Stylemate

Ordinary people

2009-03-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

Incredible really just how damn daggy famous people can be: By famous I mean you know, news readers and tele presenters mainly - geez they look average. Too blonde, too thin, too much colour, too many ruffles, too much make-up and just not simple, sleek or chic enough. Weird, cause they can look at themselves after every show and just see how chronically ordinary they appear. Every now and again there are glimmers of sartorial splendour but too few to make a cracking difference. I'd feel infinitely more engaged watching the talking heads night after night after night if I were given an aesthetic shot in the arm, a bolt of fashion bliss. Just a thought.

Pretty girl

2009-02-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how many pretty, I mean really pretty girls I've seen in the last week. Tall, healthy-looking, crystal clear eyes and glossy, tumbling hair. All different nationalities - or particular note was a spectacular young Italian in Sportsgirl, an exotic young Asiatic mum in Centennial Park and a German girl roaming around the uni campus. For just a minute or maybe twenty, I kind of wished I was in my mid-20s again - knowing what I know now of course...they all seem so glamorous and natural at the same time.

Fancy festive dressing

2008-11-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

I know it's boring but very few women look crap in a little black dress. They are timeless, chic and make it so easy to get dressed that you have time to ah...blow dry your hair or maybe even apply a face-full of make-up. And another thing, noone will ever notice you are wearing the same dress. Make your outfit with fabulous shoes or a really great bag . Of course there are alternatives: the latest jeans, a shimmery top and sky-high heels or a mini-tulip skirt, camisole and jacket. But look, long and hard, before going down this road - they will amount to costly mistakes if you don't pull them off. On the other hand, it's Christmas - knock yourself out.

Campus cool

2008-09-08T23:38:00.000-07:00

So you see here's the thing. I simply cannot remember anyone being as cool at uni as these cats are now. Where do they all get the money to dress in their S&B jeans, G-star jackets and AA t-shirts. I ask you. Perhaps they're wearing the same thing all the time, I don't know? But there's such a serious cool factor happening here on campus I can hardly believe it. Combine that with the fact that you can buy restaurant-quality food and seriously good coffee, with a seemingly infinite array of roasters and blends I mean it's practically its only living city. Well, it is actually. It now has its own postcode. Apparently Kensington post office got so jacked off with the amount of mail they deemed UNSW to be it's own entire suburb (within a suburb).

Far too long

2008-08-21T18:40:00.001-07:00

I know it's been 1000 years. Far too long I realise for anyone to continue subscribing to this website. Even so, I have allocated today as my restart day. Today I will begin again, the task of jotting down my thoughts and ideas on style. Not the last word by any account, just a few ideas that might get you out of trouble on the odd occasion. Hope you're all well and keeping warm on what is a bleak day. Pull on the trackpants and don the ugg boots I say!

A style of your own

2008-06-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have an old friend who is currently in rural France with her husband and five kids - so the kids could learn French and they could together have the experience of doing something different - just because they can. Anyway, my friend, who goes to Sydney's celebrity hairstylist, needed a hair cut and so with trepidation popped into the village and has been given one of the best haircuts she has ever had. Yes people, this is rural France. Now, this guy may or may not have technically given her a brilliant cut, but what he did do was give her a cut that suited her face, her hair and her personality - with scant regard to fashion. He told her that she was an individual and that her hair and the way it's styled should reflect that....You can see where I'm going with this can't you? There is no need to be a slave to fashion...it is far more fashionable to have a style that reflects the best of who you are.

Soooo long

2008-06-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well, the fact that my computer hasn't been working is no excuse not to post I suppose, but really - with two small kids, work to do and a house to sell, I'm hardly going to trek off to an internet cafe. Others would, but to be honest, I've been more concerned with replacing my vacuum cleaner. Which incidentally stopped sucking this morning, right before our 10am open for inspection. I went looking for a new one - thinking for sure I'd come home with some whiz bang dust-sucking masterpiece that I'd purchased on sale. Instead, I've opted for the $22 Sabco sweeper. Remember those? Yes, a sweeper. And, you know what? It works an absolute treat. No creepy barrel to empty or bag to change. It's not electric so no need to worry about whether its charged and best of all - it is smaller than my broom. Fantastic.

Can-do Converse

2008-05-21T02:28:00.000-07:00

I am having such an in-love moment with Converse sneakers...I'm onto my fourth pair. So far, I haven't strayed from white; although I have bought both canvas and leather. I really fancy lashing out and going for another colour - white is none too chic with black jeans - my favoured denim shade for winter. I'm just not sure. Chocolate is good and I saw a really cute little Asian girl wearing hers with black skinny jeans and a camel sweater the other day. Grey is nice as well - although I have a lot of grey in my life right now (think sofa, cushions and I'm considering a charcoal wall). Believe it or not, black sneakers are actually really hard to wear - with anything. They look like clod-hoppers. Olive or khaki could be nice - but I've yet to find the right shade. Brights look cheap with black and there's not much left after that because I'm way to old for for the current trend of graphic or graffiti style patterns. So, I guess that just leaves, white....Bring them on!

Stage fright

2008-05-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

OK, so I'm currently in the process of staging my home for sale and it has occured to me in recent weeks just how closely fashion and interiors are actually linked. It's not like I didn't know this already but I suppose it's not until you are working on both fashion and interiors simultaneously that you get a true handle on what's out there. Interesting really - given that a lot of fashion fabrics are hopelessly inappropriate for anything other than a staged shoot or open house. Not many families can really live with lace, fur, velvet and the like as they don't really mix too well with vegemite or mashed banana. Never mind, I don't need to live with them, just pull them out twice a week and pretend I live with them.

Mineral deposit

2008-04-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Make an investment in your make-up routine today girls! I have just discovered mineral make-up. You may or may not have heard of it and all of its benefits - it is very cool. For starters it is foundation and powder, your entire base in one compact. Secondly, it's applied with a brush, so you simply dip the brush into the compact, starting off with a really small amount, and swirl the brush in a circular motion. The more coverage you require, the more often you dip your brush into the compact. It also works as a concealer in that you simply take a much smaller brush - like a good quality paintbrush and gently apply to the areas you wish to cover. And, best of all, touching up means reswirling the brush back over your face - you do not need to dip it back into the power. The key to this product is that it is a physical barrier, so the make-up sits on the skin - rather than being absorbed. It has an SPF of at least 15 (mine has 30) cover everything from regular blemishes to broken capillaries and have healing properties - like green tea anti oxidants.

Maxi-mistake?

2008-04-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

I know everyone raved about what a saviour the maxi dress was last summer - hiding a multitude of sins and all that...but let's be honest, on most people it just looked like a maxi-mistake. Again, another fashion trend to by into only if you are a lithe 19 year old, with long flowing tresses who's prepared to wear cork platforms........I mean where does someone wear a maxi dress anyway? School pickup? Prepare yourselves people, they are set to rage like the machine again this season.

Style snippets

2008-03-24T17:31:00.001-07:00

I was thinking that those women who always look best have an incredible knack for nonchalant chic. They seem to take the oh-I-just-threw-this-on approach.
I have several friends like that and here are their pearls of style wisdom:
1. Always balance a look. If you're wearing something glamorous, bring it down to earth with a classic item.
2. Choose long strands of pearls over short. Short is from the 50s and our parents generation.
3. Belts add personality a lot like a signature handbag. Try tying instead of buckling it.
4. Wear a tailored mans-style jacket over a cocktail dress - it's very chic.....
I'll keep these little nuggest coming as they come to hand.

Apologies

2008-03-20T01:26:00.000-07:00

I've been away...which explains why I haven't loaded any content on for a week and a half. Sorry, I thought I could, and I tried. But, computer keyboards in foreign languages, in internet cafes in foreign countries are not that easy to use. Well, they're not easy enough to use to warrant me sitting down for the day and attempting to type and then load text. What I will say now is that it doesn't really matter where in the world you are, intrinsic style remains the same. Whenever someone is wearing all white, all navy, all khaki or a simple sheath in black, there is a universal fashion language that screams STYLE. I know I always push this barrow and I know it's boring. But, truly most women are without perfect figures and they would simply look a whole lot better in one colour - top to toe.

Off the air

2008-03-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

OK, so for the first time in six years I am going away and there will be nothing new added to the website for a whole week. I am abandoning my husband and leaving behind my two adorable, but infuriating children to take a break with a girlfriend from Melbourne to Bali. I'm after heat, heat, heat and spicy food - neither of which go terribly well with young children. I can't wait to get on that plane, mag in hand, perhaps a drink (might be too early for that - even for me - never say never) and a movie. Of course, I haven't actually seen a movie, on a big screen in around 5 years - but anything - even a crumby tv show where I won;t be interupted for want of a drink of water, nappy chnage, bottle of milk or a biscuit will be fantastic....Best go and find my passport and a swimsuit...or three.

White out

2008-03-05T01:06:00.000-08:00

It seems that fashion's fascination for dark, gothic nail colours has gone and done an about face for it's all about white right now. Admittedly, the northern hemisphere is heading into summer - but even so, it's been quite a while since the tacky French manicure has made an appearance at all. The white I'm talking about, if you're not sure, is the opaque tip on the end of a French. Except that it is all over the nail...how very Mary Quant!

Occasional crisis?!?

2008-02-29T01:29:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'm having two minor fashion crises: Firstly, a christening ...what does one wear to one to an event such as this these days. To be fair, I wouldn't be chasing my tail so much if it weren't for the fact that the guests weren't in fact invited to the actual christening - just the drinks afterward...I mean is it church attire, church attire minus the sober formality, smart casual...? I just don't know. Even my husband is mildy confused. Hmmm, he mused - what on earth do I wear on Sunday? I couldn't really help him. The other occasion is "glam it up". So, the obvious thing is a cocktail frock. But, does it mean that I can wear skinny jeans and high heels if I want to??? Confused. Any suggestions would be welcome.

My mojo

2008-02-21T17:49:00.000-08:00

OK, I've got a bit of a style groove happening for winter now...The best skinny jeans are to be had at Sportsgirl. I kid you not and for $89.95, you can not go wrong. The jeans are now being made by Lee - so the fit and denim used is far superior to previous incarnations. Boots, a style staple; flat black patent ballerinas, a black shirt or two, some vests and several white t-shirts. Hopefully, I'll lob upon the ultimate winter jacket and voila - I am officially done. I've think I've got my groove back.

Age appropriate-ness

2008-02-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

While being briefed on a make-over job today, I got to thinking about age-appropriate dressing. Well, I probably wouldn't have used those terms, but for the fact that the makeover-ee stated that "she always felt like mutton dressed as lamb." Clearly, we know what she means, but I have felt in recent years that we were all getting beyong the notion of not being able to wear certain items of clothing because we'd just hit out style use by date. The wonderful thing that age brings is a sexiness that matures and deepens with each passing year. It's a confidence thing. I mean think of woman like Helen Mirren, Liv Ullman, Catherine Deneauve or Sophia Loren. Ok, so they've got money and can buy a stylist - but they can't buy style. We shouldn't need to follow fashion - we have our own style. We know what suits us and we wear it well. It is important to continually dress like the woman we are today and not the woman we used to be or the woman we might be if we lose 5kg. Purge your wardrobes regularly. Own a fabulous pair of well fitting dark indigo jeans, some crisp white cotton shirts and learn how to accessorise. The season's shoe might be all you need to show you're up-to-date. Clean make-up, classic tailoring and face full of confidence will do the rest.

Struggle street

2008-02-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

I know what suits me. For the most part, I look good in man-style trousers or jeans, black or white long-line singlets, waistcoats, crisp white cotton shirts and structured jackets. I've always had a problem with shoes. It comes from having to part with about $1000 to get anything fabulous and comfortable - so I always wear sneakers. I like Manhattan Portage messenger bags. I have them in various colours and sizes. Sent direct from NY. But I am dead bored with this wardrobe. Dead tired of looking the same, day after day, after day. Like everyone else, I have a "what will Kate wear next" obsession and then wish I'd lost the last two kilos after having my second child. Look, on the balance, I suppose I'm not doing too badly - but I am struggling to come up with a wardrobe ideal for this winter. It's hard to be truly stylish as a freelancer. Running around between daycare centres, ballet lessons and meetings at various magazines - all that's really required is the wardrobe I already have...........

Twinkling stars

2008-02-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

I was thinking just how appropriate and stylish some celebrities always appear while others tread the boards looking mildly more roadworthy than Britney. This really is a great example of how all the money in the world can't buy you style. Even Lindsay Lohan and heaven help me when I say this, Scarlett Johanssen, both of whom often make it onto the best dressed lists never really look polished or finished or nearly as expensive looking at Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett, Lucy Lui or Julia Roberts. Even Nicole Kidman, who disappointingly leaves me absolutely cold - never, ever puts a foot wrong in the style stakes. She always, but always looks like she is supposed to be wearing what she's got on. And, who knows how stylist Rachel Zoe got to be so hot on the hip scale. Most of the time, like Paris Hilton, she looks pretty crumby - trash with cash is all I can say. Call me on it if you will...

Time for change

2008-02-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

I really, really love summer. Hot, balmy weather and barbequing outside really appeals to me. But you know - this year, I'm looking forward to autumn so I can get into some more sophisticated clothing. It's hard to look really chic in summer, except of course at night when glossy bare skin and shimmery tanks are really all that's required. I'm actually getting kind of excited about layering a tank with a vest, underneath a structured jacket. And, then pulling on a pair of jeans, tugging up my boots and finishing off with an oversized patent skin bag. It's somehow more put-together to have more clothes on??!!

Club credits

2008-02-03T17:12:00.000-08:00

Walking past a giant poster for the new television program, the Women's Murder Club, starring the gorgeous Angie Harmon, I was struck by just how prominent the Seven for All Mankind tag was on her black washed-out bootleg jeans. Strategic, I thought that her police badge was also there on her back right pocket. She looked fabulous I have to say - in said jeans and a solid black jersey shirt, which could have been Max & Co or Armani. Can't comment on her shoes, they weren't visible in the image - but undoubtedly, for a sexy she-cop on the move they'd be a boot. The spunky platinum blonde DA is doing the strong femme-fatale pencil skirt thing. Frankly, you can't really make out the detail on any of the other girls to get a make on the designers. Just have to wait and see whos who when the credits roll up...

Is anybody out there?

2008-01-31T17:06:00.000-08:00

Does anybody actually read fashion copy online? I mean there is something wonderful and luxurious about purchasing a magazine and taking your time to smell the promotional fragrances, pour over the pictures and generally devour at leisure. I know that older women are interested in reading about anti-ageing and about making their wardrobes work harder for them and about developing and maintaining a particular sense of style (in the newspaper) - but do they or are they interested in more of the same - in such a cold context??

Metal urgency

2008-01-31T01:00:00.000-08:00

OK, so after a morning with tired, screaming one year old, I managed a very peaceful hour at Borders devouring all the magazines that I do not subscribe to. One thing is perfectly clear, the metallic theme we've seen running through summer is set to send us skyward as the weather cools down. Soft, sexy metallics are strong and modern. And, I might add not just in accessories or highlight trim or accent colour - but the full space odyseey: From head to moonlit toe, silver, gold and bronze is set to have us shimmering all winter.

Shoe crisis

2008-01-28T13:07:00.001-08:00

Once again, I'm at your mercy. I am having a severe footwear moment. I really need great shoes that can be worn everyday that are comfortable and stylish that are not thongs or sneakers. Ideally, these little suckers would have a bit of a heel to elongate the leg and could be worn with jeans as well as dresses. Am I asking too much?? Would appreicate your comments.