Jane Birkin (part deux)

Did I tell you I met Jane Birkin? Mmm...thought so. Ever since that blissful encounter, That's Not My Age has been channeling NBFJB style (that's New Best Friend Jane Birkin if you've just joined me). I've found myself trapped in a fashion moment with the queen of casual glamour. Which is not a bad thing because low-key style with a twist is my vocation, you can read all about it here. The aim is a natural, carefree look with added sparkle - when we met, NBFJB was wearing a Margiela knit over second-hand combats with satin ribbons hanging from the belt loops and a pair of 15-year-old Converse. So far I've tried; a military jacket over a sheer chiffon tunic with cropped black trousers, Chelsea boots and chandelier earrings, an over-sized shirt with jeans, tan lace-ups and er, chandelier earrings. Next week I'm thinking of branching out into scarves.

What I really admire is the fact that Birkin has stuck with the same style choices all her life. Apart from a stint in dresses during the Gainsbourg days, NBFJB tends to live in trousers and prefers the looser fit of men's clothes. This nonchalant approach to fashion - probably comes easy when you're beautiful, rich and famous - sounds simple enough but can end up looking a little shabby if you're not careful. So how to get the look?





Do
1. Go back to basics. Khakis, jeans, a v-neck top and white shirt are all key pieces that work well together or help loosen up a more formal wardrobe. Be sure to add a camel coat to the list this season.



2. Stay neutral. Birkin loves shades of khaki, olive, grey and sand. Easy-to-wear, timeless colours that look good whatever your age.



3. Get a handbag named after you.



Don't
1. Cut your own hair. Birkin is her own hairdresser but let's be honest, there's a very thin line between boho chic and care-in-the-community.
2. Wear Converse. Two words. David Cameron. And so what NBFJB wears plimsolls? She probably doesn't have to walk anywhere/ commute in the pouring rain. Opt for a sturdy brogue or lace-up instead.


3. Attempt to make you're own perfume. Leave it to the experts.


Photos
NBFJB: Last.fm
Patent shoe: LK Bennett

Missing the print

That's Not My Age can't wait till it gets cooler and I can start wearing 'the beast' again:



But in the meantime, I need a little animal to liven up my pared-down life. So I've been thinking about accessories, and wondering whether or not there's room in my wardrobe for a pair of eye-catching desert boots?



When it comes to animal print, a little goes a long way (read my rules for living with leopard here) so I'd wear them with slim black trousers, faded jeans or Jane Birkin-style khakis and a simple black blazer.


What do you think? Are they spot on or a print too far?


Photos
First picture: Norman Parkinson
Desert boots: Clarks

J'adore Jane Birkin

Last night That's Not My Age met Jane Birkin. Can't quite believe I've just typed those words but let me tell you every one of them is true. Yep. Vogue's Fashion's Night Out provided me with the opportunity to guzzle vast quantities of free champagne, scoff canapés like an underfed freelance journalist and meet the legendary actor. My latest grown-up lady crush is beautiful, unbelievably friendly - we chatted for about 15 minutes about her work as a campaigner on social issues - and smart. Meeting JB was the highlight of the evening/my life, after which I had to get the bus home, lie down on the settee and watch Mad Men. Sorry Don Draper but last night you were overshadowed by a 63-year-old woman (and Jane doesn't watch the show, by the way).

So, here's Birkin at the Martin Margiela store. She popped in to peruse the collection and ended up leaving with this fine knit top - accessorised with her Aung San Suu Kyi badge - and a chunky camel cardigan. We bumped into each other again at the Miller Harris shop, where, ever the style icon, Ms Birkin caused a fashion flurry as two assistants checked out her new top and rushed next door to buy the very same thing.



My New Best Friend Jane Birkin (NBFJB) told me all about l'air de rien, the perfume she's created with the help of Lyn Harris. How on visiting her brother Andrew at his laboratory on the Perfume film set in Wales she started mixing ingredients together. Birkin's friend, the photographer, Gabrielle Crawford - was there last night and is equally lovely and smart - told NBFJB she should bottle it, and introduced her to fragrance expert, Lyn Harris. LH offered some advice on botanical components, the potion contained so much oak moss it could poison people! Fortunately, the bespoke scent launched this week is non-toxic. A gorgeous heady blend of vanilla, musk and the just the right amount of oak moss, designed to express Birkin's ethereal self.




And now for an exclusive. Earlier this week, Vogue reported that Jane Birkin had ditched her eponymous bag for a second-hand sporran.



Not so. Last night, NBFJB nipped behind the desk and started rummaging in a leather handbag customised with stickers and beads. I give you, the real deal, Jane Birkin's bag:




Miller Harris, 21 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 6QD (tel: 020 7629 7750)

Photos
Pick 'n' mix: Disney Roller Girl
Second-hand Sporran: Rex Features
l'air de rien: Gabrielle Crawford
And special thanks to my lovely friend Dvora at Fashionistable for removing the glare from Jane Birkin's glasses.

Style Counsel

Wondering what to wear to a winter wedding? Then check out my guest post on the lovely We Shop Therefore We Are blog.




Photo: Richard Avedon

Thank you, Marianne Faithfull

So, Marianne Faithfull, 63, told me to go to the Chelsea Physic Garden. The legendary singer-songwriter and actor recommends spending Sunday 'under the ancient elms,' (in this month's Harper's Bazaar) which is exactly what Mr & Mrs That's Not My Age did yesterday. London's oldest botanic garden, founded in 1673, is just off Chelsea Embankment and has it's very own microclimate. Where exotic plants grow, like this pomegranate tree:




Even though it's the end of summer, the walled garden is lush and green and there are still a few flowering plants to be seen. That's Not My Age loves echinacea.




Mr TNMA makes a delicious pumpkin risotto - but we had been warned not to eat or touch any of the plants. Many are poisonous and can kill!





The greenhouse is called the 'cool fernery.' We ended our lovely afternoon at home listening to Jarvis Cocker 's Sunday Service on BBC6 (Marianne told us to, but we love Jarvis anyway) whilst admiring some old photos of Marianne Faithfull in her cool finery:







The Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS

Photos
Recent Marianne Faithfull photo: Julian Broad, older photos from The Selvedge Yard

Mad for Mad Men

Forget Vogue's Fashion's Night Out, on Wednesday That's Not My Age will be having a Fashion Night In, watching the start of series four of Mad Men. From Miuccia Prada to Marks & Spencer - this fifties prom dress, tailored jacket and full skirt are all from M&S' autumn/winter 2010 collection - the award-winning series has inspired an industry. Can't wait to see what's in store along mid-sixties Madison Avenue.






Photo
Mad Men: AMC/Lionsgate
Prom dress, jacket and skirt: Marks & Spencer

Spanx for Men est arrivé

Spanx founder, Sarah Blakeney says that her male friends have been asking her to create Spanx for men for years, 'I was inspired to create a collection of comfortable and powerful undershirts that provide instant gratification without gimmicks. It’s your favourite t-shirt without your least favourite part...love handles.' That's Not My Age doesn't mind love handles - or what my mum used to call middle-aged spread - but it's good to know that if I'm stuck for Christmas presents, Spanx Cotton Compression Undershirt (control vest) and Zoned Performance Undershirt (even tighter control vest) go on sale in the UK this autumn.

Control underwear for men is nothing new, but Spanx claim their revolutionary designs create 'a new standard for men.' With this in mind, I carried out some research on the moob tube phenomenon. 'Are you trying to tell me something?' asked Mr That's Not My Age, but the Blog Widower has nothing to fear, whilst I'm chained to the computer he's usually out running. 'And anyway, if I do get flabby I'll stop eating biscuits and run further,' he snorted. So far, so inconclusive. I extended my research:

Mr Cliff Richards is nearly 70 but thanks to a special wheat and dairy-free diet he's not afraid to go topless:




But wait a minute....



And consulted a couple of fashion friends, 'Maybe if I was wobbly and desperate,' said Mr James Anderson,' but thankfully I'm neither.' Then finally after a hard day's investigative work I found a man who obviously prefers style over exercise, 'I totally would wear one,' said Mr Rob de Niet, 'I'd probably wear it all the time. Where do you buy them?'



Spanx for Men is available from figleaves.com and Selfridges


Can you see the man in your life wearing a control vest?

Cliff Richards photos: Daily Mail