Monsoon Season

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Dress: Monsoon shot silk & embroidery

Kimono: Vintage, Japanese silk

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Monsoon jersey & embellishment

Headpiece: Lovisa satin

Cuff: Southbank Markets silver & diamante

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Celebrated the arrival of Spring by heading out for a spot of High Tea with a dear friend; floral headpiece obviously mandatory to evoke the season of renewal & revitalisation...

This amazing shot silk shift dress was bought from the Monsoon store along Oxford Street during my 2012 trip to Europe & although expensive (thanks to the abysmal exchange rate) was well worth the hefty price tag. The classic shape & unique pansy print means that it can be worn season after season - ad infinitum with delicate hand-washing - while the black panel in the centre elongates my five foot frame, making me appear longer & leaner... That's what I call a definite fashion WIN! Here it is in all its unencumbered glory:

And while you're checking out the pansy print of the dress, be sure to notice the embroidery & beading that gives the neckline of the dress a 3D feel. It really adds something extra special to the look...

The unpredictable Queensland weather meant that a further layer was required & this vintage silk, three-quarter sleeved kimono with its traditional Japanese scene, was the perfect way to add a relaxed, "boho" edge to such a prim ensemble. In this instance, the pattern-matching works as the colours compliment each other & the prints are vastly different - abstract flowers meets traditional, pastoral scene. Check it out below:

Black patent platform heels from my local Big W store were the obvious choice, providing lift while letting the rest of the outfit take centre stage - particularly the embellished clutch from Monsoon that was made to be worn with the dress, adding a sumptuous richness with its hand-sewn haberdashery pansy patches & subtle beading. This subtle beading was then echoed in the silver "snail" spiral cuff with diamantes that I picked up at the Southbank Markets a few years ago. Scroll down for a closer look:

Finishing this ensemble was the aforementioned oversized black satin floral headpiece from Lovisa, the wires in the rose petals able to be manipulated in a variety of ways. Personally, I love the rose to be caressing my blunt bob, as thought I am being "enclosed" within the flower & the fact that the colour & sheen of the satin almost match that of my hair only adds to the illusion! Keep scrolling for a peek:

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