Thursday 26 August 2010

Outnet first


Well, this is actually an old story, since I received that parcel above way before my summer vacation. But, being the procrastinator I'm known to be, I had to marinate it in my drafts before actual posting. Let's get onto to the exciting story of my first order from the Outnet.

I have to point out here that (as Stella has very successfully described before, alas in Greek only) shopping at the Outnet, the official outlet of NET-A-PORTER, is no task for the faint of heart. Being constantly reminded that you have to hurry up because items inside your shopping cart are not truly yours until you pay, and that a faster and savvier e-shopper could snatch them right out of your sight while you're casually browsing the shoe section, does not a calm shopper make.

So when the newsletter came in June 15th, I was fast, ruthless and effective.

That See by Chloé silk dress on top was cute, affordable and in my size. Sold, as was the Ossie Clark fashion illustration print t-shirt. It would be a pity to be left behind.

The DHL shipping was super-fast and cost €10,70. Which is not cheap, considering it's shipping within the EU, but it is €1,30 cheaper than the €12 flat-rate DHL shipping ASOS offers for orders to Greece.

I was very pleased to notice that all the materials used for packing and shipping were recyclable or reusable.

No ugly styrofoam packaging peanuts to be seen here people, only some plain white wrapping paper that can be easily recycled and a nice reusable shopping bag, complete with sturdy handles and a zipper, that is now my laundry bag when traveling.

Now, enough with details and onto the actual clothes!

See by Chloé printed silk-crepe dress and Ossie Clark sketch-print cotton tee, fresh out of the box.

The tee was a no-brainer actually. A t-shirt printed all over with amazing fashion illustrations in full detail?

No way I was leaving this baby behind.

And then, there is the real protagonist of this post.

The dress.

A happy, almost childishly naive print in vibrant colours, super soft silk fabric, cute ruffled sleeves and at 70% off. What's not to love?

And I may have to take it in just a bit on the torso to achieve that flawless fit, but overall it was just the perfect size for me. And to tell you the truth, that was based mainly on guessing and hoping, so I'm glad it turned out well.

Overall, I am very pleased by my first Outnet experience, but I'm not ready to turn it into a regular habit just yet. I mean, 70% off designer goods is nice, but most of them are still way more expensive than what I'm willing to pay for the majority of my wardrobe's contents. But if you find that little special something that you really love in a discounted price and the newsletter comes in and it's suddenly an extra 40% off, there's little you can do to prevent the inevitable.

Have you ever shopped at the Outnet?
Are you planning to? Tell me all about it!

Monday 23 August 2010

Washed in white


fashionarchitect.net_washed_in_white_2


fashionarchitect.net_washed_in_white_1
White dress, BADILA. Turquoise necklace, Massimo Dutti. Gold ring, Topshop. Brown leather handbag, Longchamp. Beaded sandals, Accessorize.

Sunday 22 August 2010

Embroidery is cool, so are gifts


Not just a new bag.

As mentioned in my previous teaser post, this is my new favourite summer bag, and at the same time, an early birthday present from my friend Eva who owns FALTSO boutique in Samos.

Remember back then?

Anyway, the bag is by Attrattivo, which is a Greek clothing company.

I love that it's made of all natural materials and how the pattern was totally inspired by traditional Greek embroidery. Even if the tag says MADE IN INDIA.

It actually looks a lot like pixel art.

Embroidered canvas bag with leather starps by A.L.E. (Attrattivo Limited Edition), from FALTSO boutique in Samos

Saturday 21 August 2010

Turqoise and red


Turquoise and red is my favourite colour combination for the summer.

About ten years ago I used to have a simple red strapless top by Toi&moi - quite similar to this one - and I wore it with a short strand of real turquoise beads.

I guess history and fashion repeat themselves, even if it's the opposite way around.

I'm not gonna tell you much about my new favourite summer bag seen above, until the next post that is. This is supposed to be just a teaser preview.

Turquoise strapless top, H&M. Off-white skirt, ZARA. Red necklace, made by me from coral beads. Sandals, Bronx (bought in Amsterdam). Charm bracelet, Accessorize. Embroidered canvas bag, A.L.E.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Plastic fantastic


The rate at which my jelly shoe collection has been growing this past few months is quite embarrassing.

First came the black Vivienne Westwood for Melissa multi-strap flats from Saia boutique in downtown Athens, then the clear blue F-Troupe bathing jellies from Revolve Clothing and the teal Melissa peep-toes from Fenastock.

The latest addition to my jelly shoe collection are the ASOS FAB jelly gladiator sandals in blue and hot pink.

For just €5,29 a pair I'm surprised I didn't get all four colours!

Monday 16 August 2010

Floral white


This dress has the perfect print for these days, that I want to take advantage of my recently tanned shoulders by setting them off with white, and yet, wear happy floral too.

Bonus, the print goes perfectly good together with my turquoise gladiators.

Dress, ESTΑM (a present my sister got me from the USA a while ago). Turquoise gladiators, Zara Kids. Brown leather handbag, Longchamp.
And MADE IN THE USA? That's a label you don't see very often nowadays, other than on American Apparel clothes. Which, by the way, I think are way overrated.

Friday 6 August 2010

Thursday 5 August 2010

Heavily embelished


This is my very last impulse buy from the summer sales, just in time before I leave for vacations. Chronologically speaking at least, because there are quite a few other things that sneakily made their way into my wardrobe these past few weeks, including two items from The Outnet and several from ASOS, taking advantage of their amazing sale. All of which I have been way too busy to post until now.

All in good time.

Ethnic-inspired beaded leather sandals
Accessorize, €23 down from €46

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Orange you hot?


Hot I tell you. August in Greece is not to be taken lightly sartorially.

Hence, my standard uniform of these past few weeks:
A cool skirt (linen in this case, which is probably the best fabric to wear in hot weather) belted for some waist definition, a simple-yet-not-plain cotton tank top and a pair of leather flat sandals. These particular ones are by Zara Kids, so they're guarantied to be comfy.

See, even my accessories alllow my skin to breathe!

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Grey tank top, Bershka. Orange linen drawstring skirt, H&M. Green leather sandals, Zara Kids. Gold ring, Topshop. Double-face leather belt, grandma's vintage.