By the Sea in Melbourne

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. 

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Bikini top: Billabong

Shirt: Wish

Shorts: Forever New

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Photos taken by my good friend Tyana at Brighton Beach, Victoria.

Want to see more of my personal style and fashion musings? Follow me here on my blog and chuck me a follow on Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog !

Stylish Backpacker

This year I decided to do away with tote bags for university, and instead placed the pressure of 8kg books on my shoulders with a new backpack. Although totes are pretty, I discovered after a three hour-long marathon of a search that backpacks can be just as pretty and provide further convenience.

Asos Backpack
Asos Backpack

I purchased this Men’s backpack on Asos which is covered in a black snakeskin pattern and basically can fit in everything, including my record player. Most importantly, it can carry all those bothersome law books that cost approximately as much as a new woollen coat.

I took my new backpack out on an adventure and wore my prized gilet dress from Witchery which I doubled as a long vest on this occasion. I paired it with Mum’s old burnt orange pencil skirt to deliver a pop of colour, and balanced it out with a nude singlet top to place the emphasis on the colour of the skirt and the gilet dress. Mum’s wardrobe has honestly given me more than my favourite shops could ever offer me. Thanks Mum for saving me a whole lot of money!

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABackpack: Asos

Gilet dress: Witchery

Top: Target

Skirt: Vintage

Shoes: Witchery

Want to see more of my personal style and fashion musings? Follow me here on my blog and chuck me a follow on Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog !

Fashion Week in Melbourne

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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

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Black, white and flecks of silver.

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At the Festival

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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.
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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

Skirts & Stuff

Impulse buys are the best. About six months ago when I was in New York, I was shuffling through the racks and H&M and came across this skirt for an unbeatable $10. With bargains like that, you can’t think twice. I especially love the fitted waist and the flare at the hips, presenting a straight-then-curved silhouette which provides hip shape.

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Top: Kookai 

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Lipstik 

Necklace: Lovisa 

Bag: ?

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Something Old, Something New

It was a typical Melbourne summer’s day at 35 degrees when I went op shopping and naturally purchased two jackets. One can’t resist the lure of op-shop prices and vintage delights that are abound with much potential, particularly me. I found an ex-Topshop blazer for a mere $10, and a pastel-pink tweed coat at $12, so how do you expect me to say no to that? I regularly graze at op shops because not only is it incredibly affordable for a not-so-cashed-up student like me, but it’s always a welcome challenge to find old gems and combine them with the new trends.

I grasped at the chance to wear the blazer before Melbourne experiences their continual, sweltering temperatures, and matched it with new Witchery black high-waisted shorts, an aquamarine beaded top and new black strappy heels. Combining the old and the new always produces a fresh outfit, and I love my new shorts because they can be worn for dressy occasions and are supremely comfortable.

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Blazer: Topshop 

Top: Forever New

Shorts: Witchery 

Shoes: Nude

Bag: Marikai

Necklace: Forever New 

So what do you think of the outfit combination? Follow me here and on Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog for more fashion news and updates! x

Let the Sunshine In

Thanks to the influx of sales at this time of the year, everyone can afford to look great this Christmas. Everyone raves about the Boxing Day sales but honestly, you can grab just as amazing bargains from November onwards because retailers are incessant to sell, sell, sell during the holidays. Keep your eyes peeled for some sale signs!

The corset & culottes ensemble I am sporting were both sales purchases (as indicative of my entire wardrobe) and both are versatile for the warm Australian weather. The culottes are made from a light fabric in contrast to my black ones, and hence are comfortable and easy to wear during the summer. Normally I automatically reject strapless tops because they are such a pain when they continuously slide down, but this top manages to stay up and can be matched with jeans and maxi or mini skirts. I am anticipating that the white will emphasise my future tan (hehe), and it can be worn for casual or dressy occasions depending on the bottoms and accessories.

Top: Bardot

Culottes: The Fifth

Necklace: Lovisa

Watch: Armani Exchange

Lipstick: Kiko

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Little Red Dress

Do you recall my recent mammoth post on the Balmain x H&M collection? I finally had the opportunity to flaunt one of my long-awaited purchases and so I took it out on a lovely date to Melbourne city. It’s a red and black turtle-neck dress. With shoulder pads.

 

Dress: Balmain x H&M Collection

Boots: Asos 

Bag: Vintage

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Don’t Mess with a Girl Wearing Headgear

Happy Friday everyone! You can never make a mistake by wearing black, white and a splash of silver. Dressing up a smart-casual evening outfit can easily be done through a statement headband or hair accessory, granted that its not the Blair Waldorf type. Ensure that it matches with your bag to keep the outfit consistent and you’re ready for a fabulous night.

Culottes: Luvalot

Top: Asos

Shoes: Asos

Headband: Lovisa

Bag: Zara

Hope you have a great weekend, and don’t forget to follow me here on my blog and on Instagram at ilikeyourshirt_blog for fashion news and style tips! X

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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Off the Trend

This season is all about letting it loose and letting your shoulders breathe. The off-the-shoulder trend has gained prominence through being paraded by It-girls during fashion weeks this year, and they have shown that off-the-shoulder tops can come in any shape and design. They are perfect for the warmer months and there is something seductive and refreshing about bearing your shoulders to a warm spring breeze.

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It looks elegant and feminine in the style of a dress, and incorporate it into a formal/smart casual ensemble with a below-the-knee pencil skirt or A-line skirt.

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Yes! I am loving the floaty femininity of the coral off-the-shoulder dress mixed with the grungy Docs.

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There are zillions of styles of off-the-shoulder tops and dresses that can suit any style of shorts, pants and skirts. The bohemian/hippy trend is a stand-out this spring/summer and off-the-shoulder tops are a perfect bohemian staple item.

Here is my own winter/spring attempt at the old off-the-shoulder with a long-sleeve top and high-waisted, suede shorts.

Top- Asos

Shorts- Lumiere

Shoes- Rubi shoes

….and let’s not forget about the all-important accessories- this week I have gone with rose gold.

Necklace: Accessorize

Watch: Armani

Earrings: Mouche

Bracelet: Von Treskow

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