elements

Simple things are good things. Clean lines, basic silhouettes and good ol' black and white is all you need sometimes. Although I'm not completely convinced I'm ready to bare half of my particularly squishy side bits (thanks winter hibernation!), this top from Stylenanda is exactly the season transitional piece I've been after and looks so good paired with high waisted jeans or shorts depending on the thermometer.

[wearing: Stylenanda top, Asos velvet trousers, DIY copper choker]

cadillac

I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face all weekend due to my most recent acquisition of this glorious jacket. It was hands down the best thing ever when, after talking myself into the Midnight version of Friend of Mine's Cadillac jacket, I stumbled upon a smaller sized black one (in a 6 - not even a plausible option originally) and miraculously it fit like a dream! I was quite relieved really, considering I have so many black clothes in my wardrobe and I'm not the biggest fan of navy blue and black worn together. Pure silk with leather lapel and pocket trim- this is a ridiculously perfect jacket that will no doubt become my staple dress blazer for many seasons to come.

wearing [Friend of Mine Cadillac Jacket / Nobigtruth blue ombre skirt / DIY silk tank / Asos boots (old) / DIY copper jewellery]

Also, apologies for the recent absence, life's crazy busy at the moment and it's causing serious blog neglection :(

what to wear with: bomber jackets

T by Alexander Wang bomber jacket / Linda Farrow x The Row aviators / Topshop cashmere tank / 3.1 Phillip Lim trousers / Elizabeth and James sand pumps

Topshop floral bomber jacket / 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 hour bag / River Island dress / Asos Harlot sandals 

A.L.C. wool and leather bomber jacket / Stella McCartney sunglasses / Topshop foiled jeans / Topshop tee / Asos hightops 

Topshop pastel silk bomber jacket / Clare Vivier fold over clutch / T by Alexander wang tee / VPL curvate skirt / Jeffrey Campbell hanger bootie

Bomber jackets are perfect for 'sporting' up an outfit but I find that if you don't get your proportions right with your botton half then the whole look can get out of whack badly! I think you need to keep it short and sweet or slim and long, carrying through the sporty theme in small doses- think aviators and hightops. I have a great basic navy blue vintage bomber by Pierre Cardin found by someone (not me) in an op-shop. It's technically not mine (it was being held ransom in the depths of my brother's wardrobe before I rescued it!), but I have claimed the beauty and promise to do it justice. I think I'll go the Alexander Wang route and team it with bright pants and pointy heels. Experimental outfit post soon!

key lime

Staying true to my vow to take a more colourful approach to winter wardrobe, here's some pics of my latest Asos purchase. I had been deliberating over this one for so long, leaving in my saved items for what felt like a century, that when it miraculously went on sale I almost cried. Not that it was expensive to start with, but that was just the thing to push me into it. This shirt is definitely not the same colour in the pics on the website.. a lot more blue-green than citrusy, but I am definitely not regretful. It is the loveliest silk, just the right weight, softness and transparency you need in a silk shirt. The watercolour effect is kind of strange, but gives this shirt character that means it will lift any outfit out of banality.

The shoes are another newbie from Siren. They were heavily discounted (still on sale at the moment) and I was seriously in need of a proper 'grown up' heel so these seemed like just the ticket; super simple with the sweetest little ankle strap. As you can see it was seriously windy today so taking photos was a big struggle. I didn't have a lot to choose from as most of the pics were affected by a little blurring and a lot of hair-in-faceing! I ended up doing a couple of indoor close ups which turned out a lot clearer (not to mention warmer). I think I'll have to do a whole lot more indoor posts if this chilly wind keeps up.

[wearing: Asos silk shirt, Cheap Monday jeans, Siren 'fallen' heels, DIY copper twist rings]

white out

I've never been a white girl. I mean, yes I'm incredibly 'white' in both my skin tone (thanks winter) and culturally, but I'm not a big wearer of the shade. Maybe it's Melbourne's influence or there's simply not that much good white stuff about, but I thought I would give this whole sporty/crisp/luxe business a go.  So from the VERY few white clothes I have in my closet I put together this outfit. The sheerness (nonexistence?!) of the tee really helps to break up that blocky, sterile feeling that makes full head-to-toe white hard to wear. Skin is good, and white just so happens to give the illusion of slightly tanned flesh which is very handy in the middle of winter. I went minimal with black boots and bag, no jewellery and slicked hair (wet not greasy!).

[wearing: thrifted shirt and reworked jeans, Asos tee, Witchery bra, Office London boots, Life with Bird bag]

grey ombre

 I threw together this super casual look to take advantage of a surprisingly sunny winter's day in Melbourne, which I doubt we'll be getting a lot more of unfortunately. This knit's another Iconic purchase, but I can't be blamed can I? It's all so ridiculously convenient and fast, I mean I got this jumper delivered the day after I bought it! It's seriously killing my bank account. I love a great layering jumper, and the fact that this is the perfect grey marle ombre is such a bonus, it also comes in a sweet forest green (which I only saw after I'd bought the grey, considering going back for it!).

P.S. I've found a new shooting location.. My neighbour's synthetic nature strip. So strange, but I guess it saves having to cut the grass!

[wearing: Huntingbird knit via The Iconic, thrifted shirt, Dejour jeans, Asos boots, Life with Bird bag, Tatty Devine perspex ring]

what to wear with: tan leather

- Acne romantic tan leather skirt / similar here -

Jil Sander circle clutch / Asos gold cuffs / Surface to Air louna art deco V2 / Equipment signature silk shirt in lime punch

- Balmain skinny tan leather pants / similar here -

Asos metal collar necklace / Marc by marc Jacobs bars & bells bag / Alexander Wang emina sandals / Altuzarra outboard chunky knit

- Acne rise boot in tan / similar here -

Karen Walker patsy sunglasses / Motel jordan jeans / Asos triangle grab bag / 3.1 Phillip Lim detachable panel blazer

- See by Chloe tan leather shorts / similar here -

Elizabeth and James wooster sunglasses / L.A.M.B iowa platform wedge sandals / Alice + Olivia halter bodysuit / Sass & Bide strong foundations jacket

- Acne Ryah tan leather jacket / similar here -

Topshop floral print shorts / Asos brass collar / Jeffrey Campbell clift boot / Current/Elliott the perfect shirt

So I'm starting a new weekly style post that documents what to wear with tricky items. This week it's tan leather. Not something that I'm particularly fond of, seeing as most things made in tan also come I black as well, and I'm all for black leather! But there is a time and a place for tan (well away from the 70s) that, when done right, will produce some seriously worthy results.

neoprene

So here's my latest purchases; the best winter jacket and some serious boots. It mightn't look snuggly, but this jacket is super insulating and comfy. I figure the best way to beat the elements this winter is to wear the fashion equivalent of a wetsuit. I wish neoprene was sold non-commercially, if I could buy that stuff by the metre I would be making my entire wardrobe from it!

Very excited about these Therapy boots, so much height and still comfortable, perfect for winter nights out.

[wearing: Asos neoprene parka, thrifted knit, jeans from ebay, Therapy boots via The Iconic]