Frocks & Frou Frou

Top: Giordano

Dress: Nina Kay

Stockings: Ambra

Shoes: Naturaliser

Backpack: Hideo Wakamatsu

It's still pretty grim out there today, but my housemate Joss & I braved the elements this afternoon to drop in on the Rose St Artists Markets (purely for a window shop, naturally!)

It gave me another opportunity to wear this fabulous little dress which I picked up from a most unassuming shop a few weeks ago.

It stopped me cold when I spotted it in the window of Nina Kay one evening en route to dinner with The Sophisticate at Mamasita (fabulous Mexican joint, for anyone trying to find one in Melbourne by the way).

The dress is fully lined, which means it doesn't creep up, and it's a lovely classic and comfortable fit. The fabric is a stretch wool blend that seems to resist creasing reasonably well, and wears beautifully. There are actually pockets in the skirt which I unpicked, then immediately resewed, as the dress hangs much better without them. Also, it comes in grey, but the black - coupled with a red-and-white striped top (which is exactly how it was styled in the window) is so chic.

The staff are brilliant, and will go out of their way to make sure you're happy, and the store goes up to a size 18. FYI, the size chart on the website seems extremely conservative. I'm wearing a 16, which should be a terrible squeeze, but actually fits perfectly. 

Meanwhile do you like my backpack? For a more detailed description and better photos check out my original review!

Blouse: Barkins

Vest: Target

Skirt: Tartanista

Shoes: Poetic License

Bag: Hideo Wakamatsu

OK, I'll be totally honest, I actually wore a different outfit out today (something a little less provocative!) but I couldn't think of a better way to feature my new "Randoseru" bag from Hideo Wakamatsu!

The Randoseru is the very recognisable firm-sided backpack that's used by schoolchildren in Japan, and they're incredibly resilient and - let's face it - adorable.

Mine came from Hideo Wakamatsu, a Japanese luggage company with a particular focus on traditional craftmanship and timeless designs (for the Grown-Ups they also have the most beautiful attache case I've ever seen)

It's the most fabulous quality and there's all sorts of little bits and pieces that come within, including a notebook and a keyring, but really it's the quality of the workmanship that really sells it:

The back is wonderfully padded, so it's comfortable, even when it's full of, say, a purse, two phones, some sunglasses, lipbalm, business cards, a hairbrush, housekeys, the new Patrick Ness, and other assorted things that a girl can't leave the house without.

Enough room for everything.

I'm wearing it mock-schoolgirl style in the picture, but it's such a classic style that I think it looks just at home over jeans & a t-shirt, a little dress, flirty skirts... I'm looking forward to getting lots of use out of it.