WIT Search

Friday 6 May 2016

The goodbye post

 
The waiting game has started and now I really must go. When I was thinking about my last post before going on maternity, I thought it should be words.. a little reflection on the truly amazing journey that Wearing it Today has been for me. 

But words are not my thing, so I asked someone who knows what they are doing to sit down with me and help me reminisce. 

We sat down on my sofa on a Sunday afternoon, surrounded by our kids mess, me heavily pregnant and planning yet another house move, a cup of tea in one hand and her home made banana cake in the other. And here is how it went...

Love
Laura x


So how did Wearing It Today all begin?
I’d just done a maternity cover at Red, as Acting Shopping Editor, and I was thinking: what next? I found freelancing hard. I was 26 and single. I needed a reason to wake up in the morning and get dressed. I’d recently met a girl from New York on a trip - she had her own fashion company and her productivity was so inspiring. I came back feeling like I should do something like that too, then a techy friend suggested I start a blog. It was only six years ago and The Sartorialist was the holy grail back then. People still thought blogs were self-obsessed and taking a picture of yourself everyday was showy-offy, but most of my friends continually asked me for style advice, or where I bought things from, so I thought I’d just do it for them - and so Wearing It Today was born. It was supposed to be a project for a year and I wanted it to be really true: exactly what I was wearing every day. The concept was – and still is - daily inspiration from a fashion editor’s wardrobe.


product
20th February 2010 - WIT's very first post

So why didn’t you stop after a year?
I just loved the community aspect of it. It was a responsive concept quite quickly – within a few weeks, people I didn’t know had found it and were commenting. At the time, even four new people and one comment meant a lot to me, so very soon I realised I wouldn’t finish it at the end of a year. Now on Instagram I have around 32k followers and roughly the same on the blog.

Are you surprised at WIT’s success?
Well, I don’t necessarily see it as a success. When I measure myself against people who started blogs at the same time as me - Man Repeller, Garance Dore – they have had global success. WIT has been fulfilling for me – it’s always made me feel like I had my own thing and filled a hole when my career wasn’t doing so well. But you have to be realistic – if after ten years that sort of success hasn’t happened, it’s time to think about modifying what I do…

What are the best bits about WIT?
Having something that’s mine - as a fashion editor, what you do is often determined by advertisers and editors. When I was single, there was nothing I loved more than sitting on the sofa at night writing a WIT post, and to this day, I still love it. I have a passion for fashion within me and I love talking to an audience. I know the WIT readers better than any other. Having this freedom and being able to reach out to this community is what has kept me going.


product
Posing in front of 'the WIT Wall'
And what are the worst?
Comparing myself. We live in a world where we are constantly trying to be better. At first I didn’t do that as much, but now I can’t help but compare what I've achieved to others. I want WIT to be the best it can and have a million followers and it sometimes gets me down that I haven’t achieved that.
But I’ve been lucky in that I’ve experienced very little negativity, while doing WIT. The unfair criticisms are the ones that get to me, when people are spiteful or mean. I made the mistake once of reading a Mumsnet thread about me and I got to a point where I had to just turn away. I’m not a celebrity but it gave me a sense of what they must experience. That thread bothered me for days and now I know it exists but I won’t look at it again.
The terrible outfit comments don’t upset me though. If you put yourself out there, you have to be okay with people assessing you – that’s why WIT has a fail button. Sometimes I’m fascinated by people’s reaction and wonder: what was it people hated so much?



"WIT is not about buying what I’m wearing, it’s about inspiring you to create similar looks from your own wardrobe."



Is there anything you’ve worn which you regret now?
That Stella McCartney hat! It’s a riding hat in felt, which I loved, but it really didn’t suit me - everyone failed that outfit! I ended up selling it just recently. But I tried to make it work.

Which has been your most popular post of all time?
The holiday summer packing one – it’s an really old post actually. It’s a photo – taken in the flat I used to live in when I was single – and I took an actual picture of my entire suitcase from the top. Then I listed my rules. They’re still the rules I live by today: I colour coordinate, I take three of everything, everyone knows those rules.

What have been your WIT highlights?
Definitely the events – meeting the women who read your blog and being associated with a brand you love is always exhilarating. My first J.Crew event was a highlight. Greta was six months old when J.Crew first invited me to this bloggers lunch to celebrate their pop-up store opening. Petro looked after Greta for me and I wore a green skirt I’d bought for my post-baby WIT box. Jenna Lyons wasn’t at the lunch but I met her at the pop up shop later. We talked about babies and lipstick, and later I got an email saying ‘Jenna would like to do something with you’. Now I’ve hosted three events with them.


product
At my last J.Crew event in September 2015

What surprises you most about your readers?
How much they shop!

But you shop just as much!
I really don’t. As a fashion editor – and a blogger - people send you stuff. It’s your job to try the things out, test them and then share your opinions. When I was at Red I would put these clothes on a page, but now readers are more interested in seeing them worn by real people, in a more personal way. When I do posts, lots of the clothes I feature, I already own. People get frustrated when they see me wearing things they can’t buy, because they’re no longer available – but WIT is not about buying what I’m wearing, it’s about inspiring you to create similar looks from your own wardrobe. On a weekly basis there might be one or two new things on there – but I haven’t always bought them.

Do you think you should be more transparent about which things you are given and which things you buy? People may think you're only saying something is good because you were given it...
It's become obvious to me that people, in general, do want to see that transparency. But I feel really uncomfortable talking about how I get paid in my line of work, and I think anyone else, from a lawyer to an architect, would feel the same. For some reason in fashion it's different and people are expected to be ‘transparent’ in a way that’s almost a privacy invasion.  The bottom line is, I would never wear and promote something I don't believe in. I work in fashion, so whether I have been gifted it, bought it with a press discount, in the sales, at the outlets, or full price it doesn't make a difference, if it's on WIT it's because it's worth owning. 



"I don't believe in fast fashion and never really have. I think most of my readers have grown with me too and hopefully share my mindset. They’re the one who are now shopping on Wardrobe ICONS, which was basically created from this philosophy."



You said earlier you like the freedom of WIT but has it been harder to maintain integrity now you’re working more closely with brands?
No, not at all. The trust and respect of my readers is far more important and I would feel like I would be betraying not only them, but myself. Every brand I've worked with is one that I loved at the time and every product that I’ve featured is something I believe was worth shouting about to WIT readers.

Some readers probably feel frustrated that you started off sharing stylish high-street buys but now WIT is way more expensive. Do you worry about alienating readers?
Wearing It Today has quite faithfully followed my life in real time. When I started, I was on my first job as a fashion editor and my income was different, but mainly my mindset was different. I was younger and didn't mind buying cheaper items. But over the years, quality and longevity became really important to me. I started making smaller investments like shoes and bags, but then it became apparent that if I wanted my wardrobe to work harder, it would all have to be better quality. Now when I'm buying something I always think: how long will I wear this for? How long will I love it for? Unfortunately most of these ‘forever’ items are expensive ones, but there is no way I would trade my MaxMara camel coat with a cheaper version from Marks & Spencer's or my Chanel 2.55 bag with a similar copy. I really do believe in owning less but having quality. I still love the High Street and own a lot of cheaper items which I regularly feature on the website, but these have to be worthwhile buys too. I don't believe in fast fashion and never really have. I think most of my readers have grown with me too and hopefully share my mindset. They’re the one who are now shopping on Wardrobe Icons, which was basically created from this philosophy. 


product
One of the most criticised and most loved posts of all time - the Stella McCartney cape
  
So Wardrobe ICONS is where your heart is now?
It’s where WIT was leading – though I didn’t realise it at the beginning! When I started WIT I was happy to post every day, but then I got married and had my daughter, and now I’m not prepared to work every evening and weekend. As well as needing to refine how I worked, I also realised I could refine my concept. My style has developed into what Wardrobe Icons is – buying less, but buying better. When I came back from maternity leave with Greta I did a post on WIT asking readers for feedback. They said they wanted to see other women whose style I loved, more features on dressing for your size and how to build the perfect wardrobe. I had an extraordinary amount of replies - I kept them all and I still refer back to them now. I realised the next step wasn’t an improved WIT – it was Wardrobe Icons.


 "The bottom line is, I would never wear and promote something I don't believe in. I work in fashion, so whether I have been gifted it, bought it with a press discount, in the sales, at the outlets, or full price it doesn't make a difference, if it's on WIT it's because it's worth owning."



And then Petro came on board?
Petro and I worked as fashion editors at Happy together. We had become great friends. We both had babies at the same time and one holiday, whilst breastfeeding together, I told her my idea for Wardrobe Icons. She wasn’t sure at first but over the summer, became more into it – and then suggested we do it together. From the first day we decided we’d do it Petro was properly committed. She came up with a plan immediately, which I found daunting at first, but her enthusiasm was contagious and very soon we had layouts and it became so exciting. I’d returned to my old job at Red after my maternity leave but very quickly it became apparent I couldn’t do both things at once, so I left to pursue Wardrobe Icons.

Is it hard to work with someone else after doing WIT alone for so long? 
To my complete surprise the creative process has been smooth. I don’t know whether it’s just luck but we’ve never really disagreed. The two of us potentially serve a slightly different woman. Petro’s taller, she can do tailoring really well and can pull off a more masculine style. I’m more of the frilly girly girl. One of the strengths of wardrobe icons is that we’re collaborative.


product
Petro and I at Wardrobe ICONS office
On WIT – and Instagram - some might say your life looks a bit too perfect – why don’t you show off the crappy bits too?
I strive for perfection. I like the table to be nice when you come to lunch, for the food to be nice, the invitation to be nice. That’s what I’d be doing even if no one else was looking. And although it might look like I’m sharing a lot on my blog and Instagram, it’s actually an edited version. I rarely share stuff about my husband or too much about my daughter. I try to keep the bits you see to be about me and fashion. In a way, the mess feels too intimate.

How has having a child changed you?
It’s made me realise life can’t be perfect! I’ve learned to give in to mess and just let it go sometimes. Also, now I would never judge a woman for whatever she does: parenting, work, all of that. Having children makes you much more understanding, tolerant and respectful. I used to make snap judgements. Motherhood is such a ride and can be so tough – and it was for me - so now I would never comment on how anyone else does things.


product
Greta and I shot for The Grace Tales
What are your top three style rules?
Never, ever buying something you don't love. I get heart palpitations and a little flutter in my stomach when I find something that I know I am going to love. But it’s not cost dependent - there are things in my wardrobe worth £20 that I still love today (like my Accessorize clutches) and others I have spent a small fortune on, but all of them were great buys. Another rule is to pay attention to what looks good on your body shape, I don't embrace trends just for the sake of it, only the ones that look right on me. And finally don't buy according to size. I am technically an eight but have items in my wardrobe that are size 14. I buy according to fit and that is something that has completely revolutionised the way I dress. 

Who are your style icons?
I’m really loving Roberta Benteler from Avenue 32. Of course Jenna is gorgeous, but for me now it’s more about random women I see on the street and how they style things. But Giovanna Battaglia I love – she’s always classic but there’s something a little bit out there too.
Professionally, Miuccia Prada is someone I find really inspiring. She’s always a  step ahead of everyone, every season. I always think I hate her shows, but six months later I’m buying a pair of her crazy shoes or recreating a colour combo she’s done. 
 

 "Never, ever buy something you don't truly love and buy according to fit (not size) - that is something that has completely revolutionised the way I dress."

 
If you could only shop at one place on the High Street, one mid-range store and from one designer, which would they be?
Mango is brilliant, especially in the summer. They really serve all different customers, from my sister who’s 21 to my mum who is 60. J.Crew would definitely be my middle, but I'm not really one of those people that sticks to one designer religiously. Generally I would say that I am more of an Isabel Marant/Chloe/Tory Burch/Anna Sui girl in the summer and transform into more of a Celine/Joseph/ girl in the winter. Always with Aquazzurra and Gianvito Rossi shoes And always, always designer bags – Chloe is a recent favourite. Finally I morph into any Italian Sicilian Dolce e Gabbana girl in the evening!

What’s the best investment you’ve ever made?
My MaxMara camel coat. A good coat and can really make or break an outfit. If you buy something classic and good quality, from a designer, you’ll wear it forever. But second, and I know they’re niche, but my Joseph leather leggings. They make your legs look brilliant, look good with flats and heels, you can wear them to work or at the weekend or going out. They’re ageless: you can even wear them at 60 with the appropriate top. I got mine from Vestiaire Collective but if not, I’d have saved up the £600 for those exact ones. Then there's a crazy pink Jil Sander maxi skirt - I might not wear it every day, but when I do it makes me feel sensational!


product
At the Paris shows wearing my pink Jil Sander skirt

What’s on your shopping list?
A Hermes Constance bag – which is a little cross body bag. I want a Louis Vuitton travel bag with the monogram at the front. I might get it as a ‘push present’ with my new baby’s initials, which makes it feel like an investment in their future! And next I want another coat. I have a good black Zara coat but not a really expensive one. I’d like a Celine one.

What do you think is the biggest wardrobe ‘transformer’?
It’s a shoe. It’s so versatile in a way a skirt, or a jacket, or jewellery isn’t. A shoe can transform a little black dress, a boho dress, it can make something more day, or more evening. That’s why I’ve got so many. I could get rid of quite a lot of my bags quite happily but my shoes are always an investment.

What is your fail-safe, go-to outfit?
Jeans - slightly cropped, a cashmere jumper and statement flat. A bit boring perhaps, but that’s what it is.


 "I feel sometimes in life you have to push yourself to do something different. I’ve reached a point with WIT where I’m not sure there’s a lot new and exciting I can bring – and I don’t want to waste people’s time."

Is there anything you wish you’d known when you started WIT?
I wish I’d known about the more techy side of things. I did my blog without any SEO training and I often wonder, if I’d known more about the technical side, would it have done better? But otherwise I think I’ve had good training. I am so grateful for my magazine days – I learnt from working in the fashion cupboard and being inspired by amazing people like Isabella Blow. That training really shaped me as a professional. Petro and I feel that our website is different because we are former fashion editors – not just bloggers.

Why do you think WIT has found such a loyal readership?
Because I’ve never been avant-garde. When I started out, The Sartorialist was photographing out-there outfits – the crazy hat with the bright coat with the cool shoes. But I wanted to see the cargo pants with the smart flats and the Breton tops. That’s the thing with WIT – it’s not ground breaking, it’s not about crazy fashion. I just wanted to do normal.


You’re off on maternity leave – starting tomorrow. If you don’t talk to WIT readers again for a while, what’s the last thing you’d like to say to them?
I just want them to know, that leaving WIT for a while is not something I want to do, but something I feel I have to do, because my life has changed. It’s not a goodbye forever. I really hope our conversations will continue through Wardrobe ICONS – and you’ll still get that regular glimpse into my life on Instagram – though maybe not always on a WIT wall!
I feel sometimes in life you have to push yourself to do something different. I’ve reached a point with WIT where I’m not sure there’s a lot new and exciting I can bring – and I don’t want to waste people’s time. I don’t want it to be average. I hope WIT readers understand that the concept of the blog has now evolved into something even better: Wardrobe Icons. Hopefully it offers the same thing, just a slicker more professional service. I still cherish my WIT community and so hope they’ll join me on this next adventure…


product


"I don’t want the blog to be average. I hope WIT readers understand that the concept of the blog has now evolved into something even better: Wardrobe ICONS."

Tuesday 3 May 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MATERNITY: A day in my working life

OK so admittedly I picked quite a fun day as shoots are definitely one of my favourite part of the job, but the reality is that at Wardrobe ICONS, no other day is the same as the other. Petro and I work from our shared London office two to three days a week and when we are not at our desks producing the pages you see in your weekly magazine The ICONS Update, or researching the net for the best wardrobe staples to upload on the site, we spend our time out and about on press days, meetings, breakfasts and shoots - and this is the day I'm going to take you through today: the making of a Wardrobe ICONS 'Perfect Wardrobe' shoot.


My 'Call Sheet' today lists all the information I need to have in terms of where I need to be, at what time and who is the talent we are shooting. This is sent to everyone involved on the day so we are all looped in. Today, I am shooting Roberta Benteler, the incredibly stylish founder and CEO of Avenue32 in her London wardrobe.


For once, I don't have to trek the other side of London, as it so happens that Roberta lives literally around the corner from me. I'm almost 8 months pregnant at this point so being able to drive is a real luxury! It's 9.30 and I'm at my desk ready to get going.


I get to Roberta's house and we walk to the top the property where she opens the door to her attic and... LOOK AT THIS!


There are rows and rows of immaculately organised clothes under the eaves...


... and in front of each section there are opened-shelved cabinets with rows and rows of some of the coolest shoes I have ever seen!

 
I can't resist the temptation of doing a little selfie and posting it on my Instagram, and you love this post just as much as me!


Eva K. Salvi, our in house photographer, is a real pro and photographs all of our beautiful shoots giving you the opportunity to get a real sense of the subject's wardrobes with lots of details.


Shooting our 'Perfect Wardrobe' pages is like doing a jigsaw puzzle, you have to think about every photo you take and how it's going to look in our layouts. I have a long list of shots I have to get done and keep a detailed list of each one of them.


We get shooting straight away as we don't like to take too much time out of our busy ladies life and like to get in and out within a couple of hours. Here we were shooting Roberta's hands with her favourite sunglasses...


... and this is the final shot you will see in The ICONS Update!


Eva checks with Roberta that she is happy with the next shot - doesn't she look gorgeous in the final thing and how much did I have to resist the temptation to buy her top straight after the shoot?!?!




We take a little break and I tell Roberta how much I love her Instagram and the "Roberta pose" that first got me hooked to her feed and where I first cought a glimpse of her amazing wardrobes...


So she gives me a little tutorial on how to achieve the pose...


... but with an 8 months bump it's quite hard and I don't feel I quite succeed!


Back to work! Final shot is the cover - I sit in the back to art directing the shot to make sure that we have enough space on the shot for our title and cover lines. Roberta is posing by her wardrobe in a super cool yet laid back look of broderie top and wide leg trousers. She looks amazing and I am so pleased with the final shot! 


See the full feature in this week's issue of The ICONS Update live on Wardrobe ICONS


And if you want to catch up with some of our other features take a look at our archive section - here are some of my all-time favourite shoots with Martha Ward, Lucy Williams, Tash Sefton and Pandora Sykes.


I hope you enjoyed this little behind the scenes post - remember that you free, weekly copy of The ICONS Update goes live every Tuesday on www.wardrobeicons.com and that you can subscribe, for free by adding your email to our mailing list from the home page!

Friday 29 April 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MATERNITY: Your favourite post of all time

 
It was so interesting to see that your favourite post of all time was a 'How to pack the perfect suitcase' one - not surprising, I have to add, as packing the just-right amount of things, making sure you wear everything you bring with you and getting the balance right of wearable and aspirational is a bit of an art form. I've always loved packing - I love thinking about what look I'm going to achieve on my getaway, buying a few new things weeks ahead of it and taking the time to lay everything out on my bed and carefully placing everything into my suitcase.

Since then I've done lots more packing posts, more specifically about traveling and packing with kids and weekend getaways, some of which are listed below:


Last summer we dedicated an entire The ICONS Update to the packing-theme when I asked our photographer at Wardrobe ICONS to spend the afternoon with me as I prepared to pack for my summer holiday in Italy (we weren't faking it - it was all real time!). You can see that post here:

But this one, was your all-time favourite post on WIT of all time:

(And here's a little anecdote... on that holiday, my husband asked me to marry him!)


31st May 2010 "WIT-ty-summer-holiday-packing"

Wednesday 27 April 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MATERNITY: The WIT wall


I remember someone asking me about the "WIT wall" one day and it took me a while to understand what they were talking about - what "WIT wall"?! Oooh I see!!! The brick wall I take my photo in front of every day!! It's funny because although completely unintentionally, "the wall" has become a bit of a WIT trademark, but it was never meant to be a style choice or with any particular significance - sorry!


If you think about it, it's quite an ugly wall, it just so happens that North London is full of them and more so it's a plain background that doesn't change according to seasons, where I could just stand in front of and let the clothes do the talking.


It also helps that this particular one in the last three years is just outside my doorstep, so my husband could take a quick snap on the way to work. There have been many WIT walls throughout the years - in the early WIT days it was by a wall in the park I had to cross every morning on my way to work, then when I got married and we moved to our first flat it was just outside the overground, and finally  when Greta arrived it was a more handy spot outside my house. She loves standing in front of it and giving me a bit of a pose!

Greta giving me her best WIT pose ;-)
So in the years I guess I've become fond of the brick background and have pretty much stuck to that! Sadly however, there's not a brick wall in sight in the new area I'm moving to over the summer... But here is the last one I took last night before date night wearing my new ASOS dress and tasseled clutch from last year with my beloved Chloe fringed sandals. So I guess it's goodbye WIT wall!

ASOS dress and clutch bag, Chloe shoes, J.Crew earrings

Monday 25 April 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MATERNITY: Wardrobe Oganisation rules I live by


When I was thinking about the posts I should leave you with before going on maternity leave, I thought a classic wardrobe-organisation one should definitely be included - after all, us WIT girls love a good wardrobe! Luckily last summer, once I finished my new fitted wardrobes, we did a shoot for Wardrobe ICONS that looked at all the aspects and rules I live by to have the perfectly organised wardrobe. Here are some of my top tips - if you would like to see the full feature head to The ICONS Update here to also shop some of my must-have wardrobe organisation essentials like baskets, hangers and jewellery dividers.


1) TO SEE IS TO WEAR

My wardrobes are built behind closed doors, but once I open them everything is organised by section and all accessories have a label so that I know wha't inside shoe boxes and dust bags. To see really is to wear more - make sure that however you decide to organise your wardrobe, everything is in plain sight so you don't forget what you own.



2) CHOOSE THE RIGHT HANGERS

Not all your items of clothing need the same type of hanger, so don't waist precious space with the wrong type. I use 4 different styles: clip on for skirts, thin velvet-effect non slip ones for blouses, men's fold ones for trousers and shoulder padded ones for coats.



3) KEEP YOUR SHOES SEPARATE

Shoes can stink, you walk in them on pavement and they are generally non hygienic, so try not to store them together with your clothes. I have a separate wardrobe for my high heels (that live in boxes) and pull out drawers for my flats. Find a place in your wardrobe/house that doesn't see them living with your fabrics and knitwear that can absorb odors and get stained.



4) PROTECT

Protect your wardrobe from moths with all your powers - I'm obsessed with the concept and place moth repellent sheets in-between all my jumpers and hang moth killer in each one of my wardrobes (even the ones that have no wool - you never know). At the end of the season I wash all my knitwear and take all my coats to the dry cleaners; yes at a price, but better that than a munched up Max Mara camel coat is how I see it!.

 

5) DE-CLUTTER AND STORE AWAY

At the beginning and at the end of the season try to get rid of at least five things - it will make you feel better about your wardrobe and also create space for new buys. Put away clothes that are not season-appropriate, it will be a joy to rediscover them all a few month later.



6) GO BEYOND CLOTHES

Be organised about all items that live in and around your wardrobes that serve to create the perfect outfit. Think about your belts, sunglasses and jewellery too. Once again, it's all about having them in one place so you don't waist time looking for this and that and then organising them appropriately.



Read all my tips and see the full feature of my 'Perfect Wardrobe' shoot in The ICONS Update here + shop some of my must-have wardrobe organisation essentials like baskets, hangers and jewellery dividers.

The ICONS Update

Friday 22 April 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MATERNITY: WIT mama Friday Special - your essential reading

Photo by Julie Adams from my feature with The Grace Tales
The time has almost come to say goodbye for a few months, so to celebrate these last few weeks together I've come up with a few posts looking back at WIT and some of your favourite content. Second post of this series is a WIT mama Friday special, from the Friday mum-related posts that I have been regularly writing since becoming a mother to Greta in 2012, and more specifically the 8 posts you liked the most. Here we go..


WIT mama Friday essential reading


Tips from the top on flying with kids





To see more of my WIT mama Friday posts, click on the WIT Regulars tab top left of the home page and choose WIT mama Friday

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...