 I've struggled a bit with the sweater dress trend for this season - so as not to look like a cheerleader with children - and I've finally relaxed a bit with this style. I've been wearing the Stella McCartney for Target sweater dress - lovely shape but not an investment piece - with skinny jeans or leggings and ballet flats. I also have a pair of black trousers which must be 10 years old, tapered and very flattering, which work well too. The trick seems to be - if you are over 25 - to make sure the pants you layer these dresses with have a very sleek and tailored silhouette, otherwise you end up looking like kids at the athletics carnivals, all bulky layers of skirts, sweats and jackets. Also, you don't necessarily need a belt, the long line sweater looks fine with just a scarf or jacket. Jeans tucked into boots with this look is great too, as long as the jeans are well fitted into the boots. My latest find in this trend - with just a bit more 'trend" as opposed to classic - is from Tightrope ... a synthetic knit with long bell sleeves and roll neck, fitted to just below the bust and only slightly A-line. In black, this top is great with aforementioned accessories and is only $24.95. Great trend buy! If you really like this look Witchery have similar knits for $99, as well as cable knit sweater dresses and bell-sleeved cardis. (NB: Some of these shapes are getting a bit too smock-like for me - gathered under the yolk - but if you work with the leggings/boots idea, it IS a groovy look - at least for a fashion moment!)
 For two days only (Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 June) Cue are offering Cue Club Members a further 30% off already marked down prices of 30 - 50% off. To become a Cue Club Member, just join online at Cue. You should get a confirmation email straight away, print it off and take it with you to your nearest Cue store. Almost all current season stock is on sale, so don't miss out on this opportunity to glam up your wardrobe just that little bit more.
 Now that it's actually cold, I'm looking around for some budget fashion 'treats" to zoosh up my coat/jeans/cardi ensemble ... some years we don't seem to get very wintry in Sydney, but this year has turned up a decent cold snap (fashionistas need variety) ... so I'm looking at gloves, scarves, caps and berets. Try out the department stores, Myer and David Jones for accessories ranging from about $25 a piece. Discount stores (aka the $2 dollar shop!) often have cheap and cheerful beanies, scarves and mittens. Sportsgirl have a great selection of scarves ... or go investment and check out gorgeous leather gloves in Alannah Hill starting at $60. Often - I'm never quite sure why - local pharmacies will carry an excellent budget selection of scarves, berets, etc so keep your eyes open.
 Witchery have a great sale on instore and in almost all online categories. Just select SALE and check out some great reductions. Some of my favourites which are sure to take you through to Spring and beyond are the Cable Dress, the Pocket Flap Tote, and the Marilyn Contrast Ballet Shoe.
 I've just been to Tokyo ... a whirlwind visit which has been enough to whet the appetite for more. It's a very sophisticated and buzzy sort of place, but folks - the fashion! It definitely stands out. In the main shopping arenas and CBD these very chic locals, men and women, are out in force. (See Tokyo Street Style for some great pictures.) It's spring and very warm so I saw lots of layers, bold 70's style prints, smock dresses layered over jeans and leggings, spots and floral, huge glasses, some metallic accessories but more white, cream and tan colours. Huge bags, often draped or pleated pieces. Very groovy, but also very stylish. Sizing is an issue for us huge westerners so some stores don't work, but I did find the chain store Zara which is an excellent budget option. Zara is a Spanish label and there are many stores in Europe. It has a mix of useful basics and very strong trend items, eg. gorgeous printed chiffon tops, strappy singlets, sundresses, leather bags and shoes, more formal jackets and jeans ... fantastic and more affordable than say Burberry or Prada! Gap clothing is also available in Tokyo which is a great store for more classic pieces: capri pants, white ruffled shirts, canvas and denim accessories, summer slides and ballet flats. This is just the tip of the fashion iceberg ... I came home with a black shirtdress, tan coloured capris, tan and rope flat slides, white shirt and T-shirt ... and had to restrain myself with bags (or my husband did)!
 On a winters day, there's nothing better than a warm pair of boots to keep your feet dry and snug. Of course, dress booties have made a big statement this year, looking gorgeous with opaques and skirts, as well as under pants. We looked at those in an earlier post called; Tights: Don't Leave Home Without Them. However for something less dressy, I'm finding that a longer boot, mid calf or knee high, is more functional and warm. They look great teamed with tucked-in skinny pants or over opaques and a short hemline. There are some great boots around this year, either in a high heel or flat. Take a look at some of the great options available:  For my current at home lifestyle, the casual flat boot is best. I like the slouch boot which can be turned up and pulled toward the knee or folded down and scrunched to mid-calf length. After seeing Icy's post, Shopping Report at Individual Chic, I found a great pair on sale at K-Mart for just $27 (like those pictured at right). They're warm and dry and look very now! Thanks Icy!
 Starting tomorrow (Thursday, 7th June) Cue Clothing will have a 30-50% off sale on almost all of their winter stock, except for shirting. Stock that was already reduced is being reduced further. There is also special stock brought in especially for the sale, with none of it over $200. Make sure you pop in early, either to a Cue store or to Myer to take a look.
I have recently attended a wedding. So of course I had to get a dress, and shoes and a wrap, because it's cold in the sunshine when you are standing about admiring the view across the lawns ... and I confess, I didn't do budget precisely - but it depends ON your budget, so I was impressed with the end result, especially after trying on luscious dresses at Lisa Ho which started at $800!  You can spend huge amounts on evening or party dresses and of course this choice is also defined by how formal your event is. However, I want to rave about Alannah Hill, where I got said frock and matching gorgeous tights. I also purchased Pierre Fontaine peep toe heels which came in at round $60 and a pashmina wrap to finish it off. All these gorgeous items came in under $500. So what I'm wanting to tell is that for a modest budget you too can look red carpet! Alannah Hill has these gorgeous frocks - that word seems very appropriate - with exotic prints, colours and fabrics, very feminine and very festive. I would normally be a tad overwhelmed by all that colour and excitement but as an event outfit they are perfect. My friend, attending two very formal weddings this winter is very thrilled with her purchase of a dress (matching fishnet tights are ideal to add a bit more pizzazz) and will be adding a cropped jacket/fur wrap from the range too. These dresses are timeless in that Alannah Hill has a strong signature style ... not defined by seasonal trends so you have a great investment piece, for when those invites come in. The stores also carry bags, gloves, scarves, tights and stockings, hairpins and accessories, shoes and jewellery. I would recommend a visit to one of her stores though, as the website is great but more like a magazine editorial, so harder to work out what's what.
|
|
|
