SUIT UP PLUS A READING UPDATE: GREAT EXPECTATIONS AND TAIDA

Holidays are over, it's time to get back to work and what a better way to do it then by wearing a suit? A suit is a wonderful classic, but right now it is also a hot trend (and one that I covered in this post). However, before you go off and buy a new suit, why not try finding one in your closet? Maybe you have an old suit that you can style in a new way. That is what I did for I'm all about shopping one's closet. Trust me nothing about this outfit is new. This grey suit consisting of a matching blazer and skirt is second hand (gifted actually). I styled it with things I already have in my closet, such as this white shirt, this grey tie, this black coat and this pair of heeled booties (all of which you had the chance of seeing in my old outfit posts). This year I'm as determined as ever to keep my fashion habits sustainable by opting to restyle items I already have in my closet or shopping second hand. 

The easiest way to rock the suit look is to find a suit you'll love and feel comfortable and then wear it until you get the hang of it. You can start by shopping your own closet, trying out different items and seeing what works for you. Often you'll find that you already have something in your closet you can work with, such as a blazer you can pair with jeans or pants in a similar tone or something of the sorts. It is important to think of reducing our textile waste these days.  It is only if you can't find anything you like in your closets,  that you should hit the shops. Keep in mind that a suit is definitely a good investment. It is one of those must have items in our closet. 

TIPS FOR WEARING & STYLING SUITS

Suits are actually quite easy to dress up and down. All you need to dress down a suit is a cute top and a pair of sneakers. Likewise, if you want to dress a suit up, all you need is a fancy clutch and a pair of fancy shoes. If you're going to own just one suit, I would suggest opting for a black one. However, a suit in bright colour is a lovely choice as well, especially if it is something you're comfortable wearing. A suit in bright pink can become your iconic piece, if bring pink is something you adore. It is all about what you will feel best in. That's the secret for rocking the power suit look. 

READING UPDATE

GREAT EXPECTATIONS, A NOVEL BY CHARLES DICKENS 4/5

Great Expectations is one of those classics that are worth the hype. I must admit that I haven't seen any of the movies or the series based on this work of literature, so I cannot compare it with anything but itself.  What a wonderful novel it is! I actually started to read Great Expectations years ago so I was somewhat familiar with the plot, but fortunately I managed to forget most of it by the time I picked it up again so I didn't see the ending coming. I'm glad I read this novel now (during the holidays) because it allowed me to fully concentrate on the writing. The narrative is easy to follow, but there are some subtle touches to this novel that demand concentration. Dickens typically makes his novels quite eventful and interesting but he is also excellent at subtle social satire and irony so that is something one needs to pay attention to when reading. Great Expectations is one of those classics you can read more than once because there is so much meaning within it.

I'm pretty familiar with Dickens' style of writing, I read some of his other works, so I knew what to expect. Quite entertaining but also didactic writing that can turn into moralizing at times. However, I don't mind moralizing when Dickens does it because he does it well. There is wisdom in his words, that's for sure. Dickens' portrayal of characters in Great Expectation is very imaginative, memorable and well done (at times the writer turns some of his characters into caricatures but that's part of his charm). Pip makes for such a convincing protagonist. There were times when I found him incredibly irritating but that's part of the story and I do believe that it was intended that way. I had great expectations for Great Expectations (pun intended) and this classic managed to live up to them. Dickens' knows how to write a timeless story.

TAIDA,  A NOVEL BY ANATOLE FRANCE 5/5

When it comes to my holidays reads, this little book was my personal favourite, for it was such a lovely surprise. I absolutely loved this novel. At first, I wasn't too crazy about it for I found the 'spiritual' protagonist, the monk, more than a bit annoying. However, even at the very start, I was impressed by the intelligent writing filled with philosophical passages, gentle irony and subtle wit. It is rare that a man can mock religion and invoke respect for it in the same time. Anatole France criticisms the church, but at the same time he respects the holiness that can exist within it. He seems to be wonderfully open towards everything and an admirer of honesty and truth.

The opening to the novel is pretty simple. A monk travels to Alexandria in order to convert an infidel woman. This monk has decided that he will bring Taida, a famous actress (he himself was enamored with her in his young days) to the light of faith and make a nun of her. As I said, there were quite a few things that bugged me about this monk but as the novel progressed, I realized that they are bugging the author himself. Anatole France adopts the form of the religious/spiritual novel, but his novel is often a criticism of religion itself.

Anatole France mocks the dogmatism and the fanaticism of the religious but at the same time, he shows respect for simple honest believers. He also shows respect for the skeptics, the poor or for anyone who is honest about anything. I also loved how the author made a heroine of a woman who was quite promiscuous and amazingly beautiful. It seems that the writer doesn't blame Taida for anything. That's so unlike the dogmatic way of thinking and so refreshing. The author criticisms a materialistic way of life and the pursuit of wealth, but he doesn't do it by pushing religion down our throats. One has a feeling France understood that this world is a complex place and that answers aren't easily found. There is not a single answer that fits everyone, for we all different and cannot arrive at the same conclusions. Taida wasn't predictable at all. I could sense how things are going to end, but only towards the end. I truly enjoyed reading it. All in all, Taida is a wonderful piece of writing. I was very much impressed with every aspect of this novel. I can't wait to read more of this writer.

As always thank you for commenting, visiting and reading. Have a lovely week ahead!