Seed Heritage Archives - Kate Waterhouse

My fave brands on a budget

19th November, 2023

Whilst I’m all for investing in certain pieces in my wardrobe that I want to have longevity such as bags, shoes and coats, I tend to scrimp on trend items that I know may only last a season or two. It’s fun to update my look with a few key of-the-moment items but it doesn’t make sense to me to spend loads on them. Australia has a great selection of chain stores of local and overseas brands so I’ve learnt that you can easily snap up trendy pieces that won’t break the bank. Here are a few of my go-tos when I’m looking for an inexpensive fashion fix.

Zara

Who doesn’t love Zara? They’re great for runway inspired pieces so you can often find some really up-to-the-minute looks at a fraction of the price. I also like that their designs are often on trend, but interpreted in such a simple, unfussy way that they can easily be worked back with pieces you already own.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGFmB0CIRU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

H&M

Whilst H&M is great for simple basics like tees and jeans, I also like the fact that they have some really contemporary designs that are fun. If I’m ever looking to dabble in a trend that I know won’t last beyond a season, I’ve found that snapping up something from H&M will often allow me to do so without breaking the bank.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzN9q7DC1i0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Seed Heritage

Seed often stock a lot of really beautiful pieces that are classic and polished, which is exactly what draws me to this brand. They often feature most of the popular trends in their range, but you can also find dressy pieces for work and after dark at an accessible price point.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNGwAmHccl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Witchery

Witchery‘s great for classic pieces that are ultra wearable. They often have quite understated designs which makes most of their range quite versatile. Also they stock things such as blazers, slacks and jumpers which look upmarket and expensive but are at a far cheaper price point than taking the designer route.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNVd2MhFU6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Uniqlo

I’ve got several pieces from Uniqlo in my closet that are still going strong. And I think it’s because they do simple really well. From t-shirts to knits, pants and dresses, everything is really understated which extends the wearability of anything from their range. I also like that they incorporate natural fabrics such as wool, cotton and even cashmere into their range but price it quite reasonably.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx8648zA5GS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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What I wore this week

15th June, 2023

It’s the week for a round up of the more dressy looks I’ve worn of late. Events, interviews and work commitments have given me the perfect excuse to break out a few of my fave pieces, plus some new additions. The theme seems to be that I’m in my suiting season right now, as I cannot get enough of this style staple. The great thing about it is that it can be worn in so many different iterations, so whether it’s a traditional suit or a vest and pants set there’s nothing a suit can’t work for. Here’s what I wore this week.

Credits: Top, Alaia; Pants, SIR, Heels, Giuseppe Zanotti; Sunglasses, Poppy Lissiman

Alaia have released an ‘Editions’ collection which features designs from their archives dating from 1981 – 2017 and this ultra flattering bodysuit is from that range. It’s on the exxy side but the quality and fit is amazing. It’s made from a stretch knit which is comfy and achieves a really smooth line, while the off the shoulder silhouette is one of my faves as it’s ultra flattering. I wore this with a simple pair of black trousers from SIR and Giuseppe Zanotti heels. You can’t beat an all black ensemble for hitting all the right notes when it comes to looking polished.

Credits: Jacket and pants, Rebecca Vallance; Heels, Witchery

I love a suiting moment of any kind and Rebecca Vallance always does a great suit. This oatmeal coloured set feels very fresh and modern and gives this suit a lightweight feel. I like the fact suits are able to be worn in so many different ways to change up their look and feel, and this time around I decided to wear the jacket buttoned up to act as more of a top rather than a jacket. However a quick addition of a white tank underneath plus white sneakers and it immediately gives it an on trend vibe. The versatility factor definitely contributes to my love of suiting.

Credits: Vest and pants, Seed; Heels, Bottega Veneta

I do like the current trend of vests worn with tailored pants which gives a suit a more modern spin. Hot tip: check out Seed’s tailored options. I got this set from there and it definitely has the upmarket feel of bespoke tailoring minus the price tag. I wore this with my Bottega Veneta heels to give it a more feminine vibe, but if I wanted to dress it down I could definitely get away with wearing this set with sneakers.

Credits: Dress, Camilla and Marc; Heels, Giuseppe Zanotti

I was doing a try on session at Camilla and Marc and came upon this super cute dress. I love the ruching detail down the middle which adds a point of interest while the maxi hem gives it an elegant feel. I went with a simple pair of heels in this instance as I liked its understated vibe.

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What I wore this week

12th January, 2023

School holidays has me rocking more casual looks this week and it’s been great to be able to explore that side of my wardrobe a little more. Looking after two little girls, it’s mostly been about comfort interspersed with the occasional dressy look. That said, one pattern does seem to be emerging… a matching set can’t be beat. Whether it’s a shirt and shorts combination, a skirt and button down, or a crop and skirt, a co-ordinating set is definitely a great shortcut to looking polished without much effort. So, here are a few of my faves…

Brights are definitely on trend this season and this orange Kinney has been a tried and tested mood booster. A vibrant hue is always a great option for summer, plus it makes a statement. My white Gucci slides added a neutral touch and allowed the colour to shine.

Credits: Shirt and shorts, Kinney; Slides, Gucci

I love this skirt and crop set by Seed Heritage. It’s so beautifully feminine, but the neutral hue helps to ground it and keeps it from looking too saccharine. This is a great polished look for an event. Also, each works well as separates.

Credits: Crop, skirt and sandals, Seed Heritage; Sunglasses, RayBan

Denim is always a failsafe option no matter the occasion. This shirt and shorts set is a great casual go-to and it’s perfect for wearing as separates too. These comfy Camilla and Marc slides have been a fun addition to my wardrobe and add a statement feature to a simple look. I went with a roomy Dior tote on this day, which served the practical purpose of holding all my essentials, but also added a statement pop of colour.

Credits: Shirt and shorts, Country Road; Bag (similar here), Dior; Slides, Camilla and Marc

Credits: Shirt, skirt and bag, Oroton; Slides, Gucci

Oroton’s ready-to-wear range is seriously on point this season, with lots of fun pieces to embrace. This colourful printed set is the perfect resortwear look, and if you’re off on holiday, definitely consider it. I also went with a white Oroton mini bag and white sandals to add an extra touch of freshness to this ensemble.

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What I wore this week (Melbourne edition)

24th November, 2022

Packing for the week of Melbourne Cup Carnival always requires a few different outfit options as I will be going from mum mode one minute to trackside the next and a few dinners and events in between. So, it requires a bit of preparation as I need pieces that are versatile and can be dressed up or down and worn in different ways. My recent trip to Melbourne was all about embracing a few new staple pieces in my wardrobe mixed with a few fun pieces for dressing up, and always my fave Aussie brands. Here’s what I wore.

Aussie labels are so great at doing event wear. I wore this Sir the Label dress when I was heading out to dinner after attending Derby Day. It was a nice way to continue the black and white dress code, as I paired it with my black Bottega heels and a black Jimmy Choo pouch. I do like the unexpected statement hemline of this dress — it gives the dress a little extra personality.

Credits: Dress, Sir the Label; Bag, Jimmy Choo; Heels, Bottega Veneta

Love a lowkey look with polish. These black Camilla and Marc pants have been a great addition to my wardrobe as I can dress them up but they also look great with sneakers. It was cold down in Melbourne so I got cosy in a Venroy sweater and popped a Camilla and Marc trench on top. Also, white sneakers are still a beloved part of my wardrobe. These are by Burberry and have a great pared back vibe to them.

Credits: Trench and pants, Camilla and Marc; Sweater, Venroy; Sneakers, Burberry

I like experimenting with how I style things and decided to tuck this bomber jacket into a maxi skirt and lo and behold, a new look is born. These two pieces are great as they’re able to be worn separately quite easily. I accessorised with a two-tone pair of Chanel slingbacks to add a little extra polish, and a casual Prada bucket bag to round things out.

Credits: Jacket (available in other colour here) and skirt, Clea; Bag (similar here), Prada; Slingbacks, Chanel; Sophia and Grace in Seed

Another winning pair of trousers by Camilla and Marc! These are just the right amount of slouchy, but the tailored silhouette means they don’t look sloppy. Did I mention they’re also insanely comfortable? I went for a pair of Camilla and Marc slides with a super cosy shearling trim, which seemed fitting for the up and down weather in Melbourne.

Credits: Top, Good American; Pants and shoes, Camilla and Marc; Grace in Seed

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What I Wore: Seed by the Sea event

22nd November, 2022

Events during spring/summer are always extra special because sometimes you’ll get lucky and get to spend the day outdoors enjoying the sunshine like I did for the Seed by the Sea event. Even better when I get to bring Luke as my guest! I’ve always been a fan of Seed Heritage, and have worn it myself along with Sophia and Grace, so it’s become quite a constant brand in our wardrobes. Everything is always on point yet with a classic vibe so it’s definitely a go-to throughout the year. Continuing my love affair with all things matching, I opted to wear this set by the brand. The neutral is a great colour to work with as it’s understated and polished, and easily works for myriad occasions. I do love the maxi skirt paired with a crop — it’s refined but with a modern spin. Also, both pieces can easily be worn separately so it’s great when it comes to versatility. Plus I love the twisted feature on the top, which adds a touch of drama to an otherwise very streamlined, pared back outfit.

I wanted to keep things quite tonal so I went for a pair of braided gold sandals, also by Seed, to finish off this look. It’s the kind of hue that complements the earthy, light chestnut colour of the top and skirt, but it also pops as it’s a metallic. Also the style is one that can be worked back with a number of other summery outfits so it’s going to get a healthy workout over the coming weeks.

Credits: Top, skirt and sandals, Seed Heritage

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What I Wore: Seed Mother’s Day Breakfast

4th May, 2022

I recently hosted a beautiful Mother’s Day event for Seed Heritage and I was lucky enough to not only have the girls there but my mum too! Seed have always done some gorgeous things and I fortunate to be able to wear some stunning new pieces from their latest range. Autumn always has me wanting to adopt cosy pieces given the temperatures are a bit cooler, so I opted for cosiness that incorporated textures and a neutral colour palette. If there’s one type of knitwear that’s guaranteed to get a consistent workout in my wardrobe it’s a crew neck jumper in a neutral shade. The cream colour is versatile enough to work with multiple pieces while the rounded neckline is elegant and classic. I could wear this sweater with a skirt as easily as I could with jeans which earns it top marks in my book.

Midi skirts and boots are always a sophisticated pairing, particularly when it comes to autumn attire as it helps bridge the tricky transseasonal weather issue of being hot one minute and cold the next. This crisp white skirt is understatedly elegant, but the split offers a flattering break in the skirt to flash an ever so slight hint of skin, helping it to look modern rather than matronly. The great thing about this piece is that it could transition into spring/summer quite easily by swapping out the boots and sweater for a cami and slides. I’m loving knee high boots for winter and this cream pair is a great alternative to black and tan. It also works well to keep the entire outfit tonal, something that looks sophisticated and fresh.

Credits: Top, skirt and boots, Seed Heritage

Photography: Alice Mahran

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What I Wore: Dior Sydney event

12th September, 2020

It’s me! At an event! It’s been awhile so it was nice to be out and about at a a function. Given we’ve just welcomed spring I wanted to wear a lighter, fresher look so this crisp white dress by Toni Maticevski was the ideal option. The mini style combined with the oversized statement ruffles was just the right amalgamation of feminine silhouette with playful touches. Also I’m a fan of a little white dress for event dressing as it evokes such an elegant feel.

Handy tip: barely there clear heels are great for elongating the frame. These Seed mules do just that. The transparent strap creates the illusion of length which earns major ticks. Plus they’re such a comfy shoe so they’re great for being out and about. To finish off this look, it just had to be Dior. I went for a ladylike blush pink Dior top handle bag, which added a subtle hit of colour. Plus the soft hue is just the right shade to not disrupt the clean lines of the rest of my ensemble. And who can resist such a pretty shade of pink?

Credits: Dress, Toni Maticevski; Shoes, See; Bag, Dior

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What I Wore: Seed Heritage Autumn Winter collection preview

2nd March, 2020

It’s always so exciting to work with brands that I really love and Seed Heritage is a constant in mine and my daughters’ wardrobes. So it was fantastic to be able to host the preview of their new autumn/winter range held at Sydney’s The Apollo restaurant (which is also one of my fave dining spots — check out the others on the list here).

Having been lucky enough to check out the collection, be prepared for all things tonal this season. I wore a look from the brand that incorporated warm, chocolate tones and it had me immediately wanting to start snapping up more pieces in that colour palette. The great thing about wearing shades in a similar colour family is that it ties your whole look together and also adds some interesting depth with the play on graduating shades.

I often turn to Seed as they have contemporary pieces that have a classic feel. I loved this caramel coloured A-line leather skirt with the below the knee hemline as it looked polished when worn with dressy pieces, but could also be dressed down with more casual staples. I decided to team it with a beige sleeveless turtleneck and a chocolate hued mules (which as a side note featured a block heel which made them super comfy to be in for hours). Overall the look was definitely in autumn/winter territory with the slightly more muted but warm colour palette, but if this is anything to go by, I definitely can’t wait to start working on the rest of my new season wardrobe.

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How to find the ideal gift for the little ones in your life

5th December, 2019

One of the things I really enjoy about Christmas is shopping for Sophia and Grace. It’s always the highlight of Christmas to see them so excited and happy when they’re opening their presents and I think party of that joy is trying to track down just the right gifts for them. As any parent will know, kids interests’ and loves will change often, so it can make gift giving a little tricky as they could be into Barbies or The Wiggles one minute and not so much the next. So here are some of the strategies I often use to buy gifts for the girls, but also the other little people in my life.

Choose quality over quantity

It can be easy to just buy up a storm during Christmas time but I find that a few great presents that they really, really love is better than buying lots of little things they’re only so-so about. So when it comes to your present budget, I’m always of the frame of mind that you’re better off narrowing it down to their absolute wants, that way they get to appreciate what they’ve been given and really enjoy it.

Go for gifts that have longevity

Continuing on from the above, I think it’s good to opt for gifts that can grow with them. This is from a quality perspective in that it’s better to choose gifts that are designed to last as opposed to anything that might be flimsily made and might not last beyond that Christmas. And also gifts that are able to be used at any age. Think an art easel with paints that they can use over a few years or a collection of books that you can read together as they get older.

Give them an experience

Toys are great but one of the best gifts I think you can give to kids is an experience. It’s so much more memorable as they get to do something fun. Depending on what your kids are into, you could do something like a day at the zoo, tickets to a show or concert or promise them a day out doing their favourite things whether it’s going to the beach or an excursion to the movies (complete with yummy snacks!).

Photography by Sophia Athas, Hatrik

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Produced in collaboration with Seed

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What I Wore: Seed Heritage Spring Racing Luncheon

4th October, 2019

Spring racing is upon us and that means it’s time to start thinking of what to wear trackside. Putting together a race day outfit can become expensive if you have to factor in every aspect of your look from a dress to shoes, jewellery and accessories. I’m all about finding ways to make it a more cost effective exercise, which is why I was thrilled to host Seed Heritage’s Spring Racing Luncheon. The whole event was about showcasing beautiful race day looks that were elegant and on trend and would definitely elevate your next ensemble at the races.

I wore a co-ord set from the collection, featuring a plissé finish which was both polished and sophisticated. The crisp white colour is also ideal for spring, giving the entire look a fresh feel that’s perfect for this time of year. I always like to err on the side of conservative with any race day looks and the midi length of the skirt and the long balloon sleeves are a way to to do this whilst still looking on trend.

I went for a few accessories which all added an element of interest to my look. A pair of mules with a transparent strap offered an edgy feature to my outfit. I then worked a pearl headband and pearl hoops into my ensemble to complement the classic feel of the set, whilst a white shoulder bag offered the perfect finishing touch.

Photography by Liz Sunshine / Street Smith Agency