Obsession

CLOGS

They were huge in the seventies, and celebrated a brief comeback in the late nineties. Get ready to rejoice once again. The clog is back, in all its glory.

I have been obsessed with clogs ever since my mum, funnily enough, discovered that Gorman had started stocking the brand Funkis, who had re-designed the dutch inspired design a few years back. And being half dutch myself, I felt obliged to buy them haha. But seriously, working on my feet all day I needed a comfortable, but of course, stylish pair (or 3) of great day shoes. I didn't catch on until mum had had them for 6 months or so.

Within a week I had 3 pairs. 

They are seriously the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, and with the chunky heel and slight platform rise, it feels like you're wearing flats. 

These clogs are one of a selected few that I don't have to think twice about wearing with anything. I can wear them to work, and not have to change my shoes when I'm heading out to dinner or drinks.

They come in a range of designs, but my favourite are these ones:

The 977 T-Bar Sandal in patent black $139.00

Available at: http://www.funkis.com/online_shop_clogs.htm

If you're still not convinced, even though you DEFINITELY should be, and you want something with the same comfort, but those heels just aint cutting it. Set your eyes on these babies:

     Chanel S/S 2010 Collection

Yes, they are Chanel, and the price tag is, well, pricey. But you couldn't ask for a better design. The platform heel is once again a saviour. Not just because it's sticking to the trends, but because a platform heel is the heel you want if you suffer from missing nerves, dead toes and numb feet. 

The leather detailing, sitting just below the ankle, will give a smidge, but only to make the comfort factor rise even greater. And the best part is, because they are designed to not be so tight around the foot in the first place, they wont have the chance to give too much so they will never become loose enough that you'll slip out of them.

At US$1600 a pair, you probably don't want to spend so much. Understandable since trends obviously catch on quickly and someone else will, of course, design a pair that sits comfortably in your budget. And you guessed it, I have found the perfect pair!

  
    May. S/S 2010 Collection, the High Heel Clog $199.00

Available at: http://www.maythelabel.com/store/view/1656/high_heel_clog_2

Please don't be put off by the 4 inch heel. It may come as a surprise to some, but they are amazingly easy to walk in! 

May. have designed an amazing pair of clogs here, in a tuscan black or creamy tan, both are great for winter AND summer. Amazingly elevated whilst keeping it super comfy, any shoe lover needs a pair of these STAT.

Clogs are the perfect shoe to fit any outfit. Seriously, ANY outfit. Personally, they are my new thongs or flip flops. Slip them on and go!

What Shape Are You?

What shape are you?

An hour glass shape can just as easily be a size 8 OR a size 14. Larger pears suit the same styles as skinny pears, and women with large boobs fall under the same category, "vase", as someone with a big bum. See where I'm going with this? Size is just a number, it shouldn't define how you shop or where you shop. Everyone should find shopping a rewarding experience, but the majority of retailers do not take into account that someone may be a size 16 because of her bum, boobs or thighs. Which is why, more often than not, clothes tend not to fit in all the right places, and fall in all the wrong ones.

Dress for your shape, NOT your size. So, what shape are you?

Hour Glass- You tend to feel that your body is not made for clothes. You are slightly smaller than the rest, and to make it harder you have big boobs and a waist that comes up short. But you forget that you have the body that all women envy. Curves in all the right places, so put down the smock dresses that tend to make you look pregnant. The key is to show off your body. Find tops that create the illusion of a longer torso. The majority of your wardrobe should be V necks and fitted skirts.

Vase- You're not as curvy as an hourglass, and you don't have as much junk in the trunk. You don't particularly like your arms, and prefer to cover them up. You are slightly taller than the rest, and you have great big boobs and a tummy that makes fashion your worst enemy. However, just like the hourglass, people see sexy curves and you just don't know why! Your best friends are defined lines and tailored jackets. Wide scooped or square necklines will balance out the rest of your proportions to match with your chest, and buttoned jackets with a wide collar, or belts, will accentuate your narrow waist.

Pear- You have a beautifully defined neck and shoulders, arms that people will envy. And you wish that your bottom half would resemble the top! You have been born with child baring hips, and calves that you wish would have more definition. Stick to detailing your top half, and no one will notice the bottom. Find pants that fall from your hips down, no flare and no cinching. You can wear just about any type of neckline, especially because you don't have the biggest boobs. For dresses, chose a gorgeous A line with a scoop neck, preferably with thin straps, because you can!

Petite- You have legs that people would die for, and love to show off your arms and calves. However, you envy the women that have boobs and a waist, because sometimes you feel more like a boy than a woman. Find tops that cinch in at the waist and have a certain type of "flow" about them. You can get away with the volume and look great, because of your petite shape you won't look bigger than you are. You will just be creating the curves you are looking for. Choosing dresses, go for a low scoop neck with frills or detailing. Stay away from V necks as they can tend to make you look flatter.

Of course we are all different, and obviously not everyone is going to fall under the 4 categories I have labelled here. These are just guidelines and you may find that you have attributes from 1, or all 4. Find the specifics from each, and you will be able to come up with your very own "shape".

*TIP-Dresses can be a hard one. But like always, I'm pulling out my rule book. Just remember this. If you are stuck for what style to go for, always remember that dresses and skirts should sit just below the knee. It is the most flattering position that a hem can sit at to suit EVERY type of body shape. So many women choose dresses or skirts that sit in the middle of their calf, and this length is exactly how you create the frumpy look. So remember "just below the knee", stick to the correct neckline and this will be your tool for creating the right look.

Every Girl Should Have...

I've spoken about mixing and matching using staple items in the past, but what if you don't know what staple items to mix and match with?

No matter the season, no matter the trend, these are the top 10 items that every girl should have in their wardrobe, and why.

#1- WHITE T-SHIRT

SO many options come to mind immediately when it comes to the faithful white T. Wear it over or under almost anything, with a blazer, jeans, shorts, even a nice pair of tailored pants. Definitely a must.

#2- MAXI DRESS

Now, maxi dresses WERE a trend, but I think that they are definitely here to stay. Maxi dresses don't always have to be the flowy unflattering type that is the most commonly seen or thought of when we think "maxi". Maxi dresses are like jeans, where you need to take the time to look for the right fit. The right neck does wonders. If you want to draw attention away from your middle, go for dresses with a deep V neck, or a scoop neck. If you're smaller in stature, then go for a squarer neck, with thinner straps. Maxi's are not only fantastic for hotter weather, but you can definitely make them work in winter also. You can pair a blazer with almost any type of maxi dress, add a belt around the waist and a great pair of ankle boots and there is your outfit for a night out in the colder seasons. If you have a maxi that is 1 block colour, you can even pop on a cropped jumper/cropped poncho over the top. Add a statement necklace and you're set.

#3- BLAZER

I seriously can't get enough. Pair your white T with your skinny jeans, add a bright coloured blazer and pop on your heels. Simplistic elegance. Dress up, or if you'd like, dress down you're favourite LBD. I wear a blazer every other day, as long as you have the right length and cut, they work well with almost everything.

#4- LBD

Do I really need to say more? 

#5- GREAT PAIR OF JEANS

I'm not going to talk about a particular type of style, because obviously everyone has a different body shape. Some people might say "you should own a pair of skinny jeans" or "a great pair of wide legs" because that might be what's in style at that time. Skinny and bootcut legs will never date, so stick to these styles if you're not sure what to look for. Jeans can be scary, and as annoying as it is, it's one of those things that you need to give time and attention to, because once you find you're perfect pair, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner. 

#6- CLOSED TOE BLACK PUMPS

Dress up any outfit with these babies. Heels in general are my all time favourite invention. I joke all the time that I was born in heels. But they seriously can make an outfit. There are so many different types, but one style that everyone should make necessary is the black pump. It doesn't matter what material, whether it be patent leather, matt or suede, if you're stuck for a shoe to wear, they will ALWAYS come to your rescue.

#7- BELT

I've spoken about belts before, and I will speak about them again! The right belt can change an outfit. Use a block colour like red, or one with a buckle as the focus. Don't be afraid to experiment with your belt on all of your tops and dresses. You may not think it will work, you may not think it's necessary, but you can even make a belt on top of a V neck T work. 

#8- CRISP WHITE SHIRT

Although you have already invested wisely in a white t-shirt (or 5), a white button-down shirt is also a must. It is one of those items that can definitely be updated to fit into current trends, because it is a classic that will never date. Try to find one that fits in all the right places and hides the not so nice areas. For example, if you have broad shoulders, avoid shirts with wide collars.

#9- TRENCH COAT

Coat trends come and go, but trenches are forever. They are best in neutral colours, like brown, black or beige. Stick to a classic fit  and length, just above the knee. Invest correctly and you will have this coat for years to come.

#10- BLACK TOTE

Everyone needs to invest in a great tote. If you're like me, you change it up every now and then and use a different bag for different occasions. But if you're stuck for what to go for, then your black tote is perfect. It is big enough to fit the essentials, (but not so huge that you look like a celebrity covering a "suspicious bump"). It will obviously fit with every outfit, and can be taken anywhere from the office to the bar.

Word to the wise: Think of the above items as investments. They are building blocks for you to use, to create great outfit's by adding other items within your wardrobe, and using fantastic accessories. These are items that will never date and you will treasure for years to come.

STAPLES

If you're like me, SOMETIMES it is hard to decide what to wear to work 5 days a week. Especially when you have already worn that little black dress on Tuesday and Thursday, and you've worn out your favourite vintage blazer so much, that it is definitely time to take it to the dry cleaners. Even when you lie in bed at night and hurt your brain trying to make sure you have an outfit put together so that you're not running 20 minutes late in the morning, it's all too hard.

This is where my favourite rule applies.
You've worn your little black dress twice already? You are too scared that co-workers might notice your forbidden outfit repeating?


Never fear, your belt is near. 
Everyone MUST have at least 2 belts. Thin AND thick. 

Yes, so you may have already worn the same outfit twice, many people seem to think that the only way to wear 'this top' is with 'these pants' and with 'these shoes', and that's where it ends. Don't be afraid to experiment, because i'm telling you right now, there are at LEAST 5 ways to wear 'that top'.

So, you can still wear your black t-shirt dress again without anyone noticing, with these helpful tips.

Say you wore your dress simply, with a pair of tights and boots. You're not really sure how to make it look different, how to jazz it up. Well, this is where my belt rule applies. You have 2 options. 

#1- Cinch in your waist with a thin, woven belt. Place the belt directly onto your waist, then, by grabbing the material of your dress from above the belt, slowly gather it up particularly around the back. This will create the illusion of a completely different shape of dress. Plus, the gathering effect above the belt will slim you right down. BONUS! *TIP: This type of belt is great, particularly for the smaller-in-stature amongst us. If you are playing safe, a thin belt won't cut you in half, and make you appear shorter. A wide one will.

#2- Accentuate your curves, while minimising your waist, with a big fat wide belt. This is my all time favourite type of belt. I think I must have at least 15 different styles in the wider belt department of my wardrobe!

Anyway, For those of you who want to draw attention away from the lower half of your body, a wide belt is perfect. Place the belt directly under your chest, and use the same gathering effect as look #1, this time to flatten out the dress, which in turn flattens, cinches, and minimises you in all the right places. 

You can find belts in almost any clothing store these days, but I prefer to pick mine up at a shop called Catalog. It is an Australian owned and family orientated business, that has stores in Melbourne and Brisbane. My favourite belt which they constantly stock is a no-named black leather and elasticised waist belt, finished with a large, square gold buckle. I wear it every other day, probably couldn't live without it. It also comes in a tan colour, and retails for $29.95.

To warm up during the colder months, add a long sleeved t-shirt or turtle neck under your dress, in a charcoal grey to break up the colours. Country Road are always a winner when it comes to staple pieces like these, and they never wear. Add studs, or a statement necklace. Always worn best in brighter colours on black. 

If you are sick of plain black tights, try something with a line of colour that follows the leg down from thigh to ankle. Leona Edminston make a great pair called "Sophia" in red, retailing for $25.95. Add brown boots and you're ready for work, with time to spare!

Leona Edminston stockings: http://www.stockingsonline.com.au/product.asp?pID=8039&cID=14

Contact Catalog Clothing at: http://www.catalogclothing.com.au/

Warm Up Winter

What a relief it is to see that black is back this season. Well, to be honest, black is always back when you're walking through my wardrobe, but it is a nice change to see classic Melbourne winter style back in full force rather than those wishy washy, unflattering floral prints we saw way too much of over summer.

Too much black is never enough I say, but to prevent yourself looking like you're in mourning, you should:

-Chuck out the grey wool, bally scarf, and try on a purple or orange. Both colours are catching on quickly and both are vibrant yet warm, suitable for a rainy Melbourne day.

-To take your work outfit from day to night, take off your runners, and IMMEDIATELY replace them with (well anything really) a printed flat. If you are a risk taker like myself, printed heels are a must. Most are very VERY afraid of the occasional animal print. I'll tell you right now I am afraid when it is overloaded. You need to know how to use it and where. A neutral toned outfit goes fabulously with a pair of leopard print ballet flats. Risk takers: All black, power shoulder, leopard sky high ankle boots. All this and a slick of red lippy, and you're ready to rock.

Don't forget to accessorise, and where better to do so than at Mimco. With their yearly sales we all desperately wait for, our fave rings and studs, statement necklaces or subtle chains, are all on sale for prices we can hardly imagine. You want "Poison". A ring that is as strong in it's look as it's name. It is a plated pewter based ring with an adjustable back and set in resin cabochon with a central Swarovski crystal stone. Black OR grey, both are AMAZING, and my pick for ring of the season. I have it in both colours because I just couldn't decide. And get ready for the shock of a lifetime. It started at $179 (of COURSE I bought it at full price). Walking through Chadstone thursday night I wanted to see what people were desperate to get rid of to make way for new season stock. And what do I see..."Poison" on the sale table, selling at $49.95. This is NOT a joke. GET IN QUICK! You do NOT want to miss out on this one.

So remember. Prints, colour, all used in moderation. Add a bold accessory, 1 statement piece at a time ladies, and you're set.