Yellow on Portobello

Last Saturday I went to the Portobello Road Market in London and I made great use of my camera. As I was unsure of how Londoners would react to my wanting to photograph their stylish outfits, I took the unobtrusive approach and shot them in a candid manner. While I do feel guilty about photographing people without their consent, I'm sure they would all be flattered to know that they inspired me. So here is the first installment of my London street style photos. Enjoy!

On the High Streets

I am back from the most amazing London vacation of my life!

I shopped until I dropped on several days during my brief stay in London and I got a taste of the high street and street market shopping. For inexpensive and trendy fashions, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden were my favorite London shopping areas. The five-level TopShop flagship on Oxford Street was amazing, and I had tea at the cafe there, which was so refreshing and convenient. I also stocked up at Primark, which had inexpensive basics and kitschy accessories. Each day that I shopped, my arms were heavily laden with shopping bags as I made my way around the city later in the day, visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tate Modern, St. Paul's Cathedral, Savile Row, and many other London landmarks and places of interest. On the weekend, I shopped at the Portobello Road Market, the Old Spitalfields Market, and Brick Lane. During my stay, I also visited Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford University, and the Tower of London. Warwick Castle was my favorite because of its sheer beauty, size, and its morbid dungeon. (Please see previous post for more on this.) I will post more of my vacation pictures in the next few days...I took over 600 photos and have lots to show you!

During my stay, I also shopped in Knightsbridge, along the High Street Kensington, and I had tea at Harrods. The food halls at Harrods were a never-ending array of meat, seafood, cheese, biscuits, candy, chocolates, tea, wine, tapas, and anything else you could possible consume. This store was like a dream fantasy for a shopaholic like me!

Some of the predominant trends that I saw represented on the streets and on the shop racks include:

• neon - yes it's back!
• perspex footwear
• chunky wedges and slingbacks in cute prints such as florals and polka dots
• flat scrunchy boots (I bought 3 pairs - white, green, and gray)
• graphic print dresses and tunics
• lightweight trenchcoats
• metallics and sequins (this is a huge trend still!!)
• taupe, khaki, and other neutral hues
• babydoll and trapeze dresses (with pockets)
• corset-style, high waisted jeans (in both narrow and wide-leg styles)
• high-waisted short shorts
• 1980s hip-hop imagery (cassette players, boom boxes, roller skates, etc.)
• brightly colored denim
• studded clutches
• straw hats
• large beaded necklaces
• brogues
• slouchy boyfiend-fit jeans
• neon tights and printed leggings
• balloon-sleeved poet blouses (this is a huge trend)
• scarves with fringe tied in various manners around the neck (I saw hundreds of women rockin' this trend)
• anti-war statement T-shirts
• vintage patches sewn onto handbags
• metallic leggings (I saw some at American Apparel for 25 pounds but passed because that's almost $50!!)
• yellow (it's the next hot color, and perfect for summer!)
• Turbans - thanks, Miucca Prada! (I bought a silver metallic turban from H and M that I'm excited about)
• Fruit-themed jewelry (I will post photos of this trend later)
• Large printed tote bags
• Ballet flats (very popular on the streets with skinny jeans)
• Playsuits (they look like overalls, but are more sophisticated and look great when worn over a bikini for summer!)

I shopped at several vintage stores in the Brick Lane area and picked up some one-of-a-kind items at the street markets. My favorite high street stores were TopShop, Primark, Oasis, River Island, and New Look. I am so excited to wear my new high-waisted jeans from TopShop, my printed poet blouse from Oasis, my kitschy jewelry from TopShop, my knitted beret from the Old Spitalfields Market, and my white ankle boots from New Look.

Castle Fashion

View from the top of a tower at Warwick Castle, England

Dressing parlours inside Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is a beautiful medieval castle in the English countryside. Inside are intricately decorated bedrooms, a dining hall, state rooms, a chapel, a smoking room, dressing parlours, a library, and a dark dungeon. The castle also has beautiful rose gardens, two towers, a mound, and a river flowing nearby. I climbed a dark, narrow staircase five stories to take the photograph at the top of the tower. The view was breathtaking. It stood in stark contrast to the cramped, dark dungeon that I will never forget. There were engravings from former prisoners in the 17th century stating their names and dates of their imprisonment. In a tiny alcove, there was a small basement area where some unfortunate prisoners were dropped down and then forgotten about. They also had contraptions made out of chains from which they hung prisoners until their remains rotted completely away. How morbid!! It's odd to think that you are visiting a space in which so many amazing things happened! It's a castle I will never forget!

Legwear in London

Lace leggings on the Millennium Bridge, London

Legwarmers and neon pumps near St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Greetings from London!

Greetings from London. I took this photo from the Millennium Bridge. Here is a preview of some of the sights that I have seen. There will be much more to come in the coming days, so please check back. Enjoy!

Store window display at Chica, near the Old Spitalfields Market, London

Street Market at Brick Lane, London

Clothing stalls at Old Spitalfields Market, London



Vintage dress at Old Spitalfields Market

In the Land of London

Greetings from London, my dear readers! I have been here for a couple of days and done some amazing shopping and seen some amazing things! When I have more time I will upload lots and lots of store window photos and a recap of my shopping adventures. I am going to need a another suitcase with all of the things that I have purchased. Although the dollar is depressingly weak, I have found some good deals and I'm so excited! I can't wait to bring great London fashion to southern California. Many of the women I've seen on the streets are an inspiration to me...more on that later. Check back soon for loads of photos and trend reports! Cheers!

Shoes, Shooz, Shuz

Shu Ju Ku (a.k.a. Wild Planet) in downtown Ventura, California always has great footwear window displays. Here is some of what I saw last weekend. Enjoy!