I am so blessed to have fashion-forward family members. It’s a good excuse to rummage through their wardrobes to find some vintage pieces that probably haven’t been worn since the 80’s. I barely need to head to the op shops. This top is no exception, as it previously belonged to my aunty and even has a matching long skirt. It’s a gorgeous colour, but what is more striking is the sequinned detail at the back. You could even wear the top as a cardigan, but I’ve chosen to wear it as a top with a few buttons undone because it was such a warm evening. I wore it with a secondhand white denim skirt from Solus Shop (@solus.shop), which I would wear with everything if I could because it’s such a versatile summer staple. I love to add a pop of colour so I matched the outfit with an aquamarine bag from Mimco and mules from Midas. I haven’t worn this bag in a while so it was nice to air it out.
I am still determined to wear every piece of my summer wardrobe before the summer ends to carry on with my challenge from 2019. Despite last year’s shopping ban, I still have so many clothes, and I need to continually remind myself that I don’t need to add anything else to the wardrobe. And if there’s anything that doesn’t spark joy by the end of the summer, then it will probably be sent to the op shop!
An understated but utterly elegant outfit can be comprised of a pretty skirt and a plain t-shirt. Toss in some slides or boots plus a pair of killer earrings and that’s an outfit sorted – especially when that skirt is in teal and velvet. Readers of this blog are bound to know that I have an endless love affair with teal, which was why I ended up convincing myself to buy this Michael Kors skirt at a bargain sale price. It’s swishy, long and remarkably light, making it perfect to wear in winter with boots or slides and mules in summer.
I wore it for the first time with my Balmain x H&M t-shirt and a black belt I have had lying in my closet for years that I’m pretty sure previously belonged to my mum. Big belts are officially back, and look fabulous with long skirts or wide-leg pants. Op shops usually have a great selection of belts, so if your wardrobe lacks this accessory of the season, then don’t bother heading to buy new and consider your local op shop.
Finally, I finished off the outfit with my plastic mules from Midas and a silver bag from Nine West. Silver and teal are a match made in my personal heaven.
Skirt: Michael Kors
Top: Balmain x H&M
Bag: Nine West
Shoes: Midas
This skirt is definitely my favourite purchase in a while. I just want to wear it all the time! It will also be my last purchase in a long time, because I have pledged to avoid buying fashion in 2019. After realising the destructive impact of fashion on our globe (and particularly fast-fashion), combined with the overwhelming feeling I experience when I peer into my wardrobe filled with stuff, I decided that I need to to take action on a personal level. I was inspired by Claire Goldsworthy from The Fashion Advocate (her story can be found here) who did not buy a single thing in 2018. This is going to be a challenge, as even op shops are a no-go. However, I truly believe that I have everything I need within my wardrobe and I certainly don’t need to add to my already burgeoning collection of belongings. Maybe I’ll even rediscover a few things I forgot about, and it will surely challenge my creative styling abilities! I plan on updating my progress (well, lack of purchases) on this blog, so look out for any frustrated or erratic ramblings (hopefully that is only a joke).
Thanks for stopping by! I would love to hear what you think of my ambitious plan in the comments below! x
Audrey Hepburn championed the little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as did countless women preceding her and plenty who have followed in her fashionable footsteps. A LBD will always remain essential regardless of the weather, but my summer staple will always & forever be the little white dress.
My summer wardrobe consists of primarily a dozen white dresses in a variety of shapes and sizes – and I wear every single one of them. They become decorated with colourful accessories and lipstick shades, because I’m all about my splash of colour this summer until we’re inevitably plagued by the dreary Melbourne winter.
Tassel earrings have gone absolutely bonkers recently, so I purchased the biggest ones I could find to add some blue and green tones to the outfit to accompany my Mimco bracelet. I wore my pearl-embellished bag and nude heels, which are beautiful but positively painful (and possibly not worth the beauty).
Dress: Kookai
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: Lovisa
Bracelet: Mimco
Bag: Chi Chi London
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At the end of January, I embarked on my second (and last) surgery for my hip. It was basically a year ago since I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and although it has been exhausting, painful and mentally draining, it has never stopped me from looking my best. Although on the surface it’s a simple and superficial thing to consider when dealing with a medical condition as debilitating as hip dysplasia, but fashion has remarkably helped me to cope. It has challenged me to be creative, to make the most of every occasion outside my house, and most notably, to look forward to the future. I suppose in an odd way it has given me a purpose. Nonetheless, it has to be said that I am undeniably fortunate in the respect that I can anticipate a full recovery with time, and I try not to take that for granted. The incredible help from my family and friends alongside my exploration through comfortable fashion has helped me get through the difficulties and to remain positive, because ultimately there is nothing more important than good health.
So, how does one dress with style after a sizeable hip surgery? Jeans and pencil skirts are a definite no-no. The same goes for most of my shorts, any light fabric dresses where the bandages will show through, and essentially anything that it difficult to manoeuvre in or rubs against the hips. So there goes most of my summer wardrobe. I have been living in brightly coloured genie pants and nighties, but they’re not really appropriate for out-of-the-house wear. So leaving the house is always a challenge, but it’s always good fun. Summer fashion with crutches tends to be easier as bulky coats and jackets combined with crutches is not exactly comfortable. However when it comes to travelling in a wheelchair (enabling me to do those shopping trips I so crave), clothes are much easier to co-ordinate. Short skirts or dresses should be avoided.
Today on a summer-y lunch outing, I settled on my mint Forever New A-line skirt and a comfortable singlet top from Witchery. A pastel pink bag and earrings were important additions, as were my super exciting silver loafers that no longer give me blisters. My hips were very happy, especially as I was wheeled around everywhere.
Briefcase-style bags are so hot right now. They add a touch of vintage style, and can fit most necessities. I could even fit a couple pairs of sparkly socks I had bought.
Skirt: Forever New
Top: Witchery
Shoes: Aldo
Bag: Forever New
Earrings: Lovisa
Thanks for visiting my blog! I will elaborate on comfortable fashion in more posts soon to come. In the meantime, please check out my Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog. x
Oh sunny days, it feels like you only just begun. Now the clouds are creeping out and there’s a faint chill in the air, but I still don’t feel like we’ve seen enough sunshine to prepare us for the incoming winter. Can Melbourne just please continue to deliver days like these until we are satisfied with the level of vitamin D in our systems? Beaches just aren’t as fun in the winter time.
Bikini top: Billabong
Shirt: Wish
Shorts: Forever New
Photos taken by my good friend Tyana at Brighton Beach, Victoria.
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Another fashion week in Melbourne has been and gone, and I am so glad I could find some time to squeeze in a fashion show amidst my hectic uni schedule. Virgin Australia Fashion Festival is the highlight of the fashion calendar in Melbourne due to the stellar line-ups and sophisticated festival atmosphere. I brought my sister and friend along for their first Virgin Australia fashion week, and we had an absolute blast. Nothing beats having a glass of champagne on a balmy summer’s night before heading in to view some beautiful fashion.
The line-up was Alex Perry, Ginger & Smart, Carla Zampatti, Martin Grant, Yeojin Bae and Dion Lee. Martin Grant incorporated plenty of metallic silver into his clothes much to my agreement. Alex Perry popularised mustard yellow, bright orange and bishop sleeves. Dion Lee demonstrated winter wear with woolly coats and to-die-for maroon silk pieces. Carla Zampatti paraded cut-out dresses, tweed and fringed skirts. Ginger & Smart opted for 7/8 length dresses with japanese-style prints. Yeojin Bae showed us class with off-the-shoulder dresses and pencil skirts below the knee. Generally there was a fusion with contemporary fashion and fashion of the 1970’s and 1940’s with stunning results. There were plenty of vibrant colours shown, but also the autumn/winter classics such as khaki, maroon and black.
What I wore: Pre show
Black, white and flecks of silver.
At the Festival
Feeling all ‘tough girl’ in my leather jacket. Leather is one of the best ways to toughen up a feminine look, and even compliments tulle nicely with a tough-girls-can-be-princesses kind of way.
Skirt: Ice
Bandeau: Target
Jacket: Muubaa
Shoes: Diana Ferrari
Bag: Nine West
Necklace: Forever New
And there you have it! More to come soon about the top trends from Virgin Australia fashion week and what to expect on the streets this season!
Want to see more of my fashion musings and style? Follow me here and on instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog ! x
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, ChanelRound 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, JosephSuper 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 LaurenChokers
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, DiorLingerie-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, CelineLace 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, ValentinoMetallic 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, Milan Fashion WeekSnakeskin 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, PradaFringe
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, GivenchySo, 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
I was the quintessential wannabe princess in my early years when I would don my princess dresses, tulle skirts and tiaras whilst dancing to the dreamy tunes of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Never mind whether I was playing in my bedroom or walking up to the coffee shop with mum; a full skirt with the corresponding jewellery, bags, wands and glittering tiaras would always be in order. And apparently you can never take the princess out of the girl (minus the magic wand and tiara) as full tulle skirts and fabulous accessories are exactly what I want to be wearing nowadays too.
The tulle skirt has made a comeback since Autumn 2015 on the streets with fabulous results. The femininity of the skirt can be contrasted with leather to create a tough-girl look, matched with wool and knits to cater for winter, and worn with denim to downplay the formality of tulle to offer a day-appropriate outfit. No longer should it be aligned with tiaras and sparkling bodices, because the opportunities for versatility don’t solely resign it for wear at a royal ball. The tulle skirt, as of recently, has been unleashed.
I found a relatively inexpensive one at a chain store and thought ‘why not?’ It resurrected so many childhood memories. On a day out in the city I wore it with a simple black and white stripped sleeveless top, a vintage leather choker and a contemporary clutch bag my sister bought for me on her travels in Europe. Oh, and a new haircut I recently coerced myself into having.
With my newly-short hair, princess skirt and continued love for Disney musical scores, it almost feels like I haven’t grown up. But I suppose my previous career plans to become a princess and marry Aladdin have changed dramatically.
Skirt: Ice
Top: Witchery
Shoes: Forever New
Bag: Atmosphere
Sunglasses: Chloe
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This summer in Melbourne has been odd to say the least, and definitely has not been warm enough to store away my jeans for three months. For those days that seemed more like autumn, 3/4 length jeans were the obvious choice. I usually align 3/4 length jeans with mums who do the school drop-off, but for occasions like these they are so practical and even (dare I say it) chic. This outfit was inspired by my struggle with those in-between temperatures, where it isn’t necessarily warm but still isn’t categorised as cold. Note the sleeveless turtleneck and picnic rug/vest, giving you maximal space to experience a nice breeze on your exposed skin but enough coverage to keep you from getting the goosebumps. The 3/4 length jeans also served the same purpose, enabling a part of my legs to breathe if there was a bit too much heat building up. Yes my descriptions come across as comical, but I’m sure you are familiar with those in-between temperatures and understand exactly where I’m coming from. You need that crucial balance which is easy to achieve with sleeveless items, cardigans, light maxi skirts, maxi dresses and shortened jeans.
Vest: Cotton On
Top: Forever New
Jeans: Levi’s
Shoes: Betts
Clutch: House of Secrets
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Clearly I think I nailed 17-19 degrees celsius fashion.
About a month ago, I was in the Gold Coast and visited one of my favourite places on the coast for some afternoon tea: the visually stunning Palazzo Versace. The setting proved irresistible for photo-taking, especially with this white belted gilet I had recently purchased after christmas. I had my eye on this piece for a couple of months before I purchased it, but being the typical economically downcast student I forced myself to wait until it became half price. Poor student note: A good piece of advice is that everything will be on sale in due course, and if you don’t need it urgently then it is ALWAYS more satisfying to purchase it when the price tag is halved.
Being an exuberant fan of white clothing, I knew I needed this gilet despite not exactly knowing where I’d wear it. Its versatility allows you to wear it as a dress with a slip underneath (as seen below) or as a sleeveless summer jacket with the belt hanging loosely across your stomach or by your sides. Hence I justified buying it through all the ways I could wear it, and most importantly, by how refreshingly classy it makes me feel.
I wore it with light tan gladiator sandals, rose gold jewelry, a black Guess bag and I even threw in my Chloe sunglasses to make me feel as designer as the hotel.
Belted Gilet: Witchery
Shoes: Lipstik
Bag: Guess
Sunglasses: Chloe
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I Like Your Shirt 