Look Du Jour: Lumberchic

What: Whistles aviator jacket (available here), River Island lumberchic plaid shirt (similar here and here), Hudson Nico Super Skinny jeans (available here), Polo Ralph Lauren boots (available here), Massimo Dutti bag & Valentino mask aviator sunglasses (available here) with Dior Mirage nail polish (available here) (all c/o)

Where: Brunch in West London.

When it comes to personal style, it’s so easy to pigeonhole yourself. As you guys know very well indeed, I’m all about all things girly, preppy and preferably sparkly. I’ve never met a Peter Pan collar I didn’t like (slight exaggeration maybe… But only slight) and I don’t see that changing until I’m absolutely ancient and look so utterly ridiculous wearing one that people point and laugh at me in the street. However that doesn’t mean I don’t like to mix it up from time to time and whenever I do, I’m always amazed by the transformative power of clothing. Fashion may have its less positive traits but the fact that putting on a certain outfit can instantly make the wearer feel more confident, sexier, sophisticated or even take on a whole persona is really rather magical. When I’m not seeking out clothes that make me feel like Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl – a tired and outdated reference I know, but I challenge you to name a more perfect preppy icon – then there’s nothing I enjoy more than donning an ensemble that has the opposite effect. Remember that Diesel leather dress? It scared the hell out of me but then on it went and suddenly I was, in my mind, the baddest bitch in the Brook Green area. This second skin skinny jeans / aviator jacket / oversized plaid shirt combination was a similar story. There was something about the whole lumberjack-goes-fash vibe that may not have been typically “me” but felt oh so right. Plus, the boots totally reminded me of the stiletto heeled Timberland’s rocked by the likes of Beyonce and J-Lo circa 2000. For a considerable period during my teenage years I coveted those above all else so this made me very happy indeed.

How do you feel about the transformative power of clothes? Do you like to mix up your personal style?

Love Ella. X

Images by Holly McGlynn