Indian Winter

I've always said that living in a city that I don't love, I can survive quite cheerfully as long as I can hide in my flat every so often – it's just the world as I want it to be, and I can pretend that what's outside the windows is, too.

In early February, that mean old world is even more grey and damp, and the wind whistles through my windows, moving the curtains in a ghostly fashion. So this, in a roundabout way, is why I'm staying indoors, rather than roaming the countryside, although I can't wait until the months when the prospect of that becomes enticing again.

This dress, with its Indian inspired fabric, is handmade 1960s I think. It was my first foray into vintage, actually, years ago, and was probably more expensive than anything I would buy now. I love it, but somehow I've never really worn it anywhere. Perhaps I haven't quite been brave enough, but I think I am now. It fits perfectly (something I only ever really get from vintage) and I like the way it brightens up the greyness outside.

In my current hermit mode, I've been reading To Kill a Mockingbird which I've somehow never read before, and the latest issue of Oh Comely magazine, which just seems to be getting better and better with each issue. I've been enjoying branching out with less established magazines lately, and am so pleased I have - they reward you in a way that Vogue and the other big players never could.

On that note, I must direct anyone who is interested in such things to Ellen Burney of Vagabondiana's beautiful riposte to the traditional fashion press – her words are brilliant, and her point equally so.

Dress: Vintage handmade 1960s
Wool Tights: H&M
Shoes: Topshop

Clevedon

An old English Victorian seaside town out of season, Clevedon in December is far more beautiful than it is in July. No tourists with ice cream cones buying expensive lunches in seafront locations and fighting over the outside seats – in December the sea is calm, the anglers are watchful and the sea mist swirls around and makes an atmosphere out of it all.

The pier is Clevedon's jewel. John Betjeman called it 'the most beautiful pier in England' and it must be – its long spindly legs create such delicate arches. The wet beams are recycled railway sleepers, paid for by tiny brass plaques inset into the wood and engraved with the names of the people who bought them. The glorious pavilion at the end is quiet now, but becomes a seaside cafe in the summer. I realised when I was there, that this is the pier that is used in the publicity posters for 'Never Let Me Go', the new Keira Knightley film.

When Ben and I strolled along it, the pier was completely deserted bar the quiet anglers with their bowed heads. It was pouring with rain and the mist was rolling in. I felt like my 1940s coat deserved an attempt at 1940s hair, which I quite like I think – It's nice to have a fringe break now and again. The coat I bought in a charity shop – it's heavy and the cut is perfect for me – it feels very grand.

Coat: Vintage 1940s
Leather gloves: Vintage
Tights: H&M
Shoes: Topshop

Love Me or Leave Me

Somehow, I've managed to leave at least a little bit of time between posting editorials shot by Kalle Gustafsson. They're like Zara lookbooks – you want to post one every month, but have to limit yourself to one per season. This one I think is perfect for mid-September, that period when the light is still bright, the clocks haven't quite gone back and when it is getting chillier and nearing time to merrily light the fire or tentatively turn on the radiators. I already feel resigned to finding another irresistible postable beauty for the deepest depths of December though.

This selection comes from the Swedish Fashion Tale magazine, and has a much colder feel than the last editorial of his that I posted (the beautiful Late Summer) but the attempt at a narrative style is almost the same: female models staring into the lens, hard and haughty, or looking emotional in beautiful clothes.

All images from SkarpAgent.se

The colours are true icy autumn and winter, and remind me how lovely soft blues and greys are, as well as plaid, wool and dark flannel. The makeup here is also typically winter – and unashamedly 60s Bardot – dark eyeliner and resultant smoky tears. In spring and summer I am minimal with makeup, but brash autumn and winter (I now remember) means more of everything – eyeliner especially, although I'm not sure I would want to wear quite that much.

In terms of fashion, this, I suppose, is neither new nor groundbreaking, but in a time when we do nothing but look to the past for inspiration, who really needs that? I love the neckline on the navy blue jumper on the boat, the layering of wool, the denim and, especially, those brown leather lace-up boots. Original this is not, but there is plenty to admire, inspire and take away, not in terms of new season trends perhaps, but certainly in terms of real, useful and achievable style.