cropped, my way.

Zara cropped top & sunglasses, 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt, Saba fur vest, Senso bertina boots, Dannijo vala necklace, Hermes watch, Celine clutch

I think over the years, the most important thing I've learnt (sartorially speaking anyways) is the need to steer away from trends that do not suit my body shape. It's one of those things that you need to be brutally honest about, because there's nothing worse than wearing something that's ill-fitted or show off the parts that you'd rather remain hidden. As much as I am for self-love and empowerment, I fail to see how that can be achieved if I'm wearing something that I'm uncomfortable in.

Which leads me to the topic of the latest trend that I've been avoiding like the plague- cropped top. I've never felt the need to flaunt my abdomen, so I've avoided crop tops as much as they've avoided me. But the more I see them, the more I want to hop onto the bandwagon. I found this beauty in Zara and could not resist, the long sleeves add a casual "tee" element of the top, not to mention it's in my favourite print-stripes, and it's perfect paired with a high-waited skirt. (This leather 3.1 Philip Lim dress deserves a post on its own, one of the most amazing leather pieces that I own!)

 x karen

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until the clouds blow away

Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater | Helmut Lang skirt | Mister Zimi leather jacket | Rag & Bone Harrow boots (see here)| Celine trio bag | Dannijo Vala necklace 

The sudden drop in temperature meant that I could give my winter knits another round in the (non-existent) sun. But, I've been too comfortable in bare legs to actually put on pants or stockings. I like wearing this Helmut Lang skirt because the fun twist in it adds a little bit of drama to the outfit. Although, it does seem rather counter-productive to wear cashmere & leather on the top with that much ventilation on the bottom?

 x karen

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summer leathers

 Bassike tank dress | Saba leather jacket | Topshop heels | Zara clutch | Karen Walker 'deep freeze' sunglasses | Juicy Couture necklace | Dannijo bracelet | low luv bangle | vintage belt

I'm not sure if this holds true for anyone else, but I find myself needing to layer after a few consecutive days of 

authentic summer weather. Of course I don't mean layering in temperatures where its only appropriate to play a game 

of "what's the least amount of clothes I can wear without being called out for public indecency", however the minute

the temperature drops to anything in the vicinity of anywhere below 30s- I have either my leather or denim 

jacket ready and prepped to go. This explains why, during the Australian heat waves, I'm wearing my leather

jacket- there was a rare day of rest from the sweltering heat and I embraced it. 

x karen

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flower bomb at hyde park

 josh goot tank | one teaspoon skirt | yves saint laurent 'muse' bag | senso bertina boots | bangles: dannijo & fashionology

 Josh Goot is one of those designers that I always have trouble resisting, as you can see in this previous post. 

He always augments his collections with a variety of tanks & tees in his latest 'print of the season' and because of

my mostly casual style- it's only logical to stock up. I love how much the flower bomb print jumps and instantly 

updates a tried and tested combination of tank & short skirt in the summer. You can never go wrong with

some additional silk into your daily summer outfit.

x karen

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spring whites

Spring always means different things to me; its about learning to let go of your bulky winter
layers without feeling vulnerable, its about downing hayfever medication like its going
out of fashion, its about stocking up on Zimmermann bikinis during the warehouse sale, its 
about faking your tan until proper beach weather and if you're in sydney these past few weeks
then it has really just been about temperamental weather and trying your best to not get sick (which, fyi-
i failed miserably at).

I know I've already done my "spring" post (here and here) but with this weather that we've been 
having lately- I feel like every other day is a "first day of spring". Not so much due to unbelievably
sunny and "springy" weather, but more so the terrible winter days in between. 

This is my ideal outfit to combat the sometimes-winter-sometimes-summer weather that 
we've been getting lately. The perfect A.L.C Mirabelle dress (here and on sale here) 
which I'm patiently (not really)waiting for to go on further discount, to wear 
with these amazing Giuseppe Zanotti booties that will fill the Alaia left hole in my 
heart (read more about my heartache here). Since I'm already dreaming out of my 
price range, I may as well wear it with an exotic skin Celine luggage from which is pretty
much ideal for this weather (or for any weather, as a matter of fact). And of course, no outfit is 
complete without sun and wrist protection; courtesy of Chanel, Gorjana, Fallon & Dannijo.

It's almost two months until christmas. I hope Santa is taking notes (in his Smythson diary, of course)
That's my kind of Santa. 

x k

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running through my mind

A few things that's been running through my mind. It's that awkward time of the year where it's still officially winter but there are some gorgeous sunny days were it almost feels like spring. These are just a few essentials that, if money was not an issue, would be holding my hand through the difficult days ahead.

Clockwise from the top left: Azzedine Alaia cut-out boots that is pretty much the perfect shoe for in-between weather. It's winter enough so that you don't look odd but the cut-outs are the perfect cool spring edit. These are on sale at the outnet, so if you have an extra thousand pounds- you can buy us both a pair. Balenciaga leather jacket for when the sun sets and you need something to throw over your  Acne silk dress that's in one of the most perfect shades of pink I've seen in awhile. Since it's not quite summer, the sun will probably be playing hide-and-seek so these lightly-tinted Ray-Ban aviators are the perfect choice. You may also wear these sitting next to Anna Wintour in the first row, show her how the New Gen does it. No compilation is complete with a little Dannijo love; the perfect compromise between bling and tribal. The red Phillip Lim bag is so that you have something to carry your leather jacket in, flats are optional. And almost-spring isn't almost spring without a floral skirt by Girl by Band of Outsiders. These may be substituted by the Isabel Marant skirt that you wore to death last year. It's Marant, it will not date. Or pair it with your Balenciaga leather jacket. 

x

karen

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neon lust.

I was pretty much just minding my own business when I innocently opened an ill-fated email from net-a-porter. I thought it would be safe considering the fact that its sales were over and I'd done enough damage. But nope, boy was I wrong. I was savagely assaulted by a neon thing in the shape of an Acne beanie. It was instantaneous and all consuming lust. The kind where consequences be damned, you'll explain it to your girlfriend/boyfriend the next day but right now at this moment you had to give into your primal desires.

But I'm stronger than that. 

So instead of actually buying the beanie (and fyi- I've been on the hunt for a neon beanie for the longest time) I bought it virtually through polyvore. It's a complex relationship that I have with polyvore. That bitch is really good at making me buy more. Really good.

But I really can't justify 83 pounds on a beanie. 

I know you're not supposed to put a price on love, but really this is just lust.

x

karen

ps. if you know where I can get a cheaper option of a neon beanie, please save my wallet and let me know!

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virtual basket

givenchy rottweiler tee // hermes cdc // Celine class bag // acne leather pants // Dannijo Annabelle necklace // Isabel Marant Zora wedges // Diptyque candle // Acne Tess Nubuck Boots // Givenchy Obsedia bag // YSL lipgloss

Uni is officially over for this semester but unfortunately time that used to be earmarked for shopping has now been replaced by work and saving for an overseas holidays. So I've been entertaining myself with riveting games of 'if money was no issue, what would i buy'. Aside from the obligatory hermes that I would like to roll around in, here are a few things that I'm loving at the moment. 

Givenchy has been coming out with some killer tees, I'm especially loving this Rottweiler print. They have it also in black in the muscle tee style but this has the added benefit of covering my arms. 

I'm not quite sure why, or whether if I even like this Acne leather pants. It's not so much a testament to their style but rather my willingness to wear them. I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone lately but this might be a whole other level.

The Hermes cuff and the Dannijo are things that I've wanted for quite a while now. They deserve to be worn with those Acne boots. These Marant wedges I actually talked out of my shopping basket. They are kind of amazing, perfect for summer and a white lace-trimmed dress. So if you're not saving for a holiday and aren't afraid of falling from huge heights- you need these.

The Givenchy & Celine bags are the perfect colour to take you from summer to winter and back to summer again. 

And the Diptyque candle? That's just to set the mood so you can keep online shopping. I did say that money is no issue.

x

karen

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