Line Up, Line Up

September 14, 2016.Reading time 2 minutes.

Left – Style Queen Olivia Palmero (image via Instagram), Top Right – Watson X Watson, Bottom Right – Witchery

I have been a stripes fan for as long as I can remember. My eye is drawn to them on clothing racks and they are an integral part of my wardrobe. This season, stripes are back but turned on their heads with width and textural variances making them interesting additions to our wardrobes.

While I’ll always love a horizontal stripe the styles emerging vertically are designed to be softer and instead of being mixed with clean cuts, work best when paired with natural fabrics such as linen and raw edged denim. We also see a difference in the shapes and fabric this season with palazzo pants and soft rayon shirts. The key word for summer is texture. Whether it’s in fibre laden linen, added embroidery or woven leather bags; adding a textural element gives any outfit another dimension. Flat lay’s will become texture lays and we’ll be mixing prints and angles in a new and more natural way.

Volume is another style that we’ll see combined with vertical stripes. The key to wearing these trends in Spring 2017 is proportion eg, the bigger the shirt, the shorter the hemline, the fuller the trouser the more cropped and fitted the top. A ‘Styling trick’ that also helps is the tuck. It can be the whole top or just the front but what both options do is show some of the hip and waist line. They automatically draw the volume in and take it from swamped to stylish. So your tucking doesn’t look as accidental as a dress caught in your knickers a great belt or sash will finish the look and is another area texture can be played with.

So get in line and try some ‘New’ stripes this summer.

Cold Shoulder

September 5, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Top Left – Mossman – wear in the Evening with tailored pants or tucked into a leather skirt, Witchery – wear tucked with full skirt or layer with a sleeveless vest Bottom Left – Veronica Maine – wear with cut off shorts or Striped Pallazzo pants, Steele – wear with flat strappy sandals, Steele – wear with white sneakers and a baseball cap

Some trends just stick and every brand picks up on it. The off the shoulder dress, top, jumpsuit is one of those trends. We first tried it (again) in Spring 2013 and we still can’t get enough. Personally, I have a long Seed Heritage Maxi from last summer and a recent Seed jumpsuit that I’m excited to wear with sneakers or dress up with my favourite heels.

At first I avoided the trend, thinking, because I have a DD bust that has not stood up well to breast feeding and age. I thought no bad boy strapless was going to hold up these puppies but as I browsed the racks and came across a long black off the shoulder dress that was just the mix I like of femme and structure; I had to try it. To my astonishment I looked pretty hot but it was how it made me feel that had me whipping out my card. I felt like a woman, a womanly woman and for someone who dresses like a tomboy most of the time it wasn’t a feeling I was used too. Of course I know I’m a woman, the above mentioned bust is a constant reminder but it was nice to embrace it with my clothing choices for a change and make my womanliness work for me not dictate what I could wear. I had a strapless bra fitted with my gorgeous Intimo consultant, Tania and haven’t looked back.

There is a Strapless Top, dress, jumpsuit out there for you too. Whether it’s fitted and structured for the Hourglass sisters, bohemian and gathered for the slender or drop waisted a soft for the Apple (me) ; This is a trend worth trying.

Intimo Consultant – Tania Squires – +61 401 164 322

Never fail Colour Combinations

August 23, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Documenting what we wear has become so popular that it’s easy to garner inspiration from our Instagram/ Snapchat/ Facebook Feeds but this doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easy to turn those pictures into reality. This simple guide will help you master some stylish combinations that NEVER fail.

Khaki, black and white

Pictures via Pinterest – Photographers unknown

Since the monochrome trend of a few years ago black and white have become staples in our wardrobes. This trend saturated our senses and let’s be honest, we’ve got a little bored with it. The next step in our mono evolution is to add another colour. As the pics above prove (thank you street style on Pinterest) you can mix up any combination of these three colours. Whether khaki is on top or bottom, teamed with B&W it works without fail.

Navy, cream (and red/orange)

Pictures via Pinterest – Left Nicole Warne, Right Unknown

Navy and cream are a true classics when worn together. The combination is a softer take on it’s Monchrome sister B&W and has become a go to every season with cream blouse + Navy peacoat combos in winter and Breton striped t shirts and cut off jeans in Summer.

Navy and cream alone would be considered an elegant albeit conservative option but chuck on a red lip or bold red coat and you take your outfit to another level.

3. Denim and pretty much any other colour.

img_5158-1 — Pictures via Pinterest – Photographers Unknown

In almost all situations faded Denim can be treated as a neutral, meaning it works back with most combinations; a little like it’s friend grey marl. Our eyes are so used to seeing denim that it’s becomes a non-colour. Easily worked into any outfit and kind to the colours it’s worn alongside; faded denim can be worn noon or night.

This is a sub-category of my favourite Denim combinations

Denim and Cream

Denim, White and Charcoal

Denim and Navy

Denim and Primary’s like Red and Green.

Put simply, a base of Black, Navy, White, Cream, Khaki and Grey Marl and faded Blue Denim will work with any accent colour you’d like to add. It’s worth investing in well cut, classic items in these colours because you’ll find they will stand the test of time and outlive any fads.

Book me for a personalised Shop where you can learn more tricks to being your most stylish

Looking to the Future – Australian Designers Spring Summer 16/17

May 19, 2016.Reading time 1 minute.

Australian Designers pulled out all the stops this week wooing local and international buyers with sophisticated and sellable collections at this week’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia.

Here’s what we’ll be wearing next summer…..

Off the shoulder tops and dresses still dominate

Strapless tops and dresses and jumpsuits or play suits

Shiny Satin and metallics

Colours – burnt tans, beige, grey sulphuric yellows, soft peachy pinks and baby blues, emerald green, red and we can’t forget black and white

Keep following to see how to integrate some of these trends into your day to day wardrobe.

Something a little special

May 7, 2016.Reading time 2 minutes.

From top left Wittner – Anita Heel, Olga Berg – Regan Octagonal Pod Clutch, Saint Laurent – Cassandre Clutch from Miss Louise, Tony Bianco – Alita Heel

From top left Olga Berg – Dana crystal embellished Clutch, Tony Bianco – Kappa Heel , Preciously Paris – Let’s Rock Clutch from MISS LOUISE, Tony Bianco – Laika Heel

From top left – Balmain – Tia Heel rom MISS LOUISE , Olga Berg – Ace crystal oval Pod, Saint Laurent – Silver mini monochrome from MISS LOUISE , Aquazzura – Milla Jewel Heel from MISS LOUISE

With The Met Gala on Monday and the TV Week Logies tomorrow I thought it was time to add some Red Carpet inspiration to my pages.

The power of the right accessories shouldn’t be underestimated. They can make or break an outfit and quickly see celebs heading to the worst dressed list. They can take your outfit from sophisticated to clunky or glam to dowdy.

As a rule, I prefer an open toe with a long gown. I think they look more elegant when we get a peep of them and they compliment the finer fabrics often used in black tie gowns. You can’t go wrong with a single strap across your toes but if you prefer more support one that has fine straps running up your foot will do the trick.

Clutches are like a bow on a present, they add a little sparkle or contrast to the ensemble. The fact is, you have to carry a bag so you may as well use it to your advantage. If you have a simple dress you can elevate it with something sparkly in the same colour, on the other hand, if your dress has it all going on with sparkle and glitz you can tone it back with a simple matte clutch.

Don’t let your accessories be an afterthought and check out the links above for some affordable and splurge options..

x Rach

April 18, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Scanlan and Theodore-Double Cotton Trench $800, Viktoria and Woods – Valentina $699, TY-LR – Antonia Dress $490

I love living in a city with defined seasons. Melbourne does it well with a full display of colour in Autumn and beautiful Icy winters. The air changes from one season to the next, affecting our moods and lifestyle. As the leaves turn to gold and red we need to start thinking about how we’ll layer for the coming winter. We’re no London or snowy New York but there is still a need to rug up, don a coat and spend weekends relaxing by fires.

This seasons Coats for women range from waterfall wraps to long and over sized with the trench holding it’s place as a wardrobe staple. I love the colours showing this season from soft pinks to rich tans and teal and of course classic navy. There is a lot of felted wool coming through adding to the unstructured feel and making them super snugly.

An important tip for buying the right coat, especially when the overall style is unstructured, is to make sure it fits you well in the shoulder. The shoulder seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder bone. Too narrow and it will look to small and your arm will look larger and rounded. Too wide and your neck and shoulder will appear to slope. It’s all about a sharp angle where the shoulder is concerned. If you do have a shoulder the drops away from you neck consider popping in a slim shoulder pad.

The wrap coat is a great option for those that want their coat to mix work with pleasure. Tightly cinched at the waist gives a classic pulled together look for the office. Try swapping the tie belt with a simple leather one for an individualised, look. Then on weekends, loose the belt all together and casually throw it over jeans and roll neck knit.

These are a few of my top coat picks for AW 2016 . Click on the captions to head straight to the On line Stores.

Godwin Charli – Maxine $799, Godwin Charli – Georgia $699

Karen Millen – Mohair and Alpaca Wrap Coat $ 675 , Saba – Penny Coat $499

Diana Ferrari – Maxwell Blanket Coat $349.95, Viktoria and Woods – Altitude Coat $549

Country Road- Military Button Coat $399, Viktoria and Woods – Equalizer Coat $699

February 21, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

As much as I am able to appreciate my last Shoe post visually and as a Stylist; the thought of spending more than a few hours in heels is my idea of hell and I know I am not alone. Not all of us trained our feet to wear heels and find the pain a major distraction from living our lives to their fullest.

Here are my picks of Flats and Boots that’s I’d love to get about in this Autumn/Winter.

Most of the brands will be familiar to you but there is one that you might not have had the pleasure of getting to know. I am talking about Habbot. The brain child of Annie Abbott, a talented Melbournite with a passion for shoe design and a desire to have them beautifully hand made at some of Naple’s best shoe makers. They have a store in the newly refurbished The Strand Melbourne and in the iconic Royal Arcade. If you are wanting handmade quality footwear please pay them a visit or head to their online store.

I am in love with the patent leather coming through in flats this season. It gives our comfy flats some glamour, making their limited height less noticeable as the high shine is the attraction here.

This season we’ll see the sneaker hold it’s position as a major trend. This is music to a flat shoe wearer’s ears. Team it with your mid-length skirt and a roll neck jumper for a great off/on duty look. Ginger and Smart have been clever with the hard ware on their sneakers, adding some rose gold zips and studs. Wittner’s Beckett is a less expensive pair that offer similar flexibility with what you can wear them back with.

So go forth and be comfortable. Your feet and the person you’re trying to have a conversation with will thank you!

Habbot – Exposure $395, Walnut Melbourne – Driving Leather Loafer $129.95

Wittner- Jerome Boot $249.95, Habbot – Magnify Boot $450

Habbot – Dose Shoe $395, Ginger and Smart Forte -Sneaker $369

Wittner – Keiko $179.95, Country Road – Carrie Flat $119

Country Road – Ira Knee High Boot $299 , Wittner – Isabelle Boot $329

Habbot – Cha Cha $325, Habbot – Dish $395, Wittner – Beckett $99.95

Stand and Deliver AW16

February 9, 2016.Reading time 1 minute.

We don’t need an excuse to look at amazing shoes but I want to give you a reason. I have scoured some of our favourite Australian Shoe brands to bring you my Picks for AW16.

This season it’s all about the detail. I love Manning Cartell’s take on the mule and the subtle tassel detail on Siren’s Honour heel. Heels are either super slim and sharp or solid and blocky; not much is in between. Suede and Metallics features again this season and we see the introduction of Velvet.

Designers are still loving the 70’s vibe. I prefer a nod to a previous season rather than a costume like reference. So Mules are in but I’d avoid tan Suede ones…..

Siren *Honour* $189.95, Manning Cartell *Clear and Now* $449

Saba *Ava Lace Bootie* $249, Tony Bianco Aztec $239.95

Manning Cartell *Leisure Seekers Mule* $499, Siren *Dawn* $219.95

Willow *Work Shoe* $650, Saba *Roxy Velvet Heel* $229

Manning Cartell *Kick Starter Bootie* $549, Ginger and Smart *Helix $449*

Hello Darling

November 24, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

Darling Style Merchants and The Parlor Milk Bar and Kitchen. 40 Weatherall Road, Beaumaris

There is no better time to introduce you to Darling Style Merchants than now. With Christmas only a month away this is the post you need to read.

Beaumaris didn’t know what hit it when The Parlor Milk bar and Kitchen opened it’s doors in 2011. With the help of family and friends; business partners Tamare Karakulahian and Bonne Squires transformed the tired Weatherall Road address into a thriving cafe and in 3 short years it has become a destination for locals and good food and coffee hunters alike.

When the hairdresser in the same building revealed she was closing her doors Bonne and Tamare quickly teamed up with Charlotte and Tania Squires to realise another dream; opening a gift and clothing store and soon, Darling Style Merchants was born.

When you meet the creative team behind Darling it becomes obvious that the name was a natural and suitable choice. The dictionary meaning for Darling is a person very dear to another; one dearly loved. This sums up the connection these four wonderful women have with each other and the special bond that gives this burgeoning empire such a bright and addictive energy.
They are now a genuine triple threat – food, gifts and clothing all under one roof.

They have sourced an amazing collection of brands from all over the world. This is truly a one stop shop for Christmas.

Click on the names below to learn more about the wonderful brands they have sourced for you to enjoy!!

Citta Design (one of my fav homeware brands)

Have you met Miss Jones

And more…..

Guest Post for The Boudica Files

June 19, 2014.Reading time 3 minutes.

I recently had the honour of writing a guest post for my friend Amelia’s beautiful blog The Boudica Files

Here it is..

Just as the weather in the Southern Hemisphere becomes colder the Fashion World starts showing us what will be on offer next summer. These are some of the trends that will start to hit the stores in the coming months. Here are some of the Key Trends for summer 14/15

White Shirt
This is really a year round trend but it’s the styling that differs this summer. Shapes are loose and comfortable teamed back with patterned mid length pencil skirts *. The white shirt is treated like a tshirt this summer; no longer seen as smart workplace attire; the movement, like tailoring, is towards casual and relaxed.

White shirt

Photo Credit – Vogue.com.au
*Styling Tip – Choose either top or bottom for volume and balance the other half with something fitted for a more flattering silhouette.

Head to toe print.
While it’s still very fashionable to clash your prints*; wearing the print both top and bottom is the fresh new way to style prints this summer. I love the way Ginger and Smart have mirrored the print but used a different texture to differentiate the top and skirt.

*Styling tip- Large print + small print is the key to the clash

Ginger and Smart – Photo credit – Vogue.com.au

Sheer
What a perfect trend for warm weather. The lightness of the fabric screams summer but it’s also looks elegant without completely covering up. The area of sheer can vary in position depending on your body type. If you don’t want to give a glimpse of your midriff opt for a mid-calf length and have the sheerness from the knee.

Sheer

Haryono Setiadi– Photo credit Vogue.com.au

Pastels
Thankfully we are steering away from head to toe highlighter shades and the trend this summer is for soft pastels. They are much kinder to most complexions and more complimentary to the prints still dominating this summer. While we have seen pastels in knitwear during winter; tailoring has also been painted in pale shades of pink, peach and soft sage green next season.
By Johnny

By Johnny– Photo credit Vogue.com.au

Soft Tailoring
Sharp tailoring and the stern peplum silhouettes of previous seasons make way for soft tailoring this summer. Shirts and jackets are slouchy and often unlined; perfect in the heat.*
*Styling Tip- To make this trend more flattering, make sure the line on the shoulder is square to your arm. If that line starts to creep down your arm the jacket will appear ill-fitting and become unflattering.

Maticevski

Maticevski –Photo credit Vogue.com.au

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: