Party Season Texture Mix

It’s not very often I dress up to the nines for a night out. When I was a student, I would more often than not choose an embellished dress styled to the max with accessories. Oh how things have changed! Fast forward to this year, silk is high up on my list for party season. It’s also a fabric that can be styled in multiple ways dependent on the party you are going to. I have opted to style with knitwear, mainly because I am a huge fan of contrasting. This thigh splitting skirt is versatile to be carried through to the colder months with a pair of killer ankle boots. You don’t always have to splurge on an outfit to be worn once. I always have that in the back of my mind when shopping for occasions.

The one shoulder: Chic and sexy for most seasons. There are a variety of silk, cotton and knitted available depending on your climate. It’s heating up here in Aus. Thankfully evenings by the water can be a bit windy, so the added warmth is actually welcomed. Last week was my first time on a private charter boat in Australia, and a chunky knit was appreciated whilst the sun was setting. This look would have been perfect.

To jazz up my look, I have opted for a geometric neck tie in warm caramel colour, layered with gold accessories. As mentioned in previous posts, it’s good to keep all warm tones together. I actually can’t remember the last time I wore silver.

Today’s look is from FWRD, and if you’re a sucker for luxe pieces like me it’s music to your ears that they currently have up to 25% off until midnight 15^th December. Just add 'GIFTFWRD' at checkout. Choose from brands like Saint Laurent, Chloe, Loewe and so many more…….Toodles for now, you can find me online shopping!

Fill your basket here

 Shop my look:

72 Skirt: LPA

25 Bodysuit: LPA

Medium Faye Bag: Chloe, or similar here and here

(Similar) Pendant Horseshoe Necklace: Lanvin

(Similar) Scarf: Lanvin or similar here 

Photo credit to Jo Hombsch

How To Wear Tailoring & Denim

Weekends are a time to kick back, relax and enjoy a good brunch! Despite my Sunday's consisting of lazy mornings and copious amounts of tea, my Mon-Fri wardrobe tends to follow me through to the weekend with one subtle change - denim. 

These last few weeks, I've been investing in "real" denim for the colder months. No more stretchy skinny jeans sorry, this post is dedicated to the denim we all knew back in the 90's. Mom jeans can be quite tricky to master, but they actually suit most shapes and sizes and can work for most women. So how can you style these with your favourite tailored pieces?

1. Keep the tones simple

You want your outfit to match, and mixing the tones can make the look too busy. When I'm styling my denim on weekends, the first thing I think about is the wash of the denim vs the tones in the tailored garment. Warm tones tend to work well with black jeans, and cold tones work better with blue. Today's coat is a buttery beige colour, which I class as a warm tone.

2. Consider your height and heels

I'm only 5ft 3 with a small waist and larger thighs, so finding the right cut of jeans can be quite a challenge. There are ways to elongate yourself and i'm not talking about angles of the camera! Mom jeans look great with this seasons square heel, just like the Senso's I have on in this post. I just make sure I'm adding a pointed toe to draw everything in from the baggy nature on the leg. For taller ladies, a pair of sneakers can work well.

3. Smarten up

There is no right or wrong here, just pick your favourite tailored pieces. Today I have opted for a linen blouse and tailored woolen coat. These are the items you can wear to the office Mon-Fri, but become more relaxed for weekend wear as soon as they are styled with denim. You can always change up the coat for a blazer or add a neck scarf as a chic alternative.

Shop the look:

Rails Charli Button Down Shirt via Shopbop

Ganni Coat via Shopbop
Topshop Mom Jeans

Ray-Ban Wayfares Sunglasses via Net-A-Porter

Senso Georgie I Shoes

Alexander Wang Bag via David Jones

Photo credit to my love, Chris

Lines & Leather

Back to my roots for todays post….and I am not referring to the location! Easter was spent in Perth this year. Five days after returning from New York City it was back into travel mode for the long weekend. But on this occasion for a relaxing few days off work. Good Friday we had the pleasure of road tripping down south to a retreat you won’t want to miss - Interior post coming soon I promise! These kind of weekends away with Chris I really cherish, and although the weather wasn’t too great, it was a time to get over all the travel and spend some quality time together. I love heading over to Perth to see the family, and also works out well to collaborate with my girl Jiawa Liu from Beige Renegade blog. 

Now back to my opening line. Ever since I stepped foot into my first retail job at 16, tailoring has always been in my wardrobe. I find myself drawn to to the lines and structure of well made pieces, finding a way to incorporate such formal garments into my everyday life. Mixing textures is my way of making this work, whether it be a knit and tailored cigarette pants or leather and an asymmetric skirt - That’s more my language. You can still feel smartly dressed, but adding your ‘relaxed’ item converts the look to ‘everyday’. I can’t get over how soft this leather jacket is. And yes, Karen Millen has done it again. Perfectly made to fit like glove. I must say, I really love this brand coming into the colder months. Their jackets are on point, and have my eye on one of the trench coats from the AW16 collection.

The rule of wearing a midi with high heels has been thrown out of the window! I have opted for kitten heals which surprisingly work with the shape of this skirt. The splits are in just the right place to show a bit of leg, whilst still feeling like you could wear this piece to the office. I topped my look off with a white shirt that isn’t so classic. Throughout the summer, I was clearly obsessed with off-shoulder tops. Moving into autumn/winter it’s been lifted a few centimetres balancing nicely just above the shoulders. The outfit feels like an office to drinks kind of look, and will most definitely be wearing this leather jacket more in the coming weeks.

Shop the look:

Karen Millen Leather Jacket or Marc Jacobs Cropped Leather Jacket

August Street Shirt or J.O.A Frayed Shirt

PS The Label Skirt: COMING SOON or Prabal Gurang Pleated Skirt

Billini Shoes or L.K Bennett Elm Sandals

Proenza Schouler Bag

Ray-Ban Round Sunglasses from Shopbop or Ray-Ban Round Sunglasses

Photo credit to Jiawa Liu from Beige Renegade blog

The Finer Details

Ever since stepping on the plane to Australia, dainty jewellery was my accessory of choice. When you are counting your luggage kg at check-in, the statement jewellery has to go! Believe it or not, I used to love chunky bangles and necklaces and could never see an outfit finished unless it had the one or both. In my uni days, a new outfit every weekend was a must! I always remember spending way more on the accessories, and accumulating boxes and boxes of brightly coloured costume pieces to match every detail of an outfit. Oh how things change! 10 years on, I am on a serious mission to downsize my wardrobe with only dainty jewellery catching my eye. You can add the finishing touches to most looks without looking like you have tried too hard.

Today’s pieces are from Emma & Roe. I opted for black as my base, knowing I will get so much wear out of this colour way to compliment my monochrome wardrobe. I also like that you can build each with minimal charms, so if I am feeling like a change it’s nice to have the option to take one off or add her and there. Day to day, my wardrobe is quite simple. A tee with a blazer are my usual go to pieces. The style at my office is quite relaxed, but it’s nice to add these new bits of jewellery to my workwear wardrobe without the “ooooo where are you off to tonight” kinda talk. Because as soon as that conversation strikes up, you know you are a little overdressed!

Shop the look:

Emma & Roe Charm Bracelet: SHOP HERE

Emma & Roe Leather Bracelet: SHOP HERE

Emma & Roe Ring: SHOP HERE

Emma & Roe Charms: SHOP HERE and HERE

Photo credit to my love, Chris 

Black & White Alternative

It’s been a while since wearing grey, so thought I would give it some love this week. It’s a nice alternative to monochrome, and fits well with the crazy weather that Sydney has been experiencing  this week. It's currently 10 degrees colder than this weekend which means I have reverted back to knits. Although the thicker threads are my favourite kind, I have actually started to enjoy styling spring looks. Todays combo is a good transeasonal style. This Boohoo.com two-piece is a great look for those “what’s the weather up to?” kind of days, and you can layer it if the storms roll in. The bell bottom flares are also on trend for this season, and make a good change to the denim and floaty styles that are filling store rails right now. I love a good two-piece for back and forth to work. It’s smart enough to pass as a relaxed tailored set, but comfortable enough to sit in all day. Plus, Boohoo is a Northern hemisphere brand so always feel as though it’s a bit more fashion forward. For added grey notes, this jacket effortlessly matches the outfit perfectly, and with the wind picking up it was a smart styling choice. 

White fringed mules and my Alila The Label bag were the accessories of choice. If you follow my Instagram, you would already be aware that I have a slight obsession for anything marble so instantly fell head over heels for this bag. It’s a great design with an option of 3 straps, which is always handy depending on whether you want to wear on your shoulder or cross body. I also used this bag for brunch on the weekend, and received a few compliments surrounding the print.

This week, I've been introduced to Cloud Nine Hair styling range. I've become a fan of their new micro wand which I achieved todays tousled waves with. It’s so easy to use, and added bonus it’s super lightweight which will be a blessing when travel time comes around for my new job! It will definitely be coming with me! It’s halfway through the week, and can’t figure out where the time has gone. As mentioned, I started a new job a few weeks back, so between settling in and focusing on my blog more, it’s a tiring cycle. But I’ve made a promise to myself that I won’t let either suffer. If you love what you do, you make it happen regardless. Hope you all have a great week!

Shop The Look:

boohoo.com two piece set: SHOP HERE (on sale) 

Charles & Keith Mules: SHOP HERE 

Out With Audrey Jacket: SHOP HERE

Out With Audrey Sunglasses: SHOP HERE

Alilia The Label Bag: SHOP HERE (currently on sale)

Breda Watch: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Happiness Boutique Earrings: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Cloud Nine Micro Wand: SHOP HERE

Photo credit to Laurie Young from The Rue Collective blog