So I am back from holidays and dying of Post Traumatic Paris Syndrome. My holiday was a fabulous mix of country and city. After 10 days in the rural France we hit Paris and went shopping. And shopping. We stopped to eat and then shopped again. Cultural moments? Well, the shops are closed on Sundays so we had to go to a gallery. That was until we discovered the new Ralph Lauren store was actually open in St Germain. All six amazing stories of the incredible Hotel Particuliere. Even if you are not a fan of his preppy clothes you have to check this store out. You can read more in FiFi’s special Globetrotter Paris edition.
Of course the standout fashion trend (As I’ve written in my blog for Review) is that there isn’t one. Flashy, over the top trends are not what Parisienne style is all about. What impressed me most was the utterly effortless look of the Parisians and the low key way of throwing things together. It’s about wearing a beautifully cut blazer, tossing on flats ( I had trouble coping with that), lots of white shirts, a stripe tee or two, mixing navy with black. It’s about chinos, simple, easy shirt dresses and the best bag you can buy. It’s more about a great hair cut and subtle makeup. It’s about slouchy man style pants and not a lot of jewellery. It’s about being polished and, well, chic.
Oh, but I must say hitting the shops in Sydney seemed to help quell my Jet Set doldrums….
Economy Class;
Witchery:
I see a floor of cream and beiges and neutrals…with touches of soft blush and taupe…keep calm and carry on: there is black and grey for those who don’t want a big dry cleaning bill…
Best buys this week are:
- The denim shirt dress in a faded chambray with rolled up sleeves, $139. It’s easy chic and would work with boots or with sandals. This will definitely take through to the next season.
- You want the very chic, silky satin knot front long sleeve top: just a great little number for the office or with jeans that can sit under a jacket and looks more interesting than a boring shirt. You can go for black or for a dusty pink. $129
- If you are going away somewhere warm to escape winter then may I suggest the simple denim tunic dress: easy loose shape, with pretty pin tucking and just the thing for tossing on with gladiator sandals. Love anything with pockets and that flattering V neck too. It’s a bit Boho which is Ok if you don’t let that trend get out of control. Then it’s just messy. $129
- I see a lovely suede wrap double front zip jacket a la Rick Owens. quite strange that Witchery has brought this out right now considering everyone and his dog has copied this jacket months ago…it’s a good version, though, and is probably great to wear into spring because it’s light weight. $599.
- Buy the grey marle jersey cami with black grosgrain straps…it has cute pleating at the front and a loose tunic/cover up the muffin top style shape. Just an easy little number to wear with jeans or under all those jackets and scarves you are wearing to keep warm.$59
Esprit:
A few really good weekend basics here to keep you out of mischief. Great for yummy mummy dressing.
My picks this week are:
- The fabulous stone or navy cotton boyfriend jacket with stripe lining. Yes, I have mentioned it before but it’s a great buy. It’s a key piece for the season so just shut up and buy it. Very APC with front pockets and 2 single breasted buttons. I have been banging for about a year now about the blazer and boyfriend jacket so you should, of course, have bought about ten by now. But just like a trench you can always have another one. We love a blazer because it gives everyone shape and structure especially those with flabby croissant and wine soaked hips such as myself. $139. Tip: it’s about pushing up the sleeves.
- On sale is the fabulous khaki green cotton military style jacket with rib knit stitching and a belt. It’s the big fashion item of the season so why spend a fortune? Again I have mentioned this before but now it’s on sale you must buy it, Toss over everything that’s wintery like black peg leg pants and heels and then later when it’s warm try it over a summer dress. I insist you buy this. Any age can wear it. Just make it more sophisticated if you are over 40 by wearing with a chic flirty skirt and chic heels. Now $99
- Everyone needs a peacoat, it’s so very French and never goes out of style. But now at the end of the season a wool melton version maybe a little too wintery so I suggest going into spring you need the black cotton twill peacoat here by EDC. A must buy. $169
- I see a cool button up denim jacket - if you are not a designer denim addict then you should but this - and of course a few fab tunic tops and T shirts on sale. sorry..No photos!
Trenery:
Looking pale and cream,khaki and brown here as well with touches of navy and black…
- Love the very Celine inspired white Bib dinner shirt with detailing on the front like a tuxedo shirt and with elastic hem $99. Yes, please. Trec chic.
- Buy the multi stripe, long sleeve knit Tee with red and grey and black. Yes, I will probably vomit if I see another stripe Tee in another shop so this is great because it’s different $99. Oh and it’s a classic so I really can’t complain. Tacky hot pink is another story.
- As I have been telling you for months Khaki is the colour for summer and it will work with everything ( i.e Black and red). So you want the Khaki green, double breasted trench with epaulettes and tortoiseshell buttons. Also in navy $249
- You want the Khaki cotton shorts to the knee $99 or the cute relaxed cotton khaki skirt $119 and slouchy pleat front pleat chinos: All must buys $129
- Love the stone, almost cream cropped trench jacket, it’s short almost to waist with tortoiseshell buttons $199. perfect weekend jacket but looks just as chic with a pencil skirt for work
- You want the black cotton subtle pinstripe blazer with the compulsory stripe lining on the rolled up sleeves. This is very light cotton but a great buy to take you through to next season. Don’t look at pinstripe and think work or corporate. No, no, it’s funky with grey marle and jeans and a stripe Tee.
- Buy the caramel softest, most luxurious suede zip front blouson jacket. This is for you if you are a neat freak and don’t have puppies, or children. Not for you if you love to eat dripping Nutella out of the jar $599.
Business Class:
Country Road:
So it’s looking very Resort/Spring in here at the moment which is great if you are off to Port Douglas, Bali or St Tropez. There are a few chic pieces to wear now too…The new season looks very Isabel Marant / Vanessa Bruno inspired with cream, Khaki and choc brown all tossed together. The colours for the season…Oh with a dash of red white and blue…
My picks are:
- Love the cute asymmetrical stripe tee, I like because it looks a little different from all the stripe I have seen for the past year…Love the idea of wearing if off the shoulder too. $49.
- Everyone needs fitted cargo pants or some kind of chinos this season so why not try the dark sand or grey cargo style cotton crop pants? $129.
- Love the grey drape cotton jersey pencil skirt: it drapes and yet skims over the bits so it’s very flattering. Plus this is a great skirt to wear with boots now tossed with a leather jacket and then do a switcheroo for summer and put it back with flats and a cami. Also in a brown $99.
- Buy the olive green khaki parka/bomber jacket with brass detailing: love the way they have layered all the different tones and textures here $179
- Oh and buy the wooden wedges in black or brown: the wedge is all you need for summer: they are back ! Oh so comfortable and work with both pants or skirts. Plus the strappy lace up suede low heels are coming instore in black and are a must buy $139.
- Love all the graphic print scarves tucked into the belts….
Scanlan and Theodore:
Woo Hoo on sale! Obviously not a lot left but it’s still worth checking it out.
My picks are:
- The fabulous chic caramel suede bomber zip jacket now $590. It’s a lovely jacket and divine with baggy cargo pants and heels. It’s for those women who can wear cream or white and still look impeccable at the end of the day. Bless.
- Love, love the sleeveless wool Melton double breasted longer vest. It comes to about mid thigh. I always mention it because I know it’s a winner: Wear over a white tee , with a flirty skirt or over a dress or just skinny cargoes: it’s now $440. A hot look going into next winter and because it’s sleeveless it’s perfect for trans-seasonal Sydney.
- You want the grey silk bomber jacket with ribbed details trim $140. This style jacket is still a great look going into next season and the floppy unstructured look is great alternative if you don’t want to do the seriously tailored jacket.
- There is an amazing long sleeve grey/multi print digital print dress with double cuff $350. Mad over the top digital prints are a huge trend for next summer so get in early…. Layer under a trench now to keep warm.
- Buy the multi print in bright blues and aqua paisley print blouse now $280. Just keep it low key by wearing with classic black peg leg pants or jeans
CK Calvin Klein:
On sale Now 85% off. OMG…Love this store and there are still amazing pieces to buy. They are unpacking more boxes because they are relocating to Centrepoint. Hint: This store is in the Mall underneath Myer in the city but it’s worth heading in there even if you don’t work in the city.
My picks are:
- The racks of chic black , red, green and navy dresses : some are just $78. The fabrics are great quality and you can’t go wrong with those prices.
- You should go through the menswear pieces. They are great for women like the hoodie tops for about $120. Fabulous detailing, cut and stitching…
- Buy the knits, the tees and interestingly cut cotton tops in beautiful quality cotton from about $70
- I still see the black wool melton cape ( in large size) now $280. Divine. The cape is THE key piece next season. Nuf said.
- There are racks of fabulous winter coats and architecturally cut tops from about $50…
- NB: some of the pieces have already left the building…
First Class:
The Corner Shop.
Always fabulous buys here:
My picks are:
- The fabulous Alexander Wang bags: For a bit of fashion fun you can have the black Rocco bag about $1200 or the fabulous black zip oversized clutch about $800. Tres cool.
- For a more local collection of bags you should check out the canvas and leather bags by Benah: They look very Celine inspired - which is a good thing- and you can have the fabulous big open top tote in black or brown or the cute little across the body small bag about $400. Love!
- You want the Marc by Marc Jacobs bags : they are a great price and quite frankly great quality leather for what you are paying. Prices are comparable to the net and to the store in Paris. There is a chic grey long shoulder bag for about $695.
- Love the Vanessa Bruno coat / jacket now on sale about $600. it’s single breasted in a cotton/silk twill and a loose cocoon style shape stopping at the knee. perfect trans seasonal piece.
- And check out the fabulous new Isabele Marant khaki military shirt if it’s still there ….I think about $550.
- A new label to the Corner Shop is the denim label Current Elliot so head here to pick up the best jeans before they sell out…
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