Karen Walker Archives - Kate Waterhouse

What I wore this week (on location)

1st July, 2021

We’re still in Port Douglas this week so I’m still in resortwear mode. It’s definitely going to be weird going back to jeans and jumpers when we get back… I’ve been enjoying reworking the pieces that I packed, trying to create new outfit combinations, and I’m unearthing the standout pieces that are forming the backbone of a lot of my outfits — surprisingly swimwear is definitely right up there. I’m all about the importance of packing great accessories, because when you’re working with a capsule wardrobe, you need a few fun pieces to liven things up and give looks some personality.

Comfy and casual looks are on high rotation on this holiday and this is a go-to combination of mine. This top has been a great addition to my holiday outfit repertoir as it’s been a great piece to pair with multiple bottoms, from shorts to jeans and wide leg pants. I paired this with my printed Aje bucket had to add a little colour to this all black ensemble, and my trusty Louis Vuitton backpack is great for a busy day out wiht kids.

Credits: T-shirt and sandals, Ducie; Shorts, Nobody; Hat, Aje; Backpack, Louis Vuitton

We headed out for a refreshing dip and a little exploring, so I needed an outfit that could work for multiple activities. These denim shorts have been a great base for a lot of my looks on this holiday and this monochrome ensemble is something I wear often because it’s really wearable, but still looks right on trend.

Credits: T-shirt, Ducie; Shorts, Nobody; Backpack, Louis Vuitton

What I love about swimsuits is that I can wear them both as a pair of swimmers but also as a bodysuit which essentially doubles their wear. I popped these on with a pair of jeans and instantly had a look that I could wear out to lunch or for a day of sightseeing. My Loewe bag has been getting quite the workout this holiday; it’s roomy enough to fit everyone’s essentials, but always adds a chic touch to any outfit.

Credits: Swimsuit, Viktoria & Woods; Jeans, Ksubi; Bag, Loewe

Embracing a fun orange gingham dress seemed the perfect outfit option for a bike ride along the beach. This dress entered my wardrobe last summer and it’s honestly one of my faves because of its punchy colour and simple silhouette. A pair of white Gucci sandals to top it off and I’m set.

Credits: Dress, Steele; Sandals, Gucci; Bag, Loewe

Outfit repeats are a necessary part of any holiday wardrobe and this is one look I’m wearing again and again because of its simplicity and wearability. I’m all about this Monday Swimwear one piece at the moment because it’s easily paired with the other resortwear pieces I brought with me, and this stylish wrap is just the thing to pop on after a swim. Sunglasses are of course a must and these geometric Karen Walker frames have been such a great pair to finish off a lot of my looks.

Credits: Swimsuit, Monday Swimwear; Wrap (similar style here), Bondi Born; Bag, Loewe; Sunglasses, Karen Walker

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Shirting Around

22nd June, 2021

If Fashion Week taught me anything it’s that shirt dresses are going to be one of the big trends to look out for in the coming months. And this shirt dress by Aliette is such a great take on the style. While certain shirt dresses can sometimes veer into corporate territory, I think this dress feels a little more fashion forward because of key design elements used to give the design a more contemporary twist. The bell sleeves add a 70s vibe, while the bib feature adds an interesting layered effect and avoids the dress looking too ‘done’. When in a crisp white it’s also a chic outfit option that can be worked for day or night, work or play.

Working with white I often like to add contrasting pieces when wearing white, or I like to go in the opposite direction and layer white on white pieces to achieve a really clean and fresh feel. I opted for the latter with this look and decided on a mini Apede Mod bag to complement the dress. The gold chain handle makes for a great contrast element, while these geometric style Karen Walker sunglasses add a bold accent to this outfit—making for a great contrast to the simple lines of the dress.

Credits: Dress, Aliette; Bag, Apede Mod; Sunglasses, Karen Walker

Photography: Sophia Athas

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: On Safari

1st September, 2020

We had a glimpse of summer over the weekend in Sydney and it got me excited to start delving into my spring/summer wardrobe. As if I needed further proof that co-ord sets are quickly becoming one of my fave go-to looks, along comes this Bec and Bridge outfit. This look is a modern take on the traditional safari suit and is such a fun option for spring/summer. The cropped top and pants work together to create a fresh silhouette while the the neutral hue is the perfect versatile shade for when the weather starts to warm up. Also I love the button detailing which provides the ideal finishing touch. Additionally, both pieces can work separately with other things in my wardrobe ensuring they’re able to do double duty.

This look is quite polished so I wanted to add accessories in keeping with that vibe, but given it’s quite a pared back ensemble, I also wanted to add a few accoutrements that would add a little energy to it. Enter this tasseled bag by Strathberry. The bright pop of orange and oversized tassels add a funky element and add a nice hit of colour. Meanwhile I opted for a pair of simple white Gucci thongs to keep things understated while these square frame Karen Walker sunglasses are going to become quite a regular feature of my summer wardrobe.

Credits: Top and pants, Bec and Bridge; Bag, Strathberry; Shoes (similar here), Gucci; Sunglasses, Karen Walker

Photography: Sophia Athas

Fashion, Shop, What I Wore

What I Wore: Weekend Casual

3rd August, 2017

When it comes to my down time I like to keep things comfortable yet polished. One of my go-to combinations for weekend dressing is a great pair of jeans and a white shirt—a classic pairing that always looks effortless. The key to to elevating this look is all in the details. This Karen Walker peasant top with pintucks and tassels elevates this casual piece into a stylish weekend staple. The straw boater and clutch add some natural textures to the look whilst the black Bassike sandals add a bold element and provides a striking point of difference to the neutral tones of the rest of the ensemble. I’ve found this outfit is ideal for a day of doing everything from grabbing a coffee to hanging out with my family without compromising on style.

Scroll down to steal this look for yourself…

Credits: Shirt, Karen Walker; Jeans, J Brand; Hat, Nerida Winter; Bag, Helen Kaminski; Sandals, Bassike

Photography: Sophia Athas

Steal the look

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Family time

16th February, 2017

Spending quality time with the girls on the weekend is one of my favourite things to do. We’ll do everything from go for walks around our neighbourhood to go to the beach or step out for a bite to eat and when we do comfort is definitely key as far as my outfit goes. I find throwing on a dress is the easiest way for me to get out the door quickly but opting for a fun bird print like that on the above Karen Walker dress helps give it a little personality. My new Nicholas Kirkwood slides are an easy footwear option as they look quite polished but are easy to slip on and off should we find ourselves doing an impromptu visit to the park or the beach. I am really loving the trend towards pointed flats, I think it’s a really modern look and is a great alternative to traditional flats. Any bag that I take with me when I’m out with the girls must have a strap to keep my hands free but I also like to keep things on trend which is where my favourite new Gucci handbag enters the picture. I love the applique on the bag which helps complement the playful nature of the dress.

Shop my favourite dresses for a family day out

Pair the outfit with some slides to match

Credits: Kate’s Dress, Karen Walker; Shoes, Nicholas Kirkwood, Bag, Gucci; Sunglasses, Celine. Sophia wore Chloe and Amelie

Photography: Sophia Athas

What I Wore

What I Wore: Weekend

12th February, 2015

Weekends are all about comfortable dressing for me. This Karen Walker dress is a key piece in my weekend wardrobe as it’s really comfy so it’s great for long lunches with friends. It can be worn loose but I wanted a bit more structure to it so I decided to team it with a Celine belt I picked up in Milan last year. I think accessories are a really great way to make your outfit stand out. Often I’ll buy statement belts or vintage belts just to give what I’m wearing its own unique feel. This dress is really versatile because you could wear it with flats or heels or you can leave it plain and just wear it as a shift dress.

White Dress: Karen Walker
Belt: Celine
Heels: Celine
Bag: Balenciaga

What I Wore

WHAT I WORE

8th May, 2013

I recently wore this bronze Ellery dress to the Cosmopolitan birthday event in Woolloomooloo. I teamed it with black Alaia heels and Karen Walker sunglasses.