love....

Do you find clothes or do they find you?

As mentioned, I've been searching for a coat for winter (which is already upon me). I thought I knew what I wanted, I thought I found it, and when it came to the crunch I could not do it. I couldnt pay for it, I couldnt take it, I couldnt go through with it. Searching for all that time, finding what I thought I wanted, and realising that I just didnt love it enough. The problem was that I could leave it behind.

I want more out of my purchases than that. I want to be scared to leave the shop in case someone else with more readily available funds swoops in straight after me. I have to run back to places after worriedly trying to make up my mind and then deciding I cant live without it. I want to LOVE things so much I HAVE to have them.

And so it goes that when you stop looking, you find beautiful perfect things! Like a lovely ivory coat half price and an awesome biker clutch bag also on sale. A black sequin cardigan and a hoodie covered in gold stars!

I believe that aside from the basics (including skivvies in good colours, any idea where they live?) you come across clothes by accident and thats the best way to buy. You can still avoid the impulse purchase, and sometimes you may not really NEED the awesome items, but they are the most fun, and the most likely to be worn.

And this brings me to my next point, which is slightly contradicting, BUT. Do you have a wardrobe half full of things you never wear? A maxi dress in an insane print that you cant wear cos its just a gaudy tent? A fifties frock that is gorgeous but you cant move your arms in it?

If you're anything like me you'll spend time staring at all this stuff, not quite game enough to try it on cos its slightly depressing, but wishing you had occasion (read balls) to wear them.

This is the tough question: If you cut the length off, the sleeves off or adjust the waistband, will it ruin the item or make it wearable?

If its a vintage couture special one-off item then maybe dont muck with it too much, but if you bought it at Retrostar and have never worn it GET YOUR SCISSORS. Why not? You'll never feel comfortable in it otherwise, and if you go carefully and slowly it might become your new favourite outfit. Best part is, its FREE!

If it makes you feel dowdy, try adjusting the hem to a length that suits you.

If its a little tight across the bust/arms, take the sleeves off.

See if you can take out darts to make things looser, or put them in to give more shape.

Put press studs in rows of buttons that gape open.

Use cut offs to make belts, or bags, or headbands.

Try stuff- see if you can pin it in place first to suss the viability of your plan, but dont be afraid to do it! I have officially 3 new dresses in the last few days when I was always too afraid to adjust them. I've worn two of them already.

Dear Future Husband

Please get me a Diorette when you propose- I'll even pay for it

Love me xxx

SPOILER WARNING

Yes, this post will contain spoilers, but I assume (or hope, at least) that if you read this blog, you have already seen the Sex and the City Movie. Come on, its been out for like, 5 whole days by now...

I wanted this movie to be a massive wardrobal inspiration for me, and it totally was, except I liked it so much i've forgotten most of the outfits. What I do remember is HATS (didnt I tell you??!) hooray, and also that when I got home that night I couldnt sleep because all I could think was "why on earth would I be afraid to NOT wear anything? As long as it has a sense of humour any outfit is cool".

I also liked the belts, and shoes, but i feel too much attention was paid to the Dior shoes where perhaps there could have been others. I also am not 100% convinced about Carries apartment makeover. I realise its mean to symbolise it being a grown-up apartment, but she hasnt changed at all! Look at how she ran back to Big after he thrashed her yet again by "not being able to get out of the car". I liked her old apartment. I also liked that after the failed wedding, and after she kind of recovered a little bit, it looked for a while there that she might actually stay single, and that Miranda might too and Samantha as well, and that would be, like, OK. But no, in the end Carrie went back to Big AGAIN, and forgave (or forgot) AGAIN, and had a predicable happy ending. The show was so good because it showed that women could actually be happy single and that was not something to be ashamed of, and I think the movie sold out here a little.

Other than that, I want want want print dresses, and good hair, and STUFF. I know its anti-eco and all that to want useless stuff but let me clarify by saying i dont want just ANY useless stuff i want clothes. Vintage, new, classic, outrageous, el cheapo, le expensive, all of the above. For the sheer point of having choice. And a myriad of options.

At the same time, I cant quite bring myself to spend any money at the moment. Part of me desperately wants to let go and consume, the other half is frantically trying to think of ways to save and grow and accumulate more money for potential lengthy overseas trips. I am so torn. Do I spend $250 on a trench coat that suits me and fits me and is kind of the shape i want, or do i continue with what I've got and keep my 250? Do I use my tax return (providing i get one) to buy a new laptop, or do i keep my tax return and use my bf's computer (slightly inconvenient, but free)? I just dont knowwwwwwww.

Luckily, the first eligible piece i found to buy was a metallic gold wonder woman belt which miraculously fits me (fat me?), closely followed by a tan leather wide belt for the grand total of FIVE sequins. If you walk out of your house tomorrow and theres a trash and treasure at the end of your street, dont discount it- you WILL find something awesome there, I promise.

I'm off now to put everything i dont wear on ebay again, and also to read interviews with Keith Richards, who combined with Carrie Bradshaw (predictable yes, but you know you want every single one of her outfits too) continues to be my style inspiration.

Stuff that I like...

Mmm I was at the op shop yesterday and I spent a total of $15! I bought a vintage blouse, a lollypop pink cardigan with pearl buttons, a bow ring and this ornament thing for my room. All very exciting things! Did Zoe and I tell you about our new op shop rule? We decided it was only worth spending under $10 on something crappy or actually invest in something decent. Let me say there have been no really decent things yet but it has definitely curbed the crap impulse buying.

Here are some things that I've seen and liked recently...

I love the colour and contrast of this jacket

ok and I have probably posted this one before?? but again with the recent Trinny and Susanna goodness- I realise that Scarlett's dress would be perfect for my apple shape to wear to a wedding coming up! maybe a bit booby tho... (please just ignore her hair and Natalie Portman altogether)

and these girls- I love their casual colour and how comfortable they look. And the hat! Why do I never remember to wear my hat?? Its all in the details don't you think?

and the contrast here between the tights and sandals is so good- and again the general colours and comfortableness of it all. Just goes to show you can dress with comfort and style on days off!

p.s check out the SATC movie premiere party pics here courtesy of our favourite style.com

Style Transformation

Massive lack of posting lately is due to a) new job overload, b) death of laptop and c) because of a and b, complete lack of things to write about.

I have experienced a period of Not Wanting to Buy Anything. This was great cos I wore more of the clothes i already own, had money left over each week before my next pay, and didnt waste my time slogging round the shops moaning about how theres nothing to buy. (well, i did moan about that a little bit, i'll be honest)

But now I've come out the other side into a new phase- Reinventing My Look. New job, new look, and I have already worn more interesting, exciting and "me" things in 4 weeks at the new job than I had in 4.5 years at the old job. And i may be getting a bit up-myself here, but i feel these days more like I dont care what anyone else thinks, and that me feeling disappointed at the end of the day that I didnt wear the dressier option and instead wore jeans is more important than worrying if anyone is talking about me. Big. Deal.

Problem now is, where do I go from here? I have enlisted a stack of magazines, 2 quality fashiony friends, and sex and the city to help me out. (PS cant WAIT for the movie and it had better inspire me hardcore, I tell you what!)

heres what I have so far:

I love this ad so, so much.... the headband, the pearls, the eyeliner, its so cool.


This is a detail of a full outfit from the sartorialist, but for me this tiny section is enough. the black tights, the gold band on the dress, its so relaxed and yet fabulous...

This I like for the chic simplicity (also from sartorialist- see our links list). And I think i want a blanket-scarf- so warm!
This combination of her gorgeous hair (this is from Facehunter- see links) and her Chanel-esque dress, the black and white, the pretty flowers, its simple but fierce and lovely.

And finally, Emmanuelle Alt (both these are from sartorialist). Cool, this woman is just cool. Very rock, very french vogue, very right, all the time. If I could transplant those exact 2 outfits I would be happy.....

Where to from here? I think these pictures suggest i am moving into a harder style, as opposed to comfy jeans and tshirts, etc, but also a more refined style. I am not one for boho, or 70s (except 70s jeans) or hippie styles, they just make me look frumpy, silly, and a bit podgy. I am also not one for flowy, frilly, overly girly styles. After watching Trinny and Susannah and studying their books at borders lol, I come to the conclusion I am either a Skittle or an Hourglass. Leaning more towards Hourglass cos I have pretty broad shoulders. Maudrey and I agreed that while T & S's rules on dressing for your shape are definitely something to keep in mind (ie, skivvies really DO look ridiculously bad on me precisely because of said broad shoulders, large bosom and relatively short neck) it is possible to dress for your shape, while still following your own trends and always trying things that may NOT work just in case you have struck upon a miraculous cut of something and in fact you look amazing. Therefore, I am going to have a scrapbook-brainstorm now and write some lists of Things I Like, Dont Like, Look Good In, Look Silly In, Hate, and Love.

And tomorrow I will pop up to Mecca for some red lip gloss. This is going to help the transformation, I can just tell.

If any dear readers can see some trends emerging from the pictures i put up, or any glaringly obvious items I should own, please speak up! I often cant see the wood for the trees.
xx

Logies II

I could go on for hours about the Logies fashion, but I wont, I will just say I quite liked Kate Richies dress, although it pains me to admit it; I quite liked Natalie Bassingthwaites dress; I hated most of the others, and I absolutely LOVE this:


About time a man tried something a little interesting/fabulous! I wish they bothered more often. I think a lot of the girls last night could have learnt from Rhys too- you're allowed to be as fashion-y as you want, you dont always have to play it safe!

Logies- hit or miss?

I love Australia and I think we have great fashion- where was it last night at the logies though?

(For our non aussie readers- the logies are an annual tv awards show)

I really couldn't see anyone who's dress I envied or who's machismo was heightened by a hot suit. I don't want to sound incredibly harsh but I was really disappointed! I thought that most of the dresses looked like they were some thing I would have loved to wear to my formal back in 2001! There we some that weren't too bad but nothing amazingly inspiring.

Here's a recap...