The Crop Continued...

My love for high quality, basic wardrobe staples is no secret; versatility and reliability are perhaps my two favourite words when it comes to investment pieces, however, when it comes to trendier purchases, these terms aren’t always applicable. This Zara cropped jumper has proven to be an exception to the rule...

Layered with a T-shirt for uni and now with a printed blouse for a dressier outing, the cropped-jumper trend gets two thumbs up from yours truly, and a whole lot of late nights spent scouring the internet for more (I think I need one in a pastel blue shade...restrain is a highly overrated commodity it seems).

Printed shirts are definitely starting to take over my wardrobe in favour of cotton basics, there's something a little bit more 'grown up' and polished about them, at the ripe old age of 21, I figure it's not a bad time to start building my collection.

Photo Credit: Jude Newton (Facebook) (Instagram)

Cropped Jumper (Zara - In store only)

Leopard Print Blouse (Bardot) (similar - Equipment) 

Jeans (Dr Denim)

Ankle Boots (Jo Mercer)

Bag (Alexander Wang)

Happy Shopping!

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Baby Boy...

1. Asos Heeled Sandals, 2. Bardot Crop Top (pre-order), 3. Bardot Singlet, 4. Lover Cropped Knit, 5. Coach Shoulder Bag

So I may have developed a little fixation on this hue (clinical obsession is an understatement here); as you can probably tell, I am diving head first into this season's pastel craze...

Images sourced via Pinterest

For more outfit inspiration check out FWTN on Pinterest.

Happy Shopping,

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Pastel...

Apologies for the lack of outfit posts lately, miserable weather and the never-ending mountain of uni work has made shooting impossible, however I am back with some more, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them!

One of my biggest downfalls, as far as style is concerned, is my tendency to stick to 'safe' and 'easy' trends; monochrome and black on black are the main offenders-in-question, and I bet I'm not the only one guilty of this. What better way to dip your toes into the world of colour than to give this season's pastel shades a go? These pastel colours are proving to be huge this year, being featured on every item of clothing for AW14 including tailored pants, jumpers and winter coats.

If wearing blush-toned pinks and powder blues seems uncomfortably girly to you, try incorporating them into a more 'grown up' silhouette. I chose a satin camisole for this, but a long sleeved shirt will also work. Avoid cotton T-shirts or long sleeved basic tops in these shades; wearing these could bring back memories of those awkward pre-teen years *cringe*.

Finally, I paired the with some coated jeans from...you'll never guess... Cotton On! I usually like to invest a bit in denim and pants as I seem to prefer these to skirts and dresses for most of the year, my favourites so far are by Lee, Neon Blonde and Bettina Liano. Denim-snob that I am, I normally wouldn't head towards cheaper options, however, Cotton On has really outdone themselves this year and I would highly recommend checking out their coated denim/leather-look range, it is right on the money in terms of style, fit and durability. A long-line white blazer to offset the blue was all that was needed to finish this off, and of course my new bag!

Photo credit: Jude Newton (Facebook) (Instagram)

Blazer: (Forever new - sold out) (similar J. Crew) (similar (Oracle - affordable)

Camisole (Bardot)

Coated Jeans (Cotton On)

Bag (Alexander Wang)

Necklace (Tiffany & Co.)

Shoes (Steve Madden - sold out) (similar Siren) (similar River Island)

Happy Shopping!

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Fifty Shades of...

Viktoria & Woods Trench, Jimmy Choo flats, Alexander Wang bag, Saint Laurent Jeans

Corny titles aside, here are some smart investments for this season. A more versatile approach to the pastel trend is a good quality trench in a light grey shade; metallic accents also help to keep things interesting.

For more inspiration and styled posts make sure you check out @fromwanttoneed on Instagram.

Happy Shopping!

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Thigh High

Lorra by Tony Bianco

Yes you read correctly, thigh high as in over the knee. Don't you just love the very start of a change in trend? Theres a level of uncertainty and a little bit of an adrenaline rush associated, but there's no denying that any excuse will do to buy boots!  While the ankle boot has had its reign over the past few seasons and probably won't be going anywhere soon; the time has come to embrace the new and exciting in terms of shoes. I realise that I have dedicated quite a few posts to shoes, but how can I resist when I procrastinate for days staring at these beauties?

Think black leather or suede with a sensible heel (if you're like me, then you probably won't survive in a 4 inch stiletto heel during the day time, but otherwise go all out) and you've got yourself a good buy for the coming months.

Mid Range:

ASOS

Revolution Black by Siren Shoes

Invest:

Alicia by Tony Bianco

Tribute by Tony Bianco

Happy Shopping!
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Dressy leather

As promised, here is the dressier look featuring that favourite leather pencil skirt of mine, I hope you're not sick of hearing me rave about leather, if something works, make it work hard right?

Photo credit: Jude Newton (Facebook) (Instagram)

Leather Pencil skirt (Bardot- sold out) (similar Bardot) (similar Oasis)

Shirt (Cameo the Label - sold out) (similar Cameo the Label) (similar Equipment) (similar Equipment)

Shoes (Windsor Smith) (similar Therapy) 

Neck plate (Bardot - sold out) 

To say a long-sleeved white shirt is an essential, is a huge understatement. I bent this rule a little bit here and opted for a nude/blush toned chiffon shirt by Cameo the Label with an interesting double-layered cut; going for an ivory or cream shade would have also worked well to avoid looking too 'corporate'. You'll notice that the links to shirts are a bit on the pricey side, however, as shirts like these are the definition of a wardrobe staple, it's not worth wasting money on shirts that will just deteriorate after a few uses; Equipment and Cameo shirts have a stellar reputation for being not only exceptionally good quality, but also an exceptionally good fit. Teamed with my favourite Gillie heels from Windsor Smith and a neck plate from Bardot, this is definitely date-night-appropriate; swap the seductive heels for refined pumps and the neck plate for a simple chain and you might even be ready to meet the parents.

Happy shopping!
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Denim/Leather Mix

Now that the weather is starting to cool down, its time to start thinking about long pants and layering and the easiest options are, by far, denim and leather. The first combination that comes to mind is a pair of jeans in a classic blue wash and a leather jacket that will see you through the entire season. This is all very well, but if you're up for trying something a bit more interesting, why not turn this on its head? I was ecstatic when I found a pair of white leather or "jeather" Bettina Liano pants on sale earlier this year and they are definitely proving to be a highly used-and-abused wardrobe staple. The practicality factor was a big motivator for this particular purchase; white pants in other, more 'high maintenance', materials such as silk are beautiful but not viable for the uncoordinated and accident-prone such as yours truly. This tougher denim/leather mix has the advantage of being resistant to stains (no one will know when you've spilled a drink) and machine washable; I am in no way organised enough to visit the dry cleaners on a weekly basis so this is just as well. Pair it back with a casual denim shirt and dress it up with a pair of heels and statement jewellery to keep it from looking bland and you're set. 

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Photo credit: Jude Newton (Facebook, Instagram)

Denim Shirt - ASOS

Leather Pants - Bettina Liano (sold out) (Similar ASOS) (Similar Lover)

Shoes - Siren (sold out) (Similar Giuseppe Zanotti)

Necklace - Lovisa (sold out)

Chadstone AW14 Runway - 13/3/14

What better way to end a hectic 8 hour day at uni than with canapés and champagne at Chadstone's Autum-Winter 2014 Runway Show (I have been counting down the days for this!) I really admire the ease with which looks from higher end designers (Manning Cartell, Coach, Sass & Bide and the like) were matched with equally impressive looks from 'high street' designers (Dotti, Bardot and Kookai were standouts). Trends that are definitely here to stay include leather, stripes and monochrome which should be good news to those that have already stocked up on these last season and even better news to those that plan on treating themselves this season. The Gentlemen's Club and Sports Luxe styles also reigned strong and if you're looking to invest in some colour after two or three seasons of monochrome and black-on-black, navy and shades of plum are smart buys. Apologies for the amateur iPhone photography, I definitely should have dragged my photographer friend along to the show.

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Laser Cuts and Leather-on-Leather

I know what you’re thinking, since when do I hang out in graffitied alleyways that conveniently bring out the colour of my shoes? Well location-hunting in the Melbourne would not have been the same if I hadn’t checked out Hosier lane, if you haven’t been here before, it’s worth a trip, street art really doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves…

Photo credits to Jude Newton (Facebook) (Instagram)

Leather Skirt (similar) (similar) (similar)
Laser Cut Top (similar) (similar) (similar)

Leather Bralet - Sportsgirl

Shoes - Tony Bianco (on sale!)

This look is a bit edgier than my usual, prim-and-proper style of dressing, however, I’ll admit, trying out new ways to wear things I already have, is actually entertaining. It's no secret that I live in this Bardot leather skirt, I can proudly say that I have worn it countless times during the Spring and Summer and plan on wearing it just as frequently until it falls to pieces. For those of you that haven’t tried to incorporate a leather skirt into your wardrobe (either in a pencil or skater style), I can guarantee that this will be, by far, one of the most versatile pieces you’ll own. The pencil skirt shape has always been a favourite of mine; its high-waisted style has an elongating effect, which is fortunate for those, like me, who are a bit vertically challenged. Also, keep it at a modest length; this will keep it edgy rather than trashy.

The laser cut tank was also bought from Bardot; it is definitely one of my go-to stores for mid-range clothing options. The quality is above-average for the average price tag, also, their silk camisoles are DIVINE, I have to restrain myself from buying one every time I’m there. This laser cut tank could be worn with a plain singlet underneath or a bandeau top but I chose to layer it with a leather bralet from Sportsgirl to keep it interesting; another option is to wear a sheer cotton or transparent chiffon shirt (like this one by Ladakh) over the bralet if the tank is too grungy for you. Pair the mostly-monochrome look with a pair of interesting shoes and you're done, I’ve chosen heels here for the sake of styling but coloured flats would work well for a more laid-back look. Lastly, don't underestimate the transeasonality of this look, this was shot on a perfect 25 degree day however, adding stockings, ankle boots and a denim jacket would make this very autumn-appropriate.

Stay tuned for a dressier take on this look coming soon...

Happy Shopping!

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Uniform

Top: Mink Pink (similar, similar)

Pants: Cotton on (these were a bargain!) (similar, similar)

Shoes: Dune London (similar, similar)

Apologies for the non-DSLR quality photo, this was an impromptu outfit post idea. As you can see, the only pop of colour happening here is from the bright yellow callipers on my friend's car...

 I find myself being asked often why I'm never seen in track pants or looking 'undone', the poor soul that was kind enough to give me a compliment is usually then faced with a 30 minute review on wardrobe staples and why monochrome works all day, everyday and with everything (I promise this won't be that long or tedious). It would not be a stretch to say that, monochrome and black on black are my most worn and loved trends and have effectively adapted themselves into a uniform of sorts.

This, somewhat intuitive, idea of sticking to the simplest shapes, styles and colours that suit ones self best, seemed boring and restrictive at first; it was not until I saw Harper and Harley, the brilliant blog by the eternally stylish Sara Donaldson, that this idea grew on me. I adapted this theory a little to develop a game plan for future shopping trips that involved not necessarily jumping on every trend that comes my way, but rather picking and choosing items that can multitask. Generally, save up and invest in pieces that are neutral in colour and style (i.e. will not date quickly) and look for affordable options if you like a passing trend. If you follow me on Instagram and Pinterest, you'll know that I have a little fixation on monochrome and anything black, leather or both so I will happily spend a little more on these sorts of clothes, shoes, bags and the like. Stay tuned for a proper outfit post soon!

Comfort

Sportsgirl

So the prototypical ballet flat morphed a little over night, say hello to my newest fixation; brogues and loafers. The cooler months are approaching fast and I have used this as an excuse to buy a couple of pairs of these already (and don't forget they're enclosed shoes that you should be able to get away with in labs if you also have to deal with this little problem at uni like me). Not only are these up-to-the-minute, they're comfortable, they will last a lifetime (if you invest in a decent pair) and you should be able to wear them with almost everything (if you stick to neutral colours). There are a few interesting variations of this style, the Saint Laurent Lace Up Ankle Boot in particular is impressive, be warned, the price tag isn't pretty. See below and happy shopping!

Invest: Tods, Robert Clergerie, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jimmy Choo

Mid Range: Tony Bianco, RMK, 

Less: ASOS, ASOS, River Island

Inspiration: