Kingdom of Style's beautifully eloquent piece on how turning to fashion gets through the tough of times inspired me to give an example of how fashion can really be the only sort of pick-me that works for me. When my mind is literally bereft of any capacity to think of solutions/answers to problems, when a long holiday is out of the question, when nothing a person can do or say to relieve my obstinant and selfish dismalness and vice versa, that person isn't going to put up with your nonsense, the wardrobe isn't exactly going to reject you so in you delve.
I'm a simpleton. I turn to colour for instant perkiness and cheer. It's a matter of not thinking and just grabbing for whatever catches your cornea. So I chose a combo of purple and green that is unapologetically co-ordinated in shade and slightly jarring for those who are perfectly happy in their more subtle colour schemes but for a girl enraged with her problematic stress, it's of the utmost importance that the purple and green be loud and clear. It lulls me into dippy, dappy state of 'Woo-hoo-yay'-ness. Like I said, a simpleton's way to instant cheer.
Then yesterday, at the luverly Shop at Maison Bertaux (literally cheerfulness and joy is instilled in this basement space in Soho with the wafting smell of cakes drifting down...), in the sales, I picked up an APC cape that was an oddly stark/minimal choice considering the amount of delightful Eley Kishimoto and Sonia Rykiel bijoux there was on offer...
However, it does cunningly offer a different kind of pick-me-up which is that when you sling the cape on, I somehow feel like a more 'together' Susie. A Susie that can say 'Hey, problem, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!'.
Therefore, if all else fails (loved ones/cakes/mags/advice helplines), at least there are routes of action to take that can be found in my wardrobe.
I have the same cape...I didn't get it in the sale though, worse luck. Vibrant color is definitely an instant de-stresser...and doesn't induce the same guilt that, say, a bar of chocolate does.
Posted by: Hebden | 26 July 2007 at 23:35
I love the colors...they dont clash, they look happy together !
Posted by: Frasypoo | 26 July 2007 at 23:53
i LOVE. that. CAPE.
Posted by: candid cool | 27 July 2007 at 00:05
I like the cape but I LOVE the hair!!
Posted by: rollergirl | 27 July 2007 at 00:40
I. Need. That. Cape.
Oh my goodness. I have just discovered something to add to my list of things to buy.
Amazing.
Posted by: Eileen | 27 July 2007 at 00:56
sadness. i never even saw that cape in their catalog or website. wah!
Posted by: jem | 27 July 2007 at 03:52
I completely agree.
Posted by: ann | 27 July 2007 at 06:05
I totally agree. When I did a boring telemarketing job during Uni hols, I would wear my brightest and shiniest things on a Monday to perk myself up!
Meanwhile, I LOVE that cape. If only I lived in a non-tropical country....
Posted by: kavi | 27 July 2007 at 07:49
The cape looks fab.
Posted by: Chic Looks | 27 July 2007 at 09:35
I detest the way people colour co-ordinate like that. what a smashing cape
Posted by: Ally | 27 July 2007 at 10:03
Yeah, I got the same cape in grey wool also! (it's from 05 A/W).It's lovely.
I'm a die hard fans of A.P.C!
Posted by: Melanie | 27 July 2007 at 10:26
I love the cape, so elegant.
Posted by: Andrea | 27 July 2007 at 10:31
makes me happy. I like it =D
I would say yellow and green are "happy" colours too, but then it's wayyyy too Aussie.
Posted by: Daniella | 27 July 2007 at 13:41
Love, LOVE the Cape,I agree your hair looks gorgeous, i'm a regular at Maison Bertaux, those Cakes!!!!!!!!hmmmm
Posted by: Una | 27 July 2007 at 14:35
I love this outfit. great color combination!
Anyway I love all you post in here. Been lurking since months!
Much Love from Belgium!
smoooch!
Posted by: Sara | 27 July 2007 at 16:00
The cape, the tights, THAT'S what I love most about London. I so prefer that over NY sweltering humid have-to-wear-the-bear-minumum-or-you'll-faint weather. The colors are great, too.
Posted by: Gata | 27 July 2007 at 19:20
son of a bitch. another cape comment.
Posted by: | 27 July 2007 at 20:47
"but for a girl enraged with her problematic stress, it's of the utmost importance that the purple and green be loud and clear. It lulls me into dippy, dappy state of 'Woo-hoo-yay'-ness. Like I said, a simpleton's way to instant cheer."
Story of My Life, well not exactly
Posted by: Aya | 28 July 2007 at 01:29
Girl, that cape is FIERCE!
Posted by: Halz | 29 July 2007 at 14:34
I was gonna buy that cape in greyish brown but didn't...it was on sale for $180...I may go back to get it, I kinda regret not buying it.
Posted by: Stylefinder | 29 July 2007 at 19:56
Being called 'a son of a bitch' is a first me thinks....
Thanks everyone for confirming the almighty power of a cape!
My hair is an absolute attrocity at the moment.... so I'm surprised someone is digging it... I'm tempted to wrench it off my head...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 31 July 2007 at 09:57
The second post ever on my blog was about how I'd been trawling for vintage waist-length capes for ages and then everyone was suddenly making them and the contrary yay/boo reaction I had. I never picked one up but given these pics, I'm going to start looking again.
Oh, and thank you for your comments recently on my blog. I never grudge folks the 'reciprocal comment' thing--I leave comments with no expectation that others will do the same so it was a nice surprise to see your name.
Also, people in Wardrobe Remix really are nice. Snarky bitching is not allowed.
Posted by: ambika | 01 August 2007 at 19:26