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?  

Dont be a knit-wit about wool knits

This post is about wool knits - knowing what to look for when selecting wool knits - let's call them insider's secrets.....

By way of background, I have recently gained weight, about a stone. Oops.
I have no intention of doing much to lose it,
Consequently, the need has arisen for some new clothes.....oh gee, its a tough life.....

As I tend to wear basics & use accessories to add interest, I really only need to update pieces which I already have - albeit with a larger number on the tag....oops.

One of my basic go-to type of tops is a plain fine Merino wool sleeveless top. It can be worn year round - with layers in winter & on its own in summer - fine wool is super light weight and has a tremendous absorbency.

BTW, Merino sheep made yellow by Selfridges UK for 2010 Wool Week.



and non yellow sheep....cute, eh?



Side tracked - back to the sweaters.....

I also buy the short sleeve versions and the long sleeve versions. Each of these has variations like round neck, scoop neck, vee neck, turtle neck. These typically have cardigans to match, but cardigans are not my thing.

These items can come in many colours - my favourites are black, navy & blue-y (burgendy) reds.



All these style are available in alot of places. However the most comprehensive selection of flattering pieces is at David Jones and is in the David Jones home brand.

Some of you trendoids may not have noticed these at David Jones as they tend to be buried in the back near the "granny" clothes....since they are basics and not very "exciting", Mr Jones wont put them at the front in neon lights. But those in the know, know where to go to find them.....

Lets go through some of the amazing features of the DJs knits:

Basque at the hem

The first thing I like about these David Jones knits is the hem - most of them dont have a basque (the ribbing that causes a blouson effect). By having the straight down hem, they are more slimming since they dont hug the hip. Hip hugging with the blouson effect only serves to make you look more pudgy. I dont know anyone who wants to look more pudgy.



Hem close up



As a comparison, I find Myer tend to sell knits with basques - check out their brand, Basque. Even fashion brands like Sportscraft have released a zillion gorgeous colours in wook knits this winter but they are all with basques. No, no. no.

Sleeves

The second thing I love about these David Jones knits is that their sleeves are "set in" and not "raglan" style. You can see this in the above photo too.

A set in sleeve looks like a normal shirt sleeve seam (close to vertical) at the seam where the sleeve joins the body of the garment........




A raglan sleeve runs at 45 degrees where the sleeve joins the body of the garment......




If you have broad shoulders - go raglan.
If you have sloping or less defined shoulders, go set in.

A set in will also help create the illusion of a bigger upper body.

Both set in sleeves and the absence of a basque will help to make you look slimmer by reducing horizontal eye movement. Dont we all want that? I know I do!

Fibres

David Jones does cotton versions of these knits in summer & the wool versions in winter.
The wools are fine - they are not scratchy.
Love it!

Colours

DJs does a gazillion colours each season, both fashion colours & classic colours. For example, they do a red each season, but the exact shade of red may differ between seasons - best to grab the right shade when you see it - as it may not appear for a few seasons down the track.

This season's red is tending toward a blue based red, though not a burgendy. In contrast, last winter it was an orangey red. I wouldnt buy even this season's red - I would wait for a season when the red was even more burgendy than it is now.

Subject to monitor differences, this wool chart shows you the differences in the reds.




What is labelled as strawberry is a warmer red (yellow/orangey) red than what is labelled maple leaf (which is a blue-er red).

Style features

As I mentioned previously, there are many different styles in necklines and sleeves- some of the differences are subtle - but understanding them them will help you select what is most flattering for your shape.


Dont like your arms? Go long or short sleeve version - not the sleeveless.
Long neck? Go turtleneck or crew (if turtle suffocates you)
Short neck? Go scoop neck or vee neck (vee has vertical lines & is slimming) rather than crew neck.
Big boobs? Go scoop or vee, not crew & certainly not turtle. Make sure the sleeve doesnt end at the largest part of your boobs.
Small boobs? Go crew or turtle, not low cut.

Current season - turtle (89), crew short (69), Cardi (89)



Below, sweater on left is current season (89)
Sweater on right is previous season (now reduced to 60)



Notice the previous season was done with a wider neckline - a more visible decolletage.

If you were to try on both of these, I guarantee that one would suit you more than the other. The trick is knowing which one & staying away from the other - no matter how much the other my be the look of the season. Always hang in there, until you find what works for you.

In my case, I wont ever buy crew necks - I have a long neck & I just look better with a lower neckline (but small boobs, mean it cant be too low)....crews just dont work for me. So if I was desperate for a say a purple top and DJs only had the crew version purple this season, I'd skip it & buy a much cheaper purple tee from Target to get me through the season - until I found the better quality purple lower neckline (next year for example)....


There is also a vee neck (89) - current season.....


Vee necks remind me of high school - unless I am going for a preppy look - I stay away from them.

All these options.....confused? Dont be....its quite simple......

1. Know what works for you
2. Hanging in there, until you find it.

Because the more you look for something, the more you will find it.

Other brands - Slade

Slade is a knit wear brand kept by DJs which tends to be more traditional in its styling than the DJs home brand.


Slade tends to do the thick basques at the neck, cuffs & hems. I have used their photos as a comparison to the DJs home brand.



Slade also tends not to shape their knits through the waist - that is, they have fuller waists.

They also do heavier patterns - which tend to make you look heavier.
Personally, I like my knits plain or with a fine cable knit.

I guess if you really want a chunky cuddly fisherman's sweater look, then that isnt the best on a person who wants to look slimmer. I am not telling you not to buy it - just reminding you it may not be the most flattering if you want to look slim.




Slade is aimed at an older market (with thicker waists than us young ones with trim waists....hahaha)

Other brands - Milana

David Jones also has a home brand which is upmarket and Made in Italy, called Milana. The more high profile product they do is shoes and then scarves. Normally I cant fault the quality of Milana.

But when I was researching Milana knits for this post, I was disappointed. Their wool/cashmere content is minimal and their prices are exorbitant.
I would pass on those this year.

This cable knit sweater for example is 10% cashmere/40% wool/30% viscose/20%nylon.
From memory it was $289.

Sure it has a pretty pearly detail at the cuffs, but the value in this, well, it just isnt there.....


However, Milana shoes are still fabulous and for what you get, not overpriced.

Care & maintenance

Wool & cashmere will last a lifetime as long as you do three things:

1. Keep the critters away with lavender, repellant sachets, regular airing etc.

2. Wash gently in lukewarm water with wool detergent & lay flat to dry out of the sun.

3. Never store unless they have been freshly washed. The critters feed on the protein from dead skin cells, so even if the sweater isnt dirty, but has been worn & not washed, storing it will be dangerous. Even if you use those vacuum packed bags, the dirt will weaken the fibres over time and make them subject to breakage.


Contrary to any care tag, DO NOT DRY CLEAN wool/cashmere. The chemicals in dry cleaning are bad for the fibres.

Myer

Myer also does a range of Merino wool tops. However it doesnt have anywhere near the variety of colours and necklines as DJs. They also tend to use basques at the hem and at the sleeves.

They also tend to have alot of 3/4 sleeve tops in their wool versions. I find that a bit weird - in winter I tend to prefer a full sleeve - I think they do that though to keep the cost down a touch (less fibre used). The Myer prices tend to be about $10 cheaper for any particular comparable style to DJs.

Any relaxed slouchy styles?

Everywhere you look these days on the high street are slouchy relaxed styles.

However, David Jones hasnt quite gotten there yet with their plain knits.

In the Burwood store, I did notice some stripey Milanas with a slouchy feel. Here is the loose flowy cardi in a grey/khaki stripe...same composition as above for $199. Not acceptable IMO.


Basque has introduced one slouchy style but I havent seen it in person.

If you want young, relaxed, slouchy, you can still apply what I have written about, but the knit will come from the likes of Witchery, Saba, Sportsgirl, Forever New, Portmans, Sportscraft, Country Road, Sussan etc.

Bargains at Birkenhead Point & Sale Tips

Thanks to David Jones' Mr Store Credit Card, my recent visit to the Birkenhead Point Outlets caused some serious scarf bargains to follow me home. See below for details and some tips on sale shopping as well as some of the DJs outlet's pricing strategies.

What bargains have you scored this winter?

Gant (mens) scarf

100% thick lambswool (the non itchy variety) in wide stripes of marine blue & mid blue.
This shade of mid blue absolutely sings on me.



Made in China

RRP = $129
Comes to outlet store at 30% off = $91
Another 5o% off as a red light type special, my price = $46

Wear with: Denim, taupe (my version of camel), black, navy, boots, flat shoes. Rough & ready.

Milana wool checked grey scarf

A light grey with cool undertones but the beauty of this is the texture and surface interest created by the woven look (like the intreccatio Bottega Veneta leathers)



50% wool, 50% acrylic
Made in Italy

RRP = $59.95
Comes to the outlet at 30% off = $42
Another 60% off as a red light type special, my price = $17

Wear with: Other shades of darker grey, black, even navy.
Good to lighten up my face.
Work or play.

A little digression - here is the Bottega intreccatio weaving I refer to above....this scarf is woven in a similar way



Milana lightweight marine blue checked scarf

Crinkly texture in checks of marine blue, light blue, taupe, white, black
(in reality it looks a bit brighter than the photo)



57% viscose, 43% polyester
For those of you who know my hate of viscose, this is blended very well and the crinkles ensure and you dont notice it.

Made in Italy

RRP = $49.95
Comes to outlet at 30% off = $35
Another 60% off as a red light type special, my price = $14

Wear with: More a casual piece, with pants & jeans, maybe even a type of a lumber jack look with a part open chambray shirt & a white singlet underneath, boots.

Note: I already have this in the red version - its a burgendy shade & it sings on me. I paid full price for it months ago but I have worn it alot (usually with jeans & a chambray shirt).



Those that know me, you will know that I will often buy something, trial it to death & if its working, often buy it in another colour....since this was only $14 it would have been criminal not to buy it....should I see someone about this problem?

Gregory Ladner white chiffon scarf

100% poly with a large scale black window pane check (I love window pane checks - a clean pattern which is very professional)



Made in China

RRP = $39.95
Comes to outlet at same price (DJs does not reduce Gregory Ladner when it comes into warehouse)
Then 60% off as a red light type special, my price = $16

Down side - some of the selvages at the corners arent sewn in properly, so I will unstitch by hand & tuck in, then re-stitch, so they look lovely. Nothing worse that the ends of a scarf sitting prominently around your neck with yucky unfinished corners. Will do while watching TV.

Wear with: work appropriate, not casual

My Birkenhead spend = $93
RRP = $278

Happy dance! Yai!!!!



Now for some sale tips!!!



How many of you do these already?

*Sale shopping needs stamina - stay hydrated (carry water bottle) and energised (have breakfast/lunch/carry energy bars/dried fruit)

*Wear flat comfy shoes

*Wear clothes that are easy to remove - not too many fiddly buttons, hard to reach zips nor jewellery that can snag items easily

*Wear a cross body bag - protection against pick pockets - its their busy season too!

*If you are matching something, bring it with you

*Check return policies before you finalise at the till

*Go early, try to stay away at lunch times & Saturdays

*Make time for the shop - think about how much time you will need & allocate accordingly. speed shopping will only cause you heartache in the form of (costly) mistakes. If you dont have the time, then cut down what you are looking for

*If you hate crowds (& shopping) - either dont go or take a retail savvy friend (or professional) who loves to shop but who you trust to be honest and constructive with you

*Never, ever go if you are feeling down. If you do, you are guaranteed to make (costly) mistakes

*Have a plan of what you need & a good idea of what the prices were before the sale (so you know if you are truly getting a bargain)

*Only buy it if it will work in 3 different ways with your existing wardrobe (& no, I am not referring to 3 different pairs of jeans)

* Consider if you will need to buy other items to go with it. So the true cost of the $99 top , may in fact be $399 once you add in shoes, bag and a co-ordinating skirt & jacket. Yikes!

* If the rack consists of many many of the same item, consider whether the item may in fact be badly cut or poorly designed....if no one is buying it, it reminds me of a restaurant which is empty most of the time.

If all this fails - try on line! I'll have some on line sale tips in a later blog.

What bargains have you scored recently?