Away and Away

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogJanuary 14, 2013

Okay yes it has been a while. But no one can blame me for taking a couple weeks off from blogging whilst holidaying in Queensland with a serious lack of wi-fi and motivation to get off the beach, hm? Furthermore, holiday mode impacted my ability to actually care about what I wore, so without further ado I picked off pretty outfits and opted to cruise around in basic swimsuits and shorts for the majority of the trip. And damn did it feel great to let go of your appearance and walk around with chlorine-soaked hair and a pair of shabby thongs.

It didn’t last impressively long to the point that a dread started forming, as eventually the more dignified part of me gave me a nudge and reminded me that a person should still make an effort and with the way I was going I wasn’t going to impress any of those cute surfers. Which was fair enough because I didn’t touch my hairbrush for a while. I have slowly noticed that people these days in the Gold Coast really make an effort to look hot compared to when it used to be the bathers and thongs look, which put pressure on me as I only achieved to look hot with a red-as-a-tomato sunburn. But then again the shopping is so superb that it is easy to afford to look good, and truth be told I do a large portion of clothes shopping up there. So I finally made the grueling decision to let go of my freedom and embrace looking decent on holiday. I think a surfer even looked at me after that.

The dress that I’m wearing below wasn’t in fact from the Gold Coast but I bought it in Melbourne *shock* at full price. I saw it and loved it, and everyone knows that you cannot be deterred from love at first sight, which applies to clothing. I even reminded myself that I already have a white maxi dress, but then I reminded myself that *pfft* it’s completely different. I don’t know if it’s the subconscious ‘wedding dress’ appeal to it, but I am attracted to white maxi dresses. It was great to wear in the heat and humidity as the fabric is so light.

white dress 2

Dress: Peace Angel from Tree of Life Bag: Forever New

Wishing you a belated happy new year!

I’m Dreaming of a Warm Christmas…

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogDecember 22, 2012December 22, 2012

I am a self-confessed christmas junkie. I positively adore decorating the tree, putting up the lights, singing along with Bing Crosby to cheesy carols, making and bingeing on delicious food, completely over-adorning the house with ornaments, the summer weather, giving and *especially* receiving presents….the whole lot.

So naturally I am aware that there are only THREE days till the big day, and I am super excited.

The other day I travelled to the city to indulge in the yearly christmas festivities in Melbourne. Decorations were draped above the busy streets, buskers were belting out xmas tunes and the city was bustling with people eager to finish their shopping. The spirit of christmas was in full force, and I was like a kid on red cordial feeding off from the high of it.

As per tradition, I have been indulging in christmas cooking and began with making white christmas whilst coincidentally listening to the song White Christmas. I love americanised christmas carols, and although they don’t necessarily coincide with what an aussie christmas is like, they always describe the (for the lack of a less corny word) ‘magic’ of christmas. So here in Australia we don’t have snow at this time, don’t drink eggnog and don’t put snowmen on our roofs, but it’s still special and christmasy in a slightly different way. It’s usually celebrated outdoors in the sun, and of course involves a turkey! Mmm turkey…

Switching to a less christmas-orientated topic, for the outing I wore an old skirt of my mum’s. Occasionally I feature vintage clothes from my mum in this blog, simply because her wardrobe was so great and this is another item that I wanted to showcase. I love the vibrant colour and the beading action.

Skirt: Charlie Brown Top: Forever New Shoes: Inui Bag: Vintage Sunglasses: asos

Have a very merry christmas!

Baby It’s Cold Outside…

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogDecember 14, 2012

My perception of cold may be a little different to what other people are experiencing outside of Australia, and I understand that 20°c doesn’t call for snow or is even considered slightly chilly, but it was unseasonably cool today. So maybe it’s not actually cold outside and it was a slight exaggeration and maybe I wore shorts when going out today – BUT I did wear a jumper. In summer in Melbourne. It really is nearing the end of the world.

This jumper is similar to a poncho with the fact that it’s virtually impossible to be unhappy while wearing it. No really, ask anyone who’s worn a poncho and they will recite the illuminating experience to you. I quite like the word illuminating. Anyway, my mum discovered this jumper in a marketplace in Hong Kong, and as soon as she brought it back I had claimed it as my own. It’s colourful, furry and not unlike the sensation of wearing a ragdoll cat on your body I’d imagine.

It probably wasn’t even cold enough to wear it, I just really wanted to wear my happy jumper.

jumper 1

jumper 2

jumper 3

I opted for a cute vintage brooch on my hat. Recently I’ve been really into brooch collecting, I have quite a collection forming.

jumper 4

jumper 5

Jumper: Some marketplace in Hong Kong Shorts: Minkpink

Shoes: Sportsgirl Bag: Vintage Hat: ?

Summer of ’12

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogDecember 7, 2012

Aaaaaand summer has officially begun. Which means that Christmas is near (18 days precisely) and the new year soon begins, which means that I’m a very happy camper. In my opinion this is undoubtedly the most exciting part of the year, especially when the hot summer days roll in and call for long summer nights. Beach and a BBQ anyone?

For a Friday night outing and considering the lovely warm temperature, I opted me some bare legs and a tinge of bright colour. Fortunately, lots of colour for summer will never change. It’s just making that transition from endless winter days and coats to warm temperatures and vibrancy that’s proving to not be easy. Meh I’ll get used to it.

Top: Farenheit Skirt: Bardot Bag: ? Shoes: Steve Madden Belt: Ladakh

22/11

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogNovember 22, 2012

Brighton Beach, Melbourne

*An excuse to experiment with the sunset mode on my camera

I realise that I haven’t updated my blog in a while (woops!) but in the meantime I have been taking lots of photos and have been enjoying the excruciatingly brief glimpses of summer.

Talking about that extraordinarily beautifully warm season, I’ve decided that high-waisted shorts will be one of my staple items for summer. Ever considered wearing shorts somewhere but decided that they’re too casual? Well luckily for you, high-waisted shorts exist, and if you team up the dressier kind of HWS (in other words, not denim) with a fantastic blazer, you have an outfit that even Blake Lively would be proud of.

Three Top Tips:

-The short HWS style have the effect of elongating the legs. YES.

-You can even wear a crop top with them and they still appear classy.

-Don’t attempt to be ‘indie’ and leave your shirt untucked.

Top & Shorts & Bag: Forever New Necklace: ? Shoes: Steve Madden

Off to the Races

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogNovember 10, 2012

The misguided weather man’s forecast for a cold and rainy Saturday proved to be incorrect as today the sun was shining and I didn’t even require a jacket. It turned out to be a beautiful day for the races, and there was plenty of beautiful fashion on display at every corner.

Just about every colour was paraded around, with the neons and brights among the most popular. There were so many lovely outfits everywhere that I repeatedly wanted to stop people and ask to take photos of them. Also witnessed a few fashion faux pas’ that I was tempted to capture by camera (see through dresses+brightly coloured underwear, dress and vans, over excessive use of fake tan..). All in a day at the races!

races 2 — Emma looking lovely in a classic racers outfit highlighted by some neon

Dress: Jess & I Shoes: Guess Hat: Forever New Bag: Fiorelli Belt: Cotton On Necklace: ? Sunglasses: ASOS

Spring Racing Fever

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogNovember 6, 2012

The highly anticipated spring racing season has arrived and the most important aspect of it (in my opinion, more exciting than the horses) is the dressing up! Whether it be a hat, fascinator or hair accessory paired with a lovely dress or suit with killer heals and a matching bag and accessories, sorting out racewear can be a breeze. There are rules to adhere to when dressing for the races, however the most significant one is to express your individuality whilst remaining sophisticated. A shot of fluro has been a popular trend this year along with other bright colours, and remember that the shoes, head-piece and bag typically should compliment each other. Happy racing!

Derby Day Outfit (Black and White Day)

Dress: Impulse Hat: ? Bag: Olga Berg Shoes: Innovare

Melbourne Cup (The Big One)

Dress: Bardot Fascinator: Forever New Shoes: London Rebel Bag: Mollini

Back To Black

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogNovember 2, 2012

I never thought that I would wear black tights at the beginning of November, but alas, the dropping temperature called for it. I guess it’s back to winter for now.

Cardigan: Op Shop Shirt: Wish Top: Ice Skirt: Target Shoes: Nine West

Bag: The Leather Satchel Co.

A Touch of Peplum

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogOctober 24, 2012

If you’re not aware of the peplum invasion, then you probably don’t get around much. There are peplum jackets, tops, skirts, dresses – even pants, though I’m not ready to rock those. Peplum dresses are easy enough to work, but the tops and skirts can be a little fussy. When I first purchased my top below, I found it challenging to co-ordinate it with the other clothes in my wardrobe because your bottom-half can’t be too exciting or bulky.

For the most flattering look, opt for a slim fitting skirt, pants or capri pants. Regarding a peplum skirt- a leotard, a singlet top, a crop top or basically any top that can be comfortably tucked into the skirt without visible lines and allows the skirt to give all the shape your body needs can work. Add a matching peplum jacket and you have a svelte and sexy combination 😉

Top: Ice Skirt: Bardot Necklace: Ku De Ta

I was so excited when I noticed a sign for $10-20 jewelry in a store because not only was the jewelry priced phenomenally in my budget, but there were some of the most unique and lovely jewelry I had seen. After a lengthy mind-debate between an assortment of items, I decided on the necklace above.

*It was very gusty that day.

Plainness and Charm

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogOctober 17, 2012

White is every spring/summer’s colour. It’s light, classy and compliments sun-tanned skin, but not so much sunburn (although there is nothing healthy about a tan, ahem). After examining my wardrobe and attempting to colour-code it, I discovered that a large portion of my summer gear consists of white materials, hence the overflowing pile. I discovered that I am a devoted fan of the colour (or shade, whatever floats your boat) but felt the need to throw something else into the mix. To change it up a little, I did the obvious thing and splashed some colour into the sea of blankness.

It changed me from a plain white table-cloth to a table-cloth with some personality.

White (which is described as “the absence of colour”) pretty much creates happiness with any colour, so go crazy and get colouring.