'Tis The Season

Santa with a Parker pen - Norman Rockwell

"Making a list, checking it twice...."

With so many beautiful new clothes coming out each season, lets be honest, the list is never ending. And we've been straight on to ours since boxing day last year. However, while trends come and go, style never changes, and we will forever be chasing that perfect cut and fit, those 'never fail you' garments that can be loved for many Christmases to come.  

So as it's very nearly that time of year once more, we would like to share with you those classic pieces from the top of our list....

The Leather Jacket

The perfect leather jacket is hard to come by. We want it to look razor sharp, but feel softer than butter. We'll ask it to toughen up a favourite floral skirt, give an edge to a vintage silk slip, but all the while we expect it to make us feel feminine and sexy. Its got a hard job, the Leather Jacket. 

With such tough criteria we see many inferior leathers fall by the wayside, however we have found one that we think is up to the challenge - The Kady Jacket by Isabel Marant Etoile feels beautiful to the touch, but the exposed zip details give it just the right amount of edge. We love it in 'Midnight' Blue.

Isabel Marant 'Kady' Jacket

The Perfect Pair of Jeans

Denim is something that is highly personal. In fact, it is quite possible that the 'Perfect' pair of jeans does not exist. Different shapes suit different cuts. What may be leg lengthening, thigh slimming, bum hugging perfection on one person, say for example a curvier shape, is quite likely to be a disaster area on someone with perhaps a more boyish figure. Some people prefer a darker wash, others want something that looks like its been bathing in a tub of acid since the 80's. The list goes on, and even our own personal tastes, and figures, change over time. However, a good pair of jeans, regardless of style, colour or fit, will remain a close friend for life. We think we've certainly got a couple of contenders for that top spot, brought to you by MiH.

MiH 'London'

MiH 'Vienna'

The Crisp White Shirt

This one should not need explaining. A White Shirt. Fuss Free, plain and simple.
Ever tried buying one?

I am sure that there are more than a few of you out there that have hit the wall trying to pinpoint the correct amount of 'crisp' in a shirt. Struggling through a storm of cotton-mixes, polyester-blends; a torrent of sleeve lengths, collars, varying hemlines and shades (is that a snow-white or an ivory?). We are trying to find a perfectly clean canvas which can in turn be an easy throw on over a pair of jeans, instant glam with the addition of a bangle or two, or a more formal affair for work. 

But then again, if the purpose of The White Shirt is in fact, to be effortless, maybe we can afford a little effort in finding the right one?  Fortunately, we at Ruby and Tallulah have put in the mileage and discovered Pomandere's Italian cotton shirts.
We particularly love this collarless bib-front style. The subtle detailing at the front offers something a little different, without becoming a focal point to take away from an outfit, and the androgynous shape is incredibly flattering.

Pomandere Bib-front Shirt

So there we have it. The three must-have, classic pieces that should be at the top of everyone's list this year. Or every year. However long it takes to get it just right. 

Merry Christmas!

xx