Trenery's New Loungewear Range

My loungewear and sleepwear are some of the most important items in my wardrobe. So naturally, I'm excited about Trenery's new sleepwear and loungewear ranges!

Winter Boots

Last Winter I missed out on new ankle boots because I left it too late. This year, I will have the upper hand!

My bone-coloured suede ankle boots have seen me through two seasons and are, I'll admit, starting to look a little tatty. This year I want to get a new pair of tan/camel boots for weekends (lower heel), a black pair for work and another black pair for weekends. Am I up for the challenge? Maybe...

Starting with the black boots, here are some that have caught my eye:

For Work

 Country Road $229

Mi Piaci $290

Trenery $279

For the Weekend

Sam Edelman (Shopbop) $180

Martini Marco (Mischief Shoes) $250

Pastels are My Friends

I'm not normally a pastels kind of girl. When pastels roll around again in fashion, this equation usually comes front of mind: Pasty skin + Not a size 10 + Not 23 = YOU WILL LOOK TRAGIC IN PASTELS

So, I generally avoid them.

But this year, I have decided to decode pastels and try to make those bastards work for my body/skin tone/advanced age. Rather than source a garment from every colourway, I shall embrace blue and work it back with tan, white and gold. Here is what I have found so far on my online travels...

Blank Denim Pale Blue Boyfriend Jeans

Karen Walker Baby Blue/Gold Enamel Bangle

Tory Burch Shoulder Bag

Trenery Silky Blouse 

Witchery Shoulder Bag

Suu Gold Bangle

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Teaming a soft grey wool sweater with skinnies and ballet flats is an easy option for Sunday mornings!

Jumper: Trenery| Jeans: Workshop | Shoes: Country Road | Bangle: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Gold Bracelet: Charlotte Penman | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze in Crazy Tort'

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Back In Black

Jumper: Jigsaw UK | Jeans: Trenery | Bag (worn as clutch): Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) | Scarf: David Lawrence | Shoes: Top End | Bracelet: Moochi | Sunglasses: 'Deep Freeze' Karen Walker

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Trans-Seasonal Dressing

I always have a trenchcoat in my closet. It's the perfect layer when it's too mild for a wool coat, but there's still a cool nip in the air...

Trenchcoat: Country Road (similar here) | Clutch: Witchery | Jeans: Trenery | Shoes: Country Road | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

Image © Copyright Sara Mole

A Leopard in the Urban Jungle

This post marks the beginning of my collaboration with local photographer Sara Mole. Stay tuned for more images from around our fantastic city of sails.


Want to try animal print but afraid of looking like an extra from Coronation Street? Try a grey print instead of the usual yellow or orange-toned leopard print. You get the best of both worlds: elegance with a bit of an edge. Keep accessories minimal and the silhouette simple:

Top: Witchery | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) | Jeans: Trenery | Shoes: Top End | Bracelet: Moochi |  Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

All Images © Copyright Sara Mole

Orange

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jumper: Country Road (2011) | Jeans: Trenery (Current) | Scarf: David Lawrence (2012) | Shoes: Sambag (Current) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze'

 

Photos by Paul D.

 

   



Style Inspiration: My Friend Hayley

So a few weekends ago we were at an open home and my dear friend Hayley rocks up in a simple yet stylish outfit for a Saturday morning. So I decided to copy her.

The outfit was black skinny jeans, black ballet flats and a navy tee. Casual yet so pulled together. Hayley is a fellow 40+ chick, just a few months younger than me. Here is my take on her look from that day:



Bright Star Tee in 'Smut' | Andrea Moore | Sold Out

 

  

 

Slim Black Jean | Trenery | $109.95 | 6 - 18 

 

  

 

Cecily Stud Point Flats | Country Road | $149.00  | 37 - 42

 

 

 

And below is the outfit featuring these very three items on me. The tee has some subtle sequin action going on, just hard to capture on film. I really hope Andrea Moore repeats this style. The flats are selling out. I bought my pair yesterday and they are very cool:

 

 

 Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Deep Freeze; Leather Cuff: Dyberg Kern

Photos by Paul D

 

 



Medicinal Flats

So I have been diagnosed with vertigo. Felt dizzy today at work, lay down for an hour, felt sick. Paul had to come and collect me and our car (thanks to Jan for dropping him off!). Doctor says it's vertigo. So that means flat shoes at work until I get my balance back. Luckily, I have just started looking for some new point-toe flats for Autumn/Winter. Here are my latest style crushes. Country Road has a fantastic range:check them all out online. I have tried on the three styles from CR below and they are true to size.

Note: Country Road and Trenery have a spend and save on for card holders: spend $300 get $100 off; spend $150 get $50 off.



Verona Stud Point | Country Road | $149 | 35 - 42

Blythe Spot Point | Country Road | $149 | 37 - 40





Cecily Stud Point | Country Road | $149 | 36 - 42

Delphine Ballet | Trenery | $149 | 36 - 42



Jacqueline Cap Tou Suede Flats | Messeca New York (Shopbop) | $242 | 6 - 10

 



Avignon Ballet Flats With Cap Toe | B Brian Atwood (Shopbop) | $342 | 5.5 - 10

Winter Coats

I always find buying a Winter coat a challenge. For me, elegance and practicality are key and so is quality. With coats, you really do get what you pay for. If going for a cheaper coat, accept that the fabric quality will be low. If you have the time, compare a cheaper coat with one that's $50.00 or $100.00 more expensive. Decide if you can stretch a little more for a better-quality coat. It's a substantial garment, so aim for the best quality you can afford.

If your budget means you have to go for a cheaper coat, check the following:

- Are the seams straight?
- Is the lining in the sleeves sitting right? Does it come out of the sleeve when you put your arm in?
- Do the lapels sit flat? No amount of ironing will alter this so put it back if in doubt.
- Are the sleeves long enough?
- Does it have pockets? A cheaper coat may be missing these and you will hate that come August!
- Are the buttons secure?
- Does it actually make you look and feel great or are you just happy it's a cheap buy?
- Live in Wellington? Dunedin? Invercargill? Do you really believe acrylic is as warm as wool?

A bit early in the season, but here is an edit of what's in local stores/online for Southern Hemisphere AW13. A real mix of styles here - corporate and casual. I have categorised them into price ranges to make it easier for you to stick to your budget. My personal favourites are the Military Pea Coat from Portmans (casual) and the Reefer Double-Breasted Car Coat from David Lawrence (corporate). I am waiting on Saba to release their coat range. They do amazing coats so as soon as they release, I will update you. Also, old standby Country Road should release their coat range in the next week or so after the mid-season sale is over.

Thanks to my gorgeous cousin Selina for the inspiration for this story. Enjoy!

Under $200

 

 Hooded Double-Breasted Coat | Glassons | $79.99 | 6 - 16

 A cute take on the pea coat style. The hood makes it a cool weekend coat. Note: this is acrylic, not wool.

 

 

 Classic Double-Breasted Coat | Glassons | $99.99 | 6 - 16

 Can't afford a trench coat and a wool coat? This combines both! Wear belted for a chic silhouette. Note: acrylic, not wool.

Abbie Single-Breasted Coat | Forever New | $99.99 | 6 - 16 | More colours
Forever New has a great range of cute coats in a range of sizes and styles. They tend to produce more lighter colour options, so if you're seeking a non-black coat look here. This Winter white coat has a simple shape that would look great in any budget fashionista's closet. The pleating detail is really pretty too.

Military Pea Coat | Portmans | 6 - 16 | $149.95
I love the details in this coat. Faux leather collar and shoulders; big buttons. Perfect weekend coat with a striped tee or jumper underneath, black skinny jeans and some cute ankle boots. This coat would look great on a 20-something, a 40-something... a 60-something...
 

 

$200 - $500 

 Essential Work Coat | Max | $249 | 6 - 18 

Like the military trend but not ready for epaulettes and medals? This coat's fit and flare shape, big buttons and wide lapel provide a very subtle take on the military trend. Medals optional.

  

  Italian Melton Tab Detail Retro Coat | Marcs | AU$399.00 | 6 - 12 | More colours
Not the best size range but this coat is a lovely mid-price option. A very chic shape and the powder blue colour is stunning. Also comes in yellow and red. If you wear mostly black, this is your perfect coat. 

  Wool Trench | Trenery | $399.00 | XS - XXL | Wool/Cashmere

A classic, elegant coat combining some key trends: cashmere, camel and trench.

 

 

Double-Breasted Wool Coat | Witchery | AU$399.00 | 6 - 16 

Another military-inspired coat and also one which celebrates the return of the double-breasted style.

 

 

Lipped-Collared Coat | David Lawrence | AU$359.20 (on sale) | 6 - 18

Heard about the 1920s influence on fashion this season? It's not all about flapper dresses and Downton Abbey beading, friends. The cocoon coat is a classic '20s shape. This coat is a modern take on the original (though they would typically have a single button positioned at the hip). The influence of pale blue is strong this season.

 

 

Reefer Double-Breasted Car Coat | David Lawrence | AU$319.20 (on sale) | 6 - 18

Burgandy was a key colour on the AW catwalks in the Northern Hemisphere. This plum car coat is elegant and affordable - and bang on-trend. A perfect shade to offset your black, charcoal and navy Winter work wardrobe...

  

 

$500 - $800 





Active Cape | Andrea Moore | $675.00 |  S - L | More colours

Capes are a cool alternative to coats and can work well for both a corporate and high-casual look.

 

 

 Catherine Trench | Kate Sylvester | $895.00 | XS - L | More colours 

Another wool trench. This Kate Sylvester coat comes in Marine (above), Aqua and Black. The Marine colourway is in the Teed Street store window now!

  

Soft Wool Coat | Veronika Maine | AU$449.00 | 6 - 16 

Liven up this plain grey coat with a colourful scarf. A nice easy coat in a flattering single-breasted shape (good if you are larger in the bust).

 $1,000+

 Awe-Inspiring Coat | Karen Walker Mainline | $1,015.00 | 6 - 12 | More colours
From the current Fantastique Magnifique Mainline collection, this baby-pink swing coat is a real investment but would be yours forever. Also comes in caramel.