Archive of ‘Fashion’ category

The Palm and Leaf Prints Aren’t Going Anywhere – Here’s How to Wear Them This Summer

/ Fashion / 1 Comment

One print that I seem to see everywhere at the moment is the palm leaf print or tropical leaf print. I’ve seen it in homewares and in dresses and tops. I jumped onboard the leaf print train two years ago when it was a popular choice for cushions. But it’s become a trending print for tops and dresses.

I think the reason it’s so popular is because it’s bright and fun and it reminds us of the tropics and holidays. It’s the perfect print to wear for summer, and if you haven’t jumped on this print wagon, I thought I’d share two pieces that I got from Wardrobe 22. The larger sizes have sold out, but you can enquire to see if more stock will come in.

The first piece that I have seen on a few other bloggers and fashionistas on Instagram is this Boho Palm Dress.

It can be worn off the shoulder or on. The dress has pockets and it has a great hem length – just above the knee for me.

The print alone is bold and bright, so it doesn’t need too much colour in the way of accessories (but I’m totally doing this soon to show you how to accessorise this dress to create different looks). I paired my dress back with tan tassel earrings from SHF Designs, another local Brisbane boutique store, and added my tan shoes.

The next leafy print top is by Label of Love. It’s also a top that can be worn on or off the shoulder. I teamed this top with white pants, and added a coral tassel earring for some extra colour.

This top is so versatile as it can be worn with jeans, white pants, a denim skirt or even denim shorts. I have apricot coloured cargo pants from Country Road that will match perfectly with the top as well.

The Palm Leaf Print Aren't Going Anywhere - Here's How to Wear Them This Summer

Whenever I select a new piece, it has to mix in with the pieces in my wardrobe. I know this top can go with many items I already own in my wardrobe, and you may find you will be able to do the same.

This flutter top will be fabulous worn into Autumn, as the 3/4 sleeve length is great for the cooler months. I also find it good for summer to protect my arms from the sun.

So tell me, have you got any leafy print clothes in your wardrobe? What prints are you loving this summer?

Disclosure: I was gifted the Label of Love Flutter Tropical Top, and purchased the Boho Palm Dress on a discount. 

 

The Versatility of a Chambray Top

/ Fashion / 0 comment

As promised, this year I want to share ways how to wear 1 piece of clothing more than once to ensure you are getting cost per wear, per item in your wardrobe. One item that I have been surprised at how many outfits I’ve been able to create has been the chambray top.

Chambray is a classic style that became popular a few seasons ago with the chambray shirt dress. We’ve seen the chambray jogger pants become a staple for many in their wardrobe and the chambray skirt and shirt. A chambray summer top can be teamed with a number of different bottoms to create some great smart casual outfits that look crisp and sophisticated. It also has a laidback feel, which makes it the perfect item to wear during summer and when the weather starts to get cool.

Before Christmas, my grandma bought me a chambray top from Katies. It’s no longer available, but the reason I wanted to share about it with you is because I didn’t realise how versatile this type of top is.

If you are after clothing pieces that work with your basics, then this is one top I recommend adding to your wardrobe.

What Can You Wear With a Chambray Top?

Chambray looks great with black, white, stripes and other patterns with the shade of light blue in the pattern.

It makes a great contrast with red, hot pink, baby pink, khaki, beige, latte, caramel, tan, navy and orange.

My outfits are examples of how 1 top can be worn 4 different ways.

Chambray Tops Online

If you love chambray and want to embrace it in a top, here are some pieces I’ve found online.

chambray top available online

  1. Only Rose 3/4 Sleeve Denim Top $69.95
  2. SABA Adelene Chambray Top $129.00
  3. Missguided Denim Frill Sleeve Top $59.95
  4. Fate & Becker Myrcella Chambray Tank $35 (on sale)
  5. Portmans Chambray River Ruffle Top $59.95
  6. Adrift Billie Top in Blue $99.99

Do you own a chambray top? What tops do you find seem to go with everything?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small discount at no extra cost to you. 

Smart Casual Corporate Outfits for Summer 2018

/ Fashion / 1 Comment

It’s been a long while since I’ve needed to create a smart casual corporate wardrobe. I say smart casual because work wear for the office seems to be more relaxed these days, unless there is a specific corporate wardrobe code employees need to abide by. For myself, I   occasionally will go to an event or have a meeting that requires business wear and I have enough smart casual clothes that can double as a corporate outfit, with the right accessories and a simple blazer.

smart casual corporate outfit ideas for 2018

The corporate world of dressing can be varied. Some companies are strict with their dress code, while others are happy with smart casual outfits.

I’ve created 4 smart casual corporate outfits for summer, that can be elevated with a blazer.

Black and white are always a good base to start from. I’ve added red because it naturally pops against black and white, and it’s a colour I enjoy wearing. You can create similar outfits using your colour of choice.

Other base corporate colour combos I love are navy and white, and khaki and beige.

The khaki shirt dress I’ve featured below has been reduced to $40 at Birdsnest. The sleeves can be rolled up for summer and left down for winter. It’s also a piece that can be worn outside of work. Having pieces in your wardrobe that can double up for different occasions is smart buying and will give you that extra cost per wear.

Capsule Corporate Wardrobe

I believe every corporate wardrobe should have:

1 Block Coloured Pant (Black or Navy)

1 Block Coloured Blazer (Black, Navy or your colour of choice)

1 A-Line or Pencil Skirt in a Block Colour (Black, Navy or Grey)

3-5 Shirts or blouses – patterned, bright coloured or white

1-2 Corporate dresses

1 pair of Black Pumps

1 Pair of Block Heels in colour or pattern of choice

This creates a capsule wardrobe which will give you at least 2 weeks’ worth of individual outfits.

When choosing block pieces, go for quality over quantity and buy what you can afford. Create a work wear wardrobe that can be well worn during the year and beyond. You can create that feeling of having a new outfit by simply selecting pieces from your capsule wardrobe, that have never been teamed together.

When you do add new pieces, ensure they will fit well into your capsule wardrobe.

Smart Casual Corporate Outfit Ideas

If you’re looking for some Smart Casual Summer Corporate Outfit Ideas, here are a few I put together. I’d wear all of these, and the pieces are readily available from online or bricks and mortar stores. The outfits I’ve created below, can also be intermixed with each other to create new outfits.

smart casual corporate outfits 1

Top: Gorman Notes Swing Shirt $139 (on sale), Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7, Pants: Sussan Slimline Black Pant $89.95, Bag: Urban Originals Tote $90, Shoes: Jo Mercer Celia Court Shoes $159.95

smart casual corporate outfits 2

Top: Jacqui E Linen Tie Front Blouse $59.95, Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7.00, Pants: Jacqui E Micki Fashion Pant $59.95, Bag: Urban Orignals Tote $90. Shoes: Jo Mercer Black Leather Court Shoe $99.95

smart casual corporate outfits 3

Dress: Bird Keepers A-Line Khaki Shirt Dress $40,  Earrings: Fan Raffia Earrings $34.95 Shoes: Shoes of Prey Leopard Print Heels $209,  Bag: Kinsley Latte Smooth Tote $74.97

plus size corporate idea

Dress: City Chic Stripe Floral Dress $50 (on sale), Blazer: City Chic Black Cropped Blazer $89.95, Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7.00, Bag: Urban Originals Tote $90, Shoes: Jo Mercer Celia Court Shoes $159.95

Do you have to abide by a corporate code for your work wardrobe? What kind of smart casual corporate outfits do you typically wear to work?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Summer Outfits: Short Sleeve Dresses With Pockets

/ Fashion / 0 comment

One of the frustrating parts of clothes shopping, is not being able to find exactly what you’re looking for.

I can remember many shopping experiences where I would go to the shops to find a specific style of dress, top, pants or jeans, and come back home disappointed because I couldn’t find what I wanted.

When I went to Africa 14 years ago, all the ladies going on the trip had to wear maxi skirts. I kid you not, I couldn’t find any maxi skirts. The skirts were either short, mini or shin length. But nothing would graze the ankles. My mum ended up finding me 3 skirts from a factory outlet to take over.

That’s why I believe in having a stocked wardrobe to avoid going to the shops to find a specific style of outfit. It can lead to buyer’s regret. It’s better to shop in your own wardrobe instead.

Recently, I saw a great post from New Mumma Kim, sharing her frustrations at not being able to find dresses with short sleeves and pockets. I hear ya lovely. I was looking for similar dresses like this recently and then I found these.

Doing a bit of research online, I found there really isn’t a lot of choice when it comes to short sleeve dresses with pockets. So when you find them, you need to buy them and have a few stocked in your wardrobe – as I have done with the Megan Dress from Little Party Dress. I have it in 3 different patterns.

short sleeve dresses with pockets

Wearing Megan dress in Watermelon Print from Little Party Dress

Here are some dresses I found online to fit the brief, some may be limited in sizes.

1. Freez Pocket Dress $49

freez pocket dress short sleeve

2. Stylefast Portia Cap Sleeve Dress $59 (plus 20% off until 15th Jan)

short sleeve dress style fast

3. Little Party Dress Megan Dress in Watermelon Print $59.95

watermelon print dress

4. Little Party Dress Frankie Avocado Print Dress $69.95

short sleeve dress with sleeves

5. Evans Pocket Dress $59.95

short sleeve black dress with pockets

6. Adrift Lucy Dress in Purple Garden $89.99

adrift short sleeve dress with pockets

Are you a fan of short sleeve dresses with pockets? What places are your favourite go-tos for this style of dress? What is something fashion related that you’ve found hard to find?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Last Minute Christmas Outfit and Accessory Ideas Under $30

/ Fashion / 1 Comment

Every Christmas I like to wear a new dress for Christmas Day. I’ve sometimes bought a few new dresses to wear to different Christmas occasions. But this year, I’ve only bought the one dress which I’ve had my eye on for a very long time and I’ve been finally able to get my size! It was a last minute Christmas outfit purchase. Happy Days!

But not everyone can afford a new dress for Christmas Day. I quite like the idea of investing in a designer dress that is only worn on Christmas Day each year. It’s something I’d like to do in the future, when I have the funds to buy said designer dress (I’m thinking a Camilla kaftan).

For those of us not in a position to spend a lot on ourselves at Christmas, here are some last minute Christmas outfit and accessory ideas to add something special to your outfit, for under $30. Think like a Christmas Tree and source accessories that will enhance whatever you decide to wear on the day.

1. Pom Pom Earrings from SFH Designs $29.95

pom pom earrings

Enough of the pom poms already Bec. But seriously, how festive are these earrings? They look like a lot of fun and if purchased today, you can get them before Christmas.

2. Tassel Clutch from Adorne $29.95

festive tassel clutch

This clutch is very festive in gold and the tassels add a little fun and embellishment.

3. Natural Straw Woven Tote from Marchede Neiry $19.90

natural straw tote basket

Everyone is going mad for baskets and straw totes this season. This gorgeous tote is the last one from this store in Esty. You can embellish it yourself with a pom pom or tassel key chain.

4. Tassel Keychain from Cassia Essentiels $26

Leather tassel keychain

These leather tassel keychains have a Gorman-like vibe to them, which I like. They won’t go ratty like the cotton tassels if used when out and about.

5. Betty Basics Los Angeles Tee $29

palm tee

For a relaxed Christmas style, I love this gold print palm tee from Freez. They offer super fast delivery, so you can totally get this before next weekend.

6. Reindeer Bow Headband by Itty B Studio $20

reindeer headband

This is sweet and will add a festive touch to your outfit – especially if you decide to wear black on Christmas day.

If you are truly after a new dress to wear on Christmas Day and you’ve left it to the last minute, I have experienced fast delivery from Birdsnest, Little Party Dress and Freez, which all offer affordably priced dresses.

Little Party Dress

Mandy Flamingo Little Party Dress $59.95

If you do decide to buy goods online, I’d be doing it before Tuesday this week to ensure delivery reaches to you BEFORE the weekend.

If you live in Brisbane and are adamant about trying clothes on, go to local boutiques instead.

For those on the Southside of Brisbane

Instyle Boutique is at Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown – easy to park at as it’s a smaller sized shopping centre.

Wardrobe 22 is located in Salisbury with plenty of street parking.

Stylefast has a store located in Camp Hill with plenty of street parking – although it is a bit hilly.

Happy Shopping!

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

1 … 19 20 21 22 23 … 51