Etoile Isabel Marant Ariana jacket (for those in Europe, here)
I had to pop up to London to attend a party. And who was at the entrance? None other than Steph from Faiiint and her lovely boyfriend. We squealed and hugged and chatted all night, or rather shouted at each other just so that we could be heard over the loud music. I also managed to check out a few pieces from the Spring/Summer 2013 Etoile Isabel Marant collection at Matches Fashion. J'aime the wonderful lighting and magical mirrors at the store. They make me look skinnier than I actually am.
The Ariana jacket has a more fitted style. It was slightly tight under my sweater dress and vest (not seen) but would look far better with a plain tee. The flecked violet yarn with raspberry cotton tweed fabric is rather flattering against my pale skin tone. The material is wonderfully soft to touch and the design is reminiscent of the Chanel cardigan but at a fraction of the price.
The Maverick sweater was a disappointment. I had no idea it was that cropped. The size 34 looked like a child's sweater and I had trouble getting it over my small head. Was she designing for a midget or a child? I tried on my usual size (38) and it wasn't any better.
The flirty and ruffled Sandrine skirt is exquisite. I'm generally not a floral nor print type of girl but I can easily see how the cerulean colored skirt can work with many different colors. It's true to size. I normally wear a size 38 or UK 8 and it's a nice and comfortable fit. Although, it's namely a spring or summer piece, it'll work with a plain pullover during winter. This is the first time I've tried on the long sleeved jersey t-shirt by Helmut, his more affordable range. The texture is remarkably soft and the tee drapes and hangs in all the right places. I've always had trouble finding good slouchy tee that's long enough to cover my hip. If you're into Helmut Lang, check out this beautiful jersey biker jacket which is priced at a reasonable £150. I managed to nab one in my size before it sold out.
p.s. Have you noticed my giant phone? It was originally an iPhone but after multiple steroid injections, it grew a few muscles and became a Samsung.
The Arianna jacket looks lovely on you. Nice boots, btw and good grief you finally ditched the iPhone! Welcome to the green bot side! :)
ReplyDeletehahaha! The Android beckoned and I lost all reasoning. I'm pleasantly surprised how much more advanced it is to the iPhone!
DeleteOh - the skirt! The skirt! You look fantastic. I want everything. Duh!
ReplyDeleteLaura, wait till you see the rest of the collection. It's incredible!
DeleteWell the skirt looks lovely - you have great legs for it and you're right, it is quite transitional as the colour is strong. I was eyeing up the top in the same print as they have some new stock in Morgan Clare. Could I ask what size in the Ariana did you try? How lovely that you met up with Stephanie from Faiint. She was featured in Grazia in the current edition! And the death glare? I love it - that's my school maam look as I was informed by a former beau.
ReplyDeleteI met up with my students years later and they ran screaming down the street. I kid you not. So obviously, the death glare was pretty effective. The Ariana was size 38. It's a small fit though.
DeleteI think you look beautiful in that top pic.
ReplyDeleteI haven't worked out how to wear cropped jackets yet, I think that one is lovely on you.
I haven't really worn cropped jackets other than biker style in a long while but this is pretty lovely.
DeleteI just clicked on the link for the Helmut jersey biker jacket and can barely speak, I'm so jealous!!! That skirt is also gorgeous on you - did you buy it?
ReplyDeleteSure did! Now that I'm hurtling towards the big 4-0, I might as well try to look more trendy. Bought the biker jacket but fingers crossed, it'll fit as I didn't try it on when I was in the store.
DeleteLove the Helmut t-shirt. It looks nice and slouchy on you, unlike the pic. on the link. What kind of Samsung is that as I am looking for a new phone?
ReplyDeleteI like my tees to be slouchy so I tend to go up 1-2 sizes. My Samsung's a Galaxy Note. I want to carry minimal gadgets so I decided to have a phone which also works as a tablet. Problem solved! And far cheaper too.
DeleteRe your phone - did you get the new model one or the previous one? This would be my first foray into this market. I heard it was good to buy one from Amazon in Germany as they are a lot less dosh there. I want a phone to take out to check email on easily and make the occasional phone. I don't want to lug a notebook or a tablet around if I can help it. My current phone is in the dark ages but I do have a Macbook!
DeleteAfter asking those who own both new and older models, I decided to go for the first version as the differences were minute. It just didn't make sense to fork out hundreds of £££ just so that I can zoom in when watching a movie on the phone. I have a Macbook but it's way too heavy to lug around. I'm with you there. I can't see the point of carrying umpteen gadgets so the 2 in 1 galaxy note phone does the trick.
DeleteFirst of all you look beautiful in these pics. Second, thanks so much for sharing this valuable info! I was eyeing the Ariana jacket and wasn't sure which size I should get. Both the jacket and skirt really look lovely on you. Oh my, I think I might need both!
ReplyDeleteIM sizing drives me bonkers. I just wish it's more consistent across the board.
DeleteI have a death glare thing going on at all times, the jacket looks divine on you! Lovely X
ReplyDeleteLOL! It's time for me to learn how to pose properly.
DeleteGorgeous, I love the skirt!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Stacey
Five Minute Style
Is that the Samsung Galaxy S3? I was thinking about getting it, but realized that since I'm 5'1", the phone might be about as big as my head!
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing how great all the IM pieces look on you, I keep thinking I should add something from hers to my closet... I'm really tempted by her jackets.
Amanda, it's the Galaxy Note phone. I'm only an inch or so taller than you. I took it out at the party and people just stopped dead in their tracks. Yeaaaah.....it's embarrassingly huge but it's so neat not to have to squint anymore!
DeleteYou're continually cracking me up Marlene! :) Thanks for the awesome reviews which are totally helpful since her stuff is not consistent from season to season. That skirt looks awesome on you. Not sure if you got it but you totally should! ;)
ReplyDeletexxTheresa
oh so cool you bumped into steph ;) sounds like all the fun is over where u guys are!
ReplyDeletelove the skirt - and that's not really a death glare..
steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
i love the last pic of yours, you look gorgeous in the ruffled skirt and the Helmut Tshirt. :) btw, i am going to buy the biker jacket you recommended :p
ReplyDeleteCheers....shan ty
Shan Ty, I'm anxiously waiting for my biker jacket to arrive. Have you ordered yours?
DeleteI* really like the skirt on you, it's really fun, and I wasn't expecting to like the print so much. HAHA and the phone, geez it's more like a mini-tablet!! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Marlene, thank you for that wonderful review! You look so cute in that glare..haha!
ReplyDeleteThe jacket looks lovely and I was hoping it would be linen.. oh well, good for my purse.
I cant wait to check out her plaid dresses.. hopefully cotton!
That cardigan is my favorite! Looks great on you
ReplyDeleteThe jacket is my favourite but the skirt looks lovely and flirty on you xx
ReplyDeleteSkirt is so cute and it looks great on you!!
ReplyDeleteYou look really nice. I wish I could wear the same with boots like that but unfortunately my thigh is not as skinny as yours.
ReplyDeleteI have the same phone. My doc make a funny comment last week. He said I have the biggest phone but the smallest ipad. Told him I need a big phone so that I can see and the small ipad that I can put in my bag and use it while waiting for him....
LOL! I'm glad I'm not the only one getting comments. Whenever I take out my phone, I drew gasps - of admiration and incredulity. Once they got over the size, everyone wanted a go at the new machine.
DeleteOhh either you're lucky or you are tall because I did not know you could wear size 38 (or UK 8). I am a petite lady and wear size 34 (does that exist in UK size I wonder?) and this is the hell to find clothes that fit. I really do not like at all the Ariana jacket: sorry but for me it does not nice and the fabric used seems to me old fashion and rather common. But I'll try to see it in person to better know.
ReplyDeleteBut the skirt.... beautiful and make one feel happy with brights colours.
On an other note you may help get the final step towards a new phone, Samsumg, although I just did not want one....
Marlene it was so, so lovely to bump into you too! Such a nice surprise! We should definitely try to arrange another date so we can actually have a conversation without loosing our voices! Maybe we could get some other blogging ladies involved too & make a day of it? :)
ReplyDeleteThe jacket looks lovely on you, the colour like you said, looks wonderful against your skin tone. I really want that Helmut jersey biker now too, if only it came in black, I am far too messy to be trusted with a white jacket! Hah!
The jacket looks beautiful, I like the colors but didn't get it because those things never ever fit me properly :( My skirt should be here tomorrow, and I hope I can wear it as nicely as you do. It looks great on your Marlene. And I'm having the opposite problem with tshirts and tanks, I want something short (just under my hip bone) but everything that I've tried can be worn as a mini dress!
ReplyDeleteI love the jacket on you! The color is perfect.
ReplyDelete