Maxi dreams

Is there a style or an item of clothing you've always wanted to wear but could never pull of? Or could never actually find in a store or on a website?

For me, it's the maxi dress.

I've always envisaged it flowing and being easy to throw on, yet everything I came across was too short, too clingy and unflattering. Or I looked like a beast in it. Maybe I need to be tiny and petit like Nicole Ritchie? Pangs of envy at those who can pull it off.

Having long given up on the idea of ever finding anything that would suit me, I came across this Something About Eve dress. On the sale rack for $10. It's long and it looks kind of ok. We maybe in the midst of winter right now, but that just gives me more time to figure it out...

Suitcase Stuffing

I'm trying to piece together some looks for the trip.  Things that will translate between mild autumn weather in one city and winter temperatures in the other. 3 pairs of shoes at the very most. Enough room in the suitcase to bring back LOTS of art books. One rule I always follow is taking only the things I love.  If I think it's perfect for a destination, yet I haven't worn it for 18 months, chances are it will sit in my suitcase at the destination too. A wardrobe (or 2 wardrobes) of things and nothing feels right.  Here's what I'm feeling but struggling to execute....

all via pinterest.

Wang crush

Despite my Accu Weather app telling me that Melbourne is currently 7C but feels like -1C, I am completely loving this Alexander Wang dress.  The colour, the drape, the everything.

It's been a long time since I've really fallen in love with an item of clothing.  And it feels good to be back.

The Corporate Wardrobe - Part 2

One of the most searched for and read posts on my blog (according to the feedjit widget) is my post about The Corporate Wardrobe.  Lots of google searches for that one!

I still maintain what I wrote in that original post.  Unless you're fortunate to work from home, chances are that you'll be wearing the corporate stuff a lot more than the rest of your wardrobe, so it really is important to buy the best quality you can afford.  I find that a lot of trousers sag and stretch around the knee and butt area after a few wears.  Not a good look.  The seasons are changing on both sides of the world, so lots of new goodies should be coming into stores.  Look out of the spend and save offers... instead of buying a couple of cheap thrills, save up for something a little bit better.  9/10 times you really do get what you pay for.

One of my favourite suits is 4 years old.  I was a poor student at the time, but I stretched my budget and 4 years later still wear it at least once a fortnight.  The suit isn't polyster and that's the trick.  It's a cotton and wool blend - warm in winter and allows me to breathe in summer.  Wool is a wonderful fabric for work clothes, it holds its shape really well and lasts a long time.

Again, I don't have a lot of stuff, but what I do have I adore and it all fits me really well.  If I "grow out" of things, they're out.  I always try to feel my best and most confident at work and ill fitting clothes don't help me feel that way.  I wear every piece at least once every 7-10 days.  Case in point - I only have one pair of black pumps - classic Sergio Rossi eek skin pointy heels. But I take good care of them - they see the shoe man once every 2-3 months for repairs!

Tweed!  Great look for work with a pretty blouse.  But make sure that it's at least a wool blend!  That's the big tip.

A black wool/cashmere cardigan.  If your office is like mine, it's FREEZING.  This little guy can be work under  jackets for added warmth or over things when it's a bit chilly.

Don't be afraid of details - ruffles, pussy bows, lace around the edges.. and remember, it doesn't have to be black!

I also love a bit of detail - pleats, zips.. a bit of personality

Printed shifts!  

Loose dresses that can be layered over t shirts and knits, but also be worn on the weekend tick all of my boxes.

Remember I said zips?

3/4 sleeves

More about basics - tees, knits, jersey - below...

If you buy a pair of shoes this coming season, make it a pair of ankle boots.  You can wear them to work, or on the weekend and they're less sexy than a pair of knee high boots for work.  They'll still keep your feet warm and protect you from the elements.

See, very subtle...

Military detailed coats... love!

Tied with my love of cocoon coats... There's till a good few months of cold weather left in Melbourne.

Now, basics... a tee, either long or short sleeve, be it cotton, jersey or wool is a God send.  You can layer it under items for extra warmth and save yourself the ironing or dry cleaning bill!  Straight in the wash.

Opaque tights hide a multitude of sins (including winter wary, white legs)...

All these items can be worn for seasons to come and can be mixed and matched rather easy.  If you have any further questions or consultation requests, get in touch with me.  Corporate wardrobes are my passion! 

all images via NAP due to ease of navigation through the site.. can do a "budget" post if you, my dear readers, wish!

US Vogue

Things I'm ordering for summer... WOODFORD & CO

I love the fact that I can preorder things and not worry about it.  Once it warms up a bit, things start trickling in the mail and I can avoid the cheaps and the nasties at the chain stores.

I think I have the foundations for summer, but I do want...

• some new gold flat sandals
• a new tan leather handbag - the other one has seen better days
• couple of new things to mix and match with existing things.

Here's some stuff I've just ordered that should arrive in September.  Woodford & Co is lovely and very reasonabily priced.

All items & images from WOODFORD & CO

I've had summer on my mind and with it considerations about what I will be wearing - I keep thinking stripes.

KJ by Kirrily Johnson Poncho dress - AUD319

Thanks B

Poor soul was going to pick the coat up for me last night, but didn't get there in time before Myer closed... so so sweet!  Thanks honeyyyyyyyyyyy, I feel really guilty though.

No rest for the wicked though.  My next unit has started and as you can see, there's a loooooooooooot of reading to do and lectures to listen to, even though I am tempted to sit on the couch instead and catch up on The City - have missed the whole season thus far!

Did I mention how fabulous my husband is?

Look what's sitting under my desk... Yes that's right, a grey Camilla & Marc trench coat.

Exam, farewell!

The post exam euphoria didn't last long. Having two days away from the desk job meant that I came back to World War III. My intended shopping trip didn't happen, I've had no time for myself what so ever. My desk is still covered with study notes, there's a pile of ironing threatening to envelop the apartment, there's a month of magazines and articles to catch up on, a fashion launch to attend this Sunday, all of your blogs to visit, a business breakfast to attend tomorrow morning and not to mention a paper due tomorrow which I was merciful granted a 7 day extension for last week, so no further extensions are possible! *gulp*

Last night I left all of that behind to attend the SATC2 premier. Parking was a nightmare, the kid at the candy bar overcharged me for my popcorn... (gosh I'm all complain complain complain today!).
The movie was cute, but a bit unnecessary. As I've kept saying, the stories were told and finished in the first film... this one didn't really have a plot and not much happened. And even the fashion wasn't ALL THAT GREAT! But I must say Cynthia looked fabulous and I dare say hers was the best dressed character in the film! And I do agree with the reviews, it was a bit politically and culturally insensitive.

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So it's a dreary day in Melbourne today. It was cold and foggy and pitch black at 7.30am! And how do I break a 6 week fashion fast? By ordered two summer pieces from J Crew!

One of my favourite wardrobe items are denim cut off shorts.  But I barely wear jeans.  I own only ONE pair, which is worn only very, very rarely.

Cut off jeans however, are fabulous in summer as they can be dressed up or down. My favourite pair were old jeans that I cut off into a perfect pair of shorts, but the jeans and shorts have had a life span of 8 years and last year they split at the crotch which left me denim-shorts-less for the summer. And I could not find a pair to replace them despite my efforts of looking everywhere!

So I bought myself a pair from J Crew - lovely wash, a good length so they can be worn long or cuffed really short.. and I threw in a lovely ruffled white shirt to go with it. Shame summer's about 6 months away..

Now to get some time to go to the shops and buy a few new things for winter!
 
 
 

The Corporate Wardrobe

Putting together the perfect corporate wardrobe would have to be one of the biggest fashion challenges.  There is so much ill fitting, poor quality stuff out there that you'd be paying hundreds of dollars for.  It's also very difficult to find the right balance between looking good and being taken seriously for your merit.  It's often a catch 22.   I love blogging and I love visiting blogs, but sometimes I am blown away by girls who can post a different outfit every day. I couldn't imagine owning so many things.  I don't have a lot but I love it all - I make sure that everything fits perfectly and I wear it all the time - in particular the corporate wardrobe - most things are worn a few times a month at the very least.  The key to ensuring that I do not get sick of things quickly is to buy things that are very me style wise, that are well made and well cut and that go with a lot of other items in my wardrobe.  The experimenting and fashion I leave for play time.

Here's my pick of essential corporate staples.

I'd love to know what your corporate wardrobe staples are too

Pretty, floaty tops in neutral colours.  These can be worked back with skirts, trousers or even jeans for casual wear.

Black pencil suits with detail - zips, buttons, belts.  I love unexpected details in really feminine pieces.

A trench coat!  I love belted coats that are roomy enough to layer over a whole outfit.  I feel the cold quickly and I love having a nice coat to keep me warm.

Printed blouses... nice to layer under good basics.

Shift dresses.  Nothing beats an easy dress to throw on in the morning when you're not sure what to wear!  I love the sleeves on this one - can get away wearing it without a jacket.. with a skinny waist belt or some dainty beads

A roomy black bag.  I carry my life in my bag - diary, notebook, files, a book to read on the tram.. my lunch.  You name it, it has to fit in my bag.

Dainty jewellery.  I'm not a fan of big, chunky statement pieces for the office.  I don't want my necklace or chandelier earrings distracting from what I'm saying in a meeting.

Wrap dresses - serve a similar purpose to the shift dress.  They work on their own.

Black pumps with a mid (8/9cm) heel.  I think shoes often make an outfit.  Get them "serviced" regularly.. the tips changed, a clean and polish.  It's unimpressive to see a man or woman walk into a room, with dirty, scuffed shoes with holes on the sole and the tip hanging off the heel.

I love this look - I like the cropped sleeves which give the blouse more focus and the details on the jacket with the big buttons.

Another great outfit with the ruffle detail detail and great fitting skirt.  

My biggest pleasure when taking people out for personal shopping is doing their corporate wardrobe and being update with a list of compliments they've received on their looks.

all images from NAP.