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Fashion, What I Wore

2023: My year in outfits

31st December, 2023

What a year! Here I am again doing an outfit round up and I can’t believe it’s time to farewell another year. This has been another big 12 months on the sartorial front. I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to wear so many gorgeous looks that when I was scrolling through photos to compile this, I truly found it hard to pick a fave.

There are however always some standouts simply because a look was so much fun to wear or the design was just stunning. I truly loved my look at Melbourne Cup Carnival this year, with the Mariam Seddiq dress a total winner with the springtime perfect lemon yellow hue and the scalloped detailing. I also couldn’t look past the Zimmermann dress I wore to Oaks Day, because how could I forget all those heavenly ruffles and lace? The race days this year allowed me to embrace a number of designers, with my trip to the Kentucky Derby my chance to fly the flag for homegrown designers including Rebecca Vallance, Rachel Gilbert and Toni Maticevski. I was thrilled to be at Royal Ascot again this year, and with it the opportunity to glam up in a stunning Gucci suit which was just tailoring perfection.

Who could forget Fashion Week? It’s the equivalent of the Olympics for anyone who works (and loves) fashion with so many ultra talented established and up-and-coming designers showcasing resort collections that truly cements Australian fashion as a global powerhouse. Pulling outfits together for Fashion Week is always fun and this year I embraced my love of tailoring at the Bec and Bridge show while I dialled up the colour on day one with an Alemais number. Plus I do love the fact that I always walk away with so much fashion inspo.

Reflecting on another big year, I’m truly grateful to be blessed to work in an industry that allows me to classify my passion for fashion as work. I’ve always loved how fashion can be an outlet for everything from how I’m feeling, to who I want to be on any given day to showcasing my personality.

As we wrap up the year that was 2023, I want to wish you all a wonderful 2024. May it be all you want and more. Also may there be plenty of great outfits up ahead for all of us!

 

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What I Wore: Heat Wave

22nd December, 2023

Scorching temperatures in Sydney mean I’m reaching a whole lot more for lightweight natural fabrics. This set by Bondi Born has been a great one to have up my sleeve as it’s made from the softest European organic linen which feels so lovely against the skin on a hot day! Also, I’m all about a one shoulder silhouette right now. I love it for swimwear and it’s a great feminine style for summery look with an elevated vibe. I can easily pair this top back with a number of different pieces in my closet making it a good go-to in my wardrobe rotation. I’m also a huge fan of the flowy silhouette (I like tops that are a little billowy when it’s hot) plus the sweet bow at the shoulder. Paired back with wide leg linen pants, this set is definitely one of my favoured outfits right now.

I’d usually pair this look back with a nice sandal or slide, plus a great pair of sunnies helps to round out the look. It’s an easy breezy ensemble and perfect for what’s set to be a scorcher of a summer.

Credits: Top and pants, Bondi Born; Sunglasses (similar here), Vehla

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Feeling Festive

14th December, 2023

It’s the time of year again when red is very much the colour of the season (but also, rather conveniently it’s trending in general) so this gorgeous Oroton dress caught my eye the moment I saw it. The vibrant poppy shade is festive and fun and perfect for party season. It’s a good one to bookmark for Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or just a special catch up with friends. I love the feature back with the the statement bow and also the corset like bodice of the dress, it’s definitely the kind of summer dress that can be pulled out again for various occasions and changed up according to your accessories.

The icing on the this festive look are the current season accessories by Oroton. It was really fun to collaborate with Oroton on this shoot as it was like being a kid in a candy store being able to play with all their new bags and jewellery. I opted for this chunky gold chain necklace and matching bracelet to complement the red of the dress, plus I’ve found both jewellery styles to be the kind of versatile accoutrements that work across so many outfits in my wardrobe. I finished things off with a mini white bag to add a contrasting piece, and that’s it, Christmas look well and truly sorted don’t you think?

Credits: Dress, bag, necklace and bracelet, Oroton

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

This post was produced in collaboration with Oroton

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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Stripe Out

28th November, 2023

Printed dresses are the kind of one-and-done look that’s perfect for easy summer dressing. I’ve found that a dress with a striking print really doesn’t need much in terms of extra fixings to make it an outfit. This Husk dress, is one such example of how a great print can speak volumes. The ruffled neckline adds a feminine touch, and works well to strike a balance with the boldness of the zebra print. I’ve worn pieces by the brand Husk a number of times and they’re all great staples that have breezed into my outfit rotation without missing a beat.

I always tend to dial down my accessories when I’m working with an eye-catching print as I don’t want my outfit to be visually overwhelming, the print is enough! I stuck to an almost all black colour palette for this particular outfit (it helped tie everything together with the black stripes), adding my fave pair of Bottega Veneta heels and a classic mini Gucci bamboo top handle bag. Topped with cat eye Poppy Lissiman sunglasses, this is my definition of a go-to look for summer.

Credits: Dress, Husk; Bag, Gucci; Heels, Bottega Veneta; Sunglasses, Poppy Lissiman

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Mini Moments

21st November, 2023

With summer officially just around the corner, one of my fave things is adding a few new summery frocks into my fashion rotation when I’m switching my wardrobe over. Aussie brands do summer staples really well (with our climate, I think it’s a must) so I tend to shop local labels when I’m on a dress hunt. Sir is one of my favourites as they do really on trend pieces, and their collections often feature bold, eye-catching prints and interesting design touches. This monochrome mini dress is so perfect for balmy Sydney days, and a great piece to take on tropical getaways. It’s also part of a set, so it can be worn as a top with the matching wide leg pants which makes it a great versatile option. I could envision this dress being a go-to for dinner and drinks or an event. Also, black and white is such an easy colour combination to work with so it’s definitely the kind of dress that can be reimagined into different outfits by switching out my shoes or accessories.

I took the dressy route for this outfit, so I opted for a pair of strappy Tony Bianco heels adorned with a leather camellia for an elevated touch. These shoes are such a fun party shoe, and in black it’s so easy to work them back with different ensembles. Raffia/straw bags are one of the accessories of summer and this Longchamp Box-Trot crossbody bag is a more refined way to do that basket bag look, as it is quite structured and features great statement hardware. I’ve been wearing these Vehla sunglasses non-stop, and while the gold pair I’m wearing is out of stock, there’s a pair with amber lenses which is equally as great. Bring on summer!

Credits: Dress, Sir; Bag, Longchamp; Heels, Tony Bianco; Sunglasses, Vehla

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

This shoot was produced as part of a collaboration with Longchamp

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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Spring Days

14th November, 2023

I’m always looking to add to my summer dress collection because they tend to be my go-to during the warmer months. I love the one and done approach because it makes getting out the door so much easier! Husk recently gave me a peek at some of their recent new season additions and this drop waist dress was one of my faves. It’s a different silhouette to the dresses I’ve been seeing making their way in store for simmer, which I like because it gives it a point of difference. The contrasting texture with the ribbed top and lightweight cotton skirt strikes a great balance between form and flow, while the khaki colour adds a touch of boldness.

I wanted to dress this outfit up a little more so I went with a pair of Billini heels (they’re now on sale BTW) to add a little extra polish. My mini Oroton bag from a few seasons back is still a firm fave as it never fails to add a dash of glam to a casual outfit. It’s a great size and is quite structured with a chain strap which makes it really versatile as I can carry it crossbody, as a shoulder bag or tuck the chain in to turn it into a clutch. Anything multi-purpose is always a winner in my eyes as you can take it in so many different directions and reimagine it in so many different ways.

Credits: Dress, Husk; Heels, Billini; Bag, Oroton

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Melbourne Cup 2023

7th November, 2023

It’s hard to believe it’s time for another Melbourne Cup day. It’s always one of my favourite race days as the dress code gives you the freedom to push the boundaries a little and take your look in another direction. This year, I turned to Aussie designer Mariam Seddiq who designed this pastel mini dress. I always gravitate towards colour at Melbourne Cup and with pastels trending for race attire, I thought this ever so delicate yellow hue would be perfect. What I love most about this design are the combination of curves in the scalloped edges worked back with the sharper lines on the neckline and sleeves. It’s a great balance and I thought the contrasting effect was quite striking. The finishing touches such as the split sleeve detail and the oversized buttons and plunging neckline with high collar also add an element of interest and boldness to the dress. It definitely fit the Cup attire brief.

I wanted to wear a brimmed hat for this occasion and the white hat by Somewhere Here worked back nicely with the rest of my ensemble. To further carry the white theme, I opted for a white Bulgari chain bag which made created a nice thread of consistency into my accessories. With a sprinkling of gorgeous jewellery by Jan Logan and yellow knotted heels by new shoe brand Edie Collective, I was ready for a little Walking on Sunshine moment with this yellow themed ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Mariam Seddiq; Bag, Bulgari; Heels (other colours here), Edie Collective; Hat, Somewhere Here; Jewellery, Jan Logan

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Derby Day 2023

4th November, 2023

Derby Day is one of my favourite dress codes as it’s ultra sleek and elegant as everyone has to wear black and white. With only two hues to work with, there’s still surprisingly so much versatility when it comes to what you can wear. I’ve gone for all white one year, all black another and a combination of the two. This year, I went with black and white but added a light splash of colour with a gold Bulgari bag. However I couldn’t let anything outshine this Maticevski look. I’ve worn a number of Toni Maticevski’s designs over the years and there’s always so much drama and theatre to each garment that it’s a brand I love to bookmark for big events. This particular outfit is of course, all about the skirt. With the asymmetrical hem and feathered embellishment, it’s a little playful but also quite a theatrical piece and everything else about my outfit was really anchored to this piece. The strapless top was all about the curved neckline, and added a strong silhouette to the whimsy feel of the skirt, helping to strike a good balance.

Apart from the gilded touch the bag added, I kept to all black accessories as I wanted the skirt to take centre stage. With a simple Nerida Winter headband and black Jimmy Choo pumps with crystal straps, I think I struck the right balance between adding pops of interesting details without going over the top. Another Derby Day done and dusted – bring on Cup Day!

Credits: Top and skirt, Maticevski; Bag, Bulgari; Heels, Jimmy Choo; Headband, Nerida Winter; Jewellery, Jan Logan

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Set Up

1st November, 2023

One of the great trends to emerge in the last few years has without a doubt has been the matching set. It makes effortless dressing unbelievably easy as there’s no fussing around with mixing and matching separates, it’s just a co-ordinating top and bottom and you’re done. Love that! A set can also appear on the full spectrum of fashion whether you want something that’s super casual for weekend wear, or a duo like the below which is definitely dressy and more elevated. This vest and skirt combination is from Husk which is a great boutique near where I live (they also have a number of locations around Sydney and Melbourne and they’re online) and is part of the current range. Vests are really having a moment so I love the fact this set taps into that trend, but gives it a more polished spin with the knee length A-line skirt. It’s also something that can be worn separately if you want, which is perfect for cost per wear. You could wear this set to the office, an event or just out to dinner and it would work, making it a great option for those days when you need to look put together but kinda just want to get dressed on autopilot.

Working with a crisp white canvas as far as outfits goes is always fun as you can take your accessories in so many different directions. It’s a hue that works with pretty much everything so there’s not much to worry about in terms of getting everything absolutely spot on, most colours will just work with it. Once again, effortless dressing to a tee. I opted for some slightly bolder tones with a caramel-hued pair of sunglasses by Pared and chartreuse heels by Billini to provide some contrast. The finishing touch was a teeny Gucci Jackie bag, which I have to say, for something that is so diminutive it has really become a bag that I’ve come to rely on a lot simply because it holds my essentials but still looks small enough to be a bit more of an elevated bag than an everyday grab-and-go style.

Credits: Vest and skirt, Husk; Heels, Billini; Bag, Gucci; Sunglasses, Pared x Bec and Bridge

Credits: Ashleigh Larden

 

This post was produced in collaboration with Husk

 

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Fashion

10 ways to rework a white shirt

28th October, 2023

White shirts are the kind of wardrobe staple that can be worked in endless ways. This makes them an absolute must in any closet because when armed with a single white shirt you can create myriad looks. White works back with virtually any hue making it the ultimate style chameleon, and the style is the kind that can be dressed up (or really dressed up such as this iconic look Sharon Stone wore to the Oscars) or ultra dressed down thrown over a bikini at the beach. It’s seriously one of the few pieces in a woman’s wardrobe that can be worn virtually anywhere—work, dinner, at home, on the school run, out with friends, to a picnic… the list goes on.

If I’ve yet to convince you of the sartorial super powers that a white shirt has, then check out the looks below. I’ve found 10 different ways to rework a single white shirt, each achieving a different look and feel. You’ll find yourself with a fresh new appreciation for such a classic piece.

Tie it up

This look can either look ultra sexy or ultra sweet depending on what you pair it with—and both work! You could try an evening look such as the one below, by teaming a white shirt with a skirt or pants and wearing it cropped and worked back with a sexy heel. Alternatively you could opt for a denim shorts or a printed skirt and sneakers and you have yourself a look that channels casual and cute.

 

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Layer underneath other pieces

In winter you could wear a white shirt paired with a sleeveless vest or even a jumper, whilst in summer you could easily channel a little 90s style by popping a shirt on under a slip dress. Try subbing a white shirt in in instances where you’d usually wear a white long sleeved or short sleeved tee and you’ll be surprised at how it can magically transform the entire look of an outfit.

 

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Tucked in

One of the most eternally classic and polished ways to wear a white shirt is to wear it tucked in. It looks sharp and sleek and can instantly make a look feel put together. You could wear a white shirt like this when paired with jeans, a tailored trouser, a skirt or shorts making it one of the easiest and versatile ways to style a white shirt.

 

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Tucked out

If tucked in isn’t your thing you could always go for something a little more relaxed and wear it out. I think this look can work really well when you’re playing with volume—a white shirt paired with a pair of wide leg pants achieves that perfect amalgamation of casual and cool. Or you could wear it with a skirt like the look below and go for something that’s a little more fun.

 

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Roll up the sleeves

This is without a doubt one of the simplest ways to rework a white shirt. Simply rolling up the sleeves can change the whole look and feel of a white shirt, cutting through its ultra polished nature and making it a touch more accessible and relaxed.

 

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Button all the way up

Doing up the buttons on a shirt all the way up can change the way a white shirt presents in the same way not doing up all the buttons on can feel more relaxed. It evokes a more sophisticated vibe and is a simple way to transform the same white shirt time and time again.

 

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Use it as a cover up

This is one of my fave iterations of a white shirt. It looks impossibly chic when you throw on a white shirt nonchalantly over a swimsuit, plus it read effortless. No fussing around with cover ups, just throw on and you’re done. If you want to dial up the glam stakes you could pop on a pair of statement earrings or wear a silk scarf as a headband or a bandana.

Wear it all the way open

Who says you have to button up a shirt? You could wear it open over a crop for a slightly edgier look such as the one below. Alternatively you could also wear it with tailored trousers and a white tank a la this look by The Row. Either way it’s yet another easy way to transform a humble white shirt into a bonafide trend item.

 

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Pair it with shorts or bike pants

Yes, your fave white shirt will play very nicely with your fave pair of shorts or bike pants. It’s yet another way to do a high/low look that reads: so very cool. Plus there’s no doubting that the comfort ratings of an outfit such as that are through the roof!

 

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Let the sleeves peek through

Even a simple styling trick such as having the cuffs and a bit of the sleeve showing through when you’re wearing a blazer can change up even the most tired white shirt. Plus you can do this and work it back with so many existing pieces in your closet so you can get maximum wearability from it.

 

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Shop my edit of white shirts

 

What are some of your favourite ways to wear a white shirt?