STYLISH LINKS

Thought I would share some Stylish Links this week!

Check out The Third Person, a great new blog by a couple of Aussie girls.  Thoughtful posts and stylish outfits.  I was inspired by Kaliopi's outfit HERE, so much so that I recreated it for my own casual Friday.. ok it may have been Wednesday!

Always fascinated by the minimal wardrobe concept, I enjoyed reading how Denaye achieved a pared back wardrobe that worked for her.

Having read about the art director who wore the same outfit to work every day HERE, writer Alicia Cohn tried the same thing for one week. The question her 'experiment' raised "Simplicity has become trendy. But what are we simplifying for? is food for thought.

Nikki's latest The Model and Me feature from Styling You features a gorgeous cape and I must say she does wear it better than the model:)  I particularly like how Nikki has used lovely light coloured ankle boots to bookend her beautiful blonde hair.  Her styling of this outfit is just lovely.

Take a look at one of my favourite Pinterest boards Here featuring some wonderfully elegant, modern and minimal outfits.

I will leave you this thought ...

xxx Deborah

SHOW STOPPING SHIRT DRESS

Ok it may not be showstopping, but I think it's quite special.

shirt dress : witchery
knit sleeveless tunic : supre
leggings : ??
ankle boots : rivers

I have had my eye on this dress since last September!  I was looking for  a shirt dress that was blue or black, with a fabric that was or looked like a satin, had long sleeves, had a round neck or grandpa collar and finally, had an uneven hemline in this case the hi/low hemline.    As you can see this one ticked all my boxes.

A couple of weeks ago I found the dress deeply discounted and didn't have to think twice about snapping it up.

I love clothing that can be used to layer with, and I also enjoy clothing that works across seasons.  This will work just as beautifully on a spring day with bare legs, sandals and rolled sleeves as it does for winter with the additional layers and boots. 

How transeasonal is your wardrobe? Do you like to keep separate collections for each season, or is there a little/a lot of crossover?

xxx Deborah

  

WEARING THIS SEASONS PONCHO & A WINTER WORKHORSE

Can you stand another "poncho' post?  You have probably guessed by now that I do rather love them!

poncho : rockmans
long sleeve jersey top : cotton on
leggings : zara
ankle boots : hush puppies

I am quite besotted with ponchos and wraps, and always have been.  The wonderful thing is that this season they are once again trending, so there is a lot of variety and choice available.

My theory is that ponchos can be that amazing third piece that can really elevate an otherwise very simple outfit.

I wore this the other week for Mothers Day lunch with my lovely Mother In Law and my husbands family.  It was a wet and cold Saturday and my creative juices were not flowing. The column of black was a no brainer for me but I needed 'something' to complete the outfit but didn't feel like wearing a jacket.    The grey marle poncho added that 'something' without compromising the simplicity and minimalism of the outfit.  And it is warm and comfy!

The work horse here is my leggings.  The mixed media Zara leggings are in high rotation and I am enjoying wearing them.  They transition easily between work and casual.

Is there a workhorse in your wardrobe at the moment?

xxx Deborah

WORK READY : PRETTY IN PINK!

Let me start by saying I have NEVER been a 'pink' girl!  But over the last 12 months this particular shade of pink has really caught my eye.  After much consideration, I decided this could be a lovely shade to contrast with my predominantly black wardrobe.

jacket : laura ashley
top : suzanne grae
scarf : serra
pants : katies
boots : spurr

While I like to maintain the elements that I believe make my style 'my style', my day job provides an opportunity to explore a slightly more modern classic version of me.  The column of black 'toughens up' the pink and the silhouette, minus my signature drape, is still very much my 'norm'.

Like the blanket wrap I wore HERE, this is perhaps a bit of a wildcard for this season.

I must confess that I was totally surprised by how much I liked this jacket.  How about you? What's in your closet that you thought never would be?

xxx Deborah

Joining Patti over at Visible Monday, do drop by.

MIXED MEDIA ON MOTHERS DAY

I must confess!  I didn't wear this today, Mothers Day, I wore it last Thursday for a day of shopping with a girlfriend, and have only got around to posting it today.  

draped tie cardigan : target
draped dress / tunic : boohoo
mixed media leggings : zara
ankle boots ; hush puppies
silver earring : gift from my lovely friend Karie

Mixed media has been popular for a while. I think I started noticing it about 3 years ago and it is in our stores again this year. I bought these ponte/faux suede/leather leggings last year and I really enjoy wearing them... in fact I have worn them twice this week. I am also preferring the way they fit now over how they fit last time I posted them on the blog, when I was 8kg heavier;)   When worn with my wedge heel ankle boots they can create the illusion of a long mixed media over the knee boot - which is kind of cool.

I also like the added interest the texture of these leggings proved to an all black outfit.

And now that the weather has cooled it's time to get out my Nine West Houndstooth Bag which due to the fabrication is a 'winter' bag for me.  This is a favourite and a very lovely gift from my sister.

While I love my mixed media leggings, the only other mixed media item I own is a coatigan. How about you? Are you / did you wear mixed media garments during your winter?

And Happy Mothers Day to you all!  I received a lovely new item of clothing and a beautiful picture frame for my home office.  My adorable Master 12 also brought me a very strong cup of coffee in bed at 7.30 a.m!!

xxx Deborah

Visiting Patti over at Visible Monday!

STYLE INSPIRATION : THE DIRECTRICE

There is no question that there are  many fabulous 40+ women sharing their style and joining the fashion conversation, and it is hard to keep up with them all!  

Recently, I discovered The Directrice.

The Directrice, a woman of a certain age (over 40), works in what she refers to as a 'staid' profession - she's a lawyer!  Her desire is to create, and share, professional outfits with interest. I think she does that rather well.  

Instead of relying on the trusted formula of the conventional suit, The Directrice is gifted at layering and creating interesting and modern outfits.  As a fan of the dress/tunic over pants look, I was inspired by how she combines straight leg pants with above the knee dresses.  I have always defaulted to a skinny leg but now have something new to try.  And while I work in a much more sartorially relaxed environment I have received some wonderful inspiration for putting together office outfits for my new job.

If you are not familiar with The Directrice, do drop by and get acquainted.

xxx Deborah

WORK READY : A RELAXED SUIT

I recently started a new job, which I am loving!  The dress code is quite relaxed but I like having a bit of a uniform for the office and blazers and jackets are very much a part of that.

blazer : metalicus
blouse : liz jordan
ponte pants : serra
pumps : wittner

My work outfits don't deviate a great deal from my non work wear - in fact for the most part they are interchangeable -  but I will often bring a little more structure in to balance the more drapey and unstructured pieces.  This combination was worn for a day of important meetings where I need to look at least a little conventionally professional:). During my time in the corporate world, I had a wardrobe full of suits and while my work and lifestyle no longer call for that, I do like to be able to create the look of a suit with separates when I need to.  And instead of button down shirts, I prefer a nice draped top over skinny leg pants which is more in keeping with my personal style preferences.  I know bootcuts and flares are trending but I just can't get on board.... I love a skinny leg, how about you?

Do you have separate work and play wardrobes?  Or do you have the flexibility to dress as you please for work?

xxx Deborah

Linking up for Visible Monday.  Do drop by.