INTO THE TRENCHES

I am sad that Columbo has died, because I used to watch that show when I was supposed to be studying in the middle of the day. And because, unlikely as it may sound, Peter Falk in his crumply trench coat with his wonky glass eye, spoke to me from a style perspective. I know, I know, weird man in a mack, what's fashion about that? But think about it...the trench is a style staple beloved of all sorts. It's not all splendid royals and Kate Moss in sleek Burberry lines. No, the mack is a great leveller. The queen wears one; my mum wears one. The guy at the corner shop wears one too. Some are very posh indeed; some come from Gap. Some of my faves, like Jane Birkin and Catherine Deneuve's iconic 60s Frenchy versions, are soft, and yes, close to Columbo's almost-duster-coat-like vibe. Rumpled chic!

The best mack story is a rumply one; it's about the writer Norman Mailer showing up to Truman Capote's Black & White Ball in trench coat in dire need of ironing only to have Womens Wear Daily write it up the next day. The shame! Or should that be fame?

I reckon most of the best stuff has a lived-in look. I'm sure Leonard Cohen's famous Blue Raincoat was creased like a bastard (pardon my French). Anyway, life's too short to iron. Goodbye Columbo. May your trench coat look live on.

OUR BIGGEST SAMPLE SALE EVER WITH CRAZY CHEAPNESS HAPPENING OFF CLEARANCE - COME & VISIT US THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY IN SYDNEY!

NEW ISSUE OF INSTYLE WITH BEAUTIFUL CATE

Questions answered in my column this month? "I've wasted years waiting for change rooms - some people take so long! Is there an elegant way to complain?

"Is is it acceptable to sell unwanted gifts online?"

And...

"My friend is style stalking me. Can I tell her to stop?"

If you have a style etiquette conundrums, I'd love to hear from you. Comment on this post or email me - clare@mrspress.com

THE FUTURE IS HERE. NEARLY

On Saturday at the Sydney Film Festival, I saw fab indie filmmaker Miranda July's latest, The Future, a kooky tale about inertia, mid-thirties angst and what happens when a sudden, uncharacteristic choice takes you away from everything you know.

The smart dialogue is what makes this film a joy - “We’re 35 now ... by the time the cat dies, we’ll be 40 ... and 40 might as well be 50 ... and after that, spare change” - that and July's oddities. I love her dancing. And her outfits. And how she wears peculiar geeky shorts with tiny singlets and has an old-fashioned face, like she's washed up in the wrong time and the wrong place. But best of all I love how this film is narrated by a cat. Even if that cat is sad. We only see his paw, which is injured. He is waiting for his new life to begin, when Sophie and Jason get their shit together and come and claim him. I won't give the end away but...poor kitty.

The Future will hit the regular cinema circuit sometime in the future. I guess.

FRIDAY MUSE ON MY MIND

Glory be to Gloria, no? So enjoying reading book about the Vanderbilt clan. The strength of Alva, the high wattage socialite glam of Conseulo, but my fave's still Gloria. She of the jeans. She of the genes! Check out that pout...now that's what I call nuclear. And now she writes erotic fiction. At 80-odd! I adore her. Please, Gloria, won't you be my friend??
Happy Friday

P.S. Glo, you don't mind me calling you that, do you, not now that we are friends and all, but HELLO! are those sparklers on the T&C cover real? Eff me, I think they bloomin' well are. Sorry G, I swear like a sailor when I'm excited.
x

#TodayI'mWearing...

I just had a bright idea! Hold your horses, I know they don't come too often. Okay so they do but generally all at the same time like buses. Anyway, back to my idea. I hate how everyone's always posting pics of themselves in hot labels looking model-y and tweeting #TodayI'mWearing @Chanel and @Burberry with...blah blah whatever...Because I know some of them actually are wearing said gear and most certainly look uber smashing while they're at it, I just really reckon some of them are not. That some of them are wearing an old t-shirt and a weird belt they can't remember the origins of. And so, for the merry month of June, I shall be tweeting each day exactly what I am wearing in all its mismatched vintage-y glory.I hope it will make you smile.

This pic is not of me in today's get up: gum boots and a weird old velvet dress with puffy sleeves in ode to Helena Bonham Carter (ze new face of Marc Jacobs, don't you know?) because I am on my own at work with no camera, but of some summer getup, to remind me that it doesn't always have to be this cold. ThatDayIWasWearing a very old kaftan given to me by Viva Vayspap, too much scary fuchsia lipstick and a plastic flower my hair, 70s-barmaid style. I may take pics of self tomorrow, if outfit is worthy.
A bientot, fashion fans xxx

Last night we kicked up our heels at our good friend Eva Galambos's 10th birthday store bash. There was champers and cute food and Grandiflora butterflies and branches where once clothes were displayed. But best of all was the limited edition silk scarf Eva commissioned the fab Del Kathryn Barton (painter extraordinaire, Archibald winner, Romance Was Born collaborator) to create for charity. Proceeds go to Ian Thorpe Fountain for Youth initiative. Go Eva!
Get yours at www.parlourx.com.au

Pics: Eva Galambos in her Sydney store, Parlour X, still going strong 10 years on (from SMH); Samantha Harris models the scarf' Del Kathryn Barton's design.

FRIDAY MUSE ON MY MIND

Yep, it's Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes. I have been designing a coat today with her in mind. I interviewed her once for a magazine and we talked about wolves and birds; owls and peacocks. She looks kinda grumpy in these pictures, but I found her delightful and really funny. I love how she most always rocks an animal and a headband into her look...Style 101, fig.1 find your thing and stick to it.
Natasha is most marvellous methinks. You?