Entrenched

Soft trench coats are certainly a trend for end of Winter/early Spring 2015, particularly in Queensland where the weather is unpredictable. This charcoal option from City Chic - made from a lightweight, wrinkle-resistant crepe - is incredibly versatile, able to be worn with a myriad of different fabrics, colours & styles. Below are 2 of my recent favourites:

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LOOK #1

Dress: Anthea Crawford textured jacquard

Trench: City Chic crepe

Boots: Corelli @ Williams suede

Bag: Novo patent

Brooch: Handmade, ribbon & resin

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This first outfit was perfect for a rainy morning at the movie theatre, the charcoal soft trench working in harmony with the purple, black & pink print of this textured jacquard dress by Anthea Crawford. Even better, the flat collar of the trench sits perfectly underneath the dress' focal-point portrait neckline! Scroll down to check it out: 

Once again, black suede, lace-up booties with a chunky heel from Corelli & a pair of matte 4o denier Razzamatazz tights "anchored" the look, ably assisted by a boxy, patent handbag from my local Novo store... ahem, large enough to sneak in a packet of supermarket-bought lollies to avoid cinema prices...

Jewellery was kept to a minimum; the only embellishment required was this kitschy "Gothic" style bow & skull brooch, handmade by a local Ipswichian with a quirky style all her own! Keep scrolling for a closer look:

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LOOK #2

Dress: Anthea Crawford jersey

Trench: City Chic crepe

Booties: Corelli @ William suede & neoprene

Bag: Anthea Crawford vinyl

Hat: Gift, Jendi wool

Brooch: Gift, chrome & paua shell "Cameo" from New Zealand

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The second outfit was perfect for traipsing around antique stores on a Saturday afternoon, the charcoal soft trench providing another light layer over the top of this "trippy" psychedelic print jersey dress from Anthea Crawford. Even better, the fall of the trench didn't obscure the focal point of the dress - the draped & twisted empire-line waist detail! Scroll down to see the dress in all its glory: 

Cooler weather meant that black accessories were once again chosen for "anchoring" purposes in the form of heeled suede & neoprene booties from Corelli & a pair of matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights. Rather than carry a matching black bag (as expected), this funky vinyl option from Anthea Crawford was the order of the day, injecting more colour & even some pattern-mixing into the ensemble with its cobalt blue, grey & leopard print "blocks."  

Finishing the look in a stylish yet unconventional manner was this stunning teal wool cloche, given to me as a birthday gift by some dear family friends with a chrome & paua shell "Cameo" brooch - yet another gift from a friend who traveled to New Zealand - pinned to the thin hatband as a nod to the hues found in the dress' flamboyant pattern.

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