Whether going for some longish stubble or the full beardorama,
just don't shave off the hairs on you chinny, chin, chin!

Tags

So who is the Cobra Snake?

Ray of Light

You know sometimes you are wandering down the

street and you just need a ray of sunshine to light up

your path..well here are a few.

Wild Horses

What is it with the streets of Paris and Horses. This

animal has to be the symbol of the city.

Did you know that the positioning of the horses feet

relative to the ground in sculptures, signifies how

the rider of the horse died.

For example the beautiful golden sculpture of

Joan D'Arc outside Hotel Regina (above), with feet

raised off the ground, means that she did not die

on the battlefield.

Geometric

Studded Style

Hardware chic is everywhere on the street at the moment.

It as though we are all preparing to go into battle out there.

Why, sign of the times, or just a hardy look that adds

an edge and a little bit of a gritty contrast.

Dancing in the Streets

Though these shots aren't officially in a street,

(they were taken in an underground area adjoining a train

station in Singapore), I just love the combination of the

dancing figures , the reflective floor and the intense

halogen spotlights.

For some reason it looks almost other worldly and magical,

don't you think ?

Wetsuits

I think there is something almost amphibious happening

in fashion at the moment. Whether it be the fabrics of

a lot of almost wet looking clothing around to the

reptilian prints in textiles.

This lead me to thinking about how wetsuits could be a

great inspiration for a designers collection.

Check these out and tell me if you agree.

Tights are alright!

Men in ..

tights.

Girls in ..

tights.

You have to have noticed that tights are

the new lower-half staple for most inner

city girls.

They have been for some time now and

don't seem to be going any time soon.

In Japan I noticed that boys are getting in on

the black tight action. Under shorts as seen here.

They make them look very sporty cool I think,

especially with the day-glo white trainers.

How come in Japan, they look great in most

things that probably wouldn't translate as

well anywhere else?

Lace, Lace, Lace

Lace is going to be huge for a while. Why..

1 Alexander McQueen would have wanted it that way.

2 It is cheeky and exposes while covering up simultaneously which suits the mood of now for some reason.

3 It is very 80s ( Prince wants his catsuit back).

4 It goes with leather and Lycra..also huge.

5 It has that Spanish flamenco thing about it that is always going to be on fire.

6 It has that Jane Austin thing about it that is always going to be like a fresh English breeze.

7 Lady Ga Ga says so.

8 Madonna says.."I said so first. "

9 Beyonce says.."yeah , but I say so last."

10 The girls in these photographs look great in it so you will too.

Pumping Iron

The street gym is not your average gym. We are not

talking about your hi-tech Fitness First here, with

speakers pumping, designer sports wear and Pump and

Pilate's.

These are gyms not for the faint hearted.

Equipment is often rusty and basic, but does the job.

Some are outdoor , with amazing views

(see the famous Bondi beach gym above).

Others are almost underground, like a secret men's

only club, like the ones I stumbled across in

Havana, Cuba.

Crochet Chic

There is something very comfortingly crafty going on

with fashion at the moment. I don't know if some one's

Grandmother is working overtime or if Gen. Y have

discovered the art of crochet.

Any way, it has been hibernating for sometime and now is

back; this time not in the shape of table cloths and

doilies , but bags, vests and dresses.

The look is somewhat herbal chic with a dash of

Fleetwood flavour.

Stevie we love you for inspiring a whole new generation

of modern day gypsies!

American Boy

I was in L. A recently and I was struck by how fresh the

street style was there. Especially young guys.

They dress with a simplicity that is very cool.

They combine basics with flare and it is often the way

they wear things as much as the clothes themselves,

rolling sleeves to just the right length or haplessly

letting the tongue flop out of a boot.

Perfect denims, chinos and classic elements are all

thrown into the mix.

With so many fashion blogs and mags. extolling the

virtues of the perfect this and that, and Hollywood stylists

creating roll models of style everywhere from Brad Pitt

to Robert Pattinson, maybe it is easier to get style

inspiration and information these days.

But I think it is often instinctive, just as the

French somehow know how to do that sexy rock

look better than anyone. The English do eclectic to

perfection, the Italian's ; sartorial style with ease,

and the Japanese somehow get onto trends so

quickly, looking more directional and current

than anyone else. The Spanish rule with that gypsy Ibiza

holiday look, and of course, when it comes to Australians

(and possibly the Brazilians).. they know how to do

beach better than the rest.

Well the Americans do classic street wear like

no other.

Evidence above!