How To Wear Brogues

Brogues: a man’s shoe fit for women? We began to spot them last year, worn by Alexa Chung and other celebrities. However, with the masculine/androgynous trend coming up this autumn/winter, we are going to see them everywhere. While I love my heels and wedges, I’ve always been a fan of … men’s shoes. A tad weird, I know, but I guess it just proves the point that, if I were a man, I would have the same ridiculous shoe collection as I have being girlie me. Not too freaked out by my musings yet? ok, I shall go on.

I initially got a grey come blue pair from Primark in Spring, loved their comfort and paired them with skinny jeans and chinos. A couple of weeks ago while browsing Spartoo, I fell for the ones pictured above (you can find them here). As soon as the postman delivered them, I don’t know what it was, I loved them even more. And I have already thought of 3 ways in which to wear these beauties.

Option number 1: Inspired by Alexa as seen here.

Blouse: Zara
Cut-out jeans: Etnies
Shoes: Clarks courtesy of Spartoo

Is it just me or do I look really tiny in this picture?

Look number 2: the masculine take. Probably my favourite. Comfy yet I felt quite sexy wearing some red lipstick and attempting to style my hair with a retro quiff and a ponytail.

Jacket: Zara
Top: Denny Rose
Shoes: Clarks courtesy of Spartoo

Option number 3: Girlie girl

Dress: New Look
T-shirt: Pull & Bear
Shoes: Clarks courtesy of Spartoo

So there you have it, three different ways in which to wear brogues. They also look great with a pretty cocktail dress, but the overall silhouette must be sleek, so avoid making the top part of the body too bulky.

Brogues are a style of shoes that you either love or hate, what is your take? Masculine trends for women, yay or nay?

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

What I Bought – pretty shoes & a vintage find

What happens when you find a great vintage army jacket for only €15 (£13)? you want to wear it with EVERYTHING… even if it’s just some underwear. I may be pushing the limits here a tad, but I’ll let you decide whether this works or not.

Army jacket: vintage 80s -90s
Camisole: New Look
Shoes: Vivienne Westwood by Melissa courtesy of Spartoo

I found this jacket in a vintage store in Berlin, at the actual Bread & Butter show, and at that price, it had to be mine. How about the shoes? I’ve been coveting a pair of Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragons by Melissa for a long while, and finally I’m fortunate enough to get a pair. While they seem comfortable, they are a bit tight around the toe area: alas, it’s the curse of The Evil Fat Toe striking again *sigh*

I hope you are all having a splendid summer xx

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Where to Shop – Marbella Saturday market

Last week I spent some days with my beautiful sister in Marbella, her current home. I have a couple of projects lined up with her to share with all of you, but more on that soon.

I have talked about Marbella before, how there are plenty of people there with astronomical amounts of money, driving cars that are somewhat unbelievebable. There is something quite unique about being woken up by the sound of a Lamborghini Diablo speeding by your window. It’s another world.

My sister had been telling me about the town’s Saturday market for a good while so we decided to go and check it out. The verdict? pretty good and worth visiting.

There are hundreds of stands, tons of merchandise: jewellery, accessories, clothes, leather goods, ceramics and even an antique area, which if you like over the top barroque-style of furnishings this is the place to go. While it’s not to my personal taste, it was still interesting to have a wander around.

Tip: get there really early, from 9am it’s mayhem to park your car, carry lots of water as the temperatures in Summer are excruciatingly hot and there’s hardly any shade.

The find of the day? these customised trainers and shoes by Mari Paz Alario, an artist from Malaga. She mainly paints beautiful pictures, but she has now ventured into fashion, with some gorgeous items, such as these pretty trainers. Each piece is unique as she paints them by hand. For more info on her creations click here.

What do you think? Would you go for something like this? I’m especially in love with the pink ones, of course!!

See you in Berlin everyone! Next time you visit Fashion Limbo I will be at the Berlin Bread & Butter Supershow reporting on the brands present there for you: urban fashion, ethical fashion, bohemian chic, you name it, I’m there!!

The Puerto Banus street market in Marbella is on every Saturday from 9am to 2-3pm. It’s next to the Plaza de Toros (bullring), 10 minute walk from the port.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

On Shoes and Emotions – a Sunday outfit

It’s funny how a pair of shoes can stir emotions other than the usual satisfaction of a new buy. Today I want to share something with you – more than an outfit post.

I apologise for the quality of the pictures, we’re still learning to use the new camera.

I may have mentioned it before, but there was once a girl in my life that made me smile on a regular basis. I did the same for her for the 8 years I knew her. We weren’t related but we felt like sisters to each other. I bought my first pair of Adidas with her, the boxing boot type. It was a rainy day, and instead of spending the day in London as planned, we deviated towards the Bluewater shopping centre.

We also shared ugly times, rough patches, stood next to each other when our hearts got broken. We went on holiday together, shared silly inside jokes. She was my best friend.

She disappeared from my life two years ago.

I still don’t know what went wrong. Somebody hurt her so much she suddenly felt she could trust no more. She banned everyone from her life, including me. With no warning, she evaporated into thin air.

I’ve cried for her, missed her until it physically hurt.

I don’t know where she is in the world, I don’t know what happened to her. In a way, she is still inside of me. I think of her almost every day and hope she has found whatever she needed to make her smile. I have a billion reasons to curve my mouth in such a way, I just need to remind myself more often.

Dress: New Look, Belt: Massimo Dutti, Shoes: Adidas courtesy of Spartoo

Pictures: Fashion Limbo