From 90s statement pieces (I've bought me THAT Valentino coat...meeeeps!) from Claire Inc, I turn to the subtle staples from Aussie label All of the Above. By my vague calculation their navy sheer mesh tee and dress have collectively notched up the most wears in my wardrobe this year, accounted for by my excessive Febreezing and hand-washing. Another navy arrival from All of the Above comes in the form of this split shoulder navy jersey blazer that I fear along with my sheer pieces will suffer the same amount of overwearing abuse and Febreezing (yes, I'm a dirty so and so who can't afford drycleaning all too often...).
(All of the Above jacket, All of the Above sheer dress, Rosalind Keep for Oasis trench navy dress, Raf Simons knitted top, Raf Simons sheer trousers, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes)
People often comment on my 'outlandish' or 'daring' outfits but in truth, the things I wear the most are the slightly unassuming yet cleverly cut staples that form the foundations of those supposedly keraaazy outfits. All of the Above seem to have a knack of coming up with plenty of these muted-but-interesting pieces as evident by their online S/S09-10 collection of cut-out trenches, jackets and dresses as also by their forthcoming A/W 10 collection which still uses a lot of their navy-know-how as well as introducing camel/tan as another staple colour. There's also still some of that sheer/opaque play that first drew me to All of the Above and the print devore pattern brings in another texture into the mix. Though my love towards navy is unlikely to waver, I am slightly intrigued by the camel trouser suit, igniting my secret desire to relive a similar ensemble that my mother rocked in the 70s. Just need to get over my fear of the term 'trouser-suit'.
