New Zealand Gets FCUKd

Forgive the title of this post (crass but irresistible).

After weeks of keeping my beady eye on Nuffield Street, on my Tuesday morning coffee walk I noticed that the French Connection store fit-out is finally underway. The website says that the store will be open in June 2015. A month later than the hype earlier this year suggested, but underway. My Air NZ Kia Ora magazine a couple of weeks ago said that the store opened in May! No doubt newsletter subscribers will receive an email announcing the grand opening.

The arrival of French Connection comes hot on the heels of two other international brands (Topshop and Seed Heritage). This is great news for the NZ fashionista, and a good shake up for some tired local brands (Glassons and Max I'm looking at you).

So what does French Connection have to offer the 40-plus woman? A lot as it happens. And their sizing goes up to a NZ 16. FCUK is more about casual wear, but some items can be interpreted as work wear with some imagination. Here are my picks from the current collection. All prices in AUD:

Aztec Fringe Poncho $69.95

Punch Hole Belt $45

PU Biker Zip Jacket $169.95

Large Check Cape $69.95

Safia Clutch $99.95

I Heard a Rumour...

French Connection is coming to New Zealand. Watch this space...

Oversized

Jumper: Saba | Tshirt: Juliette Hogan | Jeans: French Connection | Leopard Clutch: Oroton | Black Clutch: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Shoes: Zara | Bangle (right hand): Marc by Marc Jacobs | Bracelet (left hand): Charlotte Penman | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Details

Tshirt: Juliette Hogan | Black Jumper: Saba | Jeans: French Connection | Boots: Mi Piaci | Shoes: Zara | Bangle (right hand): Marc by Marc Jacobs | Gold Bracelet (left hand): Charlotte Penman | Silver Bracelet (left hand): Zabbana | Clutch: Oroton | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Pop of Colour

Tshirt: Juliette Hogan | Jeans: French Connection | Scarf: H&M | Shoes: Zara | Bangle (right hand): Marc by Marc Jacobs | Bracelet (left hand): Charlotte Penman Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Preppy

I have wanted to try the shirt-under-jumper preppy look for a while now. The only thing holding me back has been finding a white shirt to fit over my ridiculous bosom. Success, thanks to UK shirtmaker Charles Tyrwhitt (more about this brand in a separate post).

This combo is surprisingly comfortable. I thought the shirt would get all bunched up but it doesn't. It's also a versatile look. Below, I have styled it two ways simply by changing my jeans and footwear. There's a lot going on so I have kept my jewellery to a minimum.

Look one: Skinny boyfriend jeans + heels (think casual Friday, casual dinner out):

  Jumper: Country Road (colour sold out, similar here) | Shirt: Charles Tyrwhitt | Jeans: Workshop | Shoes: Top End | Silver Dove Ring (old): Zabbana | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'



Look two: Skinny jeans + ballet flats (think weekend, casual conference/seminar):

Jumper: Country Road | Shirt: Charles Tyrwhitt | Jeans: French Connection | Shoes: Country Road (sold out, similar here) | Silver Dove Ring (old): Zabbana | Clutch (old): Witchery | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

Photos by Paul D (standing in the rain! xx) 



Shopping Sisters

Every Queens's Birthday Weekend since 2004 my gorgeous sister Tanya and I have met in Wellington for a three-day sisters' weekend of shopping, eating and coffees! About this time, we start thinking about what we will look for. Here's my starter list...

Large Black Clutch Bag
Black Patent Point-toe Heels
Casual Trench Coat
Slim-leg Black Work Pants
Winter Dress

To be honest, I am in a bit of a weird place with my clothes. It's all about fit (or lack of it) for me lately. I am getting lots of alterations done as I have slimmed down but still remain big in the bust. That means I often have to stick to size L or XL to cater for the bust but have an excess of fabric around the mid section.

So, this year's Wellington shopping mantra for me is 'fit and silhouette'.

In the meantime, I had some online shopping success. My French Connection skinnies are getting a bit old so I sourced some new ones (ordered Tuesday from Australia, arrived Friday). What great service!

Autumn Casual

These photos were taken in Oamaru's beautiful, unique historic precinct on a recent visit to celebrate my niece Jade's 21st birthday. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze' | Top: Country Road | Jeans: French Connection | Boots: Mi Piaci | Bracelet: Moochi

Photos by Paul D.

 



Tricky Trend: What The Tuck?

Noticed a bit of this happening in fashion shots and apparel retailers' marketing?

Photo: J Crew

Photo: Country Road

The art of tucking a small part of your top into your jeans, trousers, shorts or skirt is trickier than it looks. Add to that a tummy and the heightened risk of camel toe and I don't blame you for approaching with caution, friends. As I have less of a tummy these days I am finally able to wear my skinnies with tops that don't necessarily cover my nether regions. So, I have tackled the tuck and come up with my own take on this trend. In these photos, I have taken a simple grey tee and tucked in a tiny amount of the hem into my jeans, then pulled it out slightly to create some excess fabric:

 

 

Tee: Country Road; Jeans: French Connection; Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'; Bracelet: Moochi; Shoes: Superga

Photos by Paul D