On The Fringe

Avid readers of this blog will already know about my deep & abiding love of all things 1970s - music, decor, clothing - so the fact that EVERYONE ELSE is getting on the bandwagon this Spring/Summer is pretty darn amazing because it means that I can find beauties like this fringed suede cross-body bag for reasonable, chain-store prices. Of course, I always like to TRY to find an original that is actually FROM the era in question (you know, purity & all that) but the ravages of time really seem to affect certain materials & suede is top of the list in my book. If it's stored incorrectly - dark places with zero breathability, you know, like most people's wardrobes - it's pretty much "Game Over," so items can be few & far between & prices usually reflect this, meaning modern interpretations are often the way to go to "get the look" without breaking the bank.

Below are 3 recent outfits featuring the aforementioned Sportsgirl cross-body bag that may provide you, my dear readers, with the inspiration to work some "Seventies Style" into your warm-weather repertoire:

*

LOOK #1

Dress: NF by Nicola Finnetti poly-blend

Bolero: City Chic chiffon

Wedges: Novo suede, rattan & leather

Bag: Sportsgirl suede

Watch: The Strand Markets, bamboo & suede

Cuffs: The EKKA Markets, bead (handmade)

*

The first look revolves around a floaty, trapeze-style mini dress from diffusion line NF by Nicola Finnetti (exclusive to Myer stores); the funky, mirrored jewel print & intricate cut-out yoke detail rendering it something "out of the ordinary" where little Summer dresses are concerned.

A pair of black suede & rattan heeled wedges from Novo - replete with thin leather ankle straps - provided my five foot frame with some much-needed height while adding to the retro-styling vibe & most importantly, mirrored the texture of the fringed suede cross-body bag from Sportsgirl to create overall cohesion.

When it came to jewellery, less was definitely more: a pair of eclectic, handmade beaded cuffs that I purchased from a little market stall at this year's EKKA celebrations & a lightweight suede & bamboo watch that I picked up from The Strand Markets at Coolangatta on a recent beach holiday.

Unpredictable Queensland temperatures meant that a further layering piece was required & this bright chiffon bolero from City Chic matched the flecks of purple in the print perfectly. Scroll down to see how it works with the rest of the look:

*

*

LOOK #2

Dress: Vintage, Shane elastane

Cardigan: Yarra Trail mesh

Sandals: Novo leather lace-up gladiators

Bag: Sportsgirl suede

Bangle: Oxfam paper strips

*

The second look starts with a vintage dress from the era in question: a large-scale floral printed elastane maxi by an Australian brand called Shane that I found at the Ipswich Antique Centre. The fairly muted colour palette of black, cream, puce & light blue really lent itself to flesh-tone or tan accessories - in this case, a pair of lace-up leather gladiators with zippers at the heel from Novo & the piece de resistance: the fringed suede cross-body bag from Sportsgirl. When it came to jewellery, I kept it minimal but sculptural & made a statement with a chunky, recycled-paper-strip bangle from Oxfam.

*

*

LOOK #3

Dress: Passion Q silk (from Rock Olive Couture)

Cape: Nelly K knitted (from The Strand Markets)

Flats: Tree of Life suede moccasins

Bag: Sportsgirl suede

Necklace: Rock Olive Couture beaded with tassel

Ring: Gift, Sistaco silver & semi-precious stone

*

The third look is a dreamier option than the others, focusing on this bohemian-chic printed silk drawstring maxidress by Passion Q that I found at Rock Olive Couture & baby-pink, hand-knitted cape from Nelly K that I picked up at The Strand Markets... another impetuous holiday purchase that I am absolutely LOVING for this indivinable Queensland weather. The best thing about the light-weight knit is that it solves the inevitable "visible bra strap problem" that plagues me when wearing dresses of this ilk as it camouflages the area without adding bulk.

When it came to accessories, comfort was key & these lace-up moccasins from Tree of Life fitted the bill perfectly! The sturdy flat sole provided stability while the soft suede sides felt like each foot was enveloped in a pillow or cloud. Divine. And what's more, they matched perfectly with - you guessed it - the fringed suede cross-body bag from Sportsgirl that I've been raving on & on about...

Bright turquoise jewellery pieces were then chosen to "stand out" against the otherwise pastel colour palette - a silver & semi-precious stone ring from Sistaco that was given to me as a Christmas present last year & a long beaded necklace with carved "peace sign" pendant & tassel that I also discovered at Rock Olive Couture when purchasing my dress.

*

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:

*

LOOK #1

Dress: Anthea Crawford textured jacquard

Trench: City Chic crepe

Boots: Corelli @ Williams suede

Bag: Novo patent

Brooch: Handmade, ribbon & resin

*

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:

*

*

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

*

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.

*

Smoking

*

Dress: Anthea Crawford crepe

"Smoking" Jacket: Vintage, Oriental silk (from China)

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Necklace: Lovisa glass beads, diamante & tassel

Bangles: Gift, gold, silver & beaded (from India)

Sunglasses: Witchery

*

Rocking my version of a vintage men's "smoking jacket" in a vibrant royal blue, red & gold Oriental print silk for a day of shopping in the River City. Rather than wearing it Yves Saint Laurent style - what we commonly think of as "Le Smoking" - with a matching pair of tuxedo pants & tie, I stayed true to my trademark & donned a stunning lipstick-red crepe dress from Anthea Crawford, with draped neckline & pleated waist detail. 

The traditional "smoking jacket," with its shawl collar, turned up cuff, breast pocket detail & toggles or tie fastenings (I took the tie fastening off this one to decrease bulk & make it more streamlined for a woman's silhouette) was popular in 17th century England, when goods flowing from India & Asia brought spices, tobacco, coffee & silk to the continent. Suddenly, it became the "done thing" for upper-class gentlemen to be depicted wearing their decadent silk robe de chambre to denote prosperity & opulence. 

Short smoking jackets soon evolved when the popularity of cigars & alcohol skyrocketed after the Crimean War & gentlemen retreated to smoking rooms or dens after dinner to imbibe, donning the jacket to absorb the smoke & protect their clothing from falling ash. Then Hollywood became involved, with matinee idol Cary Grant favouring the style, Fred Astaire being buried (!) in his & Rat Pack members Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra carousing in them during some of their famed Las Vegas shows.

Declining in popularity from the 1950s due to a marked decline in European gentry & the fact that smoking was no longer de rigeur, the smoking jacket is now seen as a curiosity from another age or even an eccentric English alternative to formal wear... & as you may have already realised, worn by stylish women inspired by designer YSL's game-changing androgynous juggernaut...

As usual, the intense colour of my dress & jacket was "anchored" by the addition of a pair of black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli, matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & boxy, patent handbag from Novo. Jewellery was minimal yet striking - a trio of sparkly, gold & silver beaded bangles from India & a long, glass bead necklace with a diamante ball pendant & hanging tassel from Lovisa.

Finishing off this outre look was a pair of oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses from Witchery, just the ticket with my blunt fringe & red lips...

*