So winter is almost here…

You are freaking out because you:

• Love fashion but don’t have time to run like a lunatic in Louboutins to find what you want..
• Love shopping but get panicked by pesky prints and crazy colours.
• Love clothes but suddenly find yourself in the foetal position in the fitting room.
• Are sobbing over your credit card situation.
• Crying because you are not Gwyneth.
• Have NOTHING to wear and hate your clothes ( on repeat).

Never Fear FiFi is here!

Time for a personal style session with FiFi !

In 3 hours you will have a fabulous wardrobe that works.
A fabulous wardrobe you will love.
You will be able to get dressed in the morning with your eyes closed.
In five minutes flat.
That’s a promise.

Do it now and make a booking toute suite! …email FiFi@FiFi.com.au

Let’s talk denim. In fact let’s talk jeans in particular. They’re transeasonal. Ageless. They work from Day to evening to weekend and back again . Jeans look great on any shape. Which is why we love them. This week in The FiFi Report we have four different ways to rock jeans . Mainly skinny. That’s the jeans not you. And because I couldn’t help myself and I am your friend there are another 9 street style looks to use as inspiration. Jeans with flats, with trainers, wide leg and ripped. There’s even Vicky B floating in flats…

Karmen Pedaru;
Yes, she is a mutation of the species. What can you say? She is a freak. But any age can wear this look. It’s classic and chic. Mix up all those expensive looking colours like black and taupe with your skinny jeans and you can’t go wrong. Note: the drool worthy designer bag is Celine but this Rochas tote is just as fabulous. Our model is wearing platform heels. I say wave goodbye to them and invest in either a single sole pointy stiletto or go for the chic taupe and black suede ankle boots from Wittner . They are gorgeous and look very walkable. whaaat? And they are elegant enough to wear with a skirt. So you don’t look too clumpy club foot-esque. Bless. The biker jacket just keeps on rocking on. Love this Helmut Lang jacket $795 from net a porter . Buy what suits your budget: Just Jeans do a chic one for $159. And if you didn’t buy a fur vest a hundred years ago when The FiFi Report first instructed you then there’s still time to avoid dagdom. God Forbid no dags reading The FiFi Report. Head to Seed for this adorable feather number. Layer over a white tee or grey knit and you will be as cute as chick. A chic chick.

Chunky knits + Jacket= casual cool
So the leather jacket is hot but who said it had to be in black? Sure dark colours are more versatile but it’s always fun to break it up a bit. Love this Peplum leather jacket $599 from Witchery . The point about this look? To show that you can dress up a cable sweater and jeans. (so you don’t look like you’re going huntin, shootin,fishin). You want a cable sweater. You do. They are out in full force this season. Yes, even K mart has a cute one for $20. You shall have this cool number from Trenery. Buy a size bigger so it’s slouchy. Then add heels.. Always heels. These Tony Bianco taupe suede heels will tone down that red leather jacket.  Add a little joosh to jeans. Roll up the jeans to show off said shoes. The best skinny high waist stretch jeans are $99 from Trenery. I bought them. I love them. Tuck in an equipment shirt, add Gucci belt and heels. Done. But for a more low rise cut click to Sass and Bide. Oh, and add those white Karen walker sunglasses for extra aplomb. We all need a bit of that.

The Man Repeller.

The Man Repeller AKA Leandra is an hilarious fashion blogger. I should know. She has a very quirky style. I love the way she is rocking the double denim trend. Of course it’s the faaaabulous oversized -I would say Stella MCartney - coat that adds the fashion punch. And J’adore the white Celine shoes. I want to kiss them. A cool shoe changes everything. By the way white heels are so hot that even UK Vogue editor (50 year old Nicola Shulman has been rocking the look. Shut up!) The important thing about this look is that you can adopt it right now. Throw the coat on later. Invest in chic skinny Bassike jeans, pull on your white pointy heels , and tuck in your cool denim shirt $89 from Sportsgirl. Then invest in a chic Coach shoulder bag in a snazz a licious blue. Fantastic quality for the price. Beanie optional now: De rigueur come winter.

Emily Weiss

Ok, so this is very fashion. Grab a paper bag and breathe. Keep calm. Those 80’s sweatshirts are back. Thanks to Balenciaga. So daggy they are cool. If you want Balenciaga you would have bought it last season. Because you knew. If you want a bit of fun and spending $10, 000 less then run to Sportsgirl who have copied the look for $27.  Warning. Warning..A UFO sweatshirt is not ageless. You will look muttony if you are over 35.  Sorry. But c’mon guys we want to have a bit fun here. Or it will get sooo boring I’ll be snoozing instead of shopping. Quel Disaster !  My point about this look? You don’t need a jacket with jeans. It’s about wearing jeans ( these $139 from Bardot) with say , a gold sloppy jumper from Saba and then adding sexy shoes to cry over. Or sensational red suede ankle boots $139 from Ninewest. You see ripped jeans need a little love and sophistication. Add a white Alexander Wang bag to lighten it up and you are go for launch. Into the future.

This week’s fifi Report is called How to wear a camel coat. What ? I hear you say. You don’t have one ? Bless. The thing is with fashion is that trends can appear on the horizon and then disappear. You think they’ve gone away. Aha non! Take shoulder pads. Appeared about 5 years…then disappeared . Now next winter is all about a bigger sleeve and a new silhouette . Ditto with leather. Ditto with camel coats. We saw camel coats a few years back. Now they are out in full force. Sure they are a classic but this season they are fully fashion. You can throw it over all black, over white jeans, with leather or with cool accessories. Sure, you might not be wearing a coat right now but all those other delicious pieces are there in store to buy toute suite. Time to get shopping.

Nina Garcia

Nina Garcia is  judge on Project Runway and creative director at Marie Claire. She is a 40 something and she looks fabulous. Lesson: Don’t be afraid of black. Use it as base then layer your coat over for the fashion edge. You want basics like these metallic Country Road pants $149. With black it’s about the new cut or fabulous fabric.  You want texture, shine or embellishment. Or you will go to sleep. The narrow leg is key with the higher waist and pleat front. The best basic trans seasonal tank? The Collection featherweight cashmere shell $118 from J Crew. That neckline is tres flattering. Slimming. Add fabulous fashion ankle boots $219. ( the shoes will change the look). Note crop pants and that bit of skin between pants and boots. Toss a camel wool trench $349 from Trenery over your shoulders. Voila! Tip: you can just as easily toss a camo parka, navy jacket, or animal print coat over the black.

Garance Dore:

Garance Dore is an original. Her blog is delightful. She understands and loves fashion. She knows what suits her. She is wearing an amazing Stella McCartney camel coat. I can’t find it anywhere to buy online. Boo. Might be instore at Robbyingham.com( check out the new online store !) . The point is that this is the new silhouette. It’s big. It’s loose. It’s here to stay. Every 5 years or so things change. This happened about 2 years ago with the Celine show but you didn’t notice. But that’s Ok. Because I did. If you were smart last year you would have obeyed The FiFi Report and bought the Witchery big oversized camel coat as instructed.  I am sure they will bring it out again. In the meantime you wear this shorter version £229 from Ted Baker from House of Fraser . Lesson here: It’s about layering the statement making coat over your neutrals. You want white jeans $172 from J brand, and chambray shirt $99 from Country Road . Then it’s about accessories. Chic nude heels , a snakeskin shoulder handbag and fab mirror sunglasses $59 from le Specs. Oh and push up those sleeves to show off your cuffs.

Camel loves brights.

Here is a fashionista who is not afraid of mixing it up. I like the way she has added colour with accessories. You can start by investing in a fabulous black A line leather skirt $499 from saba. Add a cute leather tee or just a plain black tank. She has thrown a narrow camel coat over the black. I am loving this Jaegar coat at the moment. The quality is fabulous and it’s all on sale. woo hoo. For you now £125. Plus shipping. Shut up. Ok, don’t fret: this cut is narrow but it’s still right . Add some cute neon heels $175 from Bloomingdales . Lesson: ditch bright colour clothes for accessories. The huge street trend over at Paris /Milan /New York fashion week? Beanies. Beanies and more beanies. Great for bad hair days and when it’s freezing. Here now I suggest you add that punch of with a red Givenchy bag. Sure it’s $1300. Because you deserve it.

Tamu Macpherson and Elisa Nalin

Here we have two street style stars Tamu Macpherson from All the Pretty Birds and Elisa Nalin.  Although not always my taste they both have kooky but orginal style. Is that a Lanvin cape? It’s gorgeous.. .The idea is to layer, say, your Marni camel coat on sale for half price € 615 here at Mytheresa , over chic jaqard skinny navy pants $159 from Witchery. Add a basic knit or shirt and then have fun with layering and the fabulous accessories.  Are you drooling again over those fabulous stud Valentino flats? Moi aussi. You can buy a cheap but chic ($159) version in black with a heel here. They are pretty fierce with a heel but as a flat shoe they look chicer. Will let you know if I spy any Valentino style flats t a less stomach gulping price of $1000. Lastly add a bag in a colour that tones in with the look. Love this clutch from Coach for $265. From The Coach Australia store with free shipping. It’s so Celine!

As I sit writing this in my bathers and towel I am officially apologising to all who read this in the same attire . And need help on what to get changed into.  Sorry, this week’s FiFi Report is all about winter clothes. But may I make it perfectly clear that the heat has not gone to my head. Dear FiFi Report readers you can take many of these pieces, well the shoes, tops and pants , and wear right now into Autumn. Yes, you can. Also can I just say: you may not be able to wear everything toute suite but it’s about using these outfits as inspiration. I am here to give you snazzy FiFi pointers on how to tackle the new season. It’s easy!
Here’s the thing: I’m glued, glued to the next winter’s collections ( 355 pins and counting !) in New York, London and Milan. Oh la la. Paris is next. I mean really. How can you NOT want to shop for winter clothes?. C’est impossibIe! Plus ( and a big PLUS) the overseas sites are full of next winter’s collections on sale. SHUT UP! For god’s sake we can’t miss out. It’s an emergency situation. All those clothes are sitting there begging to be bought at sale prices and no one’s watching. I want it all. Right now.

Natalie Massenet from Net A porter.

Why not start with the most formidible and arguably the chicest woman in fashion. Natalie Massenet. She’s 46 and she looks fabulous. She knows to grab a military peacoat/jacket . The pivotal piece in your winter/ transseasonal wardrobe. Love this one $349 at Country Road. Head to toe brights are totally in, right? So put your hand up who wants to actually wear a blue cobalt trousers suit? Um, You do? Oh, you must be born after 1995. Bless. Natalie sticks to just one bright pop of bold colour.  She chooses crop pants. Buy similar $149 from Marcs . But don’t stop there. LOVE those Burberry gold heels. They work in with the gold on the jacket. A black platform stomp-a-licious heel would be way too heavy. Buy here for $1275.00 . Stop your gasping. Calmez-vous. Head to Zomp for chic gold heels here on sale for $95. You need a black fur faux scarf from Mimco $129. All you need to cover any triple chins.

Camile over the Rainbow.

This is Camille .She is half french. You can tell non? She always wears simple pieces. Love the way that she’s grabbed the classics. Classics with a twist. Reworked in a new way. Pleat front black trousers are now in leather. $399 from Witchery. The stripe top is always right especially when it’s on sale at Saba for $36.  A winter coat looks new when it’s oversized and straight to the knee. Love the colour blocking. Note: She has not gone off piste with the kooky colours. Red, black and camel. Chic expensive colours that will want to kiss everything else in your wardrobe. This is from Jaegar on sale for £149. Woo Hoo. Lastly can we talk about white heels? Stop screwing up that face. Get used to it. You will learn to love them. I have and I do. See the way the white heels suddenly make this look even cooler?!. All very inspired by Celine. Buy these white heels at Yoox . The exact copy from Celine’s pre fall 11show . Again on sale $155. Guaranteed to inject grooviness into any daggy ol’ wardrobe. FYI: The first collection Phoebe designed for Celine was in June 2009 .That was nearly 4 years ago. You want it all. You see, Fashion doesn’t move fast: just the information about it does. It takes years for fashion to filter down to the street. And, you know, you actually wearing it.

Carine Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia.

The message here? This is how you wear animal print. Here’s a 57 year old grandmother and a 33 year old both looking fabulous. The perfect example of how to rock the look. WITH NOTHING ELSE! Carine looks sensational in this stone double breasted Trench. But look closely and you can see why she ‘aint no daggy granny! White shoes with silver toe look totes chic with black opaques. ( tip: pointy toes are usually to be worn solely with pants). Buy from Wittner.  She has added that chic camo scarf but not in a scary colours. Nope. In chic browns.  Thank you Alexander MCqueen. Giovanna has thrown on an animal print coat over a classic black poloneck and a plain black skirt. it’s the oversize,loose I-just-threw-it-on shape of the coat that makes it chic. Remember tight and animal = scary.  Tone down the animal or it’s tacky with a capital L for Las vegas. eeew. Buy an Animal print trench from Jaegar for £275 or Nordstrom $822. The edge? The wedge trainers. With black opaques. Buy $189 from Wittner. Note she has pulled back her hair to keep the silhouette clean. All the attention is on that coat. BTW: You can buy a Burberry trench here or Trenery trench for $349 or see Gorman’s leopard dress here. FYI. Carine is her boyfiend’s mother. So there.

Holli Rogers Buyng director at Net a porter.

This week we’re talking three different pants. Black leather, bright colour and jeans. All we need are jeans, jeans and more jeans. For any age. Any shape. What’s the key to this look? The way the jeans are not too skinny. Buy from Wrangler for $139. The funky new print sweater. The way she’s tucked that sweater into said jeans. Then added the chic simple belt.  I much prefer this Equipment snakeskin print sweater US$298. The Peter Pilotto she’s wearing is potentially so hilariously Coogi it could be scary. The layering of the camo parka over the shoulders is totes cool. Buy one for $149 at SEED.( The fur is detachable.) Oh and the Valentino stud shoes. You’ve sobbed over them since we saw them last year, am I right? . My oh my. The mad mix of the pointy toe, the rebel studs and the flat heel all sum up the ironic philosophy of fashion. See how they snazz up the jeans without getting into an argument with the jacket. Ballet flats with this would look wrong. Sorry. You can buy Valentino flats here at Net a porter for $895. I insist. You deserve them: You’ve paid almost nothing for your wrangler jeans or your Seedheritage parka. That’s the way my crazy brain works. Better administer that medication now.