Browsing Tag

wardrobe advice

Fashion

The staples that help me create my best outfits

12th February, 2023

My wardrobe would cease to function without denim — I can’t live without a great pair of jeans.

While my wardrobe incorporates clothing for myriad occasions, when I drill down there’s definitely a roll call of key staples that help me create my best outfits. While getting frocked up to host an event or reporting trackside at the races is a great excuse to wear some beautiful pieces, day-to-day it’s all about comfort for me. The majority of the time I’m in mum mode which means I like my wardrobe to be pretty unfussy but without compromising on style. This is why I tend to lean quite heavily on a few key items in my closet that help form the bulk of my looks. And here they are, in no particular order, but equally as important…

The muscle tee

I have this style in black and white and wear them both as often. I’m all about a white shirt most days but what I like about this particular style is that it’s on trend, but so comfortable and versatile. I have paired these shirts with jeans, shorts and skirts and they work for a casual day out or something a little dressier. I’m a firm believer that once you find something that works, get it in other colours!

Jeans

I am a denim girl through and through. I tend to have a collection of jeans in constant rotation, most of them high waisted, cropped and in various washes but either way I don’t think I can go a week without wearing a pair. They’re easily the most used item in my closet and are so easy to dress up or down. I can wear a pair doing the school run, while dressing up another pair for Fashion Week. Either way, they’re my go-to.

Bodysuits

I’ve recently discovered the beauty of bodysuits (even wearing swimsuits as bodysuits) and I don’t think I can ever go back. They’re the perfect thing to wear tucked into jeans because you don’t have to worry about anything becoming untucked, and they achieve a really clean line. I wear them all the time and have found they can go with denim to a pair of smart black trousers equally as well.

A black blazer

If I want to do a smart casual look, this is probably what I’d pull out of my closet, in particular the black blazer. Having a great blazer that I can throw on to dress up a look is such a great shortcut on those days when I need to look put together but I have zero time to fuss around with an outfit. A style such as this, which is slightly longer in length allows me to pair it with everything from jeans to a dress, achieving maximum versatility status.

Patterned coat

In winter, I can’t go past a great patterned coat. While there’s definitely a time and a place for classic hues such as black, grey, navy and camel in a coat repertoire, I do love the energy a coat such as the above adds to a look. I often pair it with jeans, throwing it over an outfit that requires a little injection of personality.

Cosy knits

A cosy knit is my usual go-to during winter. I can’t live without them. I like knits that have a slightly more slouchy, relaxed fit as I love snuggling into them, plus they go really well with a more streamlined silhouette such as jeans or pants. I think every wardrobe needs a jumper in a neutral hue such as the above, along with black, grey, navy, khaki and camel. If you tick those boxes you’ll be able to create so many different outfits.

What are the fashion staples you can’t live without?

Fashion

How to make it easier to pull together an outfit in a rush

5th February, 2023

If you’re running late and need to get out the door fast it can be stressful being faced with a wardrobe dilemma. Looking into your closet and not having any idea what to wear can make an already rushed morning feel even more so. To avoid this happening to you, it’s time to put in a bit of effort now and prep your way out of it. Having the right measures in place can make all the difference between walking out of the house feeling and looking pulled together to not having any idea what you’re wearing and feeling less than your best self the entire day. Here are a few simple ways to pull together an outfit in a rush.

Clean your closet

It all starts with the state of your closet. If you’ve got clothes strewn everywhere, shoes piled on top of each other and bags all over the place then you’re going to make it very hard to find anything let alone style an outfit. So commit to a big wardrobe cull and ensure that everything is in plain sight. If you can easily see everything then you’re more likely to have a little more styling inspiration, which means locking in an outfit quicker, which can mean you’re able to walk out the door faster.

Ensure your essentials are always nearby

We all have our fave pieces in our closet so it’s important that these things are readily at our fingertips should a wardrobe dilemma faced with a time crunch arise. If you can fall on a standby go-to outfit without then realising that the shirt you want isn’t ironed or the jeans you’re after is still in the washing basket, you have a much better chance of getting dressed faster. At a minimum, always make a point of having the key staples in your wardrobe at the ready.

Have failsafe outfit combinations

It’s great to experiment and broaden your fashion repertoire but it’s also key to have at least five outfits that you know always work memorised. These are good to fall back on should you be faced with a sartorial mental blank and can’t really think of what to wear. To make it even easier, have an outfit planned to suit different occasions, think: casual, work, evening, party and going out. This way whatever you’re faced with there’s always an ensemble waiting to happen in a matter of minutes.

Have style inspo as a back up

Style inspiration can help kickstart an outfit idea or two so make sure you have a few on your phone that you can draw upon when you need to. By simply having a few looks that you love saved, you can make it easier to then get an ensemble together when you’re having one of those days where you feel that you really have nothing to wear.

Fashion

How to avoid wardrobe boredom in 2023

28th January, 2023

The start of a new year definitely calls for a fresh start as far as your style goes. Now is the time to ask yourself if you’re genuinely happy with your wardrobe, if not, then change it up. Ultimately I think what you wear should make you happy and make you feel confident, if it doesn’t then it’s time to refocus it and make some adjustments so it does. Wardrobe boredom is never fun, but it doesn’t have to be permanent.

Here are a few great places to start…

Purge your closet

One thing that often gets in the way of refreshing your style and avoiding wardrobe boredom is getting weighed down by all the things in your closet that you don’t truly love, but are taking up space anyway. So do a ruthless edit of your closet and only keep the things that flatter you, and as a result, make you feel good as well. By playing within a smaller, more refined selection of clothing, you’ll be able to discover new outfit combinations and find something that makes you look amazing.

Find your icons

Pinpoint the people whose style you admire and identify what it is that you like about their look. Is it the colours they wear? The shapes they gravitate to? The accessories they weave into their outfits? Once you’ve found these common threads, look at how you can work it into your existing wardrobe.

Do closet rotations

Whatever the eye sees is often what we end up wearing so it’s a good idea to rotate what’s in your closet every few months so you can ensure that the pieces that have been at the back, are now front and centre. By simply rotating your clothes, you’ll be able to gives some other sections of your wardrobe a chance to see the light of day!

Look at what you spend your days doing

It’s not uncommon to find that your wardrobe doesn’t necessarily match what you actually do every day. This is often the case for example with new mums who may find that they’ve got a closet full of gorgeous work or party clothes, but wear the same pair of jeans over and over again because nothing else works for their current lifestyle. If this sounds like you, look at what your wardrobe actually needs, as opposed to what you think it needs and re-jig your style working with those key pieces.

Incorporate a fashion challenge in your week

Reverting to the same failsafe outfit combinations is great, but occasionally it’s a good idea to expand your sartorial horizons in order to evolve and refresh your look. To avoid a wardrobe rut, assign yourself the occasional day in your week where you challenge yourself to incorporate a particular print in your look or wear a certain colour. This will encourage you to look at your wardrobe in new ways, and help you rediscover forgotten pieces.

 

Fashion, Shop

What’s on my new year wardrobe lust list

15th January, 2023

The start of a brand new year is always a great time for a fresh start as far as my wardrobe goes. I like to do a big clean up to get organised and ensure I’ve got everything in its place, and in doing so, I’m able to really think about pieces on my wish list. Will they work back with the rest of my wardrobe? What kind of updates do I need to make the rest of the clothes I already own work harder? By being able to see what’s currently in my closet, I can see what items will actually add to my closet as opposed to just doubling up on things or buying one hit wonder pieces that won’t really work with anything else.

As far as 2023 pieces go, these are what have made it onto my list. Tell me yours in the comments section below!

 

 

Camilla and Marc Raleigh blazer and pants

I have been loving suits as event wear for awhile now and one of the things that have made it onto my wish list is a white suit by Camilla and Marc. I’ve got this style in black and have been absolutely loving it, and found it to be so versatile that I’d like it in a different colour. White was the obvious versatile choice as it works back with different hues. It’s also easy to wear the two pieces separately so it’s a good way to maximise cost per wear.

 

 

Viktoria and Woods Delta bustier

Bustiers are a big trend, but what I love about this Viktoria and Woods style is that it looks quite day appropriate. The linen feels very summery and fresh, and in a neutral hue it’s an easy option to pair with a variety of different colours. The corsetry detail however gives it some edge, and I love the cute resin stone detail on the halterneck strap.

 

 

Christopher Esber Venus draped jersey top

I’ll preface this by saying I don’t classify this as a basic but gosh what a showstopper of a top! Sometimes, I think you just need pieces that are a bit different and exciting and that fall into the special occasion category. I can imagine wearing this to different events and working it back with a classic pair of black pants.

 

 

Gucci bucket hat

I spend a lot of time near the water so hats are very much my thing. Yes, it’s quite an investment piece price tag for a hat but I do love that I can have this bucket hat for years to come. It’s quite portable so I can wear it to the beach and pop it in my bag quite easily afterwards or take it with me when I travel and that ups its wearability. It’s great that it’s also quite wide brimmed so offers a lot of coverage.

 

 

Eres Les Essentiels Aquarelle swimsuit

Black swimsuits are a staple in my summer wardrobe as I like to wear them both as swimwear and as a bodysuit. This Eres style is so simple, but being such an understated style makes it easy to work back with outfits. Also, I’ve found that a plain black swimsuit is super flattering so it earns bonus points in that department.

 

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Fashion

How to repeat outfits without getting bored

15th January, 2023

Unless you’re a Kardashian/Jenner then then you probably fall into the camp of having a closet full of pieces that you have to re-wear over and over again. While that’s infinitely better for the planet and your bank balance, let’s face it it can also become quite tedious and boring when you’re staring at the same shirt for what feels like the thousandth time. So, what’s the key to solving this apart from having a billionaire bank account?

I think battling outfit boredom is all about playing around with your styling. It’s about getting creative, switching out pieces and reworking how you wear something to give it a new lease on life. It’s not about adding new pieces to the mix, because often, we don’t wear what’s already in our wardrobe nearly enough so it’s a worthy exercise to try and find ways to refresh what you already own.

Here are a few of my tried and tested ways to make that happen…

Switch out your accessories

Where would we be without accessories? If you’re planning to outfit repeat, I’ve found one of the easiest ways to avoid getting bored is to play with the accoutrements you pair with it. So for example wearing a drop earring one day and a stud the next. Or adding a necklace or bangle to change the vibe of a look. It’s one of my favourite ways to take beloved outfits that I wear a lot and give them a refresh.

Add a print or pattern

Sometimes all it takes to refresh an outfit is to add a new print or pattern into the mix. For example I took the above tailored trousers in a casual yet on trend direction by pairing it with a tie dye top.

Experiment with shoes

Think of your footwear like you would your accessories. If a certain shoe goes with a particular outfit you like to wear a lot that’s great, but sometimes it’s worth expanding your horizons and trying to add a new shoe into the mix. So if you usually wear a particular pant with sneakers, why not try it with a ballet flat or loafer instead?

Carry a different bag

I change my bags all the time depending on what I’m wearing. Also I’m a shoes and bags girl so I always love to switch these things up as I like to base what I wear on how I’m feeling on any given day. That said, it’s also a super easy way to change up the look and feel of an outfit you repeat a lot. A tote vs a bucket bag for example gives very different vibes.

Tuck, fold, roll….

Don’t be afraid to experiment with how you wear a particular piece. While you might usually wear a pair of jeans with a shirt tucked in, why not try it with a shirt tucked out the next day? Could you roll the sleeves of a dress to make it more casual? I think it’s always worth tweaking the way a garment sits to open up your options a bit more. Plus it makes something you wear all the time feel fresh.

Fashion

How to minimise wardrobe dilemmas this year

8th January, 2023
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

Wardrobe dilemmas are the worst and can often strike at the most inopportune of times — like when you’re already incredibly late and was supposed to have walked out the door ten minutes ago. And while sometimes the unexpected occurs (coffee down your top, a split seam, for example), most of the time, they can be avoided with some pre-planning and organisation.

Think of it this way, if you had to perform a task every single day of your life, wouldn’t you try and employ a few strategies to make it quicker and easier? So, if you’re interested in making a less stressful year on the fashion front, try these techniques—you’ll banish style dramas in no time.

Get organised

Organisation really is key when it comes to avoiding wardrobe dramas. If your closet is in constant disarray therein lies the problem—finding what you want, when you want is made all the more difficult when you actually have no idea where anything is.

You want to see everything, and I mean everything. You should be able to see what you own at a glance, so you can take in an entire outfit in one go without having to sift through piles of clothes or shoes. If storage is an issue, you could consider doing a seasonal swap where you put your current season clothes on display, while everything else hibernates for a few months under your bed or in another cupboard somewhere (this is where vacuum storage bags come in handy). Your aim should be that you can neatly put everything away. If this is definitely a problem, then keep reading.

Keep it streamlined

While it’s nice to have clothes, it’s even nicer if they have the chance to be worn and don’t just sit in your closet gathering dust. Having a tight edit of clothes means you’re more likely to wear what you own. Less options = more in rotation.

This means regular wardrobe culls should be on the cards. I know it can sometimes be hard to let go of certain items of clothing, but it’s time to summon up some courage and let go of those things that you know you haven’t worn in years. You know what I’m talking about, it’s the dress you’re hanging onto in case you “can wear it in future” or that jumper you wore on year 12 camp.

If it doesn’t add to your wardrobe but is simply there gathering dust, it’s time to bit it adieu.

Plan ahead

Here’s where organisation comes in again. By planning your looks ahead of time you can free yourself from regular morning wardrobe dramas. Take some time before the start of a new week and go through your schedule, and what your outfit requirements are for the week. By doing this you can set aside what you’re wearing ahead of time. This also allows you to do things in advance like iron or fix anything that may need repairing.

Also, by planning ahead you’re also encouraged to play around with what’s in your wardrobe a little more. If you’ve got time on your hands you can work on creating different looks a little more freely without the pressure of time constraints.

Have a back-up outfit list

This is a must. There will come a time when you’ve got to get out the door fast and if your other outfit options fall through it’s a good idea to have a few others up your sleeve that you know have been tried and tested. Document a few looks in your phone that can be your ‘crack open in case of emergency’ contingency plan. This helps mitigate the stress when you’re faced with an ensemble that just isn’t working.

What’s the number one cause of wardrobe dilemmas in your life?

Fashion

How to change up your style this year

7th January, 2023

The start of another year marks also the start of another 12 months of getting dressed day in and day out which begs the question: are you happy with your style? If you’ve been feeling as if something is lacking in the fashion department of late and you need something to help you get excited about your wardrobe again then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few easy ways to change up your look this year with minimal fuss.

Challenge yourself to use something you wear infrequently

We all have those pieces in our closet that we still like but admittedly don’t wear all that often. So this year, make an effort to put those pieces into rotation. Often you can end up wearing the same things from your wardrobe all the time that incorporating something into your look that doesn’t get used frequently can make it feel new again.

Learn to play with accessories more

Accessories are honestly one of the easiest ways to inject some new life into your existing wardrobe. A pair of statement earrings here, a necklace there or a great pair of sunglasses can really lift an outfit and make it feel fresh.

Try different silhouettes

Of course we all have our favourites as far as the style of clothing we go for goes but sometimes that can get a little monotonous. So why not try working with different silhouette styles? Relaxed pieces as opposed to fitted, long instead of shirt, dresses instead of pant—these are all easy ways to inject a little different style into your life.

Look to your style icons

A style refresh needs a little outfit inspiration to get it going. So why not check out what the women whose style you admire are doing? Often a quick scroll through your fave blogs or Instagram accounts can help you hone in on a few new trends to try and looks worth experimenting with.

Broaden your colour palette

It’s easy to get caught up wearing the same ol’ colours all the time so this year, make an effort to go beyond your favourites. Try colours you usually wouldn’t wear to help add a new dimension to your fave outfits. Often a little injection of colour here and there can really transform your old favourites.

Tell me—what are some ways you’re trying to change up your style this year?

Fashion

How to prep your summer wardrobe for a season of stress-free dressing

14th November, 2022

I always like to get my wardrobe ready for a new season, and summer is no exception. It’s without a doubt one of the most fun seasons to dress for, and you can always rely on Aussie fashion to nail it. Living on an island with plenty of sunshine, we’re just geared towards dressing for warm weather. So, how do I get my closet prepped and ready to tackle the new few months of warm weather? Well, here’s my game plan.

Remove out of season clothes

I like to separate my winter woolies and coats and remove them from the equation as I know I won’t be using them for a few months. This means I won’t have to deal with sifting through a rack of coats when I’m trying to locate a summer dress. Also, visually I can see what summer clothes I have and being able to do this at a glance helps with putting a look together. I do leave a lightweight jumper or two in the mix just in case I encounter a slightly cooler day.

Do a stocktake

I will do an audit of the summer clothes I already have so I know what I have to play with. I like to “shop” my closet first at the start of a new season so I can remind myself of what I already own and create a few different potential outfits. This also means I can identify the gaps in my closet and what new season pieces I might need to update my closet.

Make a shopping list

I like to shop with a strategy so I know what I need and so I can avoid wasting money buying things on a whim that may not get much use. I always identify a handful of pieces that I know I will use a lot over summer (this same principle applies no matter the season) and add them to my list. Once I’ve got a firm idea of what I need, I’ll do my research. This means checking out my fave websites and boutiques to narrow down what I’m going to buy and also to make sure I’m getting them for the best price.

Cover the basics

Basics are always the building blocks of a wardrobe so I always make sure I’ve got them ready to go. For summer this might mean a white tee or tank for pairing with different bottoms and a simple dress I can throw on and re-style in different ways.

Create some go-to outfits

I love the creative process that comes with styling a look but I also don’t like encountering wardrobe dilemmas so I combine the two and style a few looks ahead of time. This means, I have a number of different summer outfits in mind already and have them to refer to in case it’s one of those days and I’m not quite sure of what to wear.

Repair or restore existing pieces

The change in seasons is often a good reminder of what state your clothes are in. Doing a seasonal refresh means that I’m able to pinpoint what needs repairing or refreshing. Whether it’s resoling a sandal, repairing a loose button or getting a stain out of a dress that I may have forgotten about, it’s the time to ensure my summer wardrobe is in top shape and ready to roll.

Invest in a summer signature piece

You don’t have to do this every season, but it’s something I like to do, particularly for summer. I like finding one thing that I know I’ll be wearing a lot over summer. Whether it’s a dress or a slide or a cool top, I always find one particular item I know I’ll wear a lot during the warmer months.

 

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Fashion

New ways to wear denim this week

4th September, 2022

I would honestly be lost without denim in my wardrobe. I’m in jeans multiple times a week as it’s the perfect pant to dress up or down without too much fuss. I’ve been known to go from pairing denim with a white tee one minute to a dressy top the next as it’s the ultimate chameleon—it can easily work for multiple occasions.

I’ve shared my tips on buying denim in the past as I think it’s such an essential part of any woman’s wardrobe. Once you’ve found the perfect jeans you’ll never look back. However I’m also loving denim’s various incarnations. Whether it’s a skirt, a lightweight jacket or shirt, there’s no denying that I’ve got a serious case of the blues. So if you’re like me and want a hit of inspo to kickstart your love affair with denim this week then look no further…

 

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A post shared by JULIE SARIÑANA (@sincerelyjules) on

Distressed denim features in a lot of women’s wardrobes but don’t relegate it to being just a casual staple. You can easily dress ripped jeans up by pairing it with a button down shirt and statement flats. Cute tote optional.

 

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A post shared by Aimee Song (@songofstyle) on

A denim skirt is a weekend favourite of mine but this look has me rethinking its purpose. Pop on a blazer and a pair of sandals and you’re instantly in polished territory.

 

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A post shared by CHRISTINE ANDREW (@hellofashionblog) on

You can never ever go wrong with a white shirt and jeans. Tie up your shirt for a more casual look or tuck it in to keep it looking for pulled together. Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to dust off your favourite slides as they’re a dream pairing with denim.

 

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A post shared by XENIA ADONTS (@xeniaoverdose) on

A denim jacket is one of my must-have trans-seasonal pieces as they’re so easy to throw on over an outfit. Pair it with a dress, skirt, shorts, you name it.

 

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A post shared by Nicole Warne (@garypeppergirl) on

Just because I love jeans so much I often like to find dressier pieces that I can pair with them so I have an excuse to wear them to an event. A simple jacket thrown over jeans can easily take it into more polished territory with minimal fuss.

 

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A post shared by Elle Ferguson (@elle_ferguson) on

Denim on denim (on denim in this case!) can be tricky to pull off but Elle Ferguson manages to make it look easy. Look for graduating shades for a cool ombre effect.

 

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A post shared by Arielle Noa Charnas (@ariellecharnas) on

One of my favourite go-tos is a feminine blouse/top and jeans. It seriously doesn’t get any easier than that. I’d pair a look like this with heels and I’m ready to go out.

How are you loving styling denim at the moment?

Fashion

How to get more wear out of your wardrobe

28th August, 2022

Have you ever bought something only to find that you wear it once and it ends up collecting dust in your wardrobe? It’s easy to fall into this trap when we’re flooded with options and an impulse purchase is so easy to make. If you’re in the situation of having an overflowing wardrobe with absolutely nothing to wear then it might be time to rethink your shopping strategy. I’ve managed to hone mine down over the years to pinpoint the purchases that I know will have multiple outings. If you want to avoid buying something that’s a one hit wonder it pays to keep a few things in mind—it’s what I use when I’m considering buying something and I guarantee it works…

Stick to neutral tones

I always try to keep items like dresses and staples like coats in neutral tones. With dresses I’ll always opt for a little black dress, a white dress, denim or khaki. And with a staple like a blazer or coat I always opt for black because it’s a colour that’s really versatile. When it comes to basics (my everyday wear such as t-shirts and jumpers) I always stick to neutrals. Whilst a pink t-shirt is fun I’m guaranteed to get more than a few wears out of a plain white tee. Also if you want to add a bit of colour to your wardrobe it’s easier to work back with a simple muted colour palette than try to work with multiple bold hues.

Buy separates

I think separates are always a really good option because you can mix and match them. It’s much easier to wear something like a quality silk blouse or a great skirt in various ways as you can just switch out the top or bottom when you want to change up your look. One thing I’m loving is that more and more labels are releasing matching separates which not only look chic when paired together but are great when worn with other pieces too.

Keep statement pieces on top

If you find something that’s a bit of a showstopper, find something that sits on top such as a jacket or coat, which you can throw on over an outfit. Everyone remembers if you wear a really bold dress but if you wear a striking  jacket you could mix and match it and nobody would really even notice if you wear it multiple times. I’m a fan of pieces that have a bit of personality and are a standout piece but if I want to guarantee maximum wear out of it then outerwear is the best way to incorporate it into my look.

Don’t be a slave to trends

There are multiple trends each season and while it’s fun to try them you don’t always have to wear a trend from head to toe. You can incorporate a trend into your look with a really great jacket or small accessories. For example if you want to get tap into a 70s vibe, buy one trend piece such as a pair of flared jeans. It doesn’t mean that you have to look like you stepped off the set of Saturday Night Fever. Exercise a bit of restraint when it comes to trends as invariably they will come and go.

Avoid too much embellishment

If you want certain pieces to last season after season avoid having too much embellishment on it. Having a lot of detail on a particular garment makes it more difficult to work back with other items in your wardrobe. Not only that, it also it makes it easily identifiable so it’s harder to have it be a chameleon piece that can be worn for multiple occasions. If you look at the celebs who tend to outfit repeat, they’re always wearing a classic piece that’s simple and streamlined.

What are some ways you get more wear out of pieces in your wardrobe?