OOTD: Victor Alexandre, City Chic

So, the weather is all over the place at the moment, so there's lots of layering going on. I try not to take a heavy coat unless it's really cold in the morning, otherwise I end up lugging it around all day.

This is a pretty standard work outfit for the most part - black pinstripe shirt, black pants, sensible flats..

The shirt is from an opshop, and it had the brand label cut out but the care instructions are in dutch. I like to think it travelled halfway around the world to find it's way to me. Pants are standard black business pants from city chic.

But the vest? The vest is something else.

 The vest is magic, and it's from Victor Alexandre, a local melbourne designer. It's long at the front and short at the back, and it's snuggly and comfortable - it's like going to work in a comfy hoodie but it looks much dressier than that. I love the heck out of this thing. It's a piece that was a bit of an investment, even on clearance, but at a cost per wear basis, really very cheap - I am going to be wearing and loving this thing for years to come.

Victor Alexandre do these amazing sculpural pieces that are a wonder of drapery - their stuff is always interesting and funky, and also really comfortable to wear, which is an awesome combination. I wish I could afford more of their pieces, but in the meantime I will enjoy the few that I have, very much.

OOTD: Party dress, dressed down for everyday wear.

For a lunch with friends last week, i decided i'd like to wear the beautiful City Chic dress that i picked up at the Chub Republic fashion swap. The only problem was, the dress is perhaps a little bit fancy just for a lunch in the CBD.

To soften the look and make it a little more casual, i added a brown wool wrapover cardigan, stockings from Target (in the patterned section, which come in an "extra large" size!!!yay!!!!) and pumps from Rivers. I braided my hair asymmetrically on my head and added a fabric flower for good measure.

My handbag is a simple JAG design that i picked up at DFO Moorabbin at outlet price. I absolutely adore it, and it gets plenty of use.

Makeup was simple, pearlescent pinks on my lids, plenty of black liquid liner and mascara, and my trademark MAC dazzleglass in Salmon on my lips.

You really can wear your favourite party dress out to more casual occasions, if you just apply a little know-how to the accessories and keep it very simple. Hooray for many more occasions to wear beautiful clothes to!

OOTD: Plus Size Colourblocking in Red & Purple

My philosophy on trends is to take them or leave them as you desire. Inspiration comes from all sorts of places, not just what people trying to sell clothes are telling you to wear. 

One trend I have picked up is Colorblocking. Before it was trendy I called it "Dressing colourfully" or even just "wearing more than one of my favourite colours at once!"  - catchy, no? 

I am rocking one of my all time favourite colour combinations here - red and purple. Purple is notoriously hard to photograph accurately, and it's clear my trusty iphone camera is not up to the task, but the detail picture has almost got it - this is a rich, regal purple, dark and lush.. not lavender, not plum, a pure purple.

Combined with scarlet it's a head-turning combination. 

I have a red singlet on that I bought for under $5 at a valleygirl/tempt outlet years ago..with that a red chiffon overlay skirt on sale at crossroads - it has the most lovely silky texture and is a joy to wear. 

Over the top a v-neck dress from Dusk, also years old. 

 The shoes are trusty red suede pumps from Target, looking a little more battered each day..

Of course I wore purple eyeshadow and red lipstick as well :)

You've seen my favourite bright colour combination - what's yours?