SPEND-LESS SHOES SS17 LAUNCH

SPEND-LESS SHOES SS17 LAUNCH

"I collect Vogue, Shoes and compliments"

With the upcoming Adelaide Fashion Festival and exclusive VOGUE Weekend, fashion is on the mind. And when you're galavanting at these social fashion events one thing I've had to learn is graciously accepting compliments in a world where we're taught to negate sincere adorations. 

But more important than Vogue or compliments are... shoes.

At last count I had 37 pairs of shoes and that was a solid 6 months ago (send help). And Spend-Less Shoes isn't doing anything to help me with my (very normal) personal selection of footwear. 

Spend-Less Shoes have officially launched their Spring/Summer 17 collection in conjunction with Party With Lenzo and BeYoung PR. The new range of shoes incorporates styles for your next cocktail night near the beach, Spring Racing Carnivals and extra fashionable Friday nights. 

The evening was hosted at Adelaide's newest devoted event space, Chateau Apollo, where Cassie Young invited the foremost Influencers for a fashion shoot challenge! Which blogger would take out the Spend-Less shoe style crown? The brands that contributed to the nights success include Modern Party, Aeon Collective, Little Big Balloon Co, Pickawall, Studio Botanic, Hello Kit Co, Red Hen Gin, Entourage Events and Food by Annabel.

With a boutique 'shoe bar', bloggers were able to try-on multiple styles available in the SS17 to style with pieces available from Couture+Love+Madness to show themselves and their audiences how versatile and modern Spend-Less's new collection is.

Of course my extra self had to frock on with my House of Zhivago sequin dress, paired with the rose gold 'Evie' heel ($49.99) set in NYC (on the bucket list) to pose for the shot below.... that won me tickets to the Paolo Sebastian AFF Runway! <3 

The event was one of the most well-thought out and memorable experiences I've ever had the pleasure of attending. A big BIG thank you so Spend-Less Shoes for creating an amazing, affordable and fashionable range of shoes for every girl to wear and Cassie from BeYoung PR for orchestrating such an amazing Influencer event.

#ThePairToTakeYouAnywhere

What's your favourite shoe for Summer?

Comfortable Shoes To Wear With Skirts - For Women

Comfortable Shoes To Wear With Skirts - For Women

Cute  Shoes with skirts. Skirts never go out of fashion and look good on anybody figure because of the versatile styles they come in. You can mix and match them with different shoes, shirts, and jewelry which is both time and cost-effective. You can experiment with different lengths and pair them up with stunning shoes. There are a variety of footwear choices to pair up with different types of skirts. But which shoes will look best with your skirt? In this article, we’ll be sharing recommended choices of shoes that you can wear with skirts.

Type Of Shoes To Wear With Different Skirt Styles

 Ankle Boots With Pencil Skirts for Work
Wear neutral-colored ankle boots with pencil skirts to have a balanced look and this also makes your legs look long. Darker shades of ankle boots just make the bottom area of your outfit look heavy. 

 How To Pair Shoes with Trumpet Skirts

Trumpet styled skirts always look good with heels like kitten heels or t-strap heels. Flats, boots or wedges should not even be considered to for wearing with this type of skirt.

Gladiators

If you want a little more classic and formal look for parties and night out wth friends or even for date nights then this combo is the one that you have been looking for. For this combo you can need to wear black cropped top with classic brown colored knee length skirt and then wear a thick and prominent belt with it. For the shoes go for black colored gladiators to spice things up.

Pair Up High Top Sneakers With Skirts For A Classy Look

If you want to add extra spice into your combo game and if you want to make your combo full of different textures then go for this brilliant idea to match your outfit. For this combo, you can go for the off-white colored sleeveless shirt and tuck it all the way inside the black leather mini skirt. For the sneakers, go for leopard print slip on sneakers to give your whole outfit an extra hint of spice.

Golden Shoes For A Super Hot Look
Golden color is quite trending these days. Have fun by pairing glittery golden sandals with a blackish skirt and some funky top to give a totally funky look. If you are wearing totally black dress that includes black shirt and black colored knee length skirt and you feel like going for black shoes is going to be too mainstream then switch to pure golden heels. Gold heels go with any colored dress from blue to orange to black. Give this unique combo a try.

Get A Dapper Look With Brogues
People usually think that brogues can only be worn with styles that are guy inspired but that’s not true any more. Try and pair them up with skirts and enjoy the look. For a dashing and chic combo, you can wear gray colored extremely loose top and tuck it in the jet black skirt in a messy way. For shoes, you can go for Brogues in black and gold colors to match the look because you can never go wrong with the combo of black and gold.

 Riding Boots

 Mules With Skirts
You can pair up mid length skirts with soft colored mules but if you want to pair up mules with a mini skirt then go for the ones that are not much delicate. Contrasting colors are always a great idea when trying to find your shoes to match your whole outfit. For this contrasting look, you can go for leopard print skirt in black and white and then wear a formal blouse in pure white color and tuck that blouse all the way inside your skirt. The skirt can be of any length from knee length full length one, It is totally up to you. For the Shoes, go for bright orange-red colored mules to match with your outfit. You can wear any kind of bright colored mules for this outfit.

Stiletto Heels

 

How To Wear A Black Dress Casually - Tips For Women

How To Wear A Black Dress Casually - Tips For Women

A little black dress can by ultra-sexy.

A little black dress doesn't have to be basic! pretty details like lace, cutouts, sheer panels and strappy necklines can turn a little black dress into a serious statement.

Wear a statement coat with your little black dress.

Let your outerwear do the talking, and try wearing a statement coat with your little black dress.

 

Add a Jacket to Your Little Black Dress.

An easy way to make your cocktail dress a little edgier is by adding a jacket.

Wear Nude Shoes with a Little Black Dress.

Want to make your legs look miles long? Wear nude shoes with your little black dress,. This is a great trick to keep in mind for weddings and special events where you can rock bare legs and you know you'll be having your photo taken.

Wear your little black dress with black tights this winter.

When the chill of winter sets in, a pair of black tights are a woman's best friend. We love the streamlined look of a pair of black tights worn with your favorite little black dress this time of year. This sleek look is perfect for holiday parties and the office—and can be equally dressed up or down for day and night.

Flaunt your curves in a tight little black dress.

If you've got curves—whether they're from a baby bump or just good genes—they will always look amazing in a fitted black dress.

 

A little black dress can go below your knees!

The constraints on just what defines a 'little black dress' have become increasingly wider as fashion itself has become more inclusive. A shiny midi dress like this is still very much an LBD in our book—just an unusual and unique one. We love this daring neckline and pleated skirt combination because it's equal parts 

Try a little (lace) black dress.

Little black lace dresses are perhaps our favorite take on this iconic frock. Lace adds an element of femininity and whimsy, which we love. There are plenty of ways you can dress a lace dress up

How to wear Pretty Pastels

How to wear Pretty Pastels

WEARING PASTELS

It’s true what they say; all things old become new again and isn’t that true for the timeless, ever-so feminine and beautifully classic pastel trend. Pastels always find their way onto our radar at this time of year. Pale, romantic and pretty pastels are a simple yet playful colour palette to keep in your closet. Soft and gentle, pastels can give you the ultimate feminine look. Pastels are a reoccurring feature in summer fashion so it's no great surprise that they are back on the high street again. However, this year sees even paler tones.

Look for colours such as pale yellow, blush pink, icy blue, or light lavender, it's both pretty and appropriate for the season. Feminine and pristine this trend is probably one of the most suited to summer as it looks beautiful combined with subtle ditsy floral prints. This trend will ensure that you look cool, girly and stylish. 

Here are just a few fashion tips to help you wear this popular trend:

I am a massive fan of casual dresses which come up in pastel hues for that luxe carefree look. If you’re looking for the ideal way to look sweet and pretty, then aim for a solid pastel dress. A delicate pastel piece can be used in a variety of ways and is unbelievably versatile. Add a tan bag for the perfect finishing touch.


One of the easiest ways to wear pastels is wearing prints, if you prefer not to go for an all-over print choose one pastel printed item such as a skirt and team this with a neutral coloured top with no print! 

You can separate an all over pastel outfit by keeping neutral shades in your accessories. Turn to tan or grey in particular with belts, shoes, handbags and hats. These break up the colour and help you avoid looking washed out.


Pastels can be mixed with darker colours such as navy and grey. These muted tones are a great slimming technique if you’re worried pastels highlight problem areas.  

Wearing pastel coloured pants would be the most timeless option. It can easily be worn with a neutral top; white, grey, black, etc. All depending on the chosen colour! try wearing your trousers with pumps of the same colour but in a darker shade. 

Choose one colour and stick with it throughout your outfit. Pastel coloured clothing itself looks good without too many finishes – the simpler your pastel tone clothing, the better.

You can never go wrong with denim, and pairing your pastel top with a pair of jeans, it adds a touch of sweetness and modernity to the look. A darker wash will give it a more formal look, so if you want something fresher, a lighter wash like chambray will do the trick.

Wear Pastels as Accessories, Wear a neutral outfit-it makes pale accessories really pop.  Choose a statement necklace or a light-coloured handbag. Cream and beige tones are the most versatile of all the pastel shades. They go with any other pastel or neutral shade. 

Yet another way to tackle the pastel trend is to colourblock.  Wear Pastels with Other Pales but Make sure all your pieces are in the same colour family and Make sure that pastel tones you pick do not look like a continuation of your skin.

The most important rule of pastel shades is not to overdo it with all the sweetness. Instead, try to tone it down by accessorising your pastel clothes with pieces in black, white or other neutral tones. Beige and grey shades will also help you balance things out.  

Here are a few chic pastel pieces that will ensure you are on trend this season.

ASOS UK Cord Jacket in Pastel Blue

ASOS UK - Pastel Stripe Rib ruffle bodysuit top

ASOS UK Pimkie Pastel Pink Ripped Detail Skinny Jeans

Zeagoo Women's Loose Ruffle Sleeveless Chiffon Pastel Blouse

AX PARIS Bodycon Midi Dress Pink

DOLCIS BEATRIX Sandal Pastel Pink

CALL IT SPRING Mateare Sandals Blue

For a little more inspiration, take a look at how these fashion bloggers are styling their pastel colour this season.

Elle fanning pastel fashion

Kristina Bazan - Paris Fashion Week street style

I hope these style tips on wearing pastel colours has given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo





WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Editors notes:  This post was originally posted in August 2012 and has been updated

RECAP - MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK

RECAP - MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK

Melbourne Fashion Week took over the footpath of Swanston Street for its annual week long offering that launches the beginning of Spring and Summer and the social season in which Melbourne comes alive. 

Suit: Jack London

Shirt: Department 5

Socks: Gucci

Shoes: Ben Sherman

Bag: No Name

Sunglasses: Arockonalens

The fashion obsessed flowed into the Melbourne Town Hall to view the latest offerings from both designers and retailers with their glasses of champers in hand. It is always a great environment to catch up with your fellow stylish friends, see familiar faces behind a camera and meet new and exciting people that your normally only communicate with through your instagram feed. The MFW Bar meant serious business inside with its set up and exhibition space, which unfortunately did not flow outside to the claustrophobic outdoor area on the footpath either side of the entrance. 

Courtesy: Mamamia

For dedicated fashion addicts there were a handful of people on the street that peaked my interest. Hoards of bloggers, influencers and wannabes presented their best offerings for the camera's as they circled the block. As you know the louder and more individual you are in your clothes, the more likely you are to peak the interest of the papz and be snapped. In this case I felt like I was stuck inside a photo shoot for a menswear suit catalog. After a week of viewing the street styles I was left with the impression that Australian menswear fashion is still relatively conservative, with not much evolution between seasons or even years. Thankfully there were standouts from the ladies who bought their A game to the footpath injecting understated chicness and colourful combinations whilst braving the chilly nights.

Shirt & Blazer: James Harper

Pants: Department 5

Shoes: Lacoste

Bag: Doucals

Sunglasses: Gucci

Trends that dominated the footpath outside the shows:

Street Luxe - The number one dominating trend was the mixing of streetwear with high fashion. Of course all black ensembles were everywhere, and the opposite. All white was also present like a flock of seagulls searching for a potato chip. 

Florals - As Miranda Priestly so eloquently put it, florals for Spring. Groundbreaking. Let's move on.

Belts - Belts were everywhere. Some good, some bad and some that I will be happy to never see again. If I see one more GG gold belt I think I will scream as it has replaced the tiresome YSL tassel bag that every woman has been renting for the last year.

Men in Suts - When it comes to men's suits there were some stylish accessories to set off the slim tailored fits that were on display. Plenty of pocket squares and lapel pins which showed individuality of the wearer. There were minimal pleated trousers which have been huge in Europe for the last two years and plenty of loafers with no socks. Special shout out to the gents who took the stuffiness out of menswear and wore something a little different and didn't play it safe. Bravo.

Pretty Ugly Shoes - Delighted to see so many wonderful shoes with different hardware and embellishments in a variety of styles both on men and women. Thigh high leather tan boots on women with chunky heels were a regular staple. The elaborate shoes would not normally be considered pretty but the vulgarity and opulence was beautiful and refreshing to see in Melbourne. ADORE!

Fur - Fur accessories adorned everything from earrings to bags and shoes. Poor little critters will live on for seasons to come after being dyed in fabulous colours providing a lux

vibe to ensembles.

Blazer & Coat: Oxford

Shirt, Tie, Pocket Squares & Shorts: James Harper

Sweater: Ted Baker

Socks:  Gucci

Most of the shows were exactly as I feared, producing safe visions of well groomed and pruned ensembles ready for the horse racing season in a few months. The flare for dramatics or igniting a point of difference was eliminated by many big designers that played it safe and delivering much of what they have for the previous seasons. However there were a few examples of inspiration and creativity that will be burned in my mind for a while. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for updates

Garage Runway - As much as I enjoy a good summer dress, there was a lot of black and muted tones or uninspiring patterns that were constantly reused. I understand ethical fashion and the need to be wise with materials, but without variety comes boredom. I have seen so many dresses inspired by Queen B's baseball bat twirling dress to last me a lifetime. 

Menswear Garage - Alike the aforementioned it was held in the basement of the Melbourne Town Hall, the likes of Amxander, Jack London, Autonomy, Chris Ran Lin and Dom Bagnato sent styles down the runway that unfortunately did not peak my interest. Following European trends with oversized bumbags across the chest and numerous patterned materials that were reused for different pieces, there were a few nice pieces but nothing that made me gasp. The overall vibe of the show was trying to be edgy with the model selection, music, skateboards and styling, that it all felt the same. I left a little deflated after this showing.

David Jones - The creative styling team behind the show should be commended for creating safe ensembles that would peak the interest of suburban housewives and gents who require a suit for the races. A huge retailer like David Jones do know their target audience very well and this showcased their knowledge of their consumer, right down to the YSL heels or The Kingsman inspired gentlemen that will soon appear on movie screens.

Premium Runway Four - Finally an injection of what fashion means to me. There were opulent embellishments, tassels, fabric choices, voluminous sleeves and dramatics in the styling including a little homage to good old Formation film clip. The line up of deisgners meshed well together although once again there was a little too much black on the catwalk for my liking, but it is Melbourne after all and black sells. 

Premium Runway - Closing - The saying "Leave the best to last" was true of closing night of the festival with some inspirational displays sent down the ice melting runway. In a week that started off rather underwhelming it was good to wrap the festival up on a positive note with some of Australia’s most popular labels such as Romance Was Born, solid stand out for me.

After a few seasons not attending what was Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and rebranded MFW, it was pleasant to see new ideas influence the program and inject some much needed innovation into the festival. Melbourne has serious pride in it's events and the team behind Melbourne Fashion Week should be commended for staying current and on trend whilst producing a solid program. A huge shout out to the volunteers who spent 12 hour days holding the festival together. Round of applause.

I believe that some of the designers need to lift their game if they wish to retain current supporters of their brands, or attract new customers. By the end of the week photographers were not on the streets, media pit at the end of the runway appeared a little thin and there were many empty seats in the town hall creating an underwhelming atmosphere. With Melbourne Fashion Festival receiving an injection of funding from the State Government recently it will be interesting to see if the fashion capital is big enough for both Fashion Week and Fashion Festival. Let the catwalk battles begin.