Sunday at the beach

Yesterday's weather was picture perfect, and so we decided to have lunch at the beach instead of making roast chicken at home. The temperatures were so mild that it felt like mid-summer, while looking out to the mediterranean sea always puts me into a holiday mood.

I dressed in cotton trousers, a silk top, and wore 'Fleurs d'Indiennes' tied into a sash

Accessories: Hermès 'Fleurs d'Indiennes' 90 Carré, MaiTai Collection horn bracelet in ecru , MaiTai Collection waterfall necklace in ecru, Hermes Picotin bag in rubis

Scarf tying method: Scarf folded in the basic bias with ends secured behind the back. I used a grande MaiTai Collection horn scarf ring, but you can also tie the ends together in a double knot

For lunch, I had a mixed sashimi and prawns,

followed by most delicious Coquilles St Jacques (fresh from nearby Bouzigues)

There wasn't much room left for dessert, but the coffee was accompanied by just the right amount of sweetness..


And below one of my (so far best) attempts at making a macaron, recipe to follow once perfected.. (re-posting from facebook)

Reader's style challenge - how to avoid a too mature look

Reader's requests and challenges are amongst my favourite blog topics, and the one recently submitted by Susanna via a comment echoes similar questions I received per email

Dear Maitai,

I love your look and have been trying to incorporate silk scarves in my outfits. They look very chic and youthful on you. I feel they are ageing me, even when I wear them with current trends. Do you have any tips or thoughts on this? I seem to have the same issue with other classic accessories (pearls!) that I adore.

Thank you,

Susanna

Many thanks for the great challenge, dear Susanna!

In my view, one of the most important aspects in avoiding a too mature look, is to steer away from appearing too 'made up'. One of the easiest ways to avoid this, is to opt for casual wardrobe staples in combination with silk and pearls (leather jackets, jeans, t-shirts, or items in bold colors/prints). But, more structured or classic wardrobe staples can easily be dressed down too, which is why I chose a white shirt for this (probably first in a series) episode. To add to the fun, I decided to accessorize with a scarf AND pearls.

The key for dressing any look down is to add unexpected elements, while maintaining balance and harmony (more thoughts on this in a recent post: Formal to informal - a business wardrobe)

Teaming up the white shirt with corduroy jeans and an ethnic belt adds an instant twist. Putting on a man's watch has the same effect, while the cardigan is easy and neutral enough to swing either way. Wearing the shirt with an open collar and scarf in a loosened up tie-knot gives an easy going and relaxed appearance. In terms of shoes, ankle boots add an edge, while moccasins or ballet flats give a further casual touch.

The above is instantly deconstructed when replacing the corduroys with a pair of  jeans (which can be further emphasised by opting for a pair of canvas sneakers, or well worn flats)

Changing the jeans to a more formal pair of grey flannel trousers adds gravitas to the look. Keeping the belt is the key to avoid a too mature impression. Adding whimsical bracelets would be another great option to shift the balance. The pearl necklace felt just too much, so I replaced it with simple pearl studs.

Capsule pieces: Cardie by Mango, white shirt by Anne Fontaine. Corduroy trousers by Somewhere, jeans by 7 for mankind, grey flannel trousers by The Kooples.

Scarf: Hermès 'De Madras à Zakynthos' 90 Carré

Scarf tying method: tie knot

Accessoires: pearls, ethnic belt (a similar belt can be bought online here), clic H bracelet in marron glacé (Hermès)

For all who enjoyed the recent posts on layering, you can add a light trench coat to keep warm, while knotting the scarf in a cowboy knot or basic slide (wound once around the neck beforehand), or wear just the shirt for a cooler version, while lowering the tie knot (or switch to a low criss-cross knot)

Happy Easter!

As much as I longed to do an Easter post in light and summery colors and clothes, our temperatures would not allow for it.. Life has returned back to layering in the past couple of days, and keeping up with the ever changing weather, ranging from from thunderstorms to blue and sunny skies in a matter of hours, has been the main focus when getting dressed and out.

Making the most of a sunny spell, having  a coffee in a charming café

watching the leaves coming out ;)



Capsule pieces: Jeans, black blazer, grey sweater and black t-shirt
Accessories: La Femme aux Semelles de Vent 90 Carré, MT Collection waterfall necklace in blue jean (new color, also new: lagoon) Kelly Dog bracelet in black croc, MT Collection horn bracelet in noir, Bolide in Bleu de Prusse



For those who enjoyed the recent post on a layered look, here a quick snaps on how the above adapted to the changes in temperatures throughout the day... with and without the jacket
scarf worn in criss-cross knot (scarf wound once around the neck beforehand)



while wearing a t-shirt underneath always kept me prepared me for a sudden spell of warm sunshine..
Scarf in a asymmetrical shoulder wrap, together with a waterfall necklace in blue jean

last variation: covering the t-shirt with the blazer, wearing the scarf in a low criss-cross knot, secured with a MaiTai Collection black horn scarf ring in the moyenne size

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter weekend!

 

Window displays at FSH - part two

As promised, a video showing the beautiful, slow turning sand disc installation in motion..

FSH update - all about color, part one

The window displays chez Hermès on the rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (FSH) last week, hope you'll enjoy (a video showing the installations by Manuel Mérida will follow in separate post).

Hermès window displays March 2012 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré

 





The corner window