Birks baby

I finally caved and went to the Birk side. As I said on instagram, I've had flat feet since I was little, and ever since my pocket money allowed me to buy shoes for myself (that weren't sensible enough for my mum's taste - New Look's shoe department was my idea of heaven) that were, let's face it, very poorly made and often too small ("I don't care they pinch, I love them!"), my poor feet needed some rest and care. Of course the recent Birkenstock craze has influenced me *a bit*, but I'm glad I got them as I've been walking on air ever since. Aren't we all happy with the comfy shoe trends lately? It started with wedge sneakers, then slip-ons, Nike Air, Adidas etc. I guess the whole fashion world was tired of wearing painful heels all the time (who wouldn't?)

I'm wearing: ASOS culotte jumpsuit & top | Birkenstock sandals

Black, leopard & llamas

Wearing my uniform of all black and these leopard slip-ons. Not much else to say about this outfit other than that! Simple is always a winner in my book. And our new neighbours also seemed to like it:

Apparently we now have llamas living next door, as well as wallabies (haven't spotted those yet though). Now tell me life on the countryside isn't exciting...!

(Kidding, of course. If I have to live here for much longer, my tomb will read 'death by boredom')

I'm wearing: ASOS top & slip-ons | vintage leather skirt

Wearing right now

Tess Giberson palazzo trousers | Marysia Swim bandeau bikini | Topshop denim jacket | Birkenstock Arizona sandals | Akira fedora | ZeroUV half frame round sunglasses | Rituals sunscreen SPF50 | On The Road, Jack Kerouac

What I'm wearing right now (or any other day this week): flowy trousers, bikini, Birkenstock sandals and every redhead's summer essentials: a hat and SPF50. Added bonus: a good book (currently reading Jack Kerouac's On the Road, a classic!) See ya!

Wang inspired

Decided to try my version of the Alexander Wang shirt: unbuttoned and with a little peek at my non-existing abs (work in progress, as they say). I went for ripped jeans and heels to avoid giving the impression that I literally just rolled out of bed with my pyjama's on (like the original look) and also because I have to get used to wearing heels again. I only managed to hold onto that thought for a couple of days, as will be shown next week by a recent purchase of eh, Birkenstocks. Yes.
The verdict: it's nice to have a little breeze in the boob area for a change, but I prefer my shirts buttoned with a little (if any...) cleavage. Next!

Also, must remember to pull up jeans before taking pictures. Underwear on display is so 2000s...

I'm wearing: GAP shirt (thrifted) | H&M jeans (very old - children's size! & DIY'ed by me) | Daisy Street heels

Muslim fashion

It's kind of strange that I've never actually talked about muslim fashion on my blog. After all, I've studied Islam and the Middle Eastern culture for several years now, and I've even made a small essay about muslim fashion when I was in Jordan. DKNY's recent Ramadan Collection has made me think why I never addressed this particular side of fashion - especially since I want to work in the field of gender & women's issues in Islam, and maybe even focus on fashion. So here we go!

First of all, why is there a need for 'muslim fashion'? Why can't aspiring muslim fashionistas shop on the high street and then just cover up with a headscarf? Yes, many women shop at H&M, Topshop & Zara (my Moroccan friend Loubna knows the Zara collections by heart) but still they struggle to find a way to stay fashionable yet modest. Low necklines, tight jeans or sleeveless tops don't really fit in with the muslim dresscode. Layering is also an option, but you don' want to be wearing multiple layers in a 35 degree heat! Fortunately, some designers have been able to fill this hole in the market by creating a collection suitable for muslim women.

As much as I love the idea of designers who exclusively cater to a muslim public (or women who just like to dress modestly - think about conservative jews or mormons), the problem is that these collections are only availabe to the higher class who can afford high quality designer items. I would love to see that high street brands dedicate a line from their collection to muslim women - I've noticed that Zara in Amman has more maxi skirts and basic long-sleeved t-shirts than the stores I've visited in Europe, but the options are still quite limited. Muslim women are equally interested in fashion and trends as non-muslim women, so why should they have to resort to wearing plain blouses and shapeless maxi skirts?

Personally, I love Barjis Chohan's latest collection (two photos above), I wouldn't mind wearing most of her pieces myself! The Middle East, and especially Dubai is slowly establishing itself as a fashion center - if even Karl Lagerfeld chose Dubai to show his latest Chanel collection! Hopefully more and more high street stores will take note and bring out a collection suitable for muslim fashionistas. 

Have you heard about muslim fashion? What do you think about this concept?

More interesting reading about muslim fashion:
DKNY's Ramadan Collection
The rise and rise of the muslim fashion industry


Images: DKNY & Barjis

Cuba!

Image source

I'm travelling to Cuba for two weeks! Beyond excited. My mum, who gained herself the new nickname of master planner put together a tour around the island, starting in Havana followed by some roadtripping to natural parks, splendid beaches and picturesque cities. I might even take up some salsa classes! Everything with a mojito in one hand and a Cuban cigar in the other. (Just kidding about the cigar. Smoking kills, people! Ok, maybe one...)

As usual, I've prepared some blog content that will get to you through the magic of scheduled posts, but don't forget to check on the blog every couple of days because I won't be spamming you on facebook and instagram as I usually do: There is little to no internet connection in Cuba. Two weeks to go cold turkey from technology and socal media will do me good. And I won't be making you too jealous with pictures of me on the beach.

See you in two weeks! XO

Birthday girl

I'm turning 22 today! Planning on a very low-key day with cake (mum, take note), a trip to Brussels with friends to visit a photography exhibtion and dinner in the evening. 
This is the outfit I wore on a dinner party two weeks ago, to celebrate my homecoming - why yes, I like to be the center of attention. 

I'm wearing: Everything from ZARA (whoops)

Oui, please!

Last week Hanna invited me over to finally visit her hometown Hasselt - we had been talking about this date for two years so it was about time! She took me to all of her favourite hotspots, including Titi + the German Kid, Paplou and my favourite of all: OUI, aka interior design heaven. I decided on two ceramic jars as an early birthday present to myself and vowed I would be back for more very soon - or at least, when I have my own place (inshallah...) My stash of homeware, cooking and interior stuff has gotten a bit out of hand over the few years, right to the point where I could throw a tea party for the entire street without having to reuse a single cup.

Hasselt doesn't really come to mind when you think of Belgian fashion cities, but with its own fashion museum and a bunch of independent designers I think it's quite worthy of that name. Shame it's so far away though... 3-hour train rides are not my best friend.

Double denim

One of my favourite outfits lately! I don't have to tell you where I bought the denim shirt... Abdali market in Amman of course. I'm thrilled about the lighting in these pictures: golden hour at its best! I promise I will find a different location than this white-grey wall (still have two more outfit posts lined up though...) but I find a white background brings more focus to the outfit. I've come to the conclusion that there must have been a huge sale on orange bricks 30 years ago, because that's all there is to see here. And the occasional beige one (hipsters, whatcha gonna do...)

I'm off to enjoy one of my favourite Belgian dishes: it's called "witloofrolletjes" (haha) and it consists of chicory or Belgian endive wrapped in ham with a cheesy bechamel sauce, like this. I haven't eaten it in more than a year because it's usually a winter dish, but I'm writing this wearing a wool cardigan so I'll just pretend it's winter.  Food coma to be expected. See ya!

I'm wearing: 

ASOS jeans & slip-ons | thrifted shirt | New Look leather jacket

Is that all there is?

Remember that scene in SATC where Miranda gets tired of the other girls always talking about men? She says "How did it happen that four such smart women have nothing to talk about but boyfriends? It's like seventh grade with bank accounts." That is exactly the way I've been feeling about fashion lately. Let me explain - and a little warning, I've been watching a lot of SATC lately so I may get very "wonderous" as Carrie likes to do.

As a student with parents who couldn't care less about trends (love you mum) and as an aspiring fashion blogger, it gets harder and harder to dress these days. Trends come and go faster than ever, and can you imagine a fashion blogger still wearing Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, or ? Nope, that trend is over so we can all throw away those shoes and clothes that cost us a fortune (for the ones who can afford the real deal... for others, it's Asos, Zara & Co.) and buy new stuff that will be "out" in a couple of years... no sorry, months! Buy, throw away, repeat. That how fashion seems to be going now, and I don't know if I still want to be part of all this. Yes, I love reading blogs, browsing for inspiration and shopping for something new, but why would I spend my tiny student budget on something I can wear a few times before its expiration date? I try to justify following trends by using the excuse "but it's cheap" but that doesn't make any difference. Cheap clothes are mostly made by Asian women or children who work day and night in horrible work conditions. 

After writing this post about conscious shopping and making an effort to think about where our clothes come from, I only managed to hold onto those thoughts for a while. It's so easy to get envious of other people wo seem to have it all. Instagram has become a parade of designer outfits, Chanel Boy bags and tropical holidays. Is that all there is? Do these bloggers actually talk about anything besides Céline's AW Collection, what colour of Birkenstocks to get and how they missed their flight from NY to Paris Fashion Week? #firstworldproblems indeed, and while I'm not one to shy away from the occasional #firstworldproblems complaint, spending a year abroad in a region that hasn't seen peace in almost a century has been a wake up call. Our so-called problems vanish into thin air compared to daily struggles as not being able to leave the house by yourself as a woman, or facing civil war or being homeless and struggling to survive. It wouldn't kill you to look up from your Vogue or computer screen every once in a while and actually realize there is something outside this cocoon. 

So what now? Will I stop blogging? Definitely not. I still enjoy getting dressed, picking out unique outfits and sharing them with you. Or scrolling through pinterest for inspiration. But from time to time, the outfits will have to make room for something different. I'm starting my Master's degree in September, so surely I must have more to tell you than what I wore this particular day. Surely. (yup, that sounds convincing...) If I want to pursue a career in the field of journalism or women's right activism, I better start writing my ass off! I hope you will enjoy the occasional break from fashion, and I promise it won't always be as long as this post...

XO

Ready for Summer

Got my bikini ready... Now if only I could borrow someone's abs that would be great. You'll get them back after my holiday in Cuba - so excited! - next week. Thanks in advance.

ASOS bikini top & bottom

Blinded

 Trying to get the most out of our Belgian summer has resulted in these slightly oversaturated pictures, sorry! I apologize for blinding you with the whiteness that are my legs - they haven't seen the sun in ages and you know I never get a tan EVER, so that's that. 
On another note: the Middle Eastern diet has left me with a few extra kilos, and the last two weeks included a lot of catching up on European food - think cheese, bread, wine and potatoes - so I figured it's time for a cleanse. I'm not going cold turkey (I wouldn't last a day...) but for breakfast and lunch I'm having a green smoothie or juice and for dinner something light and healthy. So far I'm still alive, although I'm craving some Belgian chocolate - my parents left me some Easter chocolate for when I got back and now it's just staring at me. Must be strong!

I'm wearing: ASOS skirt & slides | H&M crop top