mix and match

Rag & Bone fedora, Nars lipstick, Givenchy 'obsedia' bag, Witchery tee, Lover dress, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Stella McCartney bra, Valentino rockstud flats

Over the years, I've begin to realise that the best things to have in your wardrobe arsenal are items that can be styled for a wide range of occasions; whether it's dinner at somewhere upscale or brunch at your local eatery. Once you have those building blocks, then all you need are the right accessories to make it happen.

For example - my birthday this year involved me splurging a black Lover dress that I've just been itching for an excuse to purchase. However, for the past half a year, it's been sitting in my wardrobe - loved but untouched. In retrospect, I probably should have pulled it out during winter to layer until my favourite knitted sweaters and boots. Which made me think, if it wasn't for the 3/4 quarter sleeves, how could I wear it during the warmer months? (And no, this is not the beginning of the long road of justification to purchase another Lover dress)

This summer, I will definitely be bringing out some of my less casual pieces and dressing them down for everyday wear. A slouchy white t-shirt can do wonders in toning down an outfit, and really, that's what Australian summer is all about: laid-back chic. So to keep it chic, you will need a clutch or small handbag for all essentials (esp. sunscreen & lipstick) and blinged-out flats - even though I have these in the kitten heel, I can't stop obsessing about these beige/pink flats which would be perfect for casual days where wearing heels are the last thing on my mind. 

And because it's summer in Australia, a hat & sunglasses should be your constant companion. Slip slop slap!

To be honest, at this point I can't tell if this is a genuine post about utilising the full potential of my existing wardrobe or rather how much I need those Valentino rockstud flats in my wardrobe. So if Santa happens to be listening, can't blame a girl for trying right?

x karen

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helmut lang hem

Witchery knit top, Rag & Bone leather shorts (seen here, here & here), Zara leopard sneakers & bag, Ray-ban aviators

I love wearing a clean, lightweight knit- even in the midst of summer, although its technically still spring in Sydney. This time of the year is always stunning in Sydney- everywhere you look, there are bougainvillea, jacaranda and honeysuckles in bloom. It seems only right to wear a clean and minimalistic outfit when nature is putting on such a show. Plus, we all know how much I love wearing white. 

 x karen

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hi-top casual

Sportsgirl top | Subtitled jacket | One Teaspoon denim shorts | Witchery belt | Converse hi-top

One of the best things about fashion is that its not consistent and you don't have to be consistent.

It's all about the frivolity of dressing up according to your mood and what you're doing that day.

Even if you're going to be in hi-tops and denim shorts all day, there is absolutely nothing stopping 

you from wearing bright red lips like you're Anne Hathaway and ready for the red carpet.

x karen

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Indian summer

Witchery romper | Comme des garcon clutch | Celine new audreys | Saint Laurent arty ring 

The only logical thing to do when hit with an unseasonal heatwave is to scale back to minimal clothing, you may choose

to push the boundaries of decency but please leave that line uncrossed, and carry only your essentials. I managed to 

find this silk ditsy floral print romper in the back of my closet, a practical fossil from the '00s of this century. I chose to

carry only my essentials; sunglasses and a clutch enclosing my phone and credit cards, if only so that I can carry a drink

on one hand and ice cream on the other. 

Finding this jumpsuit also got me thinking about the lifespan of my wardrobe. I dream about having a French lady's 

wardrobe, in which everything is a timeless staple that will weather the harsh realities of ever-changing fashion and trend. 

I dream of being able to reach into my wardrobe and grab any items at random and find myself with an enviably

chic outfit. I've decided to slowly work myself in that direction, even if it means throwing (and by throwing I mean

ebaying) away any unnecessary clutter and buying only the timeless pieces that I will wear over and over again.

And by that I mean, not necessarily the standard classics but the classics that will fit into my life; I mean, I never wear

my Burberry trench as much as I wear my khaki jackets (see here & here) and whilst my Lover lace shorts 

might not be a wardrobe staple for most, but it definitely is for me.

Now comes the hard part, tooth-combing through my wardrobe and wish list to actually identify the classics

and not get distracted by things that I think I will wear but really, who am I fooling?

x karen

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lover in red

 Witchery silk shirt | Lover 'mystical' shorts | Zara clutch | Giuseppe Zanotti for Thakoon boots | Sunday Somewhere sunglasses

I really wish I was able to take a few more photos before my camera battery died on me, but that's what I get for not always

being prepared (thank god I never actually joined the boy scouts!). This white silk shirt which I picked up from Witchery is 

absolutely fantastic, the sleeves end halfway down my hand with a slight billowing effect which makes me feel like

a Romantic Poet (except without Lord Byron's rock star appeal). We all know my love for the Lover mystical shorts 
(on sale here) and I will use any excuse to wear these amazing velvet boots, even if its the middle of summer 
and the fact I don't really have an excuse. 

x karen

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batman ... not that you can tell

Urban Outfitter tee // ASOS denim jacket // Zara skirt // Witchery bag & beanie // Alexander Wang boots

Windy days are probably not ideal for a thin chiffon skirt, I can't even

count the number of people I inadvertently flashed. I swear this was not 

intentional on my part (wholly intentional anyways- I joke!). I'm glad 

decided to bring along my new denim jacket, it was heavy and long

enough to stop most of the Marilyn-above-a-heat-grate moments that

I was having. 

Then, inspired by my tee (Batman print- unfortunately you can't 

see properly), I tried to use it to pretend to be a superhero. 

But the photos are too embarrassing to share.

A lady must learn to at least keep a few secrets- you already

know far too much.

x karen

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denim skirt revival

Bassike denim skirt // Country Road checked shirt // Witchery cardigan // Alexander Wang danica shoes

Spring is the perfect time to start experimenting with layers,
especially anything in the form of a long coat-like cardigan.
This Witchery cardigan is the perfect solution to warm
days and chilly nights.

I never thought I'd see the day where I'm wearing a
short denim skirt again; although they were pretty much my
uniform in high school. But the way that this Bassike
skirt is distressed and sits nonchalantly between
my hips and waist- I love.

x k

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awkward eye contact

Stylestalker shirt // Current/Elliot jeans // Witchery beanie & bag // Acne Rise boots

Sometimes when you're on your way to uni and you've somehow decided to wear

green polka jeans to a very no-frills corporations law class; you have to resist every 

man-repelling fibre of your body telling you to inevitably pair it with an equally 
interestingly patterned top. Who says the pants should have all the fun?

But then you have to ask yourself:

Do you really want to be dressed to attract attention when you've done zero readings?

Sometimes it's all about business on top (to avoid awkward eye-contact with the lecturer

that just asked something that you can't even decipher the question of) and party at the bottom.

And I didn't even have my party shoes on. Which ideally should be tasseled Louboutins 
in a flamingo pink.

What's your favourite outfit to avoid awkward lecturer eye contact? 

Besides skipping class all together.

x k

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I like your steeze, your style.

 Raven Denim chinos // Bassike tee (similar here)// Witchery blazer // Alexander Wang Danica heels // Michael Kors watch // YSL arty ring

Brownie points to anyone who recognises the title ;)

If you've regularly tuned into this program, then you will know how much I adore J Brand jeans (even though I have the occasional wandering eye) but let me tell you this, these Raven Denim chinos really hit the spot, if you know what I mean. I've have an on-and-off relationship with chinos but I've never actually committed, except this one time in high school where I bought a pair of light tan 3/4 chinos and thought I looked super preppy- I sorely missed the yacht. 

I absolutely adore these pants, I can't wait until the weather starts warming up a little bit and I can wear it with a more summery palette. I bought them in my usual size and it was the perfect slouchiness that I wanted. I'm really tempted to buy the same style in navy but I'm really meant to be saving and these aren't that wallet friendly, even though they're worth every dollar.

You will definitely be seeing these around more often!

x

karen

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denim shirt.

Sportsgirl denim shirt // Wrangler denim shorts // Witchery bag // JW Alderson for Aldo heels 

My favourite part of autumn are the days where the sun is out but there's a gentle cool breeze; the perfect scene for layering. But days like these are often wedged between the times when mother nature is on one of her bipolar swings. This was one of those days, the sun was out but there was no breeze and it felt almost like summer. I wore this outfit to the Incu Warehouse Sale and I have never been more thankful for snap close buttons. Of course, these heels were a last minute addition, I would be wholly insane to wear heels to the sale although in retrospect, high heels would have given me a sly advantage; extra height to reach over someone and weapons of mass feet destruction should people be in my way. 

I enjoy the idea of denim on denim, it's a look at I'm wary about wearing myself (too many horrible teenage flashbacks) but this was a safe way of doing denim on denim without too much denim; tongue twister? White denim shorts do with everything, so they are the perfect companion to sales- unless you're trying to be good then I suggest not bothering to go at all. Sales are not meant for good behaviour; go big or go home. Except not really, don't go and buy things you'd never wear again. Unless it's ridiculously cheap, then you're just saving money. Truth.

But I digress, how amazing are these heels? I love the pop of colour at the front and feathery/fringy goodness at the party. They are the perfection addition to an otherwise casual and safe outfit. 

x
karen

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casual saturday.

zara star print blouse // glassons navy cable knit // j brand aidan slouchy boy jeans // aldo jw alderson eakins heels // jennifer zeuner horizontal bar necklace // witchery bag

Just a short post for today- I've been spending my days at uni working on my last two essays for my mid-semester exams. But cheerfully coloured heels always have a way of brightening my days a little bit. I recently bought these heels from the JW Alderson line for Aldo Rise and am absolutely loving them, already they are not as comfortable as my Tony Bianco karissa heels; but they add some insta-colour to my outfit. Anything to make me feel good during a full day of studying.

xx
karen

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blank denim.

Myth Conception silk tee // Sportsgirl military jacket // Blank denim jeans // RMK boots // Witchery bag

I recently bought these pair of Blank Denim jeans after a long search for the perfect pair of yellow denim. Coloured denim has been in style for awhile now but it's always been quite risky in my mind, especially denim; especially after that photo of Mischa Barton. But coloured and printed jeans seem to be the perfect way to bring some colour into my winter wardrobe of greys, whites and blacks. You can obviously see that I'm still obsessed with my military jackets, desperately trying to stop myself from getting too crazy of a collection but I do have a tendency to buy various versions of the same thing. Terrible habit. 

xx
karen

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