Frocks & Frou Frou: fashion

Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2008

We Wish You a Merry Christmas (and a non-cringeworthy photo)

My Mum has a super power.

She can't fly, doesn't have super strength and isn't faster than a speeding bullet. She can sniff out cat pee on carpet at a hundred paces, but I think that's less of a super power, and more of a carefully honed talent.

No, what my Mum can do is take photos that almost invariably make anyone standing in front of the lens look really, truly hideous. (Sorry, Mum - I know my sister's on your back about this too, and God knows I love the family album and the fact that you chronicle everything, I really do, but honestly!)

Last year I wore a fetching green Diana Ferrari dress - It was shiny, and had a scoop-neck and did up at the back with a bow.

You've never seen it.

Nor will you.

One Christmas, and one look at the Christmas photos and I retired that dress on the spot.

This year I thought I'd give myself a sporting chance, and put together a selection of outfits that I know look good on film, but I'm having a bit of difficulty narrowing the choice down to one.

So I thought I'd put another poll together, and let you choose for me!

Opinions and recommendations are embraced: Don't like the top I've chosen? Suggest another! Haven't included your favourite dress? Let me know! Obviously disregard my lack of makeup and proper accessories

A) Suzi Chin Dress

B) Lily Dress & Portmans Cardigan

C) Carolyn Taylor Skirt, Yoshi Jones Obi & Country Road Tee

D) DIY Ikea Skirt, Country Road Top & Sussan Cardigan

E) DIY One Shoulder Dress

F) Portmans Skirt, Top from Markets & Belt From Markets

Monday, November 10, 2008

"Ethnic" dressing

Top: ??? @ Shirts and Skirt Markets www.shirtandskirtmarkets.com.au

Hat: Adelina Design @ Rose St Markets www.rosestmarket.com.au

Gauchos: Ping Pong Clothing

Shoes: Joanne Mercer www.joannemercer.com.au

As you may or may not know, I am (fractionally) Chinese, and this year I've been discovering all sorts of interesting things about the family history.

Apparently my great grandparents came over to Australia from the B'Tau village (famous for a Bean Curd Factory) in the late 1800's to set up a general store in the New South Wales goldfields. Apart from an ill-fated trip back to China to educate the children (it resulted in the kidnapping and eventual death of my Great Grandfather, Chung Hin Gee) we've been here in Australia ever since.

The family in 1908 (apparently the baby is my grandpa)

It's nice to have a link to such a wonderfully established culture, and I only wish that I'd been exposed to more of it as a child.

As it is, apart from the fact that I make a mean Fried Rice, the only Asian thing about me is my almond eyes, so when I saw this Cheongsam-inspired top at the Shirts and Skirts Market in Abbotsford, I knew I had to have it.

I like Ethnic-inspired clothing. For general-wear it toes the line between fashion and costume admirably. Remember a few years ago when Cheongsams were all the rage? I was having a field day, because I actually looked legit in them.

I also really like Saris and Salwar Kameez, and there's some fantastic places to find them online, including www.eshakti.com who I've ordered from before, and provide gorgeous custom-made clothing inspired by Indian clothing. Perplexingly they don't seem to ship overseas anymore, but customers outside of US & Canada can always try a shipping service, if you see something you Must Have.

So what corner of the world are you from? Do have a national dress that you'd be prepared to wear out in public? Lederhosen, anyone? I know at least one of you is descended from the Bolyen family...

Friday, October 24, 2008

Tied Up

Scarf: Katies www.katies.com.au

T-Shirt: Giordano www.giordano.com.au

I never really got the whole "scarf" thing.

Not for want of trying, let me assure you; I must have scores of the things secreted away in many nooks and crannies about the house.

I'm a sucker for those multi-coloured displays of silk goodies out the front of Tie Rack www.tie-rack.co.uk and for the billowing racks in David Jones www.davidjones.com.au . I'll spend hours stroking, perusing, comparing colours and patterns, and then inevitably I get them home, put them carefully away in the knickers drawer then never, ever, ever get them out again.

It's a kind of madness, I think.

I mean scarves are a great way of injecting some personality into a boring outfit. Unless you're buying Hermes they're reasonably cheap and you can find all sorts of treasures in op-shops, they're wildly collectible, don't take up too much room, and are very versatile. I found this great website: www.texeresilk.com/cms-scarf_tying_guide.html that walks you through some of the many ways to fold and tie a scarf.

So scarves really are the ultimate frou-frou, and damn-it, this year I'm determined to give them a proper go.

To that end, today I ventured out in a very basic t-shirtandjeans ensemble, but gave the whole look a bit of pizazz with my new spotty scarf from Katies:

Scarf: Katies www.katies.com.au

Cardigan: Crossroads www.crossroads.com.au

Jeans: Svoboda Renee Straight Legs from www.cherished-woman.com

(Don't forget to use the code CHERISHED for your 20% off!)

Shoes: Rocket Dog www.rocketdog.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

LBD

Maggy London One Shoulder Ruched Dress

www.nordstrom.com

Ah, the Little Black Dress.

It's such essential wardrobe fodder that it's practically a cliche.

The idea of the LBD is the one perfect dress that can by dressed up, or down. It is at home at the office as it is on a date. You can wear it to weddings, and funerals and everything in between.

I'm not sure I ascribe to the idea of one dress for all events (where's the fun in that?) but I certainly have a few LBD's hanging in the closet. Enough of them that I'm actually embarrassed to give you a number. Here are two of my favourites:

Top: Miss Shop @ Myer www.myer.com.au

Dress: Crossroads www.crossroads.com.au

Boots: Duo Boots www.duoboots.com

This one's probably more the all-purpose dress. It's a great cut - based on the famous "Galaxy Dress" - and one that flatters every body. Today I've layered over a skivvy because it's freezing in Melbourne, but in summer that wide square necklace showcases my cleavage like nobody's business. Sometimes I team it with an obi belt for a bit of colour. I think of all the LBD's I own, this is the one I could least do without, because it's so easy to dress up, or tone down.

Dress: remixed, made up of

Top: American Apparel www.americanapparel.net

Skirt: City Chic www.citychic.com.au

Shoes: Poetic Licence www.poeticlicence.us

This isn't actually a dress - it's a too-small one shoulder singlet from American Apparel that kept riding up and a too-big pencil skirt from City Chic that kept falling down. Rather than retiring them both I sewed one to the other, and the result is one of the sexiest dresses in my closet!

So I'm probably not really in the market for another Little Black Dress, but I'm certainly still keeping my eyes open. Here are some of my current favourites:

"Body Con Dress"

www.dorothyperkins.com

Prolly the most similar to the eponymous "Galaxy" dress. I love the sweetheart neckline

Black Rose Tiered Tank Dress

www.torrid.com

This dress looks perfect for a hot summer's night. Wear it on New Years

Jersey Wrap Dress

www.dorothyperkins.com

You know how I feel about wrap dresses, and this one is just divine.

The tulip skirt is great for creating curves and flattering heavy legs.

Triple Tier Dress

http://www.alight.com/

This season is all about tiers and I just think this is one of the prettiest dresses out there.

Play Now Dress

www.entitled.com.au

This is a bit more casual and fun - a great young dress, and I'm a sucker for feature pockets!

Of course everyone does a LBD, some other good shops to try are:

Jacqui E: www.jacquie.com.au

Ezibuy: www.ezibuy.com.au (especially the Grace Hill & Sara ranges)

City Chic: www.citychic.com.au

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Behold! The cheap leather jacket!

My new Ezibuy leather jacket arrived in the post yesterday, and it's everything I could've hoped for at the bargain basement price of $89.95.
The leather is oddly cardboardy, with obvious... umn... pores, but it'll soften as it ages and the fit's lovely. It's great colour and cut for those upcoming spring days, with the 3/4 length sleeves and frivolous frill around the waist.

Also wearing:

Svoboda "Annie" Back Pocket Jeans (more about Svoboda, later)

Joanne Mercer Shoes

Tubeway Armies

Mono Rose Collar

In Australia particularly, the plus size clothes market is pretty limited. So I - as do a lot of curvy girls I suspect - find myself gravitating towards accessories as a way of stamping some individuality onto an otherwise unremarkable outfit.

Today's bits of Frou Frou include a pair of fabulous "armies" (basically fingerless mittens) made from recycled sweaters by the gorgeous Melbourne-based Gaye Abandon. She sells these at the Rose St Artists Markets, at Craft Victoria, and online on both etsy, and georgielove

Another etsy find is this chic scarflet from Kayo at tidabeads http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5048866 Just the thing for keeping the chill at bay!

I've dealt with Kayo a few times, and she's a dream to deal with. She also makes scruptious silk necklaces which I must admit I've indulged in... check her out if you have a moment.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

etsy is GOD!

For my first (proper) entry I wanted to talk about the absolute best place to while away hours of your life online.... drumroll please......

http://www.etsy.com/

Heard of it? If you haven't yet, prepared to be completely smitten, kitten.

Etsy, in its own words, is "an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade".

So basically it's like the best craft market you've ever been to, times ten thousand.

You can buy everything, from frocks and frou frou (of course) to amazing homewares, toys, the weird and the wonderful.

And what's particularly great about it is that you can deal directly with the craftspeople.

Love that one shoulder dress, but can't fit into a size 6? Most sellers will happily whip one up for you in your own measurements.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12890534

One seller that the curvy among us should keep particularly in mind is the incomparable JaneBonBon http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5315387 who custom-made this rather adorable fishtail pinafore for me earlier this year:

Other sellers to consider include:

Miss Brache for fabulous Rockabilly-styled frocks and togs http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5140247

Peta Pledger for an antipodean take on the same http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5042131

On The Inside does some really lovely lacy underthings http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5298883

Got any favourites you'd like to share?

Welcome! Welcome! Come one, come all!

So, due to popular demand I'm setting up a fashion blog to share my finds with fellow curvy girls, and stylish fashionistas.

Some things about me are:

* My name is Lilli.
* I live in Melbourne, Australia, and my favourite thing is to be asked "Where did you get THAT?".
* I have a penchant for silly shoes, and beautiful bags.
* I spend vast quantities of time shopping for clothes, but when it's time to get dressed in the morning, I invariably have nothing to wear.
* I sell children's books, and think publishing is the best industry in the world to work in (because no-one makes any money in books, everyone who works with them is doing it out of love).
* I come from a large family, and though I live in a different city, I'm still comfortably entangled in my Mum's apron strings.
* I'm one half of a Dink (double income, no kids) but I secretly wish to be a Dinkwad (double income, no kids, with a dog) at least until I feel groan-up enough to share my shelves of kids books with someone closer to their target market.
* I have an almost infallible sense of direction (inherited from my Dad, and what the family refers to as our "bump") and a completely fallible sense of balance.
* I prefer Operas that end in weddings, to those that end in funerals, and finally,
* I have a secret stash of romance novels that I'm a little embarassed about.

Oh, and I have little to no self-control when it comes to indulging myself!

I hope you enjoy your visit!