Alice bands

Alice bands -- to wear or not to wear? Most people would say not and most people over the age of the very early 20's should probably stay well clear. But when they do 'work' they can look utterly delightful and I must admit I've got a bit of a liking for them. But only with the proviso that they've got to be a statement piece -- and none of this half-hearted/it's-just-to-keep-my-growing-out-fringe-out-of-my-eyes business -- you've got to wear these babies with intent!

I really love the alice band with patent corsage from *House of Flora. I don't know if I love it £270 worth, but I think this substantial piece is an exception to the age limitations usually associated with hair bands and a woman with a enough presence about her could carry it off quite well. It might just be me -- but does this band suggest 'blonde' to you? I can't see those colours working as well on a darker head of hair.

Alice Band with Corsage (£270.00) from House of Flora -- available at Browns

* Have you seen House of Flora hats? Based on hairstyles -- the Morrissey, the Elvis, the Punk Cat woman -- definitely original and avant-garde in the extreme.

Free People

For some reason I've got it in my head recently that I've got to have a faux (obviously) leopard coat. I've got a bit of a 1950's thing going on just now -- possibly because I've recently acquired a luscious '50's leather bag, with a gorgeous Lucite trim. I'll post a photo of it pretty soon but it's really the kind of thing that a best appreciated for its tactile properties -- the phrase 'butter-soft leather' was just invented for that bag.

This Faux Leopard jacket from Free People is real nice but I'm after a three-quarter coat, with more traditional 1950's styling -- though I think I'll be going for a reproduction, rather than vintage.

Faux Leopard Swing Coat ($168.00) from Free People

Now that 'the nights are fair drawing in' -- as my aunt Annie used to say -- a girl's mind turns to woolly hats (among other things). I'm quite taken with this little knitted beret:

Pointelle Dream Beret ($48.00) from Free People

And although this headband may fall down on the 'keeping the head warm' front -- it makes up for it in the cuteness stakes.

Flower Pop Double Headband ($18.00) from Free People

I found the Free People site via Some Girls Wander -- the 'fashiony' blog of the excessively talented Emily Martin at Inside a Black Apple.