TKMaxx Castle Hill - Show & tell post corona

CASTLE HILL TKMaxx - 2nd day open post corona shut down:

Just some wee musings to complete some photos being posted of life at TKMaxx Castle Hill on the 2nd day of opening after the corona shut own.   

Yesterday, apparently Castle Hill had a crazy manic day. Plus one of their registers wasn't polling, so they couldn't even get their day's results.   

I arrived at 11. A queue of about 15 humans. I forgot to ask for the human limit. Would imagine it's around 180. ??

The queue lady came out & assured us it was about 5 mins. I asked her what time they were closing & she said 5.30pm. Not earlier? Yes, maybe depending on how busy it is & the social distancing issues.

What does that mean? Oh, we have to have a distance b/w us & it also depends on the number of customers.

Yes, but what does that mean?  [I dislike parroting of rote phrases which give you no information of any value]

Getting impatient, I translate it to: So if I come at 4pm, will I be allowed in?

Yes but in a very uncertain in tone.

If I come at 4.30 pm,  will I be allowed in?

It depends, maybe not.

Depends on what? Oh forget it, you realize the web site says the store is open til 5.30pm.

Yes.

In the store.

First thing I noticed was all the colourful hand bags & the next thing was the colourful puffas. It's a good thing to have colour at the front of a store - it brings people in. 

There was plenty of people but a sense of calm I didn’t pick up yesterday with Hillsdale/TR/Fairfield. Before you remind me it was day 2 and hence quieter, it wasn’t that. They were just organized. The de- security tagging station was in place first up, in the right place, the queue to pay was in the middle of the HOME sections, rife for impulse buys as ppl left their trolleys in the queue & went down each aisle as they moves closer to the POS.  Granted the store is spacious, but their flow was good/logical which makes things easier.

They were the only store I’ve seen where the Final Clearance was right at the back of the store. Poor margins; Let something else with a smaller discount show off toward the front of the store. Not a bad strategy.

I was in the queue to pay for about 30 mins perhaps. There were about 30 ppl in this queue. The queue to pay exceeded from the register area by half of the narrow side of the store & almost a full long side of the store. I don’t think it moved any faster than the other stores so far, but it FELT faster. Frankly, if you can give that feeling to customers, you are doing well. You do it by putting things for them to do along the way. Things like the impulse shopping (nice wide aisles amongst Home goods for both queue & customers walking through) helped to make the queuing more pleasant.

The other thing CH did better than the others was managing to segregate sale goods from full price goods.  As you moved around sale, you didn’t keep finding yourself amongst full price. But you still don’t want to hie the full price stock. When a store is in big clearance mode, the client base tends to be PRICE FOCUSED. They are not interested in full price. When at full price, you get back to the clients who are PPROUCT FOCUSED.  

I also had a sense that they didn’t have as much full price stock as Fairfield & Hillsale but I may be making that up.

They also had considerable empty space in various sections. Expected.  

Even though I was annoyed with my encounter with the door lady, after a few minutes in CH, chill. That’s a credit to the store frankly.

What did I buy?

Well it wouldn’t be a TKM visit without coloured pasta. I brought the uranium & other coloured Italian bows.

The ugliest puffa in the world, DKNY Jeans in blue/khaki on sale.

I bought a Nautica brolly to replace the same I lost recently. Best brolly ever.

The old one was navy with lime trim. This is black with Kermit trim. 

I bought a black cotton casual Italian cardi that looked worn, I mean treated to look worn.

The fabrication tags were at right. Lucky I had a sharp eye & feel to know it's cotton. 

An outdoor pot with blue & white tile exterior which I had admired at full price - on sale.

A European cushion in many Mongolian sheepskin

A smaller rectangle cushion in navy Mongolian sheepskin. Both on sale.

Men’s tan belt for me

Men’s black belt, same for me. Both these are for jeans - sturdy in the two best colours for versatility. The leather is pinched every 10 cm so when the centre back gets contorted, it won't show. Much.  

A DR 2 black polyfester chiffon top – need to make sure this works with a cami. 

A men’s navy fine cord shirt for bumming around. 

A duplicate white Italian linen vest with a bias ruffle on each side.  Dying possibilities here.   

A few random pattered bread/butter plates & bowls from Portugal - on sale.

I'd love to see your finds. 

Pears & apples - the MUST HAVE winter topper

Today I wore black & grey. When you have a wardrobe of similar colours, one of the advantages is that you can throw things on and everything works together pretty well by virtue of the colours toning together. 

The other advantage is that you can have a few more lazy fashion days than folks who have many different colours in their wardrobe and have to think about what to pair with what. 

Should I be admitting to fashion lazy days? Well, I am human after all, so I wont pretend that they never happen to yours truly.

My challenge is to make sure they dont happen too often.

This WIW showcases the one most important thing that EVERY pear & apple should have in their wardrobe. 

What's a pear? 
A person who carries their weight around the hips & thighs and has a defined waist. 

What's an apple? 
A person who carries their weight around their tummy & so doesnt have a defined waist.

That vital piece is a waterfall cardi knit.

It has an open front that falls to create a waterfall. The waterfall is formed because each side of the front is a rectangle. The waterfall disguises any tummy or hip/thigh issues.

When it is worn with a contrasting coloured top underneath, it also creates a wonderful fashion situation called "sectioning". This means that it breaks up one large section of the body in smaller sections. 

The one large section is the tummy/hip area of the torso.
The smaller sections are the left side of the cardi, the middle section (the top) and the right section of the cardi. 

Effectively one large part is converted into three smaller parts & the eye is tricked into thinking the overall body has reduced in size. Like this....

Sectioning works with any open jacket or cardi over a contrast print top. 

The cardi

A Jane Lamerton 100% wool waterfall jacket in black from Myer. Reduced to around $90 and the knit is subjected to the boiling process - where the wool is boiled & shrunk and in the process, given a textured thicker appearance. It also has external seams adding the the texture of the cardi. 

I forgot to photograph the front on its own, but here is the back.

EVERY PEAR & APPLE SHOULD OWN ONE OF THESE.

STYLE TIPS for waterfall cardis:

These typically have alot more fabric (ie: knit) than a traditional jacket or cardi. So petite pears & petite apples need to take care in selection so they dont look like they are wearing their big sister's clothes. 

The same care applies to non petites if you want to ensure you dont look sloppy in a garment that is quite voluminous. 

1. Look for set in sleeves. 

Set in sleeves hug your arms & armpits (skim not cling). 

Avoid dolman or batwing sleeves. At all costs.
Dolman & batwing sleeves just swamp your top half & unless you are very tall & thin, just make you look sloppy & bigger.

Avoid my sleeves if you are a pear or apple.

Avoid my sleeves too if you are a pair or an apple.

Avoid my sleeves too if you are a pair or an apple. 

2. Make sure the back of the knit covers the widest part of your bum. 

Too many brands on the high street finish the back hem at the waist & have the front sections falling to below the bum.
They look great from the front, but the bum sticks out like nobody's business at the back. And do you think they offer a mirror in store so you can see your back? Rarely.
The reason they finish the hem at the waist is to save on cost of the yarn.

A petite MUST end their hem just below the widest part of their bum. Non petites can go a bit lower if they want as you have more height to carry it off.

I promise you there are MANY waterfall knit cardis which finish below the widest part of your bum. You just have to hold out until you find one.

Witchery has a version which currently fits the bill and it is available in many colours.

The listing even mentions the "long skinny sleeves"
Seriously, its a flattering aspect.

The only reason I personally would hesitate on this one is that the waterfall has a merino border around it & it seems to be pulling the knit at the bust area. Most of the colours show this pulling except for the charcoal grey. Weird. So I would have to see this in the store before I bought it.

Just to cover off - I mention apples & pears can wear these brilliantly. Why not the other shapes?

An hourglass can too - its just that the hourglass has more options available to it, so there isnt as much of a need to resort to "figure correcting" items such as this one. 

A rectangle would be swamped by this item as it does nothing to create/highlight the waist (unless you belt it, but you can belt most tops anyway).

An inverted triangle shouldnt be wearing something that has volume around the bust - the waterfall front has that. Better to go for other style cardis.

The top

Its a Coles Mix 100% wool crew neck sweater in black. I bought this last winter - actually I bought two. It was $29 I think and its just an easy piece to throw on.  

The necklace

A Lovisa for $20 worn previously on WIW.

STYLE TIP: As you age your colouring softens. Often in your younger years you could wear black near your face but you may no longer be able to. Break up the impact of a black top/jacket/cardi with a contrasting scarf or necklace.

The rings

The Martin Margiela ring & the $10 sterling Witchery ring.
Serious favourites & why do I feel guilty repeating them? Go away guilt. I am getting my cost per wear (CPW) down.

The bangle

A black rubber bangle with an industrial feel from a store in Mosman called Curve which has very cool stuff including trendy jeans & boho resort wear. Look them up.

STYLE TIP: Because this has a gold band on it, I need to be careful with the colour metal I am wearing elsewhere on the body. In this case, it picked up well with the gold in the necklace.

The pants

Guilty - the Target cotton grey pants, rolled up at the hem.
Too guilty to put a photo up. LOL!

The shoes

A high heeled pump by Patrick Cox with triangular heels. Worn in a previous WIW. Since the rest of my look was casual, wearing heels dressed the look up.

See you tomorrow when I go corporate.
  

Coles Mix Review - 1st autumn drop 2013

It's no secret (from all my previous posts), that I love the Coles Mix range.

It's a thrill to walk in to buy groceries & to know that you will come out with a clothing treat at a very good price.

Here are some photos of the recent first autumn drop of ladies wear....

The cardigans

This winter, the ladies cardigans are more "boy" style - longer, leaner with wider facings.

Last winter/summer they were more "ladylike" - shorter, roomier with narrow facings.

Frankly, its nice to have both styles your wardrobe. 

They are 100% cotton.

They come in a million colours from an XS to an XL.

Priced at $29 for two or $19 for one.

With a 30 day return policy (keep your receipt).

Last year, they even did 100% wool cardis/sweaters...I am keeping my fingers crossed for later this season....

The grandpa style on the left & the round neck on the right.

Showing (some) of the many colours....

& more.....

They also have these colours in sweaters - the options are crew necks and vee necks.

Also notice the striped versions (both crew & vee necks) in the photo above & below.....

The breton tee

Coles do a breton tee (striped) every season with slight variations each time, retaining its authenticity but giving it a point of difference each time....

But here are the jewels in the crown - the ponte pieces.
Ponte is a stretch fabric which has a thickness to it, so it hides lumps & bumps.
Its become huge in the industry the last few years.
Its usually a viscose/nylon/elastene mix and it feels terrific (as well as comfortable).

Here are the shift dresses......

These are also available in deep green & purple & charcoal...the list goes on...

Then there are the leggings - 3 variations......

Add caption

How to choose?

Want to wear a belt? go for the 5 pocket (#2)

Big tummy? go for flat front (#1) or "ponte" (#3)

Big thighs? try "ponte" (#3) or the flat front (#1) 

Want some metal? go for flat front (#1) with its side zips on the ankles

Then there are the skirts....

The version with seaming & a top back zip..... that horizontal waist panel is great for keeping the tummy sucked in....

The version which is plain with a lower back split - just watch this one - the back split doesnt overlap & you may end up ripping the seam upwards...only for dainty walkers!

This version is longer (more pencilled!) than the panelled version) - best for taller bodies.

And a panelled skirt version...

The wrap dresses

Loved these especially the green/black print.
The fabric is thin which gives it terrific flirty movement so make sure you wear good control garments underneath.

The shirts...

Terrific with tailored bottoms or jeans or leggins.

In 100% poly, a lovely fabric that feels good to the touch & will lander well.

Lastly, the PJ singlet top in mint green, which is also available in two green prints. So pretty, I'd layer it for daywear!!!

Seriously, I think this range is terrific value.

The web site will tell you where your nearest stockist store is....in the Northwest of Sydney, its Epping, Norwest & Kellyville...

Enjoy!

Mens style - smart casual - max style, min effort.

I was having a think about men's smart casual dress and how to define it. Well that was too hard, so instead I decided to resort to pictures of what I see as the three main kinds of relaxed smart casual dress (SCD).


The three kinds of SCD are easy to capture based on the upper body garment.


1. With a jacket
2. With a knit or cardigan
3. With a shirt often untucked


Jacket:





Without a doubt, a look with a jacket is the smartest of the three looks.


A jacket adds presence and says I care about my look enough to add a final layer.


Dress the look down with a more casual style of jacket or a leather (or even a denim jacket).


TIP: If you're wearing jeans with a denim jacket, make sure the shades/washes of denim are different - otherwise you'll look too matchy matchy.


Dont forget that jackets can be unlined fine cotton with no shoulder pads - very relaxed, not stuffy & smart. Jude Law's grey version (top 2nd from the right, above) is a great example.


Knit or cardigan:

No longer reserved for grandpa, this look tends to be a moneyed look. 


Knits look super classy as long as they are looked after. 


This means:


#1: Removing pilling either by hand or by one of those little battery operated devices.


#2: Drying & storing them flat so they dont loose their shape.


#3: Protecting from moths & silverfish while in storage especially the wools and cashmeres. For some reason the critters have very good taste and will attack these best fibres.


#4: Dark cottons need to be washed gently in tepid water and not left to dry in the sun. Nevertheless, they will lose their colour and once this happens, its bye bye cotton sweater.


#5: Wools and cashmeres should be washed in tepid water with either shampoo or wool wash.


#6: Knits must never be wrung - just gently squeezed dry.


Use the gym


Knits require a fit body as they leave little to the imagination.


Layering?


If layering (very cool), like brad Pitt above, always put the finer knit underneath & the heavier knit on top. 


Want to project an air of nonchalance? 


Throw a sweater  over the shoulders of your jacket, like David Beckham has done here...... 

Shirt, often untucked:

Definitely the most casual of the looks but you can vary the level of sophistication using a number of techniques:


#1: Checked shirts are generally more casual than plain shirts.


#2: A sneaker is more casual than a smart leather shoe.


#3: Jeans are more casual than chinos which are more casual than pants. But dark jeans are dressier than light coloured washes.


Unfortunately most men have weight around their tummy and tucking in a shirt into their pants, with a smart belt is too much to ask for.


TIP: Leaving the shirt open (with a sweater or tee underneath) is even more casual, but helps to hide any tummy bulk by providing two vertical lines over the tummy (being the shirt edges).


Which of these three looks does your man typically wear for smart casual affairs?