The FiFi Report 288

I was lucky enough go to Melbourne for the long weekend and check out the stores in the city such as the GPO: Fabulous!

Economy class:
Sportsgirl:
Yes, so it’s all young and groovy here but if you are not so young (such as my good self) that should not stop you from coming in and finding some fabulous cheap but chic fashion pieces:
My picks this week are:

• The black wrinkle leather bomber jacket: it has quite a few brass zips on the outside pockets so it’s not for the meek. Anyway why haven’t you bought a leather jacket yet? I have been ranting on about investing in one for years: A bomber jacket continues, of course, to be one of the winter wardrobe staples. You know how to wear it: over a pretty floral print dress or a soft flirty skirt. Soften it up. $299.
• For those who want some relaxing by the pool dresses I see a very cute, watermelon pink floral print maxi dress with a tropical print and pineapples over it , very summery and fun $149
• Buy the little silver glomesh bag now reduced to $35: it’s a square shape a la Lanvin with a turn lock buckle and a chain strap that you don’t need. So tuck that in. This will work as a cute little going out bag. What do you want for $35?
• Check out the fabulous white cotton Tee with black sequins stripe a la Balmain: you want this tee to instantly razz up the wardrobe. Don’t be scared of the sequins: they are not so obvious and not at all glitzy: This will look great under a blazer with dark jeans. $59
• If you are after a basic tee then head here for a simple V neck: it has with short /almost cap sleeves and chic stitching details on the edge of the sleeves. $24 in navy, black and white. A must have to wear with your faux fur gilet $129
• Ok, so I am not into animal print but it will be everywhere this season. Stick to the grey and navy and steer away from that tacky yellow and brown look. You will like the black, cream, pale grey animal print blouse: it’s in a soft silky fabric with a chic round neckline and then puff shoulder pad ¾ sleeves; very Lanvin and cool $129.

Mango:
On sale with racks and racks of things to go through: so have a good time doing that! Best buys in the new season collection are:

• I was drawn to a trench coat: How could that be? (Trench rehab was closed over summer). Let’s face it: you can never be too rich, too thin or have too many trench coats. Check out the stone cotton, double breasted trench with belt and epaulettes: it’s a ¾ length which is a little short but still chic. It will work on the height challenged. It has tortoiseshell buttons too. $199
• There are stripe Tee’s galore around this season and why not? They work on everyone and any age. Perfect for between seasons. You want the navy and cream V-neck Tee with short, rolled up sleeves. The cream stripe always looks chicer than white. $44
• So when it gets cooler perhaps you need the more covered up version in a sweater: so get into that change room right now and try on the navy and cream stripe, round neck jumper in a cotton. It has ¾ sleeves and a navy rib trim along the hem. So right to toss on with jeans on the weekend or with a pencil skirt and heels. Love a stripe tee with parachute pants and a serious blazer. $54
• Talking about blazers: I know they will be everywhere as well this season: Love the light grey marle, heavy cotton jersey boyfriend blazer: it has one button with silky stripe lining. You know the look: it’s about shoving up the sleeves to the elbow to show off the lining. Wear this jacket with lots of grey and black and silver chunky jewellery. Have I mentioned the serious stomp-a-licious shoe? It’s a given you have them. $149
• Buy the light grey wrap dress in a soft gabardine. It does up on the side with a bow and has a cute little cap sleeves and a tulip style skirt. It’s a great dress for work but it may be a little short for anyone with fatty Arbuckle knees that don’t like the daylight. $149

Esprit;
Sales is on but the best buys for the new season are:

• The cute, sporty navy and white short sleeve hoodie with a drawstring neckline : love a short sleeve hoodie. So right for summer. The sporty trend is here again next season so you won’t go wrong with this. $69
• Love the silver shiny nylon bomber with grey, cotton rib trim and a drawstring detail on the neckline and a hidden zip front ( I think). It has fabulous light grey marle lining which you see when you roll up the sleeves. This is cool. I like it with peg leg pants and heels. But you can, of course, wear it when you are being sporty spice on the yacht. $109
• SO much navy and white everywhere this season: mmmm. Let me see: I think Balenciaga originally did navy about 5 years ago so you can see how long it takes to become mainstream. It’s always chic. For this warm weather you can buy the navy and white stripe cotton halter drawstring top, with tiny shoestring straps …also in red $29. Chic but sorry about the bra situation,. Maybe you could wear a strapless one. Or let the boobs be free.
• Check out the pretty light grey silky floaty poet’s sleeve peasant top : It’s a little loose and perfect for throwing on for the weekend with jeans and covering the leftover Australia Day Pavlova sitting on your stomach $69. It has a round, drawstring round neckline and bottom hem with ¾ sleeves.

Witchery:
It’s all very slouchy, loose and BoHo here and I want to see sharp, sexy and tailoring. I suppose this shape is right for summer: my picks here are:

• There is a very Balmain black lace Tee (Also in blush pink but, of course, you will not be wearing that) . $99….As I have often said about lace: you need to dress it down for day with slouchy pants, faded skinny black jeans or layer it over a white tee. Be careful so it doesn’t look tacky. You don’t want to wear it with a leather jacket and pearls or you will look like Madonna. This is not a good thing.
• There is a very cool, pale denim military jacket with brass buttons: it has asymmetrical buttons This might be nice with a flirty skirt so it’s not too tough, You can wear it with skinny leggings if you have skinny legs to squeeze in them. This will work over a grey marle tee. With black harem style loose track suit style pants. You don’t want to look like you are going to march in the band. Playing the trumpet. Bless. $129
• You know they are hot so you should buy the black boyfriend, oversized jacket in a cotton linen : it’s long and will cover all muffin bottoms: this will work with a cute white or grey tank under it and slouchy harem pants and heels. Always heels. Push up the sleeves and it’s the look. $189
• Love the grey suede wrap / drape vest: perfect for right now over a Tee or a dress and then over a knit into winter. A must buy! $249
• You want the silver stud leather cuff strap : Oh, I have been going about these for so long so if you didn’t buy one in Diva when I told you months ago then get into the Witchery version now. Stack them up on one arm. $39
• Everyone needs the grey/taupe leather shoulder bag with zips all lover it: So very Alexander Wang , very cool $269

Business Class
Coach: www.coach.com
It’s always worth popping in here to check out the bags and the jackets….

• As a trench addict you will never believe what I found in Coach! A short and fabulous stone cotton trench: obviously very inspired by Burberry with the same gold buttons: this is on sale and it’s very chic: it’s a Mac/ car coat really in that it is short. It’s double breasted and now $400 on sale ( half price). Love it.
• There is a fabulous black puffa jacket $1000; In nylon and very nice with a belt. The Puffa jacket is still a big trend for next winter but if you live in Sydney then it’s hardly worth investing in one unless you stand in front of the freezer with the door open. But if you live in Wellington or Hobart then it’s a must have. It’s about wearing it with heels as a fashion item rather than as a let’s go for a bush walk jacket. Who does that?
• Love the black (or tan) one shoulder tall tote bag: it has one strap with a silver turn lock detail on the side: tres chic and an easy bag for every day except it doesn’t have a zip which can be annoying. For safety reasons of course. About $800
• Check out the messenger bag in black fabric: not bad all because the Logo is pretty non-descript. About $300 . handy for those weekends away and for traveling.
• Otherwise there are many over the top logo bags and I see hot pink too. mmm. Obviously catering for the Japanese tourists. bless

Country Road:
So nice some new season pieces: My picks are :

• The very loose knit, almost crochet round neck sweater: It’s in gold (outrageous!) or a shimmer silvery black $179. It’s a simple Tee shape and you need to wear something under it because it’s see through. Like a singlet tank. You could do the underwear as outer wear thing and reveal a bra but ooh la la that can be tricky.
• To wear now you should buy the black metallic shimmery, sleeveless, loose tank with interesting paneling and detailing around the neckline $149. It’s perfect to toss on over jeans or chinos or with even with shorts. It’s about evening wear fabrics in the day so don’t look at this and think ‘Oh that’s for evening.’ Wrong. So wrong darling.
• Ditto when you buy the lurex black tank top: it’s about rocking this look back with jeans and an over sized boyfriend blazer; You could even layer this over a white tank to soften the look. Love it with a flirty skirt and lots of silver chunky jewels. Tip: when buying black you texture shine, embroidery or some kind of detailing so it’s not just boring old black. $79
• For a dress to wear right now and skip into the sunset then grab the grey marle jersey drape dress and toss on your heels ( or flats) $149
• Check out the sleeveless silky round neck ‘tape’ top with strips of fabrics flapping around the sleeves $149, to make for interesting details in black or soft pretty colours. This is a great top to toss on with all your pants. Not so right with a skirt unless it’s a pencil skirt. this detailing on the shoulders could cover up the floppy bits if you have them. How thoughtful.
• Buy the classic white double cuff, cotton short $129; Wear it like Vogue Nippon’s Fashion Director Anna Dello Russo: (from Garance Dore ) and roll up the sleeves under a man style blazer.

Mimco:
On sale of course but I am having a lovely time snooping around the new season collections.
My picks are:

• The fabulous silver chunky Chain necklace. It’s a silver plated with ‘Czech faceted glass beads and round metal washers”. A seriously, big fat, chunky metal necklace is one of the season’s hot pieces. You want one because it’s one an instant wardrobe updater. Wear with simple grey T shirts and harem pants. It’s about wearing it in the day time with jeans or with a simple day dress. So yes, the good news is you can keep wearing your last season’s favourites and whip them into looking this season with a quick accessory change. Got to love that non? $329.
• Or perhaps you want the simple, single chain chunky necklace: I like it in blue links ‘of marbled acrylic’ Buy 3 and layer up : we love navy and black together. Remember the golden rule: when you wear a big necklace then ditch any other jewels. The eye should be drawn to one area. So no to earrings and necklaces and bracelets. THAT is confusing and everything is fighting for attention. And no one wants a fight. I am a peacekeeper. $129
• So if you don’t want to rock a big chunky necklace then that’s OK: I suggest you pile on the bracelets. You want the ‘Tomorrow silver plated chunky curb chain threaded with mixed diamond chain”. Wear one of these with a couple of the leather straps and cuffs up your arm. Tough love. $129
• In the shoes I like the tan leather ‘Prairie Platform heels. They have wide cross over straps with metal stud details. The buckle is in gunmetal. $299. A tan shoe always looks great with navy and with black. You can even mix tan back with bright colours. That’s why it’s a neutral it will be go with all colours. Also a good point is that this is a trans-seasonal shoe and will work right now with pretty summer dresses and then later in the cooler months with black opaques. And a trench coat.

First Class:
Prada
It’s time to head back to The Mothership. It’s time to pay respects and pray at the altar of the God of Fashion. Miuccia is a genius.
The girls here in the boutique tell me that they are about to unpack the next summer collection ( and may have already). Lovely.

• You want every one of the black dresses on the rack : All divine with lots of drape and exquisite detailing. You should try the heavy silk V neck dress that’s fitted through the waist with ¾ sleeves $2950
• Love the black simple taffeta silk dress: it’s a simple V neck then fits in the waist to flare out. So flattering and so easy to wear. ( it’s from the Prada Linea Rossa line) $1300.
• There is a divine black ( or stone) silk short trench with an amazing big bow (or knot) on the inverted pleat at the back…Gorgeous about $1800
• You will die and go bananas over the caramel ruched and draped sleeveless dress $2950. Or the red silk drape shift sleeveless dress $1900
• Please someone buy the white cotton shirt: clean and simple: it’s all you need in life. So understated. $700
• There are the gorgeous hot pink silk shirts with an orange trim down the front $1100. Outrageously bright but why not? You can wear bright colours when it’s Prada. It will never look cheap.
• Adore the simple caramel cotton slightly A line skirt: gorgeous and minimal and so right for next season. $700
• How cute are all the little trinkets? Very. They are funny teddy bear key rings or dingle dangle trinkets for your handbag about $300..
• The Prada book is here to buy of course! (see The FiFi Report)
• You might even buy the T shirts with a silk flower trim necklace : oh la la : it’s attached to the Tee shirt but looks like a necklace for you special price $900
• In the bags drool over the new season collection: a lot with punched holes in soft sorbet summer colours.

Acne:
On sale and I see some gorgeous pieces (in the Melbourne GPO store)
My picks are:

• The fabulous short ‘paper’ cotton black drape dress with shoulder pads: it’s a loose sleeveless shift with big swathes of fabric that drape and cross over at the front and back. It could be short. now on sale $200
• Love the beautiful black paneled, sleeveless dress which is fitted tight to waist and then has hidden inbuilt hoops on the hips: OMG. That’s right : it’s got padding so you can have bigger hips. Please pick your self up from the floor. You may remember I have written about this before in The FiFi Report. I tried it on and it’s actually quite flattering because it sucks you in at the waist and the exaggerated hips give you the illusion of a small waist. Also it has small shoulder pads tucked under the sleeveless shoulders. Love it. Now on sale for half price at $500.
• Adore the black long boyfriend jacket with one button in a wool gabardine about $700. You know how to wear this.
• You should try on the black shimmery loose tank now on sale about $230 and please check out the simple cotton Tees now on sale $99.