FLARE pick: Alexander McQueen Brittania Skull leather box clutch, $1,545, net-a-porter.com
Also see: Opening Ceremony teams up with Adidas Originals for a sporty-chic capsule collection
One of my favourite modern British designers, the Pandora clutch by Charlotte Olympia (whose surname I often mistakenly type as "Olympic") was actually designed with the recent Queen's Diamond Jubilee in mind, but is still appropriate now, for the rest of the summer, and beyond. Three limited edition inserts include a jewel-encrusted red crown, the Union Jack, and London's skyline, complete with the London Eye, Big Ben, and the "Gherkin" (that phallic-looking building also known as 30 St. Mary Axe)—each backed with a postcard motif that says "Wish you were here" (indeed!). Topping it all off is the classic gold spider clasp filled in with Union Jack-coloured enamel. Swoon.
FLARE pick: Charlotte Olympia Jubilee Pandora clutch, $950, charlotteolympia.com
Also see: Topshop Loves London: 6 Upcoming Collaborations To Watch
Don't fancy the Alexander McQueen or Charlotte Olympia options? Go with something by another British brand (that would be Tamara Mellon). Jimmy Choo's Union Jack collection includes yes, a handbag and a clutch, too, but also classic black sunglasses with flag-printed arms and the popular "Wheel" studded slippers in printed denim. Talk about statement shoe.
FLARE pick: Jimmy Choo printed slippers, $650, jimmychoo.com
Also see: Olympic Fashion: Young Designers Create Official Uniforms
I'm an unabashedly huge fan of The Bay's Team Canada collections, but seriously, how lucky are the Brits that they get Stella McCartney to design their official athletes' uniforms? This vintage-inspired "London" hoodie from her collection for Adidas is also covet-worthy.
FLARE pick: Adidas by Stella McCartney Olympic collection "London" hoodie, $80, adidas.com
Also see: 5 British Brands to Check Out Now
Since the Adidas by Stella McCartney collection is often hard to find in Canada, pick up this "Olympic years" tee by Adidas, instead (and look, it's half price!). With its series of iconic years, Munich, Los Angeles, Barcelon and London (we thought the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver were pretty spectacular, but hey) and bright yellow background, it's a nice, slightly more subtle alternative to everything red, white, and blue.
FLARE pick: Adidas Women's Olympic years tee, $20 on sale, adidas.ca
Also see: Rebecca Tay's 5 Favourite Undiscovered (By Canadians) British Brands
I'm a sucker for vintage posters (like many university students, my dorm room had a Toulouse-Lautrec "Le Chat Noir" print in it), and these postcards, featuring images from past Olympic Games, would be great to send back home. Each pack contains five different images reproduced from the original collection stored in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne; my favourite images are from the London 1948 and Berlin 1936 Games.
FLARE pick: London 2012 Olympic Museum pre-1948 postcard pack of 5, $6, london2012.com
Here in London, you can buy cute red-and-blue Links of London friendship cord bracelets with "Team GB" engraved on a silver plaque. Since I'm rooting for Team Canada instead, however, this Sweetie bracelet, with its "2012" clasp and Union Jack charm in silver, seems slightly more appropriate.
FLARE pick: Links of London 2012 Union Jack Heart Sweetie bracelet, $275, linksoflondon.com
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