The FiFi Report 325

Economy class:

Sportsgirl;
Head to here for the best cheap but chic funky little tops and accessories.
My picks this week are :

• The red and white stripe Tee dress with ruffle shoulders: so easy to toss on for casual weekends at the beach or by the pool. $31! Love this with heels or just try it with cute Bensimon canvas sandshoes (or runners or whatever they are called?!) SO chic and French: keep it simple and just add big sunglasses.
• If you want heels you should go for brown T bars heels : If you want a bit of bling and fun then you will be relieved to know you will get another season out of studs. Wear these brown heels with red or khaki: but keep the look pretty clean if your shoes are the jewellery in the outfit. $149
• Plus check out the brown wedges that look so high but are not so hard to run around in because they are platform as well. Which means your foot could almost be in a horizontal position on earth. Thanks very much. I think these are a copy of the Prada or YSL or Miu Miu or something. So they must be chic! LOL $149. Tan shoes are THE heels to have for summer and so nice with white and khaki.
• If you want a chic little over-nighter bag or something to carry all the Italian Vogues and crème de la Mer to the beach then I insist you buy the stripe cotton bag with a brown leather detailing. You can cover it with salt and sand and who cares when it’s just $69?  Also in the bags there is also a red faded canvas beach saddle bag with cream straps (which I have mentioned before) that is just great for $29.
• I love the idea of a simple white shirt with faaabulous earrings : you should try on the divine dangly jewelled deco earrings here. For an outrageous $24.

Portmans:
I see quite a few short, pink, 80’s style disco dresses and I am keeping on walking…ignore all lace and anything pink unless you were born in 1995. Nuf said.
My picks are :

• The black and white stripe one shoulder dress: So easy to wear and a little bit more exciting with one shoulder than the garden variety stripe beach dress. wear with flats or heels. Wear with red. Wear with a smile on your face and big cats eye sunglasses. $69
• There is a cute blush ( not really pink) asymmetrical drape sleeveless top which could be the handy little number you need to throw on with skinny jeans. I suggest this would be fabulous with some taupe or choc brown drape pants. Tip: bright pink and black = scary tacky. $69
• I know I have been going about about stripe for months (or probably years) but a stripe Tee is always chic: buy the black and cream slub cotton knit Tee with a deep low neckline ( not a wide scoop) and big loose short sleeves. Love this to toss on with a pencil skirt or you fav chinos. Yes, please for $39.
• Check out the scarves : there is one in a white with black print and it’s called the “affirmation scarf” I am not sure what is scribbled on it but it probably says something like “I shop therefore I am” . ha! ( where are my glasses to read such things?)/ Go for that or any scarf with a print : then you have instant colour in your wardrobe without blinking too brightly $24.

Witchery:
Always great here for fashion pieces that are not too expensive.
My picks are:

• The grey draped short leather jacket : it’s not so draped but more like a fitted cardigan jacket in leather. Yes, I repeat leather for summer is the hot look so start wearing it while you can before it gets too hot. And you will die ( not in a Rachel Zoe kind of I die way) . Love this with a white tee, a flirty skirt and heels. And a cold crisp white wine. hic $499.
• There is also a fabulous and chic taupe round neck fitted leather jacket with a hidden zip. Don’t worry you will find it if you haven’t had too much wine. The zip that is.  Love this with khaki chinos or skinny cargoes and lace up stomping heels.. Lovely for a Melbourne summer when it goes from 40 degree to 15 degrees in 2 hours and you to throw something on…$499.
• For more milder weather you need a summer jacket in black like the drape front black blazer that has no buttons or anything tricky and will sit open : it’s a relaxed jacket that will also enjoy a wine with you I am sure. Wear it tossed over a simple white equipment shirt and grey chinos and faaabulous lace up serious stomp a lcious statement heels.$199
• Did I mention the fabulous green khaki military jacket last time? It is pretty cool and will be the jacket you can toss on over everything: even your jimjams or bikinis. I promise. What’s great about this is that it’s not too train spotting and doesn’t look like it’s actually been in a war. No, not scruffy. Just how I like it. It has chic epaulettes, gunmetal hardware and lots of pockets. You will feel pulled together wearing this with a pencil skirt and carrying your new Givenchy bag. $189
• In the accessories go for the black wooden bead necklace for $89 and wear with a stripe Tee and chinos. Or trying layering up two of the gunmetal ball/ chain Lanvin style necklaces on a black ribbon $69. Love this with a grey Tee for day with jeans. By the way the scarves in ombre are lovely in taupe and cream $39 in a summer weight. Wish I was.

Business Class
Country Road:
It’s looking very casual here with lots of print and khaki: very Dries and Balenciaga inspired!
My picks are:

• You know you need a shirt this season: An equipment shirt is the coolest but this nice, rolled up short sleeve shirt could be the go as well: It’s got the necessary floppiness don’t you think? Awfully easy to wear. What do I love about a shirt? Well, they are sexy but also you will never get that ugly scoop neck look: a shirt is always flattering. Invest in this one in white or olive. Add chains and pendants and cuffs. $99
• I like the black drape silky pants that look very inspired by Marni: They are the new slouchy harem pants with drape wide pockets that seem to go from front to back around the hips. Clever. They are showing them here with flats but I prefer them with heels : Honey,  you need all the help you can get. Wear with a print top or just your fav V neck grey marle tee and lots of pendants. Add a clutch for nights out to dinner. $159
• In the dress department I like the black and white print ruched dress with short sleeves and a draping kind of shape: The neckline is not scary scoop and sits quite well around the shoulders. Don’t be scared the draping is quite flattering. Love this with serious heels or flats or even a dash a red. Outrageous $149
• The fabulous khaki Silky Cargo Skirt: it’s a great little basic and so right for anywhere , any time. It will work with a blazer or with a silky Tee. As I mention every week: my advice is just buy a couple of military pieces to rock the khaki trend. It’s a chic way to look ‘fashion’ and let’s face it khaki green is so much nicer than horrid cheap pink non?! $129
• Love the new flat gladiator sandals that are strappy but not tough. They do not have any horrible buckles or studs or hardware. Simple in taupe $99.

Zimmerman:
When I think of summer I think of Zimmerman and all those lovely dresses and bikinis…
My picks are:

• The taupe silk drape dress in a silky fabric: so chic with red or bright accessories. taupe, blush, caramel and all those brown colours were a huge trend on the runways for next summer so get into now: It’s sleeveless and in that loose shape so it’s perfect for drinks and casual dinners non? $475
• I like the same shape but in a print tank in black and white digital print: so chic It’s a winner with all your basic black jeans and or peg leg pants. $395.
• For a chic little black dress for evening you should buy the black metallic shift dress with a cut out back: it has a great neckline with a slight low round look and a very straight tunic style silhouette. It’s all in the fabric darlink ! $450
• In the basics range you will love the dark grey V neck tee and will wear it with everything I promise: it’s also a winner. $70: yes please. Also in white or is it ecru? I think it’s also available in black but you don’t need that.
• Also check out all the fabulous red /orange paisley print maxi dresses for the beach $395 or the cute short black silk button through shoestring dress; cool! $345.

Mimco
It’s all about accessories this season so if you want to razz up your look without buying a whole new wardrobe head to Mimco for fabulous jewllery and shoes…
My picks are:

• The very snazzy and dramatic Barbed Beaded Choker. They call it a “combination of hand seed beaded chain links with oversized blackened chain, delicate leaf chain, crystal cup chain, hammered rings and an adjustable blackened chain extender.” Oh la la. I call it pretty cool to wear with something casual. These necklaces are really day to evening and look great with jeans or a sexy shirt $269.
• Check out the other amazing Limited Edition over the top necklace: it’s a ” combination of brass plated chain, chainmail, mixed plated curb chain, granulated discs, fang drop motifs, suede plaits, cowry shell and a knotted leather bib. ” I am not sure what fang drop motifs are but it could be good for Halloween? Or eating something. Anyway remember when you wear a statement necklace like this you must all other jewels: keep it simple or you will look like Madonna the first time round and she looked bad then.
• In the shoes I like the taupe stud heels : A little mad with the bling but baby you need to have a party on your feet this season. Remember the klder you get the more eccentric shoes you can wear. But these shoes are not eccentric and look at the heel: My god: quite walk-able : it’s a miracle! Put away the zimmer frame and get into it. Wear with your chinos rolled up and show off those shoes.
• Also in shoes there are some brogues: Yes, I am not so sure I would wear them but they are quite cool in a French actress sort of like like Clemence Poesy kind of way: wear with jeans and a sloppy blazer and a sexy undone loose equipment shirt and off you go. Voila! $279
• If you are going to the races then there are a few hats and fascinators here too..mimco.com.au or you could just buy a floppy sun hat and stick a flower on it. Simple and chic.