On Saturday the fashion bartering system came across with some major excitement. Especially as it wasn't ever meant to be a barter at all.
I was happily able to do a wee favour for Braganza HQ. Naturally I wasn't expecting anything at all in return but on Saturday they gifted me a bag of goodies that had me having to stop myself from squealing/crying as I looked through the bag. "Be cool Michelle. Be cool", I kept saying to myself as I looked at the exceptionally generous package placed before me. Like I said, I had no intention of expecting anything in return but I can safely say I came away with the better deal! I'm going to move house now incase they realise and come and take them back!!! Too late guys - I'm off!!!
These light grey trousers are utterly amazing. They have vaguely bondage-esque strapping detail which snakes around the upper thigh giving the illusion of a jodhpur shape but without being at the expense of flattering ones thighs.
Topshop t-shirt/LaRare shoes/Jean Pierre Braganza Trousers
This cropped white jacket has zips all the way up the inside of the sleeve which is such a simple but effective detail. I teamed it with a plain grey jersey dress and my new cage skirt from Angie, who made it in a beautiful grey tweed with a bigger zip and stud details for me. I love it even more than the last one, and with the extra horizontal strap I requested this skirt sits perfectly.
Random dress/Norwegian Wood skirt/Aldo shoes/Jean Pierre Braganza jacket
I love this blouse. My photographs don't do it, or any of these pieces, justice as there are so many little design features like shoulder flaps and origami folds at the bottom which makes the waist appear slimmer. JPB clothes are the sartorial equivalent of pop-up books - you don't notice the details when they are flat, it's only when you actually put them on that all the design details pop up and give everything a 3 dimensional element.
DIY neckpiece/River Island fringed trousers/Givenchy wedges/Jean Pierre Braganza blouse
I was gifted this grey top ages ago by the lovely Isabel from Catwalk Queen. It had been her wardrobe unworn and she thought I could use it so she posted it my way. I was waiting for the right items to pair it with and now I have found them - the most perfect pair of JPB navy satin trousers which fit beautifully, and Angie's shoulder pad harness which I will wear this way as well as back to front.
When I was about 9 years old I wore these shiny blue satin trousers all the time. I loved them. Well, these trousers are the 36 year old me equivalent.
Gifted top/DIY pvc peplum/Norwegian Wood harness/Jean Pierre Braganza trousers/LaRare boots/thrifted necklace
This draped printed tee is deceptively intricately cut - I simply can't fathom the pattern. As with many of the most seemingly simple draped tops by JPB they are never what they appear. This dips low at the front and is cut very high at the back and has assymetric sleeves. This is something I will wonder how I ever managed to live without.
Etsy necklace/Stolen Girlfriends Club leggings/M&S vest/Aldo shoes
And of course, I will be wearing it back to front as well.
Thank you JP and Lady J, you made an old Queen very happy indeed!
Queen Michelle
I love the 3rd outfit!
Lucy =)
http://thefashionsetter.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lucy (The Fashion Setter) | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 09:54
Er, JEALOUS MUCH? You lucky peanut. I have a question for you. What do you wear under the Topshop T-shirt in the first picture (this is a technical question, not a personal one. I hope.)? Because I bought it sometime ago and cannot figure it out. I have kinda gone off layering since the heatwave last week! Thank you, hon.
J x
Posted by: J | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 10:25
J, I just wear a nude coloured jersey bra top. Because the top long enough no midriff is bared.
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 10:38
Every single look is an absolute killer! I think you're doing JPB the favour by wearing his clothes so well!
Posted by: tanya | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 10:41
Oh My God! You must have wet yourself when they handed it all over, so many beautiful things! Well done xxx
Posted by: Louise | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 10:47
I love the way the Top Shop t-shirt falls!
- Lovely creative outfits as usual..
xk
www.kaelasroom.blogspot.com
Posted by: KAELA | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 11:06
V. chic. I especially love those JP midnight blue trousers.
/Male-Mode.com
Posted by: Male-Mode | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 11:10
Oh so glad the top came to use, have been lusting after the harness for an age so it's great to see em together.
Outfits look lovely! The combination of delicate nudes punctuated by black is so dreamy.
Posted by: Isabelle | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 11:59
the second outfit is amazing!
Posted by: angelina | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 12:10
the first outfit is simply gorgeous! love the trousers!
Posted by: diane | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 12:28
Awesome loot you got yourself there!
All the outfits you've made out it are totally gob-smacking but I particularly like No 3 and 4. Your home-made neckpiece and peplum are sheer genius, btw.
Posted by: Sophie, The Barton Girl | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 13:13
I'm still lusting after the fringed pants.
Posted by: WendyB | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:08
Ii want to rock the Norwegian Wood skirt as well as you do, Flawless!
Posted by: Nicci | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:11
O...M...G you lucky f**cking b**ch!!! You're rock'n it though...looks immense. Blessed with killah pins, hah. Guess you didn't need to haggle after-all.
Posted by: moi | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:16
Such amazing pieces! I'm especially in love with that last outfit, that top is gorgeous! :)
xx
Posted by: Brigadeiro | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:19
You are definitely the queen of putting amazing outfits together.
My fave in this selection is one with the DIY pvc peplum, which compliments the Jean Pierre Braganza trousers perfectly.
xXx
Posted by: calamityjem | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:47
Lucky you! The white jacket is amazing xx
Posted by: lady lisa | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 14:55
So exciting! You're so set up with new goodies now, it should definitely help you weather the decreased funds when the redundency happens, those pieces can be mixed and matched in about a million ways!
Posted by: AngieMontreal | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 15:28
You are such an inspiration, QM. Every outfit here makes me want to dress more daringly!
Posted by: Sal | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 15:33
Baaah wuman, if I saw you on the street in outfit no 2 I'd probably pass out. You probably know this but you're my number one inspiration.
Posted by: Shini | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 15:59
Wow! The blouse is awesome, you wear it well!
Posted by: Abs | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 16:29
are you kidding me? i'd do more than squeal if i got those braganza trousers! they are so epic..
Posted by: amanda | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 17:25
Oh my gosh. Those grey trousers are everything I could ever dream of in a pant and more. This is beyond awesome, Queen Michelle!
Posted by: Isabel | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 17:25
Each piece is so stunning. I love it all and would have probably passed out at receving it all.
Posted by: Alicia | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 18:45
oh come on.
jpb is a favorite but the gray trousers and peach blouse are especially green-making. it's all pretty killer though. at least i can afford the damned harness.
seriously dude, you've got to cut this shit out.
Posted by: kim | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 19:57