PhD Panic

Dear ESB,

Ummm, so... I’m having a bit of wardrobe crisis.

In ten days time I have the most important exam of my life so far. Obviously, as opposed to working, I’m busy stressing about clothes.

I am about to take the transfer (upgrade) exam from MPhil to PhD. The exam is a viva voce, although not as long or scary, as the one at the end of PhD. It's an hour and a half long in front of a panel of 5 academics.

I don't know what to wear and I know it shouldn't matter but it really, really does. The problem is I'm studying at art college (this one), in the fashion department. My tutors wear Comme des Garçons and Margiela, my co-students wear their own creations and I have been writing in my pajamas for the last three weeks

My style up until recently was sort of tangled vintage. The thing is I'm 32, I want to be taken seriously and I'm not sure 30s tea dresses and laddered tights cut it anymore? I don’t want to look like a manic pixie dream girl; I want to look competent and strong. I'm just not quite sure how to do it.

So could someone find me the perfect PhD exam outfit? Dress or skirt and top with awesome shoes would be wonderful. I'm a UK 10, blonde, pale and extremely curvy (big ass and big tits). I need to be able to purchase online (and preferably in the UK).

Demanding, I know….

Bit in love with these shoes, btw……

Budget: About £300? I am profligate as well as unproductive

*****

go minimalist

a black dress (zara again)

and killer shoes, obvs

if you want snakeskin
i vastly prefer this pair
note: get your hair cut!

Breaking news on the PUFFER JACKET front.

Surely you remember the great Puffer Jacket debate of 2011?

Anyhoo. Thought you might like to know this Maison Martin Margiela x H&M baby is hitting stores on November 15.

Via Ginny Branch Stelling

happy thursballz.

there's a new one for you up on 100 layer cake.

spoiler alert: it's not shoe-related. but i had a feeling you might need some disco ball heels this morning....

maison martin margiela by ezra petronio for selfservicemagazine via ginnybranch stelling

If I were to get married now...................

from Noel of Pour Porter

When I got married 7 (going on 8) years ago, I didn't want any giant stress-o-rama production or some foo-foo coconut confection of a dress. I'm pretty low key, hate attention, and am decidedly unromantic. I wore a simple cream A.P.C. dress with a watercolor paint splatter pattern, vintage heels, and a vintage black clutch. We tied the ol' knot  in a beautiful local park with a magistrate, the husband's family, and my older sister looking on. The vow exchange took a max of 3 minutes, we signed the paperwork, and took everyone out for really good sushi. In a nutshell, it was fun, unfussy, and pretty much damn near perfect. BUT, I have to admit it is fun to fantasize about a do-over just because who doesn't like trawling about online for dresses and accessories?!

1. The dress. I'm a pretty casual gal so this Malene Birger dress is perfect - just dressed up enough to not feel TOO casual.

2. The accessories. I feel like this Aesa necklace helps elevate the dress above the ho-hum.

3. The shoes. Um guys, flat wood platforms = COMFORT + HEIGHT (I need all the help I can get). ILU CACHAREL.

4. The ring. I'm not a diamond lover. I have a ring with diamonds, but it's not ye olde engagement diamond. I love the simplicity of this pyrite ring, and believe it or not, a square band is much more comfortable than a traditional round one. I have one of the designer's other ring styles and love how I can't feel it.

5. The bag. I can't live without having something to help carry all of the junk I feel insecure without. This Margiela maple front clutch is A+ + to the nth.

______________________________

p.s. In case you've just arrived, be sure to catch up with the rest of the If I were to get married now................... series.