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

Slow Paced Weekends

Weekends are for brunching. I honestly look forward to a sleep in and good plate of eggs on a Saturday morning, washed down with a good cup of tea. That’s how most of my weekends play out. It’s a time to relax, get creative and head to Surry Hills. It’s my one of my favourite areas for brunching, although McMahon’s point and Bondi come a close second! Although the weather is being freakishly hot this week, there was a short spell of Autumnal teasing a couple of weeks back. Sydney, just give me colder weather please? I have this conversation on a daily basis with my colleagues at work “I just want to wear a jumper”, "What do you think of this coat online?". They must be thinking deep down “Why did this Pomme move to Australia?” Yes, I moved with false hope believing I would step foot onto Ramsey Street, but now I am settled in Sydney I can actually see pockets of European feels to the city.

Today’s look I'd like to think as city chic. It’s the kind of outfit that’s nice enough for a work meeting, or for just catching up with friends on the weekend. I have opted for this Staple The Label off shoulder top which is quite different to other similar styles in my closet. I LOVE the extra fabric that drops loosely from the shoulders, with this piece feminising my masculine tailored look quite nicely.  My cigarette pants are the perfect mix of comfortable and smart. It’s also good to know that these  pants are a sustainable fashion item. With life being face paced and busy, it’s easy to drop into Zara or H&M to pick up that affordable fashion piece. As I learn more about slow fashion, it teaches me that buying from big chains isn’t always the most smart option. I’m not a complete convert into the slow movement just yet, but personally don’t own a huge wardrobe, so find it effortless to invest in higher quality pieces that will last. 

“Buy well, choose well, make it last” Vivienne Westwood

I’ll get a lot of wear out of these into the colder months with ankle boots and a nice chunky coat. For now, rolling them up does just the job paired with my Gucci loafers. 

Shop the look:

Staple The label Top: SHOP HERE or HERE

Nicole Bennett Pants: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Topshop Blazer: SHOP SIMILAR HERE or HERE

Gucci Loafers: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Ray-Ban Round Sunglasses: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Photo credit to Laurie Young from The Rue Collective blog

Travel Month Over

It’s the start of February tomorrow, and I still can’t figure out where the last month has gone. Since Christmas, my diary has been filled with personal travel and work trips. From Perth to Cambodia, back to Sydney and onto Los Angeles it’s been a busy month to say the least! I love my job, and travelling is always welcomed so it’s nice to combine the two doing what I love. Going from Southern hemisphere to Northern can be a bit of a struggle this time of year, but LA wasn’t as cold as I secretly hoped for. I was still wearing a blazer and denim shorts just like I have been in Sydney recently. But with the weather being all over the place right now, I have decided no more summer purchases. I’m not giving into this indecisive climate! The autumn wardrobe building has begun. 

As mentioned in my last post, I have ditched the majority of my heels and replaced them with loafers, which in turn compliment skinny trousers over wide legged. I love the shape on todays cigarette pant, and they make a nice change to denim or pair of culottes. Autumn will be a good season to style a knit or lightweight trench with them. For now, a white shirt does just the job and the breathable fabric means it’s perfect for a humid day in Sydney. The open back also adds a less corporate feel to the look. Perfect for my social media role Monday-Friday. Yet again, Target has done it again, making my work life easier to dress for in the mornings whilst staying true to my relaxed tailored style.

Shop the look:

Dion Lee for Target Shirt: SHOP HERE

Target pants: SHOP HERE

Target Belt: SHOP HERE

Celine Sunglasses: SHOP HERE

Gucci Loafers: SHOP HERE

Photo credit to Alisha Thornley from Alishayi blog

Monochrome Tailoring

Two of my favourite things! Have you seen my Instagram account? Yes, I have a fear of colour, but this isn’t a bad thing when styling a tailored Monday-Friday look. When it comes down to signature structures, some of the strongest designers opt for this colour palette such as Acne Studios, Celine and Jenni Kayne. Today I bring you the wide legged pant. It’s been a feature in my wardrobe for the last 2 winter’s, the only difference being the massiveness.  I swear trousers are just getting bigger! It must be a mix between the wide legged trend and the flare combined! Being only 5 ft 3, this look could have gone one of two ways:

1. Swamped under a big ball of tailoring
2. Fitted in all the right places with a structure and weightlessness.

I’d like to think the latter was the case! Usually this style is way too long, and the problem with internet shopping is you don’t quite know what’s going to arrive on your doorstep. Thankfully Rare London are smart thinkers and thoughtful towards us more petite ladies and made this style high waisted with an impressive leg that isn’t designed for supermodels. I don’t think you can get much wider with this, hence the lightweight cotton turtle neck tucked in and tight fitting. 

One rule: keep the top figure hugging with a baggy pant. 

For layering, I styled with this vest that has a gorgeous texture contracting fabrics. Business at front and party at the back with the sheer design. I’m a huge fan of a vest, whether it be long or mid length like this beauty. Plus, it adds that extra tailored touch without suiting up with a blazer. It’s a little less formal, but on trend at the same time. I shot this look with good friend Alisha, and we couldn’t believe how gorgeous the light and shadows were! Plus how nice is the backdrop to compliment the look? Not as amazing at the cinnamon roll I divulged in prior to this! Yum (totally off subject I know!)

It’s Friday, which means it’s nearly the weekend! I’ll be selling at Bondi markets this Sunday so if you are in the area come and say hi! Also, I’ve just added “Shop My Style” to my page so make sure you check out some of the items I’ve been investing in this season. Click here to see more . There are some amazing bargains! Have a great weekend!

Shop The Look:

Rare London Cream Vest: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Rare London Black Wide Legged Pants: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Zara Turtle Neck: SHOP SIMILAR HERE

Jo Mercer Black Shoes: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Camilla & Marc Clutch Bag: SHOP SIMILAR HERE

Karen Walker Tortoiseshell Sunglasses: SHOP SIMILAR HERE

Hair: Paul Anthony Studio based in Potts Point

Photo credit to Alisha Thornley from Alishayi blog