The FiFi Report 323

Economy class

Witchery;
Always worth heading here to get a few key fashion pieces at great prices: I see a lot of beige and blush which is tricky to wear. I say stick to grey cream, white and black with highlights of Khaki and you then can get dressed blind. Hic.
My picks this week are:

• The fab linen/cotton Cotton Military Pocketed Jacket. : this is a key piece for summer and if you are lucky you can wear it right through into next winter. I like it with skinny jeans or black peg leg pants but you should also think how chic this will look with a pencil skirt or a full skirt. It’s true. You want the feminine look to sex it up. As I oft repeat: this is no episode of MASH please. So keep the military looks to a minimum. I do like the shoulder epaulettes, the zips and elasticated drawstring along the hem. $189
• Buy the khaki taupe sequin tank: Yes, I love a sequin top and why not? It’s not about looking like Cher : it’s about adding a little unexpected texture and interest. Please wear during the day with chinos and try it layered over a white tank. It has the front sequins but the back is plain so it makes wearing a jacket easier. yes, please. $89
• Love the black cotton knit long sleeve very Celine inspired top: it has two pockets on the front and is just the thing to wear right now toute suite while it’s not too hot. I like the minimal edge and that fabulous simple neckline is so flattering. Wear with those skinny cargoes or with a pretty full skirt and heels. You know we love heels. $69. This is a must buy and I think I will buy one right now online.
• In accessories you need the khki and cream print scarf. Why? Because it’s kahki and it’s print. The only way to wear colour and print is in a scarf around the neck. It will tie back the khaki and black with everything you are wearing. $49.
• Also on sale buy the skinny grey combat pants: they are a great fit and not too many pockets. Not so tight as they are in a kind of moleskin fabric: Just roll up and only wear with heels. That’s an order ! Now $69.

Trenery;
It’s very classic here at the moment and seems to have gone off the fashion radar a little. Boo Hoo. It’s still worth heading here because the prices are great and there are a few classic pieces to buy;
My picks are;

• I adore the green khaki trench now on sale! What? Moi? Buy another trench? Obviously Trench coat rehab and detox just doesn’t work. It’s very Dries van Noten and in a fabulous cotton. Wear this right now over a white shirt and a full skirt. or tr it over dark cargoes and a stripe Tee. This will take you through to summer and into next winter. Now on sale for about $100.
• Speaking of dark khaki green you should buy the fabulous dark green cotton utility bag. Oh, what an easy way to get into the military trend without declaring war. It has touches of black detailing so it will work with those black basics you own and love. A great way to add colour (!) and also it’’s just a chic weekend bag as well. A great price at $99.
• As I have mentioned a million times the white shirt is a hot piece. Yes, again. I know you are scared about ironing and I have to agree. But I must say I do like the very Celine white round collarless, 2 pocket military shirt $99
• And we all need a blazer for summer and if you can’t do white then go for the light caramel, slightly pinstripe, cotton, one button jacket. It’s got a great cut and will lighten up all the grey and black in the wardrobe. It’s a neutral and will work with everything. Toss over a little black dress or just wear it over a plain tee back with grey chinos and heels. By the way the grey chinos here are now about on sale for about $50. Go in and get them now as they are a very 80’s shape with a narrow leg and pleatr front. HOT.
• Love the very Hermes flat sandals : they are a slide so very casual but if you lookand squint it could an H for Hermes ! Just a chic little sandal and so much nicer around the pool than thongs non? $89.

Sportsgirl:
It doesn’t matter what age you are if you want a cheap but chic quick hit of fashion Sportsgirl is the place:
My picks this week are:

• Am still loving the dark green military shirt. Buy it, wear it, thrash for a season. It’s a little floppy and has ¾ sleeves. You can wear this with jeans but I think it works with shorts and even undone tossed over a black dress. $79
• Otherwise buy the must-have piece of the season: the floppy cream shirt. It has epaulettes and two pockets at the front and is fabulous non? . You saw white shirts in all the shows in Paris and Milan and it’s a hot look. Wear with a floral skirt a la Dries, with a skinny cargoes, under a blazer or with harem-ish pants. Tuck it in and belt it please. The toss on a pendant and you should be CHIC. $69
• I am always checking out the accessories here : I like the silver filigree cuff . You need a cuff to toss on to add a little je ne sais quoi in the jewellery department without going overboard. Looks fab with a white shirt don’t you think? $19.
• Buy the fabulous cotton, navy and white stripe, over night bag with tan straps. It’s a great bag for the beach or just dagging around at the food market. I like a stripe bag and it will add a whole lot of va va voom to any old boring outfit. For you $69. I also love the red canvas cross body bag for an outrageous $29. Perfect for the weekend. Who cares if it gets ice-cream and toast on it. I am sure you can throw it into the washing machine. Just take the Prada wallet and the black Amex out first .
• Love the navy and white long sleeve stripe crop Tee now on sale for $29. You know the stripe top is a must for summer so get in here now…You know how to wear it: tossed under a blazer with the sleeves pushed up and cinched in with a belt and a full skirt.

Business class:

Country Road:L
Lots of great pieces to buy here although I don’t see a lot of looks for the office. Which doesn’t worry me: Shopping is my office!
My picks are:

• Yes, we have discussed skinny cargoes and you know they are the hot trend. Very hot and before you know it the look will be over next season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get into right now and thrash it. LOVE it. I like the grey faded skinny cargoes here although they are pretty tight, they are pretty cool. You know you have to wear with heels or else. Add a blazer please.You need tailoring to counteract the casualness. $129. I think you should wear the fabulous blazer also here, in rayon/visocose ( feels like a linen mix) : it has one button and smaller neat cut and is so right in the pale blush colour. Also in black seen here .
• For a more casual jacket buy the green khaki utility jacket to throw over everything. It will work over a tank and with a pencil skirt and serious stomp-a-licious heels. Love it over a dress too. Remember just buy one token green utility item and make sure you wear back with something chic de la chic. I like the drawstring and the minimal hardware. $199
• Oh and I like the black and cream sequin tank top : it has very cute little line of bows down the back so you need to wear something to cover that..Love it back with the chinos, with jeans, with shorts. It’s a great going out to dinner type of top. Love with a blazer or a even a cardigan tossed over the shoulders. Don’t wear it. Cardigans are daggy when actually worn over sequins. Shhh don’t tell Michelle Obama $149
• In the shoes buy the cute little canvas T bar flats with interesting buckle detailing in a cream or khaki. Perfect for summer. $99.

Max and Co:
I love this store: As I always say Mac and Co has great quality fabrics for the reasonable prices. It’s a little hippy dippy boho this season bit if you filter through that you will find some great pieces. The dresses are great.
My picks are:

• The soft grey cotton utility blazer; This means it’s fitted and tailored like a jacket but it has a few front pockets in that kind of utility style. Love that it’s in a kind of washed faded cotton. The soft grey is perfect for summer. Wear with your kahki chinos or just back with a pretty full black skirt and tan heels. All you need is a pale grey Tee and you have the look. About $395
• Love and adore the navy cotton swing dress with fabulous tan leather straps that sit in a racer back style.Yes, that’s right : the straps are in leather with buckles. The dress is in a very trapeze shape and is the cutest thing with pocket in the side. Wear of course with tan wedges and you will look fabulous. $295
• You want the other fabulous summer casual dress: it has a navy Tee shirt top with cap sleeves and then goes into a linen denim pleat skirt . It has an empire line /high waist where the top bit joins the skirt if you know what I mean. If you don’t you had better scoot in there and try it on. It’s classic and cute. $245
• Buy the black high neck jersey fitted slinky dress with an exposed zip front a la Lanvin. It’s sleeveless and has a simple round neckline and has lining so it should not be too clinging for those of you who have a few too many fried mars bars. $395
• Check out the navy or black wide pleat dress a la Lanvin as well. It’s sleeveless with a round neckline and has wide pleats from top to bottom but stops at the waist so you can have a little shape. I think Country Road did a very version of this about 2 years ago but whatever it’s still chic and right for summer. $325
• Also check out the fabulous leather jackets, the stripe long sleeve Tee $150 and there a few utility khaki pants too for $245.

SeedFemme:
This looks like a great season for Seedfemme: fashion pieces that are cool without screaming it.
My picks are :

• The silver grey silky sleeveless top: it has cute little pleats down the V neck and has a cut away sleeves. Very flattering cut with an elastic hem. It is very loose and voluminous over the muffin top so I am calling croissant top.. I would take it in slightly but if you wear with a narrow pant or skirt it will work. The back is very chic with lovely draping. There is a very similar version in Witchery I am guessing it’s a Vanessa Bruno inspired top. I know: they both copied the same top. Ooopsies! $129
• Love the simple dark blue denim skirt with white stiching. Love this with a long boyfriend blazer that is almost as long as the skirt. You want to wear with tan heels and a white floppy blouse. Add aviators and voila! Instant chic . $79
• Buy leather for summer: You want the tan leather biker jacket to wear right now over a dress or with jeans. Love this back with gorgeous layers of grey. All you need is some heels in the same colour and you’ll be right. A leather jacket will keep going into next season so it’s worth buying it. $699
• Check out the fabulous brown wooden clog style sandals: they are a great colour and what else do we love? That the heel aint too high ! These are easy to run in, or at least skip. I think the cross over strap is quite flattering $189. By the way you need tan or brown accessories this season. If you don’t buy anything else and keep wearing last season’s wardrobe and add a tan bag, belt and shoes you will rock the look. Add brown aviators and you will be very happy. I just know it.
• There are the fabulous Bensimon sneakers here in every colour and they are the epitome of low key chic for summer. It’s summer Love for $70.

First Class:

The Chanel show was extraordinary! “one of those rare fashion moments the audience will remember for a long, long time” Reports WWD

“Cue the (80-piece) orchestra and ready the superlatives, because the Chanel show Karl Lagerfeld staged throughout the entire expanse of the Grand Palais (so called for the same reason it’s called the Grand Canyon) was remarkable, one of those rare fashion moments the audience will remember for a long, long time. Upon exiting, one heard (and saw, in the case of a front-row regular with tears in her eyes) only expressions of awe: “Magnificent!” “It felt like a couture show.” “I’ve got goose bumps.”
It was indeed extraordinary, beginning with the set - make that environment. Lagerfeld conceived an elaborate formal garden complete with three fountains and a system of low, curving borders that encased internal scrolls and paisleys. Yet there was not a spot of green in sight. Rather, this garden was of stone and marble, all black, white and gray. Its graphic scape bore the look of a surrealist fantasy and was inspired by the film “Last Year at Marienbad,” for which Coco Chanel did the costumes.
A show of this scale - there were more models than musicians - cannot be one-note. Lagerfeld offered an abundance of news in a lineup that more than stood up to the dramatic staging. Lagerfeld lavished the clothes with feathers, exquisite embroideries (much could indeed have passed for couture) and a giant floral print. One girl strolled under an umbrella shaped like a wide-brimmed hat. And speaking of not minimal, is the world ready for tiny-tot Chanel? The lone toddler who walked the show made a decadently adorable case.
This show felt as new and exciting as the crack of dawn. It was, however, rooted in a long-held Lagerfeld belief. While readying his first Chanel couture collection in 1983, the designer told WWD, “I don’t like anything small.” FAAABULOUS!