Tuesday's Gathering

I'm always drawn to richly-coloured dense prints. As hard as I try for the benefit of my wardrobe to buy and make plain classic clothing so that I can at least pretend that I'm sophisticated, I always get sidelined by yet another an amazing print dress or wildly patterned fabric. Ikat therefore, is just my thing.

1. Kookai Ikat Print Shorts (via Asos)
2. Matthew Williamson Ikat Print Stretch Coton Blend Skinny Pants

3. Anthropologie Ruffled Ikat Chemise

4. Warehouse Silk Ikat Print Jacket

5. Thakoon Ikat Print Silk Crepe Top (via Net-a-Porter)

6. Topshop Ikat Print Leggings

Traditionally ikat fabric is produced in a similar way to tie-dyed fabric, except that the threads themselves are bound and dyed before they are woven into cloth. The good old V&A has some wonderful examples of traditional Central Asian ikat clothing from the 19th century here.

Although I doubt these are strictly ikat fabrics, there are some fabulous takes on the idea out there.

1. Amy Butler Lark Persimmon
2. Magnificat Avocodo
3. John Kaldor Cannes (via Sew Essential)
4. Liberty Landis A Tana Lawn
5. Robert Allen Plaid Ikat
6. Ada Chartreuse

Tuesdays Gathering

The Spring/Summer 2012 collections were full of this classic print. Stella McCartney, Jil Sander, and Pucci are just a few of the big names who showed some of the hottest ways to wear it. Here are a few of our current favourites!

1. Warehouse Paisley Print Dress
2. Alexander McQueen Black Paisley Flower Silk Scarf Cape
3. Stella McCartney Christine Paisley Print Silk Pants
4. Etro Paisley Print PVC Cosmetics Case
5. Gucci Paisley Print Wool & Silk Blend Scarf
6. Whistles Liliy Paisley Shorts

If you're inspired to make your own, how about these fabrics as a starting point:

1. Ghostly Paisley by Cate Anevski
2. Heirloom Paisley by Joel Dewberry
3. Mumbai by Domesticate
4. Grey Whimsical Greyhound Paisley byJane Walker
5. Paisley Ahoy Koi, Oh Boy by Vo Ako Virginiao
6. Paisley by Andover

Black and Gold

Every single morning I utter the words I'm sure every other girl says on a regular basis. Bar maybe Chloe Sevigny. Or that Ecclestone girl.

"I literally have NOTHING to wear!"

Normally I get a sharp rebuke from the boyfriend. Something along the lines of, "well what IS all that stuff taking up all the room in the wardrobe then?" Oops.

However, I might mean it this time. This weekend both of us gather girls are off on a hen do where the dress code is black and gold. What ARE we going to wear? Well, in an ideal world, it'd be these lovely togs. In reality, we'll have to rummage something out from the back of our respective wardrobes (I'm sure I must have something sequinny in there somewhere...) Oh well, a girl can dream, can't she?

1. Bottega Veneta cashmere-felt wrap coat
2. Alexander McQueen crepe sleveless dress
3. Zoe & Morgan yellow gold rabbit ring
4. Raoul brill metallic bag
5. Maison Martin Margiela suede & metallic court shoes

1. Gucci cotton blend biker jacket
2. Ralph Lauren high waisted wool blend skirt
3. Diane Von Furstenberg cracked leather box clutch
4. Nicholas Kirkwood shoes
5. Vince sequin georgette top