What should I wear

Thanks to our amazing community for joining in and giving such great advice. It has been fantastic to see some regulars on the site and App. It really does feel like a group of trusted girlfriends available to share feedback and ideas, thank-you for being part of 'What Should I Wear?'!

Every time a new season starts I look in to my wardrobe and wonder what I wore last year!! Do you do this too? It seems that the well-loved items look a bit shabby and I feel the need to add a few key pieces or colours to update my outfits. Do you get the same feeling?

This week we have some ideas and inspiration about autumn/winter wardrobe essentials by Sevan Manjikian, of Seven Autumn Leaves. Sevan has been on our style panel this month sharing her very clever tips and street-style photos. She has such elegance and style, shown through her photos and feedback. This week Sevan shares some fantastic tips with us on the upcoming trends for Autumn/Winter 2012.
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Despite the weather deteriorating, and the sun slowly being estranged, fashion is the only thing I look forward to when it comes to autumn and winter. I personally like winter clothing more than summer styles with all the coats, boots, and layering, there are just more interesting and versatile ways to put together an outfit. With stores already bringing out their autumn/winter collections, these are some of the key fashion trends to help you pick your must-have items for this upcoming season:

Knitwear:

You don’t need to hit the shops for this trend, as you can re-cycle your vintage sweaters or even knit your own! I learned how to knit a few months ago but only managed to knit a scarf. I did, however, manage to buy so many on my recent trip overseas.

Where to buy: Dotti, Portmans, Target, Zara, Sportsgirl

Leather:

Leather leggings, skirts, shorts, dresses or pants are all in this season. At least one item of leather should be integrated in your wardrobe. Leather sleeves are especially popular this season, wether it’s combined with black blazers or green army jackets. I stocked up on leather when I shopped in Dubai last month. I bought 2 leather leggings and a leather skirt from H&M, a leather dress from Topshop, and a leather sleeved black blazer from Mango (might have gone a little overboard with this one, woops!)

Where to buy: Bardot, Dotti, Country Road, Witchery, Topshop

Ankle boots:

Another definite must-have! This is one of the trends that can last in your closet for a very long time. I am currently in the hunt for one myself actually and saw a few around but I’m taking my time to decide which to get. I have my eyes on these babies from Sportsgirl though!

Where to buy: Myer, Sportsgirl, Aldo, Dotti

Statement skirts:

from sequins, leather, pleated, asymmetrical, vibrant coloured prints and patterns like Aztec prints to uniquely sculptured skirts. Bold skirts will bring your outfit to a whole new level. Don’t be afraid of this trend thinking it will be too vibrant, you can dress it down by keeping the rest of your outfit simple and monotone. I got a bronze sequin skirt and top from H&M but I won’t wear them at the same time (obviously) If only they can bring H&M to Australia!

Where to buy: ASOS, Gorman, Zara, Bardot, Supre, Sportsgirl

Metallic and neon nailpolish:

Never underestimate the power of nailpolish; they are a vital part of accessorizing to your outfit, which could transform your look completely. Neons are pretty much still in for this season, especially neon yellow. Also metallic is very popular this season, especially gold. I found a really nice one from Revlon when I was at target the other day.

Where to buy: Target, Sportgirl, Portmans

Coloured denim:

Teal, cobalt blue, purple, camel, maroon, pretty much anything you can think of. Word of advice though, stay away from the lighter hues and opt for a darker shade for a more flattering result. I bought a brick coloured one and blue one from Warehouse, which is also available on asos.com.

Where to buy: ASOS, Bardot, Dotti, Gap

Chunky necklaces:

Statement necklaces in general are very trendy this season; there are a lot of collar necklaces, gold metal torque necklaces, and bright neon necklaces.

Where to buy: ASOS, Sportsgirl, Lovisa, Collete, Dotti

Leopard:

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, there are leopard shoes EVERYWHERE this season. Whether it’s boots, loafers or heels it is recommended to have a pair in your closet to spice up your little black dress! I bought my leopard pumps from ZU in November and I absolutely love them! Leopard bags are also super cute, I recently bought a leopard and leather clutch from Target for a very affordable price.

Where to buy: Target, Myer, Aldo, Bardot, Portmans, Novo, Steve Madden.

Hope this helped you decide what to buy (or re-cycle) while preparing for the next season!
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Thanks to Sevan for her fantastic tips, sharing her secrets on what to look for and where to find it! I love having a ‘cheat sheet’ like this, to translate current trends in to every day life.

Feel free to visit ‘What Should I Wear’ to give us your tips on autumn/winter wardrobes! Or ask our style panel and the amazing community for their stylish (incredibly supportive and friendly) advice too.

p.s. Have you heard about the ‘Dare to Wear’ Day, run by Fitted for Work? It is a day (March 30^th) where you dress up (in a big or little way!) to raise funds for disadvantaged women. We are thinking about joining in the fun with a ‘What Should I Wear’ page. Add your comment here if you are interested to know more or join in!

A huge thank you to our fantastic community at ‘What Should I Wear?’ for sharing all of your fabulous style questions, advice and ideas this week!  We are so grateful to our passionate and stylish community and ‘style panel’ (Sarah, Sevan and Joelyne) who have been on the site and App giving and getting amazing advice. 

This week we’d like to introduce our ‘Member of the Month’ for February (Or “Ms Feb” as we like to call her!)  Ms Feb is the amazing Bernadette Green, couture designer and owner of enrobe-moi couture.   Bernadette is known in our community for her very kind, helpful and clever words of wisdom!  I am sure you’ve seen Bernadette’s wonderful comments on our site/App.  She is quite the arbiter of style and common sense.  Her kindness, sense of humour and warmth are one of the things that made Bernadette our Ms Feb! ( Also I always wondered exactly what a ‘couture designer’ does!) So here are Bernadette’s responses to our curly questions!

A couture designer... designs and produces unique garments for individual clients made for each person from scratch. (Original Parisian couture designers of the 19th century combined their mastery of tailoring, dress-making, corsetry to achieve ‘one of a kind’ looks for their private clients.)

The best thing about my job....Special garments often indicate important times in a woman’s life and it’s wonderful to be involved through my work at these exciting moments.

When I wake up...black tea, milk, one sugar,  then repeat 15 mins later (before the second cup of tea I'm not really "with it" at all).

A well-dressed woman...is always confident and comfortable.  On her wedding day - radiant and wearing her dream dress!

But for all the other times ... don't leave the house unless you feel OK in your choice of clothing. Always check in a full length mirror; if you don't have one, get a stick-on for the back of your bedroom door.  Better to wear the same thing every day than to be out in public thinking to yourself "this skirt is too tight, too short and the fabric is crap... what was I thinking, this is not sending the message I want to project...I should have worn a different bra, etc!” Get your wardrobe TO WORK FOR YOU.  Invest some time in seriously assessing each piece in your wardrobe (especially your work wardrobe).  If it’s too tight, too short or just plain tired pass it on or get it altered, but under no circumstances keep it with your regular/reliable work clothes. The temptation to wear it might overwhelm you in a moment of panic on the morning after you were due to pick up your favourite things from the Dry Cleaner the night before!

Make sure that your underwear works too.  There are a lot of really helpful options available these days, so if that skirt is just too tight and you aren't prepared to part company with it (I will lose those kilos I wasn't carrying when I bought this skirt!) get yourself some Spanx or Nancy Gantz and see and feel the difference.

Consider having some special work pieces made for you.  A fabulous jacket or two (with pants and skirt to match i.e. the three piece suit), a lined shell dress that can be worn in summer alone or in winter with a snug long sleeve top underneath ... great quality pieces for work and after help add sanity to the 5 day/week process of getting ready quickly and confidently for the business of the day.  You get to choose/participate in the design of shapes and garments that can really work for you.  Well-crafted couture garments are made to fit perfectly so they can deliver real comfort.  Choose quality fabrics for these special pieces and they will last and last. If it fits you, it suits you and the fabric quality is good the garment will repay you many times over.  The couture option can deliver real value for money; a quality couture garment is regularly a good investment vs a panic off the rack purchase or the lows of unwrapping a disappointing package after an expensive online folly with your credit card.

A man should always... look you in the eye. 

My style is inspired by... too many influences to mention; I literally find inspiration everywhere.  This is very helpful when one is a designer ... a colour, the way something moves, a trick of the light.  Vintage clothing, very modern design, music old and new, literature (honestly, I am a bower bird on this and I do genuinely find beauty and inspiration in so many things).

Something you don't know about me is... I surf.  I started 8 years ago and so wish I'd learned, much, much earlier.  I am not a good surfer by any means but I absolutely love the water and I try to surf every day (that doesn't mean I get to surf every day; but it is the aim).

If I weren't doing what I'm doing today... something more writing oriented or (pure fantasy, of course) full time surfer (unfortunately there just isn't a circuit for surfers with my very limited talent and abilities!).

My guilty pleasure is... chocolate, chocolate!!!

The person I'd most like to meet (dead or alive!) is... the man of my dreams/future life partner.  Where is he? He hasn't turned up yet but I am really hoping he won't take too much longer to materialise!

The soundtrack (or song) of my life...waves breaking on the sandy shore.

Happiness is... putting your heart and soul into something, achieving a great result with that effort and the product of that process bringing joy to others (and lucky me, I regularly experience this with my work!)

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Can I admit – this column is one of my favourite things!  Getting to know a person beyond their “official” role at work or home.  Who knew that a couture designer would surf in her spare time? Or is as fond of chocolate as the rest of us?  I often find that underneath it all we are often on the same page.  Looking for similar things.  Happiness, love, friendship, a sense of connection.  And chocolate in abundance. Since meeting Bernadette via the site I’ve found her to be so helpful and thoughtful.  Women like Bernadette make you feel like you belong to an inner circle of supportive people.  There should be more Bernadettes in the world!  

Finally (on an official techie note), the App has had some hiccups this week.  Sorry for any inconvenience!  We have been working hard to solve it and have sent an update to The App Store. This should come through as an ‘update’ within the week.  Until then, if your App is misbehaving, please delete and re-install it.  We really appreciate your understanding!

p.s. Did you happen to see our App in The Herald Sun (16.02.12) on p57? A little piece saying how handy the App is for women “fed up with their wardrobes and needing quick, independent suggestions, inspiration and some girly fun!” 

We are thrilled to announce our new February style panellists. This month we have an experienced stylist and two fabulous bloggers join us!

Sarah Singer started up dressyu Melbourne after emigrating from London almost 4 years ago. She brings to us her European fashion flair, styling knowledge and experience. Her clients range from new mums to footy execs to TV personalities. The consultancy incorporates dressyu styling (personal shopping & wardrobe remedies), dressyu4interview and dressyu understands. Sarah tells us “I love working with such a mix of people and it ensures that I keep my finger on the fashion pulse in so many areas. Yesterday began Personal Shopping with a mum who wanted a fashion ‘reinvention’ followed by helping a new graduate get ready for an interview.” Through ‘dressyu understands’ Sarah also provides a complimentary styling service for women dealing with breast cancer which she went through herself at 32. (And, when you meet Sarah in person, you find such a humble, yet obviously resilient, strong and generous woman...truly inspirational) . And what advice does Sarah give to us on those mornings we wonder ‘What Should I Wear?’. “Always rely on your classic basics and avoid reaching for the trackies unless you’re really exercising!”

We are delighted to have a Sydney-based fashion blogger join our ranks this month! Founded by Sydney fashionista, Joelyne, The Sydney Girl is an addictive insider's view on everything fashion, lifestyle and beauty for the style savvy. Over the past year, The Sydney Girl has collaborated with a range of exciting brands including Westfield Australia, The Laser Lounge & Celebrity Thread. Joelyne has been recognised as a top blogger in Australia, rated by editd and featured as one of the top 10 fashion bloggers in Australia's leading magazine, Ragtrader.

Finally we are fortunate to have the wonderful input of Sevan Manjikian. Sevan is a final year interior design student who has always been fascinated by fashion and style. She started her blog “Seven Autumn Leaves” to share that fascination and the fun of putting together an affordable outfit. She also shares a passion for all kinds of design and photography, which are evident in her blog as well. Sevan has a weakness for shoes, handbags and beautiful statement necklaces. Her wardrobe is usually a mix of Australian brands and international brands bought from Dubai, where she was born and raised. You may have already seen some of her stylish photos on our site, so stay tuned for her helpful advice too!

What a fantastic mix of skills and experience (& international perspectives!) these three amazing women bring to us via our February style panel!

Have you ever suffered wardrobe guilt?  The nagging feeling that there are a few items hiding in your closet that have not seen the light of day for a while?   I confess that I've got a couple (ok more than a couple) of these items.  A gorgeous emerald green silk top that I think isn't flattering.  A cute sundress that I think is the wrong length.  A shirt with a funny collar...have you got some of these too?  

 I've decided to have an amnesty on wardrobe guilt!  The time has come to step up and do something about it!  I was inspired by two posts on 'What Should I Wear?'.  First a series of 'yay or nay' posts by one of our members, Candice.  She uploaded photos of several dresses and asked our opinions to help declutter her wardrobe.  It was so much fun answering the questions.  And I could see how cathartic it was just to pull out the pieces, ask the question and make a decision!   

Secondly I was inspired by a post from Bernadette, the talented designer from enrobe-moi couture  (and our very own style panellist during January).  Bernadette showcased a photo of her client, Debbie, on 'What Should I Wear'.  Debbie looked stunning in a fabulous white shift dress.  Her LWD had been hanging in the closet with an unravelled hem.  As Bernadette says, " quick needle and thread action, a hit with the steam iron, rummage through her ample handbag collection, a vintage scarf (gift from a friend received just yesterday), some gold sandals et voila!"  Have you got one of these dressings hanging around too?    

Bernadette's words of wisdom are, "Don't let your clothes (especially the ones you really love) languish unworn in the wardrobe if they need special attention (repair, special laundering, etc); they're missing out on all the fun, plus you've paid good money for these garments that never go anywhere!"  

So I am going to pay attention to my neglected pieces!  And toss out or donate the outdated and ill-fitting ones. Feel free to ask our community for help, or share your wardrobe wisdom!   Ask questions in 'Get Answers' or upload photos in 'Get Styled' to seek feedback.  It is time to get over wardrobe guilt! Life is too short to feel guilty isn’t it?