In my mind, people fall into two categories; badge-wearers, or badge-deniers. I am resolutely in the first camp. But, as with everything that I wear, I am rather selective. And I have been through many different stages. On my jumpers I like simple, and plain badges; envelope-lining ones from the Design Museum, or map fragments from Tatty Devine. My most recent acquisition is one that my workmate James found attached to his dry cleaning; an old fashioned revolver pin-badge. I also like a bit of sparkle on a cardigan as well; a diamante mouse, or golden spider's web or a tacky golden leopard playing with a fake pearl. But it's on the lapels of my coats that I really go to town. On my velvet jacket I prefer vintage blue and gold enamel or silver latticework butterflies. On my khaki double-breasted coat have been my best and most creative selections. I began with large round anti-war and other left-wing badges from my parents, before moving onto a Sonia Rykiel multicoloured plastic 'Voila' which became my signature around Paris. I switched to a black perspex camera and having lost all or parts of the above, am now on this diamante spider, which both pleases and scares my mates in equal measure. It was an ubercheap purchase from H&M, but doesn't show its price. And also always provokes an interesting reaction. For me, badges should not only be a way of personalising your clothes and conveying something of yourself, but also to brighten up plainer and darker clothes, and in some cases contrast against the masculinity of an item such as a military-style coat. The contradiction of having a sparkly badge on such a coat pleases me, and, I feel, is something that more people should experiment with. Just make sure you pick the right badge. Other Staples this week:
An eclectic collection of badges
Dried Smyrna figs
The George & Dragon pub in East London
Fortuitous night buses (N63)
The LSO's performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15
Tring, Hertfordshire (and surrounding countryside)
Kim Jones for Umbro tshirts
2 comments:
also, badges and brooches teach us on a saddeningly regular basis how to deal with loss. so really they're not just an accessory but also a life lesson.
or something.
Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.
My site gracie st sugustine
Post a Comment