Posts tagged ‘leggings’

Aug 31

The one where I wear my ugg boots outside (as if!)

BUSTED!! Unfortunately I DON'T look like Kim Kardashian without my make-up on (sigh...)

But I may as well have been! Don’t you hate it when you think, “I’ll just pop down to the shops for 5 minutes, no one will see me.” You think that last part because you are wearing your gym clothes (from when you went for a walk at 8am this morning – it’s currently 2pm), you have dirty hair, no make-up and a whopping great pimple (or several) on you chin.

Well there is this horrible thing called Murphy’s Law (or Karma) that says whenever you say that to yourself, you will inevitably run into EVERYONE YOU KNOW (including, hands down, one of the most beautiful and stylish people I know – ‘Oh hi Monique!‘). HOW. EMBARRASSMENT.

Brittany TOTES has it going on (all she needs now is leggings as pants) I so know how she feels

Serves me right – I was just being lazy – just because I work from home does not give me the right to ‘let myself go’. I don’t have seven children to run around after, I’m not renovating, I don’t get dirty or messy for a living; I write, and talk about pretty clothes, and test fabulous new beauty products – isn’t it about time I practice what I preach?

Don’t worry, I’m not going to start preaching about how you should never leave the house without a full face of make-up and in your highest heels (when was the last time you saw ME in heels!) BUT I do think for me personally, someone who working in fashion, I should have a little more self-respect and confidence in myself (and my brand, which is me). I also know that I feel better about myself when my hair is freshly washed, my nails are not chipped and my lashes have had a little mascara boost.

So whether you are an exhausted new mum, busy mum of 2 or 3, uni student, or working from home, here are some quick tips for looking your best QUICKLY AND WITH NO EFFORT in 5 minutes before you run out the door.

1. Hide your hair

If you have time, wash it – you know you will feel better when you do. If you don’t have time, a fedora (all year round, but especially in summer) or cool beanie (in winter) is your best friend. If that fails too, put you head upside down, spray a little (or a lot) of hairspray or sea salt spray (or both!) all over you hair and put up in a messy high bun (the ‘messy’ and highness of the bun will hide some of the greasiness).

Don't worry, mine doesn't really look like this either, but you get the idea. Tigi Bed head Hard Head hairspray $19.95 or KMS California hairplay sea salt spray $29.99

2. Invest in a great tinted moisturiser

My ‘full’ make-up routine takes a while (well, over 5 minutes, which is a lot for me – I have a short attention span ok?!). I use a primer, then a liquid foundation, then a concealer, then a translucent powder (it’s worth it, it lasts all day) BUT sometimes I just cannot be bothered. This is where a good tinted moisturiser comes in. Goes on in one easy application, covers small blemishes and uneven skin tone and protects from the sun too! (now to be honest, this is a step I have NOT mastered yet, so if anyone can recommend a good tinted moisturiser that would be super!)

Here are two I have heard great things about. 1) Becca luminous skin colour $44 2) Invisible Zinc tinted moisturiser $29

3. Have a ‘go to’ outfit

Need to run out the door with 5 minutes notice? Have a ‘go to’ outfit that you can throw on, but you know it looks great! In the cooler months, a tunic, leggings and a blazer make up an awesome comfortable look. Ballet flats, flat boots or Converse trainers complete this 5-minute look. This look has been a staple of mine this winter, it’s comfortable, and easy to wear but a little more chic and sophisticated that gym gear or jeans and a T.

Your winter 'go to' look could be something like this? 1) Country Road tunic $99. 2) Mesop leggings $39. 3) Mooloolah fedora (from City Beach) $25. 4) Converse Chuck Taylors $80

Getting a little warmer? If you like them, make a maxi dress your new best friend! I have some great maxi dresses that I can literally throw on with a pair of havianas and I still feel incredibly glamorous – there is something about metres of fabric flowing around me as I walk that makes me feel a bit spesh (in a good way!). If maxis are a little scary for you, a simple cotton frock is perfect. Again, have a pair of havianas or sandals next to the door ready to go!

1) Just Add Sugar maxi $99.95. 2) Rebecca Thompson kaftan $377. 3) Sacha Drake 'Lola' dress $219. 4) Witchery maxi dress $189.95. 5) Country Road striped jersey dress $199. 6) Gordon Smith spotted sun dress $119.95

Three little things that I SHOULD have done before I ran out the door yesterday (and ran into a bunch of people “yes, I do actually work in fashion, can’t you tell?“) I would have felt so much better about myself and what I do for a living!

Hey, at least I wasn’t wearing my ugg boots outside or leggings as pants! (oh wait……)

Have you dashed out the door not looking your best and run into everybody you have ever met?

What are your ‘ready in 5′ tips for when you have to rush out in a hurry?

Jun 10

3 Comments

My $100 style challenge

So I popped into Kmart the other day to grab some socks and trackies (it’s freezing at the moment!!). The aim was in and out in 5 minutes (which if you have even been shopping with me, never happens!) but I may have got slightly distracted….

Oooooh! Some plain black leggings for $12 (you can never have enough black leggings – but remember – they are NOT pants). Wow, there is a really cool sequined singlet…what? it’s only $8!?!?!? Hmmmm, there are some really good pieces here, and they are REALLY affordable…. There is a blog post in this.

So what I decided standing there in the women’s clothing section of Kmart, was to give myself a $100 style challenge (Andrea, this was inspired by you!). I had $100 to spend on finding a great selection of winter pieces that would add to my existing wardrobe. I want to show you guys that style is not expensive, it’s about finding pieces that suit you and mixing and matching them with what you already have in your OWN way.

So here is what I got (and sorry about the photos! I’m not a fan of taking pictures of myself, but I need to put my money where my mouth is sometimes and show you what I mean)…..

1 pair olive leggings ($12)

Kmart olive leggings $12

Now I know I just said that you can never have enough black leggings but I think I need to branch out. Other coloured leggings are hard because black are both versatile and flattering but I have a lot of navy in my winter wardrobe and olive works really nicely with navy so I thought I’d give them a go.

My plan was to match them back with a few of the tunics that I already have in my wardrobe, like this navy and white paisley-print tunic from Witchery.

Kmart olive leggings with Witchery tunic, Sportsgirl hat and Novo wedges

Navy and white striped 3/4 sleeve t-shirt ($15)

Kmart striped t-shirt $15

What a great laying piece! Did I mention that I like navy and white stripes?!?! I think half my winter wardrobe has some sort of navy stripe in it. Interestingly, this top is actually a size 16 (I’m normally a size 12) but I thought that I would buy it slightly larger and that way I can layer it with a singlet underneath, and it’s also a slight bit longer (and covers the top of my jeans). I just scored a hot faux fur vest (which you will see in a sec) that I thought would be great over this top with jeans and boots so purchase 2 in the trolley!

Tan and black striped dress ($19)

Kmart stiped dress $19

Not normally the most flattering neckline on me but the diagonal stripes are amazing! So flattering! They draw the eye more up and down than across the body. My other thought was to wear it with black leggings or opaque tights and a black blazer.

Kmart striped dress with Cotton On blazer and SpencerLacy leggings

The idea of the blazer is to create a vertical line down the body, drawing attention away from the higher-than-desired neckline of the dress. This will also be a great piece to carry into summer on its own with some cute wedges.

Tan and black printed dress ($19)

Kmart black and tan print dress $19

I had to look at the price tag three times to make sure I was processing the price of this! That cannot be right! $19 for this hot little number!? Yes please, I’ll have 3! So this is almost a dressier version of the previous dress and I would probably wear it in a similar way (leggings/tights and blazer) but I could not get over the value for money. This frock will definitely take me from a nice, casual daytime frock to quite a sexy nighttime dress. $19!!

So the next two pieces are still part of my $100 challenge but came from cheap chic chain store SES (all bought in the same shopping trip though)

Faux Fur vest ($14.95)

Faux Fur vest from SES $14.95

I have been on a mission for a faux fur vest all winter! (I am a sucker for a trend sometimes) I have tried on several and have liked a few but I also have the guilts sometimes spending a bit of cash on a trend piece that I KNOW I am only going to wear a few times so I have held off until now. This hot little vest was also available in black and cream but I thought since I have so much navy and white (did I mention I like navy and white stripes at the mo?) the brown/taupe colour would probably work the best. (Although I had to try it on a few times to work out if I actually liked it because I’m not normally a brown person – verdict? Yes I love!).

SES faux fur vest with Kmart top, Nobody jeans and Jag boots

In fact I like it so much I am wearing it today with my striped navy and white top from Kmart, a pair of ink Nobody jeans and my fave black Jag riding boots.

Black tunic top with gold detail ($19.95)

SES black tunic $19.95

Actually the most expensive item in the whole challenge. Originally I tried this on in olive, but I thought that I would probably get more wear out of the black (thinking of laying with the olive tights).

Colette gold and black bangles and necklace

I love this tunic because unlike most tunics out there, this one has a defined waist. I can belt it with a contrasting colour belt or I can even tuck it into a maxi skirt and wear it as a blouse. Quite a versatile little piece (and the gold button and zip details will match really nicely with my black and gold jewellery that I picked up recently from Colette – think a grownup Diva)

So have you done the sums yet? My grand total?? $99.90!!!! What an awesome injection into my winter (and next summers) wardrobe. Kmart has got the goods! Target, Best & Less, Big W – don’t discount the discounters for some great fashion fun!

Have you bagged a bargain this winter?

What is your best department store buy?

May 10

12 Comments

The one where leggings are not pants (and how to layer for winter)

Do you live somewhere that is cold in winter and warm is summer!? If you do, I envy you! There is nothing as confusing as a Brisbane winter for deciding what to wear in the mornings. As I sit here writing this, the Katy Perry song Hot and Cold just keeps running through my head – it describes a Brisbane winter pur.fect.ly!

It was a cool(ish) 13 degrees this morning when I got out of bed – for us Brisbanites that means at least two layers of clothing (well we do only wear cotton up here in the Sunshine State!). I pulled on raspberry opaque tights, a striped mini dress and added a fitted blazer with some chunky blue jewellery and ballet flats. Sounds nice huh, the only problem was, by lunchtime it was too hot for the blazer! So I my first thought is “oh no! How short is my dress? Is it acceptable to see the light of day on its own? Does it cover my bum?!!” because as we all know girls (say it with me) LEGGINGS AND TIGHTS ARE NOT PANTS!

My attempt at winter layering. Jacket by Sacha Drake, dress by Witchery and tights by Voodoo

This is a typical process I go through each Brisbane winter! (You think after over 20 of them I would learn). Although when I lived in Sydney it was almost as bad in the other direction! I spent whole winters freeeeeeezing my not-so-little behind off because ALL I wore was cotton, there may have been six or seven layers of it, but it was all cotton.

My boss at the time, who was originally from Melbourne, said to me one day, “Honey, if you want to be warm in winter, you need to wear wool!” This was a new concept to me, but I bought a wool dress and wore it to death for three years!

The other thing I love about Brisbane people, is when we get a sniff of cold air, we all jump into our jeans, tights and boots straight away! It’s almost as if we know it’s only going to be cold for three days before the thermometer hits the high 20′s again so we all need to wear our winter clothes before it get hots again!

So how do we dress for this schizophrenic weather?? Here are my tips for laying as it gets a little cooler.

1. Make sure that you are happy with the first layer of clothes you are wearing. If your bottom layer is a tight white singlet – have you got the right bra on? Is your T-shirt long enough to cover your behind if you take off your cardigan or jacket?

Tunics and mini-dresses worn with tights or leggings are great for this. Find one that is still made out of a lightweight material (cotton or jersey) but also looks great with a fitted blazer or long cardigan over the top. This trapeze top from Sussan (www.sussan.com.au) is the perfect example.

How to layer for winter from Sussan

2. Leggings are a girls best friend as it gets a little nippier. But please remember (say it with me) LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS!!! (no I will never get over that!). Ok, now that’s out in the open, Leggings are my staple for winter. I’m not a jeans girl (although I am intrigued by the new Levi’s 3 bum sizes!), pants don’t really suit me most of the time. Leggings are a great alternative, you are still covered up and keeping warm, they are super slimming because they show off how slim your ankles are and they cost a LOT less than a new pair of jeans.

Now we also need to distinguish between leggings and opaque tights. Leggings generally are quite a bit thicker and normally finish at the ankle. Opaques are great for adding a pop of colour (raspberry is my new favourite hue) but are probably more appropriate for wearing under dresses that are a little longer, more than long t-shirts etc as they are not as thick and not as supportive (so that means more on show ladies – more is not always best).

My favourite brand of leggings at the moment are from a wonderful Melbourne label called SpencerLacy. Now you will pay a little more than your regular Target tights (and we all know how much I love Target for a bargain) but there are some things that are worth paying a little extra for, and something that reveals as much of your shape as leggings do are worth paying for. Leggings have become a staple for me in the colder months – they are great for bringing your summer wardrobe into winter. Use leggings to layer under summer frocks and add a cardi, denim jacket or blazer to keep warm.

SpencerLacy leggings RRP $69.95 - WELL worth the price

Other quick ways to add layers to your winter look:

Scarves. Wool scarves, silk scarves, cotton scarves or $12 animal print scarves from Supre (my current choice for winter – see here) all add an extra layer to your outfit.

You can also layer more jewellery in winter (not as hot and sticky on your skin. Long, beaded necklaces (layer a few in the same tones to get a scarf-like look with jewellery), chunky bangles that make a statement or big, bold earrings. You are wearing more clothes in winter so don’t be afraid to wear bigger accessories to match that.

Condura 'Cloche' hat in olive felt. RRP $39.95

Hats are great to hide a bad hair day (come on, we all have them, even Jennifer Aniston has them and we all know how perfect her hair is). I’m lusting after a broad-brimmed burgundy felt hat I saw in David Jones last week so I am saving my pennies, but a beanie, a felt fedora or even a scarf tied in you hair will keep you warm and add another dimension to your wardrobe.

So what did we learn about layering?

1. Make sure ALL layers are acceptable to be seen in public

2. Invest in good quality leggings or tights, you will reap the rewards in the long run

3. Leggings are NOT pants

4. Use accessories to keep you warm and add another layer to your outfit

What is you best layering tip for winter? Do you live in a colder climate? How do you keep warm if it’s freezing outside?
UPDATE: One of my gorgeous friends just read my post and sent me this hi.la.ri.ous picture so I thought the best thing was to share. Enjoy!