Casual Chic

FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROUTop: Country Road

Cardigan: Glassons

Trousers: Sportscraft

Shoes: Ziera

When it’s cold and wet I always find myself gravitating towards trousers, rather than my favourite skirts and tights.

These pull-on ponte trousers from Sportscraft are really the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and style. They’re stretchy and soft enough to lounge around in, but the heavy fabric and trouser detailing give them enough formality to be worn in a more professional context.

For casual weekend-wear I teamed it with a boxy striped tee from Country Road and a favourite mustard coloured cardigan. It needed a bit of something-extra, so I added the super simple black bead necklace that I made using this tutorial:

FROCKS&FROUFROUNecklace: DIY

I’m actually kind of loving the shoes at Ziera this season. When did wide-fit comfort shoes get so stylish? I’ve got my eye on a couple of pairs of ankle boots – I’m hoping to replace my Ara Fanny Boots which have never recovered from the salted pavements of New York – and I’m hard pressed to decide between the Lana and the Nebula. The little caramel-coloured booties that I’m wearing today are comfortable for walking, and the oxford/brogue detailing (that you can’t see, because I didn’t take any close-up pictures) is so swank.

A couple of people have asked for a close-up pic of The New Hair, so here we go!

Cropped Haircut - frocks and frou frouI really love it – it’s so easy to wash/dry/style – I’m really glad I took the plunge.

18 thoughts on “Casual Chic

  1. So cute, I love your new hair. And I’m loving mustard, a lady after my own heart! 🙂 I couldn’t see the links to the Ziera shoes, maybe because I’m in the US. I had a few pairs of Ziera shoes and they’re so comfy (as are Ara). Before I left Australia I realised that DJ’s stocked Sportscraft up to a size 22, which was an exciting moment for me! Alas their stand alone store in the Canberra Centre only stocked up to a 14, at a pinch occasionally a 16 could be found. I never understood why, even the Sportscraft sales rep at DJ’s didn’t understand why. Oh well, DJ’s got my money instead! 😉

    1. Oh that drives me crazy when the stores don’t stock the whole size range – especially if you make a special trip to try something on in person!

  2. Even casual you have such style! I’m now officially on the hunt for a mustard yellow cardigan – every time I see you in one it looks so fantastic, I need to bring that into my life! And I totally agree that the “comfy” shoe lines have gotten much better at being stylish and comfortable. It’s a win-win.

    1. Try Woolovers, Molly! Or if you want a thinner one I have the Charter School Cardigan from Modcloth, and it’s almost exactly this colour 🙂

  3. Love this look. 🙂

    I just picked up a pair of really good quality oxfords from Midas and I tell you, you were my inspiration. Your focus on quality has really rubbed off on me!

    For years I’ve avoided taking the plunge and investing in a good pair of quality, comfortable shoes. And I’m so glad I did!

    Now to exercise restraint and not peruse the Ziera site …

    1. Yay! If you’re near one you should definitely check out the Ziera clearance centres too. I bought a great pair of black ankle boots there yesterday for $119 (down from $280)

  4. I’m on the hunt for a mustard cardigan for myself at the moment, but I haven’t found one in a strong enough colour yet. I want a proper Coleman’s hue! I’m also very tempted by the various mustard shoes in Clarks this season (comfort and wide-fit all the way for me too!)

  5. I do like those trousers so I clicked through to Sportscraft to have a look at them. The advertising photo online has been hilariously photoshopped to create that anorectic crotch/thigh gap that clothing purveyors seem to think we consumers might admire and wish to emulate. Well, not me, Sportscraft. I treat eating disorders in my practice and that photo just put me right off buying your product.

  6. Love this look – its absolutely fabulous. I need to explore more with colour…and you inspire that 🙂 I’d probably use a pop of red myself, but the mustard is beautiful!

  7. Hate to tell you this, but Ziera/Kumfs have been doing stylish shoes for a few years now! I know – because they are all I wear and I refuse to wear fuddyduddy.

    Loving the mustard cardi! And short hair is the BEST. Enjoy!

  8. I love this outfit, Lilli.

    If you’re in the market for any more oxford-y flats, check out Rollie: http://www.rollienation.com/

    I’ve just come back from a holiday with a LOT of walking, and my pair of Rollie Derbys were amazing. They’re light, comfortable, cute and good for wider feet. They’re also an Australian company (started in Melbourne, I think?). I have three pairs already and am anticipating more soon.

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