When I have doth protested that my style is a work in progress, a canvas that I’m continually reworking and adding onto, what I really mean to say is there are imperfections that I’m fully aware of and actually rather love about my style. I may give 100% genuine love to what I wear but I can also later criticise an outfit and say ‘Okaaay... something went a leeeetle bit wrong there....’. In a way, I’m sort of glad that I do make those mistakes and don’t strive for perfection the first time round otherwise where would the learning curve be?
I get why phrases like ‘less is more’ and ‘effortless’ are revered the way they are but I don’t think it’s a crime when I don’t take those phrases to be biblical style truths. As opposed to being a slave to those phrases and clutching to them 100% of the time as if they were some sort of style security blanket, I’d much rather pick and choose as and when I want to utilise them. A lot of people have called me a ‘layering queen’ and though I take this as something of a compliment, I’m not sure I want to be exclusively pigeon holed with that phrase either. Perhaps this really is about no wanting to be heavily known for being one thing or the other because I feel like I’m capable of toning it down when the occasion arises.
When I came across this black dress from Public Beware yesterday, it struck me that it would probably have the best impact with nothing much but a pair of stomping shoes so that’s probably how I will wear this dress on most days. However, on one lonesome day I will of course also wear it in those layered ways of mine and I’ll do it, knowing that the dress won’t look it’s best purely because on that particular day, I felt like making a bit of a mistake, and making it more frivolous and multi-faceted than it needs to be. For me, allowing clothes to speak for themselves is a ‘choice’ as opposed to an ‘obligation’ because I like my wardrobe being under my mercy...*wuhahaha*
OMG that dress is AMAZING!!! My own recently purchased Public Beware top is infuriatingly too big! But with a belt around the middle, it'll do.
Posted by: DJM | 21 January 2008 at 17:07
Say what you will, I like your crazy layering. A lot. I also like that dress a lot!
Posted by: Kori | 21 January 2008 at 17:14
Wow. So you already know how much I love this dress, right?? Wow. I might cry a little that I can't pick it up online! You look incredible.
Posted by: jen b. | 21 January 2008 at 17:22
love your dress!!!
Posted by: saray | 21 January 2008 at 17:35
very nice Susie .. love that especialy with the zip open .
Posted by: Carrie the dog | 21 January 2008 at 17:47
That is a seriously awesome dress--and I agree the greatest impact comes when it is worn plain.
I get so tired of people who say it should be this way or that, or a certain way is wrong--I don't need any more rules in my life and I won't allow any to be applied to my clothes! Part of the joy of dressing should be self-expression, not regimented style. I applaud you for having no rules when you dress. I might look back on certain outfits and think "that was a mistake" but I'm glad I made the mistake for myself, rather than following what everyone else wears and then regretting it! At least my mistakes are my own.
Hee-hee, your post hit a nerve with me.
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | 21 January 2008 at 17:50
stunning dress!!
Posted by: Cee-Cee | 21 January 2008 at 18:02
THAT DRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gah! Me wants!!!!
Posted by: Mea Culpa | 21 January 2008 at 18:05
Oh my goodness I am the same way, sometimes I am all about the layering and then sometimes I just want to wear one great piece and let it speak for itself. Although you seem to have style wisdom and I seem to just have style ADD
Posted by: Amy | 21 January 2008 at 18:34
God i LOVE that dress. It does look amazing on its own but saying that i cant wait to see how you layer it!!!
Posted by: Gina | 21 January 2008 at 18:58
The dress looks amazing the way you wear it, but I'm sure it'll stretch to being layered too. And it's natural that your style is still evolving, besides you don't have to conform to anyone's tastes except your own.
Posted by: Drusilla | 21 January 2008 at 19:13
Susie Bubble will you marry me?
Posted by: Winona | 21 January 2008 at 19:21
The dress is amazing- love the biker details.
I know what you mean about picking and choosing between fashion maxims- one day I'm monochrome minimal, the next full-on ironic sweater, bright trainers and a million different accessories.
A wise fashion writer (who shall remain nameless) once told me that minimalism was the flipside of chaos... perhaps that explains everything! x
Posted by: Sainsbury | 21 January 2008 at 19:27
This is the kind of dress pink shoes where made for!!!
Posted by: coco | 21 January 2008 at 19:57
Beautiful dress and beautiful blog!!!
Posted by: tendergirl | 21 January 2008 at 21:09
easy does it sometimes!
Posted by: Lane | 21 January 2008 at 21:12
lovely zip !
outfits is on it's best when it feels and looks great. Not over and not under dressed.
juliet xxx
Posted by: juliet | 21 January 2008 at 21:21
Nice legs.
Posted by: blosson | 21 January 2008 at 21:40
Oh I LOVE this. You look gorgeous! I really like the shoes only combination.
Posted by: f&art | 21 January 2008 at 22:11
Now if u had multi layered this, and I lived in London, id be tempted to steal this dress right off your back! Your awesome black dress is safe, For Now, muhahaha
Posted by: Prêt-à-Porter Prostitute | 22 January 2008 at 00:42
wow. that's a beautiful dress and I love your hair (=
♥
Posted by: Raisa | 22 January 2008 at 00:54
That dress is absolutely stunning. Love it, & I agree that is likely best worn simply.
Posted by: Jill | 22 January 2008 at 01:30
amazing dress, i like that it opens as well.
Posted by: angela | 22 January 2008 at 03:30
really lovely outfit!
i love your style, dont change a thing!
i have never commented, but i have your page bookmarked and kinda stalk your blog. haha, so would you like to link up?
its ok, if you dont want to, i see you already have quite an abundance of people, but if you dont want to link to me, would you mind if i just linked to you?
Posted by: | 22 January 2008 at 03:53
What a fantastic outfit, simple yet really eye catching :)
Posted by: Rachel | 22 January 2008 at 04:18
the simplicity of this outfit makes it so eye-catching! It looks very cool and edgy especially when you unzipped the front ever so slightly. Plus that 'V' slit in the shoes combined with the length of the dress makes your legs look extremely long. Very nice!
Posted by: | 22 January 2008 at 04:54
I love this look, and it's nice that you don't take things too seriously, n fact, it's quite refreshing. That dress is gorgeous and your legs do look miles long.
Posted by: danielle | 22 January 2008 at 05:46
I think you 're great.
Go on like this, the personal style today is the key of the success.
Take care
Iole
ps my written english is not so good, I'm italian so please forgive me.
Posted by: Iole | 22 January 2008 at 07:53
you always look so amazing... i love the way you take risks, experiment and stay true to the idea that clothing should be worn by the person rather than the other way around. you have the most amazing, natural talent of knowing precisely what will work and look great - i am insanely jealous. if i could look half as stylish as you i would die happy haha! so glad i stumbled across this site, you make me wanna live and breathe clothing. thanks susie, style bubble usually brightens otherwise dreary days!
Posted by: alana from nz | 22 January 2008 at 09:25
what the heck, what happened to my comment? i wrote that one above mine... so confused right now..
Posted by: alana in nz | 22 January 2008 at 09:26
i am very jealous of your haircut...
Posted by: susie | 22 January 2008 at 10:16
why should you care about how anyone else labels you? Just keep surprising us :) I do confess though I like this minimalist look more, but that's just my opinion. Fashion is a matter of taste, after all. Kisses
Posted by: Dora(StylishGirl) | 22 January 2008 at 10:28
I love that dress. And is the perfect choice, to wear it simple.
This outfit has a lot of character!!
love
Posted by: Mer | 22 January 2008 at 10:37
has anybody else found that the comments they are writing are getting a wee bit screwed up? the 1st one i wrote says it was wrote by someone else... and then there is another one after mine (with my name on it) that i didnt write!! what the?!?
Posted by: alana in nz | 22 January 2008 at 11:26
oh wait... haha shit, dumbass award of the year goes to me..
Posted by: alana in nz | 22 January 2008 at 11:27
Wow... thanks for all your comments... I guess simplicity works this time.... and it proves to me that it may be that my own personal taste is quite niche.... in that my more layered looks aren't everyone's cup of tea.... oh well, I guess I knew that anyway...!
Anon: You didn't leave a link!
Posted by: susie_bubble | 22 January 2008 at 11:41
susie, you are much prettier and attractive than you know. i love the way you look in this outfit, not hiding your youth and beauty under piles of layering.
Posted by: e | 22 January 2008 at 12:21
i adore it that you left it 'breath'. it looks so fab on you. GREAT buy :D
Posted by: Héloïse J. | 22 January 2008 at 13:47
even when you "tone it down" you are still completely the offbeat susie we all adore. you are always and clearly in control of you clothes.
Posted by: dreamecho | 22 January 2008 at 13:50
the dress is amazing, can I ask you how much did you pay for it?
Posted by: ELP | 22 January 2008 at 14:08
It was a bargain actually.... £20! I nabbed the last one on sale....
Posted by: susie_bubble | 22 January 2008 at 14:11
Possibly in this case layering might be required? Or at least big knickers :-)
Posted by: Duana | 22 January 2008 at 14:36
this look REALLY works for you! i thought there couldn't be anything to live up to the genius layering but i love this, definitely something to experiment with
Posted by: selina | 22 January 2008 at 14:50
I have to admit that I prefer this more toned down look to your usual layering, but I enjoy seeing your normal outfits as they are very original and interesting- I'm known for being rather more elegant in my looks but its fun to see how someone else styles themselves within the same trends.
Posted by: laurakitty | 22 January 2008 at 15:57
You look lovely!
And the "layering queen" thing is a good compliment, because not everybody can match so many types of clothing in the same outfit :)
Posted by: Miss at la Playa | 22 January 2008 at 16:02
the only thing you need to tone down, my dear, is the continuous self deprication. you are fabulous, accept it and stop making excuses for yourself!
xoxo
Posted by: | 22 January 2008 at 19:03
i like this look a lot... it's really great to notice the detailing of the dress.
unfortunately, it's too cold to go w/out tights.
:(
for us wimpy californians at least.
Posted by: lady coveted | 22 January 2008 at 22:53
SO DARN CUTE! (: I love it - it looks high fashion
Posted by: gloria / www.urbanebloc.com | 23 January 2008 at 15:38
It looks quite PMA's Chloe.
Posted by: styelpovist | 24 January 2008 at 16:22