Seconds of Style #38: Green with Envy

It's a little bit bold, a little bit edgy and a little bit 80's - it's official, green is the new 'it' colour. It takes a front row seat this season along with other rich and regal colours like Maroon, Camel, Burnt Orange and Navy - a veritable feast of visceral hues. Bottle, mint, sage or lime - whatever hue you choose it's assured to be a hit this winter. The rich bottle greens are definitely my pick and I am just totally in love with Ruby's sheer trousers.

Blouse by Ingrid Starnes, Jumper by Arabella Ramsay, Jumpsuit by Camilla & Marc, Trousers by Ruby

Seconds of Style #36 & #37: Shes so EFfortless

Yes, yes, I'm cheating here. two letters in one post. When we suffer setbacks we must do anything to get back on the horse mustn't we?

The past few seasons, have in many ways been about 'cleaning up' fashion. Stripping it back somewhat. Bringing back the sophistication of past era's, bringing down the hemlengths, increasing the cut size - generally making way for an 'effortless' aesthetic. Whether it be the demureness of the 50's, a-la rising star Ingrid Starnes, the over-sized draping of Moochi and Miss Crabb or the architectural lines of cult label Nyne - the prevailing theme is no fuss fashion. I am through and through a non fuss fashion girl. I'm as dedicated to monochrome as a biker is to leather, use and abuse the term 'oversized' and cower away from fussy details, but for all those who think the more frills, jewels, beads and trims the better - put down the bedazzler and get on board this trend, it's definitely here to stay!

Seconds of Style #31: A Digital Issue

I might be a little slow off the mark on this one but I was just introduced to Issuu, a wonderful website full of uploaded magazines! I am a complete magazine hoarder, I can't get enough of them. I buy them new, I buy them 2nd hand. I swap them, I borrow them and I pile them high - so this is a little bit exciting for me. I have to say, I will still need the tactility of having a hard copy when it comes down to it but I love that I can click through loads of great publications and get ideas. It's incredibly user friendly and the images are nice and clear. They even have a 'Visual Inspiration' section to browse, check out Swedish magazine Fotografisk Tidskrift (Photographic Journal), visually inspiring indeed!

Seconds of Style #29: The Secret Life of Silk & Lace

There is a big trend towards soft, romantic 70's style lingerie at the moment, and I for one am a big fan. Nothing makes you feel more feminine than a bit of silk and lace expertly placed under a sheer top or draping dress. Underwear as outerwear has been a prevalent trend for a few seasons now with bustiers and high waist nickers floating down national and international runways. The choice out there for 'designer underwear' is getting silkier, lacier, prettier and more intricate each season. Make sure if you work this trend to choose something specifically made to be seen though!

Seconds of Style #24: Style Spot, Ponsonby Road

It might be cheating just a little bit to do 'street style' posts about your friends but what can I say - Shani looked seriously cool on Ponsonby Road last week! I absolutely loved her black suede platforms, I think the chunkiness of the shoes really balanced out the skinniness of her Ksubi jeans. The sheer, feminine cropped jacket contrasted perfectly with the rock 'n' roll feel of her black jeans and platforms. The little pop of berry under her jacket keeps it understated and sophisticated. Love everything about this outfit!

Wearing Ksubi jeans, vintage jacket and shoes

Seconds of Style #19: The Sweet Smell of Vintage

I thought I should put up a few pictures taken during my recent travels through Europe. These images are from a perfume factory in Grasse on the Côte d'Azur in France called Fragonard. The Walnut, propeller and berry were vessels to hold swabs soaked in perfume. They would be worn in pockets, as necklaces or attached to a pin on the wearer. I have to say, I think these are simply beautiful. I would love to see some necklace charms made with these in mind.There is just an unlimited amount of inspiration to be taken from the past.

This walnut shell would hold a swab soaked in perfume

An incredibly interesting shape and design

Unique perfume bottle

Seconds of Style #17: Feet First For Summer

For me, summer shoes are one of the best parts of the season. Strappy sandals, bright ballet flats, cotton espadrilles, I love them all! Inspired by the presence of flats on the catwalk for Spring Summer 11, I have put together a collection of my favourite 'everyday' styles. Pale, light and airy colours are the ticket, we get enough months to wear black I think. My pick from the bunch, well pickS - Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps and F-Troupe White 4 Strap Sandals.

Stella McCartney SS11

Twenty 8 Twelve SS11

Chloe SS11

Paul & Joe SS11

Shop Topshop Red Lace Up Pumps

Shop Topshop Kacy Soft Pink Fringed Loafers

Shop French Connection Cut Out Bow Pumps

Shop Lanvin Embellished Sandals

Shop Pedro Garcia Crystal Embellished Sandals

Shop F-Troupe 4 Strap White Sandals

Shop Melissa by Vivienne Westwood Flower Sandal

Shop Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps

Shop Jeffery Campbell Kelly Oxford Flat

Shop French Sole Henrietta Pump
Shop Mymu Canvas Espadrilles

Shop Tory Burch Striped Canvas Espadrilles

Seconds of Style #16: Grey Lynn Park Festival

The day was Grey Lynn Park Festival and the look was all about summer denim. There were cut offs galore, some shorter and some longer but all distressed, vintage and customised. Thrown in the mix were bohemian vintage dresses, cute prints and an array of girly headgear. Here is a little selection of the day. My favourite look is the breton stripes with vintage cut offs and ruby red slippers.

My favourite look of the day. Effortless and cool.

Seconds of Style #12: Clay Pallet

 

I had a lovely chat with Julie from Apparel HR the other day and got all excited about summer fashion. We were talking about what had just been happening in the UK, as it has been my home for the last 18 months. Clay tones and neutrals were a huge focus for Winter 2010 in the UK, both on the high street and catwalks, which I was thrilled about - being a neutrals girl myself. I really loved the warm rust tones and rich caramels which I feel give an air of easy sophistication. Now we all know how quickly colour trends change so I was a bit nervous the industry would move away from these dreamy clay tones as quickly as they found them, but I am delighted to say they have been carried over for summer. I've pulled together a little sample of the clay pallet from SS11 ready to wear. My absolute favourite is Chloé creamy turtle-neck and wispy silk pleated cappuccino skirt. The pairing of the ruby red shoes and bag put this look at the top of my list.

Shop Chloe

Shop DVF

Shop Rebecca Taylor

Shop Topshop Unique

Shop Lanvin

Seconds of Style #10: Semi Precious Tones

I am absolutely loving the opulence of summer's gem stone tones. They all compliment each other perfectly so are great for colour blocking or for a more understated approach, choose one colour to make an otherwise monochromatic look pop. All the items on this board can be purchased in or shipped to NZ. Semi precious is top of my list for summer.

Alice McCall (available at mycatwalk.com.au), Stolen Girlfriends Club (available at stolengirlfriendsclub.com), Asos (available at asos.com), Topshop (available at topshop.com), Shakuhachi (available at mycatwalk.com.au), Storm (available at stormnz.com), Hi There by Karen Walker (available from The Department Store)