AWEAR | Be fashion aware: be awear.

( Betsey Johnson A/W 07/08, Gianfranco Ferré A/W 08/09, Armani Privé Couture A/W 08/09, Bruno Pieters S/S 0

I really don’t know how it happened. After a spontaneous visit to Sportsgirl last year, I found myself walking out of the shop with a pair of cream stockings in hand. The next day buyer’s remorse set in - that’s $4.95 I’ll never get back…until now! It’s such a pleasure to have hosiery on the scene after what had been years and years of being written off as ‘grandma clothes’. White and cream stockings have cropped up here and there and I think they’ll be around for a while because they’ve been prominent in even the latest couture collections. It’s a pretty tough look to manage but when it’s right it’s fabulous!

1. White stockings do highlight your legs and make them look fuller, so it’s best if your legs are your best feature.

2. Wearing them with black or dark shoes will make you look short. Naturally then, wear them with white or neutral shoes to lengthen your legs.

3. I think it looks awesome with navy blue! A light palette also looks good as long as you mix up the shades.

4. Don’t wear sheer white stockings. Gross. And they fatten up your legs more than opaque ones.

Sorry for the lack of posts - I’ve been in Sydney for the past week!

Photos courtesy of Style.com

I’m in a bit of a dilemma. See, I read on many blogs that the Topshop skirt shown above is a bargain not to be missed at $61.75 (30 British Pounds, actually, but you know). But then…

I found this skirt for just $34.99 at Target, of all places! It’s part of the Free Fusion range, which I generally deplore. This is an exception.

Oh! Then there’s this Valleygirl one for just $29.95! (Seriously, anybody who bought the Topshop one must be killing themselves right now. I’m sorry. I know the feeling.)

But they’re all so different; I don’t know which one to choose! Did I mention I’m getting sick of florals?

” alt=”" />
Hillsong Conference is in only two days! I’m making a whirlwind trip to Sydney for the 5-day conference starting on Monday and will be staying for the weekend - after all, the last time I was in Sydney I was only 10! The problem with all-day conferences like this is that I never know what to wear. It’s terrifically exhausting going to late-night rallies and meetings throughout the day for a whole week, so I want comfort. On the other hand, I don’t want to dress like a bogan and I also don’t want to break my no-trackies rule (more of a pointless tradition than anything!). I think the key for too tired/lazy/busy days is to keep the colours neutral and items simple, and instead to play with textures and sizes. Over-sized tees and long cardis are perfect for this, and the cropped jacket and gladiator sandals will give it a bit of an edge while remaining easy and comfortable. Go for a few laid-back accessories - scarves are great for their many different ways to use them - to finish it off.

(It actually isn’t all my luggage, by the way. The only thing I actually own in the above are the Sass & Bide jeans - yes, they’re the pair I got at the sample sale for $50!)

Don’t tell me that isn’t inspired. I reckon the Loubs are fantastic, but unfortunately not very practical. It’s a good thing Betts knocked it off then, isn’t it? Yes, it isn’t a complete knockoff - but that’s the best thing. Far more practical in height and size, and dressed down with the peep-toe, the Betts are to the Loubs what haute couture is to pret-a-porter. Kind of. Anyway, with a shoe like that, if you wore a perfect knockoff it would be so obvious it would make it tacky. I couldn’t find it anywhere online, but there was a pink pair of the Loubs at Seventh on Sale last year. The Betts also come in purple, orange, white (yuck), gunmetal and red. No guesses what I’d choose. (But just so you know, it’s purple. I love purple!)

Hey…next to each other, doesn’t the Betts just look like it’s a baby Anemone?

Dior’s Autumn Couture show made me want to bury my face in the metres of ruffled chiffon with joy. I just wish we could all wear dresses like that every day. The fierce makeup, chain mail-inspired heels and tough hats brought up visions of a warrior princess come formal time. If this show says anything about upcoming trends, it’s that pastels are here to stay. Here are a couple of my favourite looks:

The hair reminds me of what I used to do as a kid! I always did like the whole Princess Leia look. I’m still not too sure about the hats, but they do lend a 20’s look to it. Some of them were a bit weird, but I do like the shape of the above specimen. It would be better in felt like some of the others.

Interesting manicures:I. Need. These. Shoes.:

Photos courtesy of Style.com

George Gross and Harry Who are holding their Spring/Summer 08/09 show over lunch in Adelaide! It’s on Wednesday 20th of August and anybody can buy tickets, with proceeds going to the Cancer Council of SA. According to The Advertiser, G&H claim it’ll be their “best and biggest show” in 35 years. It’ll be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. For details or to book tickets, call 8296 2530.

Adelaide’s biggest fashion parade, bU Fashion (don’t ask me what bU is supposed to mean), is on 1st of August at 7:30pm. Among the labels showing are LAX, TuYu, Kiik and Jetty Surf - it’s like 10 labels in 1show. The S/S 08/09 collections will be shown at the Paradise Auditorium; tickets are $10 at the door. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some backstage and runway pics - fingers crossed.

David Jones and Myer are well into their half-yearly sale, as well as Country Road, MaxMara and Boss. Zac Posen for Target has been further reduced and is starting to run out so now would be a good time to get it.

I have had quite enough of Naomi Campbell. Usually it wouldn’t matter to me how models behave outside of Fashion Week, but Campbell has gone past the line. I’d still like her if only she was slightly good-looking. But the fact of the matter is, she isn’t! Yes, she’s tall, has high cheekbones and good skin. But there’s something missing and she’s far too old in the first place. Let’s get over her and find a new black icon. I’d say Chanel Iman or Jourdan Dunn will have more longevity than other models and are far better looking and make better editorials than Campbell.

Chanel has a gorgeous smile but some people say she isn’t ‘haute couture enough’. I don’t really understand that. Is it because she actually smiles in backstage photos? (Is Chanel mixed? She doesn’t look as, well, black as the other girls.)

Rising star Jourdan Dunn made the cover of Vogue Italia’s all black issue this month along with Campbell,
Sessilee Lopez and Liya Kebede. Her legs are unbelievable. I really don’t dig those eyebrows, though. (If you saw her in the Prada A/W 08/09 show, you’ll know what I mean! On a related note, I like to call that show the lace doily.)

Also, I can’t wait to see what comes of newcomer Arlenis Sosa (I was reminded of her as she was featured with the above two girls in this month’s US Vogue). Isn’t she stunning? Only her eyebrows could also use a makeover.

Photos courtesy of Fashion Ivy and New York Magazine