AWEAR | Be fashion aware: be awear.

What: Vintage skirt from markets, top from Harper’s Bazaar (no really?), bag from Breeze, Sydney

Where & When: Solid Central bonfire night

Why: So I was out Friday night when I saw this lovely young lady with a style that exudes quirky-cool. Trust me, she isn’t nearly as old as she looks, and that’s what impressed me. Love the floral skirt and the nautical stripes!

(Speaking of nautical stripes, a model dressed as the girl in the ‘Naughty Nauticals’ M.A.C. advertisements came to my work and ordered a drink today, bathers and all. I’m lusting after that blue eye shadow.)

(Important albeit late news: Sass & Bide had a sample sale at the Masonic Centre today! It’s been on for the past three days but I only found out about it at work today and just had time to rush over in my break. All jeans were $50 - I got a gorgeous pair - and I got a jacket for $50. Woooooo!)

(Let’s learn from that lesson: if anybody knows about a sample sale in Adelaide, let me know please!)

Lace-up ankle boots are one of the best ways to add a bit of that masculine feel that’s so on-trend currently. From office to fun, chunky to stiletto, ankle to knee-high, masculine to girly, there is a design for everybody, and don’t fret - if your idea of lace-up boots involved knee-high Doc Martens, think again.

1. If you’re short, flash some ankle. To lengthen those pins, wear an ankle boot that cuts below your ankle like that open toed Gucci pair above. (My favourite!)

2. Boots don’t have to be boring. For a more girly look, choose a pair with ribbons for laces or replace the laces on your shoes with a matching ribbon. (Moschino Cheap & Chic above)

3. Wear with stockings (preferably the same colour to elongate the legs) and a high hemline. It just looks funny with a hem below the knee. (Of course, for summer, ditch the stockings and go for a girly short skirt with a more manly shoe. Contrast is what it’s all about.)

I have to say, I love the look of the Matthew Williamson ones. Half boot, half sandal - works all year round and comes in green, blue or yellow!

DJ’s has 50% off last season’s Salvatore Ferragamo bags and shoes and up to 50% off other last season designer shoes. (And because David Jones follows the northern hemisphere’s seasons, we have 50% off boots in the middle of winter!) There’s also up to 50% off selected MaxMara, Burberry, Escada, DvF, Carla Zampatti, George Gross & Harry Who, among others. Who needs a sample sale when…okay, never mind. Trying to be optimistic here, people!

Also, all Zac Posen for Target stock is at least half price already, some are more. You can find just about every piece in the collection in most sizes still, depending on which store you go to. I have my eye on that black drapey silk dress. (Well, a lot of other things too, but if I could only choose one…)

Douglas Hannant’s conservative yet beautiful collection was filled with satin dresses, tailored, clean, and free of unnecessary details. Unlike many collections this time of year, this one was truly ‘resort’. It included the voluminous sleeves that were ubiquitous on the high street last season, ruffles, stripes, prints, sheers, and high-waisted, wide-leg trousers. More intriguing were the higher necklines seen on many of the models; Hannant is definitely the go-to designer for women blessed in the bosom this season. Although brights don’t seem to be going anywhere for a while, it seems that pastels could be returning in the near future; both were exhibited in this collection. The ladylike sleeveless dresses were striking in that they are hard to find at the moment, but Hannant used the absence of sleeves to his advantage - and that of the lucky wearers. I’d be pleased if this continued as a trend. If I could, I think I’d wear every single piece in that collection.

Photos courtesy of Style.com

Wayne Cooper never was the most creative designer out there, and this is further evidence. His dress came out in the 2008 transeasonal collection not long after fellow Australian Collette Dinnigan released her dress in the S/S 08 collection in New York. It’s no wonder why Wayne Cooper isn’t really getting far overseas now, is it?

Nothing like a good knockoff at 3% of the price, eh? I couldn’t but notice these Forever New bags with a suspicious similarity to Burberry’s recent A/W collection. (For the foreigners, I suppose you could equate Forever New with Forever 21, although not quite as cheap or well-known for ripping off other people’s designs. It’s the only store in Australia that stocks Lipsy.) I’m not particularly fond of the bag on the far left, although the one on the far right is nice. It doesn’t quite compare to the Knight, however; all the knockoffs seem to lack the beauty of the small, close-together (there has to be a better way of putting that!) studs.

I bought the gold studded headband today from Equip on sale for $3 from $10! I can’t wait to wear it! And as much as I love Marc Jacobs, there is no way I’ll ever pay $82 for a headband. Okay, maybe a very special headband, but definitely not that one.

On another note, the best thing about Adelaideans being unfashionable is that because nobody knows who Zac Posen is, his collection is barely selling in Target and it’s already half price!!!

Alessandra Facchinetti has done a good job at Valentino. Her elegant, floaty dresses (they reminded me of something fairies would wear) would flatter just about anybody. Her second collection for Valentino was filled with neutrals (especially greys), and juxtaposed androgyny with ruffles and sheers. There were a few metallic items in the show, including sequined dresses that looked almost too girly. Also present were the high-waisted pants that are virtually obligatory right now, and bow-tie blouses with voluminous sleeves. The collection isn’t mind-blowing, but if you’re looking for a stunning girly dress, Valentino’s the one.