Things I Found Chic This Week

Honestly the way vintage Mulberry has me in a choke hold right now is no joke. I have officially opened Pandora’s box, only i’m not sorry. It was the only thing I wanted to pick up while visiting family in England. I had some very specific pieces in mind, all three of which I was able to secure! Look, we need to talk about the Mulberry Bayswater. As far as i’m concerned this bag is the epitome of chic. I’ve happily come to the conclusion this bag is my birkin, only it’s better because the straps fit over my shoulder (when i’m not wearing a coat, which is most of the time given I live in LA).

It’s no secret I love a bag with patina, but there’s something so nostalgic about a Mulberry Bayswater. Before the days of Pinterest, I remember tearing pages out of magazines of Kate Moss wearing hers. It was also the first designer bag I ever bought so this feels like such a full circle moment. The older I get the more I find my style is truly coming full circle in many ways.

A heritage Bayswater circa 2000 was the first piece I secured. Next on my list was the Ledbury (my Birkin 25), a style which is no longer made. It’s almost a smaller looking Bayswater, and I wanted to find it in black or brown mock croc. As luck would have it, I managed to find a black croc embossed piece in incredible vintage condition. Chic, chic, chic!

And last but not least, I had budgeted for a third and final (very rare) vintage Mulberry piece that also is no longer in production, a Mulberry Piccadilly. Aka the travel/weekender version of a Bayswater. I’ve seen them come up here and there on the pre loved market, but I knew in my heart, I wanted a black one. A giant black Bayswater is beyond chic, for travel, and any other time you need a f**k off big bag! Several people in at the airport stopped to ask me where my bag was from and what style it is. I can’t lie, it does make me feel somewhat of a smug twat when I nonchalantly say ‘oh sorry, they don’t make these anymore’. That’s the thing I love most about a vintage piece. It’s easier to find something not everyone else has. (Video comparison of all three bags here)

One of my saved searches when i’m shopping preloved is Eileen Fisher 100% silk jackets. If ‘chic’ is a term that gets thrown around willy nilly, then these are certainly worthy of that title. But instead of wearing the latest collection of one designer/brand head to toe, i’ve been finding it particularly chic to wear the same brand from a mix of eras. Old and new together. It’s surprising how much interest it adds to a look, especially when they’re both in the same or a similar color palette. The jacket above is vintage Eileen Fisher, and the shorts are current season.

This has become the easiest way for my to create art on the go. I love to doodle, but to ensure I can do it regularly I need to keep my supplies lightweight. That means one small journal (my go to is the Paper Republic A6 Portfolio), a fountain pen and a water brush pen. There’s something incredibly chic about capturing the little moments, and a remembering that there’s magic in the mundane.

Everytime I walk into my parents guestroom, i’m overwhelmed by the dedication and detail my Mum puts into making the bed. Scatter cushions galore! I can’t lie, when I make my own bed with care and attention, it does make getting into bed feel so much more like an experience. There’s something so inviting about a bed with crisp sheets, that makes you feel like you get to enjoy a fancy hotel at home.

The older I get, the more I find myself appreciating the beauty of the english countryside. There’s nothing chicer than afternoon tea or a picnic in the garden, a field or any stretch of green filled with butterflies and a jug of pimms doesn’t hurt. To enjoy your own grown up princess party read this.

I couldn’t not take this beautiful cross hatch drawing home with me that I found in the most beautiful old frame in a local thrift store. Since I found my Victorian writing desk, i’ve really enjoyed adding more pieces with a history into my office decor. This picture inspires me to keep drawing. One of the best ways to find interesting and chic frames is to look on facebook marketplace, at thrift stores or at car boot sales.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t get into truly appreciating fragrance until my late thirties, but I get it now. There is nothing chicer than mixing fragrances in order to create something that feels more unique to you. I like to cocktail fragrances based on my mood. One of current summer favorites is Diptyque's L’Eau Papier mixed with Sage by E Flanagan Perfumes.

She’s not mine yet, but I believe one day she will be. I’ve always loved the Loewe Amazona bag, and it’s kind of chic to find ones over twenty years old. The Amazona was originally introduced in 1975, but I still think no matter what size, it feels like an incredibly modern bag. There have been many interpretations from it since 1975, but the ones I always com back to are these giant ones. Also the mustard suede, with the chocolate brown leather accents is definitely a bit of me.

I have been the biggest fan of July Rose jewelry for some time now. The way her brass journal charms (also available in sterling silver I believe) patina adds the chicest finishing touch and personalisation to any leather bound journal. I was thrilled to receive my first Louise Carmen journal for my 40th birthday from a friend, so it felt only right to add another charm to it. I like to choose little sayings I want to remember, and as someone who doesn’t have any tattoos, they kind of act the same way. They hold memories and significance that is personal to me. What could be chicer than that?!

Thanks for reading, and let me know in the comments what you’ve found chic this week.

Harry x

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