Whoever said neutrals are boring never met a dress like this. This Camilla & Marc dress is a subdued hue but the sleek and elegant silhouette elevate it into something that can be worn throughout summer, making it the ideal look for warm days and balmy nights. The twisted halter neck design is sleek and adds a subtly sexy touch while the ruched back gives the dress an interesting feature but as a bonus, makes it ultra comfortable too. Also, I’m a fan of any dress with pockets (utilitarian and a great design feature) and the midi length is flattering and fun.
I wanted to wear toned down accessories with this look and something quite tonal too. So I opted for monogrammed Louis Vuitton ankle boots which has a subtle logo design so it doesn’t overwhelm the look, but a good boot helps ground the look. This look doesn’t call for fussy pieces so I went for a simple hat. Just the thing to complement this minimalist dress, and in the same colour family, it helps pull the entire look together.
I’m a firm believer that Aussie brands do summer clothing like no other. Our relaxed lifestyle really lends itself to inspiring plenty of designs that are just made for days spent enjoying the sun. One of the standout brands who do this so well is without a doubt, Zimmermann. I always find myself falling in love with so many things in every collection they do, and love how they always incorporate beautiful prints, intricate detailing and soft textural features into their clothes.
When I saw these shorts I could already see them becoming an integral part of my summer wardrobe. The 60s style print and the warm colour palette make them a definite cornerstone of any look. Also they work beautifully with neutrals as it really allows the shorts to pop. I wanted to add another statement piece to this look, but didn’t want to overwhelm my entire outfit, so this blouse was the perfect fit. The gorgeous silhouette with its mutton sleeves and the broderie anglaise are striking, but the crisp white allow it to still work back nicely with a colourful piece.
Accessorising this look was all about maintaining a simple and relaxed aesthetic. The white hat makes an elegant and practical addition to my look, while the straw bag and white slides maintain a resort vibe. Topped with white sunglasses that are in keeping with the 6os vibe of the shorts, this is one summer ensemble that’s going to have plenty of outings this season.
Printed dresses are a wardrobe staple of mine as they’re so wearable and a simple outfit that I can easily throw on without having to fuss around too much—perfect for a busy mum. Aje have been doing some really beautiful pieces of late, and this dress is no exception. I love the interesting greyscale check print which is bold and modern and something that allows the dress to stand out. Also a midi length is always flattering and something that I can wear both for off duty wear, in the office or to an event. One way I love to change up my fave dresses is by adding a belt. I popped a black Gucci statement belt over this dress to cinch in the waist and give it a little more structure, but as the style is so versatile, it’s definitely still great without it.
I decided on accessories that worked with the graphic feel of the dress. My Chanel cap toe flats in contrasting shades worked well against the grey and is just the thing to maintain a polished vibe but are shoes that I can also wear all day. I’ve also found that this dress can work back with so many different bag styles. Below I’ve paired it with a black Dior chain strap bag and also a roomy tote—I can change it up depending on what my day holds.
I love it when my favourite brands move into my local neighbourhood so i was so excited to check out the new Viktoria and Woods boutique in Mosman. The space is stunning and such a good place to spend time in for a spot of shopping—especially for popping things on your Christmas wish list!
I was so excited to check out what’s in store and immediately fell in love with this pink snakeskin co-ord set. The soft pink shade is just perfect for this time of year, while the print gives it a bit of edge and makes it ideal for events. The short sleeved wrap jacket with tie, worked back with the wide leg pants evoke an effortless vibe that is just made for summer, and worn together achieves a really striking effect.
This look was all about keeping it simple so I opted for the pared back accessories. I gravitated towards white accoutrements to pick up the white in the snakeskin print and gave the look some cohesion. The slip on mules and minimalist jewellery that included a necklace and drop earrings were the just the right finishing touches — understated yet able to stand out.
There’s something about contrasting prints that makes for a really strong look. It’s always a little unexpected and sometimes working really different prints against each other helps each one stand out a little more. This dress by Rebecca Vallance is a great example of this, working a fun spotted print with a floral collar. The midi length is just right to work the dress for different occasions, particularly a work event or party. Also the long sleeves mean it will be able to extend into the cooler months, ensuring it has a lot of longevity.
To keep the look polished, I opted for classic Tods leather loafers. The simple style makes it a comfortable shoe option for days when I’m on the go, and the ‘T’ logo plaque helps to elevate it into something a little more special. I wanted my bag to provide a contrast feature so I opted for a tan leather bag with top handle. The structured style has a classic vibe while being roomy enough to carry a day’s worth of essentials. A pair of fun triangular shaped frames is a more modern take on classic black sunnies and helped to add an interesting finishing touch to this look.
I always go through phases with my wardrobe but at the moment I’m gravitating towards bold prints as I find they’re such a great statement piece and will always lift any outfit. This top and shirt by Kate Sylvester is such a fun look— the playful print and bright hue is great for the wearing during the day for a polished casual vibe but it can easily be dressed up for the evening with the right shoes and accessories. Additionally as they’re separates I can easily work them with other pieces in my wardrobe giving them a different spin.
While it’s easy to dress this co-ord set up or down, I opted for a smart off duty look that could easily transition to lunch out or a meeting depending on where my day is taking me. I bought these white Gucci sandals last summer and have found them to be such a worthy investment. They go with virtually everything in my closet and are also really comfortable so are ideal for when I’m on the go. This Prada bag ticks the boxes in my book as it can be worn in different ways, either using the top handle or utilising the strap to go hands free. It’s also a great size for housing all my essentials around but not so big that it’s cumbersome to carry around. I can see myself coming back to this look time and time again and if there’s one thing that can never go astray it’s a failsafe outfit that’s guaranteed to always work.
Printed dresses are always a guaranteed winner in the style stakes especially when it comes in the form of this Isabel Marant number. The motif is a little bit abstract which makes it interesting—I like unexpected details as they can really lift an outfit. If you want a universally flattering fit I highly recommend getting on board with ruching. I love the overall ruched effect of the dress which is quite whimsical and romantic but the structured shoulders help offset this by giving it a touch of dramatic edge. Also take note: any wrap style neckline works well with virtually any figure and shape.
When it comes to prints it’s always worth considering how far you want to push your accessories — I think it’s great to either take a step back and keep it quite simple or go up a notch with pieces that have statement finishes. These Jimmy Choo heels and the bag fall into the latter camp, and whilst they’re standout pieces on their own, I think they still work well with a printed dress. Anything in black will work well with almost any piece you match with it, whilst the crystal embellishments provide a glam touch but aren’t competing for attention with the dress. Also, they’re the kind of accoutrements that are perfect for any party look so take note this festive season!
For days spent enjoying the sunshine there’s nothing better than a bright, vibrant yellow shade. There’s something about wearing this most uplifting of colours to really embrace a beautiful spring day, and I couldn’t think of a better way to do it than via this Kate Sylvester dress. I’m a fan of flowy, maxi dresses and I love the style of this particular frock, with its subtle pussy bow and flattering waist tie.
There’s no question that when wearing such a bold colour that it should definitely be the focal point of an ensemble so I opted to keep my accessories simple. I decided on pairing it with one of my current faves—a pair of black minimalist Giuseppe Zanotti heels. It’s always nice to carry a bag with a fun, modern feel and this tortoiseshell Valet Studio bag definitely fit the brief. I love its structured, boxy style and the dainty handle, which gives it a ladylike, feminine vibe but with an edgy touch.
A little outfit inspo never goes astray especially as we emerge from spring and head into summer and party season. And this month, it’s all about casual looks that have loads of polish and look effortless. From tailored shirts to high waisted trousers and classic basics, it’s about unfussy outfits that still look next-level. Prepare to have your wardrobe sorted for the coming weeks.
A skort is a great hybrid of the key summer staples of a skirt and shorts. You can elevate this casual item by adding a tailored shirt and pairing it with a pair of dressy slides.
The formula for a great look involves keeping things simple but having a few interesting additions to keep your outfit from looking pedestrian. It’s time to give the humble white tee a workout and pair it with your fave summer skirt, a ladylike bag and the ever reliable white sneaker.
Commit this outfit combination to memory: singlet, printed skirt and slides. Work this look in a number of ways by switching up colours and prints but ultimately it’s an outfit that’s guaranteed to work any time.
Tailored pieces which look a little dressy can be extended in smart casual wear by pairing with a simple white tank and sleek accessories. This is one way to work neutrals in a striking way.
Invest in a bright and billowy maxi dress and live in it all summer. This dress style can work for the beach to brunch so you’re guaranteed to get plenty of use out of it.
The simple lines of this dress make it a style chameleon. Worn dressed up with heels or dressed down with sandals, it can easily transition according to the occasion.
Don’t be afraid to contrast pieces. This pleated skirt and cropped jacket and tank balances a masculine/feminine aesthetic to great effect and makes traditionally classic pieces look a little more edgy.
Find a pair of high waisted khakis this summer and you’ll live in them non-stop in the coming months. Pop on a blazer and pair it with sneakers and a tank for a look that can easily go from work to play quite seamlessly.
Adopt the bermuda short into your wardrobe this summer to instantly update your look. They’re also great option for those who want a little more coverage when it comes to shorts.
Yes you can wear sequins during the day! This sequinned jacket looks daytime appropriate when paired with shorts and boots but can easily give any evening ensemble some va va va voom.
Derby Day is always one of the chicest race days on the spring racing calendar because of its monochrome colour palette. Working with black and white is always guaranteed to look stylish and it’s one of my favourite events to dress for. This year I centred everything around this knitted Christopher Kane dress. What initially drew me to it was its interesting shape. I loved its fitted style and the tiered hem, and the high neckline with long neck tie feature at the back gives the dress focal points from the front and the back. And I can’t go past glam embellishments such as the oversized crystal buttons.
I wanted to add some statement pieces to this look as I find a black dress is given a little extra depth when paired with accessories that pop. In keeping with the glamorous feel, I worked the look back with a black and diamante custom headpiece by Viktoria Novak. Headbands are such a huge trend right now and such an easy option when you want headwear that’s simple yet stylish. Also I opted for a Jimmy Choo clutch with a similar feel, the statement bow edged with diamantes to help tie the look together. And Giuseppe Zanotti embellished heels were the perfect finishing touch to this look.
Photography: Ashleigh Larden
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Credits: Dress, Christopher Kane; Head-piece, Custom Viktoria Novak; Bag, Jimmy Choo; Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti.
This post was produced in collaboration with Net-a-Porter
