paisley please

J.W Anderson x Topshop quilted paisley silk tee / 3 Gun Vase / Windsor Smith Mara heels / COII leather look shorts / Essie polish

Killer Condo Yves Satan Laurent tee / COII paisley jeans / Nicholas Joclyn heels / Essie polishes

I've never, ever been a fan of paisley. But it's been popping up on the runways for a while now (remember Givenchy Resort 13?!) so I set to work finding some wearable / affordable pieces in this tricky print and came across this sick tee and jeans. The trick is to keep your colours to a minimum and try to match or complement a colour found amongst the paisley.

I'm definitely considering more risky retro prints for my wardrobe from now on.

august wish list

Friend of Mine Smith Sweater / Theyskens' Theory Vala bag / Style Nanda baggy jeans / Topshop boots / Nixon The Kensington watch

In preparation for warmer days I'm thinking I need to invest in a cropped knit and an open-air ankle regime including cuffed jeans and cut-out boots. The collection of new knits at Friend of Mine is ridiculously good (also got my eye on the Lafayette dress), the perfect season tie-over. Although I hope I'm not kidding myself in thinking we're getting out of winter sooner rather than later!

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!

the metallic shoe

[ 1. Jean-Michel Cazabat Elisa pumps 2. Topshop Wowza wedges 3. Dolce Vita Nalla Specchio loafers 4. Elizabeth & James Sand pumps 5. Topshop Sandi wedges 6. Marc by Marc Jacobs new vintage glam loafers ]

[ 1. Soles disco glitter boot 2. Kathryn Wilson Diane boot 3. Topshop Game pointed court heels 4. Gorman Dime croc print boot 5. Skin Punk Deluxe boot ]

[ 1. KORS Michael Kors Eliza wedge sandals 2. Topshop Whizzkid clean wedges 3. Topshop Wowza wedges 4. Topshop Wonder clean sporty wedges 5. Viktor & Rolf bow heel sandals ]

I can't get enough of metallics at the moment, especially in shoe form. I think the hardest thing is making a shiny shoe not look tacky, there are so many seriously offensive ones out there that I've gone and hunted down some of my favourite examples of designs that just work! Paired with simple black or minimalist white and a touch of colour, they are the perfect tool to spruce up a boring outfit.

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.

b.f.w

I've decided to be completely un-Melbourne and support B.F.W: Brights for Winter, a totally fictional program I've just made up that supports advocators of bright clothing in the colder months. None of this gloomy depressing stuff, I have challenged myself to give up buying anything in black/shades of grey as of now. I'm tossing up whether shoes and bags count, but for the purpose of this post I don't think so (metallic silver does not count as grey). Also, the (grey) neoprene jacket I just bought from Asos doesn't count, but none the less I'm dying to wear this magnificent beast with some crazy brights underneath. Will do an outfit post when it arrives (hoping tomorrow, fingers crossed).

Topshop ombre trousers

Romwe jumper

Acne Corinne silk bomber

Zara sandals

3.1 Phillip Lim Lark zip clutch

P.s. Sorry posting has been so slow lately, I've been up to my neck in uni work. I'm hoping, come June, I'll be back sewing again after the nasty onslaught of assignments and exams is finally over!

LDN purchases: part two

Probably THE funnest piece of clothing I own. I'm not one for tube skirts, but I just had to grab this when I saw it in Topshop as it reminded me of the Austrian alps we drove through on our way across Europe.

Wearing:

Urban Outfitters lace fringed crop bra

Motel skirt

COS metal collar necklace

Murano glass ring from Venice

DIY perspex cuff

copper dreams

Obsessed with the newest addition to my necklace collection; Kirrily Johnston inspired bengal choker (see tutorial HERE!) I think it goes so nicely with this terracotta pleated dress.

Wearing with Asos dress, Topshop Ambush boots and DIY leather belt

black & blue ambush

Recent wardrobe additions include these paper bag waisted shorts, DIY black tank and boots. Ok so now I swear I'll stop buying things I don't exactly, desperately need! (Although, technically I didn't know I needed these things until they arrived)..

Wearing:

DIY black tank

Asos paper bag waist shorts

Topshop Ambush boots

Necklace & bracelet from Vietnam

Vintage ring

the mighty boots

I've been dreaming up the perfect pair of boots since the weather in Melbourne turned cold (erhem early autumn...) and haven't found anything like it in any reasonably priced retailer in the city!

Thankfully Topshop came to the rescue today and I can't stop thinking about the beautiful Allegra Black Chelsea platform heeled boots. Kind of Acne inspired and kind of magic really, the perfect low heeled all-purpose boot that will hopefully accompany me in a European winter next year!

topshop allegra boots

asos turbo boots

asos ames boots (purchased in navy, will post soon)

designer unknown (but freaking amazing!)

acne rider low boots