Today's mX Threads

In case you missed today's mX Threads, Vanessa Santer had some interesting fashion links.

Borrow expensive fashion accessories from Love me and Leave me.

Check out the "latest range of pretty, structured dresses" from Cue Clothing Co.

See the Manning Cartell collection, a new fashion label from three Queensland sisters.

Finally, they interviewed Virginia Ford of Wendy Ford Jewellery, who has some great custom jewellery.

The Classic Dresser

I have a vision of a wardrobe full of beautiful suits and separates that can be mixed together at a moments notice. This is the secret of the invesment dresser - classic garments that are worth their price and will signify long-term quality and style.

This sort of wardrobe - apart from being my personal favourite - is timeless. It can't be denied that high-quality, well-made basics are classic pieces which hold everything together. For the working woman, choosing the right items will ensure you won't have to replace them every season.

The aim is to have a collection of quality basics, say in a light wool fabric, and in a single colour like black or navy. These can be mixed with a fashionable signature piece which accents a colour, a print or a style. For example; an animal or pucci-style printed scarf can glam-up a simple black camisole under a jacket.

A tailored pair of wide-leg pants or slim pencil skirt, a cropped jacket, a simple dress or a trench coat, are some of the most versatile pieces in the wardrobe and will take you through the Australian summer and winter and the seasons in-between. Cream or white suits are very smart too and usually look best in a long, lean look, but these usually require some major up-keep.

We really like the crisp white fitted shirt, a good suit (perhaps in a pinstripe or tweed look fabric) and solid leather accessories such as belts, shoes and bags. You may build this wardrobe up over a few years; checking out sales and factory outlets. Keep in mind these garments have a more classic cut eg. not exaggerated lapels, trims or colours.

It is also important that the cut of the garmet flatters the wearer as much as possible. If you have tried a particular label, say David Lawrence or Carla Zampatti (which have some gorgeous pieces this season) and the clothes always fit well and look good on you individually, then keep going back to that label to build your wardrobe basics. You can't go wrong!

For this year, you might want a platform shoe with your tailored skirt and some wooden or amber-look beads with a white fitted shirt. When some inspiration is needed, most magazines are now offering editorials which combine great high quality suits or separates with low-end pieces to give you that fashionable edge.

This is a good way to satsify any cravings for the latest trend, and even if you choose to spend the absolute minimum on those items, when they're teamed with one or more of your wardrobe classics, you will end up looking a million dollars!

Welcome mX readers

A big welcome to all the mX readers visiting Fashion on a Shoestring for the first time, we hope you enjoy the blog. If you have a budget fashion question, or even just want some style tips, feel free to leave a comment on this post.

This is a collaborative effort between friends Kimberly and Chrissy. Having worked in Sydney's CBD and North Sydney for many years, we know how hard it is for the fashion-lover to resist the urge to shop during every lunch-break. We're hoping that our blog will help you find ways to look fashionable on a budget, so you can achieve your other financial dreams.

It's also a fun way to get a "fashion fix" without leaving your desk!

Its a Cover-up: Beach Style

I am on a new mission - the beach cover-up look. In all honesty, with three very young children, I am not exactly at the beach on a regular basis, but we are going to be at least poolside ... and its good to feel you have just the right amount of exposure!

Before children you could arrange yourself in all the right positions and stay there without interruption, as well as taking along lots of tiny bits of clothing to match your bikini. Now I'm not saying that it is impossible with kids to feel good, but they're a lot more active, and you have a lot less time for yourself! I've noticed I'm not 100% comfortable roaming the beach/pool in just the cossie - for a number of reasons, not the least being a child pulling too hard on my top ... so I'm looking at a few options.

Kaftan top or Mini dress: Especially in low-end stores like Supre. There are a great selection of cute dresses which work well for the beach (or dinner afterwards with capris or jeans and flats).
Shirts: The long-sleeved voile, muslin or cheesecloth shirt which comes thigh length and this year, may have a drawstring on the hip. These fabrics are often a bit sheer and lighter than cotton. This style works well on narrow hips, or over some drawstring pants in a similar fabric.
Shorts: If you're confident showing a bit of leg, shorts are a fantastic option. Alternately, longer shorts are great too. Ben Sherman and Jeans West have some great possibilities.
Sarongs: We love sarongs! They are very versatile and come in a huge variety of prints and colours.
Pants: Drawstring sheer fabric pants either full-length or 3/4 are great too as they can be worn off the beach. If you have longer legs 3/4 pants look good, but an ankle length pair is best if you are shorter.
Denim Mini: If you feel a bit overexposed at the shopping mall, the beach or pool is where the denim mini is a great option. This summer there a variety of lengths and styles to choose from and the effect is very cool - literally- and a little bit funky especially if worn with bright coloured tank or even a kaftan style long sleeved top.

Big hats, big glasses and big beach baskets are de riguer!

Just a thought- if your swimming costume is a printed design go for a solid colour skirt or top- ie don't mix prints. Of course if your cossie is for eg brown, then you can choose some great prints.
From upmarket to budget the following stores will provide you with some great finds.

David Jones has a wide range of various cotton shirts and sarongs, as well as beach bags.

General Pants have mini skirts and currently a very fun tote bag with skull and cross bones prints and cane handles.

Witchery have great long sleeved cotton shirts with V-neck in orange white or blue.

Target have great 3/4 sleeved cotton shirts to mid-thigh, drawstring mini dresses and some very groovy designs in the Hot Options brand.

Scoop: Payless Shoes Goes Wild!

While we're on the "Animal Print" theme (see previous post), Payless Shoes have sent us some great photos of their upcoming new season's styles.

These are just some of the new shoes due in selected Payless stores next month (December).

The canvas flats will retail for $29.95 and would look great with casual separates in a solid colour like black, coral or denim.

The high heel platform pumps (which also come in zebra print) will retail for $49.95. These are fantastic! They can accessorise your pencil skirt and short fitted jacket for work, or complement straight leg jeans and a bright coloured top. Sussan have some lovely shell tops and empire-style plain t-shirts which are worth looking out for.

Animal prints can really give your wardrobe an edge. We just suggest you don't try and mix the print with other patterns or carry the same print as a theme in any of the clothes in your outfit. However, an accessory like a bangle or scarf with the same print could work well. Also, don't be afraid to wear them as a "stand-alone" piece in your outfit with, for example, a black tote with gold trim.

If you're planning to check-out the Payless Shoes range, don't forget the $5.00 discout voucher you can obtain from their website.

Payless also advised us that they are currently in the process of developing an online store for their site and are planning to illustrate their fashion range online soon too.

The Perfect Budget Handbag

Finding a well-made, budget-priced handbag, which still manages to be fashionable and stylish, can be challenging.

In a world where the look, feel and aroma of real leather (like coffee) can often be irresistible for a seasoned shopper, non-leather accessories are all but overlooked. However, Rosetti handbags are sure to satisfy the senses. They are styled in the latest contemporary materials and colours, they feel good to hold, and they usually have extra inclusions such as a cometic case, glasses case or wallet.

During the winter past, I found a lovely chocolate brown Rosetti satchel-style bag with front pockets, which came with a matching wallet. It was a fantastic buy - on sale at a mere $15.95(!) It was perfect for the season, except that the strap was a little too long, so off I went to the shoe repairer to shorten the strap so the bag sat snuggly in place under my arm.

Just last week, I searched for a tan tote bag that would suit my summer wardrobe, and again found a great Rosetti buy which fits all my requirements. At $35.00 this is one of the loveliest slouchy tote-style shoulder bags I've seen in its league. It includes a cosmetic case and glasses case and has well placed pockets to house the car keys, garage door remote control and mobile phone.

I'm delighted that it is so practical as well as stylish. Just today I teamed it with; wide-leg full-length black pants, a short crisp white jacket, leopard print scarf in tan and brown tones (tied around the waist as a belt), brown platform sandals and a chunky brown/amber coloured resin bangle (I love putting things together for the first time and having them come together perfectly).

Rosetti handbags are an American brand, exclusive to Strandbags Australia. Unfortunately Rosetti don't have their own website, however you can view some of their bags at the Strandbags website or call into one of their stores to see the full range on offer.

NB: Online photos of the Rosetti bags I bought are not available at the moment. However, these photos give an indication of the colour and style as described above.

Getting to Know your Favourite Store

With very little time to shop, it is very important for me to get the latest looks, without spending hours at shopping centres or driving to great lengths across town, to do so. I find that doing my research at home first, is the best way to start.

These days, I get inspiration from magazines or the internet, and I find that I'm useing the internet and the telephone a lot more in the decision-making and purchasing stages.

It's important to find out all you can about your favourite stores, as the modern-day fashion store is so much more than just the shopfront. There's online shopping, catalogues, special calendar events, private sales, loyalty programs, clearance outlets, telephone purchasing, discount vouchers, newletters and special offers.

Traditionally these have only been offered by large department stores, but now smaller chain stores and individual retailers are jumping on the bandwagon.

For example, a simple call to my favourite Veronika Mayne store provided me with some valuable information. I found out that they receive new items weekly, not just a big delivery of stock at the beginning of each season, and that they usually always have some reductions on items. Some Veronika Mayne garments are cleared at reduced prices through Cue Clearance at Direct Factory Outlets (DFO) in Homebush and Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre. So next time I'm looking for a nice Veronika Mayne piece, I'll start at those DFO stores - but I also know that new items will come into my local Veronika Mayne store regularly, so it needs to be on my 'regular visit' list too.

This sort of information is usually not advertised, so it's necessary to do some investigative research. You will find the cost in time and money minimal, but the savings you'll make are well worth the effort.