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A confession

September 16, 2014 / News / 22 Comments

I have a confession to make. One that many stylists and fashionistas would gasp in disbelief. That confession is…

Vogue does nothing for me.

The horror of such a confession, but it’s one that I will happily admit.

When I was doing my Diploma in Fashion Styling, I subscribed to a number of magazines for research and to keep in the fashion loop. Vogue Australia was one of my subscriptions.

But as I flicked the pages I realized none of the images meant anything to me. I remember reading my first Vogue magazine front to cover and chucked it on the magazine pile uninspired and confused.

Wasn’t fashion meant to be easy, fun and inspiring? Not weird and over the top?

The magazines I did get a lot from were InStyle and Shop till you drop because they showed how trends on the runway could be incorporated into my wardrobe. But some items still cost more than my weekly pay and at the time I worked to pay for a mortgage and lifestyle, not to fill my wardrobe! Now I don’t work and there is little money left for extravagant purchases.

But looking good does cost money. Whether you op shop it or stick to the sales.

Essentially if you get your wardrobe basics right, there is little need to be wasting money on clothes you’re not going to wear.

These days I don’t have time to stand in my wardrobe and work out what to wear. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this. We’re mums or we work (or both) and we want to look great when getting the groceries or taking our kids to playgroup. And it’s not because we don’t want to feel judged about what we wear (although I do hear this happens at the school drop off gate). It’s more that when we look good, we feel good. I love despite having had a crappy night’s sleep, I go to playgroup and one of the mothers tell me they love my top/outfit/necklace or whatever.

I’ve started taking pictures of my daily outfits since Phoebe was born to show how different looks can be achieved by wearing the same clothes. I hope this inspires you because there is much more to style that spending a month’s worth of mortgage repayments on a brand of clothing that you may not get a lot of cost per wear.

Some labels are worth every penny spent on them, but others are tragic purse depleters.

If you are looking for inspiration whether you’re a mum or a busy corporate who nails it with the suits at work but has little idea in the casual department… I’m your stylist.

I’d love it if you could follow me on Facebook or Instagram. I will upload photos of what a stylist (me) wears day to day to give you inspiration on how to create a stylish casual wardrobe.

Since becoming a mum, my style has changed and I’m enjoying the journey of working out what I like and what I don’t like.

Clothes are one way we show our personality to others, so the more we understand our style, the more we learn about ourselves.

Tell me are there any fashion magazines on the market that you don’t ‘get’?

Style it Project – Zebra Print

September 10, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 19 Comments

I was excited about this month’s Style It Project. I had a number of different outfits in my head of how I could style the Peter Morrissey Zebra print cami.

So imagine my disappointment when I took the cami to the change rooms and the size 16 was big around my huge milk-manufacturing boobs, but wouldn’t go over my post pregnancy hips and belly. I looked in the mirror and thought about how I could make the cami work. And then I shook my head and thought about my training as a stylist. My advice to clients is about buying clothes that work for your body, not against it. I wasn’t going to waste my money on something that didn’t fit right or look good on me.

I headed back to the Zebra print section and not to be dissuaded, I decided to change the Style it rules and bought the shirt instead.

This Zebra print shirt works for me really well right now as I’m breastfeeding. I’ve worn the shirt open as a jacket and buttoned up over a dress. I’m wearing the size 16.

In truth, I’ve never had a great relationship with cami’s because I do have big upper arms so I rarely wear them by themselves and always need to wear them with a cardigan or jacket which means I don’t get a lot of cost per wear. Shoe string straps don’t suit me because I have broad, rounded shoulders. Shirts, t-shirts and singlets work much better for my body shape.

Here are the two ways I’ve styled the shirt.

The first outfit, I wore on the second day of the Problogger Conference. I wore the shirt open over a nursing singlet and khaki peg leg pants. It’s a safari style inspired look and one that is comfortable and easy to wear.

The second outfit I wore the shirt done up over a ¾ sleeve black jersey dress. I added an orange belt for some colour and interest. I don’t think my shoe choice was a good one in this picture because the revealed skin between my leggings and shoes makes me look shorter and a bit more stumpier. I don’t like the proportions. But I prefer to wear flats when I’m carrying a baby, so in the name of common sense and comfort, I wore what I needed as opposed to what would have looked better. If my dress was a bit higher near my knees, the ballet flats would have worked. What do you think?

Have you taken part in the Style It Challenge? Do you like to wear cami’s? I’m linking up with Kimba Likes for Wardrobe Wednesday.

A Spring Outfit for under $100

September 9, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 23 Comments

Last week Ms Mystery Case made the challenge of creating an outfit under $100. I love a challenge and being a stylist, it’s important to work within one’s budget when shopping for outfits.

I came across this Chambray dress from Mix apparel because it was shared on my Facebook feed… maybe from Sonia Styling? I loved it and took note of it because of the buttons down the front which means it’s a great breastfeeding dress.

I’ve styled it two ways with the same accessories but with different colours and patterns. All items can be purchased from department stores and come well under the $100 challenge.

The first look is a clash of prints and incorporates the monochrome trend which is still a big deal this season. If you’re hesitant about wearing clashing prints, this outfit would be ideal for you because the clash is separated from the colour of the dress.

Spring Outfit for under $100 Number 1

1. Mix Apparel Belted Chambray Dress $29

2. Target Blue Check Scarf $20

3. Target Mandy Canvas Slip on Shoes $15

Total Outfit cost $64

The next outfit is my favourite because I love wearing red. And I can’t get enough of Polka dots. Blue & Red are a colour match made in Heaven. You can never go wrong when you were those two colours together.

Spring Outfit under $100 Number 2

1. Mix Apparel Belted Chambray Dress $29

2. Big W Lucy Polka Dot Scarf $19

3. Target Neat Lace Up Canvas Shoes $15

Total Outfit cost $63

Tell me, which outfit is your favourite? Do you like wearing Chambray? I’m linking up with Ms Mystery Case and Essentially Jess for IBOT.

You don’t have to be superwoman to wear a cape

September 3, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 19 Comments

With the arrival of Spring comes the arrival of capes and kimonos. I’m more of a cape wearer than a kimono as I find the boxed sleeves of a kimono make me look bigger than what I am. I find capes are a bit more tailored and the arms drape more than flare out.

My favourite pop up store has arrived at my local shopping Centre. I can’t get enough of their handmade and retro children’s wares. They also have a section of clothes dedicated to mums and mums to be. The cape is one of those clothing items that can be worn during and post pregnancy. I love capes because they can add interest to a normal boring t-shirt and jeans outfit.

I found this gorgeous cape at the pop up store and I know that I’m going to get a lot of wear out of it this Summer. I love the colours in this cape and I love that I can accessorise it using the different colours featured in the fabric.

I’ve put together a collection of cape offerings that are available online. You don’t have to be superwoman to wear a cape.

1. The Iconic Zalora Kimono $39.95*

2. Freeze Pink Diamond Print Cape $39*

3. Freeze Boho Lace Kimono Cape $49*

4. Blue Bungalow Tropical Hibiscus Kimono $59

5. Erin Louise Riptide Cape $30

6. Freeze Pink Diamond Cape $49*

(All items with * are affiliate links.)

Tell me do you like to wear a cape? Or are Kimono’s your thing? I’m linking up with Kimba Likes for Wardrobe Wednesday.

A breastfeeding friendly jumpsuit

September 2, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 28 Comments

As I was preparing my outfits for the Problogger Conference last week, I found that a lot of my pants didn’t quite meet at the middle because my hips are still wide and my belly is still a little round. This left me with a conundrum because I didn’t have anything to wear for two night time events that required something better than maternity jeans.

One afternoon I was looking through my Instagram feed and I saw this Miller’s Jumpsuit and it jumped at me because it looked stretchy and crossed over at the breastline. I found a breastfeeding friendly jumpsuit and it was only $50! I went to Millers and bought the XL. It’s a clingy jersey material and I prefer to have more drape than stuffin muffin.

I decided to wear the same jumpsuit to both functions but change up the accessories. Here is the said jumpsuit.

On the Thursday night, I was invited to attend the Annie Sloan Unfolded Colourful Cocktail party. I will write more about this product on The Plumbette. To dress the jumpsuit up I borrowed a glitter bolero from my mum and a silver flower necklace. I changed the black belt with one of my own and I wore Easy Steps black wedges. I may have been a bit overdressed but I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed when going to a cocktail party.

Wearing the jumpsuit with a glitter bolero and glitzy necklace borrowed from my mum.

A close up picture of my top half.

The Friday night function was a networking party with over 500 bloggers at the Helm Bar. The theme of the night was ‘Ahoy’. I’m not really into costume dressing, but I don’t mind finding accessories to fit in with the theme.

I bought this Caroline Morgan Striped bolero jacket a few years ago. It had the nautical theme I was after. I added some colour to the outfit by wearing an orange belt bought from Target last season and orange peep toe heels bought from Betts two seasons ago. I made my necklace by purchasing an anchor key ring and attaching the anchor charms to a gold necklace.

Wearing a nautical black and white striped bolero jacket with orange accessories and heels.

A close up of my top half.

I know I’m going to get a lot of wear out of the jumpsuit. Millers also has a black and white patterned jumpsuit if you prefer to wear a pattern. I may purchase one in a smaller size as my weight and shape change.

What do you think about jumpsuits? Will you give them a go this season?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

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