C'est pas trop?

By Neslihan

I like how Scandinavian minimalism in fashion is always represented by sharp lines and plain fabrics. As if you can't be as tight in a floral or cubistic print. I get it, the look screams 'no nonsense' and a sort of Parisian 'je m'en fou'. It was never about ruffles, frills or femininity anyway. It's about clean lines, sleek cuts, perfect finish and modest fabrics. That truly is 'minimalism' summed up in a couple words. But we need optimism and bright colours. Let's bring in the chaos in our outfits and let us not fear dazzling prints. Let's embrace complexity and vertical lines. Don't be afraid to sport wavy cuts and push minimalism in totally different direction this season.


SIMPLICITY AT ITS FINEST:

Left: Osman Resort 2015

      Right: Chalayan Resort 2015

I feel like during summer it's way too hawt to accessorize. I sweat buckets so I can't deal with big ass chains, life size earrings and/or arm candy. I like it when my clothing speaks for itself. When you're all about simplicity and dressing down, you have to keep a number of things in mind. First is the quality of your clothes. Since you're not investing in jewelery, you might aswell pay a little more for your basics because we're talking about daily wear, so it's really important that the garment keeps its colour and shape after like you've worn it for a dozen of times. The second most important thing is subtlety. I know it's really hard not to be 'm'as tu vu' when you're about to mix your brightest shoes with your hot pink skirt but suck it in, will ya. You don't want #triedtoohard next to your instagram OOTD picture. You have to look like you haven't given two shits that day. So it's really important to keep the prints, colours and even shoes (we're talking icy metalics) down with this simple look. 

DRESSING DOWN WITH PRINTS:

Left: Stella McCartney Resort 2015

Right: 3.1 Phillip Lim Resort 2015

I know it's really hard to find simple prints for daily wear. prints are all about daring to be insanely out of your mind. When it comes to prints you shouldn't feel limited, you should feel as though polkadots and stripes do mix well together if you stay in the same colour palette. You should feel as though vertically striped clown pants really can be the chiquest thing ever if you take it down a notch and combine them with quirky shoes. While you're actually leveling down it is crucial that you do this with simple cuts, pure uni colour garments and this one's really important: NO ACCESSORIES. The only things that are allowed are a nice pair of shoes and a great minimalistic bag. No stitches, no visible pockets and no joyful details. Sacrifice your carnivalesque soul in order to become the sleek, icy queen you've always wanted to be.

HOW THINGS ESCALATE:

Left: Erdem Resort 2015

                  Right: Mary Katrantzou Resort 2015

You can tell this style report on minimalism is going the wrong way once florals pop in. The thing with florals is that it reminds be of this pure childish naïvité and it's time to get rid of that vibe. I'm not talking about wavy flower power and daisies in your hair. I'm talking business, sharp lines, clean cuts and stiff fabrics. I don't want the garment to be draped on my body, I want the garment to give me a different shape. I want the clothes to define my posture, movement and body language. I want to follow the direction it chooses for me, a kind of mechanic way of moving. I don't want to tuck in or accentuate my waist. I wanna be me without feeling like I have to be elegant and feminine. I want to wear florals and feel like a million bucks. That's why I'd totally get rid of that belt on the left picture because this look is all about a never ending couple of lines flowing into each other without breaking them by accentuating things.

Armed with a handbag

By Neslihan

Today I woke up, watched the final 2 episodes of American Horror Story and realized that it's about time I pay a visit to my own blog instead of gushing about someone else's. My last exam was on the 19th of June and I have been watching series and creating collages eversince. My mind is being invaded by beautiful collections, accessories, movies and ART in short. Now I'm realizing that I have a big fat 2.5 month vacation ahead of me, I'm kind of panicking because I'm an enormous workaholic. I constantly want to be busy and see, learn, feel new things. I'm telling you, I've been making lists of movies I should watch and books I should read and topics I should blog about. I constantly have to feel pressure because my life kind of feels empty without it. I know this sounds crazy but I have been trying to slow down lately. That kind of explains my lack of lust for blogging lately. Everytime I started blogging I felt like the thing I was writing wasn't significant enough, so I stopped and have now stored 3-4 unfinished blogposts in my concepts draft. I'm so terribly sorry (I don't really mean it though) but it just didn't feel right. So I'm picking up the pieces once again (OMG why so D R A M A T I C) and reviving this self-proclaimed fashion blog.

First up: Versace Galore

It has actually been quite a while since I've posted anything that was 'catwalk material' but I guess I had lost my interest in that side of fashion until this Versace collection popped up and restored my faith in the fashion gods. I like how Donatella and her fashion brand are always balancing between vulgarity, bad taste, Italian quirkiness and craftsmanship. The Spring 2015 collection is cool as ice and sleek like a motherfucker. It drifts somewhere inbetween flawless manly silhouettes and elegant femininity. That remark comes from a stereotypical perception of masculinity and femininity of course but before I enter the debate on gender roles, I'd like to finish this vain attempt to a -what's called 'fashion review' in the fashionable mouths of the beau monde. I love how Donatella has created those unicolour outfits, which don't only look chiquer but also richer. As in richer colours, fabrics and postures. I like the beige and cold grey together (4th picture) and I adore how she paired up an outfit like this with freakin' sandals. It's as if she is showing us the new business man, who doesn't take himself that serious. Someone who's ready to pop in funky pinks, soft minimalistic blues and shiny beiges. He isn't afraid of wearing handbags and accentuating his waist. Wait, I think I'm creating this amazing utopia in which everyone creates her/his own (fashion) identity without being told that something looks too manly or girly for him/her.

If 'Scarface' were to have a 2014 remake and I were to be the stylist, I'd put every single actor in a summer '15 Versace outfit because 'Scarface' means power, luxury, refinement and bling and I'm afraid Versace has all of it to offer, including the handbags. I had enough of the stiff and macho definition of 'masculinity', enter loafers, chinos, shiny fabrics and flexible gender lingo.

Aspiration

By Neslihan
I could bitch about the results of yesterday's Belgian national elections after which a rightest, very conservative and national party has won but I won't. Because this is a self proclaimed fashion blog that has to tingle your brain out of thrill and not arise all the hairs on your neck out of frustration. So, eventhough I find it hard to spread positivity these days with the exams starting and the sleepless nights welcoming me with their frightening claws, I am still gonna try to do so.

There are still things to look forward to, you see:

1) Eventhough it's raining right now, I know sunny days are coming up. I mean literally, not in a sentimentally symbolic kind of way.
2) Sun means dresses, shorts, skirts and shaven legs. And if you're a girl, then you know the joy of just shaved legs. It's like the feel of cute little dolphins and I'm not even exaggerating.
3) Sun also/most of the time means freetime and freetime means lots of spending time with your boyfriend, friends and family. But it also means sprending time alone: READING. And I can only look forward to that since I'm planning to read lotsa Bukowski and Orwell. Yes, I like pessimist literature. There are so many happy endings already.
4) July means sales. And eventhough I'm looking forward to cheap lingerie, shoes and dresses, I am NOT looking forward to the mess, people almost killing each other for a garment and the panick of not finding your own size. That's why I'll keep an eye on online shops.
5) July also means work and therefore work means cash. Cash I wanna spend on cool activities during summer or after.
6) This one is a little precarious but July also means getting your exam results, and after passing today's exam so easilly, I'm motivated to do better for the others. There's nothing better than starting your holidays knowing your hard work during the school year has paid of.

Since there is nothing in the world that makes me happier on a short term but lingerie, Imma post some of my favourites of the & Other Stories site. They're so elegant and efortless, the kind you need for hot (literally hot, I didn't mean sexy hot) sticky days. Lingerie is the best form of self loving after all. It's this little secret you have with yourself. And you can analyze someone's character by the lingerie she wears. Mine is usually quite simple but with a twist whether it's the colour, material or form, lingerie always has a story to tell and most of the time it's more than "take it off".

 Midnight blue: 19 EUR

See-through secrets: 25 EUR

Powdery pink: 35 EUR

Black widow

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

Sexy traditionalist

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

 I think they're quite affordable. They're in the same price category like Women's Secret and Intimissimi bras but slightly more expensive than your regular H&M model. I think these bras come in very handy if you don't have big boobs since they don't look that supportive. They're pretty nothings made to show off with. I'm planning to get myself one, so I'll tell you whether they support my besties. Oh, and the bras that I haven't posted as a set DO have matching panties. Feel free to spoil yourself.

Which one do you like best?

S-T-R-A-P-P-E-D

By Neslihan

CAN I GET AN AMEN FOR LENA DUNHAM'S PERFORMANCE IN THE 'ROLE PLAY' EPISODE? Not only was she hilarious but she was also amazingly brave for putting on that bondage themed playsuit. She gave it a playful Hannah twist though as she paired it up with a blue pair of cute cotton panties. It's not the first episode in which she fysically disarms herself because she recently did the same thing in the 'Beach House' episode when she wore a bikini during the whole episode. And I admire her for that 'cause I believe she brings a whole new level of body positivity into the business. She's not a size 0, nor a size 4 yet she manages to feel comfortable taking her clothes off on screen. Not that I'm saying she shouldn't but it must be very confronting at the moment because it's all about exposing your vulnerability to strangers who are watching the series but also to your co-workers who are on the set with you. And that's why the award for 'Best Guts' goes to Lena Dunham. You just can tell she doesn't give a f*ck about comformism and she will keep on flashing her boobs and ass on HBO. And I can only support that since we need more realistic role models.

But her playsuit also reminded me of those Nobuyoshi Araki bondage photos:

Try it at home:

Agent Provocateur 

La Fille d'O

Women's Secret

Eventhough Agent Provocateur and La Fille d'O have playsuits that are slightly more edgy and daring, I'd go for the grey lace playsuit because it cheaper but also a little more classy and elegant. But if I had the money I'd just buy 'em all.

Which one would you wear?

Is Beyonce a feminist or no feminist at all?

By Neslihan

 I think there are a few women in the urban scene who can wear a hootchy thong and still work it. One of them is Beyonce. I just love the aesthetics she puts forward in each album. Each album characterizes her alter ego but the main theme is her being a strong, independent woman who hustles her way through the music scene. Yet when I saw the videoclip of 'Partition' -and I'm hella open-minded- I kind of blocked. There was a lot of nudity in it and I just didn't really get how this all was supporting the song. The song is about B being comfortable with her sexuality and loving every aspect of sex. And she aint afraid to tell it, nor is she afraid to show it.

The song tackles second-wave feminism, that kind of was all about feminists striving for a debate about sexuality, reproductive rights, professional life etc. But at the same time those feminists thought that you had to put aside your femininity to get all of this done. They thought that banning stilettos, make-up and sensuality would make people take them more seriously. So at the end they ended up fighting for the women they kind of looked down upon because those women were to feminine. Beyonce could be seen as lipstick feminist, which is a part of third-wave feminism, the counter-part of second-wave feminism. This wave is all about being a feminist but being also in peace with your sexualitiy. B shows us that it's okay to love sex and to openly discuss it. It's okay to be comfortable with your nudity. In short she wants us to know that she's confident about her sensuality and that that is not a reason to think she's less capable in life in general but in a gender point of view more specific.
What really got me was, how classy she actually looks while she's singing about grinding on Jay's wood . She must have thought: if he can sing about this, then so can I! And she's totally right but the longer I thought about her live performances with Jay when singing 'Drunk in Love' the more I came to the conclusion that she's justifying the same sexuality, she's fighting for, through marriage. She's like: "I can be a sexual being because I'm doing it with my husband." It feels as if this is the only way women can explore and expose their sexuality. She's legitimizing her behaviour but also looking down upon women who aren't married or in a 'serious relationship'. (I truly hate this term because who decides what's serious?) And she does the same thing in 'Partition', she's being a hardcore lipstick feminist but again Jay-Z is in the video to justify the fact that she knows what she wants in a sexual kind of way.

Like I said before Beyonce is a confident lady, who can take care of her own shit. But being a feminist, I can't help but doubt her feminism. Feminism is not about hating men and being solitary and ending up celibate, I know that, but when Miss Knowles -or should I say Carter- sings about getting dressed and ready to dance, it sounds like she's doing that to please the other sex. I know every woman wants to feel desired and sexy but I don't dress up for him. I dress up for me. And I think Beyonce really accentuates the fact that she does it all for him. And that is not what lipstick feminism is about.

        

I also want to talk about her early take on feminism during the Destiny's Child period. Back in the time it was so empowering to see three young girls looking sexy yet standing strong on their ideals. As they were young and human, the consistency in their preaching is not always there. In one song they'd go on about needing a fella to pay their bills, while in another one they'd be all about power and independence. We'd shift from being dependent on a rich guy to being fiece and self-sufficient. Those were funny times.

I do think Beyonce has feminist views but I wouldn't consider her a feminist. She's powerful and empowering yet very conservative in some way. I'm not saying she should all be man-repellent but I think it's about finding a balance between being man-repellent and pleasing him. And that's not easy to do since these are two extremities. I think 21st century feminism is not about burning your bra and wearing shapeless male clothing but we still do need feminism. We need it in the media, in the workplace, in the bedroom and in politics. So, I wouldn't say feminism is dead. It's alive but it fights for different things in the Western world.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Az Lyrics

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The only way is up

By Neslihan

When I decided to blog today I thought I'd write something profound, something that keeps me busy. Something that frustrates me perhaps. I was determined to plunge into the deepest corners of my narcissistic soul but when I finally logged in I felt no urge to be connected to my negativity. I live in my mind and the activity never stops. It feels like I always have to move forward and when I don't it feels like a day not lived. But today I decided to keep myself busy with shallowness. I just wanna think something is pretty without having to justify it. Because not everyting in life is rocket science.

Renewed basics

Chique T-shirt: it's the easiest match with your pair of leather leggings or high-waist skirt. You can tuck it in or create boxy minimalistic silhouettes. It is completely up to you. But whatever you do, go for soft materials and dreamy digital prints.

Sophisticated sweater: why make things complicated if you can have it the easy way? Sweaters are for lazy days full of selfdoubt. It's okay to have coffee stains on it because although this says 'sophisticated', sophistication is the last thing on your mind.

Shop: http://fr.sandro-paris.com/

Shimmery cropped top: sport your unflat belly as much as you need to. It's not about shaming you, it's about shaming them who say you can't. That being said, I think this is the most perfect piece of garment I've seen over the past months. It's chique, it's quirky, it's girly. It has all the elments for the perfect babylicious outfit.

New white shirt: it's immortal, it's iconic and it's everything you want it to be. Sexy in 'Basic Instinct' but ridiculosly tomboyish in 'Pulp Fiction'. It's the most flexible clothing piece ever. You can't be underdressed, nor overdressed. It's a statement on its own. And from now on it's a polo, all buttoned up and see-through at the top.

Shop: http://www.zara.com/

Colour-blocking in 2014: it's not about screamy fluorescents anymore. It's about modesty and class. It's about playfulness but with the needed limits. And although it seems chaotic, there is a certain structure in its fit, design and lines. Sir Paul Smith always knows how to win my heart.

Classic black top: there is nothing as liberating as a basic black top. It seriously goes with everything. I like to pair it up with a pair of faded black jeans to get those minimalistic 90's vibes (favourite fashion decade ever). But this one doesn't only have the perfect fit but it's also the most flattering cropped top ever. Not to mention the perfect neck line.

Shops: 
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/ (on the left)
http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Stella_McCartney/Clothing?level3Filter=&pn=1&npp=60&image_view=product&dScroll=0 (on the right)

Let me monochrome your mind

By Neslihan

'Monochrome' is probably the hottest word of the moment appearing on every blog and in every trend report. It's nothing complicated though; it's about people wearing stuff that's made of one colour only. So this means you dress in one colour, you eat one colour, you decorate in one colour, you poop one colour etc. It's beautiful simplicity wrapped in classy jargon. You probably did monochrome when you were a toddler or primary school style icon. At least I did, I remember dressing in red from head to toe feeling like one million. Nothing much changed, the rules are the same but the choices you'll make will be a lot more sophisticated than your early teen wardrobe chronicles. It's really about dressing down, staying pure and let the colours, shapes and materials speak for themself. Don't accessorize or apply too much make-up. Keep it clean and simple, maybe a glowing skin, some matte lipstick and a little mascara are all you need. It's about holding in your inner vibrant mamacita to draw the attention to the clothing. So do keep your wild hair simple, sleek pony tail or loose with a middle division are my favourite hair styles for this trend. So to get you started I've selected some monochrome white shoe delish to make you hyperventilate. I feel like white is the ideal colour to start all over, to introduce spring that is only a few weeks away. Cheers to new beginnings and shoes.

Budget Céline S/S '13

Jeffrey Campbell 71.43 EUR via Nasty Gal

Pumped up kicks

Nike Air Force 109.99 EUR via Footlocker

Toddler glamour for grown-ups

Jelly sandals 30.00 EUR via River Island

Modern day geisha

Platform sandals 49.95 EUR via Zara

Stella McCartney for the poor

Sky high sophistication 75.95 EUR via Zara

60's snobism

Mocassins 69.95 EUR via Zara