cult of clothes

I’m back from my adventures! Are you happy to see me? I got married, I flew to Europe, I climbed the Eiffel Tower, I saw hundreds of paintings in hundreds of museums, I drove through the Alps in a thunderstorm, I got lost many times in five major European cities, I shopped at Zara in all five of said cities, I swam in the Mediterranean, I avoided sunburn and pickpocketing and I ate at least one croissant every single day. And now I’m back in Sydney, six suitcases full of stuff and one husband richer.

It’s been a challenge going from adventure mode to sitting-in-a-chair-working-12-hour-days mode and I must admit, I’ve been a grumpy camper. I’ve been the sort of camper whose camping trip has been rained out. The sort of camper who is stuck inside a leaky one-person tent that she can’t stand up in and all her socks are wet and she can’t start a fire so all she’s been eating are cold cans of spaghetti and all she’s been doing is sulking and wondering if she’ll be eaten by a bear soon. Going back to work after holidaying in Europe is like eating cold cans of spaghetti in the rain and then getting eaten by a bear.

There’s one consolation that makes going back to work a little bit better: getting to be creative with my work wardrobe. Of course that creativity has to exist within the confines of a corporate environment where the boring, sometimes ill-fitting pin striped suit is king, but I try to live by the sage advice given to me by a very successful businesswoman: you’re not a man, so there’s no need to dress like one.

Carefully following that advice, I’ve put together a wardrobe full of bright, feminine dresses and silk blouses, skirts in different styles and shapes and colourful bags, belts and shoes that will set me apart from all the other worker bees. I was just starting to run out of creative ways to avoid wearing a suit when this editorial in the Australian Financial Review Magazine came along. It made me hop around the office in excitement because I had found my new inspiration.

Of course he’s checking her out. She’s wearing Prada.

Tags: Style, Testify! by Grace
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I’m not quite sure why I’ve never heard of Thread Social before. You’d think the cuteness of their collections would have haunted my dreams (in an adorable way), but I guess Sydney is just too far away from New York for such haunting. My ignorance must be a signal that I should be spending more time trawling the internet for neat things to buy instead of wasting my time on silly things like going to work every day.

Against my better judgement, Thread Social is inspiring in me a new appreciation for things like rompers, jumpsuits, high waisted shorts and harem pants. When the models look so huggably amazing, how can a girl resist? Maybe the right cut in a romper won’t reduce me to looking like a gnome in the wardrobe of a five-year-old. Maybe a well made pair of high waisted shorts won’t make me look like a box, as wide as I am tall. Excuse me while I rush off to the shops to find out. Right after we have a little drool over my favourite looks:

SPRING 2010

I really love the dress below, but I suspect it wouldn’t be too tough to make at home. My DIY projects always start out infused with so much hope and excitement. Then, after hours and days of toiling over the sewing machine, or hand stitching tiny beads onto fabric, I always seem to end up with some ill-fitting, strange-looking heap of fabric that I’m forced to banish to the back of my closet because I’m sick of looking at it. But, in spite of my dramatic complaining, I remain undeterred and every couple of months I embark on a new project, hopeful and excited all over again. Stay tuned for either frustration or elation when I finish trying to make my own version of this dress.

This is the beautiful romper that keeps singing its pesky siren song to me:

I pledge my heart to these shorts. Actually, this whole outfit:

RESORT 2009

This gorgeous dress needs to be part of my outfit repertoire for the little post-wedding Roman holiday I’m taking with the Boyfriend next June:

And in case I spill marinara sauce on the first dress, I can always change into this lovely variation:

HOLIDAY 2009

This jumpsuit looks pretty chic-ghetto fabaluss on the model, but I suspect it would just look ghetto on me:

But who needs jumpsuits when there are things like this lovely dress. Get in my closet IMMEDIATELY!

Tags: Cult covets, Featured designer, Resort, Spring / Summer, Style by Grace
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Tonight I met Scott Schuman, the Sartorialist, at the sass & bide store on Oxford St. in Sydney. He’s in Australia to promote his book and was doing a book signing at the store.

I waited in line for three hours, clutching my copy of his book and cursing myself because I stuffed so much heavy junk into my handbag that it made my shoulder ache. I made two buddies in line, Lanny and Lauren. We were all so nervous that when our turn came, we decided to get our books signed together.  It’s not every day you get to meet someone as exciting as Scott Schuman, and sometimes you need moral support. When he signed my book, he told me that his first girlfriend’s name was Grace. It made me even more tongue tied than I already was, but my heart went thumpa thumpa with glee.

The three hour wait was extra specially boring, so I entertained myself by taking photos of the shop windows.

After queuing down the sidewalk for two hours, we finally got inside the store. And then we waited some more.

The sass & bide store is quite a clever space, what with the smashed mirrors on the ceiling:

and the giant (actually just horse-sized) leather horse at the back:

Then, sitting at a table behind the horse, there he was:

and here we are, looking goofy and star struck:

<3 <3 <3

Tags: Events, Style by Grace
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I used to salivate at the news agent every two months, waiting for the new Russh magazine to arrive. I loved the grainy, out-of-focus editorials, the 60s & 70s flavour, the bizarre styling of clothes on models with the bodies of tall, skinny teenagers and the fact that their book reviewer shares my middle name: Pilar. That the magazine is published every two months made snatching up the newest issue even more exciting.

But I haven’t picked up Russh in a long time. It may be that my taste has changed, or that I’ve gotten tired of the 60s & 70s flavour, or that no matter how hard I try, as a 29-year-old short girl, I can’t identify with clothes that only look good draped on models with the bodies of tall, skinny teenagers. For whatever reason, I needed a break.

I was pleasantly surprised when their November/December 2009 issue caught my eye. The new matte cover done in tones of dusty pink and Daul Kim’s proud face were enough to make me hungrily snap up the magazine, just like in the old days.

I’d never heard of Daul Kim before, but I was drawn to her unique face. It’s not that often that you see an Asian model on the cover of a western magazine, but there she was: bleach blonde hair lopped crazily on top, bronzed skin, black eyebrows, lanky slim body with legs that reach out to forever, gorgeous blue satin boots, all beautifully topped off with ATTITUDE. I thought, I’ve found my new favourite model. I also thought, Dear Santa, could I please have those boots for Christmas? I promise to be nice to my sister, within reason. (They’re Meadham Kirchhoff, and I’m pretty sure I DON’T love that The-Ring-just-climbed-out-of-a-well-all-creepy-like thing they’ve got going on with their homepage image).

Here are some shots from the editorial, brazenly scanned from the pages of the magazine. Thanks Russh! I think you’re pretty awesome.

Source: Russh magazine November/December 2009

Over the next few days, I happily thumbed through the pages of the editorial, studying the outfits, her burning stare and of course my new boots. You can imagine my surprise when I read that she had committed suicide.

It makes me feel sad that some people’s grip on life is so tenuous. For some people, holding onto life is like holding onto a thick, soft, silky rope. It’s easy and comfortable. For other people, it’s like holding onto barbed wire. Sometimes they need to let go.

R.I.P. Daul Kim

Tags: Models, Style by Grace
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It would be a totally worthy trade.

The good people at Urban Outfitters have added this brilliant piece to their offering:

Source: www.urbanoutfitters.com

I think it’s a pretty worthy opponent for the famous Three Wolf Moon t-shirt. (Read the product description on Amazon. Truly genius) Urban Outfitters’ wolf tank’s mystical powers would include: looking stylish in the face of danger, fitting 100 pairs of shoes neatly into a tiny closet and wrangling cheap rent from the landlord by batting fluffy eyelashes in order to secure funds to buy even more shoes.

Tags: Cult covets, Shopping, Style by Grace
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Everyone, I’m pleased to introduce Miss Twig Penelope Bikington:

She’s a Schwinn Supreme cruiser and was born in China, but shortly after her birth, she moved to Manly. A couple of weeks ago I took the ferry over to adopt her from the Manly Cycles Cruiser Shop and now she lives on my balcony. You may think that’s not the most dignified abode for such a prim lady, but she enjoys the fresh air and the company of my little grapefruit tree.

She takes me to the gym and work most days, and sometimes we just amble around the neighbourhood, I, in a nifty outfit and she, pretty in purple.

Since Penelope moved in, I’ve discovered a new appreciation for my LeSportsac by Tokidoki travel bag. Riding a bike with a handbag (as opposed to a shoulder bag) is pretty awkward but my LeSportsac can scrunch up to neatly fit in the basket, or I can use the long strap to sling it over my shoulder, messenger style. I’ve always thought being a bike messenger would be cool, but somehow I don’t think the bike messengers in the city would take kindly to being joined by a girl wearing a dress riding around on a 7 gear bike with a basket. Snobs.

Here she is having a rest in the park near my house:

And the always important cycling accessory:

It’s not just a bag, it’s also a reminder for me to do things like brush my teeth:

eat my evil watermelon:

and make sure my friends get their recommended daily intake of poison:

FIN.

Tags: Accessories, Bicycle style, Style by Grace
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I’m really inspired by this outfit from a photo by the Sartorialist. From her sinewy, lean legs to the wonderful combination of textures in her outfit, I think this girl looks amazing and I must immediately rush out and copy her. So I’ve been poking around online and at the markets in search of the perfect textured, embellished jacket. Usually I’m on the hunt for the perfect, beaten up black leather jacket, but I never seem to find one that I can afford or that fits me properly, so I think I’ll give up that hunt in favour of shinier things. Like these:

Topshop

Source: www.topshop.com

Club Monaco

Source: www.clubmonaco.com

Antik Batik

Source: www.netaporter.com

I came across these two little vintage gems at the Glebe markets a couple of weekends ago. They’re not exactly jackets, but I think they’re beautiful. The pictures were a bit hastily shot because the stall owner was glowering at me while I photographed her wares without buying anything. Some people are such grumps.

Tags: Cult covets, Style by Grace
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The last two episodes of Gossip Girl have been filled with celebrity cameo gimmickry. First there was Tyra Banks playing a diva (which is obviously a massive stretch), and then Sonic Youth made an appearance at the end of the latest episode. Sonic Youth?!! ON GOSSIP GIRL??!!! I don’t think I can abuse punctiation enough to express how wrong that is! I love Gossip Girl, but Sonic Youth, I believe the appropriate term here is “sell out.”

I once was a proper 90s grungy kid, but I’ve never really liked Sonic Youth. Their music is usually so mumbly and tuneless and their performance on the show was the pinnacle of suck.

Gossip Girl is probably my favourite show in the history of my entire life, but it was a stretch for me to enjoy the last couple of episodes.

Lucky for me, Blair looked fabulous as usual, and was a happy distraction from Serena’s whining and Vanessa’s cork wedge sandals. Here’s the ultimate power couple observing the commoners at a wedding:

Source: www.instyle.com

Blair is wearing a dress from the Valentino RED collection, and Chuck is wearing good bone structure and handsome. Blair really is a girl after my own heart. Just the other day I was thinking about how much I adore Valentino, and here she is wearing this stunning dip dyed, textured Valentino dress in some amazing colours. Swoon.

Tags: Cult covets, Gossip Girl, Style by Grace
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You know what I’ve realised since the whole Kanye West / Taylor Swift debacle at the MTV Awards? It’s not that Kanye is a jerk, or that Taylor is sweet natured, or even that her music is any good. I’ve realised that the girl is one chic 19-year-old. If, when I was 19, I had had the budget or the taste that Taylor has, there would have been a lot fewer clunky boots and mini-skirts in my past. You’ve got to give me a break though. I grew up in a town where bi-laws prohibit buildings from being over five stories high in the downtown core and skate shoes worn with flare jeans are de rigueur. You think there was such a thing as fashion there? There was no fashion. Only Aldo from the 90s.

I’ve been seeing more and more photos of Taylor looking super chic popping up all over the place. This probably coincides with the fact that her music is becoming more popular, but who cares about music? Taylor’s style is genius! The paparazzi snap her loafing around town wearing a sweet, colourful circle skirt and tangled strappy top, or in a shimmery mini dress showing off the gamine, gangly, fashiony legs that could only belong to a teenager or a foal.

Here are some photos of her nabbed from www.people.com:

Photo: www.people.com

This dress looks like it’s been sprinkled with gold dust. Her lovely petite figure absolutely can pull of the giant bow at the bust. Note her contrasting short, red nails. Taylor, I think you, me and Blair could be bestest friends. Call me.

Photo: www.people.com

This shade of purple isn’t my favourite for my colouring, but it looks fab with her hair colour and complexion. Blondes take note: this rich shade of lilac is perfect for you. I also love how her signature winged eyeliner is really strong in this picture. And those shoes? Let’s just say I would consider selling my boyfriend into slavery for those shoes. They simultaneously complement and contradict the sweet, soft ruffles of the dress and make the whole look edgy and modern.

Photo: www.people.com

The dresses, from left to right, are by Aussie designer Collette Dinnigan and KaufmanFranco, a designer I’ve never heard of before but am keen to see more from. The KaufmanFranco dress is a stunner and I love the subtle and strategic horizontal strap under her right arm which keeps the dress in place and any embarrasing side boob at bay. Lindsay Lohan could take a lesson.

Tags: Style by Grace
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I just ordered these kick ass brogues from Topshop online:

Photo: www.topshop.com

Shipping to Australia (read: the ends of the earth) was completely reasonable at only about $15.

I can't wait to go prancing around town in these sweet little shoes. Now I'll be as cool as those cool cats at the Governor's Island Jazz Lawn Party that The Sartorialist seems to frequent.

Tags: Shopping, Style by Grace
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