How Marni Helped Me Find My 'Fashion Formula'.

Is it possible to have a 'fashion formula'?

Grit and Glamour recently wrote a great post on her work wardrobe formula. In some ways I realise I do have a formula for work, and it's pretty dull:

flat shoes (on feet all day) + grey/black pencil skirt + jumper = yaaaaawwwnn....

Ssh...don't tell anyone I'm living the Librarian Cliché...

I can live with this, however, and it gets me through. I got to thinking about the times I'm not at work, the times when I'm not restricted by dress codes. Am I the only one who finds her work and non-work wardrobes blending together...to the point where my conservatism definitely holds sway when I make my clothing choices?

Well no more!

After my wardrobe clear-out, I was feeling short of inspiration. Slowly stepping away from my all-black security blanket, I couldn't decide whether to 'ground' my wardrobe with a few 'staple' items (see, I know all the terms), or inject new life by taking a more daring approach. Enter Marni.

Ah, the colours, the fabrics - the socks...

Groaning my way through past Marni collections, I started to wonder: is there a sure-fire way of capturing the quirkiness that I so love about their clothes...without spending too much cash? Adding that extra element to the equation that would result in a more interesting me? 

Some of Marni's colour-clashing goes against all our instincts...and can a gal really get away with wearing knee socks 14 years after leaving school? I mean, yeah, Alison Goldfrapp did it, but she's way cooler than me. And it could be argued that it you're capable of playing the theremin with your crotch, as she is, your legwear stops being an issue:

In the end I decided that there were a few key elements to my favourite Marni looks: on the one hand unexpected colours and quirky statement necklaces and on the other, the aforementioned ribbed knee socks and 'dull' old grey tights, worn either with peg trousers or knee-length skirts. 

So in this vein, I went for both practicality and a touch of discord: I bought a couple of plain but versatile and belt-able cardigans, and went on an eBay hunt for brocade, silk, orange...and an odd vintage dress (I'm often happiest in a vintage dress - I can't deny it). I wrote about the spoils earlier in the week - want to see some in action (complete with sunglasses to hide my sore eye)?

ASOS trousers, vintage blazer, New Look silk top

Vintage shoes, grey school socks

What about the knee socks? Well, in the interest of economical shopping, I grabbed a bumper pack from the nearest school uniform shop, and I was away. And as it turns out, everything looks a little bit quirky with grey tights - I have found the 'x' missing from my equation.

Topshop jumper, Linea silk skirt, Dune shoes

Mango cardigan, vintage M+S dress, Zara belt, vintage shoes

Do you believe in a Fashion Formula? 

What tricks do you use to give your outfits an edge?

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