Jeans at any age

An over 60s reader just told me that she wont wear denim because she is, well, over 60. 

But style is not about age - it's about attitude & appropriateness. 

No one can tell me that any of these photos are inappropriate, now can they? 

What I hope you noticed is that the majority of these photos have a jacket, coat, cardigan topper. This makes the look so so so much smarter than when worn just with a top. 

Also dont forget: dressier is a darker wash, no rips & a well pressed bootcut.

I vote jeans at any age. What about you?

The Pretty Women polka dot dress - still looking?

If you are looking for something then you have to actively look for it. 

Wishing isn't looking. Consistent research and trying on are.   

How many times have you said to yourself that you'd love the Pretty Women polka dot dress? 

I can tell you that similar versions have been around at east once a season for most years since 1990 when the film was released. That's a minimum of 25 years of frocks. 

In this day & age of on-line possibilities, that's infinitely higher than 25 seasons of possibilities.  

So why are you still asking for it?

The above photo is from Zara - it's available now. 

Off you go, go get it. 

  

What I re-wore today.....

At the worst, your wardrobe may be in a mess, but everyone collects things they love. 

Your collection may be watches, scarves, necklaces, brooches, rings, shoes, floral dresses, shift dresses, full skirts, funky stockings or whatever. 

Take the time to revisit your collection and re wear the things which grab your attention now.

I found a Mimco necklace and a Hermes scarf which haven't seen the light of day for a while.  

The necklace was a combination of pearls, metals, diamantes and the scarf was a trued & true navy/red silk.

How could I forget I have these items? Go figure. 

Will you re visit your favourite collection? 
What will you re wear? 

What I Wore: SIA loves Target spots & Milana animal

I love my clothes.

Even though I dont work in corporate any more and don't feel the need for designer loot, I bum around every day in really affordable pieces (read: brands like Target).

If I am meeting a client, there is also often one Target piece in the ensemble; because I like Target and it works well with high end stuff. I cant help it; I just like it. 

Today's ensemble was a total random. No planning. But it was the basis of a formula I use most of my casual days - boyfriend jeans, top, half tucked. And cute shoes. Always cute shoes. 

Top: Target, $49, polyfester with black polka dots.

Don't get me wrong - I love polyfester more than viscose/modal/rayon etc. These days it breathes & drapes well. Sure, you cant wear it in the height of summer, but any other time it works. 

The half tuck is key. Without any tuck I look sloppy & with a full tuck, my tummy just looks big. 

The reason I look sloppy without any tuck is that I bought the size to accommodate the girls on the upper half & so the bottom half is too big. 

I have seen this top on quite a few corporate girls, tucked into a pencil skirt. Always caught my eye.

Pants: Target Life & Style boyfriend jeans, $49

With subtle rips, I've found Life & Style jeans fit me well, so I buy everyone which they have made. This is the only one I dont have multiples of. Really like it, so wonder why. 

I also like the nautical trim on the turn ups. Subtle but nice. 


Belt: Witchery, $49

Witchery does a similar belt every season. This is a serviceable go-to. 

Jewellery: right hand

1. A pale grey leather scrunchie for wrists. Costume jewellery. 

2. A sterling bracelet from Attic in Woollahra; made by a woman who is Aussie but lives & works with silver in Bali. 

3. A matt silver sterling ring with a scare finish. $11 from Vinnies, last week. Engraved with "JH" but I am not sure whether this is the Asian inspired John Hardy as this doesnt look Asian. At all. 
  
Jewellery: left hand

1. Skagen watch, new from Vinnies Gladesville for $80. 

2. Men's rubber & stainless screw clasp bracelet, $10

3. Bean sterling bracelet also from Attik and made by the Bali women as bracelet on right hand, above.    


Necklace: Lovisa, sterling, $29

Despite the high neckline, the look still needed a necklace - it doesnt have to be fancy, just one layer to fill the neck space.

You can see it in the left hand jewellery photo. 

Shoes: Milana ballet flat leopard pony skin, $250

I bought these at David Jones a few years ago. I love the black grosgrain ribbon around the edge and vertically along the back.

These were what made the outfit a touch above "normal". What I mean by that is the print mixing. So much cuter than a black or navy ballet flat or loafer. 

You can get similar flatties anywhere and at any price point. Look around and I am sure you will find something you love. 

TIPS: 

Animal & spots always mix well. Just make sure the prints are of different scales and have at least one colour in common. Here the colour is black but a dark colour "mismatch" like navy or charcoal could also have worked. 

A reminder that animal & stripes as well as animal & florals also mix well. Just keep to the rules of one colour in common and different scales. 

Animal also doesnt have to be leopard. It can be giraffe, zebra, tiger stripes, python, lizard or even dalmations. 

I can't wear camel animals near my face, but below the waist & certainly on my feet. I love leopard.

You may also notice that the polka dot top is a very sparse print. Almost to the point that it becomes hard to print mix it. That's why I exposed the tan belt with the camel/tan shoes - they help to pull the look together.  

Bag: I will introduce my bag tomorrow. She got a bit camera shy today. Actually I forgot to put her in the photo! 

What were you wearing today?  

7 Ways to Winterfy your Summer Maxi

This post will allow you to make do with fewer clothes but to have more options with those clothes.

It will do this by getting you thinking about winterfying your summer maxis.

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So how about considering the following:  

1. Adding a long sleeve fitted tee under a floaty maxi. 

2. Wear a cardi with the dress. The cardi can be a dainty pointelle knit or it can be a chunky textured knit (think a cable or an aran knit). If you have a waist, add a belt to the chunky cardi; the belt can be thick or skinny. 

3. Add boots to the dress. Booties, toeless, over the knee, knee high. The trend for now is lace ups. Think ghillies or gladiators.

4. Turn the dress into a skirt by adding a top. Think liquid sequins, a tulip style, an everything happening knit.

5. Add tights to the dress. Either keep the tights plain & simple or make them jazzy, goth, opulent or loving the upholstery trend.     

6. Go boho - fringing, a vest, a skinny tie or a tan belt.

7. Channel the 80s with low denier hose and disco your heart out. 

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Now off you go; explore your closet. 

Find some ways to wear your maxis which you never thought of previously. 

Your full-proof shopping checklist - Part 1

SCENARIO #1

Can you relate to the following scenario more often than not? 

Nothing seems to fit. 
It's morning and you've tried so many things on and it's all on the bed (& the floor) not on your back. 
You can't even remember what's at the dry cleaners & you are about to scavenge through the laundry basket. 
Basically, what were you thinking when you bought all these clothes?
Even worse, why did you buy so much loot which doesn't fit, doen't make you look good nor feel good about yourself? 

SCENARIO #2

In contrast, how often can you relate to this scenario?

When you need to look extra smart at work, you reach for your favourite navy suit. On normal days you mix & match the pants, skirt and jacket with other items you have. On casual Friday, you wear the jacket with jeans (or the pants with a denim jacket). For that last minute invite to dinner with friends, you pop on the LBD of that suit and a denim jacket with a couple of nana's sparkly brooches and you're ready. You have ballet flats, low heel pumps & high heel pumps, all in black, which are at the ready for anything. 

These clothes are go-to clothes for you. You know they make you look good and when you wear them, your confidence goes up and you can enjoy yourself without feeling self conscious. 

Wouldn't it be great if you could be in scenario #2 all of the time (or most of the time)?

That doesn't mean we all need a LBD or a navy suit in our closet. Far from it. You can substitute pieces which are your go-to items based on your lifestyle, body shape, height etc.

Scenario #2 is definitely possible for most western women who have a job or are capable of getting one. 

However, & it's a big however, if you're not already there now, you need to make some changes. After all, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. 

In a series of posts, Style into Action will give you a full proof checklist which will allow you to get to scenario #2.  

The checklist is designed to be applied to every potential purchase so that you can weigh up whether the item needs to be in your closet. 

The checklist requires you to make some hard decisions about who you are and more importantly, who you want to be. 

Are you ready?







  

Supersoft v Target - you get what you pay for

On a regular basis, SIA hears people say things like:

"I saw the exact thing elsewhere for half the price."

or

"They come from the same factory. They're the same quality."

Fact: Most people's powers of observation are not fabulous. 
Fact: Most people are glued to a small screen and can't see the details, even if you place the items side by side. 
Fact: Most people are so hell bent on bringing down the tall poppy designer item, they don't want to see the differences. 

So let's look at an example. 

SIA recently saw a "comfort shoe" at Target for $55. It looked remarkably similar to a Dianna Ferrari Supersoft version which has been around for ages for approx $110. 

So she put them side by side. 

1. The leather feels the same. 
2. The shape of the uppers looks the same EXCEPT for the toe area.
3. The bows are identical. 
4. The metal trims are identical. 

 5. The backs look the same.

6. The stitching on the footbed looks the same.
7. Both are made in Vietnam. 

8. The rubber sole looks the same thickness 

9. The tread pattern differs slightly. 

When considering the big picture, the only material difference is the toe area. The Supersoft version has been raised up by sewing an insert of leather which means that the toes (especially the big toe), won't create a stretching out of the leather in that area. 

The difference in the toe area is material. It's the difference between a $55 item and an $110 item. 

The big toe imprint is one of the commonest wear & tear scenarios which cheaper ballet/flat shoes will encounter. Supersoft have gone the extra mile to ensure it isnt an issue and their product lasts longer than cheaper versions.  

Whether that difference is worth $55 [$110 - $55] to you, is a personal matter. But please don't try to tell me that these are the same quality or because they may (?) come from the same factory, that they are the same quality. 

Unless you pick loot up on sale (and sale stalking takes time), you won't find quality at a bargain basement price. Because you get what you pay for. 

[PS: After this post was researched, SIA found Blue Illusion has a suspiciously similar shoe without the toe adjustment. Again made in Vietnam. Priced at $100.]