It's that time again...

That's right, fashion month is upon us.  And it looks like the snow is blowing in from New York, along with all the editors, models and streetstyle stars.  Speaking of which, you all know Rosalind  by now, right?  Seeing her (and her outfits) is just one of the many highlights of London Fashion Week for me.  See you all on the cobbles (wear your spindly heels at your peril....)

West End Boys

You'd think, in the wilds of Scotland, that fashion would be the last thing on my mind.  There's not a lot in the way of style round here (unless you're into, er, cow print, or sheep wool, or, well, fields), but I've still got a whole load of photos I want to show you from my recent adventures.  I'll start with this, from my day out to Carnaby Street, away from the east London badlands.  A very stylish pair, definitely with a similar sensibility, but in overall very different looks.  People say that friends tend to dress the same and morph into one another style-wise, but I think these two demonstrate that you can have some similar tastes (note the skinnies) but still have your own thing going on - whether that be a nod to the mod in that scarf and hat or a grungey denim and DM combo.

Do you have a similar look to your friends?  And which of these is your preferred style? (David and Mat, I'm looking to you two for answers here..)

London Fashion Week street style: I love cool stuff

(disclaimer: kids, smoking is not cool, unless you're this guy)

Sorry, black, you're over

You know when you open your wardrobe and see before you a myriad of colour and think 'this will not go together', but then you try it all on and....you were right?  The fact is, the majority of us shy away from bold colour mixing, or struggle to get it right (with Kit, the Style Slicker, being one notable exception).  And now, this girl, street-spotted at Spitalfields yesterday.  The combination of coral coat with red tights and blue scarf is genius.  Let's be honest, most of us would have gone for a dose of black to balance it out.  Instead, the finishing touches are a vintage floral dress peeking through, brown tasseled brogues, and that smile.  Enough to brighten anyone's day and, possibly, inspire a bit of colour bravery...?

ps - don't forget I'm twittering now, or tweeting, or twitting.   Here, anyway.

Hazy shades of winter

You'll either have that song in your head now, or be far too young to even know what it is (as am I, she adds hastily).  But hazy shades perfectly sums up this gorgeous winter ensemble.  Though still understated, it's an antidote to all the black on the streets.  It's what I'll call wartime chic, given a modern twist with the kneesocks and leopard scarf.

Happy new year

Gosh, it's good to be back.  For your delectation, here is styleeast's first street spot of 2011, and a perfect way of starting as I mean to go on, bringing you original looks and natural style from Brick Lane and beyond.  I love everything about this casual look, from the hair colour to the 50s half-rim specs to the on-trend midi - and she was a lovely friendly girl too.  Lots more to come so stay tuned...

Say you want a revolution

Styleeast loves a Russian revolutionary fashion reference and there's no doubt it's now firmly fur hat weather.  Following on from what I've been saying about the importance of details in an outfit, this fur-topped fashion pixie shows how to use them to dramatic effect - the two-tone brogues, checked wool trousers (cue major style envy), cape, scarf, bucket bag.  It's all going on.  But the result is a beautifully coherent outfit, which will be keeping her lovely and cosy too...

Bring it on

I'm mildly incapacitated at the moment so the stylish people are safe on the streets while my camera and I are bunkered down at home.  Not so last weekend, when I had my first real winter fashion mission.  As you may have read in my last post, there weren't many inspiring looks on the street, I'm putting it down to that tricky trans-seasonal period.  But the day was saved somewhat by this two for the price of one style swoop.  Finally, something interesting!  Monochrome cape, two-tone tights, some rusty suede (my current obsession), colourful scarves and laugh-in-the-face-of-the-cold shorts.  Winter?  Bring it on.

Goodbye summer

It's freezing outside - and Styleeast is actually looking forward to bringing you some winter fashion.  But in the meantime, here are two friends both in black and brogues, enjoying the brief Indian summer last weekend.  It's all in the details for their looks, his cropped pants and barrel bag, her sheer top and what I'm guessing are AA jodphurs (a style that rarely fails to impress).  Goodbye sunshine...see you next year...

Featured in Frock and Roll

How to wear a maxi

Yesterday was a good day blogging.  I went slightly off-mission to buy a new hat, chatted to some lovely people, including Mr+Mrs Style Scout (and Baby Scout in his dog shoes, that's some serious cute), and took some great shots - at last, after a period where it seemed the stylish people of east London deliberately hid indoors when they saw me coming. 

Anyway, as regular readers will know I am a tad obsessed with creepers shoes.  Even more so since meeting this girl and seeing how ingeniously they update the maxi trend, for a laidback, grungey style.  I almost don't want to give away the secret that this pleated number is from Topshop, as it looks so fresh and unique paired with the old t-shirt and those perfect shoes.  She works in The Vintage Store on the corner of Cheshire Street, which is, incidentally, my new favourite shop.  Pop along if you're in need of a new pair of ankle boots, leather shorts or some vintage denim, and pick up some style hints from the staff while you're there...

Featured on Line Love & Katarzyna and Frock and Roll

Fish handbag

It's good to be back shooting in the east again.  Where else will you stumble across a girl sporting a giant fish handbag?  Not to mention the layered tights, oversized woolies, cute collar and unique head gear. I'd been wandering up Brick Lane with Celeste and Kit saying I wasn't really feeling the local street style after LFW and then this girl pops up and lo and behold I was back in business!  Stay tuned for more....

A couple of style tips

This couple are like a head-to-toe guide on how to do simple style. First, start with a striking hairdo. Wear an on-trend piece with a vintage twist (aran knits for her and aviator for him), keep the rest streamlined with a loose dress for girls and skinny trousers for boys. Then polish it all off with some excellent footwear! Top marks.

I'll be starting my first ever London Fashion Week experience tomorrow. If you're down there, look out for me - I'll be the one with a camera, looking completely lost and stumbling around in inappropriate footwear (along with everyone else, I'm sure!)

Shoe heaven

I turned up at the Bertie blogger event and my first comment to the girl on the door was "it's very busy in here", to which she responded, "it's the free shoes I think".  Free shoes you say, free shoes?!  As if it isn't incentive enough to hang out in the gorgeous new Bertie shop with lovely bloggers from Style Slicker, Jazzabelle's Diary,  Platform Princess and The F Blog , then imagine a heaven in which you can try on a succession of gorgeous footwear and then be told you can, you know, just HAVE some.  Whilst eating cola bottles and pork pies.

                                             

There's something for everyone in Bertie this season - whether you're a brogues girl or a cosy boots girl.  I opted for something very un-me, black wedge-heeled chelsea boots, that I'll be risking pain and injury in wearing for pretty much all of fashion week.  Thanks Bertie, you lovely and generous lot.  Girls, get your skates on and get down there to check out the full collection...

Creepin'

I took this shot about 10 days ago and have been saving it for the right moment.   Earlier today, I was thinking how I wish I'd taken a close up of the leopard print brothel creeper shoes she's wearing - they are, for want of a better word, amazing.  And then, this afternoon, I passed this girl again on Cheshire Street while I was on a major mission to find myself a 70s car coat (which is another story).  I don't know why I didn't stop her for another photo, maybe because she was with someone (I don't like to intrude) or maybe because I was too focused on my task, but I instantly regretted the missed opportunity.  Today I glimpsed she was wearing the same shoes with what looked like a below-the-knee length jersey skirt, another great casual and relaxed look but with real street smarts.  I want her shoes, and I want her style. 

Featured in Frock and Roll 

Just a quick edit to say that my Styleeast Vintage Ebay shop has now launched, selling lots of my lovely vintage things that I'm sad to part with but hope will go to a nice new home (and free up some wardrobe space for the next lot).  See the link on the right sidebar...happy shopping! Oh and those looking for the leather aviator that I promised would be for sale, sorry to say it sold within 20 minutes so is no longer available!

Styleeast is going camping

I'm off to the countryside for a couple of days.  But in the meantime I'll leave you with this very stylish city outfit.  I love the contrast between tough loafers and socks, and light, pretty dress.  There's no doubt it's being worn with attitude too.  Great look....

Black and white and hot all over

Summer looks in black or white...which is your favourite?

Fix up look sharp

I'm more of an old denim and t-shirt type, possibly because I don't only have to dress smart during the week but corporate.  Ugh.  But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good bit of tailoring when it's worn with style, as demonstrated by each of these ladies rocking the smart trouser look in their own way.  Exhibit one - a gorgeous girl out scouting for American Apparel and wearing what I think are their new pleated pants (which I fully intend to buy, once I settle on a colour!) and pairing them to perfection with nude heels and a sheer blouse.  And exhibit two, a really interesting relaxed tailored look, with silk blouse and slightly cropped loose trousers, showing just a flash of sock and brogue...

Bargain of the week

I stopped this girl because I loved her long silk headscarf, matched to the rust coloured dress, but then I spotted her shoes...navy and white preppy loafers with just a hint of gold buckle.  And then she told me she got them for a fiver on Broadway Market.  A fiver!  Plus, she was a really lovely girl, it's always nice to meet someone friendly when you stop them randomly in the street, so that was a bonus too...

Summer socks

Last weekend, the sun came out, and so did the socks!  I'm a massive fan of the ankle sock/brogue or loafer combo but it never seems to be appropriate weather to wear it - either too cold for bare legs or too hot for socks.  Not that it stopped any of this week's street spots who all look great, and completely different, in their fabulous footwear.

First up, I should have asked this girl if she was a model, everyone who's seen the photo has wondered.  In any case, she's quirked-up a summer staple stripy dress with her loafers and socks.  I saw her out my flat window as I was preparing to leave to go blogging and was chuffed to catch her up a bit later and get this shot...

Next, I caught this girl having a cheeky break from her stall, enjoying the sunshine just off Brick Lane.  She looked the picture of contentment and I took the photo exactly where she sat, with her crackers next to her and her shoes and socks peeking from that great purple maxi skirt...

By the time I got round to this picture the sun was playing havoc with the photographing, but it still captures this perfect little outfit.  I like the slightly longer socks - playful and girly, but still casual enough for a stroll in the sun...

And finally, just before the heat got the better of me and I headed for shade, I spotted this girl on the way home.  Love love love this outfit.  She looks amazing, and cute as a button.  Expect to see me in a replica outfit soon (looking far less cute sadly), I already own the necessary components!

On my way home

I'd finished snapping for the day and, heading home to a "24" dvd marathon, a bottle of pink wine and some After Eights, I stumbled upon this girl right on my doorstep! If you've been wondering how to wear those high-waisted patterned trousers all the magazines keep telling us are in for summer, then this is all you need to know.  Nice to see someone bringing a bit of style to the neighbourhood!