Say Hello to my little friend...

Trousers: Zara

Jumper: Uniqlo

Boots: Kurt Geiger

Bag: Celine

Cardigan: Zara

Well, well, well, it has been a while!

So sorry for the delay in posting, after fashion month madness along with moving house, it all got a bit crazy so I have been M.I.A on a two week holiday with the beau. 

Feeling suitably rested and recuperated it was straight back into work with a bang (much in the same way the weather slapped me in the face when I stepped off the plane... there is something surreal about being in a bikini one day and winter coat the next.)

It was an out and out 'last season' situation in my outfit choice's this week.

Last season Bordeaux coloured  Zara trousers (to quote Whitney, 'I will always love you' ) Last seasons KG boots- platforms are my best friend when trying to evade puddles- and last seasons Chunky 70's inspired cardigan.

Check out my belated birthday present from the boyfriend: an immaculately preserved vintage Celine bag.

I cannot express how much this little number has melted my heart, she really is the most beautiful bag I have ever seen: classic, the perfect size and multi-wearable... just goes to show, some things only get better with age!

ELLE at London fashion week...

image via Vogue.it

Bag: Phillip Lim

Skirt: Alexander Wang

Bootis: Calvin Klein

Socks: H&M

Jumper: Uniqlo

Sunglasses: H&M

London Fashion week has been so crazy this year, the shows have been amazing (Preen have completely upped their game. I was breathless!) 

The street style has gotten even more eccentric- I actually saw a shoe worn as a hat... a. shoe. worn .as. a. hat.

Gaga has a lot to answer for! 

I wore heels for the first day and have been subjected to flats ever since (I have a blister the size of China on my heel!)

And I finally got to take my new Wang skirt out for a spin, wins all round!

Autumnal tones have been my pallet of choice (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!) with yummy maroons, Olives and a pop of yellow thrown in for good measure! 

It was all going well until I decided to wear a Polo neck on day two and it turned out to be 22 degrees (I had to pretend that sweating unceremoniously was part of my "look")

One more day and then I'm away for two weeks *smug 'booked my holiday after everyone else' face*

ELLEuk are doing amazing coverage of all the shows, partys and streetstyle along with our very own "ELLE assistants blog" check it all out here.

You can also follow me on instagram @madeleienbowden22 and Twitter @madeleinebowden to see my instant updates from the shows and street!

See you on the other side!

Details...

Denim smock dress: Topshop

Denim shirt:vintage

Necklace: accessorize

Shoes: ASOS

Bag: Valentino

There comes a time in every girls life when she is looking for a smock.

I know this is a sweeping statement to make, but I urge any lady, of the sartorially inclined, to defy that she has once, or currently is, on the market for a good old fashioned smock dress.

They're so perfect in their form; versatile, chic and just so darn cute.

I have been on obsessed with the perfect denim smock ever since my twelve-year-old self took a permenant marker to my favourite dungadress that bared an uncanny resemblance to that Stella McCartney denim romper.  

For me, what makes the smock so chic is the details that accompany it...

 Too little and you become a sort of uncomfortable, adult looking child.

Too much, and you're verging on try hard/ overkill territory.

I found double denim (a firm favourite) neck jewels and a discrafully perfect Valentino bag to be my perfect balance.

The hem line needs taking up an inch, but we will ignore that for now and just focus on the details.

Dont let the sun go down on me...

Sunglasses: H&M

Top: French Connection

Skirt: Zara

Bag: Milan

The last of the summer sun is upon us so I felt it quite appropriate to bring out he sunshine skirt.

This skirt has taken me through many a season for more reasons that I can explain but if I have to; it is A line, slight neoprene/ cotton highbred and a pop of colour always takes an outfit to new levels of chic in my eyes.

Probably it's final tryst on the cobbles before she gets tucked away for another year... Next up expect cobalt blue, olive green and neon rasberry hues.

Winter, I'm ready for yah! 

Ear knockers...

Earrings: H&M

Shirt: Boyfriends

Ear bling is having such a moment right now.

 No matter where you go; designer or high street, you cannot get away from them- and why would you want to?!

Me and my Butchers (Pat Butchers) are firm friends, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

They take an outfit from everyday to verging on inappropriately evening (my favourite) with the mere pop of a butterfly back. 

 Just make sure you give your lobes a few days for recovery...

 These babies are not for faint hearted!

That extra half inch...

 

Jumper: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Shoes:Valentino

Bag: Tila March

Every season there is a 'shoe' - I am very aware that this sounds both completely obvious and ambiguous at the same time, but stick with me here.

A champion shoe, like a cult tote, is that one garment you just cannot get away from. 

Every fashion ed or fashion girl worth her salt will own said garment and the whole of the fashion world will be awash with these heavenly pieces leaving the rest of the world floundering in a pool of their own lust/ drool.

These be such shoes.

Currently the protagonist of my sartorial love story, (along with Celine, well, everything!) 

They're all a girl could ask for from her winter formal...

1. Midi heel (apparently that sounds better than 'kitten') 

2. Shiny enough to check your makeup in-  always have to have a back up! 

3. Perfect day to night shoe with just the right amount of business at the front, party at the back

4. Investment piece... When is Valentino ever NOT an investment

I do feel, however, (after I have conviced myself that theyre worth a months rent?!) That I may get the slip on version as there is something about 'slipping on' a pair of beautiful shoes that touches you in a special place... Laces kind of take the magic out of it,  don't you think? 

Peplum unite...

 Top: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Jacket: Topshop unique

Shoes: H&M

Brolly: Unknown

Ahh yes, the peplum. Friend or foe? 

I personally find it one of the most flattering way's to draw attention to the waist (I'm slightly averse to belts that hold no 'real' function... call it an aversion or intrepid hatred, either way, contrived clothing is a massive bugbear of mine.)
With the female form being so heavily celebrated this season- and so it should be *goddesses* the peplum is back in a major way for AW. 

After a wee nod last season, the big boys came out with all guns a blazing in the way of some suurious waist accessorising- enter my double peplum/ superhero union.

Black and blue is another one of those, should I, shouldn't I situations.

I say should- they are, after all, close friends of the palette and if you choose the right shades they can merge seamlessly into one.

The brolly was an accident that turned out to be pretty well matched to the shoes, accidental accessories- my favourite!

Show me your kitten heel...

Kitten heels: Zara

Some love' em, some hate 'em, some couldn't care less!

I always thought that I was averse to a heel lower than 4 inches (being from a city where you practically walk out of the womb in stilettos will do that to a gal)

But my feet have paid the price. Hours of walking, running and even on some occasions hurdling- cobbles are a bitch! Have all led me to hold a warmer reception toward this vertigo defiant stiletto.

The reasons are three fold:

1. You instantly feel classier in a lower heel, don't ask me why- it's the same logic as sunglasses giving  you that 'instant cool' 

2. If they're good enough for Hepburn and the Olsen's they're good enough for me.

3. They're the perfect day to night shoe, you don't feel like a dirty stop out at work and don't feel too underdressed in the bar after (both equally important).

4. (I know I said three, but it's my list so I will add one more) The high street is absolutely nailing this trend- see picture for point and case.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my statement skyscrapers, but I think I will keep them big ol' blocks for when I need to dodge the snow! 

Viva la kitten!

Blonde Ambition?

That age old question of, "Do Gentlemen prefer blondes?" is one that has plagued the mind of this Brunette's head for some time- not in the occupying my life kind of way.
More an enquiring mind wanting to know.

There are a plethora of cliches regarding blondes, "blondes have more fun" being one such example- but few that relate to Brunettes, apart from: "Men have fun with blondes and settle down with brunettes" (Something I am suspicious was fabricated by the latter in order to make herself feel better.)

The whole idea that a hair colour can define your character seems ludicrous, but that is exactly what many Hollywood icon's based their entire career on:

Marilyn Monroe- Dumb blonde

Grace Kelly- Angelic virgin Blonde

Sophia Loren- Smouldering dark siren

Audrey Hepburn- Classy and demure brunette

It would also seem that things haven't changed much in 60 years. We still have the ethereal, nymph like beauty's and Bombshell ideals of forgoing fair headed beauties.

If you happen to have a spare 40 minutes ( I know it seemed like I was going to say four there... yeah, sorry about that!) and are not bored by this whole subject (quite likely)

Take a listen to this radio 4 story by Lois Banner (author of Marilyn's best selling biography) about Marilyn herself and how she was forever trying to escape the very ideal she is best known for... it seems brains AND beauty are the most covetable shade (is it strange that I automatically want to write 'of Grey' after that? Damn book.) Regardless of your hair colour.


www.bbc4.com/notsodumbblonde

Summer cut...

Hair: my own

Sunglasses: H&M

Changes of season always bring about feelings of fresh starts and fresh looks.

With this in mind I Periodically have two inches cut off my hair every few months to save it from
A. The remains of my over bleached Do
and
B. The self inflicted monotony/ torture of trying to grow it and kid myself that I have lustrous locks.

This is my new Do for the next few months.
I always feel empowered when I have a few inches off, like I am no longer a slave to the stereotype or  something to that effect- kind of a "F*ck you system, if I want to have glorified curtains, a la Beckham 1998, then I will, goddamit!

Short, blunt and just a bit flirty (rather like yours truly non?)

English Rose...

Model: Sophie Tamara Nattrass

Photographer: Chris Davis of Specular

Stylist: Madeleine Bowden

MUA: Carly Musleh

Publication: CHASE Magazine

The latest editorial I styled for CHASE magazine.

A quintessentially British looking model (who I'm kind of obsessed with) a patriotic themed issue and a wonderfully talented team made for some great shots.
I went for a more ethereal English Rose feel; nymph like and chaste... sort of Queen Mary-esk.
Using netting and silk ribbon from a market stall to make the skirts I coupled them with with vintage slips and copious amount of jewellery (The queen loves her some bling).

Double denim...

Sunglasses: H&M 

Top: Vintage

Jeans: Zara

Bag: Zara

Shoes: Topshop

Rockin' a bit of double denim on a drizzly Monday. 

This is an old fail safe of mine, I love the double D...Traditionally reserved for extra's in Footloose and 80's builders, I find solace in the simplicity of the smart/casual bi-tonal garms.

The search for the perfect ripped jean has been a battle of mine for quite some time (many a pair of jean have perished in my bid to perfect the ripped/ denim ratio in a DIY fashion)

In the midst of all the searching I bypassed an old faithful... Zara! She has never let me down before so quite why she was not top of my list I will never know!

The shoes; a little gem I spotted in the sale which, after some teething problems in the way of an offensive blister, have now become my new most comfortable pair of flats.

Yellow bag... standard.

Karlie Kloss W magazine...

Karlie Kloss shot by Nick Knight W magazine

The stuff dreams are made of (albeit slightly muted dreams featuring a geisha/ ballerina/ flower wearing highbred, but that's normal right?!) Karlie Kloss photographed by Nick Knight in W magazine is the type of editorial that sparks a thousand inspirational mood boards the world over.

Chanel, Ellie Saab and floral head pieces; the only thing missing is a unicorn... not a completely ridiculous notion considering the impossible levels of beauty in this shoot. Aaaand swoon.

Summer lace...

Coat: Warehouse

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Dune

Bag: Kurt Geiger

Earrings: H&M

Sunglasses: H&M

I was out and about on my lunch break when I was accosted by the street style team at ELLEuk (lovely girls they are) I was wearing my favourite summer lace dress, fantasy coat and new orthopaedic-esk sandals- these babies are not only ridiculously comfortable but they harbour a snakeskin heel to die for! 

Both pieces tick all of my summer boxes at the moment - I use the word 'summer' very loosely.

By way of detail. I'm all about the details when it comes to city summer dressing, it often makes all the difference in an outfit!

Topped off with neon accessories *shock* and some round plastic sunnies (wishful thinking).

 You can read the whole 'summer dresses' feature here

Papercute magazine...

 

Last week I was informed that a shoot I styled and shot with Chris from Specular that is appearing in this months edition of Newyork fashion magazine, Papercut.

The shoot is one of my personal favourites as I got complete free reign and artistic direction- this is how we ended up with a set square necklace and shredded bin bags as a ponytail, let it never be said that I am not resourceful!

Lizzie is a dream to work with as she just does whatever is asked of her without question and works. it. out! 

You can read the issue on their website or get your copy of the magazine here if you want to feel it (not in a creepy way) but are not a native to the big apple.

What ELLE wears...

Jacket: Vintage

Top: Cos

Pants: Zara

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Zara

ELLEuk.com do a wonderful feature cslled "what ELLE wears".  They do it every Tuesday and you can see what everyone wears from the Editor to the interns. It always makes for fantastic viewing as the ladies at ELLE are seriously stylish.

These shoes are literally glued to my feet, in fact I am sure they have appeared in my last three outfit post *note to self- must share the shoe love* I am just memorized by the way they go with every single item in my wardrobe at the moment and the chunky heel makes for some serious comfort walking (note that they were originally T-bars and I cut it off to make a more streamline sandal).

A tonal pallet of grey and white accented with a humongous yellow bag.

This big yellow bag is another firm favourite of mine- ongoing bag crap saga not helped in the slightest!

You can check the full feature here and see what ELLE wears to work on a daily basis.

Flare magazine...

Top: H&m

Necklace: H&m

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Zara

Last month the lovely Michelle Yu of FLARE magazine asked me to get involved with the blogger style challenge.

Five bloggers were asked their interpretation of the summer lace trend. Obviously I went for a shin length number (you can take the girl out of the vicarage and all that)

I complimented it with accents of neon and a classic wardrobe staple: the Breton- my love for this top has been well documented, a Breton really is a girls best friend.

You can read the whole feature here and also see what the other bloggers wore.

Style Aesthetic...

Jacket: Zara

T-shirt: Topshop

Necklace: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Kurt Geiger

I was streetpapped last week by the lovely and extremely smooth Wayne Tippetts of Street Style Aesthetic. 

If you don't already know about this blog then click on the link and get to know.

 Wayne takes some absolutely beautiful photos and especially focuses on colour palettes, which results in some truly inspirational combos.

THE ROW...

The Row resort 2012

Hot on the heels of their CDFA award *snaps for the Olsen's* the sisters who can do no wrong showcased their resort 2013 collection.

Never let it be said that granny chic has died a death. This collection has single handedly made the pointed flat covetable again.

With a barrage of muted tones and impeccably cut, timeless pieces, this is one beautifully constructed line- that purple jacket absolutely kills me!

Showcasing a fresh, modern take on the capsule wardrobe with understated luxe and edgy accents- give me some PVC, a pop sock and a shin length hem line and I'm happy.

Best dressed?

So the boyf and I have made it down to the last 36 for Britain's most stylish couple- number 13, unlucky for some?

So here comes the moment I plead for your help. All of my beautiful readers and visitors, if you would be so kind as to click on THIS link and vote for us, that would be greatly appreciated and I promise to share some beautiful photos of the clothes with you- may even do a little give away ;)

Thank you so much guys- I am interning next week and have a wonderful post planned so stay tuned!