Two Winter Essentials

With winter just around the corner (I say “winter’ lightly) it’s important to keep a well organised wardrobe. Before the colder months roll in, it’s time to pack away the lightweight fabrics that won’t be worn for the next few months. There are two items that become the staples for the A/W wardrobe,

Good knitwear and a tailored coat.

Year to year, these two pieces always have priority in the wardrobe, and it’s actually quite surprising how many one can own! In all honesty, my wardrobe is actually quite small with only items that will get good wear. Quality over quantity, which means less wardrobe hauls. Rotating the staples is key to maintaining a downsized closet.

Today’s look is from Jaz & Alex boutique. They stock all the key items you will need for the coming season, offering a premium online shopping experience. When shopping knitwear, it’s good to have a clear understanding of how you want the piece to fit. There are so many options available at the moment, and my shelves consist of the following:

1. The oversized cable knit This is the all rounder and can be worn with almost anything. The boyfriend fit shows effortless styling.

2. The lightweight turtle neck. Probably the most on trend at the moment. The perfect option for layering under dresses or camisoles.

3.The detailed knit. Whether it has tassels or eyelets, this is the jumper that will catch peoples eye. 

Paired back with a classic coat, this combination is not only comfortable but also combines classic styling with a contemporary edge.

Shop the look:

Bambi Knit – Steele via Jaz & Alex

Mia Coat – Camilla & Marc via Jaz & Alex

Leather Look Skirt – Zara, similar here and here

Suede knee high boots – Zara, similar here and here

Givenchy Antigona Bag– Cosette or here

Baby Audrey Sunglasses – Celine

Photo credit to my love, Chris

Snow White

Hello from Falls Creek! This is my first time in the mountains on a ski trip and loving it. Staying in the cosiest quaint hotel, which I’ll be sharing with you in a few days! Until then, I am giving a little sneak peek over on my Instagram, so come and say hi. I couldn’t come all the way out here and not shoot a style post in this beautiful fluffy snow. May I add, when shooting this look yesterday it was -2, so for the second time in a fortnight I was putting on my brave cold face! It’s truly beautiful out here, and wish I could shoot in the snow all the time. It’s so peaceful and it was so difficult culling the snaps in this winter wonderland!

It only felt right, to match the snow with my winter whites. I’m not giving into spring looks just yet as seriously holding on to all the winter threads I have before the 6 month summer graces us! I was recently introduced to Pol Clothing, and after seeing their minimal relaxed vibes on Insta, I thought it was time to get to know this brand, especially when in the mountains after a long day throwing myself down a mountain on a snowboard! Exhibit A - Asymmetric cream jumper. Warm: check, comfortable: check, slouchy: check. My new favourite knit this season and don’t want to take it off! Decided to pair with my new Dricoper boyfriend jeans to compliment the tones. They are a match made in heaven. And even better, Dricoper are donating $2 to Jeans For Jeans day and offering 15% off their website from the 1st-31st August. 1 in 20 Australian children are born with a birth defect or genetic disease, such as cancer, epilepsy and a range of genetic disorders. Jeans For Genes Day helps fund research at the Children’s Medical Research Institute. So now is the time to buy your favourite skinnies or boyfriend style and help raise awareness for this wonderful cause, whilst looking chic at the same time!

The look was finished off with a giant wool monochrome coat, and it’s been my saviour up here for keeping me super snug! My boyfriend calls this style “the dressing gown coat”, and he makes it quite clear that I own a lot of these! He’s right, I do! You can never have enough ladies. This is probably my warmest find in Australia and can see myself taking it to Japan in January for snowboarding round 2! Obviously it’s a bit too stylish for the adventurous sports, but a nice accessory for the plane ride over. 

Stay tuned for my review of Falls Creek and our wonderful stay at Trackers Mountain Lodge where these piccies were taken! Have a great week lovelies!

Shop The Look:

Pol Clothing Jumper (now 50% off): SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Beginning Boutique Coat: SHOP HERE 

Dricoper Jeans: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Topshop Sneakers: SHOP SIMILAR HERE or HERE

Cassandra Tassel Saint Laurent Bag: SHOP HERE

Photo Credit to my love, Chris

Pastels On The Pier

Last weekend I was lucky enough to review one of the most luxe hotels in Sydney: Pier One. I fell in love with the place after an event for the toiletries brand Appelles Skin. The hotel stretches along Pier One, which conveniently is under the Harbour Bridge….hello best view in the city! As the hotels decor channels nautical chic, it only seemed appropriate to wear a brand that oozes contoured lines and sleek silhouettes to tie in with Pier One’s theme. The weather was beautiful and the balcony of the room was the first place to capture these shots. As you know, I am a sucker for light and shadows, so couldn’t pass on the perfectly timed position of the sun with light play through the balustrades. 

This two piece set has the perfect balance of fitted and loose style. The tops classic style and turtle neck adds sophistication, yet the wide legged pants are contemporary and pushes the boundaries on tailoring. Bec & Bridge are masters at reinventing tailoring pieces for the fashion forward lady. Their fabrics are lightweight and effortless movement is what comes to mind when I think of this duo. Therefore the harbour breeze on the balcony was the perfect place to portray this.

A smart tailored coat, should be in everyones winter wardrobe. In my case, a base colour of either black, grey or navy. It’s easy to style and instantly makes an outfit smarter. To finish the look off, I added a trusty pair of Jo Mercer suede snake like ankle boots and John Hardy silver accoutrements. I was fascinated by this bamboo ring, and here’s a little fact for you: For every bamboo piece purchased, the brand plant 4 bamboo seedlings. Nearly one million has been planted to date!

Stay tuned for my review of Pier One Hotel in the coming days, I can’t wait to show you where I stayed. You won’t want to miss snaps of the breathtaking view!

Shop the look:

Bec and Bridge Top: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Bec and Bridge Pants: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Gant Tailored Coat: SHOP SIMILAR HERE

Jo Mercer Black Boots: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Camilla and Marc Clutch Bag: SHOP SIMILAR HERE

John Hardy Ring: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

John Hardy Bracelet: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Breda Silver Watch: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Photo credit to Chris Bray and thanks to Pier One Sydney Harbour for the location.

Poolside Comfy

The last few weeks have been a little crazy with starting a new job and finding time to keep my blog updated. For me, blogging is like having a second career and find myself spending the weekends photographing and planning what to style for the coming week. I’m lucky enough to work in fashion, so can squeeze in a cheeky flat lay at my job! When you’re passionate about something, you don’t mind spending time on it and to be honest blogging means I can catch up with my friend Andrea to talk fashion and hit up any new brunch places! It’s important to have down time too and love having a few hours on the weekend to chill out and do absolutely nothing! 

Andrea has a lovely pool at her apartment and although it’s not warm enough, it’s still nice to relax and catch up on what each other has been up to over a cup of tea and a couple of magazines. For me, beaches and pools are not seasonal. If you are dressed appropriately, they can be enjoyed in the winter months. This Country Road jumper is so warm you wouldn’t even think it’s winter. Obviously being a Brit open toe shoes are standard and work well with this look. They are relaxed, comfy and effortless. I think next weekend I want to try Bondi beach in a chunky knit, Messina Gelato in hand, and a cosy blanket watching the sun go down. Sounds like a plan! Would love suggestions on new places to check out in Sydney!

Shop the look:

Jumper: Country Road

Trousers: Camilla & Marc (similar here)

Slides: Topshop Australia

Photo credit to Andrea from Leather And Lattes

Helen-Jayne x