Boots, Boots, Boots!

One thing I have always loved is a nice pair of boots. A nice pair of distressed, individual and creative boots. And recently I have become OBSESSED with finding boots that represent all 3. Military boots have always been 'my thing' typically, but due to lack of funds in previous times I have never been able to afford the beautiful, durable and 'real' bigger brand styles. Hence, most of my military boots have died a fast and painful death (you can always rely on Primark, right?...). 

So, with my new job and my lovely wage-slip full of money from extra overtime, I thought I would start by casually browsing for some on eBay. With it being spring/summer season, not alot of stores are stocking boots and if they are they are foul and vile designs. That and the fact that the military trend seems to have died, although I personally think they are a timeless style. That being said, I had alot of luck with eBay. And I didn't settle for just 1 pair...

 Okay, so lets begin with my 4 (yes, 4!) new pairs of boots!

Distressed Black Lace ups with Buckle Detail

Price: £19.00

From: eBay

RRP: £75.00

Brand: River Island

These beauties were the first pair I purchased on impulse. They were advertised at a cheap price, a good brand and true to the seller's word, had only been worn once or twice. Although distressed with some detail added to them, I love the casual simple looks that these boots can create with that slight rock and roll edge. I love wearing this style with the laces untied and the tounges hanging loose. They look great with a pair of chinos, a vest and an unbuttoned check shirt.

Cropped  Black Zip/Lace Up Double Eyelets

Price: £20.00

From: eBay

RRP: £80

Brand: River Island

Another pair from River Island. I love the easy-peasy appeal that these cropped boots have. The double eyelets certainly add to it's charm, not making them look too generic which is why for that price I had to have them! This particular style really can go with anything which is why I love them. I'd pair them with a pair of straight-legged jeans loosely tucked in or over the boots, a casual t-shirt and a hoodie. Simple!

Beige Suede Studded Strap Boots

Price: £49

From: eBay

RRP: £129.00

Brand: H by Hudson

I absolutely fell, and I mean fell, in love with these as soon as I saw them. They are literally a certain style of boots I have dreamed of having. H by Hudson is a great brand that has some of the most amazing designs in footwear I have ever seen as they are very trendy with that classic appeal. The type of footwear I crave and love. But what made me want these boots more than anything was their similarity to Vivienne Westwood's signature pirate boots. A pair of boots I have wanted for a long long time. Although these are more like a cropped version without a buckle. But it wouldn't surprise me if that was the inspiration for this particular style of boot. Very steam-punk, very timeless. 

                                                       

I'd personally pair these boots with some slim fit dark jeans, a vest and a leather jacket. Punk with a twist.

Distressed Chocolate Zip/Lace Ups

Price: £75.00

From: eBay

RRP: £150

Brand: All Saints

Last, but most certainly not least - All Saints boots. I have wanted a pair of All Saints boots for a long, long, long time. Although All Saints' designs when it comes to clothes are AMAZING, their quality, and for me personally, their sizing lets them down. However, their boots are another story. These boots may appear like a mediocre, simple pair of military lace ups. However, when they're on you they look so individual, so trendy that they make whatever else you're wearing it with look amazing. At first these appeared very tight, however with some wearing in they became more lose and moulded to my feet pretty easily. And with that, came more signs of distress which completely adds to them. I think these are most probably my favourite out of the  lot. They are honestly just the most beautiful pair of shoes I have ever owned and at the price I got them for I really can't complain!

Since I bought them I have paired them with some slim fitting chinos, a low necked T-shirt and a light denim unbuttoned shirt. Perfect for a night out or a party. With these I will tend to go for a more tailored look when it comes to my clothes as I think that works best when having a pair of boots completely laced up. But I can experiment with these which is another reason I love them!

To tie up this post, here is a picture of all of them together. So I pretty much have a pair of boots for every occasion. And they are of good quality and all are fashionable in their own individual way. Overall I have spent a fair bit of money on these, but they are totally worth it. And as I said earlier, military boots are a timeless style to own. So guys, stock up. These look great on every guy...oh and did I mention I have 2 more pairs on the way? What?! I can't help myself. They're great!

Next time I'll post my 2 new pairs of boots and whatever new Items I have bought recently which I haven't shown you guys yet...see ya soon!

- Lee

What Leeroy Bought Yesterday/Made a Week Ago/Wore Today

As I write this to you, dear lack-of-followers, I am sitting very comfortably drinking tea out of a mug that says 'groovy chick' on it and marking the next page in White Oleander by Janet Finch. It's nice to feel like I can actually enjoy a day off again. Yes, that's right. I'm back to working for the charity shop and I have several updates to feed your obvious curiosity into my closet, life and dull ramblings.

What Leeroy Bought Today Yesterday

Okay, so obviously being back in the charity shop and settling into my usual habitat etc etc etc, I wanted to check out what men's clothes they were packing. In the past, the donations we have received for men's clothes and accessories have been appalling. But I was surprised to find that we had alot of very nice vintage knitwear, vintage style knitwear and vintage blazers in stock. So me being the nosey fashionista that I am, I looked through it to see if any of it was my size. Most of it wasn't, unfortunately and even the stuff that was...it just wasn't meant to be. However...I eventually found a beautiful, never been worn, new with tags still attached BHS Classics cardigan. I sighed and posed in it, but I was unsure about it. I loved it but I didn't know if I could rock it (perhaps it was what I was wearing at the time that didn't allow me to see the bigger picture), so I left it there and slept on it for 3 days hoping that it would still there when I was next in the shop.

It was! So after me and my boss were decided what men and women's clothes would be going in the vintage/vintage style rail downstairs, I decided to try it on one last time before putting it out for sale. I tried it on and realised it was love. It was then I decided myself and the brand new, never been worn, tags still attached BHS Classics cardigan were to live happily ever after.

Grey Chunky Knit Cardigan

From: Extra Care [The charity shop I work for]

Label: BHS Classics

Price: £35 [Originally]

What Leeroy Made a Week Ago

You know when you go through your closet/drawers/dungeon etc looking at clothes to throw out or clothes you just generally haven't worn for a long time? Well, one day I was doing that and came across a pair of light blue jeans I haven't seen for a very very long time. I don't recall how I got them, but they've barely been worn and have a classic regular-fit look to them. It was also then that I had an epiphany. I've want to experiment more with costumising my some of my clothes as I haven't done it in so long, and it was then I decided to use these jeans a sample piece for attempting a distressed/laddered look.

I recently found out the best way to do it was with sandpaper from YouTube tutorials, so I found some sandpaper and watched a tutorial video to get a decent distressed look from my jeans. I made it basic, just so I didn't destroy them and the results were great!

I learned how to make the laddering gradually smaller and how to make it look slightly natural. I did this on the left leg before the knee, a smaller ladder on the right leg on the knee and the top pocket. I also made a small scratching effect on one of the back pockets. All in all it added a bit of character to the bare-bones jeans and gave them some life.

What Leeroy Wore Today

So today is my day off, it's cold and I just want to relax in something comfortably. So I decided to put the two together as my outfit for today. They're both relatively loose and something I can spend the day in without wanting to peel them off.

Paired together, the two items make a relaxed look with a certain grunge charm to them. As most of you will know, Kurt Cobain is my style icon and I can imagine this out being something he would have worn. It's a great look for work, lazy days, days in etc. Basically a great look if you don't feel like dressing up but don't feel like looking totally unfashionable either. Simple and chic.

Until next time,

Leeroy

P.S: check out the site's tumblr blog - http://crosscloset.tumblr.com

WISH LIST

What Leeroy Bought Today.

So today (well, technically yesterday now) I decided to go on a little early morning trip to Chester. To be honest, this was just a last minute decision due to lack of sleep and a much needed appetite for so retail therapy.

There wasn't really much stuff of interest to me (okay, that's a lie I just can't afford the stuff I really want) but I somehow managed to window-shop for about 5 hours until I found two nice gems.

White Noise Sweater

From: H&M

Label: H&M

Price: £10

Burgundy Chinos

From: Primark

Label: Cedarwood State

Price: £15

I have this new 'thing' about changing up my fashion choices this year drastically and being more adventerous than I usually have in the past. I don't take many risks so when it comes to new clothes, I decided they would be my risk taking moments.

When chinos first became popular, I hated them. However, I recently gave them a shot and they're so comfortable to wear and walk around in. Especially my new ones. But yes, the chinos may represent modern hipster chic. Which, if I'm being frank, is not a scene I want to be associated with. However, you can take something from a trend and always make it your own with the right styling. In addition to that, it's in my opinion as a somewhat fashionista (even if I do sometimes wear denim top to bottom...) that when you're dressed to your best, there should be a little bit of classic mixed in with your modern tastes. Or vice versa. Which brings me to the sweater.

As my friends, lack of readers and perhaps some Tumblr peepers will know, I am a huge fan of grunge. Grunge music, grunge icons, grunge fashion. Three words that stand well next to the famous 90s movement. Which is why when I spotted this sweater at H&M, on sale, I couldn't resist it's calling to me. In my closet there are alot of grunge influenced clothes or clothes I can make look somewhat grungey, however I think this is one of the closest thing so far to something I can imagine was a popular thing to wear back in the 90s. I'm actually sure I recall seeing Kate Moss wearing something similar in her heroin chic days. I'll most probably wear it with some laddered jeans and my new chinos. It's comfortable enough to wear for loungy days at home or just a casual day out.

And yes, I would just like to see that the picture is awful... I can't pose for shit.

Inspiration: ME†AL

Issue #1: Faded Blue Blazer.

Price: £4.99

From: Oxfam

Label: New Man

I purchased this from Oxfam in Chester last week. It instantly caught my eye because of it's faded vintage appearance. Oxfam labeled it as being size 'L' although when I tried it on it was pretty over-sized which was great! I love over-sized blazers as it has a very 80s appeal to it, just look at Duckie's style from Pretty in Pink for example. But yeah, it has no labels indicating it's size just that it's by a clothing line called New Man. I don't know how old the item is but it looks pretty 'worn'. If that's the labels intended look or the previous owners doing, I don't know, but either way it looks great!

I researched New Man but didn't find out much about them. Just that they're a French based clothing company. Their website has a very 'designer' feel to it. Check it out for yourselves at http://corpo.newman.fr/en/

I haven't really wore it yet so I haven't 'tested' what looks good with it really. But I imagine it would look great with some light chinos or black skinny jeans and a faded vintage T-shirt. In terms of shoes I would probably wear it with slip ons or military/lesbian boots. I'll have to give it a try. And for that OTT John Hughes 80s teen look for all your angsty needs, add some cheap white rimmed sunnies [as pictured above].

In a bizzle, guys! x