Sunday, October 5, 2008

My autumn fashion delights

Financial crisis has hit the global economy, in particular the United States where it all started. It had taken more than two weeks for the United States congress to hammer a USD700 billion bailout plan, which was rejected first but approved later after some sweetening measures. Hence the gloom of autumn's darkening horizon is aggravated by deep uncertainties that now plague every sector of the economy, in particular the labour market.

These are days of suspended animation among major stock exchanges in the world, like a pendulum or the Sword of Damocles that swings threateningly from depressive lows to slight recovery. So, do we all grieve over Wall Street's profligacy or find other ways to enjoy the pleasures of autumn. For one thing, autumn is the most beautiful season of the year. Nothing beats the glorious myriad of orange, yellow and red colours of an autumn landscape. Every piece of Sweden is a painter's masterpiece.

Autumn - notwithstanding its rains and chilly winds - is my favourite season, my holy pilgrimage into the fashion world. I love the contrasts between the neutral black and grey suits, jackets, pants and the striking opposition of reds, oranges, purples, pinks and greens in scarves, blouses, belts, shoes and handbags. Ever seen the latest high heels, the one where Prada models stumbled on the catwalk recently. Great looking shoes esp. from Top Shop (Made in Brazil), if one can manage the balance. I wouldn't recommend it on icy roads.

After returning from a two-week physical wellness retreat, where I also journeyed into the history of Gdansk, in Poland, I decided to seek out the pleasures of autumn. I went around the newly-refurbished Vällingby shopping center, in particular the fashion house K:Fem, the two-level structure that has a wide range of choices in designer apparel and accessories. My favourites are Mango, Top Shop, Best of Brands, Footlight, and Gina Tricot. I 'm not mentioning the designer luxury brands. Top Shop has gorgeous half boots - those that make you feel like a million dollar babe, as long as you can walk with the right balance.

Fashion shopping calls for sensible choices and the designer clothes and fashion accessories do not always guarantee style if you cannot put them into an elegant package. You can combine H&M blouses with Filipa suits, Max Mara or Versace with Mango and look as hot as Carrie Bradshaw or any of the babes in "Sex in the City". So I assembled my personal autumn choices out of cuttings I made from K:Fem's magazine in the photo on this blog. I am not getting involved in the top luxury designer jewelries because it is sinful and aggravating at this point in time. But a Bulgari or Cartier watch may not be totally immoral, is it?#