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Keeping It Real

Monday 15 April 2013
RO1
RO2
Outfit: Rick Owens leather jacket (US here), Helmut Lang t-shirt (US here), Petit Bateau track pants (similar here), ankle boots (similar here and here)


To say I am astounded by the positive feedback I received on this post (what do bloggers REALLY wear?) from all of you is an understatement. I was initially rather hesitant to click on that publish button because for the most part, it's far more palatable to show a glossy representation of myself which always works as an ego booster. This was a gradual decision after a long chat with Heather, a friend of mine last year about how it can be rather depressing to see the glamorous lives of popular bloggers but often it's far from the truth.

Based on the comments and tweets that I've received, I gather that most of you like
1) interesting but more realistic outfits

2) outfits with pieces on heavy rotation in order to see how something can be worn in various ways

3) real people with all the extra bits and bobs attached (err... you know what I mean)

Since we're on the topic of Keeping It Real, here are a few extra tidbits about moi.

1) posing is NOT one of my talents nor will it ever be. Neither is singing. Just ask any of my siblings. Actually, don't because the caterwauling is horrendous.

2) I still struggle to make sense of primer, eye primer, foundation, pressed powder, loose powder, bronzer blah blah blah blah. Don't get me started on the eye shadow or anything to do with contouring because they all look colored powder to me at this stage. And I used to think calculus was a form of mental torture. That is until I discovered the world of cosmetics.

3) I come from a family of hairdressers, from my mom's side. Needless to say, the genes somehow mutated because other than a ponytail, I've never figured out what to do with my hair. I hear that there's a thing called a sock bun now. Just so you know, you will NEVER get a hair tutorial from me. Ever.


4) I may not comprehend Rick Owens' radical lifestyle but the man is a genius when it comes to designing one of the most flattering leather jackets I've ever tried on. My bat wing arms look positively skinny, thanks to a panel of rib knit that runs along the arm. The jacket is constructed to drape, flatter and fit all the right places. It even gave this apple figured wearer a waist which is a miracle in itself. Just so you know, they run small. I do mean verrrry small. I wear a 42 which is a medium and I normally wear a EU 36, UK 8 or US 2/4.

5) I love my track pants so much that I'm thinking of starting a Sweat/Track Pants Club. Just kidding. Maybe not. I may wax lyrical about my favorite attire till the cows come home but I certainly don't believe in paying designer prices for them.







43 comments:

  1. PMSL at the sock bun!!!! You have cheered me up so much with this post. I am with you on the make up and hair thing. My poor girls tell me about the lovely hair styles their friends have at nursery and lament that I only ever do ponytails *bad mummy*.
    Oh and love these photos of you - you look about 23 in them. Surely there's a magic highlighter you're using? Or a primer that fills in wrinkles? Tell all :) xx

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    1. *high five* Woohoo, am I glad I'm not the only one who can't do fancy hairstyles including plaits. Lil L always complains that I do the simplest ponytail. My ego thanks you!! *ahem* I'm embarrassed to say that I only have the concealer and filled in the blanks on my eyebrows that day. A friend gave me a primer and I've only slapped it on my face once. No idea what to do with it.

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  2. I really like your hair and seeing the track pants worn like that has finally changed my mind about wearing them anywhere but the gym.

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    1. Thanks, Tabitha. I think my friends are convinced I only wear track pants these days. They're not wrong too.

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  3. I may of already said this before but I feel I should say it again, Your effortlessly-chic sense of style is a perfect example of how important it is to invest in good quality and timeless pieces. The way you combine them always has a different look and feel. Your style is like I said so cool, chic and most importantly still relatable which I find really quite inspiring, like everyone else who follows your blog i'm sure. I have to say that leather is AMAZING, like a Chanel jacket I dream of one day owning a Rick Owens Leather jacket! :)

    Take care,
    Daniella xox

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    1. Daniella, I'm on cloud 9 just reading your lovely lovely compliment. I'm often blown away by how you put together outfits because I wear the same combo all the time. Thank YOU!

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  4. I loved that post, it was such a refreshing read! I love your outfits, you always look so effortlessly stylish. And can I just ask... who do I have to sleep with to get a Rick Owens jacket cuz I certainly ain't got the money for one. :'(

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    1. mwahahahaha....!! You know what? I've seen RO leather jackets going for 65% off during sales. You never know when you might get lucky (and you don't even need a sugar daddy).

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  5. Marlene you look amazing, how u can make sweat pants look so good is beyond me!! I love them but haven't actually got any like you, so you have inspired me to go off and hunt for some! I hate posing too, I have started chopping my head out cos I was ruining all the photos!

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    1. Trea, I've been wearing sweat pants for decades (my friends were often embarrassed to go out with me) but only just started getting slim and more tapered ones. I bought these from Petit Bateau for less than £40 but I wish they have these as part of their main collection.

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  6. Ahh finally. You have a Rick Owens and I guess it's living up to the hype? You look great, relaxed but still cool. The trackpants/sweatpants/joggy bots are a big winner for me. Can't beat comfort at the end of the day.

    And I swear you are getting younger by the day - what's the secret?

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    1. PHOAAARRR.....My chest's all puffed out now. My only claim to be wrinkle free is that both my mom and 87 grandma barely have any wrinkles.

      Totally in love with RO jackets. Don't think I can afford another one. Feeling rather poor right now.

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  7. Would love to have a bit of Rick Owens in my life, too. They are not just flattering, but some of the designs are so versatile and can be worn in many different ways (read: 2-3 jackets for the price of one! :) )
    So glad I've found your blog (not sure who found whom to start with) - really enjoy reading your posts (I follow via Bloglovin' in case you are wondering).
    Have a fab day!
    x

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    1. I've seen a couple of pieces from RO and was surprised how many different ways you could wear it. It makes sense that his clothes should be so versatile considering how expensive they are.

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  8. Beautiful jacket! I've long wanted one and always miss my size during sales (and it doesn't help that the sizing changes each season!). I hate "posing" for fashion blog photos as well, I just feel uncomfortable overall.

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    1. I've seen a few on sale before but they were always the tiny sizes or too big. Ack, don't get me started on posing. I feel silly doing it most of the time.

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  9. That jacket is to DIE FOR! You look fabulous! But please a hair tutorial - I'll need it now I've decided to grow my locks:)

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    1. Joanna, I kid you not when I say I simply can't do a hair tutorial. Most of the time I can't even be bothered to brush my hair.

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  10. Some people 'have it' and some do not. I am jealous as hell that you have such a unique style about you. Reckon you'd make a paper bag look stylish!

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    1. Fiona, thank you so much. That's such a lovely compliment.

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  11. Nice lightswitch.
    Well I like seeing all the rotation too. Makes me feel like I have enough clothes. There are girls at my work who genuinely wear a different outfit every day. I don't get that. I love seeing you wearing the same clothes more! Keep up the good work :)

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    1. I simply don't have enough clothes to wear something completely different everyday. Nor a big enough bank account to support a shopaholic lifestyle either.

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  12. Marlene I thought it was a great post, and it does need to be addressed because I think at times you can become clouded by what people really do wear. There are too many bloggers out there who wear seemingly impractical outfits for day to day wear.

    I love seeing things on rotation, and I hope that's something that I offer from my blog (although always hard to really know) since I tend to wear my favourites over and over. And as for posing - I'm not much of one either. SO awkward in front of a camera haha

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    1. Jamie-Lee, on 1 hand, a blog can be a marketing platform, on the other, it's a personal journal. Where do you draw the line?

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  13. This is a me look through and through. Love it!

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    1. I use every excuse to wear track pants :P Glad we're in the same boat.

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  14. Hello Marlene! I love this outfit for its casual and comfy vibe. The leather jacket looks divine and fits so well!

    You have nice legs for track pants!

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  15. mwahahaha.... nice legs!! Eileen, wide angle lens ROCKS!

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  16. You are one haute mama!

    Your leather jacket fits so well. I must say Rick Owens runs small (which I'm always elated about) but he designs in such a way that his clothes flatter all bodies. The only other designer who really has that ability is Alaia, I think. While RO jackets are expensive they last forever! His tee shirts are pretty divine too. He custom designed a former colleagues' wedding dress and was a complete SWEETHEART!

    I don't get too caught up in what bloggers wear. People have different lifestyles, so it's hard to gauge what's impractical. I'm always dressed up, but that's just what my life/work dictates.


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  17. I can't even handle the jacket! I didn't know about this?!!!! It looks so great on you!

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  18. I need a push to buy the jogging bottoms my heart desires and your blog may be that push. You make joggers look so stylish! I would join your jogging bottoms club.

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  19. Sweats are super awesome, its a full trend in Toronto for people to wear their Roots sweats and uggs out in winter. Ps make up - check out www.lisaeldridge.com. her videos and presentation are brilliant for basics and looks.

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    1. Thanks for the reminder, Kate. A reader directed me to Lisa Eldrige's videos last year and they've been such a great help. I'm still rather hopeless with make up though but heck, at least it's a marked improvement from the previous years!

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  20. I love your pants, great style.

    I'm having a giveaway on my blog, last day! fell free to come by!
    http://remplirlesblancs.blogspot.fr/2013/04/polka-dot-giveaway.html

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  21. Great outfit! An RO leather jacket is among my dream purchases. It truly looks awesome on you especially teamed with the track pants.

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    1. Aissa, I can't get over the incredible fit of the RO jacket. Truly incredible. Ah yes, my track pants. A habit of mine since my University days.

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  22. You look incredible Marlene! What you wear on your days off put others to shame. And it's also not what wear, but how you wear it. The way you casually throw comfy casuals together creates a look that's high end yet synonymous with your personal style. Most importantly, the thing I admire most about your style blogging is that you're unafraid to showcase the same items again and again. Most bloggers I know would shy away from that practice. PS- I can't stop ooing and aahing over your rick owens!

    xx Jenee C.
    {camo meets couture}

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    1. Thanks so much for the compliment, Jenee! Haha.... I have to be photographed in the same few pieces on numerous occasions simply due to the fact that I don't have that many clothes :P I've been hunting for a RO jacket for years now and this unassuming piece won me over.

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  23. Brilliant! I love that you are so reality based and honest on your blog. It's refreshing and inspiring to see (and read). I swear though, you always look gorgeous. Track pants never looked so good and that RO jacket... Such a beautiful piece! BTW I've mastered the pony tail too and nothing else. Sigh...

    Find Me A Muse

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  24. Don't think I ever commented, but wanted to share. The disparity between my life and those of most bloggers is better yet unmentioned. Just can't relate. My life is filled with a big family, hard-as-heck job, grad school and, and, and... I receive not-to-be-missed kisses from a beautiful 5 year old who frequently leaves jelly on my jacket when she hugs me goodbye. I am terrified to wear white around her.

    I love your taste, humor, honesty-it was years before I learned NOT to stomp in heels, and minimalist take on fashion (buy fewer but better!). I don't wear IM sweats, but inside my house I am always found rockin' the yoga pants. You are one of the only bloggers I've seen who (at my height) manages to look great with a kitten heel.
    I love makeup-mostly on other people. I don't buy much more than foundation and powder because...well I won't wear it. For years I did other stuff, but now I can't even remember how to apply it. Ponytail? Thank God I figured out how to wear it "dressy" with a suit (hint, it is ALL in the accessories).
    -Missone (late to the conversation, as usual)

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    1. LOL Missone. Thank you for sharing your story. Ahh.. boy, do I understand. I had God knows what residue on my clothes most of the time when my daughter was younger and I'd turn up to meetings only to look down.. (you'll know what I mean). I remember selling a cardigan and the buyer asked why since it was so lovely. Wearing white around young kids is like waving a red flag to an angry bull. Thank you for the lovely compliment!

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