poetic licence | Frocks & Frou Frou

Tights: mesop

This is the second of the three cardigans that I impulse bought during my pre-birthday cardigan-bender, and it might just be my favourite.

It’s almost a colour-block cardigan, with a navy blue shell, grey cuffs, an oatmeal coloured collar that merges into a killer ruby red pussy bow. It’s totally adorable, even though it’s got those annoying 3/4 length sleeves. (Seriously, it’s winter! Why would I want my wrists and forearms exposed?). It’s perfectly preppy done up, but looks equally cute undone with only the bow fastened loosely at the neck.

It matches splendidly with my Chitra’s Closet skirt, which is one of my favourite wardrobe items. Chitra just launched her Winter 2012 range, and there’s some GORGEOUS pieces on there. My favourite’s probably this amazing black and red coat, I love the swooping hemline and the contrasting shawl collar:

I can more or less squeeze into one of Chitra’s size 14’s because she cuts her clothing to encompass and enhance women’s curves, rather than pretending they don’t exist. Her clothes are always beautifully finished as well with contrasting lining, and little details that really make the piece.

In other news, a good friend of mine has started a blog called TENANT which profiles interesting Melburnites, and uncovers a little bit of what they love about this city.

It’s a great idea – especially since Melbourne is such a sneaky little town; all the best places are hidden away down unlikely alleyways and unmarked doors. Getting a local’s-eye view of where they eat, drink, shop and hang-out is essential for enjoying the city, and it’s nice to hear about other creative, innovative individuals in your neighbourhood. Community, man!

So, if you wanted a little sneak peek inside The Sophisticate and my inner-city pad, including a photo of smoochy Suki (she hasn’t appeared on here for aaages!) click through to my interview, and it’s well worth following TENANT on Tumblr too, for her snapshots of Melbourne.

Dress: Eliza Parker

Shoes: Poetic Licence

The ever-lovely Jessica from Eliza Parker sent me this wonderful dress – The Bordeaux – for summer; and with its light cotton fabric, punctuated throughout with wee little eyelets for the breeze to whistle through, it’s most welcome on hot humid days.

The elbow-length sleeves are slightly puffed and have a generous amount of room, so you don’t feel like some over-zealous doctor is trying to take your blood pressure. The whole dress is quite roomy, but it ties into a sash at the back, so you can wear it snugly at the start of the day, then loosen it by the end if you’ve spent the day sampling the gastronomic delights provided by your boyfriend’s parents. You know, not that that’s ever happened to me.

The styling is vaguely Edwardian, with the ruffled bib and the blousy sleeves, and there’s lovely little details like the self-covered buttons that fasten down the front. Not to mention Eliza Parker’s trademark deep pockets.

It arrives with a completely separate black slip which gives you full coverage, but in the interest in staying cool I threw caution to the wind and subbed it out for some discreet nude-coloured underwear, and wore the dress by itself.

I like the play of skin and shadow through the embroidery. The effect is something like the night sky, with pinpoints of light shifting in and out of view.

The Bordeaux comes in other colours as well – a navy and a plum – both of which are currently on sale for $99.

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Tag Archives: poetic licence

May(de): Pussy’s Bow

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