I'm A Punk

Not really. In fact, not at all. Although I do like pop-punk bands such as The Living End, which earns me  disdain from my eldest son who is a fan of the Saints and the Ramones! I was a teenager in the 80's and remember the both the music and the clothes, but always found both a bit too rough around the edges for my tastes. One of the advantages of enjoying an aesthetic that is usually structured and feminine is that I don't have to colour too far outside the lines in order to feel quite daring and hard-edge. This is one such outfit for me.

Top:Veronika Maine

Skirt:Dogstar

Boots:Wittner

This is what I wore to see Kate Miller-Heidke perform at The Triffid on the evening of Valentine's day. The rough-textured matte look of the linen skirt, the metal clip holding the hem, the loop hanging from the waistband and the heavy flat boots provide a darker, messier look than I usually wear, but I have made it feel true to my style by pairing it with this top, which you may remember from a couple of years ago. The femininity and structure of the top teamed with a bright lipstick means I can wear this without feeling inauthentic, even though it is a little outside my usual style.

I've always loved the shape of this top but I haven't worn it much this year. The shiny look of the memory fabric feels a bit too dressy for day-to-day wear but the shape feels a bit too office-y for evening wear so it was never a piece I reached for first. It never ceases to amaze me how different items can look, depending on what is worn with them and I think in this case, teaming it with a more casual skirt made it feel just right.

So whilst I will never lay claim to the descriptor "punk", I do feel that adding in a few of the elements of the style has helped me give an under-appreciated  item it's time in the sun. And yes, the concert was fabulous! Kate is touring at the moment, and I highly recommend you see her if you can.

I'm A Punk by Doug Mulray

Confident

Happy New Year to everyone!
I was unfortunate enough to be struck down by a gastro bug shortly after Christmas, so it was an early night and light rations for me, but overall 2015 has been a good year.

I was diagnosed in mid-2013 and spent the rest of that year recovering physically. 2014 was all about difficult conversations, re-negotiating relationships and recovering emotionally. 2015 has been the year I have managed to be me again. If you are struggling with the difficult physical or emotional work a cancer diagnosis brings, please believe that it will get better. And in the meantime, there is always fashion!

 

                                       Camisole: Uniqlo
                                       Pants:Cue
                                       Dress: Gift from my baby sis!
                                       Shoes:Wittner
My beautiful baby sister sent me this dress for Christmas, and I think she must have read my mind because I have been wanting a shirtdress that I can wear open as a long jacket, for a 1920's style look.
This is not a figure-revealing silhouette and I like the long, straight vertical lines, which I think are quite flattering on a straight body. However, the true beauty of this style is really only captured in movement: the dress billows around me in a very satisfying way. I suppose it is another version of a cape.

I like to wear a top and bottom of the same colour when wearing a long jacket over the top. I think it makes the outfit more cohesive and reinforces the tall, slim look of this style.  I'm wearing a simple, close-fitting, inexpensive Uniqlo camisole as a top and I think the simplicity works well when there are other aspect of the outfit doing the heavy lifting style-wise.

I hope 2016 is a year of dreams coming true for all of you and I am confident that whilst the year will hold both triumph and disaster, we will prevail! Many thanks to all who have read and commented over the last year. I hope I will have your company again this year. xx

Confident by Demi Levato

Winter Winds

An unexpected (although in retrospect, logical and predictable) consequence of scheduling in social time with my friends has been that I now go out in the evening during the winter months more frequently than I have before. Usually, I spend my winter evenings ensconced on the lounge in my pyjamas, but a night out with the girls calls for more glamorous attire. I find that creating outfits with some glamour in winter is much more difficult that in summer. In warm weather I can wear bright colours and light fabrics that create a fun and carefree feel, but in winter the heavy fabrics and dark colours feel more serious and sombre.

                                                                     Knit: Veronika Maine
I bought this knit to give me a dressy option to wear in the evenings. The lacy look is delicate and pretty and allows me to show a little skin, whilst the long sleeves are surprisingly warm. It is slightly loose fitting, and whilst it does not give me any volume over my chest, I think the textural effect of the top and it's combination with a statement style of bottom, ensures that the focus of the outfit is elsewhere.

                                                           T-shirt:Sportscraft
                                                           Jeans: Country Road
                                                           Boots: Wittner
                                                           Coat: Veronika Maine
I have worn my new knit twice this week. The first time was to meet some friends for a casual dinner after work and I wore a plain T-shirt underneath, both for warmth and to showcase the lace pattern of the top. I paired it with my silver jeans to add a touch of shine and provide a dressy edge to the practicality of flat boots and a simple silhouette.

Skirt:Veronika Maine

Belt:Cue 

Shoes:Wittner

The second outfit was for a long overdue catch-up at a more formal location. This time I wore a simple camisole under the top so as to expose a hint of skin and paired it with the full skirt I wore to my niece's wedding last year. The skirt is definitely a statement piece and I like the idea of wearing a top with a fairly straight shape when it is paired with this much volume on the bottom. And of course, a pair of killer heels always helps when you are heading out for a night on the town with the girls. I took these photos before the sun went down, so I had not done my hair or make-up and I swapped out the tights for sheer pantyhose before I left, but you get the general idea!

How do you dress up in winter?

Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons

Everybody

Years ago, when we were watching our young children play, another parent commented that my youngest son was very "in his body". At the time, I thought it was quite an odd comment. I couldn't really see what other option he had, but I think I now understand what she was talking about. She was referring to the joy he experienced in movement and his ownership of his physicality.

This is an experience that has come fairly late in life to me. About 6 months before my diagnosis I had begun a program with Precision Nutrition and had changed my diet, lost weight and was exercising daily. I loved the way I felt with those positive changes and have continued to use the tools I learned in the program, but I must confess to never really understanding the exhortation to "find an exercise that you enjoy". I saw exercise as a means to an end and whilst I greatly enjoyed the wellbeing and sense of achievement that it brought, I never thought of it as fun.

 Well, that has changed recently, after I enrolled in a course at Vulcana Women's Circus. I have completed a Circus Essentials course and am now doing an Aerials course and although the lessons involve working quite hard, I enjoy every minute of it and look forward to the class all week.  So I guess the message is that if you haven't found an exercise you love-KEEP LOOKING!! The two things that have given me the greatest sense of ownership and pride in my body since my surgery have been exercise and fashion. They are the things that allow me to be "in my body", to inhabit my physicality and feel good about the way I appear in the world. What are yours?

                                                       Top:Trenery
                                                       Cardigan:Trenery
                                                       Jeans: Jag
                                                       Boots:Wittner
This is what I am wearing today for a quiet day at home. I really like shawl and draped collars on jackets, as they give nice volume over my chest, but this one does remind me a bit of my dressing gown, which is a similar colour! It's one of those pieces that I appreciate for it's practicality and comfort, but feel a little ambivalent about.

I have noticed that my style has evolved quite a bit as I adjust to what works with my body now, and I am finding myself drawn to straighter, simpler silhouettes. I suspect that drapey pieces may look better on curvier figures, but in the middle of a Brisbane winter I am quite grateful for the cosy, dressing-gown-like qualities of this cardigan and will continue to wear it for the remainder of the season.
Do you have clothes that you wear because they are too easy and practical to let go of?


Everybody by Backstreet Boys

Sign Your Name

Well, I need to start with an apology for my long absence. I struggle with winter. A lot. The cold weather and grey skies seem to sap all my enthusiasm and creativity and I spend my time dreaming of summer and wishing I could hibernate. I will attempt to fight the urge to spend the next two months wrapped in a blanket in front of the TV, because I actually feel really excited and happy about my winter clothes this year.

Do you have a colour that you wear as part of most of your outfits? Along with the idea of uniforms, I have also been fascinated by the concept of a "signature colour". Angie at YouLookFab often mentions her love of bright, sour colours. Deborah at Stylish Murmurs corners the market in black and Janice at The Vivienne Files uses the idea of a signature colour in many of her capsules. My own approach has always been a bit haphazard, but planning and building a winter wardrobe has allowed me to step back a bit and realise that I love to incorporate a bit of tan into my outfits. I like the muted richness that the shade brings to the mostly neutral outfits that I wear. I love the way it plays with navy, my new favourite dark neutral base. And I enjoy the way it allows me to repeat my hair colour in my outfit.

                                                        Knit:Uniqlo
                                                        Top:ScanlonTheodore
                                                        Pants:Country Road (with Uniqlo leggings underneath!)
                                                        Boots:Wittner
                                                        Bag:Oroton
I bought this top at the beginning of winter, and have only just managed to get a picture. It is definitely a straight style, which I have mostly avoided in other tops as they feel too masculine. Surprisingly, I have found that I really enjoy the slightly boyish look this top imparts when I wear it with bottoms that have more volume. Paired with slouchy pants or an A-line skirt, the straightness of the top is offset by the curviness at the bottom, so it still feels playful and feminine. Isn't it interesting how often things come back to proportions, and how we feel in our clothes?

                                         
The bag was a birthday gift from my husband about 5 years ago, and I still love it and carry it every day. It is the perfect shade of tan. I also have a belt and a scarf in the same shade. I'm not sure if I can commit to one colour as my signature, but if I decide that I will, I think tan will be it!

 Do you have a signature colour? How did you arrive at it?

Sign Your Name by Terence Trent D'Arby

Women In Uniform

The idea of having a "uniform", a set formula that is worn every day with the only variations being in colour or fabric, is one that I have been reading articles about for a couple of years now. I can see a lot of advantages to this way of dressing: it would take the guesswork and indecision out of getting dressed in the morning, shopping would be simplified  and it would make wardrobe capsules about a million times easier to create. The concerns that prevented me from developing my own uniform have been the fear of forgoing the creative aspect of fashion that I enjoy so much and also not finding a combination of items that I loved and felt comfortable enough in to wear every day. I think that may be about to change.

                                                                 T-shirt: Cue
                                                                 Jeans:Uniqlo
                                                                 Cardigan:ScanlonTheodore
                                                                Booties:Wittner
I realised recently that when I am choosing warm, comfortable outfits to wear at home, I seem to invariably gravitate towards  a long-sleeved T-shirt, either in wool or cotton. I love the coziness and ease of these tops, but I really don't like how I look in them.

Then I put this new crepe knit cardigan over the top, and I felt instantly fabulous! The thickness and drape covers my chest, the shoulder pads add structure and the tie waist and angled hem provide the femininity that I missed when I wore jeans and a T-shirt on their own. I have worn booties here, but I also like this outfit with tall boots worn over the pants for the days when it is cold and wet.

I have 5 pairs of skinny pants in various fabrications, colours and patterns, so I have been experimenting with the skinny pant/long-sleeved T-shirt/cardigan or jacket/boots formula today and have been pretty happy with a lot of the combinations. I was a bit concerned that this uniform would only work with this cardigan, as it is such a beautiful shape, but to my surprise I have had some success with several of the jackets in my closet. The key seems to be a strong shoulder, good chest coverage and some element of waist definition. I am looking forward to experimenting more with clothes in my wardrobe that will slot into this formula and I am excited about finding a version of a uniform that I feel good in. Do you have a uniform? How did you come to choose it?

Women In Uniform by Skyhooks

All About That Bass

It took me quite a while to become accustomed to not wearing a bra. Having worn one every day for my entire adult life, I felt quite naked when venturing out without anything underneath my tops. In summer when the weather is warm that is a good thing, but as the weather cools down I begin to miss the extra layer of insulation. I discovered the Uniqlo Heatech range last year and have found their camisoles to be soft and warm. I have been wearing one most days now that the temperatures are starting to drop and I am enjoying both the comfort and the visual simplicity that allows it to be worn either as underwear or as a simple base to allow a statement piece to shine.

                                                              Camisole: Uniqlo
                                                              Jacket: Cue
                                                              Belt: Elizabeth Kelly via Etsy
                                                              Skirt:ScanlonThoedore
                                                              Shoes:Wittner

I had to show you this outfit, as I received the tan obi belt I ordered in February and this was it's first outing. A very kind older lady flagged me down in the shopping centre and told me I looked smart and that she loved what I was wearing, so I am counting it as a win! This jacket is one I bought last year but found difficult to style. I think with this outfit I may have hit on the right formula: creating waist definition, sticking with a simple top and skirt, and allowing the jacket and belt to be the stars of the show.

Sports-style jackets are having a big fashion moment currently and I like the way they look on a flat chest. The style is cut fairly straight, so it avoids the empty front of more tailored jackets and the colour-blocking and knit inserts provide the appearance of curves. The combination of a camisole and a jacket provides the perfect level of warmth for this time of year. I think I will be repeating this formula frequently over the next few months.

This was a good lesson for me, that sometimes a good base is all you need.  Except try to do a little better than I did and make sure your camisole edge has not rolled up and made a lump under your skirt. Sometimes the camera can be cruel!

All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor

Kryptonite

A few years ago, I watched a film that I enjoyed immensely and that I still recall with affection. It garnered a lot of attention at the time of it's release, as it is very violent and the script had a 7 year old girl dropping the c-bomb, which made people very upset. However, when I think of the film I think not of the language but of the concept of being a superhero in your own life. Of trying, when you are almost certainly going to fail. Of taking action, when what you do is unlikely to change anything. Of letting your heart rule your head. What I loved about Kickass was its idealism. I was reminded of this today when I heard a radio story about Comicon  and the cosplay subculture. Maybe the opportunity to become the superhero on the outside that you already are on the inside, goes some way towards explaining the increasing popularity of these events. And some way towards explaining why fashion and dressing up has the capacity to bring us so much pleasure.

                                                            Shirt: Uniqlo
                                                            Pants: Cue
                                                            Cape: Cue
                                                            Boots: Wittner
These are some items I bought in my pre-winter shop last week. I especially love the cape. Because, everyone knows that only super heroes have capes. This cape also happens to be quite practical, though. The lack of full sleeves allows it to be worn over both short and long sleeved tops and gives me a great option for the many times in Brisbane when it is slightly cool in the mornings and evenings, but warm during the day. I also love the coverage it provides across the chest as it gives me the opportunity to wear my long-sleeved T-shirt knits underneath without looking too boyish. And it provides a simple way to add an element of dressiness to an otherwise casual outfit.

The pants and boots are also new. I had toyed with the idea of buying flares or boot cuts, but the combination of a run of wet weather, and the realisation that most of my favourite tops have some degree of volume that works better with a fitted bottom, resulted in me buying these skinny pants instead. They have a cool, crushed velvet texture and a high waist that will work well with my loose crop tops, and they are thick enough to be quite warm. I have already worn my cape once this week and I am looking forward to using it more in the months to come. In the meantime, I need to look into developing a superpower, choosing a name for my alter ego and finding a nemesis.


Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

My sister has just returned home after spending the weekend with me at the Comedy Festival in Brisbane. This is a birthday tradition for her and the only variation this year was that my sister-in-law came with her. We had a wonderful time, and I thought I would share the photos to give you an idea of how my wardrobe works to meet the requirements of my lifestyle on a weekend with more than the usual number of outings and social events.

                             

Here we are heading out on Friday night to see Will Anderson. My top hasn't photographed well, but it has a sparkly thread woven through it. I teamed it with cropped pants and black heels.

The next day, we went out to lunch at Cove at Southbank. Both of my sons came and brought their partners with them. We had a delicious lunch in an alfresco setting overlooking the river and were feeling very content with life until a severe storm hit Brisbane and we were soaked. To be clear, the restaurant is covered and we were sitting right at the back, so that will give you some idea of the ferocity of the rain and wind!

I wore my trapeze mini skirt, flat sandals and the silk T-shirt from last year that my husband hates. It was a very comfortable outfit for the 30 degree heat before the storm, but wet T-shirts and breastless chests are definitely not a good combination!

My sister-in-law says she was actually quite frightened. My sister says the white chocolate mousse made it all good!

We made it home in time to shower and change for our next sessions at the Comedy Festival - Glenn Robbins and Dave O'Neill, followed by Tom Gleeson. We all agreed it was our favourite night and we had a fabulous time.

I wore white pants with my orange crop worn reversed. That gave me some coverage over my tummy and a small sliver of age-inappropriate skin exposure at the back. Well, we all have to rage against the dying of the light in a way that feels good to us!

Today, we slept in and there was a mad last-second dash to get out the door in time to make the plane. Sadly there was no time to take a photo of the girls before we left.

This is my outfit for today. The top is a favourite which you have seen a number of times before and the pants are a comfy stretch fabric, perfect for curling up on the couch. I felt really happy that there were clothes I felt good in and that were occasion-appropriate for every part of the weekend. I am aiming to achieve the same thing with my winter wardrobe, so I will keep you posted on my hits and misses as the weather cools.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

Zebra

This is the outfit I wore today to attend the baptism of my niece's baby. I realised recently that I am now a great aunt and a new generation of our extended family is coming into the world. It is with both sadness and relief that I relinquish my role in raising children and move into the position of elder. I hope I can offer comfort and support to my children's generation as they contend with the troubles and joys of raising their own families.

                                                           Top: Cue
                                                           Skirt:ScanlonTheodore
                                                           Shoes:Wittner

This top is one that I bought last summer. I really enjoy the asymmetrical hem and the soft fabric, but wearing it today made me remember why I don't wear it very often: the drape at the front has a tendency to gape, so I spent a good portion of my time at lunch trying to make sure that the fabric was sitting as it should. I have already put a small tacking stitch at the neck, but I still need to be wary when leaning over or sitting forward. I really dislike having to worry about clothes and constantly readjust them once I have put them on, so I don't think this top will be making my favourites list any time soon.

The skirt is new. I bought it in the summer sales, thinking to wear it during winter. It is a thick, warm knit and I think will be cozy and comfortable when it gets cold. It gives me the shape of a pencil skirt, but with the comfort of track pants and as an added bonus my husband loves it and refers to it as my "sexy skirt". I will probably buy another one for winter, just based on that recommendation! And I have learned my lesson from this top. Now, when I am trying on tops, I bend over and lean forward in front of the mirror to ensure everything stays covered.

Have you bought clothes that you need to constantly readjust? How did you overcome it?

Zebra by John Butler Trio

Just A Feeling

Last week, I went out (on a school night!) to see Charlie Musselwhite sing the blues. I must confess that when I go to music venues these day I am always slightly worried that I will be refused entry for being too middle-aged and uncool. Happily, my fears were unfounded. The Triffid is fairly recently opened and whilst it is definitely cool, it is also very welcoming and has a great beer garden for pre-show relaxing. It did present me with a dilemma about what to wear though, and that lead to another fashion breakthrough for me.

                                                         Camisole:Scanlon Theodore
                                                         Pants: Scanlon Theodore
                                                         Shoes:Wittner
I have two words for you: Fashion Tape! I love having bare arms and shoulders in summer and I think the strappy camisole style is especially sexy and fun for a night out. I could never wear the style before my mastectomy because of the bra issue, but I was very disappointed to find it didn't really work for me after my surgery, either. The two main issues were the risk of scar exposure from the lower, open neck and my anxiety about the appearance of my chest. Then I found this camisole, and realised that wearing something beautiful sometimes gives me as much joy as looking beautiful wearing something more flattering.

As you can see, the fashion tape completely took care of the scar exposure issue. I haven't used it before, but I have to tell you that it works great! I put a strip along the entire top edge of the camisole, and I'm pleased to report that it stayed exactly where I put it for the entire show. And I may have been dancing just a little bit. Don't tell my sons; they would be mortified!
What feelings are the most influential for you when you are choosing clothes?

Just A Feeling  Charlie Musselwhite

It's A Hard Knock Life

I don't know about you, but I seem to have accumulated a few closet orphans over the last couple of years: clothes that I like, but that I can't get to play nice with my other items. Or clothes that I like, but that just don't feel right when I put them on. Jeans seem to have made their way into this category since my mastectomy. I crave a hefty dose of femininity in my outfits these days, and jeans usually feel too boyish for my style. So it is with some surprise that I found myself wearing these jeans three times in the last fortnight!

                                                           Jeans: Country Road
                                                           Shirt: Cue
                                                           Top:Veronika Maine
                                                           Shoes: Wittner
I was trying to work out why they felt right after languishing in my drawer for over a year, and have realised that they struck just the right balance for me. All the occasions I wore them were smart casual evening events. The shiny fabric of the jeans and the pairing of heels and fun tops created just the right level of femininity and polish for me to feel comfortable. I wore different tops on each occasion, but the overall appearance of each outfit was dressy and girly. This outfit was worn to a good friend's 40th birthday party, a fun-filled gathering held at her home.

This top has also been something of an orphan. I suspect that on someone with breasts, this would be a little more cropped and the side vents would sit open a little more. On me, the fabric sat flat and the top seemed to be an awkward length. This week, I hit on the idea of layering a shirt under the top and enjoyed both the hint of extra volume over my torso and the flattering effect of a lighter colour close to my face. I also tried a semi-tuck to attempt to resolve the length issue. I quite enjoy the overall look - a bit of school ma'am crossed with disco diva! And I particularly enjoyed finding a combination that gave two orphans an outfit family.

Do you have wardrobe orphans that you are struggling to place?

It's A Hard Knock Life from the musical "Annie".

Summer Nights

The weather has started to cool here. Not that it is actually cold, but we haven't had a day over 30C for the past two weeks. I am quite sad to see summer drawing to a close, as it is my favourite season and I love to feel the warm air on my skin at the end of a long day in an air-conditioned building. I also love my summer wardrobe and as promised last week, I have had a think about the silhouettes I wore most, in the hope of being able to translate this into winter. This is what I have come up with:
Shorts with a trapeze top
This has been my go-to casual outfit. Wearing shorts is cool and practical for my climate and the trapeze top provides structure and movement. The key has been finding tops with sufficient volume and body in the fabric.

Pencil skirt and loose top
This is my fall-back outfit combination for my work life. I like the femininity and shape that a pencil skirt provides, but I have found it tricky to get the right top

Loose bottoms and a cropped top

Loose bottoms is a fairly broad category, encompassing roomy pants, A-line skirts and culottes. Happily, all of those styles seem to work with my beloved crop tops. The alternative to a cropped top has been a tucked or welted top that exposes the waist.

Shift or trapeze style dresses
I love dresses but they have not had as much wear this summer, with the possible exception of my green dress, which is easy and cool on very hot days. I suspect the gap between how I wish I looked in a dress and the reality is still too great for me to feel completely at peace with wearing them.

My plan for winter is to try layering my crop tops over long sleeved shirts and knits. I would like to find a trapeze-shaped long sleeved top for winter, but whilst I wait for the right one to come along, I will wear jackets over my short sleeved tops. It is really only the early mornings and nights that need a bit of extra warmth at the moment. What are your plans for transitioning your wardrobe into winter?

Summer Nights - Grease soundtrack