Prancing in the Park

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogMay 13, 2015

It was actually quite delightful the other day, with the lovely sun showing off for one last time and the unusually warm temperature encouraging everyone to explore outside. It was one of those days where you would be happy to wake up to it every morning. Quite a contrast to today, where the rain is pelting down and the wind is louder than my typing while I am sick in bed writing this. Winter has arrived and it’s still autumn. I want summer back.

To outlive Melbourne’s sunshine’s final existence, I wore red lippy on navy blue-my favourite. It’s a bold combination for all seasons, and both compliment each other really well. Orange and navy also have the same effect. I wore my favourite pair of pants which are light and silky- perfect for warmer temperatures but not some much for the incoming winter. I usually reject the idea of wearing navy and black together because I don’t believe that they are compatible together, however I felt like there was enough white in the pants to allow it to mesh with the navy blue top. Otherwise as a general rule: navy blue and black are not great pals.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The adorable brooch was from my sister when she returned from Europe. It kinda matches the lippy, dontcha think?

Pants: Ice

Top: Cotton On

Shoes: Forever New

Bag: Guess

What are your favourite colour combos??

Follow me here and on Instagram! x

The Turtleneck, Polo Neck, Skivvy, or whatever ya call them

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogMay 3, 2015

Turtlenecks are like, super cool this winter. It has finally been deemed that it’s both chic and practical, as who really wants to walk around with a bare neck in freezing temperatures?

The style of a turtleneck usually means that a scarf is unnecessary. Olivia Palermo shows how this is not the case. popsugar.com

There is so much variety when it comes to the ol’ turtleneck. They come in tops, jumpers, and dresses as exemplified by myself below. It keeps me so warm that I even took off my coat midway through. How’s that for practical fashion.

Throw on an oversized-coat with your turtleneck. The coat de-feminises my dress to achieve the ‘shapeless’ look- a current winter trend. It also happens to be very comfortable. I cannot say that I am a fan of potato-sack-looking dresses on the other hand, which is why i have stuck to a tight-fitting turtleneck for a touch of sophistication.

Dress- Bardot

Coat- Asos

Shoes- Diana Ferrari

So invest in one, or a few, and stay warm this winter.

Follow me here and on Instagram! x

Shabby Chic

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogApril 11, 2015April 11, 2015

I always talk about class and elegance, but sometimes it doesn’t need to be achieved. Sometimes we need to lie back and watch how those who walk down the street, shopping for groceries on a Saturday morning, dress. It’s simple-not necessarily ‘in style’- but caters for the weather the day brings. Comfort is obviously the key, but it doesn’t mean you need to look boring when venturing out to the shops. Especially if you happen to bump into people you know, which personally is inevitable.

I was inspired by the elderly ladies I see walking down the street who wear oversized, dark-toned coats, and thick opaque stockings to battle the winter cold, and decided to get my own winter over-sized coat. I settled on this Asos number, which will hopefully protect me from the Melbourne winter. I feel like it’s a coat that a homeless man used to wander in that can be found in the dark depths of an op shop-and has remained in amazingly excellent condition. It looks a little vintage, and can be spruced up with some necessary winter accessories.

This is my summer hat, but now it’s become my winter hat. Mid-brimmed felt hats have become all the rage, and look fantastic with a killer coat and boots. Obviously they serve for sun protection in winter too.

This clutch was a gift from my mum when she went to China- thanks mum!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Coat- Asos

Skirt- Nobody

Top- Asos

Boots- Vanessa

Clutch- somewhere in China

Last Glimpse of Sunshine

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogMarch 21, 2015

Last week I travelled to the sunny Gold Coast for work-related affairs, and essentially brought half of my summer wardrobe with me. I took this as an opportunity, considering I haven’t had much of a chance to air them out since Melbourne’s summer refused to happen. Happily, it was warm enough to put my clothes into good use, and with my last glimpse of sunshine I decided to throw in some colour into my outfits.

So I know that this is one of the most mainstream looks out (definitely around where I live) with the crop top and pencil skirt, but I like it. And hey, both items were around 70% off so I couldn’t go wrong. It beats the hey-check-out-my-bum-cheeks denim shorts trend, and the pencil skirt instantly implies that there’s some class happening. I matched the outfit with a non-mainstream necklace, which is basically made out of rubber and gives the impression of a tattoo. I cannot for the life of me remember the brand, but I purchased it from a closing-down store for a ridiculously cheap price. Actually now that I think about it, every item being worn in the photos was at least 50% off.

Friends, you only need to pay full price if it is really necessary.

Unique, statement necklaces are a fantastic investment-I have a few-specifically for when you need to spice up a plain outfit. Never underestimate the power of jewellery, because although the phrase ‘too much is never enough’ does not apply, too little can be boring and say ‘meh’. I have some fairly outrageous ones, but they are a delightful and simple addition to a plain black dress or jeans and shirt combination.

Top- Bardot

Skirt- Sportsgirl

Shoes- Forever New

Sunglasses- ASOS

Follow my blog and follow me on Instagram! I promise to follow back x

Seeing Double

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogMarch 12, 2015

The two-piece mania has not ended yet. In fact, it has just gotten better. However I am curious as to why baring skin has become so much more fashionable these days, with the excessive amount of midriff being shown and most notably, the new trend of the ‘barely there’ dresses rocked at the Oscars after-parties. But I suppose it’s everyone’s prerogative, including my own, as clearly I’m not opposed to allowing my midriff to peek through. It brings the summer vibes, divides a same-same pattern and means I can enjoy a nice breeze around my belly.

Co-ords are as cute as kittens and even come in the form of a floral fantasy (see below) that radiates tropical-islander.

The slit in the skirt makes things a bit more interesting, enabling your shoes to proudly flaunt themselves and provides a bit of a break from viewing the same pattern all over. There isn’t much you should do to compliment a two-piece, as keeping it simple allows the outfit to do the talking. However, to put a little spice into your plain-toned outfit, experiment with some bright lipsticks. Lipstick is an accessory in itself, and adds a dash of class. Class is what we are all striving for here people, in case you hadn’t noticed.

Two piece- Luvalot

Shoes- Forever New

Laura x

Black & Gold

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogFebruary 22, 2015

What colour never seems to go out of style? Black. What do I find myself wearing if I don’t know what to wear? Black. It is difficult to deviate from the prosaic shade which seems to compliment any outfit, particularly for those who prefer black over brown. And with autumn and winter approaching for the southern hemisphere, there is a guarantee that black will replace the vibrant colours of summer in order to blend into the looming grey skies. Therefore, I am challenging those who will don black this season to spice it up with a ‘popping’ colour, and I suggest metallics. Yes, metallics are reminiscent of the 90’s and occasionally possess a certain trashy quality of the 80’s, but Saint Laurent reinvented the incorporation of metallics into an ensemble during their Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer ’15 collection and demonstrate how they can be worn in both a casual and dressy sense.

Saint Laurent Spring/Summer '15. ikifashion.com — Saint Laurent Spring/Summer ’15. ikifashion.com

Autumn/Winter '15. fashionbeautytrends.com — Autumn/Winter ’15. fashionbeautytrends.com

Which leads me on to my next point of discussion…gold shoes! I may have jumped on the bandwagon and bought a pair of Doc Martens- mostly because they were gold and half price (justifying your purchases makes your conscience feel better). Obviously I considered the fact that gold is not always the easiest colour to team up with, however they make a statement, which is reason enough.

Black is the undermined best friend of the metallic colours such as gold, because it compliments without detracting from the flamboyance. Black and metallic instantly glam up an outfit, and don’t have to be reserved for night outings or appear gaudy. As long as there are no other elements of the outfit which are bright or intensely eye-catching, then metallics can always look appropriate.

I took my Docs out for a strut around the city the other day, wearing predominantly black in the awkward summer/winter weather. Let me know what you think about the black & gold combination!

Jumper- Minkpink

Dress- Cotton On

Shoes- Doc Martens

Necklace- Sportsgirl

Bag- The Leather Satchel Co.

Follow me here or on my Instagram! Laura x

A True King of Fashion

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogFebruary 17, 2015February 17, 2015

Melbourne was blessed to have fashion royalty’s Jean Paul Gaultier’s exclusive exhibition for a limited time at our national gallery. The exhibition featured his most fabulous creationa, so of course there were plenty, and they were displayed within their distinct sections. There was a unique vibe and style resonating through every room which presented some of his most critically-acclaimed collections, leaving the exhibition goers with no doubt that this man is a legend.

The man in the (mannequin) flesh. The faces were projections of real models, and moved, spoke and sung! It was brilliant and occasionally creepy.

The corset worn by Madonna during the ‘Blond Ambition Tour’

Native American-chic-princess vibes going on here

The ensembles were absolutely remarkable, and I was astounded by the immense level of creativity which they exhibited. On a less impressive note, I created my own lil’ ensemble for the day with a 90’s skirt and a new season Kookai top.

Just to be clear I was not a victim of a soaking. The photographs were taken at Coles fountain, Parliament Reserve.

Skirt- Vintage

Top- Kookai

Sandals- ASOS

Bag- JAG

Let’s go to the Beach

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogFebruary 11, 2015February 11, 2015

Summer has restarted in Melbourne, which means weekly visits to our beaches (which aren’t really beaches but bays) are back on the schedule in order to maintain our international status as bronzed beach goers. Unfortunately, we Australians fear the sun’s consequences to the extent that we have some of the highest Vitamin D deficiency statistics in the world. Apparently not me, as I have received my fair share of vitamin D recently.

Tourists and locals flock to Melbourne’s Brighton Beach

So last year I had purchased this swimsuit from one of those websites where you are not entirely sure if it will look like the picture when you receive it, but I really wanted to get it anyway. It was alright though (phew), but I don’t look like the lady in the photo. The classic high-waisted look assists in accentuating your waist and to me, looks more classy than the typical low-riding bikini bottoms. It even has sheer on the sides for an added effect, which brings it almost into lingerie territory if there was lace involved. I adore the style of it, just not the tan lines.

Bikini- Unbranded

Follow me here and on Instagram for updates!

A Night of Croquet, Anyone?

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogFebruary 2, 2015February 2, 2015

The winter run in Melbourne continues. I dusted off my jacket and wore it to the Royal Croquet Club, a swanky outdoor festival happening in Melbourne where people can have a crack of croquet and a cup of Pimms with friends. The croquet playing wasn’t particularly successful, but the Pimms was!

I have previously expressed my distaste for wearing leggings in public, as like ugg boots, they are built for undeniable comfort rather than show. I may have committed my own cardinal sin, as the stripy pants I was strolling around in *can* be classified as leggings. BUT WAIT-my multi-coloured underwear were not visible throughout the stripy print and I suspect that you are shocked that they are not proper pants, hence they are ACCEPTABLE. Unless they’re for actual croquet playing, leggings are too snug around the edges for a classy day out. Wear a top that extends over the gluteus maximus if you must, or risk having your pantie lines exposed (ladies, you know what I mean). But truthfully, the comfort these pants provide is pretty awesome.

Top: Only

Pants: Lovely Girl

Bag: Vintage

Jacket: Vintage

Shoes: Forever New

Hope you have a fantastic week! Follow me here and on Instagram for updates!

Swinter

by ilikeyourshirtfashionblogJanuary 28, 2015

The other day I watched flocks of people scuttle around Melbourne city in their coats and scarves with disbelief. For those who do not live in the southern hemisphere, this is an uncanny observation. It is summer after all, and typically, we Melbournians should be sweltering in 30+ degree weather by now. Naturally I was shocked by this sudden bout of winter and was caught in only a blazer to keep me warm.

Obviously both Melbourne and I were not in a summer mood, because although I was unaware of the cool weather, I had decided to wear my favourite winter blazer. The bottle green tone creates a nice contrast with the cream, and also helps in dressing down the bordering-on-formal dress. Wearing pretty flats can assist in dressing down an outfit without making it look cheap, so I find it within my best interests to keep an army of nice sandals or ballet flats for when I go out. This comes in handy considering I still struggle with the discomfort of heels.

Blazer- Zara

Dress- Sportsgirl