Trench Transition

Despite being well into September, we are only just beginning to receive indications that Spring is on its way. And although I would love nothing more than to ditch my heavy coats, we still have some coat-wearing time ahead. The good news is that I have the perfect spring coat to help me on my way to warm weather, which comes in the form of a trench coat. Light in both colour and material, there is no way that I could have worn this in winter but happily the seasons do eventually change – and this is the perfect in-between coat.

I love pairing this stone colour with burgundy, because makes the coat stand out and the dark shade allows me to incorporate some black accessories, when typically I would opt for brown or red accessories. Of course I’m wearing another Witchery knitted dress, because I tried wearing my jeans all day and bitterly regretted it. Wardrobe choices can be pretty darn limiting when a simple pair of jeans can’t be an option. It’s actually ridiculous how crucial jeans are, and you don’t realise until they’re nastily snatched out of your life. I can’t wait until I get these screws in my hip removed, because I am about to claw them out myself.

The outfit tied in well with this Mimco necklace that my cute older sister bought me for my birthday. Put it all together with a black corset belt and backpack, and you have a pretty well-coordinated outfit. And talking about corset belts, I am contemplating purchasing a white denim one although I can’t think of what to wear it with, and it’s NEVER a good idea to buy an accessory that doesn’t work with any of your clothes (unless you really love it). It forces you to buy things that will work around it, which is an issue if you already struggle with being financially reduced by fashion.

Dress: Witchery

Belt: White Closet

Trench: Witchery

Shoes: from Italy

Backpack: Cotton On 

Jewellery: Mimco 

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Finale of the Races

So, I should have done this blog post a couple weeks ago but exams/sickness got in the way. And even though the races have long gone and people are shifting their sights to the holidays, I’m going to talk about it anyway.

I went to the final day of the Melbourne spring racing carnival wearing an outfit that incorporates something old and something new. This particular day did not require a specific theme a part from being described as ‘family day’, so I decided to go with a navy look. By basing the outfit around my mum’s classic races hat, I found my navy cullottes and Witchery gilet and had practically sorted my outfit. Like my outfit for Derby Day, I attempted to only wear things that I already own, and almost succeeded if it wasn’t for the navy crop top I needed. I count it as a success anyway. The nude court shoes and navy purse (thanks Mum, again!) polished the look.

I went for something appropriate and sophisticated; something that embodies my perfect races style. Needless to say, I felt like I looked a little too mature, as this day is notorious for the younger crowd coming out and flaunting bare legs and stilettos. As I said in my previous post: we are not heading out to the clubs. But I suppose they probably are afterwards, so who am I to judge?

 

Gilet: Witchery

Pants: the Fifth

Bag: Vintage

Top: Kookai

Shoes: Human Premium

Hat: Vintage

Hope everyone’s having a wonderful week so far! x

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Trends of the Summer

Summer has officially ended for us southern hemisphere-ers, so it’s a better time than never to reflect on some of the most noticeable trends of the warm season. This was inspired by the spring/summer 2016 international runways, some serious street-style stalking and painfully careful observations.

Middle-aged Dad sandals

Okay so that’s not exactly the name for them, but I couldn’t find the name for flat sandals with wide straps and a platform which were initially designed for Dads who prefer comfort over appearance. Now these beauties have a more superior standing in the fashion world and are considered the staple sandal for the season with the bonus comfort factor included. Chanel has even approved the notorious socks and sandals duo, complete with illuminating lights to ensure that these bad boys do not go unnoticed.

tommy hilfiger, burberry prorsum, chanel
Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry Prorsum, Chanel
Round Toe Sneakers

If there is ever a sneaker to wear with skirts and dresses, it’s this one. Comfort continues to be an overriding feature of shoes this season, and also the simplicity of the plain white enables the shoes to match practically any casual outfit. Just avoid wearing socks with these ones, as the ankles are meant to be visible and socks would add an unwanted schoolgirl element to it.

Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Joseph
Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Joseph
Super Baggy Pants

Long, wide-leg pants appear to be popular for spring/summer 2016. Hopefully they will prove to be more popular than flared pants, because these pants, although resembling trackies, are far more chic and cosy. Match with a fitted turtleneck and round toe sneakers for a perfect day-time look.

missoni, tod's, ralph lauren
Missoni, Tod’s, Ralph Lauren
Chokers

These violently-named accessories have made a spectacular comeback since the 90’s and have been reinvented through all sorts of styles and diverse fabrics. Throw on a choker to enhance a V-neck top or jacket, tubes tops and over-the-shoulder tops.

Etro, Versace, Dior
Etro, Versace, Dior
Lingerie-style Clothing

Louis Vuitton’s fall/winter 2013 collection introduced the idea of day lingerie, and I experienced mixed emotions about it. Lingerie is beautiful, feminine and sexy and I just didn’t believe that it had a place in casual day wear. Despite my reservations, the trend has persisted and was a popular style for Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Chloé, Givenchy and Celine just to name a few.

Chloe, Givenchy, Celine
Chloe, Givenchy, Celine
Lace up Shoes

Lace-up sandals and heels were a highlight of the spring/summer collection and were purchased by essentially every girl I know. Chloe and Valentino employed similar styles when opting for the lace-up shoes, going for wedges that were infused with the 90’s factor. But whether you choose stilettos, wedges or flats, lace-up is the way to go.

balmain, chloe, valentino
Balmain, Chloe, Valentino
Metallic Silver

Hints of metallic silver ran rampant on the runways and were displayed through bags, shoes, dresses and jackets. If you have been following my blog then you would recall my affinity with metallic silver and my persistent need to add a bit of silver to every outfit I wear. And this is because it automatically adds some shine and a futuristic element to an outfit. Metallic silver shoes have been a particular standout this season, particularly in sneaker-form and flat sandals.

dior, givenchy
Dior, Givenchy, Milan Fashion Week
Snakeskin Print

Alongside the metallic silver trend there is snakeskin; arguably one of the less tacky prints in the fashion kingdom. Snakeskin-printed bags have been around for long enough, however this season could not get enough of the reptilian print as exemplified by Fendi’s snakeskin jacket, and Louis Vuitton’s stunning snakeskin heels. It is an edgy addition to any outfit that is reserved for those who want to bring their outfit to the next level.

Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada
Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada
Fringe

Fringed garments have remained a favourite on the runways for a while now and it does not look as though it’s planning to slow down anytime soon. It was a favourite on suede clothes in autumn/winter 2015 in light of the bohemian trend, however the sky’s the limit as designers have shown with inspiration drawn from western, tribal, flappers and bohemian perspectives. Think Cate Blanchett at this year’s Golden Globe awards in Givenchy: fringe is daring, fabulous and incredibly flouncy.

Dion Lee, Prabal Gurung, Givenchy
Dion Lee, Prabal Gurung, Givenchy
So, those are my picks for some of the top trends that spring/summer ’16 had to offer! If there are any that I missed, please comment below!

Follow me here on my blog and on Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog for more fashion trends and my personal style. x

Baby Blue

On my recent travels to the U.S, I found this lovely light blue/grey coat in Zara. It was so different (and on sale!) that I had to buy it, and although it’s not very warm, it is gorgeous to look at. Due to the black-stemmed-flower prints scattered on the coat, I wore it with a cropped, black turtleneck top and a black faux leather skirt. It resulted in a slight 60s/90s mod theme with a kimono-style coat!

Although I often have my hesitations about leather skirts, they are never trashy when matched with a turtleneck (while maintaining the same colour scheme). The combination is sexy but never cheap, as confirmed by style queen Miss Alexa Chung wearing Versus:

vogue.com

Coat: Zara

Top: Asos

Skirt: Topshop

Shoes: Asos

Bag: Zara

Belt: ?

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70’s Flare

I imagined that flared sleeves would take a while to get used to, because for me, they are associated with daggy 70’s discos that I am sure my father would have attended back in his heyday. But I saw this Abercrombie and Fitch dress and I was converted, because who does not eventually roll around to the idea of daggy dancing in a beautifully bohemian-patterned short dress with voluminous sleeves?

I matched the dress with hexagonal Chloé sunglasses, an engraved bag my sister bought me from her Europe trip, and some clogs to keep the boho-chic vibes going.

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Look at them magnificently flutter in the wind.

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Dress: Abercrombie and Fitch

Shoes: Rubi 

Sunglasses: Chloé 

Bag: ?

Jacket: Zara (See previous post Retro-suede)

SO will you be parading flared sleeves this season?

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Culottes Shallots

Culottes are possibly one of the most comfortable garments created specifically for women that does not undermine their physical abilities. They are so comfortable, yet stylish, and I have worn them out to the shops and also to the clubs. It is a garment for any occasion as demonstrated by some lovely women below:

eonline.com
eonline.com

So whether they be high-waisted or resting on your hips, culottes can be worn with any styles of shirts, jumpers and tops similarly to the flexibility of jeans, and if you are feeling a bit unusual, shirts can even be worn over the culottes for a loose/relaxed look. Personally, I am a fan of anything which accentuates the waist and hips, so high-waisted culottes with a tucked-in shirt or top tends to always appear chic and complimenting.

On a wonderfully sunny Melbourne day, I decided to show off my black culottes which were referred to by the shop assistant as ‘shallots’. He thought he was cracking a funny.

Culottes: Luvalot

Top: Blossom

Shoes: Asos

Sunglasses: Chloe

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A Bohemian Smock

I love the bohemian look; it’s relaxed and feminine and goes well with my unruly hair. It was formerly adopted by those who live the unconventional, artistic life who didn’t hold much consideration towards fashion and allowed their free-spiritedness to be articulated through the loose-fitting patterned rags they’d put on their back. How ironic considering it has become a fashion phenomenon that a million girls are attempting to mimic. It has evolved from being regarded as ‘gypsy-like’ to ‘hippie’ and more recently to the 21st century label of ‘boho-chic’.

v hudge
cosmopolitan.com

Vanessa Hudgens pulls the look off remarkably well as she stands as this era’s ‘Boho Chick’. I don’t know what I think about having flowers crown your head, personally it’s a little too 70’s-esque/flower power for me, however there’s something about the easy simplicity of channeling the bohemian look that makes it appear so pretty and effortless.

Myself included in the million girls wanting to look like V Hudge, I found a summer dress that encapsulates the bohemian flair that I want to achieve. It also intermingles with the appearance of a 60’s smock dress in the way that it just hangs there like a tea-towel, so yes it is very comfortable and light-weight.

*pockets included

Dress – Mika & Gala

Shoes – ?

Sunnies- asos

So cart me off in a wagon and call me a gypsy!

Orange Summer

Yesterday was the fabulous and famous Melbourne Cup day, and it is in fact so fabulous that Victorians get a day off for it. Yay for public holidays! In my true traditional Melbourne Cup style, I attended a BBQ with family and friends and had a joyful day of eating plenty of food and inevitably losing in the sweep not unlike every other year.

This racing carnival, the outfits have been bursting with colour and fascinators have been bigger (and more ridiculous) than ever. Since I didn’t have the chance to attempt an extravagantly colourful races outfit for myself, I incorporated colour into the day’s outfit with my orange 3/4 pants. I feel like a hip 50’s housewife in these pants.

Top- Forever New

Pants- Bardot

Shoes- Sportsgirl

Bag- Zara

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Well, judging by the bright hues of green plastering braches and nature strips, spring is well in force but is taking its time to bring the increasing warmth with it. No matter though, in the rare glimpses of summer I tossed off my jeans and let my legs breathe. Ahhh, the unfamiliar yet refreshing feel of a warm breeze. I’m even sporting florals to express my spring jubilation.

The top is actually a playsuit. My growth spurt has forced me to stop wearing it in its natural form due to the over-exposure of, um, flesh.

Playsuit – Forever New

Skirt – Target

Belt- Cotton On

Shoes – Lipstick

Bag – Vintage

Grunge is Back

Those three words provoke a variation of reactions. Some believe that grunge belongs in the period of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and that’s where it should remain. Others, typically the younger generation embrace the style as modern and effortless. Personally I love it, which may be because I am venturing through my teen grunge phase at this convenient time. You would think that the designers from Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent attended festivals and walked through city streets in order to obtain inspiration for their most recent collections, as the style is reminiscent of what tends to saunters down the street these days. The fashion houses that opted for grunge this season had a distinct contrast against what other designers did, as the look is relatively casual, youthful and messy. It’s very different and suprising for high fashion brands, however I’m thrilled that it has been done. Now people may consider me as ‘high fashion’ rather than ‘angsty adolescent’.

Prim & pretty is not the look for the incoming autumn/winter, but rather dark & edgy. So I took inspiration from Givenchy to channel this new wave grunge. Patterned maxi skirts paired with baggy jumpers proved to be a key combination for the brand which I attempted to imitate with slightly less punk.

Skirt – asos

Jumper – Bettina Liano

Sandals – asos

Bag – ?

Personal note: Should load up on the eyeliner and red lipstick next time I aim to channel some grunge.