the great divide

The other day I had a sobering experience.  Trawling through Chaddy in search of some new clothes for Little Fashionista (thank you Seed Heritage and Witchery Kids!) I stumbled into one of the shops housed in the Chadstone Luxury Precinct, attracted by a divine little clutch (be still my beating heart!) I spied from the doorway.  Granted, I was dressed a tad on the casual side - old jeans that may be losing their shape, a less than superb pair of ballet flats and a grey marle knit from what was probably Gorman's first few collections.  As a result of my less than sartorial splendour on that particular day I experienced my own slice of Pretty Woman.  No, I was not swept off my feet by a wealthy businessman due to my vivacious, carefree but firmly down-to-earth personality and heartbreakingly beautiful smile.  I was however treated by two snobby and let me say not all that busy sales assistants as an impoverished leper whose very touch could turn their high-end goodies into leatherlike totes from Target.

Needless to say I left said shop as clutchless as when I entered.  Tragic, isn't it?  More importantly, I also left feeling like I should limit my shopping experiences to Best & Less and the local Salvos - both of which by the way have provided some truly fab bargains and should never be underestimated.

I came home (with the requisite bottle of Moet to cheer me up) and told hubby about the experience.  He was at once thankful (that I didn't buy the clutch) and enlightening, bringing to my attention the disconnect which currently exists between what I wear to work and what I throw on most weekend morning.  Like many working mums, I spend a fair amount of dosh to maintain the work wardrobe - the good stuff that I don't wear around grubby, Vegemite smeared faces and snotty noses.  And so, as those of us on a fixed income would know, it is often the casual wardrobe that suffers.  It is the jeans, the t-shirts, the singlets and the wear anywhere jumpers and jackets that fail to get the attention needed to ensure you look just as good shopping in Miu Miu as you do running a meeting.  You spend on the killer pair of corporate heels but your trusty ballet flats are worn well past their use-by date.  You don't see a point in dressing up only to find yourself at the end of the day crying over the peanut butter on the sleeve of your T by Alexander Wang.  Our wear around the kids wardrobes reflect the motto we decorate our homes with: "Nothing nice till the kids are at least 16 years-old".

And so, I have come to the realisation that I need to put more effort into my wear to the shop basics, not for the snotty sales assistants but for me, to ensure I feel good about myself and the way I present to the world.  I have thrown out anything that does not make me feel gorgeous, because it's just as important to feel fabulous in your jeans and boots as it is in your Leona Edmiston frock.  Farewell slightly stained t-shirts I used to breastfeed in, au revoir shoes that have lost their shine and jeans that have lost their shape.  And lastly, goodbye to anything in grey marle.  You're really not my colour.

5 fabulous ways

Metalicus has just launched "The Monique", a merino wool blend cardi that can be styled in five fabulous ways.

As shown, The Monique comes in five different colours, but only one size, which according to Metalicus, 'fits most'.  And, at $189 for five different looks, I say that's excellent value for money.    

For those of you seeking some hands-on advice, head to the Metalicus store at Chadstone the Fashion Capital this Thursday, February 28th and enjoy a styling workshop led by a professional stylist.  Workshops include light refreshments and individually tailored style advice.  There is a $20 booking fee, but it is redeemable for product on the night.  In addition, workshop participants will enjoy an exclusive 4-day only offer of 20% off store-wide.  Click here to book your place.

style with cindy

I am a huge believer in life as an educational journey.  Whether it's the books we read, the films we watch or the people we meet, I firmly believe everything and everyone is an opportunity to learn more about our world and ourselves.  In this spirit, I grabbed a fashionista friend and we ventured to a Style with Cindy Style and Body Shape Workshop.

The day long workshop focuses on 'The Secrets of Personal Style' which stylist Cindy Newstead has broken down into three main elements: defining your personal style, dressing correctly for your body shape and using colours to enhance your complexion.  There was homework to complete for the day, and my students will be thrilled to learn that Ms Kafka did hers at the last possible minute in a nearby cafe, gulping down a latte as she shoved the required work into a dodgy plastic pocket unearthed from the bottom of the cupboard.  Yup, it's all about preparation.   

There were eight style students in total at the workshop - all women, from their 20s upwards.  Each one of us had our own reasons for being there.  To be completely honest, I would have liked to have known more about why these other women were there.  Maybe it's the yenta in me, but I am intrigued as to what prompts individuals to take a step forward in the fashion stakes.  What defining moment has led a woman to hand over a considerable amount of cash in order to be told how to improve the first impression she makes?  What causes someone to take such a step in an effort to feel more confident about the person she presents to the world?  FYI Cindy, a bottle of bubbly or two wouldn't go astray. Loosen the tongues and get the participants sharing a few stories about what has brought them to that secret room in Chadstone Tower willing to be hauled up in front of a group of strangers and be told the jeans she is wearing are making her arse look big.   

I did learn a few things from Cindy.  I learnt that my body shape is an 'inverted triangle' (as is my fashionista friend) and that my colour group is 'deep warm'.  I also learnt that 'deep warm' is totally different to 'warm deep'- who knew?  I must admit however, there was a moment when, watching a young woman being draped in a range of colour swatches by Cindy and her assistant/husband Calvin in an effort to work out "the colours that will harmonise with you and bring your complexion alive", I was suddenly acutely aware of the number of starving children in Africa.  That realisation of the slight absurdity and self indulgence of what I was involved in didn't last long however.  It was quickly interrupted by a more 'mature' member of the group having a little tantrum because she wasn't happy with the colour group Cindy and Calvin had declared to be most in harmony with her complexion.  I guess paying to hear expert advice doesn't always mean you're always willing to listen to expert advice. 

And Cindy did give some good advice, most specifically in the area of effective shopping.  My favourite hint for the day is as follows:  When in the fitting room, put on the outfit you're considering, shut your eyes and then open them.  Look straight at your reflection.  If something in the outfit, or the outfit itself jumps out at you, it's a problem.  Why?  Because you should wear your clothes, not the other way around.  I also liked Cindy's acknowledgement that while generally speaking one is far better off spending more money on fewer but better quality pieces, cheap and nasty can fill a spot.

Overall, I think the day was a solid learning experience for me.  It reminded me that the way I view myself isn't necessarily the way others view me.  It also confirmed for me that while a true sense of style is not really something that can be taught, there are some basic guidelines which can help style strugglers make the most of their body shape and complexion.  While lacking confidence in what you look like may not be as tragic as the world's starving children, it can greatly impact on the way others view you, and most importantly, how you view yourself.     

But in the end, what my day with Cindy confirmed for me is my belief that some rules are meant to be broken.  Perhaps that's what style is - an innate knowledge and understanding of these guidelines combined with the confidence to do whatever you damn well please once in a while.

style bar

Over the past two days Chadstone the Fashion Capital has once again cemented itself as *the* Melbourne shopping centre for the fashion conscious by hosting a Spring Racing Style Bar, providing FREE 15 minute styling sessions full of tips to help look fabulous for the upcoming spring racing carnival. 

Ashley from Burberry Beauty at David Jones was providing makeovers, noting that race-goers this season would be wearing bright lips in everything from fire-engine reds to intense plum colours.  If you're going to go with this trend, stick with smokey eyes in neutral tones.  Avoid pairing bringht lips with coloured eyeshadow unless the tent you're heading for is the big top.

As every girl knows, a bad hair day can ruin even the best outfit, so many were flocking to the amazing Campell Ritchie who was tending to tresses of all lengths and colours and giving advice on how to ensure your hair lasts as long as you do on race days.

Melbourne Milliner Melissa Jackson was on hand to help choose the perfect headpieces to go with race day outfits, while stylists Franco Schifilliti and Anika Walker were giving individual expert advice about how to marry personal style with on-trend, showstopping looks.

Franco emphasised that 'co-ordinating' does not mean 'matching'.  Would-be fashionistas should be looking achieve a "total balance" with their look.  To do this, Franco recommends never combining more than three colours in a single outfit.  Anika and Franco agree that this season is all about colour, colour and more colour (yay!) along with a healthy dose of prints. 

Accessories came from a range of stores including Portmans, Colette, Wittner and Rubi Shoes and highlighted the focus on bright colours and embellishment.

What did Anika choose for the Cheeky Fashionista?

seduce bliss cap sleeve dress

I must admit, not a piece I ever would have chosen myself, but I guess that's the point of a style bar - to push us out of our comfort zone and into a whole other world of fashion possibilities!
 

5 reasons i love penny mccarthy

penny mccarthy, associate fashion editor vogue australia

I officially have a super-sized crush on Penny McCarthy, Associate Fashion Editor of Vogue Australia.  I should let you know that I develop crushes on random people quite easily and for no apparent reason, however in this case there are some pretty good reasons.

Reason one:

"Fashion doesn't have to be expensive to be fabulous." 

Sitting at the Vogue Australia Style Workshop at Chadstone the Fashion Capital yesterday,  I was acutely aware of my mortgage, kids' private school fees and all those other lovely little costs that relentlessly eat away at my savings account.  And so, I was totally thrilled to hear Ms McCarthy share these words of wisdom.  In fact, lots of what was on show were totally affordable ways of updating your wardrobe.

windsor smith pixie black/gold studs $159.95

Reason two:

"Tailoring is the backbone of your wardrobe."

I am a girl who likes her tailoring.  I am a firm believer that unless one has been blessed with the body of a supermodel, which unfortunately I have not (thanks mum and dad!) good tailoring is vital.  Tailoring can help give you shape and lend your outfit a touch of elegance.  This rule of thumb was clear in the 'City Luxe' trend on show.



portmans jacket, witchery skirt, coach bag

 

escada jacket, saba dress, clavin klein shoes, coach bag



arthur galan dress, portmans jacket, wittner shoes, cue bag, david lawrence cuff, diva necklace

 Reason three:

"When mixing prints, keep within the same colour palette."

You would have to be living in a cave to not be aware that prints are on trend this season.  However, despite the claim that there are no rules when it comes to fashion, the reality is, if you want to avoid looking like one of the Von Trapp children who has had their latest outfit made from hideous old curtains, BE CAREFUL.  The right use of prints can be amazing, gorgeous, inspiring.  The wrong use can cause onlookers to fall into an uncontrolable seizure.


country road pants, emporio armani shirt, wittner shoes, mimco bag

 

lisa ho jacket and pants, wittner shoes, coach bag, mimco bangle



witchery jacket, shirt and skirt, wittner shoes, coach bag

 Reason four:

"Break it up - put your own stamp on it."

Best. Advice. Ever.

Reason five:

Thurley

Enough said.

armani exchange jacket, thurley pants, withery tank, mimco necklace and bag

thurley jacket and pant, witchery top, windsor smith shoes, max alex vnder head piece

thurley jacket and skirt, windsor smith shoes, mimco bag

thurley jacket and pants, emporio armani shirt, armani exchange necklace

         
 

fashion vs. style

I should have been focused on the runway.  There was so much to see - cobalt blues, graphic prints, embellishments.  But I have never been very good at doing what I am meant to do.  Here I was - first assignment as official blogger for Chadstone 2012 Spring/Summer season and I was more focused on those in my immediate surroundings than the lithe and perfectly coiffed beings floating down the runway in the latest fashions.

I guess for me fashion has always been about wearability.  So, while some six foot tall size two glamazon might look amazing in something, the stark reality is even if we purchase the identical items, most of us mere mortals will look vastly different than the walking mannequin being paraded before us.  So for the Cheeky Fashionista, while the Vogue Australia Runway Show presented some breathtaking creations, ever the pragmatist, I was more intrigued by what 'real people' were wearing.  This was revealed in spades at the Australian Designer Cocktail Party.  

Chadstone, Vogue Australia and Laurent-Perrier put together an outstanding 'do' - an elegant and classy club smack bang in the middle of a shopping centre complete with a DJ spinning the decks.  Gorgeous looking hors d'oeuvres, lovely Laurent-Perrier bubbly and of course, a smattering of Melbourne's beautiful people.

However amongst the beautiful people and the bubbly were also some who confused fashion with style. 

Now let me say straight away that I am certainly not the most attractive human being to ever walk the earth.  I am uber-short, too rounded in some areas, and not rounded enough in others.  My nose is too wide, my jaw too square and thanks to an often incomprehensible love of teaching, I lack the means to robe myself in the labels I covet.  But I do my best.  And most importantly, I don't kid myself.

Lycra mini-skirts might be in vogue, but I am acutely aware of the fact that thanks to short and relatively stubby legs if I chose to don one I would look less like Rachel Zoe and more like a slutty oompa loompa.  Likewise, while I adore the embellishments being used by designers like Sass & Bide and Manning Cartell this season, I need to be selective with my use of it to ensure I don't end up looking like something one should hang on their Christmas tree this December. 

That's why I love this little number:


sass & bide

Separates always appeal to me, because while I can't see myself stepping out in the full ensemble, one of the two pieces would certainly work as a way to update a classic other half.  The top half would work beautifully as a companion to an existing pair of black pants, skirt or even a pair of jeans.

Likewise, these gorgeous pieces from Thurley:

thurley

Either the shirt or the skirt could be worn to update a range of other items already sitting in your wardrobe. 

There was one dress that caught my eye and I have the distinct feeling this beauty would make me, and any other woman, feel like the fairytale princess most of us dream of being at one point or another.

adolfo dominguez

Adolfo Dominguez is a Spanish label that has been around since the 1970s and now has over 600 boutiques globally.  Its Chadstone store opened late in 2011.  Complete with the simple but sparkly Oroton mini clutch, this look embodies modern romance.

I view runways and the images designer bring us as something we should take inspiration from, not slavishly follow.  Truly stylish individuals borrow from the latest looks, knowing what works for them and what doesn't.  Truly stylish individuals don't look like walking advertisements for a particular label, they advertise themselves and their own unique sense of style.

Truly stylish individuals know that looking like a slutty oompa loompa is never 'in'.

the divine ms. eva

Is there anything Chadstone the Fashion Capital can't do? 

I am the first to admit that I have limited talents.  However, one of my few saving graces is my ability to be completely honest about what someone should and should not wear.  So, last week I combined the power of Chadstone with my abilities and joined a friend in search of some key wardrobe items to complement her new slender physique. 

Now, I must first tell you that Ms Eva is an absolutely stunning woman - both inside and out.  Chestnut hair, beautiful eyes and one of the most kind and generous individuals I know.  She works, runs her own business and is a complete supermum.  Ms Eva was also in desperate need of jeans.  The ones she had been wearing were being kept up by a thick belt and doing that baggy arse thing that was clearly the result of her weight loss, but none too attractive.

Off to Just Jeans we went.  Ms Eva tried on a range of styles and brands (thank you awesome customer service assistants!) - Levi, Mavi, Lee, bootleg, skinny, straight leg.

riders by lee mid rise skinny black coated jean

riders by lee bumster skinny dark aqua jean

In the end Ms. Eva selected a gorgeous indigo Mavi pair.  Firm where they should be with just the right amount of give.  Seeing Ms Eva in these jeans reaffirmed my belief that the right pair of jeans is all a woman needs to feel amazing about herself and her body.

 

After that we were off to ZARA to find Ms Eva the perfect pair of work pants.  After scouring one of Chadstone's latest additions and discovering a heap of possibilities, we were off to the changing rooms.  Yes, 'we' - I couldn't help myself! 

 

Ms Eva's final choice? A classic colour (charcoal) and cut which can be worn for both the office and casually.

 

 

zara cotton trousers with turn up hem

Witchery was next, where we were lucky enough to scoop up some bargains.  A few cute tops for Ms Eva, a dress for me, and even a couple of skirts for the Little Fashionista.

A quick visit to Decjuba and Portmans for accessories rounded off our little expedition.

portmans metallic pop belts



decjuba hardware tassel necklace





Three hours.  Five stores.  One gorgeous woman.  Love your look Ms Eva!

spring style

Like many of you, I am totally over winter.  So, while it may still be freezing out there, I am attempting to generate some inner-warmth by planning my next purchases.

For those lovely ladies wanting to add a bit of trend to their Spring look without taking out a second mortgage, consider purchasing one or two key vibrant, colourful items and teaming them with basic black or white to achieve a classic yet funky look.

lisa ho neon flower print pants

This Spring, the fashion gods also bring us the peplum dress.  Perfect for work, or even for the races, this structured style provides as instant put-together look - a blessing for us busy mums. As an added bonus the peplum gives you curves where you want them and often works to cover those less attractive regions - say 'Thank you fashion gods!'.  Team with a slim belt in a bright colour to give a black or white dress a bit of pop, and to draw attention to what will (hopefully!) be your smallest area.  No need to save this one for when the sun starts shining - a crisp white collared shirt underneath keeps this look tailored and elegant.

cue pleat peplum dress

Unique and colourful patterns are showing up everywhere - skirts, pants, jackets and shirts.  Find a lust-worthy pattern, but make sure the cut is flattering!  And if it isn't, put your visa card back in your purse and run.  The print might be gorgeous, but if the style fails to flatter put it back on the rack where it belongs.  Here are two looks I can't wait to try on.  Pray for me!

witchery monet digital denim print

lisa ho orchid print skirt

Remember, it may be cold out there, but it's warm and cosy at Chaddy!