What I Wore: Shades of blue, pops of orange

The sweater

A fine wool blend from Sussan, on sale for about $20.
Has a slight batwing sleeve and a vee neck with an overall relaxed look. 

STYLE TIP: When buying batwing sleeves, take care if you need to sweater to fit under a jacket.

The jeans

My current fave jeans, wide leg rolled up to become boyfriend style. 

The scarf

The scarf in a toning colour to the sweater was necessary to pull the outfit together. 

This scarf is way way old & the font on the label proves it. It was $29.

You definitely dont see "Made in Italy" in any Country Road pieces now. 

The top

After recently putting holes in a tee due to friction with my jeans, I am not worried about this & so wore a Coles white tee with a full length back zip under this fine sweater. Problem solved. 

The orange necklace

This necklace was the piece that inspired the outfit. 
Its from a boutique in Beecroft called Kopy-Katt and it cost me $25 (50% off). The pattern is in both sides of each tile. I love it - its fun, vibrant yet the tile shapes make it totally modern too.

Its from a local designer called Jenny Brocks, who isnt anywhere on line, so unfortunately I cant see more of her pieces except when they land in store....ggrrr.

The coin necklace

A 1963 shilling set in sterling silver from Beautiful Things By in Beecroft. The rubber chain is my own. I paid $80 for this. I would have preferred the coin to be form the year of my birth, but I have seen others  not set as well & preferred to grab this one instead of waiting. 

They also had copper coins set in sterling but my cool toned complexion couldnt handle those.

The bangles

Hermes enamel bangles set in palladium. Paid a bomb, but these are timeless pieces. 

The shoes

Miu Miu flat Mary Janes which I bought pre loved (but actually new) from the Balmain Frock exchange (no longer operating, but they have a store in Clovelly).

See you tomorrow.

The FUNKY pant now at Target

Recently popped into Target to find a duplicate pair of pant, which fit me very well. They were taupe and straight legged with a thin patent red belt (chucked the belt away).

While the SA was calling near-by stores, we found the pant in my size in a bright kelly green. I ummed & ahhed and decided not to take it because:

1. I didnt wear brights on the bottom even during the height of the colour bomb & colour blocking trends. 

2. They would look weird with all my neutrals.

3. If I am umming & ahhing, the rule is to leave them & walk out.

But on my way out, I spotted something FABULOUS.

The FUNKY PANT.

Pictures in a sec...be patient....

OMG, Target had done the FUNKY PANT.

By way of background, the Winter 2012/13 collections (= southern hemisphere Winter 2013) were full of psychadelic, acid trip, saturated colour, hi contrast, loud print pant suits.....

Prada AW 2012

Prada AW 2012

Prada AW 2012

Prada AW 2012

Miu Miu AW 2012

Miu Miu AW 2012

Miu Miu 2012

Miu Miu 2012

Kenzo AW 2012

Kenzo AW 2012

Louis Vuitton AW 2012

Louis Vuitton AW 2012

March Jacobs AW 2012

Marc Jacobs AW 2012

Hermes AW 2012

Hermes AW 2012

Mary Katrantzou AW 2012

Erdem AW 2012

Get the drift? 

Alot of these looks are top to toe.
That may be too much for the average Joe or Josephine.

So a smart high street retailer will do the print as separates in sell them separates.

Enter, Target with the FUNKY PANT....

Belt loops, flat front, 2 side pockets, 2 hook & bar closures & internal button.

In a Women's house brand called "Skinny, voila...

Full length with a cuffed hem. Hem can be unstitched & lowered if you dont like dust catchers.

cotton/elastene - good fabric

& its sister funky pant.....

sister funky pant

sister funky pant fabric

Then, knowing that Hot Options often repeats a style from the main Target lines, but at a cheaper price point, I toddled over to Hot Options & found it....

Cropped cotton/elastene, flat front, belt loops, side pockets, no cuffs

 close up of Hot Options...an apricot/green/black/white print. The web site does this print no justice

You may also recall that recently, I also reported on a Target Limited Editions suit (sold as separates).....

The pants in that story are a blue/black brocade & remind me of this ornate saturated types of prints....

and the matching jacket is a reasonably not OTT piece too - wearable to work for sure. 

So did any of these follow me home?

Yes, the navy/red circle print.

Why?

The print is small & not overwhelming (hence not creating an overwhelming bum!)
I love circles
I love red & navy, in fact navy is my black.
Its on trend & fun.

Now, which of my navy tops will work with it? probably most of them....

As for the taupe pant...well it doesnt look like that will happen....but its not a big deal...it was going to be a back up after all....

Elegant or Weird? You be the judge.

Elegant or weird? You be the judge.
Madonna v Halle Berry



You may have seen these photos of Madonna this week at the Venice Film Festival.
The event was the premiere of WE, which also was her directoral debut. The movie was about Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII.

Her frock was a custom Vionnet dress in pale blue with red beaded butterflies. Her look was generally applauded buy the fashion commentators (the film makers panned her movie).

They (the fashion people, not the movie people!) said that the dress showed off her toned arms - IMO the extra fabric at the sleeves just looked like bad dressmaking.

Then there are the sunglasses.......red heart shape.....eyeroll.......they are Miu Miu & frankly it looks like she borrowed them from her daughter's Lourdes' dress up wardrobe. Are they suitable for an event like the Venice Film Festival? even if you are Madonna!!!!!

Plus I wish she had done her roots too! Hairdresser please!!!!!

Now lets look at the back......



They (darned fashion people) also said the extra fabric cut on the bias at the back showed off the curve of her lower spine (ie: bum).

However (enlarge the photo) when I look at the way its gathered at the back, it looks to be like there's a few safety pins holding it together!

Also look at the way the underside of the fabric shows up with the shadows of the butterflies (attached on the good side)....I shake my head. Yucky, yucky, yucky.....

Maybe I am getting old, but this look just did absolutely nothing for me. Overall yucky, yucky, yucky too!

In contrast, the only previous "similar" red carpet dress which came to mind for me is a Valentino couture frock worn by Halle Berry many, many, many years ago.

Voila!


A column, with red rosettes concentrated at the waist. Similar but beautifully styled and fitted. Say no more.

I realise they are different, but frankly give me elegant glamour over weird stuff any day!!!!!