Today I’m going to talk about my style. Or what it is that I’ve come to define as my style. I think if you’ve followed along with this blog for a little while a really clear idea of what I like and don’t like has formed. What can I say, I found my happily ever after (for now) and I’m sticking to it.
To continue to metaphor, as far as what I wear I’ve kissed a lot of style frogs. And I was making out with them hard before I found the one. The look that suits you, that you love and that expresses who you are. Casual, slouchy, comfortable and a little bit sporty are the things I love. You can’t get me out of ankle boots and I almost entirely refuse to wear floral. I’m a girl who knows what she likes.
And that’s it.
That’s the key to your personal style.
Wear what you like, find things that you love to wear, are happy and confident wearing, and wear them. When people say that you shouldn’t wear ankle boots with your chunky calves, you can nod and smile and politely tell ask them “who says?” if you’re confident. If you’re happy, the need to make someone else happy lessens. You know, unless that person actually matters.
And to think, all I really wanted to do in this post is point out how much I love this dress, the print the style, all the things, and I’ve gone off in a style based ‘this is how you do it’ type lecture. Haha. Sorry about that. Back to the outfit. Cool, right?
Wearing 17 Sundays Crying Lightening Dress and Ankle Boots from Autograph Fashion.
Work outfits, work style, during the summer is harder than my everyday summer style, and special occasion combined. There’s usually some form of dress code, there’s always an expectation and it’s hot. Sometimes hotter than others, depending on whether you are in or out of the air con. So there’s all that. Plus, you’d rather be at the beach. Or I would anyway.
I find that by having a few key go-to pieces I get through most weeks with no issue. My work wardrobe is mostly black and white. Some colour thrown in on random days. Then I add a wow items like this duster now and again, and you’re in the work style game.
There’s something about the print and proportions of the jacket, the mixed up hem of the skirt and the texture of the top make this outfit interesting. The red shoes, great for a day when you’re more in the office than out, just add something extra. I like to keep my hair, makeup and jewellery simple for work because I’m lazy mostly. I’d rather sleep in those few extra minutes than apply more time. So a slick of gloss will always brighten the look .
I mentioned before that my work wardrobe is predominantly black and white and I do this for a reason. I find it much easier to mix and match from clothing in the same colour family. Navy is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but do you know how many times over the years I’ve accidentally matched a black skirt with a navy blazer thinking they were a set? LOTS. Best spare yourself the trouble.
Sorry team, all items are from my wardrobe and have sold out.
Well folks it happened. It took me a while, some convincing and a whole bunch of yeah but WHY but here I am. Wearing and loving the skater skirt sick. Better late than never, right? Haha. I just love how the flip in the skirt makes it fun and flirty. It’s girlish and that makes it perfect for my style which can head towards pretty masculine at times. So of course I almost always pair it with boots and a slogan tee. Over and over again I reach for a combination of this outfit. It’s been my winter go to outfit, only adding stockings when heading out of a nighttime.
It’s strange, as I sit here writing this, thinking about all kinds of things related to my wardrobe it occurs to me how different my style is from this time last year. While I’ve always loved fashion but this is the first year I’ve really translated it to what I wear instead of watching from the sidelines. I took what I liked, what I was watching filter through and grabbed it with both hands.
Heck, just today I wore a crop top. In winter. Not the greatest decision I’ve ever made but heck, I felt like I was king of the world man. So as I try things and experiment I find more and more that I don’t want to restrict the ideas I have anymore. I don’t want to consider what I should or shouldn’t wear. I’m just going to keep wearing what I love and trying new things. I look forward to sharing all the highlights and face plants here. I mean if this year I’m wearing plaid who knows where we’ll be this time next year!? Haha.
Jacket – Mums, Afterglow Tee – 17 Sundays {small – gifted}, Skater Skirt – Boohoo Plus-Size {sold out online}, Boots – Autograph Fashion {last year
Mooooooore? More double denim? More, more, more double denim. What can I say, I’m a fan. I know there are folks out there who aren’t that keen {hi Alicia! *waves*} I am a mad fan and cannot wait for some of the new season awesomeness I’ve seen heading into production so I can wear it all spring and summer long! Bring THAT on. Until then I’ll work with my favourites from the seasons that have come before us and rock double denim winter style.
Okay. QUEENSLAND winter style. I’m totally not even wearing stockings. Haha.
I first wore this outfit to our local show. I wanted something that wasn’t jeans and a jumper just like I’d worn every year before. I did underestimate how cold it would be though as I hadn’t factored in that it would rain on and off the entire time we were there. Next time I’ll wear leggings as well for when the wind blows, brrrr. Thank goodness for food stands and vegetable displays or I wouldn’t been soaked to the bone. That said this 17 Sundays jacket held up well in the rain barely letting any through.
This weekend though it was the perfect casual outfit for dinner with hubby, a few errands like washing the car and dropping off some things to people. The heater in the car kept me warm enough between dashes out in the cold. It’s amazing what some boots can do to keep you warm even in the lightest of summer dresses. Seriously if you don’t own a pair of flat, riding-esque boots, get some. I live in these, they’re the best $100 I’ve ever spent and Autograph brings out something similar every year.
Take Me Away Sequin Trim Jacket – 17 Sundays {gifted}
Patterned Chambray Dress – 17 Sundays
Boots – Autograph {similar}
My idea of a picnic involves about a billion dollars spent at the local deli to adequately satisfy my love of all things antipasto, crusty bread and fresh fruits. Seriously. When we picnic we picnic haaard. This time though, we were off to brunch. I was just awake after arriving home after 3am from a hens party. Sobor! Winning. And I wanted something comfortable, cool and a little bit cuuuuute too. Because why go to the effort being out of bed on a Sunday morning if you don’t look cute doing it, right? Might as well sleep in.
Ha.
How is that for a little bit of a weirdo philosophy on life? But anyway, this dress from the team at 17 Sundays fits the bill beautifully. If you have considered it. Looked at it online and thought maybe. Then I strongly suggest you check out the amazing, intricate and so very vintage knit’esque sleeves and hem. That my friends is attention to detail. Check it out. (more…)
When I received the request to write a post with a 2014 wardrobe update I was excited. A great opportunity to share what I’ll be wearing and my ideas on what’s going to be hot this year and what essential items you’ll need for your wardrobe to be all trendy and such. So in conjunction with the Autograph Fashion, I present a sneak peek into what I’ll be shopping for in 2014. Fun!
Now let’s face it, every time someone asks me to write something like this I roll my eyes a little and giggle. I don’t feel like an authority on such matters. I’m just a girl who knows what she likes. So with that in mind and my credibility as an expert shot, here’s what I’m thinking you will want to get you fashionably through 2014, a shopping board {or two, derrr} and some photos of an outfit that sums it up for me.
2014 for me is about prints, monochrome, unexpected pairings and keeping it simple.
For all the runway items I’ve seen online these are the things that stick out most for me. Even moving forward. In winter I see the monochrome shades of black and white beautifully complemented by maroon {please don’t make me call it Oxblood to be cool} and the rich tones so commonly associated with winter. Ankle boots too. Make sure you get yourself a pair of great go-to boots. I’ve seen them everywhere throughout summer and I can’t see people taking them off come winter.
Since we’re talking about shoes, expect there to be lots of flat-forms and platforms out and about.
And from what I can tell right next to them will be the pointiest, strappiest shoe you could imagine. It will be a choose your own adventure of shoes from the seriously comfortable to the serious business. As far as the essentials go I have a killer pair of wedges, some ankle boots in a neutral shade or print, a pair of ankle-strap sandals and a ridiculous pair of heels that gets taken out on the town for dinner and other sitting type events.
For casual, look for fresh lines {knotted hemlines and floor scraping lengths}, brave a crop top or add a dash of chambray.
I’ve seen a couple of look books for the coming seasons now and there will be lots of great patterned items that you can wear casually and dress up when required. Texture and layers are {remaining} a big deal with lots of form-fitted items to show off your shape. Don’t be surprised if you’re feeling very nineties if you weren’t already.
WEARING
Basic Short Sleeve Top {similar} Patterned Long Pants Tan Sandals and Bag {sold out online}
I’ve rounded up a few things below {using Polyvore, thank goodness!} that will get you on your way to diverse 2014 wardrobe. Keep in mind a lot of the trends we are seeing can be found in an overstocked wardrobe already. Drag out those oversized t-shirts and skinny jeans or jeggings, dig deep for anything chambray and toss on a print or two to update any look. Wear tan with black and white. Wear yellow with orange and blue. Pair things together that the old rules say you shouldn’t.
SHOPPING FOR 2014
Top {left to right} Lace Hem Dress, Swing Dress, Floral Dress, Glitter Dress, Safari Dress Bottom {left to right} Sheer Panel Chambray Shirt, Chambray Shirt, Pattern Button Up, Panelled Tank, Drop Hem Top
Top {left to right}Studded Sweat, Cropped Jacket, Texture Jumper, Striped Top Bottom {left to right}Sheer Top, Colour Blocked Maxi, Suger Stripe Dress {Yup that’s its name!}, Casual Dress, Glam Jogger
I think festive cheer is catching up with me. First of all I don’t remember this skirt being this short… And that can only mean ONE thing, it has more surface area to cover. Haha. Tis the season and all that but sheesh Suger, rein it in. Now, what was I talking about? Ahh yes. Outfits. Old favourites and new. That’s the plan anyway. Onwards!
Stripes are an old favourite of mine, so is this cropped denim jacket and so are the shoes. All well-worn, well-loved favourites. This skirt, the simple jersey skater from ASOS is great with tights in winter and fun and flippy in summer. Can’t beat that. I just never really got on board with skater skirts. No idea why, it just happens that way sometimes I guess.
Are you a skater skirt fan?
I wonder if you need to pick sides when it comes to skirts. Are you team skater or team pencil skirt and there’s no middle ground. Like a skirt turf war. Probably not. But I sure as heck always reach for the pencil skirt before the skater. Literally nine times out of ten I’d go pencil skirt. Funny how that happens. I’m trying to vary things up a little. Variety is the spice of life after all. (more…)
