FOLLY SOCIAL: BLOW MY WHISTLES

If you are au fait with Liverpool fashion you would have no doubt heard about the opening of the shiny new Whistles store in Liverpool One. Of course Whistles, a mid/high range high street fashion retailer, is rather out of my 'vintage shop, American Apparel and home-made' budget but it has to be said I love their new revitalised direction (simple slouchy luxury knits, sensual textures, on-trend silhouettes and THAT leather biker jacket) and would rather gleefully purchase most of my winter wardrobe from there if I could. I was invited along to the swanky late night launch party (alongside fellow web loggers Lauren McBride of Ironic Fashion and fashion photographer Matt Ford) and thought it would be an awesome opportunity to check out what the other guests were wearing and get some hot pics.

 The adorable Candie Payne on the decks, wearing a monochrome graphic print cropped tee (tied in a knot at the waist) and black bodycon dress.

1920's cropped hair, black fur and striped tights which are on the button. Just wish I had asked where she had bought them from!

Kudos to the Whistles folks that the whole thing was as unpretentious, un-Zlist celeb and un-WAGilicious as possible, with a refreshing crowd which mingled the sophisticated with the scenesters...
 

 ...even the boys made an effort...bottle green vintage Peacoat, good brogues and long locks. Tres Bien.

AND Fashion retail royalty Jane Shepherdson was there of course. 

THE NAUGHTIEST GIRL IN SCHOOL

Speaking of Oxfam...check out this adorable girl. I spotted her working as a volunteer behind the counter in Oxfam Originals. As soon as I saw her I thought of the Enid Blyton book The Naughtiest Girl in School. My mum bought me an old 60's edition from a second hand bookshop when I was a little 'un and I adored that book so much I read it over and over again. Basically it's about a spoilt kid who gets shipped off to some boarding school and pisses everyone off when she gets there, but there is a happy ending of course. 

Schoolgirl freckles, jet black wavy piggy tails and dishevelled gingham battle with neon floral, 80's basketball sneakers and brazen lashings of liquid eyeliner...resulting in a look somewhere between 'Saved by the Bell', Harejuku and Pippi Longstocking. Fun and wonderfully silly - what a brilliant combo for a conscientious young thing doing charity work.

VENUS IN FAUX-FURS

I probably don't need to tell you that I've been appreciating Faux-Fur a lot recently. I think it's just that its been so bloody cold these days that I'm hugely impressed with anything that can simultaneously look good and be very warm. Here are a couple of inspiring F-F looks I've seen recently on the street.

Dot Love - I've always secretly thought Dot Cotton was a bit of a British fashion icon. Wait... before you guffaw, think about it. Clashing liberty prints...cameo brooches...doily collars...wiggle skirts...cute flats...hand knitted cardies...? This lovely rich dark-chocolate double breasted F-F reminds me of something Cotton would wear to the Queen Vic at Xmas with a pastel headscarf and pearls. However, teamed with pixie hair, Laura Ashley style print, sleek pins and perfect almond-toe granny flats, Sarah (above) makes Dot Cotton's wardrobe look rather dashing if you ask me.

This ace F-F is similar to my own...I prefer the cut on this one through, more of an a-line shape which is really flattering. I like this girls patterned green sateen jumpsuit peeping out and her scattering of accessories, and I especially love the fact she is working it all as a daytime look. All in all a very bohemian yet confident combo. Like most things, on the fur front I'm definitely all for going vintage. Loads cheaper, unique in colour and texture and with a more classic cut. A good one will last yonks too compared to a high street copy. If you must go high street though (vintage sizing can be a bit unpredictable and finding your dream F-F might take a while) H+M has a nice version in a similar cut to the one worn above (in chestnut) for around 70 pounds sterling.

RADIO GAGA: STREET STYLE IN THE RAIN WITH BBC RADIO MERSEYSIDE

Bit of a big day for FOLLY yesterday...the lovely Claire Hamilton, presenter from BBC Radio Merseyside Drivetime, has been checking out the blog and wanted to do a little something on it for her show. Claire has been involved in loads of stuff in city, organising popular fashion swap shops in Sefton Park Palm House and FACT (I went to one earlier this year and acquired a silk 40's style blouse in exchange for a Zara blazer bought in the sales which never fitted me). So the idea was that we go on a short gander around town to chat about and look for Liverpool street style. Sadly the minging rain got in the way of some of my pictures but there were still rich pickings, and our mini excursion was made into a feature which aired on Friday 6 November at 5.50pm. Catch the show on BBC iPlayer here

First spot of the day was just outside the studios on Paradise Street. This girl looked so quirky and sweet I spotted her a mile off in monochrome houndstooth and adorable accessories. I love the polished Parisian details like the headband, skinny patent belt and grey tights but the eclectic kitsch umbrella covered in pastel flowers is my favourite finishing touch. 

We spotted this striking looking girl with a bunch of guys carrying cameras and filming equipment down Church Street. They were on their way to do recording for something. Media bods do always seem to know how to dress well...and I adore this girls duffle style cape with contrast toggles and big pockets. The oversized coat, opaque tights and ankle boots make a gorgeous silhouette. Lesson learnt here...wearing a wide, bold, statement coat looks best with something sleek and simple on the pins. I'll try and remember this when I (finally) pull out the massive blond faux-fur which has been lurking unworn in the wardrobe.

BBC Radio Merseyside's Claire Hamilton in classic trench, pillar box red scarf and lovely tan leather brogues (you will have to use your imagination as all pics other than these two turned out pretty blotchy due to raindrops on lens...darnit). Claire interviewed the very pretty student Annie Malone in our last spot of the afternoon, at which point it was pretty much chucking it down as you can tell. Annie teams no frills Primark basics with a vintage gold buttoned military style blazer and pair of verrrry nice chestnut coloured lace-up boots (perfect for unpredictable weather). Student style nicely done...and not a daft slogan t-shirt or woolen hippy hat in sight. Joy.

SEMI DRENCHED DUKE ST. DOUBLE

Rain and fashion are NOT buddies. If you manage to find some way to get around in the rain without looking harassed and waterlogged I think you deserve some praise. I met this pair walking down Duke Street in Liverpool and they kindly agreed to let me take their picture despite the nasty weather. I'm liking the lads turn-up jeans, pumps and knuckle tatts, but am particularly taken with girls mixture of fuzzy animal print, denim and nautical stripes (yes more stripes). Layering the denim jacket with little faux-fur coat is a really simple but clever idea actually. Nice way to add some extra warmth when its minging outside but you don't want to chuck on the ol' reliable winter coat. 

THAT'S SOME FREAKY CHIC

"Enough of Halloween already.... it's sooo last week" I hear you say. Well, sorry to break it to you, but I recon Halloween-ness is here to stay this winter. Just look on the high street, leather and black gothy stuff is all over the place. Maybe this explains why the costumes this Halloween were so much cooler than previous years. Less bargain basement Smiffy's and more...um...'freak chic'. I ventured over to Leeds last weekend and went to a clubnight at Nation of Shopkeepers and there was a real goth rock vibe...and an abundance of stripey things.

Gross but gorgeous - This girl reminds me of one of my favourite fashion celebs, Roisin Murphy. The Stray Cats style hair shaved on one side = so cool

Werewolfmother - I love this picture but wish you could see the outfit in all its glory. In addition to the mad make-up she was wearing an ace vintage tee with a werewolf and moon on it. Previously the territory of middle aged hippies these animal motif t-shirts are all the rage and I really want to find one. AaaaWoooooo.

'Underwear as Outwear' is a wicked trend, however we can't all work the fancy dress Rocky Horror/stockings/Lady Gaga thing in the local on a Friday night. So, how to make it work post-Halloween in the real world? Try a black lace all in one or vintage slip with a cute trim and wear it with jeans, shorts or a leather jacket.  

Et voila...Le freak c'est chic!