Showing posts with label personal style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal style. Show all posts

one knit three ways: work.


I always harp on about buying pieces in my wardrobe that are versatile, easy to wear and have longevity. But how often do I actually show you? I've long thought about doing a one item three ways feature to show just how truly adaptable certain pieces can be (not including jeans, sneakers or leather jackets - they can pretty much be worn in any situation) and here we are many moons later and I've finally gotten around to it. 

I don't know about you, but when I buy something new I wear it to death for the first week or two (as much as I can without people noticing I'm a serial outfit repeater) and I found myself doing this with my Scanlan crepe knit. It's got a slightly higher front and dropped back which makes perfect for layering (even more so when you're a layering novice like me). So here it is: one knit, three ways. 

This work look is quite conventional and nothing groundbreaking but not something I'm used to wearing. I've tried many times in the past to recreate the collared shirt under sweater but have failed. Obviously the cut of the sweater has a huge part to play, along with the fit of the shirt (too boyfriend and it looks a bit sloppy) and I've finally found the right items to complete this preppy combo.

Scanlan Theodore knit, Uniqlo chambray shirt, Jac+ Jack pants, Givenchy heels, Mansur Gavriel bag, Pandora bracelet and rings.
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no reason.


I've avoided the midi length for almost 24 years of my life. As someone who is short, it's never agreed with me (nor I with it) and I long envied others who could pull off a sleek midi pencil skirt, midi dress or culottes. Things changed when I found this grey midi dress at LIFEwithBIRD. I figured that now I'm finally at a workplace with some sort of dress code, I might have to look beyond my usual mini skirts and shorts. That's not to say I was sold on this dress the first time I tried it on (I went back a week later to be 100% sure) - I had my doubts it would work with what I had but it has since become one of my favourites and most versatile. I wear it with everything now - leather jacket, denim jacket, blazer, sneakers, ankle boots and have learned to become less conscious of the fact that it is a length that chops me off, though I look classier doing it? 

Since then I've been on the hunt for more midi length pieces to acquire but have turned up with nothing. This dress sits knee length on the model which makes the perfect midi length for me but anything that's actually midi length ends up looking like a maxi or that I threw on a sack. I've also found that the tighter the skirt around your legs (or a sleek bodycon cut) the more chance you have of it looking right on you. A slit up the side or the back breaks up the choppiness of it and makes it look shorter when you show a little more skin. I tried so hard to make this one Scanlan ribbed knit midi skirt work for me but let's face it, I probably got lucky with my L.W.B midi. Can someone please produce a petites range where the lengths are accurate on a short person? 

L.W.B by LIFEwithBIRD dress, IRO leather jacket, Bergdorf Goodman x New Balance Sneakers.

 Photos by Christine Ai

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begin again.


Uniqlo shirt, J Brand jeans, L.W.B by LIFEwithBIRD vest, Alohas Sandals, Mansur Gavriel bag.

You know how people say "all dressed up with no where to go". Well that was has never been my mantra. There's that side of me that wants to wear tee shirts, jeans and sneakers (although most of the time activewear wins) and then there's the part that wished I could dress like the girls in a J Crew catalogue (part Parisian chic, part young working professional) and not look out of place in my casual wear work environment. Well the time has finally come. 

A couple of weeks ago I started a new job (and I am beyond happy that I have found the career equivalent to 'the one') that actually had a smart casual dress code. So I spent the weeks leading up to the move revamping my wardrobe from street to smart, picking up pieces like tailored pants, blazers, pencil skirts and button up shirts (most of which came from Scanlan Theodore, Zara and Uniqlo). And I've stopped myself from buying tee shirts or singlets for a while. So here I am now dressing for the job that I have and it's starting to influence my choices on the weekends too. Last weekend I wore a blazer. On a weekend. Expect to see more young professional Mel on Flourished - but of course I'd never give up my love for sneakers. 

On footwear (which I have also been panicking about), I came across the sustainable, eco-friendly  and ethically made Alohas Sandals handcrafted in Spain with leather materials on the top and recycled car tyres on the sole (so you know it's durable). They make these great slides in a number of colours (white, beige and silver being my favourites) and despite being inspired by the Hawaiian lifestyle, I think I've figured out how to make them work for winter and for the office too. Check Alohas out and if they tickle your fancy, you can take 20% off on me. Just enter the code 'flourished' upon checkout. 

Photography by Christine Ai

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walk this way.



There's nothing better than a good comeback story. Fizzle out and fly under the radar only to one day appear back on the scene, bigger and better than before. This is what I can only assume happened to Australian label LIFEwithBIRD, who I've been familiar with for quite a few years but have never really taken notice of them until now. It takes a lot for me to love a particular collection - it takes even more for me (and pains my bank account) to have bought three pieces from LIFEwithBIRD and LWB in the past month.

One of my favourite pieces this season is their reinvention of the classic tee shirt in a thicker scuba material. Comes in grey and black for those who are monochromatically inclined - and yes I have considered getting both. It dresses down something like a floral skirt but works equally as well with jeans and my latest pair of Nikes. 

L.W.B top Zimmermann skirt, Karen Walker sunglasses.

Photos by Uppy Chatterjee
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stone cold.










Once you start working full time, you really begin to appreciate (and start living for) the weekends. Especially when you're adhering to a 9 - 5 dress code, it's even more freeing when you can wear whatever you want on the two best days of the week. Naturally I've been gravitating towards loose, slouchy, comfortable and relaxed - basically anything that has loungewear (borderline pyjamas) written all over it.

PS. I'm back.

Immoni Knit (from Solt Boutique), Staple the Label shorts, Mansur Gavriel bag. 

 Photos by Uppy Chaterjee 
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windy heart.


If there's one thing that that I've learnt this winter, it's that I feel the cold more than anyone else. My feet perpetually sit at 0 degrees regardless of whether I'm wearing thick socks and boots or Birkenstocks to the point they'll probably turn into icicles come August.  I'm constantly rugged up in my oversized coat with my oversized scarf wrapped around my neck (it consumes me) sitting at my desk with the heater turned up that my colleagues have started complaining how warm it s in our office. 

Besides freezing my butt off, in the time I've been absent from the blog I also decided to go for the chop again (this has become a yearly occurrence), citing Lara Bingle's new lob as my inspiration. There's something so free and liberating about getting your hair cut, like you're getting rid of the old, excess baggage that you've been carrying around for months. Literally. Exercising with a long ponytail is dangerous to you and those around you. I've been giving my new do some serious volume (that Asian hair drastically lacks) but it seems like the wind got the better of me and turned it into a mop. 

Jac+ Jack knit, IRO leather jacket, J Brand jeans, Acne scarf and loafers.

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winter blues.


There are three essentials I always make sure I'm armed with when the temperature starts to drop and the sun sets before I'm home. Surviving winter in a city where 'winter' isn't really winter (when you compare it to most other countries) is simple with a good selection of chunky knits, jeans and ankle boots. Comfy, practical and toasty.  I find myself itching to buy knits and jeans way before the winter season is well and truly underway. I'm talking cashmere sweater and jean hunting during February and March. I suppose you can never been too prepared. I've pulled together my winter in the city survival kit for the latest Wish and Honda Australia style challenge, tying in my favourite shade for the colder months (sans black, white and grey).

Wish knit, Scanlan Theodore jeans, Chloe boots, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag. 

Photos by Christine Ai

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silver lining.




You can always count on Zimmermann to come through with the goods. The instances I've been stuck with what to wear to a special event or occasion, I've always managed to find the answer at Zimmermann. Behold my graduation skirt, which was originally supposed to be a graduation dress turned graduation jumpsuit (almost). I love the subtle bell shaped flared skirt that I have been searching high and low for for months now.

I've never been able to commit to a dress (maybe it's because they're never the right length on me) but I find myself gravitating towards the unconventional separates option when it comes to event dressing. It's the savvy shopper in me that wants to ensure I get enough bang for my buck. With separates they can be worn together, worn apart, go low key or dressed up. Here I've taken my precious graduation skirt and turned it fall friendly with a grey marle sweater and my all-seasons Chloe boots. Stay tuned for my full grad look later this month, gown and all. 

Uniqlo sweater, Zimmermann skirt, Larson & Jennings watch. 

 Photos by Christine Ai
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with me.


I literally haven't taken my Chloe boots, distressed denim and IRO leather jacket off. Three items in on high rotation right now in my work/ weekend wardrobe. Looks like I'm channelling badass biker with all the hardware, buckles, rips and tears. I never thought my clothes would have such power over my outlook for the day. Sound silly but sometimes I feel unstoppable and full of confidence whenever I'm sporting my biker best. 

Pairing it back with some floaty whites and a new favourite (like fresh of the runway new) from up and coming designer Gabriel Lee. Gabriel was so kind to gift Christine and I with a clutch from the Private Performance collection that showed at MBFWA this year. Lee's been making headlines with his sporty aesthetic mixed with feminine sensibility. This year he incorporated this lucious floral  deco print that I can't get enough of.

Zara top, J Brand jeans, IRO jacket, Gabriel Lee clutch, Karen Walker sunglasses.

Photos by Christine Ai

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double up.


Otherwise known as the Canadian tuxedo (and heavily attributed to this red carpet disaster), double denim has until recent times, been off limits. The formula to executing double denim the right way is really quite simple. Contrast your washes (the stronger the contrast the better) and your textures. 

This denim duo are two of my current wardrobe favourites. The top half is from Uniqlo - which has finally opened in Australia and did not disappoint at all (same range as overseas and at competitive prices). I was lucky enough to be sent down by work to Melbourne for the day and coincidentally arrived on Emporium Melbourne's opening day. I took a sneaky visit to Uniqlo to pick up another one of these shirts in a darker wash - there are three delightful shades for you to choose from. Plus they're only $40. Yes I know. 

As for the jeans - I have been on the hunt for a distressed skinny pair since forever but I could never find one where the rips actually sit on the knee. Most of the time they sat close to mid calf which looked ridiculous. That's where cropped jeans come in. Not only are they the perfect length to pack comfortably into boots but the rips sit perfectly. Always knew I could count on J Brand to come through with the goods. 

Uniqlo shirt, J Brand jeans, Chloe boots, Karen Walker sunglasses.
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