Bernardo Moon Sandals - 1967

Bernardo Rudofsky began business in Italy in 1946.  He is credited with inventing the modern day sandal for women.  This full page ad for Bernardo's "Moon Sandal" appeared in Vogue in 1967.  Picnic at a monastary, anyone?  I love the fact there is a portable record player with several rock and roll albums on the blanket.  The monk sure is having fun!

The copy from the ad reads as follows:

"The Un-Ascetic Sandal
When you get down to the basics in sandals, you get pretty close to what a 15th century monk wore around the monastery.
Bernardo says even the sandal that's basic enough to be right with bathing suits, party pyjamas and everything in between, doesn't have to be a bore.
These bright shining discs, more at home on the moon than in a monastery, are Bernardo's "Moon Sandals" designed for 20th century people by Eva Sonnino."

 The Bernardo Footwear company is still in business today.  In Spring 2011, the company re-released two vintage styles in limited editions.  The Moon in Madras sandal was one of them.  The sandals are hand crafted in Italy and there are still limited sizes available of the Moon Sandal in red.  You can shop for them here.

Daily dose of style; PINAFORES

Those looking for pinafores to wear this season will be spoilt for choice. The pinafore, more affectionately called the pinny, is a fun option for the spring and summer months. Pinafores follow on from the dungaree and jumpsuit trends, but their dress-like shape makes them much easier to wear. The following are a few playful pinafores to wear this 
One of the most versatile pinafores to wear is the classic denim one. This indigo denim pinafore from Topshop would make a great addition to most wardrobes. The indigo denim looks smart and polished, and it’s a style of pinafore that could be mixed and matched with a number of items. Team it with a striped t-shirt and tan sandals for a casual everyday look and throw in some colourful accessories for a playful twist.

This pinafore comes in a bold leopard print pattern. It’s from ASOS’s Africa range which means that it has been sustainably handmade in Africa. The pinafore has a slouchy design with a scoop neck and back and twin side pockets. This style of pinafore can be worn with or without a shirt underneath but to get that pinafore effect try teaming it with a basic t-shirt.

This silky pinafore dress by Oh My Love comes in a pretty pale blue shade. It has a darted bodice and demure midi length pencil skirt. Play up your feminine side and pair this pinafore dress with a tailored blazer and dressy heels.

The denim pinafore is a firm favourite for spring and summer. This Topshop number comes in a bleach denim wash and features an on-trend daisy print. It’s the kind of pinafore that’s perfect for wearing to summer music festivals. Just add a tank or crop top underneath, pop on some trainers/boots/wellies, and you’re good to go.

Even high fashion brands are on board the pinafore wagon. This blue denim pinafore is from the Victoria Beckham Denim range. It has a boxy cut which is great for working a casual daytime look. Try working a preppy vintage angle by popping on a Peter Pan collared top underneath and adding a pair brogue shoes.

This checked pinafore is from ASOS’s Reclaimed Vintage line which features reshaped deadstock pieces. This pinafore has a classic bib front with twin patch pockets and a racerback design. Try teaming it with a white t-shirt, denim jacket, and canvas trainers for a relaxed everyday look.

Leather look pinafores are usually quite edgy but this Dahlia number has quite a feminine feel to it. It features scallop edge detailing and has a fit and flare shape. Play up your girly side and wear a sheer or silky blouse underneath, with bow shoes, and dainty jewels.

This ASOS pinafore features a psychedelic optic print. It has a classic bib style pinafore with cross over straps and a fitted skirt. Work a funky daytime look and team it with a plain fitted t-shirt, retro sneakers, and leather look cap.

This pinafore from ASOS features an interesting envelope hem. It comes in a dark denim design which could easily be dressed up for a more polished take on the trend. Wear it with a collared blouse and patent shoes for a preppy daytime look. 

While they may be a throwback to your childhood, this season’s pinafores are all grown up. Are you a fan of the pinafore? What kind of outfits would you put together from the pinafores in this list? 

Source; all women's talk

Saturday fashion; how to inconspicuously repeat your outfits

Finding ways to repeat your favourite outfits without anybody realising can be tricky. However, there’s no point in shelving an outfit for months before its next outing for fear of being branded an outfit repeater. While there’s a general stigma around outfit repeating, sometimes you just love a piece of clothing or outfit so much that you have to show it off every chance you get! While I’d stop short of wearing the same thing multiple days in a row, there are plenty of ways to repeat your favourite outfits without raising eyebrows. 

1. STICK TO THE BASICS

When looking at ways to repeat your favourite outfits, it’s much easier to repeat a plainer outfit than one that features bold prints and patterns. People will remember an eye catching print, but solid colours and basic designs will give you much more room to move. Wardrobe staples and basic accessories can be repeated as long as you style them differently each time.

2. MAKE YOUR ACCESSORIES POP

Outfit repeating can be a game of distraction. That is, drawing attention away from your clothing and onto your fabulous accessories. Trend-based accessories can be picked up at a range of affordable fashion stores and are a great way of updating an outfit. For example you could add a colourful side bag and sporty cap to work an athletic look or glam up your outfit up with a bejewelled necklace and compact clutch.

3. ADD OUTERWEAR

Recycling an outfit can be as simple as popping on a jacket or coat. It might not sound like much, but it can hide the fact that you’re wearing an outfit that others might have seen before. A smart blazer can give an outfit a polished feel, while a bomber jacket can be a more youthful and on-trend touch.

4. GET CREATIVE WITH LAYERS

Make the most out of your wardrobe by getting creating with your layers. For example, a favourite dress can be turned into a ‘skirt’ by wearing a cropped t-shirt or sweater over the top. You could also try transforming a short shift dress into a tunic by wearing some leather-look pants or skinny jeans underneath.

5. EMBRACE THE DIY

Make an outfit seem totally different with the help of an easy DIY project. Make a skirt appear shorter by temporarily tucking in and securing the hem, jazz up a pair of shoes with stick on bow details, or smarten up a shirt with a detachable collar. The only real limit is your creativity!

6. ALTER YOUR APPEARANCE

Changing things like your hair and makeup can make all the difference when it comes to altering the overall look of an outfit. If you usually wear your hair and makeup in a certain way with your favourite outfit, opt for a totally different look if you’re going to repeat it.

7. STAKE OUT THE CROWD

When all else fails, if you’re going to repeat an outfit from head-to-toe, save it for crowds who haven’t seen it before. That way you won’t run the risk of someone pointing out that they’ve seen you in the same outfit before. The only way you’ll get caught out is if there’s photographic evidence of you wearing the exact same outfit to multiple events! 

When it comes to outfit repeating, I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there. These are just a few tips to make the fact that you’re repeating an outfit a little less obvious. What are your tips for repeating and recycling your favourite outfits? 

Ways to incorporate your party dresses into your daily outfits

Have you ever had the problem of wearing party pieces during the day because you think they are not appropriate? Make your favourite party pieces work overtime by incorporating them into your daytime wardrobe. If your social calendar is looking a bit bare, bring out your favourite party dresses and jewels during the day instead. Wearing party pieces during the day can add a bit of glitz and glamour to your everyday outfits. The following are a few popular party pieces and how you can incorporate them into your daytime wardrobe. 

1. DO DENIM

Denim is a workhorse of the daytime wardrobe. Use it to tone down your favourite party pieces from pretty frocks to glamorous skirts and sparkly tops. Wear a distressed denim jacket with a party frock or tuck a chambray shirt into a glitzy skirt to make them look much more daytime appropriate. For sparkly, sheer, or lacy tops, tone them down by wearing them with some casual denim jeans.

2. MIX AND MATCH

Sequins and shimmery metallic fabrics might seem too dressy to wear during the day but the key is to mix them up with contrasting textures. Sheer, shiny, and sequin fabrics can be toned down with cosy knits, casual denim, or tough leather pieces. Try teaming satiny tuxedo trousers with a chunky cable knit sweater or a sheer dress with a beat-up leather jacket for contrast.

3. LEARN TO LAYER

Mastering the art of layering will do wonders for increasing the versatility of your wardrobe. Try slipping a cotton t-shirt under a strappy dress or wear a shirt, tied at the waist, over the top of a dress. Getting creative with layers can increase the number of outfit options in your wardrobe and help you get more wear out of your favourite party clothes.

4. DITCH THE HEELS

When it comes to your footwear, stick to flat shoes during the day. A pair of brogues can instantly dress down an elegant frock or tuxedo trousers. Ankle boots are also a great option. It’s all about anchoring an elegant daytime look with casual and slightly rugged shoes.

5. STAY FOCUSED

Avoid incorporating too many party pieces into one outfit. Stick to one statement piece or focal point. It could be a sequined skirt, embellished bag, or statement heels. Whatever you choose, make it the main focus of your outfit and keep the rest of your outfit minimal and relaxed.

6. DO DAYTIME JEWELS

You can wear your favourite cocktail jewellery during the day. For example, a bejewelled necklace is a great way to jazz up a daytime outfit. Wear one with a collared shirt or sweater for a casual and on-trend look. Alternatively, stack up your favourite bangles and bracelets for a fun ‘arm party’.

7. ADD MENSWEAR TOUCHES

If your favourite party pieces tend to err on the more feminine side of things, play this up by mixing them with some menswear touches during the day. A sheer blouse and tailored pants can make for a smart outfit and teaming a party frock with a bomber jacket is one way of dressing it down for the day.

8. TEAM WITH TIGHTS

Teaming a dress or skirt with tights can instantly give it a more casual feel. Black opaque varieties are a popular choice but you could also try coloured tights or patterned varieties to mix things up.

9. GO HIGH-LOW

If your favourite party pieces are of the designer variety, try working a high-low mix when incorporating them into your everyday looks. Team designer pieces with thrift store finds and chain store buys to really make the most of the high-low effect. 

10. CONSIDER THE OCCASSION

This should be the most important of all, consider where you are going to, a really short gown worn with flats might still not be apporpriate for some places, but hey, pair your circle midi skirt with one of your cute body con dresses.... Put on some heels and your office ready! 

The key to making your party pieces work during the day is to create a sense of balance with your overall outfit. It’s about getting that mix of glamour and relaxed dressing right. A general rule of thumb is the dressier your party piece is, the more basic and minimal you should keep the rest of your outfit. How would you incorporate your party pieces into your daytime looks? 

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Friday fashion; when in doubt wear RED!!!

Hey guys, yup a post from me is long overdue but network issues n all,... Back to today's post

When in doubt wear red! Well this post is based on a true life story starring ... Me... Lol, well I had all my clothes transferred to my new house, which I later found out was a bad idea, because I had nothing to wear to work when I came visiting during the week. But behold... My red gown was hanging on my wardrobe as I had just wore nit to church that Sunday.... Never wanting to feel dressed down I knew that simple red gown could do the trick, trust me..... Everyone at work complained (trust me that was a good thing) so darlings, do u have an event, you don't know what to mix match, or your just too tired to dress up.... WEAR RED!! Here are a few red dress inspirations to influence your wardrobe choices... 

Not just dresses though, pops of the color red does wonders to your outfit. So ladies red do or red don't? Share your thoughts n opinions

Saks Ad - 1970

Here's something I just don't get.  This is a full page ad placed by Saks Fifth Avenue in a 1970 issue of Vogue magazine.  You and I both know how wild and colorful the prints used in clothing were at this time. The ad copy even states, "Liberated spirit. Coloring around-and-around, deep-beaded and braided on pure silk surah."

Why, then, did Saks chose to print this ad in black and white instead of full color?  Yes, the advertising cost would have been higher, but this ad just doesn't convey the dress as it should.  Perhaps 1970 was a time of belt-tightening and cutting costs. I find this a lot in the pages of most fashion magazines from this time period.  Clothing that should be shown in all its colorful glory is disappointingly printed in black and white.  OK, rant over.

I love the way the elaborate beading and braid at the neckline complements the wild print.  There is no designer mentioned, so this is likely by Saks' custom design department. Sophie Gimbel had just retired the year before, so I don't know who designed this beauty. I can tell you that the dress was $130 in 1970 (about $787 in today's dollar) and was worth every penny.

Photo from a Saks ad appearing in Vogue 1970.

DIY MICHAEL KORS INSPIRED CUT OUT DRESS

I recently had the pleasure of doing a guest DIY post for the Miranda Kerr KORA Organics website. If you haven’t checked it out already make sure you do – it’s overflowing with lifestyle advice on beauty, fashion, nutrition and exercise. It also has a section on natural therapies which I am all for so check it out.  Random fun fact? Miranda went to the same high school as me in Brisbane for a couple of years (she was a few grades above), and according to one of my first-year university boyfriends, the thought that I could have sat in a chair that she had also sat on in a previous class made me wayyy way wayyy more attractive.

For the DIY, Brooke of The Style Net and I decided that I would recreate this absolutely gorgeous Michael Kors cut out gown Miranda wore to the CDFA awards this year.

(yup, lookin bangin)

As soon as I saw it I knew it was a look I was going to have to try to recreate using my DIY skills. The rib cut outs and front split lent itself perfectly to the re-fashioning of a basic black maxi dress.

You’ll need:

• A basic black maxi/midi dress in a jersey fabric (I bought mine from a cheap store for less than $10)
• Scissors
• Chalk
• A needle and black thread

How to:
1. Put the dress on and mark where the two round cut outs should go using chalk. A circle about the size of a saucer sitting centred on each of the side seams at the height of your ribs is best. Note that while the Michael Kors dress has a cut out that goes all the way around the back – the one I made was just cut out on the sides and is intact at the back.
2. Cut the circles out.
3. Hem the circles using small stitches
4. One you have hemmed the but outs, pull the circles together in the front to create a gathered and a more triangular shaped cut out. I found this style suited me more and worked better with this soft jersey fabric.

5. For the split, put on the dress and mark where you want the front side split to stop. Cut from the hem to the marked point. Because of the type of jersey the dress I used was made out of I didn’t have to sew the edges of the split but you may want to.

Voila! All done. Now all you have to do is pair it with your favorite gold jewellery and highest of heels and hit the town.

Source: apairandasparediy.com