My visit to the ‘Noordermarkt’

Yesterday (Monday) morning I visited the Noordermarkt in Amsterdam. I visit this small market every once in a while, it’s a great place to buy cheap vintage. I didn’t really buy any vintage yesterday because I arrived a bit too late, it got too crowded for my taste. If you’re planning on visiting Amsterdam, you should definitely pay this market a visit. This is the place where all the hip and trendy people buy their cheap clothing and there are hardly any tourists. If you’re done visiting the Noordermarkt, you can simply walk to the bigger Westermarkt that’s just around the corner. You can buy everything you need on this market. I forgot to bring my camera with me so I had to make photo’s with my phone (hence the poor quality), but here’s an impression of the Noordermarkt:   

The Coat I just Had to Have..

 

I must say that during the past weeks, I might have neglected my blog, but I definitely did not neglect my fashion diet. I’ve tossed some of my older worn out clothes and bought some new ones to replace them. Among them was a coat I can’t get out of my mind, even now that it’s hanging in my closet. I just bought the Max Mara 101801 coat and I’m so excited! I’ve been looking for a classic (preferably camel) coat for at least two years now and when I spotted a vintage 101801 at a vintage shop here in Amsterdam, I was really happy. I must say that I didn’t buy it immediately, I first went home to think it over.

Update on my Primark Alexander Wang Wannabe

Some time ago I posted about my search for the perfect Alexander Wang pocket Tee wannabe, and I thought I found one at Primark. And how naive of me, but off course this t-shirt had to be just another disappointment. I know I shouldn’t have expected much, but this is just sad. After just one wash, the t-shirt was at least one size smaller, started to twist really bad and the print of the inner label came off completely. So, me breaking my own rules didn’t turn out that great.. (note to self: stick to your own rules!!)     

Makeup Discovery

Before I’m going to tell you about my discovery, I want to apologize for my few posts. These are the final weeks for working on my thesis, and I have to finish it within ten days. But after then, I’ll have plenty of time to work on my (currently neglected) blog.

            But okay, what was my new discovery? It’s very simple: makeup base and transparent powder! I’ve been watching ‘What not to wear’ recently and the makeup lady on the show always tells the ‘patients’ to start using make-up base and transparent powder. Myself, I do like makeup, but I’m in no way an expert. I just put some basic makeup on, see if it looks nice, and start my day. I don’t even have a skin routine. I’ve tried that in the past, but it’s just not for me. But anyway, I decided to try the make-up base and transparent powder tip, and I love it! The makeup base makes my skin smooth and non-oily and the powder just gives a nice natural finish. I must say that I never wear foundation (I can never find one in my skin tone and I’m afraid of ‘the pancake effect’) but this is the best alternative, I think. Once I’ve got more time on my hands I’ll show you some before and after pictures!

I’ve got so much stuff I want to post and tell you, just wait for a couple more days and this blog will be up and running again like it’s supposed to!

Blood, Sweat and T-shirts

A couple of days ago, Dutch television reran the Blood, Sweat and T-shirts documentary. I was really glad they did, because I think everybody should look at this documentary (and the others they’ve made). It really makes you think about the way our clothes are made. For instance, I knew that the workers in India worked for little wages and under poor conditions, but I didn’t know some of them actually have to sleep under their desk during the week. That really made me sad but also made up my mind to become more conscious about the clothes I put on my back. Since I watched the show a couple of years ago for the first time, I look where my clothes were produced and tried to tread them as if they were designer items. By that I mean that I take good care of my items, and that even if somebody had had to make them under poor conditions, I honoured the item by wearing it to treads so that their hard work was respected. And of course not buy things I didn’t really need. I recommend the series of documentaries to anybody, I know of the following titles:

Blood, Sweat and T-shirts

Blood, Sweat and Takeaways and

Blood, Sweat and Luxuries

If you’re ever able to watch one of these shows, you should, they’re great!

Alexander Wang T Update

I promised to keep you posted on the condition of my T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tee. I still wear the shirt a lot (I think about 3 times a week) and now it really starts to show some signs of wearing: it starts to twist after washing and the fabric looks a bit chafed here and there. I’m a bit disappointed by the quality but I still think it’s better than H&M or Zara shirts. And I know this is my own fault, but the shirt is a real stain magnet! Usually I don’t spill a lot, but the poor shirt has had chocolate, orange juice, wine, grease and food stains. Fortunately all of them came off after washing so I can still enjoy my shirt. Do I still believe the shirt is worth the extra money? Yes. The fit is unique and the colour is beautiful and just goes with everything. This shirt is still my number one buy this year.     

In search of the perfect T-Shirt (and breaking the rules)

I love my Alexander Wang Tee, I really do. I’ve worn it so much the last couple of weeks that my little sisters asked me if I ever wear something else (and yes, I do).  I love my Wang Tee so much that I’d like to have another one, but I simply can’t afford it. Around €75,- ($100,-) for a t-shirt is a lot, I think, so I’ve given myself the assignment to search a good ‘fake’ Wang Tee. The requirements for the shirt are:

- Made out of a soft fabric (viscose/rayon)

- Has a v-neck

- Has a short sleeve (not too short)

- Is loose fitting

As it turned out, these shirts are very hard to find! I’ve seen the Wang fakes at COS, but I heard that they’re of really poor quality. I think I’ve tried around fifteen t-shirts that came close to my requirements, but none of them were right. I even tried on some mens shirts at H&M, but the v-neck always was too high, so it didn’t look good. A couple of days ago I decided to pay a visit to the local Primark (I know, against my rules, but my cat recently died and I didn’t want to spend too much on emotional shopping) and I stumbled upon this shirt. It meets most of my requirements, so I took it with me without trying it on, which was a mistake. But as you know, there are always standing at least twenty people in line for the fitting rooms and I didn’t feel like waiting. My main complaint about this shirt is that it is too long and narrow at the bottom. If it was just a bit shorter and looser, it would have been a pretty good shirt. But I guess my search for the perfect fake Wang Tee will go on...

Garment of the moment

 

The weather in The Netherlands hasn’t yet allowed me to wear my full summer wardrobe, it still can be pretty cold. One of my ultimate ‘compromise garments’ is this H&M top. It’s made out of a synthetic fabric which makes it light but not too cold. I’ve bought this top about two years ago and it still looks great and has no signs of wearing. This is one of the few items I didn’t buy during the sale, as I did with all my other garments that period. I changed my philosophy only recently so back then I just bought the things I didn’t hate and were cheap. But not this top, and it paid off because I have worn it a lot and I still do.