By C.J O'Harte.
C.J O'Harte has been presenting a column for Sans Pareil for a few months now. Take a quick dive into their favourite things, find inspo or just take a nosey at some very cool, eclectic stuff.
Pictured: CJ looking very suave in velvet.
1. Velvet Jacket
A Velvet Jacket is timeless. The Velvet Jacket stands outside of time. The Velvet Jacket laughs at those caught up in the rat race and those mere mortals subject to the passage of time and caught up in le grind.
Every aspiring poet, playwright and general man-about-town should own one of these bad boys! I have had mine for over 12 years, and it never gets old. It is the epitome of slow fashion and a reliable companion to any high-art event opening night.
To finish the look, one can punctuate its playful gravitas with a jaunty pocket square or a kerchief that pops and, of course, preferably a glass or three of bubbles. Do the woman or man on your arm a sensory favour and buy yourself your own Velvet Jacket.
2. Minimalist black tattoos
Personally, these are my favourite tattoos. Whether they be stick and poke punk or curated engraved little objets d’art, you can’t go wrong with minimalist tattoos. Being small, they are easier to get lasered off or do a cover job over and, for me, at least, infinitely more romantic than a 3-foot demon covering half your body.
que swooning.
I can think of many art girls, models and sophisticats with little black numbers adorning their bodies, but not many, if any, who have full sleeves. For me, minimalist tattoos are this century's “little black number.”
3 - Statement Sunglasses
I remember being a teen and going to a party with booze for the first time, and all the cool kids sat around, draping themselves some hideous plastic garden furniture at night with their sunglasses on, pretending they were rockstars. That or hiding their weed-drenched eyeballs…
At the time, I laughed, but there was a method in their madness/teenage folly. A nice set of glasses creates mystique and allure. But they are pretty silly to wear at night unless you have done double platinum.
Last month I promised to share the counterpart to my festival sunnies. If you remember, they were the sunnies you party in because you can afford to lose them. The other side of the sunglasses coin is the statement sunglasses. These are the sunglasses that you wear to look effortlessly chic whilst doing errands or sitting down to brunch to gossip with old friends or, of course, watching the sunset from the deck with that special someone.
For me, my statement sunnies are a pair of Louis Vuitton LV Clash Low Square sunglasses,
whose sleek, slim lines fit the fashion zeitgeist without being too generic. I mean, everywhere I go these days, I see the same two upmarket pairs of sunnies, either Prada or Gucci, so how the hell am I going to stand out if I wear them? Remember, Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.”
4. Hipflask
In this economy? YES! In a cost-of-living crisis, something has to give, and that something will certainly not be the roof over my head or the stylish shirt off my back, so for me, when times get tough, or my budget has degenerated into a void leaving me teetering on the brink, I default to the alcohol hustle and carry a hipflask. Because what is the point of sitting at home and looking fabulous? Zilch! Nada! Zero! I am not getting any younger (don’t mention the NMN) so I need to be out flaunting it.
Also, socialisation is an important part of mental health and self-care. Just remember to drink responsibly; use a sugar-free, low-carb mixer!
Pictured: Bill Murray.
5. Red Fisherman’s Beanie
Before summer takes hold of me, I have to talk about the humble fisherman’s beanie. The best friend of many a cold head, longshoreman and urban hipster. At a gig recently, my friend turned to me and remarked “the only Fisherman’s beanie worth wearing was a red one.” To which I nodded sagely.
Why? Because it’s the colour of passion? Because it draws the eye?
No, silly, because it was immortalised by Bill Murray in Life Aquatic! Do I need to say anymore???? No, I don’t. Billy Murray; that’s why!
C.J. O'Harte is a non-binary fashion blogger with a deep love for slow fashion and timeless style.
C.J. explores the art of curating a wardrobe filled with high-quality, versatile pieces that reflect individuality and personal expression. With a focus on thoughtful fashion choices, C.J wants to inspire others to embrace a slower, more intentional approach to dressing, where each piece tells a story and adds lasting value to their wardrobe.
Give C.J a follow on Instagram if you're interested in seeing more of their style.
