Crowning Glory

It can be difficult when you need to make the same dress do "double duty" for completely different events occurring on the same day. CASE IN POINT: Yesterday I had a morning of shopping & styling with my best friend at the new-look Indooroopilly Shoppingtown before rushing off to a Crown Oaks Day Fashion Wrap-Up event in the afternoon.

This blush lace Jacqui E shift dress - pictured above - was my life-&-time-saver, easily transitioning from smart casual to dressy with a quick change of accessories. 

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LOOK #1

Dress: Jacqui E lace

Sandals: Zensu snakeskin

Bag: Bluebird @ Strandbags

Necklace: Adorne

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Beaded Cuff: Tree of Life

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For the first look of the day - stylish shopper - I added neutral accessories in the form of a pair of snakeskin-printed wedge sandals (complete with stacked heel... love them!) & beige handbag to tone in with the muted blush tone of the lace. 

The outfit was then finished off with my omnipresent silver cuff, a beaded silver cuff from Tree of Life for the other forearm & a chunky silver & beige art deco style square shaped necklace for a laid-back feel. 

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LOOK #2

Dress: Jacqui E lace

Heels: Novo patent

Clutch: Gregory Ladner silk

Beaded Bracelets: Colette

Bracelet: Swarovski silver, pink & purple crystal

Ring: Pumpkin Patch

Fascinator: Target

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For the second look - afternoon glamour - I swapped the wedges for flesh tone patent platform sandals with a 1920s style t-bar strap & the neutral handbag for a statement floral silk clutch in deep pinks... Consider it to be my "pop" of pattern...

Sculptural silver cuffs were exchanged for armfuls of sparkly costume-jewellery elastic bracelets from Colette, stacked on top of each other for visual interest & a classy Swarovski silver bracelet with pink & purple crystals at the bottom of the pile on my left wrist for some "real" bling, as well as a tiny diamante bow ring for that last little twinkly touch... 

The real focal point of this ensemble, however, was the whimsical fascinator I created to go with the "Spring Racing Carnivale" theme of the afternoon. I took a simple Target fascinator from last year (that just HAPPENED to match the dress perfectly; I love a fluke like that!) & placed 3 vintage plastic horse figurines - 1 large, 2 small - into the woven mesh flowers, securing them with a little stitch. Voila! Instant "avant-garde" Spring Racing headpiece!

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